10.2k reviews for:

The Lost Bookshop

Evie Woods

3.8 AVERAGE

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

3.75--I feel like there's a whole subgenre out there of books about either figuratively or literally magical bookstores, and I will read every single one I come across. This one is an interesting addition.

Martha, a woman looking to escape her old life, meets Henry, a quirky researcher on the hunt for a mysterious bookstore that might--or might not--exist outside of time. The story flashes back and forth between the exploits of the present-day duo and their developing connection and the adventures of Opaline, the woman at the center of the mystery.

This book left me a bit conflicted because I loved the mystery of it all so much but found the characters somewhat unsatisfying. Everyone's voices felt like they blended into another, which can be a problem for a novel with alternating viewpoints. As for the mystery, after a couple of major twists, we are left with more questions than answers and at least for me--not anything like a clear sense for how the magic works. It's an interesting ride, but not a fully satisfying one. It has a slight Like Water for Chocolate quality to it with frustrated longing and magic that makes its own rules.
adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Literature lovers, book lovers, especially Emily Bronte fans will love this book. 
adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was well written, difficult to put down, and delightfully twisty at times.
hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
emotional informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

A sweet feel good read that comes full circle