11.21.2025 | Friday

Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

Item: Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop
Rating: 5
Author: Kim

category: Book Reviews

tag(s): adult

0 Comments

book notes

the blurb

Delicious banter, bookstore magic, adorable puffins, and a heartwarmingly happily-ever-after makes this an enchanting Christmas treat.
The universe is playing a joke on me.
An unexpected inheritance has gifted me with the dream of a lifetime – owning a charming bookshop in small-town Scotland. Little did I know this gift comes with a surprise – Highland Hearts bookshop has been running an underground magical matchmaking service – and as new owner of the shop, I am expected to deliver on these matches.
As Christmas looms, and lonely hearts beg for love, I’m tossed into the world of magic and romance, aided by a meddling book club who seems more interested in romance than reading.
The problem is – I just don’t believe in love. Or so I thought.
It turns out there’s one local bird nerd and Scottish hottie, Alexander MacTavish, who has my heart all aflutter. While he’s more into puffins than paperbacks, I can’t help but notice he’s showing up at the bookshop to help every time something goes wrong. Maybe it’s my determination to have an adventure, or maybe it’s the magic, but every time tall, dark, and grumpy enters my bookshop, I find myself wanting to read up on birds just to catch his attention.
As my newfound magic falters, and the town enters my shop into a cutthroat Christmas window decorating competition, I find myself working side-by-side with Alexander, who seems just as determined to avoid love as I am.
With Christmas fast approaching, I must figure out if I can suspend my disbelief and make the match of a lifetime – my own.

a few notes

POV: 3rd person; dual
setting: Kingsbarn, Scotland
keywords/phrases: puffins, magic, bookshop, matchmaking
tropes: given up on love, happy ending, magical artifiacts
spice: 4/5
language: 0/0

mood reading: in the mood for a cozy, winter-vibey read with romance and a side of magic.
bonus points: The magical register book.

my review

I adore imperfect main characters because they resonate, because they’re easy for readers to relate to on a more personal level. Rosie and Alexander are just that… imperfect, relatable, and utterly captivating. They both are slightly awkward, which gives them common ground, even though their paths to that were very different. Both of them are a little wary of relationships, which leads to some slow-burn fun as they try to deny their interest in each other. It’s a good slow burn, as they become friends as the relationship grows to its inevitable change.

Along with great characters is the surprising side hustle Rosie gains with her inheritance, a matchmaking service based on the favorite books of potential love mates. Add in a hint of magic, and it makes for a fun side plot to the romance brewing between Rosie and Alexander.

But my favorite part of it was the Book Bitches, a group of older ladies who frequented the book store Rosie’s inherited. They were hilarious! They were incredibly pushy, but also deeply caring and full of fun. They were also cutthroat about winning an annual bookshop-window holiday contest. It didn’t matter that Rosie was struggling to settle in to her new home and business. What mattered was that contest. That was the source of some hysterical moments. And another bonus… the puffins, which manifested in the form of actual birds and some deeply punny shirts.

To top it off, the book was set during the days leading to the holidays, in a small village in Scotland. That gave the story a feel that was perfect for winter reading.

About Tricia O’Malley

As an award winning NY Times, USA Today, and WSJ bestselling author, Tricia O’Malley’s infectious joy in writing romance with an added dash of the magical has touched hearts around the world. With over three million books read, O’Malley’s stories have been translated into several languages and enjoy a devoted following. Tricia O’Malley is a native of Wisconsin, and departed the wintry tundra for warmer locales five years ago. She now lives in the Caribbean with her handsome Scotsman.

An avid scuba diver, Tricia spends much of her time underwater dreaming up new stories while photographing the beautiful sea life. Tricia loves fun vacation reads, believes in mermaids, and has a serious travel addiction. She discovers her inspiration on the go – and you’ll find her books set in beautiful settings with characters who deserve a happily-ever-after.

To see some of her underwater or island life photos visit her on Facebook, Instagram, or join her mailing list at www.triciaomalley.com

Rating Report
the story
the characters
the writing
the pacing
the world-building
the mood
the emotional significance
the conclusion
Overall:

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

2025 Christmas Reading Challenge
2025 Linz the Bookworm & Logophile Reading Challenge
2025 PopSugar Reading Challenge

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