Inspired by real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings, The British Booksellers highlights the courage of those whose lives were forever changed by war—and the stories that bind us in the fight for what matters most.
A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington . . . until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home doesn’t come with tender reunions, but with the hollow fulfillment of opening a bookshop on his own and retreating as a recluse within its walls.
When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match. Though her heart had chosen another long ago, she pledges her future even as her husband goes to war. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop—Eden Books, lovingly named after her grown daughter. And Amos is nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane.
As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and lost loves, Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive.
From deep in the trenches of the Great War to the storied English countryside and the devastating Coventry Blitz of WWII, The British Booksellers explores the unbreakable bonds that unite us through love, loss, and the enduring solace that can be found between the pages of a book.
My Review:
Stunning…but my heart hurts. So, the kind of emotional read that twists your innards into pretzels and pummels your heart into a misshapen lump…to start off anyway.
I knew going in (from the synopsis) that there would be a doomed love scenario, I just wasn’t prepared for how bereaved I would be. Kudos to Cambron for creating such engaging characters. Easy to love and root for even though you know it’s a train wreck waiting to happen. And then it’s twenty-five years later.
And my heart still hurt.
The dual timeline is written so artfully and the way the author feeds us bits of pertinent information gradually is delightfully frustrating. I wanted to know everything NOW but at the same time enjoyed the anticipation. So, well plotted and beautifully written.
And my heart stopped hurting…though it still aches a little.
Two wars. Two love stories. The miracle of finding faith and basking in hope in the midst of the horror of war. Breathtakingly beautiful prose. Deeply emotional. So easy to live and breathe in every detail right along with the characters. A story to savour and hold on to even after you reach the end.
I really enjoyed the audio edition narrated by Barrie Kreinik. Well performed and easy to listen to. Her performance enhanced my appreciation of these characters and their story.
My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY
ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com)
Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR the option of an audible.ca edition.
If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of The British Booksellers, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 6 2024.
Kav's Best Reads 
This one pretty much checks a lot of boxes for me, historical, dual timeline, Kristy Cambron! Two love stories! I’m not sure about my heart hurting though, it’s been an incredibly rough week.
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Sorry you’ve been having a rough week, Perrianne! There are definitely some emotionally rough parts in this book…but uplifting ones too. I found it very emotional. Good luck!
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Kristy Cambron is one of my MUST read authors!
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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I can see why! Good luck, Caryl!
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Wow, what a beautifully written review! This will fit in my 2024 goals of new-to-me authors, as I still haven’t read any of Kristy Cambron’s books yet. I know, I know. What have I been waiting for?!! This fabulous review, that’s what!!!
dianalflowers at aol dot com
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Bwahahaha! What have you’ve been waiting for indeed? The British Booksellers would definitely be a wonderful introduction! Good luck, Diane!
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I have been wanting to try her books for a while! This one sounds so good! Thnx Kav!
sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom
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You’re welcome, Sarah. Good luck!
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Thanks for the great review and giveaway. This is a book that I am really looking forward to reading.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
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It’s such an amazing story! You will love it! Good luck, rubynreba!
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I absolutely loved The Italian Ballerina, the first book I read by Kristy Cambron. This one is at the top of my TBR list and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for your review.
Sandyavery at comcast dot net
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I haven’t read The Italian Ballerina yet. Guess I should get on that. 🙂 Good luck, Sandy!
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British + Bookseller = Yes, please!
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
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A reader attracting title for sure! Good luck, Patty!
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Looking forward to reading this story. What a touching review. Thanks for the opportunity to win this one.
I’m in the throes of a really bad head cold and am trying hard to sleep it off. Can’t think of reading much right now but look forward to this one later on.
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Ugh to you having a spring cold. So not fair. But then neither is the blizzard outside. Bah humbug. Spring is not being nice to us this year. Hope you feel better soon. Good luck, Becky!
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Awe you have a blizzard again. Stay safe in your part of the world. We seem to be getting spring one day and then the temperatures drop again.
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I love twisty emotional reads, the kind that wrenches your heart. And this one is a dual-timeline to boot! It’s already on my must-read list 😊💖
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
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Sounds like this would make the perfect Trixi Read. Good luck!
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I always enjoy reading Kristy Cambron’s books though I usually need tissues beside me.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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Good luck, Pam. Good call on stocking up on tissues — a necessary for the discerning reader’s stockpile. 🙂
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Ooh, I almost forgot to enter this one!! It sounds good!
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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It’s fantastic! Good luck, Kimmy!
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I’m so looking forward to this book! I’ve realized I’m a couple books behind from her, I think it’s time I start catching up!
ladepooh at hotmail dot com
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I like that she writes standalones so it’s easy to pick and choose which Kristy Cambron book to read next. Good luck, Lea!
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Ahh, this cover! The blurb! And, the setting. Oh, goodness, I need to read this one!
readreviewrejoiceATgmailDOTcom
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