Set in the late 19th century, this is the story of Evelyn Seaton, whose wealthy family loses everything and they move in with her grumpy great aunt in York. Forbidden from working due to her previous position in society, Evelyn none the less starts to work in a bookshop where she meets the owners nephew, William Morton, am author recently arrived from London. They find each other infuriating but working together brings them closer.

Some of Evelyn's previous contacts in society would love to see her fall further and she is blackmailed into various actions she will regret taking. Meanwhile, William keeps up the pretence that he's a successful author whilst keeping his own secrets.

This is a lovely cosy story, very atmospheric and I would love a sequel to see what happens next to these characters!

This was a fabulous read, it caught me attention straight away and I got really immersed in the story. Vivid and well researched it really gave me an insight to life in those days before electricity, cars and gas central heating. I loved the mystery in it and wanted to find out why Lizzie died twice. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This book didn’t know what it wanted to be, all the characters were awful and it was way longer than needed.
Harper Collins is a huge publishing house, you’re telling me they could not splurge for a developmental editor? I mean did they waste all their money on this lovely cover and then say ‘romance readers don’t care about plot anyway’.
This was disappointing. I took a big long break from debut novels because of books like this. This author seemed to have all the ideas but no solid grasp of the historical romance genre and its conventions and no understanding on how to story plan and properly pace a novel.

I’m going to just list what was wrong with this, I don’t have the time or energy to go into detail.


>Every single person in this book is awful. They all lied and were nasty hypocrites. If this were a historical fiction or soap opera, I could have forgiven it, but this is posted as a historical romance and there were no redeeming qualities to the main characters. Am I supposed to root for them?

>The abuse of similes to describe mundane things was a crime. (You can always tell when an author is trying too hard and not edited properly when they use many, many ridiculous similes)

>The first two chapters of this had promise but then it fell apart. There were too many plot threads and the centre storyline of the bookshop was lost and never recovered.

>I cannot emphasize enough how much this book needed edited. I don’t mean proofread, the spelling and grammar were exceptional, but this needed a strict editor who could refocus the story and remove all the fat.

>The language was trying to be rich and poetic but descended into self-indulgent and prose-heavy. I think this author could have promise but I return to the need for editing and not being afraid to remove all the superfluous descriptions. We get descriptive sentences of characters all the way into the last chapters. Characters who have been part of the story from the beginning.

> This had no romance or relationship building to speak of. I had to check with my buddy reader ( 🫶 to Dab) to make sure this was actually listed as a romance. There was nothing romantic about it. They were barely together and none of their rivalry was explored. This likely was because of all the other characters and plot threads, there was not enough focus on them. Evelyn was constantly dealing with her family drama, her drama with Nathaniel, her fight with Lady Violet and her money troubles. She was hardly with William. The main conventions of a book listed as a romance is that the relationship between the two main characters is the FOCUS of the plot. Otherwise it’s just a secondary plot line and we need to list this as historical fiction. Perhaps it’s meant to be listed that way but on goodreads and NetGalley and in the blurb it’s marketed as romance.

>Lastly, the hero in this was an absolute dud. He was lazy, soft, immature, stupid, deceitful and sweaty all the time. He had no courage and a weak character. Again, had this not been romance, it would have been fine, but in romance we need a hero who we can root for, who we want the heroine to end up with. Honestly,I thought Evelyn would have been better off without him. I could only see misery for her for the rest of her life.

My favorite thing about this book is its gorgeous cover.

It was supposed to be a historical fiction/general fiction/romance and ya, it’s three books in a trench coat. There was no need to squeeze so many ideas that didn’t work together into one book. There was way too much going on, and the amount of plot holes and completely absurd plot twists made this book a chore to read.

The romance itself was too convoluted and frankly not very enjoyable. Was it a love triangle? A love-hate quadruple? What was that? I have a feeling that the author is not familiar enough with the genre to write it. The hero was the most toxic, lying, gaslighting jerk I’ve read in a long time. The heroine was also a liar though, so maybe they were a match? Everyone lied to everyone in this book and it was exhausting.

The writing didn’t work for me either, it tried too hard to be fancy and it was mostly cringe. All the tears like pearls in the slanting sunshine and kisses soft as a summer’s breeze 🥴

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Posted on Goodreads on Nov 17.

"The Lamplighter’s Bookshop" invites readers into a late 19th-century world filled with love, mystery, and the transformative power of books. Set in the enchanting city of York, the novel follows Evelyn Seaton, a young woman who finds refuge in a forgotten bookshop. There, she meets William Morton, an aspiring writer with secrets of his own. As Evelyn's defenses crumble, she turns to William for support, setting the stage for a profound exploration of self-discovery and the healing power of human connection.

The ambiance of the novel is immersive and captivating, with Austin's vivid descriptions bringing the cobbled streets of York and the cozy bookshop to life. Readers can almost feel the dust motes dancing in the sunlight filtering through the shop's windows, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing. The emotional landscape is equally profound; Evelyn's struggles resonate deeply, creating a poignant connection with readers as she grapples with her past and searches for identity.

Sophie Austin expertly portrays the paradoxes of the late Victorian era, balancing its rigid social structures with the gradual relaxation of etiquette norms. Characters struggle to reconcile their dreams and desires with the expectations imposed by society, highlighting the tensions between personal fulfillment and societal conformity. This adds depth to the narrative and invites readers to consider the complexities of life during this period.

Character development is a standout feature in this novel. Evelyn is portrayed with depth and complexity, making her relatable as she confronts her dreams and fears. Supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each harboring their own secrets that contribute to the overall narrative arc. The intricate web of unspoken truths among characters adds layers to their relationships and enhances the story’s intrigue.

Historical detail is seamlessly woven into the plot, lending authenticity and depth to the story.

Sophie Austin crafts a narrative that resonates on multiple levels—personal, historical, and emotional—making it a compelling read for anyone who appreciates literature's ability to illuminate life’s complexities.

Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at the Lamplighter’s Bookshop when her family’s fortune has been lost due to her father’s gambling. Her job is her secret and brings her into contact with William Morton, an aspiring novelist with secrets of his own. They are put into competition against each other to bring the bookshop to life again and in the process learn to have regard for each other.

As their secrets are blown away they are forced to admit their feelings for each other.

A gentle romantic historical novel. An enjoyable read.

The Lamplighters Bookshop by Sophie Austin

4*

A wonderfully sweet clean historical romance, that opens up tough topics of being disappointed and let down by those we are related to, being shunned by society. Set in late 1890s early 1900s.

Themes of finding ones true self in times of despair, realising that the grass isn't always greener. Women doing it for themselves, not relying on men as was the culture of the time.

I really enjoyed this story. I found myself invested in Evelyn and her character growth and maturity with how she deals with her peers. The Lamplighters Bookshop is not only the name of the book but the actual bookshop, the origin is very touching and you grow to love the sentiment behind it.

I highly recommend this book with its attention to historic detail, you can clearly see that Sophie has taken time and care to research the era. The book was well written with good character growth all round.

This book is so beautifully written I was completely lost in the pages..

Set in Victorian England, Evelyn Seaton, secretly takes a job at a forgotten bookshop, Her family's wealth has been lost and Evelyn needs her independence.

She soon meets William Morton, who is from a middle class family and he has aspirations to be a writer—he also has secrets of his own.

I just adored the romance of this tale.. The story unfolds slowly and I watched Evelyn grow and discover who she really is.. Its an absolutel delight..

What’s not to love! 19th century York, bookshops and brilliant characters! The author had me totally Immersed in the setting of this book, I loved the characters and their story and it was a wonderful plot!
Highly recommend this to fans of The Lost Bookshop & The Story Collector!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC

A beautiful story about a young woman becoming a bookseller 19th century York, and the “lost bookshop” she finds work in and where she subsequently meets the love of her life

Oh my, I loved this book! It perfectly aligns with what I enjoy in historical fiction. The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a vibrant story set in the late 19th century, featuring Evelyn Seaton, a young lady from an aristocratic family that has lost its wealth. In her quest for independence, she secretly takes a job at a forgotten bookshop, which leads her to meet William Morton, a man from a middle class and an aspiring writer—who also happens to have his own secrets.

What I particularly liked about this novel is how well it is researched. Sophie Austin effectively portrays the realities of the late Victorian era, including its paradoxes. On one hand, we see that etiquette norms are slightly more relaxed, and situations like a man and woman being unchaperoned in a public place are no longer considered that scandalous. On the other hand, the frameworks of social behavior remain quite strict, and the predefined definitions of success continue to hinder true self-expression. The author skillfully illustrates how all the characters struggle to reconcile their dreams and desires with the expectations imposed on them by society and themselves.

Of course, there’s a romance plot. It unfolds slowly but realistically within the constraints of the late 19th century. Evelyn and William are endearing characters whose relationship feels authentic and nuanced. However, it’s worth noting that although marketed as a historical romance, this book leans more toward historical fiction. Readers anticipating a central love story may find themselves somewhat disappointed, as the romantic element is just one of many dilemmas the characters navigate—important, but certainly not the only focus.

The writing is vivid and immersive, showcasing the author’s extensive knowledge of the period. You can almost feel the late summer-autumn atmosphere of York, captured with a genuine authenticity that transports you to that time and place.

Overall, this is a commendable debut that will appeal to those seeking quality Victorian historical fiction. I highly recommend it to fans of Elizabeth Macneal, as it shares a similar attention to historical detail, a gripping plot, and well-developed characters. I can’t wait to see what this author does next!