The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron is evocative and gripping. Amos is a commoner who has grown up next to Charlotte, the earl’s daughter. Childhood dreams and fancies grown into real adult feelings that defy societal expectations. Then the Great War comes calling and all plans are pushed aside as duty calls. A dual timeline story that looks back on the histories of Charlotte and Amos in 1914 and how those stories impact Eden, Charlotte’s daughter, and Job, the American solicitor who arrives to deliver notice of a lawsuit against Eden in 1940. Charlotte becomes a wartime widow who devotes her attention to raising her daughter and running her bookshop. Despite the deep love between Charlotte and Amos before the war, they do not reconnect when he returns home. In fact, they become competitor bookshop owners.
The slow build lays the foundation for the gripping tale that unfolds. The last half was impossible for me to put down. The writing is so well done and kept me immersed in whichever timeline was being told. I learned about the complete destruction of Coventry from the perspective of those living the events as well as the loyalty and tenacity of those who survived. The romance is poignant, captivating, and emotional in a way that only Cambron can elicit.
In addition to reading, I had the additional privilege of hearing the story come to life via audiobook narrated by Barrie Kreinik.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

While I own several of Kristy’s books, this is the first time reading one. And immediately fell in love with her writing style, the attention to historical detail, and the beautiful characters she creates.

The British Booksellers contains many of my favorite aspect of fictional romance. She gives us a tender and tragic love story with class differences, a second chance romance, a broody, physically and mentally scarred veteran, and an amazing plot that comes full circle with satisfying and sigh worthy conclusion.

I love the way she presented the foundation of Charlotte’s and Amos’s doomed relationship. Then how the story unfolded with flashbacks, giving us clues as to all that transpired to bring them to the present. I love the redemption arc of a character I was eager to dislike. And then she gave us the sweetest bonus romance between strangers meant to be enemies.

Overall, an outstanding and compelling historical fiction. I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

"...Wayfarers and wanderers, and Coventry storytellers of old...we bring you The British Booksellers."

I had never read a book before by this author, I had heard of her and her books but hadn't had the opportunity to pick one up. This cover and blurb convinced me to make the time for it and wowee! This book is incredible!

This book is definitely a top read of the year. If you like historical anything-this should be on your list to read. The changing timeline going in the past and back to the present was an intriguing way for the reader to discover details about our two main characters. This book is well researched, well plotted and well written.

The side plots felt so much a part of the main story that I feel like I got two books in the package of one. That's a win/win for any reader! This book came full circle and was so complete that I feel like no stone was unturned in it's writing or expectation of the reader.

The romance was sweet, and my feelings were everywhere in this book. If you want your heart to grow ten sizes bigger-again, add this one to your TBR and bump it to the top!

I can't say enough good things about this one! It has definitely earned it's spot on my bookshelf and in my kindle...this is one you'll want in all of the formats, reading friends!

"...war may not change the past, but it could change who we become in the future"

I highly recommend this book for readers who love historical books with a healthy dose of romance and intrigue!

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

Content: friendships, alcoholism, mild war scenes (mentions of fighting and wounds), romance - kisses only.

With strong characters and an arresting plot, this was a memorable WWII story set in Coventry, England, when the unthinkable happened to devastate this quiet village.
Told in split time between WWI and 1940, the story revolves around the lives of Charlotte Terrington Holt and Amos Darby and their roles in the class system of days gone by. The author takes us back to a time when the whole country banded together to support the war effort by conservation, rationing, uprooting their lives and putting aside long held dreams for a united cause. “Childhood dreams had no place in the real world..”
The author delves into the background connections of Charlotte and Amos to give us the differences between classes and how that perspective changed during wartime. And as times change new romance takes wings. “To love meant to accept all the grit and grief alongside the beauty. To endure the harshness of life not with despair, but hope.”
Blackouts, sirens, Land Girls, loneliness, hidden secrets, surprising connections, second chances, a common goal. All these things and more come together in one emotional tale.
An exceptional story that gives yet another slant on what people went through during WWII on the home front.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

This was such a beautiful story! I loved the characters, the storyline, and the setting. I will definitely be recommending this book to friends and family who are fans of historical fiction.

I loved this book. It was a little Downton Abbey, Land Girls, and Jane Austin.

Here is the setup: The setting is Coventry, England, with multiple time periods. The story starts before WWI and then goes back and forth between WWI and WWII. Two young people from different classes fall in love. The tenant farmer's son Amos and the Earl's daughter Charlotte are fast friends and dream of owning a bookshop together someday. The Great War and classism make this impossible. In the time of WWII, Coventry has two bookshops, and the townspeople gossip about Amos and Charlotte's feud. The German Blitz comes to Coventry, England, and Amos and Charlotte are pressed to save the town, their family, friends, the manorhouse, and their bookshops.

Kristy Cambron lays this story out in a unique way. It feels like you have many threads to the story that you pick up and pull on to learn the details. You slowly unravel the entire story. The language is formal and feels very Austin-like. It might take a moment to settle into this style, however I found that the slower pace suited the novel. When I finished the book, I missed it. I loved the focus on community, books, and the Land Girls. The Blitz in Coventry is overlooked in history but Cambron tells this story to add to the historical novels that give details to World War II on the homefront.

#kristycambron #thebritishbooksellers #wwI #wwii #coventryengland #booksellers

Taking place between two world wars - WWI and the Coventry Blitz of WWII - The British Booksellers is ultimately a love story with first love, lost love, and second chances. My favorite part of the story was the WWI timeline as the WWII timeline fell flat for me.

It was hard to follow at times and in trying to tell the stories of so many people (Amos, Charlotte, Eden, Will, Jacob) I don’t think any of them were developed enough to really make me care. Additionally, I didn’t really feel any of the characters emotions - the supposed love/hate relationship between two characters and the developing romance between another two. Overall, it was just ok, especially given all the WWII books out there.

The British Booksellers is a story set in dual timelines 1914 and 1940. It tells the story of Amos and Charlotte who are secret friends in their childhood. Amos is a servant boy and Charlotte is the daughter of an Earl. Both care deeply for each other but she is set to marry the future Earl of Harcourt. Alas leading Amos and Charlottes love story to never have a happy ending in 1914. In 1940, both Amos and Charlotte end up opening bookstores across the street from each other. The books tells the story of their relationship, the impacts of war, and the mystery surrounding what happened to keep these two apart for so long! While I felt the story was intriguing, I had a hard time reading this book. I did not feel like the characters development was strong enough for me to care what happened to them. I also found myself getting confused with with the plot. I did love Amos as a character and of all the characters in the novel, I felt the most for him. I also felt the writing really capture what it was like to be in Coventry during the war.
Overall. I rated this book 3 stars. It was just okay for me but I also didn’t regret that I read it. So you could say this book falls in the category of middle of the road. Take it or leave it. If you want a book to scratch your historical fiction itch…then you very much could enjoy this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Historical fiction readers will enjoy this novel set in Coventry, England. As a dual time story, readers will be transported back to WWI and WWII. Charlotte and Amos, both bookstore owners have known each other since childhood. Will this unlikely friendship be given a second chance? Very interesting storyline with a few surprises along the way. Loved the author's note.

"He'd already decided, deep down, if there ever was a boy who'd risk his neck for a girl more than once in his lifetime, over and over again, it would be him for her. All she had to do was ask."

Who doesn't love a story about characters who also love books? The British Booksellers was not at all what I expected. If you know me, you will be aware that I do not like to read the book blurb before reading the book. I prefer, especially when the book is wrtiten by an author I love - a category Kristy Cambron definitely falls under - to just discover the stroy as it unfolds. That being said, I incorrectly assumed these Bookselllers would be passing messages to resisitance fighters through their beloved book pages. A premise I have read before but was not opposed to reading again. This was not that book - it was even better!

It's a story spanning two World Wars, a story of forgiveness, sacrifice and bravely choosing to love your enemy. It's beautifully written and depicts life on the battlefield in the first world war as well as in Coventry in the weeks leading up to The Coventry Blitz, an airborne attack by Germany that loosed 30,000 bombs killing 600 and injuring nearly 1000 others. Otherwise known as, The Forgotten Blitz.

I loved the addition of the Women's Land Army and the bonds of found family the ladies created while serving their country. The story line set during the first World War will stick with me for a long time. It was both heart breaking and beautiful....you'll need to read it to find out what I mean. I also how Kristy tied everything together in the end. I would have enjoyed more development between Jacob and Eden - I wanted to read more! I miraculously pieced together the mystery thread before Kristy Cambron spelled it out for me. I'm becoming a super sleuth! The British Booksellers was a story I didn't want to end and would recommend to readers who love war time fiction and complex relationships.

Read if you like;
Second Chances
Sacrificial Love
England Setting
Split-time Dual POV
Sweet Romance

Thank you, Kristy Cambron, Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

As someone who has recently become interested in London, this book worked for me. I like learning about historical times through fictional characters. The book has some flaws (slow start, characters hard to get to the point of liking) but overall it's a good read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

I had a hard time finishing this book, unfortunately. I loved the concept as I ADORE a good bookstore in a story, a second chance at love, and dual times to bounce between. This one, sadly, was hard to follow and difficult to connect with the characters for me.

I am a huge fan of the author's previous work. This book takes place in an era of history that I'm not very familiar. It was a slow start for me but turns out to be a wonderful book.

I really enjoyed the story. The background, setting and characters all felt real and relatable. I enjoyed Kristy Cambron's writing and am interested in reading more that she has written.

Wow! This book was so very good! It’s so well written.
Two story lines that flip back and forth effortlessly.
I had a hard time putting this book down. There’s a few surprises at the end that surprised me. Definitely recommend.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I am still reeling with everything this book made me feel and think...

I have many Cambron books on my shelf, but I believe this is the first one I've actually read, and WOW 😍 This book is rich in historical details and just as rich in beautiful storytelling and strong characters!

With each chapter I found myself gaping over how perfectly she pulled off the storyline; the way details lined up and one thing led to another had me turning the page late into the night.

I'll be pulling those other books off my shelf within the next couple weeks if this story is anything to go by!

I love stories about libraries and bookstores. Add a little history to the mix to make it a dream book for me.

A long time rivalry between bookstores comes to end end when bombs take them out.

A wonderful love story told in a dual timeline which brings all characters together in the end.
A love torn apart by war and an untold story for a young man seeking answers.

“The British Booksellers” by Kristy Cambron is a dual timeline novel set during both WW1 and WW2. Amos and Charlotte have a long history, but come from different worlds. Despite planning to open a book star in their early life, Charlotte is set to marry Will and become a titled Lady while Amos is a farmer.

Surrounding the Coventry Blitz, a devastating attack on England during WW2, provides some additional insight into WW2. The dual timeline, while interesting and integral to the plot lines, caused the pacing to seem a little slow to begin with while establishing the settings and connections. But sped up to a good pace about a quarter of the way through. The book had both historical facts combines with great character development within the story line making it a joy to read. Overall an interesting read that highlights a part of the war that is not usually discussed wrapped in a good story.

With the backdrop of Coventry and the terrible bombings they endured during WW2, this story highlights the resilience of the British people and the kindness of strangers.
It was slow to start, not gripping me at all. I am so glad I persisted as the story evolved and grew to become a wonderful tale of enduring love. The dual timeline was seamless and clever with which moments to reveal. The story line that really hits is Amos and Will in the trenches of WW1. I love small moments of empathy and kindness in the midst of horror and anger. They resonate so strongly with the reader. Those sections are what I will remember about this book. You will need to read it to find out what they were!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Kristy is a truly remarkable writer who brings distinct historical moments to life with vivid imagery, captivating characters and truly lovely prose. She is unmatched in historical fiction storytelling!

I knew I wanted to read this story as soon as I heard Kristy was writing it. A book set in WWII in England about a pair of booksellers? Yes, please. And this novel lived up to my lofty expectations.

The characters are complex and offer compelling new aspects of themselves as we get to know them through the story. Getting to know Charlotte and Amos through the years was a privilege. I loved experiencing their journeys both separate and together. They come from different social classes at a time in history when class was shifting. I enjoyed their childhood friendship and bonding over books. I enjoyed their “war” as adults who have experienced both the joys and deep hardships of life. I loved when they opened up to each other and realized how much they mean together each other even years later. They are surrounded by a lovely cast of characters that I became deeply invested in. From Eden Holt, Charlottes independent and strong daughter determined to save their estate. To Jacob, the American who comes asking questions and keeping secrets. To Will Holt who is a surprising mix of respect, force and loyalty. And the girls who come to work in Coventry. The Eden Books staff and even an appearance from King George VI. These characters shape this beautiful story.

I love the story is told in multiple timelines. We piece together Charlotte and Amos’ history through experiences over many years and two world wars. They start as innocent children. And then war changes everything. Their road is not straight. They hurt each other. They take risks and make mistakes. They falter and deal with grief, loss, addiction and pain. But I love the forgiveness, healing and redemption woven throughout this story. I really appreciated the insights into life during WWI both in the at times horrific trenches and at home. The Christmas truce and Amos’ experiences with the Germans were so vividly described and I appreciated the many details of that time. That contrasts with his experiences at home during WWII and how he and his fellow townspeople band together during the Coventry Blitz.

As usual, Kristy offers a compelling story during a lesser known pocket in history. Certainly WWII is well documented in history books and fiction. But this particular time in Coventry was new to me. The way these people had to endure bombings just as fatal and intense as in London astounded me. I couldn’t believe how much destruction and death occurred in this one city. The details about hiding RAF planes and the tea lines after bombings were such beautiful examples of the resilience and hope of people who endured this war. I was impressed to learn how much of those details are based on historical facts. Kristy always includes helpful notes about her research and how she weaves history into her stories (which she does so well!)

A truly beautiful story about the power of love, hope and healing in the face of war and loss. One of my favorites from Kristy!