Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter publishing, and Evie Woods for providing this advance reader copy (ARC) of the book. My honest opinion is below.

A charming story that was an enjoyable read, the blurb hooked me right away. In my opinion while there are many things the writer got right there are many that she got wrong. Flow between the time periods was as seamless as I think possible, I applaud that. The characters had promise but wound up not being completely fleshed out, Martha was all over the place. Her journey was supposed to be from scared abused woman to standing on her own two feet and accepting herself as she was. But she didn't stand on her own feet, she had the strangest awakening and it didn't flow well. I don't like her much. Henry was much better, his inner dialog explained more on how he got to Dublin and his purpose. He was like an adorable puppy that follows you around wanting attention. My giving advice to the characters became more frequent, neither had been in a relationship of any value & it was like grade-schoolers too shy to hold hands. I tried to give them tips but of course they didn't listen.

Opaline is better explained and some of her "flaws" were a product of the times, women of the 1920's were still considered second class citizens. Her family dynamic was awful but understandable. I'm glad she got a nice ending as it wasn't certain that would happen. The mysterious bookshop plot starts with her and it's magical, literally. I wouldn't have been surprised to have elves and baby deer hanging around the shop. I loved the store and would wish it existed so I could sit in a chair, drink tea, and read the afternoon away. For what I found lacking I also found good fun and a pleasant read.

#NetGalley #TheLostBookshop #EvieWoods #mysteriousbookshop #magicalbookshop

The Lost Bookshop is the first novel by Irish author, Evie Woods (who also writes as Evie Gaughan). The audio version is narrated by Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon. In 1921, twenty-one-year-old Opaline Carlisle runs away to Paris to avoid the financially advantageous marriage her older brother Lyndon has arranged. With a love of literature instilled in her by her late father, Alfred, and a keen eye for a literary bargain, she funds her escape with the sale of a rare book, and ends up working at Shakespeare and Company.

Sylvia Beach introduces her to literary ephemera, and sets her on the path to becoming a literary sleuth with a particular interest in a possible second novel by her favourite author, Emily Bronte. Turns out that Lyndon Carlisle is persistent, though, she has to make another quick exit, and she ends up running the late Mr Fitzpatrick's Nostalgia Shop at 11 Ha'penny Lane, Dublin, adding her books to his eclectic mix. The shop has a curious history and, Opaline begins to realise, a mind of its own.

In the present day, Martha Winter flees to Dublin from her small hometown in Sligo to escape her abusive husband. Soon enough, she's living in the basement flat of Madame Bowden's home at 12 Ha'penny Lane, cooking and keeping house. She tries to stay under the radar: no one in Sligo knows where she's gone, and she'd like to keep it that way.

Londoner Henry Field is in Dublin following up a lead: a letter from rare book collector Abe Rosenbach to Opaline Gray mentions a lost Emily Bronte manuscript, and finding that would make his name in the world of rare books. Henry took a chance when he first arrived, going to the address despite his inebriation, and into the bookshop, but was then perplexed to find himself outside in the dark.

He's gone back to 11 Ha'penny Lane several times, but there's just a vacant block. And that's where Martha spots him, just outside her basement window, no doubt a perv. He says he's looking for a bookshop, maybe he's a weirdo too. An attractive one, but still.

Woods delivers her story through three alternating narratives in two timelines, and readers will pick up on parallels between the stories. She drops plenty of clues for the reader to discover in how many ways the stories connect: some are fairly obvious, but there are also some splendid surprises. Minor roles are played by James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, and one or two other famous literary names, and there's a cameo by Alice Liddell.

While there are some truly awful ones, many of her characters have depth and appeal. Their dialogue is quick and clever and entertaining, and she gives some of them wise words insightful observations. There's sweet romance and passion and heartbreak; there are quirky, magical things like a tree that offers books, tattoos that write themselves, and a sewing box with a secret. A truly marvellous read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is an interesting story. It is told from three points of view (Opaline, Martha, and Henry) and from two time periods (1921 and the present day). The story does contain good writing. I found the pacing to be slow especially in the middle (it dragged). The book is too long (407 pages). I can tell that the author loves books based on her beautiful descriptions of the bookstore and books. I can certainly relate to that special feeling you get each time you enter a bookstore. The wonderful smell of the paper and ink. You never know who you will meet or where you will go when you pick up a book. Opaline created a special bookstore with creative displays. It is a tragedy what happened to her (I am not going to tell you). The laws in early twentieth century were archaic and gave men too much leeway over the women in their “care”. There are a number of characters, and it can be difficult to keep them all straight. The bookshop with its magic is intriguing. I especially liked the stained-glass windows with their changing scenes. I felt for Opaline, but I had trouble relating to Martha and Henry (I was not a fan of Henry). The story had, of course, romance (I would have preferred two woman who came into their own and carved their own path). I was not a fan of the intimate scenes. The story does contain foul language (quite a bit). Those who have suffered physical or mental abuse will find triggers in the story. There are various things that happen without explanation. I can understand letting a couple of things be mysterious, but all of them. It becomes frustrating. The last twenty percent is the best (if you make it that far). I like how everything came together. The ending was expected because the storylines are similar to those I have read in other novels. The Lost Bookshop has mystery, love, magic, and books. Three strangers who discover their stories by unlocking the secrets of a special bookstore. I wanted to like The Lost Bookshop, but I found it tedious to wade through it (long and slow). The Lost Bookshop is a book for bibliophiles with beloved books, a Parisian paramour, a brutal brother, a helpful position, an absent bookshop, phantastic happenings, and a magical culmination.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is an interesting story. It is told from three points of view (Opaline, Martha, and Henry) and from two time periods (1921 and the present day). The story does contain good writing. I found the pacing to be slow especially in the middle (it dragged). The book is too long (407 pages). I can tell that the author loves books based on her beautiful descriptions of the bookstore and books. I can certainly relate to that special feeling you get each time you enter a bookstore. The wonderful smell of the paper and ink. You never know who you will meet or where you will go when you pick up a book. Opaline created a special bookstore with creative displays. It is a tragedy what happened to her (I am not going to tell you). The laws in early twentieth century were archaic and gave men too much leeway over the women in their "care". There are a number of characters, and it can be difficult to keep them all straight. The bookshop with its magic is intriguing. I especially liked the stained-glass windows with their changing scenes. I felt for Opaline, but I had trouble relating to Martha and Henry (I was not a fan of Henry). The story had, of course, romance (I would have preferred two woman who came into their own and carved their own path). I was not a fan of the intimate scenes. The story does contain foul language (quite a bit). Those who have suffered physical or mental abuse will find triggers in the story. There are various things that happen without explanation. I can understand letting a couple of things be mysterious, but all of them. It becomes frustrating. The last twenty percent is the best (if you make it that far). I like how everything came together. The ending was expected because the storylines are similar to those I have read in other novels. The Lost Bookshop has mystery, love, magic, and books. Three strangers who discover their stories by unlocking the secrets of a special bookstore. I wanted to like The Lost Bookshop, but I found it tedious to wade through it (long and slow). The Lost Bookshop is a book for bibliophiles with beloved books, a Parisian paramour, a brutal brother, a helpful position, an absent bookshop, phantastic happenings, and a magical culmination.