The Invisible Hour Audiobook By Alice Hoffman cover art

The Invisible Hour

A Novel

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The Invisible Hour

By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Jessie Mueller
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$8.99/mo. after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends July 15, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.

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The latest New York Times bestseller from beloved author Alice Hoffman celebrates the enduring magic of books and is a “wonderful story of love and growth” (Stephen King).

One June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?

Through a journey of heartbreak, love, and time, Mia must abandon the rules she was raised with at the Community. As she does, she realizes that reading can transport you to other worlds or bring them to you, and that readers and writers affect one another in mysterious ways. She learns that time is more fluid than she can imagine, and that love is stronger than any chains that bind you.

As a girl Mia fell in love with a book. Now as a young woman she falls in love with a brilliant writer as she makes her way back in time. But what if Nathaniel Hawthorne never wrote The Scarlet Letter? And what if Mia Jacob never found it on the day she planned to die?

From “the reigning queen of magical realism” (Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author), this is the story of one woman’s dream. For a little while it came true. Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Horror Literary Fiction Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping
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Critic reviews

"Mueller expertly delivers a unique performance. Mia is depicted as a complex character full of intrigue as she navigates her way through a compelling story. Mueller offers the right cadence and tone for this reflective novel. Her performance will transport listeners back in time."
Magical Storytelling • Unexpected Twists • Excellent Narration • Beautiful Writing • Emotional Depth • Perfect Voice

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I have read so many of her books and loved them all. This one hit different. Sometimes we have to end this story to find our next one.

Such a good read

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An artful braiding of time, personalities, history, and the impact our choices and words make in our own lives and the lives of others ~ both today and in the future.

Loved it!

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I could not put this down! Sumptuous writing and a beautiful blend of fantasy and modern day relevance to current events. Who knew Hawthorne could be a hottie😄

Amazing-

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A story that transported you back in time weaving the love of books, authors and magic together. Mahalo Alice for honoring the feminine ice again.

The best one yet of your stories.

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It started very interesting, then Part 1 ended and Part 2 was just odd. It got very, very, very repetitive and almost pointless and anticlimactic? Part 2 explained nothing at all… just a lot of love, live, make the best of it, mothers love their children over everything else…. Blah, blah, blah…

Good start…

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