This was such a magical read, it was the perfect witchy read over the Christmas break and I did not want to put it down,

The Vanishing Bookstore - Helen Phifer

4 stars

What. A. Beautiful. Story.

This story begins in 1692, with a young woman (Isadora) accused of being a witch. She hides a journal in a secret bookstore that vanishes and is never seen again. Fast forward to present day and this journal is the only item that can stop herself and the women in her family being witch hunted through time.

My initial thoughts when reading this story were: holy shit. ‘I am woman, hear me roar.’ This entire book is a metaphor for being a woman. This story is pure, unfiltered womanhood through the lens of historical fiction. This book really explores female camaraderie, the evolution, the fear of how things used to be and just how powerful a woman truly is.

Helen did an amazing job in painting such a vivid, magical setting. It was an extremely engaging and easy story to read (which is what I whole heartedly appreciate from a fantasy book!) I always find dual timelines can be difficult to write, but Helen absolutely nailed this one! The dual timeline helped keep this as such fast paced read.

“You are women who live without the guidance of any man…” I saw this quote and all I could think was ‘of course they are powerful because they don’t have a man. Of course they are witches. Of course people fear them.’ It broke my heart knowing that the Salem Witch Trials were an actual historical event and just for being an outspoken woman, you were hunted and killed. If you wore lipstick - you were a ‘witch’ and killed. If you were smart - you were a ‘witch’ and killed.

This was such a unique, cozy story that really showed us that the more powerful you are, the more you’re hunted. Truly kill or be killed. I cannot wait to explore more of Helen’s writing!!

Thankyou to NetGalley for a copy of this arc!

📖✨The Vanishing Bookstore✨📖
by: Helen Phifer

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reading this book was helpful and healing for me. In 2020 I closed my flower shops and experienced a great amount of grief due to losing my dream stores. Reading about how Dora had a love for flowers helped me reconnect with my own personal love for them. There were a lot of experiences early on in the book that reminded me of day to day life while running a flower shop. Thinking of a flower shop in a playful way allowed me to undo some deep hurt in my heart from losing my stores.

I relished Dora's love story which I felt was unique and special. I found this romance to be a particularly alluring part of this book. Featured lover chats and cutesy little comments kept me wanting to learn more about Dora’s past. I would love it if Phifer were to write a prequel. I think the type of love Phifer writes about in this story is the love most people dream about.

Strong family values are shown within each character in the book which was refreshing. The villain was accurate to history while still remaining dark and mysterious.

Dora was a relatable main character who I think a lot of us can see ourselves in. Phifer's writing style is a treat due to her ease of leading the reader on a smooth journey through her words and world.

Having researched the witch trials in Salem myself, I was impressed by factual details recurring throughout the book. These honest details helped to keep my mind in Phifer’s world, further pushing me to wanna read onto the next page.

From 2008-2010 I lived with a dear friend near Boston, Massachusetts. During my time in the north we would visit Salem, MA about three times a year. This book accurately creates a world where you can imagine both a modern Salem along with an historic one. All in all this book is worth the read on a cozy afternoon when you want to get lost in a magical world view.

I fell in love with this book cover and synopsis and felt that it was going to be a great book but it just didn't work for me. I was expecting dual timelines with flashing back between the year 1692 and the present day but it only glances back to 1692 and those times weren't very in-depth chapters. It does mention the Salem Witch Trials but don't be expecting a lot of information about it because there simply isn't much available. I was also expecting a book that centers around a "Vanishing Bookstore" but that was also something that was only glanced upon in the book two times, this was pretty disappointing for me. I had trouble staying interested in the book and overall was quite disappointed, unfortunately.

This book is expected to be published January 7th 2025.

My reviews can also be found on GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/brandisbooks.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a pretty magical page turner. I couldn't bring myself to stop reading, even past my bedtime. I have always thought the Salem Witch Trials were an interesting and terrible piece of history in the United States and I enjoy literature that surrounds the times, both fiction and non.

The story is of the English sisters, women who were murdered in the name of witchcraft back in 1692. One of the victims of the hysteria, Giles Corey, curses the sheriff as he is slowly being crushed to death by stones. The English sisters are also wrapped up in the curse, doomed to relive their lives over and over, even as time progresses, each time waiting for the nasty sheriff Corwin, who sent them to their unlawful deaths, to find them and destroy them anew.

In this cycle, Isadora, or Dora for short, has been taken out of Salem in hopes of saving the family from Corwin's continued wrath and lives in London with her aunt Lenny (an English sister). Dora runs a flower shop and one day her doorway is darkened by an intriguing man who claims he needs flowers for his girlfriend's funeral. Dora immediately senses something is not quite right about him but her curiosity is also piqued. What follows is a trip home to Salem to hopefully break the curse for the final time.

The book title is misleading. Yes there is a "bookstore" but not in the sense one thinks of say, Barnes and Noble, today. Yes the "bookstore" does vanish. It is an important part of the plot but a minor one at that. I am curious why the author chose such a title. However, the title was what got me to read the description and I am so glad I did because this was a great book.

This is one of the rare books I would consider reading again in the future.

My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book, it has all the elements for such a great witchy read. I loved that there's a little mystery, and a little murder, and a lot of curses and drama. I found the English women to be really likable and enjoyed the way that they interacted with each other and other characters in the story. I am always a sucker for a good generational curse and really liked the way that this one was set up. The world building was fun and I did enjoy the time hops back to the women's pasts lives. I am secretly hoping that there is going to be another book in this universe based on the ending!

Loved the witches aspect and all of the characters. I did feel the book was a bit slow at moments and then was fast paced and then slow again. But over all I enjoyed the book and hope there will be a second one. I adore the English woman and would love to read about them again

This was my first book by Helen Phifer and it did not disappoint. I get nervous starting books by an author I haven’t read before but this ended up being a good read. Once again I don’t tend to read books about witch’s but this is my second book on the subject and I really enjoyed it! I will say this book reads like a YA book.

The Vanishing Bookstore is perfect if you’re in the mood for a light magical read with some history and mystery throughout.

This book really does have a lot of favorites all mixed into one! The magic isn’t over the top or too intense. Honestly, I could have done with a tad more but the amount in the book made the story feel more real life and believable. Stalker, I will find you and remove anyone who gets in my way type man. George Corwin literally stalks the English woman over centuries and multiples lives they are all cursed to have. Love, of a romantic nature, sisterly bond, mother/daughter and friendship. And lastly a back and forth timeline that goes between current times and 1692 Salem.

I love the English sisters and Isadora! The three sisters are so vastly different personality wise but so close and loving. Phifer did an amazing job immersing readers into the world of the English woman and their never ending lifetimes.

I loved the multiple points of view, dual timelines and the overall plot! This book was magical and captivating. When the English sisters were waiting for Dora to get her memories of past lifetimes back I felt like one of her aunts, impatiently waiting for something to trigger the memories.

Some cons to the book were; first, I felt like at times the story was underdeveloped and dragged a bit in different places. Second, I didn’t feel the “love” with Ambrose and Dora. It was suppose to be a love over lifetimes, surpassing the love of Romeo and Juliet. But it felt more like a strong friendship. I get Dora had no memories of Ambrose up until she started remembering her past but even then it fell flat. Third, I wanted to know so much more about the vanishing bookstore. It was a big part of the book but there wasn’t much about it. It felt like an underdeveloped part of the book, but it shouldn’t have been, especially with the book being called The Vanishing Bookstore. Finally, the ending seemed a bit rushed. There was so much build up the first 70% (yes 70) that I expected so much more from that last 30% and it was underwhelming.

Not sure if there will be a sequel or not. The ending left that option open to continue on with a second book. After looking at some of the other books written by Helen Phifer I can’t say I’d pick any of them to add to my TBR, unless one comes highly recommended. But a sequel to The Vanishing Bookstore I would for sure.

Thank you to Helen Phifer, Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Vanishing Bookstore is a spellbinding blend of historical fiction and fantasy that transports readers between the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and the present day. The narrative begins with a young woman in 1692 hiding a journal in a vine-covered bookstore before it mysteriously disappears. In the present, Dora reunites with her mother, whom she believed dead, only to uncover a family curse linked to the elusive bookstore. As Dora delves into her family's past, she embarks on a quest to locate the vanished bookstore, unraveling secrets that intertwine magic, survival, and the bonds of family.

Phifer's atmospheric writing vividly captures the mystique of Salem and the enduring legacy of its witch trials. The dual timelines are seamlessly interwoven, enriching the narrative with depth and intrigue. The novel's exploration of family secrets, curses, and the supernatural makes it a captivating read for those who appreciate a touch of magic in historical settings.

This book is recommended for fans of historical fantasy. Its blend of mystery, magic, and historical elements will appeal to those seeking an immersive and enchanting story

The title and concept of this book were what caught my attention and the dual timelines helped to hold your attention throughout the book. I do wish that there was a bigger focus on the bookstore and the magical elements for the reader to explore.
—
Thank you Bookouture & NetGalley for this complimentary ARC - all thoughts are my own! 📚
Publishers release date 1/7/2025

The synopsis of this book hooked me immediately. <b>A magical bookstore lost in time, a centuries-old mystery, and a protagonist uncovering her family's secrets—what’s not to love? </b><i>Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to the promise of its premise. </i>

The story starts strong but as the plot unfolds it’s riddled with inconsistencies and missed opportunities. The most glaring issue is how the main character learns about her history. Rather than unraveling her past through a thrilling journey of discovery, the information is simply handed to her. This lack of intrigue diminishes the emotional impact and suspense.

Some twists left me scratching my head. We’re led to believe certain characters have lived for centuries, yet they fail to figure out seemingly obvious truths? It’s hard to suspend disbelief when the story’s internal logic feels shaky.

That said, I couldn’t put this book down. The writing style is engaging, and the pacing is quick enough to keep the pages turning. While it’s not the deeply immersive tale I had hoped for, it’s an entertaining read for those who can overlook its flaws.

If you’re a fan of books like Practical Magic or A Discovery of Witches, you might still enjoy the atmosphere and premise here. Just don’t expect every thread to be neatly tied up.

Every story needs a happy ending. And you can’t have yours until you find the bookstore.’

1692. On the outskirts of Salem, a bookstore stands covered in overgrown vines. Inside, a young woman hides a linen-wrapped journal under a loose floorboard and runs away, panicked by the sound of hounds barking in the distance. The bookstore vanishes into thin air…

Present day. Stepping inside a pale-pink house on one of the oldest streets in Salem, Dora can’t believe she’s about to finally meet the mother she thought died tragically when she was just a child. But the excitement is short-lived. Dora’s mother has fear in her eyes, and with a trembling voice she whispers: ‘my life is in danger, and now so is yours…’

Desperate not to lose her mother all over again, Dora digs into her family’s mysterious past, and stumbles upon a seemingly impossible secret: the key to their survival is hidden in a bookstore that no one has seen for generations.

Losing herself amongst thorny brackens and twisted ferns, Dora eventually finds the path that leads to the bookstore. But someone is watching her. They’ve been waiting for her.

As she pushes open the beautiful blue door hidden amongst the sharp brambles, and stands in front of rows of crumbling leatherbound books with faded pages, she has no idea of the secrets she is about to uncover. Or that her life is in more danger than ever before…

I really liked this book! I am a HUGE fan of Helen Phifer-especially the Morgan Brookes series. I was a bit apprehensive about reading this book since it is not my usual genre. However I was pleasantly surprised at how it hooked me in and kept me wanting to keep reading! I would absolutely recommend this book, and would read any subsequent books with the same characters!

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture, and Helen Phifer for the ARC of this beautiful book.

This book was a nice cozy read with dual timelines to begin the year. The writing was nice enough and this spin on the Salem Witch story was unique but it fell short for me. I think that I expected it to be about the Bookstore and it was in my opinion, more about the family of witches than the bookstore, that was a bit of a letdown for me. It was an enjoyable read and I wanted to know how it would end. I would definitely recommend this book more to a YA audience.

I am voluntarily leaving this honest review without coercion.

The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer is a fantasy story about witches.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions):
This is the story of the English women.

Dora English lives with her Aunt Lenny in England.  She owns her own small flower shop, and one day a strange man enters her store asking for a funeral bouquet for his deceased girlfriend.  He says his name is George Corwin. Nothing seems right about this man, who doesn't even seem to be grieving.  Shortly after telling her aunt about this strange man,  Aunt Lenny announces a business trip she must take to the U.S., and hopes Dora will accompany her.  Dora agrees.

It is in Salem, that Dora finds more members of her family, and the secrets that have been buried.  Her memories start to return, but she will have to remember more quickly if the entire family can survive.  She will have to find the book that she and Ambrose hid in 1692, just before she, her aunts, and her mother, were all hung for being witches.  This will be their 8th attempt.  It has been a vicious circle of living, trying to find the book, and dying at the hands of George Corwin.

 

My Opinions:
This book started out "iffy" for me.  The beginning sounded like a book for a pre-teen.  The writing in the first few chapters was a little "off".  However, that changed, and the story soon became much, much more.  

I became fully immersed in this book of magic and witchcraft.  A lot of information about the Salem Witch Trials was interspersed with the fiction of this story.  The author definitely researched the topic, bringing the real atrocities to light.

The English women had depth.  Their love for each other shone through with humour, warmth and gentleness. Ambrose was a great addition to their family.

I didn't think the Epilogue was necessary and it didn't really fit with the story, so I was somewhat disappointed with that.

Overall, this was a heart-warming tale of magic and love.  So, it may have had a rocky start and finish for me, but I really enjoyed that middle!

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of The Vanishing Bookstore.

Dora owns a flower shop and lives with her aunt Lenny. One day Lenny asks Dora to accompany her on vacation to Salem which Dora happily accepts. Once they arrive Dora finds out she has another aunt named Sephy and a mother she thought was dead. She also finds out that this current life is not the only lifetime she has lived. They have brought her back home because it is time to fight against the man who has been hunting them for decades.

At first I was really enjoying this book and I liked that was different from any other book I have read. But then about halfway through it just really started to drag for me. The storyline started to get really confusing and kind of ridiculous. I really wanted to like this book but I just do not think it was for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review, based upon my honest opinion.

This had such a good witchy feel, I loved the mixing of historical events and fiction to create a story about these witches who live the same lifetime over and over again, trying to break a curse and allow them to live out their lives.

Dora doesn’t know that she has lived many lifetimes, this time her aunt Lenny took her away from Salem and raised her in the UK, hoping that this distance will allow her to survive longer than she hasn’t any other lifetime. But the curse placed upon them in 1692, finds her Lennie and Dora return to Salem in the present day where Lennie ‘s sisters await. Will Dora remember who she is in time to find the final clue needed to save them. The last book in the vanished bookstore.

This was a really interesting book, it was told in a dual timeline story. I really enjoyed it. I like this author’s style and would recommend this book.

Unfortunately, this just didn't work for me. The writing felt choppy and strange. I know it is an uncorrected copy, but man some things were hard to read because of the typos and run on sentences.

The Vanishing Bookstore is a new genre for myself and it did not disappoint. This story has a really good storyline that is enjoyable to follow. While I am not one typically drawn to the fantasy side of the book world, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This book follows Dora, who is a witch but doesn't quite know it to start with. Her world is turned upside down when her aunt brings her to Salem to meet some family members as they are needing to find a long lost hidden book in a vanishing bookstore to save them from the Witch Hunter.

The characters were relatable and easy to connect with. More focus on the vanishing bookstore and the ending of the story would have made it a 5 star for me.

Helen Phifer is an amazing author and you will not go wrong with picking up The Vanishing Bookstore. I read it quickly!

Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Phifer and Bookouture for the eARC!

This is a great book about witches, past and present.
We follow Dora who lives in present day London and who runs her own flower shop. A man comes into the shop and whilst she is strangely drawn to him, her instincts tell her he is dangerous.
Dora lives with her aunt Lenny and when she takes home some flowers given to her by this man, Lenny knows it’s time to take Dora home to Salem.
Dora has no memory of her past lives but when she sees the house where her family live in Salem, small flickers of memories start to come to the surface.
Her Aunts explain about their past and the danger that they are all in from the man who came into Dora’s flower shop and Dora is initially overwhelmed, but then realises they need to fight him.
This is a gripping magical story that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.