Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Helen Phifer for the advanced copy of The Vanishing Bookstore.

Helen Phifer’s The Vanishing Bookstore is a captivating blend of historical intrigue, familial secrets, and magical realism that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The story seamlessly weaves between 1692 Salem, where a mysterious bookstore vanishes into thin air, and the present day, where Dora unravels a dangerous family mystery tied to this long-lost place. The rich detail and well-crafted character development make it an engrossing read, immersing readers in both the eerie historical backdrop and Dora’s modern-day struggles.

The book’s central mystery—a bookstore hidden for centuries and holding the key to survival for Dora and her mother—is both thrilling and haunting. Phifer’s ability to create a vivid atmosphere, from the overgrown vines to the pale-pink house hiding its own secrets, is remarkable. The stakes rise as Dora delves deeper into her family’s past, encountering danger at every turn.

Stephanie Cannon’s narration adds a compelling layer to the experience. She brings each character to life with emotion and substance, ensuring that their voices resonate deeply. Cannon’s portrayal enhances the tension and the emotional depth, making it a perfect companion to Phifer’s detailed storytelling.

While the book is richly detailed and atmospheric, some readers may find the pacing slower in certain parts due to the extensive world-building. However, the payoff is worth it as the twists and revelations come together beautifully.

The Vanishing Bookstore is an excellent choice for fans of historical mysteries with a touch of the supernatural. With its intricate plot, memorable characters, and atmospheric setting, it’s a story that lingers long after the final page.

This book was really good. It was magical, surprising, and so familial that it drew me right in. 5 stars

Many thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book and the cover drew me to it. I have always been intrigued by the Salem Witch Trials and I thought it would be interesting to see how that was woven into this story. It ultimately fell a little flat for me. I liked the found family and bond of Dora and her aunts. The romance had SO much potential but it just wasn’t developed enough to make me love it. I also think the magic system could have used a little further development. It is a very quick read and I enjoyed the narration. Fans of Practical Magic might enjoy this more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy audiobook. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Content Notes: Closed door romance, strong language

Wow! This one was a trip! I loved it!
I enjoyed how this story was woven between Salem 1692 and the present day. This story follows a family of women from Salem in 1692 where they were accused of being witches, and then the same family to the now times where Dora has to try to save her family and change the timeline.
Dora meets her mother whom she thought was dead, and finds out she is very much alive but also she is dying of cancer. Her aunt thought that maybe if she were raised away from her mother things in the timeline would change. The family is hunted by the same man who caused their downfall or their accusation of being witches because the aunt refused his advances.
Full of love, mystery,y, and beauty! I loved the development of the story and how the flow of the story was AMAZING!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a really good job of drawing you in and helping you visualize the atmosphere, bringing the story to life! The voice fit the story! If you are looking for a good audiobook that will draw you in with an enjoyable story then this one should be your next read! Thank you Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen and review this one! It was a treat!

I loved everything about this book EXCEPT the hanging ending. I had NO idea it would be part of a series or I wouldn't have read it. I really would have appreciated knowing it was going to be open ended going in. All that aside, it was a great story and I enjoyed the reincarnation elements in it.

Thank You Netgalley, Helen Phifer, and Bookouture for the ALC of this book. This is one of those "Read in one sitting" type books. I ate it up and wanted more. It is so good. I really do hope there will be another book, to explore this Vanishing Bookshop. I loved the Witches in Salem aspect of the book and so much more but do not want to give spoilers. The dual timelines was done so well and fit perfectly together,

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheVanishingBookstore by #HelenPhifer. This story takes place in two timelines, present day and 1692. Three sisters and a niece have lived many lives and have suffered each time to the same people. Back then, Dora, the niece, hid a journal in a vanishing bookstore to try and protect them. Now, she needs to find her memories and the journal to protect them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!

This was such a lovely read. The cosy vibes really took me back when witch books were exactly that, with familiars, spells, women connected to nature.. what a very welcome throwback.
We mainly follow 3 witches that have been hanged in the Salem trials; they have been reborn time and time again, their souls protected, so they can fight the "demon" that got them killed to begin with.
We get a small portion of the book in the past, so we can see what has happened, and the majority takes place currently, focusing more on Dora who, in her 30s, still has no idea who she really is, and who is the key to defeat the "demon".
I really enjoyed this, the familiars, the actual family and their relations, the magical aspect; all was so cosy and kept me engaged. If you're a fan of witches, get this one when it comes out.

The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer had so much potential, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. I was excited by the premise—history, dual timelines, and a touch of magic—but I couldn’t connect with the story. I listened to the audiobook, and that may have contributed to my struggle. The frequent shifts between timelines and the changing character names left me confused, and I often found myself zoning out and needing to rewind to catch up on what I missed.

The book felt disjointed, with the plot jumping from one focus to another, making it difficult to stay engaged. I never really connected with any of the characters, which made it even harder to stay invested in the story. While this might appeal to younger readers or those who enjoy a lighter YA mystery, it didn’t live up to my expectations for a well-rounded work of fiction.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the world of the characters. Once I understood the individual characters and their roles, I could not put it down. I almost finished this book within one day lol There were no loose ends, as I felt all aspects were tied up nicely. Dora, the main character, had some innocence about her, but as she discovered more about her family, I enjoyed witnessing the courage she developed. All other characters had impactful roles that allowed the story to play out nicely. This was my first Helen Phifer book and her writing is so captivating, can’t wait to read more of her work. :)

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Pub Date: 1/7/2025
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I am a huge fan of Helen Phifer, she is definitely an auto-buy author for me after reading her work in 2024. When I read the description of this book and saw that it was set during the Salem Witch Trials and the present I knew I needed to read it.
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The Vanishing Bookstore is told between multiple timelines, but the main ones are the present and 1692. It follows the English women, 3 sisters and one of their daughters, 4 in total who are killed during the Salem Witch Trials. Only catch, they keep reliving their lives only to have the same fate. I absolutely loved how Phifer weaved this story together. I love how she intertwined their other lives into the main two timelines - just little snippets of what happened.
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I loved the aunts and I absolutely loved Dora. I loved their banter with one another and their love for one another. I felt that family bond so deeply within the writing. I felt like this one was steady to fast paced. I was literally hooked right from the start and I finished it in a single sitting.
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I listened to this one via audiobook. Stephanie Cannon was the perfect fit to narrate this one. I loved everything about the audiobook. It was super easy to follow and I just love Stephanie Cannon’s work which made me love this one even more. Highly recommend the audiobook!
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I got major Practical Magic/ Hocus Pocus vibes yet at the same time was completely unique. Overall, this is definitely one you need to keep an eye out for! This was fantastic! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Helen Phifer and Bookoutour Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

First off, the narration for this book is amazing. I loved the voices, I loved the drama in the voices and I loved how the different characters each has their own unique voice. It really helped me get into the story and feel like I was living amongst the characters.

The story itself was unique. It was not your typical Magic story and I enjoyed that a lot. There was darkness mixed in with the magical and the dynamic between the aunts and the MC was great - I love those kinds of family dynamics that show family bonds tied real tight.

I loved the inclusion of familiars and only wish we had even more because duh, I love animals.

I really enjoyed this and will be looking for more books from Helen Phifer in the future.

Really enjoyed this spellbinding fantasy. Helen Phifer delivers it all: magic, family, enduring love. The storyline is captivating as it intertwines multiple timelines and a perpetuating mystic curse.

This was a cosy little audiobook, felt a little unrelated to the description but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Very descriptive and a good plot, well paced and enjoyable.

You’ll enjoy this book if you like:
- cozy mystery
- family relationships
- magical realism
- Salem history
- witches
- long-lost romance
- Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic

This was a cute and entertaining book!

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
✨️Magic
✨️Salem Witches
✨️Centuries old family curse
✨️ Sisterhood
✨️A fight for survival
✨️ and of course a Vanishing Bookstore

The Vanishing Bookstore follows the character of Dora, and her aunts, as they work together to fight a curse cast onto their family centuries ago during the Salem Witch Trials. This curse causes the family to repeatedly re-live their lives, whilst being hunted by the same, horrible witch hunter.

I enjoyed being taken along through this journey, as Dora recalled more details of her previous lives. I loved exploring the relationships that the characters had built over lifetimes, and seeing the different memories as they were recalled.

I also enjoyed Helen Phifer's world and character building. I loved how enchanting the concept of a Vanishing Bookstore was, and the magic around this.
I look forward to reading more of Helen Phifer's novels in the future.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook arc.

The Vanishing Bookstore offers a unique and imaginative premise that blends history, magic, and family secrets. It’s a cozy read with an intriguing dual-timeline structure: one set in Salem, MA, during the witch trials of 1692, where a woman accused of witchcraft hides her journal in a vanishing bookstore after her family is cursed, and the other in the present day, where Dora, a 33-year-old Londoner, discovers her family’s ties to this curse. Dora’s mission to uncover the secrets of the past and break the curse carries the promise of adventure and mystery.

However, one of the major challenges I encountered was with Dora’s characterisation. At 33, Dora often feels misaligned with the story’s tone, which comes across more like a young adult or coming-of-age novel. Her behavior and dialogue lean toward being overly simplistic and childlike, which made it difficult to connect with her as a protagonist. This disconnect detracted from the emotional weight of her journey.

Additionally, while the vanishing bookstore is a fascinating central plot point, the journey to uncover it feels rushed and underdeveloped. Key moments—such as a sudden and jarring sex scene—lack the necessary buildup or emotional resonance, making them feel out of place. The dialogue between characters also tends to fall flat, failing to elevate the stakes or create deeper connections between them. This lack of depth left me largely indifferent to the characters and their ultimate fates.

Despite its shortcomings, The Vanishing Bookstore is an enjoyable read for fans of cozy magical tales and dual-timeline narratives. However, its uneven execution and shallow characterisation prevent it from reaching its full potential.

This was a fun listen. Was a little cliche, lots of similarities to other witchy stories like Hocus Pocus & Practical Magic. Overall fun, but nothing earth shattering in terms of unique storytelling.

3.5 ⭐️ - The Vanishing Bookstore follows Dora, a florist living in modern day London. She’s in for a big surprise, not only is she from a family of witches but they have to solve a mystery and find a hidden book to break a curse that has followed them since the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. This book has dual storylines (1692 Salem and present day). A fun, light witchy story that would be a great spooky season pick.

I expected a bit more emphasis on the bookstore itself and the romance between the main characters but it was narrated well (Stephanie Cannon) and had a good pace. I especially liked the glimpse into modern Salem. If you like Hocus Pocus, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, or the Lost Apothecary check out this book when it’s released 1/7/25.

Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for advanced access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This had me hooked from the first few chapters and I devoured it in one day. It follows a young woman in Salem in 1692, and Dora in present day London. I love books with dual timelines, but I craved more from 1692, maybe that’s the history geek in me though.

It’s a witchy, empowering, and heartwarming story, and I loved it. It fell slightly short of being a 5* read, but I would recommend this to everyone.

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC audiobook copy for my honest review.