I would personally recommend starting this book at regular speed or a slower on if you usually listen to books sped up. It is quite well done and the narration is wonderful but there is a lot going on that is essential at the beginning and missing it could make things confusing!

The story itself is just incredible. My heart wept and grieved for what was lost and soared for this second-chance love story that takes place across two timelines. Amos and Charlie’s (Lady Charlotte) story is full of longing, bravery, and heartache. These two were secret childhood friends, who didn’t let the difference in their stations stop their affections from growing. But life and society expectancy did their best to thwart their dreams at every turn, and just as they hoped to make their escape for their love, the Great War ripped them apart. Now 25 years later and another war to face, Amos and Charlotte are at odds as competing bookshop sellers. Charlotte is a war widow and has a grown daughter, while Amos seems intent on staying a grumpy hermit. With the Germans blitzing Coventry nearly daily, Amos and Charlotte must come together to help their community through, and maybe find that their love can bloom again.

I particularly loved the way the author, Kristy Cambron, wove the past and present together. It’s like looking through an old family photo album and hearing all the stories behind the pictures. While the book is mainly about Amos and Charlie, it’s also about Eden, Charlotte’s daughter, and a mysterious American solicitor who threatens everything she holds dear.

The audio narration was magnificent. Barrie Kreinik has a melodic voice and draws you into the story. Many thanks to @kristycambron @austenprose and @thomasnelson for the physical copy of the book and for having me be apart of this tour. Also thanks to @netgalley and publisher for the early audio copy to listen to in exchange for my review.

My friends read this book if you love:
📖 Great War & WWII setting
📖 Downton Abbey/ Upstairs Downstairs/ You’ve Got Mail vibes
📖 Slow Burn/Enduring Love
📖 Rich Historical Details

1914 and 1940 England

Beautifully written time slip novel with both threads set at the beginning of world wars. The cover is lovely and perfect for the story it holds. And a novel with a nod to booksellers...happy sigh.

Amos and Charlotte are the main characters in both threads. In 1914, they are young and in love. Their class differences make their match unlikely, but love isn't boxed in by such constraints. Until it is.

In 1940, Amos and Charlotte are competing booksellers that don't speak to each other. As war once again ravages England, will they get their second chance at love?

Stellar job by narrator Barrie Kreinik. My only complaint is that "1914" sounds so similar to "1940" causing this reader to be initially unclear which time period was starting.

Another winner by the talented Kristy Cambron.

This historical fiction novel taking place in Coventry, England, is full of action, intriguing characters and romance. With events occurring over WWI and WWII this well-researched dual-timeline account leading up to the “Forgotten Blitz” was such a page-turner. I was anxious to see where the multi-generational characters would end up. I appreciated the layers of beautiful language and the clever unfolding of events while also being clean. I will definitely be visiting Cambron’s other writings as soon as possible! The narration of this audiobook was also very appealing with the ability to capture all characters well.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARC.

Edit; I read this amazing story and then listened to it audibly. These are my thoughts on the Audible version. I absolutely loved it. The narrator did a fantastic job. It was like watching a movie in my minds eye as she performed the narration. She handled each character masterfully and brought the book to life for me each word at a time. Well done!!

“Everyone is something to someone. Remember that. The scars we bear should make us more worthy of understanding, not less.”

I absolutely loved this book. Kristy Cambron has written a new classic in historical fiction. This tale of war and love from both the Great War and World War II had me spellbound. Second chance romance, split time periods, mystery, wounded hero, and a strong heroine make this book a must-read. Add in a second romance with a satisfying ending, and it's a 5 star read for me.
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers and this is my honest opinion.

Captivating historical fiction by Kristy Cambron. I enjoyed every minute of "The British Booksellers ". The narration was terrific! I highly recommend this audio book!

A dual timeline epic historical fiction framed by WW I and WWII. Cambron writes strong characters and an ode to the value of books. I have read a lot of WWII historical novels, so I found the historical details rather familiar, however, I am sure for some others this will be new and interesting.


Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an audio ARC.

We glimpse a friendship between Amos and Charlotte from 1908 and follow their stories jumping between 1913/1914 and 1940 during the wars and their ever complicated love story. Charlotte was such a lovely character as well as her daughter Eden. I feel like both were so easy to like and feel empathy for during their own internal battles. Amos is honestly one of my favorite characters from this book. Such a genuine and caring individual from the very first chapter. I loved getting to know his character and also felt so much heartbreak for him. There were plenty of characters who surprised me in how much they were not as they were originally portrayed, which I really enjoyed. The way the book weaved perfectly into each chapter was incredible. Getting little bits and pieces that perfectly get explained within the next chapter in another time period was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. Especially the end, everything gets tied up perfectly with a ribbon—well done!

For the historical aspect of this historical romance book, I loved that there was a lot of well written and a lot of “forgotten” history written into this story. The book was centered around the Leicester Blitz and all that happened leading up to it. The author’s note was very informative and I loved that it was all written into the book.

This book was so entertaining, heartwarming and heartbreaking, and just so well written. I loved the writing style and never had any issues with the timeline.

Last but not least, for the narration of this book, I really enjoyed the pick. Barrie Kreinik had the perfect voice and tone throughout the book to keep me fully immersed in the story.

Wrapped up, I absolutely loved this book and could not stop listening while simultaneously never wanting it to end.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Kristy Cambron for the audiobook.

An engrossing dual-time line story detailing a Coventry, England family's experiences in both WWI and WWII. The harsh social divides that governed British society early in the 20th century gradually erode with the vicissitudes of war(s), and Lady Charlotte's childhood friend and first love is a different man during the blitz bombing from the youth she parted from at the outbreak of WWI. An American lawyer appears with startling information that makes the family examine the stories and ties they thought they understood in a new light, with loyalties and promises being reconsidered. The writing and the narrative (of the audiobook) were well done, except for the occasional annoying pronoun glitches ("Mr. Darby dug us out - you and I both").

This book really snuck up on me. It started off slower and the switching back and forth of years was a little confusing. Once the storyline really got going though, I was drawn in. The story switches between WWI and WWII as the characters experience it, including the Coventry Blitz. Books share an important role in the story and bring those of different stations in life together. The ending of the story really brought everything together and it had a perfect ending.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.

3.5 stars

Such beautiful and easy to listen to narration.

The writing is good. The characters are complex. The way they have to go about their daily life with this constant threat of danger is interesting. However, it did feel like there was just too much to the story and not everything was needed.

I’m also not sure what makes something a Christian fiction so I can’t speak to that but this is a historical fiction based on a mother and daughter trying to keep their estate running during WWII. It is dual timeline and we get to see the mother’s history with their “rival”, who is actually a childhood friend she fell in love with.

There is romance woven with angst and a little bit of mystery.

I really like these historical books. This one is set in WW1 and WW2 and tells the story of Amos and Charlotte. I really liked the interactions and how the real stories where ingrained in the story. It was really telling and is a great read.

The British Booksellers is a fantastic Christian Wartime Romance! Charlotte and Amos are friends in love before the first war begins. Unable to wed, they are torn apart to live separate lives. We follow the timelines of their present as well as their past leading up to the current war. I loved how we gradually received more information about their love. A touching novel that I highly recommend!

YouTube Review: 04/17/24
YouTube Handle: KeenCat

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron is a must read for historical fiction fans.
It is a dual timeline between WWI and WWII. One of the historical things I loved learning more about were the Land Girls and how they did what they could to help with the war effort in their home villages. And I really loved the part of the story about the Christmas Truce, December 25, 1914.
Reading how the soldiers put down their weapons, played football with the enemy, exchange cigarettes and sang Silent Night together were just a few of the miraculous things that took place during that moment in time.
There is a second chance romance between two childhood friends, Charlotte and Amos who find themselves cruelly separated by circumstances.
Then fast forward 25 years and the two are rival Coventry booksellers on the verge of another war. Charlotte, now a war widow, with a full grown daughter who is in charge of a failing estate and Amos, who is her long lost love.
I loved this story depicting the tragedy of war, of loss, love and hope all taking place with characters you grow to love and so many conversations around books in a book store!
Wonderful narration by the amazing Barrie Kreinik.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The British Booksellers takes the reader (or listener) on a journey with the two central characters, Charlotte and Amos, spanning both World Wars. It is a journey filled with secrets, loss and hardships, but also love, forgiveness and endurance. The story reaches a satisfying ending with a profound message that ‘light always overcomes the darkness.’

The author, Kristy Cambron, has done an excellent job of researching the ‘forgotten Blitz’ of Coventry in 1941 and portraying the impact and aftermath through an array of characters. The story is both educational and emotional, as the reader learns not only about the Blitz, but also the Land Girls, the physical and mental trauma of war service, and the way in which civilians united with courage and resilience.

The audiobook narration by Barrie Kreinik is perfectly paced and very skilful - all characters are brought to life so well, whatever the gender, the social class or accent.

Thank you to the audio publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing for an audio copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So, let me start by saying that I was seriously considering DNF'ing this one... It did NOT grab me from the beginning. BUT, that said, I am so happy that I did in fact finish it, as it was terrific!!

Of Note: There are two different timelines going on here. If you take note of that before you start, it will definitely help!! (1915 ish and 1940's)

Lady Charlotte has grown up in riches her whole life. There is nothing she would ever need to want for... but, she forms a friendship with the farmer's son, Amos, and they are friends (and more) for quite some time... There is no way she can ever have anything with him, as he is a no-one....

As time goes on and they are growing up, they make promises to each other...but as we all know, sometimes life can take different paths...and even the promises that we WANT to keep, well, life gets in the way....

Eventually Charlotte marries (well). She has a beautiful home, but nothing like the love she felt with her friend.. Her husband signs up to be in the armed forces and he's off.

But guess who he runs in to while fighting in the war??

Beautiful, gripping tale of life, love, choices, wealth/riches and the poor...as well as family, and all that you will endure for those you love.

This apparently is based on the true story of the Coventry Blitz, and all the terror and destruction it caused to the community...not only buildings, but lives lost, families affected, and hopes and dreams shattered.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsChristianPublishing and #ThomasNelsonFiction for an ARC of the audiobook which has already been released, so you should be able to find now!

#TheBritishBooksellers by #KristyCambron and narrated nicely by #BarrieKreinik.

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This was an amazing book. I like how the main character knew what she wanted and fully went to it with open arms, the fact that Amos chose not to follow through was heartbreaking even though it was because he loved her. I definitely made assumptions about the lawyer and I was very pleasantly surprised to be wrong. Walking through the struggles a soldier goes through after having to face another war was extremely on point and nice to see. I love books and the thoughts behind bookstores at war brought together by an actual war. This story had me on edge and always guessing I am glad the ending was a surprise and not what I had expected and that we weren’t left hanging for what happened years later.

Amos Darby, a tenant farmer’s son, and Charlotte Terrington, an earl’s daughter, strike up an unlikely friendship as children, one that they must keep secret. Both of them share a passion for books and dream of opening a bookstore together. However, due to the circumstances of their lives, they find themselves as owners of rivaling bookshops across the street from one another.

Charlotte ends up betrothed to the future Earl of Harcourt, facing a marriage devoid of true love, while Amos enlists to serve in the Great War. As the narrative progresses, we discover Charlotte’s journey a war widow, tasked with raising her daughter, Eden, single-handedly while dividing her time between her bookshop and trying to help her daughter save her late husband’s declining estate. Amos returns from WWI bearing both physical and emotional wounds, withdrawing into his quaint bookshop and becoming somewhat of a recluse. Gradually, the reasons behind Amos and Charlotte’s rivalry come to light.

With each historical fiction book I read, I learn a little more about a different part of history. <b>The British Booksellers</b> was inspired by real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings. It spans 1908 - 1948 and both World Wars with the primary timelines occurring in 1915 and 1940. It tells the story of the Coventry Blitz of WWII, a series of bombing raids which devastated the English countryside, irrevocably changing the lives of the civilians that lived in Coventry. The author did a great job of showing the long-lasting effects of war both on those that served and the civilians. While I loved the story itself and the characters, what shined throughout was the way the people of Coventry united to help each other through this turbulent period of time.

I enjoyed the audiobook, skillfully narrated by Barrie Kreinik. Her ability to portray various genders was impressive, making it easy to distinguish between the voices of different characters. 4 stars 💫

My dad, a former history teacher, is a military history junkie. When he’s watching yet another WW2 documentary, we always ask him if he forgot who won the war. But when I read something like The British Booksellers, I am reminded of just how much there is to learn that goes well beyond win and loss records. Understanding the lived experience of common citizens during war time is something that can be unpacked from infinite angles. I loved all of the angles that Cambron explored in this text—from the Land Girls to the strategic placement of support Spitfires. Her research was impeccable. She presented a broad understanding of the war effort, but she also distilled it down to a very granular level on the streets and alleys of Canterbury. I loved the element of mystery & am delighted to share that she pulled the wool right over my eyes. I have some voracious readers of historical fiction & feel certain that they will eat up every element of this text.

While I know the print version will suffice, the audio version will elevate their reading experience even more. Conveying the intensity of two world wars from deeply personal perspectives is no small feat, but she did it. She made every character come to life.

I had already read the book version of The British Booksellers. I really enjoyed this audiobook version as well. The narrator did a wonderful job. I l really liked this historical fiction book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the audiobook.