A Bookshop Christmas by Rachel Burton (Audiobook)

 

When Megan Taylor's husband dies of leukemia she is overcome with grief. Retreating from the world she gives up her job in publishing and her home in London, returning to her family home in York. Three years on and Megan is still living with her mother and helping to run the family bookshop. Given the chance to launch the new book by renowned author Xander Stone Megan thinks this could be an opportunity to help the ailing finances of the bookshop. Unfortunately Megan and Xander don't seem to like each other.

This story has everything you would expect from romance fiction. Megan is still grieving the loss of her husband and wracked with guilt that she wasn't with him when he died. Returning to her family home has allowed her to grieve at her own pace, unfortunately it also means she's been completely protected from having to deal with life in general.

Along comes handsome author Xander Stone. Megan and Xander immediately rub each other up the wrong way, a very common romantic trope, so we all know right from the start where this story is going to end. As we gradually get to know Xander we, and more importantly Megan, learn that he is very misunderstood. Xander also has a good understanding of the grief Megan is coming to terms with as he is struggling with the death of his mother. 

The story goes through all the twists you expect, from the hostility, gradually thawing, stranded in a snow storm, meddling people, a misunderstanding that threatens to wreck a blossoming romance and a secret or two. In fact every romantic trope going. What really makes the story enjoyable is that it features a book group that pulls to pieces all the tropes in romantic fiction. It's great to read a book that pokes fun at itself.

There are a host of minor characters to enliven the story, many of whom make Megan realise she's been walking around with blinkers on for three years. Narrator Laura Brydon does an excellent job at giving each character a distinct voice, at one point I thought I was listening to Jane Horrocks.

A Bookshop Christmas by Rachel Burton will be available in audio format on 1st September 2022. Paperback and ebook formats are available already. My thanks to NetGalley and Saga Egmont for a review copy.