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The Wartime Bookshop #4
Evacuees at the Wartime Bookshop
January, 1942: Victoria is looking for a life away from the dangers of wartime London for herself and two orphaned children. Her search takes her to Churchwood in Hertfordshire which looks ideal but the village residents are already dealing with their own problems . . .
Alice is working hard to get the village bookshop back up and running after the previous premises were destroyed. The new building is in urgent need of repair and a builder has been hired but where is he and where is the money he was paid?
Kate is struggling to work out the next steps in her relationship with pilot Leo. Will he expect her to meet his parents? Knowing they are rich and elegant, Kate suspects they want their son’s sweetheart to be the same – not a country bumpkin like her with barely a penny to her name.
Meanwhile, Naomi shows kindness to Victoria and her evacuees but is she biting off more than she can chew, especially when she is confronted with a surprising intruder . . .
With so much trouble and uncertainty in the village, can Victoria and her little family find the safe haven they crave?
Evacuees at the Wartime Bookshop is the fourth novel in the uplifting Wartime Bookshop series, perfect for fans of Donna Douglas and Elaine Everest.
Alice is working hard to get the village bookshop back up and running after the previous premises were destroyed. The new building is in urgent need of repair and a builder has been hired but where is he and where is the money he was paid?
Kate is struggling to work out the next steps in her relationship with pilot Leo. Will he expect her to meet his parents? Knowing they are rich and elegant, Kate suspects they want their son’s sweetheart to be the same – not a country bumpkin like her with barely a penny to her name.
Meanwhile, Naomi shows kindness to Victoria and her evacuees but is she biting off more than she can chew, especially when she is confronted with a surprising intruder . . .
With so much trouble and uncertainty in the village, can Victoria and her little family find the safe haven they crave?
Evacuees at the Wartime Bookshop is the fourth novel in the uplifting Wartime Bookshop series, perfect for fans of Donna Douglas and Elaine Everest.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2024
51 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 2, 2024
I’ve never been able to rejoin a book and slip in to the characters and story so easily! I’ve been reading these books over the past several years and my brain has always kept a small corner dedicated to remembering the characters and previous events which goes to show how good the previous books were.
I went into this one thinking I wouldn’t be able to remember who was who and what happened but immediately when I picked it up, it all came flooding back. My fondness for the characters instantly revived and I feel like I’ve been through so much with these girls!
Naomi, our Mrs Harrington who has bloomed since leaving her husband and demanding a divorce. She’s coming strongly back to herself and she is a true force to be reckoned with. Kate, our feisty farm girl who has found love with a dashing RAF solider, Alice, daughter of a retired doctor and worried for her husband away fighting. They’re all such strong characters and ones you can instantly root for.
Ive always loved the writing in these books and this one had a fab element all of its own- evacuees! And wow are they and some!
Naomi finds herself accidentally host to what feels like a small village, with a school load of children in tow! Naomi, who is without children herself, wonders if she can ever cope. But it takes a small village and it seems a small village is on her side!
Another easy 5 stars and a fantastic wartime read. I’ll never get fed up of reading these fabulous books.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I went into this one thinking I wouldn’t be able to remember who was who and what happened but immediately when I picked it up, it all came flooding back. My fondness for the characters instantly revived and I feel like I’ve been through so much with these girls!
Naomi, our Mrs Harrington who has bloomed since leaving her husband and demanding a divorce. She’s coming strongly back to herself and she is a true force to be reckoned with. Kate, our feisty farm girl who has found love with a dashing RAF solider, Alice, daughter of a retired doctor and worried for her husband away fighting. They’re all such strong characters and ones you can instantly root for.
Ive always loved the writing in these books and this one had a fab element all of its own- evacuees! And wow are they and some!
Naomi finds herself accidentally host to what feels like a small village, with a school load of children in tow! Naomi, who is without children herself, wonders if she can ever cope. But it takes a small village and it seems a small village is on her side!
Another easy 5 stars and a fantastic wartime read. I’ll never get fed up of reading these fabulous books.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
July 4, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book
book 4 in this fabulous series and this one made me cry at the end....
its great to catch up with the characters again, there is just something about them and the whole village that makes it a feel good read, and its nice to see how they are progressing with the war...
kate, alice and naomi are the stalwarts of the village and each have a major part in this book but man so do the evacuees from london who descend on the village by accident
i cant wait for the next book in this wonderful series
book 4 in this fabulous series and this one made me cry at the end....
its great to catch up with the characters again, there is just something about them and the whole village that makes it a feel good read, and its nice to see how they are progressing with the war...
kate, alice and naomi are the stalwarts of the village and each have a major part in this book but man so do the evacuees from london who descend on the village by accident
i cant wait for the next book in this wonderful series
August 4, 2024
Love this story, the latest in the Wartime Bookshop series. Lesley Eames writes these very well. Can’t wait for the next one
July 18, 2024
Already a fan of Lesley Eames' Wartime Bookshop Series, The Evacuees at the Wartime Bookshop was a super-fun and enjoyable read for me. Alice, Kate, and Naomi are 3 different ladies living in Churchwood during WWII. From the start of the series, they have become friends and run a bookshop, though the bookshop isn't a place to buy books. It's a place to borrow books, with other activities thrown in. At the end of the 3rd story, the bookshop was destroyed when a fighter plane crashed into it. 'Evacuees' picks up shortly after the crash and keeps the reader enthralled as Alice, Kate, and Naomi try to restore the bookshop. Hiring carpenters to make repairs should be easy, until a fraudster shows up, plus a woman and her grown son claiming she is the rightful owner of the building. While the trio must separate truth from fiction, Ms. Eames also continues the journey into Alice, Kate, and Naomi's personal lives, to include a small group of homeless children and their mothers, Naomi's soon-to-be ex's son, Alice stepping out of her comfort zone, and Kate's unruly family. Without giving anything else away, all I can say is I just love all 3 of these ladies and find myself cheering for them through their ups and downs. This is a series as addicting as a good soap opera.
July 17, 2024
Feel Good book
It's a really uplifting read. I love these Wartime Bookshop books and have already recommended to my friends. I can't wait for the next book in the series and will definitely pre order.
It's a really uplifting read. I love these Wartime Bookshop books and have already recommended to my friends. I can't wait for the next book in the series and will definitely pre order.
July 30, 2024
Brilliant, didn't realise it was part of a series. Looking forward to getting her others
July 16, 2024
Brilliant just brilliant
July 12, 2024
Brilliant story have loved all 4 books, A Foundling at the Wartime Bookshop on order
February 1, 2025
This is the fourth book in the series, about Alice, Kate and Naomi and their bookshop in Churchwood. It works as a standalone, but I would advise reading the previous books for story continuation elements and character detail.
This time round sees Alice trying desperately to find a way to reopen the bookshop that was destroyed in the last book. Kate is struggling with doubts about her relationship with Leo, and Naomi finds herself helping multiple evacuees from London - and a mysterious visitor.
This is a really enjoyable series that is easy to read. It has many great characters, with some fantastic new ones added this time round. It's a must read series for me.
This time round sees Alice trying desperately to find a way to reopen the bookshop that was destroyed in the last book. Kate is struggling with doubts about her relationship with Leo, and Naomi finds herself helping multiple evacuees from London - and a mysterious visitor.
This is a really enjoyable series that is easy to read. It has many great characters, with some fantastic new ones added this time round. It's a must read series for me.
July 6, 2024
If I could give it stars, I certainly would. The best in the series by far. I want to move to Churchwood. I can relate to Kate's anxiety and fear. Love them all.
July 2, 2024
Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.
I have read all the books in the series and looked forward to this one, It did not disappoint.
Seldom do the characters of a book merge from one in a series to another so easily - yet new characters are introduced and they fit into the narrative just right.
And this does introduce new characters whilst highlighting the flaws of old ones. Alexander is one to dislike while Naomi helps his son when in dire need. She also comes to terms with the childlessness that she had while married to Alexander - but learns that she can love and interact with children of others - including her husbands offspring.
All the old characters have trials and tribulations but its great to meet up with Alice and Kate as well as the Land Girls again and learn more about them and how they tick.
And the Bookshop is at the centre of the story again - though still struck by its own troubles and nearly doesn't come to fruition yet again.
As with the previous books this is well written and researched and a pleasure to read.
Although there was an 'ending' I sincerely hope it isn't the end of the series?
This is worthy of it's 5 stars
I have read all the books in the series and looked forward to this one, It did not disappoint.
Seldom do the characters of a book merge from one in a series to another so easily - yet new characters are introduced and they fit into the narrative just right.
And this does introduce new characters whilst highlighting the flaws of old ones. Alexander is one to dislike while Naomi helps his son when in dire need. She also comes to terms with the childlessness that she had while married to Alexander - but learns that she can love and interact with children of others - including her husbands offspring.
All the old characters have trials and tribulations but its great to meet up with Alice and Kate as well as the Land Girls again and learn more about them and how they tick.
And the Bookshop is at the centre of the story again - though still struck by its own troubles and nearly doesn't come to fruition yet again.
As with the previous books this is well written and researched and a pleasure to read.
Although there was an 'ending' I sincerely hope it isn't the end of the series?
This is worthy of it's 5 stars
July 5, 2024
This is book 4 of this brilliant series. We have reached 1942 and begins in London with a group of people who are living in a cramped house which is soon to be demolished because of bomb damage. We then switch back to Churchwood and catch up with Alice, Kate and Naomi who or trying to get the bookshop up and running again. In the last book a German plane crashed into thb previous one.
Once again trials and tribulations hit the three friends, but they all vow to win through. It is a lovely story and brought a tear to my eye.
Lesley certainly knows how trains were in those days with compartments. Also she mentioned buying a platform ticket. Only those of a certain age know what these are. For those do not know if you went to wave someone off on a journey, you had to have a 'Platform ticket' this meant you then could go with whoever onto the platform and wave them off.
It is another brilliant read, and I was sorry when it ended. As this book began in 1942, so we can expect more books in the series and I for one can not wait. Another 5* read
Once again trials and tribulations hit the three friends, but they all vow to win through. It is a lovely story and brought a tear to my eye.
Lesley certainly knows how trains were in those days with compartments. Also she mentioned buying a platform ticket. Only those of a certain age know what these are. For those do not know if you went to wave someone off on a journey, you had to have a 'Platform ticket' this meant you then could go with whoever onto the platform and wave them off.
It is another brilliant read, and I was sorry when it ended. As this book began in 1942, so we can expect more books in the series and I for one can not wait. Another 5* read
June 7, 2024
Book Four in this delightful series.
1942 in Churchwood Hertfordshire and Naomi Harrington cannot wait to divorce Alexander, 1941 has been full of ups and downs lets hope this year would be better for her.
Her beloved book shop in the village hall is hit by a plane, so she can take over Joe Simpson's house renting it from Alice Irvine it wont be as big as the hall, but the community needs to be able to have some joy with this dreaded war going on.
Waifs and strays start to arrive from London, evacuees and the children start to thrive and feel safe with the fresh air and space to play and eating plenty of fresh food to build them up.
This book has to be my favourite in this series so far, and does get very emotional in chapters as you take the characters to your heart. Another fabulous easy read from the author I do love her work and how she draws her readers in. Loved it right to the end.
1942 in Churchwood Hertfordshire and Naomi Harrington cannot wait to divorce Alexander, 1941 has been full of ups and downs lets hope this year would be better for her.
Her beloved book shop in the village hall is hit by a plane, so she can take over Joe Simpson's house renting it from Alice Irvine it wont be as big as the hall, but the community needs to be able to have some joy with this dreaded war going on.
Waifs and strays start to arrive from London, evacuees and the children start to thrive and feel safe with the fresh air and space to play and eating plenty of fresh food to build them up.
This book has to be my favourite in this series so far, and does get very emotional in chapters as you take the characters to your heart. Another fabulous easy read from the author I do love her work and how she draws her readers in. Loved it right to the end.
July 7, 2024
Yet another wonderful book in the series and certainly does not disappoint the book s as good as the other ones.
We continue with Alice, Kate & Naomi with their lives in Churchwood. Naomi has someone sleeping in her shed we wonder who it is are they are. Alice is recovering from losing her baby and is wishing that Daniel would come home. Kate is still in love with Leo but wonders if her background is fine for him. We see new characters coming into the book with the women and children from London who end up staying with Naomi.
I could not put this book down and really enjoyed how the story went weaving back and forth between the woman. I thought the woman are all strong.
I would recommend you reading the series as they are fantastic.
We continue with Alice, Kate & Naomi with their lives in Churchwood. Naomi has someone sleeping in her shed we wonder who it is are they are. Alice is recovering from losing her baby and is wishing that Daniel would come home. Kate is still in love with Leo but wonders if her background is fine for him. We see new characters coming into the book with the women and children from London who end up staying with Naomi.
I could not put this book down and really enjoyed how the story went weaving back and forth between the woman. I thought the woman are all strong.
I would recommend you reading the series as they are fantastic.
August 15, 2025
This was so different to what I expected it to be - it doesn't really have many links to the war as such but rather just follows the life of some women in a sleepy village. Ultimatley it focuses on Niomi's sense of moral justice and taking in her housemaids evacuees from London and her son in law, despite her own difficulties. There is also the blossoming relationship between Kate and a flight officer who is from a very different background to herself.The book centres around a village bookshop closed due to an aircraft crash and the village attempt to get it up and running again to bring the community back together - even if the owner nearly gets scammed twice. a very easy read with elements of romance and crime solving combined with social class and the need for goodwill. 3/5
February 12, 2025
It was great to catch up with all the characters from Churchwood again and in this book they have lots going on. After losing their beloved book shop in the last book everyone is excited about the chance to use Joe’s old house thanks to his sister Ellen. Unfortunately after forgetting to get the chimney swept disaster strikes and with no insurance will Ellen be able to the house fixed.
Naomi finds herself very busy after getting some unexpected visitors who have evacuated from London. Also Alexander is still causing her problems too. There’s so much going on for everyone in this book, but in true Churchwood style when things get tough everyone pulls together
Naomi finds herself very busy after getting some unexpected visitors who have evacuated from London. Also Alexander is still causing her problems too. There’s so much going on for everyone in this book, but in true Churchwood style when things get tough everyone pulls together
May 16, 2025
Truly, I wish I could settle into a place like Churchwood. With neighbors like the people in these stories. Once again, this is a delightful book with all the ups and downs you’d like. The characters have all been developed into people you love…and some not so much. I’m looking forward to the next book, but am dreading that it’s the last for awhile!
October 20, 2024
This is #4 in a series but the only one I could find. Love wartime stories and this one was kind of sappy but characters were interesting and back stories were told. The writing was pretty basic and dialog choppy. I would have liked more descriptive info about the town and that area of England.
October 9, 2024
Absolutely love this series. Feel so much part of the village I found myself thinking what can I put for the raffle or which books can I donate. Fantastic writer to make you feel like that.xx
November 7, 2024
Fabulous book
I really enjoyed this book as the various characters all seem to have had heartbreak but eventually they find happiness.
I really enjoyed this book as the various characters all seem to have had heartbreak but eventually they find happiness.
January 16, 2025
A fantastic story with all the regulars didn't want it to finish 😀
March 3, 2025
A brilliant story.
This is the fourth book in the Wartime Bookshop series and more about the three friends and their journey to reopen the bookshop.
This is the fourth book in the Wartime Bookshop series and more about the three friends and their journey to reopen the bookshop.
May 27, 2025
love this series.
I have read 3 of these books in a week. I’m hooked on the characters and can’t wait to see what happens I’m the next book.
I have read 3 of these books in a week. I’m hooked on the characters and can’t wait to see what happens I’m the next book.
June 3, 2025
thanks again for the escapism
December 2, 2025
This series is wonderful to read, if you haven’t tried it I highly recommend reading it.
March 2, 2025
Loved this latest book. Flew through it.
September 1, 2024
This book has that Sunday evening television drama feel about it. You can start the book and slip right back into all the characters and their lives, without much thought and it all comes back, like putting on a comfy pair of slippers.
Naomi, although not finally rid of her husband finds herself using her large house to help out some evacuees from the city. These youngsters and their harassed mothers arrive without little knowledge of the countryside and life in a village. Not all of the villagers are welcoming and some of the children find themselves being blamed for every misdemeanour.
The village is still suffering from the loss of the bookshop which drew all the characters together. A plan is formed to reinstate it, but it even dying wartime there are some unscrupulous people about who prey on the kind nature of others. It seems that Alice, continues to thrive and come out of her shell as she stands up for what is right and acts to see the village grow from strength to strength.
Kate, still stuck at the farm with her awful father and brothers, still pines after her RAF officer who has been wounded. However she realises that perhaps their lives are not meant to be intertwined when a visit to see him recuperate at his family home, shows the differences in their backgrounds and lives.
Packed full of goings on in the village, it is great to be back with the ladies and I cannot wait to visit again.
Naomi, although not finally rid of her husband finds herself using her large house to help out some evacuees from the city. These youngsters and their harassed mothers arrive without little knowledge of the countryside and life in a village. Not all of the villagers are welcoming and some of the children find themselves being blamed for every misdemeanour.
The village is still suffering from the loss of the bookshop which drew all the characters together. A plan is formed to reinstate it, but it even dying wartime there are some unscrupulous people about who prey on the kind nature of others. It seems that Alice, continues to thrive and come out of her shell as she stands up for what is right and acts to see the village grow from strength to strength.
Kate, still stuck at the farm with her awful father and brothers, still pines after her RAF officer who has been wounded. However she realises that perhaps their lives are not meant to be intertwined when a visit to see him recuperate at his family home, shows the differences in their backgrounds and lives.
Packed full of goings on in the village, it is great to be back with the ladies and I cannot wait to visit again.
January 29, 2025
Love her books ,cant wait for book 5 to come out .
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews