A mesmerising and magical tale of a lost bookshop that appears to those most in need. On an unsuspecting Dublin street resides a bookshop waiting to be discovered by Opaline, Martha, and Henry over dual timelines. Overlooked, underestimated, and dismissed by those around them, it is time that life experienced some of the magic that lies between the pages of the books they love. The unsuspecting trio is to be transported into an awe-inspiring world. A spellbinding listen that will sweep you in and absorb you completely. A beautifully narrated homage to books and bookshops. #thelostbookshop #eviewoods #netgalley #harpercollinsukaudio #onemorechapter

This book is so hard to categorize. I'd say it's the perfect balance between a contemporary and a historic fiction, with the perfect dose of romance, magical realism and mystery
The story follows 3 characters, Martha, Opaline and Henrey (and we get the 3 POVs!!!). The twist? We're following Opaline in the past, and so get one of my fave thing in books, a DUAL TIMELINE!!! (Can you feel the excitement???)

I really enjoyed this read. We follow all 3 characters on their journey to self acceptance, self sufficiency and freedom (each in their own way).
Loved the feminist aspect of this book. It's a problem I have when historical fiction uses the time period as an excuse to indulge in casual (or not) sexism, but here, we get a strong and independant FMC fighting to better her life in the past, and an equally amazing and strong FMC in the present. They both have been through impossible hurdles, but still managed to get back up and pick up the pieces.

And of course, how could I not be obsessed with a book about books. I loved that this was the common thread, weaving its way and making sure our MCs are intertwined. The mystery component and the book collector aspect of the bookish world was a very interesting one to read about.

The narration here was superb, with 3 narrators give life to the book. Definitely recommend going the audiobook road if you want to read this one!

Thank you HarperCollins UK Audio, One More Chapter and NetGalley for this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted this book to be a true story not fictional as it drew me in from the start and I just wanted a happy ending. The plot follows two separate stories and the chapters alternate soo they become entwined in the magic of the bookshop. Modern day Henry and Martha trying to find a lost manuscript lost in 1920's Dublin. But where is the bookshop? it is described and should be on the map but its not. All is not what it seems. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

I enjoyed this book a lot although listening to the audiobook it was a bit confusing when they switched character povs. i had to try and figure out who was talking quite a bit and took me out of the story a lot.

Thank-you NetGalleyUK and HarperCollins UK Audio for a free eARC in return for an honest review.

This is a book about books; a magical realist saga covering three narrators and split timelines. The story is delivered to us cyclically by Martha and Henry (in modern day Dublin) and Opaline (in the 1920s). I liked the premise of this; the inter-connectedness; the overall arc of the story. I did enjoy the sprinkling of literary trivia throughout the story. It felt like a book for booklovers. Also, all of the main characters, while flawed in some way, were fundamentally likeable and I wanted them all to win their stories.

At the same time this was far from perfect. While I often enjoy multi-narrator, different-time stories, in this one they felt a little shoe-horned together at times. The resolution at the end was so swift as to feel like an after thought. As it turned out, something that felt like it should have been the crux of the novel was actually a bit secondary, and didn't feature nearly as much as I had wanted it to. Some of the magic was a bit ... flexible... in its logic, and those plot loopholes were never ironed out. Also, at times, I found myself irritated by the narration, rather than enjoying it.

I enjoyed the use of three different actors for the three perspectives, and felt that they all did a good job to bring the story to life.

‘On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…’

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. Audio One More Chapter for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘The Lost Bookshop’ by Evie Woods. The audiobook is narrated by Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon.

The story of the lost bookshop is told by three characters. In the Prologue we are introduced to Martha, who runs Opaline’s Bookshop in present day Dublin. We then move back in time to 1921 where Opaline Carlisle shares the story of her love of books and how following the death of her father, her brother had sought to marry her off. She runs away from home and finds her way to Paris. There she works in a bookshop and begins a fledgling career as a book dealer.

We then return to Martha nine months prior to the Prologue. Escaping an abusive marriage, she takes the position of housekeeper to Mrs. Bowen, an elderly woman living in a Georgian house in Ha'penny Lane, Dublin.

The third narrative voice is Henry Field, a British academic in search of a lost manuscript. His only clue to its whereabouts is a letter from one of the world’s most successful rare book dealers to Miss Opaline Gray, a bookshop owner in Ha'penny Lane, Dublin.

The evening he arrives in Dublin Henry has an unusual experience when he is dropped off in Ha'penny Lane. He enters the bookshop then suddenly finds himself back outside. Too many G&Ts on the flight? In the light of day he discovers that the bookshop’s address is waste ground. It is located next door to Mrs. Bowen’s and he soon meets Martha, who at first believes him to be a Peeping Tom! I won’t say more to avoid spoilers.

The chapters cycle between the three main characters and between the past and present. It becomes obvious that there is something strange about the bookshop, including other reports of people walking into it but it then disappearing. Then there are the tree roots seemingly growing from the ceiling of Martha’s room and the tattoo on her back that has begun changing on its own.

I appreciated the aspects of magical realism found throughout the novel. It can be a delicate balance to integrate these elements without entering into full-on fantasy fiction. I felt that Evie Woods succeeded in creating a subtle sense of wonder.

With respect to the audiobook, I was glad that there were three readers, each narrating one of the main characters. While this was my first experience of all three, I felt that they did well including with the various characters’ accents.

Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Lost Bookshop’ and found it an engaging read. Throughout the story celebrates books and the love of reading and that always appeals to me. As a result, I expect that it will prove a popular choice with reading groups and I plan to suggest it to my own.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

The Lost Bookshop by @evie.gaughan

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.


Wow.
Firstly thank you to the publisher and the author for the digital audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll start by saying this isn’t my usual genre. I’m really not a fan of historical fiction but something about this book drew me in. It’s mystical and intriguing, twisty and interesting.
The plot is weaved so expertly that even the most magical themes seem completely believable.
The story of Opaline is so well crafted, serious where needed and light and sunny to brighten the shadows. Martha is a very real and authentic character with complexities that keep you guessing right until the end.

A genuine 5 star read, surprising with my sheer avoidance of historical fiction but I think this may have just turned my head….

This book was good! It was a book about books and book lovers. The story of all the three characters are written very well and the way their story intermingled it was great! But the ending felt rushed and there were still some answers which I felt which were left unanswered also some part just felt like a drag. But the narration was very good and the idea of this story was very impressive! 3.5 stars
Detailed review coming soon

A book focused on a lost bookshop waiting to be found.

The Lost Bookshop is told from multiple timelines, and three people's points of view. One set just after the first war and the other present day, All the characters are obsessed with books, and the present day timeline is searching for the shop mentioned in the historical setting.

The two timelines seamlessly intersect giving the reader a story about love, magic and piece of history that would transform the literary world. Opaline, Martha and Henry are incredibly well written as they travel to Paris, London and Dublin.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the complimentary copy.

A charming and quick read that's written beautifully. If you're looking for an entertaining and feel-good novel then pick this one up.
More: https://asianacircus.com/best-new-historical-fiction-books-to-read/

Thank you for the ARC!

Beautiful audio Narration. Great job by the narrator that gives the warmth for the story to keep alive.

1921, London:
Twenty-one-year-old Opaline Carlisle chooses to leave for France to escape being forced into an arranged marriage by her dominating older brother. Her love for reading, a passion she shared with her late father, and her subsequent association with Sylvia Beach of "Shakespeare and Company" fame, where she takes up a job, fuels her interest in antiquarian books and manuscripts - a journey, that after a sequence of events, eventually has her opening a bookshop in Dublin all the while searching for an elusive manuscript.

Present Day:
Martha Winter, a young woman running from an abusive marriage, finds her way to Dublin in the employ of the eccentric Madame Bowden as her live-in housekeeper. Martha is not much of a reader, and in fact, has an eversion of sorts to books. When books start appearing in the walls of the small basement of Madam Bowden’s residence where Martha now lives, will this inspire her to overcome her fears and look at life from a fresh perspective?
Henry Field, a Ph.D. scholar in search of a rare manuscript that is referenced in an old letter he found in the course of his research, is searching for an old bookshop in Dublin but when he reaches the premises the bookshop is not there, or is it?

With superb characterizations (even the unlikable ones) and an almost perfect balance of history, romance, mystery, fantasy and magical realism, Evie Woods seamlessly weaves past and present threads into an enchanting tale about self-discovery, family, courage and the magical, transformative power of books. The narrative is presented in the first person narrative perspectives of Opaline, Henry and Martha in alternating chapters. I loved the literary references ( from the classics to contemporary fiction), insight into the antiquarian book trade and auctions and the literary figures who feature in the cast of characters. Interspersed among the magic and mystery, the author touches upon several serious themes including abuse, exploitation and fraud and how historically “troublesome women with inconvenient ideas” were treated. I did feel, however, that the ending was a tad rushed and there were a few aspects of the story that could have been explored further but overall, The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a beautiful story that will strike a chord in your heart.

I paired my reading with the audio narration which truly enhanced my experience with this book. Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon do a brilliant job of voicing the characters, setting the atmosphere and bringing the story to life, making for a memorable immersion reading experience.

Finally, that cover is beautiful!


Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the eARC and AlC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The book has three main characters and two timelines, Opaline's story starting in 1921, and Martha and Henry in the present. In the audiobook, they are all read by a different narrator which is really nice. This way, you don't easily lose track of who the chapter is about either, because the three voices are really quite different. The voice of Henry is read by Nick Biadon, an older sounding voice but a very nice voice to listen to. Martha's voice is read by Avena Mansergh-Wallace and Opaline by Olivia Mace.

I started reading first and switched to listening the next day during my walk. Then I got so excited by the three voices that I decided to listen as much as possible, if I sat down with the e-book then I also listened to the audiobook so that I was being read to, so to speak. In bed I read without listening but still heard the voices in my head which I really enjoyed.

So like mentioned earlier it's a book with two timelines, Opaline's story starting in 1921 and Martha and Henry's story in the present. Opaline is forced to marry off by her older brother, who has been the man of the house since the death of their father, and who has returned wounded from WW1. She refuses this and runs away. To pay for her flight, she sells a very special book. She flees to Paris and, after some wandering, ends up working at an English bookshop that actually exists. Shakespeare and company, although it did not have that name at the time.

Along with this story you follow the story of Martha who flees her abusive husband and ends up in Dublin. In Dublin we also follow Henry's story who is searching for a lost manuscript.

Martha and Henry's story is the most magical and otherworldly, Opaline's story only so much could have taken place during that time. The stories come together very nicely towards the end, some things I definitely didn't see coming. Honestly I am not very much into fantasy books and this book did have some of that in it but contained enough historical information to work that into a nice storyline as well.

Characters = 7 | Atmosphere = 8 | Writing Style = 9 | Plot = 8 | Intrigue = 8 | Logic = 7 | Enjoyment = 9 | Score 8,00 = 4 stars

In a Nutshell: A story spanning multiples genres, timelines and themes. Has plenty of interesting elements but also a few loopholes. Will work better if you read it with your heart than with your head.

Story Synopsis:
Present-day Dublin. Martha has escaped an abusive marriage and is trying to stand on her own feet by working as a housekeeper to the eccentric ex-actress, Madame Bowden.
Henry is a Ph.D. student who is obsessed with an old manuscript, and is ready to do anything to locate it.
Connecting the two, unknown to them, is a missing bookshop, which should have been next door to Madame Bowden’s house, but isn’t! But as Henry and Martha learn more about the bookshop, the bookshop also seems to want to be found by them.
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Martha, Henry, and Opaline – whose timeline beginning in 1921 England offers us some background to the events in the contemporary timeline.

Bookish Yays:
💖 My favourite part was the magical realism, which is strongest in the contemporary timeline. The fantastical elements are connected not just to the lost library but also to Martha, who seems to have a special ability (the reason for which is not specified.) This is not to say that the magical realism was flawless. There were quite a few logical loopholes, and I had to keep reminding myself that fantasy-based genres are allowed to have some flexibility in sealing off all ends. Regardless, it was exciting to read, though readers looking for explanations might end up disappointed.
💖 What both the timelines handled excellently was their bookish elements. I loved the random sprinkling of tidbits related to authors, books and book collectors. There were even a few lovely quotes connected to reading, and even a special role by the iconic Sylvia Beach. Every bibliophile will definitely love these trivia.
💖 I liked all the contemporary main characters. Martha, Henry, and Madame Bowden have their own issues and whims, but they are still easy to like. Their character detailing helps us understand their behaviour well, and their interactions are realistic and heartwarming. Oh, to have a friend like Madame Bowden!
💖 The story is written in three first person perspectives, and each voice is written distinctly – a tough task. Opaline is the typical Brit upper class, looking down her nose at people below her station though she doesn't even realise it, and realising that she isn’t as free as she had assumed. Henry is humorous, using his jokes to hide his vulnerable emotional side. Martha is under-confident yet defiant at the same time. She isn't the typical victim but has her own secrets. The povs of each reflect their personalities properly.


Bookish Nays:
💔 I was most disappointed to see romance playing such a dominant role in Opaline’s arc. As she was a rebel who lived life on her own terms, her arc would have worked so much better had it focussed only on her bibliophilic passions than on her romantic passions.
💔 I love historical fiction, and I also love magical realism. But I felt like I was reading two distinct stories that didn’t come together convincingly, though each story had its own charm.
💔 There are far too many social themes and issues incorporated within both the timelines. Some were good, some went overboard and felt forced in. The contemporary timeline performed far better in this regard.
💔 The historical timeline begins in 1921 but doesn’t give many clues about the chronological progress. For instance, when it suddenly spoke about the war in the second half, it took me a while to realise that the characters were now in the WWII era.
💔 The ending is very rushed, finishing off the extensive build-up within a single chapter. Though there’s an epilogue as well, I found the ending disappointing in terms of its hasty resolution.


🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hours, is narrated by Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon. I am pretty sure that at least a part of my enjoyment of this title was credit to the mostly outstanding narration. Nick Biadon was exceptional as Henry, voicing his self-deprecating humour and his uncertainties with an undeniable charm. The other two narrators, voicing Opaline and Martha, also suited their characters perfectly, with Martha’s narrator dong an especially great job of making her sound vulnerable. Opaline’s narrator was very good, though not as good as the other two. Her male-character voices were not convincing, but she handled the rest well.

All in all, I did like a lot about this novel, with the book-related elements and the magical realism being my favourite parts. If only the historical timeline had satisfied me more. I realise that my Nays outnumber the Yays, but the fact also is that the Yays were a lot more powerful than the Nays.
Recommended, because if nothing else, you will surely love the bookish trivia and the magical lost library.

3.5 stars, rounding up for the audiobook.

My thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Lost Bookshop”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.

I really enjoyed the hints of magic and all the little magical elements throughout the book when you don't know if it really is supernatural or if there will be a logical explanation for everything. Henry was my favourite character, I loved his sense of humour and how flustered he sometimes got around Martha. She in turn was always convinced she was the weird one. It was a very satisfying relationship to read about. It was particularly interesting to get points of view of people who love books and also those who are scared of them. This book was both heartbreaking and hopeful, but the conclusion of all the threads was just right.

Opaline is set to be married to a man she’s never met, she runs away to France and then onto Ireland. It is the 1920’s and women aren’t supposed to be strong and independent.
In the present day Martha has run away from her abusive husband to Dublin where she is taken in as a housekeeper while she decides what she is going to do. Henry is visiting Dublin from England looking for a lost manuscript.
The story is told from all three perspectives, their highs, their lows, their losing and finding themselves.
I loved the characters and found that I wanted to know what happened to each of them.
It is magical, part fantasy, heartwarming and heart breaking. I listened to the audiobook and was totally drawn in to the Lost Bookshop (just one more chapter, just one more!).

I enjoyed listening to this book, altough I felt like the story was sometimes taking unnecessary turns, which sometimes made the listening slightly long. I liked following the investigation around the mysterious bookshop, and I'd say it's an entertaining book! Made me think of a strange mix between "The Lost Apothecary" and "It ends with us".

What an absolutely lovely read! This is a true homage to books and book lovers everywhere.

" 'The thing about books,' she said, 'is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.'"

This is a dual timeline story. Narrated in the past by Opaline, who escapes her older brother's plans to marry her off by fleeing to Paris where she goes to work in a bookstore. In the present, we alternate between Martha, an Irish woman who is escaping an abusive marriage, who takes a job as a housekeeper; and Henry, a scholar who is looking for a lost manuscript and happens upon a bookshop next door to Martha and then it disappears. He enlists Martha to help him find out about its history and where it could have gone.

I really enjoy magical realism, but unfortunately I don't think this book goes quite far enough into that realm. Yes, there are magical elements, but I wanted more from them. I also thought the ending was too quick and I didn't get all of my questions answered satisfactorily. Regardless, I was thoroughly invested in the tale and I was captivated by both storylines, which rarely happens for me.

I felt despair for both Opaline and Martha, as they were caught in horrible situations over which they had no control. I listened to this book partially as an audiobook and the narrators did an amazing job giving voice to the characters and keeping me engaged and intrigued.

If you love books and bookshops and want to get swept away by a saga of magic, love, and self-discovery, then definitely choose this book.

A truly enchanting story of a lost bookshop but also about so much more. I loved how we follow both Opaline’s story back in the 1920s and Henry and Martha’s stories as they research the missing manuscript and bookshop, and uncover Opaline’s past through photographs and letters. Opaline refused to be a victim despite her brother’s determination to marry her off and then his later crimes against her. She was independent and brave, escaping her family and supporting herself, whilst pursuing her passion for books. She was successful and made a rare find but her story is a difficult one filled with heartbreak and betrayal, and hearing it from her own perspective gave it much more impact than if we’d only known her through Martha and Henry’s research.

Our modern day narrators have their own baggage but after stumbling across each other, and Henry making a terrible first impression, they build a tentative friendship - each on their own paths but ones which continue to converge. They’re drawn together by their interest in the lost bookshop and the different clues they keep uncovering. Does Henry stick his foot in it with a lot of careless comments? Sure does! But he’s still a likeable character and only human, after all. His awkwardness and quirks make him more endearing. And with Martha’s past which drove her to Dublin, and her continuous courage as she breaks out of her shell and follows her dreams with the encouragement of her landlady - an ever mysterious figure. I grew attached to all of these characters and thoroughly enjoyed the magical elements of this book that accompanied all of the cleverness and intrigue throughout. If I could find myself in that mystical bookshop, I’d be there at the drop of a hat! This was a fantastic read and it completely drew me in and I know many others will feel the same.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

he Narrators do a fantastic job of getting the characters across, and I love that we have many different voices. 

We have a fantastic cover giving a lovely historical vibe. 

I like how we have a dual timeline in this book. It flows well. Additionally, I love that each character has their chapters and thoughts, and we get to know each of them. 

The narrots fit each character, and I love the development of these characters. One of my favourites is Henry. 

Opaline Carlisle is set immediately after World War I, and her older brother is driving her into an arranged marriage because to her family's financial situation. She does not want to marry, so she travels to Paris and begins working at Shakespeare & Company, where she meets Hemingway and others and begins to support herself as a book trader.
The current timeline provides us with two additional points of view: Martha, who has fled her abusive husband and is hiding out as a housekeeper for a retired actress, and Henry, a PhD student whom she meets there while he is researching Opaline Carlisle because Henry is convinced that Opaline's bookshop was next door to where she lives.

Martha is now employed, but he cannot prove it and has no evidence to back it up other than his theory.
The two timeframes perfectly combine to tell a story of love, magic, and the search for a missing manuscript that would revolutionise the literary world.