Ever wished you could stumble upon a magical bookshop that appears only when you need it? Evie Woods made that dream feel real. The Lost Bookshop reminded me why I’ve always loved getting lost in a good story.
I have a feeling books always show up just when we need them. And somehow, we’re never quite the same after reading one—something inside us just shifts. If it doesn’t, maybe the book wasn’t worth reading. And that, I think, is the most magical thing about books. We don’t find them; they find us, precisely when we need them.
This novel weaves together bibliophilia, magical realism, fantasy, historical fiction, and romance—and somehow makes it all work beautifully. Set on a quiet Dublin street, it tells the story of three people who’ve spent far too long being side characters in their own lives: Opaline, Martha, and Henry.
Let me start with Opaline, because her story absolutely captured my heart. In 1921, she was a young woman in London, being forced into an arranged marriage by her controlling mother and brother. But Opaline is independently minded, cherishing freedom and adventure, so she does the unthinkable—she flees to France rather than accept the life others have mapped out for her. Her passion for books becomes her salvation, her rebellion, her entire world.
Fast forward to present-day Dublin, and we meet Martha, a woman fleeing an abusive marriage, trying to piece her life back together one day at a time. There’s something so raw and real about her journey—her struggle to reclaim herself, to remember who she was before everything fell apart.
Then there’s Henry, a PhD student from England, who comes to Dublin searching for a mysterious bookshop and a lost Emily Brontë manuscript mentioned in a 1920s letter from Opaline Gray. When he tries to find the bookshop at Ha’penny Lane, it’s simply… not there. Or is it?
Martha and Henry’s romance unfolds like a quiet melody—unexpected, tender, and deeply human. Love catches Martha completely off guard, arriving when she’s not even looking for it. She finds herself in unfamiliar territory—feeling something new, but unsure what it is or what to do with it.
Their connection grows slowly and carefully, giving Martha the space to heal and Henry the chance to be more than just the scholarly researcher who probably has more conversations with dead authors than living people.
And here’s where the real magic happens. The bookshop has a mind of its own. It appears and disappears, showing up only for those who truly need it. As Henry and Martha dig into its history and the mysteries around it, their lives slowly begin to intertwine with Opaline’s. It happens across time—and in the most unexpected ways.
What I loved most about this book is how Woods handles the dual timeline. You really have to pay attention to catch how the past and present dance around each other—but it’s worth it. Every piece matters. Every connection counts.
The book doesn’t shy away from real-world issues like alcoholism, domestic violence, and societal misogyny. These details show why the characters need the bookshop, books, and a little magic. Sometimes, when life is too heavy, the best escape is between the pages of a good story.
The Lost Bookshop is about finding ourselves in the pages of someone else’s story. And most importantly, it’s about believing that somewhere out there, there’s a bookshop—or a book, or a story—waiting just for us.
It’s perfect for book lovers and anyone who still believes in wonder. If you’re looking for something gritty and dark, this isn’t it—but if you want to feel the magic again, it’s exactly the book.
Warning: After reading this book, you might find yourself stalking imaginary bookshops and imagining your local library is hiding a portal to another century. Yep… I’m in that phase right now!
Rating: A magical, heartwarming 4.5/5 stars
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