Recommended for You by Laura Silverman (272 pages)

A Cheerful Holiday Bookstore Romance
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Recommended for You by Laura Silverman (272 pages)

Recommended For You Dives Into Holiday Shopping Madness

Shoshanna Greenberg loves working at Once Upon, her favourite local bookstore, even during the week before Christmas, when the mall is packed and some customers lack holiday cheer. With her Moms fighting at home and her car starting maybe half the time, the store, her co-workers, and its jolly atmosphere are a welcome escape. Just days before Christmas, Shoshanna’s boss announces a holiday bookselling contest with a cash prize. Shoshanna wants to win the money to fix her car, but the newest hire to the bookstore staff is standing in her way. While Jake’s cute, he doesn’t read and doesn’t get Shoshanna so therefore he’s the enemy. But as their competition intensifies, Shoshanna and Jake spend more time together and realize they might be more on the same page than either of them thought.

Shoshanna and Jake Are As Cute As A Holiday Sweater Button

Recommended For You 100% made me miss working in a bookstore. Well, it actually made me miss my former co-booksellers because working customer service, especially during the holidays, is no joke. If you’ve never had the pleasure of working in a bookstore, this story will give you insight into what it’s like to work with book people in a place filled with books. Hint: it’s magical! Also, this one’s perfect for the holiday season! Shoshanna’s Jewish, and celebrates with latkes and candle lighting with her family. She also works in a mall bookstore in the week leading up to Christmas, so there’s shopping madness, Christmas cookies, and even a visit or two with Santa.

Shoshanna’s relatively new to both working and driving since she’s just 16! Throughout the first half of the book, her youth really shows in how she acts toward her family and friends. However, she definitely grows over the course of the book. I really enjoyed her energy, humour, and Southern sweetness. All those traits are showcased in her interactions with the new bookseller, Jake. When he joins the team and the selling competition, Shoshanna and Jake don’t get along. They take the competition seriously, and I enjoyed their inventiveness and playful rivalry—and watching the iciness of their interactions fall away. 

The Bottom Line: 4/5 Brookie Stars

If you’re looking for a quick and cute read with a jolt of holiday goodness, look no further than Recommended For You! While this one reads young, it’s exuberant and hopeful. Plus, it has just the right dusting of frosting sugar—or maybe that’s snow—for this time of year! 

What YA book should we review next? Let us know by emailing us here!

Jamie Mitchell

Jamie Mitchell is a writer, library assistant, former bookseller, and all-around lover of the written word. She’s currently working on her fifth novel, and if you’re wondering where the other four are, they’re safe on her laptop and in need of rewriting. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband, and enjoys traveling, bookstagramming and experimenting with gluten-free flours.

 

Favourite book: Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Favourite brunch spot: 1823 Bakehouse

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