The Lost Bookshop

I absolutely loved this book! It had an enchanting plot, fabulous characters, and some good historical fiction moving through it. It’s one of those books where I found myself researching online some of the facts that were used and for me that’s an indicator of a really good book. I found myself imagining it as a Netflix series or fabulous indie movie. This will be one book I’ll be recommending a lot.

A cute and fast read. I enjoyed it and the vibes of the book were perfect for lounging outside or in my library.

I found “The Lost Bookshop” to be utterly magical and absorbing. It is a dual timeline novel. In the prologue we meet Martha who runs a beautiful shop “Opaline’s Bookshop” that tempts a small boy inside before school. Martha tells the curious boy the tale of Opaline the previous owner of the shop who first found it in 1921.

Each chapter is told in the first person in turn by Opaline beginning in 1920’s Dublin, Martha in the recent past and that of Henry her recent acquaintance.

Opaline is running from her family and tyrannical brother, who wish her to marry. She runs abroad to Paris and using her genuine love and knowledge of books gets a job at the bookshop Shakespeare and Company. Unfortunately she ends up having to run again and finds herself in Dublin where she rents an old curiosity shop and slowly adds her own flair to the shop, she sets herself up as a successful bookseller. All the while trying to hide her true identity.

Meanwhile Martha’s own story is told she is also running from a violent husband. She finds herself a job as a housemaid to a strange old woman in a large Georgian House, ideal for hiding yourself away. It is from the window of her small bedroom that we meet Henry. A slightly obsessive academic. He is convinced that a bookshop should be on the site of the house Martha is living and working in, all he has is a letter from a rare book collector to the owner of the shop, Miss Opaline Gray to prove it once existed but things get lost books, manuscripts even libraries.

I completely lost myself reading the book. The compelling stories covering addiction, violence, war, grief and other topics as they touched the lives of the three characters. All the while the mysterious bookshop and also the promise of finding a long lost manuscript haunts the pages of each of their stories. Despite the taint of sadness that is woven throughout the book so too is a hint of magic. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Told from three points of view, a charming story with tragedy and hope. Martha is a sensitive young woman who has married a brute. After one beating too many, she escapes her small village in Ireland and heads to anonymity in Dublin. Answering an ad for a housekeeper seems a dream come true, escape from abuse with room and board covered. Shortly after arriving in Ha’penny Lane, Martha meets Henry, a Phd student who is researching an early 20th century bookseller, Opaline Carlisle. Obsessed with Ha’penny Lane, Henry is convinced Opaline’s bookshop was situated right next to the house Martha is now living. It’s all very mysterious as no building stands and nothing shows up on historical maps or plans. The third narrator is Opaline herself. Born near the beginning of the 20th century, Opaline had an extremely difficult life. Born into a wealthy family, with an unloving mother and a cold older brother. Interested in literature, Opaline yearns to be a book dealer. Her family have other plans and expect her to marry into another wealthy family. Like Martha, 100 years earlier Opaline escapes. Weaving magical realism throughout the story, we find connections both past and present. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen and Heather Weber will enjoy this book. Thank you to netgalley and HarperCollins for this advance copy. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods was a very unique and heartwarming story.

The characters are so very well developed that it makes you feel that you are there with them sharing their stories too.
This was such an engaging book!
Wonderfully developed characters with a terrific story.
Woods writes in a very engaging style that kept me turning the pages even though my eyes started crossing.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and One More Chapter for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

"The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods is an endearing little read. It's part mystery (loved the fact they were searching for a lost Bronte manuscript), part love story (for people and books alike) and pure fantasy. Perfect for a read on a day when you want to escape from the real world.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

There is something magical in a dual timeline book , and this title is just that and so much more.
A fab plot for a story and as someone who thinks the perfect job would be working in one I knew this one would be right up my street , I was right and couldn't put it down !
Great characters who you could totally believe in a magical , enthralling tale.

I don’t know who prices these books but I am amazed that Kindle has a pre-order price of $2.99. This is one book that I liked so much and would gladly pay more for it. Anyway, this book has two timelines (easy to follow switches). It is set in present day and in the 1920’s. There is love and fantasy (magic) in both times. It has mystery, villains and best of all….it is about books and a lost bookshop. I rate it 5 stars. This is one of those books that you constantly ask yourself “how did the author come up with this great story?”

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.


The Lost Bookshop is a truly joyful magical book. The two running timelines were well paced and well explained, never confusing and always intriguing. Weaved with magic throughout, this story will capture your heart.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods, is set in Dublin, has a dual timeline with enough fantasy and realism to make this a satisfyingly quirky read. I enjoyed the moments of fantasy and plain - how did that happen, moments.

An interesting, historical read which is set in Ireland, and features the extreme love of old books, centering around The Lost Bookshop. I thought it engaging, enjoyable and very original.

The Lost Bookshop is a heartwarming, charming, and magical book. Evie Woods writes with such ease and passion that the reader finds it difficult to put the book down until it is completed.

An endearing tale with sorrow and hope that is told from three points of view.

Martha, a delicate young woman, wed a violent guy. She leaves her little Irish hamlet after receiving one too many beatings and travels to Dublin in search of anonymity. Answering a housekeeping post looks like the perfect way to escape abuse while receiving free housing and food. As soon as she enters Ha'penny Lane, Martha runs into Henry, a Ph.D. candidate researching Opaline Carlisle, a bookseller from the early 20th century. Henry is fixated on Ha'penny Lane and believes Opaline's bookshop was just next door to Martha's residence. Since no structures exist and nothing can be found on old maps or plans, everything is highly strange.

Opaline is the third narrator in the story. Opaline, who was born around the turn of the 20th century, had a very challenging existence. Having a bitter elder brother and an uncaring mother, she was born into a prosperous household. Opaline aspires to work as a book dealer since her childhood. Her family has different ideas and anticipates that she will wed into yet another rich family. Opaline flees like Martha did, only 100 years before.

This novel has it all: well-developed and likable characters, an array of emotions, wit, a dash of magic, and a large heart.

A fantastic read.

Thanks to Netfalley and the publishers for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love this story which is told from 3 points of view. I kept my attention from the start. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This spellbinding book hooked me from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down til the end.
I just reviewed The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. #NetGalley
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A bookshop, a mystery and historical events? The Lost Bookshop contains my favourite mystery elements, all wrapped up in delicious novel.
Our story commences in the present day when a young boy wanders into a bookshop in Dublin. And is greeted by Martha, who helps to inspire his imagination.
The reader then meets Opaline, a book loving and independent woman, living in London in 1921. Opaline soon realises that her freedom is at stake and flees to Paris. Opaline eventually makes her way to the amazing Shakespeare & Co., bookshop (the real life bookshop) and encounters historical figures such as James Joyce etc.
The storyline moves smoothly between the stories of Martha and Opaline, which mysterious parallels occurring that suggest the lives of our heroines may be connected. There is also an unusual mystery involving a disappearing bookshop, magical tattoos and a tree with a life of its own.
There are some genuinely tragic moments in the novel involving both Martha and Opaline, so I would tell other readers to be aware of the trigger warnings for abuse, child death, war etc. But overall The Lost Bookshop is a love story, one with books and booklovers at its heart. A warm, wonderful novel that sweeps up the reader into an absorbing, magical tale.

I received a free copy of The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods from the publishers via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading books about books and I was just intrigued by the title of the book. I loved all three main characters and was not expecting the twist near the end of the book.

I can see how the three main characters are all linked now after reading the book and I can say that I was hoping that they would all find their happily ever after especially from everything that they experienced previously.

This book follows the three main characters Opaline, Martha and Henry.

If you enjoy books by the Brontë sisters and enjoy reading books that references a lot of books and about book dealers then I would fully recommend you read this book.

Told from three perspectives, we follow first Opaline in the past, struggling to live her life free of her brother and family obligations. Intermixed we follow Martha and Henry. Martha has escaped a bad marriage and found herself in Dublin working in the home or a strange woman. Here a chance meeting through her basement window brings her to Henry, a student looking for a missing bookstore. It took a bit but eventually this unique story drew me into it's web and was a very satisfying read.

A wonderfully magical story told through 3 different perspectives, Opaline, Martha and Henry going through very different times in their lives. This was such a fast read because I couldn't put it down, the writing is enchantingly beautiful with a magical mystery and a connection between the characters that slowly gets revealed. I can't recommend this enough, it truly is a book for when you want an escape.

I love books about books and bookshops, so this was right up my alley. I loved the way the bookstore was brought to life through the dual timeline and multiple POV of the people connected to the bookstore.

At times I wished there would have been some note as to the year the chapter was set in as I didn’t know how much time was always passing or even what year of the present the story was taking place. It seemed like there was a continuity error around the tattoo and the last lines, but I wonder if the reader was supposed to know the words continued to make the last lines the same.

Opaline has set off on her own after fleeing her controlling older brother and the arranged marriage he has orchestrated. Ending up in Dublin after referrals from her bookselling friends, Opaline begins her search for personal meaning in her life and finds it in a bookshop. But her dreams are derailed when a demon from her past appears…

Several generations later, Martha has escaped an abusive relationship and sought refuge as a maid in an elderly lady’s home. Afraid of opening up, her encounters with book researcher Henry will have her questioning if she can find happiness again.

The lives of these three characters intertwine in a magical way. Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, this novel is beautifully written and captures the wonder and awe that a story can bring to its reader.

The way the author connects past to present through literature and love left me with a smile on my face. This is a delightful story for any book lover…an ode to storytelling and the connections that books can make!

Wowwww!! It’s been awhile since I read something so fascinating, captivating and special all in one. I knew from the first few pages that this book would be special. It takes you on a journey like most books do, but this one, I just want to inscribe on my back and hope that it becomes a part of me so that I can carry it with me always. Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter (Harper Collins) for the chance to read this ARC. It is simply a work of art.

We have a dual storyline between Opaline and Martha. Opaline's story is around the start of World War 2, she flees her home and country to escape her brother and a marriage she didn't want. Martha's story is present time and she is escaping a very abusive marriage. Both women are hiding and both women find solace in books eventually. There is also a mystical and disappearing book shop that is a character in itself. A love story for both women which I ended up loving.. let's see... An insane asylum, umm oh.. Bronte sister mystery.... This book has all the things.... I really enjoyed this book, especially the ending. The ending was perfect and filled my heart. I would say it's a must read for readers that love books and wonder.

The Lost Bookshop is a beautiful story that begs to be read in one sitting. It’s the story about searching for one’s proper place told by three characters tied together by the idea that Charlotte Brontë had written a second book which was lost as was the bookshop that was supposed to be at number 11 on a street that had no number 11. Author Evie Woods has created a magical story filled with beautiful prose and many surprises that readers will not soon forget. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

I absolutely adored this book! A touch of magic, a love of books, pure escapism, perfect! I fell in love with Opaline and her heartbreaking story and found myself rooting for her, and I loved following Martha’s journey too.

This book is an absolute delight. Anyone who is a book reader loves books and this book to know that it is inspired by a true story makes it even more absorbing the characters in this book are fabulous and the plot is Magical and joyful. I loved it.

‘

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book via NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: June 22, 2023
Pages: 384

HarperCollins, UK, One More Chapter stories have never been a disappointment and as I have never heard of Evie Woods as an author, I can say I will never forget the name and this opportunity. “The Lost Bookshop” is an enjoyable and mesmerizing story that transcends the reader into the lives of three interesting individuals…Opaline, Martha, and Henry. Each character brings to life their narratives in first person in Dublin; stories filled with mystery, magic, and fantasy.

Ms. Woods has an uncanny way of connecting the past to the present and I thought this story was well-written and captivated my attention until the end in one sitting. Interesting characters who are well-developed individuals and who bring to life their three perspectives entwined by a single idea. As always, I am not one for dual timelines, however this story transitions so smoothly that it really did not matter.

Only has a couple of occasions where I’ve read about a bookshop, but it was far from this level. Ms. Woods put much thought into writing this book and it really worked. Captivating stories that touch on addiction, violence, grief, etc., and the hope that Opaline, Martha and Henry find their happy place. Heartwarming and recommend the read…worth it.

This book had me hooked from the beginning when she says "every good story starts with a cup of tea". I just felt so cozy and wrapped up in a warm hug reading that line.
I adored Opaline, Henry, and Martha. Their stories all blended together really well. I loved seeing all the books and talk of books.
Opaline and Martha both had struggles as they are running from things in their lives, but ultimately they find where they are supposed to be.

A lovely read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

. Two female protagonists beaten into submission by the mores of society in which men hold the power and women must know their place. Two time frames which both feature a magical bookshop which appears and disappears depending on the circumstances. . Both women manipulated and abused by family discover solace in books. The historical practice of incarceration of women in what was commonly known as lunatic asylums: unforgivable events and actions taken in WW2 against individuals suffering post traumatic stress all combine to draw a picture of a male dominated society working against women’s right to live their lives as they would wish. Strong story lines of two terrified women running away from domination, mingle with the need to suspend belief and allow magic with people, places and events to drive the plot line. This, alongside the search to discover a long lost manuscript by a famous author weaves a strange and tantalising adventure that defies genre . A conclusion that cleverly ties up numerous loose ends and in the fashion of all fairy stories through the ages delivers an uplifting ending. Many thanks to Author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Magical realism can be so hit or miss - this book was a "hit".

The story is told with 3 narrators, 1 in the past and 2 in the present. Opaline lives in the 1920s and is being forced into a marriage by her brother, since the family needs money. She runs away to France and then Ireland where she owns an antique/bookshop. Her story was very moving and felt very authentic.

In the present, Martha flees from an abusive husband and starts to work as a housekeeper. She meets Henry who is looking for a hidden bookshop next to the house where she works. I enjoyed Martha's story and how she worked to overcome her limitations and move forward without her husband. Henry's story was the least compelling. It wasn't bad, but I didn't care as much about it when compared to Martha and Opaline.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and well developed. The stories were compelling and woven together very well.

The author does a great job of combining some magic/fantasy without making it completely into a fantasy book. The end got a little too "magic"-y for me, but still fit within the world that the author created. I also wasn't exactly clear on the ending for Martha/Henry and it felt a little abrupt.

Overall, I'd recommend this book for anyone who enjoys character development/growth with a touch of magic.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Three individuals lives will change due to a book. These individuals will explore different adventures they never new existed. This was a good book.

I was lucky enough to read an advanced reading copy of #TheLostBookshop by Evie Gaughan, which I’ve just finished. What a lovely, heartwarming story. I loved the ideas and the way it was written. A real pleasure and made me sigh with pleasure 🤩 #NetGalley

As a book lover, I enjoy reading fiction with bookshops, libraries and other such places as the main setting, which is partly why I was interested in this.

This was a delightful book. As soon as I started reading, I felt it was going to be the kind of book that I could escape into, that it might take me on a journey with its characters. I liked all of the characters and related to them in different ways. I greatly appreciated all the talk about books and the references to books and authors. For a book lover, I think reading something like this reminds me why I love reading, and makes that love more intense. I would buy a copy of this book and read it again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I'm so glad I was invited through Netgalley otherwise I might have completely missed this treasure!

Cleverly written – without me spoiling things, you'll know what I mean when you've read the part about the night everyone met Felicity.

And with very universal themes (I've highlighted quite a lot) about the hierarchy between men and women, living up to expectations (either one's own or those by others) and conformity, and how we all want to make a mark or feel like we matter.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

A beautifully crafted fairy tale for adults! I love this book so much! The author developed a perfect plot to tell this wonderful tale.

I think anyone that loves books and also believes in a touch of magic will adore this story. Things in life are not always just, but we can escape into other worlds in books and hope that one day things will be better.

This was definitely a page turner for me and I was glad I could read for long periods and did not have to stop often. Carve out some hours to sit and read, you will not want to put this book down!

I will be recommending this book at all my friends!

I want to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

I was invited to read this novel by One More Chapter (a BIG thank you), and although I would not normally read a fantasy book I settled down and hoped I would enjoy it. I was totally captivated from the start and couldn’t put it down! Beautifully written, with such well developed characters that at times I felt I was them. This was such a clever and original plot, full of mystery, love, sadness, sorrow, and magic. I absolutely loved it. Spellbinding is the word that sums it up best I think!

I loved this charming, warm-hearted book and couldn't put it down. Yes, it contained a lot of cliches, but the characters are so appealing, that this doesn't actually matter. A beguiling and heart-warming book, which I will definitely recommend.

A beautifully written wonderful read a touch of mystery characters that come alive.I sat down to read a few pages could not put it down read from first to last page.#netgalley#harpercollinsuk

This was a lovely read. It's a story about women, growth, and a little magic. It's beautifully written and thoroughly enjoyable.

The first time I saw the book cover as I was browsing titles on NetGalley, I stopped and kept looking at it. It is one of those book covers. The next thing I noticed, was the title. I found it intriguing. I promptly requested the book and One More Chapter most graciously allowed me to have this advanced copy.

It took me some time to get to the book, but get to it, I did. And, I enjoyed it so very much!

The Lost Bookshop has two timelines for the readers to follow and its pretty easy and simple to keep a track of everything despite the changes in POV among three characters when a couple of them even interact with each other. The changes in POV and the changes in timelines are simply put and are easy to track.

The characters start with being names on paper and grow to be individuals with their strengths and weaknesses. Their hopes and insecurities. The best part? We are not told of these. We are shown these. The character growth kept me intrigued throughout as I wanted to know what happens next to a particular character and what choices would the character go on to make.

The story moved at a moderate pace but at around 70% of the story I was able to guess what will happen next. I was right in my guess but that did not at all take away from the enjoyment of reading this book.

I recommend it to anyone looking to read something with Magic and Heart.

Just in case, like the bookshop, this book also magically disappears, can I assure you I have read the book. It does exist, and you should definitely search until you have the book in your possession too! This a magical story with a mystery bent that captured my attention from beginning to end. It is about a lost bookshop. Who would have guessed? It is superbly entertaining and emotionally gripping. Thank you to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all, mine freely given.

This is a spellbinding, captivating book that takes the reader on a journey of discovery from the perspective of three main characters. I loved the insight into aspects of the Brontes and the concept of the lost bookshop and the impact it had on each life. We are shown how controlling and coercive relationships create long standing issues with trust and self-belief in differing ways for both Opaline and Martha, despite them being almost a century apart. I couldn't put it down!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

PHENOMENAL!! This book is utter perfection!! A definite masterpiece!! I absolutely loved this book so much!! It surpassed all my expectations! I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put it down. I can easily say it is one of my favorite reads EVER! Who doesn't like a story about books and a mysterious missing bookstore?!

Welcome to the charming and magical world of wonder and mystery! The story is set during two time periods in history and by three narrators. Sometimes I struggle with dual timelines because I normally tend to be more interested in one over the other. However, that is not the case with "The Lost Bookshop." I was so engrossed and found myself flipping through the pages as fast as I could to know how these two timelines would be woven together.

One timeline is told from the point of view of Opaline starting in the 1921 in which she flees London when her abusive brother tries to force her to marry a man she has not even met because the family needs money. She uses her love and knowledge for books to get a job at the "Shakespeare and Company" bookshop. Again Opaline is forced to run! Unfortunately, she lived during the horrific times when women were considered the property of family or husband.

The second timeline is told from the point of views of Martha and Henry in the present. Martha flees from her abusive husband and finds herself in Dublin and begins working for Ms. Bowden as a live in housekeeper. Henry is a Ph.D. candidate researching a missing manuscript and he believes a bookshop used to be next door to Martha's residence. Strangely, no physical evidence or maps show that a bookshop ever existed on Ha'penny Lane. When he meets Martha, he is instantly attracted to her.

Overall, this is a unique and mesmerizing love story filled with heartbreak, romance, mystery, magic, hope and courage. I loved all the literary references and all the books within the book were just perfection. This kind of story reminds me why I love reading!💜💜💜💜💜

"In a place called lost, strange things are found."

The thing about books, she said, "is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever imagine."

TW: Domestic violence

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved this beautiful book. It’s set in two time periods, and is about the lives of two women, Martha and Opaline, all their happiness and sadness that happened.

The two stories to come together, eventually. Throughout the story, there is a hunt to find a book that’s written by Emily Brontë, as well as some magic.

I recommend this book.

I received a temporary digital copy of The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods from NetGalley, One More Chapter and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There are many bookshop stories, but I found The Lost Bookshop to be incredibly enchanting. The three stories - Opaline, Martha and Henry - were engaging and I found I truly enjoyed all three, rooting for their successes. I loved the theme of female empowerment and finding one's voice in a sea of men trying to silence the women. The magical elements of The Lost Bookshop worked. Five stars for Evie Woods and a strong recommendation for one to read The Lost Bookshop.

There is a lost bookshop waiting to be found in Dublin.
Opaline, Martha and Henry all have their own stories to tell but are intertwined through the ages.
Will the bookshop be found? and what tales will it reveal about itself and also about themselves?

What a fascinating read this was. I loved how the author wove the two timelines together with the three main characters' points of view, it flowed well and brought the story to life. A mixture of fantasy, mystery, romance and history this story has it all and to top it all it has books; the theme running through it all is words and books.

I became very engrossed in the lives of Opaline, Martha and Henry and their unfolding story. I loved the magic in the house, the mystery slowly unfolding. The characters are well-developed and I became very invested in their lives and the outcome of their stories; which is always a sign of a well-written book. The villains were truly unlikeable too, just to add to the story.

This is a magical read with so much going on but still so easy to read. This book is a must for lovers of stories about books, stories with some magic to them and a great storyline.

‘In a place called lost, strange things are found.’

Story Books. Emily Bronte. Irish Magic! All topics I dearly love. Along with bookshops— mysterious and everlasting. This story shines with originality and creative vision. The author has an amazing imagination and has delivered one of the most unique novels I have ever read.

Opaline, Martha and Henry are intriguing characters and they each share in the storytelling. With three viewpoints, including one from the past, we are immersed in a world of wonder and magnificent prose. I enjoyed following their journeys, some of which are quite heart-breaking and others inspiring and thought-provoking, too. This novel covers so many topics I could not possibly mention them all as I would end up writing a book discussing them. I will say, this is a novel to be lovingly read by book lovers and literature seekers. It cannot be pigeonholed into one genre for it embraces many: mystery, crime, romance, fantasy, fairy-tale, women’s fiction, historical fiction with its dual timelines. In some ways it is like reading a number of books at once! But the past and present stories come together in poetic justice for a satisfying end. And the three perspectives fold into one triumphant song. And all the topics weave together into a fascinating tapestry (with the inclusion of the Book of Kells!). One mystery gives way to another, and the flow of eternal memories keep on in an endless story. There’s lots of symbolism drawn from a vast reservoir of literature in this novel and it will take you into rooms and tunnels you might not have imagined.

‘The thing about books,’ she said, ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever imagine.’ They definitely do and this book shows you the larger than life side of reading. We get to indulge, imagine and transcend the ordinary while passing into extraordinary realms for ‘books are like portals.’

This is a story about lost things waiting to be found. People trying to find themselves, too, and each other. Relationships that phase in and out. Some remain, some disappear. Organic learning at its best.

Being set mostly in Ireland, the Book of Kells is explored to my delight. Other topics less attractive are marital abuse, women being property of men and how they could just put a woman away for no legitimate reason. Women lacked freedom in business, too. Opaline was a rare book dealer but there were men who did not take her seriously or tried to undercut her. But she is wise, driven and daring. I admired her strength, intelligence and problem-solving skills.

Martha is special, too. In a different way. She has a gift of reading people’s emotions, finding out their secrets. But nobody liked her trespassing their private moments. So she ‘learned to hide these thoughts’ and ‘hid them so well’ she forgot where she put them. She is in an abusive broken marriage. Her self-esteem is shot. Repercussions arise from such emotional and physical battering. Initially she feels she is undeserving of good things and this self-depreciation follows her like a shadow. But she continues to hope for better until she realises this makes her miserable. She must choose between hope and happiness. But love is on her doorstep. Can she embrace it?

Opaline, 1921. An English woman in Paris with broken French and no major skills seeking employment. She is lost in a crowd but at home among books. They calm her: give her an ‘unflinching sense of stability and groundedness’. Because words have survived, she somehow believes she will, too. I could relate to Opaline frequently for she gets a certain feeling when peering into bookshops. She battles the urge to buy more books, something all book lovers deal with every day. It is a craving to enter other worlds between the pages where realities may be different from our own. Thankfully she gets a job in a bookshop where she must learn the business from the ground up. She discovers that books, manuscripts, prints, etchings and letters only become rare when they are hard to find and in demand. When asked who her favourite author is, her answer is Emily Bronte. (This revelation warms my heart.) Then she is prodded. What questions would she ask the creator of Wuthering Heights? Opaline ponders: was she happy or sad, did she ever fall in love? Did she begin writing a second novel and if so, what happened to it? Her boss says she has the question, now she must begin searching for the answer. That means becoming a Literary sleuth: a skill vital in this business. So, this is the sacred quest she tackles and everything in the story revolves around it. The author provides us with wonderful moments as Opaline visits the Bronte home which echo my own written words. And she discovers an unexpected treasure. Eventually the Bronte question leads us from the past to the present and to Henry who is searching for this manuscript that Emily may have written or started before her death.

Who is Henry? We ask this from the start when we see him outside on the street where Martha lives staring at the numbers hoping to locate a certain bookshop that seems to have disappeared. He embarks on a journey that changes his life, once meeting Martha. I will say no more about him for discovery is part of the fun in this story.

As with fairy-tales and mysteries, there are villains of varying shades. Not just black and white. Nor is anything in this novel. It is filled with colour, mystery, magic and even mayhem.

This is a novel for lovers of books. So many great ones, along with their authors, are mentioned throughout. Its premise proves that books can take us anywhere our imaginations conjure. Yes, even to a lost bookshop that appears to a special few. Chosen ones or believers?

This is a powerful and enriching imaginative story that had me glued to its pages, wrapped in the arms of its glorious prose. A must-read for the heart that likes to step beyond boundaries. Below, I have quoted a few shining lines of wisdom from this magnificent novel by Evie Woods that I positively and passionately recommend.

5 Magical Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Lost is not a hopeless place to be. It is a place of patience, of waiting. Lost does not mean gone forever. Lost is a bridge between worlds, where the pain of our past can be transformed into power…A story handed down through memory, lives that reveal themselves to you without words, books that breathe knowledge softly in your ear…nostalgia rescued and reborn into a new life…’

Many thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for my review copy

I am always drawn to a book that takes place in a bookshop. I also love books with a little bit of magic thrown in for good measure. So, The Lost Bookshop was a home-run for me and literally covered all the bases. It jumps back and forth between present time and the 1920's-1940's in Dublin Ireland. This story has heart, mystery, misery, and love. I did not want it to end. I definitely am looking forward to reading more from Evie Woods.
Thank you for an ARC of The Lost Bookshop in exchange for my honest review.