3.5/ 5 rounded up.

Look. I have a strong, pro Alice Hoffman bias, you’ll see it in all of my reviews if things she writes. The way she writes transfixes me, she creates tapestries of characters and situations that feel so real down to the bits of grim that make your spine tingle.

This book confused the shit out of me. It has her classic study of the relationships that are at the core of our hearts for reasons we can never explain, it has a vile villain that feels vaguely like other Alice villains, and a lovely found family trope. And then it goes absolutely off the rails into a time traveling love story between a young woman and the novelist who wrote the book that changed her life. If it had stopped oh about 60% of the way, I think I would have enjoyed it much more.

That being said, the pages flew by and I was through the book in two hours.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced read in exchange for my feedback. This was a great book and truly proved the point that books are magic! 4.5 stars
#goodreads
#netgalley

I was very lucky to get an ebook from Netgalley and then an actual copy from
Book club favorites for an honest review. First of all, this is going to be a book club pick for at least 3 of my book clubs in the fall. I am a real Hoffman fan since the Dovekeepers and have read all of her books since then, and am slowly reading through all her books previous to that one.
Marriage of Opposites is my favorite I went to St. Thomas to visit the synagogue. I have been to Masada to see the dovecotes. I am about to go to Curacao because of how beautifully she described it in Magic Lessons, in which John Hathorne, Nathaniel's ancestor plays a large role.
Invisible hour begins with Ivy becoming pregnant at 17 and running away. She ends up at a place called The community, which is a cult run by Joel,a man.who marries Ivy and claims her daughter Mia as his own.
Ivy does her best with Mia, but life there is devoid of books. Mia manages to sneak into the town library and steals books until the librarian befriends her and gives her a library card. Mia hides the books in a barn, until one day she is caught, and the books are burned. However, she saves one book, her favorite, The Scarlet letter, a first edition she found on a shelf with an inscription, "To Mia. If it was a dream, it was ours alone and you were mine".
Mia escapes, and goes to live with a librarian. She eventually ends up working at the New York public library when something magical happens. I will only give you all a clue, she meets Nathaniel Hawthorne (who has added the w because of the curse put upon his ancestor) and learn about his life.
The ending is murky because time travel can be confusing. I will watch for more reviews and interviews when the book is published in August.

Another remarkable book to add to your Alice Hofman collection.The clever title and beautiful cover is very inviting and sets the scene for future moments in the book. The note to the reader provides a summary of how the authors own personal experiences in the evolution of women dealing with unexpected pregnancies in different settings/years. It's a topic that very intriguing and it was interesting how it was introduced in various ways throughout the book.

Ivy becomes pregnant feeling unexpected by all those whom are suppose to support. She finds comfort from a man named Joel Davis the leader of a cult called the Community. Post delivery of her baby Mia she realizes that this was no longer the safe haven she first expected. With ridiculous rules and horrible consequences with the Littlest defiances. Ivy helps Mia get lost in the world of books. The books truly become Mia escape when aspects of time travel are introduced to meet her beloved author Nathaniel Hawthorne. I enjoy the aspect of how reading can save you and the Magic within the pages.

August 15, 2023 is the day to set your reminder to purchase your own copy of this magical time travel book.

I'm so thankful for Netgalley, Alice Hofman and Atria books for the early copy of this wonderful book for an honest review.

Alice Hoffman has given readers another story to fall into and in love with. Mia’s journey is one that will stick with you, from life in a Berkshires commune to a trip back in time to meet and influence one of America’s most influential Romantic writers, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Unbelievably believable and full of Hoffman’s signature keen insight, this story celebrates the power of words and books, whose magic have the power to transform our lives.

The Invisible Hour is a timely book about the difficulty for women to choose their own path in life due to societal structures which seek to control women. Moving back and forth in time, we see that women's choices haven't really expanded as much as one might think. The main character is ultimately freed by the knowledge found in a book at a library which caused her to feel seen and heard in a way she never had before. Alice Hoffman's book is immersive and enjoyable while also hitting upon important social topics of today.

I read this book over a weekend and adore this author. The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman found me reading into the early hours of Sunday morning. I will admit to being hooked on Hoffman since Practical Magic.

Meet Ivy. She is 16 years old and pregnant. Her boyfriend does not want anything to do with her, and her parents are horrified. They plan to send Ivy away so she can give birth and have the baby adopted. There’s only one problem with their plan. Ivy wants to keep her baby. Readers run away with Ivy to a commune run by an autocratic leader in an apple orchard. Mia is born, and her journey of time, love, and heartbreak begins.

I found the way Hoffman tackled the theme of what happens when women are not in control of their bodies to be beautiful. There is a magic in Hoffman’s writing that cannot be replicated. End your summer with a magical treat and grab a copy from your local bookstore when The Invisible Hour hits shelves in August!

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

After picking up and setting down this book many times, I finally found myself immersed in the lovely prose one would expect from Hoffman. I am glad that I did not give up on this story because it is quite moving. This is not a book meant to be devoured in one sitting. This is a thoughtful exploration of autonomy and agency that is better suited to periods of reflection. This would make an excellent book club selection.

Alice Hoffman has captivated me again with another magical read. I simply loved it! Her stories take me to another time and place and have so much heart.

The Invisible Hour is a tale of strength, love, family and the power of books. I loved how the past and present are beautifully woven together.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to read and review. Thank you Netgalley!

I received this book from netgalley for an honest review. I became a fan off Hoffman from the pratical magic series so definitely wanted to see what this was about I really enjoyed the story it was different and unique. If you love time travel, cults, or books this is a book for you! I would have enjoyed it more if some things were explained instead of leaving it for you to assume. It's a short book and a quick read. Pick it up!

I was a little disappointed in this book. It's split up into three parts. The first part which is about the first half of the book I absolutely loved! 5 stars! I was already thinking of people I wanted to recommend to read this book. Then I got to part two and I very quickly changed my mind. I didn't enjoy the remainder of the book at all. I usually love the elements of magic in Alice Hoffman's books but I found this part of the book to be so boring. I struggled to get through the remainder of the book and was disappointed in part three and the ending.

The main character Mia travels back in time to meet Nathaniel Hawthorne. I loved Mia's story and I really just wanted to continue reading about her life in modern time. I did come around to the idea of her staying in the past and was interested in their story but then she traveled back. The ending of the book just didn't work for me personally.

Big thanks to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book to read and review!

I was so excited to receive an ARC for an Alice Hoffman book. She is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. I was sucked in from the beginning and could not put it down. Poignant and magical as always.

The Invisible Hour is everything that you want in a semi-fantasy historical fiction-style read. It's just gorgeous and genre-bending worthy of being on anyone's shelves.

Thank you to Net Galley for this free e-copy of The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman in exchange for a honest review.I have read many of Alice Hoffman’s book and this is another magical read.. It tells the story of Mia Jacob who was born at the Community- a simplistic, Puritanical-like commune run by Joel Davis who Mia’s mom, Ivy falls in love with after being spurned by her family after she becomes pregnant.The facade of the Community quickly fades and Joel’s controlling personality quickly becomes evident.The residents have few freedoms and are not allowed to read books.Mia finds solace in her neighborhood library where she finds an inscribed copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne ‘s The Scarlet Letter which seems to have a message for her.After her mother mysteriously dies in a tragic accident, Mia flees the Community and finds herself back in the same area of Massachusetts in;1837 where she meets Nathaniel Hawthorne. Can he offer her solace in a new life or is Mia doomed to return to her former life.Read this enchanting book and find out.

Enchanting prose, imaginative plot, thoughtful characters, perfect pacing, and an all around magical experience to read, especially for prolific bibliophiles.

Lovers of Nathaniel Hawthorne, libraries, cults and Outlander, this is a book for you.

I finished this book whilst camping friends this past weekend and was raving about how much I loved it. Will be recommending this book to friends and fellow readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

I'd give this book 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).

I really enjoyed the first section, about Mia and her mother's lives in the cult. Normally, I adore time travel stories, but the time travel in this one and Mia's relationship with Nathanial Hawthorne weren't ask engaging for me as the rest.

Overall, I'm glad I read it and would recommend it to others - it just didn't quite live up to what I thought/hoped it would be.

LONG time Hoffman fan here, and also a lover of Hawthorne. The idea of the 2 combined thrilled me. Alas, this book is good but not great. The pace was very slow and the time travel aspect just didn't do it for me. The writing itself, as usual for Hoffman, was exquisite.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Alice Hoffman's The Invisible Hour is a beautifully woven story about a young unwed mother, a community with an antiquated and abusive set of rules, and the immensely talented and tortured author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Only Alice Hoffman could create a tale like this one, which travels across time and beyond the realms of possibility. Ivy gives birth to Mia and is forced to allow her to be raised by The Community, but the bond that they have is unbreakable. Mia refuses to follow the path that her mother was forced to follow, and by paving her own way she is able to change the course of history as well as the future.

Hoffman's prose is pure magic and this book is an incredible tribute to readers, authors, and everyone who believes in the power of words.

Alice Hoffman's book The Invisible Hour is so many things wrapped up in her beautifully written prose. It is a story about survival and love, not only for only for another, but for yourself. It is also part historical fiction with a little bit of the mystical thrown in. And in the end, it is a love story to books, libraries and librarians.

The beginning of the story revolves around a modern day cult, The Community, where women are second class citizens and do not have agency over their lives. Ivy winds up with this cult when she runs away from home because her parents are not supportive of her unplanned pregnancy. She gives birth to her daughter Mia who grows up in The Community. Before leaving home, Ivy had a love of reading and books. Books are banned at The Community, but Ivy secretly shows Mia a public library and sparks her daughter's love of reading as well. It is through books and stories that Mia learns of the world beyond the cult she is living in. These books also give her hope and courage.

Mia falls in love with The Scarlet Letter and Nathaniel Hawthorne. This is where the magic comes in. She finds a copy of the Scarlet Letter in her local library with a hand written inscription made out to "Mia". She believes this is her sign to take her life into her own hands. There is some time travel involved, and the reader must suspend disbelief, but the characters are engaging and it is a book you can not put down.

Woven into all of the book is a commentary on the rights of women, as well as the importance of knowledge and books. Librarians are the quiet heroes of this book, and women librarians especially. It is an uplifting and empowering story.

I love anything from this author but this one was a tough one for me. I hated the scarlet letter. So I just couldn’t bring myself to get out of that feeling of being in. English ap snoozing away on it. But the authors prose is there and her story tell weaving powers are alive and well.