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The Christmas Shop at Central Park
Libby Cooper hasn’t celebrated Christmas for four years. How can she when the most important people in her life are no longer around to enjoy the festivities – because of her?
Hiding out in her grandparents’ failing micro-pub, she wants to forget that the season of goodwill even exists; but her grandmother has other ideas. It’s time for Libby to face her fears – and Christmas – head on. And what better way to immerse herself in the celebrations, than working in her great aunt’s Christmas shop, just a few blocks from Central Park?
Making new friends is the easy bit, but leaving the past behind proves much more difficult. The only way Libby can cope is by taking long walks in Central Park and joining an art therapy group to help her express her emotions.
Harry Stanwick is a Central Park Ranger, who’s as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside. He seems to know instinctively when Libby wants to talk and when she just needs to be left alone.
Working with Harry and the rest of her new friends to save an old off-Broadway theatre and community centre from closure, Libby finally starts to remember the magic of Christmas. But she can’t stop questioning her right to be happy when her parents are gone.
Can Harry convince Libby that she deserves her own Christmas miracle, or will she leave her heart -and her chance of happiness - in the Christmas shop at Central Park?
Hiding out in her grandparents’ failing micro-pub, she wants to forget that the season of goodwill even exists; but her grandmother has other ideas. It’s time for Libby to face her fears – and Christmas – head on. And what better way to immerse herself in the celebrations, than working in her great aunt’s Christmas shop, just a few blocks from Central Park?
Making new friends is the easy bit, but leaving the past behind proves much more difficult. The only way Libby can cope is by taking long walks in Central Park and joining an art therapy group to help her express her emotions.
Harry Stanwick is a Central Park Ranger, who’s as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside. He seems to know instinctively when Libby wants to talk and when she just needs to be left alone.
Working with Harry and the rest of her new friends to save an old off-Broadway theatre and community centre from closure, Libby finally starts to remember the magic of Christmas. But she can’t stop questioning her right to be happy when her parents are gone.
Can Harry convince Libby that she deserves her own Christmas miracle, or will she leave her heart -and her chance of happiness - in the Christmas shop at Central Park?
- GenresChristmas
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2017
81 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 18, 2018
A really lovely story set in a beautiful place, Central Park, New York City.
Libby (Liberty) doesn't celebrate Christmas since the untimely death of her parents a few years before. She believes it's because of her they are dead. Instead, she's hidden out at her Grandparents micro pub in Canterbury, working but existing.
Her Grandmother believes Libby should put the effects of the past behind her, so concocts a plan with her Sister, who owns a Christmas Shop near Central Park, for Libby to go and help her after a hip replacement.
Libby arrives in New York full of apprehension and dread at working in a Christmas Shop in the run up to the festive season. Also, New York was a place her Mum loved, can she be there without her? Libby is due to fly home on Christmas Eve.
On the 1st morning she takes a walk into Central Park and meets the local park ranger Harry, with whom she immediately makes a connection with. They become firm friends, perhaps a bit more?
She meets his friends, and between them help Libby to heal the wounds of the past. In turn, can she help them save the local Community Centre which is ear marked for closure, not just taking away a place which does so much good for the local Community but also the job of one of her newly found friends.
A romantic Christmas story set in a beautiful place in a bustling City. Can Libby lay the ghosts of her past to rest, once and for all? This is really worth a read if you like romantic stories set at Christmas.
Libby (Liberty) doesn't celebrate Christmas since the untimely death of her parents a few years before. She believes it's because of her they are dead. Instead, she's hidden out at her Grandparents micro pub in Canterbury, working but existing.
Her Grandmother believes Libby should put the effects of the past behind her, so concocts a plan with her Sister, who owns a Christmas Shop near Central Park, for Libby to go and help her after a hip replacement.
Libby arrives in New York full of apprehension and dread at working in a Christmas Shop in the run up to the festive season. Also, New York was a place her Mum loved, can she be there without her? Libby is due to fly home on Christmas Eve.
On the 1st morning she takes a walk into Central Park and meets the local park ranger Harry, with whom she immediately makes a connection with. They become firm friends, perhaps a bit more?
She meets his friends, and between them help Libby to heal the wounds of the past. In turn, can she help them save the local Community Centre which is ear marked for closure, not just taking away a place which does so much good for the local Community but also the job of one of her newly found friends.
A romantic Christmas story set in a beautiful place in a bustling City. Can Libby lay the ghosts of her past to rest, once and for all? This is really worth a read if you like romantic stories set at Christmas.
March 14, 2022
This book so sums up peoples grief
I just loved this book the story is so true about the way grief can cloud your judgement. Libby so deserved to find happiness and to stop blaming herself for what happened. I am sure so many people who have blamed themselves for something they had no control over will fully understand and appreciate the message in this book. Jo you will have helped so many people by writing this book with so much empathy, you might not have meant for this book to have the message it has but i fully undestand how libby felt. Keep writing jo your books are amazing.
I just loved this book the story is so true about the way grief can cloud your judgement. Libby so deserved to find happiness and to stop blaming herself for what happened. I am sure so many people who have blamed themselves for something they had no control over will fully understand and appreciate the message in this book. Jo you will have helped so many people by writing this book with so much empathy, you might not have meant for this book to have the message it has but i fully undestand how libby felt. Keep writing jo your books are amazing.
September 4, 2018
A New York Christmas
A really enjoyable novel lovely setting as Libby goes to New York still grieving from a family tragedy for which she blames herself she meets Harry and some lovely new friends and she finally finds happiness and comes to terms with her loss loved the location and made me feel really emotional a great novel with the warmth of the Christmas feeling at its heart
A really enjoyable novel lovely setting as Libby goes to New York still grieving from a family tragedy for which she blames herself she meets Harry and some lovely new friends and she finally finds happiness and comes to terms with her loss loved the location and made me feel really emotional a great novel with the warmth of the Christmas feeling at its heart
July 18, 2022
The Christmas Shop at Central Park
Another special book by Jo Bartlett. I know that reading one of her books will be full of everything anyone needs to transport them into another world, but this one was all about New York somewhere I have always wanted to visit. I feel like I have already now. The storyline was lovely and I didn’t want to put it down. Shame I had chores to do and to sleep!! Thank you Jo Bartlett for sharing your gift of words with the readers of the world.
Another special book by Jo Bartlett. I know that reading one of her books will be full of everything anyone needs to transport them into another world, but this one was all about New York somewhere I have always wanted to visit. I feel like I have already now. The storyline was lovely and I didn’t want to put it down. Shame I had chores to do and to sleep!! Thank you Jo Bartlett for sharing your gift of words with the readers of the world.
November 21, 2017
It did really make me cry this time! What a moving, heratwarming, fantastic story! I keep saying this, every time a read a new story by this fantastic author, but this is really my favourite. It touched my heart. It's the perfect Christmas story, with all the right ingredients perfectly blended. You'll love it!
January 14, 2026
Christmas sprinkling its magic dust again
After losing both my parents, I resonated with Liberty/Libby’s grief so much. It was so uplifting so experience her journey of acceptance with her. What’s not to love about the magic of New York at Christmas and falling in love in such a vibrant, special part of the world. I literally read this in one day 🥰
After losing both my parents, I resonated with Liberty/Libby’s grief so much. It was so uplifting so experience her journey of acceptance with her. What’s not to love about the magic of New York at Christmas and falling in love in such a vibrant, special part of the world. I literally read this in one day 🥰
January 26, 2018
Gripping
Couldn't put this book down, This story held me on every turn of the page. Loved the people in the storyline, loved Candy Cane Lane,the Deli Nan and Gramp , especially Dottie and her hair colours. ONE LAST WORD GREAT.
Couldn't put this book down, This story held me on every turn of the page. Loved the people in the storyline, loved Candy Cane Lane,the Deli Nan and Gramp , especially Dottie and her hair colours. ONE LAST WORD GREAT.
November 13, 2021
A book that gives you hope
How do you get over loss and grief?
By closing yourself off, it takes a Christmas Shop in Central Park and the friends she makes in New York to help her move on
Loved it
How do you get over loss and grief?
By closing yourself off, it takes a Christmas Shop in Central Park and the friends she makes in New York to help her move on
Loved it
December 11, 2017
Excellent
A different story that you just want to keep reading shame it ended but how nice if we found out what happened to the centre and all the friend next
A different story that you just want to keep reading shame it ended but how nice if we found out what happened to the centre and all the friend next
December 17, 2017
Was a good book. Sad as well. Glad Libby finally made her mind up to stay in new York and stay with harry
December 20, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book. Feel good easy read
March 6, 2018
Good
This book was quite an easy read,I enjoyed it,I would recommend this book and will read the next instalment in the series
This book was quite an easy read,I enjoyed it,I would recommend this book and will read the next instalment in the series
December 5, 2018
A nice easy read keeping me happy during the festive season
June 26, 2019
Nice idea of a story, and I like the insight to new york. But the main character did a lot of repeating the oh well I'll be leaving soon message which was unnecessary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2022
Heart warming
So heart warming and emotional and comforting. Loved all the characters in the book loved reading about all the scenery in New York and the statue of liberty 🗽 ❤️
So heart warming and emotional and comforting. Loved all the characters in the book loved reading about all the scenery in New York and the statue of liberty 🗽 ❤️
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews