Thank you so much to Harper Collins, NetGalley and Sophie Austin for sending me an ARC of The Lamplighter's Bookshop!

Set in 1899 York, follow Evelyn Seaton, an aristocratic young woman whose life is upended when her father gambles away the family estate, leaving her and her mother destitute. Seeking to regain stability, Evelyn secretly applies for a position at the Lamplighter’s Bookshop, a quaint and neglected store in York. There, she encounters William Morton, an aspiring writer with his own hidden past. The two find themselves in competition for the same job, but as they work together, their relationship evolves, and they begin to confront their personal secrets and societal expectations.

This is Sophie Austin's debut historical novel, and let's just say I hope she has more planned because I devoured this book. Usually I'm not a fan of historical fiction but I think this has convinced me to change my state of mind, I could not get enough of this book. I started reading this and fell in love with the characters, then before I had even realised I had gotten half way through this story and knew the end would be too close.

Seeing Evelyn going against her mother's wishes and not only finding a job for herself but actually loving it was something that made me so happy, like yes girl go be independent and make your own money, you don't need your sorry excuse of a father anymore. Then Naomi being the best supportive friend a girl could ask of even though they just met, I just loved all of them.

This book really showed that lying and withholding the truth, while it may get you somewhere and benefit you short term, will come back and bite you in the arse if you don't reveal the truth sooner. It also showed the effect lying can have, and that it is important to own up to your mistakes and rectify them in the correct way.

By the end of the book I had tears in my eyes - don't worry they were happy tears - and i was wishing the story wasn't done. I honestly look forward to reading more books from Sophie Austin in the future, her writing is something I could read over and over again.

KEY TROPES:
- historical romance
- workplace romance
- different social classes
- strong female lead
- friends to lovers
- victorian era
- slow burn
- cosy bookshop
- long hidden secrets

The Lamplighter’s Bookshop by Sophie Austin was a beautifully written book with a beautiful book cover to go with it. This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved the way she writes and had me memorised into the story and I could not turn the pages of my kindle quick enough to find out what happens next.

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

The Lamplighter's Bookshop is an exciting book which is set in the late 19th century, and it features a young lady called Evelyn Seaton, she is from an aristocratic family that has lost its wealth. Evelyn is determined to get her
independence back, so she secretly takes a job at a forgotten bookshop, whilst working there she meets William Morton, a man from a middle class background and who is an aspiring writer. But, he is hiding his own who also secrets.

However, all secrets have a way of re-surfing and it does not matter how hard you hide these, they will come out into the open when you at least expect them.

This book was superb read and this was a book I had started and I found it hard to put it down. I am so glad the cover caught my eye,

I highly recommend it. Great read.

Big Thank you NetGalley and Harper collins UK for the ARC

What I liked

I liked the main character Evelyn – she was resourceful, determined and clever and was willing to do whatever she needed to to support herself and her mother.

The setting – it’s unusual for me to read a historical novel based in York

I loved the beautiful cover. I know that’s not strictly a comment on the book but it certainly attracted me to it.

I quite enjoyed reading about the disagreements between William and Evelyn. They were a feisty pair and I enjoyed their verbal sparring.

The character of Aunt Clara – in many ways she was quite snobbish and set in her ways but she did take Evelyn and her mother in when they had nowhere to go. Some of her remarks reminded me of Maggie Smith’s character in Downton Abbey. I thought it was quite amusing when she didn’t want to go into the morning room to ask why Evelyn’s mother was crying at one point because “then she would tell me and I would have to listen and that would be the whole evening gone”. She was hovering outside the room hoping the histrionics would soon be over so she could get her evening sherry!

I was intrigued to find out what secrets everyone was keeping, particularly William’s as we know most of what Evelyn is trying to keep hidden from the start. I also wondered what would happen when everyone was finally truthful with each other.

The last 20% or so really picked up for me and there was quite a lot of drama.

The ending!

What I didn’t like so much

There were hints of magic which never really materialised and I think that’s one of the things that I was disappointed in. Mr Morton, the bookshop owner, suggests near the beginning that the bookshop has a mind of its own and I somehow thought there would be something more about that.

I would have liked more focus on the bookshop. It didn’t feel that the fact that the shop sold books was particularly significant. It could just as easily have been a stationers or a haberdashers.

Some of the language was jarring for the era. Most of it did sound Victorian as it was meant to However, quite often some of the dialogue in particular felt too modern and almost as though I was reading a contemporary novel.

In summary

I did enjoy reading the novel and following the romance between the characters. However, as you can tell from above, I did have a few niggles so it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I would try another book from this author in the future though. This is just a personal view of course so if you like the sound of the book then go for it!

3.5* rounded up

Set at the very end of the 19th century, Evelyn and her mother Lady Seaton have no choice but to leave their family home after they are evicted by the police. Evelyn's father, Lord Seaton, has amassed huge gambling debts and is currently languishing in a London sponging house. Allowed only to take a few clothes, they have no choice but to put themselves at the mercy of Lady Seaton's Aunt Clara who lives in York. Evelyn secures a job in Morton's Emporium, also known as The Lamplighter's Bookshop however keeps this a secret from her mother and aunt. Unbeknownst to Evelyn she had already met the owner's nephew William and so starts a tricky relationship between Evelyn and William as they compete to improve the shop and increase book sales. Secrets and lies are plenty, indeed this is the thread that runs through the entire tale. I think I misinterpreted the synopsis, I was expecting a little magic and touch of fantasy so was a tad disappointed.

I am divided about the characterisations, some I loved and some I found very frustrating, having little sympathy for their respective plights. Already a little outspoken, Evelyn grows in confidence. She faces many challenges, however in the face of this adversity, blossoms into an independent and thoughtful young lady. Evelyn's new friend Naomi is a delight, I also enjoyed the 'thawing' of Aunt Clara. William, however, lacks charisma and has far too much angst. A hero he most certainly is not, very disappointing as Evelyn's tenacity and perseverance are deserving of a knight in shining armour. For me the plot was predictable, even a romance needs one or two surprises to keep its reader hooked.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

Set just before the turn of the 19th/20th c, we are given an insight into how the English upper classes were having to make changes in their lives as many were falling on hard times but inevitably the (weak) females were left picking up the pieces. It is also a tale about trust, lies, relationships and honesty. All set around York, the author gives a good impression of life there at that time along with period fashion and the popularity of the theatre. All in all, a good romance story with the usual ups and downs of love.

Thanks to Netgalley/Harper-Collins for the ARC to review.

Evelyn Seaton and her mother Cecelia are being forced out of their beautiful home, losing all of their belongings and their status due to the underhand dealings of Baron Seaton, the only place they can go is to Cecelia’s Aunt Clara’s house in York. Once settled, Cecelia insists that Evelyn attend a ball to try and regain some of their standing in the community, this only results in more embarrassment for her and she flees the event, but she happens upon a young gentleman called William Morton and shares a carriage home with him. She also sees an advert for a vacancy in a local bookshop and, desperate to help their situation, she starts working there, hoping that her mother will never find out. What Evelyn doesn’t know is that William is the nephew of the bookshop owner and also wants the same job, but she is determined to fight him every step of the way to prove herself worthy.

The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is a debut historical fiction story by this author, set in 1899 and, although I’ve read a couple like this, it’s not generally a genre I would choose but the cover drew me in and the blurb sounded intriguing so I thought I’d give it go. I really liked the majority of the characters, apart from the Baron and Cecelia, although my feelings towards her thawed as the story progressed. I loved the setting of the old bookshop and how Evelyn, regardless of her status and the era she lived in, just threw her all into it, because she wanted to make a life for her and her mother, outside of what they were used to and I loved the friendship she was slowly building up with William and hoping it was going to be so much more than that. This was an entertaining and beguiling read which kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.

I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads

I loved this historical novel. It had a real charm about it both in the storytelling and the characters. It was a real pleasure to read.

I had no idea what to expect from this book when I started, but by the end I was glad I'd picked it up; I was pleasantly surprised in so many ways.

Evelyn was not who I thought she was going to be from the book blurb, that became evident very early on, but it's because of that fact that I found myself invested in her character development from start to finish. I rooted for her throughout and enjoyed watching her find her strength.

I felt a similar pull to William, but in the sense that I found him intriguing rather than relatable. I found it took longer to warm to him, but once I was there I found him endearing. Their chemistry bought levity to some more serious plot points and was believable from the off.

I found the story very easy to read and remain engaged with, with charming characters, tension at the right level and pacing, and wonderful friendships. I'd not heard of the author before, but I'd be happy to read more of her works.

Thank you to netgalley, publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review. I don't usually chose this genre of book, but I'm so glad on this occasion that I did. I loved the story, writing style and the setting. There was a really good mix of characters..likeable,charming and some downright frustrating which all make this a very interesting and intriguing read.

Concept was interesting but didn't quite deliver to me. The amount of secrets & tension was too much. It was also hard to like any of the characters. The last 25% of the book I enjoyed better but still had too much angst overall.

The Lamplighter’s Bookshop by Sophie Austin is a marvellous historical novel that I read in just two sittings.
The action is set in York in 1899. The world is on the brink of change but young women were still expected to sit at home and make marriage alliances.
The leading lady is a modern miss, through necessity, and by choice, she takes a job in the lamplighter’s bookshop. She is very good at it. With her independence gained, she must keep it a secret from her mother.
There are others keeping secrets and lies. Some are outright crooks and gamblers; others are just kind hearts who cannot say ‘no!’ We witness a loan spiraling out of control due to unscrupulous money lenders who prey on those less fortunate.
The path to true love doesn’t always run smoothly. There are bumps and misunderstandings along the way. Hearts need to be brave and say how they really feel. Characters need to show their love to others.
Everyone has choices to make. Whether they are good or bad, choices have consequences and we must own them.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and believable.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Lamplighter’s Bookshop. It was the perfect way to spend an afternoon or two.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this debut, set in 18th century York and bookshops what’s not to love. I couldn’t put it down, getting completely lost in the pages. And it has a beautiful cover. I look forward to seeing what @sophieaustinauthor does next.
A story about family, loss, betrayal, secrets, love and so much more.
Evelyn and her mother Cecelia evicted from their home come to live with Aunt Clara in York. Evelyn applies for an assistant job in a bookshop where she meets William.
It’s beautifully written. I loved the authors writing style where the characters come to life and you are transported to that time and place. Brilliant lovable characters, a few not so much. My favourite being Aunt Clara who is funny, and set in her ways.
A compelling read. Definitely recommend if you enjoy historical fiction and romantic tales. It’s well worth a read.
With thanks to #NetGallery #HarperCollinsUk @harperfiction for an arc of #TheLamplightersBookshop in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes on 1 March 2025

I did like the character of Evelyn, she did tend to say what she thought but she was determined and resourceful. A good number of her actions were made with her consideration of her mother’s sensibilities. Evelyn’s father , although he seemed to be a charismatic character, he was not one to be admired and was the cause of most of their troubles. William also has his troubles but his pride is causing him even more problems. Their first few meetings were not friendly but gradually as they worked together their feelings began to change. However, her parents would not approve of him. There are a number of interesting characters in this story, some given no very good advice, and I enjoyed it very much. I received a copy and have voluntarily been it. All thoughts and opinions my own. However, I did preorder my own copy.

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 Wanted More of:
- 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.

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.

Firstly thank you to NetGalley, Harperfiction and Sophie Austin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I DEVOURED this book. It's an excellent debut and I look forward to more from Sophie!

We get dual POV from Evelyn and William from their chance encounter to their lives intertwining at the bookshop. The pacing and plot works nicely and the Chemistry between our two main characters is palpable through the pages. What they are both going through individually as well is interesting, which always feels bad to say if something is causing grief to a character you are enjoying. The side characters are not one dimensional either.

This is 4.5 stars tor me. I knocked half a mark off just because I wanted more time for them together otherwise it's a great read for historical fiction lovers. Highly recommend. I put 5 stars on rating as dontnlike it being rounded down on these sites.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

wow i love how this author writes .... the characters came alive and was fully invested in them.... it was a lovely world to visit though i have to admit i wouldnt want to live in that time.... women were just property ....

but its a compelling read....and one that now i have finished i cant wait to see what is next for this author

A lovely gentle read, the bookshop was very much a back story to the love story rather than the main plot.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

The Lamplighter’s Bookshop was a historical romance that I just couldn’t put down!!
We follow Evelyn and her mother Cecelia, who are evicted from their beautiful country residence due to Evelyn’s father having debts to pay off. They end up living with Cecilia’s great aunty .They are both devastated and wait to hear from him.,
Realising that they need money to live independently, Evelyn finds an advert asking for an assistant in a bookstore. She decides to go and apply. She persuades the owner, Mr Moreton to take her on.
This starts a secret life unknown to her mother. She meets Will, Mr Moreton’s nephew who is getting a book published. He has secrets of his own. A lie that has spiralled…
The characters were full with some good and some not so much, and the plot made for a great story!! I was totally immersed!
Many thanks to Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #HarperCollinsUk, #SophieAustinAuthor.

An enjoyable romance set in historical York. I enjoyed this more as I know York as a city and therefore enjoyed the references and the setting in Victorian times suited my love of history. However I was a little disappointed that the bookshop didn't quite have the focus of the story that was suggested by the book's title, and a hint of magical properties only which was a shame.
Overall, a nice read but not one I'd return to.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

Set in York in 1899 this historic novel takes the reader from the first class lounge of the Royal Hotel to the backstreet moneylenders of the narrow and dark snickets.
The Honourable Evelyn Seaton is too outspoken for her station in life and becomes a focus of Lady Violet’s cruel jibes.
Some amazing characters from all walks of life are portrayed vividly. Lies are told with the best of intentions and money is borrowed to help a friend.
Love is found in the most darkest of times.
I really enjoyed this glimpse into bygonne York .