“‘Books are what have brought us together. A love of stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife. And a reminder that we always have hope’” (296).

The Last Bookshop in London takes place during the Blitz blackouts and bombings, highlighting the importance of books and the power of words and stories—to inspire, to heal, to escape, to unify. Books, and The Last Bookshop in London, bring people together who need hope in the midst of despair, friendship in the midst of lonely grief, and escapism in the midst of a grim reality.

This beauty from ashes WWII story focuses on the small ways we can be part of the bigger story. There’s a strong sense of duty, of doing one’s part, in this historical fiction book where Grace and Viv and Colin and all the characters, really, try to find their unique purpose in this epic struggle. But, in the end, it’s Mr. Evans who shows Grace that in order to change the world, you don’t have to run headlong into the action, but instead focus on one small act of compassion and courage at a time. ( )

The Last Bookshop in London is a gentle walk through a horrible time in history, WW2. Through hardly mentioned circumstances, Grace and Viv end up at a family friend's house to weather the war. During this time, Grace finds employment at a bookshop, and so the story is told.

The story touches on the horrors of death and destruction during the Blitz, while Grace finds new solace in books and being a night warden in charge of ensuring citizens adhere to the blackout mandates. The story finds Grace growing with her books and her evening volunteerism and shows how the neighborhood comes together as a community through difficult times. There is mention of a budding romance with an RAF pilot, but it is but a blip in the story.

While not hard-hitting, the Last Bookshop is still a worthwhile read through a WW2 setting. But, then again, I am a sucker for all things WW2. ( )

Amazing historical WWII fiction that reminds us book lovers what it feels like to fall in love with reading. ( )

I very much enjoyed this book. How Martin manages to spin a story about being a street warden in the middle of the Blitz that is simultaneously tense and yet comforting is some serious alchemy.

Not deep. Not earth-shattering. But well written and characters who avoid obviousness (mostly). If you're looking for something vivid but not grim, with really telling details that bring history to life, give this a try.

ps: Evidently Ms. Martin is known for her romance novels, but this is not one. It is historic fiction with a budding relationship that remains mostly in the background. Front and center is what life was like for a young woman and her friends (of all ages) in London during the eight months of relentless Nazi bombing. ( )

This WWII era novel manages to keep a cozy feel while honestly dealing with the reality of living in London during that time. Our heroine, Grace, moves to the big city with her best friend. She’s been pushed out of her childhood home by her heartless Uncle but she finds a soft spot to land in the home Mrs. Weatherford, her late mother’s best friend. Mrs. Weatherford helps her get a job working at a bookstore, and it’s a joy to see our main character move from hesitantly dusting the stacks to confidently setting up displays and staying up late to read as she discovers a love for books. She also discovers a love for something – or rather someone – as a patron of the bookstore takes a fancy to her. But the realities of war means that they must be separated, that Grace must endure many bombings, and that quite a few losses must be coped with. The true heart of this book is how the residents of London rally around their bookstore and the place that reading has in their lives, which makes it utterly satisfying in the end. Read this one when you are in the mood for cozy mixed with a little bit of grim. ( )