I really don't read "magical realism", but loved the synopsis of this book, so I requested it, and was approved! oh what a treat this was! There are better reviews available that can explain the synopsis better than I can. The story is a combination of different genres and timelines. The story is told from the POV's of Opaline in 1922, and Martha and Henry in present time.

Opaline is running away from a marriage that she did not want. Her father introduces her to the world of books, and thus she becomes an apprentice at a bookstore in Paris. However, her brother discovers where she is, and she flees to Dublin. Here she finds a strange building and opens her own bookstore.

Martha is a victim of spousal abuse, and runs away from this to start a new life in Dublin, where she hopes she will be able to stay hidden. She finds a job as a housekeeper for Madame Bowden at #12 Ha'Penny..

Henry has left London, and come to Dublin. He is looking for a hidden bookstore at #11 Ha'Penny. He claims that he has seen this bookstore.

Their stories come together in a way that is hopeful, yet bittersweet. The situations that Opaline and Martha faced were heartbreaking. However, I liked the strength and determination each of these characters displayed, and their perseverance to dream and have hope.

I am not an avid magical realism reader, but I really enjoyed this story! I am still thinking about how all the pieces and the magical element fit together. Please read other reviews by readers more familiar with this genre! Although the end felt a little rushed, I still really enjoyed this story, and plan on looking at the author's other books!

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
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I received this DRC from NetGalley.

The past story was much better than the one set in the present. The tacked on device of telling a story in a story was unnecessary in the way it was done, and also didn't make sense to tell a child all of that. What annoyed me the most was how unbelievable the interactions were between Martha and Henry, even putting the rushed love aside. Unless I was intended to think that Henry is a total idiot, it was ridiculous how bad he was at his job. He's a "researcher," but doesn't think to use the internet?? Or follow up on the one convenient Google lead he has because there were too many women involved? I have other qualms, including: talking in platitudes, reveals being obvious (except 1), people keep getting intensely attracted to everyone, and just things being really convenient in nonsense ways. I only cared about Opaline.

t took a little longer than I had hoped to get into this book, and having three separate POVs in two different time periods was a little confusing at first, however; once I got the hang of it, it was quite enjoyable.
Opaline’s story line was heartbreaking, Martha’s was surprising, and Henry’s was all too familiar with a prior engagement before falling for Martha. I did love the ending! I would not have thought it would go that way!

I loved this!! Perfect fall vibes. The characters and the plot all together were amazing! I would recommend reading this!

While I enjoyed the story this book felt a bit long and drawn out.

3/5

Martha (present day) escapes her abusive husband and ends up working for an interesting old woman, Madame Bowden. She lives in an old home and Martha stays in the basement. Henry comes looking for a bookshop next door to the house but the bookshop is no longer there.
Opaline (early to mid 1900’s) is escaping her controlling brother and sets off on an adventure where she becomes a renowned book dealer.

Lotsssss happen in this book! And while all of it was interesting I think some could have been left out. The magical realism aspect was a fun spin but honestly the historical fiction bit was more interesting to me. I loved the history of what happened to Opaline and her daring choices for her time. I wish there had been less romance for her. Martha and Henry were written really well and I enjoyed their friendship.

Definitely a book for library purchase. Thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This book captures being a bibliophile in remarkable ways. If you like historical fiction, modern love stories, and self-discovery with touches of magic, add this book to your reading list.
Things I loved about this book:
The story follows three unconnected primary characters in 2 different time periods. The stories entwine uniquely and well. I never felt like I was disappointed to shift perspectives, though there were several cliffhanger moments that I was excited to get back to.
The characters are dynamic and likable. The character growth was poignant and beautiful. It was impressive that the author included 3 uniquely struggling individuals and how they managed their lives and overcame various obstacles.
There are many references to classic works throughout the book. I wasn’t familiar with all of them, so I felt inclined to look them up as I read. It felt like getting book recommendations, which was very fun. It made the book feel like it was written by a reader, for readers.
This book does contain abuse and domestic violence. It captured the feelings, thoughts and responses of someone trapped in an abusive environment from a variety of angles. I empathized with the pain and loss described. Other family disfunctions are also described: alcoholism, abandonment, emotional abuse, mental illness, etc. without the book feeling too heavy or dark. It was shining a light on tragedy while retaining hope.
The love stories are sweet and touching. The story is more about connection and abiding feelings than sensuality and lust. I felt like it was romantic without being explicit or “spicy.” There were a few fade out love scenes, but the curtains were always drawn quickly.
I could go on and on, but your time would be better spent reading the book!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book. Unfortunately, I found myself completely confused for the first quarter of the book, because I could not figure out who was who, and what city or what time period I was supposed to be in. Finally, I got into the flow of the storyline and the characters and was able to sit back and enjoy the unfolding of this enchanting tale. My advice would be to read the physical book, so you can more easily turn back the pages to figure out where and when you are. The e-book was just really difficult for me this time. It might have helped to have all the chapters headed with more than just the name of the POV, but the date and city as well (not just the ones set in Dublin).

THE LOST BOOKSHOP by Evie Woods

I was expecting to love this, but I did not. The premise of this story had so much potential, but the plot, characters and their actions just didn’t add up.

Henry, a PHD student, did not know how to do a simple online search for Opaline - what?! Martha didn’t know how libraries worked?! Martha doesn’t love books/reading, but enrolls in college to be a literary critic?! Continuity of the time period was not there. Cellphones were mentioned at one point, but never used. They sent mail or left notes instead. Additionally, the love interests felt forced and awkward at best.

I guess, if you ignore all of the above, this is a lightweight, cozy story for book lovers and readers. Good, but not great. YMMV.


Rating: 3/5 ⭐️

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & HarperCollins360.

The Lost Bookshop is the story of Opaline, Henry, and Martha. Set in the early 1900’s, Opaline is looking to escape her brother and the arranged marriage he has set up for her. She leaves England and ends up in Paris working in a bookshop. Her brother finds her and with the help of friends, she ends up in Dublin. When she gets to Dublin, she becomes the new caretaker of a bookshop.

Martha and Henry find themselves in present day Dublin. Martha is escaping an abusive husband and Henry is looking for the Lost Bookshop of Opaline’s. As it turns out, the house where Martha has become the housekeeper, is around the same area Henry has gone in search of the bookshop. They team up to find out what happened to Opaline and the bookshop.

The was a great cozy story to kick off the fall season! Can’t wait to read Evie Woods next book The Story Collector!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Lost Bookshop!

Magical adventure that will sweep you off your feet! Set on a quiet street in Dublin, this enchanting tale follows Opaline, Martha, and Henry—three characters who have always felt like side characters in their own lives. But when they stumble upon a mysterious, vanishing bookshop, their lives take a turn for the extraordinary.

Woods’ writing is whimsical and captivating, drawing you into a world where books hold secrets and magic is just around the corner. The characters are wonderfully quirky and relatable, each with their own unique story that unfolds beautifully as they explore the hidden wonders of the bookshop.

The blend of mystery, historical fiction, and a sprinkle of romance makes this book a delightful read. It’s perfect for anyone who believes in the magic of books and the power of a good story. If you’re looking for a feel-good escape that will leave you with a smile, “The Lost Bookshop” is a must-read!

Thank you for the ARC @NetGalley. The Lost Bookshop is a very enjoyable read, going back and forth from present day to 1921-1950. I had a bit of a struggle keeping characters straight at the beginning, but soon got into the story. The book is a testament to the wonders of reading and books, and the magical realism added validation to the fact that books can literally transport you!
#TheLostBookshop #NetGalley

I give this book a 3/5 rating but it’s more like a 2.5 for me. Although I found some parts of the story entertaining and the overall concept one I was interested in, the writing style and pace of events had me procrastinating to finish this book. I also found this book to have a few plot holes that irked me. Overall, I was not thrilled by this book and feel it could’ve been done better.

"The Lost Bookshop" was an enjoyable read full of powerful characters. This book would make a great book club read and I highly recommend it!

How easy would it be to be lost the words of a book? This novel is a dual timeline with multi-point of views that explores the power of stories and the oppression of women. The Lost Bookshop is not the typical fast fiction that is regularly mass consumed. It is a work of art with lyrical prose and thought provoking discussions wrapped into a world with a hint of magical realism. It is artistry.

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.