This story sounded like something I would really like, but for some reason I just didn't get pulled in. I'm not sure if it was the author's style or subject matter. After getting through about a third of it, I gave up. Other readers might enjoy it, and I do thank Netgalley for letting me access the ARC.

I usually love dual timeline stories, and the fact that the Mitford sisters were in this one was a huge selling point for me. Unfortunately, it was just a dud. The first chapter showed promise, but beyond that it was slogging through to get through each additional chapter. It took many times to finally finish this one, and Unfortunately it just wasn't a favorite. Again, this is just my own opinion. This is a great concept and would make a lovely story, this one just wasn't it for me.

🌟🌟/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Eliza Knight. ❤️

Like most dual timeline stories, I could have done without the present day narrative in this tale. While I was intrigued by a quest to discover the identity of a woman in a book’s inscription, the modern perspective did not serve to move the plot forward overall.

This book had a really slow start and at the beginning I thought it was going to be a dud or I would DNF the book because I just was not connecting to the Mitford Sisters. Oh how that changed as the book went on. By the time I finished the book I was researching, reading Wikipedia and learning as much as I could and to see how much of this was real and how much was fiction (Actually the historical parts, pretty on point, which is crazy!). The fact that the story also revolves around books, bookstore and the writings of the main character was also going to make me a fan. A great book for lovers of Female centric WWII books such as the women in the castle, Lilac Girls and Kate Quinn books.

Thank you to William Morrow and Custom House | William Morrow Paperbacks and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I have never read anything by this author before, but I love Historical Fiction books and this one seemed to be right up my alley,

This is a HF book with dual timelines ( on in the 1930's and the other is modern day). I liked the idea of this book, but it didn't keep my interest the whole time. It was really slow in parts and I couldn't tell what the point of the story was. It was just ok for me.

I would try another book by this author at some time though.

I just can’t get into this story. I enjoyed the first few chapters to introduce the two main characters. I usually love dual timeline stories. But for right now, this book isn’t for me. I will try to revisit it at another time to give it another chance.

I enjoyed this book written in dual timelines. Even though the book is historical fiction, the story is based on Nancy Mitford’s life. The modern day protagonist Lucy St. Claire’s storyline was interesting, but I enjoyed Mitford’s character better.

Thank you #Netgalley, #WilliamMorrowandCustomHouse, #ElizaKnight and #TheMayfairBookshop for the book for my honest review.

I could not finish this book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from William Morrow and Custom House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a Historical Fiction that has two timelines (1930s Nancy and Present Day Lucy). The novel follows Nancy Mitford (of the notorious Mitford sisters) during her years as one of the “bright young things” and follows her through her budding career as a novelist and into WWII. I did not know much about the Mitford Sisters so I was intrigues by this part of the storyline. The second story, set in the current time, tells the story of Lucy St. Clair who has come to England to curate rare books for a collector. Their stories merge at the Heywood Hill bookshop in London where Nancy worked during WWII while her marriage was falling apart. Lucy has a second motivation for her work at the bookstore; she possesses a copy of Nancy Mitford’s novel “The Pursuit of Love” with an inscription to Iris. Lucy wants to solve the mystery of who Iris was and what her connection was to Nancy. I was eager to read this, I love books about books and bookstores, and I love that part of London, however I found this novel a little slow.

hank you to William Morrow and Custom House, as well as NetGalley

A perfect balance of mystery, historical fiction and coming into one's own. There are many stories that pursue a connection between their modern and historical characters, sometimes creating an unbelievable reach. The Mayfair Bookshop however is not one of those. Connections are built through personal connection and character development. Great read.

This took a bit to get into so the rating is actually 3.5. The last 45% of this book was awesome, but the beginning dragged so much!

LIKES:
1) it’s a “true” story. I really enjoyed learning about Nancy Mitford and her family.
2) WWII novel but not like any I have ever read. I enjoyed seeing the conflict of the Brits with the Nazis. You tend to assume that there no sympathizers but alas, like our country, some craved the fascist ideals.
3) dual timelines. I’ll admit, some times I really just wanted to stay with Lucy. Nancy life was so interesting but it was cruel and messy and Lucy was just on a “treasure” hunt
4) Gavin… love a Scottish love interest.
5) the ending. No epilogue but it felt like one! I loved how everything turned out.

DISLIKES:
1) it needed more Gavin
2) it took forever for me to be interested in this. I’m glad I stuck within, but gees, it was so boring bay first.

I was really excited to start it, but it was a struggle to finish.

I love dual timeline historic fiction. This one though, not so much. I didn't care much for the modern timeline. I found Nancy and her family insufferable. I didn't know Nancy was a real person so I was wondering why the author would make these people so horrible. I wouldn't want to know or hang out with any of them.

For the first half of the book, I'm wondering what the plot is or if there even is one. Is it about her being a party girl and picking the worst guy to marry? Fascist family members? Having a horrible marriage?

At least toward the end, Nancy takes some action in her own life.

I really enjoyed The Mayfair Bookshop, and have recommended it to many of my friends & family! It never slowed down for me and told a really neat story.

This was my first introduction to the Mitford sisters, and what a history they have! Of the six sisters, half of them became Nazi sympathizers who were in Hitler's personal circle of friends. Nancy Mitford, the oldest, was an accomplished novelist for the times and was in a group called the Bright Young Things. Nancy's greatest heartbreak, according this book, was her inability to find true love. For many years she pined after a man who later permanently broke off their on-and-off again engagements and gently let her know he was attracted to men. In return, she married someone she knew she wasn't in love with but convinced herself she would fall deeply in love with him since she was in danger of becoming a spinster. Alas, starting off with no love never leads to a deep love, and Nancy and her husband were estranged from nearly the beginning. As the War comes closer to London, Nancy struggles with her writing, lack of money, and her sisters' and mother's traitorous behavior.

I enjoyed this look into the Mitford's lives, but this story was a little all over the place for me. The bookshop wasn't really the focus, and didn't even come into the story until the end. There is a dual storyline, but it is not fully developed. The big focus of the modern day storyline with Lucy is a mysterious lady named Iris who is supposedly one of Nancy's closest friends, but who is actually hardly mentioned in the story. By the end of the book, I felt Nancy was more sad about her love life than the War. There were too many pieces in this story, and not one real focus. Was it the missing friend? Nancy's love life? Her sisters cozying up to Hitler? I also think the dual storyline was unnecessary and a bit distracting.

Lucy is a book curator that has landed a job in London at the bookstore that Nancy Mitford worked at. Lucy can't believe her luck as she has a 1st edition of one of Nancy's books with an inscription Lucy is curious to figure out. Who was the mysterious Iris and how was she a part of Nancy's life. As Lucy searches for answers she learns more about Nancy and her life.

I enjoyed the duel narrators/timelines. I enjoyed the story centering around WWII. Found it interesting it also centered around a book shop. Would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley and William Morrow for the ARC.

Great story. Well written. Couldn't put it down! The Mayfair Bookshop is an engaging tale about two women whose stories are beautiful written by author Eliza Knight. The world that was once inhabited by Nancy Mitford was during one of the darkest times in modern history, and Eliza fully immerses her readers in this world until the very last page. A must read!

Love a good dual timeline historical fiction. Add in a bookstore and I’m happy. Would recommend this!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

This was such an imaginative, beautiful historical fiction. I knew nothing about the Mitford sisters before reading this, but it was so much fun to learn all about Nancy Mitford. A really fun book with some heartwrenching moments.

It was interesting to read about someone I didn’t know, but I didn’t fell truly connected to the concept. I can’t fully understand why Lucy was so obsessed with Nancy; that part of the story wasn’t developed enough.

This book did a great job of making me dislike the Mitford family, that’s for sure.

There are two other books published recently about Nancy Mitford, one in 2021 and one coming in 2023. I’m not sure why the fascination with Nancy is so prevalent but maybe I’m missing something.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.