The Last Bookshop in London
My Rating: 4.5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: eARC*
Publication Date: May 18, 2021
Author: Madeline Martin
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The Last Bookshop in London Blurb
Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and the enduring power of literature.
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.
The Last Bookshop in London Review
As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:
- 1 star: Did not finish
- 2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
- 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
- 4 Stars: Loved this book!
- 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.
My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.
I’m human.
Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.
This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 🙂
My Thoughts
Oh man is this a great one for historical fiction fans! Don’t miss out, it’s so quick, cute, and gratifying for booklovers.
We get to experience someone not only transform a bookshop but discover the wonder that is reading. Ugh. My #bookish heart is overflowing.
The only thing that could have made this book better was more of it. I wanted even more twists and turns, more character development, and just more. It felt like almost too much had been edited out to make the story move quicker.
I loved almost everything about this book, and even though it could have been flushed out more, the story made for a very quick read. Easily managed in one sitting.
Conclusion
Perfect for fans of historical fiction, especially from the WWII era.
*Special thanks to Madeline Martin, Netgalley, and Hanover Square Press for providing a copy of The Last Bookshop in London in exchange for an honest review.
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