"I've promised myself, along with all the other changes I'm going to make, that I won't dumb myself down to fit in with my peers anymore. Won't use restricted vocabulary and will cry in public if I need to." - This was the quote that stood out to me the most from the whole book, and I absolutely had to start the review with it.

Now, as much as I thought that the title is odd because the midnight bookshop is more like a midnight library based on how it works, I still found the idea of people finding the strength to change their own lives with the help of the books that they've read. As someone with aphantasia, I could only smile ruefully when I read about all these characters' visual imagination taking them to wonderful places - is that how reading feels to most of you?

In any case, the book is centered around three people with different backgrounds and life struggles, whom I didn't care much about in the beginning but over the course of the book they grew on me. It was nice to see them finding inspiration for changing their lives from the books they picked - correction, the books that picked THEM, as we learned from Fay. :) I'm glad that the author chose to show some struggles when it came to these changes instead of letting the problems all be solved in straightforward ways. It's just that there were some cases where I would have truly expected struggles of some kind in the latter part of the book and there were...none? Definitely lucky for them but it felt odd to me.

Something that stood out to me is the age diversity of the trio visiting the bookshop. Usually a trio of this type of setting would consist of people roughy the same age, but what he have here is a 19, a 21 year old and I believe someone in her early thirties. This is so unusual and it's actually so refreshing to see.

What I found less captivating was the magic itself. Don't get me wrong, if a bookshop like this popped up, I'd love to enter just as much as any reader of this book. But the way the magic was explained and yet not explained made me think that it could have been either "lower" magic to suit a modern urban tale, or explained better if I was supposed to take the bookshop's magic seriously.

Having said that, The midnight bookshop has its good qualities and I'd definitely recommend it to lovers or literature and bookshops/libraries looking for a cosy read with a sprinkle of magic. (However please note that some of the issues the characters face can be heavy, you might want to make sure you're okay with those before reading.)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

📖 Stunning cover - check ✅
📖 A book about books - check ✅
📖 Set in a magical bookshop - check ✅

I am a sucker for books about books and when it also has a magical bookshop, well I have hit the jackpot!

This is a really lovely story about a magical bookshop that appears to the people that need it the most. The bookshop and its ethereal 'owner' Fay, who gently guides and nurtures her charges, are a wonderful pairing.

Twenty one year old Jo lives a life many would envy, a beautiful home, a generous allowance, a new car, but all she really wants is for her parents to really care about her and give her love. To her mother, all she sees in Jo is disappointment and she constantly lets Jo know how hopeless she is.

Adelaide is trapped in a loveless and sometimes violent marriage. Her husband has stripped all her dignity and self worth and she feels lost and miserable. Unable to do even the simplest things that might bring her a little joy, poor Adelaide is desperate for some good luck to shine on her.

Eighteen year old Kye works for his older brother Leon because he cannot see any other way to support his mum. She's not well and she needs him but he hates being a drug runner and heaping misery on others.

Three people in need of a change...

Then they each see the flyer for The Midnight Bookshop and are drawn to it though they don't know why. What ensues after they find the bookshop and meet the enigmatic Fay will literally change their lives forever.

𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾

The wisdom they each learn from their books and the absolute magic that transpires in this wonderful and amazing bookshop is joyous to read. Their books give them courage and purpose and brings about a friendship between the three of them that is forged by their shared experience in The Midnight Bookshop.

This story is an uplifting journey about the magic of books and words and how books come into our lives at the right time. We all have a book that really means something to us. Maybe it helped heal a broken heart, buoyed you through grief or gave you the perspective you needed at the time.

A truly magical read and just look at that cover.

I believe I’m a sentimental person and thought this book had it in spades. Truly heartwarming, thoughtful, mysterious and imaginative.

I wanted to like this book but I found the characters uninteresting and the writing to be boring. The premise of the book sounded very interesting but it did not live up to the pomise.

A story about a magical bookshop that appears at midnight to the people who need it most. Sounds like an absolutely brilliant read and the idea is lovely! So this book centres around three characters that stumble upon the bookshop and each read (or are chosen by) a book that is meant to change their lives for the better.

I really liked the notion that what we can learn from books depends on our age, stage and life experiences and that depending on this you will take different things from it. Re-reading at a different life stage definitely sounds like a thing I should do. Also of course that this means we all experience books differently, which resonates with me and is so apparent within the Bookstagram community.

This is about the magic of books, bookshops and written stories, the power they can hold to really touch us and, possibly, change us. It’s definitely like a love letter to reading and books.

Unfortunately for some reason I didn’t quite connect with the characters and story as much as I thought I would. It may be to do with timing or being busy and not having had the time to read more than a couple of chapters at a time, but I never reached the “can’t put this down/just want to read this” stage. A couple of parts, like the mother daughter relationship of one of the characters felt a bit off for me too.

All that said, it’s a lovely story and there are lots of things to love about it, it might have been a timing and mood issue for me.

This book was adorable.

I really like that we had 3 MC to see the plot move along, and I really found the idea of the bookstore quite whimsical and wholesome. However I expected a little more about the bookstore itself, of that makes sense? We barely scratch the surface of what the bookstore itself/the store can do. By 3/4 of the book the story felt a bit forced, lengthy - and the ending was rushed imo especially since we only hear from one of the protagonist.

Still a cute book and easy to read!

I absolutely loved this book and found myself immersed in the story. All of the characters appeared a little unlikeable at first but on finding and entering the bookshop they let their guard down and let their lives heal. I absolutely loved the bookshop owner and there was she changed her clothes to suit the evening. I also love how we could see each story was able to change the character’s life- very clever. To be honest I’d have loved to settle in to the magical midnight bookshop for a long read. Like a warm hug enveloping you

I enjoyed this book, very much reminded me of The Lost Bookshop. Very easy to read and the stories of the 3 main characters were interesting, people will be able to relate to them. A little bit of magic and the power of reading. This book would be a good one to sit on a beach or curled up on a cold wintery day, escape into the magical world of the Midnight Bookshop!

What a cover! I loved this cover and the idea of the novel. However, I really struggled to connect with any of the characters. And i eventually started to skim through. It took too long to get to the point and I just didn't ever get invested.

Absolutely loved it I had such a good time reading it! I’m typically a slow reader and ate this one up. Will def be picking up more books by this author!

I didn’t choose “The Midnight Bookshop” it chose me! A wonderfully magical story mixed with harsh reality. Three strangers bond over their love of books when they enter the beautiful and aptly names Midnight Bookshop. From there lifelong friendships are carved as they share their own stories with one another. Each has a difficult background one which they wish to escape. Their books choose them and inside each individual book, they learn more about themselves and gain hope for the future and renewed confidence that they can change things for the better. The magic inside the shop and the books they read is transferred into the “Midnight Bookshop” novel and I was transported, thoroughly invested in the characters hopes and dreams. I laughed, cried, was shocked & thrilled the book was more than I expected not just a magical tale but one that illustrated what it is to be human.

This felt like a blend of the Disney show Light shop and the book Water Moon, both of which are high on my i loved it list. This was really well written, and flowed like water in my brain. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be grabbing a physical copy for my shelves when it comes out.

4 Stars – A Gentle, Uplifting Tribute to the Power of Stories

The Midnight Bookshop is a warm and quietly magical tale about healing, hope, and the transformative power of books. Jo, Kye, and Adelaide—three strangers each carrying heavy emotional burdens—are drawn to a mysterious bookshop that seems to appear just when they need it most.

With a touch of whimsy and a lot of heart, this novel explores how stories can guide, comfort, and empower us. Fay, the bookshop’s enigmatic owner, becomes a catalyst for change in each of their lives, helping them reclaim their voices and rewrite their futures.

Though some dialogue feels a bit flat and the ending ties up a little too neatly, the emotional resonance and message shine through. A comforting, heartfelt read perfect for anyone who’s ever found solace between the pages of a book.

The Midnight Bookshop is one of those books that feels like a hug in novel form. Amanda James has created a story that’s both charming and quietly powerful—a love letter to second chances, unexpected friendships, and the magic of books.

The setting is an absolute dream. I mean, who wouldn’t want to stumble upon a mysterious little bookshop that only opens at midnight? It has that cozy, slightly magical feel without ever going over the top.

This book was not for me. It felt very YA and at first I was okay with that and enjoying the story, but as it went on the writing was a bit too simplistic and the characters never really developed and it didn't work for me. The characters all felt very young, younger than they were, and if I were younger or more interested in YA I might have enjoyed it more (it does say it is for adults, but the characters and writing style really comes off otherwise. Felt more like teaching/showing kids good examples of things if that makes sense.). Some of the resolutions to the storylines were a bit too neat and tidy and nice when in real life they would be much messier. It...I know there is a "magical" element, but it really didn't work for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Perfect for fans of The Midnight Library (me, duh) and The Lost Bookshop (also me). This novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes, the stories we read can help us rewrite our own. So, if you’re in the mood for a cozy, uplifting read that celebrates the magic of books and the resilience of the human spirit, The Midnight Bookshop might just be the perfect addition to your reading list

Three strangers with very different lives all come across a flyer for a bookshop in town. Jo, Adelaide, and Kye meet at the store, and what they find therein will change their lives forever. Each character has a unique problem that they’re going through, and the books that choose them are specifically curated to help them heal.

The imagery in this story was beautiful – the descriptions of the bookstore’s interior made me jealous that I couldn’t go myself. The characters were well-written, and the reader could really feel for their plights. I loved the way they interacted with each other and supported one another.

This book is a celebration of the healing power of reading and the ability they have to bring people together. A story for booklovers everywhere that will pull on your heartstrings and leave you rooting for more!

I loved this. A magical bookshop where reading magic happens at midnight.

Jo loves reading. Immersing herself in books to escape feeling unloved by her parents.

Adelaide is in a toxic marriage and controlled by her husband, she rarely has time to indulge in the wonders of reading.

Kye is looking after his sick mother and is struggling to escape the control of his older brother and his dead-end life and find away to continue his education.

Jo, Adelaide and Kye find a flyer advertising the midnight bookshop.

I loved the way Jo, Kye and Adelaide accidentally meet each other and find themselves searching for the midnight bookshop.

In the bookshop Fay Revil welcomes them to a silent book club. One of the things I liked best about The Midnight Bookshop was that Fay believed that “…you don’t choose the books, the books choose you” this is how I have always felty about how I have found my reading choices.

The magical description of the bookshop makes this a special reading pleasure. Lots of mentions of books and authors. Magic happens in the bookshop and in the lives of Jo, Adelaide and Kye. This was about friendships, families and reading magic.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher One More Chapter a division of HarperCollins Publishers for a chance to review this E-book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

This book was not for me. Writing was choppy, didn’t seem put together very well. Characters were one-dimensional and didn’t feel like they would be friends, let alone start a book club.

Such a lovely book that tugged at my heartstrings and let me enter the lives of people who felt real and complex in all the best ways. I knew this would be a book about books with the title we were presented with, but the stories woven within were both hard hitting and relatable for many.

Jo is a girl who has just reached her 21st birthday and though she does not have a plan for her future, she does not want it to be dictated by her parents who shower her with gifts, but rarely show much affection or love. Her parents seem to focus on status and the way things look to outsiders, where Jo wants to be seen and loved as just herself before she can really start to find her footing in the world, so she rebels and acts out to try and be seen.

Kye finds himself beholden to his older brother and mother who rely on him to, in a way, cater to what they want him to do. His mother suffers from fibromyalgia and has become addicted to pain medication and other illicit substances and Kye wants better for her and tries to offer alternatives which could help her ween off the medication and become healthier. His other brother seems to be a dealer of illicit substances and expects Kye to make deliveries or pick-ups, but Kye does not want that life and seems to have a dream of going to college and making more of himself.

Finally, we have Adelaide who finds herself in a loveless marriage of abuse, both mentally and physically. Her husband controls her in a lot of ways, and she is terrified of him and has ow confidence in herself. He wants her to stay home or be at work. He has cut her off from past friends and wants her to keep herself frumpy, so her confidence stays low and broken. However, when she finds friends with Jo and Kye, she starts to find her own voice and makes an exit plan for how she wants her future to go.

Such a good book with a little magic along the way.