Setting is London, summer of 1939. Grace and her friend Viv move from English countryside to London, expecting exciting nightlife and Big City activities. Instead, they find bomb shelters, blackout curtains, and limited activities. Grace finds work at the Primrose Hill Bookstore, owned by crotchety old Mr. Evans who doesn't want anything changed. Little by little, Grace cleans and straightens up shop, drawing in more customers.
Grace also meets a dashing man who loves books more than she does, and they enjoy one date before he's shipped out to active duty. They correspond so you know where this is going. Meanwhile, Grace volunteers for bomb shelter duty and helps victims of bombings.
Through all of the bombings, death and destruction, Grace manages to keep spirits up with readings in the bookstore and later in the bomb shelter. These readings also strengthen her relationships with Mr Evans, other booksellers, and the community.
Overall this is a surprisingly 'feel good' book, even tho story happens during London's bombing blitzes resulting in destruction of so many buildings and lives. Worth reading!
Memorable passage: The stores full of dry books were like tinder waiting for a match. Most had fire crawling across their slate roofs, dancing wickedly over their costly wood interiors and stretching out from their shattered windows, the exterior paintwork blackening with soot.
Grace also meets a dashing man who loves books more than she does, and they enjoy one date before he's shipped out to active duty. They correspond so you know where this is going. Meanwhile, Grace volunteers for bomb shelter duty and helps victims of bombings.
Through all of the bombings, death and destruction, Grace manages to keep spirits up with readings in the bookstore and later in the bomb shelter. These readings also strengthen her relationships with Mr Evans, other booksellers, and the community.
Overall this is a surprisingly 'feel good' book, even tho story happens during London's bombing blitzes resulting in destruction of so many buildings and lives. Worth reading!
Memorable passage: The stores full of dry books were like tinder waiting for a match. Most had fire crawling across their slate roofs, dancing wickedly over their costly wood interiors and stretching out from their shattered windows, the exterior paintwork blackening with soot.
The setting of the book is WWII 1939 bombing of London. Grace Bennett is working at The Primrose Hill Bookstore. It is a sanctuary of reading in the neighborhood during the unrest of war. It is a story of love, friendship and survival. The book is well-written and the characters are memorable. The plot is interesting and makes you want to keep reading until the very end. I hope she writes more historical novels such as this one as I enjoyed it very much.
Set in London during WWII and the bombing of London by the Germans. This is a wonderful read that brought home the fear and strength of those living through this. Two young girls move from the countryside to London just prior to England entering the war. Their different experiences and paths draw you into their stories. This book moved me to tears - but in a good way, an uplifting way. Especially this passage pertaining to the joy and benefits of reading: "Deeper still was the profound understanding for mankind as she lived in the minds of the characters. Over time, she h ad found such perspectives made her a more patient person, more accepting of others. If everyone had such an appreciation for their fellow man, perhaps things such as war would not exist". Great read!
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin is a story of war on the home front. At the same time, the book paints a picture of what happens when people come together. In this way, this story of war ends up a sweet, feel good story of the triumph of good and, for this reader, a love letter to the power of books to heal.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2021/04/the-last-bookshop-in-london.html
Reviewed for NetGalley and the Winter 2021 historical fiction blog tour from Harlequin Trade Publishing.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2021/04/the-last-bookshop-in-london.html
Reviewed for NetGalley and the Winter 2021 historical fiction blog tour from Harlequin Trade Publishing.
