Last Bookshop in London

This is a wonderfully emotional, thought provoking historical novel. The story focuses on a journey of growth, individual, family and community. The tale offers wonderful characters especially the heroine. Although the plot is "rather" predictable, it is not simple. I highly recommend reading this novel, especially if you are in need of being uplifted by good, albeit stressed and flawed, people.

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.