Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Wartime Bookshop #2

Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop

Rate this book
As the war continues, the village of Churchwood has never needed its bookshop more. But the bookshop comes under threat at the worst possible time... Kate has always found life on Brimbles Farm difficult, but she is struggling more than ever to find time for the bookshop, for her friends - and especially for handsome pilot Leo Kinsella. Can two Land Girls help? Or will they be more trouble than they're worth? Naomi has found new friends and purpose through the bookshop and is happier than she's been in a long time - until she overhears something that makes her suspect her husband is being unfaithful. With old insecurities rearing up, she needs to uncover the truth. Alice worries for her fiancé Daniel away fighting in the war and frets over the loss of her financial independence following an injury to her hand. With no job opportunities in Churchwood, might she find work somewhere else? Despite their problems, can Alice, Kate and Naomi pull together to save the bookshop and keep Churchwood spirits high?

400 pages, Hardcover

First published June 29, 2023

88 people are currently reading
160 people want to read

About the author

Lesley Eames

14 books78 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
328 (70%)
4 stars
113 (24%)
3 stars
21 (4%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Karren  Sandercock .
1,323 reviews400 followers
May 23, 2023
It was wonderful catching up the residents of Churchwood, a small village in Hertfordshire and especially members of the bookshop. They use the church hall for the bookshop, here they have a cup of tea and a chat, exchange books, hold fundraising events and collect donations to be sent to London.

Churchwood is looking for a new vicar, Cecil Wade isn’t happy with a local man filling in as a lay preacher, his choice is a rather stern clergyman and his snobby wife. This makes members of the bookshop nervous, including Naomi Harrington, Kate Fletcher, Alice Parkinson and Bert Makepiece and they don't want it to be changed or closed.

The story is told mainly from the points of view of the three main characters, Naomi, Kate and Alice and included in the narrative are their current personal issues, how Bert supports them and especially Naomi.

Naomi lives in the biggest house in the village, her husband Alexander works in London, and the length of his phone calls and visits home have become less frequent. Naomi knew it wasn't a love match when they got married over two decades ago, now she's worried Alexander only married her for money and is he being unfaithful?

Kate works and lives on Brimbles Farm, her father is hard task master and she has four messy older brothers. When two of her brothers join up, Kate is flat out trying to keep up with jobs on the farm and all of the household duties. Kate misses her visits to the bookshop, it’s the first time she’s had friends and felt included in the community. By chance Kate meets fighter pilot Leo Kinsella, she’s confused by her feelings for him and keeps it a secret. Two land girls arrive at the farm to help and Kate’s thinking they might be more of a hindrance and her brothers keep distracting them!

Alice is engaged to Daniel Irvine, she worries about him fighting in the war and wants it to end. Alice hurt her hand in an accident years ago, she would really like to find a part time job and of course she will continue reading to and writing letters for the patients at the hospital.

I received a copy of Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop by Lesley Eames from NetGalley and Random House UK in exchange for an honest review. The story and characters realistically portrays life in a small English village during the Second World War and the challenges people faced. The Bookshop is an important meeting place, here they find out who in Churchwood needs help, especially when someone is dealing with the loss of a loved one, has a new baby, is lonely or becomes ill. Reading provides a distraction from the war, brings people together and boosts moral. Five stars from me and I can’t wait for the next novel in the series by Ms. Eames and make sure you read both, The Wartime Bookshop and Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop.
Profile Image for Sue Plant.
2,319 reviews32 followers
July 20, 2023
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this exceptional book

book two in this fabulous series and i have to say how enjoyable this book was to read... to catch up with the characters and meet some new one

but its the heart of the village the bookshop that counts, how it brings everyone together in a time of need

but dark clouds are on the horizon for everyone of the village and not only because of the war

several of the villagers are heading for dark times and so is the book shop....

can everyone pull together... that is the question

brilliant written and a delight to read.. cant wait to start the next book in this wonderful series
Profile Image for Joanne D'Arcy.
749 reviews60 followers
June 25, 2023
I am back again with this Wartime Saga, set in a small village called Churchwood. Where the most unlikely of women have come together to help start a bookshop and a community hub for all those who need. Told from the point of view of the previous three main characters in the first novel; Alice, Kate and Naomi.

There bookshop and settled life is about to be shaken up with the arrival of a new vicar who has particular ways I which such community events should have and what their subject should be.

Also amongst the new arrivals is two Land Girls to help out Kate on her families farm, when her two youngest siblings join the war effort. Her curmudgeonly father doesn’t take too kindly to these women who will need paying as well as feeding and lodging. Whilst Kates older brothers are rather taken with them, but they are not without their challenges and it seems that have stories to hide.

Naomi, has stepped back from some other roles on various village committees and finds the time to enjoy the other women’s company. However she struggles knowing her husband rarely comes home and spends most of his time in London. A nagging thought gathers pace and she has to confront her past, present and future and decide what she really wants.

Alice fills her time with the village bookshop and helping out at the local hospital, where she can read stories to those recovering from injuries gained in the war. However when that is threatened and she needs to find some other employment, she realises her disability might be a disadvantage. Yet her passion for organising, seems to win through and she finally feels she can contribute something to life and not be reliant on her father and fiancé.

As these women are pulled together yet again to fight not just one cause, but many others which affects them all, romance is never far from their side. Alice and her fiancé Daniel feel that maybe then need to move their marriage forward. Naomi despite the difficulties with her husband has this wonderful relationship with Bert Makepeace who manages to see through all her bluff and bravado. And even Kate, feeling like a permanent drudge and a servant to her father and brothers finds someone with handsome pilot Leo, but she knows he risks never returning.

Yet again, a story about strength of friendship, strength of belief and the strength of keeping calm and carrying on. I was cheering from the rooftops as Naomi closed in on her husbands actions and my heart sorer when Kate finally finds someone who may possibly be able to take her out from the cosh of her father and brothers. Alice’s relationship with Daniel is so sweet and you can only hope that when the war is over, all of these people will live happily ever after.

Perfect for all fans of wartime sagas, it really has plenty to get lost in and would make for a wonderful television series in the coveted Sunday Night slot that similar programmes have occupied. Until then delight in this second novel and look forward to the next.
19 reviews
January 18, 2025
Glad I have the next book to carry on the story. Really enjoying these books.
Profile Image for Marea.
388 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2023
This is the second book in the series about the small town of Churchwood and three of its special residents. The ladies have managed to pull the town together even more to survive the war by opening a bookshop in the Church hall, that offers so much for the community in its time of need.

Naomi has made some major changes in her life and she gets to spend time with her new friends and volunteer with the Bookshop. But one of these changes is finally admitting that to herself that her marriage has issues, especially with her husband Alexander spending more and more time in London where he works. One suspicious thought turns into more and when she can’t get the gumption up to hire a private investigator, the only way for her to solve her questions is if Naomi goes to London and follows him, not once but multiple times. Is she prepared though when the truth reveals its ugly head?

Kate is still having issues with her father and older brothers on Brimbles Farm. When the twins join up, it means more responsibility will fall on her which she doesn’t want at all. It also means spending time with her friends at the Bookshop will not be happening. So Kate convinces her father that in order for the farm to survive they need to hire Land Girls. When the two girls show up (Ruby and Gertrude aka Pearl) show up, they were not what anyone expected at all and Kate wasn’t sure if they were going to be the right fit. Especially since her two remaining brothers seemed to be getting distracted by them. But will they work out in the end especially after a secret is revealed? And will the pilot named Leo that Kate met by chance be the one chance for her to find love?

Alice is engaged to Daniel and she has her constant worries about him off fighting after almost losing him once before at Dunkirk. While she loves reading stories, writing letters and more in the town and for the patients at the hospital she wants more in her life. But her injured hand is preventing her from finding the work she thinks she needed to be doing.

All three of these ladies have their struggles at times and it is amazing how they are able to work through them over time and with the support of each other. When the bookshop is threatened and the new vicar and his wife make major changes, the three of them need to work together even harder and keep the town together so it can survive.

I could go on and on about the book, but that would give too much away. It’s a great book of a series to add to your to be read list. Can’t wait for the third one to come out.
194 reviews
July 19, 2023
Jennifer McAndrew left St Andrews and never looked back. She moved to London to escape the small town when her ex-boyfriend starting dating and subsequently married her sister. She abandoned her law degree after the second year to escape to the bright lights and hopefully a glittering career in London. She has taken a number of jobs and had a series of second rate boyfriends. But surely this time it would be different. Jono has finally left his wife, they have been together for two years, her longest relationship yet. But Jennifer loses her job and her boyfriend in one fateful day. A nasty slip leaves her with a shattered knee, no job and no home to call her own.

Jennifer returns to St Andrews to stay with her Dad, to sleep in her old bedroom. Could things get any worse for her? Jennifer wants to take time to lick her wounds, ignore her sister from who she is estranged and work out what to do with her life. She has made a habit of running away when things get tough. Can she find a reason to stay. We see Jennifer reconnect with her old school friends and discover that sometimes what we are looking for was there in the first place. It is all a matter of perspective. Follow Jennifer as she starts to make sense of her life, rediscover who she really is, what and who is really important. Will she tough it out and take a long hard look at the choices she has made?

This is a good story with engaging characters, life dilemmas, choices and decisions to be made. I enjoyed spending time with the McAndrew family and the cast of characters. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood for the ARC. All views expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Nicola Michelle.
1,882 reviews16 followers
July 16, 2023
To be back in Churchwood and my favourite little wartime bookshop! I’m so happy to be rejoining this series with book two after enjoying the first one so much. This one was a fab follow up!

Back with Kate, Alice and Naomi, in this one they have many trials to face. From budding new romances, marriages in turmoil and a whole speight of new faces to join the village. There’s a new vicar and his wife in town, what will that mean for the villages beloved bookshop? And the addition of two new land girls for Kate to wrangle on the farm may mean more work and turmoil for her in the long run if they don’t quite match up to expectation…

I loved catching up with the girls and seeing the strengths of their friendships. And with the new land girls too, Ruby and Pearl, they certainly added an extra element of drama. It was great getting to know some new characters whilst catching up with the old cast too.

I really love these books as they’re just so cosy and comforting with enough drama to keep you frantically reading but always leaving you with a happy heart. I’m so glad there’s another to enjoy as I’m not ready to leave Churchwood yet!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,354 reviews99 followers
February 7, 2023
Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop is a great historical fiction saga and is the second book in the delightful WWII-era series by Lesley Eames.

This is the follow up to the delightful The Wartime Bookshop that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really loved visiting the quaint English village of Churchwood again and to reminisce with the inhabitants. Each of the three main characters: Kate, Naomi, and Alice are intertwined but yet have their own respective professional, social, and romantic challenges.

There are also a few new curveballs and characters thrown in for good measure in this book as well.

I love the Wartime Bookshop and all that it adds to the feel and theme of this series. I am definitely looking forward to further installments.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Bantam Press/ Random House UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/25/23.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,354 reviews99 followers
February 7, 2023
Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop is a great historical fiction saga and is the second book in the delightful WWII-era series by Lesley Eames.

This is the follow up to the delightful The Wartime Bookshop that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really loved visiting the quaint English village of Churchwood again and to reminisce with the inhabitants. Each of the three main characters: Kate, Naomi, and Alice are intertwined but yet have their own respective professional, social, and romantic challenges.

There are also a few new curveballs and characters thrown in for good measure in this book as well.

I love the Wartime Bookshop and all that it adds to the feel and theme of this series. I am definitely looking forward to further installments.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Bantam Press/ Random House UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/25/23.
Profile Image for Barbara.
187 reviews2 followers
June 18, 2024
As the war continues, the village of Churchwood has never needed its bookshop more. But the bookshop comes under threat at the worst possible time...
Kate has always found life on Brimbles Farm difficult, but she is struggling more than ever to find time for the bookshop, for her friends - and especially for handsome pilot Leo Kinsella. Can two Land Girls help? Or will they be more trouble than they're worth?
Naomi has found new friends and purpose through the bookshop and is happier than she's been in a long time - until she overhears something that makes her suspect her husband is being unfaithful. With old insecurities rearing up, she needs to uncover the truth.
Alice worries for her fiancé Daniel away fighting in the war and frets over the loss of her financial independence following an injury to her hand. With no job opportunities in Churchwood, might she find work somewhere else?
Despite their problems, can Alice, Kate and Naomi pull together to save the bookshop and keep Churchwood spirits high?
Profile Image for Booklover BEV.
1,730 reviews52 followers
March 7, 2023
The second book is this series as we rejoin all the characters once again.
WW2 the little village of Churchwood Hertfordshire.
Alice Lovell, Kate Fletcher, Naomi Harrington,.
The death of reverend Barnes shocks the village and the bookshop opening is put on hold who are they getting as a replacement now and will they want the bookshop that is well loved by the villagers to continue on, and hopes are on that Adam Potts will be the new vicar.
Kate and her family on Brimbles farm will find it more harder to run after two brothers enlist and go away fighting for their country so she applies for help in employing two land girls, Ruby Turner and Gertrude Grimes lets hope they are good workers.
This book I found very good to read full of ups and downs throughout as we get to know the characters more and more, a little village with so much going on as they all pull together for what life bring them. I loved it all and look forward to the next book hopefully in this wonderful series.
118 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2023
This is the 2nd book in the 'Bookshop series' As in book 1 we follow the lives of Kate, Alice & Naomi. The ups and downs of their lives. It begins where the vicar is found dead in his church. Kate requests for help on the farm, they are allotted 2 land girls. Alice continues to work hard in the book shop. Naomi helps in the bookshop, but rarely sees her husband. They are allotted an new minister unfortunately it is not Adam as many of the villages wanted. The new man and his wife arrive and reorganize the bookshop and everything else. He reminded me of the new vicar we had in our village so time ago who ruined things. It is very sad in places but there are good times as well.

Another good read from Lesley and I can fully recommend this and give it 5* I look forward to the next book in the series.



462 reviews15 followers
February 24, 2023
A wonderful second book in the series from this author. Well written and is very interesting to see how the story progresses.

We catch up with Alice, Kate and Naomi in their lives in the village. Kate likes an pilot called Leo who is taken with her. Alice worries about Daniel her fiancé who is fighting away. Naomi has been helpful with people in the village but has her own worries. I liked the way each woman has an chapter about them. The land girls arrive but are they going to be an hindrance on the farm or helpful.

The book flows and it is interesting to read about the people in village.

I look forward to reading the next book.

Would recommend it.
Profile Image for Sarahlovesbooks76.
771 reviews17 followers
April 30, 2023
Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop is the second in the series, however it does work as a standalone novel.

The Fletcher family are in desperate need of help on their farm, and daughter Kate manages to persuade her unpleasant father and brothers to arrange for two land girls to help them. Will the arrival of Pearl and Ruby make Kate's life easier, or will they cause more problems than they solve?

I hadn't read the first book in the series, but still managed to enjoy the one. I think perhaps I'd have understood the bookshop idea a bit more if I had read the first. I enjoyed Naomi's story arc, and Alice was another delightful character.
84 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2023
This follow up to The Wartime Bookshop is a lovely read for anyone who enjoys historic sagas. It was great to follow along with the characters that were introduced in the first book but could easily be read as a stand-alone novel. The settings were real, I got a great feel for village life during the 2nd World War and the trials and tribulations that the villagers must have gone through. The introduction of the land girls brought memories of my mother in law who was a land girl and the stories that she used to tell.
Thoroughly recommended and I look forward to the next in the series.
20 reviews
February 17, 2023
This book is full of emotion. Friendship and kindness in the community, helped along by the bookshop. This in turn has life changing effects for some of the villagers, not least Naomi and Kate. Of course there are the usual suspects who think they are above everyone, maybe not for long!
The Fletcher family are put under more strain when Fred and Frank enlist for the forces. Then land girls Pearl& Ruby come to join them, possibly reluctantly, do they have their own secrets?
Love the strong characters. Alice who is kindness itself and Naomi.
Do hope there will be another one.
Profile Image for Sarah.
403 reviews7 followers
July 23, 2023
What a lovely writing style and a great book bursting with personality! This is my first read by this author and not only will I be seeking the first book in this series but others that she has written. It had fabulous quirky characters, a loving community, heroes and villains and a really fantastic feel for the era. It was quite a long read but didn't wear thin in parts at all. It was well paced and packed with storylines.
My thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
175 reviews
October 1, 2023
If I'm blunt this is poorly written. Character development is poor, the Forsythe's especially. The observations of the characters are repetitive. Everything is made very obvious to the reader to the extent that it's almost patronising. The ending is almost identical to the first in the series.

Yet I found it quite endearing. These are the first two historical romance books I've read, and I think I realise I am not the target market. But I wonder if there are any feel good romance novels that won't make me despair with the quality of writing.
502 reviews11 followers
May 10, 2023
This second book in the Wartime Bookshop series is absolutely brilliant. Equally as good as the first one with loveable characters who you get to know even better in this book. Trials and tribulations abound as you would expect set during WW2 with a great storyline. A real page turner for me and I can’t wait for the next in the series.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review. I absolutely loved it.
Profile Image for Diane.
953 reviews16 followers
July 14, 2023
I enjoyed this book about life in the village of Churchwood. It tells the lives of the villagers as they do their best during the difficult times of World War Two. The characters are great and the chapters written about each of the villagers tells their stories and interweaves them together. Some characters you’ll love and others not so much. I look forward to catching up with the villagers again when the next book comes out soon. Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop.
Profile Image for Lucy  Dunphy.
436 reviews8 followers
October 25, 2023
I regret not reading the first book in this series but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop. I absolutely loved Naomi, Kate and Alice. These sweet, resilient and amazing women just made this story so wonderful. I was invested in each one of the girl's stories and im hoping therell be more from Ruby and Peart too. With a fine array of supporting characters, I'll look forward to seeing where the next book takes them.
Profile Image for Catherine Laverick.
10 reviews
February 22, 2023
The 2nd book in the Wartime Bookshop, and hopefully there will be a 3rd. Really enjoyed this book, with such strong and believable characters it’s a pleasure to read. Seeing the transformation of Kate and her been accepted and respected into the community, Naomi shoring a softer and caring side made for a wonderful read and a countdown to the next book. Definitely worth the 5 stars ⭐️
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews167 followers
May 29, 2023
I was glad to catch up with these characters, the community and the wartime bookshop.
It's a heartwarming historical fiction that made me smile and kept me turning pages.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Profile Image for Lisa Carlile.
342 reviews3 followers
April 2, 2024
this is a follow on novel to ' the wartime bookshop' but can easily be read as a stand alone book.
Another excellent read by Lesley Eames. I love all the characters different personalities and storylines and definitely recommend. I
52 reviews
January 6, 2026
I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book but it really grew on me. The characters are lovely and well described. Overall, a good story that makes me want to read more about the residents of Churchwood.
166 reviews4 followers
April 28, 2023
Loved this book. A comforting read with trials and tribulations of WW11 and families. Difficult to put down. Do read.
Profile Image for Judith.
79 reviews
July 24, 2023
Great to carry on with the story and characters of Churchwood along with new characters bringing there own stories. Looking forward to the next book.
98 reviews4 followers
August 8, 2023
I loved it, love the way the author writes and the detail she goes into, really really good and well thought out
Profile Image for Theresa Dudley.
199 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2023
Didn't think anyone could match Elaine Everest but Lesley Eames certainly does. Loced this book as much as the 1st. If only I could move there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.