I enjoyed this book, very much reminded me of The Lost Bookshop. Very easy to read and the stories of the 3 main characters were interesting, people will be able to relate to them. A little bit of magic and the power of reading. This book would be a good one to sit on a beach or curled up on a cold wintery day, escape into the magical world of the Midnight Bookshop!

What a cover! I loved this cover and the idea of the novel. However, I really struggled to connect with any of the characters. And i eventually started to skim through. It took too long to get to the point and I just didn't ever get invested.

Absolutely loved it I had such a good time reading it! I’m typically a slow reader and ate this one up. Will def be picking up more books by this author!

I didn’t choose “The Midnight Bookshop” it chose me! A wonderfully magical story mixed with harsh reality. Three strangers bond over their love of books when they enter the beautiful and aptly names Midnight Bookshop. From there lifelong friendships are carved as they share their own stories with one another. Each has a difficult background one which they wish to escape. Their books choose them and inside each individual book, they learn more about themselves and gain hope for the future and renewed confidence that they can change things for the better. The magic inside the shop and the books they read is transferred into the “Midnight Bookshop” novel and I was transported, thoroughly invested in the characters hopes and dreams. I laughed, cried, was shocked & thrilled the book was more than I expected not just a magical tale but one that illustrated what it is to be human.

This felt like a blend of the Disney show Light shop and the book Water Moon, both of which are high on my i loved it list. This was really well written, and flowed like water in my brain. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be grabbing a physical copy for my shelves when it comes out.

4 Stars – A Gentle, Uplifting Tribute to the Power of Stories

The Midnight Bookshop is a warm and quietly magical tale about healing, hope, and the transformative power of books. Jo, Kye, and Adelaide—three strangers each carrying heavy emotional burdens—are drawn to a mysterious bookshop that seems to appear just when they need it most.

With a touch of whimsy and a lot of heart, this novel explores how stories can guide, comfort, and empower us. Fay, the bookshop’s enigmatic owner, becomes a catalyst for change in each of their lives, helping them reclaim their voices and rewrite their futures.

Though some dialogue feels a bit flat and the ending ties up a little too neatly, the emotional resonance and message shine through. A comforting, heartfelt read perfect for anyone who’s ever found solace between the pages of a book.

The Midnight Bookshop is one of those books that feels like a hug in novel form. Amanda James has created a story that’s both charming and quietly powerful—a love letter to second chances, unexpected friendships, and the magic of books.

The setting is an absolute dream. I mean, who wouldn’t want to stumble upon a mysterious little bookshop that only opens at midnight? It has that cozy, slightly magical feel without ever going over the top.

This book was not for me. It felt very YA and at first I was okay with that and enjoying the story, but as it went on the writing was a bit too simplistic and the characters never really developed and it didn't work for me. The characters all felt very young, younger than they were, and if I were younger or more interested in YA I might have enjoyed it more (it does say it is for adults, but the characters and writing style really comes off otherwise. Felt more like teaching/showing kids good examples of things if that makes sense.). Some of the resolutions to the storylines were a bit too neat and tidy and nice when in real life they would be much messier. It...I know there is a "magical" element, but it really didn't work for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Perfect for fans of The Midnight Library (me, duh) and The Lost Bookshop (also me). This novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes, the stories we read can help us rewrite our own. So, if you’re in the mood for a cozy, uplifting read that celebrates the magic of books and the resilience of the human spirit, The Midnight Bookshop might just be the perfect addition to your reading list

Three strangers with very different lives all come across a flyer for a bookshop in town. Jo, Adelaide, and Kye meet at the store, and what they find therein will change their lives forever. Each character has a unique problem that they’re going through, and the books that choose them are specifically curated to help them heal.

The imagery in this story was beautiful – the descriptions of the bookstore’s interior made me jealous that I couldn’t go myself. The characters were well-written, and the reader could really feel for their plights. I loved the way they interacted with each other and supported one another.

This book is a celebration of the healing power of reading and the ability they have to bring people together. A story for booklovers everywhere that will pull on your heartstrings and leave you rooting for more!

I loved this. A magical bookshop where reading magic happens at midnight.

Jo loves reading. Immersing herself in books to escape feeling unloved by her parents.

Adelaide is in a toxic marriage and controlled by her husband, she rarely has time to indulge in the wonders of reading.

Kye is looking after his sick mother and is struggling to escape the control of his older brother and his dead-end life and find away to continue his education.

Jo, Adelaide and Kye find a flyer advertising the midnight bookshop.

I loved the way Jo, Kye and Adelaide accidentally meet each other and find themselves searching for the midnight bookshop.

In the bookshop Fay Revil welcomes them to a silent book club. One of the things I liked best about The Midnight Bookshop was that Fay believed that “…you don’t choose the books, the books choose you” this is how I have always felty about how I have found my reading choices.

The magical description of the bookshop makes this a special reading pleasure. Lots of mentions of books and authors. Magic happens in the bookshop and in the lives of Jo, Adelaide and Kye. This was about friendships, families and reading magic.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher One More Chapter a division of HarperCollins Publishers for a chance to review this E-book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

This book was not for me. Writing was choppy, didn’t seem put together very well. Characters were one-dimensional and didn’t feel like they would be friends, let alone start a book club.

Such a lovely book that tugged at my heartstrings and let me enter the lives of people who felt real and complex in all the best ways. I knew this would be a book about books with the title we were presented with, but the stories woven within were both hard hitting and relatable for many.

Jo is a girl who has just reached her 21st birthday and though she does not have a plan for her future, she does not want it to be dictated by her parents who shower her with gifts, but rarely show much affection or love. Her parents seem to focus on status and the way things look to outsiders, where Jo wants to be seen and loved as just herself before she can really start to find her footing in the world, so she rebels and acts out to try and be seen.

Kye finds himself beholden to his older brother and mother who rely on him to, in a way, cater to what they want him to do. His mother suffers from fibromyalgia and has become addicted to pain medication and other illicit substances and Kye wants better for her and tries to offer alternatives which could help her ween off the medication and become healthier. His other brother seems to be a dealer of illicit substances and expects Kye to make deliveries or pick-ups, but Kye does not want that life and seems to have a dream of going to college and making more of himself.

Finally, we have Adelaide who finds herself in a loveless marriage of abuse, both mentally and physically. Her husband controls her in a lot of ways, and she is terrified of him and has ow confidence in herself. He wants her to stay home or be at work. He has cut her off from past friends and wants her to keep herself frumpy, so her confidence stays low and broken. However, when she finds friends with Jo and Kye, she starts to find her own voice and makes an exit plan for how she wants her future to go.

Such a good book with a little magic along the way.

The Midnight Bookshop is a charming, mysterious escape filled with heart and a touch of magic. The setting is cozy and enchanting, and the story blends intrigue with emotional depth. Some plot points felt a bit rushed, but overall, it’s a comforting and captivating read that stays with you.

This was a nice book, with a pleasant theme and characters. I generally really enjoy fantasy novels but this didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Unfortunately it lacked enough conflict and everything fell into place far too easily with too little contest. The characters were a bit two dimensional and too good to be true.

Fay, the bookshop owner was a bit like ‘Nanny McPhee’ - when you need me and do not want me I’ll be here and when you want me but do not need me I’ll disappear.

I also found the general themes a little preachy and patronising. Everyone has flaws and quirks and these characters would have benefited from a little more balance.

ARC from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and publisher.
Publish Date: May 16, 2025

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Initial thoughts:
Would love to see this as a series from the Fay and bookshop angle.

Plot: Jo, Adelaide and Kye meet while all are investigating a mysterious bookshop. They become fast friends when they start a small book club, after finding the amazing shop and it's owner, Fay. As they read their books, they see similarities to their lives and, with help from Fay and the shop, begin to make changes.

Praise:
- Story line
- Use of Fybromyalgia as an illness helps spread education
- Writing style/flow
- Imagery (especially of the bookshop itself)
- Able to connect with characters (Adelaide and Fay were especially great characters.)
- Hopeful
- Difficult subjects

Critiques:
- Slightly demeaning to those with lower education, perhaps even a focus on peoples' looks (ie: "Cathy's the child and she's the mum, that her education and understanding of the world enables her to see beyond the next hour...") This was Jo speaking about her mother.
- Slightly idealistic view of treatments for fybromyalgia, each person is different
- Wording errors (ie tails instead of trails, etc...)

Fav Quote:
"A book is nothing without a good edit, and neither is a life."

Would I recommend it to a friend?
I would. I found this an enjoyable read.

Such a charming book. All three main characters were likable and relatable. A magical midnight bookshop is something we could all hope for. This is magical realism with everyday heroes and a sweet romantic aspect. Happy endings are what I need right now.

I hate to give this book such a low rating because I feel like it didn't have a fair shot due to the way its being marketed. the cover is stunning, the description is vague, and the story is being compared to certain books that set expectations for something it's simply not. unfortunately, I was not the audience for this book. I think readers of carolyn brown or fern michaels may appreciate this more.

this seemed like it would be a story for book lovers, but the mentions of popular novels just felt like a shot in the dark to connect with those fan bases. it would have been nice if this book focused more on the stories of the characters since that is what the story was supposed to be about.

the characters themselves were not particularly interesting or compelling. I couldn't connect with any of them, and the pacing also probably had a lot to do with it. this story felt rushed and disorganized. perhaps focusing on one main character that just so happened to briefly come across other side characters could have gave more time to thoroughly build the main character. I personally felt like I was constantly being pulled out of the story.

even though I gave this a one star rating, I'm not necessarily saying it is a bad book. I hope it can find its audience and I'm disappointed that it isn't me.

thank you, net galley, for allowing me to read an arc of the midnight bookshop by amanda james in exchange for my honest review.

A must read for book lovers. Very atmospheric and easy read. I look forward to reading more from this author

This book felt like a cozy hug. The magical bookshop, the midnight book club, and the unlikely friendships made it such a comforting read. I loved how each character found healing through stories.

A bit slow in parts, but full of heart and perfect for anyone who believes in the power of books.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC