If you’re considering this novel my biggest advice is to try and get access to the audiobook. The narrators voice their characters throughout and I loved hearing all their voices pop up each time they spoke. The entire production was impressive.

It’s rare that a WWII novel feels unique to me, but this one had a different atmosphere. Amid destruction we witness an inspiring story of struggle, survival, and found family. The three main characters would have been unlikely to have crossed paths without the war wreaking havoc in London.

Charlie is almost fourteen, he’s been ditching school and barely scraping by with the only family he has left his dear old Gran. He spends his days doing any odd job he can for a bit of coin and isn’t above swiping something he needs from those who can afford to part with it. After all these ration books aren’t filling the bellies of the poor. Charlie’s conscience and desperation made me emotional. His spirit walked a line between fragility and strength. I wanted to hug him.


Molly was whisked away to the countryside before the Blitz for safety. Upon her return at age fifteen she expects to be greeted by her loving family, but returns home that’s empty save for her nanny. Molly’s fortitude was admirable. She began with more wealth and comfort than anyone and experienced tremendous loss. She looked for ways to make any situation work. Molly reminded me of the saying, “Nothing works until you do.”

Where are Molly’s parents?

Strange men begin following Molly everywhere.

Ignatius Oliver has a name that belongs in fiction! I love it!! It’s perfect that he runs a book shop. He harbors some secrets. The children find his shop to be a safe haven. He seems level headed, patient and diligently looks out for their best interests.

Suspicious men are seen leaving the book shop.

The children find unexplained oddities hidden in the shop.

There are some mysterious elements at play which were unexpected, but enjoyable.

This novel pulled me right into this time period. There were details I’ve never considered or read about before which I found interesting. (No spoilers 😉) A fantastic standalone!
4.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for providing a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it.
Typically, I am a lover of fast-paced psychological thrillers. However, this historical fiction stole my heart. The entire novel meandered along, picking up detail as it went along, fleshing out the story and characters. I never got bored and felt like I was brought into the story of Charlie the young orphan, Molly the well-to-do evacuee, and Ignatius the grieving book shop owner.
When I'm not reading thrillers, I love World War II historical fiction. Because I have devoured so many, I get burned out and find that the books can get repetitive and stale. The author took a common topic and wrote it in a way that I have never read before, keeping it fresh and new. This book takes place during the Blitz in London, and David Baldacci does an excellent job of transporting me to that time in history, allowing me to imagine how the people felt and survived. It's historically accurate, but this novel goes beyond that, and you truly get the human side as well.
While this book is not what many would associate as a typical Baldacci genre, it is just as fantastically written as his other books, or even more so.

Many thanks to NetGalley and David Baldacci for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

ARC copy, audiobook
Book: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars

This is a review of the audiobook.

I absolutely loved this spectacular tale of two young teenagers living through the Blitz in London, and their friendship with a bookshop owner. The book is beautifully written with characters who are well fleshed out, and I was heavily invested in the lives of Charlie, Molly and Ignatius and really cared about them. The descriptions of wartime London were so vivid I could really picture the scene, and the author has obviously done meticulous research. There is much sadness in the book, and the horrors of war are not sugar coated. But there is also hope and courage.
I haven't read any of David Baldacci,'s previous books but on the strength of this one I'll definitely be delving into his back catalogue!

I listened to the audio version of the book which was sensational, featuring multiple narrators who really did bring the book to life. It is one of the best produced audiobooks I've listened to.

Wow, I loved this audiobook. David Baldacci can clearly put his pen to any genre and make it brilliant, but the narrators truly brought this book to life. Probably my favourite audiobook.

I was really pleased that the narrators had British voices as I feel an American accents for the characters based in London war times would not have worked, so a great choice and brilliant voice artists.

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 more brilliant.

A big thanks to Hachette Audio/Grand Central Publishing, Netgalley for the advanced audio copy that I whizzed through as couldn't wait to find out what happened next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced digital copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

It is World War II, and London is in the thick of The Blitz, where aerial bombings happen every day. Charlie is a 14 year old living in dire straits who steals what he needs to survive. Molly is a fifteen year old of high social status who returns home after being away for years to find that both of her parents are gone. Ignatius Oliver is a local bookstore owner and widower who shuts himself away from the world, living mainly in the memories of his lost wife. When this unlikely trio are thrust together by circumstance, they form an unexpected bond and weather the throes of war together.

From its description, this book was everything that I usually love in a historical fiction… set during World War II, people overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, found family… it seemed a perfect choice for me. Unfortunately, I was left in a situation where my expectations were greater than reality. I struggled to get into this story and to relate to the characters. Told from the three points of view of the main characters, I felt that their stories were not woven together well. In the beginning, it read like three completely separate novels, and it wasn’t until after the 40% mark that they finally had simultaneous meaningful interactions with each other. While the plot was ultimately interesting, I felt that the pacing was disjointed. The first half of the book seemed endless, while the resolution felt rushed.

While the book itself was underwhelming for me, the redeeming factor was the audio production. I am a sucker for a duet narration because it makes the dialogue feel so much more immersive. Each of the actors in this particular piece gave dynamic and engaging performances. Their accents were believable, yet easy to understand, and each character was given a unique and easily distinguishable voice. In a plot laden with emotion, the actors were genuine and not melodramatic.

Overall, it felt like a chore to get through this book, and I was left wanting more from it. I am incredibly thankful to have had the audiobook for this one, as the actors’ performances were the best part of the experience for me.

Strangers in Time by David Baldacci is a unique and emotionally charged story. The outstanding narration, including the author’s note, evokes a full range of feelings. Molly, Charlie, and Ignatius, a trio supporting each other through horror and hope during World War II’s The Blitz in London, are well-portrayed and easy to listen to.

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!

Having been a lifelong David Baldacci fan, his newest book, Strangers in Time, is a the newest classic beautiful piece of literature that I have read. It is a moving tale of survival in war-torn London during WW II, but it’s written in a way that is more than historical fiction. It can easily be a mid-grade book, as well as an adult favorite. It can be a book that a family could read together and all enjoy it for differing reasons. I also believe that it prove to be timeless.


The book is told by different perspectives, but mainly from the vantage points of Charlie, a thirteen-year-old from the rough streets of the East End of London; Molly, a fourteen-year-old from fashionable west end Chelsea; and Ignatius Oliver, owner of the Book Keep, a bookstore that sat in between the two extremes (geographically and economically).

Despite their being from different extremes, socioeconomically, Molly, Charlie, and Oliver end up coincidentally meeting each other, and begin getting to know one another, in spite of what life has thrown at them, and continues to throw their way. They have all lost so much due to the war, and yet, they all have survived and learned how to still be good people. As the war continues to rage on, how much will they be able to endure before they reach their limit?

Thank you So much to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audio ARC of one of my new favorite books!!

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.

The audiobook has excellent narration featuring a full cast: Stewart Crank, Alexandra Boulton, John Lee, Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Loyd Davies, Joe Pitts, and David Baldacci.

Highly recommend.

This book was a stand alone historical fiction book set in London during the second world war. It is EXTREMELY character driven as we meet and follow along with 3 very different people. 2 teenagers - one very poor and the other wealthy- and a middle aged book store owner and widower.

The book spends a VERY long time detailing each of their lives and the tragedies that have occurred to each of them. It is extremely tragic, almost to the point of being depressing. While I enjoyed getting to know these characters, the amount of every day life ends up slowing down the flow of the story. It made the story FEEL long and heavy.

At the same time, I really did enjoy this story. The level of character development was impressive and by the end, I felt like I KNEW each of them and experienced such a wide range of emotions with them. I will admit to a few tears as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on April 15, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc copy of this book. I really enjoyed this historical novel and I could definitely see the research he did.. The characters were very loveable.

A powerful story of three people whose lives would not have crossed paths but do so during the war. They come together and rebuild their lives as a “family”. The characters are all strong in their own way and what they overcome leads to a beautiful life.

3.75 - 4⭐

Strangers in Time really surprised me. It’s not your usual Baldacci... it’s slower, more emotional, and grounded in the harsh realities of 1944 wartime London.

The story follows three strangers:
1. Charlie, a teenage boy surviving on the streets;
2. Molly, a girl returning to a life that no longer exists;
3. Ignatius, a grieving widower running a small bookshop.
Life brings them together, and for a while, they manage to build something that feels like hope.

This book doesn’t hold back. It’s about loss, about how war takes everything—family, homes, routines, minds and souls. And even when it feels like the worst is over, you learn it's not. The final chapter especially left me feeling... bittersweet. I was glad for Molly and Charlie and how far they'd come, but also completely heartbroken at what they had to leave behind. Baldacci didn't pull any punches.

It’s a quiet, powerful story about surviving more than just bombs...it's about surviving the grief, the emptiness, and still choosing to move forward. Not everyone gets a happy ending, and that makes this one feel all the more real.

Also, the narrators were excellent. They captured the tone and emotion of each scene so well, giving each character a distinct, memorable voice. Their performance really elevated the story and made the listening experience even more impactful.

If you're in the mood for something emotional, raw, and rooted in found family during one of the darkest moments in history, this one’s worth picking up.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors, so I was so excited to get an advanced audio copy of this book. The narration was fantastic. This one is different than his usual books, but it absolutely did not disappoint.
Set during WWII, the story is told by two teenagers and a widower. The story is heartbreaking and heartwarming all in one.
This is a must read if you are a Baldacci fan or WWII fan.
Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for my advanced audio copy.

This is a surprisingly wonderful departure from Baldacci’s superb legal thrillers. A brilliant historical novel involving two teenagers in London during WWII and the man who aims to keep them safe. I could not turn it off!

The full cast narration is outstanding and really helps with the large cast of characters in this book.

I hope this is not the only historical fiction this author plans to write.

Taking place in London during World War II, Strangers in Time follows three main characters. Charlie is a 14 year old boy from the poor East End of London. Molly is a rich girl from Chelsea who has just returned to London after spending the last few years in the English Countryside. Ignatius Oliver is the owner of a book shop. While they all come from different backgrounds, they all become friends shortly after meeting each other. They bond through their personal losses and trying to survive the nightly German bombings. They each have their own secrets that torment them, but their bond proves strong.

I really enjoyed this book from Mr. Baldacci. The setting of London during World War II was a good backdrop to follow three different people from very different backgrounds. The characters were deep and well developed. They also interacted well with each other.. There was a little bit of mystery behind their lives, but mostly this book just tells their story of trying to live through a tough time. Mr. Baldacci did an excellent job capturing the landscape of London during World War II. It was very gritty and believable. I appreciated that they picked a narrator with a British accent to read the book. Just just made the book feel more realistic.

This is an excellent historical novel that is well worth picking up. The story has depth and is intrigue while building the characters and keeping you engaged. Thank you to NetGalley, David Baldacci, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.

I have been a fan of Mr. Baldacci for a while but this book just didn't do it for me. When I got an advanced copy of this book I thought that it would be a little like the other books that I have read but that was not the case with this one. In fact it was a historical fiction read that was set during World War II time when three strangers come together from three different walks of life. The trio are each working to overcome their own tragedies from the war. They are all hiding something from one another while still showing their humanity during this difficult time. In other words, three strangers dealing with a lot of sad stuff in their lives at a very slow pace in this book - the opposite of what I have come to expect from Mr. Baldacci's other work. Overall, this was a sad yet slow moving read set during a difficult time in history for these characters and not what I was expecting. In the end it just was not the book for me.

It was a story of found family, forgiveness, heartbreak and heartwarming. I found the storyline to be bit meandering at times but still enjoyed it and loved it was based on real people.
I posted review in GoodReads.

David Baldacci is not typically known for historical fiction, but he steps into the genre with a unique take on World War II. Set in England during the final days of the war, the story follows two teenagers, Molly and Charlie, who come from very different backgrounds—Molly from a wealthy family, and Charlie from a life of poverty. Both are left orphaned by the war, though not in the usual way seen in many WWII novels, which often focus on the experiences of Jewish children. Instead, Molly and Charlie must navigate survival on their own, with some support from Ignatius, a man mourning the recent loss of his wife. If you enjoy WWII fiction with a fresh perspective, this book is well worth the read. The audio version is read by multiple narrators.

What a great book! The narrators are perfect. This is a tale of relationships, warfare, toughness and found family. This is different from David Baldicci's other books but it might be one of my favorite books I've read this year. I will definitely be recommending it to others, just an awesome audiobook!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for my advanced listener copy.