New York Times bestselling author of The Witch’s Daughter Paula Brackston returns to her trademark blend of magic and romance guaranteed to enchant in The Little Shop of Found Things, the first book in a new continuing series. An antique shop haunted by a ghost. A silver treasure with an injustice in its story. An adventure to the past she’ll never forget. Xanthe and her mother Flora leave … she’ll never forget.
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. When she has an intense connection to a beautiful silver chatelaine she has to know more.
It is while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the seventeenth century where it has its origins. She discovers there is an injustice in its history. The spirit that inhabits her new home confronts her and charges her with saving her daughter’s life, threatening to take Flora’s if she fails.
While Xanthe fights to save the girl 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.
The story continues in October 2019 with book two in the Found Things series, Secrets of the Chocolate House.
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“It could not be real, and yet it was.”
When Xanthe was only a child, she realized she had a gift of looking at old things and feeling their history.
Little did she realize that an old silver chatelaine bought at an estate sale, would send her back to the 1600’s to save a young servant named Alice from an unjust punishment.
Nor did she fathom after purchasing the old antique shop, of an unwelcome guest roaming there.
The ghost of Margaret Merton.
Margaret Merton was searching for someone to save her daughter Alice and was not going to rest until it was done!
Xanthe is called to this task.
I could feel the anxiety each and every time Xanthe plummeted back in time and I awaited what would happen next as I turned each page.
This was my first book by this author and definitely not my last! This story has it all!
I really am late to the party for The Little Shop of Found Things! Oh my! I was mesmerized by this magical story and I bought the other two books in this series before I reached the halfway point. I can’t wait to read more of Xanthe’s adventures!
Paula Brackston’s signature style comes to life in her enchanting Found Things series.
Magic meets mystery in The Little Shop of Found Things, a page-turning tale of time travel, history, and a glimmer of romance.
Vivid descriptions of past and present draw the reader into a unique story worth reading. Time travel is not often on my to-read list, but a few authors have mastered it well enough to keep the reader engaged and believing that magical glimpses into the past can happen. Brackston is one such author.
Full review at the blog.
A wonderful story and relatable characters, follow the link for my full review.
https://bookishbynature.com/2019/02/13/garden-spells/
I found many aspects of this book really appealing. It is a time travel, but different than any I had ever read. Xanthe doesn’t just randomly time travel, except for the very first time. She is approached by a ghost that lives in her and her mother’s house and told that she must go back in time to help her daughter, or the ghost will harm Xanthe’s mother, Flora. The “job” ends up fairly daunting for Xanthe and she travels back to the present several times to get or do something that will aid her in helping Alice.
Xanthe’s relationship with Samuel was my favorite aspect of the book. I really liked them together. Samuel was just a very appealing guy with his quiet mannerisms and his willingness to stand up for what he thought was right and condemn that which he felt was wrong. He was the perfect match for Xanthe, if only they had really lived in the same time.
A book you can’t put down. The second book in this series, “The Chocolate House” is also so good to read. Love the author. Paula Brackston.
This is such an interesting, entertaining, and intelligent novel. I don’t always read the summaries of books because I don’t want to be spoiled, so I had no idea time travel was involved. I also enjoy time travel novels, so this was a perfect combination of magical realism, historical fiction, the English countryside, romance, and time travel. A page-turning novel and a completely delightful read!
Fantastic read! I really needed this after finishing the Outlander series!
I love time-travel stories. Throw in an English setting, a bit a romance and a smart heroine and I’m hooked.
There was so much to love about this book. Xanthe is a well-developed character who captured my attention immediately with her unique talents to “know” the history of antiques and her devotion to her mother. More, Xanthe kept my attention with her grit and determination. And then there’s Samuel (swoon). I liked him immediately and he left an impression with me long after the book was done. My only regret is that I wanted him on even more pages. The story beautifully transports the reader to 17th century England with rich and realistic details that are not so overdone as to make you feel you’re being lectured to. The plot moved at a good pace and kept me eagerly moving from chapter to chapter. My heart broke at the end, so I’m hoping that the ending will be resolved in the next book as this reviewer seriously needs more Samuel.
I have loved all of Paula Brackston’s books, but this one seemed to lack the magic. The idea that the main character can read old objects and get a feel for what the owners were like in the past sounded very interesting and yet she barely did that throughout the story. I would have found it more fascinating if she had used objects to solve her problems once in awhile.
I did enjoy the time-travel and learning about life in the 17th century. I also loved the mother-daughter relationship throughout this story.
I look forward to reading the next one in the series with the hope that Xanthe will listen to more historical objects as they ‘sing’ to her and she finds a way to visit the past again.
I went into reading The Little Shop of Found Things without reading the blurb (as I often do). The premise of the book had me instantly intrigued. When Xanthe touches certain objects they “sing” to her or tell her part of their story. I absolutely love this idea.
Xanthe and her mother, Flora, move to a new town and open an antique store. To stock the store, they attend an estate sale where Xanthe comes across a chatelaine that speaks to her more powerfully than any other object she’s encountered. We soon discover why – there is a connection between the chatelaine and the family’s new property. More importantly, there is a connection to the past. Xanthe must travel back in time to help save a girl she’s never met – in doing so, she’s also saving her mother.
This was a slower paced read for me since I generally read suspense and thrillers but I really enjoyed the story. I look forward to reading more of the series.
If you enjoy time travel stories with romance and magical realism, then this is a book you’d enjoy.
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston has an intriguing premise. Xanthe Westlake can get memories from antique items that call to her. She always gets a feeling when near a special object. After finding a silver chatelaine at an estate sale, Xanthe finds herself in the past to correct an injustice. I liked the idea of a woman with psychometry ability delving into the past. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time wading through The Little Shop of Found Things. I struggled to get through the story. I kept hoping it was just a slow starter and that I would soon be completely engrossed. That did not happen. The pacing is sluggish and certain details are repeated often. The author has an old fashioned writing style and there are overly detailed descriptions. I was astonished that Xanthe would travel back wearing Doc Martens and no one notices the odd shoes (really). I could not connect with Xanthe and I did try. It took me several attempts, but I did finish the story. I was just not the right audience for The Little Shop of Found Things. I wanted to like this book because it is the type of story that appeals to me. While The Little Shop of Found Things was not right for me, it did appeal to many readers. I suggest you read a sample of the book and judge it for yourself. I failed to find the magic in The Little Shop of Found Things.
I’ve enjoyed many of Paula Brackston’s books and this one didn’t disappoint. The book was a very magical and romantic tale that took me away from today’s news and problems. I enjoyed the time-travel elements and the touch of romance.
Spellbinding! I adore Paula Brackston’s new series ‘The Little Shop of Found Things’! 5 stars plus
Her first novel is simply spellbinding! It held my interest until the very last page. Ms. Brackston weaved a spellbinding time-travel story of a daring heroine who seeks to help someone, only to find herself trapped in the past with a handsome and charming gentleman. The storyline was great along with lovely characters Xantle, Flora, Liam and Samuel. I would recommend this novel to anyone who has a good imagination and loves story filled with magic and mystery. You won’t be disappointed. This talented author is a very talented storyteller and very descriptive writer, in fact, during some scenes, I almost felt I was there. It’s rich with details that will keep you turning pages!
‘The Little Shop of Found Things’ will take you on a Journey of many twists and turns plus a touch of time travel. Xanthe and her mother Flora leave London for a new start, to be owners of a little shop of antiquities that holds secrets. The heroine Xanthe has a special gift! When she touches an antique piece, it may ‘sing’ to her and share it’s past story. Not all pieces hold a special bond with her, but one in particular, a silver chatelaine, will take her on a wonderful Journey. However, a mysterious ghost will threaten her by menacing Xanthe’s sweet mom. That’s when her life will be changed as she will time travel in the past to investigate the secrets of the chatelaine. Being in the past, she needs to stay low profile and cannot trust anyone except Samuel, a talented architect of the seventeenth century. As she finds clues to help her, she will start having feelings for him. Will she return to the present to be with a mother Flora or stay will Samuel?
This heartwarming story is about a strong relationship between a mother and daughter. I can’t wait to read the next story in this amazing new series. Thank you Ms. Brackston for writing such spellbinding novels. You never disappoint me. This story is well written and and will surely please lovers of time travel adventures!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
It’s about going back in time, plus a life in present England, fur an Antique deal we. I loved it. Nearly died waiting for the next one to come out. All her book are wonderful.
This is the start of a new series for Paula Brackston…magic and time travel. Just loved it.
Excellent….
This story had all the right elements to keep me turning the pages. The very contemporary heroine, Xanthe can sense the past of certain items she touches. This ability is called on by a threatening ghost who leaves Xanthe with no choice but travel back to the 17th century. Her intelligence, talent and knowledge of the period enable her to create the perfect identity for a solo woman in the 1600’s.
The Little Shop of Found Things (Book 1) by Paula Brackston
St. Martin’s Press
October 2018
Historical fiction, Library loan
Rating: 4/5
307 pages
ISBN13: 9781250072436
ISBN: 125007243
I enjoyed this novel and its unique experience with time travel. Xanthe Westlake and her mother Flora moved from London to Marlborough following the divorce from her father, Philip. As they attempt to start their new life and renovate the old antique shop left in disarray after the death of Mr. Morris, a ghost from the past hones in on Xanthe for help. Margaret Merton, a spirit from the past, senses Xanthe’s unique sensitivity to “hear singing” when she held certain items from the past. Through the years it has served well discovering the history and unresolved issues left with the items.
This time Xanthe buys a silver chatelaine, made in Bristol, at an auction which desperately made it known it needed her help. Little does she realize that the chatelaine is connected to the ghost, Margaret Merton, who haunts and threatens her to help her save her daughter, Alice. Of course, the problem is that Alice lives in 17th century Marlborough accused of a crime to which is she due to be hanged.
This delightful story follows the challenging adventures Xanthe must endure to hopefully save this young girl from an uncertain death. Her dedication to her mother, Flora, who ails with often disabling arthritis, is admirable. She quickly develops a friendship with Liam, a local mechanic who agrees to check on her mother while she is “visiting a friend”. Soon, Xanthe finds herself “lost” between the past and present trying to solve a mystery for a spirit which has proven her ability to harm her mother should she not be successful in her mission. In the process, Xanthe meets and confuses many people in the past and present as she seeks help and information. She leaves many with unresolved feelings and unanswered questions.
Ultimately, The Shop of Found Things antique store had its grand opening which was celebrated by all the locals with the support from the owners of her neighboring establishment.
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I received the second book in this series, “Secrets of the Chocolate House”, from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. It is due to be published October 22, 2019 giving me ample time to read the beginning of this wonderful adventure.
https://bookwormreviewblog.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-little-shop-of-found-things-by.html?m=1
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2802473818