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The Tiny Magic Bookshop
A bookish cozy fantasy for fans of Travis Baldree and Lucy Jane Wood.There’s magic in a book …
Max always felt too ordinary for the magical village of Lampton. No place more so than her mum’s bookshop, where the recommendations are more than just a matter of taste – they’re magic.
When Max’s mum dies suddenly, she leaves her daughter Lamplight Books and makes one last that Max would spend a year working in the bookshop before she sells it.
Max has no desire to uproot her busy life in the city to return to a place that always made her feel inadequate, but she can’t ignore her mum’s last request. So she decides on a trial run of two weeks – if she can’t even last that long, then a year would be impossible…
For fans
👩Outsider MC
👪Found Family
🏘️Small town
🍂Autumn vibes
📚Classic books
Max always felt too ordinary for the magical village of Lampton. No place more so than her mum’s bookshop, where the recommendations are more than just a matter of taste – they’re magic.
When Max’s mum dies suddenly, she leaves her daughter Lamplight Books and makes one last that Max would spend a year working in the bookshop before she sells it.
Max has no desire to uproot her busy life in the city to return to a place that always made her feel inadequate, but she can’t ignore her mum’s last request. So she decides on a trial run of two weeks – if she can’t even last that long, then a year would be impossible…
For fans
👩Outsider MC
👪Found Family
🏘️Small town
🍂Autumn vibes
📚Classic books
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 1, 2026
The cover and title got me on this but sadly it wasn’t everything I hoped for. It had the cosy, fantasy vibes but for me, the storyline was lacking and I couldn’t get into the writing style at all, I found it to be quite jarring. This had so much promise but didn’t quite deliver unfortunately.
May 11, 2026
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is a cosy style story of a woman who takes over her mother’s bookshop after she is tragically killed in a road accident. She leaves her comfortable life in London to return to her hometown to sort out her mother’s affairs and finds her mother has stipulated in her will that she wants her daughter to run the bookshop for a year before she sells it. She’s miserable being back in a town where she’d always felt unwanted and living in the shadow of her impressive mother. This isn’t just pure cosy vibes, although there are magical beings, residents owls, baked goods and painted shelves. It’s more a backdrop to an exploration of grief and self discovery.
I did feel quite sorry for the main character as there was a real sense of everyone else knows best. Her life in London with her golden retriever boyfriend is a little bit looked down on and there’s a sense from the townsfolk of our stuff is better. There is an exploration of her misconception that she’s unwanted and unloved in the town, but no one ever stops to understand what caused her to feel like that in the first place, she’s just told she’s wrong. She was quite a deep and complex character with some clear self esteem issues but who had forged a life of her own, and sometimes this was dismissed a bit. It did make for an interesting read but I often felt conflicted.
This had a bit more depth to it than a lot of magical bookshop stories due to the grief elements and the character study we experience with the main character.
This is a cosy style story of a woman who takes over her mother’s bookshop after she is tragically killed in a road accident. She leaves her comfortable life in London to return to her hometown to sort out her mother’s affairs and finds her mother has stipulated in her will that she wants her daughter to run the bookshop for a year before she sells it. She’s miserable being back in a town where she’d always felt unwanted and living in the shadow of her impressive mother. This isn’t just pure cosy vibes, although there are magical beings, residents owls, baked goods and painted shelves. It’s more a backdrop to an exploration of grief and self discovery.
I did feel quite sorry for the main character as there was a real sense of everyone else knows best. Her life in London with her golden retriever boyfriend is a little bit looked down on and there’s a sense from the townsfolk of our stuff is better. There is an exploration of her misconception that she’s unwanted and unloved in the town, but no one ever stops to understand what caused her to feel like that in the first place, she’s just told she’s wrong. She was quite a deep and complex character with some clear self esteem issues but who had forged a life of her own, and sometimes this was dismissed a bit. It did make for an interesting read but I often felt conflicted.
This had a bit more depth to it than a lot of magical bookshop stories due to the grief elements and the character study we experience with the main character.
May 31, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ digital for the arc of The Tiny Magic Bookshop!
what a beautifully cosy book! this dealt with grief in a much more raw and honest depiction than I thought it would, and it really resonated with me. We follow Max as she is left with having to manage her mums magical, and famous amongst the locals of Lampton, bookshop after she suddenly dies, and she has no desire to do so. We journey with Max as she deals with her grief and struggles with acceptance and feeling of not belonging in the one place her mum wanted her to be.
I really enjoyed this and I always love a found family trope. I did find some of Max’s decisions/miscommunication and dialogue quite frustrating, especially her internal monologue, but she’s in the midst of grief and there is no rational thinking when it comes to dealing with grief. Overall this was a very easy read, I certainly wouldn’t be mad if I was left a magical bookshop where my best friend left me cinnamon buns and chai lattes on my doorstep every morning.
A special mention for my favourite quote: “One month ago, at ten minutes to five, someone bought a copy of Wuthering Heights. Max didn’t like to think what issues that person must have been enduring if such an unhinged story was the key to unlocking their emotional breakthrough.” We need more ‘Wuthering Heights is NOT a romance’ representation
what a beautifully cosy book! this dealt with grief in a much more raw and honest depiction than I thought it would, and it really resonated with me. We follow Max as she is left with having to manage her mums magical, and famous amongst the locals of Lampton, bookshop after she suddenly dies, and she has no desire to do so. We journey with Max as she deals with her grief and struggles with acceptance and feeling of not belonging in the one place her mum wanted her to be.
I really enjoyed this and I always love a found family trope. I did find some of Max’s decisions/miscommunication and dialogue quite frustrating, especially her internal monologue, but she’s in the midst of grief and there is no rational thinking when it comes to dealing with grief. Overall this was a very easy read, I certainly wouldn’t be mad if I was left a magical bookshop where my best friend left me cinnamon buns and chai lattes on my doorstep every morning.
A special mention for my favourite quote: “One month ago, at ten minutes to five, someone bought a copy of Wuthering Heights. Max didn’t like to think what issues that person must have been enduring if such an unhinged story was the key to unlocking their emotional breakthrough.” We need more ‘Wuthering Heights is NOT a romance’ representation
February 15, 2026
The Tiny Magic Bookshop was an enjoyable, cosy read with a lovely atmosphere and an emotional heart at its centre.
This story leans much more into self-discovery, healing, and quiet personal growth than it does into action or high-stakes magic. If you’re expecting dramatic twists or a fast-paced fantasy plot, this may feel slower than anticipated. The magic here is gentle and reflective rather than explosive.
That said, the setting is charming, and the themes of belonging and finding your place are handled with warmth. It’s very much a character-driven story — one that focuses on emotional development over dramatic events. By the end, it delivers a comforting and hopeful resolution that fits the tone of the book well.
For readers who love cosy fantasy, small-town vibes, and stories about personal transformation, this will likely be a satisfying read.
This story leans much more into self-discovery, healing, and quiet personal growth than it does into action or high-stakes magic. If you’re expecting dramatic twists or a fast-paced fantasy plot, this may feel slower than anticipated. The magic here is gentle and reflective rather than explosive.
That said, the setting is charming, and the themes of belonging and finding your place are handled with warmth. It’s very much a character-driven story — one that focuses on emotional development over dramatic events. By the end, it delivers a comforting and hopeful resolution that fits the tone of the book well.
For readers who love cosy fantasy, small-town vibes, and stories about personal transformation, this will likely be a satisfying read.
June 4, 2026
This was such a sweet read. Found family is one of my favourite tropes and this was the ultimate found family book.
I've been complaining recently that not every book needs friends to have a love relationship in a book and we need more books about friendship. The bookish gods answered and delivered The Tiny Magic Bookshop to me.
The book is about healing, friendships and self love all set in a magical town. I love the break in-between focusing on the three customers who need help. Each healed with a book recommendation.
Young Lord Sharpsight was hilarious to read. An owl who definitely looks down on us flightless beings.
Thanks Harper Fire for letting me read this early*gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
I've been complaining recently that not every book needs friends to have a love relationship in a book and we need more books about friendship. The bookish gods answered and delivered The Tiny Magic Bookshop to me.
The book is about healing, friendships and self love all set in a magical town. I love the break in-between focusing on the three customers who need help. Each healed with a book recommendation.
Young Lord Sharpsight was hilarious to read. An owl who definitely looks down on us flightless beings.
Thanks Harper Fire for letting me read this early*gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
June 8, 2026
I adored "The Tiny Magic Bookshop" and think it's a must read for all my friends. Max grew up in a small magical town with her mother, a bookstore owner. After her mom's death, Max returns to the town and the bookshop - only to be reminded that she never truly fit in and her mom's magical book recommendations didn't pass onto her. While that is the over all story arc, there is so much more in-between the story about friendship, self-love, working through anxiety, and finding ways to be authentic instead of being stuck in comparison traps. I smirked, I cried, and I will be reading everything this author ever writes. Bravo, my heart is full and my tear ducts are empty.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There is a very specific flavor of cozy fantasy that looks you directly in the soul and says, “Would you like to process some emotional trauma inside a tiny bookshop while magical creatures wander in for life advice and an owl silently judges your decisions?” And unfortunately for my free time, the answer is always yes. Which is exactly why I grabbed The Tiny Magic Bookshop by August Bloom like a raccoon grabbing a shiny object.
The premise is aggressively charming. Max returns to her childhood village of Lampton after her mother dies unexpectedly and leaves her the family bookstore, Lamplight Books. But Mom had one final move ready from beyond the grave. Max has to run the shop for a full year before she’s allowed to sell it.
Max, who has spent most of her life feeling painfully ordinary in a town full of magical beings, reacts to this information with the energy of someone being asked to host Thanksgiving for people they actively avoid. She compromises with a two week trial run. Two weeks. Which is the emotional equivalent of saying, “I’ll try therapy once and see if it fixes everything.”
And the shop itself is where things get interesting. Lamplight Books doesn’t just sell books. It somehow knows exactly which story someone needs. A customer walks in with their entire emotional baggage carousel spinning and the shop is like, “You look like someone who needs a Victorian tragedy and a cry.” Honestly, iconic behavior from a bookstore.
Soon the shop starts pulling in the village residents, and this is where the cozy fantasy vibes really start cooking. Lampton is full of magical neighbors just living their lives. Selkies. Leprechauns. Trolls. Bakers and florists and townsfolk who all seem to have quietly adopted the bookshop as their community therapy center. It has the exact energy of a Hallmark town but if half the residents could turn into sea creatures.
The emotional backbone of the story is Max’s relationship with her mother and the deep insecurity she’s carried most of her life. Her mother was beloved, capable, magical in every sense of the word. Meanwhile Max has spent years feeling like the human equivalent of a participation trophy. That grief and self doubt drive a lot of the story, and when the book leans into that emotional honesty it actually lands really well.
But let’s talk pacing, because my gremlin brain started pacing the room a little. The first stretch of the book spends a lot of time inside Max’s head. Which is understandable. Grief is messy. It loops. You replay conversations. You question every choice you’ve ever made since 2009. That part feels real. But narratively, it does mean the story moves at the speed of someone trying to emotionally unpack a single box in their childhood bedroom.
I kept checking the page count like, “Okay but are we leaving the internal monologue anytime soon or are we setting up permanent residence here?” Once the story starts expanding outward into the town, the customers, and the weird magical ecosystem of Lampton, it becomes way more fun. The villagers bring personality. The magical creatures add texture. There’s even a slightly chaotic owl hanging around the shop like a tiny feathery supervisor who knows everyone’s secrets.
And those moments where the shop matches people with the exact book they need? That’s the good stuff. That’s the emotional candy. It taps into that very real reader fantasy that somewhere out there exists a bookstore that would hand you the exact story that might fix your life. Or at least make you cry productively.
I did have a few worldbuilding questions that my brain would not stop poking. Lampton is this magical village tucked inside what otherwise appears to be a normal world. Which immediately made me want answers. Is this place hidden? Do outsiders know about the werewolves and selkies casually buying pastries? Is there a magical zoning committee? I had questions. Many questions.
But honestly, this book is running on vibes more than logistics, and those vibes are cozy as hell. Autumn energy. Tiny shops. People healing through stories. A slightly chaotic community slowly pulling Max out of her self imposed “I am aggressively mediocre” narrative.
Did the book completely knock me over emotionally? Not quite. It feels very much like a first book finding its footing. The ideas are strong, the atmosphere is lovely, and the emotional arc is solid, but the pacing and worldbuilding kept it from fully hitting that magical sweet spot for me.
That said, would I go back to Lampton for book two? Yeah. Probably. Because I am exactly the type of person who will absolutely return to a magical bookshop hoping the sequel cranks the chaos dial a little higher.
Three stars from me, a cozy and promising start to the series that didn’t fully sweep me away but definitely made me curious about what comes next.
Huge thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC, and for enabling my ongoing habit of emotionally relocating to fictional bookshops whenever possible. Honestly, if Lamplight Books starts accepting job applications, I’m ready.
The premise is aggressively charming. Max returns to her childhood village of Lampton after her mother dies unexpectedly and leaves her the family bookstore, Lamplight Books. But Mom had one final move ready from beyond the grave. Max has to run the shop for a full year before she’s allowed to sell it.
Max, who has spent most of her life feeling painfully ordinary in a town full of magical beings, reacts to this information with the energy of someone being asked to host Thanksgiving for people they actively avoid. She compromises with a two week trial run. Two weeks. Which is the emotional equivalent of saying, “I’ll try therapy once and see if it fixes everything.”
And the shop itself is where things get interesting. Lamplight Books doesn’t just sell books. It somehow knows exactly which story someone needs. A customer walks in with their entire emotional baggage carousel spinning and the shop is like, “You look like someone who needs a Victorian tragedy and a cry.” Honestly, iconic behavior from a bookstore.
Soon the shop starts pulling in the village residents, and this is where the cozy fantasy vibes really start cooking. Lampton is full of magical neighbors just living their lives. Selkies. Leprechauns. Trolls. Bakers and florists and townsfolk who all seem to have quietly adopted the bookshop as their community therapy center. It has the exact energy of a Hallmark town but if half the residents could turn into sea creatures.
The emotional backbone of the story is Max’s relationship with her mother and the deep insecurity she’s carried most of her life. Her mother was beloved, capable, magical in every sense of the word. Meanwhile Max has spent years feeling like the human equivalent of a participation trophy. That grief and self doubt drive a lot of the story, and when the book leans into that emotional honesty it actually lands really well.
But let’s talk pacing, because my gremlin brain started pacing the room a little. The first stretch of the book spends a lot of time inside Max’s head. Which is understandable. Grief is messy. It loops. You replay conversations. You question every choice you’ve ever made since 2009. That part feels real. But narratively, it does mean the story moves at the speed of someone trying to emotionally unpack a single box in their childhood bedroom.
I kept checking the page count like, “Okay but are we leaving the internal monologue anytime soon or are we setting up permanent residence here?” Once the story starts expanding outward into the town, the customers, and the weird magical ecosystem of Lampton, it becomes way more fun. The villagers bring personality. The magical creatures add texture. There’s even a slightly chaotic owl hanging around the shop like a tiny feathery supervisor who knows everyone’s secrets.
And those moments where the shop matches people with the exact book they need? That’s the good stuff. That’s the emotional candy. It taps into that very real reader fantasy that somewhere out there exists a bookstore that would hand you the exact story that might fix your life. Or at least make you cry productively.
I did have a few worldbuilding questions that my brain would not stop poking. Lampton is this magical village tucked inside what otherwise appears to be a normal world. Which immediately made me want answers. Is this place hidden? Do outsiders know about the werewolves and selkies casually buying pastries? Is there a magical zoning committee? I had questions. Many questions.
But honestly, this book is running on vibes more than logistics, and those vibes are cozy as hell. Autumn energy. Tiny shops. People healing through stories. A slightly chaotic community slowly pulling Max out of her self imposed “I am aggressively mediocre” narrative.
Did the book completely knock me over emotionally? Not quite. It feels very much like a first book finding its footing. The ideas are strong, the atmosphere is lovely, and the emotional arc is solid, but the pacing and worldbuilding kept it from fully hitting that magical sweet spot for me.
That said, would I go back to Lampton for book two? Yeah. Probably. Because I am exactly the type of person who will absolutely return to a magical bookshop hoping the sequel cranks the chaos dial a little higher.
Three stars from me, a cozy and promising start to the series that didn’t fully sweep me away but definitely made me curious about what comes next.
Huge thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC, and for enabling my ongoing habit of emotionally relocating to fictional bookshops whenever possible. Honestly, if Lamplight Books starts accepting job applications, I’m ready.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BookSloth has a long-standing and entirely reasonable belief that if she ever stumbles across a tiny village bookshop with rainbow-coloured shelving, she will simply move in and refuse to leave. And insist on a resident owl.
The Tiny Magic Bookshop follows Max, who returns to her childhood village of Lampton after the sudden death of her mother, the beloved owner of Lamplight Books, a shop known for its almost uncanny ability to place the right book into the right hands.
Max has never felt magical herself. In fact, she has spent most of her life feeling painfully ordinary—especially in comparison to her mother. She doesn’t believe she belongs there. She certainly doesn’t believe she carries whatever “magic” the shop once held. So when her mother's will requests that she run the bookshop for a year before selling, she reluctantly agrees to a two-week trial.
The early chapters are deeply internal. Max spirals. She replays. She doubts. And while that felt emotionally authentic—because in real life people absolutely circle their thoughts—BookSloth did find the first thirty percent repetitive. The narrative treads similar emotional ground for a little too long. And that's a dangerous place, because twice BookSloth nearly stopped reading.
But once it does move outwards into the villagers, into the customers, into the subtle magic of books finding their readers, into the possibility that “ordinary” might simply be misunderstood, the novel opens up beautifully.
This is where the story touched BookSloth's soul.
At its heart, this is a story about shadows. About living in the perception of someone else’s brilliance. About the lies we tell ourselves to stay small. About the conversations left unsaid and the boxes we keep sealed because opening them feels too risky.
The fantasy elements here are gentle but delightful. These creatures don’t dominate the narrative, but they deepen the sense that Lampton exists slightly sideways from the ordinary world. The troll was BookSloth's favourite. She'd like to meet them for some tea and crafting! And the owl? Watchful. Cheeky. Present in that knowing way that suggests it understands more than it lets on. Exactly the sort of owl one wants overseeing a bookshop.
For a book about handing out books, this one found its way into BookSloth's claws at exactly the right time. It helped her sit with a few things she'd been struggling to articulate—especially the way silence and assumption can drive wedges between people who care deeply for one another.
BookSloth dabbed her eyes a few times at the end.
One small craft note: the occasional profanity jarred against the otherwise soft tone. It felt slightly out of step with the gentleness of the world.
But overall, this is a beautiful, tender story about grief, belonging, and the courage it takes to rewrite the story you tell yourself.
Four stars from BookSloth—who would like to formally apply for the position of Assistant Manager at Lamplight Books. 🦉📚✨
BookSloth has a long-standing and entirely reasonable belief that if she ever stumbles across a tiny village bookshop with rainbow-coloured shelving, she will simply move in and refuse to leave. And insist on a resident owl.
The Tiny Magic Bookshop follows Max, who returns to her childhood village of Lampton after the sudden death of her mother, the beloved owner of Lamplight Books, a shop known for its almost uncanny ability to place the right book into the right hands.
Max has never felt magical herself. In fact, she has spent most of her life feeling painfully ordinary—especially in comparison to her mother. She doesn’t believe she belongs there. She certainly doesn’t believe she carries whatever “magic” the shop once held. So when her mother's will requests that she run the bookshop for a year before selling, she reluctantly agrees to a two-week trial.
The early chapters are deeply internal. Max spirals. She replays. She doubts. And while that felt emotionally authentic—because in real life people absolutely circle their thoughts—BookSloth did find the first thirty percent repetitive. The narrative treads similar emotional ground for a little too long. And that's a dangerous place, because twice BookSloth nearly stopped reading.
But once it does move outwards into the villagers, into the customers, into the subtle magic of books finding their readers, into the possibility that “ordinary” might simply be misunderstood, the novel opens up beautifully.
This is where the story touched BookSloth's soul.
At its heart, this is a story about shadows. About living in the perception of someone else’s brilliance. About the lies we tell ourselves to stay small. About the conversations left unsaid and the boxes we keep sealed because opening them feels too risky.
The fantasy elements here are gentle but delightful. These creatures don’t dominate the narrative, but they deepen the sense that Lampton exists slightly sideways from the ordinary world. The troll was BookSloth's favourite. She'd like to meet them for some tea and crafting! And the owl? Watchful. Cheeky. Present in that knowing way that suggests it understands more than it lets on. Exactly the sort of owl one wants overseeing a bookshop.
For a book about handing out books, this one found its way into BookSloth's claws at exactly the right time. It helped her sit with a few things she'd been struggling to articulate—especially the way silence and assumption can drive wedges between people who care deeply for one another.
BookSloth dabbed her eyes a few times at the end.
One small craft note: the occasional profanity jarred against the otherwise soft tone. It felt slightly out of step with the gentleness of the world.
But overall, this is a beautiful, tender story about grief, belonging, and the courage it takes to rewrite the story you tell yourself.
Four stars from BookSloth—who would like to formally apply for the position of Assistant Manager at Lamplight Books. 🦉📚✨
June 17, 2026
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is the cozy literary hug you didn’t know you needed. Thanks to an unexpected line in her mother’s will, Max finds herself the new owner of her Mother’s bookshop in her childhood town. Having done everything in her power to leave her previous life behind, Max is now forced to meet the ghosts of her past head on. Filled with found family, quirky magical characters, and the healing journey of life after loss, the The Tiny Magic Bookshop is sure have you crying happy tears.
I wasn’t drawn in immediately to Max’s story but I am so glad I stuck with it. We follow Max’s whirlwind of emotions as she comes to terms with her new predicament (owning a bookshop) while still processing the sudden loss of her only parent. Slowly, as the story unfolds, we get a little glimpses of her past life and watch as she finally allows herself to truly grieve. Unlike most cozy fantasy’s, this book is messy, but does a beautiful job of helping the reader get into to this flawed character’s head.
Max herself is far from perfect. She craves control and loves logic and reason. Her mother on the other hand was just the opposite, which is what makes people drawn to her cozy classics bookshop and her “magical” ability” to pick just the right book for you. So when forced back as the bookshop’s new owner, Max is forced take on the daunting task of filling her mother’s large shoes. Between the roller coaster that is Max’s lack of self confidence, the weight of expectations, and the grief she keeps denying, I wanted nothing more but to reach in a give the main character a hug. She is so tied up in her own head but slowly but surely her past finds its way in. Once Max finally gives in, she finds love and a “magic of her own” that has always been there, just waiting for her to accept it.
The quirky magical cast that parades itself back into Max’s life makes this book stand out. I loved the back and forth between Max and the bookshop’s resident owl. The interactions between the magical creature customers that Max is forced to interact with are heart warming and will be sure to leave you with a smile.
If you love cozy urban fantasy that breaks your heart and then heals you along the way, The Tiny Magic bookshop needs to be your next read. Fans of Travis Baldree will delight in Max’s healing journey. If you love an outsider main character, found family, quirky magical creatures, and head nods to classical literature, be sure to add this cozy read to your TBR (just make sure the tissues are handy).
A huge thanks the Author August Bloom, HQ and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to be an early reader. I am leaving this review voluntarily, all opinions are my own.
I wasn’t drawn in immediately to Max’s story but I am so glad I stuck with it. We follow Max’s whirlwind of emotions as she comes to terms with her new predicament (owning a bookshop) while still processing the sudden loss of her only parent. Slowly, as the story unfolds, we get a little glimpses of her past life and watch as she finally allows herself to truly grieve. Unlike most cozy fantasy’s, this book is messy, but does a beautiful job of helping the reader get into to this flawed character’s head.
Max herself is far from perfect. She craves control and loves logic and reason. Her mother on the other hand was just the opposite, which is what makes people drawn to her cozy classics bookshop and her “magical” ability” to pick just the right book for you. So when forced back as the bookshop’s new owner, Max is forced take on the daunting task of filling her mother’s large shoes. Between the roller coaster that is Max’s lack of self confidence, the weight of expectations, and the grief she keeps denying, I wanted nothing more but to reach in a give the main character a hug. She is so tied up in her own head but slowly but surely her past finds its way in. Once Max finally gives in, she finds love and a “magic of her own” that has always been there, just waiting for her to accept it.
The quirky magical cast that parades itself back into Max’s life makes this book stand out. I loved the back and forth between Max and the bookshop’s resident owl. The interactions between the magical creature customers that Max is forced to interact with are heart warming and will be sure to leave you with a smile.
If you love cozy urban fantasy that breaks your heart and then heals you along the way, The Tiny Magic bookshop needs to be your next read. Fans of Travis Baldree will delight in Max’s healing journey. If you love an outsider main character, found family, quirky magical creatures, and head nods to classical literature, be sure to add this cozy read to your TBR (just make sure the tissues are handy).
A huge thanks the Author August Bloom, HQ and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to be an early reader. I am leaving this review voluntarily, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first four paragraphs of the book could have been used as cover copy and I’d have still wanted to read it. Chapter one draws you in with gentle magic, then transitions you with a whammy that makes you stop wide eyed and eyebrows raised to write the first paragraph of your review not so quickly as to give anything away but quickly enough to hurry to chapter two.
This book is not at all what I expected. It isn’t a Hallmarkesque romantasy, it isn’t fairy lights and cottagecore, it’s grief and yearning and heartbreak and the messy confusing days and weeks following the worst thing that happened. But it’s also hope and healing and the hard work and heavy lifting that comes with it. The narrative shows grief in realistic ways, in particular the consequences of pushing it all down until everything doesn’t fit in the box you shoved it in anymore.
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is incredibly well written, reminding me of tubing or kayaking along a deep river, where the current is largely carrying you gently toward your destination without any input needed from you, but then it shallows, becoming rougher like grief which will only tolerate being buried deep for so long before you have to take control and fight to stay upright before the river calms again. Poor Max interprets almost every interaction in the most painful light, but aside from that is honest with herself in all other points, with admirable self-awareness and accountability.
Certain key miscommunications are integral to the storyline (see painful interpretations), and is whimsically done, but not my favorite trope. Nevertheless, the Big Reveal is part of an overall cathartic experience.
To full express how good this book is, even though it employed a trope I’m not a fan of, and the next book in the series looks to also address painful relationships, I will absolutely be reading the next book when it is available. I tend to read books with a primary element of escapism, but every now and again a book like this, which caught me by surprise, reminds me that stories are also meant to be catharsis and catalyst for our own healing as well.
I received an advance copy from Net Galley and my review is voluntary
This book is not at all what I expected. It isn’t a Hallmarkesque romantasy, it isn’t fairy lights and cottagecore, it’s grief and yearning and heartbreak and the messy confusing days and weeks following the worst thing that happened. But it’s also hope and healing and the hard work and heavy lifting that comes with it. The narrative shows grief in realistic ways, in particular the consequences of pushing it all down until everything doesn’t fit in the box you shoved it in anymore.
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is incredibly well written, reminding me of tubing or kayaking along a deep river, where the current is largely carrying you gently toward your destination without any input needed from you, but then it shallows, becoming rougher like grief which will only tolerate being buried deep for so long before you have to take control and fight to stay upright before the river calms again. Poor Max interprets almost every interaction in the most painful light, but aside from that is honest with herself in all other points, with admirable self-awareness and accountability.
Certain key miscommunications are integral to the storyline (see painful interpretations), and is whimsically done, but not my favorite trope. Nevertheless, the Big Reveal is part of an overall cathartic experience.
To full express how good this book is, even though it employed a trope I’m not a fan of, and the next book in the series looks to also address painful relationships, I will absolutely be reading the next book when it is available. I tend to read books with a primary element of escapism, but every now and again a book like this, which caught me by surprise, reminds me that stories are also meant to be catharsis and catalyst for our own healing as well.
I received an advance copy from Net Galley and my review is voluntary
June 23, 2026
Lamplight Books is a small bookshop in the magical village of Lampton. Max has come back to sort out the shop after her mother’s sudden death. She’s always felt too ordinary for this place and didn’t inherit her mum’s magical ability to recommend books that help people with their troubles. So she is shocked when she learns her mother wished her to spend a year living and working in the bookshop before she sells it. Max has no desire to uproot her life but also feels like she can’t refuse her mum’s last wish. So, she decides to have a two week trial run and then decide what to do. Can she find a place where she never managed to fit in?
Charming, cosy and comforting, reading this book was like being wrapped in a big, warm hug, which was exactly the vibe I was hoping for. It’s a love letter to bookshops, booksellers, books and the magic that is found in their pages. I loved hearing different books mentioned and how there was a quote from each of them at the end of the chapter. The different books also helped Max or other characters on their journey, showcasing the power of books to help us through some of our darkest times. They really are always there for us. As you can imagine, as a book lover I adored these aspects of the story.
The characters are relatable and compelling as even the magical beings are given very human emotions and problems that make us able to relate to them. Max was a flawed, nuanced and likeable character who is going through the hardest time in her life. My heart broke for her as she tried to deal with losing her mother and I had a lot of sympathy for all the other things she was dealing with, some of which she did bring upon herself. But the main character in this story is grief, which takes centre stage throughout. Max’s grief is palpable. It’s always with us in every room and at every movement, something that anyone who has grieved someone they love will understand. August Bloom takes us through all the different stages alongside Max as she tries to run the shop, make a decision about its future and find her place in Lampton.
I highly recommend this heartwarming and bewitching story.
Charming, cosy and comforting, reading this book was like being wrapped in a big, warm hug, which was exactly the vibe I was hoping for. It’s a love letter to bookshops, booksellers, books and the magic that is found in their pages. I loved hearing different books mentioned and how there was a quote from each of them at the end of the chapter. The different books also helped Max or other characters on their journey, showcasing the power of books to help us through some of our darkest times. They really are always there for us. As you can imagine, as a book lover I adored these aspects of the story.
The characters are relatable and compelling as even the magical beings are given very human emotions and problems that make us able to relate to them. Max was a flawed, nuanced and likeable character who is going through the hardest time in her life. My heart broke for her as she tried to deal with losing her mother and I had a lot of sympathy for all the other things she was dealing with, some of which she did bring upon herself. But the main character in this story is grief, which takes centre stage throughout. Max’s grief is palpable. It’s always with us in every room and at every movement, something that anyone who has grieved someone they love will understand. August Bloom takes us through all the different stages alongside Max as she tries to run the shop, make a decision about its future and find her place in Lampton.
I highly recommend this heartwarming and bewitching story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
My mind was blown when I found out that August Bloom is a fantasy pseudonym for crime writer Anna Britton, and I believe this is her debut fantasy novel.
This is glorious! I cannot say anything negative about it. It was cosy and warming but not sickly sweet; magical but still familiar.
I expected it to be this fun, magical, quirky, uplifting, feel-good fantasy story, and it was, but it had a lot more depth to it than I thought it would, particularly around grief.
It's about grief, loss, bereavement, loneliness, fear, choices, belonging, love, friendship, community, magic - it's got so much packed into its relatively small page count but it never feels overwhelming.
I know it's not as easy as it sounds but this idea of running a small bookshop, organising shelves and recommending the perfect book for each customer just sounds blissful.
I read it in the spring and whilst I think it would work at ay time, it felt like it would be perfect for the autumn or winter. Some time where it's dark and cold and you want to curl up under a blanket with a hot cuppa. I may even save it and re-read it in the winter just to see if I get a different feeling from it.
It's quick and easy to read - I had it finished within a matter of hours, but it doesn't skimp on the detail.
The little town of Lampton is magical in the literal and figurative sense and I wish to move there now please. Each character was a delight, be they human or otherwise. They all work well off of Max's main story but also within their own stories.
I mean, did I have a fair understanding of how it was going to end before I got there? Yes. But does that matter? Absolutely not. In these kind of uplifting books, I find I'm less interested in what happens but rather the story of how they got there and that's how I felt here.
As Anna Britton, she is known for writing crime novels, but she's really hit on something as August Bloom because this is just wonderful. I truly hope there will be more books in this vein.
My mind was blown when I found out that August Bloom is a fantasy pseudonym for crime writer Anna Britton, and I believe this is her debut fantasy novel.
This is glorious! I cannot say anything negative about it. It was cosy and warming but not sickly sweet; magical but still familiar.
I expected it to be this fun, magical, quirky, uplifting, feel-good fantasy story, and it was, but it had a lot more depth to it than I thought it would, particularly around grief.
It's about grief, loss, bereavement, loneliness, fear, choices, belonging, love, friendship, community, magic - it's got so much packed into its relatively small page count but it never feels overwhelming.
I know it's not as easy as it sounds but this idea of running a small bookshop, organising shelves and recommending the perfect book for each customer just sounds blissful.
I read it in the spring and whilst I think it would work at ay time, it felt like it would be perfect for the autumn or winter. Some time where it's dark and cold and you want to curl up under a blanket with a hot cuppa. I may even save it and re-read it in the winter just to see if I get a different feeling from it.
It's quick and easy to read - I had it finished within a matter of hours, but it doesn't skimp on the detail.
The little town of Lampton is magical in the literal and figurative sense and I wish to move there now please. Each character was a delight, be they human or otherwise. They all work well off of Max's main story but also within their own stories.
I mean, did I have a fair understanding of how it was going to end before I got there? Yes. But does that matter? Absolutely not. In these kind of uplifting books, I find I'm less interested in what happens but rather the story of how they got there and that's how I felt here.
As Anna Britton, she is known for writing crime novels, but she's really hit on something as August Bloom because this is just wonderful. I truly hope there will be more books in this vein.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is a gorgeous cosy fantasy that explores the themes of grief, friendship and finding out where you really belong.
Max returns to the magical village of the Lampton after her mother’s death. For 10 years she has cut herself off from her childhood as she felt that she wasn’t magical enough to fit. Now, she’s expected to take over her mother’s role of a beloved bookshop owner who is famous for her perfect book recommendations. After 10 years of living in London and having a successful career, she is now forced to think about what she really wants.
This book has all of the hallmarks of a cosy fantasy, magical creatures, a gorgeous village setting and even a resident owl and they are brought together brilliantly here. I especially loved the scenes in the wood. The story is low stakes, there are no epic quests or dangerous adventures but the tale of Max dealing with grief over the mother’s death, trying to mend a broken friendship and work out where she really belongs is still a powerful one. I liked the character of Max and it was nice to see a 31 year old still feeling insecure and indecisive about what to do. In my experience, those feelings persist right through your life. She is definitely the main character but the secondary characters such as Cam were well written too and the scenes where the two of them were trying to repair their friendship were so heart felt.
I enjoyed the mixture of fairytale elements with modern life and thought that the author did a great job of combining these into a cohesive whole. Unusually for a cosy fantasy, there isn’t really any romance but the book didn’t need it with everything else that was going on in Max’s love although her boyfriend Will, was lovely. The quotes from the books that Max’s mother had recommended to her were so well chosen and appropriate to what was happening in Max’s life too
This was a lovely cosy read that had a deeper message than some others in the genre. Huge thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers H Q for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Max returns to the magical village of the Lampton after her mother’s death. For 10 years she has cut herself off from her childhood as she felt that she wasn’t magical enough to fit. Now, she’s expected to take over her mother’s role of a beloved bookshop owner who is famous for her perfect book recommendations. After 10 years of living in London and having a successful career, she is now forced to think about what she really wants.
This book has all of the hallmarks of a cosy fantasy, magical creatures, a gorgeous village setting and even a resident owl and they are brought together brilliantly here. I especially loved the scenes in the wood. The story is low stakes, there are no epic quests or dangerous adventures but the tale of Max dealing with grief over the mother’s death, trying to mend a broken friendship and work out where she really belongs is still a powerful one. I liked the character of Max and it was nice to see a 31 year old still feeling insecure and indecisive about what to do. In my experience, those feelings persist right through your life. She is definitely the main character but the secondary characters such as Cam were well written too and the scenes where the two of them were trying to repair their friendship were so heart felt.
I enjoyed the mixture of fairytale elements with modern life and thought that the author did a great job of combining these into a cohesive whole. Unusually for a cosy fantasy, there isn’t really any romance but the book didn’t need it with everything else that was going on in Max’s love although her boyfriend Will, was lovely. The quotes from the books that Max’s mother had recommended to her were so well chosen and appropriate to what was happening in Max’s life too
This was a lovely cosy read that had a deeper message than some others in the genre. Huge thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers H Q for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If there's magic among the pages, imagine the magic you'll find in a bookstore...
The Tiny Magic Bookshop, debut by August Bloom due 04.06.26
AD/PR | e-ARC Review
I was drawn to this one because it promises books and a bookstore wrapped up in something magical, with a time limit and a decision to make ... and it didn’t disappoint!
When Max Livre inherits Lamplight Books after her mum's sudden death, she is taken back to the village of Lampton, a place so completely different to her busy London life. Faced with her mum's last request to keep Lamplight open, Max has to decide if she can fit into village life, the very place she left because she never felt she was quite the right fit.
The community Max reconnects with are all wonderfully friendly...even resident owl Sh, in his own way, eventually! The magical element and interactions between Max and the beings is beautifully written, a selkie and a troll being some of my favourite characters. Also, look out for Darcy, who will steal your heart!
Max finds she has a lot of soul searching to do and along the way, her eyes are opened to lots of things she has always been so hard on herself about.
There are friendships to reconnect with, finding her way with Cam and just trying to find Oakley - who I wonder if they might get their own story one day...
There is also Will, Max's boyfriend who is very much her London life. Can Lampton and London exist for her together?
This was a lovely, warm and cosy story, a huge hug wrapped up in the pages, (despite having read it in the current heatwave!)
I was sceptical at first, as this is more from the fantasy and mythical genre that I don't normally read, but I was captivated by the beauty of the story and was quickly hooked! Thank you to @augustbloomauthor for a beautifully written debut, this one has found a place in my heart and seems to be sticking with me!
The Tiny Magic Bookshop, debut by August Bloom due 04.06.26
AD/PR | e-ARC Review
I was drawn to this one because it promises books and a bookstore wrapped up in something magical, with a time limit and a decision to make ... and it didn’t disappoint!
When Max Livre inherits Lamplight Books after her mum's sudden death, she is taken back to the village of Lampton, a place so completely different to her busy London life. Faced with her mum's last request to keep Lamplight open, Max has to decide if she can fit into village life, the very place she left because she never felt she was quite the right fit.
The community Max reconnects with are all wonderfully friendly...even resident owl Sh, in his own way, eventually! The magical element and interactions between Max and the beings is beautifully written, a selkie and a troll being some of my favourite characters. Also, look out for Darcy, who will steal your heart!
Max finds she has a lot of soul searching to do and along the way, her eyes are opened to lots of things she has always been so hard on herself about.
There are friendships to reconnect with, finding her way with Cam and just trying to find Oakley - who I wonder if they might get their own story one day...
There is also Will, Max's boyfriend who is very much her London life. Can Lampton and London exist for her together?
This was a lovely, warm and cosy story, a huge hug wrapped up in the pages, (despite having read it in the current heatwave!)
I was sceptical at first, as this is more from the fantasy and mythical genre that I don't normally read, but I was captivated by the beauty of the story and was quickly hooked! Thank you to @augustbloomauthor for a beautifully written debut, this one has found a place in my heart and seems to be sticking with me!
June 4, 2026
If a book contains a magical bookshop, a resident owl, shelves full of books, and a story about finding where you belong, I am already loving it, you don't need to convince me.
The Tiny Magic Bookshop follows Max, who returns to her hometown after the death of her mother, expecting to sort out her affairs and move on with her life. Instead, she discovers that her mother’s will requires her to run Lamplight Books for a year before she can sell it.
What begins as a cosy fantasy quickly becomes something much deeper. This is a story about grief, family, belonging, friendship, and the complicated ways we can misunderstand both ourselves and the people we love.
I spent much of the book feeling for Max. She carries years of hurt, self-doubt, and assumptions about her place in the world. Watching her slowly uncover the truth about her mother, her hometown, and herself was both frustrating and rewarding in equal measure.
The magical elements are gentle and charming rather than overwhelming. The real heart of the story lies in its characters, the community around the bookshop, and the love of books woven through every page.
As someone who adores stories about books and bookshops, I loved the literary references throughout the novel. The discussions around books, reading, and the ways stories shape our lives felt like little gifts scattered throughout the narrative.
If you enjoy magical bookshops, found family, gentle fantasy, and stories that explore grief and healing with warmth and compassion, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
I finished this book wishing Lamplight Books was real because I would happily spend an entire day browsing its shelves.
A perfect read for anyone who loves magical bookshops, found family, small-town settings, and stories about healing and finding your way home.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Tiny Magic Bookshop by August Bloom is a sweet cozy fantasy filled with self-realization, grief and growth. Our main character, Max, is reeling from her mother’s unexpected death when she gets a surprise: her mother’s will stipulates that she must run her mother’s small town bookstore for a year. Max must leave her life as a London accountant to run the bookstore and fulfill her mother’s wishes, even if she does feel like a disappointment. Max grapples with the grief of her mother’s death and the weight of her expectations.
This book was both helped and hurt by its short timeline. Max decides at the beginning of the book she will spend two weeks to see if she can run the bookstore, and the book spans that timeline. The two weeks allows Max to process a lot, but we don’t really have time for Max to integrate into the small town, or for her to have a significant romantic storyline. Our story allows Max to process the way she needs, which feels well done, but the scope of the story is necessarily limited by the quick timeline.
The grief storyline felt well done, with Max experiencing a variety of emotions in relation to her mother’s death. I think the second half of the book does a better job engaging with her anger, sadness and weightedness than the first half, where it felt like the grief was a plot device and not an experience. The story’s climax does an excellent job diving into her emotions and reflecting on her own development, and I thought it felt like some of the best writing in the book as a whole.
I really appreciated that, given the two week plotline, Bloom did not attempt a significant romantic storyline. Max comes into the story with a boyfriend in London and grapples with whether she should embrace her new life in Lampton and leave him behind, or return to London and continue her relationship. Will is painted in a positive light but not a perfect fit, which allows both options to feel feasible. There are hints at other romances, but nothing feels more than a minor subplot. Normally I love a romance in my cozy fantasy, but this felt very appropriate given our character’s grief and our short timeline. However, if you need a romance to engage in a book, this isn’t for you.
The book hits a lot of the small-town setting without engaging in it fully; Max feels out of place and doesn’t connect to the town. So often, the joy of these small-town books is the way people come together and connect, the way that the main character feels seen and known, and Max’s fear of being out of place means it feels like she never really integrates herself into the town. It takes her a long time (in the context of the book) to leave the confines of the bookstore, and even longer to engage in a town event, but neither feel like she gets to feel like she belongs. So much of the story is about Max feeling out of place as an ordinary human surrounded by extraordinary magical creatures, but it feels like that development is unfulfilled.
A small detail, but the story has lots of hints about Max’s friendship with Oakley, the former manager of the bookstore who disappeared, without giving a fair explanation. Any reunions that happen occur off-page. It felt frustrating for so much attention to be given to Max’s anger and hurt towards her friend without any resolution.
Altogether, this was a cute cozy fantasy, with fun bookstore vibes and a solid grief storyline. There are some things I wish would have been different, but the bookstore rehabilitation and the grief plotline were engaging, and Max’s growth through the story is engaging.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy!
This book was both helped and hurt by its short timeline. Max decides at the beginning of the book she will spend two weeks to see if she can run the bookstore, and the book spans that timeline. The two weeks allows Max to process a lot, but we don’t really have time for Max to integrate into the small town, or for her to have a significant romantic storyline. Our story allows Max to process the way she needs, which feels well done, but the scope of the story is necessarily limited by the quick timeline.
The grief storyline felt well done, with Max experiencing a variety of emotions in relation to her mother’s death. I think the second half of the book does a better job engaging with her anger, sadness and weightedness than the first half, where it felt like the grief was a plot device and not an experience. The story’s climax does an excellent job diving into her emotions and reflecting on her own development, and I thought it felt like some of the best writing in the book as a whole.
I really appreciated that, given the two week plotline, Bloom did not attempt a significant romantic storyline. Max comes into the story with a boyfriend in London and grapples with whether she should embrace her new life in Lampton and leave him behind, or return to London and continue her relationship. Will is painted in a positive light but not a perfect fit, which allows both options to feel feasible. There are hints at other romances, but nothing feels more than a minor subplot. Normally I love a romance in my cozy fantasy, but this felt very appropriate given our character’s grief and our short timeline. However, if you need a romance to engage in a book, this isn’t for you.
The book hits a lot of the small-town setting without engaging in it fully; Max feels out of place and doesn’t connect to the town. So often, the joy of these small-town books is the way people come together and connect, the way that the main character feels seen and known, and Max’s fear of being out of place means it feels like she never really integrates herself into the town. It takes her a long time (in the context of the book) to leave the confines of the bookstore, and even longer to engage in a town event, but neither feel like she gets to feel like she belongs. So much of the story is about Max feeling out of place as an ordinary human surrounded by extraordinary magical creatures, but it feels like that development is unfulfilled.
A small detail, but the story has lots of hints about Max’s friendship with Oakley, the former manager of the bookstore who disappeared, without giving a fair explanation. Any reunions that happen occur off-page. It felt frustrating for so much attention to be given to Max’s anger and hurt towards her friend without any resolution.
Altogether, this was a cute cozy fantasy, with fun bookstore vibes and a solid grief storyline. There are some things I wish would have been different, but the bookstore rehabilitation and the grief plotline were engaging, and Max’s growth through the story is engaging.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Tiny Magic Bookshop by August Bloom
Rating: 3.5
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is, quite simply, a hug in book form. It is the literary equivalent of a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon, offering a gentle, comforting escape into a world where magic feels as natural as the turning of a page.
The story follows Max, an accountant whose life is upended by the sudden loss of their mother. Returning to their childhood home and the family’s eponymous bookshop, Max is thrust into a process of rediscovery, not just of the shop, but of themselves. August Bloom does a wonderful job of grounding the whimsy in genuine human experience; the narrative is deeply invested in big feelings that accompany grief, the crushing weight of external expectations, and the quiet, often painful, search for a true sense of belonging. The setting of a magical village provides the perfect backdrop for these themes, making the introspective journey feel both grounded and enchanting.
That said, the book isn't without its growing pains. The pacing occasionally hits a pitchy note, with some sections moving with urgency while others linger a bit too long. There are also a few wobbly moments in the plot where the internal logic of the magic or the mechanics of the shop’s mysteries feel slightly under-explained, which might pull a detail oriented reader out of the immersion.
However, these minor imperfections are easily forgiven. What matters most is that August Bloom has crafted a story with heart. It doesn't need to be perfect to be meaningful, and for those looking for a story that feels like a soft landing after a difficult week, this is a beautiful choice.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
Rating: 3.5
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is, quite simply, a hug in book form. It is the literary equivalent of a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon, offering a gentle, comforting escape into a world where magic feels as natural as the turning of a page.
The story follows Max, an accountant whose life is upended by the sudden loss of their mother. Returning to their childhood home and the family’s eponymous bookshop, Max is thrust into a process of rediscovery, not just of the shop, but of themselves. August Bloom does a wonderful job of grounding the whimsy in genuine human experience; the narrative is deeply invested in big feelings that accompany grief, the crushing weight of external expectations, and the quiet, often painful, search for a true sense of belonging. The setting of a magical village provides the perfect backdrop for these themes, making the introspective journey feel both grounded and enchanting.
That said, the book isn't without its growing pains. The pacing occasionally hits a pitchy note, with some sections moving with urgency while others linger a bit too long. There are also a few wobbly moments in the plot where the internal logic of the magic or the mechanics of the shop’s mysteries feel slightly under-explained, which might pull a detail oriented reader out of the immersion.
However, these minor imperfections are easily forgiven. What matters most is that August Bloom has crafted a story with heart. It doesn't need to be perfect to be meaningful, and for those looking for a story that feels like a soft landing after a difficult week, this is a beautiful choice.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Tiny Bookshop
Author: August Bloom
Synopsis: A bookish cozy fantasy for fans of Travis Baldree and Lucy Jane Wood.There’s magic in a book …
Max always felt too ordinary for the magical village of Lampton. No place more so than her mum’s bookshop, where the recommendations are more than just a matter of taste – they’re magic.
When Max’s mum dies suddenly, she leaves her daughter Lamplight Books and makes one last that Max would spend a year working in the bookshop before she sells it.
Max has no desire to uproot her busy life in the city to return to a place that always made her feel inadequate, but she can’t ignore her mum’s last request. So she decides on a trial run of two weeks – if she can’t even last that long, then a year would be impossible…
For fans
👩Outsider MC
👪Found Family
🏘️Small town
🍂Autumn vibes
📚Classic books
Review: This was a quick yet cute read! I felt sorry for Max and I can’t imagine the anguish of losing my own mother! There was much more depth to it than I anticipated for a cozy fantasy read! Although I do think she came off a bit immature with the way she went about leaving the town and ignoring her best friend! I understand she isn’t perfect! It was very charming and one thing I appreciated while reading this was that the chapters were short so I felt lien I got through the book much quicker than I thought! I look forward to reading more books in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
Author: August Bloom
Synopsis: A bookish cozy fantasy for fans of Travis Baldree and Lucy Jane Wood.There’s magic in a book …
Max always felt too ordinary for the magical village of Lampton. No place more so than her mum’s bookshop, where the recommendations are more than just a matter of taste – they’re magic.
When Max’s mum dies suddenly, she leaves her daughter Lamplight Books and makes one last that Max would spend a year working in the bookshop before she sells it.
Max has no desire to uproot her busy life in the city to return to a place that always made her feel inadequate, but she can’t ignore her mum’s last request. So she decides on a trial run of two weeks – if she can’t even last that long, then a year would be impossible…
For fans
👩Outsider MC
👪Found Family
🏘️Small town
🍂Autumn vibes
📚Classic books
Review: This was a quick yet cute read! I felt sorry for Max and I can’t imagine the anguish of losing my own mother! There was much more depth to it than I anticipated for a cozy fantasy read! Although I do think she came off a bit immature with the way she went about leaving the town and ignoring her best friend! I understand she isn’t perfect! It was very charming and one thing I appreciated while reading this was that the chapters were short so I felt lien I got through the book much quicker than I thought! I look forward to reading more books in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Netgalley Review
The writing was thought provoking, emotional and heartwarming. It had everything that you could want from a cosy fantasy.
Spread throughout the book were different points of view and quotes from well known books which gave an extra dimension to the story.
The chapters were fairly long, which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. At the end of the story was an Epilogue which I enjoyed.
There was a good flow between the chapters. It was made interesting when we suddenly went to another characters' point of view and a book quote. I loved this technique and thought that it added a nice extra layer to the story.
There was a good pace to the book. Whilst nothing felt rushed, we moved through the story well, learning things about the main character and watching her navigate through this tough time in her life.
The characters were excellent. They all brought something to the story and gave you something to think about. Each secondary character embodied something that the main character had to work on in her own life. It was very cleverly done.
I loved the main character. She really brought the emotion to the story and it was so interesting to see how she saw things.
Lastly the settings. I loved the village setting. There were some lovely descriptions that oozed cosy. I would love to go there!
Overall a heartwarming, emotional read that gave you plenty to think about. I recommend.
The writing was thought provoking, emotional and heartwarming. It had everything that you could want from a cosy fantasy.
Spread throughout the book were different points of view and quotes from well known books which gave an extra dimension to the story.
The chapters were fairly long, which meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. At the end of the story was an Epilogue which I enjoyed.
There was a good flow between the chapters. It was made interesting when we suddenly went to another characters' point of view and a book quote. I loved this technique and thought that it added a nice extra layer to the story.
There was a good pace to the book. Whilst nothing felt rushed, we moved through the story well, learning things about the main character and watching her navigate through this tough time in her life.
The characters were excellent. They all brought something to the story and gave you something to think about. Each secondary character embodied something that the main character had to work on in her own life. It was very cleverly done.
I loved the main character. She really brought the emotion to the story and it was so interesting to see how she saw things.
Lastly the settings. I loved the village setting. There were some lovely descriptions that oozed cosy. I would love to go there!
Overall a heartwarming, emotional read that gave you plenty to think about. I recommend.
June 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I decided to DNF this book at the 40% mark. Usually, I know how I feel about a book by 20% in, but I gave The Tiny Magic Bookshop extra time in the hope that the story would find its footing. Unfortunately, it never did.
The premise is appealing: Max inherits the Lamplight Bookshop after the death of her mother, who possessed a magical ability to pair customers with exactly the right book. The problem is that Max doesn’t seem to have inherited that gift, leaving her struggling to fill her mother’s shoes.
However, the story felt extremely repetitive. Much of the narrative consists of Max reflecting on her insecurities and her belief that she isn’t good enough to run the bookshop. While this is clearly intended to be the central emotional conflict, the same thoughts and messages are repeated so frequently that it felt as though the story was going around in circles rather than moving forward.
There is also very little dialogue, making the book feel heavily introspective. Instead of developing the plot or the relationships between characters, the narrative spends a lot of time inside Max’s head revisiting the same concerns. By the time I reached 40%, I felt no further along than I had at the beginning.
Sadly, I couldn’t bring myself to continue. While the concept had potential, the lack of progression and constant repetition made this a frustrating reading experience for me.
I decided to DNF this book at the 40% mark. Usually, I know how I feel about a book by 20% in, but I gave The Tiny Magic Bookshop extra time in the hope that the story would find its footing. Unfortunately, it never did.
The premise is appealing: Max inherits the Lamplight Bookshop after the death of her mother, who possessed a magical ability to pair customers with exactly the right book. The problem is that Max doesn’t seem to have inherited that gift, leaving her struggling to fill her mother’s shoes.
However, the story felt extremely repetitive. Much of the narrative consists of Max reflecting on her insecurities and her belief that she isn’t good enough to run the bookshop. While this is clearly intended to be the central emotional conflict, the same thoughts and messages are repeated so frequently that it felt as though the story was going around in circles rather than moving forward.
There is also very little dialogue, making the book feel heavily introspective. Instead of developing the plot or the relationships between characters, the narrative spends a lot of time inside Max’s head revisiting the same concerns. By the time I reached 40%, I felt no further along than I had at the beginning.
Sadly, I couldn’t bring myself to continue. While the concept had potential, the lack of progression and constant repetition made this a frustrating reading experience for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Max has just lost her mum and must sort the bookshop she’s inherited. She’s faced with the impossible task of returning to her childhood doubts and living up to her mum’s legacy. Growing up as an utterly non-magical human in a fairytale village, Max chose to forge her own path in London, and now she has to reconcile these two parts of herself.
This is a classic cosy book. It has a low-stake plot and focuses on community and emotional growth, rather than dramatic twists and turns. As Max begins to tackle the shop’s disorganisation, we get a clear sense of the denial, anger, and sadness she’s working through. Alongside this, she learns about the shop’s quirks and finds her own way of helping customers through books.
I would have liked a little more depth; we’re told she’s a more analytical person, and about certain memories, and the wider village, but I would’ve been interested in seeing more of this explored on the page.
Overall, though, I found it thoroughly charming. I’d happily return to Lamplight Books, and I wouldn’t mind my own Lord Sharpsight to keep me company.
Thank you Netgalley and HQ Digital for my advanced copy. If this book appeals to you, read it! Art is subjective.
This is a classic cosy book. It has a low-stake plot and focuses on community and emotional growth, rather than dramatic twists and turns. As Max begins to tackle the shop’s disorganisation, we get a clear sense of the denial, anger, and sadness she’s working through. Alongside this, she learns about the shop’s quirks and finds her own way of helping customers through books.
I would have liked a little more depth; we’re told she’s a more analytical person, and about certain memories, and the wider village, but I would’ve been interested in seeing more of this explored on the page.
Overall, though, I found it thoroughly charming. I’d happily return to Lamplight Books, and I wouldn’t mind my own Lord Sharpsight to keep me company.
Thank you Netgalley and HQ Digital for my advanced copy. If this book appeals to you, read it! Art is subjective.
June 4, 2026
This was a cute and cosy, but also emotional read for me.
Max was a character that I grew to like as the story progressed. At first, I found her to be quite stubborn. Especially when she assumed that Cam hated her instead of having an actual conversation with her. However, I do know how difficult it is to have those truthful talks.
She was very moody and angry with everyone, but I think this was her way of dealing with the loss of her mother and the guilt of abandoning her hometown for what she thought was a better life.
Cam was a gem of a best friend, though. I wish I had someone leaving me baked goods and lattes on my doorstep every day.
Deep down, we can see that Max is very insecure because she's worried that she can't live up to her mother's reputation of running the bookshop and her 'magic' recommendations.
I loved the inclusion of the POVs of the customers that Max tried to help with her own recommendations. It was so nice to see how the chosen book helped them. The owl, on the other hand, was a menace 😂.
Ultimately, this is a story about believing in yourself, working through grief, and overcoming your insecurities. Even when you think all is lost.
I'm glad to hear there will be another book in this series. I am looking forward to learning and hearing more from some of the other characters!
Max was a character that I grew to like as the story progressed. At first, I found her to be quite stubborn. Especially when she assumed that Cam hated her instead of having an actual conversation with her. However, I do know how difficult it is to have those truthful talks.
She was very moody and angry with everyone, but I think this was her way of dealing with the loss of her mother and the guilt of abandoning her hometown for what she thought was a better life.
Cam was a gem of a best friend, though. I wish I had someone leaving me baked goods and lattes on my doorstep every day.
Deep down, we can see that Max is very insecure because she's worried that she can't live up to her mother's reputation of running the bookshop and her 'magic' recommendations.
I loved the inclusion of the POVs of the customers that Max tried to help with her own recommendations. It was so nice to see how the chosen book helped them. The owl, on the other hand, was a menace 😂.
Ultimately, this is a story about believing in yourself, working through grief, and overcoming your insecurities. Even when you think all is lost.
I'm glad to hear there will be another book in this series. I am looking forward to learning and hearing more from some of the other characters!
June 7, 2026
This was such a delightful cosy fantasy that dealt with some really difficult topics around grief but felt the biggest, warmest hug.
The story follows Max who has had to return to her small hometown after her mum passes away to look after her bookshop. A stipulation in her mums will says that she must work there for one year before she is able to sell up and return to her successful city life in London.
The bookshop is located in a small village filled with magical residents. From elves to werewolves to selkies. And the bookshop is famous for the recommendations from Max’s mum’s, who many believe had her own magical powers. Max feels like she can’t live up to the expectations of the bookshops visitors and wonders why she didn’t receive these powers too.
We see how Max has to deal with the grief of missing her mum and always feeling like she’s never been good enough.
We also meet Max’s childhood friend, and half-elf, Cam. When Max moved to London they drifted apart so we are able to watch them figure out if they can rebuild their friendship.
This was a lovely story and I was very excited to see that there are more books planned in this small, magical town. Definitely a series I will be continuing.
The story follows Max who has had to return to her small hometown after her mum passes away to look after her bookshop. A stipulation in her mums will says that she must work there for one year before she is able to sell up and return to her successful city life in London.
The bookshop is located in a small village filled with magical residents. From elves to werewolves to selkies. And the bookshop is famous for the recommendations from Max’s mum’s, who many believe had her own magical powers. Max feels like she can’t live up to the expectations of the bookshops visitors and wonders why she didn’t receive these powers too.
We see how Max has to deal with the grief of missing her mum and always feeling like she’s never been good enough.
We also meet Max’s childhood friend, and half-elf, Cam. When Max moved to London they drifted apart so we are able to watch them figure out if they can rebuild their friendship.
This was a lovely story and I was very excited to see that there are more books planned in this small, magical town. Definitely a series I will be continuing.
June 9, 2026
What a lovely find this was.
This is the sort of book you can totally loose yourself in. You may well need a few tissues as there are elements of grief throughout, but told in a sensitive, wonderful way.
Now I don’t want to give much away about the story, because it is magical and I want you to experience it just as I did.
The writing is superb and you will quickly become hooked into the story, each chapter ends in such a way it leaves you wanting more, so it is impossible to read just one more chapter.
I loved the magical elements, how it is embraced as purely normal in the world, I think I would love to experience this village.
The characters are beautifully written and they grow on you more and more as you read, especially Max and her friend Cam.
I do just have to mention one other incredibly important character, Sh the owl. Now I loved this character, however this did not stop me shouting at him several times throughout the book. I’m sure why husband was wondering just why I was shouting no, no, no into the book!! You will find out why when you read it, but I am sure you will forgive him by the end!
All in all a truly wonderful read.
This is the sort of book you can totally loose yourself in. You may well need a few tissues as there are elements of grief throughout, but told in a sensitive, wonderful way.
Now I don’t want to give much away about the story, because it is magical and I want you to experience it just as I did.
The writing is superb and you will quickly become hooked into the story, each chapter ends in such a way it leaves you wanting more, so it is impossible to read just one more chapter.
I loved the magical elements, how it is embraced as purely normal in the world, I think I would love to experience this village.
The characters are beautifully written and they grow on you more and more as you read, especially Max and her friend Cam.
I do just have to mention one other incredibly important character, Sh the owl. Now I loved this character, however this did not stop me shouting at him several times throughout the book. I’m sure why husband was wondering just why I was shouting no, no, no into the book!! You will find out why when you read it, but I am sure you will forgive him by the end!
All in all a truly wonderful read.
June 21, 2026
Not really my kind of book but it was a cute, easy read. Definitely felt like a Hallmark movie in terms of plot. All very predictable with minimal drama and conflict, and little character development until the end, but sometimes that’s just what you need. Something slow and a bit more meaningful.
At two points genuine made me say “aww” out loud. And did I cry a little bit near the end? Yes. But that came down to this actually being a decent depiction of grief, one that felt personal and relatable. Fantasy elements all felt natural within the world set up
Had an issue with how repetitive the beginning was. “I can’t do what my mum did.” “I can’t do what my mum did.” “I don’t have the book magic my mum did.” Yes girl, we know, you’ve told us five times every chapter for the last 250 pages. Could have done with more book recommendations to more characters, as I really enjoyed those parts, and it felt under-utilised for one of the main plot points of the book. Slight issue with the character Sh, because I kept reading it as She and then was confused as to who was doing what.
But it was a good time, very cutesy and cosy and ideal for an easy read over a day or two.
At two points genuine made me say “aww” out loud. And did I cry a little bit near the end? Yes. But that came down to this actually being a decent depiction of grief, one that felt personal and relatable. Fantasy elements all felt natural within the world set up
Had an issue with how repetitive the beginning was. “I can’t do what my mum did.” “I can’t do what my mum did.” “I don’t have the book magic my mum did.” Yes girl, we know, you’ve told us five times every chapter for the last 250 pages. Could have done with more book recommendations to more characters, as I really enjoyed those parts, and it felt under-utilised for one of the main plot points of the book. Slight issue with the character Sh, because I kept reading it as She and then was confused as to who was doing what.
But it was a good time, very cutesy and cosy and ideal for an easy read over a day or two.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is an emotional and beautifully written story about grief, found family and figuring out where you belong. I was absolutely here for the cosy fantasy vibes and really resonated with the conversation of grief and loss.
Max finds herself back in her magical hometown after her mother's shocking death and struggles with the fact that not only has she lost her mother but she is now being forced to stay in the town where she never felt she belonged because she wasn't magical enough. I think what I enjoyed the most about this book was how realistic Max was. She went through a range of emotions, including bursts of anger, that I think a lot of people can resonate with. Her feelings and thoughts were raw and it was incredibly realistic and I liked seeing Max growth throughout the book. This book also has a great cast of side characters who I would honestly love to read more about, especially Cam and Darcy!
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is a cosy, emotional and lovely story with finding out who you are at its core. I absolutely recommend picking this one up and I'm excited to read more from this author in the future.
Max finds herself back in her magical hometown after her mother's shocking death and struggles with the fact that not only has she lost her mother but she is now being forced to stay in the town where she never felt she belonged because she wasn't magical enough. I think what I enjoyed the most about this book was how realistic Max was. She went through a range of emotions, including bursts of anger, that I think a lot of people can resonate with. Her feelings and thoughts were raw and it was incredibly realistic and I liked seeing Max growth throughout the book. This book also has a great cast of side characters who I would honestly love to read more about, especially Cam and Darcy!
The Tiny Magic Bookshop is a cosy, emotional and lovely story with finding out who you are at its core. I absolutely recommend picking this one up and I'm excited to read more from this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really gave this book a fair chance, I made it to nearly 60%, but ultimately, I decided not to continue. The repetition in the plot made it difficult for me to stay engaged.
The premise initially sounded perfect for me: a cosy bookshop, magical creatures, and a journey of self-discovery. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I found the pacing to be quite slow, the storyline overly simplistic, and the repetition made it feel stagnant. By around the 40% mark, I felt I could already predict where the story was heading, which made it harder to stay invested in the characters.
That said, I can absolutely see this book appealing to others, particularly readers who enjoy gentle, cosy fantasy reads, especially during an autumn afternoon. Sadly, it just didn’t hold my interest enough to see it through to the end.
I really gave this book a fair chance, I made it to nearly 60%, but ultimately, I decided not to continue. The repetition in the plot made it difficult for me to stay engaged.
The premise initially sounded perfect for me: a cosy bookshop, magical creatures, and a journey of self-discovery. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I found the pacing to be quite slow, the storyline overly simplistic, and the repetition made it feel stagnant. By around the 40% mark, I felt I could already predict where the story was heading, which made it harder to stay invested in the characters.
That said, I can absolutely see this book appealing to others, particularly readers who enjoy gentle, cosy fantasy reads, especially during an autumn afternoon. Sadly, it just didn’t hold my interest enough to see it through to the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Overall it's a reasonable story with an underlying sadness to it. For me, Max, the main character became an annoyance after a while though, too much mental whinging, which could have been attributed to her mother's sudden death. However, it seems to me that it was her normal state, born of an infantile mindset. She's secretive and negative about practically everything.
I did like the bookshop and village descriptions. They gave me a feeling of a quiet olde worlde location, the likes of which no longer exist. All pleasant shops and smells, perfect for window gazing and buying wondrous things. Also there was a short section of the book which did choke me up a bit, if you read it, you'll probably guess which.
Although it was a reasonable read, I wouldn't bother with it again, Max got on my wick too much.
I am thankful to the author, HQ | HQ Digital and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for free.
I did like the bookshop and village descriptions. They gave me a feeling of a quiet olde worlde location, the likes of which no longer exist. All pleasant shops and smells, perfect for window gazing and buying wondrous things. Also there was a short section of the book which did choke me up a bit, if you read it, you'll probably guess which.
Although it was a reasonable read, I wouldn't bother with it again, Max got on my wick too much.
I am thankful to the author, HQ | HQ Digital and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for free.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an intriguing 'cosy' book, because it can make for hard reading at times. The key throughline is one of tremendous grief, with our protagonist feeling the loss of her mother intensely, as well as all of the memories evoked by inheriting the titular bookshop. Max encounters long-lost friends, trying to decide on her place in the world, the ties between magic and reality and just what holds her heart amidst the whirl of sudden and intense upheaval.
I very much doubt any reader will experience quite this exact life-change, but I've no doubt that it will call out especially to those who are seeking comfort in times of loss. The writing is gentle and lovely, picking the reader up and carrying them through the confusion and choices, finding the right way forward. That's where the true power of this book lies.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
I very much doubt any reader will experience quite this exact life-change, but I've no doubt that it will call out especially to those who are seeking comfort in times of loss. The writing is gentle and lovely, picking the reader up and carrying them through the confusion and choices, finding the right way forward. That's where the true power of this book lies.
I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It's a cosy little read, which gave me T. J. Klune vibes with a side order of Hallmark movie. Just a side order, though, it's not a romance book, it's a book about finding your own path, about grief and friendship. The cast of various magical creatures were a delight, although the misunderstandings involved with the minor characters were a touch contrived and it also felt like Max was giving up too quickly. Three customers in one week who might have had an issue? That's literally just working retail. In fact that's good for working retail. So a little bit annoying but at the end of the day there is a happy ending that doesn't result in our heroine making out with the local florist, and where her city life isn't entirely set by the wayside. Hallmark tropes avoided, thank goodness. They're really not for me.
It's a cosy little read, which gave me T. J. Klune vibes with a side order of Hallmark movie. Just a side order, though, it's not a romance book, it's a book about finding your own path, about grief and friendship. The cast of various magical creatures were a delight, although the misunderstandings involved with the minor characters were a touch contrived and it also felt like Max was giving up too quickly. Three customers in one week who might have had an issue? That's literally just working retail. In fact that's good for working retail. So a little bit annoying but at the end of the day there is a happy ending that doesn't result in our heroine making out with the local florist, and where her city life isn't entirely set by the wayside. Hallmark tropes avoided, thank goodness. They're really not for me.
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