Absolutely amazing. I loved this book. I will be recommending it to everyone on my Facebook group and in person as well. Strong five stars.

I thank HarperCollins, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC they have shared with me for this review.

The Midnight Bookshop is a magical realism story where the line between the fantastical world of books and our mundane reality is blurred, and the three main characters are saved by reading, believe it or not!

I loved escaping through the bookshop, and was always looking forward to follow each character's adventures! The story is divided into three points of views, and is written is third person present, which was new to me. I must admit it felt unsettling at first as it felt like a teacher was telling me the story, and it became a bit too moralizing in some parts. I don't think it would have had this tone if another POV had been chosen.

As much as I connected with the characters of the book, I felt their storylines were too predictable. Some events were a bit crude and felt like an attempt to whip up some action, but I disliked these parts, especially the domestic abuse depicted in the book.

Overall I enjoyed the philosophy behind this novel and book collectors will love it, if only for its celebration of reading for all.

The Midnight Bookshop by Amanda James is a story with a touch of magic. This is my first book by Ms. James. Jo, Adelaide and Kye are the three protagonists along with the Bookshop’s owner Fay. Unfortunately the three main characters all appear to be positively unhappy with their lives. Each of the three find leaflets advertising The Midnight Bookshop. Ultimately three wind up meeting at the Bookshop. They meet the owner Fay. Fay says “You don’t choose the book. The Book Chooses you. So our main characters each find a book that chooses them. Now they fall under the spell of the Midnight Bookshop. Will the magic help them find the happiness they seek? While each of three have common problems, to our characters they are difficult problems that to them seem insurmountable. The story sees a lot of heart searching, lifelong friendships are made with the help of the proprietor and a little magic.

The book was enjoyable and uplifting. It will definitely make you smile and leave you feeling happier that you had read this book.

I would like to thank Ms. James, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was grateful to receive an ARC copy of "The Midnight Bookshop" by Amanda James, and it was a charming story! The idea of a secret bookshop that appears when you need it most is so fun, and seems to be catching as a trope. I would have loved to have seen some more character development.

One thing that really shone for me was the beautifully crafted atmosphere – it felt so cozy and inviting! It's worth noting that the significance of the specific books chosen for each character might be a little difficult to fully grasp if you haven't read those particular titles yourself, and there are spoilers shared from each of those books as well.

Title: The Midnight Bookshop
Author: Amanda James (@mandykjames)
Publisher: Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Rating: 5⭐️

Jo, Adelaide, and Kye should never have met, let alone end up together in a book club. But all three are lost and the store has found them. Led by the store’s mysterious owner, they are guided not just to each other but to a book that will lead them down paths of change they never could have anticipated.


The Midnight Bookshop swept me away alongside Jo, Adelaide, and Kye. Surrendering to the story, I found myself immersed in the pages just as our three protagonists were. Told in a beautiful composition of magical realism, The Midnight Bookshop made me cry and cheer alongside this unlikely trio. I was swept up into a world where books could be saviors if we were willing to listen to their stories and find the bravery to change the things that haunt us. This was the perfect cosy read, set in beautiful Cornwall, and it definitely made me want to read more books by James! If you’re looking for a gorgeous, emotional, and atmospheric read, you’ve found it in The Midnight Bookshop.

Thank you so much @onemorechapterhc for the ARC!

Der Roman „The Midnight Bookshop“ von Amanda James umfasst 384 Seiten und ist im Verlag HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter erschienen.
Leider konnte ich mich mit dem Buch nicht so richtig anfreunden. Die insgesamt 34 Kapitel haben jeweils einen der drei Protagonisten Jo, Adelaide und Kye im Fokus, wobei die Geschichte aus dritter Perspektive im Präsens erzählt wird. Allein die gewählte Zeitform war für mich und meinen Lesefluss schon schwierig. Außerdem wurde gerade zu Beginn nsgesamt viel einfach nur erzählt, insbesondere was die Hintergrundgeschichten der Protagonisten betrifft, die anfangs wahrlich etwas düster sind. Probleme wie emotionale und körperliche Misshandlung, Krankheit und Drogenkonsum im unmittelbaren Umfeld der Hauptfiguren werden angesprochen. Damit hatte ich irgendwie nicht gerechnet, wobei die düstere Covergestaltung wahrscheinlich ein Hinweis hätte sein können. Nach den Vorstellungen der Figuren und langen reinen Erzählpassagen geht die Geschichte ab dem ersten echten „Auftritt“ des *Midnight Bookshop* aber endlich fantastischer, flüssiger und auch hoffnungsvoller weiter.
Die Idee dieses besonderen Buchladens ist wirklich etwas Besonderes und auch die Umsetzung ist gut gelungen. Die Geschichte war im weiteren Verlauf gut und auch interessant gestrickt, leider konnte die weitere Handlung den sehr holprigen und unerhofften Start für mich jedoch nicht wettmachen und mich insgesamt auch nicht mehr nachhaltig begeistern. Dennoch hat mich die emotionale Reise der drei solide unterhalten können.

Who doesn't love a book about books? And with a book club to top it off? Sign me up!

The Midnight Bookshop is a cozy, fluffy read perfect for the summer, say a rainy day in a sun garden or on the beach. It follows three people - Jo, Adelaide and Kye - who are all in a bad place in their lives right now. They find this mysterious bookshop that seems too magical to not be magical and it's owned by the exuberant Fay (Fae, helloooo?).

In the bookshop, the books choose their readers, and Jo, Adelaide and Kye all are provided with books that are relevant for where they are in their lives. It's very relatable, I think we've all read a book at some point where we feel like it hits home.

Amanda James has done a clever job writing a book about books, bookstores and booklovers for people who love books. Despite the light fluffiness of the book, there were times I felt moved by the way she writes about books. She captured the way that booklovers (me) feel about books and literature.

You don't have to be a booklover, or a literature grad, to read this book and enjoy it. It is a perfect beach read, which may motivate you to find your way back to love of books. Or it's just a book that you enjoy while reading it.

I received this ARC from One More Page and NetGalley. Thanks for allowing me to review it!

💭 #QOTD What place do you find comforting and safe?

Title: The Midnight Bookshop
Author: Amanda James
Pages: 332
Rating: 3/5
Spice/Romance level: 🩷 Talk of relationships and crushes.

#Arc eCopy ( #gifted ) - review left voluntarily
UK publish date - 16th May 2025

We are introduced to 3 characters and read from each of their perspectives. Each one has a difficulty in their lives. (Please be aware of drug use and DV) They all find solace in a magical bookshop that is not easy to see and they find a friendship and support towards each other.

This was a beautiful feel good book with gorgeous quotes. Positive vibes and just a lovely in-between read for when you're in a slump. This was very sweet. There was little to no tension/high stakes.

This was an enchanting story, giving you permission to edit your life to the outcome you want. No matter the difficulty. It shows the importance of friendship, support and asking for help.

This book offered hope, new beginnings, and magical realism.

Also, how gorgeous is this cover?

You'll love this book if you like
- feel good reads
- books about books
- lots of bookish quotes
- just sweet all round
- no high stakes
- friendship

The cover and title immediately drew me in, and I was excited to discover the magic promised by The Midnight Bookshop. Unfortunately, the story didn't fully meet my expectations.

While the initial idea was wonderful (a magical bookshop and its mysterious owner) the emotional depth I hoped for never quite materialized. The relationships between the three main characters developed very quickly but felt unconvincing, leaving me disconnected from their journey.

I found that the conflicts were resolved too easily, and conversations sometimes felt repetitive, slowing down the pacing. The magical elements I was looking forward to took a backseat to a friendship storyline that, for me, lacked the necessary development.

Despite my best efforts to stay engaged, I ultimately decided to DNF at 89%. I believe the concept had great potential, but unfortunately, it didn’t fully deliver the magic I was hoping for.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the ultimate escapist book journey. Everyone loves to be lost in a good book and a book that you can actually jump into is truly incredible. Great idea, great characters, great storyline.

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

A very beautiful magical read . Loved it. Three very different characters with very different lives meet and a lovely story follows . Books lead the story. Very well written. It is amazing. You will love it .

I really enjoyed this book! It features three main characters, all struggling in different ways, who are brought together by a magical bookshop. The book is well written, and the character development is excellent. Several well known books are read and discussed by the characters, which I also enjoyed. I also highly recommend the author's most recent book, The Garden of Memories.

DNF @ 40%. It's all just a bit...trite. The idea of Fay being a sort of avatar for the bookshop itself is intriguing, but it's not the focus of the book, and so it's not enough for me to keep reading. This is also trying for magical realism, but magical realism really relies on the characters treating the magic as a matter of course, which is not the case here, so I don't think it's a successful application.

I recently read Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop and think that's a great choice for someone looking for a story about the healing power of books and bookshops. It is cozy without being trite and also highlights some more niche books rather than going on about Harry Potter (in 2025, seriously?), Lord of the Rings, The Great Gatsby, etc.

An amazing story about an amazing book shop. Who wouldn't want to visit such a magical book shop that can help transport you into the actual book of your imagination. Book have always been a place to escape to in more ways than you realise.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I wanted to love it based on the synopsis and cover but it just fell short for me.

The characters were a hodgepodge of random misfits that become a close knit group of friends. However, they didn’t really work together. We get a slight background on each character. Jo is a spoiled brat, Kye lives in poverty with his family, and Adelaide is in an abusive marriage. They’re all different ages too which makes this less believable. The characters lacked personality. The three main characters practically foamed at the mouth for Fay, the bookshop owner, it was a little weird.

The writing is very choppy, some parts didn’t really come together. It seemed like a mix of ideas that didn’t quite make it out fully. The premise was interesting but the writing fell short. It was very repetitive with many recycled quotes. I thought the book was good up until the 50% mark. In my opinion it should have completed there when the characters realized the purpose of the book or the message they needed to hear. The last 50% was boring. The dialogue between the characters was weak and poorly delivered.

There are multiple books and their endings mentioned in this book. So there could be some spoilers if you’re not familiar with these books. I think this book had a lot of potential but just didn’t quite capture my attention like I thought it would. I skimmed the last few chapters because I needed to finish it. I don’t feel like there was much to be missed there. It was all just fluff and filler at that point. This is also a UK book so phrases and words are different than America.

The cover is beautiful though!

The Midnight Bookshop is a heartwarming story filled with hope and new beginnings. A story about what a book gives the reader and what we as readers get from reading.

'Two people reading the same book will have different perceptions - perhaps not hugely different, but they will have them, nonetheless'

It follows the lives of Jo, Kye and Adelaide, strangers brought together because of a leaflet, advertising The Midnight Bookshop. All three are drawn to finding this mysterious Bookshop. When a chance encounter sees all three of them in the same place, they decide to meet up at the Midnight Bookshop and see what its all about.

Jo, Kye and Adelaide seem to live completely different lives but underneath they live a life that sees them abused and controlled by the people who are meant to love them. Then they meet Fay at The Midnight Bookshop and she fills them with hope and purpose.

'You don't choose the book, the book chooses you'

Fay shows them how a book can change your life, how one can help you rewrite the direction of your story and take back control over it. This is so true there are books out there that can answer questions you've been asking, and guide you in the right direction. I know I've read a few myself.

This is a story about the magic and healing properties of stories. Our one true friend that will always be there for us. The imagery this book creates as you're reading is beautiful.

You can't help but love the characters here. They each have a heartbreaking story to tell. I just felt that the dialogue felt a little flat and one-dimensional. At times it felt like I was reading a YA book. It also felt like the end of their stories were quickly and neatly wrapped up but I think I'm looking into it too deeply and not taking it for what it is.

'Don't question things too closely as the answer isn't always available'

I did enjoy this story. It was an enchanting and magical read, Filled with hope, believing in ourselves and taking back control of our own story.

Thank you One More Chapter for my advanced copy of this book.

Gentle, cosy and magical fantasy. There is a book, ready and willing to be read. This book. If you find yourself needing some joy, or a little uplift, then maybe this book will find you. Midnight or not, don’t be scared if it falls into your hands, this book brings magic and healing for all those that spend time in its words. Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

The Midnight Bookshop. I thought I was getting a story full of intrigue.

Instead, I received a story about do-overs and relationships. What happens when a life is empty of happiness? The Midnight Bookshop, if one is lucky enough to be chosen. Through Fay and the Midnight Bookshop, one finds that reading can be enough to bring joy.

Hard to believe? I thought so, but then I decided that the pages of a book bring escapism and travel to new lands, new book friends, and adventure. So carrying that forward to a “what if…” degree, this could excuse book plausibility, right? It’s nice to think that a book imagination could bring the do-overs that some may need.

This story is about 3 strangers who follow instructions on a flyer to a magical bookshop. Each one has not only their own personal struggles but also their own respective relationship with reading. You could say this book qualifies as cozy because while there are some high stake situations they're dealt with very quickly which was a little frustrating to me.
The story is told in multiple POVs between the main characters which was difficult to differentiate at times. I would have liked for the characters to have more distinctive viewpoints. I would have also liked to learn more about the mysterious owner, Faye, but understand that was part of the mystery.
Overall I did enjoy this book and felt like it was a cute love letter to book lovers everywhere.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC!

I absolutely loved the Concept A magical library that happens to give it's patrons the book they need? Plus, its filled with whimsical imagery and foliage that make it ethereal? Stunning! The imagery was so beautiful in this book, and the details of the locations always made me feel like I was there! The story however didn't fully reel me in. Some of the scenes felt a bit flat and a bit too mundane, a few inconsistencies with details here and there, and some of the characters problems felt a bit too caricature, which made it hard to fully immerse. The story however did a fantastic job of making the characters bond and show that people can overcome struggles in their lives, and learn to strive forward. While the book wasn't fully for me, I can confidently say many others will be able to enjoy this wonderful story and it's characters!