I don't normally read historical fiction but I loved this debut story. It's set in Victorian times in York and the main character Evelyn Seaton along with her mother have been forced to leave their wonderful home, as her father has gambled away their money.

They move in with Aunt Clara in York and it's not what they are used to and feel in the way there.

Evelyn decides to take things into her own hands and secures a job in the local bookstore, but her mother thinks she's volunteering as it's not fit for a lady to work

It's there where she meets William, the owner's nephew and they both carry secrets which eventually come tumbling down.

Really felt like I was back in Victorian York at times and I'm sure that comes from the research by the author. Found it a really enjoyable and quick read

I love the blurb which made me really want to read The Lamplighter’s Bookshop. I’ve started to read a lot of historical fiction in recent years and it’s now one of my go-to genres when I would have avoided it like a plague only a few years ago. I loved Evelyn as a character. She’s well written, relatable and I was rooting for her from the start. The Victorian setting really come to life and I enjoyed the sense of place. All of the characters are well-written. I found this a compelling read. I’d recommend it.

Set against the classic backdrop of Victorian-era York, "The Lamplighter's Bookshop" combines historical fiction with romance. The story is centred on Evelyn Seaton, whose father has abandoned their family, and her struggle to balance her mother's desire to maintain their status with the fact that they are destitute. The narrative explores social class, family duty, and the complexities of love through Evelyn’s connection with the intriguing William Morton.

What I loved:
- Evelyn! She's properly developed, thoughtful, and relatable.
- The depiction of a Victorian setting
- Thoughtful attention to social norms and expectations of the era
- Engaging secondary characters, especially Naomi and Jack
- Accessible writing style

What I Didn't Love:
- The potential for the bookshop’s supernatural elements was abandoned almost immediately.
- The two love interests aren't very equally represented
- William. I like a good enemies-to-lovers, but I feel like he was just a jerk who didn't redeem himself.

I think this novel is perfect for readers who enjoy light historical romances in a Victorian setting.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this novel. All opinions are my own.

A debut historical novel, set in Victorian England.

The authors research of this era, with authentic descriptions of York, makes the reader feel as though they are in the narrative, getting acquainted with the characters, their hidden secrets and consequences & of course, the wonderful old bookshop.

Although it is described as romantic historical fiction, there are several story lines running through it, romance is just one of them.

Sophie Austin has created a novel that has
good character development & pace. I look forward to her next publication.

Thankyou to Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every book tells a story. Every heart hides a secret.

Sophie Austin weaves a captivating tale of secrets, self-discovery, and second chances in The Lamplighter’s Bookshop. Set in Victorian England, this beguiling novel transitions seamlessly into the dawn of the 20th century, offering a richly atmospheric backdrop to a heartfelt story.

Once a privileged daughter of an aristocratic family, Evelyn Seaton finds herself at a crossroads. Estranged from her past and searching for purpose, she seeks refuge with her Aunt Clara in York. It is there that Evelyn answers an advertisement for an assistant at the shadowy and mysterious Lamplighter’s Bookshop. Little does she know that this seemingly forgotten store, with its aisles thick with dust and secrets, will become the setting for her transformative journey.

The bookshop introduces Evelyn to William Morton, a reserved yet sharp-witted aspiring writer whose prickly demeanour masks his hidden struggles. As their paths intertwine, the barriers each has constructed around their hearts begin to weaken. When Evelyn’s carefully guarded truths are exposed, she finds unexpected solace and support in William. Together, they navigate their shared vulnerabilities, inching closer to finding the courage to embrace a brighter chapter of their lives.

Austin excels in creating vivid, evocative descriptions of a bygone era, immersing the reader in a world on the cusp of change. The characterisation is nuanced, with Evelyn and William serving as compelling leads whose personal growth and chemistry anchor the narrative. The Lamplighter’s Bookshop itself becomes a character, symbolising both the weight of history and the potential for renewal.

Fans of The Lost Bookshop and The Lost Apothecary will find much to love in this novel’s blend of mystery, romance, and historical charm. The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is a beautifully told story about finding oneself amidst the ruins of the past and learning to trust in the promise of the future. A must-read for lovers of historical fiction and character-driven narratives.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

A lovely story, well told .It totally draws you in and unfolds beautifully making you aware of the characters in a romance , so lifelike and heartwarming it makes you glow..just perfect

A wonderfully written story. A man and woman in a forgotten bookstore in the 18th century. It also tells of their bonding friendship.

I absolutely love reading stories about bookshops, but unfortunately, this one didn’t end well for me. It offered a interesting storyline that was easy to read and try to transport me to a Dickensian era, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, I couldn’t help but feel that it could have benefited from a bit more editing before publication. Keeping in mind that it’s a debut work, I chose to hold back on being overly critical.
While I found the initial chapters engaging, I ultimately finished the book with a sense of disappointment. It portrayed every character as rather awful, which hindered my ability to connect with them. The character building felt flat, and the romance, instead of blossoming beautifully, fell short and didn’t resonate as genuine. Overall, it left me wishing for more depth and warmth in a story that had such potential. Still felt the whole plot felt boring and didn't totally enjoy the book. But still can be enjoyable for some other readers. Thank you to harper Collins and harper collins fiction for the access to this book

Lots of vitality, but more Mills + Boon than Historical

I’m just the wrong reader for this, I was expected something more than what it is. It seemed to belong far more to an earlier outing of the historical fiction genre, where the focus was much less on period authenticity, and really, just a costume setting for girl meets boy, they have an initial aversion to each other despite – or because of, attraction – but it’s obvious they will end up together.

This can obviously be done with huge fun, wit and enjoyment – think Beatrice and Benedick – or it can feel confined by its trope.

I’m afraid it was the latter for me. My disbelief in character, plot, and the time itself never got suspended.

My mistake in requesting this as an ARC. The lovely cover design, rich with books – obviously, since the setting is a bookshop – made me assume that this would be closer to the overarching genre I prefer – literary fiction. The categorisation on Netgalley CLEARLY says GENERAL fiction/Historical Fiction/Romance. I just made a misinterpretation, as I quickly realised.

A historical romance set in York in the 1890's. Evelyn Seaton’s family are evicted from their family home when her father cannot cover his gambling debts. Evelyn and her mother are forced to seek help from Aunt Clara who isn't that pleased to have visitors. In order to try and move her mother out of Aunt Clara's, Evelyn takes a job, but she deceives everyone about what she is doing.
The story is pleasant but unsurprising. Evelyn is a spirited character, motivated and helpful but of course she is misunderstood and misread. I had hoped the bookshop might have played a bigger role in the story - there are a few hints at the beginning that it might have a mind of its own, but it didn't and it is left to the characters to resolve their problems, which they do, slowly.
With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

A lovely light Dickensian type story which would make the perfect Christmas film! The title itself has a Christmassy feel about it. Evelyn Seaton has become an outcast from the aristocratic lifestyle she has been used to and she and her mother have to find refuge with her Aunt Clara in York. It is here she comes across Morton’s Emporium previously known as The Lamplighter’s Bookshop and it is here that her relationship with the owner’s nephew William becomes a tangled web of deceit involving not just these two but their friends and relations! The story has a beginning, a middle and the perfect ending and I loved it!

Absolutely love reads about bookshops and this one didn't disappoint. Great story and easy to read and understand. Would love to visit this bookshops. My dream, g

A cozy read not too trying but enjoyable. Set in york i enjoyed the historical descriptions and characters were lighthearted, a glimpse into the past and a dream job working in a bookshop whats not to like.

An enjoyable book, although the plot was rather hackneyed, in so far as it was fairly predictable as to how things would pan out with the errant father and the handsome( yet incredibly ungentlemanly) would be writer. Our plucky heroine herself would come to the right choices in life, and love would mean that everyone with a possible partner would end up with them in the end. There are no surprises here, and everything was too neatly tied up to be credible. Having said that I enjoyed the read, although I didn’t completely believe this was a period piece.

Publishing Date 1 March 2025
I was attracted to the title as who doesn't love a book set around a bookshop.
Lady Evelyn Seaton's life is turned upside down after her father, Baron Seaton, loses all of his money and their ancestral home.
Forced into a poky house with her Great Aunt, Evelyn and her mother start to negotiate their reduced circumstances.
Her mother hopes their friends will support them, but Evelyn is more realistic and starts to enjoy a life not so dictated by their social standing, and then gets a job in a bookshop.
Will this bring them down even further, as a lady isn't allowed to work, or will it be the making of Evelyn? She finds herself now living a life with genuine friendships and kindness.

A beautifully written novel set in York during 1890s. Cecilia and her daughter Evelyn are forced to leave their aristocratic home Riccall Hall, when her Baron father gambles it away. The two head to Aunt Clara’s tiny home, who is not too happy to host her destitute family.

With their friends turning against them and with little money Evelyn takes on a job at a small ill-managed bookshop. It is here she feels alive and independent, albeit she must hide her work status for fear of bringing further shame upon the family.

Soon she is introduced to the nephew of the shop owner William, who has his own share of bad luck in his attempts to become a writer. Together they enter into a competition to sell the most books with the winner maintaining their job. Their working relationship soon blossoms into something else - Will the two be able to break free of their class constraint and fall in love?

The book touches on class, betrayal and gambling addiction which for me was interesting. There is definitely scope for another book perhaps developing the role of Lady violet whose scheming and snobbery echoes that of Bridgerton. A very enjoyable read and I thank NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication. A good read.

A lovely read for all of us that dream of working in a book shop!
Evelyn is a remarkable character for her time and is extremely inspiring. She is independent and strong and I was rooting for her from the start. William is an author and the chemistry between them is brilliant.
Aunt Clara is easily one of my favourite characters and made me laugh out loud many times!

A fairly typical historical romantic novel set in the late 1890s in York, but the tale is the reverse of poor to rich. Lady Evelyn Seaton’s family fall from grace and outcast from society, caused by her father’s secretive gambling habit, brings her and her mother to live on the hospitality of her great aunt. Romance is in the air, but only once potential suitors have been rejected. There is nothing remarkable about this novel although it provides a comfortable read, with a hint of humour and a smattering of curiosity to see how the story unfolds to its conclusion.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an independent review.

Loved it!

If you're looking for a light-hearted historical romance where nothing too awful happens, this is it! Following a dramatic change in her family's fortune and position in society, Evelyn Seaton and her mother are forced to leave behind their stately home and move to a very different life in York. Left with no money and abandoned by both their father and society, Evelyn finds work in a small bookshop where she soon meets enigmatic writer, William Morton.

Imagine Elizabeth Bennet if her father has lost his entire home and fortune and abandoned her to live on the goodwill of a crotchety old aunt, and you'll be halfway towards the general vibe of this book. Evelyn is smart, opinionated and open-minded, albeit somewhat naive and sheltered, while potential love interest William has all the brooding Byronic qualities you'd hope for. Throw in a blonde ringleted mean girl to stir things up, plus a heap of family secrets waiting to be revealed, and you've got yourself an enchanting, witty read that you'll most likely devour in a a single sitting (well, I certainly did anyway!).

Hugely entertaining and just the book I needed right now,.

Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for this Arc. An engaging read which is reminiscent of a few other recently released books such as The Lost Bookshop. Charming in places and imaginative in detail. Some of the character details got a little confusing but on the whole a good read.