The British Booksellers

A Novel

De: Kristy Cambron

Narrado por: Barrie Kreinik

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 World War II, 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.

• Split timeline: WWI and WWII
• Stand-alone novel
• Book length: 118,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Reseñas de la Crítica

'Christy Award--winner Cambron's latest is set during the years prior to and during WWI and WWII . . . Cambron presents a psychologically rich and historically vivid inspirational story of courage, sacrifice, and people coming together to preserve their community.'

'From page one, the dynamic, endearing characters in The British Booksellers stole my heart. Kristy Cambron is an assured storyteller, weaving together dual periods and complex family structures with ease. Fans of Downton Abbey will adore The British Booksellers.'

'In this delightful historical romance, with nods to the movie You've Got Mail, readers will be put through the emotional spectrum, all the while rooting for the mismatched couple: now middle-aged and battle scarred, but not without hope for true love.'

'In this memorable blend of romance and WWII history, Cambron (THE PARIS DRESSMAKER) chronicles the devastation of the Coventry blitz and its impact on two budding couples . . . Cambron brings a great deal of authenticity to her rendering of Coventry's 'Forgotten Blitz' (which took place almost 100 miles from London), as the tumult and trauma of wartime make class disparity and past misunderstandings wash away, leaving only authentic emotion. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough.'

'Kristy Cambron has long delighted readers with her richly textured tales of epic historical episodes and the intimate, intricate workings of the human heart. In her latest work, THE BRITISH BOOKSELLERS, Cambron delivers yet again, with her powerful punch of assiduous research and skillful, lush storytelling. Sweeping across generations and both World Wars, this is a luminous ode to the soul's deep and indelible yearning for love, hope, and truth.'

'Set in the English countryside and spanning two wars, Kristy Cambron's latest, The British Booksellers, is a beautiful and enlightening novel that captures the lost love and youthful dreams of two unlikely soul mates, Charlotte and Amos. Full of longing and sprinkled with literary gems, I was completely swept away with this enchanting tale.'

'With pitch-perfect prose and impeccable research, Kristy Cambron brings to life the Forgotten Blitz bombings of World War II--and shines a light on the ways in which we find hope in even the darkest moments. A testament to bravery, loss, and the power story has to unite us, The British Booksellers will steal readers' hearts. This stunning novel is a poignant reminder of the indomitable nature of the human spirit and the enduring power of true love. Five huge stars!'

Slow to start but definitely worth it!

Loved this novel and will certainly follow other titles by this author. Such a great love story with true to life facts about both world wars.

The characters and the plot were so enduring.

Amazing! Couldn’t quit listening to it! I would recommend it to anyone. A must read!

I highly recommend this intriguing story!

I love this story. This is the first book I have read/listened to by Kristy Cambron, but it won’t be the last. I liked it from the start, but about halfway through I became so intrigued I was eager to get to it the next day. The characters were interesting and believable, and the storyline was beautiful. I learned so much historical information from WW1 and WW2 that was skillfully woven into the storyline. I was completely satisfied with the ending, and pleased with the way each mystery came to light. I thought the narrators did a really nice job. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something that has some mystery and is well-written. Something that doesn’t contain any foul language or focus on sex. This book was a hit with me.

beautiful

At times it seemed as if this might be a slow book but wow what a beautiful way everything came together. listening to books is so very different then reading

Exceptional story

Kristy, you did it again. Outstanding! What as beautiful, heart-wrenching story of overcoming and the rejoining of hearts once thought to be separated forever. I loved it. Thank you for helping us never forget the lessons of forgiveness and the many lessons from WW II. You are indeed a blessed writer with a blessed pen. Barrie is an amazing reader! Well done!

A new favorite

I’ve listened to this three times. The narration transports me to Coventry, puts me in the bookshops, drops me into France as a battleground witness.

Historical fiction, tying WWI and WWII. One on the devastating blitzes in England, in Coventry.

I always appreciate the notes explaining the actual situation for the basis of a novel.

I liked the characters

The story flowed nicely between time periods. The consequences of war also had examples of human kindness.

Great narration, Good story

The book had an interesting plot. It just seemed to have a lot going on that wasn’t always connected and some parts were kind of slow. However, it was a good story with a great narrator and I’m not sorry I used a credit to listen. I did like it overall

Beautiful Story

Kristy Cameron has written another heartwarming story of love, perseverance, and forgiveness. Her historical research adds to the beautiful characters she sets in this devastating time of war and reminds us of how important it is to live lives that matter. Excellent story!