The Lost Bookshop was magical from start to finish. I was so drawn into the romanticized world of book trading with its highs and lows, as well as the stories of absolutely darling Opaline and Henry, that I was ready to drop all my own ambitions to assist them. Martha was a character to cheer for, and I did so aloud a few times (apologies to my cat). I only wished for a little more background on Madam Bowden.

The writing is in first person format from three characters, each with a unique voice and personality. I loved reading about their moments of strength and weakness from their own view, especially the foot-in-mouth incidents that made everyone so relatable and likable. The interwoven timelines felt like a conversation between two points in history, like the present interviewing the past and having a good laugh about it.

I happened to read this immediately after The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner and felt the two books complemented each other with similar themes and unique plots. You have to love a good story pairing.