“They thought I only had the life that I lived here, but I had found other possibilities every time I read a book.”

“Reading is never wasted time.”

“‘You shouldn’t trust me,’ Mia said. ‘You don’t even know me.’ ‘I know what you like to read.’ Sarah shrugged. ‘That’s good enough for me.’”

4.5 stars! This was like a love letter to books and the people that tend to, read, and adore them. If you have ever had a book that spoke to you in a way only you can understand or that helped you through life’s very difficult times, then you will love this book.

“Right now, she had what she had always wanted, the man whose words had saved her, the story that let her know she could save herself.”

This is one of the most quotable books I’ve read in quite awhile. I feel like I could have just used all of my highlighted passages and have that stand as my review. And with those quotes alone you would understand my rating.

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books, Simon and Schuster, and the author for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I went into The Invisible Hour blind, only knowing that I like Alice Hoffman's books, so I was sure I was going to love this one. As someone who loves The Scarlet Letter, I found this story to be remarkable. I loved how Hoffman brought to life a present-day story of The Scarlet Letter while transporting Mia into the past with the help of the same book that she found in the library on the day she planned to end her life.

The Invisible Hour blends fantasy, magical realism, history, and romance into a beautifully written novel that will have you unable to put it down. I read this cover to cover in just a few hours and was mesmerized by the prose and story.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

It's just really unfair how beautiful Alice Hoffman's writing is.

You can't help but fall in love with Mia, who runs away from a cult with the help of a librarian. All grown up and after the funeral of one of her foster mothers, Mia takes an incredible journey, and even though it is something you know could never happen, you find yourself believing that yes, yes, this could actually happen. Literally impossible, but Alice Hoffman weaves her magic and suddenly you believe.

This was a gorgeous book, and the only fault I can find with it is it's just...too short. I needed more of Mia and her fantastic flight and incredible journey into the past.

Happy Pub Day to Alice Hoffman’s <i>The Invisible Hour</i>!

Mia Jacob was born and raised in a cult in western Massachusetts. At 15, she thinks the only way out is to kill herself, but she happens upon <i>The Scarlet Letter</i> and is immediately sucked into the story, feeling like it could have been written about her mother and their life inside the Community. Over the years, Mia falls in love with the author of the book, too, and magically wishes her way back in time to meet him. What if meeting him changes his life so that he never writes the book that saved her life?

The first and second parts of this book seemed very different from each other, though both parts were captivating. This story definitely makes me want to learn more about Nathaniel Hawthorne. Alice Hoffman’s beautiful prose is present in this book. Be sure to check this book out!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book.

What were my overall thoughts about the novel?

This isn't my first rodeo with an Alice Hoffman novel and I will always be impressed with how atmospheric she writes as well as how well she develops her characters. I enjoyed this novel and found myself really sucked into the story - I didn't mind having to wait patiently for the plot to develop over time. The story itself reads like two separate novels split between time periods and I was very surprised by the turn the book took within the second half. I would have read both books as stand alones and I enjoyed the stories, but I would have preferred to have these come as two separate books if I'm being honest.

Is it story or character driven?

I just don't think you read Alice Hoffman if you're looking for fast paced story telling. Each of her characters is developed in a way that makes the reader continue to be invested over time.

Would I recommend this?

Yes. But, be warned that it takes an unexpected turn. I think this is a perfect read for fall with some magic and cozy vibes!

The latest book from the author of PRACTICAL MAGIC is a stunner! It truly gave me all of the fall feels and will definitely be added into my seasonal rotation. It was also so beautifully written, I truly felt I was in Blackwell, Salem, etc. wherever the characters happened to be at any given moment I could feel the crisp air and see the bright leaves in my head. I highlighted so many passages because the prose was just so stunning. Mia’s story of saving herself and her voyage of self discovery was so beautiful to witness and I simply LOVED how Nathaniel Hawthorne and his story/The Scarlet Letter were seamlessly woven in. It really felt like a love letter to books and stories and it was so moving.

TL;DR… it’s got cults, it’s got magic, it’s got Salem, it’s got The Scarlet Letter, it’s got cozy fall vibes, it’s got beautiful musings about stories. READ IT!

Manipulating Our Destiny

Alice Hoffman’s childhood and regard for her own mother was the motivation for writing this book. Women alone are functioning through a man’s world is well noted, but nothing I have read is so profound and successful.

She begins with Ivy, a beautiful girl in her teens, who becomes pregnant and is devastated that the father of her child only wants her to disappear. He will not allow her to ruin his life. She is in trouble and goes to her parents telling them truth. Her father’s first reaction is to slap her, it is a shock, neither one expected his reaction. Noting only disappointment from her mother, Ivy leaves her well-to-do existence and is easily influenced to join a cult in western Massachusetts. Most readers are familiar with these male dominated cults, the women succumbing to the will of the dominating and ruling man. This one is no different except they have men toiling in fields, malnourished in body and mind.

Ivy has the child, Mia, and marries Joel Davis, the sole director of this commune. Davis became more obsessed with his power and drives Mia to escape. Mia’s heroes are two lesbian librarians who keep her safe and contribute to her education and sense of family. The book becomes fantastical when Mia goes back in time, Salem 1837 to be exact. She meets and loves Nathanial Hawthorne with exotic passion. Time -Travel becomes a question of altering history. The book is replete with women’s rights and this is when the ideas become old news and somewhat moralistic.

The fantasy and real life do not always jibe. I always loved Hawthorne’s work; hopefully this book will encourage many to read or reread Hawthorne. We are living in a time when women’s rights are more than ever at risk. It is worriesome. Be sure and read the Prologue about Alice Hoffman’s own mother.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Atria for this pre-published book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman is a novel that feels like a love story for women who find themselves in the books they cherish.

It starts with the story of Mia and her mother Ivy and their life leading up to and with the puritanical cult. When Mia's mother dies, Mia finds the courage to flee. The novel is told in three parts and for the first time in a while, going in blind wasn't the greatest idea for me. Part two took me a moment to adjust too. Hoffman's writing style is always beautiful and her stories lean towards the witchy or magical realism. Surprisingly though, I personally was not prepared for when the magical realism hit. That's not a bad thing! It just changed the tone quicker than I was ready for. I was so engrossed with the move away from cult life into freedom. I would've even enjoyed more of that perspective.

The transition moves to 1837 and takes a very unique time travel twist that includes the life of Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of the Scarlet Letter (a favorite classic of mine). The way Hoffman merges the beauty of that classic, womens rights, family, love and the power of books was really well done. Even though it took me a moment to adjust to the transition I still really enjoyed this one.

Lastly I want to note the letter to the reader is everything. Please don't skip that part before you start this one.

I love everything Alice Hoffman and cannot wait to add the physical to my collection. Thank you atria books for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

The author's note made me sob.
This book packed so much emotion into an incredible story. It's women's fiction, fantasy, and a little bit of a thriller. Incredibly compelling.

A beautiful story of love and self discovery- perfect for book lovers and lovers of magical realism. Alice Hoffman is a brilliant storyteller and The Invisible Hour has it all- drama, tension, and emotion. A fantastic read.

This story is absolutely gorgeous magic.

Books are truly magic and this story is absolutely gorgeous magic.
The Invisible Hour is not really a romance but instead a story of love. Love in all its magic and in so many of its forms.

“Sometimes when you read a book it’s as if you were reading the story of your own life. That was what had happened to me. I woke up when I read the first page. I saw who I was and who I could be.”

The story involves a cult, an abusive leader, time travel, Nathanial Hawthorn, the magic of books and the stories they tell.
Beautiful, beautiful book!!
-5 Stars-

I will preface this by stating that I love everything Alice Hoffman writes – so therefore I am biased. She has such a beautiful writing style and writes stories so vivid, you can see them playing out like a movie in your mind. The Invisible Hour is no exception.

A young woman, Ivy, finds herself pregnant and escapes her parents’ home and joins a cult in western Massachusetts. At first, she enjoys the simpler way of life. One of the rules is that no one can own books or teach the children to read, something that Ivy has trouble following. The cult’s leader, Joel, falls in love with Ivy and they marry. He accepts her child, Mia, as his own. But as time goes by, Ivy finds the rules of the cult stifling and breaks them by teaching Mia to read and allowing her to hide away books so she can read them.

As she grows up, Mia begins to sneak into town to go to the library so she can read books. She comes upon an old copy of Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and is shocked to see an inscription in it written to “Mia.”

Mia finally escapes the cult and goes to live with the librarian she’s befriended and makes a new life for herself. But she continues to be obsessed with The Scarlet Letter, and its writer, Hawthorne. She is also fearful of Joel, because he continues to track her down no matter where she goes.

There is so much more to this imaginative story and I don’t want to ruin the entire plot by giving it away. It is a truly unique story with well-rounded characters and a beautifully written storyline. A must read for those who love the imagination of Alice Hoffman.

First, you should know that I am an Alice Hoffman fangirl. She is the author who made me fall in love with the genre of magical realism, and I'm intentional about pacing myself with her bibliography so that I have unread works by her to enjoy for years and decades to come. That said, when I heard that her newest novel was about a cult, and about the power of books to save our lives and literally transport us to another place and time -- I simply could not wait to read it, even though time travel books are not really my thing.

Mia Jacob was raised in a Western Massachusetts commune/cult called the Community, where books are forbidden and residents must adhere to a strict set of rules for behavior or face severe punishments. When she's 15 years old, she sneaks into the town library and discovers a first edition of The Scarlet Letter in the stacks. Strangely, there is an inscription inside addressed to her...

When a tragedy brings Mia to her knees, when she is completely without hope and on the verge of ending her life, it's The Scarlet Letter that saves her. As Mia looks ahead to a new life she never could have imagined, the magic of the book transports her back in time and into the arms of its author, Nathaniel Hawthorne -- a collision that will have a resounding impact on both their lives.

Alice Hoffman's books are magical, so it only makes sense for her to write a novel about a book that is, literally, magic. I just wish I'd enjoyed The Invisible Hour more. The book is relatively short, and it suffers for it. Hoffman's writing, always beautiful and poignant and emotionally resonant, becomes more telling than showing as she rushes through major plot points. I think it would've worked better as an epic trilogy than a 270-page novel. I wanted more depth from the entire book: more about Mia's life in the Community, more about her life after it, and definitely more about her time with Nathaniel. As it was, the past and present timelines don't feel cohesive -- and Nathaniel's section is largely an inf0-dumping history lesson, which didn't hold my interest. The time travel element was a bit jarring and not very well-integrated into the plot. I won't be specific to avoid spoilers, but something happens late in the past timeline that would have completely altered the present timeline, potentially negating the entire plot. This is why I don't read time travel books! They just make me anxious because I can't always make them make sense.

There is a lot, though, that Hoffman does well in The Invisible Hour. She tenderly explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, the transformative power of stories, the evolution of female autonomy, and the timelessness of true love. There are beautiful descriptions of the natural world and some profound observations that made me catch my breath. I think this book will appeal to a lot of readers, and even though it wasn't an impactful read for me, I definitely appreciate the overall message about how books are, sometimes literally, lifesavers. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity. 2.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book!

Alice Hoffman does it again with a weaving of magic and intrigue into her stories. I very much enjoyed this and can't wait for the rest of the world to read it!

Hoffman touches on some important talking points. She covers patriarchy, oppression, sexism, and time travel. Into all 270 pages— of this poignant novel— She has proven that less is more. You don't need a 400-page book to tell a beautifully written story. The author does a fabulous job of showing the importance of literature throughout society. At the same time, she showcases to the readers the profound healing powers that reading books can provide. I always say reading is my therapy.

The book is divided into three parts to track the different timelines of the characters—Ivy and Mia's story. Ivy is a young unwed woman who falls in with a cult run by a man named Joel, who will also become Mia's "father and her abusive husband . As Mia grows up, she is more and more constrained, and she begins to rebel against the harsh rules governed within the "community" especially the one that forbids the reading of books. Mia sneaks into the town library. She falls in love with literature as she discovers the Scarlet Letter and is amazed by its beauty and power—the librarian behind her. The friendship enriches Mia's life. Towards the end, Mia forges forward to create a better life for herself and her family.

The second part of the novel has Mia travel back in time to where Nathaniel Hawthorne is a struggling writer, where he and Mia meet and fall in love. The novel's third part is a harmonious blending of the present and past.

Women play a central role in the book, flowing seamlessly through the past and present; it touches on men's terrible treatment of women throughout history and how the power should shift back to women.

I loved the first and third parts of the book; the most. I didn't care for the second half's slower pace and Mia's time travel back to the past. My only minor issue is that one will have to suspend their disbelief to make the entirety of the plot plausible, which didn't distract from me thoroughly enjoying it. I just went with it and enjoyed the incredible journey

This book is about how books empower your life and the freedom that knowledge can give you. It's beautifully written, and the story will stay with me for quite some time.

I found this to be a poignant enthralling read. I highly recommend you read this book; if you're a fan of historical fiction and enjoy magical realism in your books. You won't be disappointed; I suggest you clear your calendars before reading.

This book deserves all the stars!!!

Five magical stars 🪄⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest magical book by Alice Hoffman - 5 stars!

Ivy is pregnant and alone, and her parents offer no help, so she ends up meeting a stranger heading to a commune that is supposed to be all about peace and love. But, of course, that's not the reality. The leader, Joel, becomes infatuated with Ivy and marries her. When Mia is born, she is sent to the nursery because the children belong to all. But Ivy and Mia nurture their bond when they can, including their love of books, which are forbidden. When Mia is at her lowest, Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, saves her. The story then goes back in time to Hawthorne's life in Salem, MA.

I am always transported by Alice Hoffman's gorgeous writing, and this book was no exception. I loved the theme that books and libraries are magical. There are also the recurrent themes of women's place in both timelines and the control they have over their bodies and destinies. It's about family - both the ones we are born into and the ones we create - and always love and magic. Another wonderful world created by this author - don't skip the author note!

Happy publishing day!

The Invisible Hour
Author Alice Hoffman

Thank you, @bookclubfavorites, @atriabooks, @netgalley, and @ahoffmanwriter, for my #gifted e- arc and finished copy of this gorgeous novel! I am a big fan of Hoffman's and was thrilled to have the opportunity to read her latest early!

If you haven't read a Hoffman novel yet, her unique writing style is descriptive and immersive, magical and imaginative! Readers can expect nothing less than Hoffman's signature storytelling in The Invisible Hour as well! An intriguing story of love, growth, and the magic of reading, this novel shares a story of survival, motherhood, and fate.

I loved it! 4.5 stars!

“The Invisible Hour,” by Alice Hoffman, Atria Books, 272 pages, Aug. 15, 2023.

Mia Jacob says she began her life for the second time on a June day when she was 15.

Ivy, her mother, was pregnant with Mia when she went to live in an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden. Ivy was in high school when a college student impregnated her. She ran away from home. Joel Davis leads the cult.

That June day, Mia is locked in a barn with the sheep. Mia is supposed to repent. Her hair had been cut earlier when she wouldn’t leave her mother’s grave and she is to be branded for not obeying. Her most recent offense was possessing books. Instead, she is prepared to escape.

She also hid her favorite book, “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Although it was written 150 years earlier, “The Scarlet Letter” seems to tell the story of Ivy, Mia and the cult. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote: “A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.” When she breaks out of the barn, Mia runs to the library and calls a friendly librarian, Sarah Mott, who drives her to a friend, Constance Allen, who lives in Concord.

Back in time to 1837, Nathaniel Hawthorne is prone to depression. As a child, he was homebound for years because of an injury. He begins writing. His first works aren’t successful. But early one morning, he walks into the forest and he sees a woman, lying in the grass. It is Mia.

This is a mesmerizing story of women helping other women, and how one woman learns to save herself. The characters and the plot are amazing. Alice Hoffman is also the author of the Practical Magic series, which I also really enjoyed.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss and NetGalley in exchange for a review.

3.5⭐️

As the novel begins, we meet fifteen-year-old Mia Jacob as she plans her escape from the oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where she has spent all her young life. Mia was born to Ivy Jacob, a teenager from an affluent family in Boston who left when pregnant with Mia and joined the community headed by Joel Davis whom Ivy later marries- a decision she soon comes to regret. Joel is controlling and life in the commune is governed by strict rules and regulations and minimal contact with the outside world and those found guilty of any indiscretion are severely punished. Mia has broken the rules by visiting the library on the sly and reading books. On one of her visits, Mia finds an old copy of The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the library and falls in love with the story, which she finds bears similarity to her mother’s life and is intrigued by the inscription inside the book. When tragedy strikes Mia finds no reason to remain with the cult. The narrator follows Mia as forges a new life for herself with the help of Sarah, the town librarian. Her love for books and reading remains a driving force in her life. However, Joel never backs down from his pursuit of Mia. In a surprising turn of events adult Mia finds herself transported to 1837 where she meets young author Nathaniel Hawthorne – a meeting that would irrevocably impact the lives of both Mia and the young author.

Revolving around themes of mother-daughter relationships, found family, women’s rights, hope, healing and the power of books, The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman is a beautifully penned novel. However, I enjoyed the premise of this story more than the execution. I really liked the protagonist and the supporting female characters. I loved how the author depicts the transformative power of books and how Mia finds inspiration and hope through her love for reading. The first half of the novel had me hooked but my interest waned in the second half. I would have enjoyed this novel more had we spent more time with Mia in the years after she escaped from the cult instead of rushing through it (more telling than showing) to the point when adult Mia traveled back in time. The commentary on women’s rights, both historically and in the present day, was timely and relevant but could have been presented better if more deeply embedded in the narrative. The use of magical realism and the time travel element wasn't as impactful as one would expect. The latter half of the novel where Mia meets Nathaniel Hawthorne was interesting, but I wasn’t quite invested in this part of the story. The past and present timelines felt a tad disjointed, resulting in a narrative that lacked both cohesion and depth.

Overall, while I did not dislike the story, I did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped.

I must mention the author’s exquisitely penned, heartfelt letter to the reader where she talks about her inspiration for this novel and much more.

Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of The Invisible Hour. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Although I’m a huge fan of Alice Hoffman’s historical fiction novels, I am not really a fan of magical realism. Mia is born into a cult community which enforces many rules for behavior and prohibits the reading of books. A bit of a rogue, Mia sneaks into a library and starts reading books, particularly The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which changes her life. The novel begins with a very tense description of her escape and then circles back to how she came to be at this community. Unfortunately I found the writing to be ordinary and the characters not very interesting. Eventually the story takes a turn and we find ourselves back in the 1800s getting to know Nathaniel Hawthorne and his impact on Mia. There is a bit of a cat and mouse chase between two characters. I’m not really sure where Hoffman was going with this story except to impress upon the reader how important libraries and especially books are in our lives. I can say that the book held my attention as I read it in just a few days. If you are a fan of magical realism then this might be the book for you.