Interesting story told in two intertwining timeframes. One is when a girl and guy meet but are from different worlds, so they are separated, and she marries a wealthy man and has a daughter. The other is when the daughter is grown and runs a bookshop with her mother. It just so happens that the guy also runs a bookshop across the street.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review Kristy Cambron's "The British Booksellers", I am a big fan of dual timelines. Sometimes the timelines don't connect well, I had a difficult time putting this book down! I wanted to see if Charlotte and Amos would be able to reconnect, if Eden would understand her mother's past, who Jacob really was and why he came to Coventry. Filled with forgiveness, love, and the chance to learn from the past, this book was a wonderful read. I enjoyed learning about "The Forgotten Blitz" and the horror of two days of bombings. I appreciated the lack of profanity which sometimes is used in war time books.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an early read of the book in exchange for a fair review. I devoured this book - read it in 2 days! This is dual timeline book set primarily during the WW2 Coventry Blitz with brief sections set during WW1 to provide background. Lady Charlotte and former tenant farmer, Amos, put aside their differences and join forces to save their city, their country and their book stores. Truly, a good book - I could not put it down.

Kristy Cambron brings another part of history back to life in this wonderful story of war and love and the consequences both bring to life. The Forgotten Blitz bombings during WW II are revealed through the detailed research and amazing pen of Kristy Cambron. This dual timeline story tells of the courage of those who faced war and the way their lives were forever changed. And how one person's choice can have ripple effects on other lives for decades. A tenement farmer and Earl's daughter are world's apart, even if they fight to ignore it. When that difference forces them apart and war erupts, the future becomes murky and unclear. Fast forward to another erupting world war and the same two people have the choice to pull farther apart or join together for the good of their community, and maybe for each other as well. The Coventry countryside comes to life during the World Wars with stunning detail. The picture is painted and then the characters fill in the story. They leap off the pages and into a movie that brings history to life. They showcase the love and sacrifice made by so many during a time in history that formed and highlighted unbreakable bonds. Amos, Charlotte and Eden breath life into the amazing book. They felt like close friends that are sharing their stories over an intimate dinner. The struggle to keep a bookstore open during the outbreak of war and rationing. The air raid sirens that pulled everyone out of bed and into bunkers for protection. The men who monitored radios for information on locations of bombers. The people who stood on rooftops to watch for the Luftwaffe and to defend their communities. The people who ran through streets with bombs dropping to try and put out fires and pull neighbors and friends from the rubble. They draw the reader in, caring about the outcome of each decision and not wanting the story to end. It stayed with me long after the last page was read.
I loved learning about a part of both World Wars that I had not heard of before. It seems hard to believe Forgotten Blitz bombings happened, though the proof of them are brought to light through this powerful book. Kristy Cambron has such an amazing talent and I love that I get to enjoy it. I am already looking forward to the next book she writes. I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*****Publishing April 9, 2024******
This duel timeline book alternates during 1913 and the Forgotten Blitz of WWII.

Lady Charlotte, an Earl’s daughter and a farmer’s son, Amos Darby, have had a friendship since they were teenagers that is secretive and forbidden. Amos worked in her family’s garden. As an escape to life, they would read together. But as life has it, Charlotte would get married and widowed due to the Great War and Amos had battle scars from The Great War. Little did they know they would have competing book stores as adults during the Forgotten Blitz. When an American solicitor visits Eden Bookstore with a lawsuit against Holt Manor, asking questions to Lady Charlotte, will this threaten its existence? Will their bookshops survive the Forgotten Blitz?

A fascinating read that takes you back to 1913 through WWII that showed what life was like for royalty vs commoners, having a forbidden relationship because of their class, the effects on both WWI and WWII and what it was like to own a bookstore during WWII. I love how Kristy Cambron included in her author notes a more detail account of the history that she wrote about in her book! If you enjoy a well written and researched book, then add this to your TBR list! Perfect for book clubs as there is lots to discuss!

Thanks to Thomas Nelson, I was provided an ARC of The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

ENDURING LOVE SURVIVES AGAINST ALL ODDS

Award-winning writer Kristy Cambron has gifted readers with an exquisite novel based on an enduring love that survives against all odds. Cambron is passionate about her research, as illustrated in the depth and richness of her writing. She has chosen the setting of Coventry and the period from the Great War through the Coventry Blitz of WWII for this novel.

Cambron has written a story that will touch your soul. Amos and Charlotte have been friends all of their lives, even though she was the daughter of an Earl and he was the son of a tenement farmer. They were best friends and planned to marry, but another man who wanted Charlotte for himself interrupted their plans. That one act would change the course of both their lives for many generations. Amos and Charlotte eventually become competitive booksellers but respect one another enough to “stay in their own lane.” War has a way of changing things, righting wrongs, and making people realize the truth that has been in front of their eyes the whole time. It opens your eyes to those who have been constant, loyal, and always ready to put their lives on the line for the other one. This is a beautifully moving story of an enduring love that survives against all odds!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

The British Booksellers was incredibly enjoyable. It kept me guessing & turning page after page. This was the story of two friends turned into seemingly enemies, and when drew them apart and then back together again. It was not overly "Christian fiction" but it was a clean and lovely book. It was the first I had read by Kristy Cambron & I know I will be looking forward to hers in the future.

Torn apart by a world at war, by misplaced blame, and by a society that would not allow them to be together, Charlotte and Amos each find solace in the books that fill their lives. Years later, as yet another war explodes around them, will they be able to put aside the past, and will they dare to claim the future they once dreamed of together?

Rich with history and beautifully written, this split-time, second-chance-at-romance tale highlights the power of forgiveness to heal and restore. Completely captivating!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely loved The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron. This novel is about so much more than booksellers. It does have main characters who own and/or work at bookshops but the bookshops and selling books are not the main emphasis. There is certainly a love of books by the main characters which plays a part in a key relationship that we follow from pre-World War I into World War II. Overall, I believe what I loved most about this book were the all of the characters who the author brings to life with her excellent writing. If I were to try to describe the main emphasis if not about bookshops and selling books I would say that the novel shows how life changed from Downton Abbey style of strict class expectations to World War II requiring everyone - whether male or female - of every economic class - to do their part in the war effort in their part of Britain. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Looooooooooved! The more Kristy Cambron writes, the harder time I have picking a favorite of her books, but this one is definitely up there in the top tier. I loved this story of loss and love and hope. Fantastic setting, interesting history, as always, and characters that tuck themselves into your heart with ease. Absolutely loved this. I'm a Kristy Cambron fan for life!

"The British Booksellers" is a historical romance that follows two different timelines set in Coventry, England - one during World War I in 1910, and the other during World War II in 1940. At first, it was a bit confusing to keep up with the story due to the dual timeline, but eventually, I was able to understand the plot and follow it to the end. The author has done an excellent job of incorporating actual history into the story.

Charlie Holt and Amos Darby had been childhood friends who shared a love for books. However, they eventually became competing bookshop owners in a classic tale of unrequited romance where social barriers and class differences hindered them from expressing their love for each other. Charlotte, the love interest, was constantly pressured by her family to "marry well" instead of following her heart. The story takes us through the various struggles that they all faced, with Amos suffering more, both physically and mentally, in the aftermath of the war. Along the way, there were secondary characters who played vital roles in how Charlotte and Amos's story unfolded, some of whom were likable and others not so much.

I was given The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron in exchange for my honest review by NetGalley.

This book takes place during the Second World War in Coventry, England and in flashbacks to the First World War. We follow Charlotte and Amos from their childhood friendship through the pains of first love in 1914. Time and events outside their control force the couple down different paths, but fate tends to bring them back together in ways neither expect. And the next generation must now contend with their own war and reaches much closer to home.

This book is written so beautifully that I was swept up in the history of the Coventry Blitz and the lives of all of these characters. I have read all of Kristy Cambron’s books, but this is my favorite. I loved the sense of community and faith of Coventry during such a heartbreaking time. You are really transported into this story, and care deeply about Charlotte, Amos, Eden, Jacob, and the land girls. I read this book slowly just to make my time with the British Booksellers last a little longer. A wonderful read.

I only read about a quarter of the book and DNF. I wanted to like the characters and the story but it was rather choppy and disjointed. I read a lot of books that jump timelines but this one seemed to jump without enough details or context. Maybe it would have been better in the end but I couldn’t finish.

Well this was a 3 star book for me. It is a dual time story set in Coventry, England in 1910, WWI era, and 1940, WWII era. It was a little hard to follow, but eventually I was able to understand the plot as I turned the pages. It was more of a romance than I liked, but it was interesting, and one of those curl up by the fires with a cup of tea read that is good for A rainy day. Nothing exciting, but a good story between two booksellers who loved, but lost each other due to the circumstances of the times, but love never dies, and gets another chance In this story. So I would recommend it, and I did learn about things England went thru in both wars, including using women in farming roles, land girls, and the high cost of war on communities and the men who fought to keep freedom alive, and the women who stayed behind and kept the home fires burning...but nothing that really took my breath away, but I did like it! So 3 out of 5 for me!!

The British Booksellers is the first book I’ve read by Kristy Cambron. It was such a moving saga of old friendships and new love, misunderstandings and missed opportunities, and the good things that come even through the scars of life. A split-time tale, I was pulled in and couldn’t let go to the end. I will be reading many more books from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

A tenant farmer’s son dreamed of a future with an earl’s daughter, but had to settle for his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington, but war got in the way. Now decades later, he bears the scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home comes with 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 was with another, 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 with Amos as the rival bookseller across the lane. As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. Then an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, and mother and daughter prepare to fight back. Then their town is devastated by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, and Amos and Charlotte must fight together to help Coventry survive.

Kristy Cambron does an outstanding job setting the scenes and describing the aftermath of the Coventry Blitz during WWII. She also describes her characters well and shows how time and change can make a difference. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read another outstanding historical fiction by this author. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in WWII.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in the review are completely my own. *

My favorite genre is historical fiction, but I'm quite selective. I love stories featuring books or bookstores about book lovers like me. The British Booksellers was the first book I read by Kristy Cambron. The cover and the plot caught my attention, and I felt I would enjoy it. Although it wasn't what I expected, this story had many enjoyable aspects. I loved the way the story was told in two different periods. It's one of my favorite things about historical fiction books. As a reader, you witness the development of Charlotte and Amos, the main characters. Sometimes, I wondered if Eden knew the truth about what Charlotte had faced in the past. I wondered if the truth would affect the relationship between Charlotte and Eden.

I was intrigued by Amos and Charlotte's relationship and wondered what caused them to drift apart. I hoped that they would be reunited at some point in the story. I loved learning about the Blitz, a historical event I knew little about. However, a few slow parts of the story took me some time to get into. I felt this was more of a romance story than a historical fiction. Although the story had historical aspects, it read more like a romance. I enjoy romances but would have preferred a better balance of history and romance. However, I was curious about the outcome of Charlotte and Amos.

My favorite characters were Charlotte and Amos. I also enjoyed reading about Jacob and Eden, but I felt like they didn’t have the connection that Charlotte and Amos did. In general, I enjoyed the story, and there were a few aspects of the story where I found it hard to put the book down. After reading The British Booksellers, I am excited to explore more of Kristy Cambron's work. I am grateful for the opportunity to read the book before its official release.

What an epically amazing story! I couldn't put it down!

There's so, so much to unpack here, from the main characters' shared history and friendship to their current circumstances as business rivals, to the impact of war on families and communities, and of course, to their love of books.

Some parts were hard to read and some parts were lovely. The writing is amazing as always. Amazing, amazing story!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The British Booksellers is a sweeping novel of a love story throughout two wars and several decades. Books about books are always an instant favorite for me and this one is no different. Though I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I didn’t like that the ARC was so difficult to read since it wasn’t optimized for mobile reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The British Booksellers is a very well told story of the time in WWII, when Germany attacked England. It takes place in the English country side, and is so alarming to be bombed nightly by Germans, near Conventry. Charlotte is to marry the Earl of Harcourt, whom she does not love. Her first love, is a local farmers son, Amos Darby. The Earl of Harcourt and Amos Darby enlist in war to help their country. This war leaves Lady Charlotte a widow. She is left to run the estate. While her husband is away, she has a baby, a girl.

She tries after many years to keep the estate in repair. But it is quite a challenge for her and now grown daughter. She has a love of books and opens a bookstore and names it after her daughter.The war continues and so do the nightly bombings of the area. Can you imagine being frighten nightly with the sound of planes and bombs dropping on your precious country. And to protect your loved ones and hope your home and your bookstore do not get damged by bombs.

This is a book with history, I feel we all can learn from this reading. Kristy Cambron did amazing research for this time period for all of us to learn. It was hard to put the book down as you wanted to learn what was going to happen to the characters as the chapters went on and on. I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful writing before it is published. thank you Krsity Cambron for your interest in history and writing.