London, 1938. Bookseller Gertie Bingham is facing difficult times, having just lost her beloved husband, Harry, and with a lingering sadness at never having been able to have a child of her own. Struggling to face running the bookshop she and Harry opened together, Gertie is preparing to sell up and move away when she is asked if she would be willing to take in a young Jewish refugee from Germany. Gertie is unsure and when sullen teenager Hedy Fischer arrives, Gertie fears she has nothing left to give the troubled girl.

But when the German bombers come and the lights go out over London, Gertie and Hedy realise that joining forces will make them stronger, and that books have the power to bring young and old together and unite a community in need in its darkest hour...


This was a delightful read that really kept my interest the whole way through. It’s a sad and emotional read at times and one I recommend to historical fiction readers.

A really great book that weaves in themes of books and the power of friends who become ‘family’, against the backdrop of the horrors of World War II.

Books that are set in bookshops always appeal to me and this was no different. I enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter which framed the scenes, and the discussions of the books read by the ARBC.

The setting, while not overly descriptive, was engaging and helped bring the story to life. I would have liked more description of the bookshop and the surrounding streets as well as the seaside setting. But that aside, I adored the characters, particularly Gertie and Hedy plus the irrepressible Will and his insistence on calling everyone by their full name rather than their honorific titles.

A bit late to the party on this one, but really enjoyed it. A new author for me but will be looking out for more of her books

The Air Raid Book Club is a beautiful crafted and heart warming read,that really captures the readers imagination and takes them back to the war.
It's a great read for curling up on the sofa, with a cup of tea and a hot fire going.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb - there are reviews like that out there already if that's what you are looking for! Instead I recommend that you read this for yourself.

This is the first book I've read by Annie Lyons, and it was a very enjoyable read. I was initially drawn to it by the title - I love novels set during WW2 and I also love books, so this was a must-read.

I expected this to be a fairly light read, but it has far more substance to it than that - dealing with issues of the Kindertransport, death, family estrangement, lost loves, "alien" internship and more. Overall though the tone remains optimistic - there is is a real feeling of community and working together, which made me think that when older people say how things were better in the "olden days", they are hankering after that sense of togetherness that is now hard to find in modern day life.

The characters are an interesting mix, with many eccentrics amongst them - I loved that, and several made me smile every time they appeared (Uncle Thomas, Billy). The plot is excellent, and I felt that everything was well described - you could picture the town, the seaside, the scenes during the bombings. I was moved to tears at times, always a sign of good writing.

I will definitely read more by Annie Lyons in the future.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

The Air Raid Book Club is a beautifully written WW2 novel.

Gertie Bingham like so many is facing difficult times. After the loss of her beloved husband, she feels lost, and a lingering sadness at never being able to have a child of her own.

After the great war Gertie and Harry bought a bookshop, and that had kept them both content despite their childlessness. After Harry's death, with WW2 looming, Gertie considers selling up and moving away. Feeling that there is nothing left for her in the community.

Until a life long friend presents her with a unique solution. Looking after a young Jewish refugee from Germany. It will be companionship for her, and she will be doing something to help the war effort.

At first Gertie is unsure. Despite her desire to be a Mother, she isn't sure that she'd make a very good guardian, particularly not when she is still grieving for her husband.

When Hedy Fischer arrives, Gertie's worst fears are realised. They have nothing in common, and the girl is frightened, sullen and headstrong. She takes comfort in Hemmingway, Gertie's dog as he reminds her of the beloved pet she had to leave behind.

Gertie begins to reach Hedy through Hemmingway, and then through their mutual love of books. When Hedy begins to help Gertie in the bookshop, she begins to come out of her shell, and is a real asset. She also helps Gertie to rediscover her passion for books, reading and helping the community.

Together they navigate the war years, comforting each other through loss, uncertainty and brutality, and wondering what awaits them on the other side.

A really heartwarming, tender and charming tale that I just couldn't put down. I wanted to jump into the pages so much.

The Air Raid Book Club is the latest novel from USA Today bestselling author Annie Lyons and her first venture into the world of historical fiction. It is a powerful story of friendship, fortitude, found family, community and - at the heart of everything - the power of books.
At the heart of this story is an ode to the power of literature. Chapters start with a quote from a famous novel or author and the plot is centred around how books can connect communities and bring joy in even the darkest of times. The prologue shares a beautiful bibliophilic romance with Gertie meeting her future husband Harry in her family-run bookshop and the couple bonding (and ultimately falling in love) over their shared love of books. Each chapter is filled with characters having lively discussions about the latest books they have been reading and it is these books which provide a bit of light against the darkness of Blitz-torn London. As a bookworm, the entire novel felt like a big hug (even if it did tear at my heartstrings on several occasions) and it was so clear that this was all inspired by the author’s own love for literature.
The novel also tells the story of Hedy, a German Jewish teenager who leaves Germany on the Kindertransport and is taken in by Gertie. Although Kindertransport children have been featured in a range of other historical fiction novels, this is my first time reading a story focused on the German Jewish teenagers displaced by the war and this really set the novel apart from other works of a similar nature. I loved seeing the relationship between Hedy and Gertie develop over the course of the book, particularly through their initial bonding over a shared love of literature, and it was a beautiful example of the found family trope within historical fiction.
Annie Lyons writes incredible characters with such depth and heart to them. Even the eclectic range of background characters had well developed characterisation and I did find myself falling a little bit in love with the entire community of that small London borough. It would take me forever to go through all of the characters I connected with and why I loved them so much but, aside from Gertie and Hedy, a particular shoutout goes to Betty, Elizabeth, young Billy, Charles and the wonderful Uncle Thomas, the self-proclaimed oldest bookseller in London. It was also fantastic to see some LGBTQ+ representation within the story as this is so often missing from historical fiction.
Although an ultimately very heartwarming story, The Air Raid Book Club also covers more challenging subject-matter, particularly through its powerful exploration of grief. Gertie is grieving the loss of her beloved husband Harry and Hedy is processing the unknown fate of her family as they are persecuted by the Nazis for being Jewish. The story also covers Britian’s policy of internment and this is an aspect of Second World War history we often see crucially missed out of historical fiction, so it was wonderful to see this explored so powerfully within the story.
The story is slower-paced at times but I think this actually really worked to capture the everyday mundanity of life for those on the Homefront over the six years of the war. This does make it a lighter read compared to other Second World War historical fiction books but I don’t think this takes away from the value of the book at all, it’s just something to be mindful of if you tend to prefer action-packed fast-paced war novels.
Overall, The Air Raid Book Club is a powerful and moving story which beautifully captures the importance of books and their power to connect communities. I can’t help but think it would make the most wonderful TV series or film and I was completely enchanted by the story and the characters alike.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk and the post is linked.

A delightful story about books bringing people together during the blitz.
Gertie and Hedy start the Air Raid Book Club through their mutual love of books, they bring together neighbours and bookstore customers to discuss all kinds of books.
However the books can only provide a temporary escape as the blitz really starts and the book club faces unimaginable losses, which will change their lives.
They’ll need the strength of the books and the bonds they’ve made to see them through.
Beautifully written, showing the hope in the darkest times through the power of books.
Loved the book quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
The characters were well rounded and felt like old friends especially Gertie & Hedy with their adorable dog Hemingway.
Perfect for any fans of A J Pearce - Emmy Lake Chronicles
Thanks @annielyons @headlinepg & @netgalley

The Air Raid book Club is my first book from Annie Lyons and she did not disappoint. I gave this five stars but if I could have I would have given this all the stars!!!! This is a historical fiction that is set in Beechwood a quiet suburb of London,in which the prologue introduces to Gertie Bingham, it’s 1911 and she is happily married to her beloved Harry who shares her love of books & reading and so Bingham Books is born.
Then you fast forward to 1938 where Gertie is struggling with her grief after the death of Harry and thinking of selling the bookshop. When a old friend asks her to take in a Jewish refugee who is caming over on the Kindertransport she decides to do it even though she has doubts whether she would be a suitable guardian.When she meets Hedy Fischer who has left everything and everyone behind in Munich it seems her doubts come true as there is friction but slowly they come to care for each other.
I loved that this was set in a small community and centered around the bookstore as well as the powerful message that books can bring comfort to all regardless of what you are personally going through.
Jilly Bond narrates the audiobook and I thought she was amazing and really brought this to life.

The Air Raid Book Club is the first book that I have read by Annie Lyons and what a gorgeous story it was. It had such a gentle, relaxed pace to it giving the reader an almost soothing feeling as they read through it despite the trials and tribulations that characters were enduring due to the war. It’s set in a bookshop in Beechwood, a quiet suburban area of London, with a varied and eclectic cast of characters who are all united through the power of books in the most harrowing of times. The story emphasis how books have such an impressive influence as to help those when they need it the most. ’There was comfort in words. A world of much needed strength and hope too’. I think this is what makes this book such a special read as it focuses on words and their power to guide and direct us. Words have the ability to offer comfort and solace and to unite people and form the most unlikeliest of friendships all bonding over the written word.

Each chapter opens with an inspiring quote from a range of books and I found myself looking forward to what pearls of wisdom the author had included and how they had a forbearing - if any - on what was to happen in the chapter. Said quotes do make you want to go back and read the book they are from as I felt they were so carefully chosen and my interest was piqued as to what book they came from and the reason for their selection.

The brief prologue introduces us to the main female character, Gertie Bingham, it’s 1911 and she is happily married to her beloved Harry but yet she longs for more as she finds Beechwood too quiet. She had been raised with a keen mind and instinct for sniffing out injustice. She adores books and reading and is always eager to read the next book, to absorb new ideas and send them out into the world. When she spots a shop for lease, a seed is planted, and Bingham Books is born.

Fast forward to 1938 and we meet a completely different Gertie. For so many years the bookshop had brought great joy into her life as books were powerful and inspiring but all her enthusiasm, insight and happiness has vanished. The many years spent running the bookshop with Harry were the best of her life but now her soulmate has gone and with him her love, liveliness and cheer. She has no interest in running the bookshop as the world has lost its lustre without her constant by her side. ’She wanted to escape the constant reminder that Harry was gone and the painful reality of a life without him’. Gertie contemplates selling the bookshop and escaping to somewhere peaceful where she can live out her days with Hemmingway, her loyal canine companion by her side. But Bingham Books is at the heart of Beechwood and the people there need Gertie and the shop. The fire in her belly and the fight in her soul may be gone but surely there is a way for Gertie to reclaim these. She needs to learn to seize the day and how to live her life again to the fullest.

Disheartening is the word I would use to describe the situation Gertie found herself in. There are glimpses of the old Gertie as she works in the shop matching the right book to the right person and providing a safe space for all who enter its doors but really she is a broken woman and these moments of magic and enjoyment are few and far between. You can tell that she is weary and hasn’t the strength to go on that the lustre and spark has left her. When her long-time friend Charles Ashford asks her to take in a young Jewish refugee she worries over what to do but then she sees that ‘the world is on the brink of something terrible. The question is, do we stand by and watch or do we stand up and help?’. Taking in Hedy Fischer who is 15 gives Gertie the sense of purpose that she has been missing from her life. She feels that she will be able to assume the role of mother to the girl. A role that has been absent from her life and which she felt she would never be given the opportunity to do.

Hedy comes from Munich leaving her parents and brother behind. She is sullen and quiet preferring to spend her time in her room but then she slowly starts to engage with the people who work in the bookshop and its customers. Gertie begins to feel surplus to requirements and wonders what is she doing wrong, that Hedy seems to ignore her. I felt desperately sorry for Gertie as I think she was pinning all her hopes on Hedy giving her a goal in life and that relationship she had craved was just not materialising. This sums up perfectly how Gertie felt. ’Both alone. Both missing the ones who couldn’t be with them. Neither of them had chosen this situation and yet here they were, flung together. Two lonely strangers, clinging to the same life raft as the storm raged around them’.

I loved seeing the development of the relationship between Gertie and Hedy. It wasn’t forced or trivialised. Instead a natural progression occurred as did a deep appreciation for each other and all this was through a love of books and the bookshop. Both Gertie and Hedy needed each other but they didn’t realise how much until war was declared in 1939, leaving Hedy’s family stuck in Germany. Now Gertie can be the mother she has truly wanted to be. Not taking the place of Hedy’s mother but rather assuming a role of foster/adoptive mother and allowing her to feel ‘that she was moving forward once more, instead of being doggedly glued to the past’.

Part two details the onslaught of war and I found it wonderful to read of how all the different characters began to pull together and have the bookshop as a focus and a place where they could go during air raids and so the air raid book club is formed. As the bombs rain down upon London, they sit in the shelter and talk about the book of choice and open up many new worlds and endless conversation. ’All we can do is offer an escape to ourselves and to one another’ and this is all done through the power and stability that books offer. There are lots of characters introduced right from the beginning and even more so once the war begins. Too many to mention here but it never felt as if the book was overcrowded with people and their stories. For they had many stories to share and lots of interesting and heart-warming but also emotional and challenging things began to occur. A sense of community is forged and of pulling together and I loved all the various mini storylines that developed but fed so well into the main plot. A real sense of togetherness began to emerge and a new side to Gertie comes to the fore but that’s not to say that she is not tested and it’s all a bed of roses. No, in fact it’s far from it and she will need Hedy and her remarkable, kind and loyal friends and the bookshop itself to guide her through what the war is bringing right to their doorstep.

The Air Raid Book Club is a lovely book, perfect for fans of WW2 historical fiction. You will root for Gertie from beginning to end and fall in love with lots of other wonderful characters along the way. Yes the ending may have been a little rushed as I did think it tried to cover too many years and I would have liked a bit more fleshing out but apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with Gertie and co. A book with fantastic characters, a superb setting of the bookshop and lots of talk about books all set amidst the backdrop of WW2. I mean what more could you want? I’m already looking forward to reading much more from Annie Lyons in the near future.

A beautiful read about the power of books in the darkest times and their ability to forge a community and bring lightness in life when you need it most. Full of hope, this story has the ideal setting and a wonderful cast of characters and strong sense of time and place.
I'm a sucker for bookshops in real life and fiction, it hit the high rankings of a shop I'd like to visit. It had books, atmosphere and heart needed to drive this plot forward. Having a Air Raid Book Club was inspired and made recommendations to books I need to swot up on.
The relationship between Gertie and Hedy was lovely to watch evolve and brought to mind Goodnight Mr Tom.
A lovely read that would work well as a TV series or film.

I really enjoyed this book from the very beginning. I am always drawn to books set in bookshops or featuring book clubs and here we have a book featuring both. I also enjoy fiction set in World War 2, focussing on what life was like for those coping at at home while people were away fighting. With this book being set in London, we get a real sense of the fear and destruction caused by the nightly bombings.

I loved the focus on the importance of books. Bingham Books is so central to the story. It’s where Gertie met her beloved Harry and they bonded over a mutual love of books. And others too met and fell in love in the bookshop. It’s the focus of the community when the popular book club changes to the air raid book club, the idea being that people read books to discuss when they are in the air raid shelters together. There are also the book parcels sent out to prisoners of war which we hear really lifts their spirits. And then there are the stories read to young Billy which really help him when he is frightened in the shelter. All of these combine to show the power of books.

I particularly enjoyed the words of wisdom which began each chapter. These were all quotations from books, generally classics and often books which spoke directly to the situations the characters were facing. It was good to see the inclusion of Bingham’s Book Club recommendations at the end of the book.

The sense of community is so strong in this book and we really see people pulling together and doing their bit to support each other. Gertie strongly feels that ‘wars weren’t fought by generals and politicians. They were fought by armies of ordinary people battling, struggling and holding one another up as the pushed onwards. Ordinary people living through extraordinary times making a difference through small endeavours and vast courage.‘ This really sums up the community of Beechwood. We see that people really understand the need to seize their chance at happiness while they can.

It’s not all just cosy reading though. The realities of war are covered and many characters in the book suffer worry, loss and things which change their lives. It is particularly moving to read about Hedy always wondering what has happened to her family left behind in Germany. The relationship between Hedy and Gertie is just so beautiful to read about. From being so uncertain of each other when they first met and Gertie wondering if she’d made a mistake taking Hedy in, as the war progresses they grow closer to each other and become so important to each other. They are as close as any real mother and daughter could be.

I hadn’t read anything by Annie Lyons before but certainly will be looking out for her books in future. The Air Raid Book Club was a heart-warming read about a community pulling together and being bound together through a love of reading, and I loved it.

A perfect read.

Gertie Bingham, newly widowed, is struggling to keep her book shop going and even considers giving it up and retiring. With war on the horizon, she is asked by an old friend to take in a Jewish refugee - how can she refuse? She has doubts that she can provide what a young person needs but when 14 year old Hedy Fischer arrives, she does what countless Brits have done through the ages - and makes the best of it.

Ever since reading 'Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank you' by this author I've been on the lookout for her next one and it is absolutely everything I hoped it would be! Annie Lyons creates such wonderful characters that it doesn't take much for me to see them in my mind's eye. This is a tale of war, hardship, empathy and - more than anything - the message that whatever happens, life goes on. I relished each and every word. This is one of 'those' books - you know the ones I mean - where you want to race through the pages, devouring the words and yet you desire to slow down and caress each word lovingly so you don't get to the end too soon. I adored Gertie and all the rest and really cannot recommend this one highly enough. If you only treat yourself, or a friend, to one book, please make it this one - you really won't be disappointed. All five sparkling, singing and dancing stars from me!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

The Air Raid Book Club story starts in London 1911.
Gertie Bingham lives in Beechwood, Buckingham with her husband Harry. Having survived the Great War, Gertie longs for some cultural distraction. When an opportunity to lease a shop arises Gertie knows this is just what she is meant to do, open a book shop with Harry.

Gertie Bingham is a very likeable character, living in an era of wartime, enduring it all with a cheerful attitude, a time of camaraderie with a very likeable range of people in her village, part of her life. A generation bygone where folk used to refer to their acquaintances with politeness quite formally as Mr, Mrs Miss, using their surname, not using Christian names until of a firmer bond and friendship. A time of make do and mend.
Hemingway, her Yellow Labrador Dog, brings much love and comfort to all he greets.
Gertie’s life changes considerably after taking in Hedy, a fifteen year old German Jewish refugee for safe keeping..

I was engrossed very much in this book. It made me think about my ancestors who lived and died during this period of time. It brought smiles and tears to me when reading.
I really liked the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
A book of courage, hope and love which binds everyone together.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

This is a delightful, feel good novel about living in London during WW2 and how unlikely friendships formed in this period.
I'm not 100% sure that it is a book that will stay with me for long but it was a lovely read while I was doing so, and it was nice to see a Kindertransport story line.

Gertie and Harry Bingham are the proud owners of a bookshop in London. When Harry dies, Gergiev struggles to cope. The arrival of World War II sees a request for homes for Jewish children, and Gertie is persuaded to take in German teenager Hedy. What follows is a beautiful story of blossoming friendships, the pulling together of a community, and the pain of war?

A lovely book, I really enjoyed following Gertie and Hedy's story. I'll admit to being a bit confused by the book title, as to me the book club itself didn't feature very heavily, but a lovely book for fans of this genre of WWII fiction.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. Enjoyed reading this - great characters, full of emotion and a reminder about how difficult life was during this time.
Will share a longer review on the blog tour.

Once I had finished this wonderful story, I felt all warm inside!!..
This is a war related story based around a couple called Gertie and Harry Bingham who buy a bookshop which is their pride and joy. Enter customers who become friends, a young German girl, frightened for her and her family's future and you have the perfect recipe for a successful tale, full of great characters who feel like friends by the end!! The sense of community is strong and starting the air raid book club helps the residents have a focus reviewing their latest book choice to take their mind off the bombs.
I loved every word and I hope to read more from this author!! Thanks Annie Lyons!
I received this free arc book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #headlinebooks, #annielyonsauthor.

Gertie Bingham opened a bookstore with her husband. A few years before the start of WWII her husband dies. Gertie decides to take in a refugee German teenager Hedy. Hedy is very headstrong and reminds Gertie of her younger self. They work on getting her parents and brother out of Germany. The plans are all in place - they will leave in early September 1939.

Not sure why I requested this book as it isn’t my usual genre. Having said that it was an okay read for me.

Those who enjoy books set in this era will probably enjoy it more than I did.

In front of the backdrop of London bookshop in the time before WW2 began, a grieving widow (Gertie) struggling to come to terms with her new life circumstances, takes in a German teenager (Hedy) and together the face what comes. Gertie has no energy for living until that is, Hedy arrives.
A real bond of friendship develops and grows pulling both women, separated by decades and by culture open to each other. It is a story of companionship and community.
While war’s might be known by the battles fought in far away places with names which are difficult to pronounce, they are won by the resilience, fortitude, and battles by the people at home who struggle to keep life going on the home front. This is a story of resilience, pain, adversity, and survival, as each of the many shortages and brushes with life and death hit home.
This story is so well written, that the reader feels as if they are living and breathing the same air as Gertie and Hedy. By the end of their struggles, you feel as if you have become a lifelong friend of Gertie. If you have ever wish to experience life on the frontline, without putting your own life on the line, feel the same highs and lows and work through the many difficulties then this is your next read.
I loved this from beginning to end. Thank you for bringing the story to life. I can’t wait to reading more of your work, Annie.
Thank you to headline publishers and to NetGalley for the ARC, for an honest review.