Book review: Miracle on Regent Street by Ali Harris

Dreams can come true – it could happen to you…For the past two years, Evie Taylor has lived an invisible existence in London, a city she hoped would bring sparkle to her life. But all that is about to change. For winter has brought a flurry of snow and unexpected possibilities. Hidden away in the basement of Hardy’s – once London’s most elegant department store – Evie manages the stockroom of a shop whose glory days have long since passed. When Evie overhears that Hardy’s is at risk of being sold, she secretly hatches a plan. If she can reverse the store’s fortunes by December 26th – three weeks away – and transform it into a magical destination once again, she might just be able to save it. But she’s going to need every ounce of talent and determination she has. In fact, she’s going to need a miracle.

Let’s start with the cover; isn’t it gorgeous? One of my favourite covers of the year and having read the book, it sums it up perfectly; classy, memorable and filled with vintage glamour. Miracle on Regent Street is Ali Harris’s debut novel and what a debut. As you can probably already tell, I liked this book – a lot! It’s heartfelt, warm, romantic and a lovely Christmassy story too.

Miracle on Regent Street is the story of Evie Taylor and the department store, Hardy’s where she works in the stockroom. A likeable character from the start, Evie has a serious confidence problem; she feels invisible to the point where the majority of  her colleagues at the store think she is called Sarah (the girl who did her job previously). At home she’s overshadowed by her sister who seems to have it all; a high flying career, gorgeous husband, stunning house and two cute children. Evie likes to blend in and as the novel starts, goes out of her way not to draw attention to herself but she loves Hardy’s and when she finds out that the store might close she decides she has to do something!

This is a book about transformation and Hardy’s isn’t the only one subjected to the makeover treatment during the course of the novel. I loved Evie’s transformation which is refreshingly honest and as with the store, based on a timeless vintage glamour. Ali Harris certainly knows her stuff when it comes to vintage clothes and accessories; her descriptions are vivid and sumptuous and made me want to revamp my whole wardrobe! But this isn’t a book about fashion; the message here is very clear – it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Harris gets her point across subtly, letting Evie make her own mistakes and taking the reader along with her as she works out what’s right for her and Hardy’s which makes Miracle on Regent Street a gripping read as Evie tries not to tie herself in knots!

This is the ideal novel for my Countdown to Christmas as it runs from 1st December and counts down the days to Evie’s deadline on the 26th December. There is more than a little magic to Evie’s story as she works behind the scenes to revamp each department and sees the effects of her efforts on more than just sales figures.  There is a lovely supporting cast of characters of all ages, all with their own stories to tell. In addition to the main Hardy’s story, there are a numerous sub-plots, not least the romantic attentions of the dashing Joel and down to earth Sam. I’ll admit to having a soft spot for lovely Sam from the start but then I thought Joel was so romantic too! I loved the way Ali Harris kept me guessing right to the end who Evie would end up with with some excellent twists that I didn’t see coming as Evie comes to realise that her perceptions of her family, friends and the people she works with aren’t always right.

This is the ideal book for this time of year and is full of wonderful, sparkly, rich festive descriptions. The Christmassy London locations and scenes are gorgeous and the book is beautifully written making Miracle on Regent Street is one of my favourite debuts of the year. I can’t wait to read more from Ali Harris. Highly recommended to get you in the Christmas spirit!

5/5

You can find out more about Ali and her books at: http://www.aliharris.co.uk/

Miracle on Regent Street is out now and I’d like to thank Simon and Schuster for sending me a review copy.