This one was super cute! Loved the dual timelines and themes. I mean, who doesn't love a book about books?

The writing, the story, the enchanting atmosphere and of course, admirable and lovable characters makes The Lost Bookshop a “she has it ALL” kind of read. For lovers of books and fantasy, if escaping to worlds outside of our own The Lost Bookshop delivers all the feels with writing that is to die for. It’s beautiful and magical and enchanting in all the ways.

"The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods is a charming ode to the magic of books and the power of stories. The whimsical setting and endearing characters create a warm atmosphere that invites readers into a world of literary wonder. Woods weaves a captivating narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and the importance of community. The intertwining of the bookshop’s history with the characters' journeys adds depth and intrigue to the plot. Overall, this novel is a delightful celebration of literature that will leave you feeling nostalgic and inspired.

This book felt slightly underwhelming for me. I had high hopes based on the blurb, but I just couldn’t connect. I’m not sure if it was the pacing, the plot, the writing, or maybe a combination of the three. For me it was an OK read—not terrible, but nothing too amazing either.

Loved, loved, loved this book. It was such a fun and fantastical story, heartbreak and hope, tragedy and joy, transporting you through time and generations. I will be looking for more books authored by Evie Woods!!

The second half of this book was definitely better than the first. Unfortunately, I figured out the surprise about Martha and Opaline being related, which took some of the magic away from it. The actual reveal and aftermath were therefore anticlimactic for me. While this book didn’t wow me, I’d be open to reading more by Woods.

5/5
This book was so beautiful. You follow the lives of three people, some in the present and one in the past, to unravel the mystery of a manuscript and bookshop. It tells the struggles that women go through both in the past and present, and the struggles of life and finding yourself. I would highly encourage you to read this book.

I adored this book. A beautifully written story that kept my interest from start to finish. The magic thrown into the plot was so well done. It had such a comfort read feel to it, even reading it for the first time.

The Lost Bookshop is an imaginative tale that does a great job weaving together the past and present, with interesting connections between characters. However, it took me a little while to get into the story, and some parts left me with unanswered questions. For instance, I couldn't understand why Madame Bowden wasn’t more directly tied into Martha’s family life—her connection seemed like a missed opportunity for deeper character development.

Also, while I appreciated the magical elements, some of it felt a bit too "fantastical" for my taste, especially when Martha had to get a tattoo after the words came to her. That part felt weird and overly permanent when jotting it down in a notebook would have made more sense.

Despite these quirks, I did enjoy the overall storyline and how the past and present were linked, but I finished the book with lingering questions and loose ends.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods Is a story that follows multiple timelines and has a few themes of abuse and some weird pacing issues but I found myself enjoying this book. There were themes of romance and magic and i cried a few times but it was well written.

A beautiful peace of literary fiction with magical realism and 100% women’s literature. The dual pov weaves a haunting tale. Break out the notebooks this one is going to be studied as an instant classic.

# The Lost Bookshop
# 10/10/2024 ~ 10/13/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for a copy of The Lost Bookshop.

In the 1920s Opaline runs away from a life that her brother has planned out for her. She makes her own way and living until her brother tracks her down and locks her away in an insane asylum. In present day Martha flees her abusive husband and takes a job as a housekeeper. She crosses paths with Henry who is in search of a bookshop and a manuscript. They soon realize that they are more connected to Opaline than they would ever know.

I enjoyed this book but I did feel like some parts drug put a little bit. There were also a lot of characters to keep track of but overall I enjoyed the book.

This was SO good! I am so bummed I didn't read this first because I think it would have made me like her second book so much more. This was awesome and makes me excited to read more by this author!

The Lost Bookshop, by Evie Woods, is a dual timeline story set in the time of rare book dealers. It includes some mystery, romance, and a little bit of magic. Travel with Opaline, Martha, and Henry as they search for the lost manuscript of Emily Brontë. Their love of books makes each one contain a spark of magic to help you discover who you are and who you are meant to be. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

TW: domestic abuse, child loss

“The Lost Bookshop” by Evie Woods is a delightful and enchanting tale that celebrates the magic of books and the transformative power of stories. The novel follows Martha and Henry in the present and Opaline in the past as they learn what they want out of life and how to chase it. Martha, running from an abusive marriage, blossoms even as a branch seems to be growing out of her wall. Henry, a rare-book hunter, discovers there may be something even more special than lost manuscripts, and Opaline, in the early 1900s, forges a path to independence and freedom based on rare books.

The settings are particularly evocative-- post-WW1 France, bustling with writers and artists and a famous bookstore, a charming bookshop in historic Dublin, and the home of an eccentric actress in present-day Dublin. In the past storyline, we see Opaline grow with each step of her journey as she flees her abusive older brother and develops as a person. She goes through intensely difficult and tragic times and uses the strength she builds to later lend hope and healing to others.

Meanwhile, in the present, Martha takes on new challenges while overcoming her troubled past. I enjoyed her chapters the most, as they were relatable with a down-to-earth narrator, but also magical with a tree growing inside and a magical tattoo containing it’s mini-mystery. Henry’s perspective was well-written, but I found it the least engaging of the three.

I adored the magical realism in the book. For the most part, it takes place in our mundane world, but the books and the bookshop provide an extra sparkle, a layer of love and protection popping up unexpectedly. I also liked the somewhat ambiguous resolution for Madame Bowden, who operates almost as a fairy godmother in the story. I was utterly absorbed by this book, and I dove straight into Wood’s next novel, The Story Collector, when I finished. I can’t wait for her next story to come out!

I liked it but i did feel like it was a little bit of a lul/ like i had to drag through it a little bit but it might also be because i normally read a lot of heavy fantasy so this was much slower paced than my personal go tos. I do think the vibes and the and setting of everything carried the story and honestly im perfectly fine with that. I can thoroughly enjoy a book for its atmosphere and i feel like that what i did with this one. would still recommend for a cozy time!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Review:

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a delightful read, perfect for anyone who loves the magic of books and second chances. The dual timeline narrative is well-executed, blending past and present beautifully. The characters are engaging, especially the protagonist, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery while uncovering secrets within the bookshop.

While the pacing slowed at times, the enchanting atmosphere and themes of love, loss, and the healing power of stories more than made up for it. A cozy, heartwarming read that book lovers will enjoy!

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

Opaline, living in the 1920s, is forced by her brother, Lyndon, to marry someone she does not want to marry. Lyndon is an altogether nasty bit of work. Opaline runs away and finds a home in Paris, working at Sylvia Beach's bookstore, Shakespeare & Company, where her love of antiquarian books and manuscripts takes root. She also falls in love, and this does not end well.

Present day Martha runs away from her life and moves to Dublin, finding a job cleaning for the mysterious Mrs. Bowden. Everyone has secrets. Henry meets Martha and he swears there was/is a bookshop on the same street as Mrs. Bowden's house, in fact, in the basement of the house. Martha believes he has lost his mind until the bookshop appears to her.

Somehow, all these characters and a few more are searching for a lost manuscript written by Emily Bronte and this ties all these time frames and people together in surprising ways.

"The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods presents a charming narrative that intertwines the magic of literature with the complexities of human emotions. The story unfolds in a quaint, hidden bookstore that seems to possess a life of its own, offering solace and adventure to those who stumble upon it. Woods excels at creating an atmospheric setting that draws readers in, filling the pages with a sense of nostalgia and wonder reminiscent of classic tales. Her characters are well-crafted, with distinct personalities and relatable struggles that add depth to the plot. However, while the storyline offers an engaging premise, it occasionally suffers from pacing issues, with certain sections feeling either rushed or dragged out.

Despite these minor drawbacks, "The Lost Bookshop" is a delightful read for those who appreciate literary escapism with a touch of whimsy. Woods' prose is elegant and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the bookshop's enchanting world. The novel's themes of friendship, loss, and the transformative power of books resonate with readers, leaving them with a warm, lingering feeling. While it may not be a groundbreaking masterpiece, the book delivers a satisfying experience, earning it a respectable three-star rating for its heartwarming narrative and imaginative setting.

I’m not sure what I expected with this book, but what I read was not it. This is a light fantasy, magical-realism, historical fiction. There are some beautiful moments, interesting characters, and unique plots. That said, it was slow at times and almost over-the-top with the issues various characters had to face. There were 3 POVs this book is told from, maybe it was too much? This is a love story to books and the magic, comfort, and love they bring. I loved the references to various books and the hunt for the mystery - even though it got too confusing at points. I’m glad I read this book, but it’s not going to be a favorite for me.