This book was super interesting with a unique premise and a creative storyline! It is a dual timeline story about Opaline and Martha, and I would highly recommend going into it blind without reading the blurb beforehand. It includes fantastical realism and highlights the overwhelming mutual love of books that readers share. I really enjoy this author's work, and I look forward to seeing what is to come!

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book called, The Lost Bookshop. This story goes back and forth between the 1920s and the present, and takes place between Dublin, Paris, and a magical bookshop. This book weaves two strong, courageous, and independent women together as you read their stories decades apart. This book alternated between 3 points of view as you read, but all 3 of these characters are looking for escape, healing, and freedom in their lives. This was a beautifully written story full of literature, history, love, trauma, found family, loss, friendship, and a little bit of magic. ✨💚📚

Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of The Lost Bookshop, in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re a lover of stories with soul, mystery, and a dash of history, The Lost Bookshop is the perfect read. Evie masterfully weaves together lives across two cities and decades, connecting Dublin and Paris in the 1920s through an enchanting bookshop with hidden powers.

The novel centers on three characters—Martha, Henry, and Opaline—each on a quest for escape, healing, or adventure. Martha finds refuge in Dublin as a housekeeper, seeking anonymity. Henry, also in Dublin, is on a personal quest that leads him to cross paths with Martha. Meanwhile, Opaline takes a leap of faith in Paris, fleeing an arranged marriage to experience the liberating spirit of the city’s Lost Generation.

Evie’s writing evokes the magical allure of Midnight in Paris and even had me reaching for Sidney Bechet’s music, a soundtrack perfect for this story’s vibe. For anyone who loves mentions of Sylvia Beach, the Lost Generation, and the arts as a haven of wonder, this book is a treasure trove. It blends historical ambiance with deeply human themes of longing, resilience, and enchantment, creating an unforgettable, magical escape. ✨

I wanted to love this book. I really liked The Story Collector and was excited to read this book. But I found I didn't love the foul language used in parts of the book. I had a hard time engaging with the characters or the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter publishing, and Evie Woods for providing this advance reader copy (ARC) of the book. My honest opinion is below.

A charming story that was an enjoyable read, the blurb hooked me right away. In my opinion while there are many things the writer got right there are many that she got wrong. Flow between the time periods was as seamless as I think possible, I applaud that. The characters had promise but wound up not being completely fleshed out, Martha was all over the place. Her journey was supposed to be from scared abused woman to standing on her own two feet and accepting herself as she was. But she didn't stand on her own feet, she had the strangest awakening and it didn't flow well. I don't like her much. Henry was much better, his inner dialog explained more on how he got to Dublin and his purpose. He was like an adorable puppy that follows you around wanting attention. My giving advice to the characters became more frequent, neither had been in a relationship of any value & it was like grade-schoolers too shy to hold hands. I tried to give them tips but of course they didn't listen.

Opaline is better explained and some of her "flaws" were a product of the times, women of the 1920's were still considered second class citizens. Her family dynamic was awful but understandable. I'm glad she got a nice ending as it wasn't certain that would happen. The mysterious bookshop plot starts with her and it's magical, literally. I wouldn't have been surprised to have elves and baby deer hanging around the shop. I loved the store and would wish it existed so I could sit in a chair, drink tea, and read the afternoon away. For what I found lacking I also found good fun and a pleasant read.

#NetGalley #TheLostBookshop #EvieWoods #mysteriousbookshop #magicalbookshop

It was really hard to get into this.

The premise is there and even sounds great but ...
There is so much going on.
Many characters to keep up with,
Plus the past/present.

Then the writing isn't what I say a 5 star book would be.

I skimmed too much of it just to finish.

I like an element of romance and this book had none. Also I’m not a fan of fantasy so I didn’t enjoy it much. The dual time model is getting a little tiresome for me.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and to Net Galley for the opportunity. This is a wonderful. read. It is intriquing from beginning to end. This is one of my top 4 favorite books of 2023 from Net Galley. This is a re read for me in 2024 I enjoyed it so much. The story is told in a sweeping story from three different people absorbed in a mystery surrounding books and mysterious missing ancient bookstore. The timelines are pre war and present day. The charchters are richly drawn to the plot and all compliment the plot. The author has included wonderful referances to books gone by to add to your TBR list. I found it utterly charming and loved the charcters, the plot and the mystery. The ending is outstanding . Prepare to read through the night as this is a book you will not put down. This is a love story to Biblophiles and we are in love . Thank you to the author for this wonderful book.

This one was super cute! Loved the dual timelines and themes. I mean, who doesn't love a book about books?

The writing, the story, the enchanting atmosphere and of course, admirable and lovable characters makes The Lost Bookshop a “she has it ALL” kind of read. For lovers of books and fantasy, if escaping to worlds outside of our own The Lost Bookshop delivers all the feels with writing that is to die for. It’s beautiful and magical and enchanting in all the ways.

"The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods is a charming ode to the magic of books and the power of stories. The whimsical setting and endearing characters create a warm atmosphere that invites readers into a world of literary wonder. Woods weaves a captivating narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and the importance of community. The intertwining of the bookshop’s history with the characters' journeys adds depth and intrigue to the plot. Overall, this novel is a delightful celebration of literature that will leave you feeling nostalgic and inspired.

This book felt slightly underwhelming for me. I had high hopes based on the blurb, but I just couldn’t connect. I’m not sure if it was the pacing, the plot, the writing, or maybe a combination of the three. For me it was an OK read—not terrible, but nothing too amazing either.

Loved, loved, loved this book. It was such a fun and fantastical story, heartbreak and hope, tragedy and joy, transporting you through time and generations. I will be looking for more books authored by Evie Woods!!

The second half of this book was definitely better than the first. Unfortunately, I figured out the surprise about Martha and Opaline being related, which took some of the magic away from it. The actual reveal and aftermath were therefore anticlimactic for me. While this book didn’t wow me, I’d be open to reading more by Woods.

5/5
This book was so beautiful. You follow the lives of three people, some in the present and one in the past, to unravel the mystery of a manuscript and bookshop. It tells the struggles that women go through both in the past and present, and the struggles of life and finding yourself. I would highly encourage you to read this book.

I adored this book. A beautifully written story that kept my interest from start to finish. The magic thrown into the plot was so well done. It had such a comfort read feel to it, even reading it for the first time.

The Lost Bookshop is an imaginative tale that does a great job weaving together the past and present, with interesting connections between characters. However, it took me a little while to get into the story, and some parts left me with unanswered questions. For instance, I couldn't understand why Madame Bowden wasn’t more directly tied into Martha’s family life—her connection seemed like a missed opportunity for deeper character development.

Also, while I appreciated the magical elements, some of it felt a bit too "fantastical" for my taste, especially when Martha had to get a tattoo after the words came to her. That part felt weird and overly permanent when jotting it down in a notebook would have made more sense.

Despite these quirks, I did enjoy the overall storyline and how the past and present were linked, but I finished the book with lingering questions and loose ends.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods Is a story that follows multiple timelines and has a few themes of abuse and some weird pacing issues but I found myself enjoying this book. There were themes of romance and magic and i cried a few times but it was well written.

A beautiful peace of literary fiction with magical realism and 100% women’s literature. The dual pov weaves a haunting tale. Break out the notebooks this one is going to be studied as an instant classic.

# The Lost Bookshop
# 10/10/2024 ~ 10/13/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for a copy of The Lost Bookshop.

In the 1920s Opaline runs away from a life that her brother has planned out for her. She makes her own way and living until her brother tracks her down and locks her away in an insane asylum. In present day Martha flees her abusive husband and takes a job as a housekeeper. She crosses paths with Henry who is in search of a bookshop and a manuscript. They soon realize that they are more connected to Opaline than they would ever know.

I enjoyed this book but I did feel like some parts drug put a little bit. There were also a lot of characters to keep track of but overall I enjoyed the book.