Book Review: The Secret Christmas Library
The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan will be published on Oct 14, 2025 in the United States.
Did you ever wonder what it would be like if you were transported to a CASTLE in the Highlands of Scotland in search of a PRICELESS MISSING BOOK and then snowed in on Christmas with your toxic black-cat-energy situationship (Theo), an expert in antiquarian books, and the lord of the manor who is giving major golden retriever energy?
If that's you, then read The Secret Christmas Library. Mirren might have to work on Christmas and she is feeling lonely and wistful about the one that got away (spoiler alert—he’s toxic and his name is Theo). So she tries to cheer herself up by going to the British Museum and looking at her name on a plaque, as one does, (because she once discovered an old and priceless book! Like last year). Then lo and behold, a hot Scotsman (named Jamie, as Outlander fans will be pleased to find out) just so happens to be there, too—LOOKING AT THE SAME BOOK, in search of someone to help him find ANOTHER missing book. Meet-cute alert! That never happens to ME at the museum. Why oh why?!
My Thoughts
This novel seems to follow on from a short story. I don't think you need to have read it, because I didn’t and I understood everything in this delightful little Christmas love story.
Like all of Jenny Colgan’s books, and I’ve read several, this book was a humorous love story with good pacing, character development, and a memorable setting. Steamy romance without much spice is served up…with a LOT of yearning. Add some charged eye contact, a few misunderstandings, dusty old books, lots of castle corridors, dressing up for dinner, and more yearning, too. We love yearning.
All humor aside, to be honest, this was one of my favorite Christmas romances of ALL TIME. Just go read it, please. Give yourself an early Christmas gift and pre-order The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
