Evelyn Seaton is the daughter of John, a baron and Cecilia, who married far above her station. They live in Riccall Hall in a small village in Yorkshire. But Baron Seaton abandoned his family for a life in London and his wife and daughter have had to cope with a minimum of servants and little money.
When carriages arrive at the hall Evelyn is distraught to find that they contain London policemen come to seize all of their belongings to pay off her father's debts. She and her mother must leave their home with only some clothes.
They go to their only relative, her mother's Aunt Clara, in York. Evelyn soon realised that the society ladies her mother thinks are friends are gossiping and laughing at them behind their backs. But she must hide the shame from her mother who worked so hard to be accepted as a lady.
This is a love story in many forms but is also about the need for truth and trust in any relationship.
I'm looking forward to the next story from Sophie Austin.

I really struggled to read this book. Although it is apparently set in the Victorian era, most of the characters are straight from the 21st century, so the whole book seems totally unbelievable. I didn't warm to the main characters at all. Not my type of book, sadly.

I loved reading this lovely story that made a very welcome change from my usual reading matter of murder mysteries.
Set in the beautiful city of York where Evelyn Seaton and her mother end up staying after her fathers gambling debts lead to their eviction from their manor house.
Evelyn's mother still wants to continue as before but a lack of money leads Evelyn unknown to her mother to seek work at the Lamplighters bookshop where she meets William Morton a relative of the bookshop's owner. Many twists in the story line before we reach a happy ending.
An excellent well written story with great characterisations that I can certainly recommend.

I would like to say thank you to Sophie Austin, Harper Collins UK, Harper Collins Fiction, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of the official release. What follows are my own personal views on the book.

The Lamplighter’s Bookshop takes us back in time to 1899. It’s not long into the story when we meet the confident, bold Evelyn Seaton who in the physical absence of her father, and the mental absence of her mother, asserts herself as ‘man of the house’. Unfortunately, this self-appointed position is short-lived when the family realizes that the family assets are required to pay off gambling debts. Forced to move in with Aunt Clara, Evelyn takes a job at a local bookstore to assert some independence.

From the blurb and the previous reviews I had read, I was looking forward to a bit of a romantasy novel, set in historical times. However, I note that the book is marketed as a historical romance. Despite this, I was still on the lookout for magic and mystery and was subsequently disappointed when the book fell far short of this. I cannot blame the author entirely for my setting unrealistic expectations.

I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the way all the elements in the story appeared to interact, however, the story went over my head and reminded me of my experience of reading A Portrait of a Lady. Whilst the writing was good, the plot was not captivating, and I reached the end of the novel only to realize that I had failed to really engage with the book.

If I was to sum this book up from my limited knowledge due to my continued disengagement, it would be Dickens meets Bridgerton meets Sense and Sensibility. There is something about snaring a husband coupled with the impoverished state of affairs despite being a fairly well regarded family that has fallen on hard times.

This book is suited to lovers of a historical setting and a love of the classics. Readers will be an audience that likes to invest in characters and their relationships and are less phased by the plot (or lack of). Personally, I prefer more of a balance. Consequently, this book only receives a 3 out of 5 stars from me as it is slow, takes too long to find its stride, and is fairly unmemorable. On the plus side, it has well developed characters, fabulous descriptions of the environment, and an easy-to-read writing style. Plus, it’s about life within a bookshop and has parallels to some classic texts.

I was drawn in by the compassion to the lost bookshop, if I’m being honest I had to forget that as they are very different however taking the book on its own merit I enjoyed it, It’s not my usual type of book but it held my attention without being to taxing

Set in 1899, Evelyn Seaton and her mother are evicted from their family home after her father has gambled away their home and fortune.
With nowhere else to go, they find themselves in York on the doorstep of Aunt Clara, hoping she’ll take them in.
At the same time, William Morton is returning to York after successfully finding a publisher for his book.
When Evelyn and William both try and hail the same carriage one evening, they meet for the first time.
They then find themselves working in the same book shop and their love hate relationship begins!
With some loveable characters and a few rogues too, the storyline was familiar and the ending predictable. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was asked to review by NetGalley - I loved this well researched and well written story.

Evelyn is from a well to do background but needs to find herself and her Aunt takes her in as she takes a positon in York at the Lamplighters bookshop. She takes up an assistant post there. She meets the writer William Morton whom they both have secrets. Evelyn has to turn to him, when her secrets come to the surface.

A powerful story of love in unexpected places, society and complex characters.

Set at the end of 1800s and into a new century of Victorian England.

Due for publication 1st March 2025.

An authentic and compelling story of lies and deceit, intermingled with optimism and romance. This book is an emotional rollercoaster, vividly written, and hard to put down.

Historical fiction isn’t usually a first choice for me but I really did enjoy this read, it was a perfect mix of historical fiction and romance, with a bit of humour thrown in. The story was interesting, and I really liked most of the characters. The bookshop setting was also a plus!

The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a quick and pleasant read, but not what I was expecting. The story is well written, the main characters are well developed, if not particularly likeable and the scene setting is well done. I was a bit disappointed that not more was made of the "magical" qualities of the bookshop which was so well described, I could picture myself there.
I received a copy of the novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review..

Loved the way Sophie has written the book so as the reader feels as though they are back in Victorian times in York...

The characters seem very relatable for the time, Evelyn struggling to find her place in society but finding a job which she loves (obviously this would have caused quite a scandal back then!) William also struggling to find his way all because of his want to impress his uncle.

Will be highly recommending this and can't wait for more from Sophie. A big thanks to the publishers for inviting me to read this and NetGalley for allowing me to be able to access so many amazing books.

I requested this book mostly because of the bookshop theme and beautiful cover, but sadly, I didn't like the writing style. I found it to be very flat, and I didn't quite gel with the main character, Evelyn - she seemed very spoiled and unlikeable.

I will say the author describes York well and I loved the setting but the book itself isn't for me.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I had an okay time with this, the plot was pretty convoluted and I certainly felt like it would have been fun to spend more time in the title bookshop, but there were a few fun moments and some charm to the central couple. Unfortunately all of the characters behaved pretty badly, and there were arguably too many of them, so the final swathe of apologies felt rather endless. I don't think this is a total disaster, and I was keen to reach the conclusion, but could have benefitted from tighter editing certainly.

What a beautiful story it is!

The story itself is mesmerizing and absolutely engaging, so I was hooked from the very first page.
Later on, with every chapter, I had a chance to discover a capitiving story with great characters and full of hope that it is never to late to fulfill your wildest dreams.

Historical romance novels are not something I usually read but I thoroughly enjoyed this one maybe because it was written in such a contemporary style
It follows the life of Evelyn the daughter of rich parents who want for nothing in the countryside of York, until the bailiffs arrive and take everything apart from the clothes they are wearing. They are left penniless and are reliant on one aunt Clara in York to take in Evelyn and her mother
The aunt is none too happy and lives a very meagre life so Evelyn decides as her father is now in debtors jail for the foreseeable and the great ladies of York don’t want to know them she needs to get a job
She sees a sign in the bookshop window asking for help and so enquires
It takes all her will and ingenuity to get the job but she does and she is thrilled at last she will have money to save to help get her mother and her new lodging
I enjoyed every page of this book

I don't normally read historical fiction but I loved this debut story. It's set in Victorian times in York and the main character Evelyn Seaton along with her mother have been forced to leave their wonderful home, as her father has gambled away their money.

They move in with Aunt Clara in York and it's not what they are used to and feel in the way there.

Evelyn decides to take things into her own hands and secures a job in the local bookstore, but her mother thinks she's volunteering as it's not fit for a lady to work

It's there where she meets William, the owner's nephew and they both carry secrets which eventually come tumbling down.

Really felt like I was back in Victorian York at times and I'm sure that comes from the research by the author. Found it a really enjoyable and quick read

A debut historical novel, set in Victorian England.

The authors research of this era, with authentic descriptions of York, makes the reader feel as though they are in the narrative, getting acquainted with the characters, their hidden secrets and consequences & of course, the wonderful old bookshop.

Although it is described as romantic historical fiction, there are several story lines running through it, romance is just one of them.

Sophie Austin has created a novel that has
good character development & pace. I look forward to her next publication.

Thankyou to Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every book tells a story. Every heart hides a secret.

Sophie Austin weaves a captivating tale of secrets, self-discovery, and second chances in The Lamplighter’s Bookshop. Set in Victorian England, this beguiling novel transitions seamlessly into the dawn of the 20th century, offering a richly atmospheric backdrop to a heartfelt story.

Once a privileged daughter of an aristocratic family, Evelyn Seaton finds herself at a crossroads. Estranged from her past and searching for purpose, she seeks refuge with her Aunt Clara in York. It is there that Evelyn answers an advertisement for an assistant at the shadowy and mysterious Lamplighter’s Bookshop. Little does she know that this seemingly forgotten store, with its aisles thick with dust and secrets, will become the setting for her transformative journey.

The bookshop introduces Evelyn to William Morton, a reserved yet sharp-witted aspiring writer whose prickly demeanour masks his hidden struggles. As their paths intertwine, the barriers each has constructed around their hearts begin to weaken. When Evelyn’s carefully guarded truths are exposed, she finds unexpected solace and support in William. Together, they navigate their shared vulnerabilities, inching closer to finding the courage to embrace a brighter chapter of their lives.

Austin excels in creating vivid, evocative descriptions of a bygone era, immersing the reader in a world on the cusp of change. The characterisation is nuanced, with Evelyn and William serving as compelling leads whose personal growth and chemistry anchor the narrative. The Lamplighter’s Bookshop itself becomes a character, symbolising both the weight of history and the potential for renewal.

Fans of The Lost Bookshop and The Lost Apothecary will find much to love in this novel’s blend of mystery, romance, and historical charm. The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is a beautifully told story about finding oneself amidst the ruins of the past and learning to trust in the promise of the future. A must-read for lovers of historical fiction and character-driven narratives.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

A lovely story, well told .It totally draws you in and unfolds beautifully making you aware of the characters in a romance , so lifelike and heartwarming it makes you glow..just perfect

A wonderfully written story. A man and woman in a forgotten bookstore in the 18th century. It also tells of their bonding friendship.