I think Helen Phifer has shot to the list of my top 5 authors! She can honestly not write a dud book if she tried! I first met her in all of the Maria Miller books, then the first Annie Graham and now a stand alone.

The Vanishing bookstore is so much more than the title suggests. A dual timeline-ish story set between London and Salem and over many centuries. It involves a cursed family who are doomed to recreate their lives and deaths over and over again throughout the years. The title was slightly misleading as the bookshop didn't get a lot of page space and I thought it would centre more in the story.

I loved the characters and thought recurring characters instead of more and more names to remember was clever. I thought the banter was fantastic and the animals characters stole the show. Who wouldn't want sassy witches who could drink you under the table for aunts?

This would be a great read if you have interest in the Salem witch trials or if you love witches, the paranormal or historical fiction. Bonus if you love all of the above! 4.5 stars from me!

My thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Helen Phifer for putting another excellent ARC in my hands. All opinions are my own.

This is a magical type of story. Be prepared to read it all at once. It was one of those stories that left me with the “what if” feeling. Great story.

Originally I dnf’d this book but I have since gone back and finished it. I had so much hope for this book because it sounded like such an interesting story. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
Positives first, it really was a cool concept. It had the potential to be really engaging. The characters were intriguing and I wanted to know more about them and where they came from. I love stories that intersect with the past and this should have made for a suspenseful mystery coming together.
It was the writing that let it down for me. Often I felt like I was just being told events instead of experiencing them. There seemed to be a disconnect from the emotion for me and it kept me from connecting into the story how I would have liked. This had all the potential and stuck the execution but I hope in the future to enjoy other works of the author as I think in terms of plot, they were onto something good.

A witchy novel about a vanishing bookstore set in Salem, Mass?! COUNT ME IN! Unfortunately, this book fell short off what was promised on the cover and title. There is absolutely nothing to do about a bookstore; the title is extremely misleading. It also doesn't vanish and reappear as implied with the title.

I am going to be honest-I DNF'd this book at 54%. It did not deliver on what I was expecting from the title and summary. I also found Dora to be an underdeveloped character and it really bothered me that she just seemed to tra-la-la through the story. Oh, I'm a 1600s witch? Okey Dokey. There is some crazy dude out to kill me? Nah Bro. No big deal. My bestie is missing and there is blood everywhere? NBD, I dont actually need to call the authorities and stress. I got a headache and seizures that sent me to the hospital. Tis ok! They released me in a couple hours.

In general, this book is promising, the outline is so intriguing. It just really fell flat.

The biggest win? I LOVED Hades. I loved the potential of a pink witchy cottage. I loved the sisterhood and family and history.

Due to this being a DNF I will not be submitting a review in Goodreads. I will continue to attempt to read this book and will adjust my review as applicable.

There seems to be a lot of Salem witch trial historical fiction/time travel novels coming out the last handful of years, so Phifer's basic plotline isn't exactly unique. The plot is a little unbalanced with about 70% of the novel being a leadup to Dora finding the lost bookstore and the final face-off, so the ending felt a little rushed. I also didn't love how easy it was for the bookstore to be found - especially since a certain character had been looking for it for decades. So that was a bit anticlimactic. The driving force for everything that happens is somewhat ridiculous... but also realistic (you'll understand once you read it, basically male fragility at it's finest).

Despite that, THE VANISHING BOOKSTORE was an enjoyable quick read that I think people who enjoy slightly witchy historical fictions will like.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

Dora owns her own lovely little floral shop in London where she was raised by her Aunt Lenny. When a customer comes in who is decidedly unsettling Dora discovers a family history that reveals her many lifetimes as a witch hunted by Salem witchunter George Corwin and her return home reunited her with her mother and Aunt Sept just in time for a final battle to win back their souls and freedom.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I want to try more because of this story! Dora became a character that I could easily resonate with, and it was like you could feel the love and trust and familial longing with the English sisters. This story was not only heart warming, but also gives you some of the details of the Salem Witch trials that real people actually endured, making the heart break for the lost souls. It also shows how good a strong family bond can bring you together under any circumstances, and how life can be too short to not go for the things that make you happy or to be authentically you. It also shows you that not only family bond, but the love for a person can last and survive any obstacle thrown your way. I found this book to be eye opening, heart warming, as well as a little bit mysterious and I would definitely recommend it.

I loved, loved, loved the idea behind this one- a magical bookstore and a lead who is trying to uncover family secrets. What should've been an exciting read, I feel like I dragged my feet through majority of the chapters. There was so many missed opportunities to add suspense, deeper characters, and more engaging history. I genuinely thought Helen Phifer's writing style was wonderful and was the most redeeming factor in the book. I just left like I was left wanting so much more from this one, and it wasn't there.

Overall this book was entertaining, way lighter than I expected but had its dark elements.

The story is about a witch family who are all cursed to live out similar lifetimes on repeat with cruel fates, meanwhile hunted by a (cursed as well) witch hunter. The concept is really good, we get multiple POVs so everything becomes clear regarding the trouble they are in real quick.

My main concern was the pacing of the story. It starts out slower, with glimpses from the past, which is great because we get a detailed picture about what happened during the English women's first lifetime. We get to see the betrayal and horror they lived through, and it becomes obvious that their fate (AKA the witch hunter) catches up to them again in their present life. At this point, the pacing gets faster and I have ambivalent feelings about this.
On one hand, I really felt the urgency of everything they did, I almost heard the ticking of the clock and counted down the days with them. On the other hand, with this quick pacing the story didn't have the opportunity to truly reach its potential. For me, at least. There was no time to really feel the tension of some situations, to really play out some key points or grieve over something that happened. Again, I understand the other side and there was an underlying tension throughout the story which (in a good way!) grated on my nerves, but for me, it could've been more.

The FMC, Dora, was a bit childish IMO, despite being 33. She was mainly indecisive and she had a hero complex. Ambrose, the MMC was a secondary character. I'm all girlpower and feminism, but honestly his only role in the story was owning the bookstore, I don't know, I didn't really feel him. Dora's aunts on the other hand were strong and capable figures with funny moments. They tried their best and wanted to guide Dora, meanwhile living through their own personal hell.

I'm unsure about the meaning of the epilogue, maybe it hints about a sequel. I was curious about the "new" chapter of the English women's lives after the curse is broken, maybe they will return in a new book sometime and we get some glimpses :)

All in all, it was an entertaining story, thank you for the publisher and the author for the eARC and the opportunity!

Helen Phifer’s The Vanishing Bookstore is a thrilling and atmospheric mystery that seamlessly blends the charm of a quaint bookstore with the chilling intrigue of a small-town disappearance. This book delivers an irresistible combination of twists, suspense, and emotional depth, making it a standout read for mystery lovers and fans of gripping, character-driven storytelling.
The protagonist is compelling, driven by a mix of personal stakes and a determination to uncover the truth. Their journey is as much about solving the mystery as it is about grappling with their own past and forging new connections.
The supporting characters adds richness to the story, from the enigmatic townsfolk to the bookstore itself, which feels like a character in its own right. Their interactions are authentic and often poignant, adding layers of complexity to the central mystery.
The book’s atmosphere throughout is amazing. The descriptions of the vanishing bookstore are both eerie and enchanting, capturing the allure of books and the creeping unease of something amiss. Helen Phifer paints a vivid picture of the town and its surroundings, immersing readers in its quiet beauty and shadowy secrets.
The Vanishing Bookstore is an engrossing mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. With its compelling characters, richly drawn setting, and expertly crafted twists, it’s a book that will appeal to both seasoned mystery readers and newcomers to the genre. Helen Phifer has created a story that is equal parts chilling and heartwarming—a true page-turner that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Helen Phifer for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Good narration, and voices could differentiate different characters. Enchanting relaxing voice to listen to. As listening to audiobook and read. Enjoyed the story, reminded me slightly of charmed. Wish there was abit more info on past lives and the magic side but would recommend!

Fantasy, even fantasy light, isn’t normally my choice of genre, but there was something about the cover and description that grabbed me. I wouldn’t describe this as a cozy fantasy, but it is on the tame side of world building and situations.

I loved that there was history of the Salem Witch trials tucked away inside Dora’s story. I’ve always been fascinated by this period. It did take me a little while to connect to the story, but once I did I was hooked. For me the romance was a little secondary. I wasn’t really feeling the years of love between the two, but that might be an author choice due to their circumstances. But I wanted to know all there was about the time loop and the family history.

A little bit of magic, a fight for life and some really great characters made this an enjoyable read. I was really a fan of the side characters in addition to the main ones. I was rooting for Dora and her aunt’s and their quest to overcome their curse and escape what might be their fate. This one really lived up to the cover and the description.

Stephanie Cannon Did a great job bringing the suspense and magic to life. She voice matched the aura of the book and was delightful to listen to.

What a great read! I enjoyed how the story moved forwards and backwards in time. This is more than just a time-travel book and I really enjoyed the premise of past lives and memories. I didn't like that it left things hanging for a second title, but I'm a stickler for "the end" in books that don't specifically say series. At any rate, it was atmospheric and I enjoyed it very much!

Really not sure what to make of this book. I was invested in it enough to read it through to the end, but not sure I really enjoyed it. The setting of Salem is great, as is the dual timeline but something was missing for me.

2.5 rounded up to 3

Thanks must go to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

First off, I appreciate NetGalley and Bookoutore for allowing me to receive this ARC. That being said, I DNF’ed this book. I made it 55% of the way through and could not go any further. I tried going back every so often and still could not make myself read it even though I very much wanted too. I know the book released over a week ago but still want to give my review as promised in exchange for the book.


The few chapters of the book were a little confusing to me. Just the way some of the conversations were going I had to go back pages even chapters to figure out who was talking and what was going on. Not a huge issue, I honestly think it was just me.


The dual timeline made sense in the beginning but as the story progressed the flashbacks to the 1600’s made no sense and didn’t help the story line at all.

I feel like the title of the book is misleading. One, when I think vanishing, I think dissappear, gone, something magical happened. No, they just can’t remember where it’s at. Two, the bookstore is barely mentioned. The book is all about the English women. Which the book being about the women isn’t the issue, it’s with the title not being representative of the story.

I felt like there was no chemistry between any of the characters. I know in the beginning some of the was because she couldn’t remember who some of them were but even when she started to remember it was just blah.

I honestly just believe it was a me thing. I’m the problem not the book. So, thank you again for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

Rating: 3.25-3.5/5 ⭐

Review:
✨️Thank you to Bookouture & NetGalley for this ARC! This review is voluntarily written by me.
✨This story is a mix of historical fiction, women’s fiction and fantasy that is showcased in two timelines: 1692 and the present day. But, the majority of the story is in the present day.
✨In terms of reading experience, the story hooked me to keep reading, but not enough to make me truly excited to know what happened next. I think that the plot that made me keep going.
✨I’m okay with the writing style, but I’m not interested enough with all the characters. I also do not know exactly why that happened. The characters themselves are okay, but I’m the one that did not really feel them.
✨I’m not sure if this book will get any sequel or not, but (spoiler alert), I like the bit that mentioned there are people like Dora in other places too. That’s interesting.
✨In terms of knowledge, I got to know more about the witch-hunting that happened in Salem. I don’t learn about the event at school, hence it is interesting reading the description and author’s note about the event.
✨I would say this story may interest readers who like reading dual or multiple timeline stories. For me, dual timelines did make this story clearer.

The Vanishing Bookstore is a tale about a family of blood witches who are striving to break their family curse but in order to do so, they must face the memories of their past and rediscover who they are truly meant to be.

With dual (sometimes multiple) timelines that spanned from 1692 to present day, we meet a family of witches who are plagued by a curse that they have tried desperately to sever for over three hundred years. The plot drew me in but I found myself asking, “but wait…?” multiple times as some of the finer details contradicted each other. Some parts felt very rushed but others were descriptive and made me feel like I was in the woods in Salem experiencing the words on the page in real time.

I would rate this one at 3.5 stars because it really was a cute, quick read! It would be perfect for anyone who enjoys reads about family, good vs. evil, and all things witchy.

The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer and narrated by Stephanie Cannon was an excellent audiobook. This audiobook/book is a fantasy mystical read and I loved it from start to finish. It is set in two different times in 1962 to the present, with great characters.

In 1692 and on the outskirts of Salem, a old bookstore stands covered in overgrown vines. Inside, a young woman hides a linen-wrapped journal under a loose floorboard and runs away, panicked by the sound of hounds barking in the distance. Then, the bookstore vanishes into thin air…

Now, in the present day, and stepping inside a pale-pink house on one of the oldest streets in Salem, Dora can’t believe she’s about to finally meet the mother she thought died tragically when she was just a child. But the excitement is short-lived. When Dora’s mother has fear in her eyes, and with a trembling voice she whispers: ‘my life is in danger, and now so is yours…’

WoW.............This book was full of twists and turns throughout and I loved it. The Vanishing Bookshop was so magical I ended up listening to it most of the day

I highly recommend this book.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture and Bookouture audio for my ARC.

I thought this was a very wholesome read. If you enjoy reading about the Salem Witch Trials or anything about witches, then you’ll enjoy this. The characters were likable and easy to root for. It was well-written and strengthened my desire to visit Salem!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC! *The Vanishing Bookstore* by Helen Phifer is a captivating mystery that seamlessly blends intrigue with the charm of a small-town setting. The plot revolves around a haunting disappearance that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Phifer’s vivid descriptions and well-drawn characters make the story come alive, especially the enigmatic bookstore at the heart of the tale. This book is a must-read for fans of atmospheric mysteries with a touch of suspenseful allure.