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The Lost Bookshop
The Keeper of Stories meets The Lost Apothecary in this evocative and charming novel full of mystery and secrets.
‘The thing about books,’ she said ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’
On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…
For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.
But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.
‘The thing about books,’ she said ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’
On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…
For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.
But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2023
About the author
Evie Woods
3 books1,237 followersEvie Woods is the author of The Lost Bookshop, the #1 Wall Street Journal and Amazon Kindle and Sunday Times bestseller, which has now sold over half a million copies. She is also the author of The Story Collector, The Heirloom and The Mysterious Bakery On Rue De Paris under her real name, Evie Gaughan.
Living on the West Coast of Ireland, Evie escapes the inclement weather by writing her stories in a converted attic, where she dreams of underfloor heating. Her books tread the intriguing line between the everyday and the otherworldly, revealing the magic that exists in our ordinary lives.
Living on the West Coast of Ireland, Evie escapes the inclement weather by writing her stories in a converted attic, where she dreams of underfloor heating. Her books tread the intriguing line between the everyday and the otherworldly, revealing the magic that exists in our ordinary lives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,133 reviews
June 20, 2023
What an absolutely lovely read! This is a true homage to books and book lovers everywhere.
" 'The thing about books,' she said, 'is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.'"
This is a dual timeline story. Narrated in the past by Opaline, who escapes her older brother's plans to marry her off by fleeing to Paris where she goes to work in a bookstore. In the present, we alternate between Martha, an Irish woman who is escaping an abusive marriage, who takes a job as a housekeeper; and Henry, a scholar who is looking for a lost manuscript and happens upon a bookshop next door to Martha and then it disappears. He enlists Martha to help him find out about its history and where it could have gone.
I really enjoy magical realism, but unfortunately I don't think this book goes quite far enough into that realm. Yes, there are magical elements, but I wanted more from them. I also thought the ending was too quick and I didn't get all of my questions answered satisfactorily. Regardless, I was thoroughly invested in the tale and I was captivated by both storylines, which rarely happens for me.
I felt despair for both Opaline and Martha, as they were caught in horrible situations over which they had no control. I listened to this book partially as an audiobook and the narrators did an amazing job giving voice to the characters and keeping me engaged and intrigued.
If you love books and bookshops and want to get swept away by a saga of magic, love, and self-discovery, then definitely choose this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
" 'The thing about books,' she said, 'is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.'"
This is a dual timeline story. Narrated in the past by Opaline, who escapes her older brother's plans to marry her off by fleeing to Paris where she goes to work in a bookstore. In the present, we alternate between Martha, an Irish woman who is escaping an abusive marriage, who takes a job as a housekeeper; and Henry, a scholar who is looking for a lost manuscript and happens upon a bookshop next door to Martha and then it disappears. He enlists Martha to help him find out about its history and where it could have gone.
I really enjoy magical realism, but unfortunately I don't think this book goes quite far enough into that realm. Yes, there are magical elements, but I wanted more from them. I also thought the ending was too quick and I didn't get all of my questions answered satisfactorily. Regardless, I was thoroughly invested in the tale and I was captivated by both storylines, which rarely happens for me.
I felt despair for both Opaline and Martha, as they were caught in horrible situations over which they had no control. I listened to this book partially as an audiobook and the narrators did an amazing job giving voice to the characters and keeping me engaged and intrigued.
If you love books and bookshops and want to get swept away by a saga of magic, love, and self-discovery, then definitely choose this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 24, 2023
In a Nutshell: A story spanning multiple genres, timelines and themes. Has plenty of interesting elements but also a few loopholes. Will work better if you read it with your heart than with your head.
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
💖 My favourite part was the magical realism, which is strongest in the contemporary timeline. The fantastical elements are connected not just to the lost library but also to Martha, who seems to have a special ability (the reason for which is not specified.) This is not to say that the magical realism was flawless. There were quite a few logical loopholes, and I had to keep reminding myself that fantasy-based genres are allowed to have some flexibility in sealing off all ends. Regardless, it was exciting to read, though readers looking for explanations might end up disappointed.
💖 What both the timelines handled excellently was their bookish elements. I loved the random sprinkling of tidbits related to authors, books and book collectors. There were even a few lovely quotes connected to reading, and even a special role by the iconic Sylvia Beach. Every bibliophile will definitely love these trivia.
💖 I liked all the contemporary main characters. Martha, Henry, and Madame Bowden have their own issues and whims, but they are still easy to like. Their character detailing helps us understand their behaviour well, and their interactions are realistic and heartwarming. Oh, to have a friend like Madame Bowden!
💖 The story is written in three first person perspectives, and each voice is written distinctly – a tough task. Opaline is the typical Brit upper class, looking down her nose at people below her station though she doesn't even realise it, and realising that she isn’t as free as she had assumed. Henry is humorous, using his jokes to hide his vulnerable emotional side. Martha is under-confident yet defiant at the same time. She isn't the typical victim but has her own secrets. The povs of each reflect their personalities properly.
Bookish Nays:
💔 I was most disappointed to see romance playing such a dominant role in Opaline’s arc. As she was a rebel who lived life on her own terms, her arc would have worked so much better had it focussed only on her bibliophilic passions than on her romantic passions.
💔 I love historical fiction, and I also love magical realism. But I felt like I was reading two distinct stories that didn’t come together convincingly, though each story had its own charm.
💔 There are far too many social themes and issues incorporated within both the timelines. Some were good, some went overboard and felt forced in. The contemporary timeline performed far better in this regard.
💔 The historical timeline begins in 1921 but doesn’t give many clues about the chronological progress. For instance, when it suddenly spoke about the war in the second half, it took me a while to realise that the characters were now in the WWII era.
💔 The ending is very rushed, finishing off the extensive build-up within a single chapter. Though there’s an epilogue as well, I found the ending disappointing in terms of its hasty resolution.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hours, is narrated by Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon. I am pretty sure that at least a part of my enjoyment of this title was credit to the mostly outstanding narration. Nick Biadon was exceptional as Henry, voicing his self-deprecating humour and his uncertainties with an undeniable charm. The other two narrators, voicing Opaline and Martha, also suited their characters perfectly, with Martha’s narrator doing an especially great job of making her sound vulnerable. Opaline’s narrator was very good, though not as good as the other two. Her male-character voices were not convincing, but she handled the rest well.
All in all, I did like a lot about this novel, with the book-related elements and the magical realism being my favourite parts. If only the historical timeline had satisfied me more. I realise that my Nays outnumber the Yays, but the fact also is that the Yays were a lot more powerful than the Nays.
Recommended, because if nothing else, you will surely love the bookish trivia and the magical lost library.
3.5 stars, rounding up for the audiobook.
My thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Lost Bookshop”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Present-day Dublin. Martha has escaped an abusive marriage and is trying to stand on her own feet by working as a housekeeper to the eccentric ex-actress, Madame Bowden.
Henry is a Ph.D. student who is obsessed with an old manuscript, and is ready to do anything to locate it.
Connecting the two, unknown to them, is a missing bookshop, which should have been next door to Madame Bowden’s house, but isn’t! But as Henry and Martha learn more about the bookshop, the bookshop also seems to want to be found by them.
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Martha, Henry, and Opaline – whose timeline beginning in 1921 England offers us some background to the events in the contemporary timeline.
Bookish Yays:
💖 My favourite part was the magical realism, which is strongest in the contemporary timeline. The fantastical elements are connected not just to the lost library but also to Martha, who seems to have a special ability (the reason for which is not specified.) This is not to say that the magical realism was flawless. There were quite a few logical loopholes, and I had to keep reminding myself that fantasy-based genres are allowed to have some flexibility in sealing off all ends. Regardless, it was exciting to read, though readers looking for explanations might end up disappointed.
💖 What both the timelines handled excellently was their bookish elements. I loved the random sprinkling of tidbits related to authors, books and book collectors. There were even a few lovely quotes connected to reading, and even a special role by the iconic Sylvia Beach. Every bibliophile will definitely love these trivia.
💖 I liked all the contemporary main characters. Martha, Henry, and Madame Bowden have their own issues and whims, but they are still easy to like. Their character detailing helps us understand their behaviour well, and their interactions are realistic and heartwarming. Oh, to have a friend like Madame Bowden!
💖 The story is written in three first person perspectives, and each voice is written distinctly – a tough task. Opaline is the typical Brit upper class, looking down her nose at people below her station though she doesn't even realise it, and realising that she isn’t as free as she had assumed. Henry is humorous, using his jokes to hide his vulnerable emotional side. Martha is under-confident yet defiant at the same time. She isn't the typical victim but has her own secrets. The povs of each reflect their personalities properly.
Bookish Nays:
💔 I was most disappointed to see romance playing such a dominant role in Opaline’s arc. As she was a rebel who lived life on her own terms, her arc would have worked so much better had it focussed only on her bibliophilic passions than on her romantic passions.
💔 I love historical fiction, and I also love magical realism. But I felt like I was reading two distinct stories that didn’t come together convincingly, though each story had its own charm.
💔 There are far too many social themes and issues incorporated within both the timelines. Some were good, some went overboard and felt forced in. The contemporary timeline performed far better in this regard.
💔 The historical timeline begins in 1921 but doesn’t give many clues about the chronological progress. For instance, when it suddenly spoke about the war in the second half, it took me a while to realise that the characters were now in the WWII era.
💔 The ending is very rushed, finishing off the extensive build-up within a single chapter. Though there’s an epilogue as well, I found the ending disappointing in terms of its hasty resolution.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hours, is narrated by Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon. I am pretty sure that at least a part of my enjoyment of this title was credit to the mostly outstanding narration. Nick Biadon was exceptional as Henry, voicing his self-deprecating humour and his uncertainties with an undeniable charm. The other two narrators, voicing Opaline and Martha, also suited their characters perfectly, with Martha’s narrator doing an especially great job of making her sound vulnerable. Opaline’s narrator was very good, though not as good as the other two. Her male-character voices were not convincing, but she handled the rest well.
All in all, I did like a lot about this novel, with the book-related elements and the magical realism being my favourite parts. If only the historical timeline had satisfied me more. I realise that my Nays outnumber the Yays, but the fact also is that the Yays were a lot more powerful than the Nays.
Recommended, because if nothing else, you will surely love the bookish trivia and the magical lost library.
3.5 stars, rounding up for the audiobook.
My thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Lost Bookshop”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
August 26, 2023
2.5 stars.
I am so disappointed. The premise is fantastic - magical realism, a lost bookshop in Ireland, a lost work from a Brontë sister. The plot, if done correctly, could have been great. Instead I kept waiting for the writing to improve or the plot to get better and chapter after chapter I furrowed my brow, getting more frustrated.
The writing was simplistic, at times just straight up bad, with half sketched characters and scenes created that were so jarringly out of place to move the plot along that it felt like I was reading the outline of a story. The author kept having good “one liners” that make for good quotes to pull from the book but it actually got to be annoying.
The book dealing was a good aspect, and the knowledge of old books was a glimmer of good writing but everything else really fell flat to me.
I am so disappointed. The premise is fantastic - magical realism, a lost bookshop in Ireland, a lost work from a Brontë sister. The plot, if done correctly, could have been great. Instead I kept waiting for the writing to improve or the plot to get better and chapter after chapter I furrowed my brow, getting more frustrated.
The writing was simplistic, at times just straight up bad, with half sketched characters and scenes created that were so jarringly out of place to move the plot along that it felt like I was reading the outline of a story. The author kept having good “one liners” that make for good quotes to pull from the book but it actually got to be annoying.
The book dealing was a good aspect, and the knowledge of old books was a glimmer of good writing but everything else really fell flat to me.
July 25, 2023
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a Blend of Historical and Romance Fiction with a Sprinkle of Magical Realism on top!
In 1921:
Opaline flees England before her treacherous and much older brother forces her into an arranged marriage. She finds employment in a Paris bookshop called "Shakespeare and Company". The love of books she shared with her deceased father is a passion that will sustain Opaline through her tumultuous future...
In present day:
Martha, a young Irish wife, manages to escape her abusive husband and secure employment in Dublin as a live-in housekeeper. Her employer, Madame Bowden is a bit unusual but it's a job and a safe place to live. Martha has never felt a connection to books but they seem to keep appearing in her basement apartment...
Henry, a Ph.D. student, is searching for a lost manuscript. His search brings him to Dublin to locate a bookshop that he sees at first, but when he turns around, it's no longer there. The location of the mysterious bookshop is right next door to where Martha is currently working and living at #12 Ha’Penny Lane...
The Lost Bookshop is a well-written story with three fully-developed main characters and diverse secondary characters. Madame Bowden is by far my favorite character, she adds so much magic to this story. The multiple timelines, meaningful topics, touches of romance, and lots and lots of nods to books makes this a solid read.
I was fortunate to have both a DRC and an ALC of The Lost Bookshop. The digital copy was great for bedtime reading but this was mostly daytime listening for me and my busy day. The narration was excellent and the voicing skills of all three narrators were equally satisfying. The audiobook is my preferred format for this read.
I enjoy how the author ties this story together at the end with a surprises or two. My one quibble was that I wanted more Magical Realism. What was there was terrific, it just wasn't nearly enough. I'll take more, pretty please.
The Lost Bookshop was a fun read that I'm thrilled I squeezed in at the last minute and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a blend of Historical and Romance Fiction with a little Magical Realism sprinkled on top.
4⭐
Thank you to Evie Woods and One More Chapter for a DRC and ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
In 1921:
Opaline flees England before her treacherous and much older brother forces her into an arranged marriage. She finds employment in a Paris bookshop called "Shakespeare and Company". The love of books she shared with her deceased father is a passion that will sustain Opaline through her tumultuous future...
In present day:
Martha, a young Irish wife, manages to escape her abusive husband and secure employment in Dublin as a live-in housekeeper. Her employer, Madame Bowden is a bit unusual but it's a job and a safe place to live. Martha has never felt a connection to books but they seem to keep appearing in her basement apartment...
Henry, a Ph.D. student, is searching for a lost manuscript. His search brings him to Dublin to locate a bookshop that he sees at first, but when he turns around, it's no longer there. The location of the mysterious bookshop is right next door to where Martha is currently working and living at #12 Ha’Penny Lane...
The Lost Bookshop is a well-written story with three fully-developed main characters and diverse secondary characters. Madame Bowden is by far my favorite character, she adds so much magic to this story. The multiple timelines, meaningful topics, touches of romance, and lots and lots of nods to books makes this a solid read.
I was fortunate to have both a DRC and an ALC of The Lost Bookshop. The digital copy was great for bedtime reading but this was mostly daytime listening for me and my busy day. The narration was excellent and the voicing skills of all three narrators were equally satisfying. The audiobook is my preferred format for this read.
I enjoy how the author ties this story together at the end with a surprises or two. My one quibble was that I wanted more Magical Realism. What was there was terrific, it just wasn't nearly enough. I'll take more, pretty please.
The Lost Bookshop was a fun read that I'm thrilled I squeezed in at the last minute and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a blend of Historical and Romance Fiction with a little Magical Realism sprinkled on top.
4⭐
Thank you to Evie Woods and One More Chapter for a DRC and ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
June 28, 2023
Plot: 4⭐️
Audio Narration: 5⭐️
“In a place called lost, strange things are found.”
1921, London:
Twenty-one-year-old Opaline Carlisle chooses to leave for France to escape being forced into an arranged marriage by her dominating older brother. Her love for reading, a passion she shared with her late father, and her subsequent association with Sylvia Beach of "Shakespeare and Company" fame, where she takes up a job, fuels her interest in antiquarian books and manuscripts - a journey, that after a sequence of events, eventually has her opening a bookshop in Dublin all the while searching for an elusive manuscript.
Present Day:
Martha Winter, a young woman running from an abusive marriage, finds her way to Dublin in the employ of the eccentric Madame Bowden as her live-in housekeeper. Martha is not much of a reader, and in fact, has an eversion of sorts to books. When books start appearing in the walls of the small basement of Madam Bowden’s residence where Martha now lives, will this inspire her to overcome her fears and look at life from a fresh perspective?
Henry Field, a Ph.D. scholar in search of a rare manuscript that is referenced in an old letter he found in the course of his research, is searching for an old bookshop in Dublin but when he reaches the premises the bookshop is not there, or is it?
With superb characterizations (even the unlikable ones) and an almost perfect balance of history, romance, mystery, fantasy and magical realism, Evie Woods seamlessly weaves past and present threads into an enchanting tale about self-discovery, family, courage and the magical, transformative power of books. The narrative is presented in the first person narrative perspectives of Opaline, Henry and Martha in alternating chapters. I loved the literary references (from the classics to contemporary fiction), insight into the antiquarian book trade and auctions and the literary figures who feature in the cast of characters. Interspersed among the magic and mystery, the author touches upon several serious themes including abuse, exploitation and fraud and how historically “troublesome women with inconvenient ideas” were treated. I did feel, however, that the ending was a tad rushed and there were a few aspects of the story that could have been explored further but overall, The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a beautiful story that will strike a chord in your heart.
I paired my reading with the audio narration which truly enhanced my experience with this book. Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon do a brilliant job of voicing the characters, setting the atmosphere and bringing the story to life, making for a memorable immersion reading experience.
Finally, that cover is beautiful!
" The thing about books, she said, is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of."
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the eARC and AlC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Audio Narration: 5⭐️
“In a place called lost, strange things are found.”
1921, London:
Twenty-one-year-old Opaline Carlisle chooses to leave for France to escape being forced into an arranged marriage by her dominating older brother. Her love for reading, a passion she shared with her late father, and her subsequent association with Sylvia Beach of "Shakespeare and Company" fame, where she takes up a job, fuels her interest in antiquarian books and manuscripts - a journey, that after a sequence of events, eventually has her opening a bookshop in Dublin all the while searching for an elusive manuscript.
Present Day:
Martha Winter, a young woman running from an abusive marriage, finds her way to Dublin in the employ of the eccentric Madame Bowden as her live-in housekeeper. Martha is not much of a reader, and in fact, has an eversion of sorts to books. When books start appearing in the walls of the small basement of Madam Bowden’s residence where Martha now lives, will this inspire her to overcome her fears and look at life from a fresh perspective?
Henry Field, a Ph.D. scholar in search of a rare manuscript that is referenced in an old letter he found in the course of his research, is searching for an old bookshop in Dublin but when he reaches the premises the bookshop is not there, or is it?
With superb characterizations (even the unlikable ones) and an almost perfect balance of history, romance, mystery, fantasy and magical realism, Evie Woods seamlessly weaves past and present threads into an enchanting tale about self-discovery, family, courage and the magical, transformative power of books. The narrative is presented in the first person narrative perspectives of Opaline, Henry and Martha in alternating chapters. I loved the literary references (from the classics to contemporary fiction), insight into the antiquarian book trade and auctions and the literary figures who feature in the cast of characters. Interspersed among the magic and mystery, the author touches upon several serious themes including abuse, exploitation and fraud and how historically “troublesome women with inconvenient ideas” were treated. I did feel, however, that the ending was a tad rushed and there were a few aspects of the story that could have been explored further but overall, The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a beautiful story that will strike a chord in your heart.
I paired my reading with the audio narration which truly enhanced my experience with this book. Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon do a brilliant job of voicing the characters, setting the atmosphere and bringing the story to life, making for a memorable immersion reading experience.
Finally, that cover is beautiful!
" The thing about books, she said, is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of."
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the eARC and AlC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 27, 2023
Genuinely unbearable. The pacing is absurd, the characters have the emotional depth and personalities of middle schoolers, and topics like alcoholism, domestic abuse, and wartime violence are thrown about and handled with all of the care and precision of a monkey with an etch-a-sketch.
February 22, 2024
Atmospheric, beautifully written, sad 😔 that’s how I would describe The Lost Bookshop it kept me turning those pages, loved Opaline her character was so heartbreaking with the courage to find her way out of a mental institution her brother Lyndon sent her there as she disgraced her family by falling pregnant the year 1921 I hated Lyndon he virtually took all Opalines feistiness out of her set in Dublin how did Opaline get into this state she was in a pre arranged marriage to a man she didn’t love .❤️
She ended up in France 🇫🇷 where she inherited her love of reading by her father& with her association with Sylvia Beach of Shakespeare & Company fame she takes a job, her interest in Artiquaurian books & Manuscripts.
Present day Martha is sick of her life she moves from the west coast of Ireland 🇮🇪 to work for Mrs Bowden a well to do woman they get on well but secrets are hidden is Ms Bowden who is she & what is she hiding.
I just loved every minute of this book Lynden was just an awful man it was his way or the highway the characters were a joy to read the POV were told by Opaline, Martha & Henry this was a historical fiction mixed with old fashioned romance 🥰 highly recommended.
She ended up in France 🇫🇷 where she inherited her love of reading by her father& with her association with Sylvia Beach of Shakespeare & Company fame she takes a job, her interest in Artiquaurian books & Manuscripts.
Present day Martha is sick of her life she moves from the west coast of Ireland 🇮🇪 to work for Mrs Bowden a well to do woman they get on well but secrets are hidden is Ms Bowden who is she & what is she hiding.
I just loved every minute of this book Lynden was just an awful man it was his way or the highway the characters were a joy to read the POV were told by Opaline, Martha & Henry this was a historical fiction mixed with old fashioned romance 🥰 highly recommended.
May 19, 2023
4+
In a place called lost
Strange things are found.
This enchanting novel all starts in London in 1921, with Opaline Carlisle‘s father instilling a love of books and the magic they contain. After his death, her mother and brother insist she is now of marriageable age but she has other ideas and via her desire to escape and be free her career as a book dealer is born. Fast forward to the present day, Martha arrives in Dublin also desiring an escape from her life on the West Coast of Ireland, she takes a job as a housekeeper to Mrs Bowden. Martha’s first encounter with Englishman Henry is not auspicious when he calls at the house. He is in Dublin seeking a manuscript, a lost bookshop and as much information about Opaline as he can gather. How do all the stories into connect? The story is told via all three which works well, flowing seamlessly.
This is a perfect book for book lovers as it features a wide variety such as the classics, especially the Brontës to Sally Rooney in the present day. It’s also a very good blend of genres which are woven together to create a captivating tale. There’s quite a large dose of fantasy and magic and those sections are really wonderful, they’re vivid and you just go with the flow enjoying the experience. Both female characters have dark backstories which leads to tragedy and revenge but counterbalancing this is love and romance. Much of the plot involves a mystery and some detective work and this is fascinating, as well as having authenticity.
There is a good mix of characters from the very likeable to despicable villains. After an unpromising start, the amazing Mrs Bowden shows her mettle and become essential to what unfolds. You particularly root for Opaline and Martha and keep your fingers crossed for Henry.
My only negative is the end feels a bit abrupt, but I do like it and it’s quite possible that just I want to carry on reading more about these terrific characters!!
Overall, a delightful, heartwarming, easy to read and engaging novel. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter, for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
In a place called lost
Strange things are found.
This enchanting novel all starts in London in 1921, with Opaline Carlisle‘s father instilling a love of books and the magic they contain. After his death, her mother and brother insist she is now of marriageable age but she has other ideas and via her desire to escape and be free her career as a book dealer is born. Fast forward to the present day, Martha arrives in Dublin also desiring an escape from her life on the West Coast of Ireland, she takes a job as a housekeeper to Mrs Bowden. Martha’s first encounter with Englishman Henry is not auspicious when he calls at the house. He is in Dublin seeking a manuscript, a lost bookshop and as much information about Opaline as he can gather. How do all the stories into connect? The story is told via all three which works well, flowing seamlessly.
This is a perfect book for book lovers as it features a wide variety such as the classics, especially the Brontës to Sally Rooney in the present day. It’s also a very good blend of genres which are woven together to create a captivating tale. There’s quite a large dose of fantasy and magic and those sections are really wonderful, they’re vivid and you just go with the flow enjoying the experience. Both female characters have dark backstories which leads to tragedy and revenge but counterbalancing this is love and romance. Much of the plot involves a mystery and some detective work and this is fascinating, as well as having authenticity.
There is a good mix of characters from the very likeable to despicable villains. After an unpromising start, the amazing Mrs Bowden shows her mettle and become essential to what unfolds. You particularly root for Opaline and Martha and keep your fingers crossed for Henry.
My only negative is the end feels a bit abrupt, but I do like it and it’s quite possible that just I want to carry on reading more about these terrific characters!!
Overall, a delightful, heartwarming, easy to read and engaging novel. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter, for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
March 15, 2024
I've been reading a lot of pretty bad books recently, but this one might take the cake.
First off, the writing style: This read like the first attempt at writing something by a 15 year old (who really likes the Brontës and has read a bunch of classics). Laughably bad. Dozens of short, childish sentences broken up by one single "quotable" soundbite (that often made no sense in context, see my complaints about characterization) every once in a while. Somehow, everything a character did sounded passive, like it's something just so happening to them without any agency – and if we were told a character was doing something actively, it without fail sounded ridiculous. It was impossible to tell how much time was passing for every character (and I think if one tried to make a timeline, one would find that it just does not compute). Speaking of computing – apart from a couple of passing mentions of Google and looking something up online, Martha & Henry's sections really don't read like they're set in modern day. I never understood when we were given information in the text and when there was dialogue – half the things expressed in dialogue were irrelevant, uninteresting, and cringey, while we skipped a lot of things that could've actually developed the characters or brought the plot forward.
Secondly, characterization: No character made any sense. Their thoughts didn't, their actions didn't, the things that happened to them didn't either. How old was Martha? Was she 20 or 50? How long was she married? She flipflopped between a naïveté (or is it sheer stupidity) I wouldn't even expect from the heroine in a middle grade to #girlboss statements about how women's achievements have been ignored throughout history (how would she know? She has been isolated for some time (years? We don't know!) and is lacking a lot of extremely basic knowledge about the world...). Henry was similarly unworldly (or stupid), even though he is a PhD student who was engaged to a pretty competent woman. Their actions, especially anything pertaining to their romance, made me giggle sometimes because of how badly written they were and how nonsensical they were. Moving on to Opaline: How long was she pregnant for before she ever noticed? Months? Years? How long was she in Ireland for? How did she have time to establish her shop and herself as a bookseller after getting to Dublin and before going to England and meeting Armand again? Never mind the racism and anti-semitism expressed in her POV that I'm pretty sure weren't even deliberate, but just a consequence of bad writing. Her POV was slightly less frustrating than Martha's and Henry's because she at least seemed to have a brain and some agency, not that I believed her being capable of the things she supposedly did at any point since all the interesting parts were skipped over and we were just told about them.
Everything that happened in this book was a serious of conveniences or inconveniences with little to no build-up and few (logical) consequences. The entire time I was reading this, I kept wondering whether it had just been written and published to prove how gullible readers are – whether that means using AI and editing that generated story (which would explain the absolute mess that the "plot" was) or just taking the piss and deliberately writing something bad. It's very blatantly a book for booklovers, from heavily referencing mostly classic but also modern writers and novels, including 1920s authors as characters, via a variety of trauma backstories that easily generate sympathy in the reader, in addition to the horrible things that happen to Opaline, to the "the magic of books" themes we're all supposed to love.
I can't believe this was published in the first place, and even less that it has such a high rating.
First off, the writing style: This read like the first attempt at writing something by a 15 year old (who really likes the Brontës and has read a bunch of classics). Laughably bad. Dozens of short, childish sentences broken up by one single "quotable" soundbite (that often made no sense in context, see my complaints about characterization) every once in a while. Somehow, everything a character did sounded passive, like it's something just so happening to them without any agency – and if we were told a character was doing something actively, it without fail sounded ridiculous. It was impossible to tell how much time was passing for every character (and I think if one tried to make a timeline, one would find that it just does not compute). Speaking of computing – apart from a couple of passing mentions of Google and looking something up online, Martha & Henry's sections really don't read like they're set in modern day. I never understood when we were given information in the text and when there was dialogue – half the things expressed in dialogue were irrelevant, uninteresting, and cringey, while we skipped a lot of things that could've actually developed the characters or brought the plot forward.
Secondly, characterization: No character made any sense. Their thoughts didn't, their actions didn't, the things that happened to them didn't either. How old was Martha? Was she 20 or 50? How long was she married? She flipflopped between a naïveté (or is it sheer stupidity) I wouldn't even expect from the heroine in a middle grade to #girlboss statements about how women's achievements have been ignored throughout history (how would she know? She has been isolated for some time (years? We don't know!) and is lacking a lot of extremely basic knowledge about the world...). Henry was similarly unworldly (or stupid), even though he is a PhD student who was engaged to a pretty competent woman. Their actions, especially anything pertaining to their romance, made me giggle sometimes because of how badly written they were and how nonsensical they were. Moving on to Opaline: How long was she pregnant for before she ever noticed? Months? Years? How long was she in Ireland for? How did she have time to establish her shop and herself as a bookseller after getting to Dublin and before going to England and meeting Armand again? Never mind the racism and anti-semitism expressed in her POV that I'm pretty sure weren't even deliberate, but just a consequence of bad writing. Her POV was slightly less frustrating than Martha's and Henry's because she at least seemed to have a brain and some agency, not that I believed her being capable of the things she supposedly did at any point since all the interesting parts were skipped over and we were just told about them.
Everything that happened in this book was a serious of conveniences or inconveniences with little to no build-up and few (logical) consequences. The entire time I was reading this, I kept wondering whether it had just been written and published to prove how gullible readers are – whether that means using AI and editing that generated story (which would explain the absolute mess that the "plot" was) or just taking the piss and deliberately writing something bad. It's very blatantly a book for booklovers, from heavily referencing mostly classic but also modern writers and novels, including 1920s authors as characters, via a variety of trauma backstories that easily generate sympathy in the reader, in addition to the horrible things that happen to Opaline, to the "the magic of books" themes we're all supposed to love.
I can't believe this was published in the first place, and even less that it has such a high rating.
June 19, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
1922:
Opaline, flees her childhood home to escape an arranged marriage to a man she has never met. She will first find refuge in Paris, where her love of rare books will earn her an apprenticeship in a bookstore called “Shakespeare and Company”, the perfect training ground for a young woman who is convinced that Bronte’ wrote a second book, which is waiting to be discovered.
But, her happiness will be short lived and she will have to flee again to Dublin where she will be given an opportunity to run her own book store in a building with an extraordinary past…..for awhile.
Present Day:
Martha is running from an abusive husband, and she will respond to an advert for a housekeeper, at #12, Ha’Penny Lane, placed by an eccentric former actress, who insists on being addressed as Madame Bowden. (I just adored her!)
Unexplainable things happen here but unexpectedly, it becomes the perfect refuge for Martha.
Henry is on a quest to find a book that was mentioned in a letter he found-a book that he needs to find for his PH.D research. IF he can find it hidden in a bookshop at 11 Ha’Penny Lane, he could make a name for himself and it could make his career.
He enters the shop but when he turns around, the shop has disappeared.
Buildings still stand at 10 Ha’Penny Lane and 12 Ha’Penny Lane but 11 Ha’Penny lane no longer exists. He seeks answers from Martha, the striking young woman at #12, and finds more than he bargained for.
Of course, Opaline’s story will be eventually be linked to the characters in the present day.
I am not a big fan of MAGICAL REALISM, but this time these elements of the book were actually my FAVORITE part!
The book is also labeled as HISTORICAL FICTION and it definitely reads as such-even the present day chapters read like they are taking place in the past-not the present-they lacked a contemporary feel.
Much was predictable with the exception of the magical realism elements, which is why this enchanting story earns 3.5 ⭐️ rounded down from me.
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to check out her amazing review!
AVAILABLE June 22, 2023
Thank You to One More Chapter for the invitation to read this one. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
1922:
Opaline, flees her childhood home to escape an arranged marriage to a man she has never met. She will first find refuge in Paris, where her love of rare books will earn her an apprenticeship in a bookstore called “Shakespeare and Company”, the perfect training ground for a young woman who is convinced that Bronte’ wrote a second book, which is waiting to be discovered.
But, her happiness will be short lived and she will have to flee again to Dublin where she will be given an opportunity to run her own book store in a building with an extraordinary past…..for awhile.
Present Day:
Martha is running from an abusive husband, and she will respond to an advert for a housekeeper, at #12, Ha’Penny Lane, placed by an eccentric former actress, who insists on being addressed as Madame Bowden. (I just adored her!)
Unexplainable things happen here but unexpectedly, it becomes the perfect refuge for Martha.
Henry is on a quest to find a book that was mentioned in a letter he found-a book that he needs to find for his PH.D research. IF he can find it hidden in a bookshop at 11 Ha’Penny Lane, he could make a name for himself and it could make his career.
He enters the shop but when he turns around, the shop has disappeared.
Buildings still stand at 10 Ha’Penny Lane and 12 Ha’Penny Lane but 11 Ha’Penny lane no longer exists. He seeks answers from Martha, the striking young woman at #12, and finds more than he bargained for.
Of course, Opaline’s story will be eventually be linked to the characters in the present day.
I am not a big fan of MAGICAL REALISM, but this time these elements of the book were actually my FAVORITE part!
The book is also labeled as HISTORICAL FICTION and it definitely reads as such-even the present day chapters read like they are taking place in the past-not the present-they lacked a contemporary feel.
Much was predictable with the exception of the magical realism elements, which is why this enchanting story earns 3.5 ⭐️ rounded down from me.
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to check out her amazing review!
AVAILABLE June 22, 2023
Thank You to One More Chapter for the invitation to read this one. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
July 19, 2023
4,5 ✨✨✨
(Audiobook).
What a lovely story! What can I say?
Books about books and people who love them are catnip to me. Good times guaranteed.
Also the narration was excellent, brought the story a notch higher.
(Audiobook).
What a lovely story! What can I say?
Books about books and people who love them are catnip to me. Good times guaranteed.
Also the narration was excellent, brought the story a notch higher.
August 15, 2023
I kept waiting and waiting ... and waiting for something interesting to happen. Magical realism is out of my typical genre, but the book sounded SO GOOD. It just wasn't for me. Three POVs, two too similar and difficult to tell apart at times despite differing time periods. It's mostly a love story with sub-elements of a missing manuscript and hidden bookstore, which only reveals itself in the final 20 pages. Massive letdown. What am I missing?
October 18, 2023
The book attempts to straddle the line between realism and fantasy, but unfortunately, falls short on both fronts. The story introduces surreal elements like Reading people, magical tattoos, invisible characters, and shape-shifting houses, among others, which could have added a whimsical charm to the narrative, had they been well-explained or integrated into the plot. However, Woods leaves readers in the dark with no substantial explanations or connections to the overall story, making these elements feel misplaced and disjointed.
The lack of clarity extends to the character arcs and backstories as well. The protagonist's inexplicable fear of books and her mute mother's sudden ability to speak are just a couple of the many unresolved threads that left me with more questions than answers. The narrative seemed to jump from one bizarre scenario to another without much cohesion, with the asylum break-in scene being particularly ludicrous.
Moreover, the romance subplot felt painfully predictable and uninspired, adding nothing to the narrative but a cliched attempt at emotional engagement. The lack of depth in character interactions and the forced love story only diluted the overall reading experience.
In conclusion, “The Lost Bookshop” felt like a hasty mishmash of unexplained fantastical elements with a thin veil of realism, resulting in a confusing and unsatisfying read. The book had the potential to explore an enchanting blend of reality and magic, but the lack of explanations and the poorly executed plot twists made it a frustrating journey through a wishy-washy world that neither captivates nor convinces.
The lack of clarity extends to the character arcs and backstories as well. The protagonist's inexplicable fear of books and her mute mother's sudden ability to speak are just a couple of the many unresolved threads that left me with more questions than answers. The narrative seemed to jump from one bizarre scenario to another without much cohesion, with the asylum break-in scene being particularly ludicrous.
Moreover, the romance subplot felt painfully predictable and uninspired, adding nothing to the narrative but a cliched attempt at emotional engagement. The lack of depth in character interactions and the forced love story only diluted the overall reading experience.
In conclusion, “The Lost Bookshop” felt like a hasty mishmash of unexplained fantastical elements with a thin veil of realism, resulting in a confusing and unsatisfying read. The book had the potential to explore an enchanting blend of reality and magic, but the lack of explanations and the poorly executed plot twists made it a frustrating journey through a wishy-washy world that neither captivates nor convinces.
January 6, 2024
4.25* I really enjoyed this book. Its absolutely not what I was expecting at all, I thought it would be a similar vibe to the midnight library by matt Haig but it's completely different. I loved getting to know the characters and how their relationships grew. Would recommend to a friend 🤓
June 19, 2024
To było przepiękne! Miłość do książek, kilka „punktów widzenia” z różnych czasów, magia i siła, by walczyć o siebie.
October 2, 2023
I went into this expecting a light, heartwarming read and got so much more. This is not only a story about books and the people who love, collect, study, and treasure them, but it's a story about women carving out their own second chances and escaping abuse.
What I loved:
☘️The Dublin setting
☘️The dual POVs
☘️Both MCs (Maggie and Opaline)
☘️Henry, the bookish romantic
What didn't work for me was the ambiguity of the magic. In order for me to suspend my disbelief and accept magical elements in a story, they have to make sense. A few things happen to Maggie that kind of break the rules (can one receive a cash payment from a ghost? Is the ghost paying the power bill too?) I know that seems silly, but it pulled me out of the narrative. It's also a minor quibble, and I would absolutely recommend this book to those who love historical fiction, female empowerment, and books and books.
What I loved:
☘️The Dublin setting
☘️The dual POVs
☘️Both MCs (Maggie and Opaline)
☘️Henry, the bookish romantic
What didn't work for me was the ambiguity of the magic. In order for me to suspend my disbelief and accept magical elements in a story, they have to make sense. A few things happen to Maggie that kind of break the rules (can one receive a cash payment from a ghost? Is the ghost paying the power bill too?) I know that seems silly, but it pulled me out of the narrative. It's also a minor quibble, and I would absolutely recommend this book to those who love historical fiction, female empowerment, and books and books.
December 3, 2023
This is the type of book that reminds me why I love reading so very much.
The blurb doesn't do the full scope of this book justice. It's a book about books mystery across time with twists and turns and emotions and tension. It was just brilliant, romantic where it needed to be, emotional where it needed to be and always utterly gripping. The writing was beautiful and entrancing, I loved the characters, they felt so real and I felt incredibly invested in their stories.
I loved this and I can't fully process my thoughts on it yet. Brilliant. Superb. 10/10 would recommend.
The blurb doesn't do the full scope of this book justice. It's a book about books mystery across time with twists and turns and emotions and tension. It was just brilliant, romantic where it needed to be, emotional where it needed to be and always utterly gripping. The writing was beautiful and entrancing, I loved the characters, they felt so real and I felt incredibly invested in their stories.
I loved this and I can't fully process my thoughts on it yet. Brilliant. Superb. 10/10 would recommend.
January 29, 2024
Holy cripes, I've read a lot of bad books that were more outright offensive, but this one might be most aggressively low quality book I've read in...well awhile at least. Was it the completely undeveloped characters? The dangling plot threads? The fact that the plot threads weren't actual plots as much as a series of unrelated events? I couldn't say for sure. But you shouldn't read this book ever so I'm going to just spoil some things...
1. One character has: an abusive family that wants to marry her off, flees to Paris, stumbles into a fantastic job, flees to Dublin, promptly makes out with the guy she's renting from for absolutely no reason, has sexy times with some guy that no one cares about, feels her baby kicking at less than 12 weeks, is randomly living in a magical bookshop and becomes "the most famous book antiquarian of her time" (we're shown none of that development), gets randomly kidnapped and sent to a lunatic asylum, has her baby sold, 17 years later is still chilling there, randomly breaks out of the asylum in a way that she could have easily done 17 years later, finds out her brother was her dad, ruins his reputation (we forgot that he had some past in WWI because it wasn't mentioned the whole book), falls in love with her one true love in one chapter, OH AND DISCOVERS A LOST MANUSCRIPT OF EMILY BRONTE's SECRET 2nd NOVEL - WHICH THE AUTHOR HAS THE AUDACITY TO TRY TO WRITE HERSELF IN THE STYLE OF BRONTE. It was, in case you were wondering, awful. But everyone acted like it was a revelation in literature. Oh and then she just sort of disappears. Into time or something. Who knows
There were two other characters. They had similar strings of events. They were the most boring people on the planet. The girl had never read a book before but she enrolled in college to study literary criticism. The first book she studied was Persuasion. She blew the professor away with the thought that Persuasion is about love lost and refound. Truly a genious.
I don't have the energy to write about the rest. Just assume it was worse.
Don't read this book. Also, if anyone gives this book a good review, don't ever trust their reviews again - they're clearly going through a mental breakdown, or maybe they don't know how to read. We should be concerned for them.
1. One character has: an abusive family that wants to marry her off, flees to Paris, stumbles into a fantastic job, flees to Dublin, promptly makes out with the guy she's renting from for absolutely no reason, has sexy times with some guy that no one cares about, feels her baby kicking at less than 12 weeks, is randomly living in a magical bookshop and becomes "the most famous book antiquarian of her time" (we're shown none of that development), gets randomly kidnapped and sent to a lunatic asylum, has her baby sold, 17 years later is still chilling there, randomly breaks out of the asylum in a way that she could have easily done 17 years later, finds out her brother was her dad, ruins his reputation (we forgot that he had some past in WWI because it wasn't mentioned the whole book), falls in love with her one true love in one chapter, OH AND DISCOVERS A LOST MANUSCRIPT OF EMILY BRONTE's SECRET 2nd NOVEL - WHICH THE AUTHOR HAS THE AUDACITY TO TRY TO WRITE HERSELF IN THE STYLE OF BRONTE. It was, in case you were wondering, awful. But everyone acted like it was a revelation in literature. Oh and then she just sort of disappears. Into time or something. Who knows
There were two other characters. They had similar strings of events. They were the most boring people on the planet. The girl had never read a book before but she enrolled in college to study literary criticism. The first book she studied was Persuasion. She blew the professor away with the thought that Persuasion is about love lost and refound. Truly a genious.
I don't have the energy to write about the rest. Just assume it was worse.
Don't read this book. Also, if anyone gives this book a good review, don't ever trust their reviews again - they're clearly going through a mental breakdown, or maybe they don't know how to read. We should be concerned for them.
July 4, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐
If you have absolutely no expectations or if you're too hyped up or anything in-between, don't worry, this book will probably turn out way more interesting than anything you mightve pictured in your head.
I am a big fan of books about books and libraries and bookshops and secret shelves and stories and words and everything of the sort (being a nerdy bookworm makes you like that, yes, beware!). And this story built on the love for books, stories and writers binds the past and the present. And it's so much more complex than just the plot.
Each of the characters comes with a story. It looks like each of these characters and their backstories are arteries attached to the big beating heart - the plot. The plot pumps the arteries with fresh blood and they bring back raw material for the heart to keep pumping.
I was surprised by the lengths this story goes to. It's full of force, but also of emotion. Of love and loss. Of tragedy. Of little smiles that appear at the corner of one character's mouth when they think no one sees them. And most importantly, it is full of magic. And this magic is done in such a way that the life is intertwining with it.
If you have absolutely no expectations or if you're too hyped up or anything in-between, don't worry, this book will probably turn out way more interesting than anything you mightve pictured in your head.
I am a big fan of books about books and libraries and bookshops and secret shelves and stories and words and everything of the sort (being a nerdy bookworm makes you like that, yes, beware!). And this story built on the love for books, stories and writers binds the past and the present. And it's so much more complex than just the plot.
Each of the characters comes with a story. It looks like each of these characters and their backstories are arteries attached to the big beating heart - the plot. The plot pumps the arteries with fresh blood and they bring back raw material for the heart to keep pumping.
I was surprised by the lengths this story goes to. It's full of force, but also of emotion. Of love and loss. Of tragedy. Of little smiles that appear at the corner of one character's mouth when they think no one sees them. And most importantly, it is full of magic. And this magic is done in such a way that the life is intertwining with it.
September 3, 2023
GODDDDDD this book is dumb
Nothing about it is compelling, not the characters, not the descriptions of places, not the fucking magical bookshop, not the “accident” / murder, not the villainous murder, not the romances, not the asylum, NOTHING
I’m embarrassed for this book, ok
Nothing about it is compelling, not the characters, not the descriptions of places, not the fucking magical bookshop, not the “accident” / murder, not the villainous murder, not the romances, not the asylum, NOTHING
I’m embarrassed for this book, ok
March 13, 2024
1921 and Opaline Carlisle dreams of making an independent life for herself, a dream that will take her to Paris and later Dublin, pursuing her passion for books and literature. However, the life she dreams of is not one easily realised for a young woman in these times. In the present day, Martha arrives in Dublin seeking refuge from an abusive marriage, and Henry is on the hunt for a lost manuscript; as their paths entwine, they slowly uncover the secrets of Opaline's life all those years before.
My first read from Evie Woods, this started off very promising. I enjoy dual time frame novels exploring old family mysteries, and also books that showcase a love of literature in themselves, and this book certainly had both of these elements. Unfortunately as the book went on, the initial promise wore off for me personally, and ultimately I was left rather disappointed.
The book is told from three different points of view, following Opaline's story in the past and both Martha and Henry's stories in the present day. Each perspective is easy enough to follow, and there are common themes in the stories of each of the characters, some of which are quite weighty. In addition to Martha's story of suffering domestic abuse, Opaline's story also turns very dark at times, with the character even being committed to an asylum by her coercive brother at one point in the story, and certainly the author highlighted just how frighteningly powerless women were in these times. However, there are also more hopeful themes explored, with each of the characters going on their own journey of self-discovery and learning to believe in themselves. The power of literature and the influence it can have on our lives is also a recurring theme throughout the book.
I do think at times the author was almost trying too hard to throw too much into this book. For me personally whilst the magical realism element added some extra fun and intrigue to begin with, it didn't really end up working, as it just came off seeming odd and confusing as opposed to truly whimsical or enchanting in the way it could have been. The first half of the story was definitely a stronger read than the latter half, which is where the execution of all the different ideas just didn't really work for me, and I found my interest waning.
Whilst I thought Martha and Henry's romance was sweet in places, it perhaps felt a bit too 'bubblegum' and a bit forced at times. As for Opaline's romantic interests, I thought the author's portrayal was bordering on ridiculous. She seemed to fall in love almost instantaneously with every man she met, Armand, Matthew, Josef. None of these relationships read as believable, and as such I was never invested in any of them.
There were parts of the story that just felt over the top and there for drama's sake, and even the parts that should have hit harder, for me at least didn't resonate in the way they should have done.
Overall, whilst the premise held a lot of promise, I don't think the author's execution lived up to this, and it ended up feeling like a hotchpotch of ideas thrown together that didn't quite mesh. 2.5 stars
My first read from Evie Woods, this started off very promising. I enjoy dual time frame novels exploring old family mysteries, and also books that showcase a love of literature in themselves, and this book certainly had both of these elements. Unfortunately as the book went on, the initial promise wore off for me personally, and ultimately I was left rather disappointed.
The book is told from three different points of view, following Opaline's story in the past and both Martha and Henry's stories in the present day. Each perspective is easy enough to follow, and there are common themes in the stories of each of the characters, some of which are quite weighty. In addition to Martha's story of suffering domestic abuse, Opaline's story also turns very dark at times, with the character even being committed to an asylum by her coercive brother at one point in the story, and certainly the author highlighted just how frighteningly powerless women were in these times. However, there are also more hopeful themes explored, with each of the characters going on their own journey of self-discovery and learning to believe in themselves. The power of literature and the influence it can have on our lives is also a recurring theme throughout the book.
I do think at times the author was almost trying too hard to throw too much into this book. For me personally whilst the magical realism element added some extra fun and intrigue to begin with, it didn't really end up working, as it just came off seeming odd and confusing as opposed to truly whimsical or enchanting in the way it could have been. The first half of the story was definitely a stronger read than the latter half, which is where the execution of all the different ideas just didn't really work for me, and I found my interest waning.
Whilst I thought Martha and Henry's romance was sweet in places, it perhaps felt a bit too 'bubblegum' and a bit forced at times. As for Opaline's romantic interests, I thought the author's portrayal was bordering on ridiculous. She seemed to fall in love almost instantaneously with every man she met, Armand, Matthew, Josef. None of these relationships read as believable, and as such I was never invested in any of them.
There were parts of the story that just felt over the top and there for drama's sake, and even the parts that should have hit harder, for me at least didn't resonate in the way they should have done.
Overall, whilst the premise held a lot of promise, I don't think the author's execution lived up to this, and it ended up feeling like a hotchpotch of ideas thrown together that didn't quite mesh. 2.5 stars
October 12, 2023
I preferred the ending to the beginning - found the three narrative lines quite disruptive to the flow and the individual voices not distinct enough to characterise them - I often forgot who was ‘talking’. A very weird mix of historical fiction/ magical realism.
June 21, 2023
On a quiet street in London, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found.... For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been side characters in their own lives. But when a vanishing bookshop cast its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder.... where nothing is as it seems.
This book has a dual timeline - one story is set in the 1920s and follows Opaline, while the other is in the present day and follows Henry and Martha. This book is also a fabulous blend of mystery and magic. The story is told from different points of view, in alternating chapters from Opaline, Henry and Martha. Opaline and Martha are strong independent characters. The pace was perfectly set. This is a heartwarming, heartbreaking, unique and funny story that's also about family, strength and courage. We are taken to Paris, London and Dublin. This was a delightful book to read and I loved every minute of it.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #EvieWoods for my ARC of #TheLostBookshop in exchange for an honest review.
This book has a dual timeline - one story is set in the 1920s and follows Opaline, while the other is in the present day and follows Henry and Martha. This book is also a fabulous blend of mystery and magic. The story is told from different points of view, in alternating chapters from Opaline, Henry and Martha. Opaline and Martha are strong independent characters. The pace was perfectly set. This is a heartwarming, heartbreaking, unique and funny story that's also about family, strength and courage. We are taken to Paris, London and Dublin. This was a delightful book to read and I loved every minute of it.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #EvieWoods for my ARC of #TheLostBookshop in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2024
It pains me to write this review. When a book features a bookshop, I'm skipping in expecting to love it.
Over 90,000 people have rated this book on Goodreads, and it has an average rating of 4.11, and I just don't get it. Clearly, I'm missing something.
The characters felt the same. The same voice, no depth, nothing distinctive about them. The two time periods felt the same, which is ridiculous considering the generational gap. The plot is far too convenient and ties up nicely with big, pretty bows everywhere.
This book, to me, was the same as eating dry toast. I don't hate it enough to stop, nor am I enjoying it.
I don't get the hype.
I would rather give a book a one star than a 3. At least it made me feel something. Yet here I am, unemotional, detached, dishing out a 3 star on this much loved book.
Over 90,000 people have rated this book on Goodreads, and it has an average rating of 4.11, and I just don't get it. Clearly, I'm missing something.
The characters felt the same. The same voice, no depth, nothing distinctive about them. The two time periods felt the same, which is ridiculous considering the generational gap. The plot is far too convenient and ties up nicely with big, pretty bows everywhere.
This book, to me, was the same as eating dry toast. I don't hate it enough to stop, nor am I enjoying it.
I don't get the hype.
I would rather give a book a one star than a 3. At least it made me feel something. Yet here I am, unemotional, detached, dishing out a 3 star on this much loved book.
January 3, 2024
3.5
Left a little confused by the magic and the miscommunication of the modern era timeline. Seriously, why would someone leave a written note vs. send a text or email when they were leaving town? And if you did leave a paper note why wouldn't you follow up?
I think this book is interesting but I prefer having all my questions answered when I finish a story.
Left a little confused by the magic and the miscommunication of the modern era timeline. Seriously, why would someone leave a written note vs. send a text or email when they were leaving town? And if you did leave a paper note why wouldn't you follow up?
I think this book is interesting but I prefer having all my questions answered when I finish a story.
July 11, 2023
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
“In a place called lost, strange things are found.”
Told through the perspectives of three different characters - Opaline, Martha and Henry, The Lost Bookshop was a unique idea, that somehow, in an effort, to be as fantastical as it could, it failed to leave a lasting impression with a story that could have been more widely appreciated.
“He always said that books were more than words on paper; they were portals to other places, other lives. I fell in love with books and the vast worlds they held inside, and I owed it all to my father.
‘If you tilt your head,’ he told me once, ‘you can hear the older books whispering their secrets.’”
Any book that appreciates the love for reading is an instant click for me; unfortunately, this time around, I think I may have clicked too soon in anticipation of a worthwhile read. There was just something missing in this, that could have made it stand out. While Opaline's story line was a compelling and tragic one, I didn't really buy into Martha and Henry's love story. Individually, Martha and Henry were an interesting pair - together, it just felt a little too forced for me to believe in their romance, even if it was the intention of the lost bookshop to bring them closer to each other through their love of finding it. 😔
“The unrequited love for what might have been, if not for these cruel acts of fate.”
Opaline's history was absolutely devastating - it was a beginning that began out of necessity and tragedy still befell her throughout the years. I felt so awful for her, that a girl who was set on hopeful dreams of living her life with books, could find her life so shattered and torn by her own family.💔💔 To crush one's soul and spirit like that - it just broke my heart, but to see her resilience afterwards was also so very uplifting. There was a part of me that didn't quite resonate with her return to the bookshop during WWII, as the story did rather end abruptly there. But, it was a cleverly placed twist that helped tie her past to the present in a somewhat predictable, but still understandable twist. 📜📜
My favorite character would definitely have to be Madame Bowden - she stole the show, captured the scene, grabbed my attention in every instance she appeared. She was fierce and formidable and had a witty sense to her that made her appear more than we are led to believe, and sharing pearls of wisdom, such as 'Your generation has no idea how to pass the time other than staring at your blasted phones,’ that emphasizes how special a character she really is. 🥰
Honestly, I don't think the magical element was needed to this story - it would have worked just as well as a romance, that also showed a painful past of the owner of the lost bookshop. It didn't translate very well for me, and at times, it seemed as it was trying too hard to emphasize on the allure of the unknown, that it actually did get lost in translation. Does magic always have to have an answer that explains how it works? Maybe not. But, if it's going to play a key part of the plot, it would be nice to have a solid reasoning behind it. 😕
“A book becomes rare when it’s both hard to find and highly sought after. And it’s not just books that are valuable to collectors; manuscripts, prints, etchings, archives – even letters.
Especially letters. Anything that will feed the insatiable curiosity that surrounds the greatest minds.’”
The writing is rather simplistic in nature, which I think, worked well in it's favor. And while it was nice to get a little introspection into Henry's story, now that I think about it, I didn't really feel it was necessary. True, it was his journey in seeking out the lost bookshop and the missing manuscripts that inadvertently led him into Martha's life, but nothing about his life really stood out for me that made it as important a discovery for him, as much as Martha's did. I would have much preferred alternating chapters between Martha and Opaline, instead. 🤷
“It was not in perfect condition; the cloth boards were worn on the edges and the back one had a v-shape nicked out of it.The pages were coming loose, as the threads that sewed them together were fraying with age and use. But to me, all of these features, including the cigar-smoke smell of the paper, were like a time machine.
Perhaps the seeds were sown then. A book is never what it seems.”
Sometimes, when I pick a book of my bookshelf, I may not perhaps remember the exact details of the story - but, in my heart, memories stir up of so much more. A chewed-off corner of a book where I accidentally dropped it off my roof and my dog happened upon it and started munching away on it. A grease stain when I made the unfortunate mistake of leaving it lying around so my younger sister's grubby paws could get their hands on it. Old or new, each book has a story of it's own. Not the story that it holds, but the actual book, itself. 📚📚💕💕
“In a place called lost, strange things are found.”
Told through the perspectives of three different characters - Opaline, Martha and Henry, The Lost Bookshop was a unique idea, that somehow, in an effort, to be as fantastical as it could, it failed to leave a lasting impression with a story that could have been more widely appreciated.
“He always said that books were more than words on paper; they were portals to other places, other lives. I fell in love with books and the vast worlds they held inside, and I owed it all to my father.
‘If you tilt your head,’ he told me once, ‘you can hear the older books whispering their secrets.’”
Any book that appreciates the love for reading is an instant click for me; unfortunately, this time around, I think I may have clicked too soon in anticipation of a worthwhile read. There was just something missing in this, that could have made it stand out. While Opaline's story line was a compelling and tragic one, I didn't really buy into Martha and Henry's love story. Individually, Martha and Henry were an interesting pair - together, it just felt a little too forced for me to believe in their romance, even if it was the intention of the lost bookshop to bring them closer to each other through their love of finding it. 😔
“The unrequited love for what might have been, if not for these cruel acts of fate.”
Opaline's history was absolutely devastating - it was a beginning that began out of necessity and tragedy still befell her throughout the years. I felt so awful for her, that a girl who was set on hopeful dreams of living her life with books, could find her life so shattered and torn by her own family.💔💔 To crush one's soul and spirit like that - it just broke my heart, but to see her resilience afterwards was also so very uplifting. There was a part of me that didn't quite resonate with her return to the bookshop during WWII, as the story did rather end abruptly there. But, it was a cleverly placed twist that helped tie her past to the present in a somewhat predictable, but still understandable twist. 📜📜
My favorite character would definitely have to be Madame Bowden - she stole the show, captured the scene, grabbed my attention in every instance she appeared. She was fierce and formidable and had a witty sense to her that made her appear more than we are led to believe, and sharing pearls of wisdom, such as 'Your generation has no idea how to pass the time other than staring at your blasted phones,’ that emphasizes how special a character she really is. 🥰
Honestly, I don't think the magical element was needed to this story - it would have worked just as well as a romance, that also showed a painful past of the owner of the lost bookshop. It didn't translate very well for me, and at times, it seemed as it was trying too hard to emphasize on the allure of the unknown, that it actually did get lost in translation. Does magic always have to have an answer that explains how it works? Maybe not. But, if it's going to play a key part of the plot, it would be nice to have a solid reasoning behind it. 😕
“A book becomes rare when it’s both hard to find and highly sought after. And it’s not just books that are valuable to collectors; manuscripts, prints, etchings, archives – even letters.
Especially letters. Anything that will feed the insatiable curiosity that surrounds the greatest minds.’”
The writing is rather simplistic in nature, which I think, worked well in it's favor. And while it was nice to get a little introspection into Henry's story, now that I think about it, I didn't really feel it was necessary. True, it was his journey in seeking out the lost bookshop and the missing manuscripts that inadvertently led him into Martha's life, but nothing about his life really stood out for me that made it as important a discovery for him, as much as Martha's did. I would have much preferred alternating chapters between Martha and Opaline, instead. 🤷
“It was not in perfect condition; the cloth boards were worn on the edges and the back one had a v-shape nicked out of it.The pages were coming loose, as the threads that sewed them together were fraying with age and use. But to me, all of these features, including the cigar-smoke smell of the paper, were like a time machine.
Perhaps the seeds were sown then. A book is never what it seems.”
Sometimes, when I pick a book of my bookshelf, I may not perhaps remember the exact details of the story - but, in my heart, memories stir up of so much more. A chewed-off corner of a book where I accidentally dropped it off my roof and my dog happened upon it and started munching away on it. A grease stain when I made the unfortunate mistake of leaving it lying around so my younger sister's grubby paws could get their hands on it. Old or new, each book has a story of it's own. Not the story that it holds, but the actual book, itself. 📚📚💕💕
April 4, 2024
I listened to the audiobook which was well narrated. The story itself was sometimes interesting (especially at first in Opaline's chapters) but I also often lost interest. Overall, it's a not-so-bad read, works for an audiobook to listen to while doing chores, driving, etc. However, it's nothing memorable.
September 24, 2023
O carte cu adevărat magică! O atmosferă de care nu te poți desprinde, care te face să te întrebi ce este real și ce este magie. Frumoasă, frumoasă! Are un dar aparte de a te face să te simți efectiv acolo, în anul 1921 sau în prezent, cu aceeași ușurință.
Perfectă pentru iubitorii de cărți, de librării, de opere rare și de Emily Bronte (care a scris sau nu un al doilea roman? 😉). Trei personaje cu vieți deloc ușoare ajung să stabilească o legătură puternică peste timp. Opaline, din anul 1921, și Martha și Henry din prezent comunică prin intermediul cărților, descoperind secrete ce păreau îngropate pentru totdeauna.
O librărie pierdută și redescoperită, care nu va muri niciodată, la fel cum povestea asta va rămâne cu voi pentru mult timp.
Mi-aș dori să recitesc cartea după ce se traduce în limba română.
Perfectă pentru iubitorii de cărți, de librării, de opere rare și de Emily Bronte (care a scris sau nu un al doilea roman? 😉). Trei personaje cu vieți deloc ușoare ajung să stabilească o legătură puternică peste timp. Opaline, din anul 1921, și Martha și Henry din prezent comunică prin intermediul cărților, descoperind secrete ce păreau îngropate pentru totdeauna.
O librărie pierdută și redescoperită, care nu va muri niciodată, la fel cum povestea asta va rămâne cu voi pentru mult timp.
Mi-aș dori să recitesc cartea după ce se traduce în limba română.
November 21, 2023
Well not finished actually! I’m one of the minority who really struggled with this novel. I felt the writing poor, the characters flat, the research inadequate. The three seperate timelines just didn’t work for me.
100 pages in and I just couldn’t read on. I can count on one hand the books I could not finish so it takes a lot for me to give up. I tried and I’m glad others have been so impressed, but for me it just felt overwhelming simplistic. Grateful we can all find books for our individual tastes.
100 pages in and I just couldn’t read on. I can count on one hand the books I could not finish so it takes a lot for me to give up. I tried and I’m glad others have been so impressed, but for me it just felt overwhelming simplistic. Grateful we can all find books for our individual tastes.
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