La Librairie des faux-semblants

by Louise Fein, Barbara Versini

- Laissez-moi vous dire une chose, Celia Duchesne : vous avez tort de vous mettre ainsi des barrières. Des gens ordinaires accomplissent tous les jours des choses extraordinaires. Ne sous-estimez pas ce dont ils sont capables.


1962, le monde est au bord de la guerre nucléaire.
La jeune Celia Duchesne travaille dans une librairie spécialisée en livres rares et anciens à Londres, et son avenir semble déjà tout tracé. Jusqu'au jour où Septimus, un bel Américain, s'intéresse à elle et lui ouvre des horizons insoupçonnés. Toutefois, le monde de Celia vacille lorsque des secrets familiaux datant de la Seconde Guerre mondiale remontent à la surface. Dès lors, elle n'a plus qu'un seul repère : Septimus. Mais peut-elle l'aimer sans crainte, quand l'imminence d'une apocalypse nucléaire jette un voile de suspicion sur chacun ? Devenue malgré elle un rouage de la guerre froide, Celia doit déjouer la machine infernale où ennemis, alliés et traîtres ne semblent plus faire qu'un.

La Librairie des faux-semblants est un récit passionnant, mêlant espionnage et romanesque, avec pour toile de fond la guerre froide et la crise des missiles de Cuba.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Books About Books, Romance, World War II

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2024

About the author

Louise is an internationally bestselling and prize winning author of historical fiction, focusing on unheard voices or from unusual perspectives. Her fourth novel, Book of Forbidden Words, will be published in February 2026.

Louise, holds an MA in Creative Writing from St Mary’s University and now writes full time. Equally passionate about historical research and writing, she loves to look for themes which have resonance with today’s world. Louise lives in the Surrey countryside, UK, with her family, and is a slave to the daily demands of her pets.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world of sandwiches, this is no pathetically thin Wonder white bread bologna sandwich. This is a European deli-style Dagwood lovingly made with fresh, crusty baguette and and stuffed so high that you need a crane to open wide!

Not only is this a 'meaty' read, there's so much to learn! I love feeling prompted to Google stuff I've read and I did this A LOT in this book. Furthermore, it's inserted cleverly; no info dumping.

The mystery was fantastic because Fein would give her readers just enough to get through a few chapters (told in diff POV) before dropping a shocking piece of information. Then we had to pivot and see how our reformulated guess would fare.

Go into it blind. Love the characters - even the nasty ones - enjoy the journey!

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

London 1962. Celia Duchesne works in a bookshop, she dreams of getting a better job, maybe as a secretary and leaving Southwark. The shop has recently been sold to Mrs. Denton, her new employer is busy settling in and Celia is left to her own devices. One day Septimus Nelson walks into the bookshop, he’s from America and his visits makes Celia’s job less boring. Around the same time Celia’s best friend Daphne discovers some information at the solicitors where she works about Celia and she stunned and wants to uncover all the hidden facts.

The London Bookshop Affair has a dual timeline, it’s told from the two main characters points of view and alternates from 1942 to 1962 and it’s extremely easy to follow.

France 1942. Anya Moreau is nineteen years old, she just been dropped into France and she’s a pianist or wireless transmitter and she sends messages to London. What Anya does is dangerous, she’s part of a circuit, her other contacts become her friends, Anya is betrayed by a person she trusted and she’s arrested by the Gestapo.

Celia and Anya are connected, Celia wants to find out the truth about what happened to Anya twenty years ago, it’s been hidden by her parents, bureaucracy and the secret services act. Septimus is very keen on Celia, she’s not sure if she’s ready for a romantic relationship, her life is complicated as it is and she doesn’t know what to do?

I received a copy of The London Bookshop Affair by Louise Fein from HarperCollins and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Inspired by true events and people who were active during the Cold War, there was a real threat of a nuclear war starting between two superpower countries, American and the Soviet Union. England was America's ally and preparing to help, it was full of Soviet spies and Celia discovers this for herself.

A narrative full of twists and turns and it kept my interest from the beginning and the ending wasn’t at all predictable. The story is set in the 1960’s with the invention of TV and the Beatles and a time of social, political and cultural change. With a focus on the Cuban Missile Crisis, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament a British organization that opposed the development and use of nuclear weapons, Celia and Daphne are members, betrayal, injustice, secrets, mystery, intrigue, danger, courage, bravery, selflessness, forgiveness and empowered women.

Five stars from me, I enjoyed The London Bookshop Affair and the authors previous book Daughter of the Reich and I highly recommend both.

[TracyGH · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is honestly not much to say about this book. It left me indifferent. It was full of history regarding the The Cold War and the Cuban missile crisis; and for that I would give it four stars. Unfortunately, the biggest drawback was the main character whom I found to be whiny and self-deprecating.
If you are a history buff, I think this should be a must read for you.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the author of The Hidden Child, which I throughly enjoyed.

When I read a historical book I always expect to learn something. With this one I learned quite a bit. It's the first book I've read about The Cold War/The Cuban Missile Crisis... No that it goes into great detail about nuclear war or threats of war but about the prospect of it possibly happening. Also about a family secret that you may figure out before it's revealed. I'm sure the author intended that happen though.

Filled with lots of action and information, from 1942 to 1962. Told from three voices, one being Jeannie who worked for the SOE or Churchill's Secret Army/the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. You will get to know Jeannie from the very start. You get to know what she went through before being recruited. How she was shamed into giving up her baby for adoption. That happened way to often in those days. (read the author's notes)

You meet Celia who works at the bookshop. She meets a handsome young American who sweeps her off her feet. Celia is a very smart young woman who by accident finds out a big secret her parents have kept from her her entire life. The things she does with her best friend and how hard she works to uncover some truths.

Then there is Septimus Nelson. He works at the American Embassy in London. He has a few secrets of his own and falls for Celia hard. You'll get to know all about this man and his many secrets.

There are a few other characters who you may or may not like. Most have secrets. Some good and some horrible. For a while I didn't like Celia's parents but after finding out exactly why they did what they did I decided it was for the best. They loved their daughter.

I remember when I was just a child being terrified that the world was going to be nuked. While I didn't understand what exactly "nuked" meant I did know it was bad and would end all as we knew it. I didn't realize how close we came to this actually happening until I read the Author's Notes at the end of this book. I hope we never have to experience anything like it but never think it can't happen. As long as they exist they can be used.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LouiseFein, #WilliamMorrow, #HarperCollinsPublishers, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

FIVE big stars and I highly recommend it. It's based on actual people and events with some changes to names made.

[Bo Verhoef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik heb het al vaker gezegd, maar ik houd echt zo erg van historische romans. Vooral als er ook nog een vleugje mysterie bij komt kijken.

Het boek volgt drie verschillende verhaallijnen die uiteraard allemaal samenkomen. Ik vond Celia zo leuk, evenals de hele boekenwinkel setting. Ook het verhaal van Jeannie en Septimus waren intrigerend.Ik heb ook weer wat meer geleerd over de Koude Oorlog en ook de Tweede Wereldoorlog kwam uiteraard voorbij. Ik blijf dat onderwerp zo fascinerend en indrukwekkend vinden.

Het boek had zeker wat plottwists en dat maakte het verrassend. Door de korte hoofdstukken en verschillende POVs wilde ik blijven doorlezen. Het einde was ook zeker mooi.

Het is ook altijd fijn als aan het einde van historische romans aandacht wordt besteed aan wat wel of geen fictie was in het verhaal zelf.

Al met al gewoon genoten van deze historische roman.

[Lisa Burgos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes place in London in 1962, when there was threat of nuclear war. There are secrets, and when the secrets are exposed, drama occurs.

Written from the perspective of three characters: Jeannie, Celia, and Septimus.

The book was well researched, and educational.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The long passages describing politics, military movements, and impending war left me frustrated in this book. I understand needing to set the scene, but when the characters drift away with an inner monologue about Kennedy and Cuba and Russia and nuclear bombs and submarines...the author lost me.

It also started fairly slowly; I felt that after 50 pages I should be seeing more action, experiencing more emotions, feeling more conflict, and being immersed in the story. But I wasn't. I felt like Fein was just then getting to the actual story after its prelude had gone on for too long. This, though, is perhaps somewhat balanced by the sudden mysteries and reveals and shocking discoveries which are smattered throughout the subsequent pages.

I will say it was a little too obvious which side everyone would end up on, so very little will surprise the reader, but is an absolute shock to the characters. I think the only thing that caught me off-guard was the revelation that Septimus was actually working with the KGB but I suppose perhaps I was supposed to have already known that but I missed it because I got bogged down in some of the longer, less interesting passages? I'm not sure. But from the very beginning I suspected he was going to turn out to be deceptive in some way, because again, many of the secrets were pretty obvious to the reader from the start.

The feminism is also fairly obvious throughout the book, and it was a little over the top in my opinion, pulled in as too obvious an agenda instead of just telling a story demonstrating the strength, tenacity, intelligence, and courage of the women in the story. I admired Celia's quiet courage, even when it turned her life upside-down--again. Watching the relationships between Celia, Mother, and Father develop throughout the book was actually quite lovely, and their culminating trip to the concentration camp where Jeannie died was incredibly powerful and emotional.

I struggled to keep my head in the 1960s throughout the book; since the prologue begins during WWII, that's the scene my mind set for the book, and it was difficult to transition to 20 years later. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the writing, though; it could just have been a personal thing for me.

The one thing I feel this book really has going for it is exploring a part of history I haven't seen a lot of fiction written about: The Cold War. I recognize I know next to nothing about this time in history and this book has inspired me to change that, so if I could name my favorite thing about this book, it would be that it piqued my interest in exploring more books and stories about this part of the past.

[Agrippina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The London Bookshop Affair is historical fiction set in two timelines, in 1940s during the war and in early 1960s during the Cuban Crisis and Cold War. The book explores themes of equality, political activism, differences between the classes, espionage, WWII and nuclear threat. There’s a bit of a romantic plot but it seems an afterthought, to be honest. Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC.

What I liked:

📚 the story is well researched - many events and characters are based on real people and history
📚 the book is well written, with neat and uncomplicated sentences and chapters written from points of view of three characters
📚 the ending offers a bit of a twist and the heroine finally seems to believe in herself and finds an interesting job

What I didn’t care for:

🥲 Celia constantly talks about how she is “just an ordinary girl” and how she can’t have big dreams or possibly be interesting enough to catch an eye of a young man she meets at work
🥲 overall, the author just does not sell Celia as a very likable person or a well rounded character. She is unsure of herself, then goes on clandestine missions; afraid what her parents will think if she drinks a pint of cider, then goes on a government protest?
🥲 there are some repetitions in text: Celia is like a drug for Septimus, mentioning of the UK government bunkers, some of the descriptions
🥲 the pace of the book is uneven. I think about 70 pages could be cut and the plot would not suffer one bit. We get lots of action and then nothing for pages and pages.
🥲 I understand the desire to portray how women were treated and how they saw themselves and others historically accurate, but some moments just gave me a pause. Celia repeatedly thinks about her grandmother saying she was conceived “against the wall in an alley;” she has a moment where “her slutty part” fights against her “good part;” she judges her mother for having a child out of wedlock and believes her grandmother when she tells her Celia’s GI dad took advantage of her mother and never intended to marry her. We never see a scene where Celia has reason to believe otherwise or learns anything additional about her father to prove he was a decent man (could she not ask her spy friends?)

I finished it, but did not love it.

[Paula Greenlees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fein deftly weaves a story of Cold War espionage through the eyes of Celia Duchesne with the tragic tale of WW2 undercover agent, Anya Moreau. As the plot unravels, the reader is swept up by a story of love and betrayal, the consequences of which ripples back through the years. With twists and unexpected angles, Fein paints a gripping portrayal of the Cuban Crisis based on real life events and figures that kept me hooked and guessing until the very last page. As someone interested in history, I highly recommend this book - it would make an excellent book club read, especially for those looking to learn more about the Cuban Crisis and the politics surrounding it. The characters are well drawn and the research outstanding. I have enjoyed all of Louise Fein's books and I can't recommend them enough.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving dual timeline historical fiction mystery involving a young woman who discovers she was adopted and searches to find out more about her birth mother and the reasons why she gave her away. If you enjoy WWII stories, espionage, Cold War ties, books about strong women working for their country, the British SOE and books like Looking for Jane, this one will be right up your alley! Good on audio and definitely worth a listen/read.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during the height of the Cold War, new owners take over the bookshop Celia works at and her whole life changes. This had a lot of really great twists. I’m into Cold War historical fiction so always excited to see it being done well. Stayed up later than I planned so I could finish it! Full review in feed next week.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Louise’s previous book, The Hidden Child, and was so excited to have the opportunity to read and review The London Bookshop Affair.

The London Bookshop Affair is a dual time historical novel set across two timelines – 1942 with its WW2 setting and 1962, primarily focusing on the nuclear war threat at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis at the time of the presidency of JFK in the US.

In 1942, Anya, is in France as a wireless operator for the British, recruited by the ‘SOE’. She had the perfect skills and abilities and was extremely good at her job but sadly let down and betrayed by those she trusted. This WW2 story links with that involving 19 year old Celia Duchesne, an unsettled young woman working in a London second hand bookshop.

Celia wants more from life and has hopes of a PA career with the BBC but feels held back by her rather strict parents, that is until 26 year old American Embassy employee Septimus Nelson comes into the shop and her life. What follows is a superbly written intriguing drama focusing on the actions of various individuals and governments which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

I felt so much sympathy for Celia. Her homelife wasn’t the happiest and when we first meet her she had an innocence and naivety about her. What I particularly enjoyed about the story was that the romance element did not overshadow the dramatic aspect of the story – there were some particularly odious and untrustworthy characters bringing a mystery element. There are many strands which will appeal to fiction readers – the French resistance of WW2 with contemporary espionage inspired by real events combined with a romantic thread.

I was completely engrossed in both timelines from the first page. Brave, determined women feature here and from being uncertain and naive Celia began to recognise her own worth and her ambitions went beyond working in an antiquarian bookshop. Her involvement in CND demonstrations ran alongside her desire to know more about past events. I won’t divulge the plot but there were unexpected turns which at one point led to a sharp intake of breath from this reader.

I loved it this book and would definitely recommend it. Louise Fein writes so well and really brings her characters to life, whether they are at the forefront or in the background. With complex characters such as Septimus and the mysterious Mrs Denton there was much intrigue and second guessing on my part.

Finally, do read the fascinating author’s notes at the back which give more context to real life events and to the characters inspired by their real life counterparts. The research must have been immense however it has certainly paid off, resulting in a superbly plotted novel which left me, a child of the 1960’s feeling that I knew a little more about past events.

[Macarena (followed that rabbit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gripping novel is set during 1942-43 and 1962. On the one hand, we follow Jeannie's courageous story (from 1942 London until 1944 France) and how her story is connected to the present (1962 London). On the other hand, we learn about Celia. She's 19 years old and works at an antique bookstore in London. She's seen as naive by most people, but she's a smart and brave young woman.
Most of the story happens during 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, therefore the almost Nuclear War.

The power of the people through groups such as Spies for Peace (associated to the Committee of 100) made possible powerful campaigns against nuclear weapons and also made people aware of the real situation.

An unputdownable book, with interesting characters (based on real people) who lived during tumultuous times and were fully committed to a greater cause. A considerable number of them were women, in times when being a woman meant: being a wife, being a mother, and take care of her family. Those valiant women broke the pattern and did brave things in order to stop a war and give present and future generations a chance to live.

Thank you so much, @louisefeinauthor and @harper360uk for this gifted paperback proof of The London Bookshop Affair.

[sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

its called london bookshop affair bc every single thing in it IS MID. the writing, MID. backstories, MID. THE ROMANCE, M-M-M-MIDD.

bro dont pmo. this book was a waste of time. the ending was so unfair like this girl did not deserves all of this and why tf did she not feel bad at all for the dude? she was like "yea i think about him sometimes bc i put him in prision FOR 25 YRS but wtv i got the job ive always wanted bc im a feminist."

[eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was delightfully charming. When I saw the title, I had to get it - I barely even skimmed the blurb lol. It ended up being AMAZING though, and I finished it rather quickly due to a sort of not really long plane ride.


P.S. - Karina I own this so you have to borrow it 😁

[Amy Linton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's 1962, and young London book-shopgirl Celia is hoping to break free. She has ambitions beyond those of her her chilly older parents, so when the book shop gets a new owner –– a glamorous American business woman –– Celia takes the opportunity to make some changes. She hides her new, inflated salary from her parents and signs up for night school. She follows a madcap friend into political action as the Cuban missile crisis looms. And she meets someone tall dark and handsome –– so unlike the boy next door that her parents have selected for her.

Spoiler alert:
Unbeknownst the Celia, the book shop owner is a baddie, and the new love-interest is a Cold War mole. AND, if this is not enough, the baddie is working on a shady intelligence deal with the man who, during WWII, betrayed Celia's real mother, who was one of Churchill's spies.

I looked forward to read about the era, when the swinging London scene was just starting up, and as a fan of women-spy stories, I thought this would be just right for me. However, it was a swing-and-a-miss for me...
While Fein has done her homework about the politics and the scene, and her writing is solid, I wasn't able to stay in this story. I felt myself predicting the twists (naturally, that would be her mother, not her sister!) and finding the coincidences just a bit too much (after all, how many dastardly double-crossing creeps are there in the world? Just the one?). I wanted to root for Celia (and her boy next door), but it was not to be.

Thank you William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

[Elitsa Dimova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable and somewhat without a complete closure.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The London Bookshop Affair” is not bad, but not terribly inventive or interesting either.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The London Bookshop Affair" offers another engaging glimpse into women's roles in history and their role in society (1960’s). The dual timelines, interweaving WW2 (Anya) and a London bookshop (Celia, Septimus, Sam,..) involved in an espionage network, set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis was very intriguing. I loved the plot line and especially the resolution at the end of the book. Imo it is an easier to read historic fiction novel than other ones, however, there were moments when I had the feeling that historical complexities were simplified too much and I would have loved a bit more depth.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The London Bookshop Affair" by Louise Fein is a captivating historical drama that delves into the world of espionage during the height of the Cold War, set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The book skillfully weaves together the stories of two courageous women, Celia Duchesne and Anya Moreau, whose lives are intertwined by a secret that could change the course of history.

Fein's meticulous research shines through in the rich historical details and settings, immersing the reader in a turbulent London of 1962 and a wartime France of 1942. The narrative unfolds through three distinct points of view, including Celia, Anya, and Celia's love interest, providing a multifaceted view of the unfolding events.

The book is divided into five parts, each commencing with a chapter from Anya's (Jeannie's) perspective. While this technique adds depth to the storytelling, some readers might find that the transitions between these parts feel slightly disconnected. However, Fein did an exceptional job at portraying events in Anya's timeline and mirroring those in Celia's, creating an engaging narrative symmetry.

One aspect that sets this novel apart is its dedication to shedding light on the stories of women who served as spies during WWII, often overlooked in history. Additionally, the book offers a refreshing non-American perspective on the Cuban Missile Crisis, adding a unique layer of depth to the historical context. While the premise of "The London Bookshop Affair" is undeniably intriguing, there are moments when the plot becomes somewhat predictable, which may affect the overall engagement for some readers.

Overall, "The London Bookshop Affair" is a commendable historical fiction novel that transports readers to an era of espionage, secrets, and love. It's an ideal choice for enthusiasts of WWII and Cold War history, particularly those interested in the often-untold stories of female spies. Fein's book serves as a valuable reminder of the remarkable women who played crucial roles in shaping the course of history during turbulent times.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for the eARC of this novel.

[Lise Levesque McWilliams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story about the cold war that followed WWII. Espionnage, family history about love and what one can do to survive.

[Lara Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Rae Franco-Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel takes place in two time eras of 1942 and in the early 1960's. In the beginning, it is about a young woman named Jeannie. She gets involved with a young American solider. She revels to her mother she is going to have his baby. Her mother guides her to get help, in this time era it is not a good thing. She decides she wants to do something with her life, so she joins the SOE in England. And is transported to France.

Then we go to the early 1960's to meet Celia, a young lady who works in antiquarian bookshop. The bookshop gets sold and things start to change for her. Meeting the new American owner, who seems not to care for the bookshop running, also giving her a raise. Celia arrives daily on the bus at 9 am to open the shop and work in the dusty bookshop. Two men start to visit the bookshop that are not familiar to her. One of the men she gets to know pretty well.

Later, she has a friend who brings her a folder from a law office, with her parents name on it. There is a possiblity she had a sister she knew nothing about. Her parents never have told her she has a sister. So she goes about investigating on her own.

Louise Fein is a wonderful author. I love to read historical novels and learned so much for this time era. As I did not know the history of the early 60's time era. In the back of the book the author goes into detail of her research for this novel. What an amazing job she has done. This just encourges me to read her other novels of history.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, this book had a lot of potential, but fell flat.

[Tracy Korey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for the opportunity to read this ARC of The London Bookshop Affair. This is a story about love, betrayal, secrets, espionage, courage, and loss. It takes place in a dual timeline with Celia who works in a bookshop in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Jeannie in the 1940's during WWII. It is told from the three different perspectives of Celia, Jeannie, and Septimus.
I like the way the characters were developed throughout the book. I was engaged and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. I thought this book was well-researched and was not only entertaining but educational as well.

[Melissa Labrit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Painfully boring. Did not finish

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read 60 pages. Enough.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The London Bookshop Affair is a well-written and page-turning story of espionage set during the Cold War.

In 1962, the possibility of nuclear weapons/warfare is worrisome. Celia Duchesne dreams of a better future for herself but is grateful to have a stable job at a dusty, antiquarian bookshop. One day, a handsome young man wanders in and Celia is thrilled when he begins to notice her. Celia’s best friend persuades her to attend political rallies as they demonstrate for peace and a ban on nuclear weapons. Celia’s quiet life turns exciting as she begins to date the young man, Septimus, who coincidentally knows the new owner of the bookshop, signs up for typing classes in hopes of a better job, and attends political rallies. Suddenly, Celia discovers a family secret and is caught up in an espionage ring. The suspense escalates quickly as Celia’s quiet bookshop life takes a dangerous turn.

If you’re looking for a side of suspense in your histfic, The London Bookshop Affair might be what you’re looking for. Although the story does include a past timeline around the time of WWII, the most compelling part of the story (for me) is the 1960s timeline. I have distinct memories of growing up in the Cold War era, and I can even remember having low-level anxiety about it as a youngster.

Early in the story, I started to suspect that there were more complicated layers to Septimus, Celia’s love interest, than first presented, and my intrigue grew as this quiet story quickly became a page-turner. The London Bookshop Affair is filled with intrigue, a family mystery, espionage, and danger…..and a side of romance.

The story begins in the past as we are introduced to Jeannie. We revisit this timeline as we are taken back to WWII and Jeannie’s role in French Resistance. In full disclosure, I skimmed through this timeline because I was always eager to return to the 1960s to find out what was happening to Celia. In the end, these two timelines are connected in a poignant way.

In addition to two timelines, the story is told from three perspectives: Jeannie’s (1940s); Celia’s and (more minimally) Septimus’ (1960s). Celia is the main protagonist and her perspective drives the story.

I always love reading author notes, and Louise Fein doesn’t disappoint as she describes her research in detail.

Thoughtful themes include striving for a better life, uncovering family secrets, political activism, political tensions, bravery, understanding, forgiveness, reconciliation, the boy next door, friendship, adoption, and the fear of nuclear war.

Content Consideration: WWII consequences for those caught in the resistance movement

If you’re looking for sides of suspense and espionage in your histfic, I think you’ll appreciate The London Bookshop Affair. It’s well-written and brilliantly researched.

Thanks #NetGalley @WmMorrowBooks @williammorrowbooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheLondonBookshopAffair upon my request. All opinions are my own.

For more reviews visit my blog www.ReadingLadies.com where this review was first published.

[Donna Comeaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

The London Bookshop Affair is an intriguing book of espionage centered around the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The book is slow-moving, boring if you don’t like stories of espionage. But if you stick with it, every chapter will sink you into the folds of a tightly woven plot that exposes people who are not what they seem.

I commend Louise Fein for the extensive research done to pull this off. Her great ability to write helped her seamlessly weave together a tight story. And I greatly appreciate the magnificent editing done by her team.

This is not a book I would read a second time. It is not a book I would first recommend. Though interesting and a great historical reminder of the 60s era, I found that I had to push myself to finish it.

If you’re a writer and want to know more about espionage, you might find much to learn from this story: the equipment used, morse coding, and other modes of communication during times of war. What you won’t find within these pages is a love story—for country, yes!—but not between a man and a woman. I was never convinced anyone coupled together in this story actually loved each other, not through the narrative, not through the characters’ actions. Love isn’t the central theme. The main focus is independence, survival, and love of country.

Women’s independence is of great concern for Celia, the main character, because she’s trying to determine her place in the world. Her fight for independence is contrasted by man’s under estimation of women, an attitude that can’t be ignored, a misogynistic attitude that haunts us to this very day.

The London Bookshop Affair is loosely based on a true story. Names and dates have been changed to suit the storyline. You gain a better appreciation for Louise Fein’s story if you’ll read her Author’s Notes. The tragic end to those led to concentration camps, and the fight to bring traitors and the Nazis to justice brings satisfaction. This story leaves you with a sense of thanksgiving that you stuck it out because, in the end, no matter how slow-moving, the book was worth the read.

I've given this book a rating of 3-stars because of its slow pace. But it is definitely a 5-star for the writing and tight plot.

[Socrate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise Fein, autoarea bestsellerului Daughter of the Reich, îți oferă o poveste inspirată din evenimente și personaje reale, care îmbină istoria, dragostea și misterul. Cartea este povestită din perspectiva a două femei: Celia Duchesne, o tânără care lucrează la o librărie antică pe Strand, și care se îndrăgostește de un american misterios, care se dovedește a fi un agent sub acoperire; și Anya Moreau, o curajoasă spioană care a fost trimisă în Franța ocupată de naziști în 1942, pentru a ajuta rezistența, și care a fost trădată și torturată. Cele două femei au o legătură neașteptată, care va ieși la iveală pe măsură ce Celia descoperă secretele trecutului ei și ale lumii în care trăiește.

“Nu știam nimic despre el, dar îmi plăcea. Îmi plăcea felul în care vorbea, felul în care mă privea, felul în care mă făcea să mă simt. Era ca și cum aș fi deschis o carte veche și aș fi găsit o poveste nouă și fascinantă.”

“Am simțit cum mă cuprinde frica. Frica de a pierde tot ce aveam, frica de a nu mai vedea niciodată soarele, frica de a nu mai auzi niciodată vocea lui. Dar am simțit și mândria. Mândria de a fi făcut ceva important, de a fi luptat pentru o cauză dreaptă, de a fi fost parte din ceva mai mare decât mine.”