Omg where to start on this book. I feel in love with each and everyone of the unique characters and absolutely loved the dual timelines and how they linked together so well. It is told from the pov of three main character Opaline from the 1920's and Martha and Henry from the modern day. Martha and Henry research the missing manuscript and also the lost bookshop with the view to solving the mystery sometime soon and what a journey it turned out to be. It provoked many emotions ranging from sadness to absolute laughter but all jokes aside it told a harrowing story of how woman were treated and undermined in the 1900s. I loved the aspect of it being set in two main cities Paris and Dublin and how things differed between them. Both Opaline and Martha were strong female characters and did everything in their power to show the male society their strength and determination to suceed.
If you want a nice bookshop related read about book dealers from across the globe and just a good read about life learning experiences of the past and how they helped changed society of today than check this out. I hope this wonderful magical story will continue soon!
I read this as part of the one more chapter whats app group and i loved every second of it.

This is a really interesting book. I love books with bookshops or libraries as the centre and this is no exception. It is so true that books help you imagine life to be bigger and better. Books are like another world and its magical.

I love the characters and relationships.

I love the connection the Howarth and the Bronte sisters. My friend lived in Howarth for a while so I liked that connection.

I enjoyed the connections between 1920 and present and the chapters making it easier to know where you were and which character you were following.

What a delightful book! This is one of those books that leaves you with a big smile and a happy ending and affirms all the reasons you love and need books in your life.
I was hooked from the beginning by the mystery and magic of the missing bookshop and the search for both it and the lost manuscript. Told as a dual timeline, we follow Opaline in the past who is desperate for independence and a life free from the control of her older brother, and then Martha and Henry in the present, Martha fleeing an abusive marriage and Henry seeking a lost manuscript as part of his scholarly research. Somehow their stories intersect as they find all themselves in the Dublin and drawn to a certain street and house. As their stories unfold, so they become more and more entwined.
I loved Opaline’s story, a young woman of such strength and courage who befell such difficult times. Then Martha who was learning through the magic of the house to unlock her own inner strength and to find her true path in life. And Henry, such a gentle soul who it seems has felt lost himself in the midst of his own troubled childhood.
A truly magical tale that will capture the heart of any book lover.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for a review.

Really unique and special book. Easy to get lost in this whimsical historical fiction. Love the unique premise and enchanting world the author built.

This is a magical story of a lost bookshop. Its a dual timeline - we have Opaline from the 1920's whose father installed a love of books into his daughter , after his death she is obliged to get married but this is not something that she wants and she escapes from her horrid brother who is forcing her to marry. Now her story begins. the 2nd timeline is about Martha who has escaped from her abusive husband to start a new life and finds work as a housekeeper for a Mrs Bowden. She also encounters charming Henry who is trying to find the whereabouts of a bookshop that no one seems to have heard of . I loved reading both the timelines wondering how they would connect. This is such a lovely book to get lost in . There is a slight sadness to the book and a bit of magic which works beautifully. A fantastic read.

I was sent a copy of The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods to read and review by NetGalley. I really enjoyed this novel. It was well written with the three protagonists telling their own part of the story – two present day and one in the past. There was a lovely blend of reality and magic, which seemed totally believable. I love books that weave history through them in an ethereal way and this one didn’t disappoint. There were one or two moments that were a little predictable, but as this is quite tricky to avoid it didn’t stop me from awarding the whole 5 stars. A great read!

What is lost can be found if we look in the right place. Told in a dual-linear timeline, the protagonists are seeking shelter from their storms. Booklovers will fall in love the iconic authors listed in Evie Woods' story. At times I was confused about which characters was speaking but I feel it's intentional. Their stories merge together in a spellbinding way that proves not all things missing are lost.

Martha is fleeing an abusive relationship and welcomed by Madame Bowden, she embraces the safety net her employer provides. When Henry and Martha join forces to search for the missing manuscript and lost bookshop. They realize they are about to 'check out' a story that's been locked away waiting for the right writers to finish the tale.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of 'The Lost Bookshop' in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the book's premise but was often confused about the direction it was taking. As a tip for other readers, I would suggest reading straight through to avoid getting lost within the pages each time I picked up a new chapter.

‘On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…’

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. One More Chapter for an eARC via NetGalley, of ‘The Lost Bookshop’ by Evie Woods.

The story of the lost bookshop is told by three characters. In the Prologue we are introduced to Martha, who runs Opaline’s Bookshop in present day Dublin. We then move back in time to 1921 where Opaline Carlisle shares the story of her love of books and how following the death of her father, her brother had sought to marry her off. She runs away from home and finds her way to Paris. There she works in a bookshop and begins a fledgling career as a book dealer.

We then return to Martha nine months prior to the Prologue. Escaping an abusive marriage, she takes the position of housekeeper to Mrs. Bowen, an elderly woman living in a Georgian house in Ha'penny Lane, Dublin.

The third narrative voice is Henry Field, a British academic in search of a lost manuscript. His only clue to its whereabouts is a letter from one of the world’s most successful rare book dealers to Miss Opaline Gray, a bookshop owner in Ha'penny Lane, Dublin.

The evening he arrives in Dublin Henry has an unusual experience when he is dropped off in Ha'penny Lane. He enters the bookshop then suddenly finds himself back outside. Too many G&Ts on the flight? In the light of day he discovers that the bookshop’s address is waste ground. It is located next door to Mrs. Bowen’s and he soon meets Martha, who at first believes him to be a Peeping Tom! I won’t say more to avoid spoilers.

The chapters cycle between the three main characters and between the past and present. It becomes obvious that there is something strange about the bookshop, including other reports of people walking into it but it then disappearing. Then there are the tree roots seemingly growing from the ceiling of Martha’s room and the tattoo on her back that has begun changing on its own.

I appreciated the aspects of magical realism found throughout the novel. It can be a delicate balance to integrate these elements without entering into full-on fantasy fiction. I felt that Evie Woods succeeded in creating a subtle sense of wonder.

Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Lost Bookshop’ and found it an engaging read. Throughout the story celebrates books and the love of reading and that always appeals to me. As a result, I expect that it will prove a popular choice with reading groups and I plan to suggest it to my own.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

This book is an absolute delight. It completely drew me in and I was so sad when it ended. I can’t recommend this enough. Just beautiful.

The Lost Bookshop opens with a prologue in which a young Dublin boy is sidetracked by Opaline’s Bookshop while on his way to school. He soon finds himself helping the woman in the shop stuff envelopes with invitations to a book launch and asks if she is Opaline. After identifying herself as Martha, she offers to tell him the story of Opaline.

The first chapter opens in 1921 London as 21-Year-old, book-loving Opaline learns that her brother and mother plan to marry her to her brother’s acquaintance, a man she doesn’t know. Determined to live her own life, Opaline flees to Paris where she falls into a job at Shakespeare and Company, which allows the author to bring in writers associated with the historic place, such as Hemingway and Joyce.

Told from three points of view, the novel alternates between Opaline, Martha, and Henry. Chapter Two opens “nine months ago” with Martha having arrived in Dublin after leaving an abusive husband. She takes a job as housekeeper for an octogenarian former actress, the eccentric Madame Bowden. When Martha encounters Henry on the street, mystery and magic enter the story. Working on his PhD dissertation on rare manuscripts, Henry has traveled to Dublin in search of a bookstore for which he has the address in a letterhead, the letter sent from rare book collector to a Miss Opaline Gray about a lost manuscript. Although Henry is told no such address ever existed, Madame Bowden tells Martha of a long-ago party guest who stumbled through the wrong doorway, mistakenly entering a quaint bookstore before finding her way to Madame Bowden’s house next door. Strangely, Madame Bowden adds, there was no such bookstore. Then Martha starts noticing strange things.

Readers wondering how the various plot lines will come together should be happy in the end.
Dedicated to “all the book lovers,” The Lost Bookshop is a delightful read for those who enjoy a mix of daily life and fantasy.

Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter/HarperCollins for an advance reader copy.

Shared on GoodReads and Barnes and Noble.

This story has multiple storylines. I thought Opaline’s story was more interesting. I guess with bookshop in the title I was expecting it to be more about it or in the bookshop. I did like the story but it was a bit wordy at times
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

In The Lost Bookshop, we have two timelines, and three main characters - Opaline, Martha and Henry. We move between 1921 and present day as each character tells their story. Some stories really are love letters to the power of books, and this gorgeous story is certainly one of those.

There's intrigue, there's an ethereal quality to the plot and there's certainly passion - for books, and for people.

Opaline was a formidable and courageous woman, forging her way ahead at a time when to do so was almost impossible.

Martha is escaping an abusive relationship.

Henry is searching for a lost manuscript and a lost bookshop.

As this story reveals more about each character, we begin to see how all their stories interweave and this was very clever. As was adding little snippets of real people and real places such as the famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop in Paris, to the story.

A really warm and wonderful story for book lovers, romantics and anyone who wants to feel uplifted.

Opaline is a young girl who escapes her tyrannical brother, Lyndon and tries to set up her dream business in the book dealer trade. She has to keep on her toes to avoid Lyndon and ends up in Paris in 1921 working in a little book store that she eventually comes to own.

A few decades later, Martha is the owner of Opalines Bookstore, and when a young boy ventures into the store, she tells him the tale of Opaline's life.

Interspersed with Opalines story, we learn Marthas history - how as a young woman was also running from an abusive husband and ends up in Paris, working as a housemaid for a strange elderly woman.

When Henry arrives on her doorstep to find a lost bookstore, they are both drawn into the magical fantasy that seems to link with Opalines story.

The more Martha and Henry try to uncover Opalines history, the more entwined they become in it,

As a self-proclaimed bookworm, I have come across many stories that have captured my heart and imagination, but none have ever quite touched me the way The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods did. This book is a beautiful ode to the power of books, the magic of lost things, and the stories that define our lives.

The Lost Bookshop is set in Dublin and centers around three seemingly ordinary people: Opaline, Martha, and Henry. Each of them feels as though they are the side characters in their own lives, yearning for something more, something magical, something extraordinary. And that's where the lost bookshop comes in. It's a place that seems to exist outside of time and space, where books that have been long forgotten wait patiently to be rediscovered. And when Opaline, Martha, and Henry stumble upon it, they find themselves on an unforgettable journey that will change their lives forever.

What makes this book so special is the way it weaves together multiple storylines and themes to create a rich tapestry of human experience. At its core, The Lost Bookshop is about the transformative power of stories, both the ones we read and the ones we live. It's about the magic of lost things, the way they can transport us to another time and place and help us to discover ourselves in new and unexpected ways. And it's about the universal longing we all have for something more, something that will make our lives feel complete and meaningful.

The characters in this book are wonderfully complex and nuanced, and their journeys are deeply emotional and impactful. Opaline is a lonely widow who has given up on life, but her rediscovery of the lost bookshop and the stories it holds allows her to connect with the world in a way she never thought possible. Martha is a struggling artist who is weighed down by the expectations of others, but her time at the bookshop allows her to explore her own creativity and find her true voice. And Henry is a lost soul who has been running from his past for years, but his encounters at the bookshop help him to confront his demons and find a way to move forward.

Throughout all of this, Evie Woods' writing is simply breathtaking. Her prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the magic and wonder of the lost bookshop perfectly. Her descriptions of the books themselves are particularly enchanting, making you feel as though you too are holding a forgotten treasure in your hands.

Overall, I cannot recommend The Lost Bookshop enough. It's a beautifully crafted novel that will speak to anyone who has ever lost themselves in the pages of a good book or yearned for something more in life. It's a story that will transport you to another world and make you feel like anything is possible. And it's a testament to the enduring power of stories, the way they can shape our lives and transform our hearts.

A magical story , partly mythical told from different viewpoints and in different time periods. The main characters are Opalene and Martha (and Henry) . The connection between them all is books and the book is mostly set in Dublin.
I am not usually drawn to fantasy type booksand was not sure about this one when I started reading it , but it was easy to get into and the story drew me in . It is not all sweetness and light . The unexpected happenings do make sense and although the story has something of a fairytale about it, it is not too twee. There are serious issues such as the treatment of women and ww1 cowardice add a gritty aspect .
Thanks to Net Galley for the opprtunity to read this book. I enjoyed it very much.

A magical story that unfolds from the perspective of three primary characters--Opaline, Martha, and Henry--one of whom is separated by a century.

Following the death of her beloved father and to escape a marriage arranged by her brother, Opaline hastily utilizes her quick-wittedness to narrowly escape and pursue her own interests and dreams.

A century later, Martha--fleeing a dangerous husband--finds a job as housekeeper in a grand home to an enigmatic lady. Her path soon crosses with Henry, a PhD candidate pursuing a lost manuscript and other information related to one of the greatest book dealers of the 20th century.

Soon, their lives' are quickly entwined. Twists and turns abound from cover to cover as truth is revealed bit by bit. The writing is quite lovely, and the story kept drawing me in each time I had to put it down. Literary lovers will especially enjoy this clever story.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter for the ARC ebook.

Publication date: 22 June 2023

A book focused on a lost bookshop waiting to be found.

The Lost Bookshop is told from multiple timelines, and three people's points of view. One set just after the first war and the other present day, All the characters are obsessed with books, and the present day timeline is searching for the shop mentioned in the historical setting.

The two timelines seamlessly intersect giving the reader a story about love, magic and piece of history that would transform the literary world. Opaline, Martha and Henry are incredibly well written as they travel to Paris, London and Dublin.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the complimentary copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
I really wanted to love this book to give it a 5 star, the title and the proposed cover pulled me in. The magic of books! The story was of a dual timeline, Martha in the present and Opaline in the past (1921). There was alot going on that became somewhat distracting for me but that's not necessarily going to be the same for someone else.
If you love a bit of historical fiction with some magic thrown in you will love it.
Evies (the author) writing is mesmerising. Give this a go!

Are you a bibliophile who's always on the lookout for a captivating read that can transport you to different worlds? Look no further than "The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods. This delightful book follows the journey of three strangers - Opaline, Martha, and Henry - and their experiences as they unlock the secrets of a vanishing bookshop. The book is a beautiful ode to the power of books and reading. In this blog post, we'll delve into the intricacies of this fascinating read, exploring its themes, characters, and overall impact.

The Lost Bookshop is a unique and thought-provoking read that offers its readers a journey through time. The book takes its readers on a whimsical journey through different timelines without much confusion, as the author seamlessly blends the different storylines into one narrative.

One of the standout elements of this book is the remarkable character development, with Opaline, Martha and Henry each being multidimensional, likeable and relatable in their own way. The interplay between these characters and their relationships with one another spring to life off the page, making for an engaging read.

The importance of living life on your own terms is a major theme throughout the book, as each main character struggles to take control of their life and not be controlled by the men in their life. The author highlights the importance of personal agency through these characters, showcasing that the key to happiness and fulfilment rests in one's own hands.

The central plot of The Lost Bookshop centres on the search for a lost bookshop, but what makes this book so fascinating is how the author approaches this concept. The book is not just about a physical bookshop but about bookshops as objects of meaning, memory, and history. The interplay between the characters and books, as well as the discussion of classic literature such as the Brontë sisters' work, adds a fascinating layer of depth to the narrative.

One of the key takeaways from this book is the power that books hold over us, as they can transport us to different worlds, ideas, and perspectives. The story of The Lost Bookshop is itself a beautiful homage to the transformative power of reading.


The Lost Bookshop is an enchanting read that captivates its readers from beginning to end. The vivid characters, intricate plot, and gripping themes create a memorable and impactful reading experience. Evie Woods has created a beautiful tribute to the art of reading and books. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, thought-provoking read. The Lost Bookshop is a must-read for book lovers everywhere!

You had me at the title, but the story didn’t disappoint. I love books about books, bookshops, book merchants, researchers, and libraries. I love them even more when they are set in England and Ireland. Books are at the heart of this story, but it is so much more.

The story is told from three perspectives, in different timelines. Opaline, Martha, and Henry are all searching for something, but what they find is independence, safety, and courage.

The characters are complex and courageous, and the story is compelling and engaging. The Lost Bookshop contains heart, hope, and a sense of magic.