Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop: Christmas on Castle Street by Jessica Redland

 

Jessica Redland never fails to deliver comfort and charm, and Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop is no exception. Stepping into this festive tale felt like curling up with a cosy blanket and catching up with old friends—familiar faces from the series returned with heart and humour, yet the story stands beautifully on its own. Set against the magical backdrop of a bookshop at Christmastime, it gently reminds us that sometimes the best gifts are the connections we rediscover.

 

Lily Appleton runs the Bay Bookshop with her father, but when he needs surgery, they’re forced to find a temporary replacement. The best applicant turns out to be Lars—Lily’s ex-classmate and once-close childhood friend. Their friendship fractured in high school when Lars, struggling with personal issues, cruelly pushed Lily away. Now, years later, he’s embarrassed, and she’s still hurt. But as they work side by side, old memories resurface and new ones begin to form. Through the quiet magic of the season and the warmth of Lars’s Icelandic traditions, Lily rediscovers the comfort of connection—and maybe even the chance to fall in love under the soft glow of festive lights, as enchanting as the Northern Lights on a winter’s night.

 

This story wrapped around me like a favourite scarf—soft, familiar, and quietly magical. I loved watching Lily and Lars navigate old hurts and new beginnings, all against the backdrop of twinkling lights and Icelandic traditions that added a unique, heartwarming touch. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, the people we least expect can bring us back to ourselves. Perfect for curling up with on a winter’s night, this one left me smiling long after I turned the last page.

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7876439726