"The Wartime Book Club" by Kate Thompson is a heartwarming and poignant novel set against the backdrop of World War II, exploring the power of literature and community during tumultuous times. The story follows a group of diverse characters in a small English town who come together to form a book club as the war rages on, finding solace and connection in their shared love of reading.

Thompson’s writing is evocative and richly detailed, immersing readers in the era while highlighting the struggles and resilience of those living through the war. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing their own unique perspectives and experiences to the group. Their discussions about the books they read serve as a vehicle for deeper conversations about hope, love, and loss, making the novel both uplifting and reflective.

The book beautifully illustrates the role of literature as a means of escape and understanding, providing comfort in dark times. Thompson deftly weaves in historical details that enhance the narrative, creating a vivid sense of place and time that enriches the characters’ journeys.

Overall, "The Wartime Book Club" is a moving tribute to the strength of community and the enduring impact of stories. Kate Thompson has crafted a compelling and emotionally resonant novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate tales of resilience, friendship, and the transformative power of books. This novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone looking for a heartfelt story that celebrates the human spirit.

I loved the author’s previous novel, so seeing this release made me giddy! I love books about books and libraries. This one is perfect for September Banned Book Week reading, leading readers to many titles that have been banned during WWII. I love all the extra details at the beginning of each chapter. There are some things I wish weren’t the typical storyline, but it seems used so often that it must have been a common situation during the time. This book will help readers connect with some of the fights librarians have to keep books on the shelves for all readers. The audiobook is well read with slightly different voices for the characters which is enjoyable. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Another in a chalk full genre and yet it stood out as I connected with the characters and was emotionally drawn to their plight.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC and ALC of this book

As it's obvious I am a huge book lover so reading the title I was instantly interested in this book as well as I am a huge fan of a good-written historical literary fiction novel, & this book did not disappoint at all & was a wonderful read full of details and characters that you will become emotionally attached too.

This story is about WW2 & a book club that gave so much hope, happiness, passion and strength to a community controlled by the appearance of the Germans Nazis using their home town as a place to build a Base stand hold. The Book club had to be secret because the Nazis/German soldiers banned books finding them a threat to what they were trying to achieve ( Limiting the knowledge and education to hear the truth & also to see the world beyond what they wanted it to be perceived as).

As we go through each chapter they all start with talking about a banned book and why at the time it was banned, & I found this interesting and so informative - as we go through each character not only do we see how important books were to this community but how strong, resilient and powerful everyone was as well in there own ways & doing what they can to build each other. The Library for all this becomes a central hub and a crucial part of planning, community interaction and being able to leave where they were to escape for a little while into the words of pages showing throughout history how important books have always been when it comes to escapism we all crave but also for so much we learn from books 📚.

The characters were so well-written drawing me in and even in the later chapters two characters reuniting made me cry a little ( it takes a lot to make me tear up for a book and this one achieved it).

At the end of the book as well we are also given so much information about where the idea of this book came from and where the characters she has were based on real people who did what they could to do what's right even though it cost them their love and freedom but all known as heroes.

I suggest this book so much and I am buying this book and will be a reread on my shelves

This is one of the longest audiobooks that I have ever listened to, but it’s never drag! What an intriguing and inspiring book!

It happened during the wartime. The story plot was different from other historic fiction which about ww2. The relationship between the characters, the books and everything will make you (as a bookwormer) love this book.

I kept listening to a chapter after a chapter. The narrator had a great voice and the way she presented different characters made the story really worked!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Apr 9, 2024

An inspiring, unforgettable story based on true events, set on the Isle of Jersey during the German occurring. A story of friendship, loss, love, bravery, camaraderie and strength. Humorous in parts and hope without the pages. The Wartime Book Club is a well written novel that reminds you of the power of books, they can take you away and sooth the sole. Twists and drama filled pages keeps you glued. I learnt so much as it was narrated to me. A highly recommended book with a heartwarming and perfect ending.

I would like to thank Hachette Audio and Forever, along with NetGalley, the author and narrator for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheWartimeBookClub #NetGalley

Such a great historical fiction! A beautiful story of friendship and bravery, set on a small island in WW2. I was extra blown away that this amazing story was based on true events. The heroism of these friends is one story not to be missed. Thank you Net Galley and Hachette Audio for this ARC.

I listened to this one. The story was good. I enjoy WW2 books, and this didn't disappoint in stories of tyranny, hatred and just plain mean people. It tells about a community that stuck together. It tells about the importance of books. each chapter tells about a banned book and why Germany said it was not to be available or verrboten. It has a couple love stories woven in. It's a story of community and survival in a terrible situation. The narrator did an excellent job. the characters were able to be told apart from each other. I did listen to it at 2x the speed. If you like historical fiction and WW2 stories, pick this one up. Thank you netgalley and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to listen.

The Wartime Book Club
Written by Kate Thompson
Narrated by Imogen Church

Historical fiction ~ World War II ~ Isle of Jersey ~ Nazi occupation ~ Books ~ Friendship ~ Censorship ~ Heart-wrenching ~ Joy of reading ~ Well-defined cast of characters ~ Hope ~ Destruction ~ Evils of war ~ Love ~ Bravery ~ Strong women ~ Picturesque locale ~ Romance ~ Resilience ~ Based on real events ~ Audiobook ~ Excellent narration ~ Well-researched ~ Interesting author notes ~ Highly recommended

Thank you to Kate Thompson, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an advance review copy. All opinions are mine.

My rating is 4/5.

I enjoyed this audiobook a lot. For me, the story’s pace was slow at times. Beyond my personal preference I had a good time while listening to the book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me listen to an advance copy of this.
I did not finish the audiobook. I liked the setting of the book but I didn’t like the narration so I just couldn’t get into it. One of the few books that I’ve started and didn’t finish. I’ll try to read the book itself at some point because I do like Kate Thompson’s other books and her writing style.

"The Wartime Book Club" was an inspiring and enlightening look at the Nazi occupation of the Isle of Jersey. Extensively researched and thorough in its depictions, I often felt like I was right there in the story. But given the subject matter, that wasn't always a good thing since it made for a very intense read.

That said, the story was very well-written and the heroic characters were engagingly human in the midst of inhumane circumstances. I especially enjoyed Bea and Grace's friendship and how it carried them throughout the years.

This is the first time I've listened to a historic novel that included almost two hours of bonus content related to the research for the book and sharing the inspiration behind each of the characters and situations. That added even more depth to the story, although it did feel a bit excessive too. Some readers will thoroughly love it, and others may find it unnecessary to their enjoyment of a story that is heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring in equal measure.

Thank you to Kate Thompson, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

A lot of research went into this book and it was interesting seeing all the information of a different slant on the war. I expected a bit more on the actual book club but what there was held my interest. The book was very long and I think it could have been condensed and still provide the same information but it was well worth reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Stars
Happy publication to Kate Thompson and The Wartime Book Club! Thank you to @katethompsonauthor and Forever ( @readforeverpub ) for allowing me to read a gifted physical copy of this book for an honest review!

Thank you to the author, Hachette Audio ( @hachetteaudio ) and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to listen to this book for an honest review! The audiobook is narrated by Imogen Church.

📅 Yesterday (March 9, 2024) was the pub date for The Berlin Letters. Be sure to pick up a copy from your local bookstore or Amazon! 📅

Wow! This book was easily a five star read for me! It was written so well and beautifully illustrates the importance of books, libraries, activism, and kind people during the German occupation. It also captures the meaning of true love and the determination to survive especially when all the odds are against you.

There are twists and surprises sprinkled throughout the storyline that follows best friends Bea and Grace, local postmaster and librarian. An absolute must read for lovers of Historical Fiction!

Uniuqe story told from the perspective of a librarian on an island during ww2. Beautiful loves stories were depicted through audio narration. Neurodivergence during the war through a young character was included, which is not seen much in novels during this time period.
The audio book was well done and a great way to experience the story.

"The Wartime Book Club" by Kate Thompson offers a poignant portrayal of friendship and resilience amidst the backdrop of World War II.

This book had a lot of good information and interesting storyline in it but it was just so long! I remember thinking I was probably close to the end and then finding out I was only 25% in. This could definitely have been condensed and still had the same information.

The Wartime Book Club ~WWII historical fiction novel that takes place on the Isle of Jersey during their five years of Nazi occupation.
I loved a book about a librarian hiding banned books and helping her community survive hard times through the joys of reading.

When family, friendship, love, loss, strength in the face of great loss.

Great on audio you felt like your were living the story.
Thank you NetGalley for another amazing advance audiobook!!

Five-Star Read

This is one of those stories that will stick with me for a long time. We all know the horror stories about World War II, but precious few of us know the stories of individual or communal acts of resistance. This is one of those stories.

After being told to destroy all books that have been deemed forbidden by the Nazi occupiers, Grace, the head librarian, goes to extreme lengths to not only hide the forbidden books, but to continue to distribute them to those in her community. She even provides books for her Jewish neighbors who are in hiding. Books provide a way of escape for those who can no longer walk freely and they provide a sense of community for those who are living under the rigors of occupation.

Bea, her best friend, uses her position as a postal worker to warn her neighbors that they’ve come under the suspicion of their occupiers. She does this at great risk to herself and her family, but her sense of loyalty to her community is worth the risk.

The characters are well developed and sympathetic. What I appreciated most about the characters is that they show growth — their core stays the same, but, over time, they either toughen or soften as needed, without compromising their values. Both Bea and Grace have a strong sense of right and wrong, and they use their beliefs to challenge each other, provide cover for each other, and support each other.

Some of the topics that Thompson dealt with in this novel are some that I haven’t run across in previous World War II historical fiction: abortion, book banning, restriction of medical services, and more. For example, there’s Peter {I’m sure I’m spelling his name differently than it’s spelled in the book — part of the negative of listening to a story rather than reading it}, who is autistic. He’s treated as a valuable member of the community by the islanders and plays a vital role in maintaining some sense of normalcy for those in the occupied territory. Thompson also references others in the community who would’ve been targeted by the Nazis: single mothers, members of the LGBT community, etc.

There’s also a host of supporting characters who provide humor, romance, and intrigue. Red, the American who loves books as much as Grace. The postal workers who tease Bea mercilessly, but love her unconditionally. Then there are the Bea and Grace’s mothers, who are left to deal with their individual grief while remaining strong for their families.

Last, but not least, this book is testament to the importance of libraries and books to their communities. Those who would ban book or censor ideas are never on the right side of history. Pay close attention to what is going on in your communities, support your libraries, speak up when you hear your librarians being maligned, read banned books, and call out injustice.

Narration

I cannot express how much I enjoyed listening to Imogen Church. Her narration was expressive and heart felt. There were a lot of characters for her to voice and she was able to provide enough distinction that it wasn't overly difficult to tell when one character ended and another started. And this was no easy feat, given she voiced characters of different genders, ages, and nationalities. Her reading style and narration voice {not character voice} was soothing, bordering on relaxing, which says a lot given the subject matter.

I'd definitely listen to an audiobook narrated by Imogen Church again and would recommend her to those who are new to audiobooks.

Recommended For

Book clubs, naturally, and anyone who has a love of historical fiction or novels where women's relationships are centered.

The Extras

Just when I thought the story had ended, Kate Thompson provided a treasure trove of additional resources for this novel. She talked about the people she interviewed for this story and shared bits and bobs about the meals she ate. And, oh the list of books, all while listening to the story, I kept reminding myself that I wanted to go back and write down the titles of some of the books that were mentioned, but Kate saved me the tedium of the listen and pause by providing an abbreviated reading list. She also talked about the lost art of letter writing {letter writing plays a significant role in this story}, and I found it fascinating {years ago, I was an avid letter writer}.

Trigger Warnings

Censorship, discussions of abortion, violence, and, of course, reference to the horrors of Nazi Germany.

The Wartime Book Club is set on the Isle of Jersey and I hadn't read a WWII book told from that area. I also was very intrigued by the title, but the book didn't have much about the book club. The audiobook was very long and I had to push myself to finish it. I didn't care for one of the main characters and that was probably primarily because of the way the narrator portrayed her. I did feel that the book was very well researched. It was just okay for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the advanced digital audiobook for my opinion.