The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan

 

What was the first book you read in 2026?  I read this book on New Year’s Day.

Mirren Sutherland has been hired by Jamie McPherson, a highland Scottish laird, to help find a rare book amongst this late Grandad’s collection, that could help save the estate.  The problem is, he doesn’t know what book it is and his Granddad had a massive amount of books filling the entire estate.  Rival book hunter, Theo Pallister, is also on the case and just so happens to be the man that ghosted Mirren after their last adventure.  Will Mirren find the rare book, and will she find love?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I started reading this book and realized I was missing the novella, The Christmas Book Hunt, so I went back and read it first.  It was a very enjoyable novella.  In it, Mirren searches for “A Child’s Garden of Verses” as a wish for her dying Great Aunt Violet to see the book she so loved in her childhood.  Mirren is a “quantity surveyor,” but searches across the United Kingdom for this lost book, a decision which changes her career.  Handsome Theo Pallister assister her and sparks fly.  I loved the adventure of the search and the bond between Mirren and her great aunt Violet.

·       I love a good treasure hunt, especially a treasure hunt involving a lost book. The clues were fun, and it was very enjoyable trying to solve the mystery of the lost book.

·       The book and Dr. Who references were a lot of fun.  It is a great book for book lovers.

·       The setting of the run-down castle in Scotland was also magical.  I wanted to visit!

·       Roger the dog was a cute character.  I enjoyed the humor when Jamie said Roger was a working dog and didn’t want to be petted, but Roger loved getting pets from Mirren.

·       I enjoyed the characters, especially Mirren.

·       One of my favorite parts was that Mirren and Theo had their own private rail car to the estate.  It was magical!

·       Everyone is trapped at the estate due to a huge snowstorm and family secrets are also investigated.

·       The romance didn’t go the way I expected it to, but I enjoyed it.

·       I love Jenny Colgan.  Whenever I need escapism reading, I love to grab one of her books.

·       The book didn’t have that much Christmas in it, it was more a winter setting.  It would be a good read any time of year.

Overall, The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan is a cozy book treasure adventure that was a great escapism read.

Book Source:  Review Copy from NetGalley.  Thank-you!