Author David Baldacci has written a book that immerses readers in the scary complexities of London during the Blitz. STRANGERS IN TIME follows three protagonists, all deeply affected by the bombing and losses associated with WWII. A lonely widower, an orphaned street kid and a teen returning to London from the ‘safe’ countryside, all suffer the particular indignities associated with urban warfare. Houses disappear in an instant, loved ones die suddenly and even the contours of their lives are constantly shifting. They form friendships and provide loving support and shelter for each other. As the plot moves forward, mysteries are solved as complete unknowns appear. This is a fascinating story well worth reading. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

In his latest work of historical fiction, David Baldacci takes us back to WWII and war-torn London, where three strangers from completely different walks of life come together to help each other survive these frightening and uncertain times. Charlie Matters is a poor kid from the East End while Molly Wakefield is a rich girl from Chelsea but both find themselves homeless and alone. They are befriended by Ignatius Oliver, a widower and the owner of a small bookstore named The Book Keep. The bond that forms between the three of them is unusual and heart-warming.

I loved these characters but most of all, I was blown away by how brilliantly Baldacci describes their war-time experiences. You are living it in these pages. You are terrorized by nightly bombing raids and the destruction of all you've known; you are starving; you are cold; you are desperate, but somehow you don't give up, you don't lose all humanity. Instead, you bond with those good people you find who offer comfort, hope, and friendship. Quite an enthralling WWII novel from start to finish.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

🕧Strangers in Time by David Baldacci, publishing on April 15th, 2025, is a WWII story, but unlike most, its main protagonists are not adults. While there are adult characters, the story primarily follows two teenagers who suddenly find themselves alone, navigating a world torn apart by war.

Charlie, a fourteen-year-old boy, lives with his Gran in London’s East End. He’s street smart, but his life is upended when tragedy strikes. Molly, a sixteen-year-old girl sent to the countryside for safety, returns to London only to discover her parents are missing. The thread that connects them is Ignatius Oliver, a bookshop owner whose quiet strength and mentorship anchor them both. Together, the three form a fragile but beautiful bond, even as the world around them remains full of danger and unanswered questions.🕧

🤌This book just about broke my heart. It’s unexpectedly heartwarming in places, yet also deeply painful, especially when reading about children orphaned by the bombings or fathers lost on the front lines. The bond between Charlie and Molly is tender and genuine, and Oliver is the kind of mentor everyone deserves. I also liked the incorporation of the trauma aspect and the advancement as well as the understanding we have of trauma from then to now in treating depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD. Though the story starts a bit slow, it builds into something powerful and memorable. It’s easily one of my top favorites of the year so far.🤌

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing Grand Central Publishing for inviting me to read this beautiful story.

Enjoyable read. Also did the audio book just to see if it helped the story flow a little bit better. It did. Not your typical WWII novel, really gave gravity to the plight of everyday people who were not part of the actual fighting. The emotions between the characters made them relatable and I found myself at times wondering what I would have done in certain situations that the characters were put into. Recommend to anyone looking for a different approach to your typical war novel.

This was an intense story. Set against the backdrop of the war, three people become friends and family.
I thought it was a well written book. A must read for WW2 historical fiction fans. It has some unexpected surprises along the way. It’s another good book by this author

I do not usually relate David Baldacci to Historical Fiction - but after this book I definitely will! I was expecting a legal book - but this book touches on much more!
Molly, Ignatius and Charlie start off in bad places - but faith brings them together in war torn London. The intermingling of their lives makes for an exciting story!

What a great book - very thought provoking. David Baldacci can clearly put his pen to any genre and make it brilliant,

A really interesting work of historic fiction with three main characters Charlie, Molly and Ignatius, who have come together through unexpected circumstances and would not normally have met. Lots of twists and turns, but ultimately a story of war, family, loss and survival that really gets you thinking.

A great book by Baldacci, who always writes a brilliant book, though usually thrillers, but this was equally if not better. I'd liken the style to some of British author, Jeffrey Archer's books, which I also love.

A big thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy that I thoroughly enjoyed.

David Baldacci writes great characters. This historical fiction novel set in London during WWII has some of his best characters yet. The settings are vividly written, and the descriptions of the bombings are heart wrenching. I found the wide scope of the novel from corrupt police, wartime spies, the plight of orphans, and mental health issues slowed the pace somewhat. The tensions/mysteries resolved themselves rather quickly and predictably. Overall, an enjoyable novel worth reading just for the characters. Strongly recommended

A 14 year old street urchin, Charlie Matters meets Molly Wakefield, only a year older, in the London blitzkrieg. Molly had just come back from being evacuated to the countryside on the West coast and comes home to hear that her mother is in an asylum and her father has disappeared.

Charlie attempts to steal from Ignatius Oliver, the proprietor of a book shop, when one of his accomplices and a police officer are killed in a bus accident. He meets Molly, who knows of the book store, and they befriend the owner. They become close, as Ignatius has also recently lost his wife.

The pace is runaway, and full of intrigue and surprises and not the typical genre of David Baldacci. I really could not put this down.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this pre-release version, I read it as well as listened to the audio book, both were fantastic!

Baldacci’s stirring WW2 historical novel centers on an eccentric bookshop proprietor, a 14 year old resourceful orphan Charlie, and a 15 year old girl who are drawn together by chance. They have all suffered great personal loss during Britain’s struggle against the Germans. Together they find, through their hardship and sacrifice, a unified solidarity, solace, strength and chosen family. This was an uplifting story that reaffirms humanity can and will survive the most horrify bereavement by supporting one another.

Highly recommend.

Caught in the horror and destruction of WWII London, 3 people from different walks of life become family in David Baldacci’s newest, “Strangers in Time.”
Charlie lives mostly on the streets, foraging and stealing to supplement what his grandmother can provide; Molly has just returned from a stay in the English countryside, where her parents sent her to escape the bombs; Ignatius (Iggy) is a grief-stricken widower who runs his late wife’s bookstore. All three have secrets to deal with as they try to live through the terror of war in their city. As the three try to survive the fear, destruction, and deprivation of their war-torn city, they are thrown together and learn one another’s true stories, and come to rely on one another.
I am a longtime reader of Baldacci’s books, and I liked this one very much. It is on par with last year’s “A Calamity of Souls,” which was one of my favorites of 2024.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

✨ A Heart-Wrenching Tale of War, Friendship, and Resilience ✨

All I can say is just, WOW! Everything about this book is beautifully written! I devoured all 400-plus pages in just one sitting. It was mind-blowing, soul-crushing, and both mind and heart-shattering.

This is my first time reading World War II fiction, and I was hesitant to continue, not because it wasn’t good, but because I feared I might not fully grasp what transpired. But from the very first page, I was hooked, turning pages without realizing I was nearly finished. It was just soooo good!

At the heart of this story are three protagonists: Charlie Matters, Molly Wakefield, and Ignatius Oliver. Each of them has endured tragedies during and after the war. As the British continue to fight the Germans, each one of them has lost someone dear. What truly captivated me was how David Baldacci masterfully told their stories separately, slowly intertwining their lives through subtle interactions.

Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius, three strangers who found solace and family with one another. Watching them break down from loss, only to rebuild their lives, was both gut-wrenching and heartbreakingly beautiful.

Strangers in Time by David Baldacci is a compelling blend of historical fiction, emotional twists, the harsh realities of war and its devastating effects on the human mind, lovable characters, and soul-crushing stories of love and found family. It’s a whirlwind of emotions from start to finish. If you’re looking for a book filled with heart-wrenching, powerful storytelling intertwined with historical, war, thriller, and mystery elements, I highly recommend this!

📖 Strangers in Time by David Baldacci will be released on April 15th!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me the opportunity to immerse myself in the captivating and heartfelt journey of Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius! 📖✨

✨ Why you NEED to read this book ASAP:
"We all have each lost a great deal in this terrible war. But amidst all this destruction and despair, we managed to find one another." - Ignatius Oliver

✨WHAT I LIKED:
📌 Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius’s deep and evolving friendship.
📌 Ignatius repeatedly stepping in as a savior for Charlie and Molly.
📌 Molly’s cleverness and resilience as a nurse auxiliary.
📌 Charlie’s independence and determination to support his gran.
📌 Ignatius’s unwavering, unconditional love for Imogen.
📌 Molly and Ignatius believing in Charlie’s goodness, despite his struggles.
📌 Molly and Charlie’s relationship evolving beautifully as they grow older.

✨TROPES:
📌 Found Family
📌 War Trauma & Recovery
📌 Coming of Age
📌 Mental Health Representative
📌 Tragic Love Story
📌 Betrayal & Redemption
📌 Secret Societies & Espionage
📌 Orphaned Protagonist
📌 Grief & Healing
📌 Sacrificial Hero
📌 Political Intrigue
📌 No Spice

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7467327978

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.com/2025/04/07/arc-review-strangers-in-time/

💻 FULL REVIEW HERE: https://kimthebookdragon.com/2025/04/07/arc-review-strangers-in-time/

💻 LINKEDIN REVIEW: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kinanahmanalao_arc-review-strangers-intime-activity-7314721864994459648-cGa-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADZadkYB6kcp2SMdCiCoSdnI_IRLHncLwvs

This historical fiction novel is set in London during WW2 . Three individuals are brought together and forge an unlikely friendship.The author thru his writing provides tremedous details of the complexity of war on daily life and the difficulties faced by those living their lives in an uncertain environment.

This quote from the book sums up my thoughts:

“We all need someone at certain times in our lives. It makes the inevitable pain lessened and the periods of happiness exalted.”

David Baldacci’s Strangers in Time is a gripping, character-driven historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of war-torn London in 1944. Combining vivid descriptions, rich character development, and a fast-paced plot, Baldacci has crafted a work that will appeal to both fans of historical fiction and those new to the genre.

The story follows two teenagers, Charlie Matters and Molly Wakefield, as they navigate the perilous realities of life during World War II. Thirteen-year-old Charlie, living with his grandmother after the death of his parents, uses his street smarts to get by, often resorting to theft to survive. His fate takes an unexpected turn when he steals food and money from a bookshop owned by the reclusive Ignatius Oliver. This simple act of desperation sets the stage for a series of events that will bind Charlie, Ignatius, and Molly in a complex web of secrets, survival, and unlikely friendship.

Molly, a fifteen-year-old girl recently returned from the countryside, faces her own set of challenges. With her mother hospitalized and her father nowhere to be found, she seeks Charlie’s help to uncover the truth about her father’s whereabouts. As the war rages around them, their paths cross with Ignatius, and the three of them form an unlikely bond amidst the chaos of London under constant threat of bombing raids.

What makes Strangers in Time truly shine is Baldacci’s deep understanding of his characters. Each one feels fully realized, with flaws, strengths, and internal struggles that make them relatable. Charlie, with his youthful resilience and moral complexity, is particularly compelling, and his evolution throughout the novel is captivating. Molly’s resilience and determination provide a strong contrast to Charlie’s pragmatism, creating a dynamic and engaging partnership between the two. Meanwhile, Ignatius, a widower grappling with his own grief and isolation, adds another layer of depth to the story.

The setting of London during the blitz is so richly described that it practically becomes a character itself. Baldacci’s ability to convey the anxiety, fear, and gritty survival instincts of people living under constant threat of bombings is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The vivid portrayal of bomb-shattered streets, the constant hum of danger, and the emotional toll on the city’s inhabitants form the perfect backdrop for this tense, fast-paced narrative.

A big thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

I’ve always enjoyed Baldacci’s novels. These past two have been a departure from his usual legal/military mystery/thriller, but I have quite enjoyed them.

This historical fiction novel sent in London during WW2 was unique for me due to the fact that it focused on the lives of a couple of children and how their lives were impacted by the war. Definitely an interesting take for a genre in an oversaturated market.

Charlie Matters, does what he can to live day by day, in 1945 London. Molly Wakefield, recently returned from her countryside exile to a London she doesn't recognize. Ignatius Oliver, a recent widower, endeavors to keep his wife's beloved bookstore open. This trio of lost souls becomes an unlikely family, struggling to survive Germany's savage bombing of London. By putting the focus on the humanity and people that lived during the Blitz, I found this novel to be poignant, heart wrenching and at times disturbingly realistic. Their constant struggle against starvation, sickness and violence from not only the Germans but from local crime brought these characters to life. After finishing this book, I'm still wondering how I would have lived through the same circumstances.

As a longtime fan of David Baldacci’s thrillers, I was excited to receive an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The book is set to release on April 15, 2025, and offers readers a departure from the author's typical high-stakes thrillers.

This novel takes place during WWII and tells the story of three strangers—a boy, a girl, and a bookshop owner—who come together amidst the chaos of the bombing of London by the Germans. As expected from Baldacci, the book is action-packed and plot-driven, with fast-paced sequences that keep the story moving forward.

While the historical setting and premise were promising, I found that the novel didn't fully capture the same magic as some of Baldacci’s other works. The ending, in particular, felt rushed, and at times the characters seemed secondary to the unfolding events, which made it difficult to fully connect with them. As someone who enjoys both thrillers and historical fiction, I found that the two genres didn’t always meld seamlessly in this case. The pacing and character development, which I usually look forward to in Baldacci’s books, felt slightly sacrificed for the plot’s momentum.

Ultimately, while I did enjoy the story and appreciated the effort to explore a different genre, this novel didn’t feel as compelling as Baldacci’s more familiar thrillers. For fans of his work, it’s worth reading, but it may not be as satisfying as some of his other books.

Not your typical David Baldacci thriller, this historical fiction is a heartfelt and gripping novel set in WWII London. It follows 13-year-old Charlie, 15-year-old Molly, and the mysterious bookshop owner Ignatius as they form an unlikely bond amidst the chaos of war. As they navigate the emotional and physical toll of loss and survival, their journey of healing and resilience unfolds with depth and compassion. While the characters' emotional depth and their growing bond provide a heartfelt journey, the story leans heavily on the darker realities of wartime, leaving the reader wishing for more moments of hope and optimism. Despite this, the book effectively captures the resilience of the human spirit, making it a moving read that earns 4 stars.

I’ve always enjoyed Baldacci’s books but this is a big departure for him. Manage your expectations as this is not the typical fast paced crime novel. Although the pace is much slower, there is still some mystery and suspense woven in. I’ve read many historical fictions about WWII and each is different in its own way. This book revolves around the blitz in London and is full of horrors and loss. But the character development is wonderful and offers hope and optimism. You’ll fall in love with the three main characters. The pace picks up in the second half and keeps you intrigued. Definitely recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand. Central Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Phew. Get your tissues ready. And be prepared for some chapters to rip your heart out. I enjoyedvthis book. The shorter chapters that end on cliffhangers kept me up too late a few nights and I liked the different POVs. It did not sugar coat the reality of life for many during various historical events of WW II in London. Thank you for this ARC!