Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar Blog Tour

 I love Christmas and I don't think it should be exclusive to December.

I'll be honest, I read this book way back in July as I was in need of some warm and cosy feels, and that's exactly what Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop had to offer.

Following on from Kiley's other novel The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday. Featuring many of the same characters (I've since read this book too) I can say with certainty that this story can be read as a stand-alone without the need to know previous characters back stories.

With just two weeks until Christmas, everything in Clove Lore should be perfect. But the latest holidaymaker to the Borrow a Bookshop is feeling far from festive…

Icelandic ex-bookseller Magnús Sturluson might be surrounded by love stories in the Bookshop, but he’s nursing a sadness that not even fiction can fix.

When Alexandra Robinson finds herself stranded in Clove Lore, she finds a safe place to hide from heartbreak. After all, all that’s waiting for her at home is a cheater boyfriend and the memories of her parents. As Alex finds herself embraced by the quirky village community, she finds her tough exterior thawing – and as she grows closer to Magnús, she finds an equally soft heart under his gruff shell.

It seems that Clove Lore is working its magic once again – until a great flood on Christmas Eve brings devastation in its wake. It’s up to Magnús and Alex to batten down the hatches and help bring the village back together again, while also introducing the locals to the Icelandic tradition of the jólabókaflóð – Yule book flood – where families and friends gather on Christmas Eve to exchange books and read together.

But can Magnús and Alex truly rescue the ruins of the village, and salvage their Christmas spirit? Or is there another complication lurking even closer than they thought?

This second instalment where we find ourselves immersed in Clove Lore, this time introduced to two new characters. 

First there's Magnus Sturluson, an Icelandic man who is need of a break to fix the sadness that seems to be consuming him. And then there is Alexandra Robinson, who is also in need of cheering up shall we say.

Two people who from first appearances couldn't be any more different but who actually are perhaps in the same boat when it comes to how they feel.

Now I know I said that Christmas can be enjoyed at any time of the year however this would be the perfect winter warmer.

The setting is idyllic.

I just love the idea of borrowing a bookshop. Sounds like complete and utter heaven to me.

The cast of characters is even better. I just loved how they all interacted. Each with their own problems to face but always there to help others when needed. It really warmed my heart seeing everybody willing to go the extra mile for others. None of it felt forced, simple kindness which we could all do with spreading further.

Of course the romance plays a huge part. 

SPOILER ALERT

There is a happy ending! And lets be honest, who doesn't love a good holiday romance. I could be quite partial to a Viking like Icelander if he came in the shape of Magnus. 

Although the budding relationship happened rather quickly, it didn't come across as fake. It seemed like the natural progression for how they were feeling and I personally was all for it. Team Magdra all the way.

Endearing is how I'd describe Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop.

With a great mix of humour and drama, it is a novel that thoroughly charmed the pants off of me and I'm hoping we get another instalment with Minty's story being the centre of it all.

If you are in need of a little uplift and positivity, you can't go wrong with a book from Kiley Dunbar.