“The Lost Bookshop” by Evie Woods

Title: The Lost Bookshop
Author: Evie Woods
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2023
Genre(s): historical fiction, contemporary 
Part of a Series: No

Why I read it: Recommendation from Storygraph

Summary: Escaping an arranged marriage and a tyrannical brother, Opaline eventually finds refuge in a store that seems to be alive. Years later, Henry goes on a quest to find the store and encounters Martha, who is reclaiming her life after leaving her abusive husband. Their stories entwine into a beautiful mosaic that hopefully leads to their happy endings.

Rating: 

Review: So this wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. I thought the bookstore would play a larger role than it did but ultimately, I liked the story told and enjoyed the journey.

The three main characters are likeable and relatable. You want to root for them as a reader and I feel that most of them have good resolutions. Opaline’s story goes in a direction I wasn’t really expecting and I’m a bit torn about it, but overall I enjoyed her resolution.

I also enjoyed Henry’s and Martha’s stories, though their resistance to becoming a couple felt a little too drawn out toward the end. You’ll probably be yelling “Just get together already” at your book a few times.

You’ll probably also like Madame Bowden, though I won’t say too much more about her. You’ll just have to read the book to find out more.

I did like the parallels in their stories, how they all had issues with someone in their life that they had to resolve – Opaline and her brother, Martha and her estranged husband, Henry and his father. It was well woven together and I commend Woods for it.

This was the second book I read by Woods. The first was The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris, which I reviewed here. (Note: That book was published under the name Evie Gaughan but it’s the same person). Like that book, this one has a strong supernatural element to it. I won’t reveal too much more except to say that it exists and it really enhances the story.

I do wish there had been more descriptions as I felt I couldn’t really picture places. The best was Madame Bowden’s house and the store but everything else felt a little flat. However, that feels like a minor quibble since the story itself was pretty solid.

Bottom line: A good story with strong characters that keep you engaged.

Sex: Some mentions, nothing too graphic

Moonlight Musing

What magical store would you like to find?