The British Booksellers is the newest release for 2024 by Kristy Cambron. This release takes place in dual timelines--both World Wars--1915-1918 and 1940-1948. The two primary characters in both timelines are Charlotte and Amos. The 1940s timeline adds in two secondary characters Jacob and Eden--Eden is Charlotte's daughter.

The overall plot tying it all together is the relationship of Amos and Charlotte--friends since childhood who drifted apart right around the start of the war in 1915 due to...things. We see them again as middle aged in the secondary timeline of WW2. Through flashbacks and narrative, we are taken on a journey to learn what happened to each of them to bring them to where they are now--competing booksellers near Coventry, England. Apparently at odds with each other in a private "war" of sorts.

Throw in the arrival of the young American Jacob Cole--who blows the past open with his announcement that somehow Eden (Charlotte's daughter) is in line to inherit 1,000,000 pounds and that he is suing her to keep it in his family. What on earth happened in the past that led to Eden being the recipient of this rich inheritance from a family she doesn't know? And what does Amos, her mother's old childhood friend have to do with it?

Throw in the arrival of Land Girls to help the Holt Estate (Eden's home), the bombing of Coventry by Germany, trying to repair the breech between Charlotte and Amos, Amos's PTSD from the first war...and a whole bunch of secrets and you have quite the story.

While this sells as Christian fiction, the faith is super low-key and there aren't inspirational passages. Other than knowing the characters go to church and have morals...it isn't rich with any spiritual message. In fact I could easily give this book to someone who "doesn't read Christian fiction" and they would be fine with it.

I was going to give it 4 stars. But then the ending came and the emotions happened and now I'm going to give it 4.5 stars. I can't quite give it 5 stars because I hold those jealously and only certain books really have to be stellar to snag them. So for the sake of all these online sites, I can only do a 4 star rating, I'm afraid.

This was a very good book. Not my favorite by this author but this is very very very good. Oh and the song that Charlotte plays on her cello--Bach suite #1, I knew EXACTLY what song this was going to be before I even verified it. And honestly I had it playing in my mind all through the epilogue. It would be the soundtrack of the movie if ever one was made.

*I received a complimentary copy of the ARC from the publishers and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

I really enjoyed the dual storylines and how they converged. The love & loss in this book remind me of the Pearl Harbor movie. This story reminds you of what is meant to be will find a way but life also has a way of bringing people together in the most unlikely way. Definitely adding to my reread shelf

Love historical fiction and enjoyed the overall
Plot. Challenging to read with mistakes and ARC font.

Wow. She’s done it again. Kristy Cambron somehow writes books that break my heart but the story is so good that I come back again and again. Deep, poignant, and real, her stories capture me and this one is no exception.

There is incredible loss, sacrifice, love, and just about every other emotion one could think of in this book. Cambron's writing has you grieving what you know is coming but also, when it happens, you just want to sit with the characters in their pain. Even though my life in no way mirrors that of these characters, somehow I can relate to them. Cambron makes their emotions accessible to a modern reader and that is a gift.

There are, however, light-hearted moments as well. Such as:
"You carry an emergency book?"
"Doesn't everyone?"

I highlighted and bookmarked a LOT in this book, because there is so much wisdom in it, but these two I think sum things up very well:

"... love meant to accept all - the grit and the grief alongside beauty. To endure the harshness of life not with despair but hope."

"Some pain would never go away. Some choices, never alter. But if they'd learned anything from the beauty and brokenness of this world together, it was that light always overshadowed the darkness.

"The British Booksellers" by Kristy Cambron is a historical fiction and romance novel that draws inspiration from real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings. The story revolves around the characters Amos Darby and Charlotte Terrington, whose lives were intertwined by friendship and youthful dreams. Amos, a tenant farmer's son, and Charlotte, the daughter of an earl, face the harsh realities of the Great War that shatter their dreams.

Decades later, Amos, now bearing the scars of war, returns home to open a bookshop as a recluse. Charlotte, having married the future Earl of Harcourt, becomes a war widow and divides her time between her late husband's estate and operating a Coventry bookshop named Eden Books. The two become rival booksellers across the lane.

As war with Hitler approaches, Eden Books faces a threat from an American solicitor that could destroy everything they've worked hard to preserve. With the Luftwaffe's blitz terrorizing the skies, Amos and Charlotte must put aside their differences and join forces to help Coventry survive.

Set against the backdrop of two world wars, "The British Booksellers" explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of books to unite people in the face of adversity.

The British Booksellers explores as Kristy Cambron does best, how the past influences our future. This book travels back and forth from WW1 to WW2 through the main characters of the story Lady Charlotte Terrington and her daughter Lady Eden Holt.

Lady Charlotte Terrington is a heiress who is in love with one of her childhood friends Mr. Amos Darby, however life and circumstances leads her life away from the dream both planned when they were younger.

Lady Eden Holt is the daughter of Lady Charlotte and William Holt. She’s is the only heiress of her father state and expends every waking hour working to make her dead father proud by preserving her crumbling inheritance until a young and dashing solicitor from America, Mr. Jacob Cole, appears and threatens everything she held dear.

Secrets needs to be discover and heartaches need to be mend in order for this story reach a happy ending.

Even though, the back and forth story telling might confuse some readers, I do believe that it’s the only way to actually narrate both stories while explaining the connection between them.
I learned so much about the Coventry Blitz disastrous event while also learning about the first WW1 events in France. Therefore, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Now, I’m hooked up on this author that surprisingly I just discover though NetGalley.

This was heartwarming historical fiction. I quickly took an interest in the characters and found myself warming to them. I warmed to the bookshop setting, and the story's general bookish theme, if that's what I may call it - an appreciation for books. There was also a timeslip element in the story, with part of the narrative in the 1910s and part in the 1940s. I became invested in both narratives and empathised with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

What is not to love with this storyline? I was so excited to read this novel and I really enjoyed it despite some of the plot points being a bit unexpected. There is a lot of dual time line back and forth so you do really have to pay attention to what you are reading. The author did a great job at this though and I didn't feel too lost. The characters are so well written and developed. I just love Amos and his journey throughout this book and he is by far my favorite. There is somewhat of a romance thread but it won't be what you expect. I love the setting and the history. I didn't know anything about the bombings in this area and so I found that to be fascinating. This is a great read for history lovers and also has a lot of depth that you expect to find in a Cambron novel. I recommend!
Four Stars.
"I received this book from NetGalley for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

I've read several of Kristy Cambron's books and found in them something worth reading. The ones I have read have a depth to them that is missing in most of what I read for enjoyment. Sometimes I just choose fluff over substance. While this book has more substance, it does not quite reach the depths of her other books. There are a few lighter moments in this one than in some of her other books. That's not a bad thing, it just is the way it is.

The book begins with the three main players: Will, Charlotte, and Amos. There is a parallel plot that is included in the narrative of the book as it plays out for the reader. The parallel is World War I and World War II. For the World War II line, one character is missing, while another two major players and several minor players have entered the scene. The major ones being Jacob and Eden entering in and Will is missing in this plot line.

Amos has been in love with Charlotte forever, but he gave her up the first time for Will because Will is titled and carries more power than Amos does. When both Will and Amos enlist during World War I, Will becomes Amos's commanding officer. They are able to put their animosity behind them to fight a common enemy.

As the plot moves through both World Wars, more of Amos's and Charlotte's history is revealed, including the love they had and still have for each other, in spite of them having bookstores across from each other. When the blitz hits Charlotte's store, Charlotte and Amos have to make some pretty hard decisions for their futures.

On a side plot, Eden, Charlotte's daughter, is the subject of a lawsuit in the United States. She has been willed half of an estate that could mean a whole lot to her own estate. Jacob Cole comes from Detroit to serve her with the lawsuit papers. Jacob stays on instead of going straight back home. The longer Jacob stays, the more attached he becomes to Eden.

The writing in this book is tight enough to keep the reader engaged and looking forward to what will happen next. The plots are easy to follow and still keep up. The setting is one of my favorite kinds of settings--book stores! The characters are well-developed, and easily likable in spite of them holding on to secrets. I give this book four strong stars.

Thomas Nelson Fiction provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

THE BRITISH BOOKSELLERS by KRISTY CAMBRON is a beautifully written family saga that takes place in Coventry, encompassing the first and second world wars. This author’s command of the English language and her understanding of human nature is remarkable. This is the story of people’s lives and how they are affected by war, not only that between nations but also between one another. It is about secrets, second chances and unconditional love. Books play a huge part in the novel and in Charlotte and Amos’ relationship, as does Charlotte’s cello playing, as they meet in the glass house from their childhood until things change….
There are true events such as the destruction of Coventry, and real people such as King George V1, backing up the fictional parts of the story. I like the “tea queue” set up at Waverley Novels in Bayley Lane, the Land Girls who bring light and laughter into everyone at Holt Manor’s lives, and who are treated as family as they work hard and bravely for the war effort. Also the enigmatic American lawyer, Jacob Cole, who soon becomes part of the family - what is he really doing there?…..
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I really enjoyed The British Booksellers, with all the tension of relstionships and the poignant love stories against the backdrop of the horrors of war, and found the book most inspirational. I cannot recommend the novel highly enough.
I was given a free copy of tye book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

PSA: the man on the cover is giving Michael Huisman in the best way and I am HERE for that.

“The British Booksellers” is one of those historical romance novels that goes down well with a cup of tea and a biscuit. You can read it in one go if you wish, it’s neither harmful nor controversial, stays in its lane at all times and does exactly what it says on the tin. That it doesn’t introduce anything new or exciting, and that it chooses to focus on four very white, very bland, very heterosexual characters, can’t well be used as arguments against it, but it doesn’t win the novel any bonus points either.

Advertised as a second-chance romance between two childhood friends turned enemy bookshop owners who, in the face of World War II finding its way to Coventry, have to band together to save their businesses, their loved ones, and their home, I do think the novel fell a bit short of its self-advertised plot. Amos Darby, once a farm boy, now an independent bookseller who returned from the Great War with scars on the outside as well as the inside, and Lady Charlotte Holt, whom World War I turned into a young widowed mother responsible for running her late husband’s sprawling estate all but by herself, are supposed to unanimously hate each other, though little if anything of that hate shines through on the page.

It doesn’t take much to figure out from the instance we are introduced to Amos that he still seems to be head over heels in love for Charlotte. Even Charlotte, who might come across as a bit more aloof, though less gruff and less anti-social than him, fails to convince readers that she could regard Amos with anything more than mild annoyance at best. Again, no surprise here, it is, after all, a trademark of the genre as well as the second-chance romance trope, but still, the author could have worked harder to let readers get a real feel for the animosity and hate supposedly existing between the two. While no fan of the haters-to-lovers trope, I think a novel should deliver what it promises, and if there is one surefire way to lose readers, it’s marketing a book as one thing when it effectually is another.

Apart from the fact that you had to squint real hard while simultaneously turning a blind eye to find the promised animosity between Davos and Charlotte, I don’t think the triple-POV structure worked in the narrative’s favour. The book was not only split into past Charlotte’s and past Amos’s POVs, but also between present-day Charlotte’s, present-day Amos’s, and present-day Eden’s (Charlotte’s daughter), the latter’s POVs making up a not unsubstantial part of the book, thus taking away up a lot of pages. Said lack of space to properly develop Amos and Charlotte in more detail can be keenly felt, especially because they just weren’t well-rounded enough to get me properly invested at all in their romantic relationship. I do think there could have been a lot more yearning, and many more pages dedicated to the two to achieve that sizzling feeling you get in your stomach when you read about two characters that you need to end up together so bad, it hurts. In and of itself, the romance doesn’t exceed lingering touches and a few kisses, so if you’re looking for a clean romance; I’d say this is for you.

Don’t get me wrong, I do love everything about the DNA inherent in this set-up: second-chance romance, adult characters falling in love, and an in any way disfigured character thinking they’re worthless and undeserving of love because of their disfigurement/disability when actually, the opposite is true… the ingredients are all THERE, but someone wasn’t cooking.

I don’t have much to say regarding the writing except that it felt oddly choppy at times. I can’t even list examples since every time one of those sentences made me stumble, I chose to ignore it rather than highlight it and think about it even longer. The best description I can give is that especially when the author was describing an action or an event, some sentences were just devoid of information as to what exactly was happening without me feeling like I missed a few seconds of the plot. In one sentence, she describes person A putting their hand on person B’s arm, and in the second part of the sentence, the hand was suddenly somewhere else. Just… choppy. I’m okay with beautiful-sounding though empty metaphors and the odd simile here and there, but I hate when I’m losing the plot because actions aren’t described in enough detail.

Even without having read any of the author’s previous historical romance novels, which, on a first glance, all seem to be set during either WW I or WW II, I can tell she is not only knowledgeable about the subject and devoted to writing about and including WW II events that are lesser known because they happened outside of London (the Coventry Blitz, for once, which serves as the novel’s backdrop, and which the Nazis deemed so successful, the coined a new verb after it ‒ coventrieren / (to) devastate, or raze a city to the ground), but that she has a good eye for how to write what feels to me like authentic and historically appropriate dialogue.

All in all, a decent enough historical romance novel though it would have needed a bit more oompfh and more clarity in its writing to win me over.

As always, thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read and enjoyed several of Kirsty Cameron's previous books so was looking forward to reading The British Booksellers. Despite the obvious appeal of rival booksellers in World War II Coventry, a city famous for being destroyed by the Nazis, it is my least favourite Kirsty Cameron title.

It's a dual-timeline story, flipping between World War I and II. I usually love dual timeline stories, but this one almost lost me the second time we went back to 1914. This is probably because the story started in 1908, which gave me the mistaken impression that was the first timeline.

It should be a compelling story, but it missed the mark for me. There were too many 1915 secrets that should have come out earlier, and the story took too long to get to the point: we were at 29% of the story before Jacob revealed why he was in Coventry. I had to force myself to read that far: if I’d downloaded the Kindle sample instead of a free review copy, I wouldn’t have persevered.

There was what should have been a "Sophie's Choice" moment in the middle, where Amos decides not to marry Lady Charlotte at Gretna Green. Instead, the moment was buried in obfuscation, and I had to read the passage more than once to work out what happened, and still didn't understand.

It turned out the reason Amos didn't approach Charlotte was because Will was there as well and persuaded Amos not to marry Charlotte. Showing that scene would have cemented Will as the bad guy, explained why Amos continued to avoid Charlotte even after he didn't need to, and provided some much-needed tension as the reader waited for Charlotte (and perhaps Eden) to discover the truth.

It was nice to see Charlotte and Amos finally get together, even if it was twenty years too late. I was less sure about Eden and Jacob. Their relationship seemed underdeveloped. I get this is historical fiction, not historical romance, but the romance still needs to feel romantic. As it was, it almost felt like the logical conclusion given why Jacob was in England (what better way to get to keep the half-share in the company than marry the woman who inherited it?).

Will was my favourite character. I suspect the intent was to show Will as the bad guy, the man who kept Amos and Charlotte apart. But Will appeared to genuinely love Charlotte (even his reason for persuading Amos to marry Charlotte could be read as centering on her, not on his own selfishness). Yes, Will and Charlotte's families both expected them to marry, but Will seems to have been in the happy position of liking the obvious choice. And Will marries Charlotte even while knowing she's in love with Amos, which has to be a special kind of pain. It reminded me of Joseph marrying Mary even while she was pregnant with what everyone around thought was another man's baby.


I thought the mystery of the watches and why Eden had inherited the half share was cleverly done, although Jacob should have done more obvious investigating and explaining in the 1940 timeline. Again, this would have increased the tension. The mystery of the watch and the inheritance was the only reason I kept reading (and a little skimming) given I wasn't particularly interested in the characters.

There were also a few too many Americanisms which annoyed me (although they might have annoyed me less if I had been enjoying the story more). I’m commenting here from the perspective of a non-American who grew with English parents and grandparents and a steady diet of English children’s fiction, and who believes that using the correct vocabulary is necessary to enable the suspension of disbelief: that these characters on the page are actually real English people.

For example:

Alex refers to a tiara as a "diamond-studded crown thing". If he's read all the classics of British literature, he'd know the correct term.

The English didn't measure distance in kilometres in 1914 or 1940, and they still don't. Like most of the USA, they use miles.

Tardy is an American term. I see it in America novels but have never heard spoken aloud.

It would be Lady Eden or Miss Holt - Ms. didn't make an appearance in England until well after the war (for example, the 1973 edition of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary has Mr and Mrs, but no Ms, although my 1986 Collins English Dictionary does have Ms).

Chores is also an American term.

The English have cellars (and perhaps wine cellars) but not root cellars.

The English offer condolences. "I'm sorry for your loss" is something I first heard on American crime dramas or read in American novels.

In my view, there's nothing icky about suet (not compared to, say, Rocky Mountain oysters, blood pudding, or haggis).

I'd never heard of Godcakes before, so well done to the author for pulling out that bit of research (although the real ingredients would have been difficult to acquire legally, and the chances of having even substitute ingredients available during rationing would have been close to zero).

Faucet is an American term - the English use taps.

I’ve never heard of gum shoes, only gumboots. The Oxford English Dictionary says gumboot is a dated term for a long rubber boot, and gumshoe is an American term for detective, based on the fact they wore soft-soled shoes for stealth.

Yes, a Sergeant is a non-commissioned officer (NCO), but he's still an enlisted man. To be an officer, one has to have a commission—a lieutenant is a junior officer. I have a friend who was a British Army sergeant-major, and he always refers to “the officers” but doesn’t consider himself part of that group.

I won’t be sharing my review online. Even assuming the Americanisms are corrected before publication, the story didn’t engage me enough.

Another good historical story by Mrs. Kristy! A little bit of mystery, and some romance are added in. :) Even though it's set in the wars (WWI & II), it's not too depressing. It also has some great characters! Try it I think you'll like it!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Kristy Cambron takes you on an emotional and heartbreakingly beautiful journey in the British Booksellers. With the perfect transitions and balance between two different timelines, I was captivated by our main characters stories and life changes especially through times of war. I was blown away by Kristy Cambrons ability to weave the past with their present so flawlessly and unravel the twists and the turns in such a bittersweet way. The character growth in this book was some of the best I’ve ever read, especially the redemption story of one particular character. You see different types of love portrayed throughout the book and the strength it can give in times of weakness. You will find themes of forgiveness, redemption, courage and faith all woven together to tell the story so beautifully, and it all begins with a boy and a book and a girl and her cello and the friendship between them.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

The British Booksellers follows the story of Charlotte, Amos, and Will. It has two timelines, the first starting in 1908 when Charlotte and Amos are childhood friends, and in 1940 forward, the setting is mainly around Coventry in the U.K., with some scenes set in France during WWI. This book was an immersive read, and this book is rich in the history of German attacks on and around Coventry. This author writes very likable characters, and I enjoyed this book and the author.

I just reviewed The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron. #TheBritishBooksellers #NetGalley
www.netgalley.com

Another powerful dual timeline by Kristy Cambron. This novel encompasses both WWI and WWII. The central theme is the impact of different events on our lives and how we deal with them, how they shape us into who we are, but also the choices we can (but might not) make. Ms. Cambron tackles this topic through the pain, struggles and growth in the lives of Charlotte, Amos and Will. The setting is mainly around Coventry in the U.K. with some scenes set in France during WWI. Besides the huge life lessons, the reader learns a lot about history, in particular the German attacks on and around Coventry. As always, the research is impeccable, in-depth and beautifully woven into the story. Very likable main characters, and a bad guy with a hidden surprise side which comes to light after many years. The author brings in many different aspects and some other unexpected elements that are super interesting and keeps one reading as if there’s no tomorrow. She’s an excellent writer and you feel part of the scenes. When there’s a piece that needs to have a number of facts summed up, she does it in such a gracious way that you don’t even notice that she just packed a bunch of information in half a page. Ms. Cambron has very much mastered the art of showing versus telling. Favorite lines “Books are an escape that beckons the reader from the heavy burdens of this world”, …”that tall dreamboat over there…”, “When you read a book as a child, it becomes part of your identity in a way no other reading in your whole life does…” I once read “Number the Stars” (about WWII in Denmark) with a class. Fifteen years later, one of my former students visited me (he had moved to Europe and so had I) and said, “My love of history started with that book.” To all you history lovers, the British Booksellers is another one you do not want to miss!

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing me with a free complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This complex and compelling book covers both World Wars in dual timelines. Some of the characters are affected by both wars, along with other players in each period. I laughed. I cried. I stayed up late reading. Cambron describes the affects of the war on the area around Coventry in heart-breaking detail, and makes it come alive because I cared about the people it affected.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #TheBritishBooksellers #NetGalley

This is a beautiful, heartfelt story that begins in 1914 through 1915, when WWI, known as the Great War, is happening. Amos Darby, the son of a tenant farmer, and Charlotte Terrington, the daughter of an earl, have secretly been best of friends since childhood. The story unfolds during the challenges and hardships of the Great War and is expertly woven into the time of the 1940s when WWII, Hitler and more devastation is imminent.
As they Amos and Charlotte grow older, a true affection develops between them. They even discuss marriage. However, the Earl of Harcourt chooses Charlotte to be his wife. Her parents are in favor of the match, and Charlotte feels she is destined to a loveless marriage.
During the saga of the second war, in the 1940s, Charlotte is a widow, and has an 18-year-old daughter, Eden, who is determined to preserve the legacy of the father she never knew. Unexpectedly a lawyer from the United States shows up during the war, with a lawsuit that could end everything Charlotte and Eden have worked hard to save.
Over the many years between the end of WWI and the beginning of WWII, Amos, and Charlette both own competing bookshops on the same street, nearly across the street from each other. Although they have never spoken to one another in many years, they never lost their love of books or the value they play in life.
This captivating story has many interesting facts and details of the eras in which it takes place. I loved all the details and descriptions of life during the challenge of living through two wars. There is a large cast of intriguing, delightful characters. This is a fast-paced story with numerous surprises and secrets.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed and remarks are totally mine.

A compelling historical novel, full of rich period detail and vivid descriptions, “The British Booksellers”, by Kristy Cambron, is about family, friendship, love, sacrifice and duty.
Set against de backdrop of the 20th Century World Wars, the story follows Amos and Charlotte as their close, sweet friendship evolves into unfulfilled love and their lives become interwoven even when they’re separated.
Their youth friendship and affection is so natural and deep. The years apart and the feud because of class distinction dissipate when circumstances bring them together again.
I liked how the wounded recluse slowly became more involved with the community and new and old people somehow interfere in his loneliness and bring him out of it, among the tragedy and utter destruction of bombings and war.
The apparent decades-long indifference was just a façade.
It is relevant the role Eden and Jacob had in Amos awakening to society and life.
I enjoyed watching the younger couple getting attached; they’re great characters, too.
The mother/daughter relationship is tight and deep.
The secrets binding the characters are wonderfully narrated, and kept me guessing with curiosity.
I also liked the setting – Coventry, England – the way the author described the period events, the rigid class distinctions and customs, and the camaraderie and affection between people from different stations in society despite all the barriers.

Another great read from one of my favorite authors. I loved reading the story from multiple perspectives and was so happy that the book had a happy ending.. The mystery was a great benefit too. It was a fantastic read and I could hardly put it down.