I started reading this book after borrowing it through Prime Reading, and purchased it immediately (not even a chapter in). It was very well written, with an unusual (good) storyline. I liked the parallel time lines, and couldn't wait to get back to individual stories, whilst still wanting to read the present one. Of course, the storylines of the characters were eventually interwoven, and even though I thought I knew what was coming next, I was still caught unawares by the continuous twists in the plot. Lovely, heart-warming, a little unnerving at times, but ultimately very rewarding...Recommended, definitely.
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I thought twice about downloading this book- it’s not my usual genre and it seemed like it might be too whimsical for my tastes. However, it was really engrossing story, well written and with generally relatable characters. I preferred Opaline’s story to Martha/Henry’s and I felt that parts of the ending were a bit rushed (Martha’s family history, what happened with Madame B etc).
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If you love books, whimsical tales, characters that tug on your heart strings, this is for you. It was such an enjoyable read. The writing is superbe, the atmosphere captivating and the main characters attaching. The character development is very good here, you can them heal as the story goes. This book has so many layers: feminism, domestic violence, growth. It is also very well researched. I love a fictional story on a historical background. If you fancy a cosy winter read, tucked under the duvet with a good cup of coffee, this is for you!
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This is an amazing story about books, love, a vanishing bookshop and discovery and I loved every word. This is not the first time I have read anything by this author, the first time was The Story Collector which was another beautiful story. The Lost Bookshop is something Henry has been searching for, he has followed manuscripts, links, leads and rumours to find its whereabouts yet to no avail. Martha is also trying to hide and finds herself working for Mrs Bowden as her housekeeper. She has found her own version of a new life and yet keeps her head down. Opaline is a character who is from the past, she works in France for the Shakespeare and Company bookshop, another one who is trying to escape from her past. While these three are the main characters, there are some amazing others that the author has drawn into her storyline. Opaline's story is of her brothers' trying to force her into an arranged marriage, but being the 1920s Poaline has other ideas. Henry is struggling with something that has happened in his past, just as Martha is but for different reasons. These three characters tell their story in their own voices so you do get a personal sense of narration. As well as having three different voices there are also two timelines, this may sound as if it starting to become a little complex but it honestly is not. The author has woven it brilliantly and I soon found myself automatically recognising the different voices and timelines. The story is about finding your own future and having the confidence to take the steps forward on that path. Sometimes a little nudge is needed. The Lost Bookshop is a character in its own right, it is an amazing sounding place and it becomes what it needs to be when it is needed. A truly fantastical-sounding place that I would love to visit. A mix of historical fiction, romance, fantasy and contemporary fiction. I adored this one a huge amount and I would highly recommend it.
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I enjoyed the different perspectives and timelines although I was pretty confident I had worked out wow of the plot. I feel that there are some unanswered questions and maybe they should stay like that but would have liked the loose ends tidied up! They did mention one of the loose ends right at the end! It was a good enjoyable read, looking at relationships in general and how women have been treated in the past.
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As someone who devoured fairy tales as a kid, I loved the magical element to this story. I also liked getting to know each individual - though I would have liked to have found out more about Madame Bowden - and the way their different timelines interwove. But I had so many questions afterwards, despite the author trying to tie a few loose ends up on the final pages. For example, I wanted to know why the characters took certain actions - or didn’t - as I found some things hard to swallow. I was also a bit irritated by the occasional Americanism that crept in, though the author does write well. I think it would be great for discussing in a reading group.
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A wonderful book to get lost in. Romance, wonder, magic and history. Very well written. A good read from start to finish.
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I absolutely loved this book and the lives of the three main characters. It ends a bit quickly but is otherwise a magical tale with lots of twists and turns and keeps you engaged and intrigued. It’s been a long time since I read something I couldn’t put down
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Enchanting, magical, beautifully written—"The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods is an absolute treasure. This book is a love letter to literature, to book lovers, and to the idea that stories have the power to heal, transform, and connect us in ways we never expect. It seamlessly blends historical fiction, contemporary drama, and a touch of magical realism, pulling the reader into a world where books aren’t just objects but lifelines. From the very first page, I was captivated by the way Woods wove together mystery, love, and resilience, making this a novel I’ll return to again and again. The story unfolds across two timelines, adding richness and depth to the narrative. In the 1920s, we meet Opaline, a woman ahead of her time, fighting for independence and freedom in a world that wants to confine her. Her journey is filled with betrayal, heartbreak, and an unwavering love for knowledge, becoming centered around the lost bookshop. In the present day, Martha, a woman trying to rebuild her life after escaping an abusive past, and Henry, a lonely academic, find themselves unraveling the mysteries hidden within the bookshop’s forgotten walls. The dual timeline structure makes for an engaging, layered read, slowly revealing how the past and present intertwine in ways both surprising and deeply moving. The characters are beautifully developed and incredibly relatable. Opaline is bold, passionate, and determined, a character you can’t help but root for as she fights against the limitations placed upon her. Martha’s journey of healing and rediscovering her strength is inspiring, while Henry’s transformation from a man stuck in his own mind to someone willing to embrace love and possibility is equally compelling. Each character, though living in different times, carries a quiet longing—for love, for purpose, for belonging. Their stories remind us that no matter when or where we live, we all search for the same things. One of the most powerful aspects of "The Lost Bookshop" is its exploration of women’s struggles for autonomy, both in history and today. Woods doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities women face when they dare to seek independence, whether it’s societal constraints in the 1920s or the lingering trauma of domestic violence in the present. But despite the darkness woven into the story, it never feels hopeless. At its heart, this book is about second chances, about finding light even in the darkest places, and about the incredible strength of women who refuse to be silenced. And then there’s the bookshop itself—more than just a setting, it feels alive, filled with stories and secrets waiting to be discovered. Woods describes it so vividly that I could almost smell the old pages, feel the weight of forgotten books in my hands. It’s the kind of bookshop every reader dreams of stumbling upon, a place where magic lingers in the air. Throughout the novel, there are countless references to books and authors, making it a delight for anyone who finds comfort in literature. If you’ve ever felt the magic of getting lost in a bookstore or library, this novel will speak to your soul. Beyond its literary magic, the novel explores love in its many forms—romantic love, the love of books, the love between friends, and the love that binds found families together. Love appears in the most unexpected places, reminding us that even when life feels shattered, connection and renewal are still within reach. The relationships in this book aren’t simple, but they’re real, showing that love, in any form, is transformative. I truly adored "The Lost Bookshop". By the time I reached the final pages, I found myself wishing I could read "A Place Called Lost", longing for more of this story, these characters, and the beauty of the bookshop itself. "The Lost Bookshop" is a novel filled with hope, heartbreak, and the kind of magic that stays with you long after you turn the final page. For anyone who believes in the power of stories, who understands the enchantment of books and the safe haven they provide, this is an absolute must-read. I already know I’ll be reading it again—and loving it just as much the second time.
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Es una historia que mezcla la fantasía con la realidad, me gustó mucho, se lee muy fácil. Muy interesante cómo se entrelaza la vida de los 3 protagonistas. La historia en general es muy relajada.
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O que gostei muito sobre esse livro é que a história começa despretensiosamente, me fazendo pensar que seria simples, porém é cheia de reviravoltas, muito interessante mesmo. Gostei bastante.
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“The Lost Bookshop”, is pure gold, a masterpiece that implements the here and now into the magical forces of the other world, a world beyond reality. What a glorious book! It’s a story that weaves together three extraordinary, charming and peculiar characters in Opaline, Martha and Henry, each striving to write their own stories or to simply find them. Either way, this book is hypnotic in its prose, it takes fictional writing to a whole new level for those who truly love books. It is an enchanting illustration in a world where books are fundamentally important, playing a pivotal role for those who choose to hold those majestic gems in their hands. When a book whispers, you listen intently to what it has to say. This book speaks volumes, it absolutely peaked my curiosity, it was definitely a page turner and it was so hard to put it down. I basically plowed through it full steam ahead, like I was under some type of hypnotic spell compelling me to read on. Life can cause individuals to view their own lives from the sidelines, not fully engaged within the confines of what life has to offer. It goes without saying that at times we all need a Madame Bowden in our lives just to add clarification to the things we don’t yet fully comprehend, a unique wizard of sorts who has the power to unlock secrets just sitting on a shelf. This vanishing bookshop has something to offer both Martha and Henry, they just need to conjure up the confidence to read between the lines and to see what cannot be seen, the author magically intertwines Opaline’s past life with the present. It’s pure genius, a fantastical journey where something lost can eventually be found if you stay on the majestical current path. This book adhered the conforming gender roles during Opaline’s storyline, a time when women were viewed as the weaker sex and therefore not taken seriously at all. Women had voices, but were never heard. It is noted that women writers used pseudonyms when writing back in the day, otherwise they wouldn’t get published as efficiently. Author Evie Gaughan used pseudonym Evie Woods at the author of this particular book, just to drive that point home. This novel incorporates great classic books, manuscripts and its authors into its storyline, and I liked that Sylvia Beach and her bookshop Shakespeare & Company were included as I read and enjoyed “The Paris Bookseller”. I am compelled to mention the cover, the concept brilliantly designed. My book was on my coffee table and the lights from the television changed the colour of the leaves on the front cover, the leaves twinkled with different shades, it was magical just as its content is. This novel will take the reader to a place of mystical magic with a dash of myth and I highly recommend it. Evie Woods lives Ireland and has created the most amazing book using her magical mind. It’s an intricately woven story with two vivid timelines that will burrow its way into your heart. LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Perfeito
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