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The Last Bookshop in London

Madeline Martin

4.63

The New York Times bestseller—for fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz!

“An irresistible tale which showcases the transformative power of literacy, reminding us of the hope and sanctuary our neighborhood bookstores offer during the perilous trials of war and unrest.”—KIM MICHELE RICHARDSON, author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and drawn curtains that she finds on her arrival are not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she’d wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.

Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.

“A gorgeously written story of love, friendship, and survival set against the backdrop of WWII-era London.”—JILLIAN CANTOR, author of In Another Time and Half Life

“A love letter to the power of books to unite us, to hold the world together when it’s falling apart around our ears. This fresh take on what London endured during WWII should catapult Madeline Martin to the top tier of historical fiction novelists.”—KAREN ROBARDS, author of The Black Swan of Paris

Don't miss Madeline Martin's next heartwarming historical novel, The Booklover's Library!

Also by Madeline Martin: The Librarian Spy The Keeper of Hidden Books

Adult
Pages
325
First published
April 6, 2021
Language
English
Edition
Ebook

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Shelved by 9 Litcadians

Reviews

  • Finished August 12, 2026

  • Started August 21, 2026 · Finished August 21, 2026

  • Started August 5, 2026 · Finished August 8, 2026

    It’s kind of hard to rate a historical fiction such as this. I thought its overall message of creating a community and finding purpose during times of strife was well-done, but arguably, the positivity was a little too heavy-handed and lessened the impact of the heavier moments. I think Grace is a really well-written, strong character, and she certainly came into her own as this story went on. Her interactions with the other characters felt honest, and though it’s not a romance book, I still loved her and George together. Side note: George Anderson gives Grace books instead of flowers, and that is why he is a keeper! Overall, it was a well-done story about a very difficult, but important time in history. I commend it as such.

  • Started August 4, 2026 · Finished August 4, 2026

  • challengingemotionalhopefulinspiringsadMedium-paced

    Started August 1, 2026 · Finished August 22, 2026

  • Started August 3, 2026 · Finished August 5, 2026

  • Finished April 10, 2022