This book was wonderful!!! I honestly felt like I was a part of the community. This book showed me again, the spirit of the people of the Channel Islands during the war.

I loved this one about a little known part of history. The story gives you Potato peel pie society vibes . It is well researched and plotted and filled with good history tidbits

What a history lesson. While the book story itself is a good read, the history lesson afterwards is chock full of actual people and events. The Channel Islands were invaded by the Germans during WW2. Their occupation was cruel and harsh. However, some of the islanders found ways to resist. That story is remarkable. If you enjoy reading about WW2, this is a good book for you!

In a crowded genre, this book stood out as a unique and compelling both in the subject matter and in the writing. I have only learned relatively recently of the plight of the Channel Islands in the war so was eager to read more about it. This book gave the most detailed and compelling glimpse that I have yet seen into what it may have been like during that time period, including the fear, privation and suspicion among people living there. It was a page-turner with strong, complete and complex characters; and I like that it did not shy away from *slight spoiler* setbacks or bad outcomes for the characters. It gave a more realistic feel to the story than do other books set during the war.

The Wartime Book Club is a WWII historical fiction novel in one of my favorite genres. Based upon a true story of Nazi occupied Jersey during WWII. Local postal worker (Bea) and librarian (Grace) start the Wartime Library Book Club and eventually take on acts of resistance in an attempt to preserve and protect their island home and support their brutalized community. Facing food shortages, battling illness without medications and living with the ravages of war they keep meeting and planning acts of resistance. Even facing Nazi reprisals, they secretly hide prisoners. Romance also plays a part in the story.
Reminiscent of another book in the genre, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society".
Thank you for the opportunity to read the complimentary arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an advance copy of The Wartime Book Club. I have read lots of historical fiction taking place during WW2. And stories with a book thematic. This book is a real standout by having the Book Club, for each chapter starting with a fact on a book that was banned and the power of books. This also is a good reminder, to NOT have books banned. It's up to the reader what they choose.
The is the powerful story of both Bea and Grace, being strong female leads each in their own right. Standing up for what they believe in and the sacrifices they do for their friends and families.
This is the first book I have read during this time period that takes place on this small island of Jersey in the U.K. Interesting learning about the small community and what they went through during the war.
I highly recommend this book.

I had the extreme pleasure of reading and reviewing Kate Thomason’s book THE LITTLE WARTIME LIBRARY and was very happy to be sent a digital copy of THE WARTIME BOOK CLUB for review now.
I am a huge fan of historic fiction ,especially that dealing with the subject of World War II and this precious book did not disappoint either.
German occupation has taken possession of the two, although quite different, friends on the island of Jersey, a British dependency near the coast of France. Two two friends put their on lives in jeopardy by helping others through the power of books. It is a beautiful story.
I was also particularly intrigued by the fact that each chapter begins with the name of a book that had Bern banned by The Nazis and the “reasons” behind that particular decision.
I truly loved this book!
Thank you to Net Galley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me the pleasure of this book.

This is a fairly standard World War II novel centered on the Channel Island of Jersey during it’s German occupation. It follows two women, Grace, the town librarian and Bea who is engaged to Grace’s brother. Like all war novels, there is a lot of tragedy and suffering which is done well in this book. I liked how each chapter began with a book and the reasons that it was banned by the Nazis. The focus on books as an escape and a resistance was my favorite part of this story. The dialogue, however, is often awkward which is why I didn’t rate this book as high. Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel but it ranks probably close to the middle of World War II fiction. I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Set in WWII during the Occupation in the Channel Islands, we meet Bea and Grace; two best friends in their early 20's right after the Germans invade their idyllic island. This is a cast of characters type story - even though the POV switch between Grace and Bea, we really meet a lot of the residents of the island and see how the library and the post office are central to their daily lives.

Grace has always been the pragmatic and level headed of the two; Bea is impetuous and more risk taking. Both have secrets they are keeping from the other throughout the story, doing what they need to to get themselves through the war.

I'm noticing a pattern with these ode to book type stories I have read recently where really the sentiment is expressed with such saccharine love and prose that those few lines get you out of the story a bit, but overall this was a wonderful read. Don't let the cover deceive you - this isn't a wartime cozy where everything ends up rosy. There is death and heartbreak and I cried more than once. But there is also salvation and honor and moments of love and laughter and hope.

What I particularly loved was the beginning of each chapter started with one of the books banned by the Nazi's, and the reasoning behind it. At the end of the story there is also a lengthy write up about the real people many of the characters are based on that is extremely interesting. In the ARC digital version, all of this information is after the Reader's Guide which I hope gets switched around - I find often times people don't read the Reader's Guide questions and close the book, assuming that's the end.

I imagine the people of Jersey will be proud of the tribute Thompson has given them in this story. Recommended.

If you love historical/woman’s fiction with a splash of romance-then this is the book for you. The characters are either inspired by or based off real people that lived on the island of Jersey during WWII. The beginning was a little hard for me to get into, but once I did I just had to keep going and know what happened to Bea and Grace. Seeing their friendship go through the trials and tribulations of not just being young women but during a war cutoff from everything is endearing and makes you feel bad about complaining about your simple problems. These girls not only loose a lot, but their lives are put on the line when they choose to help others and rebel in whatever way they can against the Third Reich. I was just sobbing the last few chapters and they are completely gut wrenching. It’s sometimes mind boggling that people actually lived or died through this and that these events actually did happen. The author did a great job with the research and the writing so it was very historically accurate with the events and places in the book. I’m an avid reader of anything WWII (my grandfather was a veteran in it) and Holocaust Studies (it’s actually what I almost got a Master’s in) so I can appreciate the time and effort the author put into this book. There is a big section in the back of her research for the book so you are more informed about the characters and the events of the story.

Thank you net galley for an advanced copy. I greatly enjoyed this book! 5 star historical fiction read for me! It was fast paced and kept my attention. Don't skip the author's note at the end. Thompson writes of real life Channel Island events and people that were portrayed in The Wartime Book Club. I have her other novel The Little Wartime Library on my bookshelf that I am excited to now read.

I thought the plot was interesting and the beginning started off great, but I felt like it lost its intrigue as it went on.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ebook ARC of this book. I wasn’t able to read it because the writing style jarred too much, however, I’m sure the story itself is quite good. I just couldn’t get past the present tense.

“Truth is irrepressible.” This wise saying takes on many meanings in this stirring tale of courageous resistance during WWII. Books can be censored, but ideas cannot. Decisions that begin as secrets become actions, which ultimately come to light, for better or worse. I admire Grace and Bea’s deep, sisterly friendship, yet even they find it difficult to be candid with each other at times. It’s a heartbreaking book to read because of the senseless violence and cruelty of Jersey’s Nazi occupiers, but also heartwarming to see the love and sacrifice of many of the islanders. I could identify with the “escape” they found in reading and the importance of their library. I recommend this book to anyone who likes well-researched historical fiction with complex characters and deep emotional threads. Warning: there is some realistically raw language. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, but was not required to post a review.

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson is set in occupied Jersey, during WWII and based on true events. The novel focuses on Grace, a librarian and Bea, a post woman, lifelong friends and opposites who share a wonderful bond, who each in their own way support the resistance movement in Jersey. This book highlights the importance and power of books and libraries, as even in the ugliest of times. In The Wartime Book Club books and the local library brought people together and they gave them a way to escape. Each chapter started by highlighting a book that had been banned by the Nazi’s and the reason for the ban, which was a beautiful touch.

For anyone who has read the author’s previous book The Little Wartime Library there is a reference to this book which was a nice surprise.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

The story follows Grace and Bea, two opposites and lifelong friends who balance each other and help each other maintain sanity during a dark period. Wartime fiction is always fascinating, particularly when the author is able to take real-life events and work them into the story, helping the reader to learn a bit as well as be entertained. The ladies deal with a library that has recently been purged, but also wanting to bring a bit of spirit and light to their community. It's a story of resiliance. We do get to see Grace and Bea's life after the occupation, leaving the reader with a satisfying conclusion. One of my favorite parts about this book is the extra information from the author's research, including stories from people who actually lived through the occupation, and how that was incorporated into the fiction.

A big, big thank you to NetGalley, Alli Rosenthal, Publicist for The Wartime Book Club, and
Forever & Grand Central Publishing for the privilege of reading Kate Thompson's newest historical fiction novel - The Wartime Book Club.

During humanity's darkest hours it is the power of books to help one escape from the throes of inhumanity. This is exactly what Grace, librarian in the Channel Islands, has done for her faithful patrons of her beloved library. It is truly a wonderful story of community, camaraderie, and friendship in a world otherwise gone mad.

Thank you, Alli Rosenthal, for bringing this book to my attention.

I found immense joy in this book! Every time I had to set it aside, I eagerly anticipated returning to its captivating narrative. Set against the backdrop of Jersey during the Occupation, the story draws inspiration from true events, incorporating real individuals into its fictional tapestry. At its core are Grace and Bea, lifelong best friends whose dynamic personalities undergo a profound transformation when confronted by the challenges of wartime.

Grace, the quiet book enthusiast working in the library, finds solace in her dreamy nature. On the other hand, Bea, brimming with mischief and a penchant for pranks, drags Grace into her escapades. The German invasion dramatically alters their carefree existence, prompting a shift in their very identities. The once-lively days of fun and reading are replaced by the harsh realities of life under occupation, as the Germans purge the library of what they consider objectionable material.

The ensuing narrative poignantly unfolds the cruelty and brutality of living under occupation, juxtaposed with the resilient spirit of those who stood united, sheltering escapees and maintaining morale during the darkest days. The presence of informers introduces an element of caution, highlighting the delicate nature of trust in such turbulent times.

While the story carries a weight of sadness, it paradoxically uplifts the reader. The concluding chapters offer a poignant glimpse into the post-Occupation lives of Grace and Bea, providing a satisfying resolution to their journey. As an avid reader, I appreciated the enlightening portrayal of how books served as a source of solace during such tumultuous times. If there's a minor critique, it would be my desire for a depiction of the capture of the Germans on Liberation Day, especially witnessing 'The Wolf' brought to justice before the very people he terrorized.

The book's conclusion features a wealth of information, including insights into the author's research, real-life stories from the Occupation, and references to websites and books for readers interested in delving deeper into the subject. In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a compelling narrative with well-crafted characters, both virtuous and flawed.

This book took place in the 1940s, with the German occupation. The historical background is right on target.it tells the story of determination, strength, and character. I love how each chapter started with a banned book and description. This is is a thought-provoking, very well-written book.

This is officially the first book to make me cry in 2024. What a moving novel of resilience, resistance, and the power of books.

Under Nazi occupation during WWII, residents on the Isle of Jersey find quiet ways to resist and subvert the German soldiers ruling over them. Bea works in the post office and uses her position to intercept letters informing on forbidden actions of her fellow islanders, doing what she can to warn anyone in danger’s path. Grace is the island librarian taking care to deliver books to her patrons and protecting banned books by keeping them hidden. Together, they form a Wartime Book Club to offer a community space for escapism. However, the longer the Nazi forces are present, the more dangerous the covert resistance efforts become.

I was so moved by the stories told in this book, of which I had no prior knowledge. Above all, the love and bond of friendship between Grace and Bea was endless and beautiful. The courage and sacrifice they both showed in the face of devastating loss and horrific conditions was admirable, as was that of the rest of the islanders who stood up to the oppression with their own quiet strength and acts of defiance. The spirit of the community was bent but not broken. There were love stories in all forms told throughout this book, some with happy endings and others ending in tragedy. Each one was powerful in its own right.

The most universal love story told throughout the book is the power of books themselves. As someone who frequently turns to the escape that a good novel can provide, this one was a true testament to the light they can provide when life can be incredibly dark. They stand the test of time and efforts to silence. An exchange between Bea and Grace from the book sums it up best (subject to change since this is an ARC) “‘Wars will come and go…’ ’But the library remains.’”

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.