The Bookshop Below

by Georgia Summers

This is the Illumicrate Exclusive Edition for ISBN-13: 9781399714396.

In this extraordinary standalone from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The City of Stardust, a disgraced bookseller is offered the chance to restore a magical bookshop to its former glory, and enters a dark underworld of unscrupulous collectors, deadly ink magic and shady societies.

If you want a story that will change your life, Chiron's bookshop is where you go. For those lucky enough to grace its doors, it's a glimpse into a world of deadly bargains and powerful, magical books.

For Cassandra Fairfax, it's a reminder of everything she lost, when Chiron kicked her out and all but shuttered the shop. Since then, she's used her skills in less . . . ethical ways, trading stolen books and magical readings to wealthy playboys looking for power money can't buy.

Then Chiron dies. And if Cassandra knows anything, it's the bookshop must always have an owner.

To restore the shop, she'll need the help of Lowell Sharpe, a rival bookseller who is everything Cassandra is not – and knows it, too.

But as she is plunged into a world of unscrupulous collectors, deadly ink magic and shady societies, a dark force threatens to unravel the bookshops entirely . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Books About Books, Adult, Romance, Fiction, Magic, Romantasy

389 pages, Hardcover

First published November 18, 2025

About the author

Georgia Summers is half-British, half-Trinidadian, and spent most of her life living across the world, including Russia, Colombia, and the US. When she’s not doing bookish things, she’s planning her next great adventure. She currently lives in London, but she dreams of one day living in a haunted château with a ghost that cleans.

Reviews

[edie-may ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

‎ ‎ ‎ ── 4.25 stars .ᐟ ⋆✦˚｡୭ ⋆


‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ❛ O to you, who holds our fate
‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ most tight, we are but story made
‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎manifest. ❜


‎ ‎ ‎ ⌗ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎started: nov 11, 2025 ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎⌝
‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎⌞ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎finished: nov 20, 2025 ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✶


‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ age rating: 13+
‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ spice level: 0.5/5
‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ content warnings:
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆ strong language
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆ violence, gore & death


‎ ‎ ‎ thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC! The Bookshop Below is out now! ᰔ


‎ ‎ ‎ spoiler-free review!


‎ ‎ ‎ ⚝ tl;dr: surprised me. stunning atmosphere and ethereal magic system. beautiful writing style and well-made main characters that don’t make you want to implode.


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎· · ─── ·𖥸· ─── · ·

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎two birds - regina spektor
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 00:51 ━━━━━●──── 03:15
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ⇆ㅤ ㅤ◁ㅤ ❚❚ ㅤ▷ ㅤㅤ↻

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎· · ─── ·𖥸· ─── · ·


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ 🐈‍⬛┆ main tropes:

‎ ‎ ‎ ➻ books about books
‎ ‎ ‎ ➻ magical bookshops
‎ ‎ ‎ ➻ rivals to lovers
‎ ‎ ‎ ➻ secret societies


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ──〝 two birds on a wire, 〞


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ 📚┆ review:

‎ ‎ ‎ i was so surprised by this. this was genuinely beautiful. the atmosphere of this book was immaculately crafted. i was absolutely obsessed with the setting and the world-building was so well done. the romance wasn’t overpowering but it was enough for me to feel invested in their relationship. there was such an ethereal quality to the magic system, but it was also balanced out by the book’s harsher tones.

‎ ‎ ‎ i was expecting a lighter read. i thought it would be cute and whimsical, and yes, it was… occasionally. but it was a lot deeper than i originally thought it would be, and i am very grateful for that, because i love it when books make me feel things. this one did just that. also finished this on release day, so please go check it out. mwah.


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ──〝 one says ‘come on’, 〞


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ✒️┆ writing style:

‎ ‎ ‎ stunning. i fell in love with this writing immediately. it was pretty enough to separate it from other works but not too pretty as to come across as pretentious. it fit the overall vibe of the book so well, and made me appreciate the plot, magic, characters, and overall story even more.


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ──〝 and the other says 〞


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ 🌊┆ characters:

‎ ‎ ‎ ➻ cassandra fairfax
‎ ‎ ‎ disgraced protégé and ruthless book thief, cassandra is shoved back into the world she was evicted from when her former mentor dies, leaving his bookshop in her name.
‎ ‎ ‎ i really liked cassandra as a character. she felt remarkably real, and didn’t make me want to kill anyone. i don’t remember feeling any real irritation towards her. she was well-rounded and well made, i was super invested in both her story and her perspective.

‎ ‎ ‎ ➻ lowell sharpe
‎ ‎ ‎ a rival bookseller interested in cassandra’s newly reopened bookshop.
‎ ‎ ‎ what a charming gentleman. he had me giggling, swooning, yearning… i liked his character more and more as the book progressed, and i was way too invested in him by the time it finished.


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ──〝 ‘i’m tired.’ 〞


┆ ⤿ 🔮 ⌗ pre-read:
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⋆ prediction: 3.50★ ✓

‎ ‎ ‎ ⤿ arc numberrr…i don’t know anymore. had to take a breath of fresh air after the torment that Taming 7 put me through, and this is coming out later this month so i’m locking tf in.


જ⁀➴ ₊˚⊹ ⚝

[Ricarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a bit more from a story about a magical bookshop and a bookish secret society and dangerous ink magic that is powered by reading. Because all of that sounds awesome and very much like something I would enjoy. Sadly, real enjoyment was ever absent while reading this book and I don't think that the story lived up to its full potential. My biggest complaint is that the magical atmosphere just never came across in the right way and that is mainly because of the choice of the main character. Cassandra Fairfax is a bookseller turned thief and she is already familiar with the book magic at the beginning of the story. She had a dire falling out with the bookshop owner who raised her, but she still inherited the bookshop after his death and is now responsible for it. There is never a real introduction to the world, because Cass doesn't need one, even though there are a lot of things that she doesn't know either. Her perspective just didn't transport the magic well in my opinion and that's a shame, because there are many good ideas in here. It's a shop where you can buy a book that will change your life, but the prices are high and range from expensive paintings over teeth to a firstborn child. It's unfortunately not a story about fixing up a shop, because it's in bad shape in one chapter and all cleaned up in the next. Cass mostly spends her time acquiring new books for the shop and she also starts to do some amateur sleuthing after she finds out that the previous owner was murdered. She really has a talent for getting herself in trouble and she is in over her head with the shop. Everyone always tells her that she is unfit to be the owner, which was repetitive and annoying, but also true. Even Cass's love interest tells her that she is incompetent and he's always lecturing her about the book business. He wasn't a terrible character in the end, but they sure had a rough start. Then there's this secret society of bookshop owners who are after the shop and its magic, but their chapters were never as intriguing to me and I felt indifferent about them as villains. The book was fine overall, but just not as magical as it could have been. A big part of the story was about slowly revealing Cassandra's past and all of that was solid, but not really what I wanted from this story. It wasn't really my thing in the end, but I'm sure that many other readers will easily like this one.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodderscape for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Mai ༊*·˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 ★— This book’s been my steady companion these last few days in the colder stretch of late fall, and I had a good time with it!

It centers on Cassandra Fairfax, former bookseller turned book thief, who’s surviving in a world where bookshops and their books harbour ancient magic. When she returns to the shop she once abandoned for her life of crime, she finds her former mentor and boss dead and herself the sudden owner of it.

The story is definitely one I wouldn’t have enjoyed as much if I’d read it, because it felt like it moved quite slowly, and the things I usually like about slower-paced magical realism books were lacking here. Namely, I kind of wish the bookshop aspect and the running of the shop had been more integral. Cassandra gets saddled with the bookshop at the beginning, when it’s in bad shape, cluttered and messy, so I wish her actually cleaning up and getting it truly up and running again had been given a stronger focus.
I just would have loved to get more of that cozy, atmospheric sense of the magical bookshop. Some of the general day-to-day details and the setting felt underutilized, which might have been due to the book’s larger mystery plot.

Because of Cassandra’s identity as a thief, and the aforementioned mystery aspect involving her mentor’s death and the bookshop itself, much of the story dealt with grittier, darker themes. Some of that I liked, since the secondary characters were sort of interesting at the start, but as the story went on, their inclusion didn’t always feel worth it. They weren’t quite interesting, wacky, or fun enough to carry their parts of the story. I would have rather the book left out their POV chapters in favour of focusing instead on Cassandra, who was a more compelling, morally grey figure — a woman with a conflicted past you don’t often see in slower-paced books like this!

Her romance with Lowell, a rival bookseller, which began with them on opposing sides and disliking each other heavily, was one of the shining beacons of this book. I really enjoyed how thoroughly grumpy and starchy he was at the start, and how their relationship only slowly thawed. Again, if this book had given me greater focus on Cassandra and, by extension, some everyday (or domestic) shenanigans, I think I could have appreciated it even more!

The magical aspects were fun here, but we really barely went in depth with them, and I wished we’d had a deeper exploration of this world and its mechanisms. If the book hadn’t half-baked the bookshop and magical elements in favor of the mystery plot, it could have been stronger and a more balanced reading experience overall.

But as an audiobook to entertain without requiring a lot of complicated world-building, for a cozy fall or early winter vibe, this definitely works super well, and I had a great time listening to it through that lens!

🎧 Audiobook Note
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
The audiobook’s narrator was lovely and enhanced my enjoyment of the story by a lot! It was calming and fun to listen to, and the tenor she took on for Lowell was a particular favorite of mine.

________________

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my review.

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magical realism for book lovers.

Cass Holt, book thief and ink magic reader, the oh-so promising, oh-so disgraced ex-protégé, banished from the bookstore she grew up in.
Then her mentor, her kind-of adopted father dies. Cassandra knows the bookshop must always have an owner.

Not only does she have to restore the bookshop, deal with magical ink and books, and a dangerous secret society; there is a rival bookseller who might be the most annoying know-it-all ever.

Crack open a book that’s been dipped into the river, and theoretically there’s very little stopping a reader from drawing on its power, or bestowing it on another. Theoretically. But ask for too much, or with vague intentions–well, the river still obliges.

Found family, teleporting cats, a magical river, LOTS of betrayals and secrets…

This will be perfect to read curled up in front of a fire with the smell of books around you and tea steaming next to you. Oh, and lots of cake.

The ending used a plot device I personally dislike, but, as this is a standalone; I understand why. It still bordered on a cop out.

Arc gifted by publisher.

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[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers
Fantasy, romance and books.
A magical bookstore and deadly ink magic have always been a part of Cassandra Fairfax’s life. She didn’t expect to own the store when Chiron died, but she will protect it anyway she can. Even if that means working with Lowell Sharpe.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Gabrielle Nellie-Pain. The performance is riveting with magic, distinct voices for Cass and Lowell, and emotional clarity throughout. The playback pulled me in and kept my attention. Some of the magic was a bit confusing in the world building but continuing the story brought the elements together.
I listened at 1.5 and 1.6 which is a smidge slower than usual from the accents and learning the magic.

This story has the feel of a retelling of a fairytale. I loved the bookstore needing an owner and it being able to hide itself. Cass has been through a lot in life and becoming the owner gives her power. But there are always enemies and those that would steal any power they can find. Cass and Lowell will have to protect the magic, the books, the river and bookstore.

Intriguing and spellbinding.
4.5

I received a copy of this from Hachette Audio.

[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 1 out of 5]

It pains me to say this, but this is one of the most poorly crafted books I’ve ever read. The premise is strong, and the story might have been compelling – if only there had been something to make the reader care about what happens.

Let me start by saying that this book has no worldbuilding. Absolutely zero. I guess we’re expected to assume everything takes place in contemporary London, but apparently, there are secret magical libraries hidden there. First of all, the story throws us straight into the action, and at no point do we receive any information about how magic functions in a society full of ordinary people. Is it normalized? Rare? Dangerous? Second, the Library owned by the main character is said to be located somewhere “below,” but the author never explains what below actually means. Third, there’s some kind of divine pantheon mentioned, but we’re given literally no information about it. Who the heck is Lady Fortune? Weak worldbuilding is compounded by an even weaker magic system – I honestly had no idea how anything worked. For instance, they keep talking about „reading”, but what exactly is this? And also – what’s going on with the river?

Not having any sense of the broader picture made it impossible for me to care about the characters or their whereabouts. I mean, I didn’t even know what made sense in this world and what didn’t – so how was I supposed to care? Without being able to connect the characters to the world they live in, I had no real context to assess them. For instance, the FMC, Cassandra Fairfax, has a second identity as Cass Holt. I’m not sure how people around her fail to realize that Cass and Cassandra are the same person, but maybe it could somehow make sense in this world? Then again, we never really find out. There is also a romantic arc between Cassandra and the (I guess) MMC, Lovell, which was intended to be an enemies to lovers but ended up feeling completely flat and unconvincing. Some of my mutuals complained about the ending of this book. And after reading it, I was like: guys, how are we even supposed to give a damn about it??? All in all, the entire 380 pages felt only marginally more exciting than reading a phone book. I was just following scene after scene, feeling nothing but growing frustration.

Probably the worst part of all this is that things do actually happen in this book. The story provides a foundation and could have easily been developed into something good. Instead, that potential is wasted on a book that feels like a facade and struggles to generate even the slightest excitement. This isn’t an indie publication, which makes me wonder. How does a traditionally published fantasy author manage to release a novel without putting in the basic effort to explain the fundamental rules of their world?

I must stress that I don’t enjoy giving books a 1-star – especially when reviewing someone’s work ahead of its release. However, this is my honest assessment. The scale of wasted potential here is overwhelming, and honestly I can’t recommend this book to anyone. There are so many other books about books much more worth your time.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodderscape for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany)]

Part fantasy, part slow-burn mystery, The Bookshop Below follows a young woman who inherits a magical bookshop after the murder of the previous owner. She has a dark and complicated past, and the present is filled with politics and conspiracies amongst those who desire the power of the magical bookstores of London. It's definitely slower paced, and I'm not sure I totally get the mechanics of the world-building and playing with time, but it has some interesting ideas and a solid character arc for the MC. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

the premise of this book (magical bookshop + murder mystery + secret society) was IMMENSELY intriguing to me. the execution, however, was less so.

there isn't really world building in this book - you're kinda just thrust into it and you end up with more questions than answers. i also didn't really find the characters all that compelling for the most part, and the society element made almost no sense whatsoever.

i still liked the concept etc, but it didn't really feel satisfying for me

**thank you to orbit/redhook for the ARC copy**

[Hannah Greendale (Hello, Bookworm)]

I’m in need of a book with some momentum, so I’m setting this book aside, for now.




WE HAVE A COVER! 💜🍂📚🌊



I was fortunate to hear Georgia Summers read the opening pages of this upcoming book, and it gave me delicious chills down my spine. Looking forward to this book so much!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC of this book. I did find this book enjoyable but there were a few plot points that caused m to lower my rating.

This book follows Cassandra Fairfax who has also gone by Cass Holt. Cass Holt is a book thief whereas Cassandra used to be a bookseller. When her old mentor dies (who was the owner of bookshop) dies, Cassandra adopts the bookshop as her own and tries to put the past of Cass Holt behind her. But this is not an ordinary bookshop, rather this bookshop is magical and so are its books. The magic is fueled by a river that runs through this bookshop and others, but the is a problem with the magic that Cassandra is going to have to solve.

This is definitely a unique story and I did get invested into the story. I grew to like Cassandra’s character (and Lowell). The author did a great job with the interactions between Lowell and Cassandra. And the enemies in this story were written great as well, I hated Roth.

I did have trouble getting a good grasp on what the magic really did in this book. It appears that the bookshop books could be read by someone and grant magic to the reader, and could give them what they desired? But there could also be bad readings where the book would take over the person, so only experienced people should handle the books but they also sold books to ordinary people. So I really do not know how it worked… I felt like the magic did not really make much sense.

Another issue I had was the alternate identity of Cassandra and Cass. I did not feel this was necessary to the story since it was pretty clear this was the same person. Cassandra and Cass is not that much different in name and she never wore a disguise. This caused her to be recognized by everyone except for the few other main characters.

My last issue was with the ending. Again as mentioned the magic did not make a lot of sense, and the ending was open ended to where it felt like anything could happen. I felt dissatisfied with the ending and I wish there would have been more guidance about how the magic worked and its limitations.

Overall I thought this was a fun read. I did get into it to where I did have trouble putting it down at times. The author did a great job of establishing high stakes in this book, there were life and death scenes and the bad guys were truly bad guys so it made it enjoyable to read (magic issues aside).

[Rina | Worldsbetweenpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for the arc!

**4,25/5**

„She's seen readers carve fireworks out of words, build entire illusions out of paragraphs.“

📖 Book about books
📖 magical bookshops
📖 rivals to lovers
📖 secret bookshop owner society
📖 ink magic
📖 ex thief mc / grumpy mmc

What’s going on:
Cassandra, a disgraced bookseller turned thief, gets the opportunity to take over one of the best magical bookshops. If one stumbles across the bookshop, one is able to strike dangerous bargains to obtain a unique book. Unfortunately the elusive circle of bookshop owners is in an uproar. Owners are going missing and the magic that sustains the bookshops is rapidly fading.

What I liked:
The worldbuilding with magical bookshops with secret bookshop owner societies, rare book auctions and grand estate sales, is a reader's dream! The bookshops and the books are almost sentient and often volatile, and you bargain for unique books with your most prized possession. Together with a morally grey fme and a grumpy mmc, it's just perfection.

What I didn’t like:
I had a hard time understanding how the magic system worked and I'm unsure if I did once l've finished the book.
There are so many components, Lady Fate, the river that's the origin of the bookshop's magic, the magic by reading the books, the magical ink ... It went a bit over my head.

[Abbie Toria · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We are but story made manifest.”

🕯 Dark romantasy
📜 A magical, sentient bookshop
🕯 Secrets and mysteries
📜 Murder
🕯 Rivals to lovers

I really enjoyed The Bookshop Below. This was the perfect read for the dark nights drawing in. I loved the whole concept of the bookshop and reading and ink. The magic system is mysterious and we are only slowly led into the secrets of the world, leaving us to wonder. Whilst dark undertones and underlying tension in the storytelling keeps us on our toes.

I enjoyed the rivals to lovers dynamic. And just putting it out there - I want a friend like Byron; she was brilliant.

You'll need to prepare yourself for heartache. The Bookshop Below explores themes of belonging, grief, the weight of expectations, and second chances. The ending really got me.

Please tell me you'll be writing more in this world @ge_summers !

P.S. Another brilliant cover design from my favourite @micaelaalcainodesign.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit for the pre-release copy of The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers. Below is my honest review.

I absolutely loved the magical undercurrents (you'll see what I did there when you read this one) in this lovely novel about supernatural bookshops full of books that can do all sorts of fantastical things. I also really enjoyed the characters in this one, especially Lowell. The more you get to know them, the more you love (or in some cases, hate) them. Cassandra grew on me, but she wasn't my favorite protagonist.

My biggest complaint is that the whole "secret identity as a thief" thing was a bit silly... I mean, her name is Cassandra Fairfax and her thief identity is named... Cass? Really?

All in all, I really liked the book, and I very much want to go to one of these magical bookshops and take a gander at the River.

Four stars, and definitely recommended for fans of magical realism, magical books, dark-academia-adjacent books.

[Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely perfect! It felt like a slow burn enemies to lovers version of ink heart. Loved the secret society and murder mystery aspect. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher , the author and the narrator for this advanced copy! Narrator did an excellent job portraying all the different characters, bringing the story to life and adding depth and emotion to it. She’s a real life reader for sure!

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting a dark fantasy about a magical bookshop and it was a dark fantasy but the magical bookshop was just really a setting. I tried to adjust my expectations when I realized it was more of a dark romantic suspense, but even so this book fell short to me because I expect a book about books to be... well, about books.

Cassandra Fairfax is a disgraced thief turned bookstore owner in a world in which people sell firstborn children for powerful, magical books. She was raised in a bookshop by an irrascible owner, and comes back upon his death to unexpectedly inherit his legacy. From there the story becomes a murder mystery and a conspiracy involving a clownish secret society.

There is also a side romance with a rival bookseller, which was my favorite part of the book, but since that didn't end in a HEA, that was a disappointment as well.

I expected a bit more of the atmosphere of working in a magical bookstore and more lush description of how the magic system worked, but I found the bookstore and the magic system difficult to picture. It was almost more of a crime caper than it focused on books and the prose was very plain.

I also liked Cassandra as a character but she was not a very good liar. There were far too many gaps in her past that people in this tight-knit world should have recognized, even with the whimsical twist at the end. I am glad that the magical bookshop cat didn't die after all, that would have been an extra blow. I thought it had for a time though.

I guess I was just hoping for a little more love of reading and the magic of books to shine through in these pages and I mostly got heists, murder and chase scenes. I would have been okay with that kind of book if the story made more sense and was more suspenseful.

So alas this book just wasn't quite for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bookshop Below
by Georgia Summers
Fantasy Cozy
NetGalley ARC Audio
Narrated by Gabrielle Nellis-Pain
Pub Date: Nov 18, 2025
Hachette Audio/Orbit
Ages: 14+

For stealing from other bookshops, Cassandra was kicked out of Chiron's bookshop, where she was apprenticing. Years later, Cassandra receives a letter from Chiron, and when she arrives at the shop, she finds that Chiron had mysteriously died and she was now the owner of the shop if she signed the papers.

But she wasn't the only one her mentor contacted, and days later, Lowell Sharpe arrives claiming ownership, then others make their interest known.

Now owner, Cassandra finds that there are sinister forces trying to claim ownership of the magical river that fuels the magic in the shops and their books, but it is disappearing, and other owners are willing to do anything, including murder, to claim the magic for themselves.


This is a cozy fantasy with some romance, but it and the minuscule amount of violence aren't overly graphic, so the story is suitable for readers fourteen and older.

The narrator, Gabrielle Nellis-Pain, was great. She had a smooth voice and did a good job with the different character voices.

My only main issue with the story was the lack of the magic's history. There wasn't a deep dive into it, so I feel it's unclear how it works, where it came from, who discovered it, and more is needed on how it is used. There are situations of the magical books being used, but I'm not sure what turns them from 'good to bad'. There was a type of book mentioned, I can't remember what it was called, but it was an important plot point, and my not remembering what it was called is a hint that it needs more explanation, so it is memorable.

Cassandra and the other characters were well developed, but some of their histories weren't very deep; however, I was still able to guess their past connections that connected with their present.

As for the ending, it felt hurried, so there are a few things I feel weren't explained in as much detail as they could've been, but overall, it's a good cozy story.

3 Stars

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an arc from Libro.FM

I REALLY enjoyed this! I had fun with this author’s last book, but this one just clicked for me in a way that was catnip for my brain as someone else who was literally born to be a bookseller (my parents met working in a bookstore) even if I didn’t always exactly follow the time loop paradox stuff I was able to tell what was going on easy enough, and I’m a sucker for a fucked up little man in glasses. So yeah, this often felt like it was written for ME specifically.
If you liked Starling House or Book of Night, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

[d_uhreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ask for the book that would change your life."

We all know bookstores hold magic within the books they carry. They guide us to far away lands, let us weild swords, and allow us to fall in love...over and over again, but what if there is an insidious entity within those very same pages. What if the secrets between your favorite shelves are much darker than you can imagine?

Cassandra comes from a long line of booksellers in London. Her family owns and is charged with caring for many books and even the occasionally character that comes alive from the very books on their shelves.

After a terrible villain is accidentally released, Cassandra must travk them down and trap them back between the pages.

Much like the time I spend in books, this has one foot firmly in reality, and the other in a world of magic. I would consider this contemporary magical realism, and the writing is written in almost a "deadpan" kind of style(*honestly, I love that about it) and had me cackling at the inner monologue.

Although the world is fun, interesting, and magical, there is not much world building. I think it's best not to think too hard about ever little meaning, but just enjoy the ride. This is standalone, so a girl can't be too greedy, but I would have loved a deeper look into some of these characters.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the Bookshop Below. My mind kept taking me back to The Pagemaster movie from the 90s, and it gave me a lot of nostalgia.

[Kim (readerbydusk) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like stepping into a secret passageway lined with ink, memory, and magic. Georgia Summers gave us a hidden bookshop beneath London, ink magic, rivalries, grief, and a messy heroine I couldn’t stop rooting for.

Cass Holt is a disgraced bookseller turned book thief, dragged back to the shop she was exiled from after her mentor dies. She is messy, but impossible not to root for even when she’s making questionable choices. I was immersed by the lore of the ink river and the underground bookshops, and the whodunnit thread added enough tension to keep the pages flying. Summers writes in a way that the setting feels alive, like you could reach out and touch the shelves.

I didn’t just read this book, I lived in it. The characters felt real, just like old friends, and the emotional beats hit exactly where they should. It’s the kind of story where “just one more chapter” turns into an entire evening lost to the ink.

[Nadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 50%

I decided to request The Bookshop Below because it’s the December book pick for a certain book subscription box. Unfortunately, The Bookshop Below is a directionless boring mess.

Readers are thrust into the story as Cassandra returns to the bookshop she grew up in after its owner is murdered. Cassandra is in over her head as rival booksellers circle looking for weakness. Thus begins the mundane story of Cassandra trying to run a magical bookshop.

Cassandra has a sordid past. She was always slated to become owner of the bookshop, but something happened leading her to a life of crime. She became a notorious book thief. Unfortunately for readers, this is not the story of The Bookshop Below. Instead, there are mini flashbacks that are infinitely more interesting than the main storyline.

There’s a magic system here, but its buried deep. So deep that I can barely explain how it works. My understanding is that books can be magical and grant abilities by reading them, but they can be too powerful if not read correctly.

The Bookshop Below suffers from incredibly slow pacing making it a slog to get through. The story was already boring enough, so the slow pacing effectively killed my interest in the story.

There’s a budding romance between Cassandra and a rival bookseller, but there was little to no chemistry. Instead, it was awkward and felt forced on every level.

Despite its intriguing premise and hints of a magical world, The Bookshop Below fails to deliver a compelling narrative or engaging characters. What could have been a whimsical and mysterious tale ends up feeling flat, forgettable, and frustratingly underdeveloped.


*** I receives and ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia Summers’ The Bookshop Below is everything I love and enjoy in fantasy fiction!

A magical bookshop, a whodunnit, a morally grey main character, deeply rooted lore and all the trials and tribulations.

This didn’t feel like I was reading, it was simply too immersive to have been anything but magic... I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t enjoy. Summers wrote characters that felt familiar, but new and still evolving. As if we were exploring and figuring things out alongside the characters. This is one of those books where “one more chapter” turns into 4 hours later.. and it’s actually worth it!

I cannot recommend this book enough! I had an amazing time with this story and miss the bookshop already.

Georgia Summers, you created some literary magic! Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for allowing me to cross paths with lady fate!


*****

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ALC and it was worth it! Narrated by Gabrielle Nellis-Pain, her voice was the perfect match for the story and the character. It's what I'd imagine her to sound like. The pacing was spot on and the inflections and snark, were spot on. I loved the story and enjoyed it even more with the narration. Absolutely perfectly done! Thank you to Hachette Audio/Orbit and Netgalley for another dance with Lady Fate!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this might be one of the coolest premises for a fantasy book that I have ever read. A magical bookshop, a creepy secret society of booksellers wielding ink magic, a murder mystery, a handsome rival… it seems like an absolutely perfect world for bookish romantasy lovers. However, if you want to become immersed in this world and really enjoy the story, you’re going to have to work for it.

The Bookshop Below made me really reflect on how much I admire fantasy writers, because the art of world building is so intricate and difficult to master. They have to make sure that the reader understands the world and its magic system well enough to follow the story, but without info dumping to the point that it becomes too heavy or boring. In this case, Georgia Summers seemed to choose to let the reader figure the world and magic system out for themselves as they read, providing very little explicit information about anything. At first, I LOVED it. I’ve always been a “learn through experience” style of student, and I cannot stand an info dump. I was fully on board to just vibe with the story for a while, clueless but happy to be there. However, I wound up “just vibing” for quite a bit longer than I expected to, and the story felt slower and slower as I waited for it to really click. I do *think* I finally understand most of what was going on now, and I would probably enjoy it more if I were to reread. Unfortunately I didn’t really like the ending, and I don’t see myself being in the mood to reread anytime soon.

Similarly, I really liked the idea of the characters, but not so much the execution. Cassandra could have been such a fantastic fmc. Her past with Chiron, and then surviving as a book thief dealing with shady collectors was so compelling, as is her mysteriously strong power as a “reader.” However, I became less intrigued with her as the story continued. Lowell didn’t really live up to his potential either, and I wish the society as a whole had been explored a bit more. I had fun trying to figure out who was who, but I didn’t really feel like I knew enough about any of them for it to really matter. Ultimately I think my favorite character was the cat.

My favorite part of the book was the definitely the magical, atmospheric setting. It did take me a while to figure out that it was taking place in modern times, and even once I knew I had a hard time picturing that, because it does not really feel contemporary. I listened to the audiobook, and I think that may have had something to do with it. The narrator had a gorgeous story book voice, and I felt like I was being whisked away to a faraway fantasy land. I would love to listen to more of her books. Even though the modern setting threw me off a little, I still loved this world and would have really liked to learn a little more about it.

My understanding is that the Bookshop Below is supposed to be a standalone. However, I think I would actually really love a companion novel in the same world so that we could experience it more deeply. It has such a fantastic premise, I think it would be great to spend a little more time there.

Thank you so much to Georgia Summers, NetGalley, and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Samantha Matherne · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not quite what I expected of a book about a bookshop somehow connecting and residing below all the other bookshops around, I really enjoyed the thought-provoking and emotional journey. The ultimate question Cassandra faces is wondering how she fits in the world and who she is as a person. Books help readers find those answers, so I find it fitting she must learn it all through operating a special bookshop. Lowell is as prickly in the beginning as I remember Roman being towards Iris in Divine Rivals, yet these two seem uniquely suited for one another. The river's influence on everything confounds me a little, but I can buy into Cassandra's tie to it. Byron could use more roundness as a character, but her devotion is mostly believable. Chapters on the secret society feel out of place, making the narrative a bit disjointed, and the ending left me grasping for... Something?

Bookshop Below is at once cozy and emotional, a great adventurous story for book lovers with a sweet romance, steadfast friends, and almost unwelcome(?) but comforting found family. Great narration for the audiobook.

Thank you to Orbit, Netgalley, and Libro.fm for early access to the book.

[Phoenix2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

'The Booshop Below' is an urban fantasy by Georgia Summers.

The book has a unique magic system, and it's filled with love for books and bookshops. The story is also action-packed, with nice twists and an emotional ending.

The characters, moreover, were endearing and interesting and I enjoyed the romance, which, fortunately, went hand in hand with the progress of the story and didn't overshadow it.

The writing was enjoyable as well.

Finally, the audiobook was well developed and produced, with an enjoyable narrator that handled the story brilliantly.

[Lizette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend-O-Meter: For anyone who would gladly own a magical bookstore (which is to say, all of us)

That was brutal. I mean, the story was lovely, but the last bits were just. So brutal. Here is a story where books and magic are one and the same, where something extraordinary can be found in jet-black pools of ink and between crisp pages. Something more extraordinary than the usual magic of books, I mean. And Cassandra—bookshop owner, protégé, thief—wields the power for both good and bad.

I adored Cassandra, including all her many, many faults. And god, did I just devour her not-so-little romance with fellow bookshop owner Lowell.

But please allow me one mini spoiler because I just HAVE to tell you guys: the dude literally almost strips his shirt in public to get a book from her. Like. What. I’m so sorry, I know theoretically it was supposed to be sexy but it’s SO fucking hilarious to think about. Imagine watching as some dude just starts unbuttoning in the middle of a book fair. I would laugh my ass off.

Okay anyway! The tension was so real. Plus, aside from the romance, something I really appreciate was how much importance was given to Cassandra’s close friendship with her staff Byron too. Friends matter too, not just partners, and I just love this book for staying true to that.

Bonus points for the bookshop cat. I loved that goddamn bookshop cat.

Audio Assessment: I was hooked on this narration! I thought the different voices were done superbly, and I could feel the emotions shining through the audio.

[I received an ARC and an ALC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]

[Jesseca R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tough one for me. I really liked the concept of the book. The premise was unique and something I hadn’t read before, so it had me excited to delve into the story. From the get go, I felt a bit lost. The story kind of throws you into the middle of things without much explanation, which is okay because most of the time that explanation comes as the story is unfolding. Unfortunately, it never seemed to come. The book finished, and I still have absolutely no real idea what was happening, how the magic system worked, why things went the way they did, or even who some of the characters were. This book had tremendous promise, but needed another couple hundred pages, (or be part of a series), to properly flush out all the necessary components to adequately relay the story to the reader. Ultimately, I absolutely feel like this book has ridiculous amounts of potential, but the way it is currently written, unfortunately, leaves the reader floundering and misses the mark. I think this author is one to watch though as the story is conceptually brilliant and I’m excited to see what future stories she produces!

Special thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[nihaarika · Rating 2 out of 5]

as a bookseller, working in a magical bookshop where you can read stories to life, sounds wonderful. the bookshop below had all the makings of a book that i would love, but unfortunately i did not enjoy it.

the world building was utterly flimsy, and it was difficult to understand the actual magic system and how it worked. rather than being a fantasy book about bookshops and booksellers, this ended up being a magical murder mystery/thriller, with bare minimum focus given to the bookshops. those random chapters in the middle, with different POVs, could have entirely been taken out of the book and it wouldn't have changed a thing.

what i liked about the book was cassandra and lowell's relationship, and how that progressed. but even then, i did not like the ending they received. it kind of didn't make sense to me. i also did really like the writing; the descriptions were stunning, and when they described the bookshops i wanted to own one myself desperately.

the bookshop below could have been so much better than what it was, and i will be mourning the lost potential of this story.

[Fanna]

love when debut books have made such an impression, I jump with excitement at the sophomore. there's deadly ink magic, rivals to lovers romance, and of course the fairytale essence that I'm a fan of. can't wait!

[Nancy Yager · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers (audiobook, narrated by Gabrielle Nellis-Pain) is a fantasy rooted in the kind of bookish magic I can’t resist: hidden shops, living stacks, and rules that feel as old as ink. The setup follows Cassandra, who’s swept into a network of secret bookshops overseen by Lady Fate and a Secret Society. Under the prickly mentorship of Chiron, she learns that in this world, stories don’t just change lives—they exact payment.

Why read it: If magical bookstores are your catnip, this one delivers the cozy-creepy atmosphere in spades: doors that won’t open unless they want to, shelves with moods, and stories that demand a price. My feeling about the book: This was my first fantasy read, and even without other fantasy books to compare it to, I really enjoyed it—especially the shop setting and everyday magic.

Where it didn’t land for me was the concept of Readings. I never got a clear explanation of what a Reading is in practical terms or why people would seek one. Because Readings drive so many decisions, that fuzziness kept me from fully investing in the stakes. I also wasn’t impressed with Lady Fate or the Secret Society—they felt more like a queen with unchecked powers and a sort of glorified HOA for bookshops than a compelling magical authority. And the notion of paying for a book with a tooth or a firstborn child? That was more off-putting than thought-provoking for me, especially since the logistics and ethics around children being “turned over” were never truly explained—when it happens, why anyone agrees, and who actually raises them. “Magic, I suppose,” only goes so far when the morality of the world depends on it.

On the plus side, the characters worked—especially Chiron. He seemed to care more about Cassandra than she realized, and his choices read as genuine attempts to give her a good life within a rule-heavy system. Cassandra herself is easy to root for: curious, persistent, and unwilling to stop asking questions, even when answers are murky.

Audiobook note: I didn’t click with Gabrielle Nellis-Pain at first, but by about chapter three the narration found its rhythm and the story came alive. The tone fits the setting—slightly eerie, intimate, and bookish.

Bottom line: I loved the enchanted-bookshop vibes and the mentor/mentee dynamic; I just wanted clearer rules—especially around Readings and those unsettling bargains. Still, as a first step into fantasy, it kept me listening and left me curious for more.

Rating: 3.5 stars → rounding up to 4★ on Goodreads.
Format: Audiobook.

Quick Copy-Paste Extras
• Genres: Fantasy, Bookish Fantasy, Magical Bookshops
• Content vibes: Bargain-based magic, found mentorship, morally gray institutions
• Who might enjoy it: Readers who love books-about-books with a darker edge; audiobook fans who don’t mind a slow warm-up in the first couple chapters

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette audio for the advanced readers copy.

[Brandi Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Rounded Up

The Bookshop Below is a magical book that is a love letter to books, booksellers, and bookshops. This tale of magic and books would be the perfect read for the readers who love stories that of books about books, which just so happens to be a favorite of mine.

Cassandra Fairfax aka Cass Holt is a disgraced bookshop protégé, turned thief and reader. She is just barely getting by with a bit of book theft and book reading, and also working as a bartender when she receives an unexpected letter from the former owner of the magical bookshop she was banned from, Chiron. The letter is brief and names her as the next owner of the magical bookshop, which means that Chiron is dead and the bookshop must always have an owner. Little does Cassandra know, she wasn't the only one who received a letter from Chiron, she meets Lowell, who was also sent the same letter from Chiron, and also naming him as the next owner of the bookshop. What follows is a tale of magic, ink, books, secret societies, and romance.

This was an adventurous romantic fantasy for those who love bookish tales. This book ended up being quite complex with everything that it had going on in it and I felt that nothing was quite as fleshed out as it could've been, which would've given the book a lot more clarity.

I did have a bit of a hard time connecting with both Cassandra and Lowell's characters when I started the book, but after a bit, they both grew on me. I did really like their rivals to lovers romance and it wasn't the main focus of the book. It was nice to see the softer sides of both of them that is brought out by the other. So, for those of you who don't like romantic fantasies where the romance runs over everything else in the book, this one would be a great read for you.

Overall, I did really enjoy this book and it was also one of my most anticipated book releases this year and I'm definitely glad that although it didn't end up being the 5 star book that I was anticipating, it was still really good.

This book is available to read everywhere now!

Thank you to NetGalley, Redhook, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.