Oooh, I absolutely loved this one! Super atmospheric and cozy in a way. Great main characters and really engrossing story too. Would definitely reccomend!

This was great read in the romantasy genre. I loved reading about the witches and witch hunter. Salem plays a huge part, with witches on seemingly every corner, with lots of ‘want to be’ touring around. And who doesn’t love a story of a mysterious bookstore.

This book is so far away from my usual crime thriller genre but certainly had more than a hint of criminal behaviour and baddies! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and hope to read more similar stories. I will be looking out for future novels from this author.

Thank you Netgalley and bookouture so much for the arc opportunity!!

Absolutely loved this book! The magic system could of been better but it was decent.
The three sisters distinct personalities really sets each other apart. Watching Dora grow to be the witch she ends up to be was so good! Her figuring out who her aunts are and the curse that's been put on them by George Corwin in 1692 for being accused of being a witch.
As her memories come back they was determined to break that curse once and for all, but there's challenges and struggles along the way.
As much as I loved the idea of the vanishing bookstore I wish it had more focus on it than it did but overall this book was an easy, fast contemporary Fantasy read.

First of all, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley, Helen Phifer, and Bookouture for providing me with an advanced copy of The Vanishing Bookstore in exchange for my honest review. From the moment I saw the intriguing blurb and the beautifully designed cover, I knew this was a book I had to read. Sometimes, we all need a story that offers a satisfying and uplifting conclusion—especially in today’s world, where a little hope and magic can go a long way.

I found this novel to be incredibly engaging and wonderfully easy to read. It was one of those books that I simply couldn’t put down. The writing is immersive, drawing the reader into a well-crafted world filled with mystery, magic, and history. Helen Phifer has done a remarkable job in her research, bringing both the settings of modern-day London and the historical backdrop of Salem to life with vivid detail.

Interestingly, this isn’t a book I would typically gravitate towards when searching for my next read, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The dual timeline structure, alternating between the present day and the harrowing events of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, was seamlessly woven together, making for an atmospheric and compelling read.

One of the things I loved most about this novel was its perfect blend of intrigue, mystery, and magic. Themes of reincarnation, family ties, and dark secrets kept me hooked, and there was even a touch of humor that balanced the heavier aspects of the story. And, of course, I have to mention the animals—Hades, the pet crow, absolutely stole my heart! In my opinion, he might just be the reincarnation of Dora’s father, which added an extra layer of fascination to the plot. Then there’s Caesar, the dog, who also brings warmth to the story.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I did feel that the resolution could have been slightly stronger, particularly when it came to Dora’s friend, Katie. The epilogue left me a little confused, and I would have liked a bit more clarity on certain aspects of the ending. However, these minor issues didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, The Vanishing Bookstore was a captivating read that offered a unique perspective on the Salem Witch Trials while blending history with the supernatural in a compelling way. For readers who love historical fiction with a twist of magic, this book is definitely worth picking up. Helen Phifer’s writing is atmospheric and engaging, and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for her future works.

I didn't like this book because I think the dialogues wete too cringy, even the characters. I understand that the author wanted to portray them as warm and funny but it didn't like that to me at all. Towards the end I was actually pissed and I wanted to finish this so bad so I can move on.
Also, I was a bit disappointed that the Vanishing bookstore, which is the title as well, didn't play that much a significant part. It kind of felt like a background thing of the story. The book revolved more around witchcraft and cheesy dialogues. The book had so much potential but it didn't deliver.
Maybe other people would like this, but I don't think it's for me.

This was really cute and I enjoyed most of it. I loved the premise and the characters. Truly loved the concept too. I was really invested the whole time and wanted to know where it was going. The setting was fantastic. The way it evokes Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic and dash of Charmed worked so well. I was invested in the shifting timeline. In fact I would have enjoyed even more insight into their past lives.

But a little underwhelming in a few ways. I didn’t really believe the romance and I still feel there are a lot of questions about how the constant reincarnation really worked. It didn’t make sense to me that this was the life time where they finally used their powers. If they knew he was coming, why not make this plans decades ago? And then there’s the epilogue that almost sets up a sequel?? I would have rather the page count gone to a little more of us seeing the HEA.

Added video review from TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8YJnxog/

i enjoyed this book and the magical aspects, though i did get confused at times. i enjoyed the characters and wanted to continue reading to learn what happened, but there are times i was really lost and definitely found some plot holes.

The shifts between timelines were handled really well—enough mystery to keep me hooked without feeling lost. I liked how the story unfolded, always leaving just enough questions to make me want to keep reading. That said, I was a little underwhelmed by the explanation of the curse, especially since it was such a big part of the setup. It felt like the story kept referencing it, only to move in a completely different direction by the end. I just wish that part had been tied together more smoothly. I’m rating this a 3.5 stars.

4.25 ⭐

This was such a great book.
I really loved the characters and the storyline. I have such a strong connection to witches and salem so I was so honoured I received an ARC to read this.

I really loved that there was to things I know and love in our world, such as practical magic. So many fun easter eggs.

If you enjoy fantasy books and books about witches I would really recommend this book to you.

Helen Phifer has written this story in such a thrilling way and I wish there was more to read.

Thank you to Helen Phifer & Bookouture & NetGalley for this arc.

2/5⭐

I was intrigued by the cover, the title and the blurb. However I was disappointed.

I thought that the story will be around the Vanishing bookstore when actually it was mentioned only twice.

There could have been more information on the Salem witch trial.

The romance between Dora and Ambrose seems not well panned and was a bit rushed. As well Dora is supposed to have that powerful abilities but we see them nowhere in use when needed. She as well don't seem to act her age - there is no way with this behavior to be 33! More like 18..

The book starts extremely slowly and I was really to give up there but by the mid of the book it peak a bit. However the ending is one of the disappointments - feels like the author just wanted to finish in a certain number of pages and folded everything in a tiny space. The final battle at the end seemed not so important and resolved in a very unimpressive way.

The book can go without the epilogue.

For a book with witches, curses and supposedly vanishing bookshop I found it misleading, undeveloped and rushed.

I really enjoyed Hades the crow.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dual timelines, curses and witches - yes please!!! This book has it all and was one of those reads that just fully immerses you into the characters and the predicaments they find themselves in from the start! I found it to be really atmospheric and evocative from the start so it throws you straight into the story!

In the past we're in Salem, in 1692, and it's full on witch hunt time! And in the present timeline, we meet Dora who is working in a florist and living with her Aunt, but has a really unsettling feeling about a male customer who badgers her, and this forces her Aunt to take some drastic action as they must return to Salem to rediscover a lost book. NOt that easy when Dora doesn't remember anything of her past lives.

I loved how well paced this story and it did give me Practical Magic vibes - never a bad thing! As Dora learns more about her past and it's a race against time to try and find the lost bookstore before it's too late. A magical read!

Imagine walking into a quaint, forgotten bookstore tucked away on a cobblestone street, only to find it brimming with secrets. Helen Phifer’s *The Vanishing Bookstore* is just like that—a story that pulls you in with its charm and keeps you hooked with its mystery. Phifer weaves an enchanting tale about a small, mysterious bookstore that seems to vanish as quietly as it appears, leaving behind only whispers of its presence. The protagonist, a book-loving sleuth, discovers more than just rare books within its shelves. The story is layered with rich atmosphere, vivid settings, and characters so relatable you almost want to reach out and join them on their quest. The beauty of this book lies in its balance. It's as much about the love of literature and the magic of stories as it is about the unraveling of an intriguing mystery. Phifer’s writing is cozy yet suspenseful, the perfect mix for a cold evening with a warm drink in hand. If you're someone who believes that bookstores have souls and stories have lives of their own, this book will feel like it was written for you. It’s an ode to readers, dreamers, and those who find comfort in the pages of a good book. Helen Phifer captures the timeless magic of books while giving you a puzzle you won’t want to put down. Whether you're a fan of cozy mysteries or just looking for an escape into a world where books truly come alive, *The Vanishing Bookstore* is a treasure waiting to be discovered.

A story that spans centuries, a lost book and a woman who has forgotten who she is and the danger she is in. This action packed fantasy story follows Dora as she travels from London to Salem in search of who she is. With the help of her family can she discover all that has been lost before it is too late?

I really enjoyed reading this with several moments that had me on the edge of my seat. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

Witches, different timelines, and a family curse? These are all things that drew me to this book. I enjoyed the pacing in the beginning. However, although the story was interesting and kept me turning the page, I felt almost rushed towards the end. It alternated between different timelines and would jump between our protagonists and antagonist perspectives. All while keeping things easy to follow.

Even though I wish the bookstore had been featured more throughout the story, I still adored the family bond between the characters. Lenny was my favorite character, and I would love to see side stories featuring her in other lifetimes. Ultimately, it was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend this book to people who enjoy cozy, witchy thrillers.

This was a 3.5 star read for me. It was an easy fast read and enjoyable, but there were a few things that I found irritating and which detracted. One was the colour of Dora's hair - silver in scene one and the women of her family being described as being famous for their unusual silver hair. Later on there was an explanation of their hair being black but turning silver when the witch finder was about to find them thanks to the curse - but the curse took place after that first scene. Secondly Dora barely reacted strongly to any of the things going on around her. Her best friend left looking after her shop now missing and lots of blood in the shop? Oh dear, that's not good. Moving on! And this centuries old curse being unable to be broken by repeated incarnations of the four women yet suddenly the answers just come to them and the ending being rushed.
Overall, this has the bones of a fantastic story but the inconsistencies needed to be addressed and a bit more depth given to the characters.

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A review by you!
The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer
adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75

Oh how I loved this book! As someone who grew up watching Charmed and loved Practical Magic and Hocus Pocus, this was the PERFECT read. The sisterhood and power of three was like coming home and it was such a new take on a witchy tale that is all its own.

Hades was by far my favorite of all the characters, though the aunts are such a close second. To have a pet bird, let alone a crow, that I could talk to?! Such a dream. I was so thankful that he didn't actually die when we got to the end.

I thought it was so interesting how they all reincarnated each time and was surprised that Dora was the only one who seemed to have trouble recalling her past lives. It seemed initially like maybe Ambrose did struggle in one of his past lives with remembering everything exactly but all of them seemed to have full memories of their pasts when we meet them, while Dora only has bits and pieces.

I do wish there had been a bit more information/closure when it came to Katie back in London and in regards to Dora's father. I would have loved if he had met Lucine after she passed or if maybe he was Hades. The epilogue also slightly confused me as I wasn't sure who the she was that discovered the Book of Black Magic. I wished we'd maybe received some insight into Dora and Ambrose's life now that they finally had the opportunity to actually live, instead. Though I do wonder if the epilogue leaves it open for there to be another book?

Overall I really enjoyed this and highly recommend for anyone with a love of all things witchy and magical look for a read with a touch of romance, the bond of sisterhood, and the journey of discovering who you truly are inside.

I think Helen Phifer has shot to the list of my top 5 authors! She can honestly not write a dud book if she tried! I first met her in all of the Maria Miller books, then the first Annie Graham and now a stand alone.

The Vanishing bookstore is so much more than the title suggests. A dual timeline-ish story set between London and Salem and over many centuries. It involves a cursed family who are doomed to recreate their lives and deaths over and over again throughout the years. The title was slightly misleading as the bookshop didn't get a lot of page space and I thought it would centre more in the story.

I loved the characters and thought recurring characters instead of more and more names to remember was clever. I thought the banter was fantastic and the animals characters stole the show. Who wouldn't want sassy witches who could drink you under the table for aunts?

This would be a great read if you have interest in the Salem witch trials or if you love witches, the paranormal or historical fiction. Bonus if you love all of the above! 4.5 stars from me!

My thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Helen Phifer for putting another excellent ARC in my hands. All opinions are my own.

This is a magical type of story. Be prepared to read it all at once. It was one of those stories that left me with the “what if” feeling. Great story.

Originally I dnf’d this book but I have since gone back and finished it. I had so much hope for this book because it sounded like such an interesting story. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
Positives first, it really was a cool concept. It had the potential to be really engaging. The characters were intriguing and I wanted to know more about them and where they came from. I love stories that intersect with the past and this should have made for a suspenseful mystery coming together.
It was the writing that let it down for me. Often I felt like I was just being told events instead of experiencing them. There seemed to be a disconnect from the emotion for me and it kept me from connecting into the story how I would have liked. This had all the potential and stuck the execution but I hope in the future to enjoy other works of the author as I think in terms of plot, they were onto something good.