This was everything I wanted — heartfelt, atmospheric, and beautifully written. The second chance romance was perfection, unfolding in a way that felt both realistic and deeply emotional. I was completely swept up in the setting, the bookish charm, and the characters’ journey. Every moment felt intentional, and I loved watching the past and present intertwine. An absolute gem of a read!

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

a solid historical-fiction story! i loved seeing how the storylines came together, and overall it was delightful and uplifting.

This is one of the most impressive audiobook I have ever read. It’s a slow-burnt, but burnt well story. The relationship of the characters developed well. I was drawn into the story easily.

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

A Captivating and Heartfelt Historical Novel

Kristy Cambron delivers a beautifully written and immersive historical fiction novel in The British Booksellers. Set against the backdrop of wartime Britain, the story masterfully blends history, resilience, and the love of books, making it a compelling read for historical fiction fans.

The characters are well-developed and emotionally engaging, with their struggles and triumphs feeling authentic and deeply moving. Cambron’s descriptive prose brings both the setting and the era to life, creating an atmosphere that fully immerses the reader. While the pacing slows in some areas, the rich storytelling and well-researched historical details make up for it.

Overall, The British Booksellers is a poignant and uplifting novel that celebrates the power of literature and human resilience. A strong 4-star read, perfect for fans of historical fiction with heart and depth!

Another brilliant work by @kristycambron! Y'all, it's just magnificent! I *almost* felt a little bit of Beauty and the Beast vibes mixed with forbidden love, heartbreak, and the Coventry Blitz of WWII. Oh and don't forget the immense personal growth in each of the characters!

As always, Kristy Cambron did a stellar job with her characters, setting, and tales of forgotten history. Words truly don't do this book justice, so you'll just have to believe me when I say it's incredible. 😉

I loved this! It started out a bit slow but as the stories unfolded I quickly became engaged. My favorite thing about this was how the timepieces tied the story together in a way that literally made me cry. Great characters, an intriguing story, and a strong narrator for the audiobook.

Spring 1914: Amos and Charlotte have dreamed of a life together since they were children. But, her role in society is forcing her into a loveless marriage with a future Earl. This love triangle is further complicated by the fact that both these men head off to war, but only one will return.

Autumn 1940: Instead of living out their childhood dream of joint ownership of a bookshop, Amos and Charlotte own rival bookshops and do not interact. He is haunted by what he saw on the battlefield and the scars it left him with, and she is occupied with her daughter and upholding her husband's legacy.

But as war swoops in and disrupts their lives, it causes them to lay aside their past and work together to face the enemy clawing at their door.
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I have gotten to a place where I sometimes have to convince myself to read a historical fiction novel, and this one reminded me of why I still love this subset of the genre. It is filled with raw emotion, and the way the secrets are teased and unveiled throughout the novel were so masterful done, I was constantly intrigued and rooting for each of these lovely characters.

Plus, in the hands of a non-Christian author this could have some very different plot points, but Cambron proves that good stories don't have to contend with the kind of content we want to consume.

This was my first Cambron novel, but will not be my last!

Content Note: Alcoholism, death, war, bombings

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

After several attempts to enjoy this book, I decided to let it go. As a library employee, I enjoy reading many titles that I feel my customers would also like to have available to them. This is one of those that they will enjoy but wasn't for me. Christian fiction with a WWII background. Two young kids who fall in love and find each other as they age. While this is based off a true story, it feels like a story that we have read before of loveless marriages, hoping to find that lost love, dealing with war, continuing a legacy. It will be one added to our library and shared with our customers, but not one that I would find myself suggesting to my friends. Thanks for the free ALC of this title from NetGalley.

Wow! This is my first book by Kristy Cambron but it sure won't be my last! I quickly fell in love with Amos and Charlotte's story...both in 1914 and 1940. They went through so much but thankfully they had such a satisfying ending that made my heart happy.

I read/listened to The British Booksellers and Barrie Kreinik was perfect for this story!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 9 April 2024

Dueling booksellers, historical fiction, WWI and WWII, and Barrie Kreinik narrating. I just had to read it. It took me away to a different time. When they put aside their differences to assist their city during the Blitz, I was enthralled.

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron is a moving historical novel set against the backdrop of both World Wars. It tells the intertwined stories of Amos Darby, a war-scarred bookseller, and Charlotte Terrington, a widow clinging to the remnants of her past, as they navigate love, loss, and the challenges of survival during the Coventry Blitz.

Cambron excels at character development, particularly in the way Amos and Charlotte evolve across the decades. The dual timeline—spanning from the Great War to WWII—offers a compelling exploration of how war changes lives. Although the narrative’s timeline shifts can be confusing at first, the richly drawn characters and vivid historical details make the reading journey worthwhile. A powerful story of resilience, redemption, and the lasting solace found in books!

This was a unique story that weaves between WWI and WWII timelines with lovable characters that endure hard things. The forbidden romance was realistic and beautifully written and I was rooting for the characters. I loved the narrator, but was curious if I would love the physical book more. Only because I was confused at the constant switching of timelines. Overall, it was a great story and I enjoyed it.

Phewwww, I have to swipe the sweat from my forehead for a while.
This book looked live very long to me, though not necessarily uninteresting.
I wanted to like to book very much, I am a fan of anything British and bookish, let alone combined!
But it dragged for me and I have to admit that at times I lost focus on the book and it took me some time to gather the focus back, but then it happened all over once again.

A story of child hood love that returns later in life!
A tenant farmer’s son, Amos Darby and an earl’s daughter, Charlotte Terrington begin an unlikely friendship as children, one that they have to keep from everyone. They are drawn together with the love of books. Later in life they open what becomes rival bookstores and band together during the War. The one thing that was so amazing is how to whole "village" regardless of class came together during the war to help out.

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron and narrated by Barrie Kreinik was a wonderful novel that, while about WW2, it was a fresh story. One of the differences is that this is both an Historical Fiction and a Romance. The aspects that dealt with the war, taught me things I have not ever read before and I always appreciate that.
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I loved the character development in this story! I lay in bed after finishing and pondered the incredible growth the two primary men in this story had achieved. There was so much honor and valor shown. There was hope and redemption. There was such a wonderful ending. I loved this book so much!
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The audiobook was phenomenal! I honestly thought there were two narrators, one for the female characters and one for the male, but no, one person did all the voices and she must have incredible range! I was so glad I had a physical book to go along with the audio. This book jumps timelines and locations, frequently, and even within a chapter. Once I was about 1/3 of the way in, with an immersive read, I could keep the audio straight without the book. I still wanted the book nearby, because there were so many places I wanted to tab. This book was so riveting that I was delighted to have more chores to do so that I could keep listening!
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I am so thrilled I bought this book because it needs to be on my forever shelf!
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Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

This is a historical fiction about battling bookshops during both wars. It includes secret love, betrayal , booksellers and bombs.

When I first started reading "The British Booksellers," it had a slow start, but as I gradually became attached to the characters, the story began to captivate my attention. I particularly appreciated the novel's setting during both the Great War and WWII. Comparing the characters during these two periods and their growth in the time between the wars was truly engrossing. I found myself absorbed in both timelines and intrigued by each character's journey, secrets, misunderstandings, decision-making, and promise-keeping.

Furthermore, the novel effectively revealed an event that had been hidden from people for years, specifically the devastating Coventry Blitz. The detailed description of this historical event added depth and significance to the story.

Overall, I found the novel to be a compelling read with well-developed characters and an engaging storyline. I am thankful to NetGalley for providing me with a free advanced copy of this exceptional novel.

Title: The British Booksellers
By: Kristy Cambron

Genre:
Fiction, Historical, WWII, Christian

Summary/Review:
Amos is a boy raised on a farm, who goes away to war, and comes back a different man. World War I leaves Lady Charlotte a widowed mother responsible not only for her child, but now her late husband’s estate. Amos and Charlotte grew up close friends, until their family and station in life intervened. The two became rival booksellers in the midst of World War II and they find the walls must come down for survival.

This is a dual timeline novel held between 1910 and 1940, I found the transitions between timelines and character point of views, especially at the beginning of the novel to be confusing. I hoped for suspense, a tad more chemistry and overall depth.

Thank you Kristy Cambron, Harper’s Collins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#reluctantreaderreads
#Kristycambron
#thebritishbooksellers
#historicalfiction
#netgalley
#advanced reader editions
#Harperscollinschristianpublishing

This was my first time reading anything by Kristy Cambron. Novels with duel timelines are one of my favorite kinds of books to read. I usually have a hard time following them while listening to an audiobook, but this was done really well. I really liked the flow of this book once I got into it and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing me the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of this novel (audiobook).

Woe a phenomenal story of second chance romance set during the Nazi blitz.

Amos and Charlotte form an attachment that nevers see the light when the Great war looms and changes their life.

Now back from the war, deeply scarred both in and out, Amos and Charlotte own bookshops that are across from each other. When the Nazi airbombing starts, it brings them together with a common goal of protecting those in their small town.

Underlying all the heartache, mysteries and lives is the Earl of Harcourt and how his actions change the paths of those around him.

This book was so well read by Barry Kreinik, the poignant, emotions and romance were well done.

Simply amazing book, glad I change my mind and decided to listen to it.