Magical and Enchanting: The Little Shop of Found Things

I just finished reading the most magical, enchanting book I have ever read called The Little Shop of Found Things. It is a lovely book written by Paula Brackston and published by St. Martin’s Griffin. It is book one of a series of 4 books that takes us back in time to 1605 England. Xanthe has a special gift. Objects sing to her and when she touches them, she can sense their past. In this beautiful time travel story, Xanthe and her mother Flora purchase  an antique shop in the town of Marlborough. They live above the little shop.

Little does she know that there is a spirit that inhabits the premises who wants her to undo an injustice over three centuries ago and if she fails, Xanthe’s mother, Flora will be killed. Xanthe comes across a silver chantelaine which calls to her and she is transported back to 1605 where the injustice occurred. Xanthe meets a dashing architect, Samuel Appleby, in the seventeenth century, who she hopes will help her with her mission, but he is also the reason why she doesn’t want to return home. I was so enthralled with this book. The writing is beautiful,  the characters are fully developed, and the setting is lush and vivid. I found myself back in time alongside Xanthe, I have to say that this is probably one of my favorite books of all time. It is a beautiful read and I didn’t want it to end. The next book in the series is The Chocolate House. Look for that review next.