The Invisble Hour by Alice Hoffman was an intriguing read! I definitely felt like I was reading a unique story as I learned Mia's story and even more as the narrator changed mid book. I thought much of the writing was thoughtful and at times heartbreaking. One struggle I had while reading was with the pace of the story--I felt it moved very slowly. Because of this, I lost interest at times and finishing the book took longer than intended and wasn't as pleasant an experience as I was hoping for. Overall, a solid read that somewhat missed the mark for me in the pacing. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Beautifully written with Hoffman’s signature lyrical style, The Invisible Hour draws you in with its atmosphere and themes of love, books, and belonging. That said, the pacing is uneven, and the plot sometimes feels stretched thin. A lovely read if you enjoy her storytelling voice, but not her strongest work.

Enchanting, poignant, and utterly absorbing, Alice Hoffman’s latest novel celebrates the transformative power of books and storytelling. Following Mia’s journey from an oppressive cult to discovering love, freedom, and the magic of words, this story is both heartbreaking and hopeful—a beautiful reminder of how literature can shape lives and open worlds.

I love Alice Hoffman, but this book just didn’t draw me in the way that I wanted it to. I know that other people disagree with this, so it’s just my opinion.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Alice Hoffman has quite enchanting writing. Very magical talent

I absolutely loved this book! All of Alice Hoffmans books are incredible. But this particular book had me from the very beginning. The ending was almost poetic. Alice Hoffmans always does an amazing job making the reader feel like they’re in the book. The reader is right there in whatever world she’s created!

"The latest New York Times bestseller from beloved author Alice Hoffman celebrates the enduring magic of books and is a “wonderful story of love and growth” (Stephen King)."

Thank you for the chance to read and review The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman. There are some authors who create incredible, moving worlds with Magical Realism and Alice Hoffman is one. This story captivated me and I felt a deep understanding of Mia as someone who loves to read and often finds themselves taken away by the story.

Mia's story and how she is grappling with the cult her and her mother live in and finding a way to have meaning in her life was engaging and kept me reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This was an lovely story of magic, witches, and the Scarlet Letter. It’s also about the power of a book to save your life.

Not my favorite Hoffman.. but still a good story, and it’s really cool how she incorporated the story of Nathaniel Hawthorne and his book “The Scarlet Letter” into the novel. Now I want to read about him.
Anyway in this story we have. teenage pregnancy, cult life, how the power of the written word can save us.. and some magical realism/time travel.
Enjoy!

Thank you for the opportunity to review this advanced reader's edition. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give it the time required to write a thorough review and will be unable to read it for this purpose.

"The Invisible Hour" weaves a spell of magical realism, transporting you to a world where the boundaries between past and present blur. As you follow Mia's journey, you'll discover that the power of words can be a potent magic and that love can transcend time.

This was a dnf for me. I thought the concept was interesting but it felt boring and didn’t catch my interest.

I loved the first half of this book, but it slowed in the second half. Once the time travel started it kind of lost me and it didn't seem to fit.

This is the story of a mother and daughter who share beautiful long red hair, a deep bond, and troubled lives. When Ivy becomes pregnant with Mia as a teenager, rejected by the baby’s father and her parents, she joins a restrictive cult-like community where Mia is born and raised. As Mia grows up she sneaks out to the library and her world is changed by books.

I loved the first part of this book about Ivy and Mia at the Community, and I love the theme of how books change us, but the second half got a little wild. By wild I mean it included time travel, magical realism, and a deep dive on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s life. This was close to 4 star read but I deducted a half star for the Back to the Future vibes at the end.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @atriabooks for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman is a captivating blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and a tribute to the power of literature. This novel weaves together the story of Mia Jacob, a young woman who escapes a restrictive cult and finds solace in the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, particularly The Scarlet Letter.

What I Loved:
Narrative Style: Hoffman’s writing is as enchanting as ever, with her lyrical prose drawing readers into Mia’s world. The seamless integration of historical and contemporary elements adds depth to the narrative.
Themes: The novel explores themes of freedom, self-discovery, and the transformative power of books. Hoffman’s homage to Hawthorne’s work is both respectful and innovative, making readers appreciate the timeless relevance of classic literature.
Character Development: Mia’s journey from oppression to self-empowerment is compelling and relatable. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic Joel and the literary figures Mia encounters, are well-crafted and add richness to the story.

What Could Be Improved:
Pacing: Some sections of the book can feel slow, particularly the detailed descriptions of Mia’s life in the cult. While these parts are essential for character development, they might test the patience of some readers.
Complexity: The intertwining of multiple timelines and literary references can be confusing at times. A bit more clarity in these transitions would enhance the overall reading experience.

Overall, The Invisible Hour is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that celebrates the enduring magic of books and the resilience of the human spirit. It’s a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone who believes in the transformative power of literature.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #atriabooks #ltbreaderteam #theinvisiblehour #alicehoffman

Really great book, it had me interested the entire time and I’m really interested in reading more from this author really soon.

I adore Alice Hoffman's writing style, so I was so excited for this book! And I was not disappointed. A similar feel the her other witchy books, but with a new voice as well. Both sad and hopeful but also eerie and magical.

Goodbyes are too final.

I love books around stories and other books and Alice Hoffman just has such a beautiful writing style, She is quickly becoming and autobuy author for me. I really like how this story devloped and the ending.... so good.

Only Alice Hoffman can write like this. Her characters crackle with life and are so bold and vividly described that you feel you actually know them.

This novel starts with teenager Ivy running away from her home and joining a cult-like commune, then picks up years later with the story of Ivy’s teenage daughter Mia - before taking a turn into the past/time travel with Mia going back to meet her author idol Nathaniel Hawthorne.

I have been reading Alice Hoffman’s books for 30+ years, but with mixed results - some I love, some I like, some are meh. When I first saw this one I instantly grabbed it from Netgalley - but then when I heard about the Nathaniel Hawthorne connection, I delayed reading it as The Scarlet Letter was one of my most loathed books I read in school. I absolutely loved part 1 of the book about Ivy and Mia and questioned my choice to have postponed this one so long - but then we got to Hawthorne (boring) and Mia’s magical time travel ability (inexplicable). So, a mixed bag.

3.5 stars