An emotional novel of the homefront- and the horror of the Blitz. Grace make a good strong protagonist who uses the power of books to bring people together. She can't make everything better but books help a bit. Thanks to Netgalley for the arC. For fans of WWII novels.

I’m so happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of the previously published The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin; thank you NetGalley and HARLEQUIN Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press.

This was such an informative and also inspiring story about the Blitz and daily life that a London community experienced during the six years of World War II. The devastation of neighborhoods that was told through Ms. Martin's words will stay with me and so will the strength of community and the compassion shown to each other during the chaos. A favorite quote from this unforgettable story:

“Books are what have brought us together. A love of the stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife. And a reminder that we always have hope.”

The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II by Madeline Martin is a perfect fit for readers who adore historical fiction, romance, and stories of hope and resilience, as this poignant and uplifting tale of a bookshop's power to bring people together during the darkest days of World War II will captivate and inspire them.

Reading about the Blitz and experiencing it through the eyes of a female booklover was a very pleaant experience.

Give me any book about books or book shops and I'm in. And this historical fiction is no different. The story is so sweet, heartwarming and delightful, as is the romance. (I won't tell you between who though!) Madeline Martin did a great job of capturing my attention with the setting, storyline/plot, and characters. The tropes are ones that we've all seen before, but with tropes, there's nothing new under the sun. I would highly recommend this one!

I got this book when I was in my deep WWII phase. Luckily for me I still appreciate these stories even if I'm not only reading them anymore.

Books about books is one of my favorite genres. I mean, as an avid book reader, what more would I want to read about than... books?

Heavy with themes of friendship, bravery, and romance this was quite the palate cleanser for me between some of the other fantasy reads that I've been indulging in lately.

I generally do not enjoy this period when it comes to fiction, but this one pulled me in right away and I am so glad! I can't wait to go back and read more from the author.

Grace Bennet breathes life into the dusty old bookstore, Primrose Books, as well as the grouchy yet loveable bookstore owner. Grace, a recent lover of books, quickly learns the power of books in bringing people together when all seems lost. A book of hope and loss, destruction and rebirth.

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Martin and it won't be my last one. It kept my attention from the first page until the last. The romance defiantly was sweet as it played out. Hope there is a second book on Viv. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to find a new author.

This was so good! I fell in love with all the characters especially Grace who is such a strong and kind young woman. I felt like I was right there with her as she walked the streets in the middle of a war- the writing was that good. I learned many new things about that time from this story. Love telling all my friends about it! A writer to follow!

My Thoughts:

I don't only read YA. I also don't only read YA books from indigenous and authors of color, however, it does make up most of my TBR (to be read) lists. However, this book caught my eye because I just like historical fiction books about books, libraries or bookshops. It appeals to that little girl in me who wanted to read every book at the Manoa public library. I also am a sucker for a great historical romance.

In addition, following the 2023 Oscars, I watched the new All Quiet on the Western Front. I spent 3 hours reading about the futility of the war in the trenches and wanted to read about what was going on in London from a female perspective. This is the book that needs to follow the watching of Western Front. It was worth staying up and finishing this in one sitting. This book follows the lives of two young women coming from the countryside into London just as London starts to prepare for war with Hitler's forces. This is the story of Grace in London and her relationships with her landlady, her grouchy boss and the dashing engineer she meets at the bookstore. Once France falls, England is in the war and everything changes for the characters, especially Grace. She feels like her friend Viv is the brave one, but Grace shines in the midst of chaos and tragedy.

This is not really a YA novel, but it can be. The romance is mild, but some of the war activities are a bit gruesome. However, it is a walk in Hyde Park compared to the movie All Quiet on the Western Front, so use this novel to lift your spirits. This is for the YA or middle level reader who is fascinated by historical fiction and wants a window into WWII era London.

From the Publisher:
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 drawn curtains that she finds on her arrival are 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.

Publication information:
Author: Madeline Martin

Publisher: Hanover Square Press (April 6, 2021)

Books about books are some of my favorite stories.

The novel spans the duration of World War 2. Grace, and her best friend Viv, move to London just before the war starts. Viv starts work at Harrods Department Store and Grace gets a job working at dusty old Primrose Hill Books for crotchety Mr. Evans. Viv soon joins the war effort and leaves London, but Grace remains behind.

The story is more narrative driven rather than character driven. Often the timeline moves along simply from descriptions of what happened during those weeks and months. Sometimes it felt like reading a history timeline. The story is also fairly predictable and focuses on what happened in the neighborhoods of London during the air raids and bombings. Characters and relationships are simple, but sweet.

But what the story lacks in depth, it makes up for in charm. It's a sweet story about a girl who doesn't read much until her boyfriend gives her his favorite book, The Count of Monte Cristo. As Grace reads it, a new world opens up to her and she discovers the joy that is literature. Working in the bookstore, she has ample reading material and she begins to make over the bookstore into something that draws people in.

There are many nights of air raids, but reading helps so many people get through them, and through her reading and the bookstore, Grace begins to find a community. A community that comes together when she needs it.

I found the story quite delightful and heartwarming.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this book incredibly interesting the author really kept me hooked until the end. very well written I highly recommend.

Absolutely loved this book, and the transformative power of literature and story-telling to bring community together. The characters capture your heart, and appreciated how the community rallied around their bookshop. War fiction with a refreshingly different perspective.

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin was a great read that puts in you London during the blitzkrieg and expertly describes the resilience of the British people during that time period. The book was a solid 4/5 stars. .

Excellent story! Grace did suffer a number of losses, but I was kind of surprised that nothing very bad happened to two of her close friends who went off to serve. They seemed to make it through the war completely unscathed, but it didn't really detract from the story.

Grace and her best friend, Viv, move to London in 1939, moving in with her late mum’s best friend. Even though she isn’t much of a reader, she takes a job at Primrose Books. As the war begins, Grace learns the power of reading and community. Grace is strong and compassionate, doing her best to live through the war and help others do so. This is a wonderful story, showing one of the many sides of the War.

Although the idea is not unique to have a small bookshop in London which needs desperate attention to keep it afloat, this story seems to hit a nerve of compassion and rooting for the little store and all those who are affected by it. Set in World War II, the reader will not be shocked at the ending, but with Madeline Martin's expert writing and nuggets of pertinent obvious research, we are still glued to reading the pages about people reading books. After the book is finished, we are still rooting for all the people in the book, as they are now my real friends. I watched a zoom with the author which so intrigued me, I had to read this book. I'm so glad I did.

A sweet, touching story from World War II London. Although somewhat predictable, there are enough heart=stopping and gut=wrenching scenes that I was brought to the edge of tears a few times. This is London from just before the war through the Blitz. Viv and Grace (best friends) have come to London from rural England looking for a new start in the exciting big city. Viv gets her "dream job" at Harrod's, but Grace settles for a job in a musty disorganized bookshop with a grumpy owner. As war is declared, things change and as bombs drop life gets even more tenuous.

Although a bit sappy and definitely predictable, the characters are endearing and well drawn and the scenes of WWII London life are touching and accurate. There are descriptions of rationing, gardening, bomb shelters, and life under siege. The scenes of air raids, before and after bombs are tense and will break your heart. Of course there's a bit of a romance. Of course beloved characters die (it is a war, after all). Of course Viv and Grace survive, and the disorganized bookshop becomes the "last bookshop in London", but this is still a sweet, engaging book. There have been SO many WWII books lately, and this one (although not the very best) is worth the read. I really liked it.

It's been a while since I last read a historical fiction story. I liked that this wasn't a romance story like most others. Instead, we follow Grace as she grows into herself and gives the people around her solace. It's also a book that shows how books can be a safe space during a war in ways that I never really thought about.