This review took me a week to write because I have so much I would love to say but I don’t want to spoil any single part for anyone.

This isn’t my typical genre and I am so glad I took a chance to get out of my comfort categories. I loved this book. It’s thought provoking and you really have to pay attention. I think that I need to read the book again just to see the breadcrumbs the author left throughout that make sense now after reading.

I sincerely hope there is a follow up book because I’m not ready to close the door on these characters. (Har har see what I did there?)

This is the perfect book for any fantasy and book lover. There is so much magic and adventure packed into these pages and I really enjoyed my time reading through this book. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book, as I often find that there are so many books that promise something magical for book lovers, but ends up not being quite what you're hoping for, but this one really hit some wonderful points. I would say the pacing was a little off at times and there were a few plot points and areas of the story that didn't quite flow as smoothly as I'd hope, but overall I think this was a really solid story that I had a great time with! I'll definitely look for more from Gareth Brown in the future.

I loved the Book of Doors! I appreciated the Time Travel element as well as the narration. I would read more from this author.

An amazing and colorful story of books and magic and time travel. There is a dose of good versus evil as the plot thickens. Cassie begins the tale in a bookstore where she befriends an older man. The story is ever expanding and vivid and filled with an eclectic cast of characters. It was a wonderful wild romp of pure imagination.

This book was provided by NetGalley. The review is my own.

Very few books make cry. I don’t think any other has had me tearing up in chapter 1! This was a great read and I look forward to reading it again.

You can tell that Brown enjoys a good library. The story he developed was inventive, and brought a new aspect to the trope of "magical books." I can see this novel being adapted into a movie, and I think some of the scenes would fit better in that format. Aspects of this were gory at times, especially referencing Hugo Barbary and The Woman. I felt those were unnecessary. The ending of the novel surprised me, and tied a lot of elements together. Brown did time travel well with this, and developed his characters to the extent one can expect in a thriller novel.

Cassie discovers she's not the only one who owns a magical book. There are book collectors and hunters vying for the powers possessed by different books. In the wrong hands, the world could be destroyed. Cassie and Izzy soon meet individuals who want them for power and individuals who want them for education.

Along the way, you will meet Mr. Webber, an old man who often visits the bookstore where Cassie works. He is also the individual who gifts the Book of Doors to Cassie. You will encounter the owner of The Fox Library, Drummond Fox, which houses the largest collection of magical books. There will also be book hunters like Hugo Barbary, Mr. Izaki, and Lund, and, of course, the bookseller and the woman.

The Book of Doors starts slowly, but eventually, the story reaches a point where it suddenly picks up, creating a whirlwind experience for the reader. The author, Gareth Brown, does an exceptional job at developing every character you meet, as well as having a well-developed magical New York City where most of the action takes place. Pay close attention to everything you read; you may find Brown is foreshadowing quite a bit. He includes just the right amount of plot twists and suspense to keep the story alive. Overall, I enjoyed the immersive journey "The Book of Doors" took me on, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an enchanting escape into a world of magic and adventure. Whether you're a fan of magical realistic fantasy or simply seeking an impactful read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, The Book of Doors is bound to suck you in. With its memorable characters and tasteful plot twists this story will leave a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Thank you to William Marrow Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh boy, did I love EVERYTHING about this book! It was completely engrossing practically from page one. Very exciting. A true battle of good versus evil. All of the stars! Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins publishers for the arc. The novel is out now, read it immediately.

When Cassie is given a book that can open a door to anywhere, she is thrilled and immediately starts to explore. In fact, that premise could be the start of a whole adventure novel. But in this book, there is much more going on. The world contains highly sought-after books that can do magic, and all sorts of people pursuing them. At times violent and other times full of wonder, the book kept me so interested. I'd highly recommend it.

An interesting story about a world where there are many magical books hidden away that each give the one holding them some unusual ability. Our protagonists face a seemingly impossible challenge in order to survive, even with the help of the books in their posession.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read an online arc of The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown.

Given all the comparisons to books I have enjoyed reading in other reviews, I was sure this book was going to quickly engage me. I'm sad to admit that it took me quite a bit of time to get through this arc. It may have a lot to do with my lack of connection to the main character, Cassie, who I found much less mature than her stated age and also with the fact that it took awhile for anything truly important to develop. The initial novelty of the doors wore off quickly for me. And the magic behind the other books felt just dropped into the story as convenient. Drummond Fox was a far more interesting character to me, and I found myself skipping around a bit to follow him until the story came together for me. Some parts of the story fell flat for me, while others were truly nail biting.

Overall, I would say that I enjoyed the book…and didn’t. The ending was both a hit and a miss for me. The thing I truly appreciated the most was the love and reverence of books portrayed by the author. That I can get behind. 3/5 read

This book had some slow moments but when the pieces began to click together I was hooked. I cried, gasped, and audibly sighed with relief. This is a stunning story of friendship and trusting the process. I hope to find my own book of doors one day and see all the possibilities that the perspective of time travel can offer me. Smashing debut!

Well this book was an unexpected surprise! Characters I want to be friends with, magic, adventure, danger. You name it - this book had it. I LOVED IT!

When Cassie's ordinary life is disrupted by the mysterious death of a regular customer at the bookstore where she works, she is thrust into a world of magic and danger. The discovery of the Book of Doors opens endless possibilities, allowing Cassie and her roommate Izzy to explore beyond their wildest dreams. As they dive deeper into the secrets of the book, they encounter Drummond Fox, owner of the Fox Library, who is determined to protect the books from falling into the wrong hands. This is where things get dangerous!

This book was a five-star unputdownable surprise and deserves a place on every fantasy lover’s bookshelf.

Many thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to embark on this magical adventure and share my honest thoughts.

I really enjoyed this story, and the number of different doors Cassie Andrews can walk through in this story. I love books about books. And the two best friends Cassie and Izzy traveling around with adventures and evil afoot. Seems like it would be set up to have a sequel if it does really well. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this for the most part, but it was just....fine. I wish it delved more into the magic and the villain fell a little flat. It was definitely more graphic then say The Starless Sea.

Overall, The Book of Doors was a downright delightful read! I'd say the criticisms about it's slow-to-start intro are very accurate, but it didn't bother me too much (I just had to settle into it and before I knew it, the pages flew by). Also on target are the negative reactions to some of the language in the book - I think this is something to be aware of if you decide to give this book a try. It's going to come down to your tastes and what triggers you allow in your media selections. (Though I'm hoping the author will take the reviewers remarks into consideration, I can also understand the flipside of the argument.) That said, I simply adore the books about books trope, and The Book of Doors ticked so many boxes that I still think makes it a worthwhile story to immerse yourself in!

Many thanks to William Morrow (HarperCollins), and NetGalley, for an advance reading copy of this book.
What a fun read!
If you enjoy novels about books, bookstores, libraries, etc., this one’s for you. It’s about the power and magic of books—literally! The protagonist, Cassie Andrews, comes to possess a book known as the Book of Doors. The book allows Cassie to open any door and instantly travel through it to any other door—present or past. Cassie, who loves to travel, can now do so anytime she wants. However, as she and her best friend, Izzy, will soon find out, possessing the Book of Doors puts their lives at risk.
Enter Drummond Fox, a librarian who possesses several other magical books that he secretly hides in the Fox Library. For ten years, Drummond has been hiding from those eager to possess the Fox Library and other magical books. These evildoers will kill to get these books and use them to control and harm others.
Drummond, who believes that the Book of Doors is the key to protecting his secret library from these evildoers, discovers that Cassie has it. Together, they embark on a journey to protect these magic books, save themselves, and stop these evildoers.
One of my favorite characters was Hugo Barbary, a menacing character who is comically evil and sadistic to the core. But other vile characters lurk, including The Bookseller and, most of all, The Woman.
Gareth Brown’s "The Book of Doors" is creative, adventurous, and entertaining. While the story’s overall cohesiveness may have benefited from some minor tightening, and more backstory regarding certain characters, these considerations do not significantly impact the story’s effectiveness and reader’s enjoyment.
The Book of Doors is a magical book that you won’t want to miss!

Very Intriguing, Mystery and Full of Adventure!

This story will draw you in and keep you reading. The characters are quirky and interesting . The story was so full of twists and turns that it kept my attention and for the first time ever I gave up on figuring out a book and just took it in.

I will say I had a few issues* One usually is a DNF for me. I decided to keep reading/listening and just try to skip over those parts.

*Some Language including … I would have DNF’d it just for God’s/Jesus’ Name being used inappropriately had it kept occurring. Not sure why that is necessary to be honest. This would have been a 4-5 Star read for me had that not been the case.

Audiobook: Narrated by Miranda Raison
Miranda made this very interesting with all
her voices. Not sure how she kept them straight. She kept me on my toes in a good way.

This is Gareth Brown’s Debut Novel. I will look for his next book…

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I received this title as as an ARC from Netgalley. It was highly anticipated for me as a librarian, lover of books, and lover of travel. The addition of time travel elements really tipped it from like to love for me. Time travel is such a difficult trope to master, as the author must write things happening in the present tense and be aware that they are things that will happen in the future past the entire time, even before the reader is aware. Gareth Brown does this masterfully. I have told all of my friends that is sci-fi for those who don't like sci-fi, or sci-fi for beginners because the sci-fi elements flow so easily that you forget that it's "not real" (and you really want it to be! There are 2 ongoing love stories, but they are not overpowering and are not made to be the main plot line. andd I rooted for both couples. But the enduring friendship between Cassie and Izzy, the found family that develops and endures, all the way down to the realization of how it all began (and who started it). No spoilers. I read in Brown's bio that his first book was very bad and he has been working to make up for that ever since. Well congratulations, you've done it!

Wow, The Book of Doors is just wow. Cassie is at work when a book falls into her lap. When she gets home she and her best friend, Izzy, realize that the book can take them through any door in the world. Amazing right? The only problem is that people have been hunting for this book for centuries.

With the help of an unexpected group of friends, will Cassie be able to save herself, the book, and her friends from those who want it enough to kill?

I was immediately sucked into this book and Gareth’s writing style. He keeps you engaged and desperate to know what happens next. This is absolutely one of my favorite books of the year.

Thank you to Gareth Brown, NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC.