Much like the gorgeous cover, Bloomsbury Girls envelopes you in post-war London nostalgia.

Bloomsbury Girls is a story of an old fashioned bookstore dictated by rules and the three women bound to break them.

Vivien, Grace, and Evie. Three ambitious women struggling through societal expectations and the multitude of obstacles bound to hold them back. Each character is distinct, with a fresh voice. Yet the struggles each face are nothing unique. As the women learn to lean on one another, they also see possibilities for a brighter future.

I enjoyed how the Jenner blended the fictional cast with real, trailblazing women (Daphne de Maurier, Peggy Guggenheim, and Ellen Doubelday). I found myself googling these historic women and allured by the idea that their combined efforts could’ve spearheaded such momentum.

The pace of this book is very similar to how I like to meander through my favorite bookstore… slow and steady. While not a riveting page turner, the cozy and leisurely vibe felt apropos.

I found myself primarily turning to the audiobook narration, expertly read by Juliet Stevenson.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and MacMillan Audio for the #gifted copies of this book.

Fans of NBC’s television show NCIS just might be familiar with Gibbs’ rules. Gibbs has dozens of rules, and sometimes there were additional rules assigned to the same number. The people that work with him now and those who worked with him in the past will never forget any of them. While Gibbs and others clearly broke specific rules from time to time, that is not the case in Bloomsbury Girls, by Natalie Jenner. The bookshop rules have been set in place by the shop’s general manager Mr. Dutton. There are 51 rules. These shop rules were to be abided by all employees. No one was expected to forget them, thus everything at the bookshop will go flawlessly.

This book follows Jenners' previous book, The Jane Austen Society, This delightful read was like sitting down to a cup of tea with the employees and authors who were made famous at that time. The society was formed by people from different walks of life. They connected and were bonded by their love of books in Jane Austin. Does the Bloomsbury Bookshop bring the same sense of camaraderie?

There are three women featured in this book that work at the bookshop who struggle to respect the shop's rules, all while bringing about change in the rare book store that has been around for over one hundred years. The world they live in is changing, and it is high time that the bookshop changes as well. We have Vivien Lowry, Grace Perkins and Evie Stone, who are all as different as can be, yet share the same dreams and goals for the bookshop. They work well together, while also rubbing shoulders with powerful literary figures, including Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday and others. The store has a wonderful environment, with the love of the written word being the glue that binds all involved.

What a remarkable book by Natalie Jenner. While reading this book I felt like I was transported back in time and working alongside those women who demanded change while showing that women were not meant to simply marry and bear children. Each of our protagonists had different circumstance and goals, all while dealing with difficult perceptions and circumstances. It was lovely to see these women defying convention, even while working with a few men in this story.

Even though I was quite drawn to Ms. Jenner's previous book, The Jane Austen Society, it is not needed to enjoy this story, but I will still highly recommend it nonetheless. Having this book as an audiobook gave me a deeper experience, although I often referred to the print ARC while listening to the excellent narration. Tough subjects are explored while the special place that makes the bookshop will be with me for a long time.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I loved this book! Jenner's writing style has an immersive and easily flows with realistic conversations. Juliet Stevenson did a top notch job with the narrator bringing the story and characters to life. The characters development realistic and the insertion of notable celebrity socialites added a fun historical flair. Historical fiction Buffs or readers who love strong female leads are not going to want to miss this gem.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars with a bright PG rating for readers of all ages

I really enjoyed this audiobook! I loved the characters and the storyline, and I highly recommend it.

Bloomsbury Girls is an intimate look inside a London bookstore. The daily comings and goings of famous authors, American customers, and elite society. Three women are set to make their mark in the workplace of the 50’s, typically dominate by men. They must overcome prejudice, rude interactions and insinuations of crime. One has lost her fiance to war,another is unable to gain a prestigious position in the academic world, and another is a wife and mother. When their general manager Mr. Dutton suffers an epileptic seizure, the bookstore employees are shuffled into new positions.

I listened to the audio book via Netgalley’s app. The narration was a bit slow for my taste so I upped it to 1.5 speed. I’m so glad for this feature! It was a pleasant way to pass the day. English accent, rich characters with quirks and the building of a publishing empire. Historical fiction set in postwar England for lovers of all things bookish! Thanks to Netgalley and Austenprose PR for the complimentary audio book for review!

I loved Natalie Jenner's, The Jane Austen Society, and Bloomsbury Girls was just as enjoyable. Although there are some fun cross-over characters from JAS characters, this is clearly a stand alone book. The characters were interesting, flawed, and progress on their own terms. The insertion of notable celebrities in the literary and socialite world of their time was fun and gave a "realistic" historical flair to the storyline. Jenner's writing style works for me; it easily flows, but is also immersive. I also listened to the audiobook; Juliet Stevenson is a fabulous narrator.
Thank you Macmillan Publishers and #NetGalley for the ARC ecopy and audiobook.

Bloomsbury Girls follows three women who end up working at the male-dominated Bloomsbury Books bookstore in post-war London. At the store they must adhere to the set rules of their male manager.

This is a total girl power story and I loved how the women supported each other! I did find it somewhat slow at times but overall an interesting story. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

What a wonderful adventure into the world of books! Book lovers will delight in this journey as they meet three women in 1950s London who are oppressed by the times they are in but refuse to give up their dreams. Vivien, Grace, and Evie all experience struggles in a career dominated by men, but they push to change the way of society in a difficult time. I loved that each of the chapter headings begins with one of Mr. Dutton’s rules for the shop. The audiobook narration by Juliet Stevenson was very well done, and she kept each character distinct and memorable. We meet important women in the literary world, such as Ellen Doubleday, and we watch as our three heroines work to define their place at Bloomsbury Books. This is simply a glorious battle of wits that will delight anyone who adores books.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Austenprose PR via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

Unfortunately I can not get through this book. I listened to 50 per cent and it is so boring. So many characters and so many details that seem unimportant, along with no real storyline. I’m hoping maybe I’ll like this one better as a book not audio. Audio is just not holding my interest at all.

There are three women -- Evie, Vivian and Grace -- are still dealing with the aftermath of World War II in 1950s London in an old-fashioned bookstore, owned and basically run by men, with the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. They cross paths with famous female literary figures of the time, like Ellen Doubleday and Daphne Du Maurier. These three women, from different backgrounds and in different stages of life, feel stuck in their lives but the all dream of creating better lives for themselves - despite the obstacles that happen when living in a male-dominated world.

Evie has been denied an academic position because she's a woman; she begins working instead as a staff member at Bloomsbury Books. Grace, who seems to be the administrative assistant, is dealing with her two preteen sons and a husband who has come back damaged from the war. Vivien lost her fiancee during the war, and has been relegated to the cash counter at the independent bookstore in London. But Evie has a secret plan that may change her life and her female coworkers' lives forever.

The book is not classified as a romance, but it is actually quite romantic with numerous slow-building love stories to enjoy.

5/5⭐️!
I absolutely loved Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner and Narrated by Juliet Stevenson. The story was both empowering and captivating while the narrator did a fantastic job with their performance. I truly felt transported back in time to Bloomsbury Books and loved every second of it.
10/10 recommend!!

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.

Bloomsbury Girls follows three women - Vivien Lowry, Grace Perkins, & Evie Stone - as they work in an old-fashioned rare book store. The manager's rules are strict and have not changed or evolved, the store is run by men who do not respect women, and the three just want the freedom to excel in the literary world.

I quite enjoyed this story and all three women were very likeable. This book isn't one that I will remember or rave about, but it was pleasant enough. It was a little longer than I would have liked, but I did enjoy Bloomsbury Girls. If you like historical fiction, this is a must for your TBR.

I loved this book so much. It was historical and very interesting. I would definitely recommend for anyone interested in libraries, historical fiction or the UK. This author has a way of narrating stories in a really beautiful way. I hope she writes more soon!

🔊Song Pairing: 9 to 5 - Dolly Patron (my queen)

💭What I thought would happen:

A book about women with limited rights doing something badass to all the penises holding them back…kind of

📖What actually happens:

Bloomsbury Books is a well established bookstore ran by 3 women, women of different backgrounds all facing their own battles. Bloomsbury is owner of course by men setting uptight rules left and right, but a girl’s gotta eat!?

Evie is in the top of her class at Cambridge but was denied further education in place of a mediocre man. Vivien is a fabulously sassy widow who is just deciding how best to live her life as a single woman and Grace and a mother who has the world on her shoulders after her husband’s breakdown. How can they rule the literary world, together they just may!

🗯Thoughts:

I wanted to love this book. Truly. While it did have enjoyable moments it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. But I am all for women coming together to defy the rules of men

I did see the nod to the Jane Austen Society sadly that I have yet to read and am now curious!

I think this book will be great for anyone who likes historical fiction where when are determined to make strides towards equality/equity.

Thank you @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the audiobook and gifted copy

Pub date: May 17

If you loved The Jane Austen Society, then you will be thrilled to read Bloomsbury Girls. Evie is back, and she’s ready to summon her inner strength. Bloomsbury Books is a man’s world, a book store ostensibly run by men, but which couldn’t survive without its women employees. As times and needs change, so must the book store.

Juliet Steven’s does a marvelous job narrating this ultimately hopeful book her pacing is just right, as well as her voices. Steven’s’ voices and pronunciation make for easy listening.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Natalie Jenner has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary authors. First with the beautifully written The Jane Austen Society and now with Bloomsbury Girls. I devoured each page with joy – feeling a kindred spirit connection to the three female characters: Evie Stone, Grace Perkins, and Vivien Lowry. Especially Evie with her love and research of forgotten classic books written by women (also a passion of mine).

Jenner has penned a beautiful tribute to women writers, bookshops, and booklovers with a nostalgic and captivating style in a novel that will become a fan favorite.

Bloomsbury Girls is rich with female friendships, appealing romances, and fabulous female characters with the determination to succeed in a man's world. It is a can't miss for historical fiction and women's fiction lovers everywhere.

THE STORY:

Bloomsbury Girls follows three women still dealing with the aftermath of World War II in 1950s London in an old-fashioned bookstore where they cross paths with famous female literary figures of the time like Ellen Doubleday and Daphne Du Maurier. The women feel stuck in their lives but dream of creating better lives for themselves - despite their obstacles in a male-dominated world.

When Cambridge denies Evie Stone an academic position because she's a woman, she begins working instead as a staff member at Bloomsbury Books (with Grace and Vivien), an independent bookstore in London managed by men and led by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. But she has a secret plan that may change her life and her female coworkers' lives forever.

IS BLOOMSBURY GIRLS A SEQUEL TO THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY?

Bloomsbury Girls is a sequel to The Jane Austen Society, but not in the traditional sense. It's more of a spinoff about Evie Stone's character set a few years later.

A couple of characters make cameos, and Jenner mentions other Jane Austen Society characters, but this is a standalone book, and it is not necessary to read The Jane Austen Society (although why wouldn't you want to? It's great!).

BOOK REVIEW

Overall, if you love historical fiction books or are even a book lover and a fan of literary history, this is a must-read novel. The inclusion of real-life historical figures and authors makes it an intriguing read. And the feminist, girl-power slant to the story made it all the more enjoyable.

And while the book is not a romance, it is quite romantic with numerous love stories to enjoy with a slow build. So, if you like a touch of romance in your historical fiction books, you'll be pleased with this story!

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

I cannot say enough good things about the audiobook narration for Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner. The immensely talented English actress Juliet Stevenson wonderfully narrates the audiobook.

Her incredible ability to effortlessly transition between various accents and voices makes her the perfect choice for this story.

Stevenson's acting provides an extra layer of authenticity and richness to the novel. She brings the story to life, giving the audiobook a period drama-like feel.

If you love Stevenson's effortless narration, you should also check out the whimsical mystery series Queens of Mystery (like Pushing Daisies). She earned an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Narrator" for that series.
That same skill that got her the Emmy nomination is found in the audiobook (from Macmillan Audio).

Truly, Juliet Stevenson is a dream narrator for Jenner's delightful novel.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Ultimately, Bloomsbury Girls (whether you're reading the book or listening to it as an audiobook) is a delightful mix of female friendship, romance, and the determination to succeed despite the obstacles in your path. It captured my heart. And I can't wait for its release to see others fall in love with this book.

ADAPTATION RECOMMENDATION:

Bloomsbury Girls would make a fabulous period drama series like The Paradise or Mr. Selfridge in a 1950s bookstore. It would also work as a standalone film or limited series. The story lends itself naturally to different mediums.

Content Note: There is nothing graphic in this book. A couple of implied love scenes behind closed doors are in the book.

Overall Rating: 5
Romance Rating: 5

(Disclosure: I was given an advanced reader's copy from the author and publisher. I also received a copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio via Netgalley. This review is my honest opinion.)

How I wish I owned a bookshop (but don't really want the ownership burden)! This book takes place in a book store in London after WWII focusing on three women.

The story weaves through the lives of these women and their interactions with customers, their boss, and famous writers. Enter--Daphne Du Maurier (which I was loving--love her books and this brought them up and mentioned them)! Other important women in the 1950's such as Peggy Guggenheim (all I could think about is the art museum in NYC!)

This seemed to be mostly a character study of these women and it was enjoyable--but I tend to prefer a plot driven book. People that enjoyed The Jane Austen Society are sure to enjoy this one as well! I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the narrator, Juliet Stevenson, who has narrated a lot of Austen, Bronte, and Gaskell books, so she fit right in!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance audiobook.

I felt I would have appreciated this book more if I had read it instead of listening to the audiobook. The narrator has a low, slow voice which makes it easy to zone out. Usually I prefer listening to the narration of English novels as the accents help me picture the characters and help me connect with the story better, but this was one of few that just didn’t captivate me.

Our three Bloomsbury Books women show the men how it is done. Their manager, Mr. Dutton, has set out 51 rules to maintain peace and tranquility. Vivien, Grace, and Evie operate within that framework while dreaming of a future that contains more opportunity. Jenner cleverly frames each chapter with a rule showing the men of the shop often running roughshod and getting away with it. Our story begins with a medical emergency that shakes up the shop politics and they will never be the same. There is quite a bit of crossover with Jenner's previous work -- The Jane Austen Society. I especially enjoyed seeing Evie flourish in her gifts at cataloging and discovery. Famous figures make cameo appearances as noted in the book summary above. My favorite was Daphne du Maurier and her evening event at the shop. There are many themes explored (women's rights, marriage health, motherhood, war trauma, plagiarism, racial discrimination, and more) making this an ideal book group pick. Kudos to Juliet Stevenson for her narration of the audiobook transporting me to 1950's London with ease. I could see and smell the shop and the cherry blossoms.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is an insight into life in London in the aftermath of the Second World War, where women’s roles were being adjusted following the return of the men to work and daily life. This fictionalized account is a peek into the literary life in London at that time, and the authors and publishing houses who appear are still well known to us to this day. What a time it must have been as everyone seems to have been well connected to each other.

An enjoyable read with a cozy vibe to it. The characters were just the right mix of sympathetic and challenging, and the male female tension dynamic of the day was well portrayed.

With thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to the eARP of this title.