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The Lamplighter’s Bookshop
When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.
There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls of Evelyn’s carefully built defences start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.
As the layers are brushed away, Can Evelyn and William find the courage to write the next chapter of their story?
11 hr. 12 min.
There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls of Evelyn’s carefully built defences start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.
As the layers are brushed away, Can Evelyn and William find the courage to write the next chapter of their story?
11 hr. 12 min.
12 pages, Audiobook
First published March 1, 2025
1482 people are currently reading
9391 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Austin
2 books95 followersOriginally from London, I'm a historical fiction novelist who now lives in Sweden. My debut novel, THE LAMPLIGHTER'S BOOKSHOP (coming March 2025) is a turn of the century tale of rivalry, redemption, and love set under the darkening skies of York in 1899.
I LOVE spending time in Victorian England, both in my writing and in my reading.
Step back in time with me!
I LOVE spending time in Victorian England, both in my writing and in my reading.
Step back in time with me!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 435 reviews
January 19, 2025
The advice to write drunk, edit sober doesn’t work if you skip the second part.
Where’s the editor?! What in the dog’s breakfast, throw all the spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks, was this? Like truly, this book didn’t know what it wanted to be, all the characters were awful and it was way longer than needed.
Harper Collins is a huge publishing house, you’re telling me they could not splurge for a developmental editor? I mean did they waste all their money on this lovely cover and then say ‘screw it, romance readers don’t care about plot anyway’.
This was disappointing. I took a big long break from debut novels because of books like this. This author seemed to have all the ideas but no solid grasp of the historical romance genre and its conventions and no understanding on how to story plan and properly pace a novel.
I’m going to just list what was wrong with this, I don’t have the time or energy to go into detail.
>Every single person in this book is awful. They all lied and were nasty hypocrites. If this were a historical fiction or soap opera, I could have forgiven it, but this is posted as a historical romance and there were no redeeming qualities to the main characters. Am I supposed to root for them?
>The abuse of similes to describe mundane things was a crime. (You can always tell when an author is trying too hard and not edited properly when they use many, many ridiculous similes)
>The first two chapters of this had promise but then it fell apart. There were too many plot threads and the centre storyline of the bookshop was lost and never recovered.
>I cannot emphasize enough how much this book needed edited. I don’t mean proofread, the spelling and grammar were exceptional, but this needed a strict editor who could refocus the story and remove all the fat.
>The language was trying to be rich and poetic but descended into self-indulgent and prose-heavy. I think this author could have promise but I return to the need for editing and not being afraid to remove all the superfluous descriptions. We get descriptive sentences of characters all the way into the last chapters. Characters who have been part of the story from the beginning.
> This had no romance or relationship building to speak of. I had to check with my buddy reader ( 🫶 to Dab) to make sure this was actually listed as a romance. There was nothing romantic about it. They were barely together and none of their rivalry was explored. This likely was because of all the other characters and plot threads, there was not enough focus on them. Evelyn was constantly dealing with her family drama, her drama with Nathaniel, her fight with Lady Violet and her money troubles. She was hardly with William. The main conventions of a book listed as a romance is that the relationship between the two main characters is the FOCUS of the plot. Otherwise it’s just a secondary plot line and we need to list this as historical fiction. Perhaps it’s meant to be listed that way but on goodreads and NetGalley and in the blurb it’s marketed as romance.
>Lastly, the hero in this was an absolute dud. He was lazy, soft, immature, stupid, deceitful and sweaty all the time. He had no courage and a weak character. Again, had this not been romance, it would have been fine, but in romance we need a hero who we can root for, who we want the heroine to end up with. Honestly,I thought Evelyn would have been better off without him. I could only see misery for her for the rest of her life.
Dab, we can now forever avoid any book with the word Lamplight in its title, we are 0-2 on these. At least our trauma bond has been strengthened.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy, this one did not work for me.
*****************
Buddy reads fix everything.
Dab 🤝 Kristina, reading cosy books with cute covers.
Check out our podcast Baddie Buddies, available wherever fake podcasts are sold.
Where’s the editor?! What in the dog’s breakfast, throw all the spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks, was this? Like truly, this book didn’t know what it wanted to be, all the characters were awful and it was way longer than needed.
Harper Collins is a huge publishing house, you’re telling me they could not splurge for a developmental editor? I mean did they waste all their money on this lovely cover and then say ‘screw it, romance readers don’t care about plot anyway’.
This was disappointing. I took a big long break from debut novels because of books like this. This author seemed to have all the ideas but no solid grasp of the historical romance genre and its conventions and no understanding on how to story plan and properly pace a novel.
I’m going to just list what was wrong with this, I don’t have the time or energy to go into detail.
>Every single person in this book is awful. They all lied and were nasty hypocrites. If this were a historical fiction or soap opera, I could have forgiven it, but this is posted as a historical romance and there were no redeeming qualities to the main characters. Am I supposed to root for them?
>The abuse of similes to describe mundane things was a crime. (You can always tell when an author is trying too hard and not edited properly when they use many, many ridiculous similes)
>The first two chapters of this had promise but then it fell apart. There were too many plot threads and the centre storyline of the bookshop was lost and never recovered.
>I cannot emphasize enough how much this book needed edited. I don’t mean proofread, the spelling and grammar were exceptional, but this needed a strict editor who could refocus the story and remove all the fat.
>The language was trying to be rich and poetic but descended into self-indulgent and prose-heavy. I think this author could have promise but I return to the need for editing and not being afraid to remove all the superfluous descriptions. We get descriptive sentences of characters all the way into the last chapters. Characters who have been part of the story from the beginning.
> This had no romance or relationship building to speak of. I had to check with my buddy reader ( 🫶 to Dab) to make sure this was actually listed as a romance. There was nothing romantic about it. They were barely together and none of their rivalry was explored. This likely was because of all the other characters and plot threads, there was not enough focus on them. Evelyn was constantly dealing with her family drama, her drama with Nathaniel, her fight with Lady Violet and her money troubles. She was hardly with William. The main conventions of a book listed as a romance is that the relationship between the two main characters is the FOCUS of the plot. Otherwise it’s just a secondary plot line and we need to list this as historical fiction. Perhaps it’s meant to be listed that way but on goodreads and NetGalley and in the blurb it’s marketed as romance.
>Lastly, the hero in this was an absolute dud. He was lazy, soft, immature, stupid, deceitful and sweaty all the time. He had no courage and a weak character. Again, had this not been romance, it would have been fine, but in romance we need a hero who we can root for, who we want the heroine to end up with. Honestly,I thought Evelyn would have been better off without him. I could only see misery for her for the rest of her life.
Dab, we can now forever avoid any book with the word Lamplight in its title, we are 0-2 on these. At least our trauma bond has been strengthened.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy, this one did not work for me.
*****************
Buddy reads fix everything.
Dab 🤝 Kristina, reading cosy books with cute covers.
Check out our podcast Baddie Buddies, available wherever fake podcasts are sold.
February 16, 2025
Evelyn Seaton and her mother move to York, to stay with her Great-Aunt Clara after the police evict them from their home in Yorkshire. Lady Cecilia has always made excuses for her husband and her solution to their current problems is for daughter to marry and she doesn’t want to listen when Evelyn points out her reputation is in tatters and due to her father's actions.
Evelyn needs to find a job and she answers an advertisement for an assistant at Morton’s Emporium or The Lamplighter’s Bookshop as it’s known, run by an eccentric elderly gentleman, inside it’s dark, dingy, dusty and packed to the rafters with books, and has odd opening hours.
William Morton is Howard’s nephew, an aspiring writer, he returns from London and his Uncle and friends think he’s sold the rights to his first novel and has he? William isn’t happy Evelyn has taken his job, and he and Evelyn rub each other up the wrong way and they start a competition to improve the shop and it's sales. Both Evelyn and William have problems and secrets, been let down by a parent, it’s made them rather peevish and put up defences.
I received a copy of The Lamplighter's Bookshop from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for an honest review. The narrative written by Sophie Austin is a quick and enjoyable historical fiction read for those who enjoy stories set in Victorian England and quaint bookshops.
A tale about breaking down walls people build around their hearts, to be able to rewriting their own story and one they can hopefully share together. Evelyn and William were friends with Naomi and Jack, two likeable souls and they help the couple see sense and so did Uncle Howard. I look forward to reading the authors next book The Memory Binder and four stars for her debut novel and I recommend.
Evelyn needs to find a job and she answers an advertisement for an assistant at Morton’s Emporium or The Lamplighter’s Bookshop as it’s known, run by an eccentric elderly gentleman, inside it’s dark, dingy, dusty and packed to the rafters with books, and has odd opening hours.
William Morton is Howard’s nephew, an aspiring writer, he returns from London and his Uncle and friends think he’s sold the rights to his first novel and has he? William isn’t happy Evelyn has taken his job, and he and Evelyn rub each other up the wrong way and they start a competition to improve the shop and it's sales. Both Evelyn and William have problems and secrets, been let down by a parent, it’s made them rather peevish and put up defences.
I received a copy of The Lamplighter's Bookshop from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for an honest review. The narrative written by Sophie Austin is a quick and enjoyable historical fiction read for those who enjoy stories set in Victorian England and quaint bookshops.
A tale about breaking down walls people build around their hearts, to be able to rewriting their own story and one they can hopefully share together. Evelyn and William were friends with Naomi and Jack, two likeable souls and they help the couple see sense and so did Uncle Howard. I look forward to reading the authors next book The Memory Binder and four stars for her debut novel and I recommend.
March 3, 2025
3 Stars
One Liner: Nice enough but too much drama
1899, York
Evelyn Seaton needs to find a way out of their financial situation. She finds an advertisement for an assistant in a little bookshop. She just wants a job and to keep people away from her personal life.
William Morton is an aspiring writer with secrets of his own. Turns out, Evelyn and William’s paths are destined to keep converging. However, the way to the future is filled with secrets and lies they need to sort out.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Evelyn and William.
My Thoughts:
This is yet another case of falling for the cover and ending up with a mixed-read. Sigh!
The first 2-3 chapters were terrific. They establish the FMC’s current situation, her family, and her character attributes. It’s easy to empathize with her and root for her to handle the situation.
The said bookshop doesn’t appear for a while, so when it was first mentioned, I was truly excited. However, it is just one of the places where the story takes place. Yes, it has more importance but would it have been different if books were replaced by something else? Only a little!
The side characters come in all types. My favorites have to the aunt and Naomi. Both are quite different but the kind we need around us.
Despite being a romance, the book is more of a family drama. That’s still okay. We can’t really separate family from individuals, right?
However, my major issue is with the MMC. It’s good to have a guy with flaws. But I couldn’t find anything worthy of him to be a hero. Getting support from others and having someone else literally step in and save the guy from trouble are different. Also, there isn’t anything enterprising about him.
Of course, the FMC is a bit better but all those lies, omissions, secrets, and whatnot made me dizzy. Angst is nice but not when it is unnecessary for the plot. All they needed was a proper conversation which eventually happened (after I got bored).
While I enjoyed the writing initially, it got a bit too excessive at times. This affected the pace along with all that miscommunication. The book would have been better with some experienced developmental editing to get rid of (some of) the fluff.
Also, there’s a mention of possibly something magical about the bookshop but we never know what it is. Was that element removed at some point? If yes, then I have to say it’s a bad decision. Removing the unwanted drama and keeping the bookshop parts would been a better choice.
The ending is nice but by then I was glad to reach that point. I do like how it presented the attitude and snobbery of the ton as well as the importance of having a title.
To summarize, The Lamplighter’s Bookshop has a worthy premise that got lost in too much drama. It reads like a debut book and would have benefited from strict editing.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLamplightersBookshop
One Liner: Nice enough but too much drama
1899, York
Evelyn Seaton needs to find a way out of their financial situation. She finds an advertisement for an assistant in a little bookshop. She just wants a job and to keep people away from her personal life.
William Morton is an aspiring writer with secrets of his own. Turns out, Evelyn and William’s paths are destined to keep converging. However, the way to the future is filled with secrets and lies they need to sort out.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Evelyn and William.
My Thoughts:
This is yet another case of falling for the cover and ending up with a mixed-read. Sigh!
The first 2-3 chapters were terrific. They establish the FMC’s current situation, her family, and her character attributes. It’s easy to empathize with her and root for her to handle the situation.
The said bookshop doesn’t appear for a while, so when it was first mentioned, I was truly excited. However, it is just one of the places where the story takes place. Yes, it has more importance but would it have been different if books were replaced by something else? Only a little!
The side characters come in all types. My favorites have to the aunt and Naomi. Both are quite different but the kind we need around us.
Despite being a romance, the book is more of a family drama. That’s still okay. We can’t really separate family from individuals, right?
However, my major issue is with the MMC. It’s good to have a guy with flaws. But I couldn’t find anything worthy of him to be a hero. Getting support from others and having someone else literally step in and save the guy from trouble are different. Also, there isn’t anything enterprising about him.
Of course, the FMC is a bit better but all those lies, omissions, secrets, and whatnot made me dizzy. Angst is nice but not when it is unnecessary for the plot. All they needed was a proper conversation which eventually happened (after I got bored).
While I enjoyed the writing initially, it got a bit too excessive at times. This affected the pace along with all that miscommunication. The book would have been better with some experienced developmental editing to get rid of (some of) the fluff.
Also, there’s a mention of possibly something magical about the bookshop but we never know what it is. Was that element removed at some point? If yes, then I have to say it’s a bad decision. Removing the unwanted drama and keeping the bookshop parts would been a better choice.
The ending is nice but by then I was glad to reach that point. I do like how it presented the attitude and snobbery of the ton as well as the importance of having a title.
To summarize, The Lamplighter’s Bookshop has a worthy premise that got lost in too much drama. It reads like a debut book and would have benefited from strict editing.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLamplightersBookshop
March 2, 2025
My favorite thing about this book is its gorgeous cover.
It was supposed to be a historical fiction/general fiction/romance and ya, it’s three books in a trench coat. There was no need to squeeze so many ideas that didn’t work together into one book. There was way too much going on, and the amount of plot holes and completely absurd plot twists made this book a chore to read.
The romance was too convoluted and frankly not very enjoyable. Was it a love triangle? A love-hate quadruple? What was that? I have a feeling that the author is not familiar enough with the genre to write it. The hero was the most toxic, lying, gaslighting jerk I’ve read in a long time. The heroine was also a liar though, so maybe they were a match? Everyone lied to everyone in this book and it was exhausting.
The writing didn’t work for me either, it tried too hard to be fancy and it was mostly cringe. All the tears like pearls in the slanting sunshine and kisses soft as a summer’s breeze 🥴
Thanks Kristina for the buddy read, I would have totally dnfed if it wasn’t for you 💙💙💙
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
—-
Approved for the arc 🎉🥳
It sounds so good and THAT COVER? 😍😍😍 Thank you so much NetGalley and HarperCollins❤️
It was supposed to be a historical fiction/general fiction/romance and ya, it’s three books in a trench coat. There was no need to squeeze so many ideas that didn’t work together into one book. There was way too much going on, and the amount of plot holes and completely absurd plot twists made this book a chore to read.
The romance was too convoluted and frankly not very enjoyable. Was it a love triangle? A love-hate quadruple? What was that? I have a feeling that the author is not familiar enough with the genre to write it. The hero was the most toxic, lying, gaslighting jerk I’ve read in a long time. The heroine was also a liar though, so maybe they were a match? Everyone lied to everyone in this book and it was exhausting.
The writing didn’t work for me either, it tried too hard to be fancy and it was mostly cringe. All the tears like pearls in the slanting sunshine and kisses soft as a summer’s breeze 🥴
Thanks Kristina for the buddy read, I would have totally dnfed if it wasn’t for you 💙💙💙
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
—-
Approved for the arc 🎉🥳
It sounds so good and THAT COVER? 😍😍😍 Thank you so much NetGalley and HarperCollins❤️
June 7, 2025
A delightful book. I thought it would be more about books in a book shop. It is a very nice light historical fiction romance story. I just loved the book cover.
May 5, 2025
A delightful historical fiction, rivals-to-lovers story, set in a bedraggled bookshop in York.
I love books about books, libraries and bookshops, and this quaint story offers a mixture secrets, literary treasures and self-discovery.
What a wonderful debut! I am interested to read what Sophie Austin creates next.
Format: Audiobook, thanks to Borrowbox
Audio time: 11 hours, 11 minutes
I love books about books, libraries and bookshops, and this quaint story offers a mixture secrets, literary treasures and self-discovery.
What a wonderful debut! I am interested to read what Sophie Austin creates next.
Format: Audiobook, thanks to Borrowbox
Audio time: 11 hours, 11 minutes
October 28, 2025
This was a Victorian era historical romance by debut English author Sophie Austin.
Evelyn and her mother are evicted out of their Yorkshire manor house due to her father the Baron Seaton’s debts. They are forced to move into Aunt Clara’s home in York and do their best to maintain their social status but they have no money and the gossips are against them. Evelyn secretly gets a job in a run down old bookshop, Morton’s Emporium or The Lamplighter’s Bookshop, owned by the eccentric Howard Morton.
Howard’s nephew William, a promising young writer, returns home from London. He has just sold the rights to his first novel, but his finances still seem shaky, as he is unhappy that Evelyn has taken his job in the bookshop. The two create a competition to determine who can bring in more sales and who is more worthy of the job. Despite the unfriendly start between them, sparks begin to fly.
Evelyn is a feisty heroine and frequently has to go in to bat to defend both herself and her mother from the frankly evil social dames. The story has strong overtones of Austin but sadly Evelyn isn’t quite a Jane and William is a country mile from being a Darcy. Some of the dialogue with the society ladies stretched my credibility to the limits and although I liked Evelyn I wasn’t really sold on William. 3.5 stars for me.
Evelyn and her mother are evicted out of their Yorkshire manor house due to her father the Baron Seaton’s debts. They are forced to move into Aunt Clara’s home in York and do their best to maintain their social status but they have no money and the gossips are against them. Evelyn secretly gets a job in a run down old bookshop, Morton’s Emporium or The Lamplighter’s Bookshop, owned by the eccentric Howard Morton.
Howard’s nephew William, a promising young writer, returns home from London. He has just sold the rights to his first novel, but his finances still seem shaky, as he is unhappy that Evelyn has taken his job in the bookshop. The two create a competition to determine who can bring in more sales and who is more worthy of the job. Despite the unfriendly start between them, sparks begin to fly.
Evelyn is a feisty heroine and frequently has to go in to bat to defend both herself and her mother from the frankly evil social dames. The story has strong overtones of Austin but sadly Evelyn isn’t quite a Jane and William is a country mile from being a Darcy. Some of the dialogue with the society ladies stretched my credibility to the limits and although I liked Evelyn I wasn’t really sold on William. 3.5 stars for me.
June 6, 2025
4 stars Thanks to BookBrowse and Harper Collins for allowing me to read this ARC and give an unbiased review. Publishes June 10, 2025
I found this book to be more of a romance than any other genre. We traveled along with five couples - Uncle Howie and and an unnamed Calcutta girlfriend, Evelyn and William, Violet and Nathanial, Cecilia and John, and Jack and Naomi. Their social standings and method of income was forever causing a problem as we became mired in their relationships. Social status was all the rage in York and London at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century when this novel takes place. And as with most romances, this one turns out well in the end. Hearts and butterflies abound!
I found this book to be more of a romance than any other genre. We traveled along with five couples - Uncle Howie and and an unnamed Calcutta girlfriend, Evelyn and William, Violet and Nathanial, Cecilia and John, and Jack and Naomi. Their social standings and method of income was forever causing a problem as we became mired in their relationships. Social status was all the rage in York and London at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century when this novel takes place. And as with most romances, this one turns out well in the end. Hearts and butterflies abound!
November 1, 2024
Oh my, I loved this book! It perfectly aligns with what I enjoy in historical fiction. The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a vibrant story set in the late 19th century, featuring Evelyn Seaton, a young lady from an aristocratic family that has lost its wealth. In her quest for independence, she secretly takes a job at a forgotten bookshop, which leads her to meet William Morton, a man from a middle class and an aspiring writer—who also happens to have his own secrets.
What I particularly liked about this novel is how well it is researched. Sophie Austin effectively portrays the realities of the late Victorian era, including its paradoxes. On one hand, we see that etiquette norms are slightly more relaxed, and situations like a man and woman being unchaperoned in a public place are no longer considered that scandalous. On the other hand, the frameworks of social behavior remain quite strict, and the predefined definitions of success continue to hinder true self-expression. The author skillfully illustrates how all the characters struggle to reconcile their dreams and desires with the expectations imposed on them by society and themselves.
Of course, there’s a romance plot. It unfolds slowly but realistically within the constraints of the late 19th century. Evelyn and William are endearing characters whose relationship feels authentic and nuanced. However, it’s worth noting that although marketed as a historical romance, this book leans more toward historical fiction. Readers anticipating a central love story may find themselves somewhat disappointed, as the romantic element is just one of many dilemmas the characters navigate—important, but certainly not the only focus.
The writing is vivid and immersive, showcasing the author’s extensive knowledge of the period. You can almost feel the late summer-autumn atmosphere of York, captured with a genuine authenticity that transports you to that time and place.
Overall, this is a commendable debut that will appeal to those seeking quality Victorian historical fiction. I highly recommend it to fans of Elizabeth Macneal, as it shares a similar attention to historical detail, a gripping plot, and well-developed characters. I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What I particularly liked about this novel is how well it is researched. Sophie Austin effectively portrays the realities of the late Victorian era, including its paradoxes. On one hand, we see that etiquette norms are slightly more relaxed, and situations like a man and woman being unchaperoned in a public place are no longer considered that scandalous. On the other hand, the frameworks of social behavior remain quite strict, and the predefined definitions of success continue to hinder true self-expression. The author skillfully illustrates how all the characters struggle to reconcile their dreams and desires with the expectations imposed on them by society and themselves.
Of course, there’s a romance plot. It unfolds slowly but realistically within the constraints of the late 19th century. Evelyn and William are endearing characters whose relationship feels authentic and nuanced. However, it’s worth noting that although marketed as a historical romance, this book leans more toward historical fiction. Readers anticipating a central love story may find themselves somewhat disappointed, as the romantic element is just one of many dilemmas the characters navigate—important, but certainly not the only focus.
The writing is vivid and immersive, showcasing the author’s extensive knowledge of the period. You can almost feel the late summer-autumn atmosphere of York, captured with a genuine authenticity that transports you to that time and place.
Overall, this is a commendable debut that will appeal to those seeking quality Victorian historical fiction. I highly recommend it to fans of Elizabeth Macneal, as it shares a similar attention to historical detail, a gripping plot, and well-developed characters. I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 27, 2025
It was good. The first half was just "ok" and the second half, I couldn't put down.
William infuriated me at times, but was a very loveable character. Evelyn was hearty, but sometimes I wanted to slap her silly.
A great ending!
3.8 🌟
William infuriated me at times, but was a very loveable character. Evelyn was hearty, but sometimes I wanted to slap her silly.
A great ending!
3.8 🌟
June 14, 2025
The Lamplighter’s Bookshop was the perfect palette cleanser for me after all of the thrillers and sci-fi that I usually read. This was a light and fluffy period piece set in York at the turn of the century in 1899.
Evelyn and her mother are evicted out of their beautiful home and all of their possessions sold off because of her father’s debts. They move into Aunt Clara’s home trying their best to keep up their social status (Evelyn’s father is a Duke) but with no money and no home, Evelyn lands a job (in secret) at an old run down book shop.
Enter William Morton, the nephew of the bookshop’s owner, who is working on his novel but needs a place to work as well. Evelyn and William are pitted against each other to see who brings in the most business through several months. Whichever does, get the job permanently.
This was a nice, light bit of historical fiction with the flavor of Bridgerton and I really enjoyed it. I especially loved the bookshop itself.
*Thanks so much to partner Harper Collins 360 for the gifted ARC!*
Evelyn and her mother are evicted out of their beautiful home and all of their possessions sold off because of her father’s debts. They move into Aunt Clara’s home trying their best to keep up their social status (Evelyn’s father is a Duke) but with no money and no home, Evelyn lands a job (in secret) at an old run down book shop.
Enter William Morton, the nephew of the bookshop’s owner, who is working on his novel but needs a place to work as well. Evelyn and William are pitted against each other to see who brings in the most business through several months. Whichever does, get the job permanently.
This was a nice, light bit of historical fiction with the flavor of Bridgerton and I really enjoyed it. I especially loved the bookshop itself.
*Thanks so much to partner Harper Collins 360 for the gifted ARC!*
December 18, 2025
The blurb:
When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.
There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.
My thoughts:
I loved this story 🥰
We meet Evelyn aka Miss Seaton. My first impressions was that she was a spoilt rich girl, but as the story goes on you get to see more of Evelyn and how her character evolves. She is headstrong, loyal and determined, and very likeable.
I loved her passion for the bookshop, and her competitiveness with William!
There was so much mis-communication throughout the story too. I found this so relatable. There’s so much that we want to say but don’t through fear of not being accepted or being ashamed. There was so much hope and acceptance shown and it was just such a lovely feel good read.
You could feel the weight of the characters feelings. The feeling of not being ‘worthy’ was quite present and a quote from the book that stuck with me:
‘If love is showing all that you are, then you cannot do that, can you? You cannot love her if that is built upon a lie.’
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to Harper Fiction for sending me an advance copy of this book. Opinions shared here are my own.
When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.
There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.
My thoughts:
I loved this story 🥰
We meet Evelyn aka Miss Seaton. My first impressions was that she was a spoilt rich girl, but as the story goes on you get to see more of Evelyn and how her character evolves. She is headstrong, loyal and determined, and very likeable.
I loved her passion for the bookshop, and her competitiveness with William!
There was so much mis-communication throughout the story too. I found this so relatable. There’s so much that we want to say but don’t through fear of not being accepted or being ashamed. There was so much hope and acceptance shown and it was just such a lovely feel good read.
You could feel the weight of the characters feelings. The feeling of not being ‘worthy’ was quite present and a quote from the book that stuck with me:
‘If love is showing all that you are, then you cannot do that, can you? You cannot love her if that is built upon a lie.’
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to Harper Fiction for sending me an advance copy of this book. Opinions shared here are my own.
August 31, 2025
When Evelyn's father loses their family's house and fortune her mother wants to hide it. After her initial shock Evelyn realises that she needs to get a job to keep them on their feet. She ends up in a dusty old bookshop, but gets competition when William shows up and wants his old job back. He's returned from London after seeking his fortune as a writer, but he's not ready to reveal his failure. As rivals for the same position they don’t get along, but when Evelyn needs help William is there.
A cosy, predictable historical romance that take place in the late 19th century - precisely what one needs once in a while! Evelyn and William start off as enemies, but once they get to know each other their opinions begin to change. I still get quite annoyed when they can’t communicate properly and be truthful to one another. Also, Evelyn is described as someone who is brusque and curt, yet she seldom speaks her mind when she's being mocked. I would have loved to see her stand her ground in every situation. Especially with Lady Violet, who was a real bully!
I enjoyed the scenes in the bookshop (no surprise there) and the overall atmosphere of the book. There are both characters to like and to dislike. We get introduced to the rules of society and friendships that matter. It's an impressive debut by Sophie Austin, who otherwise works with creative writing for Minecraft, and actually lives in Sweden since 2017!
A cosy, predictable historical romance that take place in the late 19th century - precisely what one needs once in a while! Evelyn and William start off as enemies, but once they get to know each other their opinions begin to change. I still get quite annoyed when they can’t communicate properly and be truthful to one another. Also, Evelyn is described as someone who is brusque and curt, yet she seldom speaks her mind when she's being mocked. I would have loved to see her stand her ground in every situation. Especially with Lady Violet, who was a real bully!
I enjoyed the scenes in the bookshop (no surprise there) and the overall atmosphere of the book. There are both characters to like and to dislike. We get introduced to the rules of society and friendships that matter. It's an impressive debut by Sophie Austin, who otherwise works with creative writing for Minecraft, and actually lives in Sweden since 2017!
February 16, 2025
It is 1899 and Evelyn Seaton and her mother have been forced to leave their home and move in with Aunt Clara in York.
Due to Evelyn’s father’s gambling debts, they have lost everything … including their status.
When Evelyn flees from a ball after being humiliated by so-called friends, she meets budding writer, William Morton.
After lying to her mother, Evelyn starts to work in a bookshop in York and soon meets up with William again.
This is a beautiful debut from the author and I devoured every word, hungry for more.
The characters made me smile, especially Jack and Naomi. It was hard to like Evelyn’s dad, but I did find myself feeling a little sorry for him.
This is a heartwarming and romantic story, full of mystery and intrigue. A beautifully written tale that brought the stunning city of York to life.
My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Due to Evelyn’s father’s gambling debts, they have lost everything … including their status.
When Evelyn flees from a ball after being humiliated by so-called friends, she meets budding writer, William Morton.
After lying to her mother, Evelyn starts to work in a bookshop in York and soon meets up with William again.
This is a beautiful debut from the author and I devoured every word, hungry for more.
The characters made me smile, especially Jack and Naomi. It was hard to like Evelyn’s dad, but I did find myself feeling a little sorry for him.
This is a heartwarming and romantic story, full of mystery and intrigue. A beautifully written tale that brought the stunning city of York to life.
My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 1, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
wow i love how this author writes .... the characters came alive and was fully invested in them.... it was a lovely world to visit though i have to admit i wouldnt want to live in that time.... women were just property ....
but its a compelling read....and one that now i have finished i cant wait to see what is next for this author
wow i love how this author writes .... the characters came alive and was fully invested in them.... it was a lovely world to visit though i have to admit i wouldnt want to live in that time.... women were just property ....
but its a compelling read....and one that now i have finished i cant wait to see what is next for this author
February 15, 2025
The writing was good and I ended up getting quite invested in the characters' story. I liked that you got to see the main story from the two main characters' points of view. That gave a well rounded feel to the story. I liked that we got to see what the characters were hiding from one another. That added tension as you weren't sure when or if it would all suddenly come crashing down!
The chapters were fairly long which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. There was a good pace to the book with some of the chapters being dated which showed the passage of time and kept you moving forward. There was a good flow between the chapters despite the occasional jumps in time.
The characters were good. I enjoyed the mix of personalities and how the characters tried to make things appear differently to what they really were. It highlighted the social difficulties of the time and showed how the rules differed depending on your social class and standing. It was interesting to see the characters get tied up in knots trying to keep their secrets hidden.
Lastly the settings. I enjoyed following the characters around and particularly enjoyed the work that was happening in the bookshop. The descriptions of the settings were light as this was a character focused story. I liked that the bookshop itself was a character in its own right.
Overall an interesting story.
The chapters were fairly long which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. There was a good pace to the book with some of the chapters being dated which showed the passage of time and kept you moving forward. There was a good flow between the chapters despite the occasional jumps in time.
The characters were good. I enjoyed the mix of personalities and how the characters tried to make things appear differently to what they really were. It highlighted the social difficulties of the time and showed how the rules differed depending on your social class and standing. It was interesting to see the characters get tied up in knots trying to keep their secrets hidden.
Lastly the settings. I enjoyed following the characters around and particularly enjoyed the work that was happening in the bookshop. The descriptions of the settings were light as this was a character focused story. I liked that the bookshop itself was a character in its own right.
Overall an interesting story.
December 8, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and HarpercollinsUK for the ARC copy!
This book was interesting for me as it was the first time I read something that wasn't present or in the future, it took me awhile to get into it because of it as the language, mention of women working etc was appropiate for this time era but for a non English-native speaker, some words threw me off and I almost thought it was typos at times.
Evelyn's family infuriated me the entire book honestly, manipulative and blindsighted mother. ABSOLUTELY living for the aunt though, she was my favorite side character out of them all.
Will was such a grumpy sweet heart and I did enjoy the ending much more than I expected.
But with this, I'm giving it a 3.5/5 stars, mainly from my own taste that I found the plot lacklustered, it was bad communication between the characters mainly (but it's still warranted as family respect etc so I understand why but I struggle with this in books in general) and the last few chapters when they kept going around eachother drove me nuts.
Editor notes: There are many places in the book using the justified editing field that drags big spaces between the words, I think it would also be easier to read the conversations between the people if it was breaking down with space on the pages as I found myself re-reading at times to figure out who said what.
This book was interesting for me as it was the first time I read something that wasn't present or in the future, it took me awhile to get into it because of it as the language, mention of women working etc was appropiate for this time era but for a non English-native speaker, some words threw me off and I almost thought it was typos at times.
Evelyn's family infuriated me the entire book honestly, manipulative and blindsighted mother. ABSOLUTELY living for the aunt though, she was my favorite side character out of them all.
Will was such a grumpy sweet heart and I did enjoy the ending much more than I expected.
But with this, I'm giving it a 3.5/5 stars, mainly from my own taste that I found the plot lacklustered, it was bad communication between the characters mainly (but it's still warranted as family respect etc so I understand why but I struggle with this in books in general) and the last few chapters when they kept going around eachother drove me nuts.
Editor notes: There are many places in the book using the justified editing field that drags big spaces between the words, I think it would also be easier to read the conversations between the people if it was breaking down with space on the pages as I found myself re-reading at times to figure out who said what.
February 24, 2025
The starting held promise but slowly errors, inaccuracies and plot flaws started creeping in, and left me wondering if this book was edited or fact-checked at all?
I could see promise in this book if this debut had a few rounds of edits, especially removing the looping repeating plot of miscommunication and making up which repeated constantly throughout the whole book. It was like reading an inaccurate historical soap opera with the characters continually assuming things as if they were hormonal teenagers and then getting upset at the assumed actions, it got tiring by the middle.
The language portrayed showed inaccuracies for the time period, slipping in terms, phrases and behaviours more akin to modern day. The main issue was that there were sentences that do not make sense, things that should have been picked up by an editor. It tried to be more than it needed to be, leaving it changing directions and leaving plot points behind.
Sadly, a writer with promise has been let down by, who is meant to be, a professional publishing house, hopefully her next book will have the attention it deserves.
I could see promise in this book if this debut had a few rounds of edits, especially removing the looping repeating plot of miscommunication and making up which repeated constantly throughout the whole book. It was like reading an inaccurate historical soap opera with the characters continually assuming things as if they were hormonal teenagers and then getting upset at the assumed actions, it got tiring by the middle.
The language portrayed showed inaccuracies for the time period, slipping in terms, phrases and behaviours more akin to modern day. The main issue was that there were sentences that do not make sense, things that should have been picked up by an editor. It tried to be more than it needed to be, leaving it changing directions and leaving plot points behind.
Sadly, a writer with promise has been let down by, who is meant to be, a professional publishing house, hopefully her next book will have the attention it deserves.
July 11, 2025
Finally after an hiatus in reading and being unable to become interested in a book I finally found this listed in a magazine and requested it from my local library. Of course the title piqued my interest too!
The first few chapters did not grip me but then it became very interesting. Evelyn is a ln only child with everything one could ask for and I thought here we go again. Rich young woman with the world at her feet. But, her whole life is turned down and then sadly, it really became a decent read. It’s a tale of loss and heartache of the highest degree and finding out who your true friends are. Lies and decent. When you are knocked down it brings out the worst in people especially those of ‘high society’. The way some so called friends can be so callous is beyond me but it happens. The other characters are so well introduced to the story and keep you reading to see and how everything pans out. It’s a topsy turvy ride and a kind of cozy read if you want to just curl up with a cup of tea and relax for a few hours. Well worth a look.
The first few chapters did not grip me but then it became very interesting. Evelyn is a ln only child with everything one could ask for and I thought here we go again. Rich young woman with the world at her feet. But, her whole life is turned down and then sadly, it really became a decent read. It’s a tale of loss and heartache of the highest degree and finding out who your true friends are. Lies and decent. When you are knocked down it brings out the worst in people especially those of ‘high society’. The way some so called friends can be so callous is beyond me but it happens. The other characters are so well introduced to the story and keep you reading to see and how everything pans out. It’s a topsy turvy ride and a kind of cozy read if you want to just curl up with a cup of tea and relax for a few hours. Well worth a look.
September 1, 2025
This was an entertaining and well written historical fiction novel!! Light and enjoyable read but the characters and conflicts felt real enough for genuine investment. I would recommend this for a beach or vacation read! Enjoyed the turn of the century and Yorkshire setting. A few too many misunderstandings at the end but I would say this author did a good job creating genuine conflicts and tensions that didn't feel fake or like plot devices like many rom-coms you read these days.
One small thing that annoyed me is that the main female character broke down crying in public a few too many times. Girls DO NOT cry in public. They go to the bathroom or wait until they get home. I have no proof but I suspect this has been across all time periods.
One small thing that annoyed me is that the main female character broke down crying in public a few too many times. Girls DO NOT cry in public. They go to the bathroom or wait until they get home. I have no proof but I suspect this has been across all time periods.
July 26, 2025
It was enjoyable but I think it needed another draft or an editor or something like that.
The characters were great and I liked the dialogue between the love interests. It being set in York during the Victorian era was fun too. The ending was super sweet.
I wish the author made more use of the location of the bookshop. It felt like it could have been set anywhere and the story would have stayed the same. It also loses half a star because in the beginning the book kind of promises some fantasy aspects to the bookshop with it having a mind of its own but then it seems like they forgot about that.
I’m glad I didn’t dnf this book as it was a cute read. 3.5 rounded up.
The characters were great and I liked the dialogue between the love interests. It being set in York during the Victorian era was fun too. The ending was super sweet.
I wish the author made more use of the location of the bookshop. It felt like it could have been set anywhere and the story would have stayed the same. It also loses half a star because in the beginning the book kind of promises some fantasy aspects to the bookshop with it having a mind of its own but then it seems like they forgot about that.
I’m glad I didn’t dnf this book as it was a cute read. 3.5 rounded up.
February 14, 2025
A lovely romance
This delightful tale is about a barons daughter, an author and a bookshop.
Evelyn Seaton has lost her house and life because of her father's gambling debts. She and her mother head to York, to stay with Lady Seaton's Aunt. Here, things could not be worse with all Lady Seatons letters and invitations being returned unopened. She rallies, however, by sending Evelyn to a ball held by one of the debutantes who came out at the same time as Evelyn, Lady Violet. However, things don't go to plan and Evelyn leaves the ball and ends up sharing the last carriage from the station. Evelyn finds a flyer for Mortons bookshop in the carriage so she starts work there, unbeknownst to her mother.
I read this story in one sitting, as I couldn't stop! The characters are very real, and I felt like knocking their heads together once or twice! The story flowed extremely well, far better than one might expect from a debut book.
This is a great romance, with good secondary characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and eagerly await Sophie Austins next book. This is one author I'll be keeping an eye on, if her next books are as good as this, then I'll be buying all her books.
This delightful tale is about a barons daughter, an author and a bookshop.
Evelyn Seaton has lost her house and life because of her father's gambling debts. She and her mother head to York, to stay with Lady Seaton's Aunt. Here, things could not be worse with all Lady Seatons letters and invitations being returned unopened. She rallies, however, by sending Evelyn to a ball held by one of the debutantes who came out at the same time as Evelyn, Lady Violet. However, things don't go to plan and Evelyn leaves the ball and ends up sharing the last carriage from the station. Evelyn finds a flyer for Mortons bookshop in the carriage so she starts work there, unbeknownst to her mother.
I read this story in one sitting, as I couldn't stop! The characters are very real, and I felt like knocking their heads together once or twice! The story flowed extremely well, far better than one might expect from a debut book.
This is a great romance, with good secondary characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and eagerly await Sophie Austins next book. This is one author I'll be keeping an eye on, if her next books are as good as this, then I'll be buying all her books.
January 19, 2025
I loved the author's writing which was super readable and easy to relate to. For some reason, I expected a slightly more magical read. What I got instead was a love story about a young woman, Evelyn, at the turn of the century, who is navigating the restraints of society based on her social status.
I enjoyed the exploration of money and power throughout.
Unfortunately, this book needed a lot better edit. It felt as though there was some sort of storyline about the bookshop that was cut, but there were still little hints to it in various chapters. The chapters sometimes lacked pace and purpose and the central love story didn't really give me that excited flutter I usually want from this kind of book.
Still, I enjoyed the premise and writing and hope this author gets another stab at a story, with perhaps a bit more of an edit.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this copy.
I enjoyed the exploration of money and power throughout.
Unfortunately, this book needed a lot better edit. It felt as though there was some sort of storyline about the bookshop that was cut, but there were still little hints to it in various chapters. The chapters sometimes lacked pace and purpose and the central love story didn't really give me that excited flutter I usually want from this kind of book.
Still, I enjoyed the premise and writing and hope this author gets another stab at a story, with perhaps a bit more of an edit.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for this copy.
March 12, 2025
In the shadowy aisles of the Lamplighter's Bookshop, secrets lie as thick as the dust…
When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.
There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.
When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.
There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.
June 7, 2025
I think I made a bad choice with this one. Having just thoroughly enjoyed Kate Storey’s ‘Forgotten Book Club’ and Annie Lyons’s ‘Air Raid Book Club’ (both worthy 5 star reads) I went for the hat-trick with this one but was quite disappointed. The whole thread of the bookshop became submerged in a pretty tedious plot line concerning class snobbery in 1900, financial fraud and wrongdoing among the so-called ‘gentlemen’ and the romance between the two main characters which results in a predictable happy ending. Many people will probably enjoy it but not me 👎
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for this earc, all opinions are my own.
This was a nice, slow read. Humorous at times, and wise too. The plot didnt keep me entertained as much as I hoped it would. The story starts strongly, but starts to drag halfway through.
Evelyn is a lovely character, I highlighted a lot of her wisdoms. The other characters are fairly standard.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about this time period, because it was obviously well-researched.
This was a nice, slow read. Humorous at times, and wise too. The plot didnt keep me entertained as much as I hoped it would. The story starts strongly, but starts to drag halfway through.
Evelyn is a lovely character, I highlighted a lot of her wisdoms. The other characters are fairly standard.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about this time period, because it was obviously well-researched.
Read
August 14, 2025Absolutely nothing wrong with this one but I just wasn’t in the mood at all. 20% in and still nothing about a bookshop….
July 11, 2025
2.5 stars. I was drawn to this book for the title and cover, I thought a book about a bookshop would be right up my street, but the bookshop doesn’t appear for a while and is only one of the settings the story takes place. I was hoping the joy of books would be more prevalent than it was, but they sadly weren’t. While I initially enjoyed the book, it wasn’t anything special and although it was set in 1899, the language and behaviours seemed much too modern for that place in time.
May 10, 2025
This book is hard to rate/review, as on the one hand, the characters are interesting and well drawn, the York setting is unexpected but beautiful, the themes are engaging and universal and the plot good. On the other hand, despite its length and dazzling descriptions, the story feels rather flat. To sustain its length, there are many subplots, and most of them are resolved, albeit slightingly in most cases. The ending wasn’t as satisfying for me as it could been. (And where was the paranormal thread? It petered out early, which was a shame, as it had me totally intrigued.)
So I loved some things, liked some things and was dissatisfied with others. See what I mean?
In spite of my ambivalent feelings, this novel is a cut above the average and is a very good read.
So I loved some things, liked some things and was dissatisfied with others. See what I mean?
In spite of my ambivalent feelings, this novel is a cut above the average and is a very good read.
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