The British Booksellers is a dual timeline/dual perspective novel following childhood friends Amos and Charlotte as they navigate the social barriers of their time.

Once closest friends now turned competing bookshop
owners, there is simply too much dividing Amos and Charlotte both in their youth and adulthood. Expectations, Social lines, memories, war torn lives, and secrets that must come to light in order to restore the hope of a town that is enduring endless night raids.

There were moments the narrative ran very slow. The first half of the book was spent setting the stage, but the reader could easily surmise much of the story without the added repetition from multiple points of view. However, the second half of the book was so compelling and the story began moving in a more exciting way.

It took me a long time to settle into the story and begin to connect with any of the characters. Overall, I enjoyed this book because the last 40% was so wonderfully engaging. I just wish it would have unfolded more quickly .

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and netgalley for an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review. All opinions are my own. Publication date: April 9, 2024

Real accounts of the forgotten blitz bombings in Britain inspired this book. This book is an inspirational genre. It is a split timeline between World War 1 and World War 2. Kristy Cambron is a master storyteller. I will be recommending it to all the historical fiction lovers in my life.

What a great read for historical fiction lovers! I was excited to check this out after previously reading The Paris Dressmaker by Cambron. I enjoyed the dual timelines- one is set in WWI, and the other set in WWII. It specifically depicts the "Coventry Blitz", which is a new topic to me that I found interesting- with all of the WWII fiction out there, I appreciated that this particular setting is not as widely known. It is apparent that much research and thought went into this on Cambron's part! I also enjoyed Cambron's writing style and the characters she created. The characters felt realistic and nuanced, and I was invested in their lives and stories. While there were a few instances where I found the timelines confusing and specific sentences or instances of writing that I felt were not helping to propel the story forward, I really enjoyed this read by Cambron!

The British Booksellers is a fascinating historical story written in a dual timeline of the past and the present. The story follows the main characters of Amos and Charlotte in their childhood/youth and years later with their fractured friendship.

I loved reading about their sweet friendship as teens, bonding over books and showing that you can be from different background but books can bring you together. I did enjoy seeing the flashbacks of their past and the present to piece together what had happened between them.

It was an interesting to see this point of view of World War II and the Coventry Blitz. We could see the consequences of war, but also the way it can drive people to band together. The land girls were such a delight and they created a great friendship group for Charlotte's daughter, Eden. There was great character development and one of the characters showed more depth than I was expecting which left me feeling emotional.

This book is. a story of love, forgiveness, friendship, redemption, second chances and the love of books. It was such a joy to read and left me feeling so happy.

Amos was a tenant farmer' son, Charlotte was the daughter of an earl, and the class system was firmly in place in England before WWI. Amos and Charlotte had plans to marry and open a bookstore, but the class system would not allow such a marriage. After the war Amos was left with visible scars, Charlotte's husband was dead, and Amos and Charlotte had rival bookstores in Canterbury, one across the street from the other. The story is told in alternating time periods to show how that happened. Several threads in the story did not come together until the bombing of Canterbury in WWII. This was an ok story and gave tribute to the land girls, but I did not get emotionally involved with the characters. Spoiler alert--it ends happily ever after. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc and for not influencing my review.

Enjoyable historical fiction that weaves together both WWI and WWII and touches on the unfortunate consequences of the strict social class structure in England on young love.

I absolutely loved this story. Kristy Cambron has such an captivating way of expertly leading the reader along with new revelations in each timeline that one can simply not stop keep turning pages. She writes such beautiful and satisfying stories. I could not put The British Booksellers down!

1908, 1914, and 1940 Coventry England.

"How many times in life could a boy say he was risking his neck, doing the very last thing he'd expected....for a girl?" From the first line to the last, this sweeping saga begins the with a prologue in 1908, then the two time lines occur in 1914 with WWI, and 1940, with the backdrops of World War I in England and France, and The Coventry Blitz in Coventry England during World War II. The Christmas Truce in 1914 in WWI plays a small but pivotal role in this story.

Beautiful story of books, music, love, friendship, duty, sacrifice, heroism, forgiveness, and second chances abound. I love the fact that instead of one hero, there were several, including one that surprised and delighted me. I loved the stories in both timelines, the historical detail, and the way the author makes you feel like you're there.

I HIGHLY recommend this excellent historical fiction! Thank you to publisher Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early ecopy. All opinions are my own. I can't wait for my own preordered copy to arrive for my keeper shelf.

Five Stars. Oh my heart.
There needs to be some movie or show rights on this book stat! The story is so devastating, romantic, and hopeful. I loved that you got to see so much character growth in each of the main characters, especially with the use of dual timelines! The blitz didn’t just hit London, it also impacted several other parts of England, like Coventry. I am so thankful that Kristy Cambron writes beautiful stories that also educate and enlighten us. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a heartfelt historical romance that will make you laugh and cry! Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC! I recieved a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The British Booksellers was a story that went through generations and brought together the lives of Amos Darby and Charlotte Terrington.
The story was set against the world wars.
Sylvia wrote of historical settings, from the trenches of the Great War to the devastation of the Coventry Blitz in World War II.
The British Booksellers was about love, loss, and the power of books.
The British Booksellers was a great written novel. It brought to me the enduring power of love and literature, I recommended this fans of historical fiction.

Historical fiction about two rival book shop owners in WWII Coventry, and the story between them revealed in flash-backs. Honestly, this book was a bit of a slog, and I'm not sure why--whether it was the writing style, pacing or somewhat stereotypical characters--it just didn't flow for me,

Thank you #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

"The British Booksellers" by Kristy Cambron depicts the harrowing Coventry Blitz in 1940. It is one aspect during WW2 that I haven't yet come across that made reading this book more intriguing.

Amos Darby and Charlotte Terrington's friendship stood the test of two Great Wars told in dual perspective narrative structure, alternating between timelines. What they felt for each other was beyond friendship, but nothing fruitful could come from a relationship between an earl's daughter and a farmer's son. When Charlotte was to wed the future Earl of Harcourt, she knew she had one chance to choose a life with the person she loved over duty. But destiny had its plans - one that didn't end up nicely for both of them. But in 1940, when Coventry suffered a devastating bombing raid, Amos and Charlotte were compelled to set aside their differences and establish a truce despite their rivalry as booksellers. Their decision arises from a shared recognition of the urgent need to protect the Coventry civilians from incendiary bombings.

With a writing style reminiscent of Jane Austen's prose, "The British Booksellers" brought me to a bygone era in which the consequences of war brought forth a poignant portrayal of hope and resilience. It underscores how individual choices create the difference between life and death, hope and despair, loss and redemption.

Authors who diligently conduct thorough research for their novels deserve more recognition. There is a sense of excitement whenever I cross-reference major events inspired in the book that align with actual historical occurrences. I love how the genre humanizes history, in particular how this book sheds light on aspects of the two World Wars that are not as widely portrayed in commercial media as the D-Day Invasion and the Holocaust.

Aside from exploring the Coventry Blitz, it also gave importance to The Women's Land Army's (WLA) role in ensuring food production continued during a crisis and how women, despite their status in society, have proven to be strong, reliable, and independent. Another aspect explored is how the war had acted as a catalyst for patriotism but could also exert pressure on conscripted men as part of societal duties amid fears and hesitancy.

However, at its core, this narrative, inspired by actual events, primarily tells a story about the love between two people against the odds of social hierarchy. Unlike romance novels, which typically conclude with the main characters achieving a happy ending, historical and literary fiction genres often conclude on a tragic note, much to the readers' dismay. With that in mind, I won't spoil how this book ends in terms of its romance arc.

With a well-crafted plot and characters, "The British Booksellers" captured the collective sentiments of those caught in the crossfires of war. It came with the lure of a touching tale that evoked reader resonance. Despite its shortcomings, such as a languid pace, the absence of dialogue tags occasionally confusing speakers, and underutilized character arcs, these flaws did not detract from the narrative's inherent beauty. It was a satisfying read, after all.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres but during the pandemic, I read so many historical fiction books that I needed a break. And the historical fiction novels that I've read since haven't hit the mark. Until now.

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron renewed my love for the genre. Dual timelines, two love stories, broken hearts, historical references, a small town, and TWO bookstores! Be still my heart. I loved this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson.

Coventry, England, 1914 & 1940

A tenant’s farmer's son has no business of daring to dream of a future that includes an earl’s daughter, but it doesn’t stop him from having a secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington.

The Coventry County Blitz serves as the background for The British Booksellers. This is a dual-time story and while I am not always a fan of them, having a dual time frame I felt really it served the plotline very well. I liked how the Great War and the experience that Amos and Will Holt went through prefaced the experience that is shown in WWll. There is usually a timeframe that I like better than the other, but as the layers are revealed, I couldn’t but want both to find out what would happen in 1914, so that I could understand what was happening between Amos and Charlotte in 1940. I usually connect more with the female protagonists, but I liked Amos more in the beginning.

The British Booksellers is filled with books, romance, mystery, and intrigue, and I was pulled back to read so that I could find out the secrets that spill onto the next war that devastated so many in Europe. The ending is so satisfying but I encourage you to read the beginning, and the middle too! Kristy Cambron has really outdone herself in The British Booksellers.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.

Wow! Kristy Cambron really penned a zinger of a story in The British Booksellers! This novel has the makings of a classic: unrequited love, mysteries flowing through every chapter, and enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I really didn’t want to put this one down, and I read the whole thing in a day. I simply couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to Amos and Charlie! They were characters you just have to love – though nobody in this story is quite whom they seem to be.

And that’s part of the fun of it. There isn’t just one big mystery – there’s that plus lots of little ones that Cambron trickles out as you read, just at the perfect pace to keep you longing for answers.

Cambron’s writing skills are masterful: lyrical and quotable and full of wisdom, I found myself highlighting much throughout the story – and I’m not typically one to mark up a book.

Give it a read, though, and I think you’ll see why. Whether it’s to answer the questions about what all is real – because The British Booksellers is based on real events – or because you need all the answers now, or merely because the writing is that beautiful, you won’t be able to put this book down, either.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The strict British class system kept Amos and Charlotte apart in the years leading up to World War I. Charlotte must marry well, but is widowed with a baby during the war. Between the wars, they are at crosspoints. They still cared for each other, but the years seemed wasted. Going back and forth between the WWI years and the WWII years was confusing. The best part of the story was their mutual love of books.

I absolutely loved this book! The author grabs the attention of the reader right from the beginning and skillfully crafts an unforgettable story! I didn't know much about the Forgotten blitz bombing but now I'm eager to know more! I appreciate how much the author clearly researched to write this book!

The characters are wonderful! Each one touched my heart. I loved Amos from the very first sentences! He's loyal and a true friend. The land girls brought a smile to my face! Their unique personalities added a bit of excitement! Frank is a favorite, too! He's not what you would expect.

There are moments in the book that made me sigh in contentment, and others that caused my heart to stop. It's definitely a book that will make you think.

I was provided a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I will be honest, this one started out slow for me! I trudged on until about half way through and then it grabbed me. It takes place 36 years apart, during two separate wars. Not jumps back and forth following a group of people, one high born, one a farmer, and follows how they deal with life. There is unrequited love, deception, and class war.

It was interesting to read about the Coventry blitz, which was different than the London blitz. I appreciated the book side of the story, and the music that lived inside Charlotte. I appreciated that the retelling of this event was shown through the characters eyes and pain.

There is also a fun character that brings. Both ears and families together from America.

This is a clean read, with just some violence, and PTSD.

Battling booksellers? Historical fiction? Spanning both world wars? Second chance romance? Christian read? Enemies-to-lovers trope? Trusted author?

I’m in.

I had to work for it, but I really enjoyed Amos Darby and Lady Charlotte Holt’s love story. Their past was rooted in their childhood and they had to battle forces that sought to keep them apart. Cambron showed that nobody wins in war and indeed some of her characters were scarred literally as well as figuratively. It’s a seemingly uphill battle for these two to reclaim what they once had, but Cambron’s redemption story shows us the path to courage, forgiveness, and faith.

The multi-generation timeline allows readers to see the ripple effects of wartime trauma. Charlotte’s daughter, Eden, continued to struggle, like her mother, for what was rightfully ‘hers.’ How amazing that the wartime experience took so much from Amos and Charlotte, yet left them their love of books.

I appreciated the different lens with which to view wartime Britain - the town of Coventry and the devastating bombing were refreshingly different from the focus on the London Blitz most authors choose. I went down a rabbit hole Googling the connection between the German ‘Blitzkrieg’ and the term ‘Coventration.’ As much WWII historical fiction as I read, I’d never come across mention of the most devastating bombing raid of the Second World War on the manufacturing city in the heart of England. The effects on the social order were shocking.

I’ll be honest and admit that I struggled with the multiple POVs, the timeline hops, and the large cast of characters. Cambron made me work to appreciate her story and I’m the better for it.

I was gifted this copy by Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The British Booksellers drew my attention because of the title implying the story would take place in bookstores. While it did take place in two bookstores, that was not truly the focus of the story. Competing bookstores are across the street from each other in the Enclish town of Coventry yet people are unaware of why there are the two stores and the owners who apparently dislike each other immensely. As you read the book, you learn the backstory of the two families and how they are connected.

Written with a dual timeline, The Brisish Booksellers focuses on Charlotte, daughter of a wealthy family, who is best friends with Amos, son of a farm worker on her family's land. They share the love of reading, which Amos absorbs almost through his pores, as he assists Charlotte in her love of playing the cello...a very unladylike musical instrument. As with all dual timelines, the reader has to keep track of the time period and locations of the parts of the story.

The story's timelines are 1908-1915, which encompasses WWI, and "current day" of 1940, WWII. The earlier time period focuses on Charlotte's and Amos' youth, her marriage into a wealthy family, and his service in the military. The friction between the classes of the families is a major problem and shows how the different classes could seldom interact. By the 1940s, both Charlotte and Amos have aged and changed greatly, seldom acknowledging each other and as far as most people know, they are enemies..but why, no one knows.

Towards the end of the book, we do have bombings taking place in WWII. Set in England, that is not really a surprise. To be sure this was actual facts, I did double-check and the events did occur as recorded. At the end of the book, the author does give details about her research and includes books for further reading. Also included are discussion questions which could be used in a book club or other group readings.

As a teacher, I am asked would I recommend this book? I would not have a problem recommending it as a personal choice for an older student as it is based on actual events and is correct with the time period. I do not think I would use it as a class book, but might use portions to explain specific events. There were times I found myself rereading portions. I am not sure if it was the way the author wrote the book that made me have to go back and check for sentence construction or if I was simply reading too fast.

I was captivated by the writing of this book. Going back and forth in time from the early 1900's to the aftermath of WW II, I was intrigued by the way in which the author kept certain facts hidden from view until late in the book. The characters were engaging. The plot lines of what took place during WW I and WWII were involved and frightening. Bravo to the author for pulling off a grand story!