I loved listening to this audio version of The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green. I have not read the eBook or the paperback version, but I have heard a lot about it. I was kind of expecting an American version of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and whilst there were vague echoes of that, I think the story was also unique and interesting in its own right, with lots of memorable characters.

I would suggest The Blackout Book Club is about the power of books and words to bring people together and form bonds of friendship which helped bring the community closer together. The transformative power of Literature and reading is something few take seriously at first, but through books we do not just escape to other worlds but learn something about ourselves. In the story, people who were lonely, isolated, or living in fear found support, love, and appreciation with others they would never have known but for the book club. The

It also provided an interesting snapshot of life in a rural part of the United States int the early days of the War. I’m British, so I’m more used to stories about the Blitz in London and other major cities from 1939. I didn’t know there were large scale air raids in America.

Thanks to RB Digital for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my opinion, which is entirely my own and freely given.

The story takes place in Englands Coast, derby, during ww2 1942 1943
We follow a group from different walks of life, we get the views from them "still at home". I liked the Main characters , how they developed. I liked the strong friendships they forged. The narrator has a voice that is chefs kiss for this book. I highly recommend it. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Avis is battling a rocky marriage. Ginny is dealing with a broken family and looking for direction. Louise has a painful past and is trying to keep up her perfect image. Freddy is in search of meaning after becoming injured in the war. Finally, Martina is running from an abusive husband and trying to start new for her children. Every single one has their own unique personality that comes off clearly and distinctly throughout the entire book. I came to really enjoy each person's backstory and quirks.

As they navigate this time of war together, they begin to care and help one another, bonded by the book club they attend. The backstories begin to come forward and all secrets are unraveled. Charming and extremely well developed, this novel intertwines lives through a love for books and the special bond between friends. Even in the harsh times of WWII, the light of sacrifice and special act of love shine in this book. I heard the audiobook and the narrator did a great job keeping the personalities of the characters in the book alive. One thing I did not like about it was that there was no clear indication that this was a Christian book. Some mentions of prayer and church attendance are mentioned, but that is as far as it goes. There was even angst against God at times that were not resolved. For that, I took off a star in my rating.

Overall, this novel was enjoyable and it will definitely touch your heart. The themes of friendship, forgiveness and sacrifice are heartwarming.

Many historical fiction books about the World Wars focus on those in the thick of the fray, but what I truly enjoyed about this one was that it was about those left behind; the ones who either couldn't go off to war for health or age-related reasons or the women they left behind, who now needed to step up and do work that was unfamiliar to them to keep the home fires burning.

I loved how dissimilar the characters in this story seemed at the start, but how they grew together as they read and discussed all sorts of books. Reading seems like such a singular sport at times, and yet when we can discuss what we've read with others, it draws us together, teaching us more about life, but also about each other.

As this little community grows and bonds together over their love of the books they've been sharing with each other, it gives them each the courage to be the people they want to be in the face of the dangers around them.

I truly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it!

Thank you to Amy Lynn Green, RB Media and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I have enjoyed all of Amy Lynn Green's books, and I couldn't wait to read The Blackout Book Club!

I love the town of Darby and its library. I always love books about books, and this one didn't disappoint. The blackout book club brings together women and men of all different situations and gives them a place to belong. I love that they connected with each other AND with the books they read. This is a lovely book about finding yourself and finding the people who become your family!

This was an audiobook, and I thought the narrator was fantastic!

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, books, and found family.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Lynn Green, and RB Media for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

That's the thing with Historical Fiction, they make you emotional. Giving you a board sign of "Tollbooth ahead", to be ready for what you expect ahead in this book

Set up in backgrounds of world war zones, we often don't discuss the lives of people who did not go to fight and faced other levels of challenges. Which mainly consist of women. And here's an ironical thing: They are called upon to do routine jobs (labour) due to the scarcity of working staff - and yet when a married woman starts to work, she is frowned upon! The book hits you in the face with its truth-like tales by showcasing both facets of society:
1. The obnoxious behaviour to control everything a woman holds dear
2. To stand by each other, when hit by a disaster.

The way the author(@amygreenbooks) showcases books as a tool in this story, to cope with real-life disturbances is commendable. Especially during times like warzones, where people are living in camps, barely making a living - they crave distractions and a book club seems to be a good option from my perspective.

Genre: #historicalfiction #worldwar2 #adultfiction
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 15th November 2022

Thank you @netgalley @amygreenbooks @recordedbooks and Baker Publishing Group for the digital ARC

I was thoroughly delighted by The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green. Following a cast of characters from the same town, this book shows some of the US home front impact of World War II. As each character navigates war times and what it means for them and their family, a solid story emerges. This is a book about community and the power of books to bring people together, especially during difficult times and I loved it. The narrator did an excellent job bringing the story to life, though listening did make it difficult it to keep track of the different perspectives initially. Overall, I quite enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by Amy Lynn Green.

*I received an advanced audiobook copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green is a delightful story of friendship found in an unlikely place. This is my first book by Amy Lynn Green, and it sure won’t be my last!

In a small town off the coast of Maine, a group of people will form a book club that will play an essential role in their lives than they first thought. It is wartime and it is affecting everyone differently.

We meet Avis, whose brother is leaving to fight in the war. He leaves behind his beloved library and begs Avis to keep it going while he is gone. While Avis is working at the library a threat to close the library makes her start a book club to keep the library open.

This story contains multiple points of view from a cast of loveable characters. As the characters get to know one another, it feels like the reader is also getting to know them. Each character was unique which created a great circle of friends with that you could feel trust and kinship.

This is a heartwarming story of the power of reading and how a common interest can bring people together to form long-lasting friendships. I loved how the author was able to interweave the struggles of the war, resilience, and hope that can bring a community together.

If you love reading, book clubs, or found family this book is for you!

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest opinion

I always enjoy books about readers and book clubs. WWII often feels like an oversaturated category, but I appreciated that this book was focused on the women left behind for various reasons. This was a nice change from the books about spies and heroines, though I do enjoy those as well. The characters were compelling and it was a pretty easy read despite the length. If you enjoy books about book clubs, women banding together, and/or WWII then this is a good choice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for this ARC!

Blackout book club by Amy Lynne Greene.
An insiders look at the lives of various people during WW2. I love that they all come from different stations and backgrounds; they represent a beautiful diversity seen on American shores. Rife with patriotism, relational dynamics and many literary references, I think everyone can relate to one of the characters at some point during the story. The turmoils and hopes of the human heart during crisis are well represented. I loved the nod to so many different authors throughout the book. If you’re looking for relationship struggles, women left behind, men who can’t serve, broken family dynamics, backstories, and most importantly, REDEMPTION, immerse yourself in this wonderful tale of a book club during the enforced blackout days. I highly recommend.
The narrator, Leah Horowitz, does a great job of capturing characters, nuances, and accents. The story truly comes to life under her masterful telling.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

The Blackout Book Club is a story set in a small town in Maine during WW2. A group of people, with the help of the temporary librarian, Avis Montgomery, start a book club. Ironically Avis was never much of a reader. But the group finds themselves drawn together by the book club. At first the book club was just started to try to save the library from being shut down. But then the reader discovers that the club becomes so much more to many people.

I found myself wanting more. Yes, this is a character driven story but I found it lacking some snap. It just fell flat for me in many ways.

I did struggle with so many different POV and different time lines. I think it was especially hard with the audiobook.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

I received an advance audiobook book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was expecting to like this book a lot as I really like WWII historical fiction. What I didn’t know is that I’d love this book! The way the characters were fleshed out and intermingled and interacted with one another was so smooth and natural. The way that they all came from such different backgrounds but were able to come together and become essential lifelong friends thru the interest and eventual love of books was incredible!
The plot was also well thought out with the right amount of twists to keep you interested and engaged in the story. There were definitely a couple moments where I couldn’t wait to see what would happen!! I will be eagerly awaiting for anymore titles that are written by this author!

1942-As war is happening overseas, Avis Montgomery is a head librarian and to post-pone a library from closes she organizes a book club in her town of Maine.

Avis has to convince people to attend the meetings. The ladies she gets to attend the meetings are very different. The war is coming dangerously close with U-boats at their shores. The first book they choose is Mrs. Miniver. I loved the movie, so I need to read the book. As they choose books to escape hardships, the women are each facing challenges. Can different women form a friendship based on a common need?

I love how this book and others bond people together and form friendships. I have been introduced to so many people through the love of books!


Thank you NetGalley, RB Media and author Amy Lynn Green for this advanced audio book. This book is due out November 15, 2022.

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green and audiobook Narrated by Leah Horowitz is an excellent WWII-era historical fiction that tells the collective story of what happens to those still “at home”. It is excellent.

This book brings us to the small New England coastal town of Derby, Maine and takes place 1942-1943.

I loved the collective voice that emerges with the different points of view that are presented within this wonderfully drawn collection of characters that live, or have been brought, to this town during he War. All are brought together initially because of a rag-tag Bookclub meeting at an at-risk library, but what develops are strong, passionate, loyal, and utterly warm and charming relationships that are formed from this initial idea.

I loved the emotion, the character development, the pacing, the mystery, the suspense, intrigue, surprises, the element of faith, and the touching and satisfying ending. I truly did not want it to end. ( I think I liked Jenny and Louise the most.)

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and RB Media for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/15/22.

Thank you Net Galley for an audio ARC of The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green. This is is her debut novel centered around WW2. She and the narrator did fantastic.