Lovely story with intertwining stories told from different perspectives that connect more and more as the story moves on.

I was fortunate to have an audiobook version of this as well as the e-arc (review for the story below), and I read/listened to them concurrently.

The voice acting of the narrators was fantastic, and they really brought an extra layer to the characters, putting so much of the emotion from the page into their voices, including nuances that weren't explicitly written down. It was a pleasure to listen.

==Review of The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
In the early part of the 20th century, Opaline Carlisle - strong independent woman - sets off on her own to forge a career (unheard of!) as a rare books dealer, firstly in Paris, before moving to Dublin.

Meanwhile, in 21st century Dublin, Martha is escaping a life of DV, and finds a job as a housekeeper for an eccentric older lady.

When she meets the somewhat hapless academic Henry looking for a bookshop that doesn't appear to exist, the paths of both women - Opaline and Martha - begin to converge across time, until they are exactly in the places they are meant to be, and WHO they are meant to be.

This was a truly delightful book. Each chapter focuses on one of the three main characters, picking up where the other had left off into a seamless story told from different perspectives.

This is a story about relationships, about identity, about books and about magic. It's also a book about the strength of women and what is endured because there is no other choice. A book about courage and belief in yourself. And it's magical.

I adored this book.

~Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK Audio, and One More Chapter for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

Audiobook arc in exchange for review.
The narration on this audiobook was perfect!
The atmosphere was beautiful and I loved the way the author handled the merging of the two timelines. It is hard to give this book a review without spoiling anything, but I will say that if you are looking for a story with great character development and a fairytale like story this is a must read. The one and only issue I had with it is that some conflict was resolved way too quickly and it hindered my enjoyment by pulling me out of the story. Regardless, this is definitely worth your time!

It pleasantly surprised me how much I loved this genre, despite my initial doubts. The story, being based on a bookshop, caught my attention, but the writing itself was what truly captivated me. It felt like an adult fairy tale, whimsical and magic. Opaline, Martha, and Henry each contribute their unique stories and experiences to this delightful tale.

The audiobook narration was flawless and truly brought the characters to life. The different narrators worked together seamlessly, and their various voices added depth to the story.

I strongly suggest pre-ordering a copy of this book in any format, as it is bound to become popular. I assure you that you will not be let down!

This historical fiction book is not riveting, but it is strangely compelling. Spanning two timelines and multiple PoV's, the story centres around the world of rare books and although I am not a connoisseur of such things, I can appreciate how finding a missing manuscript by Emily Bronte would be thrilling for some! The mystery of the missing bookshop plotline fell a little flat for me and although the title is 'The Lost Bookshop', I would say this is more of a book about books - you really get a sense of how books are revered by the Author. I wouldn't say that I felt particularly warm towards the Characters, but they were not unlikeable - I found Odeline and Martha's story at times to be very similar, so I got a little confused occasionally, not knowing who's PoV I was in. All things considered, on the whole, I did enjoy this book. Many thanks to NetGallery and HarperCollins UK Audio for allowing me to get a copy of the book, which is out on June 22, 2023.

While this book was narrated from three points of view; Opaline, Martha and Henry, the story still flowed really well.

I was devastated that Opaline did not get the happiest of endings that she could have had, even though I knew this would be the case from an earlier part of Martha's narrative.

I feel like the magic behind the bookshop could have been explained more in depth.

I was also left a little dissatisfied with the abrupt ending and the lack of explanation with regards to Mrs Boden.

Despite the novel's inability to answer all of my questions, this was still a five star read for me.

An enjoyable story. I liked the two timelines and the mystery of the bookshop. The narrators were good and made it easy to listen to. I listened to quite long chunks at a time. A recommended read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the audio copy.

A book about books exploring a discovery lost to time, and now accessible only to the people who really believe. This Historical fiction is a toggle of stories across different timelines. 3 strangers, a vanishing bookshop and a history of secrets that were buried for too long.

I loved the way the story transported me to different timelines without much confusion. The part that struck me most was each lead in its own timeline was controlled by a male in their life. Sometimes a husband, sometimes a brother/father or a dearest friend acts to help them out. But one's zeal to live their life on their own terms has what kept one going through. The concept of books about books is discussed beautifully as the plot revolves around the discovery of a certain book.

What I explicitly enjoyed was the reference to classic literature here regarding the Brontë Sisters and their work. The mystery behind what could have been, and the author's imagination is what made this read very memorable for me.

Thank you @netgalley @harpercollinsuk @evie.gaughan for the ARC.

Genre:#historicalfiction #mystery
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
#thelostbookshop #netgalley

1921 London - Opaline.
Her brother said she had to be married and had found her a husband. Her love of books enabled her to sell a rare copy of David Copperfield to escape to Paris. I loved the passion she has for books. Needing a job and money, she was hired as an apprentice in a bookshop. Her passion for books certainly helped her get the job. I just loved the stories of different books and authors dotted amongst the storylines. The different timelines woved seamlessly together.

Martha and Henry, Dublin (present day)
Martha has escaped an abusive relationship to become a housekeeper for Madame Bowden. An eccentric woman who had a lot of books.

Henry, from England, was looking for a Bookshop, but there are no records it even exsited, just an old letter written by Opaline. He has a big fascination with books, not just the words but with the story behind the book, who wrote it, when, etc. I loved his passion for finding the lost books and his tales of the ones that are still lost. There is an air of ghostly gothic vibe within the story.

I've really enjoyed this book from start to finish. I just loved how it all played out.

This lovely dual-timeline story follows Opaline, Martha and Henry, all dealing with their pasts and reimagining their futures. All are connected through a vanishing bookshop, adding an element of magic to the tale.

This is an entertaining read for any lover of books. The audiobook was delightfully narrated by Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon.

* I received an ARC of this audiobook from NetGalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the storyline - the plot was so well developed and the characters true to their eras. I won’t try and sum up this book as it has so many layers over different time spans. All I will say is it’s very cleverly written and the theme running through the book is quite unique.
A clever, historical, book focused tale- with a bit of heart ache and romance thrown in along the way.

This audioARC was a four-star book for me, right up until the last hour or so, when we were expected to believe in a lot of supernatural happenings, which, apart from not being my cup of tea generally, also didn't feel like they added anything positive to the plot.

I really enjoyed the exploration of the life of a fictitious early-20th century female bookdealer and its parallels with the 21st century academic trying to find out about her shop. I also really liked the subplot in which a young woman escapes an abusive marriage by coming to Dublin and taking work as a housekeeper.

All of this was dramatic enough, with Odeline (the bookdealer) ending up in an asylum because her wicked brother had the power to put her there, Martha's abusive husband taking a tumble down the stairs and then somehow ending up in the Liffey, and Henry (the academic) realising that he was not in love with his fiancee.

I really did not need Martha to have special powers, or for Odeline to still be hanging around the site of her bookshop all these years after her death.

That said, when it is published I will give this book to my best friend, who loves books about books and does believe in supernatural powers. Each to their own!

I really enjoyed this whimsical and sweet story. I listened to the audio version and really enjoyed the storytelling of the narrators. The story is told in dual timelines, the past starting in the 1920s, and present times and spans across different countries including London, Dublin and Paris. It took me a little while to get the different characters sorted out in my mind but once I did I was hooked. It's told from multiple points of view from Opaline, Martha and Henry. I really enjoy the magical aspects of the story but I also enjoyed the fact we got a little history of what life was like for women in the 1920s with Opaline's story. Martha and Opaline were both escaping terrible pasts so there was some sadness thrown into the novel, but it was great to see how they overcame this. Martha and Henry's relationship was sweet and I enjoyed seeing where this went as they worked together to find the lost manuscript, bookshop and find out about Opaline. All three characters were drawn together at the end and the ending just left me feeling happy. Great read for some magical escapism.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story. All narrators did a fab job of telling their part of the story keeping me engaged throughout

Martha, running from an abusive marriage finds herself in Dublin, arriving at No 12 Halfpenny Lane, she begins work as a live in housekeeper. Other 1st morning there she meets Henry

Henry is from England, he’s on the hunt for a bookshop andEmily Brontes lost manuscript

Then there is Opaline, she is on the run from an arranged marriage doesn’t want.
Set over 2 timelines Opaline’s and Martha and Henry’s their worlds collide. What is the connection between these 3? Will Henry ever find the Bookshop and is there really a manuscript written by Emily Brontë?

I absolutely loved the writing and the way the story unfolded
This is my 1st book from this author but I am keen to read more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to listen to this audiobook

Such a hypnotic and enchanting novel, swept up in mystery. A haunted bookshop? A disappearing bookshop? A forgotten manuscript? It seems many a story spans this elusive place.

Following three different characters, Opaline, Henry and Martha, all voiced beautifully by different narrators. They span different times and all forging their own stories, connected to the lost bookshop in some way. All centred around a manuscript that binds them all together.

All the characters and chapters held my attention as normally, with split perspectives you can find your interest is tied one or another, but here I was captured by all. With Opaline and her love of Emily Brontë, Henry chasing the whispers of an old manuscript and Martha who is finding life away from an abusive relationship, they all bring something investing into the story.

It had such a gentle and steady pace, with storylines that had you intrigued and eager to see how they would play out. I loved the vibes and feel of this book, it was great!

Look out for this on June 22nd when it’s released, and prepare to be swept away and captivated in what I can only describe as a book for book lovers.

I absolutely adored this, it’s a unique, heartwarming, witty and sad in equal measure. The story is told over split timelines, by three narrators. As the title suggests it’s about a lost bookshop, but the story leading to its discovery will take your breath away. This is one of the best books I’ve listened to in a while. All the stars ⭐️

The writing is beautiful, the narration is perfect and it’s got make a movie out of me screaming off of the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the Arc audiobook of The lost bookshop by Evie Woods.

Beautifully enchanting. Takes you on a magical cozy journey.

A beautifully told tale of love, stories and generational trauma.

I'm not a massive fan of using magic as a plot device, and I think this novel would have worked just as well without it, but Evie makes it work and uses it as a haunting allegory for how generational trauma is passed down to our children even when we don't speak it's name.

Spectacular imagery and wonderful characterisation which is tightly woven together. 5 stars

What a truly enchanting and magical read.

Set across two timelines, this is a cleverly woven tale of two women who overcome abuse and tragedy. Filled with heartbreak, hope and love I was totally immersed in the lives of the three MCs thanks to the authors beautiful writing style and the multiple POV chapters.

Opaline flees the prospect of being forced to marry by her abusive brother. Using her knowledge of rare books she finds herself as a book dealer, and caught up in the tragic dangerous times of being a women in the 1920s. Where women ar considered the property of husbands and family.

In the present day, Martha flees to Dublin to escape an abusive husband and finds herself in a strange home filled with secrets. Here she meets Henry, who is seeking out a lost Bookshop for his thesis.

Parts of this story were totally heartbreaking, Opalines life especially, yet were handled with such care and delicacy.

I absolutely loved the last quarter of the story particularly as the timelines and plot connections were finally revealed and the two women finally over come their pasts.

Beautifully written, I was totally immersed in the story itself. The audiobook of this added a extra layer of magic and definitely brought this tale to life. The narration definitely added to the stories enjoyment and connection with the characters.

An author I will now be reading more from (including books under her pseudonym.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to HarperCollins UK Audio and One More Chapter for publishing "The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods—a truly enchanting and well-crafted story that artfully weaves together different points of view, although I must admit that I found myself somewhat perplexed and unable to fully immerse myself in the magical aspects of the book. Nonetheless, the overall quality of the writing and the delightful exploration of diverse perspectives made it a truly enjoyable read.