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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Three strangers with completely different backgrounds come together after tragedy struck each of their lives.
This was a captivating story with unique identities for each character and the loved ones of those characters. The characters struggle with grief and secrets. Getting to read about the strong connection they formed within their friendship was beautiful. I was drawn in from the very first page all the way to the very last page. I highly recommend this book.
My favorite character:
-Molly
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a captivating story with unique identities for each character and the loved ones of those characters. The characters struggle with grief and secrets. Getting to read about the strong connection they formed within their friendship was beautiful. I was drawn in from the very first page all the way to the very last page. I highly recommend this book.
My favorite character:
-Molly
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free audio-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very character driven story revolving around 3 main characters Charlie, Molly, and Oliver. The story takes place during WWII while bombings and attacks are rampant. The characters are all dealing with different kinds of loss, tragedy, family issues, and trying to find their place in all of the chaos.
If you like a character driven story and a slow pace initially, I think this story will be great for you. Especially if you like this author's work. This is my first dive into Baldacci's work, and it was a little too slow with too much conversation and not enough action initially, but it picked up greatly later on in the story.
The plot started kicking off a little more around 30%, and it was depressing with many negative things happening back to back. Realistically, though, it is a WWII story, so this isn't shocking. You just wish for a little bit of hope and light for the characters. You feel for the characters throughout the story, and the author does a great job of providing a terrifying and tragic atmosphere of the time.
Listen to the author's note at the end as well as it is a great message that is noted throughout the book.
Put this one on your TBR for April as it is releasing on 4/15/25, and you won't be disappointed!
This is a very character driven story revolving around 3 main characters Charlie, Molly, and Oliver. The story takes place during WWII while bombings and attacks are rampant. The characters are all dealing with different kinds of loss, tragedy, family issues, and trying to find their place in all of the chaos.
If you like a character driven story and a slow pace initially, I think this story will be great for you. Especially if you like this author's work. This is my first dive into Baldacci's work, and it was a little too slow with too much conversation and not enough action initially, but it picked up greatly later on in the story.
The plot started kicking off a little more around 30%, and it was depressing with many negative things happening back to back. Realistically, though, it is a WWII story, so this isn't shocking. You just wish for a little bit of hope and light for the characters. You feel for the characters throughout the story, and the author does a great job of providing a terrifying and tragic atmosphere of the time.
Listen to the author's note at the end as well as it is a great message that is noted throughout the book.
Put this one on your TBR for April as it is releasing on 4/15/25, and you won't be disappointed!
Gritty novel of two teens caught up in World War II in London. Charlie lives with his gran, but unbeknownst to her, has dropped out of school and is living on the street, day and night. Molly Wakefield has returned from the country where she was sent at the beginning of the war, expecting to find a warm welcome with her parents, and, not. Ignatius Oliver runs his dead wife's book shop in a less desirable street in London, and as events unfold, becomes friend and almost parent to the two youths. And difficult and horrifying events do unfold, as one would expect during war. The situations are gritty and harsh. The main three characters are extremely likable, but secondary ones are rather sparse and play only small roles. Because I liked the characters, I was surprised that the various tragedies didn't pack a more emotional punch. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it was just me. All in all, a very good historical novel of that time and place.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book takes place in 1944 London during the Second World War. The story follows three strangers who are brought together by difficult circumstances. I really enjoyed this book. I love historical fiction. I think James Baldacci captured war-torn London beautifully. Definitely add this to your TBR.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
sad
tense
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:
No
Strangers in Time by David Baldacci is a historical fiction novel set in London during WW2. It’s a standalone book.
I enjoyed watching the unlikely alliance form between Charlie, Molly, and Oliver and continue to unfold through the book. It was tough to read all of the devastating losses they each experienced. I didn’t know much about London during WW2 so this was a bit eye-opening.
I definitely prefer David Baldacci’s modern thrillers. This was a slow starter for me and most of the plot twists felt either pretty predictable or a bit undeveloped. I do appreciate that the book has chapter titles and they’re not just numbered, as I think it sets the stage for each chapter. But it overall felt that there were just too many subplots happening that weren’t explored well enough.
Although this is not my fave David Baldacci novel nor my fave WW2 book, I am glad that I read it. David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors and I always look forward to his new releases as I’ve read his full backlist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, Classism
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters steals what he needs, living day-to-day until he’s old enough to enlist to fight the Germans. Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield has just returned to a nearly unrecognizable London and has been away from her home for nearly five years. Her return, however, is not the homecoming she’d hoped for as she’s confronted by a devastating reality: neither of her parents are there. Charlie and Molly find an unexpected ally and protector in Ignatius Oliver, and solace at his book shop, The Book Keep. Mourning the recent loss of his wife, Ignatius forms a kinship with both children, and in each other they rediscover the spirit of family each has lost.
What a wonderful story of survival, courage, and an unlikely friendship in the backdrop of war in London. The friendship Ignatius provides for Charlie and Molly after the tragedies they suffer will stay with me for a long time. A wonderful and unforgettable book by David Baldacci!