Overall, what did you think of The Lamplighter’s Bookshop? (no spoilers, please!)
I thought it was slow moving. I also didn’t consider it a hist fiction/ romance. I consider hist fiction as being based on a SPECIFIC person (s) or a conglomeration of persons or a specific event . I considered this to be a general fiction. Romance was not the focus either.
I thought it was OK, not great. I didn’t find the love story to be very believable and most of the characters were liars.
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This was not one of my favorite reads to the point I did not finish it.
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I am sorry I did not really like the book. I disliked all the secrets the characters were keeping. It sure made their lives harder. It was a frustrating story for me!
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I must be honest, it was just an okay book, and certainly not what I was expecting from its prior media releases. It was a struggle to complete, and probably would not have done so if I had not made the commitment to Book Browse. With the title, “The Lamplighter’s Bookshop” I was expecting more of a bookstore vibe than romance. I was hoping the magic of books, reading, would be more prevalent than it was.
I would have to agree with Becky T. I did think this book should have be labeled Historical fiction. There was not a specific person or incident that tied it to anything in history. And Yes Carol N. with the Title “The Lampslighter’s Bookshop” I would have loved a book more centered on Books, the ins and outs of running a bookshop etc.
I enjoyed this book. I understand the sense that this is not historical fiction, but I would certainly not be able to write a period piece without some heavy research. I was emotionally drawn in to the good and the bad in the characters - really wanted John to get run over by a cart or something 
! It is refreshing to read a “romance” without all the bed hopping. The settings are not overly descriptive (read boring) which I appreciate. All and all, an easy to read work of fiction.
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I enjoyed. It was a light historical fiction which kept me interested. I loved the cover it made me think of a beautiful bookshop. I thought the book would have been more about books and the bookshop,
I would read this author again.
I wanted more concentration on the bookshop. The store could have been any type of establishment because not much was specifically related to books. I thought the novel was slow-moving and left some loose ends unexplained.
It was just ok for me. I don’t really enjoy reading hist fic from this time period so that was a personal negative. However, I thought that the book was way too slow and the romance was a pretty minor part of the plot.
I enjoyed the book. I felt immersed in the time period and the character of Evelyn drew me into the story because she was a victim of circumstance but very clever and hardworking. I was intrigued by what she might accomplish with the bookstore and how she would settle the circumstances of her life and her mother’s future.
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I enjoyed the book. Having been in a reading slump for over two weeks, this book was just what I needed. Light, historical, about a bookshop, and a little romance throw in.
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I enjoyed the story, but this was not a book that I just couldn’t put down. While the setting is late 19th/early 20th centuries, I do not consider it historical fiction. There was nothing of historical significance to be gleaned, except perhaps social norms of the time period. It was a quick read, though, and entertaining. I would recommend to someone who wants something light for the weekend or vacation if they enjoy time period drama.
I enjoyed the book. I found the humor, several one liners, delightful. It was not heavy on the historical information but that was good for me. I felt the writing was very descriptive making it easy for me to picture the different scenes. I did feel we could have used more character development of William. Loved Aunt Clara.
I was in need of some escapism when I read this book, and it was just what I needed. I love reading about England, English society, and women who do not wait for someone to save them. The storyline kept me wanting to know what would happen next, and it was fun reading the quotes that one character attributed to the Bible that were actually literary quotes. Family relationships, friendships, social status, trust, and managing difficult times are some of the themes of this touching story.
Once I got into the book. I felt it was a little slow at the beginning.
Initially, I was caught up in it. There was a sense of the magical with the job advertisements and the shop itself. The “magical” part did not carry through, however. All in all, it was a decent read, and I have passed my copy on to a gal going on vacation. An enjoyable escapism.
I liked the book. I didn’t feel the urge to read it every day because it did grab me. I agree it was slow moving and at times the back and forth between Evelyn and William was a bit lacking in their character development. The last 10 chapters it did pick up its pace and it drew me in. I would give this author another go. Loved the Aunt Clara character.
I started out unsure of this historical romance but came to appreciate it for its look at how dependent women of this era were upon their standing in the community and their marriages. Evelyn, even though she realizes the pressures of her situation, makes an attempt to break out of those circumstances.
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