𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: April 15, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

Beautifully and flawlessly written. The characters are perfectly developed and the connections and dialogue were perfect. I could not set this book down because it had such a grip on me from the very first page. I have thought about this book ever since reading it and I cannot wait for my book club to pick this one up. We follow teenagers who endure so much and their lives end up bringing them together. I want to give as little away about this story because I want you to feel this book as I did, I felt every single page of this book to my core. I will always love Baldacci’s writing and this one as one for the favorite of 2025.

Huge thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Grand Central Publishing

5 stars
Expected publication date April 15, 2025

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

Molly Wakefield is a teenage girl from a well to do family. Charlie Matters is a teenage boy who lost his parents and struggles daily with his Gran to survive. Ignatius Oliver is a widowed man, overcome with grief after losing the love of his life. These three form an unlikely friendship during World War 2 in London. Together, they navigate love and loss, bravery, resilience, secrets, and truths.

This was a pleasure to read. I loved the bond these three formed during their darkest days.

I loved this book. Many thanks for Grand Central Publishing, David Baldacci and NetGalley for the e-galley. I'm a big historical fiction fan and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A reminder that "family" is not always the one you were born into, and you never know how "chance meetings" will affect and change your life and your perspective. I can't wait to recommend this to patrons in my library!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Strangers in Time" by David Baldacci is a captivating World War II novel set in London.

This story revolves around the following three primary characters: Charlie Matters, a 14 year-old boy who has been surviving on his own; Molly Wakefield, a 15 year-old girl who returns to London after being evacuated during the war, only to find her parents gone; and Ignatius Oliver, a warm-hearted grieving bookshop owner who becomes a mentor and protector to both children.

This story beautifully captures the resilience and spirit of the human heart amidst the chaos of war. Charlie and Molly find security and a sense of family in Ignatius and his bookshop, "The Book Keep," where they discover that books can provide an escape from the harsh realities of their world.

As they navigate the dangers of wartime London, they uncover familial secrets and face threats that test their newfound bond.

Baldacci's storytelling is poignant and thrilling, with a perfect balance of historical detail and emotional depth.

The characters are well-developed, and their journeys are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. This story explores themes of loss, hope, and the power of human connection, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in historical fiction and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

5 stars from this grateful reviewer, this is another amazing read from this blockbuster author.

Balducci turns his amazing writing prowess to a complete change of pace for him from his typical thrillers: a moving, resonant historical fiction novel about two teens trying to survive the German bombings of London towards the end of World War II. Balducci backs his book with intimate details of how the war gravely impacted so many different people, and how the bombs indiscriminately fell on both rich and poor. From huddling in dark dank crumbling subway bomb shelters, a scarcity of any food in addition to strict ration books, mayhem and crime in the streets as people desperately try to survive, soldiers and espionage, air wardens, caring for the deeply wounded by nurses and women volunteers…the day-to-day intensity of making it through war in London comes vividly to life.

Charlie Matters, age 16, has been raised in the poor slum section of London by his grandmother, after his dad dies on the front lines in France and his mom gets hit by a bomb. He and his gran are barely making ends meet. Charlie drops out of school and turns to both day labor of any kind he can find along with petty crime to help feed them. In the midst of robbing the till at a bookshop owned by Ignatius Oliver, who took it over after his wife died, Charlie has an attack of conscience and goes back the next day to return the money to the man who’s clearly struggling himself. This brings him into a complicated relationship with the bookshop owner, who ultimately sees the goodness and courage it took for Charlie to return the stolen items and draws them together in a increasingly protective bond.

Molly Wakefield, age 15, had been sent off to the London countryside along with thousands of other London children to adoptive families who took them in for pay. She loves her adoptive family, has had a great education, and learned exceptional nursing skills while working as a volunteer for the local hospital. But when her Dad stops sending funds to cover her expenses, Molly returns to London to find both him and her Mom missing from her wealthy home. Molly’s quest to find out what happened to them intersects with Charlie, and then with Ignatius.

Charlie, Molly and Ignatius form a tight trio of friendship and surrogate family, driven together by the despair and loneliness of war as well as the vulnerability of both teens who need both protection and a home base. The twisty plot keeps you reading avidly along, and what emerges is hope in the resiliency of the children as post-war survivors. Balducci’s war time London stays with you powerfully.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

I haven't read Baldacci in quite some time so a new genre from this author was intriguing. Overall I found it rather dull and finally gave up at 90% read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance ecopy.

Charlie Matters and Molly Wakefield are two young children (14 and 15 years old) alone in London during the blitz of WWII. Charlie is an East Ender, used to getting by using his will and his scavenging to survive. Molly, just returned from being sent away to the country, comes back to find both her mother and her father gone. Her mother in a Sanitarium and her father has disappeared. Still she has her nanny and her home - until one night she does not. Charlie and Molly are from two ends of the world but yet they are drawn together to survive and with the help and caring of Ignatius Oliver, the proprietor of The Book Keep they become a team and a "family". I loved this book and I am not usually a fan of historical novels, but David Baldacci did once again what he always does - endearing you to his characters and seeing their strength and their flaws. The man continues to have that golden touch and this is another book not to be missed. Thank you so much to NetGalley,, Grand Central Publishing and David Baldacci for the opportunity to lose myself in this amazing novel.

This is not your typical David Baldacci book. It's a historical novel which could be YA in the way "The Book Thief" is, which is ithat t depends on the young reader. Just a warning, "Strangers in Time" contains the most terrifying descriptions of the London Blitz that I may ever have read.

Charlie and Molly are thirteen and fourteen and their lives could not be more different. Charlie's poor family has never left London and their number has been whittled down to only his gran. Wealthy Molly was evacuated and spent several years with a host family in the countryside. Her parents have rarely responded to her letters, and she returns home to London at the very end of the war to find out what happened to them. The two meet by accident and connect through a bookseller, Ignatius Oliver. But thejhjkl;'
re's something strange about him and now Charlie and Molly are being followed. Why is everyone telling Molly her father works for the Ministry of Food which doesn't seem to exist? There can't be so much suspicion about Charlie just for scavenging shoes.

"Strangers in Time" keeps you in its grip nearly all the way through, but it lets that grip go at the end just when you need it most. After the horror of the Blitz bombs and fires, the climax felt tame. That's a shame but what comes before is compelling enough for a strong recommendation from this Greedy Reader 2.0.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital review copy of this novel.

3.5 stars rounded up.

When I read the synopsis for Strangers in Time it sounded so interesting that I took a chance and requested it, not having read the author before. Therefore, I went into this without any expectations and wasn’t at all disappointed.

I found the writing beautiful and immersive, the characters practically leapt off the page in their realism, and the friendships they formed all pulled me in right away, kept me fully invested, and kept me turning the pages. I didn’t want to put this down.

Recommended!


Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

David Baldacci's newest novel, Strangers in Time, is a compelling portrayal of life in London during the bombings of World War II. Set in 1944, the story follows 14-year-old Charlie Matters, who lives with his grandmother after the tragic wartime deaths of his parents and grandfather. Secretly dropping out of school, Charlie makes a living on the streets, resorting to petty theft and taking on grueling temporary jobs to help his grandmother survive day to day. One day, Charlie steals from a struggling bookseller but, overcome with guilt, returns the stolen money and items. This marks the beginning of his unlikely relationship with Ignacius Oliver, the bookstore owner, who is still grieving the loss of his wife. Meanwhile, Molly Wakefield, raised in luxury, is sent to live in the countryside by her parents, who want to keep her safe during the war. When Molly returns home, she finds only her nanny and absent parents. Determined to locate her father, Molly crosses paths with Charlie, and the two form a deep bond that grows into a genuine friendship over the following weeks and months. However, when mysterious men begin following Molly, they turn to Ignacius, who seems to be hiding secrets of his own. Against the haunting backdrop of the Nazi Blitz and its aftermath, Strangers in Time delivers an unforgettable story about the power of human

1944 London – after the blitz, but still suffering Germans bombing what is left of the city. Three unlikely characters end up being a salvation for each other. Charlie Matters is from a lower-class area of London and after losing both parents, the 14 yo is living with his grandmother. Wealthy Molly Wakefield has been sent to the country for her safety, but at 15 yo feels she should return to London after not hearing from her family for several months. Ignatius Oliver owns a bookstore though it was really his wife’s as math is his strength. All three are mourning as fate throws them together. Fabulous read! I could not put it down.

Strangers in Time


In the heavily bombed 1944 London of WWII, teenagers street kid Charlie, and upper-class Molly both lose their homes. They find shelter with bookseller Ignatius Oliver who is grieving his late wife. He and the two young people all have situations in their lives that put them at risk in addition to the bombs falling around them.

The story of this unlikely alliance makes for engrossing reading.

Not David Baldacci's usual style. I don't love historical fiction so wasn't a fan of this one but I had to read it because I normally love this author.

This book captured my attention right away with its interesting characters and various mysteries to solve. Charlie, a boy living through the extreme conditions of rationing and bombings in London, has a story that you want to know more about. When his actions interlace his tale with that of Ignatius Oliver, a bookseller, and Molly Wakefield, a wealthy teen just returned to London, we see each character develop. I particularly liked that despite the dreary setting (London during WWII) the companionship of the three main characters demonstrated human warmth and companionship.
I found this novel to be well-written, fast paced, and intriguing.

4/5 Stars
Strangers in Time by David Baldacci is not a thriller as I was expecting. He dives into historical fiction with a fascinating story set in wartime London. The novel follows the unlikely bond formed between two teenagers, Molly and Charlie, and a bookstore owner, Ignatius Oliver, as they navigate the struggles of World War II.

Baldacci does an excellent job capturing the atmosphere of London during the Blitz, portraying the harsh realities of war in a realistic way with themes of love and hope. The characters are well-developed, and their relationships feel genuine and unique, though at times the pacing felt slow, especially in the first half. The story builds gradually and overall was a bit predictable. The emotional depth and themes of resilience and friendship kept me engaged.

Overall, Strangers in Time is a heartfelt read, perfect for fans of historical fiction who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of intrigue. While it’s not my usual read and I was expecting a thriller, Baldacci’s storytelling made it an enjoyable use of my time.

Molly and Charlie surely would never crossed paths had it not been for the ravages of
war. From completely different circumstances, seemingly with no one to care for them,
they formed what was to become a little family, with Ignatius Oliver, owner of a nearly
defunct bookstore.. As we wind our way through these young people discovering
that their families are either dead or missing, and learning they have lost contact
due to the constraints imposed by war, they are so fortunate to end up with
Mr Ignatius taking them in and through thick and thin (the sparse food which sounds
grim) and working together, sometimes with heart heavy secrets they each dealt
with, along with their circumstances, they are no longer alone.
The backdrop of central London to the coastal towns and hospitals where some
are housed and hidden, bring this story of the ravages of war, helplessness and
hope, loyalty and secrets, to a well written and satisfying conclusion.
No matter the genre or series, Mr Baldacci is never a miss. I enjoyed the
story, and the characters seems to be alive in the pages of the bookMy thanks to
Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the download
of the book for review purposes.

This book is definitely not the usual read by Baldacci. Set in London during World War II the book is a story about the unlikely friendship between a man and two children who all experienced loss during the war. Sometimes the story seemed to drag but was all in all a fairly good book. If you like WW II historical fiction from a human interest standpoint you may like this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

David Baldacci has been on a roll lately, delivering one compelling novel after another, and Strangers in Time is no exception. A standalone historical fiction mystery set during the Nazi Blitz in London, this book marks a shift from Baldacci's typical thrillers to a slower-paced but equally gripping story.

As a librarian, I found the book's central setting—a cozy bookshop that becomes a refuge during turbulent times—particularly poignant. The story weaves themes of resilience, hope, and the power of found family into a richly atmospheric narrative. Much like A Calamity of Souls, the pacing here is measured, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the characters and their struggles.

Baldacci’s talent for crafting memorable characters shines through, making it easy to connect with their journeys. The mix of historical context, mystery, and emotional depth makes Strangers in Time another spectacular addition to Baldacci's repertoire. It’s a story that will linger long after you turn the final page. Fans of historical fiction and mysteries alike are in for a treat!

Plot summary: It's getting closer to the end of WW2, but London is still being constantly bombed. Charlie is navigating tweenhood and loss as an East Ender. Molly is going back home after spending years in the countryside. And Oliver is dealing with grief while running his bookshop.

What I liked: The characters are well-drawn and likeable. The setting gives a heartbreaking view into what it must have been like to live through the London bombings.

What I didn't like: I really did not connect with this story at all. I am definitely an outlier here, and I have never read this author, but I think his fans will probably like this.

It started out slow, and there wasn't much plot until around 30%. Just Charlie figuring things out, and a gradual introduction to the other main characters. The rest of the story was entirely predictable and unrealistic. Molly was 15, but everyone spoke to her as if they accepted her as an adult. At the end, there were several annoying info dumps.

It was also super depressing. Too many people die. I'm all for bad things happening in a book; they create tension and tug emotionally. But usually they lead to hope or some kind of satisfying resolution. Here, bad things lead to more bad things.

This is more like 2.75 for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and David Baldacci for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

This novel is very different from previous series I have read by Baldacci. It takes place in London during WWII. Three very different characters are thrown together in order to survive the horrors of war. The book gives the readers a real sense of the struggles and sacrifices average and below average citizens endured. It was a real eye opener. Good read that I enjoyed.