Unfortunately I DNF’d this at around 30%. I was really drawn in by the cover and the premise; the idea of a magical bookshop that only appears at midnight to people who are invited. Disappointingly the execution just didn’t work for me.

The setup suggested like this exclusive, hidden bookshop you could only access when you'd been invited, but then the characters visit during the day and it was full of regular customers? It killed the magic of it for me and didn’t make much sense given how hard it had been for them to find it in the first place.

Mostly though, it was the dialogue that made me stop reading. It felt really stilted and awkward, and the characters didn’t feel real or layered. They just didn’t come alive for me, and their conversations didn’t flow naturally. It made it hard to connect or stay interested in where the story was going.

The concept was cool, but overall it just wasn’t for me.

The Midnight Bookshop by Amanda James had a lovely premise that immediately drew me in—set in a charming bookshop with a magical realism twist, it started off strong and full of promise. As someone who loves stories about books and a touch of magic, I was excited to dive in.

Unfortunately, around the halfway mark, the story began to lose me. The plot became increasingly far-fetched, and I found it hard to stay engaged. While magical realism often requires a suspension of disbelief, in this case it felt more disjointed than enchanting.

That said, I can see how this novel might really appeal to readers who enjoy whimsical, bookish tales full of heart and imagination. Even though it wasn’t the right fit for me, I’m sure it will find its audience among lovers of magical stories and bookstore settings.

Thank you to One More Chapter for the gifted ARC of this book.

Rating: 🤗/4
Review: I just wanted to hug this book! It’s a book about the love of books and all the joy and openness they bring those who read. Plus I loved the Chewbacca boot references one thousand percent. Always remember - you don’t choose the book, the book chooses you.
Format: 👩🏻‍💻
Source: #netgalley
Published on Goodreads 5/10/2025

The Midnight Bookshop is the kind of book that feels like a soft exhale. It’s not a high-stakes, plot-driven thriller, but rather a quiet, comforting story about three strangers—Jo, Adelaide, and Kye—who each stumble upon a mysterious bookshop and discover that their stories are far from over.

I really appreciated the emotional threads running through each character’s arc. These aren’t people at their best when we meet them—they’re hurting, lost, and stuck in situations that feel impossible. But through the midnight book club (and some very well-timed books), they begin to see themselves in a new light. It’s about friendship, hope, and the idea that your story isn’t set in stone. You can rewrite it. That’s a message I think a lot of readers will connect with, especially if they’ve ever turned to books during hard times.

There’s definitely a touch of magic here—not in the flashy fantasy sense, but in that quiet, whimsical way where a place seems to appear exactly when you need it, and books choose you rather than the other way around. The atmosphere is soft and soothing, and the bookshop itself feels like a character—one that exists just outside of time, waiting for the right people to find it.

If I had one critique, it would be that the ending felt a little too tidy. The conflicts wrap up very neatly, and while that fits the cozy, hopeful tone of the book, I personally would’ve liked just a bit more complexity in how things resolved. The dialogue, too, occasionally felt a little simplistic or on-the-nose—but never enough to pull me out of the story completely.

That said, this book doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It’s a love letter to reading, to connection, and to the quiet courage it takes to begin again. If you’re looking for a feel-good, bookish escape with a dash of magic, this is exactly the kind of story to curl up with.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

The Midnight Bookshop is a charming, feel-good read with a magical premise that will appeal to book lovers. The idea of a hidden bookshop that changes lives is lovely, and the three main characters—Jo, Adelaide, and Kye—each have touching personal journeys. The story gently explores how books can help us heal and rewrite our own stories, which is a message I really appreciated.

That said, the book didn’t quite hit the mark for me overall. The pacing was slow in places, and I found myself wanting more depth from the characters and the magical elements. It’s a cozy and comforting read, just not one that left a strong impression. A solid three stars for its heart and imagination.

Sadly this was a DNF for me. I was intrigued by the premise, but found it hard to battle through the difficulties of the main characters - that's not what I was really here for, and it was a bit too bleak in places. Apologies.

I absolutely loved reading The Midnight Bookshop! Following the journeys of Jo, Adelaide, and Kye was such a rewarding experience. I really appreciated how each character had their own chapters and storylines — their lives were all so different, yet somehow beautifully connected. It made their individual growth feel so personal and real.
The magical realism twist added such a special touch to the story. I was completely drawn in by the mystery of the Midnight Bookclub and how the bookshop became a place of healing, friendship, and second chances. Through the power of books and the connections they form, the characters are able to support one another in ways they never expected.
One of my favourite things about this book was the way it included quotes and references to other pieces of literature. It was like little gifts hidden throughout the story, and they often made me smile.
Overall, The Midnight Bookshop is a warm, uplifting read that reminds you of the magic that stories and friendships can bring into our lives. By the end, it left me feeling hopeful, happy, and grateful for the simple but powerful moments that can change everything.
Highly recommend if you're looking for something comforting, magical, and full of heart!

#TheMidnightBookshop #BookReview #5StarRead #BookLover #BookishLife #MagicalRealism #FoundFamily #BooksAndFriendship #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #FeelGoodRead #HeartwarmingReads #FictionLovers #BookCommunity

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC copy of The Midnight Bookshop due to be published 16th May.

**some spoilers**
The 3 very different strangers meet at a food bank in the community and strike up a conversation due to a leaflet they found all for The Midnight Bookshop. They agree to go together one night as there is just some magic pull to go. Their lives are changed for the better due to this!

I started off thinking Jo was an annoying entitled brat and her parents might not treat her that way if she made an effort! No job, shop lifting and just living off her parent’s money! But while reading it reveals she didn’t want any of that she just wanted the love of her parents.

Adelaide is in an abusive lonely marriage portrays she has a very happy marriage to work colleagues. Husband Mark had me so mad. She finally finds the courage to stand up for herself and create the life she deserves.

Kye is a young 18 year old who hasn’t had much of a childhood as since his father’s passing he is having to care for his mother who is crippled with pain and depression. Having to help support his family his older brother drags him into drug distribution to make ends meet, his brother is providing there mum with drugs to help relieve her pain which she is now dependent on. Kye wants a better life for himself and his mum.

This book took me a a chapter or two to get into but once I knew the back stories of the trio I was hooked. This story is very well written/paced. Such a lovely story of friendship and finding the life you deserve!

Trigger Warnings: Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse, Alcohol and Drug use.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

I don't like to give lower than 3 stars as a review and i see that a lot of people liked this book so I will go for 2.5 up to 3.

i didnt enjoy this book nearly as much as I expected. It's a great idea and I expected something more fantastical but apart from the bookshop appearing and disappearing and the long lived Fay, it is really just an essay on how we can learn things from reading. i would say it is more of a Young Adult book.

I would have liked to have found out more about Fay and her book of successes. Also, I would like to know why her Scottish accent "seemed at odds with her appearance", What exactly do people with Scottish accents look like?

I found the writing flat and curiously unmoving- for example, Mark strangles Adelaide to unconsciousness but I hardly blinked because it did not feel real. There is a lot of telling like an essay rather than showing.. I found the dialogue to be stilted and I'm afraid I was unable to sympathise with the main character Jo, a self absorbed, entitled, ungrateful brat who needs a good dose of reality more than an electric car!. I also felt that there was something twee and self consciously fey (as opposed to Fay) about the whole thing. When they started reading the Lord of the Rings, i found all the Lady G stuff to be a bit cringe and fanboy and started to skim to the end. The ending and epilogue are just too pat , like a fairytale but maybe that was the point.

I do not like the concept of a book choosing you and I did not like the spoilers for the books the group were reading. There are well known books such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest that I have not read or seen and I don't think I ever will but even so, I still don't want to know how these books end in case I ever do decide to read them.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC. I love reading books about books especially when you throw in some magical realism. The premise of this book was very captivating and could have gone in different directions to hold my attention better, but it didn’t. As always some will like this book more than others. It just fell a little short for me.

I had high hopes for this book because it sounded absolutely wonderful but I struggled with this. We’re introduced to three different characters with different backgrounds who come together at a Midnight Bookshop, and through their friendship and mutual love of books they’re able to face their struggles head on. But…

Despite being given three characters I felt little to no connection to any of them. In all honesty, this entire book read very….juvenile. We’re supposed to just accept what is happening to this people, both at home and at the Bookshop, and the ADULT characters themselves just jump right into it all. While their personal issues were of course nothing to turn my nose up to, their personalities were an entirely different problem. Adelaide came off as very childish, Kye felt stereotyped, and Jo was “mature but immature.”

Overall I think this could be a cute, cosy read for most people but this book wasn’t for me.

This is a love letter to the power of stories to heal the lives and hearts of the people who read them. As 3 strangers - soon to become an unlikely set of friends - discover when they stumble across actually magical book shop.

This one will be loved by a wide range of readers because it touches upon themes so dear to so many booklovers. It gets an easy 3.5 stars.

As a lifelong reader and book lover, I’m always drawn to stories that celebrate the magic of reading, so a novel about a mysterious bookshop with a touch of magical realism? Absolutely up my alley!

This is a charming story where three strangers find themselves drawn to a unique bookshop that only appears at midnight. Each of them is at a crossroads in life, and the books they’re drawn to don’t just entertain, they reflect something deep within, helping them uncover truths, face fears, and help them begin to heal.

I appreciated the central message: “you don’t choose the book, the book chooses you.” It rings so true for many of us who’ve stumbled upon a story just when we needed it most.

While this novel leans more into the cozy and gentle than I typically read, I found it enjoyable. This isn’t a heavy or particularly deep novel, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a story of second chances, and the transformations that happen when we see ourselves reflected on the page. Fans of books about books, magical realism, and character-driven narratives will find much to enjoy here.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC. All thoughts shared are my own.

This was a cosy, easy-going read - simple to follow, with a lot of whimsy. A little too twee for me, but a refreshing change of pace.
The multiple POVs worked for me, keeping things focused on the small cast of characters on their otherworldly journey rediscovering the magic of reading and imagination.

I unfortunately had to DNF this book at about 30% in. I wanted to like it so much, but its vibes were not really for me. I think this is a book my grandmother probably would have liked a lot!

I always love a bookshop setting, and James delivers a fantastic story with magical realism. I think you do need to suspend belief before starting this book, but if you can do that, it's such an enjoyable experience. Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an advanced copy.

What a wonderful place the Midnight Bookshop is - how I want to visit and see that magical place, meet and chat with Fay and sit around that oval table drinking hot chocolate and eating cake at 2am! Then follow that by a wander around, trailing your fingers over the many bookshelves until the next book to read chooses you! A wonderful story of how an unexpected, hidden place changes the lives of three strangers, who met by accident but ended up the best of friends. The journeys all their lives took was quite extraordinary but completely right for them and you just know their futures look good.

I really am not into fantasy, magic etc but in the context of this book, it almost didn’t seem like that - it just felt right! A real feel good story which I couldn’t put down!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.

I found this book on here in the middle of the night and oh my gosh, I’m so glad that I did!! It barely took me a day to read!! Books like this that have a magical element to them make me feel so good! I’m easily caught up in these stories! I mean a beautiful bookshop that’s there one minute, then disappears the next! I’m in, with my whole heart! “You don’t choose the book, the book chooses you!” Love love love it!!

This was such a warm, comforting read. The Midnight Bookshop is one of those stories that quietly wraps around you and reminds you just how powerful books can be. It follows Jo, Adelaide and Kye. Three strangers, each going through something heavy, who are drawn to a mysterious bookshop that seems to appear just when they need it most.

I really enjoyed the mix of emotional depth and just a touch of magic. The idea that a book can find you at the right moment might sound whimsical, but here it felt meaningful and true. Each character brought something different to the story, and watching their lives slowly begin to shift gave the book so much heart.

The pacing wasn’t always perfect, and I saw a few things coming, but it didn’t take away from how much I connected with the message. It’s about healing, second chances, and the quiet strength stories can offer when life feels overwhelming.

I want to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this lovely ARC.