I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this! It gave me very The Binding vibes, but with a dash of The Lost Apothecary, both of which I loved. The journey was very realistic, with just a dash of magic and wonder. I was appalled by the treatment of Opaline, but it isn’t all that different than how things actually went down, so I have to give the author credit for realness. The characters were fun and not too dim witted when it came to the obvious feelings between them (I hate the misunderstanding but really in love trope, but this one was done well), and the romance felt very sweet and sincere. I easily read this in two sittings and only because I had to work early the next morning and forced myself to put it down.

My one and only complaint is the amount of magic and surrealism at the end. I didn’t mind it, but it was very out of character for the rest of the book. Most of the book just had a dash of whimsy here and there, but there’s one large chunk near the end. I understand why it was done that way, but it made the ending chapters feel just a bit rushed for me. I still really enjoyed this though! 4.25⭐️

Books have long been a source of inspiration, wonder and solace for so many of us. This book brings that home to three strangers who find themselves in a very extraordinary bookstore. A beautiful and moving story

Women have always lacked the freedom of men, no matter what century the story takes place in. Opaline, who does not wish to marry the man her brother has arranged for her, runs off, becoming a book dealer. After further stalking, she has to flee yet again and change her name, finding refuge in her own bookshop in Dublin. Martha, escaping the abuse of her husband finds work in a mysterious house in Dublin and meets a young man looking for a bookshop that should be right there.

The unfolding of the story and the way that the stories weave together are a compelling read. The characters are flawed and well-developed.

Thank you to Harper 360 and Net Galley for the eARC!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishing company and or the author for giving me the chance to read and review The Lost Bookshop.

Love everything from the characters to the plot.

I absolutely loved this book especially because it was written so well! It will keep you reading and stay hopeful for the main character that you’re rooting for. The characters felt so real and the writing is just so magical. I know I keep referring back to how this book is written but it’s just incredible and one of the reasons why I loved the book so much!!

“If you tilt your head,’ he told me once, ‘you can hear the older books whispering their secrets."

This book follows three characters & has two timelines. We follow Martha & Henry in what is to be assumed present-day and we follow Opaline in the past. All three characters have been through a lot of trauma. I would like to warn people about abuse being a consistent theme throughout.

The bookshop itself seems to be the main magic realism element in this book & we only get to explore it a bit. I think the bit that we get was well done but I wanted a lot more.

I did enjoy the literary references throughout. I believe it had just the right amount of references.

This book covers a lot of deep important topics such as women's rights, abuse, mental health, and more. I feel like it does so in a very realistic manner.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper 360 for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Here is the revised version of your text:

I cannot resist reading a fabulous book about books that includes heart-wrenching yet empowering women’s fiction. It blends romance with magical realism, taking us on a journey from Paris to London and Ireland with dual timelines and three perspectives—Ophelia, Martha, and Henry. These characters, who have long been supporting figures in other people's lives, finally earn the spotlight in their own stories.

The main theme of the book is: "In a place called lost, strange things are found." If you can solve the meaning of this riddle, you may truly capture the full essence of the entire manuscript.

Let me introduce you to the characters and their timelines:

In 1922: Opaline runs away from her childhood home after her older brother, nicknamed "Reaper" for making the toughest calls to take the lives of his own soldiers, returns from the war and pushes her into a marriage with a man she doesn’t know. Only her father understands her and introduces her to the magical world of books. This becomes her salvation and the beginning of a career as a book dealer after she finds herself in Paris, working at the special bookstore "Shakespeare and Company" as an apprentice. She even finds love at first sight. But when her brother tracks her down, she is forced to disappear again, this time to a mysterious building in Dublin where she establishes her own bookstore. Here, books that relate to her emotions appear just when she needs them.

In the present time: Martha, a domestic abuse victim, runs away from her old life and alcoholic husband to start anew in Dublin, hoping not to be found. She starts working at #12 Ha’Penny as a housekeeper for Madame Bowden, an eccentric ex-actress who considers herself a competitor of Grace Kelly with several marriages and deceased husbands. Martha's path crosses with Henry, a quirky British PhD student who left London after proposing to Isabel, an extrovert who enjoyed influencing Henry's peculiarities. Henry insists there's a hidden bookstore at #11 Ha’Penny, which he claims to have seen but refuses to share this information with Martha, who still has trust issues.

Three ordinary people encounter extraordinary events that change the trajectory of their lives, connected by a touch of magic. This might be the best definition of this story. The traumas faced by both Opaline and Martha are heartbreaking and hard to absorb, but their determination and inner strength are inspiring, giving readers hope that everything is possible as long as you continue to dream and do everything in your power to make them come true.

Overall: This is a well-constructed, bittersweet, magical journey that promises hope beyond the sadness and hardships of life. This is the first time I have read Evie Woods, and it certainly won’t be the last. I look forward to getting lost in the literary universe she has created in her other books.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing me with this remarkable book's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was such an entertaining book! Perfect for those who believe books add a little magic to their lives! The dialogue was entertaining and the characters were so likable! I initially struggled with keeping straight all the alternating POVs and timelines. But once I got it, the plot twists and cliffhangers between characters and timelines was so good! There were storylines I didn’t see coming and I found myself pleasantly surprised many times throughout the story. Charming and fun, it is a perfect fall read.

It’s rare I read magical realism. To be honest it often feels too bizarre for me to get into the story and enjoy… but this book was the exception. I loved the magical realism, the plot, the dual timeline, the historical period, the love story and the story of resilience. It made me go through all the feelings and I utterly enjoyed everything about this book and would definitely recommend.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a captivating and enchanting novel that intertwines the lives of three seemingly ordinary individuals with the magical allure of a mysterious bookshop in Dublin. As each character finds themselves drawn into the secrets of the vanishing bookshop, they begin to uncover the extraordinary potential within their own lives. The author blends together elements of mystery and magic. This book is a heartwarming and immersive read, celebrating the profound impact of stories and the connections they forge. Fans of whimsical, literary tales will find themselves enchanted by this delightful novel.

This is book that is steeped in magical realism and if you’re not a fan of that genre this isn’t a book for you. This is also a book lovers book in the vein of The Shadow of the Wind or Book Lover. The three main characters Opaline, Martha and Henry’s stories seem so different but tie together in the end in a satisfying way. Again you must buy into the magical realism of the story-disappearing book store, magical trees that appear in houses, tattoos etc for the story to weave together. Opaline’s and Martha’s parallel stories of struggling to find independence as women in different times was very interesting. Henry felt more like a supporting character to both women. I enjoyed this book very much as it challenged me in a genre I don’t normally read. Thank you to Evie Woods and Harper 360 for the advanced copy.

As a lifelong reader, books about books never fail to interest me, and tempt me to read them. I was thankful, therefore, to receive a DRC for this and began it eagerly.

Upon starting this, I was immediately drawn in by the gorgeous writing. And kept in thrall by the writing, the characters, the story, the messages…

I could go on and on about the utter magic of this novel, but I will simply say that I loved it, and I’m so, so glad I read this 😍.

Full recommendations from me.



Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the DRC

This book was incredible! I read this back when it was originally released and fell in love. The details and the story was so cute. I felt like I was a part of the adventure!! From start to finish, it was just beautiful!! Highly recommend!!

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley for my honest review and to read before I read the author's next book [book:The Story Collector|205899692] which will be published in September. I liked most of the characters actually and the theme behind them. It was fun to imagine a tree growing in the house.

A tale woven from the past to the future, with three strangers linked throughout. Really enjoyed this one as the connects kept getting stronger as the story continued. First I've read by this author but will not be my last. Good story and one I highly recommend.

It has been some time since I have read such a magical story as this. Following everyone's stories as they weave in and out, creating this lovely knot of a story. Highly recommend!

"The Last Bookshop" by Evie Woods is nothing short of a literary enchantment. From the very first page, Woods weaves a magical tale that transports readers into a world where books are more than mere objects—they are living, breathing entities filled with wonder and mystery.

The novel centers around a charming bookshop that holds secrets and surprises at every turn. Woods's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions create a spellbinding atmosphere that captivates and enthralls. The characters are richly developed, each adding depth and nuance to the story, making it both heartwarming and engaging.

The plot is a delightful blend of whimsy and depth, with intricate twists that keep readers eagerly turning pages. The bookshop itself feels like a character, imbued with its own magic that adds to the novel’s irresistible charm.

"The Last Bookshop" is a truly magical read that celebrates the transformative power of books and the joy of storytelling. It is a five-star gem that will leave readers spellbound and longing for more

I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. Evie Woods has made a an incredible story with three fully flushed out, and interesting characters. You've got Opaline back in 1921 who is trying to get out of an arranged marriage set up by her family, then in the present day you have Martha, who is fleeing an abusive husband, and Henry, a PhD student who is tracking down a mysterious bookshop he can't seem to locate. Martha and Henry have to work together to find the secret of the Lost Bookshop and protect it at all costs.

This book is described as contemporary fiction meets mystery meets magical realism and I couldn't agree more. I wish there was slightly more magical realism in this, but I can absolutely move past that. I loved the little details about Dublin and seeing how the city changed between Opaline's time and the present day.

Overall, I felt the characters were well written, interesting and gave the book a great heart. I will absolutely be reading Evie Woods' next book, and I can't wait! Thank you to Evie Woods, NetGalley and Harper 360 for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s hard to describe what kind of book it is but it’s worth the read! It’s historical fiction, a little romance, self discovery turning into self confidence, and all about the love of books. I was struggling to keep up with the 3 narrator points of view that rotate each chapter. After awhile, it became easier and I could see how the one in the past was starting to fit in. I have been on a romance kick lately so I like how it was tied in but not the predominant storyline. It was also a very closed door romance - 1/5 for spice…a welcome reprieve.

Well developed characters and plot make this a charming and whimsical ode to books and bookshops.. This is a lovely story and fun to read.

This was a 3.75 / 5 for me.

“I didn’t doooo anything, I simply arranged to have the matter taken care of..”

“It’s only in something’s absence that you realize how much space it takes up.”

The prose was beautiful. It flowed well. So many beautiful quotes.

I like how it had themes of women’s rights and addressed the mistreatment of women throughout history.

Opaline’s brother was the absolute worst. He and her father made me so upset. I’m assuming it was Opaline…I had a hard time keeping her and Martha straight. My attention span was lacking for this one.

I really enjoyed it though. I could see this being turned into a movie and if that’s the case I’ll definitely look forward to watching it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing me with an ARC copy of The Lost Bookshop.

The Lost Bookshop is a beautiful story that follows the characters of Opaline, Martha and Henry. Opaline's timeline is set in the early 1920s and Martha and Henry's stories are told in present day. I thought Woods did a beautiful job of weaving the characters together in the book.

Each of the characters face their own tragedies and/or hardships. Opaline and Martha are victims of abuse, and I have to say that I was definitely enraged at what both of the women went through. I thought Woods did a great job of showing how the characters worked through their abuse, and let their healing shape who they became later on in their stories. Henry brought some awkward, comic relief to the story, and I loved that he also had some growth along the way. And, of course, I fell in love with Madame Bowden's character. Her eccentricities and no non-sense personality, were just so fun.

The magical realism and historical fiction themes of the book were a big draw for me. I loved that Opaline's bookshop had it's own personality, and the changes that took place in Martha's rooms, as the story went on. I also loved seeing Opaline's love for book collecting and how her journey took her from Paris to Dublin, and the other book lovers that she interacted with.

I did find that I was annoyed by Opaline's different love interests. She seemed to fall in love with each one the second that they met. I felt like she could have been a little more independent in that area, but I could see where Woods may have written it that way, because she was looking for love because of the loss of her father and the disdainful treatment by her brother.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Lost Bookshop and found it to be a delightful story that shares my love of the magic of books.

Told in alternating chapters featuring different characters and time periods, "The Lost Bookshop" tells the tale of the search for the manuscript for a rumored second Emily Bronte novel. Opaline is an unusually independent woman for her time who is constantly tracked down by her overbearing and dangerous brother who is demanding that she marry his friend or face the ruin of the family through scandal. Martha is a young woman on her own who has escaped an abusive marriage and found refuge as a housekeeper and carer for Madame B. As Martha begins to feel safe, her attachment grows to the old lady and her new home. When mysterious/magical things begin to happen at the old lady's home and Martha meets a young gentleman scholar, her life takes a drastic change of direction.

The interweaving of the two story lines is seamless with just enough hints of the magic to come sprinkled throughout the novel. The parallel stories of Opaline and Martha and their ability to prevail despite the circumstances in which they find themselves feels true to their time periods. The ending was a bit rushed with a lot more magical elements thrown in to tie up the loose ends of the tales. Better pacing of the introduction of the magical elements at the end of the tale would have earned a five star rating.

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC!


This isn't a book that I typically read but, I was hooked on this story from the beginning. I find it very well written and a definite page turner. I have personally been going through some tough times right now and this book gave me a lot of hope and inspired me to keep moving forward. I absolutely loved the characters and all the twists. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that wants a good heartwarming story.

The Lost Bookshop is told with 3 narrators, Opaline, Martha and Henry. At times I had forgotten who was narrating each chapter but I think that's on me and not the author. Opaline's time in the asylum is heartbreaking and shows the reader how in that timeperiod, this happened to many women even without a proper diagnosis. Martha and Henry are very loveable and it was great to see Martha come full circle to trust and love again.

I loved this book and read it AFTER the author's 'The Story Collector.' I liked this book much more!

This book has it all…romance, fantasy, fiction and mystery. How do you find a bookstore that isn’t there? Ah, that’s the fantasy part woven with historical fiction.. You will fall in love with Opaline, Martha and Henry. Their adventures and secrets will lead you to the surprise ending.

Evie Woods’ writing adds a little bit of magic and will take you on an unforgettable journey. Madame Bovine will captivate you along with the 3 main characters One night read for me! Loved it!

Really enjoyed this book. Written well and easy to read. The story is a bit of a puzzler but the author worked hard to make the plot clear yet remain intruiging. Tough thing to do. Especially when using alternate timelines and narratives. Tough to elaborate without giving plot details so I’ll leave it at that.

Quite the intriguing read - a disappearing bookshop that only appears to certain people at certain times until its meant to be found. The backdrop of Ireland, France, England and WWII all provide a fascinating story and history. Poor Opaline suffers so much at the hands of several of the men in her life ,but most especially Lyndon, who ends up p!aying a dual role in her life, which she only learns once she escapes from through cunning and blackmail. She also learns just how deceitful and cruel he was and sets out to try and recover part of the past he stole from her which is how the bookstore becomes the mysterious vanishing place it is. Marthq, another of our protavgonists, also suffers at the hands of a dangerous man from whom she escapes, and ends up in Ireland. She finds a job as a live-in housekeeper for Madame Bowden, who rounds out our trio of heroines. Madame Bowden is elderly eccentric and almost a.shut-in who likes things just so. She provides a small, basement apartment that is magical for Martha and this is where she meets Henry, a nerdy young man who helps Martha find herself and inturn, she helps him find himself. The intertwining of the characters is amazing, the story that develops pulls the reader into all of the lives involved. At firat, the back and forth of the characters got to be a bit of a challenge. I have always liked reading changing timelines and different POV books, each chapter changing to a new POV/character, but this one proved a bit difficult at first. But the farther I got into the book, the less difficult it became as I got wrapped up in their stories and the magic of Martha's rooms. And the ending was wonderful. Madame.Bowden was simply and angel when Martha needed one! A very good read!

I read this book as an arc for the publisher.

Thank you for this arc ! I love magical realism and all things Ireland. I loved the whimsical magical feel weaved throughout this story !

A young boy in Dublin on his way to school is distracted Opaline’s Bookshop, a magical looking bookshop with twinkling lights, trinkets, miniature hot-air balloons, music boxes, and carousels. Since the bookshop holds far more interest than school, he enters and begins a conversation with Martha, the shop’s proprietor. She promises him a story about Opaline, and the rest of the novel is that story and more.
Opaline’s story is one of two timelines, and three points of view. Her tale starts in London in 1921. Opaline’s life revolves around reading and books, a love she inherited from her late father. But her family, namely her brother, Lyndon, is forcing her into a marriage she doesn’t want. Opaline realizes her books are her way to a new life. The sale of her first book sets her off on a journey full of fear, heartbreak, and love. But the story Martha tells isn’t just about Opaline, a young woman seeking independence from her domineering older brother, in an era when young women did what they were told.

The second timeline and point of view is Martha’s. In many ways, it mirrors Opaline’s, only in current times. Martha has fled to Dublin to escape from an abusive marriage. In hiding from her husband, she is offered a housekeeping job to the eccentric Madam Bowden. Martha’s quarters, she’s a live-in housekeeper, are in the basement. Next morning Martha is distracted by a pair of boots walking back and forth outside her basement window. They belong to an Englishman named Henry. Their initial conversation gets off to a rocky start. Only when she threatens to call the police does Henry try to tell her what he’s looking for, but Madam Bowden calls Martha away before he can explain.

The story then becomes Henry’s point of view. He’s in search of a lost bookshop. This is his chance to make a name for himself in the world of rare books, but so far, his search has left him empty-handed.

The Lost Bookshop integrates touches of magic, especially Martha’s mysterious tattoo of sentences on her back. Not to mention the tree that begins to appear in her room. But this isn’t just a story of a mysterious bookshop. It is also about three people trying to find their way in a world that hasn’t been easy for them. Traveling alongside these characters put me through all the emotions. I enjoyed watching them grow and change as they confronted and overcame the obstacles they faced.

I love books with fairy tale touches/magical realism woven into the story. Woods does an excellent job tying together all the loose ends in ways I didn’t see coming. I’m looking forward to reading her soon-to-be-released novel The Story Collector. If magical bookshops, multiple storylines/points-of-view, and touches of magical realism are your thing, this book may very well be for you. It certainly was for me.
Five stars.

"The thing about books is that they help you imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of."

I adored The Lost Bookshop! It's a captivating story that has it all: historical fiction, mystery, heroism, love, and magic. The characters are so relatable, and their stories are heartwarming, heartbreaking, and magical. I especially love the interweaving storylines that come together so beautifully at the end. Evie Woods has such a talent for creating a world that feels both realistic and dreamlike. I was transported to the story and didn't want to leave!

This is a good story that flips back and forth in time. In the 1920's, Opaline was a bit of a rebel. She was not going to marry the man her brother picked for her. So, she sets out to make a new life for herself. Her brother keeps finding her and she has to run again. She ends up in Ireland at a bookshop. Her brother finds her again and ends up putting her in a mental hospital for years. She bides her time and plots her escape. In the present time, Martha escapes from her abusive husband and finds a job working as a housekeeper. She meets Henry, who is trying find out the story of Opaline. It seems that Fate takes a hand in all their lives, whether in the past or the present. A story full of magic and eventually, love.

The author skillfully crafts a narrative that celebrates the transformative power of books, using the vanishing bookshop as a metaphor for self-discovery and personal growth. The central theme, encapsulated in the quote about books helping to imagine a bigger and better life, resonates throughout the story, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationships with literature.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its character development. Opaline, Martha, and Henry are initially presented as side characters in their own lives, a clever narrative device that many readers will find relatable. As the story unfolds, we witness their evolution from passive observers to active participants in their own extraordinary tales, mirroring the journey of self-discovery often found in great literature.

The setting of Dublin adds a layer of charm and mystique to the story. The author's depiction of the quiet street where the bookshop resides creates a vivid backdrop that transports readers into the heart of the narrative.

The element of magic realism, introduced through the vanishing bookshop, adds an air of wonder and possibility to the story. This supernatural touch serves as a catalyst for the characters' transformations and allows the author to explore deeper themes of personal growth, destiny, and the power of imagination.

This was a wonderful read! The way the story was woven across time and place and the characters were a pleasure to get to know! I can't wait to read her next book...

Thank you NetGalley and Harper360 for The Lost Bookshop.

What I loved:

-The magical realism
-Believable characters
-Heartwarming journey of self-discovery

Things that could be improved:
-dialogue was sometimes a bit stilted; there were some good lines but, in some places, I felt like it was forced and detracted from the impact of the story. Show more rather than tell.

I could tell that Evie Woods poured her heart and soul into this novel. The dual timelines was easy to follow and added to the story's magical quality. I would read more from this author, and have The Story Collector next on my TBR!

From the moment I began reading this book I could not put it down. I loved the way the three characters' stories are interwoven together, from the past through to the present. I enjoyed the magical realism woven into the stories of Opaline, Martha, and Henry.
The writing style, the descriptions, and the plot pace all worked for me. I think I just may have found a new favorite author.


Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

I simply had to read The Lost Bookshop after having read and reviewed The Story Collector. Readers should do the same. The Lost Bookshop is a delightful, magical, and yet very realistic story of the women who struggled with personal matters, yet got the strength to move ahead in many ways thanks to a magical shop that opened itself to them. From Opaline to Martha, and to the good men they reluctantly let into their lives, this story embraced the promise of a better life, and love. I highly recommend this sweet book. I couldn't stop turning the pages to find out what happened next!

Interesting story about a bookshop that has enchanting powers and the people who come across the bookshop.

Do you like mysterious bookshops? A little sleuthing? Strange old lady’s that talk in riddles? Multi-POV? Then this is for you!

I mistakenly requested this thinking that it was an ARC but nonetheless I was not disappointed. Overall a great story that had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the parallels between Opaline and Marta as well as the twists at the end for both of them. Opaline’s story broke my heart and I wanted to throw hands on her behalf so her eventual HEA was definitely deserved. I have more questions than answers when it comes to Madame Bowden but at least someone was taking up for Marta.

Will there be a book 2 🤔 because how are we just going to end on the manuscript is in an Irish bank just waiting to be found??

Okay maybe I’m glad this wasn’t an arc because maybe Evie will answer my questions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for this ARC! "The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods is a captivating blend of fantasy, mystery, and romance that takes readers on a magical journey through the streets of Dublin. The story follows Opaline, Martha, and Henry, who are drawn to a mysterious bookshop where they discover that the stories within are deeply connected to their own lives. Woods masterfully weaves elements of fantasy and reality, creating an immersive and vivid world filled with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are richly developed, and the themes of self-discovery and the power of storytelling are beautifully explored. This enchanting novel is a must-read for fans of magical realism and heartfelt narratives​.

This book was a book that I couldn't put down! I wanted to keep reading to see what happens. It's a cozy, mystery, thriller and magical realism vibe book. Really love the bookish refernces The story has three characters Opaline, Martha and Henry who's live all intwine around a myth of a bookshop. They story is told in two time frame Opaline in the 1920's and Martha an Henry in Dublin.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper360 for this e-copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The magical realism is what drew me to this book. And it was amazing… but it wasn’t my favorite part.

At first, I couldn’t tell where the book was going. We have Opaline narrating in the 1920s and Martha and Henry narrating in the present. All three have their own issues at the beginning. Opaline is about be forcefully married to a man she doesn’t know. Martha just ran away from an abusive marriage. Henry is a scholar on the hunt for a manuscript that doesn’t even seem to exist. But how are these three people connected? Parts of the connection are very obvious and revealed right away. Others aren’t revealed until much later in the book, providing beautiful twists and narratives. But all we know starting off is that Opaline, Martha, and Henry are all connected to the lost bookshop.

Like I mentioned earlier, the magical realism was great. There’s magically lost bookshop that was run in the 1920s, but in the present-day, it’s as if the bookshop never existed. And there’s multiple things that bookshop seems to do by itself, in both the past and present, with no human intervention. The magical realism plays a large part in pushing the plot, allowing the story to unfold in the way it does. However, there doesn’t seem to be much logic behind the magical realism. It just happens, and we never know how.

I didn’t mind the lack of logic with the magical realism because to me, it wasn’t the star of the show anyway. My favorite part of this book is how the three narrators feel like real people with real lives. For the first half of the book, I just kept reading because I was invested in the characters’ lives; I wanted to see them solve their problems and achieve their happily ever after. That isn’t to say the characters were perfect. They had their flaws, but it just made them more realistic and easy to connect with. The book is written in first person perspective from the three main characters, yet all three voices felt distinct the entire time.

Then, the latter half introduced us to so many different reveals and twists. Opaline, specifically, goes through so much. Her story was heart-wrenching. As I kept reading, many of the questions I had throughout the book were answered. At the ending, we can really see how these characters and their stories are connected. However, I felt the ending was rushed. There was so much happening in the last few pages that it actually created more questions for me. I wish the ending had tied everything together better.

I had no issues with the writing; it was simple and easy to understand. It worked well for this kind of story. My favorite part about the writing is definitely how distinct the characters’ voices are. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It has one of the things I like best in any media: conveying emotion in a way that makes me feel the same emotion. This book made me feel like I was experiencing the characters’ lives with them.

I loved this! Mystery, drama, setbacks, a love story—this story has it all. The characters are relatable and mostly likeable, except for the one who are deliciously unlikeable! The plot clipped along at a good pace and the ending was wholly satisfactory. I enjoyed the back and forth of the different timelines as well and feel it really helped the plot.

Thanks to #netgalley the publisher, #harpercollins and the author for this copy of #thelostbookshop to read. All opinions are my own.

This is a great book to read if you enjoy books about books, and books that pay respect to the book world. There are two timelines in this book: Opaline in the past, who does not want to marry and instead flees her brother and his plans and winds up working in a bookshop in Paris, and Martha in the present, who removes herself from an abusive relationship and goes to work as a house cleaner. There is also Henry in the present, who is an academic looking for a manuscript and ropes Martha in to help him look for this lost manuscript.

There is romance, magical realism, and sizeable character growth within these pages. The author did a great job of incorporating history with this book, and really made books themselves another character. This had all of the right balance and I enjoyed every minute of reading this. I even felt like I was within the story myself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

‘If you tilt your head,’ he told me once, ‘you can hear the older books whispering their secrets.’

This story is set in two timelines, and mainly follows three characters, although there are two main characters, Martha and Henry in the present timeframe, and Opaline in the past. What they share in common is a love of books.

There is a sprinkling of magical realism as this story proceeds, a journey from Paris to London and Ireland, as well as a love of books, but there are also moments of darkness that seem to get a bit darker as the story progresses, at least for a while.

Somewhat recently I read Evie Woods ’The Story Collector’ and so when I saw this one was still available, I quickly grabbed a copy, since I had enjoyed that one so much. I’m so glad that I did. Overall, a lovely read.


Published: 07 Nov 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Harper 360 / Harper360

This was a fun read. If you like the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue- this is perfect for you!

I loved how the story did the flashbacks and tied it all in the end. I did not expect that ending!

This is a really interesting story where magic can find anybody. I love how the story jumps between time and we can see the differences in beliefs and life from one century to the next and how the story's characters connect together. Very awesome concept!

Lovely book with magical realism and a nice dose of hopefulness. Who amongst us readers hasn’t envisioned living in and being part of a wonderful, magical shop? Throw in Ireland and a missing Brontë manuscript and you have a delicious summer read.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This is a fascinating tale where magic can touch anyone. I enjoyed how the narrative shifts across different time periods, allowing us to see the contrasts in beliefs and lifestyles from one century to the next, as well as how the characters’ lives intertwine. It’s a truly brilliant concept!