Bloomsbury Girls takes a look at the obstacles women and minorities faced in 1950, post-war London. Bloomsbury Books is a very traditional, century-old bookstore, run by men. The women employees are treated as second-class, not receiving the professional treatment accorded men (they always have to make tea, for example). The three main characters are Evie, Vivien and Grace. I haven’t read Jenner’s first book, The Jane Austen Society, but apparently Evie and some minor characters played a large part in that book. While you certainly don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one, you will probably have a deeper enjoyment if you know the whole backstory.

There’s a lot of name-dropping of famous (and maybe not-so-famous) people and books along the way and some real people play crucial roles in the story. Among them are Peggy Guggenheim, Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday and Samuel Beckett.

The book is slow paced, in a pleasant way. I never really got attached to the main characters, however. I disliked the title - these were WOMEN, not GIRLS! (Evie is young, in her late teens, perhaps, but Vivien and Grace are mature women.) I enjoyed the character of Ash (a South Indian) and felt angry about how white English people reacted to him.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. Juliet Stevenson did an excellent job narrating the audiobook with many voices and accents.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Bloomsbury Girls is an emotionally layered story. There are multiple layers of depth in the character development. I savored the slower pace with attention to detail that builds relationships between the characters while heightening my anticipation and expectation. Vivian is a force to be reckoned with and will not allow just being a woman stand in her way. I loved seeing her grow into herself as she met women to encourage and mentor her. Grace moved my heart because I wanted so much more for her. She truly is stuck and begins to wonder, not only if there’s more out there, but if she’s brave enough to go after it. She’s loyal but broken and the weight of that tension comes to a tipping point. Evie is a breath of fresh air. She is wickedly intelligent and underestimated, allowing her to flourish in her world of books while staying under the radar. Together, these three women form a bond a friendship that transcends expectations and paves the way for their individual enlightenment. A true testimony to the power of friends who see you and enable the best in you to thrive in spite of others holding you back. There are so many deep and meaningful observations in regard to emotions and experiences and how they help shape us. I was truly inspired and challenged by Jenner in this heartwarming story.

The narrator, Juliet Stevenson, did a remarkable job capturing all the voices and personalities.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Thank you to Netgalley fo the audio version of this book. I really enjoyed listen to a book about a library and how the women of the library eventually took over the book shop. Back in those days men were paid significantly more for doing the same job as women. There was a sense of justice that this book brought to light. They also brought to light some of the discrimination that women had to endure. I generally enjoyed this book

“I thought you were a scholar of obscure 18th century Women writers.”

“They’re not obscure, they’re neglected.”

Truly a love letter to bibliophiles, this book contains all things bookish, from a bookshop setting, cameos from famous authors, to the prizing of rare books and an exploration of the inner lives of writers. With a strong feminist element and the power of great friendship weaved through this book, I think fans of Evie Dunmore and more lighthearted historical fiction will love this one!

One element I particularly enjoyed about this book was how much Daphne du Maurier (or Mrs. Browning, by her pseudonym)—a favourite author of both my mom and I—featured so prominently in this novel. There is a moment in the book where du Maurier was hosting a talk at Bloomsbury Books and said to a particularly onerous reporter Who kept saying that du Maurier writes romance:

“I think I know my own intent. That,” the guest of honour smiled disarmingly towards the women in the audience, “is an author’s and a woman’s prerogative.”

And this statement just had me roaring and cheering along with the audience!

While this follows in the same world and some of the same characters The Jane Austen Society, Natalie Jenner’s first book, I didn’t feel lost at all reading Bloomsbury Girls without having read Jenner’s first book. This can definitely be read and fully enjoyed as a stand-alone!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for providing me with this advanced listening copy—what a fabulous audiobook! Instagram review to be posted on April 28, 2022.

This is a very well done audio version. Juliet Stevenson sets the perfect tone for this story of three women banding together to resist the fusty lack of vision shared by the men they work alongside in a 1950s bookshop in London. The characters are easily distinguishable and there isn't a wrong note throughout.

I loved this book. What is not to love about a book set in a bookshop? This is the story of three women who work in a bookshop in London in the 1950’s. They struggle to be taken seriously by both the men who work in the bookshop and the patrons. We get to know each of the women as they find their own power and break out of the stereotypical roles of women from that time. Natalie Jenner made the bookshop feel so real and I loved the peek into the lives of famous and powerful women of the time.

I have not read The Jane Austen Society, but if you have Evie appears in this book too. You do not need to have read it to read this one. That book is now on my TBR too.

The audio book narration was fanatic and I would highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the audio ARC if this book.

4.5/5 stars

Post war London is a bit of a mess literally and figuratively. The city is working to end rationing and rebuild from the Blitz. Women who previously were in the workforce have returned back home to their children, and men have returned to their jobs and their prewar attitudes about the role of women.

At Bloomsbury books, Grace, Vivien, and Evie, some of the few working women, are treated as mere “shop girls” by their male colleagues, the latter often underestimating the value the three women bring to their store. Lead by the stalwart Mr. Dutton and his unrelenting fifty one rules we see how society is shifting, and the Bloomsbury men need to open their eyes and minds to a new normal.

Grace Perkins works because she has to, though that bit of knowledge is a secret to everyone outside her family. Most don’t realize she is supporting her family after her husband returned from war a broken man. Vivien Lowry lost her aristocratic fiancé to war and takes out her anger on her coworker Alec, who doesn’t seem to see her worth. Evie Stone, a new hire, took the job after being passed over for a well-connected man in a new research role at Cambridge.

Each woman is working to find a better future for themselves, and together they hatch a plan to get it. With a bit of help from Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (Orwell’s widow), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others, the three Bloomsbury girls don’t just get even, they get ahead.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and of course Natalie Jenner for the advanced copy. Bloombury Girls comes out on May 17th. All opinions are my own.

The Bloomsbury Girls - Vivien, Grace and Evie, are trying to fulfill their dreams and potential in 1950's London. Fighting towards an society and the men in their surroundings that are just too happy with the way things have always been. I adored "The Jane Austen Society" and it was a pleasant surprise to meet some of the characters in this book. However, I felt it was a little too neatly wrapped up in the end - everything felt in to place, everybody got what they desired and deserved - this made me go from 4 stars to 3.5.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to listen to, and review, this ARC

Being a girl who works in a library and loves the written word, Bloomsbury Girls immediately captured my attention. I must start by saying that this is my first Natalie Jenner read and it left a positive lasting impression. My "read" was via Juliet Stevenson on audio.

Bloomsbury Books is a 100 year old establishment ran by men during WW2. Men may be in charge, but its women (and a few other minorities) that do the actual work. Each chapter starts with one of 51 rules all must abide while employed. Most are obvious and many are obsolete in todays world. Jenner's story is impeccably researched, with numermous references to artists, writers and publishers. Again, library girl here, fangirling with each introduction in the book - Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, and Peggy Guggenheim.

This is a book that deals with office romances, coworker conflicts while championing strength and determination. Jenner has showcased a time when women worked together to thrive and become better individuals, Set in a cozy bookstore, I love that the women band together to create the world they want to live.

Many thanks to Natalie Jenner, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advanced audio of the book. I enjoyed stepping back in time to a very special place filled with books. I'm hoping in the vein of Mad Men and Downton Abbey, this book and the series will be picked up and launched into a tv series. I would love to meet Vivien, Grace and Evie on PBS.

If you are a book lover, and who here isn't? You love anything and everything about books, so what better book to read, than a book that book takes place in a book store!

I enjoyed Natalie Jenner's previous novel The Jane Austin Society, so I was extremely happy to be able to get an advanced listen to her newest book Bloomsbury Girls.

As with Jane Austen Society Jenner has expertly written history in the new story, along with intelligent and charming characters that you cant help but like, one of the main charaters is even in the previous book, but do not let that stop you from reading Bloomsbury Girls if you havent read Jane Austen, because while they do share a character, this is not a sequel, it is a story in its own right and can be read as such.

The story is very character driven and although it takes place in the 50s and the women are facing all the sexism and other problems that may have befall upon women working and living in that time period, I would not neccesarriy consider the book historica fiction, to me it would fall more in line with the genre of women's fiction,

There are a lot of characters in this story but Jenner was able to give them each purpose and place, helping you navigate them without getting confused on who they are or where they fit within the story.

The Bloombury Girls is a charming read that will hit the mark for a lot of readers...Historical Fiction, General Fiction, Womens Fiction and Book Clubs, it really has something for everyone!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. This novel, superbly narrated by Juliet Stevenson, was a great light read; it was full of moments that had me eager for more and had me craving a cup of tea throughout. Highly recommended for historical fiction fans.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading about the 3 strong women working at the male run bookstore, Bloomsbury Books. I loved their determination to overcome the struggles of being a woman right after WW2. I thought the characters were interesting and fully developed. I felt like I could walk right into the story and be apart of the bookstore and its community. I thought it was really interesting that the author had appearances of authors of the time like Daphne du Maurier, Jane Webb, Samuel Beckett, as well as others in the book. It also touches on racism and the controlling and abusive nature of men. I will not be purchasing this book for the high school but I do recommend it to readers that are interested in these topics.

Bloomsbury Girls was my first book by Natalie Jenner, but I doubt it will be my last. She does a wonderful job of crafting the setting, making the reader feel immersed in the time and place. I felt the characters were well developed and though aspects of the story were predictable, I thought it was overall very entertaining and taught me something new. Recommended!

I really enjoyed this work of historical fiction chronicling the origin of the Bloomsbury group. It details the adversity that the women faced while trying to advance in man's word. There strength and tenacity is inspiring and the story is engaging. The narrator did an excellent job of holding my attention and her voice was captivating and well-paced.

I truly enjoyed Bloomsbury Girls and now need to go back and read Jenner's first book.
Set in 1950 London, Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned bookstore run by men who want to keep running it the way they have for 100 years. The women in the bookstore have other ideas. Vivienne loves fiction and has many ideas about female authors who could be highlighted but is she unable to move past running the cash register and her ideas are ignored. Grace is a married woman with two young boys who needs the wages she earns in the office to help their family since her husband's breakdown after serving in WWII. Evie is a recent grad from Cambridge who was unable to procure a research job there having been beat out by a man who was less qualified.

the challenges these women deal with on a daily basis are many but together they find they can change the status quo. I didn't get wrapped up in the book right away but once I got to know the characters, I was sucked in. There are a number of men involved in the running and ownership of the bookstore and they all play a part in the women's lives. They also become acquainted with a number of famous women of the time including Daphne du Maurier, Sonia Blair (wife of George Orwell), Peggy Guggenheim, all of whom helped them out later in the book. There is also an appearance by Samuel Beckett. These outside characters add a splash of humor to a story that is at it's core is the struggle of women.

I felt like women can do anything if we only work together!! I was thoroughly delighted in the listen.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for this honest review.

I actually liked Bloomsbury Girls better than Jane Austen Society, and I liked that one very much! Perhaps I was a bit annoyed with men at the time I was reading it, and the women's attitudes in this book suited me just fine. I enjoy the way Natalie Jenner brings everything together in the end. I also appreciated that this could be read as a stand-alone novel. I'll be recommending this to everyone!

The writing was a little too slow paced for me but I really enjoyed the female characters.

Grace is the hard working mom who wants to find love because her husband is not who she thought he was. Evie is a graduate from Cambridge and has lost the job role of her dreams to a man who is less qualified and yet she finds work at Bloomsbury Books. Vivian is the other female employee and close friends with Grace. The three women have to navigate a world dominated by men in the 1950’s.

I was so satisfied with the ending for all the women involved with the three ladies’ lives and the encouragement they provided for Grace, Evie and Vivian to follow their dreams and work harder than ever before.

Juliet Stevenson was amazing with her different accents and inflections for each character, I wanted to hear her read forever.

This was a solid second book for Natalie Jenner, thanks to her, Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the ARC.

#BloomsburyGirls #NatalieJenner #NetGalley

Bloomsbury Books is the center setting for the story of an ensemble story. we get to know women of the 1950s--Vivien, Grace, and Evie--and see how their complicated choices in a changing world enable them to make their dreams come true. With suspenseful bits and also intrigue featuring famous folks of the time including Daphne Du Maurier, Peggy Guggenheim, Samuel Beckett, and more, the story reflects the clash of values and experience of the time. An altogether compelling and enjoyable read!

In Blooomsbury Books — a store with a 100 year history of being run by men — it’s 1950 and three “shopgirls” do the actual work: Vivienne, an aspiring writer still grieving the loss of her fiancé; Evie, among the first women graduates from Cambridge and a rare-book expert; and the manager’s secretary, Grace. Their story rich in girl-power, and is absolutely charming — with a cheer-for-them ending.

What drew me to read Bloomsbury Girls was the genre. I love historical fiction stories. Unfortunately this one was a miss for me.

The author wrote a character driven plot with a cast of characters who were mostly boring and unexciting. The women of the bookstore were treated exactly how women were in post war England and while the plot did eventually become interesting it wasn’t until 85% of the audiobook was over.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and author, Natalie Jenner for allowing me to listen to an eARC in exchange for an honest review.