Miracle On Regent Street by Ali Harris

Evie is almost invisible, in fact most of her colleagues call her by the previous Stockroom Girl's name.  In her self-imposed uniform of black trousers and white shirt she mans the Stockroom at failing family Department Store Hardy's.  It's not exactly a busy place and once she had the shelves sorted to her satisfaction the highlight of her week is the Delivery Guy Sam - although, what he is delivering who knows as there is still pre-war stock sitting in the dank little room.  When she discovers that an American chain, Rumours, is looking at buying the property and turning it in to a super fashion-forward, high tech store she is appalled and sets out to save this charming old store.  Ably assisted by the background staff that no-one really notices - Felix the aged security guard, the team of Polish cleaners, Sam and the inimitable Lily from the basement cafe - Santa's Elves get cracking on transforming the store to it's old fashioned glory.

There are a lot of things that I could pick at about this novel as they just make no sense.  However, the whole is so charming I decided to let go of things like putting 1950's cosmetics on sale.  Ali Harris really brings Hardy's to life on the page and you can almost smell the dusty air and hear the hush of the customer free departments slowly coming back to life.  It is a huge heap of nostalgia and full of New Look type Glamour (and believe me it needs that capital letter).

Alongside the tale of trying to rescue the store there is Evie's private life.  Having had a disastrous relationship that ended 2 years ago she is still living with her high-flying sister, Delilah and her "something in the City" husband Will.  All that changes as she meets the dashing Jacob in the store and she starts to dream of more than just baby-sitting and working.  Although, Evie does have an unrealistic expectation of adult relationships and it is all her parent's fault - after all their's is the fairytale she aspires to and also the reason she loves Hardy's so much.

I really loved this book and particularly enjoyed every second in the store.  From finding out snippets about the people running those departments to dealing with the rather ghastly Carly.  The descriptions of the displays Evie creates solo and then with the help of her team of Elves are vibrant and it kind of reminded me of the film Mannequin with a 1950's twist.

A genuinely good fun, feel good book that is perfect for the season.