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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read the Audiobook version with Saskia Maarleveld, narrator. She really makes the story come alive and I can't recommend this version enough!
Set during World War II in 1944 London, this is one of the most heartwarming and uplifting stories that I have read. Yes, brutal things occur, yet the resilience of the characters shines through---I know that the story has remained in my thoughts. I hope to read more by this author.
Set during World War II in 1944 London, this is one of the most heartwarming and uplifting stories that I have read. Yes, brutal things occur, yet the resilience of the characters shines through---I know that the story has remained in my thoughts. I hope to read more by this author.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sweet story-would make a good Hallmark movie.
"August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler's forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she'd wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London. Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed--a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war."
"August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler's forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she'd wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London. Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed--a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war."
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While a decent WW2 storyline, the characters take front and center stage in this novel. It's a sweet novel (despite being set in such a dark time in history), but unfortunately, it's also quite forgettable. There is nothing about this novel that screams it should be remembered over the multitude of other novels out there with a WW2 setting. Additionally, the title gives away all mystery as to what those novel is about...the last bookshop in London, set during WW2...what do you think will happen? The main character, Grace, is developed well enough, but she almost seems too naive, too accommodating, too...nice. Her character reminds me of how you hope one day to be, yet realize you're human and have emotions like jealousy and anger and you can't just logically drop those emotions on a whim by rationalizing with yourself. The writing doesn't make the reader really see that Grace is impacted by the nightly bombings and war torn city. She cries some, she is fatigued, but as a reader I don't get the sense of the immediate danger, sense of urgency and overall feelings of doom and gloom I get from other WW2 novels. Additionally, the relationship she forms with another character seems rushed and unrealistic. The author seemed to give Grace big feelings concerning a particular man she met who goes off to war, yet it's so early in the book it doesn't seem likely she would care this much about a man she hasn't been out on a date with.
Overall it was a quick, pleasant, read it while walking on the treadmill kind of novel. Nothing too deep, fairly predictable, gives feelings of hope. I'll likely forget it tomorrow, so I'm not sure I'll be recommending it to others.
Overall it was a quick, pleasant, read it while walking on the treadmill kind of novel. Nothing too deep, fairly predictable, gives feelings of hope. I'll likely forget it tomorrow, so I'm not sure I'll be recommending it to others.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Quick easy read about my favorite time in historical fiction… WWII. London’s experience with the Blitz highlighted in this story. A bookshop is at the center of this novel. Shared the experience of Londoners living during bombing raids and WWII.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No