The Lamplighter’s Bookshop

The Netgalley Historical Fiction Book of the Year 2025!!

Every book tells a story. Every heart hides a secret.

'What's not to love?! Nineteenth century York, bookshops and brilliant characters!' ★★★★★

In the shadowy aisles of the Lamplighter's Bookshop, secrets lie as thick as the dust…

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

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

As the layers are brushed away, can Evelyn and William find the courage to write the next chapter of their story?

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

'Spellbinding and romantic’ ★★★★★

'A beautifully told historical novel’ ★★★★★

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*READERS LOVE THE LAMPLIGHTER'S BOOKSHOP*

'So beautifully written … I was completely lost in the pages' ★★★★★

'I loved this book … [it] transports you to that time and place' ★★★★★

'Will captivate fans of historical fiction and romantic tales' ★★★★★

'I adored the romance of this tale … an absolute delight' ★★★★★

'A beautifully written, heartwarming novel' ★★★★★

'Loved the characters and their story … a wonderful plot!' ★★★★★

'An excellent read’ ★★★★★

Reviews

‘We got completely lost in this beautifully written book’ Bella

‘[An] engaging romantic novel’ Choice

‘A charming enemies-to-lovers romance’ That’s Life

'An impressive debut, full of intrigue and heart' Hazel Gaynor

‘Best New Reads’ My Weekly

‘Beautifully atmospheric, romantic, and magical. Perfect reading for all book lovers. I adored it.’ Alex Brown

About the author

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 best-selling 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