What a fun (albeit brief) short story! I'd describe the story as being whimsical but with weight. While not much happens plot-wise over the 25 pages of the story, the characters and atmosphere make it compulsively readable -- a true achievement for someone who doesn't love short stories to say. I am definitely curious to read more short stories from this author.

I have previously loved everything i've read by Isabel Allende, so that was the main reason I decided to pick this up. The premise is very interesting, but I think that it fell a little bit flat because it was so short. The reader doesn't really have time to connect. with the characters and I'm sure that if it was like 50 pages longer I would have loved it. The writing is great and whimsical, it just didn't meet my expectations.

I found this so amusing to read and a perfect balance of short and sweet. I would totally buy this in a book format just to bring with me if I ever need a quick pick-me-up to read! I would totally recommend this for those who like romance with a little bit of magical realism and intrigue. Loved this!

I love the prose, the writing itself has dreamy feel & romantic, magical realism with it. It's just that, with all that potential? I want more. Not a full fledged book perhaps, just some more of that goodness, and a proper ending. This one feels like a.. way too convenient shrugs of an ending? Thank you Net Galley and publisher for the arc!

Short and sweet! This was my introduction to Isabel Allende and I would definitely read her work again. As a lover of love and a lover of art, I enjoyed the fantastical elements of this short story that serve as a reminder that art can be magical even in a world of political and religious scandal. I thought the characters were interesting and I would even read a full length novel with this premise to explore the characters and themes in more depth.

An example of something I read purely because I love the cover design. It was an okay story, but could have used a little something to make it more special.

I have a soft spot for Isabel Allende since her YA series was part of my journey into reading when I was in high school, so I would read anything she writes. This a nice short story with a little bit of fantasy and mystery thrown in if you need a break or palate cleanser if you will from long books. It's about two strangers finding each other and having an instant connection while being thrown into this other world in a museum, one they cannot explain where is comes from. It is told from the perspective of the detective that is assigned to the case. Allende is great with imagery descriptions and storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this book and share my honest review.

This was the definition of short and sweet. The characters had so much personality in just a few pages, and I love that it is quite ambiguous. Isabel Allende is definitely one of my top authors.

"Can you imagine, Inspector. It was destiny. Everything is written in the stars..."- Bibiña; Lovers at the Museum

Two lovers was found inside Guggenheim museum without any trace of them coming inside. This story is mixed with Mystery, Humor, Romance and possibly Fantasy. Trying without spoiling anything- As a reader- I wish the author had extended the story. But on the other hand, I love the writing style. It's great for short stories like this one. As short as it is, the characters are exquisite. You can definitely see who they are in a short conversation between characters.

Now to my unimportant emotional review this is all I have to say to this book:
"....what?"

Lovers at the Museum is a short story that would definitely keep you reading line by line, page after page.

Now why three stars? Three is not bad. It is actually more than fine. But I think this story is more than just a mystery/ romance book. It is personally deeper than it's leading on. There are quotes in the book that I disagree such as being a christian. No, you can't be a christian and believe in reincarnation, zodiac sign etc. But that's not why I gave it three stars. The way the author described the realm they saw is almost like a description of heaven. And them doing it in "heaven" -doing it like angels- is a big disgust to my whole being. But that is just personal.

It wasn't something i read a lot.

Short story about two people falling in love on the first sight.
They are found in the museum on the morning, but how did they get there? There is no evidence. Was it magic? Or something else?


I enjoyed it while it lasted.

A fantasy with mystery elements as you learn how two strangers find themselves inside a museum. It is a short story with a fast pace, and there were times when I became confused with the plot. It was still a fun read with humor, imagery, and kept me entertained.

This short story was magical, but seemed to lack the character development and depth for which Allende is usually known. Perhaps it’s because I read the translation, instead of the story in its original language (seriously NetGalley, why isn’t the Spanish version available?!).

The prose and the description were fantastic as always. However, without the sufficient character development, Lovers at the Museum unfortunately falls a bit flat.

A short story (25 pages) about love and how it can defy all logical possibilities. This was a 3 star read for me: a fun, sweet story with a nice message but no deeper meaning or impact. I was intrigued by the circumstances surrounding what happened but felt unsatisfied by the end as no solid answers were given.

Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for an e-arc of Lovers at the Museum.

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked this up, but for those 25 pages I didn’t know what was happening. I was confusion, and yet I enjoyed it mostly.

Two lovers appear at the Guggenheim museum and a detective is called in to figure out how they got in and evaded all security.

The detective was quite angry the whole time (there were exclamation points almost every time he spoke) which just felt weird to me. I understand being frustrated with the lovers, but the punctuation felt unnecessary.

Other than that I kind of enjoyed that we never got definitive answers to what occurred - it just did.

Super short story, at 25 pages, so even you too are confused… I can’t say it’s a waste of time and you won’t be angry for any length of time.

I’m not usually drawn to short stories, but I am a fan of Isabel Allende’s work. Lovers at the Museum is pure magic and a welcome story after my recent reading of books filled with chaos, crime, hatred and abuse.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve always loved Isabel Allende’s work, she writes magical realism in a way that is rarely matched. However, I feel that this story could have/ should have been a bit longer to flesh everything out. The writing was absolutely beautiful, but I feel like the story ended in the middle of a thought. It was a bit jarring.

In the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, Bibiña Aranda, a runaway bride, wakes up in her wedding dress next to a naked man named Indar Zubieta. As they try to make sense of their predicament to the authorities, they recount how they managed to evade the guards and cameras. This enchanting short story, spanning 25 pages, delves into the mysterious connection between the two characters, leaving readers pondering over their identities and the nature of their relationship. This tale unfolds as a captivating love story that captures the essence of love at first sight.

The vivid storytelling and beautiful prose create a whimsical and unexpected narrative that left me yearning for more! I can't wait to read more from this author in the future!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Isabel Allende's stories are almost always heavily romantic and infused with indescribable magic. This short story is no exception.

Lovers at the Museum is a quick read of only 20 pages, perfect both for those who want to sample Allende's works or returning fans looking for new content. She story between the main characters is simple yet powerful and manages to get across feelings rather than actions. Readers get immersed in the magical experience without explanations being offered, leaving it to the imagination to decide whether the magic is real.

If there was an embodiment of "no plot, all vibes", this story definitely qualifies. If you're into strong atmosphere rather than stories packed with action, you might really enjoy this one.

✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

Beautifully-written short story by a masterful storyteller. Isabel Allende is known and loved for her magical realism, and stories like this show why. It's a love story inside a straight-forward mystery that defies logical explanation. Enchanting tale filled with likeable characters, detailed imagery, humor and whimsy [in just 18 pages]. And I loved the conclusion of the story.

This is a short story that promised intrigue and romance. As an eARC from Net Galley, courtesy of Amazon Original Stories, this was my first encounter with Allende's writing, and I was eager to experience it with so many of her books on my TBR. The story initially intrigued me with its premise, but I wanted more. Despite the lack of a satisfying payoff in the plot and unanswered questions lingering, the writing was captivating. The characters were compelling, with their distinct personalities and interactions. While it left me craving more depth and resolution, I appreciate the opportunity to sample Allende's writing. I'm in no hurry to seek out another short story and I don’t recommend it.