I read The Lost Bookshop with a book club & I’’m glad I did. While it was hard to read at times due to mistreatment of two of the main characters (which was handled respectfully by the author) it still managed to be a heartwarming and tender story. The magical realism added to the telling & I would be happy to read another by Evie Woods.

Opaline, Martha, and Henry are on paths to discover themselves and along the way, their paths collide. Opaline struggles as a female in a male dominated world, Martha is desperate to escape an abusive relationship, and Henry conforms to the world around him. A mystery of finding the lost bookshop on Ha’penny Lane takes the characters on a magical journey of self discovery.

The Lost Bookshop alternates between Opaline, Martha, and Henry in two different timelines. Opaline’s story spans across 1921 to 1952 and focused heavily on historical fiction, while Martha and Henry are in present day with elements of magical realism and contemporary romance. I enjoyed each of the three characters points of view, but I struggled with the disconnect between them and the odd pacing of the book.

Based on the description of this book and how it is marketed, I assumed this story’s main focus would be on the mystery of the lost bookshop itself, interlaced with magical realism. Quickly, I found that this story focuses on the main characters lives and the struggles they face, with little hints of mystery and magical realism. I was left disappointed at the end of the book with how little magic and mystery was involved as that is what drew me into the story to begin with. This story touches upon heavy topics, like abuse, alcoholism, war, and more. It is clear that these topics are a device to generate compelling backstories for the characters.

After reading this story, I was left with a bunch of questions that did not get addressed (or if they did I am unaware):

Martha has a tattoo on her back of the Bronte’s lost manuscript. This manuscript comes to her spontaneously and Martha is compelled to tattoo the lines on her back. In one instance, she rushes to the tattoo parlor only to find out she already has the same line tattooed on her back. How does she forget what is already written? Does she have a special power to help her see these lines? This does not seem to be addressed.

Who is Madame Bowen? When Martha’s mother visits, Martha insists she introduced her mother to her, but her mother insists otherwise. We also know that Henry has seen her too. What about the friends who were at her birthday party? Did they see her? Is Madame Bowen the soul of the bookshop? Is she a ghost? For a while I had considered that Bowen was Opaline, but I don’t think this is the case.

Who are the friends that Madame Bowen invites over? Are they even real?

How does the lost bookshop and flat interact with magical elements like the growing tree and books appearing in Martha’s room? I think this is less of a question but more of something I would like clarity on.

I think this book is perfect for someone who has struggled to find themselves. This book shows that you may feel lost but you are not, you are waiting to be seen by someone worthy to know the real you. Overall, it was a decent read but I was left wanting so much more. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for giving me the chance to read this as an ARC!

I really enjoyed this interesting story and fell in love with the unique characters. I’m always intrigued by novels told from different time periods and this one did not disappoint. While magical realism is not my go-to genre, I’m so thankful to have found this particular one. Thanks for a great story!

Wow, such a beautiful story. I also loved the magical aspects of it. Martha and Opaline were equally my favorite characters. I loved how determined and optimistic Opaline was. I loved how once Martha saw her worth, she went after what she wanted and tried hard. Leaning into her strengths and practicing to overcome her weaknesses was a beautiful thing to watch. I was amazed by this book and even gasped a few times. I truly loved how the story played out. Though I wish the ending would've been slightly different or more in-depth of Opaline or Master B. Overall, I enjoyed this book!

I received this book from Harper 360 and NetGalley to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

3.5 rounded down. It was an interesting plot follow 3 separate people that found itself intertwining together. I will say I wasn't sure about the need to follow Henry's POV, could have just followed Opaline and Martha. A very magical feel to this book which is not my typical go to but I've found quite a few on the genre that I have enjoyed as of late. More of a thriller person so I need a lot of suspense to hold my attention.

Thank you to NetGallery and Harper Collins for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Lost Bookshop
By: Evie Woods

5 Stars

Martha finds herself running from her marriage. While working as a housekeeper, she begins to find herself, and she finds Henry. Henry is searching for a mystical bookshop that is rumored to appear and disappear. The past and present collide when Martha and Henry cross paths and begin a journey that will change them both.

Wow. This was an awesome book. It won me over with the mysticism that surrounds the bookshop. It kept me hooked with the romance and magic that comes from life changing choices. This book is filled with mystery and romance while presenting not one story but two. The past and the present. Together, they make this story pure magic, and I was captivated from the beginning. I can't wait to get my hands on more from this author.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

I thought this was a charming read and I enjoyed how the timelines weaved the story together. I really loved the characters of Opaline and Martha, as well as the way they reclaimed their agency and drive for life despite existing in different eras. This book fueled my desire to retire in some quaint village somewhere and run a bookstore!

This book is simply delightful. It alternates between two interconnected stories, both with main characters that you really want to get to know. There is a bit of everything, romance, mystery, familial relationships and mythical realism. I would highly recommend his book.

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the magic realism elements. At times it was heart wrenching and bittersweet. I loved getting to know the characters and seeing their relationships grow. A real ode to books and bookshops.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide honest feedback in exchange for this ARC.

The Lost Bookshop was an interesting story of three main characters, Opaline, Henry and Martha. Each character was very different and elicited different emotions as expected. I loved and related to Martha’s character and although I didn’t connect with Opaline at first, she grew on me as the book went on.

I enjoyed the magical realism but wish there was more explained about Martha’s ability.

Overall this was a captivating story that I look forward to rereading in the future.

This book was a great read! I enjoyed how the story went back and forth between the two eras. Very heartfelt and emotional. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me access to this book!

Give me ALL the bookshop books! The characters will pull you in from the beginning as they always do with Evie Woods books. Multiple genres, timelines and themes. The magical realism cannot be beat!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Evie Woods’ *The Story Collector* is a captivating blend of mystery, magic, and self-discovery, perfect for fans of *The Echo of Old Books* and *The Lost Apothecary*. Set on a quiet Dublin street, a hidden bookshop becomes the catalyst for change in the lives of Opaline, Martha, and Henry, who have long been side characters in their own stories. As they uncover the bookshop’s secrets, they embark on a journey of wonder and transformation, discovering that their own lives are just as extraordinary as the stories they cherish. This enchanting novel will charm anyone who loves the magic of books.

This book is a beautiful story of really becoming one’s self. Such a wonderful adventure with beautifully written characters.

Wow, there sure are a lot of bookshop-themed novels currently out there! I saw this one available on NetGalley and thought it sounded interesting. I have gotten a bit tired of dual timelines, but the format works well in this novel. It is magical realism, and features three protagonists. Opaline, who in the early 1920s, gets interested in finding and selling rare editions of books. She heads to Paris, and very easily gets a job working at one of my favorite places: Shakespeare & Co. As the reader gradually discovers, Opaline has suffered many hardships in life and finds herself at the mercy of her jealous brother, along with a terrible secret that she doesn’t discover until adulthood.

Martha and Henry share chapters in modern-day Dublin, and they both become determined to find out more about Opaline, a missing manuscript supposedly written by Emily Brontë, along with finding a disappearing bookshop that was owned by Opaline. Like Opaline, Martha had a difficult upbringing, while Henry, a PhD student, is navigating his obsession with Opaline’s life story and his own personal future.

I enjoyed this book very much, although, as a reader, you must be willing to accept the mystical elements of the story. Ultimately, this is a book about three lost souls, and how they try to find happiness and meaning in their lives.

I loved this book it was so different from anything I have read, its a mix of fairy tale, historical fiction and romance all in one. The book is a dual timeline told from the viewpoint of Opaline in the 1920s who escapes to Paris to avoid an arranged marriage and Martha in present day who is running from an abusive marriage. This is the story of two women displaying their strength and resilience in a time of ultimate despair. These characters were genuine and relatable, Evie Woods did a seamless job of weaving these characters of past and present together.
The story had some magical realism but I wanted more, I kept waiting for the big magical reveal and it never came to fruition. Each of the characters could have had a story all on their own and this book could have been expanded into a series. I loved the references to all the books and how books helped each character throughout their lives.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a heartwarming and enchanting tale that combines the magic of books with the personal journeys of three strangers who find themselves connected through a mysterious, vanishing bookshop. Set against the charming streets of Dublin, Woods weaves together a story filled with mystery, literary love, and self-discovery that will appeal to anyone who’s ever found solace or adventure within the pages of a book.

At the center of the story are Opaline, Martha, and Henry, three characters who, in their own ways, feel like they’ve become supporting players in their own lives. Each of them is stuck—Opaline with her unfulfilled dreams, Martha with the weight of past mistakes, and Henry with his quiet, uneventful existence. But when they stumble upon a hidden bookshop, one that seems to appear and disappear like magic, their lives begin to change in ways they could never have imagined.

The bookshop itself is a delightful creation, practically a character in its own right. There’s something enchanting about a place that exists outside of time, filled with forgotten books and stories waiting to be discovered. As the three characters spend time there, the magic of the shop seems to spill into their lives, unlocking possibilities and pushing them to confront their fears, regrets, and untapped potential. Woods does a wonderful job of making the bookshop feel otherworldly while grounding the characters’ personal growth in very real, relatable emotions.

What makes The Lost Bookshop especially engaging is how Woods ties each character’s journey to the power of stories. Opaline, Martha, and Henry find inspiration and courage in the books they read, much like we do as readers. The novel taps into that universal truth—that books don’t just entertain us, they shape us, help us dream bigger, and remind us of the magic and wonder that exists in our own lives. It’s a love letter to storytelling, and Woods captures that beautifully.

Each character’s arc is well-developed, with their stories unfolding in a way that feels both magical and deeply human. Opaline’s quiet struggle with unrealized ambitions, Martha’s guilt and yearning for redemption, and Henry’s gentle quest for meaning are all handled with care. Their individual transformations are subtle yet profound, and as their lives begin to intertwine, you can’t help but root for them to find their own happy endings.

There’s also a delightful mystery element woven into the novel. The bookshop’s existence and the secrets it holds add an element of intrigue that keeps the reader guessing. As the characters explore the shop’s hidden corners, they uncover more than just dusty books—they find forgotten truths about themselves, and that’s where the real magic lies. Woods masterfully blends the mystical with the personal, making the bookshop not just a setting but a catalyst for change.

While the novel is light and whimsical in tone, there’s also a depth to the way Woods explores themes of regret, second chances, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own story. It’s a book that reminds us that it’s never too late to be the hero of our own narrative, and that sometimes, we just need the right story—or the right bookshop—to help us find our way.

The Lost Bookshop is a delightful and uplifting read for anyone who believes in the magic of books and the power of stories to transform lives. Evie Woods has crafted a novel full of charm, mystery, and heart, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and where every page feels like an invitation to believe in the impossible. It’s the perfect book for those who love stories that make you dream, reflect, and, most importantly, feel the magic all around.

I am not sure why this was available as it is an older book, not an advance copy. Thank you for your time.

A secret bookstore lost but for the ✨right✨ person. Two storylines intertwined with love and intrigue for both books and people. A story of independence and growing into the person they were always meant to be! A great story for lovers of book and book stores, you'll find some great easter eggs and could put you in the mood to go look for your perfect bookshop.

This was a slow starter, that was almost too slow (nearly DNF’d in the first 25%). The story is compelling, but even the characters seemed to get lost every once in a while. The back half was rushed but caught my attention and was very satisfying to read. The story was good, but there were some loose ends that I wish had been tied at the end, and it did feel like this may not be a standalone, but no sequel seems to be coming.

This is not a book I would read. It was picked for book club. I am happy with the choice. It was a good book. A interesting read that involves fantasy, spirits, magic, history and finding what’s important in the lives of the characters of this book. I recommend it for a look at the history of women and the struggles of women in the 19th & 20th centuries. I loved how Evie Woods brings it all back together at the end of the book. She did a marvelous job tying all their stories together. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper360 publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.