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 Dual timelines, two love stories, broken hearts, historical references, a small town, and TWO bookstores!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!

Spanning a few decades, this story starts with our protagonists as children and follows them through young adulthood and into their prime. We experience both World War I and World War II through the eyes of Amos and Charlotte, two people from very different worlds who both adore books and struggle to break the bonds of an economic caste system. These two face so many heartaches as they live during the memorable eras and have to behave within certain societal rules, keeping them apart....yet very much together. The author has definitely done her research and includes many details that bring both the setting and the era to life for the reader...and will keep you guessing what will happen next untl the end.

"The British Booksellers" was a beautiful work of historical fiction. The idea of warring bookstore owners was appealing itself, but to combine it with lost love, the horrors of war, secrets from the past, new love, and resilience was even better. The cast of characters is great -- Amos, Charlotte (Charlie), Eden, Ginny, Jacob, Flo, Dale, etc. I liked the way the author alternated between the past and present, giving the readers little pieces of the history of Amos and Charlie and how they came to find themselves in their current circumstances. How Jacob was connected to the Holt family (Charlie, Eden) was quite creative. His intrusion into their lives served well as a partial catalyst to unlocking years of hurt and pain between Amos and Charlie. The book has its fair share of twists, none more surprising than the actions of Will. Book lovers will enjoy the banter between Amos and Charlie over the merits of certain authors and categories of books.

"The British Booksellers" by Kristy Cambron skillfully weaves together the threads of love, loss, and resilience against the backdrop of historical events, drawing inspiration from the real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings. The narrative unfolds through the lives of Amos Darby and Charlotte Terrington, whose paths diverge during the Great War, only to intertwine again decades later in the aftermath of World War II. Amos, scarred by the brutalities of the trenches, finds solace in opening a bookshop, while Charlotte, a war widow, manages a quaint Coventry bookshop named Eden Books. Their parallel lives become the focal point of the story as they face a common threat—an American solicitor threatening to destroy their hard-earned legacy.

The novel skillfully captures the essence of time and place, from the Great War trenches to the storied English countryside, and finally to the devastating Coventry Blitz of WWII. Through the lens of the bookshops, the author explores the enduring power of literature to provide solace and the unbreakable bonds forged through love, loss, and shared struggles. "The British Booksellers" is a poignant tale that resonates with the courage of those whose lives were forever changed by war, celebrating the stories that bind us together in the fight for what matters most.

I was captivated by teenage Amos Darby and Charlotte Terrington who are having a great time as they made plans that included their love of music and books. Their connection began as young people, fueled by their mutual love of reading, and blossomed into a romantic journey that took them through two world wars. It was a beautiful, heartbreaking, and bittersweet love story filled with music, their shared love of books, sadness, and forgiveness.

I found it intriguing how the author alternated between the two timelines—the current one, in which fighting is ongoing, and Charlotte Terrington's and Amos Darby's teenage years. Amos (the farm boy) is a little older than Lady Charlotte. The author expertly utilizes flashbacks from the past to help readers understand what happened to this couple and the reasons behind their conflict. Over time, Amos and Charlotte drifted apart, and became enemies, but they would band together to fight Hitler at any cost. Conflict is never easy, but in the end, hope, love, and healing win.

This is a gripping story you won’t soon forget. This is a great escape and one that you’re book club will enjoy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

A wonderful immersion into the lives of childhood friends who are challenged by social barriers, family expectations and even by war. Charlotte and Amos are kindred spirits, but of differing social classes. They are bound by an undeniable love and admiration for one another, but separated by circumstances over which they either have no control or have an incomplete understanding. Also factored into their choices is a sense of honor that prohibits them from crossing boundaries that they see as possibly harmful to the other. The author brings forward the horrors as well as the heroics of war.The beauty and heartbreak of sacrificial love is woven into both personal relationships as well as into love and duty toward ones country. A lovely read and highly recommended.

The British Booksellers
3.5 Stars

Historical fiction has always been my genre of choice. I love books about books, about bookstores and how books can change a life, a person’s perspective. I enjoyed Kristy Cameron’s The Paris Dressmaker and looked forward to reading The British Booksellers.

The dual timeline, which should flow from one chapter to another, works well in The British Booksellers. The main characters, Amos Darby, Charlotte Holt and the charming Land Girls Flo Abbott, Ainsley Chapman and Dale Kramer, are well described and easy to like. The other characters, Charlotte’s husband Will Holt, their daughter Eden and the American lawyer Jacob Cole took up a lot of space without adding much depth. The mystery surrounding Jacob’s motive for being there seemed contrived and took too long to clarify.

What lost it for me was the focus on the romances. Most historical fiction novels have a romantic aspect used to enrich the historical perspective of the story being told. The British Booksellers is more of a romance novel with WWI and WWII history as background to the romances.

I knew very little about the Blitz that almost destroyed Coventry and found the WWII chapters interesting and engaging. Learning how people survived the Blitz spending every night in bomb shelters, how they banded together to rebuild their town and how they overcame hardship after hardship is why I read historical fiction. Cameron’s dedication to extensive research in fleshing out the horrors of fighting in WWI and surviving the Blitz is greatly appreciated. Had the romances been secondary to the story of the Blitz my rating would have been higher.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The British Booksellers. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It's been a while since I've read a Kristy Cambron book. I've almost forgotten how satisfying her stories are. The newest offering from this masterful author once again proves why she's a favorite in the historical fiction world. Set in Coventry, England during the early days of WWII, the history of the blitz of this area is seamlessly woven into a tale of regret, misunderstanding, bravery, sacrifice, and redemption between star-crossed lovers. The flashbacks to what happened between Amos and Charlotte during the years of WWI flow beautifully into how they work together during WWII preparing for an inevitable blitz of their beloved city.
I loved Amos and his loyal, tender heart beneath his gruffness. He was so real - complete with scars, hurts, secrets, and shame. Charlotte and her strong, steady spirit was admirable. I liked Charlotte's daughter Eden and her independent attitude and outlook. And Jacob, the American solicitor, rounded out the fabulous main character set and added a heaping dash of charm, fun, and intrigue.
It's a beautifully written historical fiction that probes at the meaning of community, humanity amidst war, forgiveness, and sacrificial love.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

I've read all of Cambron's books, and this, sadly, wasn't one of my favorites. As I expected, the characters are well written, flawed, and realistic. However, there were a few too many characters/POVs which, with the dual timeline, made it a bit confusing at times. The religious elements were quite minimal, especially compared to other books by this author. That could possibly make this book appeal to a larger audience, but those expecting Christian fiction may find it lacking. I did love the bookshop setting.

Young Charlotte Terrington loves playing her cello and reading books. Her parents only approve of one of those activities. After all, heiresses in England must adhere to strict propriety guidelines in all they do. Even if those guidelines go against their nature. Amos Darby, son of a tenant farmer, becomes her conspirator in music—he reads while she plays. Together, they have an idyllic childhood, and as they mature, both acknowledge their friendship has blossomed into something deeper.

But as the world careens toward the Great War, each has a choice. Choose each other or choose duty. Charlotte’s parents want her to marry the heir to their neighbor’s estate, the future Earl of Harcourt. If she chooses duty, Charlotte will forego love. Duty wins when Amos fails to meet her at the blacksmith shop in Gretna Green.

Twenty-five years later, war looms again. Charlotte, a war widow within a year of marriage, spends her time raising their daughter, running a quaint bookshop in nearby Coventry, and scheming ways to keep her husband’s estate solvent.

Her first love has opened a rival bookshop across the street and spends his time as a recluse, eager to hide his horrific battle scars from curious friends and neighbors. Although they work in the same village and live near each other, Charlotte and Amos haven’t exchanged a kind word since the Great War.

Lady Eden, Charlotte’s daughter, schemes to save her inheritance with her mother. When a young, handsome, brash American lawyer shows up on her doorstep questioning her right to receive part of his inheritance, Eden doesn’t know what to think.

When Hitler decides to drop bombs on Coventry, everyone must put the past aside to survive the present.

What I Loved About This Book

Cambron has mastered the time-shift novel and knows exactly when to leave storylines hanging and readers wondering what will happen next. Each story unfolds seamlessly, revealing secrets at just the right time. The historical details help readers understand the pathos of the period and the deprivations faced by ordinary citizens who must step up in extraordinary ways during times of war or disaster.

Fans of Roseanna M. White will enjoy this latest beauty from Kristy Cambron.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.

This is a soulmate story about two starcrossed young people who can't overcome their difficulties to come together until much later in life. It has some good tie-ins to WWII for those who like historical fiction. I enjoyed the bookstore parts as well as the mysterious stranger from America who livened up the story quite a bit as well. An enjoyable read.

“The British Booksellers” is a historical fiction book by Kristy Cambron. Let me first say - that cover - wowzers. Whoever designed it did a great job - it’s a striking cover. This book follows, mainly, two people in multiple timelines. There’s Amos, who is a solid working class bloke, who falls in love with Charlotte (Charlie) his childhood friend, whose family is higher class and very class conscious. The two kids bond over books, something they both enjoy both reading and discussing. Charlotte is pressured by her family to “marry well” opposed to following her heart. This book bounces between the time when Amos and Charlie are kids, to the present (WWII - 1940s) and a bit during the time around WWI. There’s a lot of flitting through the timelines and sometimes keeping track of the timelines was difficult. Additionally, Eden, Charlotte’s daughter, has her own timeline during WWII, and her plot line took up a bit of information, taking away from the story of Amos and Charlotte. I did appreciate the bits about Coventry during the Blitz and how they coped and helped one another. I think the historical research was fantastic. However, at times I found the grammatical structure of this book clunky, for lack of a better word. I don’t know if words were missing from the digital version I read or if the editor needs another round, but at times sections didn’t read smoothly. I so wanted this book to be better than it was, though I strongly believe that the story is a well thought out one, it just wasn’t presented as clearly as I would’ve preferred.