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Found Things #1
The Little Shop of Found Things
A new series about a young woman whose connection to antiques takes her on a magical adventure, reminiscent of Outlander
New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance to launch a new series guaranteed to enchant her audience even more.
Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. So when she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.
It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century. And shortly after, she's confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins. The ghost tasks Xanthe with putting right the injustice in its story to save an innocent girl’s life, or else it’ll cost her Flora’s.
While Xanthe fights to save her amid the turbulent days of 1605, she meets architect Samuel Appleby. He may be the person who can help her succeed. He may also be the reason she can’t bring herself to leave.
With its rich historical detail, strong mother-daughter relationship, and picturesque English village, The Little Shop of Found Things is poised to be a strong start to this new series.
New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance to launch a new series guaranteed to enchant her audience even more.
Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. So when she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.
It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century. And shortly after, she's confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins. The ghost tasks Xanthe with putting right the injustice in its story to save an innocent girl’s life, or else it’ll cost her Flora’s.
While Xanthe fights to save her amid the turbulent days of 1605, she meets architect Samuel Appleby. He may be the person who can help her succeed. He may also be the reason she can’t bring herself to leave.
With its rich historical detail, strong mother-daughter relationship, and picturesque English village, The Little Shop of Found Things is poised to be a strong start to this new series.
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 2, 2018
2985 people are currently reading
31191 people want to read
About the author
Paula Brackston
26 books5,311 followersPaula Brackston (aka PJ Brackston)is the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter, The Winter Witch, and The Midnight Witch(2014).
Paula has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and is a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. In 2007 Paula was short listed in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was short listed for the Mind Book Award, and she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme.
https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulaBracks...
Paula lives in Wales with her partner and their two children.
Paula has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and is a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. In 2007 Paula was short listed in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was short listed for the Mind Book Award, and she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme.
https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulaBracks...
Paula lives in Wales with her partner and their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,585 reviews
September 3, 2025
Mesmerizing, magical & bewitching!
The premise and themes that are featured in this book are probably some of my most favourite elements that I love to read about in my books. The supernatural, magical realism, time travel and antiques. Then bring all those things together into a book adding a little bit of romance to the storyline then I’m one happy and very contented reader!
THE LITTLE SHOP OF FOUND THINGS by PAULA BRACKSTON is a charming, haunting, suspenseful and romantic novel that I absolutely adored and loved the journey that this book took me on. The novel did take a little bit of patience in the beginning though to get used to the beautiful descriptive writing style but once that was mastered the rest of the novel flowed perfectly for me.
PAULA BRACKSTON delivers an atmospheric, engaging and beautifully written tale of intrigue, suspense and mystery here with great characters, a captivating setting and an extremely enchanting storyline. I absolutely loved this storyline and the dynamics between Xanthe and her mother as well as a couple of the male characters. Which I won’t say too much about.
I really connected with Xanthe, she was such a likeable and heartfelt character and I was totally fascinated with her ability to sense an antique objects past just by touching it and the magical adventure that it took her on, transporting her back to the seventeenth century. The adventure, details and descriptions back in this time period was absolutely fascinating and loved every minute of it. There were some pretty exciting scenes in the present as well that definitely kept me turning those pages.
This book is by no means a fast-paced read but it definitely had a spellbinding affect on me and thoroughly entertained me!
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Beautiful, mesmerizing, eye-catching, intriguing and an extremely fitting representation to storyline. The pretty cover alone definitely enticed me to read this book!
Title: Appealing, suspenseful, intriguing and absolutely loved how the title played into the storyline. Absolutely perfect!
Writing/Prose: Well-written, meticulous, engaging, captivating, and fluid.
Plot: Suspenseful, enchanting, exciting, intriguing, engrossing, steady-paced, enjoyable and extremely entertaining.
Ending: A lovely ending that I was extremely satisfied with and also left me feeling extremely excited knowing that this is the first book in a series. Can’t wait to read book #2.
Overall: A fascinating and fully absorbing read that had me totally engrossed within this tale from start to finish! I absolutely loved this storyline! Would highly recommend!
Thank you so much to Jordan at St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for sending me out a finished copy of this beautiful book to read and review. It was an absolute pleasure reading it!
The premise and themes that are featured in this book are probably some of my most favourite elements that I love to read about in my books. The supernatural, magical realism, time travel and antiques. Then bring all those things together into a book adding a little bit of romance to the storyline then I’m one happy and very contented reader!
THE LITTLE SHOP OF FOUND THINGS by PAULA BRACKSTON is a charming, haunting, suspenseful and romantic novel that I absolutely adored and loved the journey that this book took me on. The novel did take a little bit of patience in the beginning though to get used to the beautiful descriptive writing style but once that was mastered the rest of the novel flowed perfectly for me.
PAULA BRACKSTON delivers an atmospheric, engaging and beautifully written tale of intrigue, suspense and mystery here with great characters, a captivating setting and an extremely enchanting storyline. I absolutely loved this storyline and the dynamics between Xanthe and her mother as well as a couple of the male characters. Which I won’t say too much about.
I really connected with Xanthe, she was such a likeable and heartfelt character and I was totally fascinated with her ability to sense an antique objects past just by touching it and the magical adventure that it took her on, transporting her back to the seventeenth century. The adventure, details and descriptions back in this time period was absolutely fascinating and loved every minute of it. There were some pretty exciting scenes in the present as well that definitely kept me turning those pages.
This book is by no means a fast-paced read but it definitely had a spellbinding affect on me and thoroughly entertained me!
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Beautiful, mesmerizing, eye-catching, intriguing and an extremely fitting representation to storyline. The pretty cover alone definitely enticed me to read this book!
Title: Appealing, suspenseful, intriguing and absolutely loved how the title played into the storyline. Absolutely perfect!
Writing/Prose: Well-written, meticulous, engaging, captivating, and fluid.
Plot: Suspenseful, enchanting, exciting, intriguing, engrossing, steady-paced, enjoyable and extremely entertaining.
Ending: A lovely ending that I was extremely satisfied with and also left me feeling extremely excited knowing that this is the first book in a series. Can’t wait to read book #2.
Overall: A fascinating and fully absorbing read that had me totally engrossed within this tale from start to finish! I absolutely loved this storyline! Would highly recommend!
Thank you so much to Jordan at St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for sending me out a finished copy of this beautiful book to read and review. It was an absolute pleasure reading it!
October 8, 2018
The Little Shop of Found Things is the beginning of a new series involving time travel and antiques. Xanthe and her mother, Flora have an antique shop in Marlborough. Xanthe has a special gift of being able to touch an antique object and experience a sense of the past and the story the antique holds. One day she feels a connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine and knows she must purchase it and find out more. While she is examining her new find, she is transported back to the seventeenth century and after is confronted by a ghost who informs her that the chatelaine is a link to that time and that Xanthe must help her right an injustice or else Flora's life will be in danger.
This book started very slowly for me. I struggled with this. I found that I did not feel any connection to the main character. I decided to carry on and was intrigued by Alice's story and wanted to know if Xanthe would be able to complete her task. What I did enjoy about this book, besides the beautiful cover, was the emerging romance between Samuel and Xanthe. I found I enjoyed the scenes with Samuel in the most. For me, the last third of the book was the most enjoyable.
There are many high ratings for this book, so this book obviously works for many readers. This goes to show that not all of us will love the same book. What works for one reader will not work for another. I had a real problem with connecting with this book. The premise was interesting to me and I was surprised when I found myself struggling with this book. One part of the book that I did not struggle with was the beginning romance. The romance part was intriguing and reminded me a little of the "Outlander" book series only in that a woman living in the modern age goes back in time and finds romance.
My advice would be to read all the reviews and decide for yourself. Many are loving this. This book has mystery, romance, some history and magic. Many things that will appeal to many readers. Sadly, this just wasn't for me.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
This book started very slowly for me. I struggled with this. I found that I did not feel any connection to the main character. I decided to carry on and was intrigued by Alice's story and wanted to know if Xanthe would be able to complete her task. What I did enjoy about this book, besides the beautiful cover, was the emerging romance between Samuel and Xanthe. I found I enjoyed the scenes with Samuel in the most. For me, the last third of the book was the most enjoyable.
There are many high ratings for this book, so this book obviously works for many readers. This goes to show that not all of us will love the same book. What works for one reader will not work for another. I had a real problem with connecting with this book. The premise was interesting to me and I was surprised when I found myself struggling with this book. One part of the book that I did not struggle with was the beginning romance. The romance part was intriguing and reminded me a little of the "Outlander" book series only in that a woman living in the modern age goes back in time and finds romance.
My advice would be to read all the reviews and decide for yourself. Many are loving this. This book has mystery, romance, some history and magic. Many things that will appeal to many readers. Sadly, this just wasn't for me.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
October 9, 2018
It was the cover that drew me to this book. When I saw it, it was a magical experience for me. I found myself for the first time on a long time just staring at the cover mesmerized. One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is to try and find a "cute little town" and go antiquing followed by lunch of course at an equally quaint restaurant or pub.
So I found myself transfixed by this cover wishing that I could be transported to the Antique shop in the quaint town and get to go inside to see what treasures are for sale in the Little Shop of Found Things, One of the few times where I cursory glanced at the description of the book. I was sure that I was going to like this book from it's cover.
Well, I was right! Paula Brackston's, Little Shop of Found Things found me and I, in turn, found the start of a new series to read that are full of history, adventure, romance, mystery and a little magic all thrown in one.
Xanthe and her mother embark on a new chapter in their lives as they decide to open a quaint little antique shop in Marlborough, England.
As we find out quickly, Xanthe is able to tell the past of any item that she touches. What better gift to possess of you want to own an antique shop. As she and her mother trek to find items for the shop, Xanthe immediately feels a strong connection to an antique chatelaine from the 17th century.
Author Paula Brackston takes the reader on Xanthes "race against time" adventure/mystery with lightening speed. Her attention to all the details as Xanthe travels between current day and 17th century England are remarkable.and it is also what makes you have and "on the edge of your seat" feel when you read it.
Whether you fall in love with the cover like I did or read the description, The Little Shop of Found Things, is worth the adventure.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #LittleShopofFoundThings
So I found myself transfixed by this cover wishing that I could be transported to the Antique shop in the quaint town and get to go inside to see what treasures are for sale in the Little Shop of Found Things, One of the few times where I cursory glanced at the description of the book. I was sure that I was going to like this book from it's cover.
Well, I was right! Paula Brackston's, Little Shop of Found Things found me and I, in turn, found the start of a new series to read that are full of history, adventure, romance, mystery and a little magic all thrown in one.
Xanthe and her mother embark on a new chapter in their lives as they decide to open a quaint little antique shop in Marlborough, England.
As we find out quickly, Xanthe is able to tell the past of any item that she touches. What better gift to possess of you want to own an antique shop. As she and her mother trek to find items for the shop, Xanthe immediately feels a strong connection to an antique chatelaine from the 17th century.
Author Paula Brackston takes the reader on Xanthes "race against time" adventure/mystery with lightening speed. Her attention to all the details as Xanthe travels between current day and 17th century England are remarkable.and it is also what makes you have and "on the edge of your seat" feel when you read it.
Whether you fall in love with the cover like I did or read the description, The Little Shop of Found Things, is worth the adventure.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #LittleShopofFoundThings
December 18, 2018
4 stars! A mysterious, haunting and magical journey.
This charming tale follows Xanthe (love that name!) and her mother, Flora, who leave big city life to take over an antiques shop in the small, historic town of Marlborough, Wiltshire. Xanthe has always had an unexplainable connection to antiques, finding some pieces ‘speak’ to her of their past. Soon after arriving in the small town, while attending an antiques auction in a nearby village, Xanthe finds herself drawn to a silver, seventeenth century chatelaine. For those of you, like me, who don’t know what that is: “A chatelaine was a belt or clip – in this case a clip – worn at the waist or hip of the lady of the house. Most, like this one, had several chains dangling from the clasp, and to the end of these chains would be attached various useful or beautiful things.” Through the history and magic attached to this vintage piece, Xanthe embarks on a journey into the past involving long hidden secrets, prestigious and powerful families, unsolved crimes and forbidden love.
Had I fully read the blurb prior to reading this novel, I would never have imagined I would enjoy this as much as I did. Time travel isn’t a concept that I am attracted to nor usually find enjoyment in, however, this really worked for me. The author, Paula Brackston, has a very beautiful, smooth and intriguing way with words. The beauty of her writing, kept me fully engaged and entertained by this novel even though the storyline itself isn’t something I prefer. The atmosphere was heavy and incredible throughout the novel. I have a huge soft spot for stories involving the English countryside and old mansion houses so these being a large part of the novel were truly delightful for me. There were many degrees of drama and implausibility scattered throughout the story, yet it didn’t deter me from enjoying the unraveling of this mystery, keeping me engrossed and curious to the very end. That says something wonderful about the writing!
This was a Traveling Sister read with Brenda and Norma. It was a pleasure to read something different and unique with my ‘sisters’.
Thank you to Jordan at St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a physical copy of this novel! It was a fun and highly entertaining step outside of my comfort zone.
This charming tale follows Xanthe (love that name!) and her mother, Flora, who leave big city life to take over an antiques shop in the small, historic town of Marlborough, Wiltshire. Xanthe has always had an unexplainable connection to antiques, finding some pieces ‘speak’ to her of their past. Soon after arriving in the small town, while attending an antiques auction in a nearby village, Xanthe finds herself drawn to a silver, seventeenth century chatelaine. For those of you, like me, who don’t know what that is: “A chatelaine was a belt or clip – in this case a clip – worn at the waist or hip of the lady of the house. Most, like this one, had several chains dangling from the clasp, and to the end of these chains would be attached various useful or beautiful things.” Through the history and magic attached to this vintage piece, Xanthe embarks on a journey into the past involving long hidden secrets, prestigious and powerful families, unsolved crimes and forbidden love.
Had I fully read the blurb prior to reading this novel, I would never have imagined I would enjoy this as much as I did. Time travel isn’t a concept that I am attracted to nor usually find enjoyment in, however, this really worked for me. The author, Paula Brackston, has a very beautiful, smooth and intriguing way with words. The beauty of her writing, kept me fully engaged and entertained by this novel even though the storyline itself isn’t something I prefer. The atmosphere was heavy and incredible throughout the novel. I have a huge soft spot for stories involving the English countryside and old mansion houses so these being a large part of the novel were truly delightful for me. There were many degrees of drama and implausibility scattered throughout the story, yet it didn’t deter me from enjoying the unraveling of this mystery, keeping me engrossed and curious to the very end. That says something wonderful about the writing!
This was a Traveling Sister read with Brenda and Norma. It was a pleasure to read something different and unique with my ‘sisters’.
Thank you to Jordan at St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a physical copy of this novel! It was a fun and highly entertaining step outside of my comfort zone.
did-not-finish
September 30, 2018I’ve decided not to finish this one . I read to 40% and it’s quite slow and I’m just not captivated. Onwards ! Another book is in
the wings.
the wings.
August 29, 2020
I listened to this audio book and what a pleasure it was! The narrator's voice and expressions was perfect! Paula Brackston's words are beautiful and her descriptions make you feel as if you are right there! Also loved the cover of this book. Just perfect!
Xanthe and her mother Flora have opened an antique shop. Xanthe has always had a sort of, "power" that when she touches old things she can feel and hear their story. She discovers an old, "Chatelaine" from the 17th century in the newly bought shop of hers. This time something stranger happens and she finds herself in the 17th century embroiled in an adventure to help and save.
Paula Brackston paints a very atmospheric and magical story of time travel. I'm so glad that I've recently been approved by NetGalley to read the second book in the series, "Secrets of the Chocolate House." I think this will be a wonderful series.
Xanthe and her mother Flora have opened an antique shop. Xanthe has always had a sort of, "power" that when she touches old things she can feel and hear their story. She discovers an old, "Chatelaine" from the 17th century in the newly bought shop of hers. This time something stranger happens and she finds herself in the 17th century embroiled in an adventure to help and save.
Paula Brackston paints a very atmospheric and magical story of time travel. I'm so glad that I've recently been approved by NetGalley to read the second book in the series, "Secrets of the Chocolate House." I think this will be a wonderful series.
September 24, 2018
Xanthe and her mother Flora’s arrival at the small village of Marlborough was a new start for them both. The past was not worth thinking about for either of them, although unfortunately it was still present. When Flora had discovered the old antique shop, which had been unoccupied since the previous owner’s death, she was excited. Flora’s love of antiques, along with Xanthe’s affinity to some of the pieces meant the opening of the shop was a perfect solution. Plus, the residence which was above the shop saved them much needed funds.
The sale of antiques at the old Manor house would be the start of an adventure that Xanthe could well have done without. The beautiful silver chatelaine she purchased at the auction vibrated with messages – it was a Victorian relic, reminiscent of pieces dating back to the 1600s. The shock when she was thrust through time to 1605 was immense – the immediate need to save the life of a young girl something she couldn’t ignore. But it was the malevolent presence of the ghost in Xanthe and Flora’s new home that made her fearful…
Could Xanthe save a young girl’s life three centuries before Xanthe was born? She didn’t know – but also knew she had to try, or she could well lose her mother…
The Little Shop of Found Things is the first in a new series by Paula Brackston and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Racing against time – literally – meant the pace was electric for Xanthe (and me!) It was a magical read set in a small English village, steeped in historical details (when we were back in the 1600s) and it also looked at the closeness and love between a mother and daughter. A wonderful read which I highly recommend and I'm already looking forward to #2.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
The sale of antiques at the old Manor house would be the start of an adventure that Xanthe could well have done without. The beautiful silver chatelaine she purchased at the auction vibrated with messages – it was a Victorian relic, reminiscent of pieces dating back to the 1600s. The shock when she was thrust through time to 1605 was immense – the immediate need to save the life of a young girl something she couldn’t ignore. But it was the malevolent presence of the ghost in Xanthe and Flora’s new home that made her fearful…
Could Xanthe save a young girl’s life three centuries before Xanthe was born? She didn’t know – but also knew she had to try, or she could well lose her mother…
The Little Shop of Found Things is the first in a new series by Paula Brackston and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Racing against time – literally – meant the pace was electric for Xanthe (and me!) It was a magical read set in a small English village, steeped in historical details (when we were back in the 1600s) and it also looked at the closeness and love between a mother and daughter. A wonderful read which I highly recommend and I'm already looking forward to #2.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
October 10, 2018
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston is the first book in the new series by the same name. This one is a time traveling fantasy read with a touch of paranormal and mixed with romance and mystery along the way.
Ever since Xanthe was a little girl she has had the unique ability of objects “talking” to her and telling her their story when she touches them. She and her mother, Flora, are just opening up a new antique shop when the two attend an auction when Xanthe finds a beautiful 17th century silver chatelaine that speaks to her and she knows she must purchase.
However, for the first time ever Xanthe gets more than the objects usual story when she touches and studies the chatelaine. Instead Xanthe finds herself transported to the past and to the girl the object has held onto. Returning to the future Xanthe meets the ghost of the mother of the girl who begs Xanthe to go back and help Alice who has been accused of theft and locked up in which the sentence will mean death.
What a wonderful start to this new series by Paula Brackston with a unique and interesting foundation to magic and time travel. With so many different elements thrown into the story I knew that this one should be one I’d enjoy so I was happy that it easily grabbed my attention right off. The author did a wonderful job giving a unique touch on the different times in the book to make them feel authentic and plenty of content to keep the story moving forward at a decent pace throughout. I’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing where Xanthe will end up in book two when she finds another object.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Ever since Xanthe was a little girl she has had the unique ability of objects “talking” to her and telling her their story when she touches them. She and her mother, Flora, are just opening up a new antique shop when the two attend an auction when Xanthe finds a beautiful 17th century silver chatelaine that speaks to her and she knows she must purchase.
However, for the first time ever Xanthe gets more than the objects usual story when she touches and studies the chatelaine. Instead Xanthe finds herself transported to the past and to the girl the object has held onto. Returning to the future Xanthe meets the ghost of the mother of the girl who begs Xanthe to go back and help Alice who has been accused of theft and locked up in which the sentence will mean death.
What a wonderful start to this new series by Paula Brackston with a unique and interesting foundation to magic and time travel. With so many different elements thrown into the story I knew that this one should be one I’d enjoy so I was happy that it easily grabbed my attention right off. The author did a wonderful job giving a unique touch on the different times in the book to make them feel authentic and plenty of content to keep the story moving forward at a decent pace throughout. I’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing where Xanthe will end up in book two when she finds another object.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
January 5, 2019
EXCERPT: Xanthe shook her head, refusing to let her own experiences hold her back. She was not here for herself. Someone was calling her. Someone else was trapped and afraid. Aside from her own memories, she could feel another level of anxiety. One that was connected to the antique silver in her hands. Was the fear that she was experiencing that of whomever had owned the chatelaine, or her own nervousness at what might be shown to her? At what she might be made to feel and experience? Or at her reluctance to meet again that malevolent presence that had so scared her the time before? And then, as she hesitated, she heard a voice, as clearly as if someone had been standing right in front of her. It was a young woman’s voice, and it was taut with emotion.
"Help me!" she begged. "Oh, please, help me!"
ABOUT THIS BOOK: A new series about a young woman whose connection to antiques takes her on a magical adventure, reminiscent of Outlander
New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance to launch a new series guaranteed to enchant her audience even more.
Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. So when she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.
It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century. And shortly after, she's confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins. The ghost tasks Xanthe with putting right the injustice in its story to save an innocent girl’s life, or else it’ll cost her Flora’s.
While Xanthe fights to save her amid the turbulent days of 1605, she meets architect Samuel Appleby. He may be the person who can help her succeed. He may also be the reason she can’t bring herself to leave.
MY THOUGHTS: I don't know quite what I expected from this book, but I didn't get it. I thought the premise held so much potential that failed to be delivered, and I struggled to finish the read. I simply did not feel the magic.
I thought the writing was heavy-handed. The author belabored points, telling us the same thing several times to the point where I felt that I was being hit with a piece of 4 x 2! (Yes, I actually got a headache reading this book!) One example is 'The contrast between the world's workaday activity, her own problems with money, her mother's poor health, her time-traveling, and being haunted by a desperate ghost made her feel dizzy. Made her feel disconnected from the solid, sensible, non-time-traveling folk of Marlborough. Made her feel more than a little bit as if she were losing her mind.'
And the questions! The book is full of questions!
I really did not connect at all to any of the characters, found the plot slow, and can find little to recommend except for the very pretty cover, and that the book talks about the debilitating effects and pain of arthritis, not something we hear much about, not a 'glamour' affliction, but one that is very real to many. I am sorry that I failed to find the magic in this read, and I won't be following through on this series.
😩😩
I understand that reading is an entirely subjective experience and that, while this book wasn't one I enjoyed, you may well love it. So if the excerpt piques your interest and you like the sound of the plot synopsis, please get a copy and read it.
THE AUTHOR: Paula Brackston (aka PJ Brackston)is the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter, The Winter Witch, and The Midnight Witch(2014).
Paula has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and is a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. In 2007 Paula was short listed in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was short listed for the Mind Book Award, and she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to St Martin's Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
"Help me!" she begged. "Oh, please, help me!"
ABOUT THIS BOOK: A new series about a young woman whose connection to antiques takes her on a magical adventure, reminiscent of Outlander
New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance to launch a new series guaranteed to enchant her audience even more.
Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. So when she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.
It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century. And shortly after, she's confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins. The ghost tasks Xanthe with putting right the injustice in its story to save an innocent girl’s life, or else it’ll cost her Flora’s.
While Xanthe fights to save her amid the turbulent days of 1605, she meets architect Samuel Appleby. He may be the person who can help her succeed. He may also be the reason she can’t bring herself to leave.
MY THOUGHTS: I don't know quite what I expected from this book, but I didn't get it. I thought the premise held so much potential that failed to be delivered, and I struggled to finish the read. I simply did not feel the magic.
I thought the writing was heavy-handed. The author belabored points, telling us the same thing several times to the point where I felt that I was being hit with a piece of 4 x 2! (Yes, I actually got a headache reading this book!) One example is 'The contrast between the world's workaday activity, her own problems with money, her mother's poor health, her time-traveling, and being haunted by a desperate ghost made her feel dizzy. Made her feel disconnected from the solid, sensible, non-time-traveling folk of Marlborough. Made her feel more than a little bit as if she were losing her mind.'
And the questions! The book is full of questions!
I really did not connect at all to any of the characters, found the plot slow, and can find little to recommend except for the very pretty cover, and that the book talks about the debilitating effects and pain of arthritis, not something we hear much about, not a 'glamour' affliction, but one that is very real to many. I am sorry that I failed to find the magic in this read, and I won't be following through on this series.
😩😩
I understand that reading is an entirely subjective experience and that, while this book wasn't one I enjoyed, you may well love it. So if the excerpt piques your interest and you like the sound of the plot synopsis, please get a copy and read it.
THE AUTHOR: Paula Brackston (aka PJ Brackston)is the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter, The Winter Witch, and The Midnight Witch(2014).
Paula has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and is a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. In 2007 Paula was short listed in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was short listed for the Mind Book Award, and she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to St Martin's Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
January 4, 2019
The Little Shop of Found Things is a historical fantasy and the first in a series for Paula Brackston and definitely one we are looking forward to reading more of.
The Little Shop of Found Things is a charming and intriguing adventure through time with a mystery, some historical details and a dash of romance (well maybe a bit more than a dash) that I really enjoyed from start to finish. It does start off a bit slow and takes some time to get into.
Paula Brackston creates an interesting character here with our hero Xanthe Westlake who has a unique gift to see connections by touching found things. I loved the dynamics here between her and her mother Flora and I really enjoyed their caring relationship and it was a nice change of pace from those stories with dysfunctional families.
I really enjoyed the supernatural parts to the story along with some historical details to this adventure through time while Xanthe races against time to solve a mystery and save the daughter of a ghost who threatens her. I thought Paula Brackston weaved all the elements to this story well, creating an engaging and entertaining story. The suspense is slow but very rewarding in the end. I recommend!
Thank you so much to Jordan at St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for sending me out a finished copy of this beautiful book to read and review. It was an absolute pleasure reading it!
The Little Shop of Found Things is a charming and intriguing adventure through time with a mystery, some historical details and a dash of romance (well maybe a bit more than a dash) that I really enjoyed from start to finish. It does start off a bit slow and takes some time to get into.
Paula Brackston creates an interesting character here with our hero Xanthe Westlake who has a unique gift to see connections by touching found things. I loved the dynamics here between her and her mother Flora and I really enjoyed their caring relationship and it was a nice change of pace from those stories with dysfunctional families.
I really enjoyed the supernatural parts to the story along with some historical details to this adventure through time while Xanthe races against time to solve a mystery and save the daughter of a ghost who threatens her. I thought Paula Brackston weaved all the elements to this story well, creating an engaging and entertaining story. The suspense is slow but very rewarding in the end. I recommend!
Thank you so much to Jordan at St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for sending me out a finished copy of this beautiful book to read and review. It was an absolute pleasure reading it!
August 11, 2018
I received a free copy of The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston from NetGalley for my honest review.
Xanthe Westgate has a connection to objects. The objects sing to her and provide her with images and stories from the people who originally owned them. Xanthe moved to Marlbrough with her mom, Flora, to open an antique shop. There, she experiences her biggest connection ever with a specific object. She is trying to uncover it's secrets. In doing this she is going back and forth from the 17th
century to the present.
The characters in this book are so vividly written and you find yourself growing a connection with them. Her writing reminded me a lot of Alice Hoffman's with her magical context. I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this book as well.
Xanthe Westgate has a connection to objects. The objects sing to her and provide her with images and stories from the people who originally owned them. Xanthe moved to Marlbrough with her mom, Flora, to open an antique shop. There, she experiences her biggest connection ever with a specific object. She is trying to uncover it's secrets. In doing this she is going back and forth from the 17th
century to the present.
The characters in this book are so vividly written and you find yourself growing a connection with them. Her writing reminded me a lot of Alice Hoffman's with her magical context. I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this book as well.
October 17, 2018
After leaving London for a fresh start, Xanthe runs an antique store in Marlborough with her mother, Flora. Xanthe finds herself feeling a connection to the people that owned the items that they offer for sale in the shop. Then it becomes more than just a feeling....she touches one item and finds herself transported back to 1605. A ghost demands Xanthe's help with righting an injustice.
This book is such a nice blend of supernatural, mystery and romance. It's a bit like Outlander meets antique-ing. I found the plot creative and interesting...I didn't want to stop reading! This book is a nice start to a new series. I can't wait to find out what object might send Xanthe back into the past in the next book!
Paula Brackston is the author of several other books including The Witch's Daughter series. The Little Shop of Found Things is the first book by Brackston that I have read. I'm definitely going to check out her other books!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from St Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
This book is such a nice blend of supernatural, mystery and romance. It's a bit like Outlander meets antique-ing. I found the plot creative and interesting...I didn't want to stop reading! This book is a nice start to a new series. I can't wait to find out what object might send Xanthe back into the past in the next book!
Paula Brackston is the author of several other books including The Witch's Daughter series. The Little Shop of Found Things is the first book by Brackston that I have read. I'm definitely going to check out her other books!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from St Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Read
September 30, 2018Going to be placing this one in the DNF file. I have never been a fan of time travel books and unfortunately, this book was no exception.
June 16, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
“The Little Shop of Found Things” by Paula Brackston falls into the genre, which I am now identifying as, ‘time travel fiction’.
Xanthe and her mother, Flora, are keen to start a new life after acquiring a small, antiques shop in an equally small U.K town. Xanthe has always felt an attachment to antiques, sometimes feeling so strong a physical attachment that she is able to identify the object’s previous owners and their journey. When she comes across a similar object in the pile of leftovers from the shop’s previous owner, Xanthe is soon pulled on a mission across time to help solve the mystery attached to the object. The pressure is on Xanthe to stop the murder of young Alice, as Alice’s mother is now a lost ghost, stuck in limbo and threatening to harm Flora unless Xanthe can release her daughter from harm’s way.
A young woman, with the help of an object, travels through centuries and is soon embroiled in the challenges of a life before electricity and the other modern pleasures of our time where, of course, she meets a man from that time and forms a relationship with him. An abundance of similarities to Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” can be drawn, and in fact as an avid fan of those novels, I had a hard time separating Xanthe from Claire, and Samuel from Jamie in a lot of spots.
However, that being said, the novel is magical and charming. Told from the perspective of Xanthe, the eclectic young woman with a special talent, the story is well-developed and the setting of the novel is quaint and comforting.
There are few characters in this novel, which makes the plot easy to follow, and they are all likable (with one exception being Mrs. Lovewell perhaps). I was a little confused by the ghost character of Margaret Merton. I understand her role in the story (she is necessary to give Xanthe the motivation to continue her time traveling quest) but for her to be so brash and abrasive was unnecessary. As Xanthe, I would’ve simply told her where to go and that would be that- ghost or no.
No one ever questions Xanthe when she shows up at random times of the day, in various stages of dress, and demands odd things. Perhaps I am more cynical and skeptical, but I would not be so willing to comply with the bizarre requests from a woman whom I had just met. I guess that’s the joy of small towns and budding romances.
Overall, this novel was an endearing read, with a time travel element that allows it to be both women’s fiction, and historical fiction. It was well written and easy to follow. Fans of Outlander will definitely enjoy “Little Shop”, as will anyone looking for a quaint, easy read.
Previously unfamiliar with Brackston’s work, I may check out her other novels to see what they have to offer.
“The Little Shop of Found Things” by Paula Brackston falls into the genre, which I am now identifying as, ‘time travel fiction’.
Xanthe and her mother, Flora, are keen to start a new life after acquiring a small, antiques shop in an equally small U.K town. Xanthe has always felt an attachment to antiques, sometimes feeling so strong a physical attachment that she is able to identify the object’s previous owners and their journey. When she comes across a similar object in the pile of leftovers from the shop’s previous owner, Xanthe is soon pulled on a mission across time to help solve the mystery attached to the object. The pressure is on Xanthe to stop the murder of young Alice, as Alice’s mother is now a lost ghost, stuck in limbo and threatening to harm Flora unless Xanthe can release her daughter from harm’s way.
A young woman, with the help of an object, travels through centuries and is soon embroiled in the challenges of a life before electricity and the other modern pleasures of our time where, of course, she meets a man from that time and forms a relationship with him. An abundance of similarities to Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” can be drawn, and in fact as an avid fan of those novels, I had a hard time separating Xanthe from Claire, and Samuel from Jamie in a lot of spots.
However, that being said, the novel is magical and charming. Told from the perspective of Xanthe, the eclectic young woman with a special talent, the story is well-developed and the setting of the novel is quaint and comforting.
There are few characters in this novel, which makes the plot easy to follow, and they are all likable (with one exception being Mrs. Lovewell perhaps). I was a little confused by the ghost character of Margaret Merton. I understand her role in the story (she is necessary to give Xanthe the motivation to continue her time traveling quest) but for her to be so brash and abrasive was unnecessary. As Xanthe, I would’ve simply told her where to go and that would be that- ghost or no.
No one ever questions Xanthe when she shows up at random times of the day, in various stages of dress, and demands odd things. Perhaps I am more cynical and skeptical, but I would not be so willing to comply with the bizarre requests from a woman whom I had just met. I guess that’s the joy of small towns and budding romances.
Overall, this novel was an endearing read, with a time travel element that allows it to be both women’s fiction, and historical fiction. It was well written and easy to follow. Fans of Outlander will definitely enjoy “Little Shop”, as will anyone looking for a quaint, easy read.
Previously unfamiliar with Brackston’s work, I may check out her other novels to see what they have to offer.
March 18, 2022
Perfect book to get me back into absorbing what I am reading. Supernatural meets HF. Nice read with some action mixed in.
March 13, 2019
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
This was a wonderful story! I have to admit that I was probably first drawn to this book by its lovely cover. Isn't it gorgeous? I also loved the idea of a book set in a little shop but once I knew that the story had an element of time-travel, I knew that I had to read this book. I was completely captivated by this book and couldn't wait to see how everything would work out.
Xanthe and her mother, Flora, are starting over. They have bought an antique shop that they will be opening to the public as soon as possible. Xanthe is particularly suited for this kind of work because she has a very handy special ability. Xanthe is called to certain objects and intuitively knows the history of the items that speak to her. Xanthe sees a chatelaine at an auction and that purchase will end up taking her on quite the adventure.
The chatelaine is tied to a young girl from the seventeenth century. The girl's mother is a ghost in Xanthe's present day and she insists that Xanthe go back in time to make things right for her Alice. I had a great time watching Xanthe trying to navigate the past and solve the mystery of what really happened with Alice. While in the past, she is able to help Samual with a project he is working on and he helps her work to save Alice.
I believe that this was the first time that I have had the chance to listen to Marisa Calin's narration and I thought she did a fantastic job with this book. There is a lot of emotion in this story and I thought that she really brought it out through her narration. The voices that she used were very distinct and I thought that the dialogue in the story flowed nicely. This was a book that I found myself wanting to listen to for hours at a time.
I would highly recommend this book to others. The ending was a little bittersweet but since it is the first book in a series, I have a feeling that there will be more developments in future novels. I had a fantastic time with this book and cannot wait to get my hands on future books in the series.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library via Overdrive.
Initial Thoughts
Such a wonderful time travel novel! There is some romance but it isn't all romance. I really liked the fact that the main goal was to solve a problem. I loved the characters and liked the fact that their motivations made sense. I thought that the ending was a little bittersweet but works to get me excited about the next book in the series. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with the story.
This was a wonderful story! I have to admit that I was probably first drawn to this book by its lovely cover. Isn't it gorgeous? I also loved the idea of a book set in a little shop but once I knew that the story had an element of time-travel, I knew that I had to read this book. I was completely captivated by this book and couldn't wait to see how everything would work out.
Xanthe and her mother, Flora, are starting over. They have bought an antique shop that they will be opening to the public as soon as possible. Xanthe is particularly suited for this kind of work because she has a very handy special ability. Xanthe is called to certain objects and intuitively knows the history of the items that speak to her. Xanthe sees a chatelaine at an auction and that purchase will end up taking her on quite the adventure.
The chatelaine is tied to a young girl from the seventeenth century. The girl's mother is a ghost in Xanthe's present day and she insists that Xanthe go back in time to make things right for her Alice. I had a great time watching Xanthe trying to navigate the past and solve the mystery of what really happened with Alice. While in the past, she is able to help Samual with a project he is working on and he helps her work to save Alice.
I believe that this was the first time that I have had the chance to listen to Marisa Calin's narration and I thought she did a fantastic job with this book. There is a lot of emotion in this story and I thought that she really brought it out through her narration. The voices that she used were very distinct and I thought that the dialogue in the story flowed nicely. This was a book that I found myself wanting to listen to for hours at a time.
I would highly recommend this book to others. The ending was a little bittersweet but since it is the first book in a series, I have a feeling that there will be more developments in future novels. I had a fantastic time with this book and cannot wait to get my hands on future books in the series.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library via Overdrive.
Initial Thoughts
Such a wonderful time travel novel! There is some romance but it isn't all romance. I really liked the fact that the main goal was to solve a problem. I loved the characters and liked the fact that their motivations made sense. I thought that the ending was a little bittersweet but works to get me excited about the next book in the series. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with the story.
September 5, 2019
..
The cover and blurb for The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston drew me in with high hopes of a very magical experience. However, the bewitching phenomena never struck the right chord. with me.
New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance to launch a new series guaranteed to enchant her audience even more.
A new series about a young woman whose connection to antiques takes her on a magical adventure, reminiscent of Outlander
Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London behind for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold. So when she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.
Welcome to Xanthes world, where memorabilia from the past calls to her. Only now, something has changed and she falls headlong into the past without any idea of how to get back home. Then, a trigger brings her back home without warning. The concept and magical aspects are all quite compelling. However, the first half of the book was too sluggish and less than captivating. And the second half seemed to lack the honesty it needed to blend the magical aspects with reality.
It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century. And shortly after, she's confronted by a ghost who reveals that this is where the antique has its origins. The ghost tasks Xanthe with putting right the injustice in its story to save an innocent girl’s life, or else it’ll cost her Flora’s.
This ghost is very powerful and demanding. Can Xanthe fulfill the wishes of the ghost before the ghost decides to harm her mother?
While Xanthe fights to save her amid the turbulent days of 1605, she meets architect Samuel Appleby. He may be the person who can help her succeed. He may also be the reason she can’t bring herself to leave.
With its rich historical detail, strong mother-daughter relationship, and picturesque English village, The Little Shop of Found Things is poised to be a strong start to this new series.
This is a clean and wholesome book, is able to stand on its own, and delivers a sort of H.E.A. with some unanswered questions. I listened to the audio version and although I liked the narrator, the book itself did not live up to my hopes for it. It is a worthwhile piece of entertainment, but it is not overly exciting in any way.
..
October 26, 2018
Many thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advanced copy.
Xanthe and her mother move to the small town of Marlborough to start life over and open up an antique shop. Both are running away from bad men. They are low on funds and there is pressure to open up the shop as soon as possible. Xanthe has a unique ability. She has a special, magical connections to old objects that have a story to tell. She comes across a chatelaine that has the strongest pull she has ever felt. While trying to get the shop ready to open, Xanthe also discovers that there is a sinister ghost haunting the place, who needs her help. The ghost needs Xanthe to save her daughter, four hundred years in the past. The chatelaine allows Xanthe to transport her back in time. Xanthe travels back, but saving the girl is not going to be so easy.
Yet again, I am sucked in by the premise of a book. I love books like “Outlander” and “Somewhere in Time” where the main character gets transported back in time. I love the setting of the book, a small town in England, with all the quaint shops and characters. Magical abilities, a ghost who needs the help of the living, are all things that I get excited about. Yes, I expected some sort of love story to happen, whether in current time or in the past. But all I have to say is Yuuuccchhhhhh!!! How can it all go wrong?
First there are the endless descriptions. On and on and on about stuff that not only I don’t care about, but doesn’t serve the story and isn’t gorgeous English-side scenery. Then we have the worst ghost - she is mean, nasty, bitter, and I don’t know why. What was the whole story with her and her daughter. I wasn’t even convinced she loved her daughter because we never got to see that. She was just super angry. So if you aren’t going to make the ghost a sympathetic character then make her scary, I mean really scary. I never understood why Xanthe would have done anything for her. I just didn’t buy that she would leave her sick mother and go risk her life for this women’s daughter, it was a shaky premise at best. Then, don’t make me wait 60% of the way through before I get a glimpse of the love story and then expect me to be invested in it. There was so too much preamble and not enough substance. The structure was just off for me. Overall, I wasn’t invested in the main characters. I didn’t care much for Xanthe. I liked the townspeople, both present and past, but why was so much time spent on them and nothing interesting happened with them. All the characters were really one dimensional, no depth. It was so slow I just wasn’t invested in the character’s outcomes. There wasn’t much magic and the time travel wasn’t captivating enough to hold my interest.
Honestly, I was bored, and really had to force myself to finish this one. I left it many times before finishing it. Disappointing and just glad to be done with it.
Xanthe and her mother move to the small town of Marlborough to start life over and open up an antique shop. Both are running away from bad men. They are low on funds and there is pressure to open up the shop as soon as possible. Xanthe has a unique ability. She has a special, magical connections to old objects that have a story to tell. She comes across a chatelaine that has the strongest pull she has ever felt. While trying to get the shop ready to open, Xanthe also discovers that there is a sinister ghost haunting the place, who needs her help. The ghost needs Xanthe to save her daughter, four hundred years in the past. The chatelaine allows Xanthe to transport her back in time. Xanthe travels back, but saving the girl is not going to be so easy.
Yet again, I am sucked in by the premise of a book. I love books like “Outlander” and “Somewhere in Time” where the main character gets transported back in time. I love the setting of the book, a small town in England, with all the quaint shops and characters. Magical abilities, a ghost who needs the help of the living, are all things that I get excited about. Yes, I expected some sort of love story to happen, whether in current time or in the past. But all I have to say is Yuuuccchhhhhh!!! How can it all go wrong?
First there are the endless descriptions. On and on and on about stuff that not only I don’t care about, but doesn’t serve the story and isn’t gorgeous English-side scenery. Then we have the worst ghost - she is mean, nasty, bitter, and I don’t know why. What was the whole story with her and her daughter. I wasn’t even convinced she loved her daughter because we never got to see that. She was just super angry. So if you aren’t going to make the ghost a sympathetic character then make her scary, I mean really scary. I never understood why Xanthe would have done anything for her. I just didn’t buy that she would leave her sick mother and go risk her life for this women’s daughter, it was a shaky premise at best. Then, don’t make me wait 60% of the way through before I get a glimpse of the love story and then expect me to be invested in it. There was so too much preamble and not enough substance. The structure was just off for me. Overall, I wasn’t invested in the main characters. I didn’t care much for Xanthe. I liked the townspeople, both present and past, but why was so much time spent on them and nothing interesting happened with them. All the characters were really one dimensional, no depth. It was so slow I just wasn’t invested in the character’s outcomes. There wasn’t much magic and the time travel wasn’t captivating enough to hold my interest.
Honestly, I was bored, and really had to force myself to finish this one. I left it many times before finishing it. Disappointing and just glad to be done with it.
September 26, 2018
A remarkable blend of magic, mystery and romance.
Xanthe and her mother open an antique shop in Marlbrough looking for a fresh start.Leaving London behind. Xanthe has a deep connection to the antiques she finds. All she has to do is hold it in her hands. So when she discovers a silver Chatelaine it sets her on a wild mystery. A ghost taunts her endlessly to clear her daughters name. But that means Xanthe would have to be in the seventeenth century. A wonderful story full of magic, time travel and history. Remarkable read. I couldn't get enough of it. If you love Outlander like I do. You have to read this book! You'll love it.
Dawnny-Book Gypsy
Novels N Latte
Book Blog
Xanthe and her mother open an antique shop in Marlbrough looking for a fresh start.Leaving London behind. Xanthe has a deep connection to the antiques she finds. All she has to do is hold it in her hands. So when she discovers a silver Chatelaine it sets her on a wild mystery. A ghost taunts her endlessly to clear her daughters name. But that means Xanthe would have to be in the seventeenth century. A wonderful story full of magic, time travel and history. Remarkable read. I couldn't get enough of it. If you love Outlander like I do. You have to read this book! You'll love it.
Dawnny-Book Gypsy
Novels N Latte
Book Blog
March 19, 2021
3.5 stars. I loved the premise of this book and found Xanthe and Flora to be very down-to-earth, relatable characters. The antique store setting, a centuries-old object, and a young woman with a connection to the past through these objects were all winning elements. I really enjoyed the contemporary scenes. Unfortunately, I couldn't immerse myself in the 17th-century scenes as Xanthe's minstrel/housemaid persona was too modern in her movements, speech, and behavior. Ms. Brackston came up with logical reasons for Xanthe's lack of decorum, but they still pulled me out of the story. The ending was satisfying and I truly enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship in this novel.
September 8, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much. I love the blend of history, magic, and time travel.
Xanthe, the main character, and her mother, Flora, purchased an old, long-abandoned antique shop in Marlborough. Xanthe sometimes has a connection with certain antique items, allowing her to glimpse a piece of history attached to them. Her gift becomes a vital tool in their antique business but also puts her in a precarious situation when she acquires a silver chatelaine with a haunting secret. Suddenly, she is transported back to 1605 and forced to do a ghost’s bidding or face dire consequences.
The story beautifully explores the powerful bond between mother and daughter, keeping me engaged and enthralled as Xanthe time-travels to solve a problem from the past, the failure of which could lead to severe consequences in the present.
It was an enjoyable read.
Xanthe, the main character, and her mother, Flora, purchased an old, long-abandoned antique shop in Marlborough. Xanthe sometimes has a connection with certain antique items, allowing her to glimpse a piece of history attached to them. Her gift becomes a vital tool in their antique business but also puts her in a precarious situation when she acquires a silver chatelaine with a haunting secret. Suddenly, she is transported back to 1605 and forced to do a ghost’s bidding or face dire consequences.
The story beautifully explores the powerful bond between mother and daughter, keeping me engaged and enthralled as Xanthe time-travels to solve a problem from the past, the failure of which could lead to severe consequences in the present.
It was an enjoyable read.
October 21, 2018
A gracious thank you to St Martin's Press and Paula Brackston for an advanced copy. The plot lives up to its promise of ghosts, time travel and romance. It reminded me very much of the Outlander and I can see readers who fell in love with that series, gravitating towards this one too.
Unfortunately for me, and it appears I'm in the minority here, I just wasn't able to connect with the characters and plot. I tried hard to invest myself fully but struggled to care. I think what made it a challenge for me is that the plot moved along quite slowly and was more on the descriptive side. Many of the conversations felt one dimensional and were difficult to invest in emotionally.
There appear to be many high reviews so this is most likely just a story that didn't work for me. I wasn't captivated like others by The Outlander series either, which says something about my reading preferances.
The Little Shop of Found Things is a magical and charming story. Readers looking to invest in a new series that involves time travel back to the early 17th century, has a cozy mystery feel and some paranormal and romance aspects may want to try this one out.
Unfortunately for me, and it appears I'm in the minority here, I just wasn't able to connect with the characters and plot. I tried hard to invest myself fully but struggled to care. I think what made it a challenge for me is that the plot moved along quite slowly and was more on the descriptive side. Many of the conversations felt one dimensional and were difficult to invest in emotionally.
There appear to be many high reviews so this is most likely just a story that didn't work for me. I wasn't captivated like others by The Outlander series either, which says something about my reading preferances.
The Little Shop of Found Things is a magical and charming story. Readers looking to invest in a new series that involves time travel back to the early 17th century, has a cozy mystery feel and some paranormal and romance aspects may want to try this one out.
May 25, 2021
A very interesting premise but spoiled by too much inner musings... Xanthe keep questioning herself and endlessly musing about what she would do, what she shell do and what she did....
All this keeps interripting the flow of the story and even happens during dialogues! Often I had to go back to the beginning of a dialogue to remeber what they were talking about!
Also I just couldn't understand why she didn't to from the start what she did in the end!
(I know that this sentence do not sound like something a sane person would say, but I don't want to spoil anything! LOL)
So, for the premise I would give it 4 stars, but for all the interruptions only 1, so... I'll rate it barely 3...
All this keeps interripting the flow of the story and even happens during dialogues! Often I had to go back to the beginning of a dialogue to remeber what they were talking about!
Also I just couldn't understand why she didn't to from the start what she did in the end!
(I know that this sentence do not sound like something a sane person would say, but I don't want to spoil anything! LOL)
So, for the premise I would give it 4 stars, but for all the interruptions only 1, so... I'll rate it barely 3...
Want to read
February 13, 2017MY QUEEN! A NEW BOOK! AHHHHH!
July 9, 2018
I'm no stranger to Brackston's witchier novels, so when I saw this contemporary time travel adventure set around a woman with psychometry -- aka the ability to connect or feel impressions from objects -- I was intrigued. Not quite witchy but also a little bit magical.
THE LITTLE SHOP OF FOUND THINGS is a slow build of a mother and daughter starting over in a small town after both have faced hardship, both wanting to move on and begin anew. Xanthe's ability to connect with objects is given extra pull by the interference of a spirit from the 1600s who demands Xanthe's help to save her daughter. That's right. She demands it. She threatens harm if Xanthe doesn't do what she demands. That spirit/ghost lady was a total wench.
Honestly, the idea of the story, Xanthe traveling back and forth in time to solve a mystery, save a girl, etc, was great. But while the historical accuracy, the hardships she had to face trying to pass as a servant in order to pursue justice, and the clock-is-ticking thrilling aspect of it were interesting, the romance was rushed, the daughter whose neck was literally on the line seemed disinclined to help herself, making things unnecessarily frustrating, and yeah, as mentioned, this ghost was completely horrid. There was also a sorta-love interest for Xanthe in the present day who she.. I don't want to say took advantage of, but.. well.. she kinda did.
The slower build of the mystery, the fleshing out of this little town, as Xanthe and Flora settle in to revitalizing the little antique shop, even some of the neighbours and townsfolk, I liked all that. And even the time travel-y bits were interesting. I just think some things were too rushed and as a result I couldn't care for them. And as it seems this is a series.. why not give it a cliffhanger? Why not take the time to flesh it up and pick it up in the next installment?
Depending on the plot surrounding the next one, I may or may not read on. Again, this was interesting, but I did have to push myself to keep reading, and was definitely not sold fast-tracked romance. However, that said, the characters that seem to be an integral part of the modern day setting? They might bring me back again.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
THE LITTLE SHOP OF FOUND THINGS is a slow build of a mother and daughter starting over in a small town after both have faced hardship, both wanting to move on and begin anew. Xanthe's ability to connect with objects is given extra pull by the interference of a spirit from the 1600s who demands Xanthe's help to save her daughter. That's right. She demands it. She threatens harm if Xanthe doesn't do what she demands. That spirit/ghost lady was a total wench.
Honestly, the idea of the story, Xanthe traveling back and forth in time to solve a mystery, save a girl, etc, was great. But while the historical accuracy, the hardships she had to face trying to pass as a servant in order to pursue justice, and the clock-is-ticking thrilling aspect of it were interesting, the romance was rushed, the daughter whose neck was literally on the line seemed disinclined to help herself, making things unnecessarily frustrating, and yeah, as mentioned, this ghost was completely horrid. There was also a sorta-love interest for Xanthe in the present day who she.. I don't want to say took advantage of, but.. well.. she kinda did.
The slower build of the mystery, the fleshing out of this little town, as Xanthe and Flora settle in to revitalizing the little antique shop, even some of the neighbours and townsfolk, I liked all that. And even the time travel-y bits were interesting. I just think some things were too rushed and as a result I couldn't care for them. And as it seems this is a series.. why not give it a cliffhanger? Why not take the time to flesh it up and pick it up in the next installment?
Depending on the plot surrounding the next one, I may or may not read on. Again, this was interesting, but I did have to push myself to keep reading, and was definitely not sold fast-tracked romance. However, that said, the characters that seem to be an integral part of the modern day setting? They might bring me back again.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
July 28, 2018
I received a free e-copy of The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston from NetGalley for my honest review.
This is the first book I have ever read by Paula Brackston. It was a fun and fast read. Xanthe, has a connection to objects and in the antique business that can be a problem when a ghost discovers her gift. Traveling back to 1605 to save a relative of the ghost but the ghost threatens Xanthe's mother. That is where complications arise. This is a book of time travel, romance, and mystery. Interesting characters and just a completely different type of book that I have ever read.
This is the first book I have ever read by Paula Brackston. It was a fun and fast read. Xanthe, has a connection to objects and in the antique business that can be a problem when a ghost discovers her gift. Traveling back to 1605 to save a relative of the ghost but the ghost threatens Xanthe's mother. That is where complications arise. This is a book of time travel, romance, and mystery. Interesting characters and just a completely different type of book that I have ever read.
March 15, 2022
A delightful, charming time travel adventure.
Xanthe and her mother Flora are starting anew, and purchase an antique shop.
Xanthe feels connected to a special chatelaine that she purchased at an Estate sale. It almost sings to her. When she touches a locket of her mother she gets transported back to the seventeenth century. She meets a ghost who demands that she help her or mother will be in grave danger. Along the way she meets Samuel who helps her at her task, but how can she go back to the present and leave Samuel.
This book was beautifully written with very engaging characters.
I can’t wait to read what happens next.
Xanthe and her mother Flora are starting anew, and purchase an antique shop.
Xanthe feels connected to a special chatelaine that she purchased at an Estate sale. It almost sings to her. When she touches a locket of her mother she gets transported back to the seventeenth century. She meets a ghost who demands that she help her or mother will be in grave danger. Along the way she meets Samuel who helps her at her task, but how can she go back to the present and leave Samuel.
This book was beautifully written with very engaging characters.
I can’t wait to read what happens next.
December 17, 2024
Apparently this story is the first in a new series.
This might be considered “Magical Realism.'
Because...This story has a blend of history, time travel, supernatural, mystery, and romance.
As a new owner of an antique store (along with her Mother) the main character has a connection to objects - they sing to her and provide her with images and stories from the people who originally owned them.
And... In so doing, it becomes her job to uncover its secrets.
If you are fan of the Outlander series this may be an attractive reading adventure for you. For me….meh!
This might be considered “Magical Realism.'
Because...This story has a blend of history, time travel, supernatural, mystery, and romance.
As a new owner of an antique store (along with her Mother) the main character has a connection to objects - they sing to her and provide her with images and stories from the people who originally owned them.
And... In so doing, it becomes her job to uncover its secrets.
If you are fan of the Outlander series this may be an attractive reading adventure for you. For me….meh!
October 27, 2018
What an awesome start to a new series! This is a new to me author but now that I am familiar with her writing she is on my list of favorite books for the year! This is the reason right here why I continue to read historical books. Even though fictional they are filled with truthful facts and continue to teach me things. This is a book featuring modern times with our cell phones and modern conveniences and a time slip back to the seventeenth century. Witchcraft and burning at the stakes were common then and it was because of ignorance. Women were not educated like today,poverty was high and illiteracy was high. There were misunderstandings and rather than take the time to understand these women it was easier to label them as witches and burn them.
Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London for a fresh start in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has the power to feel the story of antiques she touches. She can see scenes of these antiques and is transported back in time with a special antique piece she buys at auction. She does not ask for this power and she is powerless to stop it. When her and her mother buy an antique shop in their new town the backyard has a ley line in it. Now this is fascinating because I've never heard of ley lines before and here's some info on it. https://www.thoughtco.com/ley-lines-m... Now a building on their property contained a ley line which when she had the special antique piece with her she was transported back in time. A ghost of the mother of the accused woman threatens her if she doesn't help her daughter prove her innocence Xanthe's mother will come to harm. While a servant in this time period trying to help prove Alice's innocence she falls in love with Samuel. Her heart is heavy, will she prove the innocence of Alice? What about Samuel, will she stay with her new true love? I need to read part two right now. This book is fascinating and so captured my attention!
Pub Date 16 Oct 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London for a fresh start in the historic town of Marlborough. Xanthe has the power to feel the story of antiques she touches. She can see scenes of these antiques and is transported back in time with a special antique piece she buys at auction. She does not ask for this power and she is powerless to stop it. When her and her mother buy an antique shop in their new town the backyard has a ley line in it. Now this is fascinating because I've never heard of ley lines before and here's some info on it. https://www.thoughtco.com/ley-lines-m... Now a building on their property contained a ley line which when she had the special antique piece with her she was transported back in time. A ghost of the mother of the accused woman threatens her if she doesn't help her daughter prove her innocence Xanthe's mother will come to harm. While a servant in this time period trying to help prove Alice's innocence she falls in love with Samuel. Her heart is heavy, will she prove the innocence of Alice? What about Samuel, will she stay with her new true love? I need to read part two right now. This book is fascinating and so captured my attention!
Pub Date 16 Oct 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 20, 2018
Enjoyed this adventure! I love books that take you back in time and this one was fun with a ghost, a witch, time travel, a love interest (or two?) and a matter of life and death. Although the witchcraft in this book was decidedly understated, Xanthe definitely had a gift. Objects "sang" to her and she was driven to solve what they were trying to tell her. This adventure pushed her to go back in time to attempt to prevent the hanging of a young girl accused of stealing.
Warm characters and lots of atmosphere kept the story interesting. The time changes from present to past were well done and I liked the use of the ley-lines across the area to perform the time travel. Most of this story was in the past but I would have liked to have read more about the present and the new antique shop and especially what happens with Xanthe and Liam.
Thanks to Paula Brackston and St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book.
Warm characters and lots of atmosphere kept the story interesting. The time changes from present to past were well done and I liked the use of the ley-lines across the area to perform the time travel. Most of this story was in the past but I would have liked to have read more about the present and the new antique shop and especially what happens with Xanthe and Liam.
Thanks to Paula Brackston and St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book.
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