Xanthe has a special gift. When she touches antiques she can sense something from the items past. So, when Xanthe is at an auction and sees an old chatelaine she feels the tingle of connection. She must have it and learn of its story. Little does she know, there's a link between the chatelaine and the new store she and her mother have just bought. Nor does she know that a ghost will forever change her life.

I've previously read two of Paula Brackston's books, and to be honest, have had mixed experiences. However, I was charmed by the blurb and the cover and decided that I wanted to read this book and see if it would work out for me. And, I have to say that it's a book that I can see why others would love, but ultimately it wasn't for me. Personally, I had a hard time connecting with the story and its characters. I did enjoy the early scene when we learn about how Xanthe's mother discovered her daughter's gift. But, along the way, I felt the narrative didn't work completely for me and I often wanted to rush through the story along to get somewhere. What I found most interesting was actually the religious conflicts during the seventeenth century and how it worked its way into the story.

THE LITTLE SHOP OF FOUND THINGS is a book that will appeal to lovers of time-slips, doomed love stories, and magic. If you already love Paula Brackston's books, then this one will certainly appeal to you. This is the first book in a new series and I know there's an audience for it.