Natalie Jenner, the internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society, returns with a compelling and heartwarming story of post-war London, a century-old bookstore, and three women determined to find their way in a fast-changing world in Bloomsbury Girls. Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare bookstore that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans: Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiancé was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances--most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction. Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she's been working to support the family following her husband's breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own. Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she's working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future. As they interact with various literary figures of the time--Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others--these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.
Doesn't that sound wonderful? I thought you might think that.
I was first introduced to Jenner's writing in 2019 when I received an early copy of The Jane Austen Society (St. Martin's Press, 2020) from a Goodreads Giveaway. I was instantly transported to post-WWII Chawton and immersed myself in the lives of a diverse group of Austen lovers and their journey to protect her estate. In fact, I loved the book so much, it spurred me to start this very blog to share my thoughts.
One of the most captivating characters was servant girl Evie Stone, so I was delighted to learn that she would be getting a starring role in her own book, Bloomsbury Girls St. Martin's Press, 2022). And once again, the smooth lyrical prose that I just loved in
The Jane Austen Society drew me in so much so that I couldn't put this book down either. And even though I had been granted both a digital and physical ARC, I went ahead and scooped up the Book of the Month version when it became available too. Yes, I love this book that much (and just wait until you hear the audio versions of her books as well).
There's plenty to enjoy: a rich and vibrant historical setting, tough as nails gals breaking though the old fashioned and male-dominated book seller scene, classy, fully drawn characters, and a discussion (and cameos!) of some very beloved authors.
It's so absolutely clear that Jenner writes from the heart and cares for her characters as if they were beloved family members. In that way, we the readers can in turn feel that emotional connection with them, whether they be the precise and quiet Evie Stone, the delightfully confident Vivian Lowry, or the calm and dignified Ash Ramaswamy.
And those rules--what a creative treat those were!
I do so hope you will love this book as much as I did! Grab a copy (and while you're at it, don't forget The Jane Austen Society - you won't be disappointed.
A special thanks to Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose PR for inviting me along on this blog tour to celebrate Natalie's newest release, and to St. Martin's Press for graciously providing copies of her book to review. It's been such a pleasure, and I am eagerly awaiting to see what is next in store for Ms. Jenner.
Natalie Jenner is the author of the instant international bestseller The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls. A Goodreads Choice Award runner-up for historical fiction and finalist for best debut novel, The Jane Austen Society was a USA Today and #1 national bestseller and has been sold for translation in twenty countries. Born in England and raised in Canada, Natalie has been a corporate lawyer, career coach and, most recently, an independent bookstore owner in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs. Visit her website to learn more.
Interested in more bookish content? Join me @bookwifebooklife over on Instagram!