The Last Bookshop in London - Historical Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

Rating:  Really Liked It!
Source: Publisher

Description:  August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she’d wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.

Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.

Genre:  Fiction - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  A bookshop in World War 2 era London?  How could I resist!

My Impression:  I love homefront books and this might be the most homefront of homefront books I've ever read.  Grace is just an ordinary girl trying to make her way in the world after her mother died and her aunt and uncle made it clear she was no longer welcome.  Grace and her friend Viv go to London to stay with Mrs. Weatherstone, a dear friend of Grace's mother, and her son Colin. They're really two normal nice girls who just want to experience the glamourous life in London.  Grace soon finds herself working in a bookshop run by the curmudgeonly Mr. Evans who makes it clear that Grace's job is only for a short time.

I was quickly pulled into this novel and liked Grace from the first.  She's a truly nice character without being vapid and spineless.  I also adored how she became involved in Primrose Hill Books and then pulled into books in general.    I loved the dynamic between Mrs. Weatherstone  and Grace and Viv.  Mrs. Weatherstone has been through war before and remembers the rationing and the bomb raids while Grace and Viv have only heard occasional stories and have no idea what they could be facing. 

This book is sweet and tragic, absolutely heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time.  I loved Grace and all the other characters and the world that Martin created.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to seeing more from this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy historical fiction I think you will love this read.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *