Alright I’ll admit it—I first picked up The Lost Bookshop because the cover called out to me. With its beautiful design and the mysterious title, how could I resist?
Set in Ireland, the novel follows three protagonists—Opaline, Martha and Henry—each fleeing their past to start anew in a different city. What unites them is their unyielding love for literature.
The story weaves through two timelines—one in the present day and the other in the early 1900s.
It's about a mysterious bookshop, existing in the past but appearing fleetingly, that indirectly influences the lives of Opaline, Martha and Henry. The book begins by establishing the characters' lives, leading to mind-blowing twists along the way.
A passage that truly captivated me was:
“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.”
― Evie Woods, The Lost Bookshop
While I enjoyed the intertwining of the characters' stories with the mysterious bookshop, I found myself wanting more focus on the shop itself. The search for the bookshop, it's story and the mystery behind it—these elements felt somewhat overshadowed by the protagonists' lives. Though this detailed exploration added depth, the ending left me craving more.
To wrap things up, the setting, the vivid description of the characters’ lives, and the sudden plot twists were all highlights for me. Additionally, the way the two different timelines weave into each other and complete the story is spectacular.
It’s definitely a good read, and I’d recommend it. If I have to rate it out of 10, it’s a solid 7.
Added to my reading list ✅️