The Wartime Book Club is an incredible story about light in the darkest of times. With complex and interesting characters and told in two POV’s, we get to know the story of Grace, a librarian doing her best to survive occupation in Jersey, and Bea who works at the post office and feels compelled to do something about their situation.
It is such an interesting story and it is filled with emotion. It is sad at times but there is also hope and joy. Reading Historical Fiction books about WWII is not easy but with such talented writers as Kate Thompson who captivate you and choose to tell us stories that we might not know about, it becomes easier.
I really liked this book and I hope to continue reading Kate Thompson’s books.

This book was a fascinating read with moving characters and intriguing moments in the plot. I would encourage this to friends.

A nicely atmospheric novel of friendship- conflicted thought it might be- on Jersey during the German occupation. Grace and Bea are very different women who react to to occupation differently. That however changes and makes this a good look at the impact on life in the area. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good addition to the WWII homefront genre.

I enjoyed this book tremendously. The writing style had me invested in the story and the characters and I like Grace a lot as well as Bea even though she sometimes had me shake my head in disbelief about what she just did. The book captures the mood the islanders must have been in during the war years very well and the atmosphere is hopeful but desperate at the same time. Judging from the extensive commentary and sources at the end of the book, it was excellently researched and I loved to learn about the people who were real but also characters in this book.

Concerning the characters, Bea is a bit of a stubborn hothead at times but she is very likeable in that. She believes in a better world being possible and that sitting idle and not resisting the occupation by the Germans is not an option. In addition, Grace is my favourite character in this book. She is so kind and considerate and I just loved reading about her.

What I liked in particular was that every chapter opened with information on 1 book banned by the Nazis during WWII and the reason why. That was incredibly interesting to me and gave the book extra credits in my view. I haven’t read Kate’s other books yet, but I will change that as soon as I can. This book has my full recommendation for any historical fiction lover!

(A review will be posted on pub day April 9 on my accounts on instagram and Goodreads)

This was good, but also a fairly standard historical fiction novel set during that time period. I enjoyed the book club, but that has been done before and there are just so many books set in this time frame that this one didn't particularly stand out. There were a lot of characters and side stories to keep up with as well. Overall I liked it but it was not an all-time favorite.

Thank you for the ARC!

I have mixed feelings on this book. There were many things to like about this novel. It is clear that the author has done extensive research in order to write this story. She really brings to life the grim realities of war for the residents of Jersey. The book started off very strong but as it went on, I began to lose interest. I think it was just too long with too many characters and side stories.

The Wartime Book Club
By: Kate Thompson
Review Score: 3 1/2 Stars

Why Was This Book “Just Ok”?
While interesting, this book was very long. There were so many characters and storylines, it was hard to keep track of everything going on. I think, if the book was shorter, it would have been more engaging.

Do I still recommend it?
Yes. Overall, I think the story was well done, and fans of historical fiction might like it.

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The Wartime Book Club was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing). Thank you for allowing me to read this book!

Release Date: 4/9/24

Today’s “Just OK Wednesday” is about The Wartime Book Club.

I went into this book with very high hopes. I have only read a few books about the Nazi Occupation of the Channel Islands during World War 2, so I was very excited to give this one a whirl.

Overall, I have conflicting feelings about this book. There are ALOT of characters, and they all seem to be doing things on the side of the main plot, which made it hard to keep up with at times.

I also feel that, if this book was shorter, it would have been more engaging to stay with. You could almost have 2 stories here, but because they are interwoven, it actually makes it hard to follow.

I did like the additional notes in this book. It's always nice when questions for a book club are added in!

With that being said, I do think people who like Historical Fiction would like this book. I did like it, I just didn’t love it.

Powerful and just so good!! It’s very rare for a book to leave me utterly speechless but this one…I just am in awe by the story that was told. Please write another one

This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story about two best friends living on the Island of Jersey during WWII. Grace is a librarian tasked with keeping the library open after the head librarian went to war. Bea is a postal worker, the only female mail carrier on the island. The two women could not be more different, but they have an unbreakable bond that keeps them together through many hard events. During the war both women do their part to help the resistance and try to keep their friends safe. This story was beautiful, and as to be expected of a book set during WWII, filled with so much heartache and sadness. A beautiful story about the power of books, friendship, and hope during dark times. I loved that this book was inspired by real life events, and all the information and pictures at the authors note at the end. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

I am hooked on historical fiction, especially WW2 times, both the memoirs and the ones like this, based on actual events. I love that people were brave enough to save books, hide them, and yet keep people reading in the darkest times.
I enjoyed this book, both regular and audiobook. I am a fan of this author and will definitely keep reading her in the future.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

The Wartime Book club was an incredible book. While trying to be spoiler free, it's about two friends, one of which is a librarian, during the occupation of Jersey. This book was heartbreaking and incredible at the same time. You get wrapped up in the characters lives and each page has you yearning for more. The only downfall was the ending. I feel like it was a bit rushed. It did tie up all the loose ends. Despite the ending, I loved this book and everything it had instore for me.

The Wartime Book Club is stunning novel about the power of books, friendship, courage, and loyalty in dark times. This book made me laugh, cry, and feel anger, hope and fear. It was both gut wrenching and hopeful at the same time.

I enjoy reading historical fiction, and I seem to gravitate to historical fiction set during WWII. This is such a dark period in our history, and there are many, but there is also something about the tales of resiliency, the acts of courage and bravery taken by ordinary citizens who refused to allow their humanity to be completely stripped from them.

This book is set on one of the Channel Islands, Jersey, during its occupation by the Germans during WWII. The book is told from the perspective of Bea and Grace, two childhood best friends as they each endure what the occupation means for them. Bea worked for the post office and Grace was the Chief Librarian. Both of these women took great risks as they each found ways to resist the occupation, and help out their fellow islanders. Neither woman quite realizing the extent of the others little acts of resistance. Until, in an effort to protect her best friend and her newborn nephew, Grace makes a huge sacrifice that will have impacts on her throughout the rest of her life.

I am also particularly drawn to books about books. The Wartime Book Club, told the story of the books during the war. Books that were banned and burned and books that were saved at great risk. But, also about how books and reading lifted the spirits of those islanders living under terrible conditions during the occupation. The Wartime Book Club brought islanders together at a time when hunger and deprivation were causing neighbour to turn on neighbour. It brought joy, escapism and camaraderie. Sprinkled throughout the book were these insights into bibliophile's that I absolutely related to. I loved when I'd come across these in the book. For example, how book lovers will collect multiple copies of their most beloved books!

This book is so well written, the descriptions are so vivid I could imagine myself as Grace or Bea. It seems so well researched. I absolutely love how at the end of the book there are all these extras. Stories from the author's trip to the island, the real life stories of islanders, along with pictures, and even a recipe for a Jersey Bean Crock.

I have been so fortunate to have read some marvelous five star reads so far this year. I would definitely include this one amongst them. It was just a wonderful read from start to finish, even given the absolutely difficult topic.

Thank you to Forever for my advanced copy of this beautiful book! My opinions are my own.

The Wartime Book Club follows the stories of Grace La Mottée & Beatrice Gold, two best friends, as they struggle under occupation by German forces on the Isle of Jersey. Bea is a postal worker and Grace is a librarian. Each of these women face excruciatingly difficult situations that call for unimaginable choices to be made.

I did not know what to expect going into this book other than that it was set in an occupied territory during WWII. I half expected a light hearted read based on the idea of it revolving around a bookclub; I was incorrect in that assumption. This book was heartbreaking at times and detailed the sacrifices made my seemingly average civilians as they faced horrible situations. The strength of the citizens of Jersey was inspiring. I found myself holding my breath at times, waiting to find out what happened to certain characters and what their fates would be.

Thompson did a wonderful job of bringing the island and the characters to life. From her use of descriptive language to her distinct language used by each character, she was able to give each character encountered their own unique personality that is sometimes missed in books. I also appreciated the additional information she included in her author's notes following the conclusion of the novel. I will definitely be checking out her other work.

This is a historical fiction novel set on the island of Jersey during the occupation by Germany during WW II. The main characters are Grace and Bea - Grace is a librarian on the island and her best friend Bea, works for the post office. When the German officers start banning and confiscating books, Grace starts hiding the ones that she believes they may take next. The book provides a lot of detail of the hardships the residents endured during the occupation and while I did enjoy the book, to a certain extent I found that it went over storylines that other historical fiction books have already covered.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for a review copy of this book.

This story was set on an island in Jersey patrolled by German soldiers, who imposed harsh rules for the residents. It’s the story of best friends Grace and Bea, who secretly team up and use their positions to fight the enemy. It was dangerous work, but they were determined not to let Germany win.

Grace creates a reading club at the library to provide the islanders, who no longer recognize their home or life, with a little bit of hope, fellowship, and refuge as the resistance battles on. I enjoyed how the story was told from Grace and Bea’s points of view and how every chapter was clearly marked. I liked how this author started each chapter with the title of a banned book and the reason it was banned. I loved reading about how bookstores and libraries secretly passed around banned books they loved so others could read them. How books gave people hope as their world became unrecognizable fascinated me.

This story will captivate you if you have an interest in books, libraries, book clubs, or anything else literary. I was intrigued by how the author immersed readers in the book-ban issue throughout the novel and how people and Germany realized the power of words.
Book Quotes: “People will need books now more than ever,” Books were like medicine for the soul, light in the darkness, a sliver of hope in their hopeless situation.”

It was exciting to read about this community and what happened to them after the war. As the novel came to an incredible finish, tears ran down my face, distorting the words on the page. This hard-edged, well-researched story involved characters you felt you knew, and saw ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It’s a brilliant, realistic, and captivating scenario; I couldn’t put the book down.
This is a wonderful novel for a book club pick. You don’t want to miss reading this one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

This story took me back in time to the occupation of the Island of Jersey. For years during WW2, those that remained on the island were under Nazi rule. For years they were brutalized, starved and controlled. This story allowed me to get a glimpse of what it must have been like for the residents.

Drama and fear fill the pages. Grace remains on the island as the librarian. With each passing day, more and more come to the library searching for an escape. She pedals her bike around the island delivering to those that can't get to the library. She becomes a pillar of the community. She becomes a lifeline. She creates a book club within the library under the guidelines of the occupying forces. The importance of the book club is shown through out the story. It became their lifeline.

I was shocked to see what Grace got up too, sometimes influenced by her best friend, Bea. Grace had a hard time saying no to her. Grace had a hard time doing nothing. Reading about small acts against the Nazis were a great way to lift my heart broken as I read about their living conditions. I experienced so many emotions.

It is Grace's greatest sacrifice that had me bawling. What a role model!!!! I knew that the occupation would end. I did not know how difficult it would be for the people to survive. I did not think they would have to fear their neighbors. The need to survive makes people do the unexpected.

I found myself trying to rush through searching for glimpses of happiness. I found myself searching for silence in order to work through the horrors. My heart breaks not only for the characters that lost so much, but for all of those that went through the war. I now understand my mother's love for her own town's library during the war. Like the residents of Jersey, she did everything possible to find an escape in a book.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear." - Kate Thompson

I think this line sums up this entire novel and what the true heroes did during WWII to help others. This novel is so good and has so much depth and history in its pages. I just loved the two characters, Grace and Bea, they were such opposites but the best of friends and both had a different story to tell for their part in the war. Grace is the Isle of Jersey's librarian and does everything in her power to bring the comfort of books and other worlds to those who are most in need, meanwhile doing all she can to keep the Nazi's from taking all that they have built up. This means putting her life on the line everyday to keep forbidden books from being found. Meanwhile, outgoing Bea has asked a huge favor of Grace, one that she cannot say no too, but it puts her even more at risk than what she already is. But during war, there are no easy choices and it is about survival to the next day and the day after that, while also trying to save others. This book has so much emotion and I literally read it from cover to cover and devoured every single word. I loved that the author added all the additional information about these true people after the story. This will be another one of my favorite historical WWII novels. Thank you to the author and Forever Publishing for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

This was a rough read, but a good read.
There is lots of heartbreaking loss, but there is so much good also going on. I really liked the book club, as it brings a light to so many during this time.
The characters are really well developed and I enjoyed going on this journey with them.

A great book for book clubs.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was my first book by Kate Thompson. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was a great historical fiction book about the Nazi occupation on the Isle of Jersey. The characters were very relatable and I loved the book club and the friendships that were made through it! Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book!

Despite being set during WWII I actually found this book quite cozy. And I think it was the book club in it that did it. Not to mention that it reminded me a bit of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. So if readers are looking for similar books to either one they book have book clubs and are set on island one being Guernsey and the other being Jersey.