Grace and Viv arrive in London from the English countryside on the brink of WWII. They will be staying with Grace’s recently deceased mother’s best friend. Viv gets a shopgirl job at the famed Harrod’s, but Grace has to settle for a position at a bookshop owned by rather grumpy Mr. Evans. In short order, the German bombings begin, and Grace must navigate tragedy, friendship, contributing to the war effort, and a budding romance all while finding her true calling in the bookshop. The characters in this novel are fully drawn, the descriptions detailed without being overly lengthy, and the plot well-paced. I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable read, and hated having it come to an end.

I enjoyed the story of Grace and her life in London during WWII, particularly the Blitz. Having studied in London, I enjoy tales that are set there, and ones that include bookshops are a plus. I was unfamiliar with the history of Paternoster Row and enjoyed the learning included with the tale. While Grace does have a love interest who inspires her interest in books, I appreciate that the author did not make that the entire focus of the novel. I was just as invested in the secondary characters as I was with Grace and saddened by those lost to German bombs and other causes. I was rooting for her as well as for London.

This book was stunning. It was so much more than I had hoped for.

The story follows our heroine Grace who heads to London after the death of her mother and enduring mistreatment from her relatives. Once there we get to see life through Grace's eyes.

With the author's extensive research you get a realistic glimpse into the everyday lives of the people of London as they prepare, endure, and live through the Blitz, the bombings, and the air raids.

The whole book from beginning to end transports you to another time and place. I was so captivated by it I could not put it down. With everything happening in the world today we need a book like this to remind us we can survive and find hope again.

"The Last Bookshop in London" was a historical and charming novel looking back at the sacrifices and deprivations suffered by Londoners during the bombing raids in WWII. Grace takes a temporary job as a clerk in a cluttered, messy bookshop run by a grumpy, old curmudgeon who doesn't really want her there. In spite of his lack of support, she starts to gradually clean, organize and spruce up the bookshop and gets to know the clientele. In spite of the fact that she has never been much of a reader, she starts to learn more about books and even takes time to read some. During the bombing raids, Grace reads aloud to people when they're in the shelters, inspiring a love of reading in others. There are many sad and heartwarming vignettes throughout the book, which has earned its place among the vast genre of WWII literature.

I received an electronic ARC from HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) through NetGalley.
Martin offers a view into this area of London during World War II. Grace and her friend Viv come to London to escape their small town and emotionally challenging situations in their homes. They arrive in the early days of World War II before England entered the war but can already see how it is affecting the city. They stay with a warm hearted woman who was best friends with Grace's mother before her death. Not having a letter of reference limits Grace's options and Mrs. Weatherford finds her a job at a local bookstore. Sounds delightful except Grace doesn't read. Readers will quickly figure out that this will change and can predict how much she will come to love reading. Her organization skills were alluded to at the beginning and she certainly creates order from chaos as she takes on this out of the way bookstore. She also becomes an air warden and the duties of that job are laid out for readers to comprehend how devastating the bombings were.
Readers see Grace mature into a capable young woman who sees atrocities and saves lives. She shepherds her friends and revives their spirits to help them survive the war. No, not all the characters will survive just as in reality people did not. Martin presents a realistic look at how this was handled as well.
The descriptions of the London settings makes the reader feel they are walking the same streets and spending time browsing in the shop or living in the shelters. It is well done without tipping into too graphic. I enjoyed this visit to the past and would love to see the story continue with these characters following the war.

This uplifting novel of WWII contains no spies, battles, or decorated war heroes. Instead, this is a warm and hopeful novel of the perseverance of Londoners during the worst of the Blitz.
It is 1939 and Grace Bennett, along with her best friend Viv, have escaped from their humdrum lives in rural England to conquer London. Settled in with Mrs. Weatherford, an old friend of Grace’s mother, they are looking for a new life of glamour and adventure. Viv soon lands the job she has craved at Harrod’s, but without the much hoped for reference from her uncle, Grace must take a six-month position at a bookstore that Mrs. Weatherford has arranged for her.

Faced with the recalcitrant Mr. Evans, owner of the Primrose Hill bookshop, Grace soon puts to use the skills she honed at her uncle’s store to bring some order and much needed cleanliness to the disorganized and neglected stacks of books she finds herself faced with. Not a reader herself, she is at a loss as to what to recommend to the devoted cliental she encounters. This soon changes when she makes the acquaintance of a handsome young man who introduces her to the Count of Monte Cristo. When the bombs start dropping on London, Grace finds herself reading aloud to her fellow shell-shocked neighbors in the underground during the bombing raids. Eventually, they follow her to the store to hear more of the stories she reads aloud.

Inspired by real events, this heart-warming story is a delight to read. Depicting quiet triumph or tragedy, and the universal need of us all to find friendship, hope and a place where we can make a difference. This is a story that will leave the reader with a few tears, but still a feeling of warmth.

Taking place in London during WWII, this lovely story is filled with endearing characters with a big heart. It is a bit too sentimental and has no surprises but does have a happy-ever-after type ending. This is a great novel for book lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin/Hanover Press for the ARC to read and review.

I loved it, loved it!! Delightful characters. Tight plot. A little romance. But the absolutely best thing about this book is the recognition of how the love of reading can change your life. How you can immediately fall into another world just by opening that book. Ms. Martin wonderfully expressed how I have always felt about reading.

"She turned the pages to the first chapter, the sound a quiet whispered shush in the empty store. There was a special scent to paper and ink, indescribable and unknown to anyone but a true reader. She brought the book to her face, closed her eyes and breathed in that wonderful smell."

This book made me realize just how difficult – and dangerous - it was to live in London during World War II. The constant bombing destroyed homes and villages - and so many people died. Day after day, night after night they endured. But at this little bookshop people found a few moments when they could escape into a different world and momentarily set aside the grim reality of their daily lives.

Grace Bennett, the protagonist of the book, has moved to London in 1939 with her best friend Viv. They stay with Grace’s deceased mother’s best friend, Mrs. Weatherford. Grace, who has never been keen on reading, gets a job at a little bookshop. All is going well until the war begins. Amidst the horrors of war, Grace finds not only a love of reading, but also courage, family, and a sense of community. She experiences heartbreak but also finds heartwarming moments.

This book evoked strong emotions within me. I loved the relationship between Grace and Mrs. Weatherford and the relationship between Grace and Mr. Evans (reminded me of “A Man Called Ove”). I rejoiced, I cried. (The tear ducts were flowing with those last two chapters.) I did not want to put this book down. The story was just so beautiful.

I believe this is Ms. Martin’s first venture into historical fiction, but it should certainly not be her last. (She normally writes romance novels.) Well done! Perfect for book clubs.

I received an advance reader copy from Hanover Square Press/HarperCollins. Opinions are my own.

#TheLastBookshopinLondon #NetGalley

Grace Bennett left Drayton to start a new life in London on the brink of War II. While her friends soon leave London to serve in the military, Grace builds her life on the home front. The Primrose Hill Bookstore is her retreat
to survive the bombings of London and her work with the ARP. Never much of a reader, the gift of a book from a friend and her job in the bookstore changes her life. As she escapes the horrors of London reading books, she soon sees a need to read to others to soothe their pain and sorrow. Martin writes a realistic, in-depth look at the sacrifices of Londoners to survive in WWII. A touching story of the bond between friends and strangers in one of the most horrible times in history.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this novel. Madelin Martin's description of London during the blitz, provided another view of life during World War 11, from a book lover's perspective.
Her plot and brisk narrative kept me completely engaged and I prayed all through the novel for George and Vic to survive the war and return to them.
This novel will remain with me for quite some time.
Five well deserved stars

In the early days of WWII Grace leaves her village with her best friend Viv for the glamor of London. Viv lands a job in Harrods and Grace, with no letter of recommendation is taken on at a bookshop, Unfortunately, Grace doesn't read...she can read, she just doesn't. Grace strikes up a friendship with a regular at the shop and is slowly drawn into the world of reading. This is a compelling novel, one that celebrates the Blitz Spirit and the comfort of books, There are wonderful lines throughout the book and tributes to books,
Keep Calm and Read On.

The author's knowledge about WWII is amazing and was very realistic, you could imagine yourself there with her. In the bookstore, in the tube, and helping Mr. Stokes. It was an easy read and had a smooth pace. It kept your attention and was entertaining throughout the book. The characters were engaging, friendly, and very appealing. So much happens in the tale of a girl trying to find her way.
Her friend, Viv, wants fun and excitement. When Hitler starts sending his bombers over, it scares everyone. WVS was an organization where she helped taking care of people. She served food, coffee, and an ear to listen. Grace joined the ARP Warden she felt she could help. She was one of those who yelled at people to put their lights out. Viv wanted to join the ATS, Auxiliary Territorial Service, a women's branch of the British Army. I enjoyed the little interaction between George and Grace. George had volunteered for the RAF and was gone for most of the book. I loved it, read it, and can hardly wait for the next one.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I keep telling myself I'm going to take a break from WWII books but I couldn't resist. I'm a sucker for books about books and I certainly enjoyed Madeline Martin's new release, The Last Bookshop in London. Grace Bennett works in a bookshop in London and as the blitz rages on, Primrose Hill Books literally becomes the last bookshop in London. I think what I enjoyed most in this novel was watching Grace discover a love for books and reading. She takes the job at the bookshop out of necessity but soon realizes that stories bring joy and books can offer a much needed escape from the horrors of the war waging around them. This one was certainly a delightful escape for me!

Done right, historical fiction not only evokes the time period in question, but also makes the reader truly feel the emotions of the events in the book.
This book is highly successful at that.
Descriptive and elegant, yet also haunting and brutal at times, I felt everything Grace was feeling as she found her way in London.
Right from the beginning, with the date stamp of August 1939 London, the reader knows what the background of the story is going to be, even as Grace and her friend Viv don’t. This added a sense of foreboding as the girls’ excitement at finally being in the city was quite apparent.
I liked the opening chapters because they set the scene for what was to come while also giving the reader a good look at just how “normal” everything was.
Until it wasn’t.
It also gave me time to get to know pivotal characters before the Blitz began (no spoiler there – if you’re reading historical fiction, you should know the time period and the history). This was a very good thing, because once the bombs started dropping, there were new things to focus on.
I thought Grace was a strong character and I loved her development over the course of the entire book. Even her name was an excellent choice because she was often the personification of it, even in the worst of times.
I really enjoyed her journey into reading. It was smart of the author for Grace to have that epiphany because it made her actions later in the book that much more poignant and impactful.
While I loved the scenes involving the bookstore, I do have to mention the details of the Blitz. I have read several books that contain scenes from the Blitz, but I don’t remember a time that it was described so thoroughly.
I felt like I could smell the smoke, see the fires, and feel the concussions of the bombs right along with Grace. It was harrowing and emotional. I honestly needed a break after a couple of the scenes and could totally identify with Grace’s exhaustion.
As the author writes, it’s a true testament to Londoners that they survived that onslaught.
But not only did they survive it, they pulled together. Even writing this part of the review right now, I’m tearing up thinking of the last few chapters.
It was that well-done. I’m not doing it justice. But it was just so good. All of it.
This book had a great story, a lead character to root for, charming supporting characters, and accurate depictions of war, both the good and bad sides of it. All of this together made for an excellent read that I highly recommend.
And make sure to have the tissues nearby.

'Martin is an American author best known for her historical romance novels. This release is an historical fiction, with just a touch of romance. It was inspired by the few bookstores that survived the London blitz and were able to continue to provide books to their customers. We are introduced to Grace, who with her best friend, move to London shortly before World War II is declared. They are to live with Mrs. Weatherford, a friend of Grace's deceased mother. Mrs. Weatherford gets Grace a job at a small bookstore, where she takes on the challenge of cleaning and organizing the messy shop under the supervision of the cranky owner. When war is declared she takes on additional responsibilities and joins the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) group as an Air Raid Warden. This is a lovely recommendation for fans of historical fiction and all of us who love bookstores. I really enjoyed it.

pushes her into a bookshop job with Mr. Evans. It's an old dusty place with books everywhere. Before long Grace finds she has a place there and slowly builds a love of books and reading. 

At night she helps out patrolling the streets, putting out fires and helping injured people. Her kindness and compassion changes hearts and inspires the ordinary person in the neighbourhood to keep going. She supports others and when the time comes she is moved by those who reach out to her.

Grace is ordinary doing extraordinary things. A quiet heroine. I am sure there were many such people in those times. 

For those you like reading about WW2 and bookshops will find that this book is for them.

This is an engrossing, exciting, hold-your-breath read that will suck you right into the story and won’t let you go. I read it in one sitting because I absolutely couldn’t put it down! It had all of the ‘feels’ in it – sorrow, grief, happiness, friendship, love, family (blood & not), terror, loss – you name it, you will feel it before you are through with the story. The tale is crafted with descriptions so vivid they put you right in the scene - they break your heart, make you smile, make you tremble with fear, and make you hear the bombs as they drop on London. Martin’s research is always impeccable and that again holds true with this book. I’m thinking if you only read one book this year – this one ought to be it. What a wonderful way to celebrate and honor books and how much they mean to all of us in one way or another. Frankly, I’m writing this review, but I don’t think any review can do it full justice.

Grace Bennett has dreamed of moving to London for a very long time, but feels she has no choice after her bully of an uncle – and his wife – force her to leave the home in which she was raised. Even with the rumblings of war on the horizon, she and her friend Viv are excited about what the future holds for them. Both Grace and Viv desperately want to be a shop-girl at Harrod’s, but only Viv has a letter of recommendation – thanks to Grace’s nasty uncle. Without the reference, Grace cannot be hired at Harrod’s. That actually turns out to be one of the best things to ever happen to her – though she doesn’t realize it at the time.

Grace and Viv are renting a room from the best friend of Grace’s deceased mother. Mrs.Weatherford is a wonderful, wonderful character who lost her husband during the first world war and now the ominous drums are beating again. Mrs. Weatherford is a bright, funny, loving, caring lady who dotes on her only child – a son, Colin. Colin is the gentlest of souls and has long been friends with both Grace and Viv.

Since Grace can’t find employment without a reference, Mrs. Weatherford browbeats the owner of Primrose Hill Books, Mr. Percival Evans, into hiring Grace as his assistant. Grace is a bit disappointed in the dusty, disorganized shop, but she can do it for six months until Mr. Evans will write her a recommendation letter. Grace is accustomed to running her uncle’s much larger business and sets off to clean and organize the bookshop – and maybe even bring in more customers. Grace’s only problem is that she isn’t a reader or book lover – but she is a wonderful organizer and salesperson. Well, she isn’t a reader until a tall, handsome, very quiet man named George actually gives her a book to read. It takes her a while to get started – not until after he’s already deployed – but – the gift he left her changes her whole life.

As the war begins, those Grace loves begin to leave for battle – will they return? Grace doesn’t know, but she does know she has to do her own small part. While her friend Viv joined the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service – a branch of the British Army), Grace knew she couldn’t go and leave Mrs. Weatherford all alone since Colin had also deployed. So, Grace continued working at the bookshop until she just felt she had to do more and volunteered to be an ARP Warden (Air Raid Precaution).

While WWII is the background of this book, the real story is Grace and how she comes into her own. With her ARP job, Grace probably saw as much sorrow, death, and carnage as those on the front lines. Her job was a dangerous and harrowing one and she grew into the challenge with more courage and bravery than most men would have displayed. During her days, she brought some happiness to those trapped in war-torn London by reading to them and sharing her newly discovered love of books – and in the evenings, she patrolled her sector – along with her partner Stokes – and helped to save London and her people.

This was an exceptional book and I can definitely recommend it. It is such a deep and meaningful read that I just know you’ll love it as much as I did. For me, the only thing that would have made it better would have been for it to be George on that train at the end rather than Viv. I know the author didn’t want to write a romance – but – there is love and caring even in the depths of wars and it would have felt really nice to see that it survived.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences." -Madeline Martin, The Last Bookshop in London
I think this quote really resonates with many of us especially during these Covid times. This fit the bill nicely for me. It's a lovely tribute to the people, especially surviving bookshop owners in London during the blitz. At first I was feeling casual about another WWII novel but I persisted. I am thrilled I did. There was something really life-affirming and heroic about their determination to do their best during frightening times. I was reminded yet again, of the power and beauty of words and their power to uplift and inspire.
I would like to thank #netgalley, #Harlequin and the author for an Arc copy. I will be searching out more of her books.
5+

The Last Bookshop in London is a love letter for all booksellers, librarians, educators, avid readers, and anyone else who believes a good story can alter your life.

Grace Bennett moved from the country to London in search of a more exciting life. And find it she did, as Britain soon declares war on Germany and Hitler's Third Reich. Soon her problems seem trivial compared to men being conscripted and mothers sending their children to live with strangers in the country. When the Blitz starts in London, volunteering as an ARP warden gives Grace a sense of purpose, a sense of helping the cause. But Grace soon discovers that helping people escape the war through books can be just as rewarding as helping douse fires.

Madeline Martin clearly knows the power of a good story; for readers, a book can be an escape, a form of therapy, a coping mechanism, and just plain entertainment, and books are all of those things and more in The Last Bookshop in London. Readers will fall in love with Grace, and whole-heartedly relate to how books changed not only her but her community. The Last Bookshop in London is a love story, an emotional and fulfilling love found while the world is in chaos.

Oftentimes, it's hard to put the love of reading into words, to capture what stories mean to the reader and just how important literature can be to a society. Madeline Miller beautifully puts into words that feeling of connection and belonging that comes from reading and anyone who loves reading will find a piece of themselves in Grace Bennett.

If you need an uplifting book about London during World War II, this is the book for you. Although death and loss occur, the book focuses more on how friendships and the comfort of books keep hope alive.
On the eve of World War II, Grace Bennett and her friend Viv leave the English countryside to move to London to live with Grace’s deceased mother’s dearest friend. Grace begins a job in a bookstore, which is not her dream job, as she is not a reader. A handsome customer encourages her to start reading and gives her a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. She is now hooked, both on the book and George, the handsome customer. They begin a romantic relationship just before he leaves for the front. Grace begins to enjoy her work at the bookshop and starts volunteering as an air raid warden. Grace sees death, destruction and despair on her nightly shifts. But through reading to others in the Underground shelters and in bookstore, she gives hope and escape to the Londoners affected by the incessant bombing.
Martin starts the book with too many unnecessary details, but this stops after chapter 1. It is not densely written, so can be read fairly quickly. Grace is a likable character, as are most others. Even those that start off as unlikable become more sympathetic. Martin mentions the daily conditions during the war, such as food and clothing rationing, children being sent to the country and Victory gardens, but the focus is on the relationships between characters and Grace’s work in Primrose Hill Books.
I would recommend this book to those with a general interest in London during the second world war, those who have a love of books and bookstores and those who like stories about women starting over.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for this advanced reader’s edition.