The Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner, A Review

A one-hundred-year old bookstore.
Post WWII era.
Three very different women with something in common.

One a wife and mother, one a career girl and one a recent graduate of Cambridge University. They all work at the bookstore and share common issues even though that’s not readily apparent at the beginning of the story.
The author takes us on three distinct yet interwoven journeys with these women. Real literary figures appear in the tale and interact with the fictional characters which gives the setting, as well as the prose, a realism that was well done.

The social issues at play here are the end of WWII return of the men from fighting and how that affected the workforce that had been relying on women while the men were gone, the societal expectations of wives and mothers, privilege in society and how that affects behavior, and racism. The author gave us a compelling story for each of the women while weaving in these issues in a finely crafted way.

The path each of the three protagonists took and where they ended up was obvious pretty early on to this reader, but the journey of each was fulfilling and interesting.

Overall, I liked the story and the way the author interwove the various narratives. The setting was perfect as it moved the plot along at a nice pace and contributed to the issues facing the main characters. The bookstore was a little microcosm of society contained in four walls. The time period chosen for the story emphasized the issues as well. Sadly, some of the themes covered in the book are still problematic to this day. Some things seem slow to change in society and this book shows that in many ways.

An enjoyable, thought provoking read that was entertaining as well. Not at all preachy, but the author has a lot to say.

This is a story about three women and their lives and work at a bookstore. I enjoyed the characters and their storylines. This is a great read for anyone who loves books and writing but would especially appeal to those who like strong women characters.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really liked this read. I spread it out over a few days since i liked the characters, would reread this in the future for sure.

I enjoyed learning more about the girls of Bloomsbury and how their stories weave together. As a book lover it was fun digging into the history of those publishing houses such as Bloomsbury, but also Dutton and others.

I also loved how these strong women, and women with a LOT of money, worked to control the industry during a time women were NOT allowed to run the industry.

The men of the story just did not work for me, super frustrating and kudos to the author for creating these men to be YUCK. They definitely worked to highlight the strength of the female characters.

I was intrigued by this book for so many reasons, and I am so happy that I read it! The women in this book were powerful and ambitious women who rose to the top and made names for themselves, all during a time when it not common for women to speak up for themselves. This was a time when it was thought women should be home raising a family, or working on administrative tasks only. This is a book about politics, independence, and ambition, as well as relationships, goals, and dreams. The characters are exceptional and really make this book even that much better. I haven’t read other books by this author but I definitely will be, especially when I read that some of the characters are in her other book as well.

This is a must read - it truly resonates with me and I highly recommend it. I love reading about powerful women standing up for themselves against sexist men, especially back in that time period when women were just starting to speak up. ❤️

I don’t read a ton of general market fiction that isn’t a cozy mystery (because my Christian fiction TBR galaxy is…well… a GALAXY and I’ll never catch up lol) but I do have a handful of authors that I do love and pounce on their book as soon as they release. Kate Morton. Pam Jenoff. Hazel Gaynor. Sarah Addison Allen. I’ve heard a lot of people say that fans of Pam Jenoff will also enjoy Natalie Jenner’s books so I jumped at the chance to read & review her latest novel, Bloomsbury Girls! And yeah, the fact that it’s set in a 1950s London bookstore – with a whole floor devoted to rare books – didn’t hurt.

Stories like these, with women of great persistence despite the uphill climb they face, always inspire me to keep going when I come across daunting obstacles, too. Grace, Vivien, and Evie (whom some of you may remember from The Jane Austen Society) come from different backgrounds and different experiences but they have some key things in common. They’ve all had their hopes dashed painfully, they are all determinedly chasing a dream of ‘better’, and they are all fighting to be respected as females in a predominately male industry. It’s these shared commonalities that give this story its structure and its heart – and make it instantly relatable to any woman, of any era, even if our exact situations don’t mirror those of these three spunky characters.

The author’s writing voice is warm and elegant, while still being entertaining. She draws you in with the intriguing history of post World War 2 London – the glamour of society, the grit of the everyday, and the overlap where they meet. Grace, Vivien, and Evie are vibrant characters with inner strength and determination & readers will love cheering for their success.

Bottom Line: Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner is a story of the unnoticed, the marginalized, who fight against insurmountable odds to be seen, to be noticed, to change the narrative that society has written for them. It is a heartfelt love letter to under-appreciated female authors, a shot of hope for the currently marginalized, and ultimately an engaging read with vividly drawn & smartly layered characters. It is a reminder to never underestimate the power of female friendship, to never dismiss a minority as less than, and to see the worth in every person you encounter. Add in a dash or two of romance that made me swoon and a particularly intriguing rare book that made me smarter, and I’m an instant fan!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This is a delightful historical fiction taking place in a book store setting in England post WWII. It's a stand alone follow up to The Jane Austen Society (don't feel like you need to have read that one first). I highly recommend this one for fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists. I definitely struggled keeping the male characters straight in the first half of the book, and was very grateful for the list of who's who that's included in the beginning. Thank you so much St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bloomsbury Girls
By Natalie Jenner

I was a huge fan of "The Jane Austen Society" when I read it last year. So I am so excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy of "Bloomsbury Girls" that was even a more delightful read for me, that follows Evie from Jenner's previous novel. The Bloomsbury Girls follow three women - the ever so fashionable and witty Vivien Lowry, a mother's strength is tested through Grace Perkins, and our scholar from Cambridge Evie Stone who is doing her best to path her own way in a man's world.

Bloomsbury Girls is set during post war London when everything is moving at a fast pace, where society is demanding to keep up with the times, in this impressive novel that is the perfect read with lots of cameos from some of my favorite female authors.

This novel was definitely charming, heart warming, and impossible to put down, I mean a historical fiction novel set in a bookstore, interweaving some of the most famous names in classical literature made this truly a book lovers' dream read.
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Bloomsbury Books is an old fashioned and rare book store run by men but the real back bone of the store are the women. This shop has fifty one rules and all the employees know them and know when an employee is not following them. It is after world war two and things are changing now in publishing and the world in general despite the men not welcoming these changes.
The book is rich with literary figures and details. I really would have loved to visit this book store, so much going on here. Full of nostalgia . Delves into women's rights and sexism.

Published May 17th 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare bookstore that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. It's 1950 in London and three women are determined to find their way in the fast-changing world of books and publishing. Having worked in a bookstore for the majority of my life, I found this to be a very interesting and relatable story about the struggles in retail. Their daily dealings with the prevailing misogynistic attitudes in London at that time were frustrating and sadly in some ways these attitudes haven't changed much in all the years since. The story had some slow points where I was easily distracted by a fast-paced thriller but overall, I did enjoy it and was delighted with these clever ladies and their determination to improve their lives.

Bloomsbury Girls is among the most delightful books I’ve read this year. Never under estimated what a group of women can do no matter what the odds. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy

I absolutely loved Natalie Jenner's debut The Jane Austen Society in 2020 and I was eager to read her new release as well! Bloomsbury Girls is a historical fiction novel set in post-WWII London in a sweet-sounding bookshop. The cast of characters we encounter in this story took me a second to keep track of, but I really ended up enjoying all of them! Grace, Vivien, and Evie (who was in The Jane Austen Society) all come from different backgrounds; the former two women have worked at Bloomsbury Books for years and Evie begins working in the rare books section as this novel begins. I loved reading (hearing - I listened to the audiobook mostly) about how these women's relationships evolved with each other and with other employees or those involved in the bookshop. Above all, it was fun to encounter characters us literary fans may know of: Daphne Du Maurier, Doubleday, Peggy Guggenheim, and Ellen Doubleday <-- of Doubleday Publishers.

The ending to the story was so satisfying, and I won't spoil it, but I *loved* the way these women came together and came out on top. It was fun and felt a bit like a heist got pulled off or something and I loved that.

Another gem from a Canadian author!! If you enjoy historical fiction that is NOT set in a war and follows a timeline of several different characters, I think you'd like this one as I did. The audiobook narrated by Juliet Stevenson was really just the icing on the cake. Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for the gifted copy of the audiobook and ebook in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this one and The Jane Austen Society!!!

What an amazing follow-up to The Jane Austen Society. It was a joy to read this book. The character development was amazing, I liked it even more than Natalie Jenner's first novel (which I loved). This book focuses on a more female driven set of characters. The time frame its set in highlights the displacement of women after World War II when women who had been begged to join the workforce were expected to just joyfully mosy their way back into their homes and "women's work."

We get reacquainted with Evie Stone the quiet young girl who had to leave school early to help out her family has now graduated from Cambridge and has a talent for research and cataloging. An unfortunate interview left Evie scrambling for a job. But as a stroke of luck has it, Evie starts working at the very place her research was leading her to: Bloomsbury Books.

Already employed at Bloomsbury Books are Grace and Vivian. Two women who are undervalued and underappreciated by their male counterparts at the bookshop. They're ready for change and growth and Evie might just be the catalyst they need.

I enjoyed the character development, as I said, quite a bit. I thought there were some fun surprises and twists along the way, and unique cameos from famous authors.

Let me first state for the record, I had not read “The Jane Austen Society” prior to reading this book. I have since found out that “Bloomsbury Girls” is a continuation of the life of one of the characters from the first book. Although this book can stand on its own, it is quite possible that if I had read the first book, I would have enjoyed this one more. I did find it to have quite a slow pace though. A little too slow at times.

This is a historical fiction novel that takes place in a 100 year old bookstore in England during the early 1950s. It’s not really centered around historical events per se, but more related to authors and the literary world back then, including the struggle female authors faced to be treated seriously and have their books read. The female lead characters also face the same struggle while working in the male run bookstore.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for gifting me with an advanced copy.

Bloomsbury Girls is the delectable telling of how three extremely different, but cunning young women and five miscalculating men interact in the Bloomsbury Bookshop in postwar London, 1950. Bloomsbury is home to the British Museum, the University of London, and the Bloomsbury Bookstore where general manager, Herbert Dutton and his 51 Rules have been in charge for 20 years. He now employs quiet but forthright Cambridge graduate, Evie Stone; Grace Perkins escaping from her unreal life with Gordon, a war survivor; and Vivien Lowry, “an orphan in a storm with no social connections.” Jenner’s cast of characters includes politicians, aristocrats, American socialites, writers, and publishers, all intertwined with a gossipy thread. Jenner’s narrative creates endearing characters readers will care about; strong females who support and encourage each other and bookstore events with newsworthy surprises! There are also entanglements and budding romances which create great anticipation for readers and Evie’s secret mission leads readers on a wonderful “book chase.” With the fate of the bookstore, marriages, and mysteries waiting to be revealed, there are lots of reasons to celebrate and read The Bloomsbury Girls

For fans of 84, Charing Cross Road, Bloomsbury Girls is a feminist book about a bookstore under rigid male leadership who are stuck in an 1800’s mentality in post-war London. 3 women have come together under unique circumstances to work in the bookstore and they are all fighting for their voice to be heard, some louder than others.

There were a number of mentions of the author’s previous novel, The Jane Austen Society, which I haven’t read yet, but has been on my TBR since it’s release. It has now moved its way up my list.

Brilliant read!

A sparkling companion to The Jane Austen Society, riffing off Evie Stone, the young servant who’d secretly catalogued the family library at Chawton Great House. After those amazing days Evie had attended Girton College Cambridge and attained first-class honours. Being rejected as a research assistant Evie came to work with an influential bookseller, Bloomsbury Books & Maps. It’s post war England. Women and equality might have been good enough for the war years but in the 1950’s things aren’t so clear. Along with two other women, she will challenge the status quo male dominated workplace, with Evie leading the way in the search for another literary jewel.
I could waft lyrically about this story, but truly all you need to know is that this is a fabulous read. It was wonderful to encounter favorite characters from the Jane Austen Society, and really, a pleasure all round!

A St. Martins Press ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I loved The Jane Austen Society, so when I heard Natalie Jenner had another book-related novel, I said yes, please! Bloomsbury Girls takes Evie Stone from Jenner’s first novel, and places her, along with a strong cast of characters, in the book shop Bloomsbury Books. Jenner does an admirable job of transporting the reader back to post-WWII England as many strive to find new lives in the ever-changing aftermath of the war. Class distinctions and the place of women and minorities in a new world are explored amid the bookshelves of a grand, but struggling bookstore. And for the bibliophiles among us, there are plenty of interactions with publishing notables and favorite authors. (My favorite, Daphne DuMaurier, plays an integral role.) The struggles of a society are mirrored in the microcosm of the bookstore. Characterization is a strong point of this book. Main and supporting characters alike are fully developed.

Bloomsbury Girls is an outstanding general market novel that I won’t hesitate to recommend. Filled with historical detail, societal issues that make one think, and characters to love, it is a recommended read.

A splendid story. A bookshop in London hasn’t changed much, according to a set of stodgy, stuffy rules. But all that changed with a health crisis, a new hire, and an elusive valuable book. I loved the synergy of the novel and how the women bonded. I loved how the shop fell apart when the women revolted. I also loved how Evie, Vivian, and Grace planned, schemed, and implemented their plan.
In 1950, patriarchy was still predominant in England, but women were rocking the boat.

Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner is the book you need after loving The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and her previous novel, The Jane Austen Society. Both were five star reads for me and I loved this book too. This story is set in a bookshop in London after wwii and it's full of all things bookish. Bloomsbury Books is where the characters work but a love for literature is woven even deeper into all the characters' lives. A couple of characters are aspiring writers but my favorite part was the character pop ins with names you recognize. A classic author we all know makes an appearance along with wives of major publishers too. I really loved that a few of the characters from The Jane Austen Society turn up in this book and Evie even has an integral part in the story. Bloomsbury Girls has so much to offer for book lovers and especially historical fiction readers- a bit of romance, lots of gumption, a rich setting and women banding together in an incredible way. Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Bloomsbury Girls is out now! Thank you St. Martins Press and Netgalley for my e-arc!