Name: The Lamplighter's Bookshop
Rating: 4.0 (10 reviews)
Author: Sophie Austin

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Book Summary

The Lost Bookshop meets The Lost Apothecary in a beguiling novel full of secrets…

When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.

There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

Does the location have a strong sense of atmosphere? Do you think it feels like Victorian England?
What are your first impressions of Evelyn? Does she feel relatable to a modern reader?
How does Evelyn's' relationship with her mother develop over the book, and what are the strongest factors that influence it?
What dynamic does Aunt Clara add to the story?
Do you think that Evelyn could have handled Lady Violet differently?
What did you think about Evelyn's and Williams first meeting? Did you sense an attraction between them?
What did you think about William's personality and the way he interacts with Evelyn in the first part of the book? Are his actions and manner justified by his circumstances?
What influence does Mr. Morton ...

Please be aware that this discussion may contain spoilers!

See what our members are saying about this book in our Community Forum.

William asks his uncle if Jack’s right when he says that “If you care for someone…then you should let them see all of who you are. He says that’s what love is” (p. 253). What’s your opinion on the subject?
I would agree that being as open and honest as possible is "part" of what love is, but it's not the definition of what love is in my opinion.
-Molly_Y

Evelyn recalls her father reading to her when she was a child. While she preferred Black Beauty, he enjoyed adventure novels. What does this say about each of their personalities, in your opinion? Do you have a book memory that involves a parent?
I always thought of Black Beauty as an adventure novel when I was young, so I don't quite know how to answer this question but I do think their personalities were different. I remember having books all around the house as a child. My Mom also read and still reads a lot. I recently learned that my...
-Molly_Y

Does the location have a strong sense of atmosphere? Do you think it feels like Victorian England?
In reading the book, my mind said Victorian England, but I don't think the setting was a strong point of the book.
-Arlene_Iannazzi

Did you find Evelyn's mother, Cecelia, a frustrating character, or were her actions in keeping with the period and her situation?
I found her character frustrating, same as others, but unfortunately a product of the time, as others have said.
-Molly_Y

Evelyn and William are both dishonest about important aspects of their lives. Did either do the right thing by concealing the truth? How might their situations have been better or worse had they been honest with each other and with their friends?
Honesty is the best policy…always! Yes their lives would gave been easier! Life and books often parallel each other. With all that said..honestly, the deception made the story flow and kept us wondering…what's next!
-Arlene_Iannazzi

What dynamic does Aunt Clara add to the story?
I'm afraid I can't add anything that wasn't already said! I was going to add exactly what everyone here said.
-Teri_D

Overall, what did you think of The Lamplighter’s Bookshop? (no spoilers, please!)
It was an okay book. Kept me interested. I like the little bit of magic involved. Relaxing, cozy book on the whole. Could have used a bit of sprucing up in the chronology. It had a lot of potential for a good story.
-Teri_D

What do you think about Evelyn's relationship with her father? Do you think she will see him again in the future? Do you think she should?
It's hard to predict what Evelyn would do about seeing her father again. She wanted him to be honest with her mother and he couldn't do that. My first reaction is no, she won't see him again but she dies has a soft spot for him, if he tells the truth. Maybe a book 2 would explore that relationshi...
-Arlene_Iannazzi

What did you enjoy most about the romance between Evelyn and William? How does it compare to other star-crossed lovers in literature?
It's not an unusual love story! A antagonist relationship, a slow warming to each other etc. I thought the author did a fantastic job in building the relationship. Not all of the story was predictable. Slowly building the two characters was a key to the story.
-Arlene_Iannazzi

What influence does Mr. Morton have on the couple's situation? Do you think his actions are designed to bring them together, or is he acting completely without motive?
He was a good guy, for sure! He loved William and actually owed the newfound success of his store to William and Evelyn. Otherwise, he would have stayed hidden in the back.
-Julie_P

Evelyn tells Bessie she thinks life would be simpler if people said what they thought more often, although Bessie disagrees (p. 4). What do you feel about this statement? Which woman do you agree with?
Yes, I agree with Evelyn, to a point. Sometimes there's nothing to be gained by speaking the truth, and relationships can suffer. Best to think it through, and try to speak the truth with some tact at least.
-Julie_P

What are your first impressions of Evelyn? Does she feel relatable to a modern reader?
The author created a likable character, one who was trying to advance the role of women in society while trying to appease her mother's old-fashioned ways. She stood up to her mother, reminding her that she bucked tradition by marrying a Baron, and Evelyn was trying to elevate their station in li...
-Julie_P

Do you think that Evelyn could have handled Lady Violet differently?
I agree with the above replies that Evelyn handled Lady Violet very well. She stood up to her, voiced her own opinion, all while realizing that Lady Violet had more money and social standing than she did. I was confused as to what "the beef" was between the two, and I thought the author didn't ex...
-Julie_P

What did you think about Evelyn's and William's first meeting? Did you sense an attraction between them?
I have also read a lot of romance novels over the years, though not recently, and when sparks fly at the initial meeting, it's a sure sign that the two are attracted to each other. So I knew immediately that William would be the romantic interest, and that was way too predictable for me.
-Julie_P

William tells Evelyn, “The longer you go without seeing someone, the harder it is to remember why you were so angry with them…” (p. 185). Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
I tend to agree with this; however, it depends on what the issue is. If the person you are angry with cheated on you, lied to you, committed crimes, etc, then you are going to remember, and you should. But sometimes, for a minor issue, it is easy to forget what started it.
-Julie_P

Is Nathaniel truly drawn to Evelyn, or do you think he is just trying to get Lady Violet's attention and playing her at her own game?
Nathaniel's character was confusing for me - he hung around Lady Violet's home, hoping to see her, but then seemed genuinely interested in Evelyn. And Lady Violet seemed dead set against him, since he was an untitled American. Then all of a sudden, they were in love and getting married. I didn't ...
-Julie_P

What did you think about William's personality and the way he interacts with Evelyn in the first part of the book? Are his actions and manner justified by his circumstances?
I liked William very much. I particularly liked the way he corrected quotes by others. His actions were justified by his circumstances and he had to have a definite chip on his shoulder when Evelyn took over HIS job (or so he thought.)
-Gwen_C

How does Evelyn's' relationship with her mother develop over the book, and what are the strongest factors that influence it?
In the beginning, I think Evelyn is protective of her mother because she doesn't realize the extent of her father's actions and how truly he doesn't care about anyone except himself. She doesn't realize what her father has done, how many years it has gone one, mostly because he was her father and...
-Julie_P

In an exchange with her mother, Evelyn expresses an unwillingness to trust others (“I do not want to place my belief in someone and then be forced to watch as they lead me over a cliff edge,” p. 14). How does this lack of trust impact her life?
Her inability to trust was sad. Almost lost everything and made her life much more stressful.
-Linnie_M

To what audience would you recommend The Lamplighter’s Bookshop? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
I would recommend this book to an audience that wants a warm, touchy-feely, easy read. It would be good for people who want a quick beach read, or who want a book that is light with a happy ending. For readers who want more historical significance, or who like thought-provoking literature, this b...
-Molly_A

The Lamplighter's Bookshop by Sophie Austin
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Media Reviews

"With many side characters and subplots, debut author Austin keeps the pacing lively and crafts a vivid York, but the romance gets a little lost among too many plotlines. Still, this Victorian-era story is a promising and engaging start for a new author." —Library Journal

"An impressive debut, full of intrigue and heart. Historical fiction and romance readers will love Eleanor and William's story of fate and fiction, all wrapped around the nooks and crannies of a mysterious old bookshop in late nineteenth-century York. Delightful!" —Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Lifeboat

This information about The Lamplighter's Bookshop was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own review

Susan B. (Frederick, MD)

light reading
When I first started the book, I didn't think it was the usual historical novel. But it did hold my interest until the end. I'm really glad I didn't live in the era that the characters in the book did. How women were held back was very frustrating to me.

I really don't think Evelyn's parents were considering her in any of their decisions. although her mother's finally comes around in the end, it doesn't feel right that she had a change of heart. The romance part of the book is frustrating with missed opportunities and assumptions about the other person. I think both Evelyn and her mother should write the father out of their lives.

I know the book isn't suppose to be about the problem and addiction of gambling, but it does show how that personality type very often cannot quit it. The real hero is Mr. Morton when he leaves the bookstore to his nephew and also Evelyn for sending William's manuscript to a publisher. The end felt like a Hallmark movie.

SusanR

Historical Fiction
I don't read much historical fiction that takes place in the 1800's but this was a book about books and I couldn't resist it. This is a romance - not just a romance between two people but it's also a romance with books and bookstores.

Evelyn and her mother live in a large manor house in Yorkshire when the bailiff's come and tell them that they must move out immediately and can only take personal belongings. Evelyn's father is a gambler and has lost ownership of their manor home and spent all of his money. They have no other close family and decide that their only choice is to move to York to live with an elderly aunt.

It's apparent at their first meeting that the aunt doesn't want them there and continues to mention their disgrace. Evelyn realizes that it's up to her to make some money to help her family. Her mother thinks that women working is disgraceful so Evelyn has to hide the fact that she has gotten a job at a bookstore. It's a dusty old bookstore that is disorganized and kind of shabby. Just as Evelyn starts enjoying her job and helping to get things organized, the owner's nephew William shows up in need of a job.

He is a writer who is trying to write a book and has told everyone that he has written a book but has some serious writer's block and just can't get the book written. He knows that his uncle will hire him and is very unhappy to find out that Evelyn already has the job that he wanted. So now we have two people both desperately needing this job to survive but the bookstore can only support one of them.

William and Evelyn decide to have a competition over who can sell the most books and the winner will get the job in the bookstore as their reward. The more time they spend together at the bookshop, the more they become interested in each other. Can they break through their distrust of each other ? Can Evelyn become the muse for the book that William has been trying to write? Will they have a happily ever after?

Bookworm Becky

Secrets galore
4.0

Status, lies, headstrong…

Evelyn and her mother Cecilia are ejected from their home in York in 1899. The family WAS aristocratic but lost their wealth and status due to reasons I won’t reveal. Without her mother’s knowledge , Evelyn applies for & accepts a job as an assistant at Morton’s Emporium (Bookshop).

A tale of secrets, 2nd chances, miscommunication, trust, success , and family drama.

THOUGHTS:

This book is advertised as historical and romance. I saw some historical as in wardrobe, transportation, cultural norms, and business mentions. I didn’t deem it as totally romance either. (Which is good for me because I don’t intentionally read romance!) I regard this as more of a character-driven fiction book about family drama with a touch of history and romance added to the mix.

My gut reaction to characters:

Evelyn - frank, outspoken / determined
William - mysterious / good intentions?
Cecilia - image-conscious / pushover where husband is concerned

Aunt Clara - crusty / testy
Lady Violet - snooty / hoity - toity / self-important

Supporting cast had a mix of personalities.

Debut book!

Beautiful cover

GCrandell

Lamplighter’s Bookshop
I enjoyed this book, and initially thought it was above the standard fare, i.e. the sense of the bookshop “helping “ Evelyn; William correcting quotes, and Naomi’s advice from her mother. And who doesn’t enjoy the idea of improving a bookstore? The villain Violet was exquisitely portrayed, and Cecelia and Aunt Clara fit the bill nicely. All in all it was an enjoyable and predictable romance with a spirited heroine and snarly love interest.

Peggy

Lamplighters Bookshop
Lamplighters bookshop a historical fiction that is set in York in 1899.
After her father abandons the family, Evelyn and her mother Cecelia are evicted from their home and travel to York to live with spinster Aunt Clara.
To help with their financial situation Evelyn applies for an assistant job in a bookshop Since young women were still expected to marry and not work she keeps her job a secret

Evelyn meets William, the bookshop owners nephew, and a romance develops. The secret employment and romance lends depth to the plot

I found the characters whether primary or secondary well developed and the plot was engaging

One aspect that was a disappointment to me was the lack of magic.
Near the beginning the owner of the bookshop tells Evelyn that bookshop has a mind of its own. Also reviews had compared this novel to Lost Bookshop meets The Lost Apothecary. Therefore I was anticipating more magic that never really materialized

Leslie

More Bookshop Wanted
I was disappointed that the bookshop in itself did not play a more significant role in the story. It served only as a backdrop and was not really important to the plot. The shop could have been any type of store. I felt the "liar" theme was also a bit overdone to the detriment of deeper plot development. Also, a few plot details were left unexplained. Was Naomi black and therefore seemingly unaccepted somewhat at that time? Morton's love in India is always referred to as "they". Could his love have been a man? This fact is never clarified.

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Author Information

Biography

Sophie Austin

Sophie Austin was born in Kent and she earned her Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from King's College London in 2013. After spending five years working in marketing, Sophie moved to Sweden in 2017 to focus on her novel writing and gain her Master's in Transnational Creative Writing at Stockholm University. Now, Sophie works as a Creative Writer for Minecraft, the bestselling video game of all time. When she's not writing YouTube scripts for millions of viewers, she retreats to the turn of the century to write historical novels about a time where old Victorian values and turn-of-the-century inventions collide – a perfect, conflict-rich backdrop for her debut romance novel, The Lamplighter's Bookshop. Sophie is hard at work on her next historical romance. Find her on X @saustinauthor.

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