Having read, The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett, I was excited at the opportunity to read another book by Annie Lyons. Her gift with words is amazing and I look forward to further adventures in the pages of books she will create.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction books that take place during WWII. This one was a little different focus than the books I have typically read ... and that was a nice change. The relationship that developed between Gertie and Hedy was inspiring. Though the war was the background, the story really revolved around community and friendship and the ability of books to bring people together. The ability of the individuals to face uncertainty and handle grief with such a strong sense of courage was touching.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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As a lover of historical fiction, especially set during WW11, this book absolutely captured my heart.

It’s filled with love stories, heartache & loss, history, a bookshop, friendships, family, triumph, perseverance, and hope.

The story centres around Gertie- a bookshop owner in her sixties, who somewhat reluctantly agrees to take in a young German refugee (Hedy). What follows is the most beautiful story of personal growth, of friendship, of two people brought together in the hardest of circumstances but who become the closest of ‘family’ 💙

I loved every single character- Gertie, Hedy… the dog Hemingway… Sam, Bettie, Charles. Each character played a part- they each had their strengths, they each brought something to another character, and they all made up this little London village of people banded together during war.

Get your tissues ready- and fall in love with this beautiful story.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel set in London during WW2. Gertie Bingham, owner of Bingham books is dealing with her own personal tragedy when she welcomes a German refugee named Hedy. Hedy breathes new life into Gertie, and together the two women begin the Air Raid Book Club. I loved the friendship amongst the members of the book club. I would love to try to read all the books that the book club did! I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction or just good books in general.

During WWII Bingham Books in London becomes a refuge for so many book lovers. Gertie feels lost since losing her husband, but her patrons keep her going. As the war escalates a teenage refugee comes to stay with her. Hedy is fantastic with the children and her reading to the children while they’re stuck in the air raid shelters inspires the creation of a book club for all the people who seek shelter there.

This is a very character driven novel and I thoroughly enjoy the relationships Annie creates among the characters. The friendships and relationships described really makes you feel a part of their unique community.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for my ARC of this book.

The Air Raid Book Club is a historical fiction novel for book lovers. In the midst of the Blitz, London bookshop owner, and grieving widow Gertie forms an air raid book club. As they meet in air raid shelters, the members of the group discuss a plethora of classic novels. As the club grows, Gertie begins to find new hope and purpose amid her grief. This is a great book for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society!

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy. All thoughts are my own.

This book was amazing i enjoyed the Gertie character and how welcoming she was with everybody and her heart was a blessing for many.

Gertie decides to take in one of these headstrong refuges that will change her life and the life of Hedy forever, they couldn't imagine the connection and the growth they both will have even if that means at first feeling so alone without her mother and family who were stuck in a war that didn't understand of age or sex it was all about destroying.

Hedy misses her family so much now she is in a new house with a new small family that doesn't have the same traditions she had, but soon she will finally find love and see that no matter how dark everything looks like love will be there to fix the wounds.

two wonderful characters that will make your heart smile.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for the advanced copy of The Air Raid Book Club in exchange for my honest review.

As a lover of historical fiction, especially set during WW11, this book absolutely captured my heart.

It’s filled with love stories, heartache & loss, history, a bookshop, friendships, family, triumph, perseverance, and hope.

The story centres around Gertie- a bookshop owner in her sixties, who somewhat reluctantly agrees to take in a young German refugee (Hedy). What follows is the most beautiful story of personal growth, of friendship, of two people brought together in the hardest of circumstances but who become the closest of ‘family’ 💙

I loved every single character- Gertie, Hedy… the dog Hemingway… Sam, Bettie, Charles. Each character played a part- they each had their strengths, they each brought something to another character, and they all made up this little London village of people banded together during war.

Get your tissues ready- and fall in love with this beautiful story.

Absolutely wonderful read! A very good look into WWII life in one town just outside London proper with Gertie Bingham and her friends. The characters who whirl in and out of Bingham Books are a delightful cast who will make you cry and give you hope. This book is an ode to the chosen families we create and the hardships that make us stronger.

Other than the ending feeling a bit rushed it was a steady read that kept you yearning to know what happens to our characters next.

I received a copy from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

The power of books and how they can unite people even during hard times! Such a different prospective on WWII, whose main character is a widowed book store owner. Loved the friendships their group grew and was saddened by all the loss they experienced. Such a good read!

It a wonderful story of friendship during a very difficult time in history. When her husband, Harry, dies, Gertie Bingham is at evens and odds, running a book store that both had bought and managed. Trying to decide what to do with the rest of her life, whether to retire and move away from her little village and the memories that are always present. But as fate steps in and presents itself, Gertie decides to take a German child into her home during the war. It is difficult to believe there is some happiness in life even during a war that is trying to destroy the world, however, through books anything is possible.

The author’s prose and deep empathy for her characters. will keep the reader captivated.
Many thanks to William Morrow and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book! Such a beautiful, heartfelt story about the power of books bringing people together.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Amazing well-written story about family, loss, and love during war. Great book for a book club.

The Air Raid Book Club was a testament to the power of books. Through Gertie's bookstore and the book club, the community came together during the worst times of the war. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a good addition to the historical fiction genre around WWII I.n England when children were sent out of London to the country. I loved that books featured heavily and I felt the book evoked the time period well
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

Historical fiction, especially set around WWII, is on of my favorite genres. This is the story of Jewish children being taken in by English families to try to keep them safe during the war. It is book of kindness and heartbreak. It is also set around a bookclub and bookstore, which I loved. Any story including books is a winner for me. I enjoyed reading this story and watching it come to life.

There are so many WWII books but this addressed some issues that I've never before read in fiction. Hedy is a German Jew who was rescued in a wave of Jewish children being brought to England. She was brought to Gertie Bingham, a widow who owned a bookstore just outside of London. There are elements of the Blitz, rationing, growing up through a war. There are also discussions of those who don't like Hedy because she's "the enemy" and "a dirty Jew", as well as some of Churchill's mandates that those who were German naturalists, even as child refugees, needed to be arrested, detained and set aside from society. Each were elements found in German view or American internment camps but not England based stories.
Throughout there's also the way community comes together, the healing powers of books, and learning to carry on despite awful circumstances.

#arc
#netgalley
#theairraidbookclub

1938–in a quiet little nook in London resides Bingham Books and shop built upon a dream that sees its residents through the turbulent times of war when the only way to escape was within the pages of a good book.

Gertie has just lost her husband and it has become increasingly difficult to get through a day at her beloved bookshop. As the conflict in Europe continues to grow, she agrees to take in a Jewish refugee. At first, making a connection with Hedy is quite difficult but it is their love of books that finally breaks the ice and sees them both through the uncertainty of war. The little bookshop brings the small community together and provides a place of refuge for everyone along with some heated discussions about the book of the month.

I loved this story, from the cast of characters to the coming together when one of their own was in need…I can certainly see how the love of reading could help them get through tough times. I didn’t want this book to end!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, William Morrow and Annie Lyons for access to those story! It was absolutely wonderful!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for accepting my request to read and review The Air Raid Book Club.

This story is a nice visit with Annie Lyons. As a fan of Eudora Honeysett, I was so excited to see another book by the author. This turns out to be a four star read and not as memorable as Eudora. However, there are moments that made me think and moments where I had to put the book down and walk away. Sadly, there were more than a couple pages where I was bored.

I liked that Lyons had Gertie, the main character, older. Also, she gave her ways to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. She was willing to start fresh in a reasonable light.

The air raid book club was perfect for the time, and I thought it was brilliant.

I would gift this.

I was late to the party with the Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett and when I read it I adored it, so I wasn’t going to let that happen with The Air Raid Book Club. Annie Lyons just seems to have a way with words and immediately when I started reading this one I just felt right at home.

This one is in London during WWII and if you’re burnt out on WWII books I get it, I really do, but don’t let that stop you from picking this one up. This book although set during the war wasn’t so much about the war but about friendship, found family, and the power of love, and the importance of books.

Gertie, Hedy, Billy, and all their friends easily wormed their way into my heart and I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
-WWII historical fiction
-bookstores
-found family
-heartwarming stories