Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop by Lesley Eames is #3 in the heartfelt and “uplit” Wartime Bookshop series.
Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop
Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, WWII Homefront, Friendship, Community, Rural English Village
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My Summary of Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop:
Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop is #3 in the uplit Wartime Bookshop Series. Each one can be read as a stand alone but it’s a richer reading experience to read in order to appreciate the character development. Each book follows three main characters, Alice, Kate, and Naomi.
In this recent installment, the characters are again involved with the community bookshop, and each faces personal challenges. Life on the WWII homefront in a small rural English village is realistically portrayed.
My Thoughts:
Genre
Women on the homefront during WWII is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres/subgenres. I love stories of difference-makers and the theme of women supporting women during difficult times.
New-to-me Author
Recently, I have discovered the stories of Lesley Eames. It all started with The Wartime Bookshop which I quickly followed with Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop. While waiting for this third installment, I read three backlist titles, The Wartime Singers, The Brighton Guest House Girls, and The Orphan Twins. If you love uplit women’s fiction with substantial themes and a WWII backdrop, consider this heartfelt Wartime Bookshop series. I appreciate the small sides of sweet romance (closed-door romance) and no profanity. I’m eagerly awaiting #4 in the series, and Lesley Eames is now one of my auto-buy authors.
Themes
Even though I consider these stories uplit, there are substantial themes. In Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop, thoughtful themes include war injuries, hazing in the military, desertion, miscarriage, friendship, loyalty, women supporting women, compassion, community spirit, complicated family relationships, life’s ups and downs, a small side of revenge, hope for a better future, and later-in-life love.
One of the endearing themes of the entire series is a community that cares for its own, making sure no one is outside the ‘net of safety.’ Of course, the popup bookshop that meets in the local church to share books, hold classes, and provide social events is the heart and soul of the community.
Content Consideration: war injuries, miscarriage
Recommending Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop
I’m wholeheartedly recommending the entire Wartime Bookshop series for fans of women’s fiction/historical fiction. Those who love themes of friendship and women supporting women will especially appreciate this WWII homefront series that features a pop-up bookshop at the heart of a rural English village.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Meet the Author of Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop, Lesley Eames
Winner of awards such as the Festival of Romance New Talent Award and the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Elizabeth Goudge Cup, Lesley Eames writes 1920’s sagas as well as short stories for the women’s magazine market. She is also a creative writing tutor, mentor and editor. Based in Hertfordshire, UK, Lesley loves working from home because she can share the adventures of her characters while wearing slippers and drinking copious cups of tea.
Follow her on Twitter: @LesleyEames or visit her website: http://www.lesleyeames.com
QOTD:
Have you read books by Lesley Eames?
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