Like other Hoffman books, this had me quickly engrossed in the story. I was fascinated by life at the community and rooting for Ivy and Mia. The second half lost me a little… I saw where she was going but something just didn’t work quite right. Maybe it wasn’t long enough? It almost felt like two short stories in one book. Still, it was a 4 star read for me, just would have liked to see a little more.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

Alice hoffman never disappoints . This is the story of Mia raised in a puritanical cult that her Mother Ivy found herself caught in .Ivy shows Mia the library and there she finds a book that speaks to her and her situation . The Scarlet letter written 200 years earlier by Nathaniel Hawthorne .Somehow inside the cover is inscribed to Mia.How this happens and the wonderful enchanting story it tells will leave you enchanted . A wonderful , riveting , magical book

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc, I am a big Alice Hoffman fan and this book was similar to her other books in that it has a sense of magical/mysticness all thru the novel. It tells the story of Mia, who finds The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and is then transported back in time. I enjoyed being reintroduced to The Scarlet Letter as an adult who has not read it since high school. Again, I loved the magical elements in this book and as usual with Hoffman’s books, The New England setting was charming and perfect and almost acted as another character in this story. Very enjoyable novel!

"What was over was over, what was done was done, this was a world of love, and those who had been here would be loved evermore."

Alice Hoffman is one of those authors that writes in a way that stays with you long after you finish the book. I always look forward to seeing what's new from her. This time, the theme and the timing touches on some of the issues we, as readers and women, face now.

~
The book begins with Ivy, a rebellious young woman in the 70's, who becomes pregnant. After her family and boyfriend reject her, she joins a cult and marries the cult leader in search of the love and acceptance she never found. She finds everything she could ever want in her daughter, Mia.

As strong-willed as her mother, Mia longs to escape the cult that her mother initially found shelter in. Thanks to her mother's shared love of reading, and secret visits to the library, Mia awakens to the many faults of the cult, including child abuse. Mia wants to run away with her mother, but Ivy dies before that happens, leaving Mia to find the strength to leave on her own. She contemplates suicide but is saved by a book she stole from the library, The Scarlet Letter, whose words inside it make Mia feel like they were speaking to her. After asking for help from Sarah, the town's librarian, she escapes the oppression of the cult.

After many years, Mia finds herself out of college and working in the New York Public Library. Mia is called back home to a funeral, and it is here in her grief she finds herself seeking shelter by Nathanial Hawthorne's grave. She travels back in time and meets the writer that saved her life. But as she falls for him, and he falls for her, the distance between them threatens to pull them apart; as well as the looming threat of her stepfather, who blames Mia for his cult's undoing.
~

One of the things I loved most about this book was the way that Alice Hoffman was able to bind together the importance of stories. It's a fantastic testament to the power of words, and the relationship between writers and their readers.

"That's why we have novels. To make sense out of things."

I absolutely fell in love with Mia's character, who despite the odds, dug deep to find the strength in herself to keep going. She finds empowerment in knowledge, a gift from learning how to read, and due to this stands by the belief that women should have the right to make their own decisions.

This is a theme that is brought up many times throughout the book, although I don't believe that it came off in a preaching way. One of the other things I loved so much about this book, was that the author uses examples from past and present to highlight why it's so important for women to make their own decisions. Knowledge is power, and I do believe that unless our younger women are taught what society thought of women in the past, they won't understand why it's so important to keep fighting for this.

" "Tell me women get to make their own choices someday. Tell me there's a time when we can choose our own fate." Mia thought of how much courage it took to go against the rules. She could not say it would always be different in her own time. "I can tell you that we try." "

There was very little that I didn't enjoy about the book. Alice Hoffman introduced me to magical realism, so the time-traveling element didn't jar me. I think where I took issue with the book, is that I fell in love with Mia so much, I wasn't ready to see the world through Nathanial Hawthorne's eyes. And once I was finally back in Mia's perspective, it seemed the end of the book came too soon.

All in all, this was a magical, uplifting read. I would recommend this to any woman I know, even those who magical realism isn't their usual style. It's a love letter to women, readers, and writers, and I couldn't be more thrilled that I was selected for an advanced copy.

Thank you very much NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC, and Alice Hoffman for another beautiful story.

alice hoffman is intensely readable and this book is no departure from that. a quick, breezy little fairytale with an absolutely WILD twist halfway through that does...strain the limits of your suspension of belief, i'll admit, but who cares, i enjoyed it. drags a bit in the second act, and the third part gets a tiny bit goofy, but like i said - it's a fairytale. why not. i had a great time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as all of Alice Hoffman’s novels. I will definitely recommend this to everyone I know.

As with every Hoffman book, this book is written almost like a fairy tale-- a sense of magic and good versus evil pervades every page, even though this doesn't actually have much in the way of fantasy (aside from the time travel at the very end). This book is a quick read, focusing primarily on a young woman's life as she grows up within the confines of a commune/cult and eventually escapes, to live with a lesbian couple who take her in, surrounded by books. I love that Mia is sort of on the fringes of society, a loner with deep-seated fears and issues, but she doesn't get hung up on those issues or ever venture into 'woe-is-me' territory. A lot of the cult movies and literature I've watched/read ends up being too much of a slow burn, but the pacing here really worked. Can't wait to see what Ms. Hoffman has up her sleeve next!

All of Hoffman's fiction is lyrical prose and magical. The Invisible Hour celebrates the relation between the story and the reader and blurs the lines. Hoffman illustrates how discovering a book can make a bleak life bearable, as well as using time travel to explore cultural commentary about limitations placed on women through Nathanial Hawthorne's time period. I found the story of Ivy and Mia very moving and powerful. I did think the last section of the story when she travels back to the Berkshires in 1840(?) a little less compelling, and found myself wanting something else. That said, it is a totally compelling read and Hoffman's fans will not be disappointed. If you have never read her, choose another title first, then savor this slowly. I liked her personal prologue, and her celebration of libraries. I received an advanced copy of this for an honest review from Netgalley. My friends will have to wait til August to read.

I recently read all of the books in the Practical Magic series, and enjoyed the world Alice Hoffman has cultivated in her books. Was really excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley for her new book, The Invisible Hour.

Mia, the main character finds The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and is then transported back in time. I enjoyed being reintroduced to The Scarlet Letter as an adult who has not read it since high school. Love the magic in this book and as usual with Hoffman’s books, I was absorbed into her picture-perfect New England setting while reading. All in all, it was a very memorable book that highlights the power of books, libraries, words and women.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved the letter in the beginning of the book from the author to the readers. It prepared me to realize the power of words upon a persons soul, their being, their entire reason for life.

I loved the beginning with Ivy and Mia. I could have stayed in that part of the book the entire time. I loved the ways in which Ivy and Mia would break the Community's rules.

Then the second part and Mia meets Nathanial. I suspended disbelief and still was loving the story.

Part 3....ok, what did I just read? What happened? What happened to Mia? we know what happened to Nathanial, but what about Mia and why would Joel get arrested?
I was confused.

Overall the book started out strong and then began to peter out as the pages went by.
Still a solid novel by the author and one I would recommend to anyone wanting escapism.

I am a huge Alice Hoffman fan. I have read and loved so many of her books and this book was no exception ! Her books are always so captivating and magical. I loved how this book captured the feeling that books are so powerful and can change your life. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter literally saved Mia’s life and changed the course of her life completely. It gave her the hope and courage she needed to leave the Community. 4.5 stars !! I highly recommend this for book lovers !

Thanks for Netgalley and Atria Books for my Arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first Alice Hoffman book and I was sold!
I love the time loop and how it all played out. I don't want to give to much away but it was written so beautifully. And showed that just because are are able to escape horrible things in your life doesn't mean that they won't come back to haunt you.

I guess I need to do some disclaimers:
1) I received an advance copy from the publisher in return for a fair review. As you could see from my other reviews, I have no issues speaking my mind on what I don't like!
2) Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite writers. But I don't love everything she writes-- there's even a dnf in there. So not a guaranteed glowing review
3) I work at the House of Seven Gables. And yes, there was a scene in the book that had me screaming at the author and which a part will be quoted in our closing procedures ("if you see a red-headed woman or anyone else, don't do what this guy did"). But overall, we don't want a bad book associated with us so if it was a bad book, I would be slamming it!

All that being said, I loved the book. The writing brought the story so alive and you really became a part of the story. And such a creative story- it never went where I thought it was going! Loved her portrayal of Handsome Hawthorne and his family. She was smart not to do too many scenes in Salem- any inaccuracies there would have damned her in town, they're v picky about such things!

So why did I do 4 star? Well, the mechanics of the time travel were unclear. And the ending was murky. It's probably a 4.5 and as much as I loved the book and Hawthorne's new role as leading man, there was just something missing. that I can't quite describe. Although if the book brings lots of attention (and donations) to the Hawthorne Birthplace, I'll bump my score up to 5 stars! That poor building gets forgotten against the Gables. Just please come during regular hours and enter where you should!

Book Title: The Invisible Hour
Author: Alice Hoffman
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Historical Fiction -Mystery
Pub Date: August 15, 2023
My Rating: 3.5 Stars

I read "Rules of Magic" when I was looking for something to download and this novel appeared. Knew nothing about this story but was expecting some magic! SO I downloaded it!
Story turned out far more interesting than I expected. Since I enjoyed it, I then put author:, Alice Hoffman on my TBR list :)

When Ivy Jacobs the only child of strict Boston parents was only sixteen when she got pregnant in high school (her boyfriend and father of the baby wants nothing to do with her or the baby), she has no choice but to follow her parents orders by going away, having her baby and giving the baby up for adoption.
However, Ivy wants to keep her baby so runs away and ends up in a community in Blackwell, Massachusetts. At that time Ivy wasn’t aware that community was a strict religious cult.
Ivy gives birth to her baby girl she names Mia. . . . . This is where this story begins.

When Ivy sudden dies Mia can no longer tolerate this strict environment and attempts to escape.
Books are banned and communication with the outside world is not allowed. There is an exception and that is when they go to town to sell their produce in the town market. One time Mia was able to sneak away and ended up at the Library where she finds Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter".
She loves the power of the written word and Hawthorne’s story gives her hope; she knows she must make her way back in time.

The story does involve time travel which I always love.
It cover show Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter came to be written.
However, it was only a few months ago that I read "Hester" by author, Laurie Lico Albanese. It s the story of Hester Prynne, the heroin who was the inspiration for Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter".. I really enjoy that story however, it did take away some of my enjoyable of this story. I am sure the opposite would have happened if I read this one first.
Looking forward to the next Alice Hoffman story!
.
Want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 15, 2023

1. What a strange and delightful read this is.
2. Time travel, cults, books, libraries…you never quite know what’s around the corner in this one.
3. I don’t think I read this, it’s more that I swallowed it whole. I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know.
4. Now I need to read all that Nathaniel Hawthorne I’ve put off reading all my life…and maybe a biography or two.

Dear Alice Hoffman,

Thank you. You have created worlds where books are a magic that anyone can have in their possession. Characters that are strong minded and content to love their lives between pages. You write for the reader. I’m forever grateful to you for helping me find myself in your stories.

The Invisible Hour is the story of a young girl finding herself in a hopeless situation. She runs from one man trying to control her choices or another controlling an entire community. Ivy gives birth to her daughter, Mia, while living under Joel’s care. One of my favorite themes in Alice Hoffman’s books is mother-daughter relationships. My mom is my best friend and what we have is special. I love how her women are always so connected and bonded.

When reading a book by Alice Hoffman you know some things will be happening before even starting to read. There will be powerful female characters, vile men, a love of books and a drop of magic. This books adds a new element of time travel. And like always, you’ll feel a heart wrenching pain of loss and love for characters you’ll never meet.

I love that this book is dedicated to readers and the books that have changed our lives. The Practical Magic series did that for me. It taught me that it was okay to be weird and you can find magic anywhere.

I will have to do a reread of The Scarlet Letter now. I have a feeling I’ll see it in a whole new light. Thank you, NetGalley and Alice Hoffman, for the opportunity to read The Invisible Hour. I have written this review voluntarily.

I was drawn to the invisible hour by the cover. It had such a witchy/magical feel to it. It wasn't until after I started reading that I found out the author is the one and only Alice Hoffman (you know, the women who wrote practical magic)
We follow the story of Mia, a young girl who grew up in a cult like community with her mother. The way the community is run you felt as this was in the past not present time. One-man rules over the community and forbids anyone from reading believe he is the word. Until one day Mia's life changes.

For this being my first Alice Hoffman book, she drew me in. It was slow but simple. I loved watching Mia find her way in the world through books and learning the truth of how she lived. Her love for the classics and the authors who wrote them.

The only con I saw was how it ended. It felt very abrupt, I wish we could see what happens to Mia after her standoff with the cult leader.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book early!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!
I love the way Alice Hoffman writes. This book was very good and once I started reading I had a hard time putting it down.
The characters all felt so real. Author seems to have a way to pull the reader into her stories!
Enjoyed reading about the author's historical version of "The Scarlet Letter" and how NH decided to write the story.
A wonderful and magical story of loss, love and finding oneself.
Will recommend!

Ms Hoffman never disappoints. The Invisible Hour had me hooked from the moment Ivy found out she was pregnant. Nothing was ever easy for the Jacob women but their bond was beautiful. Getting to know the “history” behind Scarlet Letter (Alice Hoffmann version) has made me want to go back and re-read the classic.

This latest Alice Hoffman book is a winner. It is the story of Mia, raised in a cult in western Massachusetts, Mia leads a heartbreaking life and wonders if death is better than the way she is living.
The book is heartbreaking at times, but captivating as well as we see Mia navigate through her life looking to find her purpose.
A must read for fans of Hoffman, magical as always.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.