The Lost Bookshop: Review, Recommendations, & Book Club Tips

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Choosing the right book for your book club can be challenging — you want something that sparks conversation, allows everyone enough time to read, and suits the mood or season. That’s exactly why we put together this review and guide for The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods.

If your group wants a slightly magical story about courage, second chances, and a setting perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, this post saves you time with a spoiler-free summary, honest review, planning tips, and memorable discussion ideas.

Now that you know what to expect, let’s take a closer look to see if it’s the right fit for you and your group.

THE LOST BOOKSHOP BOOK SUMMARY & STATS

THE LOST BOOKSHOP SUMMARY

Evie Woods’ The Lost Bookshop is a heartwarming and atmospheric novel that blends historical fiction, mystery, and a touch of magic. The story alternates between two timelines and follows three main characters: Opaline, a young woman in 1920s England who escapes an arranged marriage and discovers a hidden bookshop that changes her destiny; Martha, a modern-day woman fleeing an abusive marriage and searching for a fresh start; and Henry, an introverted scholar looking for a lost manuscript that could transform his career.

Their lives intertwine through the mysterious lost bookshop—a place that seems to appear only when it’s most needed. As secrets unfold, each character confronts their past, rediscovering their sense of self and learning the power of courage, hope, and second chances.

THE LOST BOOKSHOP STATS

Title	The Lost Bookshop
Author	Evie Woods
Book Club(s)	N/A
Publication Date/Year	June 2, 2023
Page Count	432
Genre(s)	Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Romance
Setting	Dubin, Ireland
Goodreads Rating	4.01
Audience	Adult
Series	No
Translator	N/A
Awards	1

THE LOST BOOKSHOP BOOK RATING & REVIEW

THE LOST BOOKSHOP RATING

BCR Rating	4
Availability	4
Format	5
Length	4
Diversity	3
Bechdel Test	Pass
Page Turner	No

THE LOST BOOKSHOP REVIEW

One of our members made this their book club pick for our March read, and it turned out to be the perfect choice for St. Patrick’s Day. The novel is set between Dublin and London, which gave it a distinctly Irish feel that paired beautifully with the season.

I read the Kindle version. The story alternates between timelines and follows two women whose lives connect through a mysterious bookshop. Sometimes I found it hard to keep the characters straight as their stories felt similar—a choice I think Evie Woods made intentionally. Still, I did get confused a few times and found it hard to keep track.

One of the best parts of reading this for book club was having others to talk it through with. Our discussion helped clarify sections where I was confused, and hearing everyone’s different interpretations made me appreciate the book even more. In the end, it was an intriguing read with themes of courage, starting over, and the power of books to shape lives — definitely a book that sparked conversation.

THE LOST BOOKSHOP BOOK CLUB RESOURCES

BCR RECOMMENDATION

I’d recommend The Lost Bookshop if your club enjoys stories with fantasy, magical realism, and a touch of mystery. The setting in Dublin and London, combined with the whimsical idea of a bookshop that seems to appear just when it’s needed, makes it a great choice for readers who love being transported into a slightly magical world.

Because the book is on the longer side, I suggest giving your members a couple of months’ notice before the discussion. This is especially helpful if you have members who rely on library copies — there may still be waitlists for different formats. The extra time will let everyone get their copy and read without feeling rushed.

BOOK DISCUSSION

This book makes a wonderful pick for March — its Dublin setting made it feel like a perfect St. Patrick’s Day read. To make your discussion extra festive, you could host your meeting with an Irish twist:

Serve Irish-inspired food – like Cottage Pie or Dublin Coddle and Irish Soda Bread – or even hold your meeting at a cozy local pub.
If you’re staying in, treat yourself to a warm drink that is straight out of the story — a hot chocolate with two spoonfuls of Nutella.

While there aren’t any official discussion guides available from the publisher or the author, you can still have a great conversation. We recommend using the simple BCR Group Discussion Guide — it’s flexible, easy to follow, and works well with any book.