You wouldn’t think you’d find cozy fiction set against the blitz, but this book does so with charm. The themes of loyalty, determination, sacrifice, and optimism soften the backdrop of war, fear, destruction, and loss. The love of literature and its ability to inspire, transform, provide escape, and yet also connection is the true main character of this tale. This story is a good reminder that in difficult times it is more important than ever to read a good book.

As close to "cozy fiction" as a historical fiction book set in the Blitz could be.  Enjoyable light read.  Relationships develop very quickly

Normally, I avoid WWII books, because they often feel like the same stories retold. This one feels more about the community and the ties the circle of characters have to each other and their little corner of London. I love how the bookstore functions as its own character with the importance it plays throughout the story. Grace's journey of falling in love with books warmed my heart, and her new, surrogate parents are so wholesome. Everyone ended up being exactly who others needed at that time. Despite my knowing the bombings of Britain were coming, I appreciated and enjoyed seeing those events through the eyes of Grace, Mr. Evans at the bookshop, her partner protecting the city, and the rest of the cast. A full cast for the audio narration would have been phenomenal, but the narrator still does a wonderful job. The comaraderie during disaster is akin to what we experience after hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, so I understood how people came together run support those who need help. The romance is sweet and natural with the minimal contact they have combined with the constant exchange of letters - it works and adds just enough to be story to be believable. 

An easy and enjoyable read! I liked the way the story progressed, even though there was no really defined plot. It felt more like a story. The historical recounting kept me hooked and I actually learned a little bit, too. The main characters were likeable and cheesy at points. It had a really sweet ending which was absolutely zero surprise. 

I knew nothing of this book when I picked it up except it was set in London during WWII. I honestly was expecting a lighthearted historical romance type story. I was delighted to find it was so much more. The author writes plainly about the tragedy of war while still maintaining an overall hopeful prose. Really enjoyed this one

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

In another life, I could only hope that I would be a Grace Bennett.

I quickly fell in love with the characters in this story. With Grace, Mrs. Weatherford, and especially with Mr. Evans, the curmudgeonly bookstore owner whose heart softened along the way.

There isn’t much plot to this one, but there’s a lot of heart. If you’re at all interested in getting a peek into what life was like during the London Blitz, how bookstores were affected, and how a young girl can fall in love with reading and bring a community together in times of strife, I highly recommend picking up The Last Bookshop in London.

This was my first book by Madeline Martin, but it won’t be my last.