The Lost Bookshop: The most charming and uplifting novel for 2025 and the perfect gift for book lovers! Paperback – 7 Nov. 2023

This is an amazing story about books, love, a vanishing bookshop and discovery and I loved every word. This is not the first time I have read anything by this author, the first time was The Story Collector which was another beautiful story.The Lost Bookshop is something Henry has been searching for, he has followed manuscripts, links, leads and rumours to find its whereabouts yet to no avail.Martha is also trying to hide and finds herself working for Mrs Bowden as her housekeeper. She has found her own version of a new life and yet keeps her head down.Opaline is a character who is from the past, she works in France for the Shakespeare and Company bookshop, another one who is trying to escape from her past.While these three are the main characters, there are some amazing others that the author has drawn into her storyline. Opaline's story is of her brothers' trying to force her into an arranged marriage, but being the 1920s Poaline has other ideas. Henry is struggling with something that has happened in his past, just as Martha is but for different reasons. These three characters tell their story in their own voices so you do get a personal sense of narration.As well as having three different voices there are also two timelines, this may sound as if it starting to become a little complex but it honestly is not. The author has woven it brilliantly and I soon found myself automatically recognising the different voices and timelines.The story is about finding your own future and having the confidence to take the steps forward on that path. Sometimes a little nudge is needed. The Lost Bookshop is a character in its own right, it is an amazing sounding place and it becomes what it needs to be when it is needed. A truly fantastical-sounding place that I would love to visit.A mix of historical fiction, romance, fantasy and contemporary fiction. I adored this one a huge amount and I would highly recommend it.

I loved this book, but around 60% I felt like the plot slowed down The three POV's were really interesting and were.from such likable characters .I loved the supernatural elements of this story and the historical aspect.

When I like a book I buy everything the author has written . This lovely story with twists and turns , a page turning plot , strong characterisation all of which flowed kept me hooked most of yesterday .It was the second book . Now I will have to buy more but I’m sad I will have to wait til more are written .I will wait for the film though .

Downloaded this because it was free and I love books and I liked the cover. So, so glad I did. This book is hard to put down and I'm guessing, impossible to forget. The story, the timelines, the twists and turns. If you love books and can lose yourself in them, this is for you. Magical, curious and enlightening!! Two lines towards the end of the book may even end up on my body as part of my story . . .

Granted this book took a bit of a push for me to get through but I am so glad I did.The story is slow but the more you read, the deeper you get invested. You go through a journey between past and present that all intertwine in their own mysterious ways. The bookshop itself is the source of one of the most interesting stories of it's own, as we see Opaline endure a long and heartbreaking journey to find her own happy ending.Then we have Martha and Henry, an unlikely duo with their own history to unfold, as they try to uncover the secrets of the lost bookshop which would lead them to some unlikely places.The characters pull you in but I personally found them difficult to like until later on in the book. I preferred the story of Opaline more than Martha and Henry, and almost found myself pushing through their parts to get back to Opaline.The ending, while it tied up most of the loose ends, I found it felt more rushed than anything and some of the loose ends that were tied up didn't feel fully closed. I still enjoyed it and found it interesting for the most part but I can't say it will be sticking into my memory too strongly.Nevertheless, it's a lovely book, and it has plenty to love within the pages. The mystery of the bookshop and the manuscript, the trials of Opaline and the great search through time by an unlikely pair.