Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin drew me in with its World War 11 time period and bookshop setting in London. Rich, captivating and well written Madeline Martin pulled me into the story and endeared me to these characters.
It’s 1939 and with the threat of an impending war with Hilter, Grace Bennett and her best friend Viv, set out to London to live in the home of her late mother’s best friend. Without a letter of referral from her Uncle, Mrs. Weatherford secures her a position at the Primrose Hill Book Store with its owner the, curmudgeon Mr. Evans.
Grace dreamed of working in the department stores like Viv, and knows nothing about books, but a handsome young man gifts her a book before he is called up to war and opens the door to a passion for the written word.
From the bookish goodness, to the rich details of life in London during the bombings and the goings on in Grace’s life. We have a slow-burn side of romance, but the primary focus is Grace, the bookshop and her impact of the surrounding community during these dark and difficult times.
Grace is wonderful and felt genuine. She affects the lives of everyone she touches. I found myself swept up and transported to London. I could smell the musty books and the fires that burned. I imagined myself in the bomb shelters, and after shortages from the pandemic, wondered at rations and conditions folks endured during the war. Martin touched on the losses too, and I swiped the tears from my eyes more than once.
Fans of historical fiction with historical details of WWII in London will want to add this story to their bookshelves. Fans of bookshop tales who haven’t dabbled in historical fiction should give this one a try. The bookshop is central to the story with talks about some fantastic titles. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
It’s 1939 and with the threat of an impending war with Hilter, Grace Bennett and her best friend Viv, set out to London to live in the home of her late mother’s best friend. Without a letter of referral from her Uncle, Mrs. Weatherford secures her a position at the Primrose Hill Book Store with its owner the, curmudgeon Mr. Evans.
Grace dreamed of working in the department stores like Viv, and knows nothing about books, but a handsome young man gifts her a book before he is called up to war and opens the door to a passion for the written word.
From the bookish goodness, to the rich details of life in London during the bombings and the goings on in Grace’s life. We have a slow-burn side of romance, but the primary focus is Grace, the bookshop and her impact of the surrounding community during these dark and difficult times.
Grace is wonderful and felt genuine. She affects the lives of everyone she touches. I found myself swept up and transported to London. I could smell the musty books and the fires that burned. I imagined myself in the bomb shelters, and after shortages from the pandemic, wondered at rations and conditions folks endured during the war. Martin touched on the losses too, and I swiped the tears from my eyes more than once.
Fans of historical fiction with historical details of WWII in London will want to add this story to their bookshelves. Fans of bookshop tales who haven’t dabbled in historical fiction should give this one a try. The bookshop is central to the story with talks about some fantastic titles. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
I absolutely loved this novel, set in London during WWII. Grace has to leave her home after her mother dies and her Uncle moves in with his family. Alomg with her best friend, Viv, the two women move in with Mrs. Weatherford, Grace’s late mother’s best friend. It is 1939, with preparations underway due to the expectation of a war declaration. Once the “bore war” of waiting for something to start actually comes to an end, and the blitz begins, Grace will face losses and challenges she never expected. Her only solace is Mr. Evans’ bookstore,where she works and begins to immerse herself in reading. I can’t recommend this book enough, with the characters you will love and their heartfelt stories. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Oh how I loved this book. Exquisite prose, a gamut of characters I truly cared about and who developed amid the horror, heartbreak and heroism of London during the Blitz, and all linked by a love of literature and the desperate need for community.
A bit like reading a Hallmark movie, but I didn’t hate it! I appreciated the main character’s personal growth throughout the story.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Normally, I avoid WWII books, because they often feel like the same stories retold. This one feels more about the community and the ties the circle of characters have to each other and their little corner of London. I love how the bookstore functions as its own character with the importance it plays throughout the story. Grace's journey of falling in love with books warmed my heart, and her new, surrogate parents are so wholesome. Everyone ended up being exactly who others needed at that time. Despite my knowing the bombings of Britain were coming, I appreciated and enjoyed seeing those events through the eyes of Grace, Mr. Evans at the bookshop, her partner protecting the city, and the rest of the cast. A full cast for the audio narration would have been phenomenal, but the narrator still does a wonderful job. The comaraderie during disaster is akin to what we experience after hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, so I understood how people came together run support those who need help. The romance is sweet and natural with the minimal contact they have combined with the constant exchange of letters - it works and adds just enough to be story to be believable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, War
Minor: Child death, Dementia