Title: The Last Bookshop in London
Author: Madline Martin
Publication: April 6, 2021
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 251
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she’d wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.
Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I always anxiously await the new book emails that I get from publishers. I always know that I am going to find something in it that will be a total me book. Once again the email didn’t disappoint. Not only did I find one book but I found another! This one I was excited to read. Bookstores, a reader as well as historical fiction. It was a trifecta in my eyes. I couldn’t wait to read it.
Grace and her best friend Viv arrive in London, hoping to see something bright and shiny. However, London is preparing for the possibility of a war that is right around the corner. Viv thankfully has a recommendation letter for employment. Grace unfortunately does not. Her uncle refused to write one before she left her village. Grace thankfully has a job lined up through her her landlord and her deceased mother’s best friend. The job is at a local bookstore just a short walk from the house. However, things didn’t go as planned at London declared war. This book was soooooo good. I binged read over half the book in one sitting. I was immediately pulled into the story. It didn’t take me a few chapters like normal. I loved the character of Grace. I wanted to be her friend. She was kind, compassionate and thoughtfully. She was also very business savvy.
I really enjoyed the build up of the war with this book. Most books I have read the war has already started and the city is in total disarray. Seeing the people prepping for it and having them deal with their loved ones being sent away to war or volunteering. The story also took an interesting turn when Grace decided to do her part and become a warden in her area. Her having to deal with the hardships of war was devastating at times. I really loved the character of her boss. He was at the beginning a crumundgingly man who really didn’t want her around. In the middle of the book we learn why and it absolutely broke my heart. By the end everything was copastetic. I really enjoyed this author. I do wish however that she would write more about Grace. There were things that I wanted to know that didn’t get answered at the very end.
STAR RATING: 5/5
Pick up your copy of The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and check your local bookstore on April 6, 2021 for release. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. You can check out more from author Madeline Martin on her website HERE.
