A beautiful and gentle storyset in the 1890’ies.
Evelyn is the daughter of a baron, who has lost his money in London. He has not seen her in 2 years when the debt collectors come to his rural country estate and evict his wife and daughter Evelyn. They are forced to go to an aunt in York, who reluctantly takes them in. Evelyn finds herself a job in a bookshop which her mother does not know about as she believes it is unbecoming for a lady to work. Will her mother find out?
A well written love story with beautiful descriptions of York.

This is a well-written and thoughtfully composed story. The reader is immediately drawn into the lives of the impoverished Baroness and her daughter. The animated characters bring this tale of life in the late nineteenth and very early twentieth centuries to life. The build-up to the ending was skillfully and believably written. This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time.

I really enjoyed this book. Set in the last years of the 1800s, Evelyn Seaton and her mother find themselves fallen on hard times after her father has gambled away their fortune. They go to her mother's aunt in York and she agrees to take them in. Evelyn stumbles across a neglected old bookshop near the Fosse bridge and, keeping it secret from her mother, starts to work there. The owner's nephew, William, also works there, and the two can't deny their attraction to each other. However, William is keeping secrets of his own after returning from London to try to secure a publisher for his book. This is a lovely, ultimately heart warming story, which I enjoyed more as I was staying in York when I read it.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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I enjoyed this book immensely. Anything set in a bookshop is a yes for me! Evelyn finds herself a job in a bookshop after her father has gambled away all the family money. She meets William, the owners nephew, who wants his old job back and there is a lot of verbal sparring! Great characters and a good story.

Set in 1899 Evelyn Seaton is the daughter of a baron who has been missing for two years when the police appear to seize his assets. Fleeing with her mother to an elderly aunt in York, they feel the disgrace keenly. Evelyn rallies and soon finds work in a dusty old bookshop. When the owner's nephew turns up and claims his job back, a competition for the post ensues and of course, sparks fly. I don't often like historical novels especially the reminder of how women were treated but to see a strong stubborn woman like Evelyn was a treat. A lovely read. #netgalley #thelamplightersbookshop

This is a pleasant read - Evelyn Seaton's father has gambled away all their money and the bailiffs turn up at their home to take everything. Evelyn and her mother travel to York to stay with her mother's aunt. Her mother, originally from humble beginnings, hopes York society will receive her daughter and she will make a good match, at least until her husband regains their fortune and re-appears in their lives. Evelyn is less sanguine and more practical, and after being snubbed and humiliated by the woman who leads York society, she finds herself a job in a book shop. However, the owner's nephew has just returned from London, having tried to make his name as an author, and also wants his old job back. So Evelyn and William are set in competition.

The result is an interesting book, full of the prejudice and social mores of the day, but it is also a love story. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the romance between Evelyn and Will and loved the bookshop! An easy and comforting read.

Following Evelyn and her mother as their house and belongings are repossessed this book started strong and throws you straight into the drama. I loved the historical elements of this story and seeing a woman who went out and wanted to work to be independent.

There was a great cast of likeable and unlikeable characters throughout and I particularly liked Evelyn's aunt. I felt that there were a lot of plot points to follow in this book and some of them I didn't care for or felt they detracted from the main storyline.

I enjoyed the romance between Evelyn and William and could see how William's character was being used to juxtapose other characters in the narrative.

Overall a very enjoyable read, I think this reads more as historical fiction with a romance subplot than historical romance but that didn't detract from my enjoyment.

The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is a debut historical fiction / romance novel set in York in 1899. Lady Evelyn Seaton and her mother have been forced to leave their magnificent stately home and move in with Aunt Clara due to Evelyn’s father’s gambling debts. Evelyn needs to find a job and she secretly answers an advertisement for an assistant at Morton’s Emporium (The Lamplighter’s Bookshop) where she comes in direct competition with William, the owners nephew and aspiring writer who has lied about securing a publishing deal in London.

This is an easy read, well researched novel with a cast of characters to love and hate. I was waiting for the magical element of the bookshop to develop after the early implication but it seemed to have been cast aside and the book became a predictable romance. I think it could easily be improved with a better edit but I think the author shows promise and I will certainly read any future books.

3.5 stars rounded up.

What a gorgeous atmospheric read. The author has captured the streets of York perfectly. Such a wonderful story of hardship and love that had me captivated from the very beginning. I would love to see a sequel.

A beautifully written story, set in York, which is a gorgeous historical place, so made it visually wonderful.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautifully descriptive story about love , betrayal & Family or those whom we chose as family. For the most part it is set in York this amazing rich city of which I am quite familiar with so that also added to my enjoyment while I read the Book & which I will be recommending to both family members & friends too. #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #Fb, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, # <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>,#<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>.

As someone who doesn't normally get swept away by historical fiction (I'm more likely to be found roaming the realms of fantasy and magic), I approached The Lamplighter’s Bookshop with a healthy dose of skepticism. Historical romance? Meh. Not my usual cup of tea. But oh, this book. Sophie Austin has managed to create a story that is not only heartwarming and beautifully written, but also one that made me forget all about my usual literary preferences and fall head over heels for this sweet and mysterious tale.
Let’s talk about the characters first—because, honestly, they’re the soul of this book. Evelyn Seaton, a woman with her own secrets and layers, is a protagonist who feels so real that you’d swear she was someone you once knew. She’s a bit prickly, a bit guarded, but you can’t help but root for her as she stumbles her way through a life full of unresolved hurt and unspoken dreams. When she answers the ad for an assistant at the forgotten bookshop in York, she doesn’t just walk into a new job—she steps into an emotional labyrinth that will change her forever.
Enter William Morton—sigh—the enigmatic and deliciously complicated man with a past as tangled as his charmingly disheveled hair. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first (again, not a huge historical romance fan here), but William’s complexity and his prickly charm got under my skin. He’s got a tough exterior, but you know there’s more than meets the eye. There’s something about his quiet intensity that just draws you in. Together, Evelyn and William have this push-and-pull dynamic that makes you want to watch them squirm their way into each other's hearts (and by the end, trust me, you’ll be rooting for them with everything you’ve got).
The setting—York—is perfect. It’s like a character of its own, with its narrow streets, cobbled lanes, and the mystical, almost magical aura of an old bookshop that has seen things. Austin’s descriptions of the bookshop itself are so vivid that I could practically smell the dusty pages and feel the warmth of the lamplights flickering in the dim corners. It’s a beautiful, cozy backdrop for the emotional unraveling of both characters. And let me tell you—when the bookshop becomes the heart of their story, it’s pure magic.
The romance in this book is slow-burn, like the kind of story you read while sitting in front of a crackling fire, hot cocoa in hand, and a cozy blanket wrapped around you. It’s not rushed, and that’s what makes it so delightful. Both Evelyn and William have walls to break down, and as their layers slowly unravel, you can’t help but fall in love with them both. Their journey together is full of moments of vulnerability, trust, and ultimately, the courage to write the next chapter of their lives. It’s a beautiful reminder that healing, and love, often require a little bit of time and a whole lot of courage.
And here’s the kicker—I’m not a huge fan of historical romance, but Sophie Austin has completely changed my mind. The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a book that transcends the genre. It’s a masterclass in writing relatable, emotionally complex characters against a setting that feels like it’s as much a part of their story as they are. There are twists, but nothing feels contrived. The pacing is perfect, and the conclusion? It’ll leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your chest.
If you're looking for a book that’ll whisk you away into a world of secrets, heartache, and the kind of slow-burn romance that will make you swoon, The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is your ticket to an unforgettable story. And if you, like me, aren’t usually a historical fiction reader, I can’t recommend this enough. Sophie Austin has turned me into a fan—and I’m so glad she did.

I was looking forward to the book as I had a preconceived idea from the blurb. However the story itself turned out to be a historical romance with he implied magical bookshop element missing.
Despite that the book was a good read though not what I normally enjoy, definitely more for those who like the romance.

I loved this so much. As much as I enjoyed Bridgeton I wasn't sure this would be vibe however, I'm so glad I was wrong. As a historical romance, we follow Evelyn as she escapes the potential ruin of her family name and answers a newspaper ad to a bookshop.

The Lamplighter's Bookshop is such a lush story and I fell in love with the characters. It was really well written and I think this has the potential to be a really big hit!

The Lamplighter's Bookshop wasn't what I was expecting. I loved the concept but the book just didn't work for me and I struggled to finish it.

A truly sweet and comforting love story set in a bookshop (always a favourite) with wonderful characters and writing that absorbs the reader fully into the story of Evelyn and William.

I really enjoyed this book! 4.5 rounded off to 5

We follow Evelyn who, after her father has gambled away their fortune, applies for a position at a bookshop in order to earn a wage.

I loved the FMC. she was likeable and smart and William, her love interest and rival, was wonderfully intelligent. The characters were well developed and felt real. I was almost immediately thoroughly invested in all of them. Even the supporting characters like her best friend.

The plot was a little slow going but the pacing felt right for this story, and the prose was wonderful.

I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys Historical fiction with Romance and a strong, likable female lead.

Thank you to Harper Collins Uk and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel set in York. The details of the city were well researched and the characters interesting. It is a simple story but beautifully written and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I enjoyed the simplicity of the storyline. The main protagonists had well defined characters and you could transport yourself back to the time period and see it all unfold around you. The detail was there but not to the extent that it detracted from the storyline itself. A lot was happening but done well. There was the change in status and living situation, finding out who your friends really are, forging a new life in work as well as growing as a person. In tandem to this was a budding romance and the renewal of the Lamplighter’s Bookshop. All of these moved side by side to a positive end. A lovely cosy, easy read.