In the London Bookshop Affair, we have a dual timeline story about 1960s and 1940s England, although the main bulk of the book is set in the 1960s. Celia Duchesne is a young woman living and working in London, longing for more, but stifled under the care of her overbearing parents. She works in a small bookshop, recently purchased by an American, and all is definitely not as it seems.

This book is clearly well researched and felt true to the time period(s), but at the same time, the writing felt stiff and wooden, and formulaic. I never really developed an emotional connection to the characters, and felt that the writing itself, with it's lack of depth was the main cause of that. The story was interesting, but easy to guess at the twists and turns. And honestly I was left wanting a bit more in terms of the intrique and espionage, and felt like I was just waiting and waiting for something to happen for most of the book.

With all that said, I have decided to rate this one 3 stars. It was an ok read, but I can't see it being memorable or worth recommending to others.

Thank you to Book Club Girl, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

This book follows the story of Cecila as she tries to find her place in the world. She works at a little bookshop in London and meets Septimus, a young man that recently moved to London. As she gets closer to him, she learns so much about herself, her family, and the world. The London Bookshop Affair is a little slow in the beginning, but the ending is amazing!

In Louise Fein’s upcoming novel, The London Bookshop Affair, Celia arrives to her job at a small bookshop that is under new ownership, not knowing if she will be kept on or let go. Joyfully, she not only gets to keep her job, but the new American owner gives her a substantial raise, leading Celia to better herself by taking some night courses at a local secretarial school. Then upon sharing her news with her friend, Daphne, who works at a law office, she stumbles upon a family secret that her parents have kept buried for twenty years. Celia also catches the eyes of Septimus, the new aide-de-camp for the American ambassador. Septimus’s responsibilities include helping uncover those who are conspiring against the British and Americans as the Cold War has taken root. While Celia fights her feelings for Septimus, she also digs deeper into her family’s secret and how it impacts her. But as she uncovers the layers of the secret, it raises her suspicions about people in her life and what their activities really mean. (While this is a dual timeline book, the 1940s sections are minimal with the bulk of the story taking place in 1962 in the period of time leading up to the Cuban Middle Crisis.) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is set for publication on January 16, 2024.

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“0h, what a wicked web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” That phrase kept popping up in my mind as I read. The story is filled with twists and turns, of false identities, and reminders of the consequences of seemingly insignificant actions. I was engrossed in the story from the beginning.
The characters were realistic and similar to those I have encountered in other novels. However, they were not cliches because, as Louise Fein stated in her epilogue, they were founded in research and based on real people. The one character who was fictional, Celia, was the one who tied them together. She was smart, determined, and likable. Her dilemma of having to choose between San and Septimus was understandable.
The events regarding the Cuban Crisis were more dire than depicted. I know that firsthand because an uncle of mine was in a plane armed with missiles headed to Cuba with three seconds before takeoff that could not be aborted once it was airborne when the call came to cancel the mission. Nuclear warfare was averted and the world never knew how close we came. Consequently, I was anxious to see how the conflict would be portrayed. The book touched upon it, but the bulk of the story was about what happened to Jeannie, Celia’s mother, and Celia’s relationship with Septimus, which led to the dramatic climax. I don’t think that hurt the book. I just think it’s hard to impress upon today’s audience how horrific that moment in history was. ( The families of the Air Force members on those flights out of Colorado knew.)
I loved the novel. I definitely plan to recommend it highly to my friends. Kudos to Louise Fein.

What a historical drama. So much courage and love in this book. At times I felt like I was there in the book with the characters. It has a good plot and the characters are each well written.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for the opportunity to read this ARC of The London Bookshop Affair. This is a story about love, betrayal, secrets, espionage, courage, and loss. It takes place in a dual timeline with Celia who works in a bookshop in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Jeannie in the 1940's during WWII. It is told from the three different perspectives of Celia, Jeannie, and Septimus.
I like the way the characters were developed throughout the book. I was engaged and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. I thought this book was well-researched and was not only entertaining but educational as well.

The London Bookshop Affair was a nice pleasant read. I'll be honest I have not read a whole lot where the plot takes place during the Soviet Missile Crisis, so that was interesting to me.

It's written from the perspective of three people: Jeannie, Celia, and Septimus. I enjoyed the story of Celia. I thought her portion of the book was well written and I was able to identify with her. I struggled with Jeannie's portion of the book. I think there just wasn't enough of her story included. I would have loved to have a bit more from her. Septimus had an interesting story line and I was glad to have his side rather than it all be presented from Celia's perspective.

I really enjoyed this book, and even though I couldn't quite empathize with Jeannie, I could with Celia. Good solid 4 out of 5, and I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read multi party view books.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for the eARC of this novel.

I really liked this book! The details made me feel as if I were transported back in time! There were times where I would forget whose POV I was reading (but that was mostly a me mistake lol). Overall I loved this book and I think the plot was really cool. I also loveee Dual POV books

A gripping historical fiction novel, focusing on events leading up to, and during the Cuban missile crisis. Based in London, the novel cleverly explores multiple themes around the Cold War and includes the role of clandestine services and spies from England, Russia and the U.S. going back to World War II. The characters are likable, and their storylines evolve throughout the book. While a work of fiction, the narrative is based loosely around actual events, and the author provides a detailed summary at the back of the book.

Solid book. The story is great and is not bogged down to much by the historic time period that it takes place in. The characters are well written and compelling. Overall the plot is laid out very well and this book is very captivating.

I enjoyed this story and chose it based on the words "London" and "Bookshop" in the title. Once I got into the book, I preferred the 1940s portions than the Soviet Missile Crisis portions.

It it the story of three generations with various ties to WWII Resistance efforts. Celia, the main character, who works in a bookshop in the 1960s, learns secrets about her immediate family through a series of coincidences. Once Celia started to figure things out, it seemed all the disparate spy scenarios too easily fell into place for her. I appreciated this relatively novel approach to a WWII story, while the too-good-to-be-true solutions in the final chapters lessened my overall review.

"The London Bookshop Affair" by Louise Fein is a captivating historical drama that delves into the world of espionage during the height of the Cold War, set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The book skillfully weaves together the stories of two courageous women, Celia Duchesne and Anya Moreau, whose lives are intertwined by a secret that could change the course of history.

Fein's meticulous research shines through in the rich historical details and settings, immersing the reader in a turbulent London of 1962 and a wartime France of 1942. The narrative unfolds through three distinct points of view, including Celia, Anya, and Celia's love interest, providing a multifaceted view of the unfolding events.

The book is divided into five parts, each commencing with a chapter from Anya's (Jeannie's) perspective. While this technique adds depth to the storytelling, some readers might find that the transitions between these parts feel slightly disconnected. However, Fein did an exceptional job at portraying events in Anya's timeline and mirroring those in Celia's, creating an engaging narrative symmetry.

One aspect that sets this novel apart is its dedication to shedding light on the stories of women who served as spies during WWII, often overlooked in history. Additionally, the book offers a refreshing non-American perspective on the Cuban Missile Crisis, adding a unique layer of depth to the historical context. While the premise of "The London Bookshop Affair" is undeniably intriguing, there are moments when the plot becomes somewhat predictable, which may affect the overall engagement for some readers.

Overall, "The London Bookshop Affair" is a commendable historical fiction novel that transports readers to an era of espionage, secrets, and love. It's an ideal choice for enthusiasts of WWII and Cold War history, particularly those interested in the often-untold stories of female spies. Fein's book serves as a valuable reminder of the remarkable women who played crucial roles in shaping the course of history during turbulent times.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for the eARC of this novel.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book in advance of release!

The London Bookshop Affair tells the story of Celia in 1962 London navigating her place in society and learning new information about her family history that leads her to question her identity even more. Celia finds pleasure in reading and working in a historical bookshop while also wanting to have a bigger impact through learning and political/social work. The story is also about Jeannie in the 1940's who serves as a spy and coder for the British during WWII putting herself in danger every day to serve her country and get new information to help the war efforts. I don't want to spoil how the stories intertwine but fans of historical fiction especially around WWII and the Cuban Missile Crisis will enjoy this book.

While well researched, I wasn't desperate to know what happens next and guessed some of the twists in advance. This story kept me entertained and more educated on these times in history, but overall I didn't love it. If you're looking for a historical fiction novel set in England between 1940-60s, you'll probably enjoy this book but it wasn't a winner for me. The writing felt like a lot of telling instead of showing and truthfully I didn't connect with any of the characters on a strong level. I'm curious what this writer will do next, but overall I give this book a 3 out 5.

It's 1962, and young London book-shopgirl Celia is hoping to break free. She has ambitions beyond those of her her chilly older parents, so when the book shop gets a new owner –– a glamorous American business woman –– Celia takes the opportunity to make some changes. She hides her new, inflated salary from her parents and signs up for night school. She follows a madcap friend into political action as the Cuban missile crisis looms. And she meets someone tall dark and handsome –– so unlike the boy next door that her parents have selected for her.

Spoiler alert:
Unbeknownst the Celia, the book shop owner is a baddie, and the new love-interest is a Cold War mole. AND, if this is not enough, the baddie is working on a shady intelligence deal with the man who, during WWII, betrayed Celia's real mother, who was one of Churchill's spies.

I looked forward to read about the era, when the swinging London scene was just starting up, and as a fan of women-spy stories, I thought this would be just right for me. However, it was a swing-and-a-miss for me...
While Fein has done her homework about the politics and the scene, and her writing is solid, I wasn't able to stay in this story. I felt myself predicting the twists (naturally, that would be her mother, not her sister!) and finding the coincidences just a bit too much (after all, how many dastardly double-crossing creeps are there in the world? Just the one?). I wanted to root for Celia (and her boy next door), but it was not to be.

Thank you William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

This was a breathtaking historical drama that deserves every bit of it's 5-star rating. This novel is a masterful blend of intrigue, love and courage set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, making it an absolute must-read for fans of Kate Quinn and Pam Jenoff.

In 1962 London, we meet Celia Duchesne, a young woman yearning for a purpose beyond her job at a dusty bookshop. When a dashing American walks into her life, it seems her dreams might finally be within reach. However, a devastating secret soon pulls her into the world of espionage, adding a thrilling layer of complexity to her new romance. Flashback to 1942 France, where we meet Anya Moreau, who is a brave nineteen year old who becomes a very important part of the resistance. She transmits messages from behind enemy lines. Her story is one of betrayal and hidden legacies.

The efforts to protect secrets, past and present, keep you turning pages. The impending threat of nuclear annihilation during the Missile Crisis also adds a sense of urgency to the narrative.

This novel is so much more than a historical fiction, it also has limits of courage, love and justice. The writing was illuminating, painting in my mind a vivid picture of society teetering on the brink of war. This is obviously inspired by true events and figures that were present during the Cold War, and this novel is a direct testament to the strength of women during that time that were facing adversity.

Great Author, Great Story, Loved it more than her others. A great book for a lazy weekend afternoon for an escape. Thanks