The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a beautifully written historical fiction novel. Set in a time where the rich, were ridiculously so, and the poor, mere dirt at their feet.

Evelyn is one of life's wealthy people. A heiress to her Baron Father's fortune ... or at least she was until the Police/Baliff's came knocking at the family mansion one morning to turf them out of the house until her Father pays his debts.

The shame and humiliation is instant. Evelyn has grown up having everything she could ever have wanted, and not knowing what it is like to go without. Her Mother is bereft, she herself was once poor, and married into money against it seems everyone's wishes, particularly those of her own family.

She doesn't want Evelyn to know poverty, and is determined that she marry quickly once they have settled into a temporary home with Evelyn's Aunt in York. But Evelyn is equally determined that she will not marry for the status, and will not be humiliated by the rich that she once was.

Evelyn quickly realises that to forge her own path in life, she must take care of her own destiny. A chance meeting with a grumpy young man of a similar age to her, and an advert for an assistant in a dusty forgotten bookshop is how Evelyn is going to move forward.

Her Mother has forbidden her to get a job, complaining that it is not ladylike. Evelyn's response that she is a no longer a Lady of course doesn't help her change her Mother's mind. But Evelyn is stubborn, and knows what she wants.

What she doesn't realise then is that her life, already changed, is about to change forever, for the better. A grumpy young man by the name of William Morton, and a dusty old bookshop are exactly what she needs to ensure her future is very different to her past, and all that that entails.

This was an enjoyable and easy read. When I asked to review an ARC of this book I had thought it was more historical fiction and hadn't realised it was romantic fiction (which it definitely felt more like). Having said that, as someone who once lived in York it was interesting to read a book set in York in a byegone era and to reflect on the very different lives that women lived in earlier centuries, and the very different social classes and expectations of those classes. Whilst the book starts with one rich families downfall and how the daughter copes with that downfall it was not a book to make you feel sad. The story was hopeful and characters generally sufficiently well-drawn to encourage empathy.

Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now even if I enjoyed this book. as it's well plotted, fascinating world building, and entertaining. . I liked the good storytelling
A more extensive review will follow
Recommended.Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to NetGalley, publishers and author for an ARC of The Lanplighters Bookshop.

This was a wonderful book, with a lovely story and characters who you grow attached to. I loved reading this story and will investigate more books by this author.

Highly recommend.

Literary romcom in Victorian York
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Without any warning, Evelyn Seaton and her mother are evicted from their grand house and forced to move in with Aunt Clara, a no-nonsense spinster who takes no prisoners. As Evelyn’s father Baron Seaton is nowhere to be found, so Evelyn rolls up her sleeves and finds herself a job in a rundown bookshop run by Howard Morton. Meanwhile, Mr Morton’s nephew William returns from London, seeming to return the conquering her with a publishing deal and hefty advance in hand, but as things are never as they seem, William and Evelyn are forced to compete for the one job at the Lamplighter’s Bookshop. Can these rivals turn the fortunes of the bookshop, or will their rivalry get in the way of more?

Calling this a romance is a little bit of a stretch, as it takes about half of the book before the two leads realise that there’s an attraction between them. Meanwhile, Evelyn is on a constant spiral to get her mother out of her doldrums while still having no clue as to what’g going on with her absent father. I’m not sure why this was set in the late Victorian as that seemed to have very little to do with the story, especially as some of the characters seem very or even too modern. However, taking it at face value as a Victorian romcom, it might just about pass muster, and so I’m happy to recommend it.

Evelyn Seaton and her mother Lady Cecilia Seaton have a change of circumstances resulting in them having to live with Evelyn’s Great Aunt Clara.
Set in the late 1800’s in York, Yorkshire.

I enjoyed reading this book, historical and with a bookshop too.
A mix of characters, some likeable some not so much so, but it comes together nicely.
An enjoyable book from start to finish.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

A beautiful and gentle storyset in the 1890’ies.
Evelyn is the daughter of a baron, who has lost his money in London. He has not seen her in 2 years when the debt collectors come to his rural country estate and evict his wife and daughter Evelyn. They are forced to go to an aunt in York, who reluctantly takes them in. Evelyn finds herself a job in a bookshop which her mother does not know about as she believes it is unbecoming for a lady to work. Will her mother find out?
A well written love story with beautiful descriptions of York.

This is a well-written and thoughtfully composed story. The reader is immediately drawn into the lives of the impoverished Baroness and her daughter. The animated characters bring this tale of life in the late nineteenth and very early twentieth centuries to life. The build-up to the ending was skillfully and believably written. This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time.

I really enjoyed this book. Set in the last years of the 1800s, Evelyn Seaton and her mother find themselves fallen on hard times after her father has gambled away their fortune. They go to her mother's aunt in York and she agrees to take them in. Evelyn stumbles across a neglected old bookshop near the Fosse bridge and, keeping it secret from her mother, starts to work there. The owner's nephew, William, also works there, and the two can't deny their attraction to each other. However, William is keeping secrets of his own after returning from London to try to secure a publisher for his book. This is a lovely, ultimately heart warming story, which I enjoyed more as I was staying in York when I read it.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Anything set in a bookshop is a yes for me! Evelyn finds herself a job in a bookshop after her father has gambled away all the family money. She meets William, the owners nephew, who wants his old job back and there is a lot of verbal sparring! Great characters and a good story.

Set in 1899 Evelyn Seaton is the daughter of a baron who has been missing for two years when the police appear to seize his assets. Fleeing with her mother to an elderly aunt in York, they feel the disgrace keenly. Evelyn rallies and soon finds work in a dusty old bookshop. When the owner's nephew turns up and claims his job back, a competition for the post ensues and of course, sparks fly. I don't often like historical novels especially the reminder of how women were treated but to see a strong stubborn woman like Evelyn was a treat. A lovely read. #netgalley #thelamplightersbookshop

This is a pleasant read - Evelyn Seaton's father has gambled away all their money and the bailiffs turn up at their home to take everything. Evelyn and her mother travel to York to stay with her mother's aunt. Her mother, originally from humble beginnings, hopes York society will receive her daughter and she will make a good match, at least until her husband regains their fortune and re-appears in their lives. Evelyn is less sanguine and more practical, and after being snubbed and humiliated by the woman who leads York society, she finds herself a job in a book shop. However, the owner's nephew has just returned from London, having tried to make his name as an author, and also wants his old job back. So Evelyn and William are set in competition.

The result is an interesting book, full of the prejudice and social mores of the day, but it is also a love story. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the romance between Evelyn and Will and loved the bookshop! An easy and comforting read.

Following Evelyn and her mother as their house and belongings are repossessed this book started strong and throws you straight into the drama. I loved the historical elements of this story and seeing a woman who went out and wanted to work to be independent.

There was a great cast of likeable and unlikeable characters throughout and I particularly liked Evelyn's aunt. I felt that there were a lot of plot points to follow in this book and some of them I didn't care for or felt they detracted from the main storyline.

I enjoyed the romance between Evelyn and William and could see how William's character was being used to juxtapose other characters in the narrative.

Overall a very enjoyable read, I think this reads more as historical fiction with a romance subplot than historical romance but that didn't detract from my enjoyment.

The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is a debut historical fiction / romance novel set in York in 1899. Lady Evelyn Seaton and her mother have been forced to leave their magnificent stately home and move in with Aunt Clara due to Evelyn’s father’s gambling debts. Evelyn needs to find a job and she secretly answers an advertisement for an assistant at Morton’s Emporium (The Lamplighter’s Bookshop) where she comes in direct competition with William, the owners nephew and aspiring writer who has lied about securing a publishing deal in London.

This is an easy read, well researched novel with a cast of characters to love and hate. I was waiting for the magical element of the bookshop to develop after the early implication but it seemed to have been cast aside and the book became a predictable romance. I think it could easily be improved with a better edit but I think the author shows promise and I will certainly read any future books.

3.5 stars rounded up.

What a gorgeous atmospheric read. The author has captured the streets of York perfectly. Such a wonderful story of hardship and love that had me captivated from the very beginning. I would love to see a sequel.

A beautifully written story, set in York, which is a gorgeous historical place, so made it visually wonderful.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautifully descriptive story about love , betrayal & Family or those whom we chose as family. For the most part it is set in York this amazing rich city of which I am quite familiar with so that also added to my enjoyment while I read the Book & which I will be recommending to both family members & friends too. #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #Fb, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, # <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>,#<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>.

As someone who doesn't normally get swept away by historical fiction (I'm more likely to be found roaming the realms of fantasy and magic), I approached The Lamplighter’s Bookshop with a healthy dose of skepticism. Historical romance? Meh. Not my usual cup of tea. But oh, this book. Sophie Austin has managed to create a story that is not only heartwarming and beautifully written, but also one that made me forget all about my usual literary preferences and fall head over heels for this sweet and mysterious tale.
Let’s talk about the characters first—because, honestly, they’re the soul of this book. Evelyn Seaton, a woman with her own secrets and layers, is a protagonist who feels so real that you’d swear she was someone you once knew. She’s a bit prickly, a bit guarded, but you can’t help but root for her as she stumbles her way through a life full of unresolved hurt and unspoken dreams. When she answers the ad for an assistant at the forgotten bookshop in York, she doesn’t just walk into a new job—she steps into an emotional labyrinth that will change her forever.
Enter William Morton—sigh—the enigmatic and deliciously complicated man with a past as tangled as his charmingly disheveled hair. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first (again, not a huge historical romance fan here), but William’s complexity and his prickly charm got under my skin. He’s got a tough exterior, but you know there’s more than meets the eye. There’s something about his quiet intensity that just draws you in. Together, Evelyn and William have this push-and-pull dynamic that makes you want to watch them squirm their way into each other's hearts (and by the end, trust me, you’ll be rooting for them with everything you’ve got).
The setting—York—is perfect. It’s like a character of its own, with its narrow streets, cobbled lanes, and the mystical, almost magical aura of an old bookshop that has seen things. Austin’s descriptions of the bookshop itself are so vivid that I could practically smell the dusty pages and feel the warmth of the lamplights flickering in the dim corners. It’s a beautiful, cozy backdrop for the emotional unraveling of both characters. And let me tell you—when the bookshop becomes the heart of their story, it’s pure magic.
The romance in this book is slow-burn, like the kind of story you read while sitting in front of a crackling fire, hot cocoa in hand, and a cozy blanket wrapped around you. It’s not rushed, and that’s what makes it so delightful. Both Evelyn and William have walls to break down, and as their layers slowly unravel, you can’t help but fall in love with them both. Their journey together is full of moments of vulnerability, trust, and ultimately, the courage to write the next chapter of their lives. It’s a beautiful reminder that healing, and love, often require a little bit of time and a whole lot of courage.
And here’s the kicker—I’m not a huge fan of historical romance, but Sophie Austin has completely changed my mind. The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a book that transcends the genre. It’s a masterclass in writing relatable, emotionally complex characters against a setting that feels like it’s as much a part of their story as they are. There are twists, but nothing feels contrived. The pacing is perfect, and the conclusion? It’ll leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your chest.
If you're looking for a book that’ll whisk you away into a world of secrets, heartache, and the kind of slow-burn romance that will make you swoon, The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is your ticket to an unforgettable story. And if you, like me, aren’t usually a historical fiction reader, I can’t recommend this enough. Sophie Austin has turned me into a fan—and I’m so glad she did.

I was looking forward to the book as I had a preconceived idea from the blurb. However the story itself turned out to be a historical romance with he implied magical bookshop element missing.
Despite that the book was a good read though not what I normally enjoy, definitely more for those who like the romance.