3.5 starsWhen Joshua Blakeman decides to take up the task of checking the state of affairs in Chapter One, the bookshop of his recently deceased father, he expects to have to face painful memories, shame and regret. What he does not expect is finding a friend in the owner of the shop next door, Michael. As their relationship evolves into something deeper, Josh has to learn about forgiveness, true love and also… Magic.This is a beautiful story, one of second chances and true love. Josh is tormented by his past mistakes, his shame and regret leads to panic attacks which leave him panting and broken. Meeting Michael and getting reacquainted with his past will be the salve his soul needs. But Michael has his own secret, one difficult to believe, which threatens to destroy their budding relationship. Josh will have to learn to look with his heart to understand that true love is real… No matter what shape it has. A comfort read, sweet, short, and really suitable for Christmas time. Christmas reads - oh my heart, Christmas reads. As much part of my essential seasonal package as chocolate, family, hallmark films and Christmas jumpers. There is nothing like a dash of romance and sprinkling of snow in a story to give me the warm and fuzzies - and in a little magic and the fuzzies just get fuzzier.Angel in a Book Shop is a beautiful winter story. It is the kind of book that gives me a mellow after glow of happiness once I've read it. Joshua is at the lowest possible ebb in his life. The death of his father, betrayal of his boyfriend resulting in the loss of his job and the manipulation of his uncle have left him in a place where he is barely coping with life. The last thing he needs really is to enter the shut up bookshop that had been his dad's life. The desire to stay well away warred with the need to not let it go to rack and ruin and the latter won. Just.Michael has lived many, many lifetimes. He has met with many, many souls and changed the life direction of those lucky enough to interact with him. He moves on and those he has met before become a blur, another part of one whole that makes up his life. Then he meets Josh - and from the start he knows that this 'job' is different. As well as helping Josh he finds he has his own, life-altering, choices to make.In RJ Scott's enjoyable style this story unfolds. Choices and actions, decisions and doubts. It's not handed to us readers on a platter, but the silver lining definitely shines in this cloud. I really enjoyed this read, and I think anyone who has a love of Christmas stories will. It's well worth a read.
What do You think about Angel In A Book Shop (2014)?
My last read of 2014 and it was a lovely, romantic story.Do you believe in miracles? I do.
—Classykalee
This was beautiful. It's a timeless classic that I will read again and again at Christmas.
—malia
Yea! for excellent epilogue. I'm a sucker for an epilogue. Especially one a few years on.
—Chris
