The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II

The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II

  • Downloads:1077
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-04-19 12:31:21
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Madeline Martin
  • ISBN:1665068574
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and the enduring power of literature。

August 1939: London is dismal under the weight of impending war with Germany as Hitler's forces continue to sweep across Europe。 Into this uncertain maelstrom steps Grace Bennett, young and ready for a fresh start in the bustling city streets she's always dreamed of--and miles away from her troubled past in the countryside。

With aspirations of working at a department store, Grace never imagined she'd wind up employed at Primrose Hill, an offbeat bookshop nestled in the heart of the city--after all, she's never been much of a reader。 Overwhelmed with organizing the cluttered store, she doesn't have time to read the books she sells。 But when one is gifted to her, what starts as an obligation becomes a passion that draws her into the incredible world of literature。

As the Blitz rains down bombs on the city night after night, a devastating attack leaves the libraries and shops of London's literary center in ruins。 Miraculously, Grace's bookshop survives the firestorm。 Through blackouts and air raids, Grace continues running the shop, discovering a newfound comfort in the power of words and storytelling that unites her community in ways she never imagined--a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of war-torn London。

Download

Reviews

Sarah-Hope

The Last Bookshop in London is a welcome addition to the body of WWII historical fiction。 Madeline Martin's book deftly balances the tragic and the sweet while conveying a sense of what it must have been like to live during the blitz on London: sleepless night after sleepless night, constant "small" emergencies like fires and building damage, along with conflagrations and explosions that could flatten most of a block。 Grace and Viv are country girls who move to London a few months before the Naz The Last Bookshop in London is a welcome addition to the body of WWII historical fiction。 Madeline Martin's book deftly balances the tragic and the sweet while conveying a sense of what it must have been like to live during the blitz on London: sleepless night after sleepless night, constant "small" emergencies like fires and building damage, along with conflagrations and explosions that could flatten most of a block。 Grace and Viv are country girls who move to London a few months before the Nazi attacks on the city begin。 The more daring Viv has forged a letter of recommendation and quickly lands a job at Harrods。 The more cautious Grace, too wary to forge such a letter, finds herself working a temporary job in a bookstore with a goal of earning a real recommendation after six months。 Grace knows retail, having run a family store for several years, but she doesn't know books。 She's never been a reader。 So, of course, this is a book about how Grace learns to love books and how she teaches others to love books—a good book proves to be just the tonic people need when they're crowded into an bomb shelter。 Grace also finds new strengths working as a volunteer air raid warden。 The book includes terrible losses and well as new friendships and romances。The Last Bookshop in London is a book-lover's delight。 It will please readers of romances—and readers who despise romances。 And there are attractions in it for both readers of historical fiction and for what gets called "women's fiction。" In other words, the Venn diagram of its potential readers is huge, with lots of overlap。 That breadth also makes The Last Bookshop in London a great choice for gifting。I received a free electronic review copy of The Last Bookshop in London from the publisher via EdelweissPlus。 The opinions are my own。 。。。more

Mandi Spillar

I usually love all WW2 historical fiction but this one was just meh。 While the author weaved a well written tale, I found this story slow and boring。 The author does have a talent for creating vibrant scenes of London。 Specifically, the scene of cocktails and dancing in the 1940s in the basement of the Grosvenor hotel…amazing。 Being the title of the book, you know the bookshop is going to survive the war, in fact, every action and every character was painfully predictable。 Grace, who is a sweet I usually love all WW2 historical fiction but this one was just meh。 While the author weaved a well written tale, I found this story slow and boring。 The author does have a talent for creating vibrant scenes of London。 Specifically, the scene of cocktails and dancing in the 1940s in the basement of the Grosvenor hotel…amazing。 Being the title of the book, you know the bookshop is going to survive the war, in fact, every action and every character was painfully predictable。 Grace, who is a sweet character, becomes the local hero because she took care of the bookshop, the streets and read to the community。 I felt Grace was a lovely lady who was just trying to survive the war。。。。 just like everyone else in London。 All her contributions were sweet but I don’t think her story will leave a lasting, memorable, imprint for me。 This one was sprinkled with too much sweetness albeit to slow and predictable for my taste。 。。。more

Jennifer

5/5

Barbara

This novel was an Amazon Pick for April 2021。 It was a good read but nothing exceptional。

Marlene

Originally published at Reading RealityThis was an utterly charming read, and I was definitely charmed by it。 I’m saying that in spite of, just yesterday, claiming that I seemed to be suffering from a bit of WW2 historical fiction fatigue。 It appears that that book just wasn’t the right book, where The Last Bookshop in London definitely was。When we, along with Grace and her bestie Viv, arrive in London in 1939, Primrose Books is far from the last bookshop in London。 It’s just that the rest of th Originally published at Reading RealityThis was an utterly charming read, and I was definitely charmed by it。 I’m saying that in spite of, just yesterday, claiming that I seemed to be suffering from a bit of WW2 historical fiction fatigue。 It appears that that book just wasn’t the right book, where The Last Bookshop in London definitely was。When we, along with Grace and her bestie Viv, arrive in London in 1939, Primrose Books is far from the last bookshop in London。 It’s just that the rest of them seem to be congregated on Paternoster Row, while Primrose Books is a bit off the beaten path – albeit a bit closer to where Grace and Viv take up lodgings with Mrs。 Weatherford。The young women are from Drayton, a country town the dust of which neither of them could shake off their shoes fast enough。 Mrs。 Weatherford grew up in Drayton, like the girls, but of an earlier generation。 In fact, the generation of Grace’s late mother。 And they were besties back then, just as Grace and Viv are now。And there was a war coming then too。 History, damn it all, repeats the worst of its patterns。Grace needs Mrs。 Weatherford’s help, in the form of Mrs。 W’s ability to boss around pretty much everyone in her orbit – including Mr。 Evans, the curmudgeonly owner of Primrose Books。 Which is very much within the scope of her bossing。Grace needs a job but doesn’t have a reference – and isn’t brazen enough to fake it the way that Viv most definitely is。 Mr。 Evans needs someone to brighten up both the store and his life for reasons that are not apparent when we and Grace first meet him, although his need certainly is。And Grace, dives in with a will, even though she has no idea how to sell books because she hasn’t been much of a reader – at least not so far。 But she understands marketing, as she’s done it before back in Drayton, and she’s good at organization, and she needs to work with/for/at Mr。 Evans for 6 months in order to get a good reference。 That’s the deal he made with Mrs。 Weatherford。 Grace just has to earn that reference, which will just take hard work and a bit of managing – of Mr。 Evans, that is。But the dark clouds of war that have been looming on the horizon much longer than anyone wants to admit turn into a full blown storm of German bombs, just as Grace gets her feet under her in London。 A London that is now on fire。Escape Rating A-: Although this story covers very large events, the London Blitz being the obvious exploding elephant in the story’s “room”, it’s not actually a big story。 It isn’t about important people directing earth-shaking events – even though the earth does frequently shake under the nightly assault by German bombers。Rather, this is a story about ordinary people rising to the occasion, managing through adversity, keeping calm, carrying on and doing their bit to keep themselves, their friends and their neighbors together in the face of their world seeming to fall apart。And in the midst of grief, loss and rationing, bombs falling and spirits all too often falling right along with them, it’s also a story about the power of a good book to take a person – or a whole group of people in a bomb shelter – away from the worst parts of their here and now into someone else’s there and then。 Knowing that when they come back from their imaginary adventure the world will seem just a bit less grim for both the tiny escape and the shared camaraderie。Grace’s Primrose Books may not have actually been the “Last Bookshop in London” even in the story。 But Paternoster Row, the center of the British publishing industry, was destroyed during the Blitz as described herein, taking most of London’s bookstores along with it。In spite of the Blitz, the retreat from Dunkirk, the deaths among Grace’s family of choice in London, The Last Bookshop in London is actually a hopeful story。 Not just because as readers we know the result of war, but because of the way that the community that Grace has built around herself and the bookstore rallies ‘round and lifts her up – along with themselves – at even the lowest moments of the story。So, as I said at the very beginning, The Last Bookshop in London was simply a charming and lovely read。 If you like historical fiction centered on World War II, especially about the British Homefront, and/or stories about the power of reading and stories to lift people up and carry them away, this is a story that will bring as big a smile to your face as the stories that Grace reads aloud do to all of her listeners。 。。。more

Mollie Ressa

This story is about a young girl who works in a bookshop during the Blitz of London in WW II。 It shows the amazing and transformative power of books and stories shared。

Melanie Edens

I never wanted this one to end。 Now to read all the books Grace Bennett discovers in this absolutely beautiful story about how books save us。

Amanda

A beautiful snapshot of London during WWII and the unique blessing that books can be in a dark time。

gwendalyn _books_

Please excuse any grammatical errors, or typos。 I have done my best, but in reality I am not a writer。This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review。 Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own。This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book。 Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line。 This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers。________________________________ Please excuse any grammatical errors, or typos。 I have done my best, but in reality I am not a writer。This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review。 Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own。This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book。 Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line。 This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers。____________________________________A stunning atmospheric historical fiction。 Truly one fast paced all consuming books that have front and center。 Heart wrenching and compelling all at the same time。A thought provoking book about one woman’s stead fast perseverance to do what she can as the life as London and the English people comes crashing down。Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to London for a very long time。This comes to fruition when she is forced to leave the home she has ever known。 In London she along with her friend Viv want to be shop girls at Harrod’s。 But only her friends Viv had a letter of recommendation。 In a series of events she finds herself employed Primrose Hill Books。There Grace meets a young man George who suggests a book for her to read。 The war has broke out, leaving everything changed。 George is deployed, but the gifted book is so much more。Grace continues working at the bookshop until she wants do be more involved in the war movement。 Then Grace comes into her own as she volunteers to be an ARP Warden。 Seeing the wars horrors through the young men she tends to, while reading to them。 A book that captures the the love and fortitude of one woman who does what she can to those who need so much。A moving emotional book, that will stay with you long after you close it。 。。。more

Andrea

Another WWII in England story, but I found it compelling。 Somewhat predictable, but well told。

Judith

If this is a romance, it is a love affair with books。4。5 = I actually shed tears while reading -- in one LONG sitting。-。5= language peeves like the anachronism "impactful。" If this is a romance, it is a love affair with books。4。5 = I actually shed tears while reading -- in one LONG sitting。-。5= language peeves like the anachronism "impactful。" 。。。more

Leslie

Loved this book - even though it was set during WWII, told a great story of survival for those living in London and how they dealt with the grief and loss of loved ones。

Nancy Glover Honey

I didn't want to put it downA truly captivating story。 Books written with bookshops as the main storyline always grab my attention。 Many books have been written with WWII as the timeframe so to read one that centres around the survival of Britain at home as well as a book store is refreshing。 I didn't want to put it downA truly captivating story。 Books written with bookshops as the main storyline always grab my attention。 Many books have been written with WWII as the timeframe so to read one that centres around the survival of Britain at home as well as a book store is refreshing。 。。。more

Melissa

Grace Bennett arrives in London just prior to the start of World War II and gets a job working in a bookstore。 Even though she has no interest in books, she is introduced to reading by one of the bookstore's many patrons and thus begins a newfound love for reading。 She shares her love with the patrons and bookstore owner providing hope and an escape from the terrors of the war that will impact them all。 I fell in love with the characters, especially Grace, and the bookstore。 It is so nice to hav Grace Bennett arrives in London just prior to the start of World War II and gets a job working in a bookstore。 Even though she has no interest in books, she is introduced to reading by one of the bookstore's many patrons and thus begins a newfound love for reading。 She shares her love with the patrons and bookstore owner providing hope and an escape from the terrors of the war that will impact them all。 I fell in love with the characters, especially Grace, and the bookstore。 It is so nice to have a heroine that does not have a superpower or amazing skill but can use what she does have to become a hero in her own way。 I felt like I connected with Grace so much。 The story contains heartache and tragedy, as well as hope and friendship, and is an excellent read for anyone who loves books and/or historical fiction。 。。。more

Jeremy Stewart

📚𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄📚𝑇𝑖𝑡𝑙𝑒: The Last Bookshop In London𝐴𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟: Madeline Martin𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑓 𝑃𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠: 299(arc)𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: Historical Fiction𝑃𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑒: 04/06/2021𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔: 📕📕📕📕🔖(4。5 stars)This is the first book I have read from this author。 Thank you @htpbooks for my #gifted copy。 This has a stunning cover。So in this book we are in August of 1939 as London is under the weight of the impending War as Hitler's forces continue to sweep across Europe。 This book is inspired by true events during world War II。This bo 📚𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄📚𝑇𝑖𝑡𝑙𝑒: The Last Bookshop In London𝐴𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟: Madeline Martin𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑓 𝑃𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠: 299(arc)𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: Historical Fiction𝑃𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑒: 04/06/2021𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔: 📕📕📕📕🔖(4。5 stars)This is the first book I have read from this author。 Thank you @htpbooks for my #gifted copy。 This has a stunning cover。So in this book we are in August of 1939 as London is under the weight of the impending War as Hitler's forces continue to sweep across Europe。 This book is inspired by true events during world War II。This book was absolutely phenomenal。 Being a history buff, I was completely immersed in a world ravaged by War。 I have no idea how Grace the Bookshop owner was able to keep her bookstore open amidst all of the Carnage during world War II。 Madeline did a fantastic job writing a book that put you right in the middle of one of the most brutal times in London's history。 I had goosebumps while reading this hoping the bookstore would stay open and not be destroyed。 I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves historical fiction novels!!!! 。。。more

Deborah

What a lovely novel about community, love, resiliency, determination, friendship, and how the love and support of friends and even strangers, can lift one out of the pit of despair。 Well written and narrated。

Marion Granigan

What obsessive compulsive bibliophile hasn't fantasized at least once about running a book store? That is the hook that put this on my reading list。 That is the only thing about this book that recommends it。 This is a fairly standard WW2 romance offering; bombs-check, blackout-check, rationing-check, noble sacrifice-check, plot-not so much checked, historical accuracy-ditto。 If you like a nice virginal romance set in a quasi-historical setting this one's for you。 What obsessive compulsive bibliophile hasn't fantasized at least once about running a book store? That is the hook that put this on my reading list。 That is the only thing about this book that recommends it。 This is a fairly standard WW2 romance offering; bombs-check, blackout-check, rationing-check, noble sacrifice-check, plot-not so much checked, historical accuracy-ditto。 If you like a nice virginal romance set in a quasi-historical setting this one's for you。 。。。more

sandra mae zendrosky

The bombing of LondonThis book was one of the best books I have ever read。 Its a story of loss, discovery of a love for books she didn't know she had and the bravery of people thrust in a situation where death was a real possibility The bombing of LondonThis book was one of the best books I have ever read。 Its a story of loss, discovery of a love for books she didn't know she had and the bravery of people thrust in a situation where death was a real possibility 。。。more

angela🦇🌙

i picked this up on a whim at costcco, and im so glad i did。such a fun and easy book to read, it was a bit cliche at times, and cheesy, but i loved the vibes i got。 grace was also an excellent heroine。 and im in love with george anderson

Becky

I absolutely loved this book! It showcases the power of books in peoples lives。 Compelling read, I couldn't put it down, and stayed up way too late at night reading! Highly recommend it I absolutely loved this book! It showcases the power of books in peoples lives。 Compelling read, I couldn't put it down, and stayed up way too late at night reading! Highly recommend it 。。。more

joan ma gum

A story of love , loss, resilience of WWII LondonHeartwarming。 Best book I've read in years。 And I've read close to a hundred the past year and a half。 Wonderful characters, transforming power of books and human kindness and resilience of Londoners in the relentless bombing of WWII A story of love , loss, resilience of WWII LondonHeartwarming。 Best book I've read in years。 And I've read close to a hundred the past year and a half。 Wonderful characters, transforming power of books and human kindness and resilience of Londoners in the relentless bombing of WWII 。。。more

Jacalyn Zimmerman

I enjoyed reading The Last Bookshop in London。 It is a WW2 historical fiction 。 It about how a community survive the blackouts and air raids of war。

Elsie Hickman

PoignantI liked everything about this book。 The characters were sympathetic and the story both touching and sweet。 It was a nice journey into the past, while reminding us of the trials of an earlier generation。

Donna Hines

First and foremost I must Thank Madeline Martin, the publisher at Harlequin Books, and NetGalley for providing me this ARC via Amazon Kindle services。The Last Bookshop in London has swept me away to the late 30's and beyond with a sense of intrigue that carried through extremely well right up till that magnificent ending。While I've read numerous books on this time frame in history nothing came close to the brilliance that Madeline Martin showcased in this novel。The beauty is in the pages of the First and foremost I must Thank Madeline Martin, the publisher at Harlequin Books, and NetGalley for providing me this ARC via Amazon Kindle services。The Last Bookshop in London has swept me away to the late 30's and beyond with a sense of intrigue that carried through extremely well right up till that magnificent ending。While I've read numerous books on this time frame in history nothing came close to the brilliance that Madeline Martin showcased in this novel。The beauty is in the pages of the book。 The writing is solid。 The setting is vivid and the action is beyond belief as suspenseful as it's dynamic。You could literally feel every raw emotion and there's plenty of those emotions swirling around this war and specifically the air raids that sadly destroyed so many lives and properties in London。The power of literature is the tip of your finger。 Never forget you hold the power。This book emphasized so many strong points with courage being the central focal point as books took hold and shaped the future lives of so many who held them close。Books aren't just stories they are escapes from reality。 They are travelling adventures。 They are educational and self help tools and so much more。 Books bring hope。 They bring adventure。 They bring light to the surface when many days are dark。 Sanctuaries are like books in many ways and the authors makes note of their similarities。Primrose Hill is the bookshop in London that was nearly wiped off the map。 Yet, Grace used her love of books to bring it back to it's former self。 I can't wait for you to find out how she accomplished this and how her relationship with her bestie Viv took shape。From start to finish this book literally captivated my heart, mind, and soul。 It had everything a great read should possess and then some。While these two ladies shared similar paths they also shared similar beliefs and it was fascinating seeing their work play out in this writing from the ARP to the ATS。While Hitler and his hatred engulfed the nation these women find a new way to bring joy to many in their communities。So, in closing I offer up this quote: Remember that we will always have books, and therefore we will always have courage and optimism。"There's nothing better than this 。。。I hope you too can enjoy this wonderful new work very soon。 。。。more

Diane

While there seems to be so many novels set in WWII, Madeleine Martin's The Last Bookshop in London feels like a fresh take on the genre。Grace and her best friend Viv have left behind their lives in the country for what they hope will be the excitement of living in the big city of London。 They move into the home of Grace's late mother's friend, Mrs。 Weatherford, and her kindhearted son Colin。Viv is able to get a job at Harrod's glamorous department store, but the only job Grace can get is at Prim While there seems to be so many novels set in WWII, Madeleine Martin's The Last Bookshop in London feels like a fresh take on the genre。Grace and her best friend Viv have left behind their lives in the country for what they hope will be the excitement of living in the big city of London。 They move into the home of Grace's late mother's friend, Mrs。 Weatherford, and her kindhearted son Colin。Viv is able to get a job at Harrod's glamorous department store, but the only job Grace can get is at Primrose Hill, a local bookstore。 Grace is not a reader, and she is taken aback at the disarray and disorganization of the store。Mr。 Evans, the owner of the bookshop, reluctantly takes Grace on as an employee on a temporary basis as a favor to Mrs。 Weatherford。 Grace gets to work cleaning and organizing the shop, and when handsome George comes in and suggests she read The Count of Monte Crisco to begin her education, Grace is smitten。When England declares war on Germany after the invasion of Poland, things in London change。 Colin and George are off to war, Viv leaves to join the war effort, but Grace stays behind with Mrs。 Weatherford。 Grace becomes a warden at night, walking the neighborhood to ensure that everyone follows the blackout envelop you as you read。Soon the Germans begin nightly bombing runs over England, known as the Blitz。 Each night the residents of London would take cover in the underground subway tunnels while German planes bombed civilian targets in the city, destroying it piece by piece。 Martin immerses the reader in this terrorizing nightly ritual alongside the London residents。One night, Grace begins to read aloud to her neighbors in the Underground, which becomes a balm to them。 She takes to afternoon readings in the bookshop, and people pack the store to hear her。As someone who works at a bookstore, I truly enjoyed Grace's evolution of the shop。 She creates marketing ideas, including participating in the National Book Token system。 People were encouraged to buy book tokens that people could take into bookstores to exchange for books, like a gift cards。 I had not heard of this, and I loved it。Madeline Martin does such a brilliant job putting the reader into this neighborhood in London, which was a character in the book, as was the bookshop。 We understand the importance of the bookshop as a refuge from war to the community, and how the community comes together when the bookshop needs them。 I highly recommend The Last Bookshop in London for anyone who loves bookstores and a good WWII story told from a fresh perspective。 Thanks to Harlequin Books for putting me on Madeline Martin's tour。 。。。more

Lisa Hutson

To begin, I want to give a big round of applause to Saskia Maarleveld for her wonderful narration。 This is a marvelous story。 But the beautiful narrationby Ms Maarleveld only puts you deeper in the eventsand the times。 Grace has always wanted to live in London。 The excitement and sophistication。 When the time finally arrives for her dream to come true, it is also time for a world changing war to take place。 Grace has neverthought of herself as brave or strong。 But as the world changes, so does s To begin, I want to give a big round of applause to Saskia Maarleveld for her wonderful narration。 This is a marvelous story。 But the beautiful narrationby Ms Maarleveld only puts you deeper in the eventsand the times。 Grace has always wanted to live in London。 The excitement and sophistication。 When the time finally arrives for her dream to come true, it is also time for a world changing war to take place。 Grace has neverthought of herself as brave or strong。 But as the world changes, so does she。 She finds the courage andmuscle to help。 To make life better for everyone around her。 She isn't the only one。 Grace helps others to findthe strength inside them they never knew they had。 The bravery Grace finds in herself spreads out to all。 Madeline Martin has written such a dramatic story thatcan inspire everyone。 The Last Bookshop in London, asyou would imagine, has a lot about people reading in it。 But the bookshop isn't just about books or reading。 It is about community and love and hope。Events like the ones in this story probably happen in real life during wars。 Real heroes are born in these times。 I loved listening to this book。 I hope you will too。  。。。more

Melanie

This wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t worth all the “editors choice” ratings I saw。 Must be a deal with the publisher。

Laurie Erickson

So wonderful!What a truly enjoyable book。 Weaving in the heartbreaking tragedies of the war with heartwarming stories of people drawn together in the fight for survival。 I really felt the combination of weariness and pride that the Londoners felt going through the relentless bombings。 The losses that were suffered, and yet overcome with true grit and determination。

Judy

Charming story Another book that deals with London during WWII。 Grace and Viv have come to London after years of dreaming about it。 Their timing is not good。 Hitler is about to declare war on England。 Grace works in the Primrose book shop with Mr。 Evans。 After long months they become good friends。 Grace reads to people in the shelter and then in the bookstore。 It is a delightful book to read。

C

Very good historical fiction。 The work of an ARP (Air Raids Precautions) volunteer was fascinating and the risks that Grace, the main character, takes through her dedicated volunteerism during the horrendous bombing of London really took me to the place and time。 Of course I loved the story line set around the old bookstore she is employed at and the cast of characters。