A- Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readscon-artist / dysfunctional family / found family / Historical / Historical fiction / London / World War II5 Comments
Paper Moon meets the Blitz in this original black comedy, set in World War II England, chronicling an unlikely alliance between a small time con artist and a young orphan evacuee. When Noel Bostock—aged ten, no family—is evacuated from London to escape the Nazi bombardment, he lands in a suburb ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews#ownvoices / 1940s / English Historical / Historical / LGBTQIA / London / reprint / slice of life / World War II4 Comments
In this reprint of a classic of wartime literature by historical novelist Bryher, life in London during the Blitz is depicted with realism, empathy, and humor Eighty years ago, the city of London became the target of a relentless bombing campaign by Nazi Germany during WWII that has come to ... more >
A- Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Reads#ownvoices / 1930s / epistolary / Historical / London / shop assistant / working class10 Comments
Business As Usual by Jane Oliver and Ann Stafford was first published in 1933. It’s a delightful illustrated novel in letters from Hilary Fane, an Edinburgh girl fresh out of university who is determined to support herself by her own earnings in London for a year, despite the mutterings of ... more >
Book Reviews / D Reviewsbusiness / Contemporary / dog / dysfunctional family / female friendship / insta love / Italy / London / opposites attract8 Comments
Call Ava romantic, but she thinks love should be found in the real world, not on apps that filter men by height, job, or astrological sign. She believes in feelings, not algorithms. So after a recent breakup and dating app debacle, she decides to put love on hold and escapes ... more >
Book Reviews / DNF Reviews1880s / class-difference / Con / con-artist / Duke / England / erotic photograph / historical romance / Late Victorian / London / medium / mentorship / spiritualism4 Comments
Dear Julia Bennet, Your book, set in 1888 London, sounded like something I would enjoy so I took a chance and bought it. The story starts with a séance. The titular heroine is a “medium” while the hero, Alex (a duke), has a passion for unmasking con artists. He is ... more >
B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended ReadsEngland / historical paranormal / London / novella / Regency / Retelling2 Comments
Having resigned his position at Bow Street, John Pickett waits in vain for someone—anyone!—to engage his services as a private inquiry agent. As weeks go by with no responses to his newspaper advertisement, he has taken to spending his days wandering idly about London rather than admit his failure to ... more >