Book Review: The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop by Jill Steeples
I am so happy to be welcoming Jill Steeples back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her new book, The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop.
Isla Stewart has a glittering publishing career in London, but when she’s unexpectedly made redundant, she faces an uncertain future.
Licking her wounds, Isla heads home to the Cotswolds. Keeping her devastating redundancy a secret from her proud parents, she seeks refuge at Finch’s, the enchanting bookshop she worked in as a teenager. With the owners struggling with their health, Isla steps in to manage the shop hoping to convince them that the business has a future.
Isla likes nothing more than chatting to people about books, but her safe haven is soon disturbed when she comes face-to-face with her first love, Charlie Brace, made worse by the arrival of Guy Madley, the incredibly handsome property consultant who has advice for owners Jon and Miriam.
As Christmas approaches, Isla has decisions to make. Does her future lie in London or can a whole heap of books and a sprinkling of festive magic offer a life that she could never even have dreamed of?
*****
Isla’s life in London lays in ruins after being made redundant. She heads home to the Cotswolds defeated, not wanting to tell anyone her news. When she begins to help at the bookshop she spent much of her teenage years in, she starts to remember why she loved publishing and literature in the first place. Little by little, can books, a guy named Guy, and a cat called Heathcliff help bring some magic back into Isla’s life right in time for the festive season?
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Christmas Gift Guide For Book Lovers 2025
I love getting literary themed presents for Christmas.
There’s nothing like the feeling of getting to Christmas day evening where dinner is done, presents have been given and I can rest in the quiet of the night with a book or a book themed item that I’ve luckily been gifted.
If, like my family, you have a bibliophile in your life and are struggling on what to get them, here are five of my recommendations. The best part, they are all under £20 (I am not getting paid to promote these, I just love them).
A Literary Cat For Every Day Of The Year by Tara Richardson. (RRP 14.99)
This is my kind of present.. Cats and books. I don’t think it gets better. This book by Tara Richardson brings together quotes and passages from some of the best cats in literature. It includes generalised quotes about cats to more famous sayings from T.S Elliot to the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
I am a proper cat lady, and I am not ashamed to say that I may purchase this for myself if I don’t get it for Christmas. I have been dropping hints to Mr. Novel Kicks. Haha.
There is an entry for every day of the year so it’s the gift that keeps on giving all the way through 2026.
It can be purchased at Waterstones.
50 Must-Read Books Of The World Bucket List 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. (£18.00)
OK, I know this isn’t technically a book but it’s a puzzle with books on it so I feel it counts…right? I know I would love this. I have gained an appreciation for jigsaw puzzles as I’ve grown older.
This puzzle is made up of 1000 pieces and would be a perfect way to spend a couple of hours in that strange time between Christmas and New Year. Does anyone keep up with the days during that weird passage of time? This puzzle will also potentially give the reader in your life a chance to discover new book titles to add to the TBR pile.
The website also suggests that, once you’re done putting it together, you could frame it which I think is a lovely idea.
This item can be purchased at The Literary Gift Company.
Beyond & Within – Then There Were More Crime Anthology – edited by Martin Edwards. (£16.99)
by Christmas Gift Guide 2023 – Ideas for Readers
I do love a good gift guide as I personally find them so helpful when I’m stuck on what to get people and, as this is a blog for writers and readers, I wanted to share five items that I’ve found that I think would be perfect for the book lover in your life.
Penguin Book Print.
The first item is something that I’ve always wanted but never managed to get and that is this classic Penguin book cover print.
There’s something so timeless about these covers and there are so many to choose from, from Jane Austen to Graham Greene.
I think these would look so beautiful up on the wall and it’s a great way to share your favourite classic Penguin novel.
You can buy these prints from Penguin by clicking here.
Interesting Stories about Curious Words by Susie Dent.
What lover of books doesn’t love, well, a book? I’m a great fan of interesting words and came across this non fiction book from Susie Dent, known as the oracle from Countdown’s dictionary corner.
If your loved one is anything like me, I enjoy finding unusual words and their definitions and think this book is perfect for that. What do you think?
You can buy this book by clicking here and heading to The Literary Gift Company website.
Popsy Teacups Print Notebook.
Popsy Clothing is a brand I adore and I will always do what I can to spread the Popsy love. There is almost always a literature/bookish themed top available on the site. The tops are good quality, are so comfortable, are long and the best thing of all, the tops have POCKETS!!! I know!
However, the product I wanted to share is this beautiful Teacups Print Notebook. Maybe the bibliophile you know is wanting to make notes or is part of a book club and needs somewhere to make notes about their book of the month? Or they like making a note of 
passages, words or quotes they particularly liked.
This notebook is A5 and has 90 lined pages.
Click here to head over to Popsy Clothing.
The Book Lover’s 2024 Calendar.
Who doesn’t love a good Calendar and this one from the Calendar club is so pretty.
This square calendar has stunning illustrations of book covers from novels like Jane Eyre, A Catcher in the Rye and 1984.
It is a 12 month calendar and is a Monday start.
This product is going on my Christmas list.
You can get this from The Calendar Club.
Book Journal.
Finally, I wanted to share this book journal from Papier.
This is another brand I’ve used and loved in the past and this journal looks stunning.
It’s the perfect way to keep track of the books you’ve read. Like the notebook from Popsy I shared, this would be good if you’re doing a reading challenge and want to make notes on the books you read or it could 
be a great companion if you or a loved one are a member of a book club and want it to make notes for the catch up.
It also has a few pages to add your book wish list.
Whatever the purpose, this journal looks perfect.
You can buy it from Papier.
As with the writers gift guide, click here to read it, I hope you’ve found this list inspiring. Let me know in the comments below if there’s been a product mentioned that’s filled that hole in your present list.
by Christmas Gift Guide 2023 – Ideas for Writers
It’s my favourite time of year again. National Novel Writing Month is done, the Christmas decorations are up and I’m singing Last Christmas very much out of tune.
As both an avid reader and writer, I love getting related items and I wanted to share some gift ideas for the writer in your life.
First up is a Writers Box.
This Writers Box looks fantastic and seems to have everything a writer might need to assist them in a good session getting those words written.
It includes a handmade notebook, coaster, bookmark, miniature handmade book of quotes from famous writers about writing. a pen and some treats. It looks perfect.
You can order this via Etsy.
Writing Workbook by Lucy Van Smit.
I don’t know about you, but I love a good Writing workbook. It’s a perfect thing to have if the brain needs a little time to fire up and having a prompt will help. This book is one I’ve not come across before and it would be on my list for sure.
This book aims to champion the journey a writer make take in their writing life. It asks the tricky questions, shares some secret practices, and inspires confidence. This isn’t a book about getting published, it’s about helping you find your writing voice, trust in your writing and creativity.
What about you? Do you like a good workbook?
You can buy it via Amazon.
Writing Magazine.
by Book Christmas Gift Guide 2021
As a book lover, you can never go wrong with a book for me under the tree.
In fact, a friend of mine and I have exchanged a book every Christmas Eve for the last few years and it’s a tradition I love. There are not many things I love more than to curl up with a new book around Christmas.
So, as the big day is approaching, I wanted to share a book gift guide – some recommendations for the bookworm in your life.
The first book on the list is a new edition of a bestseller.
Marian Keyes is due to release Again, Rachel next year. This is the follow up to her best-selling novel, Rachel’s Holiday.
The 25th anniversary edition was released by Penguin Michael Joesph and would be a perfect gift for Marian Keyes fans or someone who is yet to discover this wonderful author.
This edition features celebrations from authors including David Nicholls and Graham Norton, as well as an extract from Again, Rachel.
Rachel Walsh has been living it up in New York City. She spends her evenings talking her way into parties and then returns home in the early hours to her boyfriend, Luke.
Her sister showing up and taking her to rehab was not part of her plan.
She agrees. It’s all spas, jacuzzis and celebrities right? Sounds like a nice holiday.
Losing freedom and fun will be hard. Losing the love of her life will be harder.
I have not read this but that will have to change, especially with a sequel coming.
I am a big fan of Celia Imrie. She was in one of my favourite films, Bridget Jones’ Diary.
I was excited to hear that she’d written a novel. It sounds so intriguing.
Orphans of the Storm, released in August by Bloomsbury focuses on Marcella, Michael and Margaret as their paths cross on the RMS Titanic.
After three years of marriage, Marcella is determined to divorce her cruel and controlling husband, Michael.
Whilst awaiting a decision over the custody of their two young boys, Michael receives news that changes everything.
Meanwhile, Margaret, who has been touring Europe with friends is growing restless. She resolves to head home aboard the Titanic.
As the ship sets sail, they all soon realise that nothing will be the same.
by Book Club
