The Lost Bookshop: The most charming and uplifting novel for 2025 and the perfect gift for book lovers! Paperback – November 7, 2023

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.

I enjoyed The Lost Bookshop. It’s a blend of fantasy, fairy tale, and historical fiction with love, loss, and second chances. The story weaves between the early 1900s and the present day, creating a magical atmosphere that kept me interested.Henry and Martha were my absolute favorites, even when they frustrated me. I adored them.I wanted to give it 5 stars, but I am still left with questions, especially about Madam Bowen. Was she real? Did I miss something? The last few chapters packed in a lot of revelations. I felt it was rushed towards the end.Still, this was a lovely read with a touch of magic and melancholy.

Look, at first I got kind of lost with the switching back and forth between the past and the present. But sheesh. After I remember who the characters were it was easy peezy reading.This book is incredible. Magical. And touches on a lot of things that I can relate to. As the magical universe, as you’ll read in this book, tends to have a way of putting things into your orbit for a purpose. I needed this book. I’m grateful it. And I think you will be too.

What an amazing, magical book. Several stories entwined with beautiful writing and some life lessons intermingled. Can’t say how much I love and treasure this book. Might be my favorite forever but I will read many more so we shall see. Highly recommend!!!

I loved the character Opaline. My love of books since a very young age seemed the common interest of Opaline and I. I also love escaping the real world through books. I was expecting more of a fantasy, magic, mythical creature style book to be honest. That’s more my jam. This wasn’t what I was expecting when I read the brief description to be honest. There were parts that fell flat for me. The ending was a little underwhelming. Again, I bought the book thinking the story would take its readers on a different adventure/story. I wish the description of the book made it sound less other worldly and more, real world problems with a hint of magic here and there with a bit of a magical finale at the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book. The characters drew me in. The flight from abuse and the kindness of strangers to two women caught in a gender-bias world at different historical times was desvribed with what seemed like hope. Discrimination, abuse in the story rendering women powerless was and is persistent throughout history. How these two women survived at different times in history was a theme I appreciated and was well done.I became lost in the second half. Minutia in the research of the Brontes was not my cup of tea. The mental institution seemed to me an attempt at employing some gothic romance style novel. I lost interest. The magic realism failed for me. Rose belongs with Jane Eyre.PS why the tattoos?

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, it compels the reader to keep turning the pages, it somehow weaves a spell that makes the reader believe in magic.

This book is beautifully written and takes you on a journey through two different time periods told from three characters' perspectives. It was hard to understand what was going on in the first half of the book, but little by little, a mystery is revealed and readers are left wondering what is going to happen next at the end of every chapter. It was heartbreaking yet also heartwarming at the same time. I felt so sad for Opaline and what she had to endure in her life but the ending was such a surprise and everything came full circle with a lovely reunion. I was a little disappointed for the lost manuscript that wasn't recovered but the search had brought Martha and Henry together and so much more. Unexpected and beautiful story about love, lies, loyalty, greed, friendship, power, war, death, grief and even mental illness. Amazing.