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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm in two minds about this book. I generally loved the storyline and the characters. The plot was rich and powerful, the characters well developed, and the pacing was perfect. The only thing that kept me from loving this book was that the more unrealistic aspects of the story kept pulling me out of the reading experience. Overall it was an enjoyable reading experience and I would definitely read more by this author in the future.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I will be recommending this book at all my friends!

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

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

A lovely read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is a great book for any book lover, especially those who like reading dual timelines that includes discussions of famous books, authors and bookshops.
The story follows Opaline in the 1920's, as well as Martha and Henry in current times and we see how their lives intertwine through old books and the lost bookshop.

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.

The Lost Bookshop is just an incredibly interesting story. It has a little of everything, fantasy, romance, danger, and the fascinating search for a lost manuscript by Emily Brontë. There are multiple narrators and two timelines, the story of Opaline who flees an abusive family and goes to Paris, in 1921, , where her story of a quaint bookstore begins. Then there is Martha, who flees an abusive husband and becomes an assistant to a strange woman in modern times, and in her quest for an education, she becomes interested in literature. Finally there is Henry, a scholar, who briefly comes across a fascinating bookstore, only to have it disappear, in his search for the missing Emily Brontë Manuscript. He encounters Martha, and a mutual attraction is formed, although Henry is engaged to be married, and Martha is reluctant to trust another man. .
Evie Woods is talented in her character development, with interesting likable characters, as well as a villain you would expect in such a story. The story is just so good, almost a fairy tale, with the mysterious quirks of Martha’s residence, that has trees growing through the roof and into her room. It’s a page turner!
My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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

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

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

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

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

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

An enchanting tale set across two timelines. In the 1920’s we have Opaline, a young woman with her own mind. Determined not to be married off, she escapes a controlling brother and finds refuge in Paris, where she works in the bookshop Shakespeare and Company. In present times we have Martha, a woman who has been consistently abused and beaten by her husband. She too makes a break for freedom, ending up in Dublin working for Madame Bowden.

The two stories run alongside each other perfectly, with them getting more and more entwined as discoveries are made and secrets told.

I love books that relate to places I am fond of, Dublin and Paris are both described beautifully.

At times a very sad story, but there is always a touch of magic floating around. A nice if twee ending. Pure escapism.

Thank you NetGalley.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a magical and enchanting tale that transports readers to the streets of Dublin and into the lives of three captivating characters. Opaline, Martha, and Henry have long felt like side characters in their own stories, but when they stumble upon a hidden bookshop, their lives take a thrilling turn.

Evie Woods weaves together elements of mystery, fantasy, and the power of storytelling to create a narrative that is both whimsical and thought-provoking. As the characters unlock the secrets of the shelves, they are drawn into a world of wonder where reality and fiction blur. Nothing is as it seems, and the bookshop becomes a portal to extraordinary adventures and self-discovery.

The author's prose is evocative and immersive, capturing the charm of Dublin and the magic that permeates the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own desires and dreams. Through their journey, readers are reminded of the transformative power of books and the way stories can shape our lives.

The Lost Bookshop is a delightful escapade that will captivate book lovers and dreamers alike. Evie Woods creates a world where the lines between fiction and reality blur, leaving readers enchanted and longing for their own magical bookshop adventure. This whimsical tale reminds us of the beauty and wonder that can be found within the pages of a beloved book.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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