The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods follows a parallel timeline as we learn about the exploits and trials of Opaline, and the two current-day characters, Martha and Henry, who are trying to find out more about her, as they endure their own struggles.
Perhaps I read this at the wrong time for me, I came close to DNF’ing it several times but did make it through to the end. I think that it comes down to the story feeling too cute and light for the heavy topics that it covers: domestic and family violence, PTSD, alcoholism, institutionalization, Irish mother and baby homes, misogyny, etc.
The characters often make weird, seemingly out-of-character choices. Martha is afraid to read and doesn’t know how libraries work, but she is going to university for a literature course? Opaline, who has a stronger storyline, has a one true love who isn’t what she imagined him to be, so she moves on to her next one true love.
I like magical realism in storytelling, but it still needs to have some logic to it. Why find a magical stairway if it doesn’t go anywhere? There is a whole segment around a tattoo that doesn’t make any sense.
Despite sounding pretty negative above, I did enjoy the mystery of a potential manuscript by a famous writer, the quest to find it, and some of the aspects of book buying, selling and research.
Overall, this just did not come together for me, although I can see where some of the whimsy, and the theme of overcoming adversity, appeal to other readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for providing the digital ARC.
2 stars

An absolutely magical read so beautifully written anyone who loves books will devour this novel.From beginning to end I was enchanted engrossed rooting for the characters.A book I will be recommending.#netgalley #thelostbookshop

The premise of this novel sounded so fantastic when I first read the synopsis; a magical disappearing bookshop, a lost manuscript, and a connection between characters over the span of generations. The author combines magical realism with historical fiction and a touch of romance - could there be a better mix of genres? I opened this one with excited anticipation of being drawn into a magical, bookish world; however, I ended up struggling to get through it. In my unpopular opinion, it just wasn't executed as well as I'd hoped it would be. It left me wanting more magical elements and for the bookshop to take on a more main character role in the story. I didn't feel a strong connection to any of the characters (I found Opaline's story to be the most compelling out of three, but even her's fell flat) and thought that Henry's POV felt somewhat disruptive at times. The plot felt a little disjointed which prevented me from feeling fully invested in the storyline, and by the time the bookshop gets its moment at the end of the novel, it feels rushed. Overall, it was a bit of a frustrating (leaving me with more questions than answers) and often tedious read. I recognize that I'm in the minority in regard to my reading experience, so definitely check this one out for yourself if you enjoy multiple POVs, alternating timelines, stories about books and the people who love them, and books with a hint of magic! I will say, the audiobook narration was great; the narrator for Henry reminded me of early aughts rom-com Hugh Grant at times and I was here for it!

A special thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and espeically to Evie Woods for the honor of reading this copy in exchange for an honest, thoughtful review.

Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for a reviewers copy of this book

This book would be better called “The Magical Bookshop,” as it is a fantasy centering on a disappearing bookshop that brings together several lost people. The story raises vital issues about women’s lack of agency and power in the past and present. But the coincidences, cliffhangers, damsels in great distress and soulmates finding each other make it a less serious look at these issues.

Taking place in two time frames, this novel moves back and forth in the characters’ lives: Opaline, in 1921, on the run from a forced marriage; Martha, in the present, on the run from an abusive marriage; and Henry, also in the present, seeking the missing bookshop and a manuscript that will make his name as a rare book expert.

In the prologue, Martha is working in “Opaline’s Bookshop,” and encouraging a young boy late for school to be even later by talking with him about the shop. With that opening, immediately three of this book’s major story lines are wrapped up: Martha has gone beyond her painful beginnings, Opaline realized her dream, and Henry found the “lost” bookshop he sought. The book’s focus is on how they all arrived there.
The writing is strong and evocative, with the voices in the first person, but Martha’s and Henry’s are not distinctive, and unfortunately, often it is difficult to distinguish which of them is narrating.

There is suspense, mystery, love lost and found, and other-worldly moments: Martha can “read” people, to a limited extent, in great detail; there are creaks and cracks into shifting times and places; wooden bookshelves like branches appear through the walls of a room; a stained glass window has images that change.

The author herself refers to the genre of this book as magic realism; it seems to me that it is a romantasy, best enjoyed by those looking for such a tale.

I loved everything about this book! Following Opaline’s and Martha’s struggles through their respective hardships and seeing them come together as one story in the end was so satisfying to me. I wish the ending was a little more drawn out- I was furious when she revealed the final location of the manuscript, but all in all I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something whimsical and heartwarming.

The Keeper of Stories meets The Lost Apothecary in this evocative and charming novel full of mystery and secrets.

4.5 stars, what a beautiful story! Historical fiction and magical realism at it’s finest. I cannot wait to read more by Evie Woods. I listed to this, and the narrators did an amazing job! Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion!

I loved how magical this was. A magical bookshop that finds you when you need it most. Realizing that we can have adventures off the page just as we can on it. So good!

There is a LOT going on in this book. Past and present have a lot of stories going on. There's social commentary, relationships, secrets, family drama, and book drama. Not to mention a twist of magical realism. It's a good read that moves quickly! I really liked the way the characters come together and, even though it was a little predictable, I loved the end.

Full review can be found at http://michelleardillo.com/2024/08/19/book-review-the-lost-bookshop-by-evie-woods/

This book just wowed me. It was nothing like I expected and I loved it. Written over many years by several women, they are intricately connected by a very special bookstore. From before WWII to long after, these strong women hold their own sense of purpose and never waver on who they are or where they need to be. Meet the men who hold them back or help them rise, each story is heartbreaking and heart fulfilling. For bibliophiles everywhere, this one is for you.

First, I want to give a huge thank you to Harper 360 publishing for providing me an ARC copy via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book! This book created a new perspective for me on the value of older books. The lengths people go through to obtain historical artifacts, and the pure passion for it was inspiring. I greatly appreciated the fact that it brought the main characters, Henry and Martha, together. The sense of magical realism was done so well. It was eclectic and fun. I felt invested in the characters lives and captivated by them. It was fun and whimsical and provided joy throughout reading. I only wish there was some more information on Madame Bowden, but I can appreciate the sense of wonder it left at the end of the book. Overall, this was a great read! It is not my typical genre of book, but I am so glad I tried it out!

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods offers a charming premise—a hidden bookshop in Dublin that promises to change the lives of those who find it. The story follows Opaline, Martha, and Henry, three characters who feel more like observers in their own lives until they encounter this magical bookstore.

While the novel’s concept is intriguing, and the blend of mystery and magic holds potential, the execution felt a bit predictable at times. The characters, though endearing, didn’t quite resonate deeply with me, making their transformations feel somewhat expected rather than truly surprising.

That said, Woods does create an enchanting atmosphere, and the idea of books as gateways to larger lives is a compelling theme. If you enjoy stories that celebrate the power of literature with a touch of whimsy, The Lost Bookshop may be worth a read, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights it aspires to.

I was so excited to get approved for this arc because I have been wanting to read this one forever! Like others I did have some issues with the pacing- specifically the ending felt very rushed. I usually don't like books set in the past but I think the magical fantasy element made this part more bearable for me. Overall a very nice, easy read.

As someone who loves books (don’t we all) I knew I wanted to read Evie Woods book and I am more than thankful to be able to.

I’m not a fan of different time frames and maybe wouldn’t have picked this one up had I realized it beforehand. I did however enjoy it overall, in particular Opaline’s character.

I swept away in this story and will likely read more from the author.

Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Lost Bookshop! Evie Woods brings you on a mystical journey to find a bookshop that seems to have disappeared. I love how all of the characters are intertwined and how their stories connect at the end.

I have such mixed feelings about this one. I was really expecting to love it and it was getting such good hype. Sadly, it was just okay for me. I don't think I'm the right reader for it. I needed more from the plot and characters. It's really all for the whimsical vibes. Great potential, but execution wasn't compelling or engaging enough for me.

I recently read The Last Bookshop by Evie Woods and I have to say, I was a bit disappointed. I went into this book so excited, as I am a book lover myself and the premise sounded intriguing. However, I found myself struggling to connect with the plot and the storytelling.

The story follows a young woman who inherits a struggling bookshop and must navigate the challenges of keeping it afloat. While this premise had potential, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing felt off, and the characters lacked depth, making it hard for me to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, it just didn't resonate with me. The writing style felt a bit flat and the plot seemed to drag on at times. I found myself skimming through pages, hoping for something to grab my attention, but it never quite happened.

Overall, The Last Bookshop just wasn't for me. I can see how others might enjoy it, especially if they are looking for a light and easy read. But for me, it fell short of my expectations.

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

I am sorry to say this, but this is the most disappointing book I've read this year. I don't like writing negative reviews, particularly when the publisher was kind enough to grant my request for an ARC; however, I have to be truthful in my reviews, or they don't mean anything. I do not understand all the positive reviews for this book - and there are so many! To be honest, if I hadn't committed to reading it because NetGalley gave me a free copy, I wouldn't have finished it. The character behaviors, particularly from Martha, were very inconsistent. She goes from shrinking violet one moment to sarcastic and confident the next. The plot moves from event to event without nearly enough explanation or build up. Aside from when dates were specifically mentioned, I had no sense of how time was progressing. I would frequently forget that Martha and Henry's storylines were taking place in the present because, aside from an occasional mention of cell phones, those scenes felt just as dated as the scenes set in the 1920s-1940s.

The magical realism here means that random reveals happen with little explanation. For example, on page 70 of my edition, we learn, with no context, that a main character wakes up occasionally knowing lines from a story and then gets them tattooed on her back. It's been going on a long time, but also somehow her husband has never seen it. That's it. Then the story just moves on, not mentioning it again for a very long time.

There are some cool lines in here about loving books, but it felt more cliched and manipulative than a natural part of the plot. By the end, I was largely skimming chapters because I had lost interest. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

I gave it 2 stars because the concept was good, but to me, this felt like a first draft of something that could have become a really cool novel. I wish it had.

This is the first book I've read by Evie Woods so I'm not sure if all of her books are considered magical realism. I found this one kept my interest as it's a story about books, obviously, something that always catches my attention. The book spans a few timelines, so it was a bit all over the place in my opinion, as it took me a while to see the importance to the character named Martha.

The book starts out by meeting Martha, who is leaving the US to move to Dublin for a better life. She finds a job as a housemaid for the wealthy Opaline. There is a vanishing bookshop and the search for a lost manuscript of Bronte'. Of course there is love involved as well.

"In a place called lost, strange things are found." This quote from the book is a great indication of what the book is about. I would say if you were new to magical realism, you would probably enjoy this story as I did. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC.