I love a good historical fiction with a dual timeline and the Mayfair Bookshop did not disappoint.

I learned so much about the fascinating life of London socialite, Nancy Mitford, whose story line takes place in the 1930's and beyond. After being introduced into society, Nancy's family's wealth allowed her to spend her time attending social events with the other "bright young people" of London. Her life seemed to be a charmed one full of fun and happiness. She was beautiful, stylish, witty, and a talented writer. However she had her share of heartbreak starting when her fist love broke off their engagement. She eventually married a man who was a habitual cheater. His drinking and immaturity led to financial troubles that Nancy had to deal with. She eventually turned to writing to help support herself and her husband, but her early novels were not financial successes. In addition several of her sisters and her mother were Nazi sympathizers during the World War II. It wasn't until she started to run the Heywood Hill Bookshop that she found a place where she could flourish and support herself.

In the present day, Lucy St. Clair is thrilled to land a temporary position at the Heywood Hill Bookshop. She is mourning the loss of her mother who owned a first edition Nancy Mitford novel with a mysterious inscription. Lucy and her mother always wondered about the identity of the person that the book was meant for. Now she will not only have the chance to work in the bookshop that Nancy Mitford ran, she will have the chance to try and solve the mystery that her mother was never able to solve during her lifetime.

I was invested in both story lines but there is no doubt that Nancy's Mitford's life was the most interesting.

Well developed dual-story-line novel set in London, both in the present day and in the years preceding and during World War II. Present Day Lucy arrives in London with a work assignment to axquire rare books for her employer, but also determined to figure out the identity of "Iris", to whom Nancy Mitford inscribed a first edition of one of her novels. As Lucy delves into Nancy Mitford's correspondence and life, the alternate storyline develops around Mitford's marriage, writing, and life during the Blitz. The reader develops relationships with both characters, and ends up invested in their career and personal decisions. Recommended for historical romance/fiction fans.

Unlike many of the popular bookstore themed titles, this one adds a little novelized history with inclusion of Mitford family lore in the UK before and during WWII. Enjoyable read. Recommended.