The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan - Audio version

 The Christmas Bookshop

by Jenny Colgan

Audio Version

Jenny Colgan has a simple way of writing. She gets

all the feels. All the love. All the confusion and

uncertainty that we all feel when the rug is pulled 

out from under us with life. Whether it is the loss

of a job. The loss of a loved one. Maybe a plan you 

had for your life did not work like you were sure

that it would. Whatever it is, Jenny Colgan writes all

the fear that we feel at times like that. But then she 

builds her characters back up. Brings the life back

to them. There is no sad endings here.

 Carmen starts out as a typical whoa-is-me little

sister. The next thing she knows, she is living in 

her sisters spare room. The perfect sister that can 

handle everything well. Working at a bookshop 

that is on its last leg! How on earth did she find 

herself in this situation? She talks to a friend that

found a restaurant job that is paying well. One that 

won't end after the holiday. Carmen decides to find

her own restaurant job. But Mr McCredie, the shop 

owner picks the right moment to let Carmen see

just how much he needs her to help him 

save the shop.

 In the end, Carmen has turned her life around,. 

turned the Christmas bookshop around and become an 

Aunt. Again. Life could not be better. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery

By Jenny Colgan

Audible version

★★★★★

Polly has got her life in perfect order. 

She gets up early every day. And she bakes.

It is what soothes her heart. Bakery is her

life and joy. Well, that and Huckle. 

Her wonderful handsome patient boyfriend. 

They live together in Mount Polbearne.

Polly bought a charming lighthouse to live in. 

 Then, there is Neal. The puffin that doesnt 

really understand he is a puffin. Neal is a 

big part of the community at Mount Polbearne. 

Polly has always felt at home at the bakery.

She made the decisions and choices. Polly was

in charge. She liked it that way. 

It had been that way for so long that Polly had

 really forgotten that she wasnt the owner.

Until the day the owner died. 

Then everything changed. Everything. 

Polly and Huckle have to figure it all out. 

Can they manage it all? They have to take 

care of each other. And Neal. 

Not to mention the lighthouse. 

It almost seems impossible. 

Alison Larkin is the narrator. She is perfect

for the sweet, emotional, community book 

the Jenny Colgan has written.  

I completely enjoyed listening to this story.

I bought my copy from Amazon.

Review by Lisa Hutson