Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful historical fiction novel by David Balducci, with the audio performed by a cast. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!
It’s 1944 in London, during the Blitz, when bombs are falling. Three very different people meet in unusual circumstances and form a tight group. Fourteen-year-old Charlie does what he has to in order to survive. Fifteen-year-old Molly was raised in a wealthy home, but when she returns after an evacuation to the countryside, her world has changed and her parents gone. They find an ally in Ignatius, the owner of The Book Keep, who is mourning the loss of his wife.
This is a WWII novel that focuses strongly on the human element, what people will do to survive, and the realization that what we really need is each other. There are plenty of secrets here – what happened to Molly’s parents and who is following her? How did Ignatius’ wife die? Will Charlie’s escapades land him in jail or worse? I felt transported back in time and Balducci has created such a vivid, tense environment, although I felt it was a bit slow at times. But there’s so much heart and feeling with these characters and you will grow to love them. Highly recommended for historical fiction and Balducci fans!
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