The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II

I thought it was an interesting story line but somewhat predictable

A good read, happy with the buy, good value.

This book was a treat for me! Love of books, historical fiction and the message of hope during tough times. I am asking Madeline Martin to " Please, please write more historical fiction. Carefully researched and written with a great deal of love, this book is exactly what I need right now. Set in London in August 1939, Grace Bennett and her best friend head from the countryside to inside London. Her uncle refused to give her a letter of recommendation even though she had worked at his store, not because she was a poor worker but to sum it up, he was a mean person. That made getting a job in London very tough but her landlord. Mrs. Weatherford, who I grew to love, made sure that she was hired at the Primrose Hill Bookshop. The owner only agreed to a six month job as a bookclerk for her. And it she had to really talk him into it. The shop was dusty and there were piles of books and even she wasn't a reader, she set about cleaning, and putting the books in order, trying to get a good recommendation. A romance s began between her and one handsome male book browser. War comes, and many changes happen and Grace becomes an avid reader. Learning that during times of grief and suffering, books give you hope. I listened to this historically detailed book and cried and smiled and loved this book so much. I do hope that you read it.

Beautiful story! I was transported to London just reading this! The story stayed with me for weeks after reading. Perhaps my favorite read this year.

Like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, I have just read the most wonderful book. This is the story of Grace who has lost her home after her mother died. She moves to London with her best friend, Viv, to live in the home of her mother's best friend, Mrs. Weatherford. War is looming and London is not what they expected since everything is being prepared for Hitler's invasion. Grace gets a job at a bookshop. It is messy and disorganized, but she organizes it, and it becomes a place to come during the war. Even with the Blitz, Primrose Hill Bookshop is the place to go. I could not put this down. I loved and identified so much with Grace. Viv is the total opposite of Grace but best friends forever. Mrs. Weatherford and her son, Colin, are great. In her, Grace and Viv have found a mother. Colin is so gentle, not made for the war. Mr. Evans, owner of the bookshop, is full of wisdom but with a gruff exterior. Grace wins him over, and he trusts her with his bookshop and secrets. George Anderson, a customer at first, teaches her about books before going to war as a pilot. So many characters touch Grace's life as she does theirs. Grace becomes an air warden and I learned so much of what they did which is a lot more than telling people to douse their lights. Grace and Mr. Stokes, her partner during her scheduled times as a warden, become friends. There is so much here that I don't want to spoil the story. There are many layers and good feelings I got from this book. I will tell you keep a box of kleenex by your side. You'll never know when you'll need them. This is definitely on my top 5 list of books I read this year. I cannot encourage you enough to read this. It is wonderful!