While this was an ok book about an interesting time in history, I just couldn't fall in love with this story. I'm not sure why but this one wasn't for me.

I enjoyed the premise and the writing style. Though it did take me awhile to get through. It just didn't keep me engaged. Anything with a bookshop is charming but most plot points were just not a surprise.

In this fascinating historical fiction novel, readers switch between the perspectives of Celia, a shop girl at an antiquarian bookstore and an anti-nuclear weapons activist, in 1962 and of Jeannette, a SOE agent sent into France, in 1943. Following the two women’s lives in London and in occupied France, readers follow Celia as she uncovers Jeannette’s story and how that story affects Celia’s mundane life in London nearly twenty years later. As the world changes around her, Celia becomes suspicious of the bookstore’s new owner and the new regulars, and she starts to investigate. With the complicated reality just hidden from her sight, Celia draws on the skills which Jeannette would have learned as a SOE agent to finally resolve Jeannette’s tragic end. Fein’s characters are realistic and complex, and the contrast between Jeannette and Celia adds to the perspective shifts in the novel. As the novel progresses, Fein brings in new characters and different stakes in the novel, a fascinating and high-stakes blend of World War II and Cold War elements set in 1960s London. This is a fantastic take on the World War II dual perspective historical fiction novel, and Fein’s unique combination of characters and plot elements makes this an incredible, enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

The London Bookshop Affair is historical fiction tackling the familiar territory of the SOE in WWII and what constitutes ‘present day’ 1962 with the Cold War, ban the bomb protests, and the Cuban Missile Crisis on the near horizon. In the center is Celia Duchesne, a 19 year old bookstore clerk hoping to better her lot in life in post-war London and her immediate family’s history which suffered a major blow during the war.
To be honest, the early part of the book was disappointing (slow and lacking in direction). Things improved immensely and I’m happy I stuck with it. Reading a great deal of historical fiction, my usual priority is the history with characterization being a close second. This book required a shift in my expectations. The development of Celia is the primary storyline. Once I directed my focus on her, the rest of the book went smoothly and quickly. This was probably greatly facilitated by my being a teenager in the 60s and therefore able to relate to her perspective.
Thank you to the author, the publisher William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review a published copy.

Thank you to Net Galley for this e-copy of The London Bookshop Affair by Louise Fein in exchange for a honest review.I have read many of Louse Fein’s books and they were excellent.This one does not disappoint- it is full of drama, intrigue and Cold War secrecy.Set in 2 different time periods- during WW2 and in 1962 during the Cuban Missile .This story is about 2 brave women- Jeannie, a brave,, unwed mother who wants to use her French language skills to do her part for the war and twenty years later her “sister” Celia who wants to find out how her brave sister died and who betrayed her to the Nazis. While working in a bookshop, Celia uncovers clues that the owner is not who she appears to be and her male friend might be responsible for Jeannie’s death .Lots of drama and intrigue.

What I loved:
1. Historical fiction that educates me on new things. In this case it was about the Cuban Missile Crisis and the early concerns about nuclear arms and the Cold War.
2. Dual Timeline - I thought the author did a nice job of giving the two perspectives and bringing them together.
3. Really enjoyed the writing style of the book!

What I wished it was different:
1. The predictable portions: The bad guys and the romantic entanglements could have been less in your face!



Thank you Net Galley, William Morrow and Harper Collins Publishers, for this ARC.

I felt this was a well researched book of the time period and loved the setting . It was a fast quick read but felt the first part was a bit sow but overall a good book

The London Bookshop Affair is the story of Celia Duchesne, a shop girl at a London antiquarian bookshop in 1962, on the cusp of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Celia wants more out of life; she is involved in a group protesting nuclear arms, studying at night to be a secretary, and longing to learn more about her past. We see the past in 1942 of a young woman named Jeannie, who goes from London to dangerous government mission in France. These two stories intersect in this fascinating novel.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction. The 1960's is one of my favorite periods to read about, and the bookstore setting was a big plus.

This was such a unique and interesting book! I don't think I have ever read a historical novel that managed to cover history from both the 1940's and 1960's in dual timelines before. The period details were very well done.

Celia is a very sympathetic character. She wants much more out of life, and, at nineteen, is just forming opinions and ambitions about what she wants and who she wants to be. The mysteries of her past were very sympathetically handled, with several twists and turns. She also has bonds with two very different men, Sam, who is literally the boy next door, and Septimus, the mysterious American man who enters her life when he visits the bookstore.

The pacing of this novel is especially well done. I stayed up reading far too late to see what would happen next with the mysteries and espionage, layers upon layers of secrets, in this book. I recommend The London Bookshop Affair for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in the 1960's or 1940's. I will definitely look for more novels by Louise Fein in the future.

Though there are early sparks, the book doesn’t get interesting until the final third. I was hoping that “The London Bookshop Affair” would have grabbed me in the way “The Hidden Child” had, but this novel was missing the fascination that had me turning pages in Louise Fein’s previous book.

Historical fiction that tries to combine romance, mystery, and espionage but fails to deliver any of them in an interesting manner. The plot is slow and the writing is dull and clichéd. Unfortunately, the book should have done more justice to the historical context of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and it wasn’t until the end and the author’s notes that a more fascinating story unfolded.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Louse Fein for the ARC of The London Bookshop Affair. I absolutely could not put this book down. I was captivated right from the very start.

This story was set mainly in the 1960's in London during the Cold War with flashbacks occurring during WWII. Celia, the main character, was an only child living a quiet life in London with her parents. She worked at a bookshop and at 19 years old she was beginning to become anxious about her future. She desperately wanted to go to school in order to prepare herself for a respectable job. Unfortunately, her parents were not supportive of Celia's (or any female) wish in attending school. They were extremely strict and their wish for their daughter was to marry the boy next door and become a doting housewife.

The couple who owned the bookstore she worked at decided to retire and sold their shop to a widowed woman. Celia was asked to stay on and work for her. Celia eventually decided to take a typing/shorthand course secretly. Her dream was to prepare herself for a job where she could support herself and not marry if she didn't want to.

Everything was going great for Celia until she started to suspect her new boss and her friends who visited the store were involved in something illegal. At this time she became interested in a young man who was an acquaintance of her boss. She also began to realize her parents were keeping a secret from her.

Between her new love interest, her new boss, and her suspicion of her parents hiding something from her, she started to become paranoid and she started doing some digging into her past. Soon it was evident that her boss and her new boyfriend were involved in some sort of spy ring and her family appeared to be connected to it somehow.

The story was filled with love, friendship, and deeply buried secrets. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book. The author, Louise Fein, wrote an amazing story centered around friendship, love, honesty, trust, and how all of these things can be destroyed by keeping secrets.

I absolutely loved this book and I will be recommending it, with a five star review, to anyone who loves a compelling story about love, friendship, war, and deep family secrets.

So many secrets! It goes back & forth between a mother, Jeannie, during WWII & her daughter, Celia, during the Cold War. Celia is searching for the truth about her mother & uncovers so much more in the process. It was enjoyable to read through the unveiling of so many secrets & also learn about the Cold War. Great story, I couldn’t put it down!

Inspired by true events and people, The London Bookshop Affair is a well crafted story set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, delving the reader into the world of espionage at the height of the Cold War. I was fully immersed in this story and was once again reminded of the crucial roles so many women played during these turbulent times. The remarkable strength and courage they displayed was so inspiring. Love, betrayal, courage and justice, this one has it all!

An intriguing plot and well drawn characters made this one a hit for me. The authors note at the end was appreciated as it really brought more clarity to the events of history during that time. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 from me.

I received an advance digital copy from the publisher William Morrow via NetGalley to read and review. This is my honest review and the opinions above are my own.

By the author of The Hidden Child, which I throughly enjoyed.

When I read a historical book I always expect to learn something. With this one I learned quite a bit. It's the first book I've read about The Cold War/The Cuban Missile Crisis... No that it goes into great detail about nuclear war or threats of war but about the prospect of it possibly happening. Also about a family secret that you may figure out before it's revealed. I'm sure the author intended that happen though.

Filled with lots of action and information, from 1942 to 1962. Told from three voices, one being Jeannie who worked for the SOE or Churchill's Secret Army/the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. You will get to know Jeannie from the very start. You get to know what she went through before being recruited. How she was shamed into giving up her baby for adoption. That happened way to often in those days. (read the author's notes)

You meet Celia who works at the bookshop. She meets a handsome young American who sweeps her off her feet. Celia is a very smart young woman who by accident finds out a big secret her parents have kept from her her entire life. The things she does with her best friend and how hard she works to uncover some truths.

Then there is Septimus Nelson. He works at the American Embassy in London. He has a few secrets of his own and falls for Celia hard. You'll get to know all about this man and his many secrets.

There are a few other characters who you may or may not like. Most have secrets. Some good and some horrible. For a while I didn't like Celia's parents but after finding out exactly why they did what they did I decided it was for the best. They loved their daughter.

I remember when I was just a child being terrified that the world was going to be nuked. While I didn't understand what exactly "nuked" meant I did know it was bad and would end all as we knew it. I didn't realize how close we came to this actually happening until I read the Author's Notes at the end of this book. I hope we never have to experience anything like it but never think it can't happen. As long as they exist they can be used.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LouiseFein, #WilliamMorrow, #HarperCollinsPublishers, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

FIVE big stars and I highly recommend it. It's based on actual people and events with some changes to names made.

The London Bookshop Affair by Louise Fein is an amazing historical fiction story inspired by true events on the Cold War.
I really enjoyed the writing in this moving, emotional story, the realistic characters were interesting and the vivid descriptions was done so well here. This was a heartbreaking tale that had me reading long past my bedtime. The London Bookshop Affair was a fantastic book with a beautifully written story.
An engrossing, beautifully wound story that had my attention from the first page and held onto it until the last. The writing was so strong here and completely draws you into the setting and story.

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This novel takes place in two time eras of 1942 and in the early 1960's. In the beginning, it is about a young woman named Jeannie. She gets involved with a young American solider. She revels to her mother she is going to have his baby. Her mother guides her to get help, in this time era it is not a good thing. She decides she wants to do something with her life, so she joins the SOE in England. And is transported to France.

Then we go to the early 1960's to meet Celia, a young lady who works in antiquarian bookshop. The bookshop gets sold and things start to change for her. Meeting the new American owner, who seems not to care for the bookshop running, also giving her a raise. Celia arrives daily on the bus at 9 am to open the shop and work in the dusty bookshop. Two men start to visit the bookshop that are not familiar to her. One of the men she gets to know pretty well.

Later, she has a friend who brings her a folder from a law office, with her parents name on it. There is a possiblity she had a sister she knew nothing about. Her parents never have told her she has a sister. So she goes about investigating on her own.

Louise Fein is a wonderful author. I love to read historical novels and learned so much for this time era. As I did not know the history of the early 60's time era. In the back of the book the author goes into detail of her research for this novel. What an amazing job she has done. This just encourges me to read her other novels of history.

The London Bookshop Affair is a well-written and page-turning story of espionage set during the Cold War.

In 1962, the possibility of nuclear weapons/warfare is worrisome. Celia Duchesne dreams of a better future for herself but is grateful to have a stable job at a dusty, antiquarian bookshop. One day, a handsome young man wanders in and Celia is thrilled when he begins to notice her. Celia’s best friend persuades her to attend political rallies as they demonstrate for peace and a ban on nuclear weapons. Celia’s quiet life turns exciting as she begins to date the young man, Septimus, who coincidentally knows the new owner of the bookshop, signs up for typing classes in hopes of a better job, and attends political rallies. Suddenly, Celia discovers a family secret and is caught up in an espionage ring. The suspense escalates quickly as Celia’s quiet bookshop life takes a dangerous turn.

If you’re looking for a side of suspense in your histfic, The London Bookshop Affair might be what you’re looking for. Although the story does include a past timeline around the time of WWII, the most compelling part of the story (for me) is the 1960s timeline. I have distinct memories of growing up in the Cold War era, and I can even remember having low-level anxiety about it as a youngster.

Early in the story, I started to suspect that there were more complicated layers to Septimus, Celia’s love interest, than first presented, and my intrigue grew as this quiet story quickly became a page-turner. The London Bookshop Affair is filled with intrigue, a family mystery, espionage, and danger…..and a side of romance.

The story begins in the past as we are introduced to Jeannie. We revisit this timeline as we are taken back to WWII and Jeannie’s role in French Resistance. In full disclosure, I skimmed through this timeline because I was always eager to return to the 1960s to find out what was happening to Celia. In the end, these two timelines are connected in a poignant way.

In addition to two timelines, the story is told from three perspectives: Jeannie’s (1940s); Celia’s and (more minimally) Septimus’ (1960s). Celia is the main protagonist and her perspective drives the story.

I always love reading author notes, and Louise Fein doesn’t disappoint as she describes her research in detail.

Thoughtful themes include striving for a better life, uncovering family secrets, political activism, political tensions, bravery, understanding, forgiveness, reconciliation, the boy next door, friendship, adoption, and the fear of nuclear war.

Content Consideration: WWII consequences for those caught in the resistance movement

If you’re looking for sides of suspense and espionage in your histfic, I think you’ll appreciate The London Bookshop Affair. It’s well-written and brilliantly researched.

Thanks #NetGalley @WmMorrowBooks @williammorrowbooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheLondonBookshopAffair upon my request. All opinions are my own.

In 1942 Jeannie Duquesne found herself unmarried and pregnant. Disowned by her parents and forced to give up the baby for adoption, she decided to use her fluency in French to volunteer for the SOE. In 1962 Celia Duquesne first learned of Jeannie’s existence and could not understand why her parents never even mentioned her. When they refuse to talk about her, Celia decides to investigate on her own. The bookshop where she works was recently taken over by an American divorcee who has money but little interest in running the shop, leaving that to Celia. It is here that she meets Septimus, an aide at the U.S. embassy who knew the owner in America. While Celia is working toward a career and trying to find more on Jeannie, she has no time for a social life. Septimus, however, offers friendship and they grow close. The people who come and go and messages left for her boss raise Celia’s suspicions and eventually lead to a connection to the events in 1942.

Louise Fein’s story is told by Jeannie, Septimus and Celia. Jeannie’s story is one of tragedy, having a brief engagement before her fiancé, an American pilot, is killed on a mission. This is followed by the loss of her child and her eventual betrayal and capture by the Germans. Septimus was raised with the goal of serving his country. It is his job to build a system of agents and pass on sensitive information to his controller. He vowed to never get seriously involved in a relationship, but then he met Celia. Celia was raised in a home with a tension that she never understood. While she wants a career, her controlling mother is pushing her to accept the life she has and to find someone to marry. She is concerned about the world around her and campaigns for nuclear disarmament at a time when America and Russia could go to war over the Cuban Missile Crisis. Having grown up at a time when schools held drills in the event of nuclear attacks, it was easy to relate to Celia and her beliefs. This is a well written and emotional story built around secrets and the meaning of family that was difficult to put down. I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this book for my review.

This is exactly what I like in a book: I love well researched historical fiction with a dose (but not an overdose) of romance plus some family conflict/drama.
This book goes back and forth between the 1960s during the Cold War and WW II and mostly takes place in London although it does take the reader to France as well. The main character is a young woman who is struggling to find herself during a time period where women are starting to be recognized but not totally. She finds out some family secrets that upend her life and she goes searching for answers. There is also some politics and spy intrigue.
I read this book in a day and am thirsty for more...waiting for this author's next novel.

The London Bookshop Affair is a dual-timeline tale of love, war, and family set amidst the dark days of WWII and the glamour of London in the 1960s.

It’s 1942 when we meet Jeannie Duchesne, nineteen years old and newly in love with an American Airman. He goes off to battle while she works quietly at a shop, dreaming of his return when they will marry. Only life in wartime rarely has a way of going to plan.

We then jump ahead to 1962, where Celia Duchesne is increasingly frustrated by her placid existence. If her elderly parents have their way, she will work as a bookshop clerk until she marries the literal boy next door. But she dreams of having a career, of taking a secretarial course and becoming one of the glamorous women employed by the BBC, hobnobbing with celebrities and doing fascinating work that actually challenges her.

When the elderly couple at the shop where she works sell it to an American divorcée, she is worried she will soon find herself in need of new employment. Instead, Celia is given a raise and the opportunity to take a night course in typing and stenography. With diligence, she should be able to complete the course in a few months and get a better job, one that will finally allow her to leave home and the bitter anger that always simmers beneath the surface of that tiny dwelling.

Then, her dearest friend finds a file at a solicitor’s office that upends everything Celia previously believed about herself and her family. Untangling the secrets contained in the scant papers within leads Celia to Miss Clarke, a mysterious woman who worked closely with Jeannie and might just have a use for Celia as well.

Intertwining with all this is the narrative of Septimus Nelson, who works at the American Embassy and is quickly becoming enamored of the young sales clerk at the bookstore he frequents. His work has never allowed him to settle down and he is not one for falling in love, but the more he gets to know Celia, the more he realizes he is ready for that to change.

This novel is part women’s fiction, part cozy spy thriller, and the women’s fiction portion works quite well. The focus of the story is on Celia, who is taking her first tentative steps into independence. Her discovery of family secrets via the file from her friend helps her to understand the underlying current of deep misery in her home and her parent’s seeming antipathy towards her. Watching her force the truth out in the open and the healing that takes place from that is really lovely. I appreciated that the story underscores how everyone is doing their best to make the right decisions and how grief can cause us to keep from showing how much we love those we still have as we mourn for those we’ve lost. I also really liked that Celia is very careful in her gathering of information before she confronts anyone about anything. She wants to have a clear picture before she tears open old wounds, and her doing so is what enables the experience to end so positively.

In fact, that clever, cautious way of handling both relationships and mysteries is what makes Celia such a delightful heroine. She genuinely cares about the effects her actions could have on others and makes sure she has all the facts before she acts. It shows her sincere concern for everyone, from her friends, Daphne and Sam, to her parents, and even kindly bookshop owner Mrs Denton and would-be beau Septimus.

Speaking of which, I was impressed with the blossoming romance between Septimus and Celia. She has some strange reactions to his advances – understandable given the turmoil happening at home due to her recent discoveries. I appreciated the author showing that what we are going through can affect how we respond to overtures of love, and that sometimes instincts rather than emotions are the best guide to whether the time/place/person is the right choice for us.Jeannie’s portion of the story deals with the Special Operations Executive. Anyone familiar with their work will probably remember that there was more than a little scandal and horror associated with their issues in France, and Jeannie winds up being a part of that. Her parts of the story are brief and non-graphic, but it is wartime, and some off-page violence takes place. It is referenced, but very, very little is shown.

War is also an important part of the 1960s portion of our story, but at that point, it is the Cold War and the possibility of nuclear annihilation that underlies the daily lives of our characters. The Cuban Missile Crisis, how that involved London and its denizens, and just what people were thinking of it all play an important role in the thriller aspect of the tale.While the history is absolutely fascinating, the resolution to the story vis-à-vis the cozy spy part didn’t work as well for me, because it’s simply too coincidental. Literally, all the vital clues drop into Celia’s lap, either as a result of her being at the right place at the right time or as a by-product of other issues she has been trying to resolve.

That small quibble aside, I found The London Bookshop Affair to be a quick, enjoyable read. The warm interpersonal relationships at its core and the delightful Celia make it an easy, entertaining way to spend a few hours. I would recommend it to fans of WWII fiction and those who enjoy women’s fiction starring young, clever heroines.