The Last Bookshop in London

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Trigger warnings: war, loss of a parent, bombings

Grace Bennett moves to London during World War II and works as a bookshop assistant.

Grace Bennett has always dreamed of living in London and leaves rural England for the city at the beginning of World War II. Grace and her lifelong friend Viv move in with Mrs. Weatherford, one of Grace's mother's longtime friends. Mrs. Weatherford finds Grace a job at Primrose Hill Books and Viv works as a salesgirl at Harrod's.

Grace's job at the bookshop is initially for only 6 months so she can attain a letter of reference to join Viv at Harrod's, but Grace takes a shining to the bookshop and becomes an asset to the owner.

When in a public bombing shelter, Grace begins telling the other Londoners about the book she's reading, and they ask her to read it aloud. Her reading enraptures the people underground and takes their minds off of the bombings.

The people begin coming back to the shelter to hear Grace read, which inadvertently saves the lives of people who would have been in another shelter if not for wanting to hear her stories. More and more people in the shelters gather to listen, and they form an impromptu book club at Primrose Hill Books.

The bookshop and its customers become dear to Grace, and she begins to see the owner as the father she never had. Through bombings, deaths, and the despair of war, the bookshop stands as one of the last beacons of hope for civilians who have sent their children away, lost loved ones, and worry about the men in their families serving in the military.

Saskia Maarleveld is a great narrator who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Her intonation is flatter for narration and more emotional for dialogue, which makes the story dynamic.

Recommended for book lovers and readers of historical fiction, especially World War II fiction.

Madeline Martin is the bestselling author of historical fiction and romance. She lives in Florida.

Publisher: Hanover Square Press (print); Harlequin Audio

Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld

Running Time: 8 hours, 13 minutes

Length: 320 pages

Release Date: April 6, 2021

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I also received a digital audio recording of this title from the publisher through Libro.fm as a librarian review copy. I read the latter edition. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.