The first few chapters had me hooked and were fantastic. After that was did struggled for a bit but the end of the book does makes up for the dragging that takes place. There were a couple of parts that I went wait what where did I miss that and a little explanation of how she does things would have been nice. The character development is balanced nicely and you really root for Cassie and her friends to succeed.



Than you NetGalley for an arc copy to give an honest review.

The concept of this book was intriguing; I liked the idea that a book can access the world through doors at the tip of your fingers. The concept of this book reminded me of books like “Starless Sea” which has a mixture of magic and adventure.
I think that my main problems with this book were the characters, especially my lack of connection with Cassie and Izzy. I did not find them likable. Even their beginning interaction of them chatting about their day after Cassie experiences something almost traumatic at the bookstore was off to me. This was a scene where Izzy makes a joke about how “the only people interested in Time Square are tourists and terrorists” and how some guy who hits on her calls her out on how her saying that was distasteful. I think this explains the general feeling that I get of Cassie and Izzy, they both seem very disconnected and I never developed an attachment to them through the book.
My biggest problem was generally how uncomfortable this book made me (and not in a good way). The way things were described like weight and nasty comments from certain characters being pretty explicit and made me squirm a bit. I personally could not stand it. The story really lost me at that point.
Even though I appreciate the author for attempting to write female characters and a beautiful fantasy world, I could not enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley and the author Gareth Brown for allowing me to post an honest review in exchange for an advanced E-Proof.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Book of Door. Wow. I almost thought I might skip this book but I am so glad I didn’t. This is an epic novel in many ways. Very in-depth and detailed with interesting characters, good vs evil and hopefully another book to follow.
It’s hard to explain this novel but take a chance and read it. I promise you won’t put it down.
Excellent!!!! 5 stars

I cannot thank the publisher and NetGalley enough for an e-arc. Because I absolutely loved this book.

I wish I could give The Book of Doors 10 stars. I felt nostalgic, fascinated, and yearning for more story up until the very last page-I even read the acknowledgments hoping for more! I loved the main character, Cassie, and I have a special place in my heart for Mr.Webber. Through this book, I reflected on my own life, my relationships with people both alive and long gone, and of the books I read as a child. I also grew even more restless for more traveling.

I highly, highly recommend this book especially for those who enjoyed The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young.

There are slight spoilers in this review!

First, I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Book of Doors. This book had a lot of potential, but I DNF’d it at 30%.

Here are my thoughts:

1. I love the concept of books being powerful. As a reader, I’ve known this. I wanted this book to showcase that. My biggest issue with this was by 30%, we’d just been introduced to the conflict. While we get chapters from the perspectives of The Woman and other book hunters, it just didn’t have urgency. I didn’t find myself eager to read. The plot moved so slowly.

2. I had no connection with Cassie or Izzy. I get that Cassie wanted to see the world because of her grandfather, but I wasn’t emotionally invested in her trajectory. She felt very flat. Then there’s Izzy, who The Woman mysteriously wants brought to her. Drummond erasing her memory felt forced. Neither FMC was relatable.

I may return to this book down the road, but at this point, it’s just not for me. To those who did connect with The Book of Doors, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

We meet Cassie who works in a bookstore. With the death of a favorite customer she becomes the owner of a book. But not just any book, this is the Book of Doors.

What begins as a fun filled romp from city to city around the globe quickly devolves into a race for survival against one of the most simply evil characters I've read about in a long time. New friends are made, memories become new again, and the Book of Doors is at the heart of it all.

This book was a thrilling ride I couldn’t put down! I was immediately drawn to the story, the atmosphere was cozy and whimsical, a ton of action and twists with multiple POVs throughout.

Cassie Andrews is working at a bookstore when one of her regular customers Mr. Webber, dies quietly in his chair at closing. When the paramedics take him away, she notices a small book left behind with an inscription inside addressed to her.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬.
𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫.

At first Cassie’s confusion regarding this book turns into excitement, along with her roommate Izzy, she’s able to travel anywhere in the world just by imagining a door. Until shadowy figures come out of the background, asking questions about magical books and innocent people get hurt. Cassie and Izzy know there is more at play, danger keeps following wherever they land.

Drummond Fox is the mysterious Librarian, on the run for 10 years from the Woman, evil personified that killed his friends in search of magical books. When Drummond sees Cassie and Izzy with telltale rainbow magic of a book, he’ll do everything in his power to help them, even destroy the Book of Doors.

I loved pretty much everything about this book. The magic, the books, time travel! The battle of good vs. evil was strong throughout, truly dark and evil. The action scenes were plenty, the twists and turns had my head spinning and emotions rolling.

Playing a lot like a movie in my head, I really liked all the character POVs and the plan to save the books from the Woman. Creating a time travel plot that was satisfying, following Cassie on her journeys to see her Grandfather and Mr. Webber it was emotional and sweet. I loved the character development for Cassie, it really came full circle and I enjoyed all the small breadcrumbs that came together in the end!

The Book of Doors will be added to one of my favorite books of 2024, it was masterful.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book.

works in a bookstore in downtown New York.
When one of her best customers comes and visits the shop. Mr Webber is a friendly chap and always comes into the shop with his well-read copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. She leaves him to read as the shop is busy.
But when she returns Mr Webber is found dead. She is devasted. She finds the copy of the Count of Monte Cristo and another book, the book of doors. When she opens it has some scribblings and a note to say that this is a book for you. The book is a magical book that will let you go to anywhere you wish to go. Cassie, and with her friend Izzy uses to go to the places she has wished to go and the places she loves. But on her journey, she meets a man called Drummond Fox saying that she is in danger that there is people out there that will steal her book or will kill to get their hands on the book of doors. Not only it goes to places you want to go but it will let you go back and forth in time. She also discovers that there is other people out there with other copies of magical books. Drummond requires books and keeps them in his own library to protect them from the evil woman kills people to get as many books as she can.

A perfectly perfect book.

I have so many things to say about this book, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone reading this review before reading this book. And if you are reading this review, YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!

If you are a mystery fan, read this book. If you like fantasy, read this book. If you like historical fiction, read this book. If you like reading, READ THIS BOOK.

This book is an adventure, but with a big heart, and allows the reader to witness some pretty incredible moments we wish we all could have in our lives.

This book is about time travel, but it is much much more. It is grounded in the essence of human nature, and surrounded by what is the very root of humanity, making it universal in its appeal to anyone who has ever enjoyed a good book. It opens doors (see what I did there) to the possible and the impossible.

This book transcends genres; it is a story that will resonate with any human who had ever sought purpose, and belonging, and felt regret, and thought “if only..”

This book gives the reader the opportunity to finish that thought. To answer the question if “what if” and ties everything in an (almost) perfect bow.

But just like a perfect story, it leaves the door open just a bit (did it again) to the possibility that the story isn’t quite over, and maybe there is just a bit more to this tale in the future.

I’ve read a lot of wonderful books this year, but this one might just be the “must read” for 2024. I hope it is one you read too.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is a fantastic debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance.
This exciting new story is a unique fantasy read that truly captivated me.
The magic was phenomenal. Riveting plot. Characters with rich development.
The Book of Doors marked my introduction to the author's work, and I was extremely thrilled and captivated by it! The world-building in this book is truly one of a kind, with a fascinating setting that piqued my interest. The characters' added an extra layer of intrigue.
Brown’s writing was descriptive and captivating.
This book literally has it all…. suspense, magic, action and romance!

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. The Book of Doors tells us the story of Cassie Andrews, who works at a bookshop and receives a mysterious, magical gift of a book from a beloved patron, after he passes away in the store. This gift is the book of doors, which promises the user a unique set of powers— this turns out to be a true gift and also puts Cassie at terrible risk, as this is highly sought after by many collectors. A story of danger, intrigue, and many twists and turns follows from here!

This book was a true pleasant surprise! I was concerned at first, while reading this, that it would be too saccharine and very predictable, with the expected noble characters, villains who covet the book, and a clean happy ending. But, I am happy to say this is not the case and there were many enjoyable twists in this book that kept my interest and that I thought were refreshing to a story like this! The magic intertwined in this story was not overwhelming either and fell into place well, I think, in the realistic setting of the book. Also to note, although there were some alternating timelines in this book, it was not difficult to follow and I think it added to the story to switch things up.

This is a great, fresh story that I think will be well enjoyed by many; for it’s enjoyable, fun premise, it also covers many relatable themes, like loss and grief, that I think will endear it even more to readers. There were some especially touching moments in this story and I think some scenes that anyone who has lost a loved one can relate to.

I’d recommend this book to readers of contemporary fiction and especially those who enjoy magical realism!

The Book of doors was a whirlwind of a book. Packed with so many emotions and heavy topics, yet still filled with whimsy. I normally hate books that have time travel but the author wrote it so it wasn’t terribly complicated. Speaking of the author, their writing was phenomenal. Incredibly atmospheric and immersive. This book would be wonderful to read in the winter, as there was a lot of wonderful winter imagery. The author also did a very good job and creating the villains in this book. I truly hated them. They were absolutely terrible people but their character’s still had depth. Gareth Brown knows how to write distinct and well developed characters. I enjoyed the cast of characters so much and felt like each of them had so much growth. There were plenty of heartbreaking moments in this book, but The Book of Doors reminds us that experiencing heartbreak only makes moments of joy that much special.

On the night, a customer in the bookshop where Cassie Andrews works dies in the store. But, he leaves her a special book, a book called the book of doors. The book of doors allows Cassie to open a door and travel to anywhere in the world. The book is a special book so special, that others want to possess it and will stop at nothing to get it. Soon Cassie and her roommate Izzy are on the run, trying to save themselves and the book.

This premise of this book is fantastic, I so enjoyed reading this. Imagining all the possibilities and the horrors as well. This book is about friendship, loyalty, human nature and what in the past can affect your future. The story is well written, well thought out and I enjoyed the friendship between the characters. This was a fast read for me as I couldn’t put it down. Enjoy the ride, it’s a worthwhile one.

Too lite (sic). Not Interested in the characters. Slow start. I wasn’t captured or interested in reading the story. Comments about peripheral characters were unnecessary or obtuse

Gareth Brown creates a mystical world filled with enchantment and imagination in The Book of Doors. When one woman falls into possession of one of the most highly prized books ever created her life is forever changed.

In a small New York City bookstore, Cassie Andrews witnesses the passing of one her dearest customers first hand.’s The death of Mr. Webber takes back seat though, to a magical gift left behind with no discernible writing, just pictures of doors and a bunch of scribbles. This is where her friend Izzy embarks on a journey with her experiencing the magical places that The Book of Doors leads too.

While jumping from location to location through the power of the special book that Cassie has become owner of, a hunt begins as people are positioning themselves to take advantage of a library of magical books. As death lurks around the corner, Cassie meets up with owner of the Book of Shadows, Mr. Drummond Fox. Fox and Cassie become quite the duo as the play the long game to keep a specific lady from the mist, from taking all of the rare books on earth. It’s up to Cassie and crew to prevent these books from falling into the wrong hands and being lost forever.

This was one of the most captivating stories I’ve ever read. Following a rag tag group of people through the past and present, you get to experience darkness, pain, despair, along with joy and illusion. The characters are at their ends as they battle ferociously written antagonists. The story is one of a kind experience that will leave you satisfied and searching for nothing more.

His story telling ability is second to none as he cleverly lays out a story that jumps around from past to present and includes well developed and interesting characters. Cassie was one of my favorites but Izzy and her budding romance with Lund adds a special feeling to the story as you navigate the death and destruction. Brown presents a strong contender for book of the year.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher William Morrow for the chance to read this book before publication in exchange for an honest review. This was a unique premise for a new magic system and items. However, the pacing was uneven and the writing felt a little YA for me. I picked up this book because I loved The Midnight Library and other fantasy titles involving books, bookstores and libraries but this wasn't a five star read for me. I still enjoyed this book and will look out for titles from this author in the future.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is an intriguing and thought-provoking read. The story follows Nora who discovers a mysterious book with the power to transport her to different worlds. As she navigates through the various doors and encounters different creatures, she also learns valuable lessons about acceptance, courage, and the consequences of her actions.

Brown's writing is beautifully descriptive and he creates a vivid and immersive world that captivates the reader from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey. The Book of Doors is a well-crafted and imaginative tale that will appeal to readers of all ages. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and Transworld Digital for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

Wow!! What a read. Honestly one of the best books I read this year. The storyline was phenomenal, the characters were well written, and all in all it was just a fun read. Cassie is working at a bookstore when one night, just before closing, one of the store's regular customers passes away in the store. After the paramedics leave, Cassie notices two books left behind- The Count of Monte Cristo and a mysterious small book with an inscription inside leaving the book to her. In the following days, Cassie learns more about the mystery book, and other books out there like it. She also soon learns that people are actively hunting this book, and as a result, her.
I really love how the book came full circle, tying up loose ends and fitting all the puzzle pieces together. Excellent read.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for access to this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

An exciting and dangerous adventure awaits Cassie, but she has no idea what she's gotten herself into with the book of doors. This was a little bit slow moving for me, but overall a really cool concept!

The Book of Doors interwove magic with stories of friendship, family love, stranger turned family love, and comradery. The characters were tied together by small books that, when on the body of the holder, can wield extremely strong magic...both for good and for evil.
I was thrown off by the choppiness of the book (the way the chapters were placed). It sometimes felt as though the author stopped writing in the middle of one chapter and switched immediately to a new and different one. I also was really taken aback by the violence in the Ballroom scene. Obviously, when you're reading a book about books that give their holders special powers, things are going to happen that might be on the cusp of "a bit much", but I thought it went just a little too far in terms of the descriptions used. It was very graphic and detailed at other spots in the book, as well. Take note.
I adored the relationships between Cassie and her grandfather, Mr. Webber, and Izzy. Cassie's heart was in the right place throughout the duration of the book and you know I'm a sucker for a strong bond between a younger person and an older person who shares their wisdom and life story.
Overall, the premise was good but I wasn't a fan of the violence. I felt really, really good (warm, fuzzy, happy tears) at some spots in this book but then I felt repulsed, frightened, and annoyed at other parts.
Thank you William Morrow for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.