This guy is an auto read for me, no matter what subject. One of my most favorite books is buy him so when I got the chance to read one early, heck yeah!

You wont be disappointed. This book is "set in London in 1944, about a bereaved bookshop owner and two teenagers scarred by the Second World War, and the healing and hope they find in one another."

World war 2 and Holocaust themed books were all I read in my twenties and I am glad I got this one in my 30s. Bladacci does amazing work with his storytelling.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for a review!

Strangers In Time by David Baldacci is a beautiful and timeless story of chance encounters and charming characters with strength, determination and heroism.

I was caught off guard the minute I started this WWII historical fiction! I was not expecting to fall in love with the way Baldacci spun together such a lovely menagerie of characters - the kind from the wrong side of the tracks, the underdogs, those with the kindest souls imaginable. With death and destruction everywhere, this book simply cannot have a tone that is anything other than dark, but Charlie, Molly and Ignatius create light and colour during a very bleak time.

I didn't like how this story wrapped up, the ending coming far too abruptly! Events surrounding Molly's dad came out of nowhere and created such a strange turn. The death of a beloved character really threw me and I'm simply not sure it was necessary to break my heart in this way! Additionally, I longed for a recap from Charlie's perspective, although we do learn who he grew into.

The more I think about this ending, the more one thing truly doesn't add up: I cannot see Molly turning into who she did! I don't believe she would have wanted to get married (and this level-headed, whip-smart girl would not have married who she did). Nothing during her nearly sixteen years of life alluded to a desire to have children; her history, upbringing and drive to become a doctor would outweigh any inkling she may have had to procreate.

This audiobook has a full cast, creating a masterfully immersive experience that indeed felt like getting dropped into this story at ground level. I appreciated that the Author's Note is read by Baldacci, adding background information behind the creation of this story.

With all that said (and feeling the need to clarify), this story gets four stars, with the audiobook literally getting all the stars! This book will forever have part of my heart!

Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, Libro.fm, and Hachette Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

(3.75 stars)
David Baldacci has another standalone novel (great for people who don’t like to get invested in series). This one takes place in 1944 London, in the midst of World War Two. It featured three main characters: Charlie, an almost-14-year-old from the bombed-out East End, living with his grandmother in very dire conditions; Molly, a 15-year-old whose well-to-do family sent her out of London five years earlier, but who has now returned to find London and her family very much changed; and Ignatius Oliver, a widower who runs a bookshop. Through various circumstances, they meet and over the course of the book become like family, amid the horrors of wartime bombing.

I don’t read a lot of World War Two books these days, but since it was David Baldacci, I gave it a whirl, and I’m glad I did. I enjoyed all three main characters and empathized with what they had and were going through. I thought the ending was wrapped up a bit too nicely, but that’s a minor quibble.

I had access to both the print/ebook version and the audio version, and when that happens, I normally bounce back and forth between the two, depending on circumstances. However, in this instance, the audiobook was so wonderful that I basically listened to the entire book. There’s a full-cast consisting of Stewart Crank, Alexandra Boulton, John Lee, Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Lloyd Davies, and Joe Pitts. I have no idea who voiced which characters, but they all combined to bring the story to life beautifully. Baldacci reads an interesting Author’s Note at the end of the audiobook, which is something I always enjoy. Because of the quality of the audiobook, I rated this a bit higher than I might have otherwise.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This was a strong Historical fiction story with great characters. It was written with emotion without feeling super heavy. It was a little slow but worth the time to read.

Synopsis:
This is the story of Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius Oliver, three people who survived a war together that they surely wouldn't have been able to survive alone. Charlie and Molly are teenagers who have very different socioeconomic backgrounds but end up in a very similar situation. Ignatius is a childless, widowed man who takes them in when they have nowhere else to go.

This was a heartwarming story told during a very difficult time in history. It was a powerful lesson in finding strength in others, trusting in the humanity of others and knowing that we are always stronger when connected to those whom we love. I loved the characters of Molly, Charlie and Ignatius and I loved the bond that they formed and the connection that they had. I loved the respect that Ignatius, as an adult, had for Charlie and Molly, who were barely teenagers. He treated them more like equals than children. I felt the pace was a little slow but there was a lot of detail that was necessary to push the story forward. And I appreciated that the ending of the story left no loose ends. It was wrapped up perfectly like the gift that it was.

I DNfed this book because I could not get invested into the story line after a couple of tries. The story did not grip me from the beginning. It was very easy to set aside and not pick up again.

Strangers in Time drops you into 1944 London, where two orphaned teens—Charlie and Molly—cross paths with a grieving bookshop owner, Ignatius. Together, they form a fragile but fierce little trio trying to survive bombs, secrets, and the weight of war.

The best part? The heart. This story is all about unlikely bonds, resilience, and what it means to rebuild when everything feels lost. Baldacci nails the emotional layers—grief, fear, hope—without losing the thread of mystery that keeps things moving. The wartime setting is immersive without being heavy-handed, and while there’s espionage and suspense, it’s the connection between these three that sticks.

If you like historical fiction that focuses more on people than politics, this one’s worth picking up.

Thank you @davidbaldacciauthor, @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for the #gifted ebook arc.

I absolutely loved Strangers in Time. While the story is set during World War II, it doesn't dwell heavily on the war itself—instead, it uses that backdrop to build a compelling, character-driven mystery with a touch of historical intrigue. Baldacci masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth, creating a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive. The time period adds atmosphere, but the real strength lies in the personal journeys and connections between the characters. It's a gripping, thoughtful read that held my attention from beginning to end.

This was a good book. The character development and the story telling were exquisite.
It took me a little longer to get through this book than it usually does, however, only due to the heavier nature of the story and just simply the fact that it is not a typical read for me. The story follows three main characters through the Blitz in London during WWII. The pacing is slow, but good for the type of story it is. The reader’s attention is captured from the beginning and a deep connection to the characters is easy to form. I was invested in Charlie, Molly, and Oliver from the time I met them until the very end of the book. This was my first Baldacci novel and I would gladly pick up more.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction, particularly WWII fiction, and enjoys a profoundly character driven story.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for a digital advanced copy of the book. The opinions given are honest and my own, as well as given freely.

After loving Balducci’s novel last year, I was looking forward to picking this one up. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. I ended up listening to it on audio and I found it hard to follow in some parts on audio, so I was confused quite a bit while reading this one. The book was slow to start, and it took me a while to get into it and even then, I wasn’t usually looking forward to picking it back up like I am with many of the other audiobooks I have listened to. The book was still well written, and I will read more of Balducci in the future, this one was a miss for me.

I love David Baldacci but i am just not a historical fiction person so this one was not for me. I'll patiently await his next one!

This is a stand-alone novel by Baldacci and totally different from any other novels by him. It’s not his usual thriller. Set in London during the Blitz, it follows 3 main characters, Teenagers Charlie and Molly and book shop owner Ignatius Oliver. The 2 children are from different worlds, Charlie poor and living in the East End and Molly from a well-off family living in Chelsea. Charlie is living with his grandmother until she dies and he loses her and his home. Molly had been sent to the country early in the war and returns to her home, learning that her parents are no longer there. Her mother is in a santitorium in Cornwall and her father has disappeared. Only her former nanny is still living in the home. Molly, Charlie and Mr. Oliver form a family of sorts. A good story about the effects of war on the common people.

Strangers in Time is not a typical David Baldacci book and that is a good thing. I am an avid reader of Baldacci's normal thriller/suspense books and was not sure what to expect with Strangers in Time. The character development and historical fiction were both highlights. Three individuals who have no reason to meet help each other survive during the World War 2 bombings of London. An almost 14 year old boy who is poor and then orphaned, a wealthy almost 16 year old girl whose parents have taken off and a bookseller who is a widower, None of these would you expect to find together. Yet the book would not work with out all three. There is so much to learn about London during the war and Baldacci does a terrific job teaching us about all parts. The rich, the poor and the in between. How did people survive and how did they contribute. If you like historical fiction especially 1940's London and if you enjoy intriguing characters you'll love this book.

This is a difficult book for me to review. It's SO different from what I'm used to from David Baldacci, and I had a hard time separating the writing from what I've come to expect from him. Obviously it is a different subject matter, but I still expected some sort of familiarity. Despite that, this was quite enjoyable; the characters were heartwarming and delightful, and while the storyline often felt simple and juvenile, it was still an intriguing story that held my interest. There were areas where the writing was childish, like I was reading a young adult or children's novel, and the ending was rather implausible and over the top, but I did enjoy the final wrap up, and overall would recommend this book.

I love historical fiction that takes place during WWII. This one was a little different and I really enjoyed reading the book. It is a different take than a typical David Baldacci book, but I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are well developed and I loved getting to know Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius (what a great name!). As you travel with them through the pages and experience their loss, anxiety, and need to keep secrets, you will be cheering them on. I enjoyed this particular WWII book because it was not an “in your face” horrors that you typically experience when reading books from that time period. There is angst and fear, but you are able to really connect with the characters and see how they try to handle living during this difficult time. You will experience the meaning of family in the true sense of the word … not by blood but by connections and deep relationships. This one left my heart aching but also encouraged with the knowledge that there are just some decent people in the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult
Fiction
Historical
Historical Fiction
Mystery
Mystery Thriller
Thriller
War
WWII

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Strangers in Time is a refreshing change of pace for David Baldacci—and an absolute triumph. Best known for his pulse-pounding thrillers, Baldacci trades high-tech espionage for wartime Europe, and the result is a deeply human, emotionally rich novel that’s hard to put down.

Set during World War II, this story isn’t just about battles and strategy. It’s about people—flawed, brave, complicated people—thrown into impossible circumstances. Baldacci’s gift for plotting is still here, but this time he leans hard into character. The relationships feel real, the dialogue is sharp, and the stakes are personal in all the right ways.

He doesn’t just recreate the era—he brings it to life with skill and subtlety. The historical detail is vivid, but never heavy-handed. What stands out most is the humanity. The characters are complex and relatable, shaped by war, loss, and hope. His research into mental illness is especially strong, adding layers that feel honest and necessary, not just dramatic.

For fans of WWII fiction, this is a must-read. And for longtime Baldacci readers, it’s proof that even after dozens of books, he’s still full of surprises. I loved it. Oh, and the audio narration is fabulous.

** Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for comps of the eBook and audiobook. The opinions are my own.

Set in WWII Britain, this tells the story of three very different people whose paths cross as they try to survive the constant bombing of London. Strong character development and historical accuracy make this a solid read. This is my first book by the author and I'll definitely read his previously published books.

This is my first David Baldacci book (I'm honestly as shocked as you are) but certainly not my last. I loved getting to read this story of Charlie, Molly, and Mr. Oliver!

Charlie is an impoverished young man living in the East End with his Gran, working under the cover of night to make ends meet. One day, he happens upon The Book Keep, a bookshop who's proprietor is Mr. Ignatius Oliver. Charlie steals from the shop's till, but soon takes the money back after feeling guilty for the theft in the first place.

Molly Wakefield is not yet 16, coming back to her family home in Chelsea after several years away, living in the country where her father hoped to keep her safe during the war. After arriving home where her parents are mysteriously absent, she ventures out hoping to find her father at his workplace, the Ministry of Food. Charlie helps her navigate the unfamiliar streets and thus their bond is formed.

This is a WWII novel, but quite unlike others I've read. To some degree, the found family between Charlie, Molly, and Oliver in this was much different from what I typically read in WWII hist fic books and I really appreciated it. Death was littered throughout and some of them caused me to have to shut the cover and set the book down for a few minutes before continuing through the prose. It was a very emotionally moving novel and, in my opinion, everything Baldacci brought into the plot had it's place in creating the story and the atmosphere. The final few chapters hurt, but the epilogue left me highly satisfied.

David Baldacci is wildly successful and up until now, I had not read any of his books. But I am happy that Strangers in Time was available. His well-told tale of World War II is one of relationships, trust, survival, and struggle among the civilian population of London. There are lies, secrecy, and the ties that bind two young people and an unlikely protector together.

War tears some people apart, and brings others together. This is the premise of Strangers in Time, a historical fiction novel by David Baldacci. Historical fiction is somewhat off the beaten track for Baldacci, but I was glad to see that his thorough character development and sure footed storytelling are very much on display here. Baldacci, of course, is well known for his thrillers, and this is one of a different sort.

In 1944 London, life is upside down. Most residents have lost loved ones, livelihoods, and property, and all have been psychologically scarred by the stress of living in fear that today might bring another air raid. Into this scenario we find Charlie (a savvy street kid who steals and schemes to feed himself and his grandmother), Molly (who, returning after being sent to the countryside for her safety, finds both of her parents missing) and Ignatius Oliver, who cares for his wife’s bookshop after she dies in the war. Normally, these three very different characters would never meet, but the circumstances of the war bring them together, creating a sort of substitute family for which they are all grateful. Of course, each of our characters has secrets. And war is a time where bad things are always waiting around the corner.

While this book is slower paced than some of his books, it has a build that allows us to get to know and care for the characters before the action heats up. I found it a quick read, even though it is lengthy at over 400 pages. Although the drama surrounded the characters, separately and together, keeps you turning pages, my favorite aspect of the book was hearing about how the war affected different types and classes of people. At times, this is visceral, as when Oliver describes how the ground starts to shake when German bombers are nearby. At other times, your heart breaks when people go without food, lose loved ones, and experience other privations without regard to class.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it. Many thanks to Grand Central and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

It doesn’t matter whether you are reading an installment of The Camel Club, Will Robbie, Amos Decker, Attlee Pine or any of his other series or his standalones “A Calamity of Souls”, “Wish You Well” among others - you are going to read a well researched, wonderful piece of writing.
“Strangers in Time” carries on the tradition.

Set during and shortly after “The Blitz” of London in 1944, this story examines just how much any person can endure before they break or “become desensitized to such profound loss”. With over eighteen thousand people killed by Hitler’s bombs and “one in six Londoners” left homeless, three people find in themselves and each other solace in places they would never imagine.

“It wasn’t so much the decisions you made, it was simply who you stumbled into while you were trying to work out important matters.” Oliver, Charlie and Molly did the stumbling and it is their story which resonates with intrigue, caring, and compassion. Just when you think there can’t be another book about WWII that is done differently Baldacci does just that. He seamlessly melds situations, personalities, and social commentary. “Strangers in Time” is another book that is important and highly readable.

So many thanks to Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Book Group and NetGalley for a copy.