This particular audiobook isn't doing it for me - having multiple narrators voicing different ascents makes it more like a radio play for me. I will be reading the ebook instead, and give this 3 stars as its just not my personal taste.

The Lost Bookshop is the first novel by Irish author, Evie Woods (who also writes as Evie Gaughan). The audio version is narrated by Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon. Woods delivers her story through three alternating narratives in two timelines, and readers will pick up on parallels between the stories. She drops plenty of clues for the reader to discover in how many ways the stories connect: some are fairly obvious, but there are also some splendid surprises.

"A book is never what it seems."

It is a century-spanning, feminist awakening that is a tribute to books, to the dreams & desires of remarkable women, fearless trailblazers & silent revolutionaries, who've left an indelible mark on the literary realm. This book was nothing like what I expected it to be. And I was not expecting it to pull me in the way it did. After reading the first couple chapters, the story had its grip on me and I devoured this book in a matter of hours. In many instances I laughed, cried, and downright shouted in shock during my read; I always know I’m going to like a book when it makes me do this!

This book is perfect for book lovers who love multiple timelines and slightly fantastical, magical fiction such as written by Heather Webber or Sarah Addison Allen.

Enter the worlds of Martha, an abused housewife who got away and has taken up residence as a housekeeper for mysterious Madam Bowden; Henry, a Ph. D candidate that is on a hunt for his topic but finds Martha instead; and Opaline, the keeper of the secrets Henry's researching. Through the varying timelines of Opaline and Martha, there is an unraveling of a story regarding a lost bookshop, a mysterious story, Emily Bronte's lost work and what it means to be a strong woman of multiple generations.

#arc
#netgalley
#thelostbookshop

I just reviewed The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. #TheLostBookshop #NetGalley #audiobook

Absolute PERFECTION!

The tale of the lost bookshop is a beautiful story of love, lose, abuse and…., magic!

The audiobook was long but the two female narrators were brilliant so you can’t stop listening! I stayed up until 4am listening to this and would do it all over again!

The only negative was the male narrator had a very monotone voice without any inflection which was frustrating to listen two but the two female narrators saved the day!

My feelings have been on a rollercoaster ride with this novel; anger, upset, sad, happy and awe.

This book by @eviewoods #eviewoods is beautiful, perfect and gripping. Absolutely LOVED it!

So, I downloaded the both e-book and this audiobook versions to read and listen together. I have not yet been able to complete the audiobook yet but I have read the e-book and reviewed it as well. For specifically the audiobook, I am so so glad to give it a go. I am not a huge podcast/audiobook person but I am loving it.

I will share the same review as I did with the e-book version below. Extra points for the voice actors doing amazing job! I loved the book.

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬,' 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝, '𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟.'

And that is what this book is. A dream, even better than a dream. This book is a dream we all long for.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: Two women, one from the 20th century is fleeing a forced marriage and the other in the 21st century is fleeing an abusive marriage find refuge in books and a hidden bookshop. A bookshop that only those can find who really need help. It's a place full of mysteries. And a place where we all want to get lost.

The book is set in two timelines.
1. One talks about Opaline Grey who flees home to save herself from a forced marriage and becomes a book dealer and bookshop owner.

2. And the other talks about Martha who is running away from her abusive husband who secretly gets a job as a housekeeper in the home of an eccentric old woman who... really isn't what she looks like.

📌The story revolves around finding the missing manuscript of Emily Bronte which supposedly "doesn't exist". But Opaline gets her hand on it but will she be able to keep it safe from the greedy book dealers who want to take advantage of a lone young woman?

📌Martha finds words visiting her like a trance and she tattoos them on her skin like her life depends on it. Why does she sees these words? Why does she have that power to read peotand their stories?

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠. The characters are flawed but good at heart. The timeline is adequately balanced.

The book shows many real life literary characters like Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce, interacting with our characters which greatly tickled my senses.

𝐈 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.

Thank you so much @netgalley and @evie.gaughan for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a fun and unique read. Set on a quiet street in Dublin, is a lost book shop. Three lives are intertwined with secrets, but individually discover their own paths. The narrators were great!

As someone who loves bookstores, old letters, love stories, and antique books, this was a balm for my soul. The narrators were fantastic and helped the story come alive.
I enjoyed the Dublin, Paris, and London settings, and the dual timeline.
It was poetic, decadent, beautiful, magical, very emotional, heartbreaking and yet heartwarming.
I loved how the author blended actual famous writers into the story in a very realistic way.
I felt strongly connected to all three main characters for different reasons.
It was painful to listen at times because of the heavy themes of domestic abuse and the treatment of women, but the path to women’s empowerment and hope for a better future was worth making it through the difficult chapters.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC that was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely story spanning the generations about fitting in, finding your place, and discovering your own story. Set against the backdrop of of Dublin, Paris, and the second world war. This is a tale about Women finding their space in the world, escaping abusive relationships, and the shame of pregnant Women being admitted to psychiatric hospitals...'if you are going to embark on a journey of revenge, you had better dig two graves'...

The Lost Bookshop is an English novel by Evie Woods. It is a book with two timelines that are ingeniously connected.

In the story in the present, it is Henry and Martha who play the main role. Martha is on the run from her aggressive husband. She finds a job as a housekeeper with Mrs. Bowden. She is slowly coming to rest there.
On the sidewalk, Henry walks around, looking for a bookstore. He is sure it must be there, he has been there once, but there is now a house on that spot and he meets Martha there. Henry is looking for a lost manuscript and Martha goes to help him.

The second line is the story of Opaline, early 20th century. When her father dies, her older brother Lyndon takes over the family business and forces her to marry. She refuses and flees, first to Paris where the well-known bookshop Shakespeare & Company gets a role, and later to Dublin where she starts her own bookshop. Unfortunately, her brother manages to find her and she is safely locked away in an institution for mental patients.

Both storylines are strongly intertwined and with a touch of magical realism it is a wonderful story to read. Empathizing with the characters in both times is no problem. Evie Woods expresses everything beautifully, develops her characters carefully and the descriptions of the environment are easy to imagine, even if it is unusual and fairytale-like. In the end, the stories slide together like a puzzle. The beginning of the book becomes the end of the book and that makes it a wonderful ending.

A great story about believing in yourself, perseverance, trust, family ties and above all a lot of love.

In addition to the ebook, I also listened to the audiobook version. With three voices that match the characters perfectly, it was a great pleasure to listen to the book.

I loved this book and found the narrator really brought it to life. Told through three alternating narratives the story flows nicely and keep me engaged and invested. there are some surprises. The story is both heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. With relatable characters and stories of family and strength.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and Evie Woods for the opportunity to read this book.

This book was a delightful and enchanting tale that seamlessly intertwines the lives of three strangers, unveiling the magic within the vanishing bookshop's shelves. This captivating story celebrates the power of books and storytelling, while exploring the transformative journey of the endearing characters. With imaginative worlds and a touch of mystery, the narrative invites readers to embrace their own extraordinary stories, making for a truly engaging and enjoyable read. This whole book felt like a big warm hug, I definitely recommend this to people who enjoy cozy reads with a bit of a mystery.

**One point that I haven't seen brought up in other reviews is that there should be a trigger warning for mention of and descriptions of DV. One of the main characters is a victim on DV and is actively hiding from her abusive husband. If this is something that is a potential trigger for you I would recommend reading with caution. **

This is not whati normally listen to or read but this is a beautifully written story and so well told. I rarely move away from Crime or Thrillers but this is a booklovers dream! Thanks to netgalley & Macmillan for sending me this arc. Looking forward to the next book from the author

The Lost Bookshop is a book lover’s dream read. It’s a love letter to books and bookshops and how they shape your life. I really enjoyed the whimsical, magical nature of the bookshop. Opaline is a fantastic, strong and inspirational character. I really enjoyed her story. I appreciated the feminist elements of the plot. I found myself getting irritated by the modern day love story. I get that it had to be gradual and drawn out for the purpose of character development, but it began to grate and I just wanted them to get out of their own way. At some points I had to suspend belief and strangely not about the magic of the bookshop but about the events in the character’s ordinary lives. It got a little far fetched at points.
The trio of narrators are brilliant at engaging the listener. They really brought the characters to life, so I would definitely recommend the audiobook over the ebook.

It’s a great read for the bookworm who loves books about books, historical fiction, dual timelines and magical realism.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

"The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods is a Blend of Historical and Romance Fiction with a Sprinkle of Magical Realism on top!

In 1921:
Opaline flees England before her treacherous and much older brother forces her into an arranged marriage. She finds employment in a Paris bookshop called "Shakespeare and Company". The love of books she shared with her deceased father is a passion that will sustain Opaline through her tumultuous future...

In present day:
Martha, a young Irish wife, manages to escape her abusive husband and secure employment in Dublin as a live-in housekeeper. Her employer, Madame Bowden is a bit unusual but it's a job and a safe place to live. Martha has never felt a connection to books but they seem to keep appearing in her basement apartment...

Henry, a Ph.D. student, is searching for a lost manuscript. His search brings him to Dublin to locate a bookshop that he sees at first, but when he turns around, it's no longer there. The location of the mysterious bookshop is right next door to where Martha is currently working and living at #12 Ha’Penny Lane...

"The Lost Bookshop" is a well-written story with three fully-developed main characters and diverse secondary characters. Madame Bowden is by far my favorite character, she adds so much magic to this story. The multiple timelines, meaningful topics, touches of romance, and lots and lots of nods to books makes this a solid read.

I was fortunate to have both a DRC and an ALC of "The Lost Bookshop". The digital copy was great for bedtime reading but this was mostly daytime listening for me and my busy day. The narration was excellent and the voicing skills of all three narrators were equally satisfying. The audiobook is my preferred format for this read.

I enjoy how the author ties this story together at the end with a surprises or two. My one quibble was that I wanted more Magical Realism. What was there was terrific, it just wasn't nearly enough. I'll take more, pretty please.

"The Lost Bookshop" was a fun read that I'm thrilled I squeezed in at the last minute and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a blend of Historical and Romance Fiction with a little Magical Realism sprinkled on top.

4⭐

Thank you to Evie Woods, One More Chapter, and Macmillan Audio for a DRC and ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.

Compelling, charming and completely encapturing, Evie Wood’s debut is a wonderful listen. If you like a spot of magical realism in your historical fiction, then this beautifully-written and well-narrated book, which takes you from London to Paris to Dublin, should be right up your street.

This story was very intricate with multiple story lines and pov's making it difficult and complicated at times while listening to the audiobook.

Thank you one more chapter and netgalley for the alc.

This is not my usual Crime/Thriller at all, but it was a mesmerising read. This reminded me of a bit of mash up of The Keeper of Lost Things, The Midnight Library and The Keeper of Stories.

The story is set over two timelines following Opaline in the early 1900s and Martha in present day. They share similar histories and are connected by the Lost Bookshop in Dublin.

Opaline has escaped her controlling brother and an arranged marriage. Martha has fled from an abusive husband.

You are taken on a magical journey following the stories of Opaline and Martha, who are both likeable characters who you can’t help but have sympathy for given their tough lives.

Opaline’s story is a tragic tale and one of considerable loneliness with fleeting appearances from characters. However, she is one strong remarkable woman. Martha’s tale is well supported by scholar Henry and my favourite character Madame Bowden, who was a delight throughout.

11 Ha’penny Lane is a core connection of the two ladies lives and this place is a fantastical place which is a most beautiful puzzle that I don’t think could be solved.

This book has some very dark themes, but written eloquently and kept me totally ensconced in the unravelling tale. The end seemed a little rushed maybe, but not in a way that detracted from my enjoyment.

I would 100% recommend this book, especially if you want to be lost in a magical tale of an extraordinary mystery bookshop and the people it draws in. I give this 5/5.

A mesmerising tale of two women from two eras. They both sat on the seesaw of hope and despair. A carefully woven story set against a background of literature and the supernatural. An emotional roller coaster. I enjoyed reading this book immensely.

I utterly loved this quirky and enchanting story. As an audio I really enjoyed the 3 main characters and their narrators- Martha and Henry set in present day, and Opaline from the past. When I haven’t been listening I haven’t stopped thinking about it and desperate to listen to more! Highly recommend.

A mesmerising and magical tale of a lost bookshop that appears to those most in need. On an unsuspecting Dublin street resides a bookshop waiting to be discovered by Opaline, Martha, and Henry over dual timelines. Overlooked, underestimated, and dismissed by those around them, it is time that life experienced some of the magic that lies between the pages of the books they love. The unsuspecting trio is to be transported into an awe-inspiring world. A spellbinding listen that will sweep you in and absorb you completely. A beautifully narrated homage to books and bookshops. #thelostbookshop #eviewoods #netgalley #harpercollinsukaudio #onemorechapter