Susan's Review of The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and the enduring power of literature.
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 blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were 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.

The Last Bookshop in London is a poignant novel set in London during WWII. Many novels written during this time focus on military battles, European politics and romance. I was drawn to this novel because Madeline Martin chose a different route. The Last Bookshop in London depicts the fears, the strengths and the shared experiences of the everyday person who lived and worked in London during WWII.

Grace Bennett and he best friend Viv arrive in London in 1939 as London was preparing for war. They take in the sights-the double decker buses and the shops- as they walk to Mrs. Weatherford’s home. Mrs. Weatherford was Grace’s late mother’s best friend and has offered them a room to rent. Grace and Viv were not prepared to see blackout curtains, the underground Anderson air raid shelter and gas masks when they arrive at Mrs. Weatherford’s home.

The characters made this story sparkle and shine! Grace wanted to work at Harrods with Viv but, she was unable to secure a reference from her uncle. Mrs. Weatherford was able to work her magic and secured a position for Grace at Primrose Hill books. Grace was disappointed went she walked into the unorganized, dusty book store and met Mr. Evans. She wasn’t a reader and felt out of place when asked to recommend books until she was gifted a book by George Anderson, one of the bookshops customers. Reading George’s book enabled Grace to forget about the war, the rationing, and the bombings for an hour or two. I loved the connection between George and Grace and how his simple gesture provided Grace with a revelation of what she has been missing. Loved the larger than life character of Mrs. Weatherford. She was warm, caring and an important part of the community. Mrs. Weatherford welcomed Grace and Viv into her family.

Witnessing the aftermath of the night bombings through Grace‘s eyes brought the events of the Blitz in a new light. Madeline Martin’s descriptive voice allowed me to walk in Grace’s shoes as she watched incendiary bombs rain down from the sky, smell the fires and see the aftermath of the nightly bombings during the Blitz. I admired Grace’s courage and the bravery of the Londoners who worked together to protect their community. Grace starts a reading hour at Primrose Hill. As she reads the stories out loud, she notices that the number of people gathered in the room grows daily and that her love of books has brought peace and happiness to others.

I highly recommend The Last Bookshop in London! It’s the perfect blend of engaging characters and wartime drama with a bit of romance. Settle in with a pot of tea and enjoy this heartfelt, emotional read.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book gifted by the author