The Lost Bookshop
⭐⭐⭐⭐
〰️
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 〰️
My mama gifted me this book for my birthday and I’ve been dying to read it ever since. I was so unprepared for the emotions it would ignite, as I was preparing for a simple romance with a few elements of magic. I was delightfully surprised with 400+ pages of two strong and passionate women whose stories intertwined with one another’s so effortlessly.
The beauty in this cover perfectly depicts the treasure that is this book. I had such a lovely time reading it!
Synopsis
Opaline is on the run from her family, in search of a new home within the books she finds such comfort in.
Martha escapes an abusive relationship to an old antique shop, only to discover magic, mystery, and purpose.
Henry hunts for the nostalgic book store he reminisces about - the one that seemingly doesn’t exist.
The Lost Bookshop follows their stories and slowly unravels the magic that connects them. Each of their lives have been missing something vital, and it all leads back to a missing manuscript, a love for written words, and a lost bookshop.
“Lost is not a hopeless place to be. It is a place of patience, of waiting. Lost does not mean gone for ever. Lost is a bridge between worlds, where the pain of our past can be transformed into power. You have always held the key to this special place, but now you are ready to unlock the door.”
Favorites
I have so praise for Evie Woods: this novel exceeded every single one of my expectations! First of all, the way she’s able to describe a scene in such detail is truly a gift. Her words and descriptions were so vivid, I felt as though I could close my eyes and enter the world she was creating.
The three main characters were so loveable and unique. Evie found so many ways to relate them to one another, yet ensured they each had their own passions, strengths, and weaknesses. I found myself grieving with Opaline for the life she lost and the horrors that continuously found her. Personally, I pinned her as the hero of this story - proving you can overcome the most sickening of events with hope and willpower. It was amazing to watch Martha become so sure and proud of herself, as well. A large part of this should be credited to Madame Bowden, who took in a meek woman on the run and treated her as though she were her equal. Even the side characters were memorable! I found myself trying to guess who would appear or reappear as the chapters went on, applying knowledge from previous
“An angry man was dominant. An angry woman, on the other hand, must have lost her grip on sanity.”
ICKS
There wasn’t anything I disliked, although I did have some difficulty keeping the storylines straight at the beginning. I found so many similarities between Opaline and Martha that I frequently mixed them up - each of the women were on the run from a previous life, seeking shelter from kind strangers, travelling to uncover mysteries, and had a strong connection to books.
As the story progressed, I was able to differentiate them with ease and found that Henry’s POV helped, as well. Him frequently mentioning his admiration for Martha allowed my brain to finally pin her to the present day - I also began to pick up on historical differences that allowed me to more easily follow their journeys. Other than this personal struggle towards the beginning, I have no criticism for the novel!
“I don’t just love her for how she makes me feel, I love her because when she came into my life it was like the lights came on.”
Final Thoughts
I had such a wonderful time getting through this book - Evie Woods is an outstanding writer. There was so much tension, mystery, and magic to this novel - she really found a way to incorporate it all! The story was fast-paced and yet stretched out into a seamless sequence of events; I was engrossed in every page, eager for more. I highly recommend this book for those looking for something new! It’s so different from your typical romance or fantasy and might end up being your next favorite read.
