I sometimes find historical novels to be a hit and miss but I really enjoyed this one. The main character was strong, inspiring and resourceful.

The twists and turns of the plot kept me on my toes so I flew through the book.

This book was very different to the normal genre I read - and it took me a little while to get into the style of the book. So with this in mind I give it 3 stars. It was a little bland and slow for my liking and I was hoping for a little bit more, but I think it just comes down to personal preference. I also didnt connect with all of the characters so I think that hindered my overall enjoyment.

I am glad I tried this book for something different and out of my comfort zone though.

A historical romance set in the beautiful town of York after the main characters are evicted. Set in the late 1800s, its a really catching read

This was an enjoyable, easy and cosy read. I love a plot driven novel so this one was a bit of a miss for me as it was a bit on the slow side. A good book for a rainy afternoon but nothing that will stick with me for much longer.

The book felt so unsettling in the beginning but warm later. Characters have such a poignant back stories. Author’s writing is compelling enough to draw readers. If you enjoy reading historical book full of secrets and a little warmness, this is the book for you. It’s beautiful how the two characters come together. One has such a poignant past while the other has secrets and unsettling truth. Both of their families let them down and that’s what connect them. Their odyssey changes from disliking each other to developing an unbreakable bond.

Thanks to the Publisher

My Bookish Thoughts 💬
Dubbed as The Lost Bookshop meets The Lost Apothecary—two of my all-time favourite reads—I was so excited to receive a copy of The Lamplighters Bookshop, especially as the cover is utterly divine.

In the spirit of honesty, I was anticipating a hint of magic or magical realism, especially given those comparisons and a few early lines from the mysterious bookshop owner. While that particular element didn’t materialise in the way I expected, there were still things I really enjoyed about this story.

That said, I did enjoy the setting — York (one of my favourite dreamy cities) always makes for a great bookish backdrop — and I appreciated the focus on two people trying to find their way through the things they’ve kept hidden. Evelyn and William’s slow unfolding relationship had some really heartfelt moments.

I did lose my way a little in the middle, but I was also reading a few books at once, so that might have played a part. It’s a quieter story, more about healing and connection than twists and turns.

A gentle, reflective read with a beautiful setting — not quite what I expected, but I’m still glad I spent time in the pages of The Lamplighters Bookshop.

✨ Huge thanks to @harpercollinsuk and @sophieaustinauthor for the stunning proof copy, and to @NetGalley for the digital version in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a fun, rivals-to-romance tale of a genteel but impoverished Lady, and a poor yet potentially brilliant author. When both end up getting a job at a bookshop in York, they must both work hard in order to keep the one position that is available at the end of their trial period. At the same time, both are hiding secrets from their families and friends that have the power of unravelling all that they have worked so hard for.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

This is historical fiction set at the turn of the twentieth century. It is about overcoming obstacles and changing social attitudes of the time. I hate the word troupe, but its troupe is enemies to lovers. I loved how the characters grew along with the storyline, gradually changing their opinions and feelings. I liked the characters of Evelyn and William whose relationship was central to the story. I really wish the book delved a bit deeper into Howard’s backstory, unless the author has plans for another book.

As I’m behind on my ARC reviews due to being ill, I listened to the audiobook version of this novel on BookBeat. There was an issue where one chapter was missing from the audiobook so I read my ARC copy for that chapter. I reported it too BookBeat but I’m unsure whether it was resolved, or if the same issue would be present on other platforms. I did really enjoy the narrator for the audiobook.

Apologies to the publisher for not getting this review out earlier, I have been unwell for most of this year. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Harper Fiction for allowing me to review this book.

Whilst I enjoyed this, I really did think the bookshop was going to play more of a part in the story. However it's well-written and kept my attention.

The story centers around Sarah, who inherits The Lamplighter's Bookshop from her beloved grandfather. Faced with the daunting task of keeping the struggling shop afloat, Sarah must navigate not only the practicalities of running a business but also the emotional weight of preserving her grandfather's legacy and the heart of the community he fostered. A very enjoyable read.
Total rating 4.5 stars

I do love historical fiction, so was looking forward to picking this one up.
As good as this one is, it definitely verges on more of the “cozy” side of the genre.
The setting was well written, Characters were well written, but the plot was maybe lacking a bit. Not a lot driving it forward.
At times, it did have a feel of being a bit padded out, but on the whole and enjoyable read that did leave me happy at the end of it. I would recommend this one to others,

I wanted a change from my usual type of read and historical fiction is really different. I enjoyed this and I’m always pulled to books with a relevant “book” or “bookshop” theme. Enjoyable read, a bit padded out in places but good.

An entertaining historical romance novel which made for a lovely read when I was under the weather. It's quite high in drama but relatively low in stakes, so makes for a good cozy read. I would have liked more focus on the bookshop, and a bit more time for the main characters to get to know each other but it was still a good read.

I loved reading this book by Sophie Austin. The period setting and central characters are beautifully described, and the storylines are well paced. As the story unfolds our main characters learn the importance of being true to themselves rather than trying to keep up appearances in order to preserve their social standing. I would love to read a sequel and follow the lives of the characters in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a beautifully written historical fiction novel. Set in a time where the rich, were ridiculously so, and the poor, mere dirt at their feet.

Evelyn is one of life's wealthy people. A heiress to her Baron Father's fortune ... or at least she was until the Police/Baliff's came knocking at the family mansion one morning to turf them out of the house until her Father pays his debts.

The shame and humiliation is instant. Evelyn has grown up having everything she could ever have wanted, and not knowing what it is like to go without. Her Mother is bereft, she herself was once poor, and married into money against it seems everyone's wishes, particularly those of her own family.

She doesn't want Evelyn to know poverty, and is determined that she marry quickly once they have settled into a temporary home with Evelyn's Aunt in York. But Evelyn is equally determined that she will not marry for the status, and will not be humiliated by the rich that she once was.

Evelyn quickly realises that to forge her own path in life, she must take care of her own destiny. A chance meeting with a grumpy young man of a similar age to her, and an advert for an assistant in a dusty forgotten bookshop is how Evelyn is going to move forward.

Her Mother has forbidden her to get a job, complaining that it is not ladylike. Evelyn's response that she is a no longer a Lady of course doesn't help her change her Mother's mind. But Evelyn is stubborn, and knows what she wants.

What she doesn't realise then is that her life, already changed, is about to change forever, for the better. A grumpy young man by the name of William Morton, and a dusty old bookshop are exactly what she needs to ensure her future is very different to her past, and all that that entails.

This was an enjoyable and easy read. When I asked to review an ARC of this book I had thought it was more historical fiction and hadn't realised it was romantic fiction (which it definitely felt more like). Having said that, as someone who once lived in York it was interesting to read a book set in York in a byegone era and to reflect on the very different lives that women lived in earlier centuries, and the very different social classes and expectations of those classes. Whilst the book starts with one rich families downfall and how the daughter copes with that downfall it was not a book to make you feel sad. The story was hopeful and characters generally sufficiently well-drawn to encourage empathy.

Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now even if I enjoyed this book. as it's well plotted, fascinating world building, and entertaining. . I liked the good storytelling
A more extensive review will follow
Recommended.Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to NetGalley, publishers and author for an ARC of The Lanplighters Bookshop.

This was a wonderful book, with a lovely story and characters who you grow attached to. I loved reading this story and will investigate more books by this author.

Highly recommend.

Literary romcom in Victorian York
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Without any warning, Evelyn Seaton and her mother are evicted from their grand house and forced to move in with Aunt Clara, a no-nonsense spinster who takes no prisoners. As Evelyn’s father Baron Seaton is nowhere to be found, so Evelyn rolls up her sleeves and finds herself a job in a rundown bookshop run by Howard Morton. Meanwhile, Mr Morton’s nephew William returns from London, seeming to return the conquering her with a publishing deal and hefty advance in hand, but as things are never as they seem, William and Evelyn are forced to compete for the one job at the Lamplighter’s Bookshop. Can these rivals turn the fortunes of the bookshop, or will their rivalry get in the way of more?

Calling this a romance is a little bit of a stretch, as it takes about half of the book before the two leads realise that there’s an attraction between them. Meanwhile, Evelyn is on a constant spiral to get her mother out of her doldrums while still having no clue as to what’g going on with her absent father. I’m not sure why this was set in the late Victorian as that seemed to have very little to do with the story, especially as some of the characters seem very or even too modern. However, taking it at face value as a Victorian romcom, it might just about pass muster, and so I’m happy to recommend it.

Evelyn Seaton and her mother Lady Cecilia Seaton have a change of circumstances resulting in them having to live with Evelyn’s Great Aunt Clara.
Set in the late 1800’s in York, Yorkshire.

I enjoyed reading this book, historical and with a bookshop too.
A mix of characters, some likeable some not so much so, but it comes together nicely.
An enjoyable book from start to finish.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.