Tenderly written with painstaking detail to historical facts, The British Booksellers is a novel of bravery in the face of evil. Across the pages a complex romance unfolds as Charlotte and Amos fall in love and are separated, only to be reunited years later. With twists and turns and danger aplenty, this book is sure to satisfy any lover of historical fiction.

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

Title: The British Booksellers
Author: Kristy Cambron
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington . . . until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home doesn’t come with tender reunions, but with the hollow fulfillment of opening a bookshop on his own and retreating as a recluse within its walls.

When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match. Though her heart had chosen another long ago, she pledges her future even as her husband goes to war. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop—Eden Books, lovingly named after her grown daughter. And Amos is nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane.

As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and lost loves, Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive.

This was such a good read! I love that it was both World War I and World War II fiction. I loved young Charlie’s POV, but her adult self’s POV was just as interesting. Seeing Eden’s adventures with the garden girls—and the handsome American Lawyer—was enthralling, too, but what I enjoyed most were all the literary references. Highly recommend this read!

Kristy Cambron is an award-winning author. The British Booksellers is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.)

This is a fantastic historical fiction about the forgotten blitz during WWII. There are lots stories out there from the WWII period, but this one took a different angle.

I loved that books had such a space in this story, and I adored the heart-achingly beautiful love story that was woven in as well.
The romance was there and was delightful, with meaningful kisses, and a slight love triangle, however, I would classify this as more of a historical fiction than a historical romance.

I was provided a free advanced copy from @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
An Earl's daughter, Charlotte, and a tenant farmer's son, Amos, form a special friendship throughout their childhood. But as they grow up, society, and it seems like the world, won't let them be together. Twenty-five years later they are rival bookstore owners in Coventry, England as Hitler rages across mainland Europe. Contending with new challenges and old wounds they will try to figure out how to save their town from what has become known as the Forgotten Blitz.
We get to know these characters through their current struggles as well as flashbacks to their childhood and WWI.
@kristycambron is an excellent author. I love getting to know her characters as they become so real to me. This story will stick with me for a while. Definitely check it out, as it has already been published!
#NetGalley #TheBritishBooksellers

The story itself is just incredible. My heart wept and grieved for what was lost and soared for this second-chance love story that takes place across two timelines. Amos and Charlie’s (Lady Charlotte) story is full of longing, bravery, and heartache. These two were secret childhood friends, who didn’t let the difference in their stations stop their affections from growing. But life and society expectancy did their best to thwart their dreams at every turn, and just as they hoped to make their escape for their love, the Great War ripped them apart. Now 25 years later and another war to face, Amos and Charlotte are at odds as competing bookshop sellers. Charlotte is a war widow and has a grown daughter, while Amos seems intent on staying a grumpy hermit. With the Germans blitzing Coventry nearly daily, Amos and Charlotte must come together to help their community through, and maybe find that their love can bloom again.

I particularly loved the way the author, Kristy Cambron, wove the past and present together. It’s like looking through an old family photo album and hearing all the stories behind the pictures. While the book is mainly about Amos and Charlie, it’s also about Eden, Charlotte’s daughter, and a mysterious American solicitor who threatens everything she holds dear.

The audio narration was magnificent. Barrie Kreinik has a melodic voice and draws you into the story. Many thanks to @kristycambron @austenprose and @thomasnelson for the physical copy of the book and for having me be apart of this tour. Also thanks to @netgalley and publisher for the early audio copy to listen to in exchange for my review.

My friends read this book if you love:
📖 Great War & WWII setting
📖 Downton Abbey/ Upstairs Downstairs/ You’ve Got Mail vibes
📖 Slow Burn/Enduring Love
📖 Rich Historical Details

Kristy Cambron, The British Booksellers, Thomas Nelson, April 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. *

Kristy Cambron has used the way in which her characters interacted during World Wars 1 and 2 to produce a fine historical novel based on solid research. An additional explanation of her reasons for choosing Coventry as her location, the research she undertook, and the fabrications she introduced for her fictional purpose is excellent. There is also an informative list of sources – a welcome addition to historical fiction. A useful glossary is at the front of the novel. Each chapter is dated so that the past (WW1) and present (WW2) chapters are clear. The prologue, set in 1908 provides the backdrop to the relationships explored in the succeeding chapters. The cello and books that Amos Darby saves for Lady Charlotte Tarrington on this occasion provide the theme for their relationship, despite their significantly different status – he a farmer’s son and she an heiress to a seemingly boundless property.

Lady Charlotte Tarrington (later, Holt) Amos Darby and William Holt, heir to his father’s title and property as the Earl of Harcourt, Eden Holt and the American, Jacob Cole are the main protagonists. However, the land girls and the Bayley Lane occupants and staff on the Holt lands are characters with stories. The bookshops, one belonging to Amos Darby and the other to the Holt women, are almost characters too, in their presentation of the owners through the books they display and their furnishings.

In chapter one the warm relationship that existed between Amos and Charlotte shown in the prologue has changed and the proceeding chapters develop this theme at the same time as providing graphic stories and images of Britain at war. Each chapter portrays a development in the war they are describing as well as the characters’ relationships. Reading and discussing books, and the value and significant impact the book Amos takes with him to war, are also important themes.

I found The British Booksellers a satisfactory read, although for me the writing was not as engaging as I expected. However, just as importantly, Cambron’s dedication to bringing to life the story of a less well-known blitz, her markedly expert research and the way in which she was able to weave fact and fiction together is commendable. The questions that are posed at the end of the novel provide further aspects of this writer’s dedication to her audience and enthusiasm for encouraging deeper understandings of her work.

* The publishers wished to have the following noted: "I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson -- Fiction, and Kristy Cambron for the opportunity to read the ARC of The British Booksellers. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction book set back and forth between WWI and WWII. I also was totally enthralled with the long lasting love between the main characters that was carefully weaved between the two time periods.

Most of the story took place in Coventry, England where the characters of Amos, Charlotte, and Will grew up together. Amos and Will both fell in love with Charlotte beginning as early as WWI and lasting all the way through to WWII and beyond. Both men were also sent off to fight during WWI while Charlotte remained at home. Jealousy and secrets kept the the truly in love couple from being together.

The author, Kristy Cambron, did a wonderful job of presenting historical facts about WWI and WWII as the backdrop to a complicated love story. Her characters were wonderfully built and it was difficult to dislike any of them. It was one of those stories where you could truly find something good in all of them, including the obvious enemies.

I learned quite a bit of new information about Coventry, England and the part they played during WWII. I thought Cabron also described the trenches during WWI and the "No Mans Land" area incredibly well. I visited that area a few years ago and she was able to transport me back to those exact spots with her amazing descriptions. If you love reading historical fiction, while also enjoying a wonderful love story, I highly recommend this novel for you. #NetGalley #TheBritishBooksellers

The British Booksellers is a historical fiction novel, told in alternating timelines between WWI and the start of WWII during the Coventry Blitz.

I loved that the British Booksellers was part book about books. Rival bookshops operating on the same street by two book lovers and childhood friends/sweethearts who were torn apart by their stations in life and the horrors of the first world war.

The British Booksellers also told the story of how people can find love during the toughest of times. I loved the mature romance that blossomed between our main characters, Lady Charlotte and Amos. But, there were also these other beautiful love stories that developed between some of the secondary characters.

Then, there was the history of the story. The Coventry Blitz, as the authour explained in the authour notes, is often referred to as the Forgotten Blitz because it did not get the same attention as some of the bigger blitzes. The blitz razed houses, businesses, and factories, left their medieval era church destroyed, and so many wounded and killed. Reading the residents' experiences, you can only imagine what life was like for them and the horrors they had to endure. But, even so, there was so much courage, bravery, and fortitude from the citizens of Coventry.

This was such a compelling and remarkable story. While the earlier time frame gave us the background to fully understand the later time frame, I found myself more invested in and wanting to stay in the WWII timeline. I am just so drawn to stories where ordinary citizens pull together during absolutely horrific times, pockets of real humanity during a very dark, dark time in this world.

This book definitely needs to make it to your reading list.

Thank you to @kristycambron @thomasnelson and @austenprose for having me on this book tour and for the advanced digital copy of this fabulous book. My opinions are my own.

This was so interesting! There was an alternating timeline between WWI and WWII in England, and showed the main characters in both of these timelines. It is hard to fathom that people went through both of these wars, but it really drove that home for me. I loved the book store aspect and the small town in England. I will definitely read this author again.

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron is a historical fiction novel about second chances and romance. It is a duel timeline story, taking place in Coventry in 1914 and 1940.

The story is about Amos and Charlotte, the dreams they had of a future together and how they were torn apart by class differences and WWI. Move to 1940 and both of them own rival bookshops and are at odds with each other. Will they be able to overcome and find a second chance or will they be torn further apart.

It's a beautifully written novel that probes at the meaning of community, humanity, forgiveness and true love. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advance copy of this book.

“Perhaps days like this are exactly why we have books in the world. To remember that not all is lost, even if we find ourselves in the unknown. I like to think we provide a haven for the wanderer. And help him remember he has a place to call home.”

From the very opening pages this story swept me away and I couldn’t put it down. It’s a beautifully crafted historical romance, with a dual timeline.

Amos and Charlotte had dreams of a future together, but were torn apart by class differences and WWI.

Twenty five years later, they’re rival bookshop owners. Amos is a recluse who is physically and emotionally scarred. Charlotte is a war widow, taking care of her estate and running her bookstore with her daughter, Eden.

As WWII looms and blitz bombings affect their community, Amos and Charlotte are drawn together again and may get a second chance at love.

I loved Amos. Underneath that hard exterior, he had such a heart of gold, and never stopped loving Charlotte. Charlotte’s character was also wonderful. She was strong, resilient, and kindhearted. I adored their relationship and romance!

There’s a second storyline with Eden and Jacob, a lawyer from America who is there to contest his father’s will that mysteriously names Eden as a beneficiary.

Both storylines were excellent and resolved in such a beautiful and touching way.

I loved the themes of the beauty and solace of books, the beauty of music, and the strength,courage, and resilience of people during wartime. Honestly, I loved everything about this book, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It was outstanding!

I received a copy from NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishing, and Austenprose PR. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

The British Booksellers felt like it was a constant uphill battle with a satisfying ending once we reached the summit. It took a bit to get my bearings as I didn’t start reading this novel at the most opportune time, but once I had my footing, I really enjoyed the premise.

This dual timeline takes place in both present and past as we discover the truth behind the dueling bookshops of Coventry and their owners, two lonely souls who seem to be just trying to get by while also battling the ghosts of their pasts. At the heart, there is a forbidden love that is a slow burn but given the circumstances it needed to be, and just goes to show that timing means everything, even if you believe with all of your heart that it’s meant to be.

Amos and Charlotte are both wonderfully fleshed out characters with flaws and likability. I enjoyed witnessing how their past and present were so intricately interwoven and seeing the full progression of their relationship. Eden was also a great character, but one part I really enjoyed were the side characters, especially the Land Girls and their moxie. They added a little bit of oomph to an otherwise seemingly ordinary experience from the war years and more than once I found a smile gracing my face as their positive outlook and fresh perspectives help boost not only the characters themselves but me as a reader.

I also appreciated the historical nuggets that were sprinkled about, getting a first-person perspective of the battle during the First World War and the hometown ramifications of the Second World War. This author is one of my favorites, a trust artist of her craft. She is able to weave such an intricate story so effortlessly and I truly enjoyed this novel so much.

This book was a must-read for me because of my love of books, historical fiction, and interest in WWII because of my father’s service in England then. The resilience of love and hope is brought home through this novel taking place in the lives of Amos and Charlotte during the horrors of WWI and WWII. Childhood best friends, whose friendship grows into love, are split apart by the separation of class, Charlotte coming from a life of privilege and Amos a tenant farmer’s son. War further rips them apart and they end up hardly speaking to each other, each suffering from their own secrets and pain, owning competing bookstores on the same street, until the next war gives them a second chance at love. The romance drew me in, telling not only their story, but including Charlotte’s daughter’s love story as well, while the mystery involving the American solicitor added to the intrigue! I also enjoyed the sense of community in Coventry with everyone pulling together during difficult times with the secondary characters of the Land Girls, who added humor and spunk, and the twists and surprises from Frank and Will. Gripping, beautifully written, thought provoking, and inspirational! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The British Booksellers was an interesting WWII novel. I liked the contrasting social stations comparison. And what a great story of a friendship surviving the test of time. There is a good combination of romance and mystery. I felt the book moved slowly. And I got confused by the switch between timelines. However, this book does cover lesser known facts from WWII. So it might be a good read for those who enjoy historical fiction. I received a copy of British Booksellers . All opinions expressed are my own.

A dual timeline story centered around WWI and WWII, their impact on social mores and the Coventry blitz. Charlotte and Amos are from two different social classes, but they form a bond which will be broken by her engagement to Will, the future Earl of Harcourt, and Amos’ entry into the war. From 1914, the reader moves to 1940, where Amos is now an owner of a bookstore and a recluse for all practical purposes. Charlotte and her daughter Eden own a bookstore situated opposite Amos’, seemingly at war with each other. As the war brings bombings and hardships, will the past tear them apart or bring them together? Add in Land Girls, books, and you have an interesting and absorbing book. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

You’ve Got Mail meets Downton Abbey in this heart-achingly lovely dual time period historical romance from Kristy Cambron. Taking place mainly in 1914 and 1940, this book took me on a page turning journey as childhood friends Amos & Charlie (Lady Charlotte) share their love of books and more through war, heartbreak, rivalry, and second chance love.

I absolutely loved Amos, the grumpy, wounded farmer’s son with a heart of gold, and Charlotte, the resilient, kind hearted, cello playing heiress. Torn apart by class differences and WWI, they’re now rival bookshop owning enemies. I loved finding out what happened in 1914 and WWI to make their relationship what is was in 1940.

I also loved Eden and Jacob! Eden is Charlotte’s daughter who’s doing everything she can to keep their estate running amidst the Coventry Blitz. Jacob’s an American lawyer who’s come to present her with papers naming her in a contested will. They start off as enemies, but as they work together to help the Coventry community, they begin to grow closer.

Both time periods were so compelling and I couldn’t wait to unravel the mystery in each one. Each storyline comes together for a stunning, touching, heroic ending that left me in tears. War brings out the best and worst in people and I loved seeing the best for once. I enjoyed learning about the Forgotten Blitz and the Land Girls through this amazing story.

Full of romance, intrigue, heroism, and love of music & the written word, The British Booksellers is a new favorite book by Kristy Cambron. Highly recommend to historical romance fans! Definitely add this love letter to books & second chances to your must read list! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

This is my first book by this author, and I really felt captivated and engrossed in this storyline and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
The British Booksellers is a dual timeline novel that alternates between WWI and WWII and tells the story of two childhood friends, Charlotte, and Amos, who bond over books. This heartfelt historical novel begins in 1914 during World War 1. Amos Darby is the son of a tenant farmer, and Charlotte Terrington is the daughter of an earl. Coming from two different “worlds”, these two characters have had a secret friendship since childhood. As the story progresses the timeline leads us into World War 2 and Hitler’s reign of terror.
As Charloette and Amos grow older, they have covert chats about marriage until the Earl of Harcourt determines Charloette will be his bride. Charloette's parents are fine with this match because it has a good reputation. During World War II, which begins in the 1940s, Charolette becomes a widow and has an 18-year-old daughter named Eden who is determined to continue her father's legacy. During the conflict, an unexpected lawyer from the United States arrives with a lawsuit that threatens to destroy everything Charlotte and Eden have worked so hard to preserve.
Between the close of WWI and the start of WWII, Amos and Charlette had competing bookshops on the same street, almost across from each other. Even though they hadn't communicated in years, they never lost their love of books or the importance they hold in their lives.
This fascinating tale has various relevant facts and insights regarding the eras in which it takes place. I appreciated all the details and descriptions of life during the two wars. There is a diverse group of intriguing and appealing personalities. This is a fast-paced story with plenty of twists and secrets.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson. All thoughts and comments are of my own making, and I look forward to reading another book by this author.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

I’m so happy to be a part of the AustenProse PR book tour for this book published by Thomas Nelson. It’s out now, so check your favorite bookstores for a copy.

This is a beautifully written book inspired by real accounts of the Coventry Blitz of WWII. It’s set in the early 1940’s but has flashbacks to before WWI and during WWI. Amos and Lady Charlotte were childhood friends that supported each other’s dreams. Amos loves books and yearns to further his education, but as the son of a farmer, he knows that will never happen. Charlotte loves playing the cello but her mother forbids her from playing, especially in front of other people. Each is in love with the other, but when they age Amos has more responsibilities on the farm and Charlotte is forced into a loveless marriage with the Earl of Harcourt. She has one daughter, Eden, who is fiery, outspoken, and fearless. An attorney from the U.S. visits the town and tells Eden he’s suing her, which brings up family issues.

It took me a long time to get a sense of Charlotte because despite her initial adventurous nature, she allows herself to be married off and live a life she didn’t want. Amos goes to war in WWI and is injured and scarred for life. He comes back, opens a bookstore, and becomes a recluse. He still looks after Charlotte, from afar, but will he finally take the steps to go after what he really wants?

Initially I was a bit confused with the jumping timelines because I didn’t expect it or realize what was going on, but then I settled into enjoying the story. We get a sense of the terror of living during the war and bombings and the thought of having to spend hours in a dark, dank bomb shelter makes me shiver. If you like a steady paced historical fiction romance this is the one for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, AustenProse PR, Thomas Nelson and the author. All opinions are my own.

Historical reading at its finest! Strong characters, interesting plot development and learning about this time period is always fascinating. Beautiful second chance romance story, too.

Kristy Cambron has penned another breathtaking novel. Unlike her last two novels that focused solely on World War 2, this one encompasses both World Wars 1 and 2. Thankfully, the flashbacks were a bit more linear than some of her previous novels, so I was able to follow them without keeping notes. The story follows Amos and Charlotte. They were childhood friends who fell in love, but while one war tore them apart, another brought them back together. The story also tells about the little-known destruction of Coventry, England during World War 2. We learn about the efforts of the British to defend their homeland from the Nazi attacks. Mrs. Cambron is a gifted author who can evoke such emotion with her writing. The tragic backstory between Amos and Charlotte broke my heart with every chapter I read about them. I think I cried for almost half of the book. Just a warning for those of you who might not enjoy that kind of thing. It will probably be a long time before I can read this story again. I definitely need a good romantic comedy to follow this up with. With that being said, this is a very well-written story that will make you think and feel and I definitely recommend reading it.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.