I love history, I was a history major in college. So reading this novel for me was entertaining and educational. I had NO idea about the Isle of Jersey and how it was occupied by the Nazi's for years.

The book follows Grace and Bea, who are best friends. Grace is a librarian in town who loves books. I mean, LOVES them. She's sweet and kind. Bea is headstrong and sassy.

When the novel starts, the women are already living under occupation. And it's so heartbreaking reading what the island goes through. Grace keeps up morale, though, by continuing to keep the islanders with books. Bea works at the post office and creates her own style of protection for her neighbors.

It's based on true events, and it's rough. Really rough, the women and their loved ones are treated like subhumans.

In the midst of all these events, there is hope and new love. Grace finds out there's more to life than books, and Bea finds the strength to keep going. While some parts really made me sad (it is during a war), it was something to read about their bravery.

4.5⭐️

Set in St. Helier, Jersey, during the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson is a remarkable work of historical fiction. The title of this novel suggests that the story revolves around the power of books and reading in bringing people together during difficult times but I should mention that though these themes do constitute an important part of the narrative, this book is about so much more.

As WWII rages on, thousands of islanders evacuate before the Nazi invasion of the Channel Islands in 1940. Among those who stay behind are best friends, Grace La Mottée, who works as a librarian at the Bibliothèque Publique and her best friend postwoman Bea Gold. The narrative jumps to 1943, a few years into the occupation and the Nazis have wreaked havoc in the lives of the islanders with curfews and persecution, rationing and censorship among other evils. Grace, now the acting Chief Librarian after her colleague is sent to an internment camp in Germany, has taken great risks to hide the books banned by the Nazis to save them from being destroyed. Grace starts the Wartime Book Club, believing that books could provide momentary refuge from the hardships of daily life – an endeavor for which she needs to ask for permission and tolerate the presence of a censor in their meetings. With residents being encouraged to report to one another for breaking rules in return for extra rations, many are betrayed by those they once trusted. Bea also takes the initiative to help as many people as she can from being taken into custody by the Nazis. in her own act of defiance. Similarly, many within their circle of friends and neighbors find ways to do the right thing even if it means breaking the rules. The narrative follows Grace, Bea and their friends as Nazi surveillance is heightened and living conditions deteriorate further. They endure much hardship in their daily lives yet do everything possible to keep one another safe, risking their own lives in the process.

I loved that each chapter began with a brief note on a banned author/ book. The narrative is presented from the perspectives of Bea and Grace in alternating chapters. The author sheds light on the resilience of the islanders and their acts of kindness, sacrifice, bravery and resistance in the face of much adversity. The setting is vividly described and the characters are well- fleshed out. Both Bea’s and Garce’s personal journeys are deftly woven into the fluid narrative which focusses on the stories of ordinary working-class residents and how they survived the Nazi occupation. This is a lengthy novel with a large cast of characters but definitely worth the time and effort.

I must mention the Author’s Note where she discusses the historical context of this novel and the places and true events that inspired this novel. I always appreciate it when an author adds a historical note on the facts behind the fiction, but Kate Thompson exceeded my expectations. I commend the author for her meticulous research and the expansive segment on the “Inspirational Islanders” whose stories found their way into this work of fiction and loved that she included several archival photos as well. This segment in itself was an inspiring read.

This was my second Kate Thompson novel after The Little Wartime Library which was a 5⭐ read for me and I’m glad to say that I was not disappointed. Definitely recommended for fans of WWII fiction!

Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is one of the absolute best WWII Historical Fiction novels that I have read. It is the story of best friends, Bea and Grace, during the Nazi occupation of the Isle of Jersey during WWII. The idea of a librarian hiding banned books from the Nazis and using books to help people get through such a horrible time drew to pick this book up but the passion and resilience of the people of Jersey kept me reading. With so many of the book characters based on actual people from Jersey it felt so real. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I am always amazed by the amount of research that goes into these books and the postscript and bibliography after the actual story in this book shows that Kate Thompson put an enormous amount of work and care into writing this. There is so much information given after the story that I put this book down with a whole list of new books to dive into on the Channel Islands. This is my favorite book I have read this year.

The Wartime Library is a truly special and incredible book. The characters are so realistic and endearing. It's set during WWII, in Nazi-occupied Jersey, a channel island which is part of the U.K., but geographically very close to France. This book isn't so much about the war itself, but what it's really about is standing up to censorship. It's a timely warning and reminder of what can happen when totalitarians take over and steal away our freedoms. You will be rooting for these characters, and grieving their losses. This book is poignant and wonderful, and it will stick with me for a long time. I learned so much and felt so much, too.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing a complimentary copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson is an exhilarating, heartbreaking and ultimately triumphant and uplifting historical World War II novel which is actually based on true events and real people. If you are a book lover, this story will touch your soul; you already know the joy of reading. But if you haven't yet personally experienced the power of books during a dark period of your life, you will begin to know it after reading this tale. I come from a long line of book lovers, especially my maternal grandfather and my Dad; it was from them I inherited my love of reading. There have been times that escape into a story has saved my sanity. This book spoke to me, and I hope it will do the same to you.

St Helier is a lovely town on the beautiful Isle of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands. It was an idyllic place...until June 30, 1940, when it became occupied by Germany in World War II. But now, in 1943, Jersey is still occupied, and its citizens suffer from hunger, privation and often fear. Grace La Mottée, the only librarian on the island, has been forced by the Nazis to destroy any books unacceptable to the regime. Grace, however, resists how she can: she hides banned books in a secret cabinet in the library. Bea Rose, a headstrong local postwoman who is Grace's best friend, also resists in her own way by opening letters she is to deliver, and warning islanders when she discovers their neighbors are informing on them. She also begins to steal letters that are being sent to the Germans. Grace decides to form the Wartime Book Club, offering the islanders a chance to escape through the joy of reading. The womens' small quiet acts of bravery are beginning to be noticed by the occupying force, however, and things soon turn even more dangerous and violent. Will their defiance ruin all they hold dear?

I had heard of Jersey before, but I never knew it was the only British territory to be occupied by Germany in WWII. I had absolutely no idea such a thing ever happened. This book was chock full of wonderfully drawn characters who you couldn't help but root for. Grace was my favorite, being a bookworm like me, though I don't think I could ever have the courage she possessed. She made the library the focal point of the island where people could gather in friendship and ease their fear and loneliness by being transported far away from the horrors of war by reading. Grace's life was mainly her library and Bea's friendship, but she also found her reading soulmate and love in First Lieutenant Daniel Patrick O'Sullivan, know to his friends as Red. He was a Yank whose plane was shot down close to Jersey, and he had been hiding on the island since, attempting to evade the Germans. It was dangerous for them to be together on the island, but they couldn't resist each other...until there was eventually hell to pay. Bea was totally different from Grace, yet they were the best of friends. She was in love with Jimmy, Grace's brother, but it wasn't meant to be, and Bea was brokenhearted. There were consequences which she had to deal with, along with her postal duties. She was angry and had to do something to thwart the Germans and also save friends and neighbors from informants. When things came to a head for Bea and Grace with the Germans, we discover just how strong and resilent women and friendship can be. There were numerous supporting characters, but my favorites by far were Red and Queenie, Bea's mother. I spent almost half the book in ugly tears, which is a sure sign of a wonderful story in my eyes. There was horror, but there was also happiness and love. One thing that I particularly loved in this book was that each chapter began with a banned book. It tied everything together beautifully. At the end of the story, the author shared fascinating history of Jersey and its people. Not only was the occupation real, but many characters were based on actual people. That was absolutely fascinating to me. She shares stories of the fates of islanders who resisted, and they are not happy tales. There are, too, some joyous outcomes. Tales of bravery abound. Ms. Thompson even shared a recipe for Bean Crock, an island specialty. She also recommended additional books about Jersey if you wish to learn more, and places to visit there. This is definitely a must-read book for those who love reading and history. Don't pass this one by.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson is a historical fiction set in Jersey, an island during World War II. Bea and Grace, who are best friends, live on the islands and are finding their own ways to oppose the German regime.

Grace is a librarian, and Bea works as a postal employee. Grace tries to cheer the whole community with books, whereas Bea tries to help the islanders. Both of these women show immense courage to fight all odds. However, with the Wolf at the threshold, how long are they safe?

The author's notes at the end of the book are just worth reading this story. Based on some real-life characters, this book just shines. I immensely enjoyed this book. Every chapter starts with a title of a banned book, and the censorship of today coincides with that period. It definitely leaves a question, is seeking knowledge a bad thing or a threat.

Thank you, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for this book.

CW: war trauma, ptsd

“If a book is medicine, then a librarian is the medic, dispensing books like prescriptions to soothe a tattered soul.” Living under five years of Nazi occupation on the Isle of Jersey residents struggled and morale was down. The Nazi’s took so much from them, but they didn’t take their library. Books became an escape and the library became a lifeline. Following best friends Bea, a postal worker and Grace, a librarian, we experience their ups and downs. Their every day acts of resistance show that even in darkest of time humanity will rise up. The book, pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down. I have read a lot of WWII historical fiction, but really enjoyed learning about what happened on the Isle of Jersey. Thanks to Netgalley for the book to review.

St. Heiler, Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel, becomes occupied during the WWII. Over many years, the way of its people is transformed in order to survive.

Best friends Grace and Bea have endured, resisted and lost love in their efforts to remain with their families. Grace, the local librarian, keeps banned books hidden, and begins a book club for the residents where she read stories. Bea works at the Royal Post, and begins to intercept mail from the islands residents to the Germans of outlawed items, outing their fellow neighbors.

This is a story about friendship, bravery, compassion, selflessness and a community built on books. Don't skip the authors note. Thompson's in-depth research in based on actual individuals and events with accompanying photos. The island's isolation from the mainland, during German Rule, is harrowing.

Thank you, Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

I have read other novels about the occupation of the Channel Islands and how people suffered from hunger and loss. The Wartime Book Club has many similarities to other novels about this period of time. I am a big fan of historical fiction and of how reading changed the lives of those who endured so much during the Nazi occupation the Channel Islands. The nazi determination to censor books and all other kinds of reading material was an especially destruction choice. As Kate Thompson makes clear in The Wartime Book Club, books help people escape the loss of freedom, food, and loved ones.

The characters in The Wartime Book Club are a vast assortment of personalities. Not all are good people, and unfortunately, Thompson does not devote much time to these characters. I understand the urge to devote content to telling the lives of those who worked so hard to save their neighbors and friends, but knowing more about those who were not so good helps to create a fuller picture of the times. Yes, some people did write letters turning in their neighbors for rewards, but we don't get to know any of those people very well, if at all. We only know they wrote letters. It took a long time to get to the creation of the book club, and the first part of the book was slow, but once the book club is created, the novel moves along much faster.

I did enjoy this novel and do recommend it. I thank the publisher, Forever, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you like reading historical fiction, especially historical fiction based on true events for you and are wondering if you should read this book, the answer is YES!

This is a hefty book at over 500 pages, but it only took me 2 days to read the whole thing. It's that good! I love historical fiction books especially because they take a lot of time spent researching the way things were back in those days, and then you base it on actual events, and I am hooked!

This book takes place during the Nazi invasion of The Isle of Jersey during WW2. The main character is the sole librarian on the island where they live and she is on a mission to save all of the books that the German's have banned before all of the soldiers arrive and destroy them all. Her and her best friend do everything they can do to help boost morale in their area during these dark times.

A story of friendship, bravery and resilience, this story highlights just how difficult this time in history was for people and how they overcame those times, especially while feeling cutoff from the rest of the world on a remote island.

I was provided this book from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review. Thank you so much for providing me this opportunity!

Also, please make sure to read the author's note at the end of the book. This is where the author explains which characters and events were real. This is truly one of the best WW2 era books that I have read.

An altogether heartbreaking and heartwarming story of love and loss, enduring friendship, difficult decisions and new beginnings in the backdrop of WWII. Readers will enjoy this story centered around books and their ability to bring community together during the darkest of times.

**Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson is a beautifully written, richly evocative story.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a beautifully done novel with a great premise.
The characters were well thought out and their situations were put together and resolved well.
The book grabbed me right from the start, I quickly read it and was very satisfied with the way the book wrapped up the styoryline. Great storyline and well written, characters came to life and the story held my attention.
The plot was what I was hoping for when I saw the description and it works great as a historical novel. I can't wait to read more from Kate Thompson.

Thank You NetGalley and Forever for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All of the opinions are my own. Thank you Forever and NetGalley!

The book is interesting. It is slow for me at first, but it started to get more interesting in the middle of the book. Set in the island of Jersey during WWII under the occupation of Nazi Germany. Some of the characters are good. Grace is a librarian (I think of working at the library would be nice) and Bea is a post office worker. The downside is that there are some parts of the story that make me sad (tears). Overall, I like this book. All about survival, friendship, companionship, tragedy, and of course... book club. I would say that Kate Thompson did a great job on researching the historical events and people for this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A well-researched novel that I learned a lot from. It’s beautiful yet sad and an amazing story to read.
I liked the dynamics between each of the characters and they all brought something to the story. Highly recommend this!

This book covered an interesting topic but felt scattered most of the time. Also, some of the language felt unnecessary and out of character. Overall, I felt like this book was trying to do too many things.

*thank you to NetGalley and Forever for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my review*

My favorite thing about Kate Thompson’s work is the realism baked into her settings and characters. Her research and investment into the lives and histories of real people shine through in her work every time. And if it doesn’t just reach out and touch your soul…where is your humanity? I cried and cried my way through this bookish book. It was beautiful.

Grace and Bea are incredible protagonists who go through the unthinkable during WWII on the island of Jersey. Both working women, and both pursuing their own ways of making a difference during the war. Their friendship is so touching. I didn’t immediately feel connected to their characters or initially understand why they were best friends, but as the story progressed I became so invested in their lives and the success of their endeavors.

While this story, like many other WWII stories centers on keeping hope alive, Thompson particularly tackles how we as humans respond when we are surrounded by lack and fear and pain. War does something to the human soul, and Thompson’s delicate but honest treatment of the realities of war are stirring. I dare you to read this book and be unmoved.

I love stories that feature courageous women doing hard things. If you are a fan of WWII fiction, this is not a lighthearted story, but it is a very good one, and I recommend it wholly. Generally speaking, I have mixed feelings about epilogues…the one in this book is no exception. But reading Thompson’s notes at the end is always the icing on the cake for me. Be sure not to skip them! They are worth it!

Bea and Grace have been best friends since childhood. Bea was engaged to Grace's brother Jimmy until he was killed by the Nazi's in an attempt to escape the Isle of Jersey. Bea works in the Post Office and Grace is the head librarian. The Nazi's have occupied the island placing a curfew, getting rid of the Jews and removing/burning many books in the library, that the third Reich finds offensive. After Jimmy is killed Bea works to thwart the Germans, by opening their mail and warning residents who have been turned in for having radios and unauthorized livestock or who are hiding people. Grace shelters a downed American pilot and falls in love with him. Grace starts a book club at the library, which does much to lift the spirits of the population. Eventually the Nazi's shut it down. The leader of the Nazi Army on Jersey, the Wolf, watches Grace and Bea very closely. Eventually, Bea is arrested and Grace sacrifices herself for her friend. This is a fictional historical novel which does a great job depicting life under Nazi occupation.

This is a powerful, entertaining, emotional read. Grace and Bea are interesting, intriguing, complex, wounded, entertaining, relatable characters. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment – there are all kinds of characters in this story. Thompson writes her story with a deft hand that manages to have the reader both feeling the characters’ pain and wanting to shake them. Without going into great detail, the reader is sucked into what the world on Jersey during the occupation and what Grace went through during her imprisonment. I loved the nod to the main characters in The Little Wartime Library 😊. This book took me on an emotion ride – I laughed, cried, cheered, and got angry. The book and its word are easy to get into.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! The start was a little slow but once I got into it, I got really attached to the characters. The story is told from two POV's; Grace, the town's librarian, and Bea who works at the post office. When the island is occupied by the Germans, everything changes for both of them. Both women help out the resistance in their own ways with a cast of amazing supporting characters. I fell in love with all of the residents of the island. I felt all the emotions while reading this book. It was sad, funny, inspiring and heartbreaking all at the same time. The ending wrapped things up well and I enjoyed the epilogue as well. The author's note at the end provided so much context on the storyline as well as the individual characters and who they were based on. I highly recommend reading this book!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson is a captivating adventure filled with historical authenticity. The characters and setting are vividly brought to life through descriptive narrative, enhanced by meticulously researched historical details. Thompson's storytelling immerses readers in a richly detailed world, making for a truly engaging and informative read.