3.5/5 - I really loved this boo about the strength of a mother’s love and how books can save us. How they can feel like they were written just for you. I loved how other book lovers helped Mia and taught her to trust the world.

I couldn’t get over the Nathaniel and Mia storyline. It’s not the time travel either, it just didn’t ring true for me.

I will always read Alice Hoffman and that won’t change. I’m sure there will be people who love this book.

First off, I love a cult story. And second, I have always loved books and found solace in them. So a story about a girl who leaves a cult because she's found reading? Count me in.

So the story follows Mia through her life in a cult, leaving, and then the aftermath. Mia and Ivy were so captivating, and I immediately loved them. I have a rocky relationship with my mother and don't usually enjoy books centered around a mother-daughter relationship. I think this worked for me because it wasn't the main event in this book but it was the heart of it. That Ivy always loved Mia and always did what she could for Mia came up time and time again.

Also special shout out to the cutest couple in this story, Constance and Sarah. They took Mia in and made her a part of their family when she had none left. And plus they were librarians, which is super cool.

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Alice Hoffman for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not at all what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised! I really loved the past and the future intertwining and how it all revolves around a library and a special book from the past. Certain parts felt confusing at first but once I could see the whole picture it all came together and I really enjoyed the complexity of the characters! It was part historical fiction and part magic and I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in these genres!

I just finished The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman and here is my review.

Mia was ready for it all to be over. Just a teen and she could see no way out from the commune.. Then she finds a book… The scarlet letter and she decides that day that she will find a way to survive.

Her mother's death is the catalyst for Mia running away from the evil cult leader and the man who calls himself her father. Books were her savior and she never abandoned them like they never abandoned her.

Spending her life loving an author from another time has kept Mia’s sanity but she also discovers that she can travel back in time to where her love lives, proving to Mia that anything is possible if you believe in it hard enough.

I loved every single second of this book. Magical realism is one of my favorite genres and this book did not disappoint. I loved that not just metaphorically speaking but actually, a book gave her the power to travel. It was magnificent yet devastatingly heartbreaking for Mia.

The plot was exciting and rich with lots of descriptive scenes and excellent narrative. I really enjoyed the parts about the cult. What a horrific way to have to grow up. Being a hardcore book lover I felt a kinship with Mia. Books were not tolerated in the community and Mia finding books she fell in love with was like watching a bird taking flight. It was breathtaking to share in her joy.

The book covers Mia’s life as a girl all the way up until she finds herself in the past. I hope there is a book 2. I want more of Mia’s story. I want to know if she held any book and went to the place the author lived, whether she could travel to their time or whether it was just her connection to Nathaniel.

Beautiful book and 5 stars from me. If you love magical realism like I do, then this has to be your next book.

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for my gifted copy

I love stories of young women fighting to survive in a cruel, male-dominated world. Mia is a lovable character who shows the spunk I hope most young women have today. Alice Hoffman's elegant writing is a pleasure to read, as always.

I dislike time travel, so the book was a bit wasted on me. Still, I enjoyed reading and thinking about Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was its title. There is no particular invisible hour in the book and if there is something I was supposed to see that way, I missed it. Otherwise, this was an outstanding read.

As always, Hoffman is a wonderful writer, bringing the charaters, the time periods, and the landscapes alive. There are several story lines, tied together though Mia, the central character, and they are set in various timeframes and locales: the Berkshires in western Massachusetts; Salem, MA; and New York City. Books are the driving force, providing Mia with the inspiration to become her own woman, with one book, "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, taking center stage. Mia forms a relationship with Hawthorne through Hoffman's unique sense of magic, and the world changes.

This is a powerful book with many thematic threads, but ultimately it is about how women yearn for a sense of agency and the extent to which society works to limit that agency. While the book is mostly about the past, some of it takes place in the present when taking charge of women's own reproductive lives is being threatened. References are made to these current events as Hoffman puts this into a historical context and avoids politicizing the book.

I was fully invested in Mia's story (and Hawthorne's), not wanting to put the book down. I sped through it and did not want to leave the world that Hoffman built, where magic can happen and tragedy can result in a better life.

I absolutely loved this book. It is a story about the magic of books and the power of women. I highly recommend it, even to those who are hesitant due to the element of magical realism. Hoffman writes such gorgeous prose and with such fierce thematic direction. She emphatically reminds her reader of the importance of books and libraries in society and she champions her female readers to never give up their personal agency, independence, and freedom of body and mind.

The new novel by Alice Hoffman, “The Invisible Hour” explores the roles of women throughout time and delves into the intricate dynamics of found families. I found the first part of the book to be quite enjoyable, although it seemed a bit rushed. The exploration of the cult concept is intriguing and adds depth to the plot. However, as the story progressed to the second part, I found myself feeling like I was reading an entirely different book. The shift in tone and focus left me somewhat disconnected, and I couldn't help but wish that this section had been more concise. The infusion of magical elements adds a touch of enchantment to the story, and Hoffman's skill as a writer is evident throughout. Despite these strengths, the time travel aspect of this book fails to resonate, leaving me feeling somewhat disconnected. In summary, "The Invisible Hour" showcases Alice Hoffman's talent and creativity, but it missed the mark with its uneven pacing.

Thank you to Atria Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Invisible Hour tells the story of a woman, Ivy, and her daughter Mia. After discovering she is pregnant, Ivy, a pregnant teen, runs away from home to avoid being sent away by her parents. She meets a girl who is heading to a community that is said to be a welcoming and thriving community, so Ivy joins her. That community turned out to be a cult and the story centers around Ivy and her daughter Mia surviving life inside the cult that is led by a crazy and controlling man.
What sustains young Mia is sneaking away to read, one book in particular seems to tell her mothers story, The Scarlett Letter by Nathanial Hawthorn.
The story has the trademark Hoffman magical realism that we all love and includes some time travel.
I struggled with parts of the story that felt a bit predictable and felt it dragged a bit in parts. That being said, while this is not one of my favorite Hoffman books, it is a good story and worth the read.

Lyrical and mesmerizing prose✨

This is a story about a mother and daughter. We first met Ivy when she was a pregnant and unwed teenager. Her Harvard student boyfriend only cares about his own future. Her parents plan to send her to a school in Utah where she'll give birth and give the baby up for adoption. Ivy decides to run away in the middle of the night when she met a girl who's heading to a "wonderful" community in western Massachusetts.

Ivy had her baby, Mia. The wonderful community turns out to be a cult with a typical atrocious male leader and typical cult rules. It was half gripping, half predictable. There's a time-traveling aspect that I thought was cleverly woven into the story in relation to a book from the 1850s that saves Mia from the life she's born into.

The Invisible Hour is an atmospheric, thought-provoking, and enchanting novel that draws in the power of literature and love. I love the message of healing and self-discovery. I just wish the second half kept me engaged as much as the first. Overall, an enjoyable read but not my favorite from Alice Hoffman. I thought the author's note was very special and shouldn't be missed. 3.5⭐

Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for my DRC

Alice Hoffman is one of my all time favorite writers. She's a master storyteller and her prose is truly beautiful. That said, I obviously couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of her latest novel, The Invisible Hour.

Fifteen year old Mia Jacobs was born into a cult called "the Community" whose primary goal seems to be to oppress women. Women have to dress and behave a certain way, and above all else, they are not allowed to contact the outside world or read books, which are considered evil. Possible punishments for breaking any of the cult's rules include having one's hair shorn off and in some cases, having one's skin branded. Mia is really struggling to survive in this environment, especially after her mom dies. But then one day, she sneaks into the town library and reads her first book. As any book lover can relate to, reading books opens up a whole new world to Mia and The Scarlet Letter in particular speaks to her in a way that Mia feels actually saves her life and she desperately wishes she could tell the author just how much his book meant to her.

This was such a moving story. I was utterly captivated by Mia and her journey of self discovery, especially once she uncovers the power of books and realizes that she wants more from her life than what the Community is willing to allow her. In many ways The Invisible Hour is a love letter to the magic of books and libraries and I was 100% here for it.

Hoffman also typically infuses her stories with a bit of magical realism, which I always enjoy, and in this case, that magic affords Mia the opportunity to actually meet, thank and forge a relationship with Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter.

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, romance, time travel, or even social commentary, The Invisible Hour has a little something for every kind of reader and I highly recommend it. 4 1/2 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

This book super easy to read. The first part was somewhat difficult due to the content ( growing up in a cult) but after the story picks up its so easy to fly through. This book is full of magical realism and the autumn vibes are intoxicating,it's a perfect read for the coming fall season.

i've you love kristin hannah then i highly recommend picking up alice hoffmans newest novel, the invisible hour! a magical realism novel that is divided in three parts: mia growing up in a cult, life after escaping, and traveling back in time to meet a famous writer and the love of her life & nothing spicy about the love stor in this novel but it's was one of the sweetest stories i've read this vear!! the perfect book to transition you into fall & the witchy season

Young Mia Jacob has led an interesting life growing up in the Community, an oppressive cult in Massachusetts. She has finally broken free due to the power of books, one book in particular. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is eerily similar to the life she and her mother led as part of the Community. Rescued from her past by Hawthorne’s words, Mia falls in love with him and finds herself transported to the past to meet him. The story of love, loss and survival shows the power of books and the worlds they open up for us all.

This book is a little outside of my usual choice of genre. Though parts were engaging I found it to be largely predictable. The parts following Nathaniel Hawthorne read a bit too much like a history or biography paper, and it pulled me out of the story. An easy, quick read but not my favorite.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance copy of this book.

I am in a magical, witchy mood! So naturally, I gravitated towards this one and absolutely loved it!

The opening letter Alice wrote to her readers was so cute, “The bond between writer and reader is a cherished and mysterious one. A book doesn’t live when it’s written. It lives when it’s read.”

Reading being forbidden? My worst nightmare. The FMC lives in what is presumed to be a cult and is not given access to read. However, she falls in love with a particular book that changes the course of her life. I don't want to give a lot of spoilers away, because I highly recommend going into this one blind. The love interest is so adorable and well developed. There are elements of magic, time-travel, women's fiction, self-growth and love.

My favorite part was a reflection on women's history and how much women in our past have shaped the future we now live in. Her writing was beautiful and vividly descriptive. So hard to put down, need to back list her other books now! Highly recommend.

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman is truly enchanting, riveting and magical! I fell in love with the following words in author's note to readers at the beginning of the book: "A book doesn't live when it's written. It lives when it is read." Readers who love books as much as I do will devour this book. It shows how words can not only educate, but dream and take you to magical faraway places. Books are knowledge and escape. I don't want to give away any details other than you will journey to the past to Nathanial Hawthorne's time. I love the author's original fictitious take on his inspiration for "The Scarlet Letter." Ivy and Mia will take you on a journey that you will not want to end. I feel like Mia learned from books how to be free and to truly live the life she was meant to live.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Atria Books for this fascinating escape!

In this lyrical, haunting novel, a young woman struggles from a childhood in a restrictive cult toward a life of freedom, relying on the kindness of other women as well as her own will. Like many of Hoffman's novels, the story is set in Massachusetts and explores questions of female agency and supernatural power as well as the patriarchal fear of their overlap.

The first half of The Invisible Hour, which is about Mia's mother Ivy, Mia and Ivy's relationship, and Mia's childhood in the cult, is both powerful and sad; I found it absorbing, but could only read a little bit at a time. Once Mia escapes the cult, the story lightens somewhat. Mia accidentally travels back in time and meets Nathaniel Hawthorne, whose famous novel gave her the will to survive her oppressive upbringing. I found this second half less compelling; Mia's adult personality felt underdeveloped and her romance with Hawthorne unmotivated. Although many of the characters from the first half appeared in the second half, the pace and focus of the story had changed so much it felt as if I were reading two different books, and that the second one was going on a bit too long.

Still - this was a memorable and affecting read, a beautifully written meditation on female freedom and maternal love.

Run and read this book, it was heartbreaking, thought provoking and magical. I truly enjoyed this time traveling, captivating story. The writing is beautiful. What I thought to be just another cult novel, turned out to be so much more. I will sure be reading this author again. Thank you to Net Galley and Atria for a copy of this, all opinions are my own. 5 stars

⭐⭐⭐.5
The first part of this book is following Mia’s life growing up in what was basically a cult through the power of books and how her mother came to join said cult was really good and I enjoyed it. When it suddenly became a time travel romance when Mia ends up meeting Nathaniel Hawthorne before he wrote The Scarlet Letter and their romance it felt like a completely different book. It still had Hoffman’s spectacular writing (and extremely long chapters) but it felt like I was reading two different books that tried to blend together and only sometimes worked out.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mia finds the enduring magic of books that saves her when she can no longer see a way to survive. Her mother's story seems very similar to The Scarlet Letter. A familiar story to their life inside the Community, an oppressive cult in MA. Books are considered evil and contact with the outside world is forbidden. Nathaniel Hawthorne has perfectly expressed the emotions she has been carrying. Mia realizes she needs to leave the Community, that books can transport her to a different life, and both readers and writers affect each other in different ways. Mia falls in love with a book and years later she falls in love with the writer. What if he never wrote The Scarlet Letter, and what if she didn't find it the day she planned to die?

The Invisible Hour was immersive and beautifully written. This is the first Alice Hoffman book I have read but I do have all of her others on my TBR list, and plan to read her Practical Magic series as we move into the new season. The first half of the book was great, and I found myself flying through it. As I got into the second half, it felt like a completely different book, and it took me longer to get through. I wasn't as invested in Hawthorne's story for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. Magical Realism is one of my favorite genres when it's done right and even though this wasn't my favorite book, I can appreciate Alice Hoffman's artistry and I look forward to reading her others. I am curious to see everyone's thoughts on The Invisible Hour, especially from her longtime fans. The Invisible Hour is available now!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC and the chance to read and review it honestly.

Happy reading!