A first time time travel reader and I could not stop reading. I was nervous at the start but the characters and history drew me into this genre of writing. I was mesmerized. I will look forward to reading the next book written in the series.

The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston. New York, St. Martin’s Press, 2019.

This book is about antique dealer Flora and her daughter Xanthe who live in an English market town in the present day and Margaret and her daughter Alice who lived near there in the 17th century. Each daughter is imprisoned after being accused of a crime she did not commit; as the story begins Xanthe is free while Alice is not. While travelling back and forth through time to save Alice, Xanthe, who has the extra sensory gift psychometry and at least two transferable artistic talents, meets and is helped by an appealing gentleman in each era. The book is well written and progresses at an appealing pace. Historical and descriptive details woven through help the reader understand and visualize what is happening. There are several nicely developed characters in each time period that further support the story. Overall, time travel aside, I found this story to be realistic, glad that I did not encounter distracting details that made me stop and ask myself if this really could be happening. I was surprised that the author did not try to create parallel characters and situations and liked the book better because she did not. The ending is also acceptable and reasonable.
I read historical fiction constantly and look for books with time travel themes, always happy when I can find good ones. I really enjoyed reading this book. I didn’t absolutely love it as I do Susanna Kearsley’s books, similar in a way, but I really liked it. It left me wanting to know more about the earlier period and wanting to visit the market town. I understand that this is the first in a new series a look forward to reading more of Paula Brackston’s work.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of Little Shop of Found Things free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The electronic copy I received does not have a cover; I did not notice the cover until after I read the book. It is perfect – I love it!



I will add to Amazon.ca once the book is released and they begin accepting reviews.

Xanthe has always has a special gift--antique items "sing" to her and she's able to sense something of their past and the stories they hold. Xanthe and her mother, Fiona, move to rural England to take over an antique shop. While shopping for inventory, she discovers a silver chatelaine (key ring) that calls to her. After bringing the chatelaine home, Xanthe sets about restoring the chatelaine and is transported back to the 17th century. Startled, she thinks of her mother and is instantly sent home--only to find herself face to face with the resident ghost. The ghost reveals to Xanthe the origins of the chatelaine, an injustice done that's tied to the chatelaine and tasks her with saving an innocent girl's life. Xanthe resists at first, fearing being permanently separated from her mother, but the ghost threatens Flora's life and Xanthe reluctantly agrees to go back to 1605.

When Xanthe arrives back in 1605, she meets architect Samuel Abbleby, who has a connection both to the innocent victim and to the home that Xanthe now owns in the future. He is the one person who can help her succeed with her quest, but he's also the one person she's reluctant to leave. The book ends rather abruptly and without good closure on the relationship between Samuel and Xanthe. The ending seems to indicate a sequel, which is good, because I have to now how Xanthe's story ends!


Note: I was provided this book free from #netgalley in exchange for my unbiased review of the material.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston starts with a girl, Xanthe, and her mother, Flora starting a new adventure together in Marlborough. Xanthe has a gift she can touch antiques and see the story behind the antiques. She comes across a chatelaine in an auction sale that turns out to have belonged to someone in the seventeenth century. While examining it she gets transported to the seventeenth century where she encounters a ghost that needs her help. On her journey to help the ghost she falls in love with an architect who is supposed to be helping her.

*Sigh*.... Where do I start?

For starters, I want to start on a positive note and say I love Paula Brackston’s writing. This was well written and her writing style is beautiful.
After reading the synopsis I said to myself’ Ooo! What a fun read this sounds. A girl with a gift that becomes attached to a chatelaine and gets sent back to the seventeenth century to help a ghost? UM YES PLS’. But it just completely fell short for me. I wish there was more action, more mystery solving, and less romance.

I am deeply saddened at the result of this book. In the beginning of the book I was completely absorbed and enjoying every second of it. Once I got to 40%, the book slowed down. I figured ‘okay this happens it will pick back up again’, that wasn’t the case for me. The book just continued to drag and bore me. I was so sad and determined to get to the end of this book but I just simply could not.
I typically am a quick reader but this took me forever to get to just 70%! If i am fascinated by a book I will find every second of the day to read it but this book was just not doing it for me. I found myself constantly putting it down and distracting myself with something else.
As much as I wanted to love Xanthe, she seemed a little flat to me. I felt like she could’ve had a little more character in her especially for how she was portrayed.
Also, I struggle with enjoying ‘early modern english’ which there was a lot of being that Xanthe was transported to the seventeenth century and all.

I saw this is a beginning of a new series so I am hoping I can find it in me to complete this one in attempts to try out book #2. While this worked for some readers, it just simply didn’t for me.

I think the cover was the first thing to draw me to this book. Next was the idea of touching an object and feel it’s history. Good 1st book in a series of time travel. Xanthe and her mother are moving to a small English village to open an antique shop. With her ability to read objects, Xanthe buys a chatelaine at auction. A ghost is setting the motions for a xanthe to clear her ancestor do a crime. Will definitely look for book 2. I received a copy of this arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for a honest review of this book.

The Little Shop of Found Things has all of the things I like in a book...time travel, ghosts, romance, historical time periods, magic and singing. However, I had a difficult time getting into this book. I liked the characters and the setting, but there was nothing pulling me in. I found it to be slow.

I received an advance copy via netgalley, this review is my honest opinion.

I love time travel books, my favourite author is Barbara Erskine who does dual timeline so beautifully. Brackston's writing wasn't quite there yet but the story was original and well researched and how she connected the two stories together very strong and well thought out.

The main characters 'magic touch' gave her a connection to the past when she touched antique objects. A chatelaine sparks a stronger than normal response and Xanthe finds herself at the mercy of a sinister ghost who's love of her daughter drives Xanthe back in time to correct a wrong done to her.

Brackston grounded the novel well in the present with lots of description of Marlborough and the surrounding areas. The history of the tiny prisons was engaging and provided the perfect place for the time travel to happen. It didn't even feel that far fetched!

Both storylines were full rounded and interesting to read about, lots of vulnerability and lost moments. The love story between Xanthe and Samuel was tender and well brewed and then there was her friendships in the present and her love and commitment for her mum. It kept you guessing on what she would do, stay in the past or the present.

Xanthe is a wonderful, modern heroine and I look forward to reading about her next adventure.

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.

The Little Shop of Found Things - first book of a new series - is an excellent novel for teens to seniors who enjoy a little SF with their novels. Paula Brackston seamlessly adds a little time travel to her tale of a young woman and her mother, moving to a new town after the divorce of Mom and Dad, and opening a little shop of antiques and curiosities in a tourist spot by the sea.

I found 'Found Things' an enchanting tale, one I am happy to encourage young great nieces and nephews to read. There are many series now with more than a dash of the supernatural, but most are also very sexual in nature. Brackston writes a story that carries itself without the addition of sex. Yeah!

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Paula Brackston, and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

If books have seasons, this book would certainly be a fall or winter read. It is the perfect book to read by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa. It was charming and old-fashioned, and I enjoyed Xanthe’s story a lot. I did find the first twenty pages somewhat difficult to get into, and the ending to be too abrupt. But the story was creative and drew me in, and I found the author’s historical research to be impressive. It certainly evoked the feeling of being in the seventeenth century. Recommended for fans of Susannah Kearsley, Ciji Ware, and Fiona Davis.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’m a fan of author Paula Brackston and have read most of her witch books. I’ve spent hours enjoying her characters, settings and plots. A fan of time travel, this book should have hit my sweet spot dead on. But somehow it missed and I’m disappointed. There was a glaring problem and I wonder if other readers will also stumble over this choice. Our protagonist chooses to solve one problem by returning to present time and finding a solution by searching the internet. This is one classic solution that schoolchildren yearn for but seems out of place in an adult novel. It does speed up the action but at considerable cost to the integrity of the tale. It broke my connection to the story. I never really became engaged with it again. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Xanthe is an empathic psychic who can touch material objects and find the history behind it through a strong emotional connection. One day while antique shopping with her mother, Flora, she finds a chatelaine (a decorative belt hook) from the 1600s and is soon confronted by a ghost.

The ghost, a mother from the 1600s, knew just the right person would find the chatelaine in the future and be the right person to help her daughter who is accused of a crime she knows she’s innocent of and will be sentenced to die unless Xanthe can help.

So Xanthe, unable to explain it herself, finds a way to actually teleport back to the past.

The new house she and her mother picked to start over again is actually a gateway that with the empathic psychic powers of someone like Xanthe can propel her back and forth through time.

And that’s just the beginning.

There’s a love story, a mystery, a supernatural thriller and mystery, and a young woman at the center of it all who has the courage to solve the mystery before her with her own intelligence and strength.

This is the first novel I have read from this author and was pleasantly surprised and it was a joy to read. I’m hoping for more from this series featuring Xanthe and to other works by Paula Brackston.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for early access to this title.

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 is usually not my type of book but the blurb made me request it. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! I loved the characters and the magic! Looks like there will be more in a series and that makes me happy!

The book begins by introducing the idea of ghosts or spirits who inhabit (for lack of a better word) objects that once belonged to them. The main character, Xanthe Westlake can feel these spirits. Some items “speak” or “sing” to her. She discovered this ability when she was 8 years old and she told her mother that an old teapot was happy.

Now Xanthe and her mother, Flora, are starting over. Flora is going through a divorce and needs to start a life of her own. She bought an old, small antique shop in the quaint town of Malborough, England. They have lots of work to do, but still can’t help being drawn into an antique sale that is going on. There Xanthe finds an old chatelaine that she feels drawn to. Spending more money than she should, she buys the chatelaine, thinking that once she has figured out why it is calling to her, they can resell it.

The book is a heady mixture of time travel, historical fiction, and a love story all wrapped up in an almost cozy mystery feel. I enjoyed reading about the 1600’s, the love story and the current day ins and outs of running an antique shop.

It is obviously set up to be a series, with the ending leaving little doubt that there is more to come.

I enjoyed the storyline and won’t hesitate to pick up the next book in the series.

I received an ARC of the book.

I’m fascinated by old things and this novel appealed to me because of the antiques and the main character’s ability to channel the past history of objects she touches.

Xanthe, a young woman who moves to the historic town of Marlborough in order to help her mother own and operate an antique stop, has a past to overcome. Starting a new life in Marlborough ends up taking her on a path she’d never imagined.

As Xanthe goes on her journey back and forth into the past, she has some help from a few Marlborough villagers that will most likely be returning characters in future novels.

For readers who love time travel, history and a bit of romance, this is a great choice. There were a few nail-biting moments and a not-so-friendly spirit lurking about that created a sense of suspense.

I enjoyed this one and will certainly consider reading the next book in the series when it comes out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review an advance copy, giving my honest review.

The Little Shop of Found things had great characters. The main character Xanthe is tormented by a ghost who urges her to help her daughter. Xanthe must travel back in time to help ghost’s daughter or the ghost will hurt Xanthe mother. The story finds Xanthe a love interest in another time. I enjoyed the story, the characters and the setting! Happy to have the chance to read it on NetGalley. I will recommend to others.

This story had a ton of potential and unfortunately it fell short for me. Xanthe and Sam’s relationship was too rushed for me. He was willing to go great heights for her and even though I understand the difference of time periods, I felt like his willingness and accommodating nature towards Xanthe was not believable. I feel like more of their budding relationship should have been written for his willingness to help her make sense. I also felt like there was too much fluff writing about the maids and quarters that didn’t add to the story. It was slow but the author would throw in a few interesting pages at a time that made me moving through the book. So much more drama, conspiracy, and even more romance which I’m rarely a fan of could have made this more of a hit.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of the The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston.

I really enjoyed this book. It had all of the magical qualities that I want in a Brackston book. We follow a young woman, Xanthe, and her mother as they are beginning a new life opening up a small antique store. Xanthe has always had a connection to antiques including the ability to see into its past. While browsing during an antique auction, Xanthe is attracted to a new object that soon has her manipulated by a ghostly presence, hurled into the past on a mission to solve a mystery and stop a murder.

This book is told from Xanthe's point of view which I very much enjoyed. She is an eclectic young woman and thought her character was well developed. I also enjoyed the relationship with her ailing mother, Flora, whom she cares for and wants to protect. The setting was also well developed as we travel back to the 1800's.

The Little Shop of Found Things is the first book in a new series. It was a wonderful fast read full of magic and historical detail. I highly recommend this.

Having read a couple of Paula Brackston ‘witchier’ novels, I was up for trying the first in a new series for her. With an attractive cover and the promise of a dual time narrative, I signed up.

Being the first in a series, what we have here is a slow build - mother and daughter starting over in a small town ready to move on and begin anew after hardships. The main lead, Xanthe, has an ability to connect with objects that ‘sing’ to her the history of their previous owner. Their new abode has a resident ghost from the 1600s who demands Xanthe's help save her daughter in that time - thus the strong pull she feels for the chatelaine (had to look that one up!), that will in turn, assist her to time travel. What I did appreciate is the historic detail, inclusive of settings/buildings, clothing, servants lives, attitudes to religion, and sentencing of convicted criminals. I enjoyed the modern tale also and hope future books in the series will flesh out more with Xanthe’s mother Flora, helpful friend Liam and many in the local community who really needed to be fleshed out a bit more for the reader to engage.

With characters and plot taking their time in being established, I began to struggle. When Xanthe so easily alternates back and forth between past and present, I had trouble letting go of logistics. To fully appreciate this scenario, one must suspend understanding in a number of matters eg. the time travel dynamics with no one surprised when Xanthe appeared or disappeared and in odd types of dress given the relevant time period. Her language was alluded to as being strange in the past, but the way she spoke and her forthright expectations really would not have been accepted in the 1600s; there were just too many unrealistic interactions if she was to assume the role of a servant. Add I did not really fall for the ‘insta romance’ if she was fearful of the retributions from the ghost in present day.

‘Xanthe felt suddenly swamped with guilt. How could she have been so easily and completely distracted from what she had come here to do?’

So, whilst the concept is clever and it may make for a good series, I was not overly convinced with the opening instalment. While there were parts I enjoyed, I couldn't fully get into this book. It is an easy read with time travel, romance, mystery and historical fiction all melded together with a sprinkle of magic thrown into the mix.

‘The present that she knew, the way things were in her time, could only have come about if she had traveled back to the past.’




This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release