Lara Hope has always wanted to be on the stage, her dream is to go to Hollywood to be in the movies. Her acting bug started early whilst growing up in her fathers theatre. Her mother died when she was young so she has never connected with her family in Portugal. Her father leaves her money to make the trip to Lisbon so find her maternal family. As time goes by Lara finds herself using her wits to get by working as a barmaid amongst other things. Her talent for mimicry gets her noticed and she receives an unexpected offer. Interesting take on the early stages of the Second World War.

This book surprisingly really filled a hole after I’d finished In Memorium, and I really loved the emotions it really pulled out of me as I connected with Lara, particularly on the themes of loss.

In 1938, shortly after her father's death, Lara left England for Portugal to find her mother's side of the family. Portugal doesn't give her the roots she desires but leaves her stranded. A fortuitous meeting leads to a job and a place to stay, but when WW2 breaks out, Lara cannot return to England as planned. The bookshop job comes after the outbreak of war, and Lara soon finds it hides much more than long-forgotten novels. At this time, Portugal is a place of betrayal, danger and intrigue, and Lara's acting skills involve her in the war effort, which proves challenging and rewarding. I like the cast of character and their connection, the volatile Portuguese setting and the balance of humour, menace, mystery and romance. It's a heartwarmingly poignant story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you to HQ Books for the opportunity to read and review a digital proof of The Bookshop of Secrets by Kerry Barrett, a new author to me.

I was initially drawn to this book because I enjoy reading books set during the war and also love books set around a bookshop. I’m pleased to say that my initial interest led to me discovering one of my five star books of 2025.

I loved how Kerry brought the characters and the city of Lisbon to life in this historical fiction book. Lara is a wonderful character who finds herself in Lisbon in a strange era of history where nations are fighting each other in neighbouring countries but are sat in the same bar in Portugal.

Lara finds herself being recruited to help the British war effort using her acting talents and quickly finds herself caught up in a world of espionage, trying to divert the attention of Nazi Germany to enable evacuations to take place.

It is an emotional read, with refugees trying to escape Europe via the port, and the threat of the secret police monitoring everyone. I can’t imagine how strange it must have been to live in that situation.

I loved how the story evolved and I’m hoping that Kerry has a sequel planned – I need to know what happened next please. The book was published in paperback and ebook on Thursday 13 February so is available to buy now.

A very readable story about Lisbon during WW11.
As Portugal was neutral, Lisbon especially became a Mecca for refugees and espionage.
This is a light romance/spy story which flows well and has some very interesting characters.
In this story a mixture of people from diverse backgrounds are brought together and their stories are told in a non threatening manner.
I found this book very entertaining

THE BOOKSHOP OF SECRETS is the latest book by Kerry Barrett and is set in Lisbon, Portugal, during the early 1940's. Lara has travelled there from London following the death of her father, in search of family on her dead mother's side. She finds a family of friends, but not the one she thought she would. A series of events leads her into staying there and there she is when war breaks out.

I loved this story! It is the third or fourth book by this author I have read and, just like the others, I was gripped by the story and the characters. The descriptions of the world Lara lives in are crisp and clear, defining the current state of affairs for her without hitting the reader over the head!

Fleming is a name that is dropped (which I loved!) as well as Edward and Wallis. There was also a hint about Sandra's background which was perfect and I would love the know who the inspiration was for her part. How the story was woven around these characters and situations astounds me. I found it to be phenomenally written and perfectly paced.

If I had one bad thing to say it would be that my romantic little heart was desperate for an official, rock-solid HEA for Lara. Don't get me wrong, it was alluded to, but I want to know for sure. In fact, not just for Lara, but for Bill, Phil, Miguel, Bea, Hector, Sandra... do you want me to continue? Suffice it to say, this book was outstanding but I'm not ready to let go of these characters yet. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me and I can't wait for the next book by this amazing author.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 5, 2025

Lisbon 1940, a young aspiring actress from, London, the Portuguese secret police, war breaking out across Europe, Edward and Mrs. Simpson, The British secret service, and a rescued Nazi soldier..'But dying or not, we still have a Nazi in the bedroom, and that is not good'...A proper funny tale...Read it! (And laugh out loud)

What a welcome surprise this book was. It follows Lara Hope who travels to Lisbon in search of family, at her first port of call she meets a young man Miguel who feels sorry for her and offers assistance should she need. Well this may be divine intervention because she meets up with him in several places! When it becomes apparent that Lara will need to find lodgings, she is delighted when her landlady offers work in her “Tram Stop Bookshop” where all is not as it seems! There are many secrets to uncover, and I enjoyed the way they unravelled encapsulating the war activities along the way.
I recommend this book, you won’t be disappointed.

My favourite character was Lara, for her sense of fun. D section sounded like great workmates.
While it was my first by this author I shall keep an eye for more.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a light easy read, so immersive, you’re drawn right into the story from the start. I couldn’t put it down.
A heartwarming and hopeful wartime story of loss, love and bravery.

Lara, after the death of her father arrives in Lisbon in search of a family she’s never met. As the war storms across Europe, Lara finds solace and belonging in her landlady’s bookshop. But she is soon plunged into a world of mystery and facades, making friends, finding love and meeting royalty along the way.

It’s beautifully written and is exciting and well paced with suspense, romance and historical intrigue. The dual timeline adds depth and the past and present is effortlessly woven together keeping you tuning the pages.
I loved the setting in 1940’s Lisbon in a bookshop full of secrets. It’s vividly described and you can imagine yourself browsing the shelves.
The characters are all well developed and likeable. I particularly liked Lara, who is funny, careless and brave.
An engaging and emotional read. I definitely recommend if you enjoy this genre.
With thanks to #NetGallery #HQ for an arc of #TheBookshopOfSecrets in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 13 February 2025

From the blurb I wanted to read this book but it really was not my cup of tea.

I read a lot of historical fiction often set in WW2 and it’s not uncommon for it to involve the Germans, The Resistance in whichever country and espionage and spying.
But this lacked the grit and downright brutality of living under a Nazi regime.
In fact I thought it almost made a mockery of the times.

It was very frothy and not even a particularly romantic story and unbelievable in parts. I am sure the censor would have dealt with Wilf’s letters in a completely different way.
Would a part time actress really have been able to meet the people she did in the way she did ? (Avoiding a major spoiler there ) even if she was assisting the British Secret Intelligence.

The only partly redeeming factor was that it was set in Lisbon which is a different location and did provide some interesting insight and showed the author had done some research

I did finish the book but only to find out if it improved and how on earth the author tied the ends together.

After her father’s death, Lara heads off to Lisbon in search of any family she may have left there. Things take a turn for the worst when she encounters several problems which lead her to remain in Lisbon. The world then changes as the Second World War takes hold.
Unfortunately I struggled to fully get into this one. None of the characters particularly jumped out at me and the pace was just a little too slow.
I think I was hoping for a little more mystery and suspense as the write up for this book suggested.
If you like war stories, this may be well up your street, but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.

Lara travels to Portugal to trace her dead mother’s family but finds a new career after the theft of her money and passport leave her destitute. She is recruited by a government dept to feed misinformation to the Nazi war machine. Her life is complicated when she rescues an officer being savagely beaten by his colleagues and then they go on to a mission involving Edward and Wallis Simpson. A frothy story, which was a quick and easy read. One thing really jarred on me though, she received a letter from her cousin who flew planes in the RAF and I don’t believe it would have made it past the censor. But I can forgive that in an entertaining story.

Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll be totally honest, I chose this book because it’s set in Lisbon, it’s that simple! Lisbon is a city brimming with life, music and joy, and in this book, secrets!

The cast of characters were all so lovable and rich, I wished I was in the room with them sharing jokes and beers!
The setting felt alive and immersive and the storytelling brought a sense of hope and whimsy to a wartime tale.
I found this totally heartwarming and would recommend anyone read it!

I wanted to love this book because of the content but found it quite slow and almost flippant. I didn’t really care for the characters and wanted much more from the war storyline. I dislike giving negative reviews but this wasn’t for me and I did not finish it. Other readers have loved it though!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A romantic drama set in WW2 Lisbon which played an important role during wartime. I liked the characters and the setting but I wanted there to be a bit more bite to the story and a more sinister narrative.

An interesting novel about the ‘tricks’ which were played on the Germans during the Second World War with a difference because this is about adventures in Lisbon. The characters are well drawn and a sense of life in Lisbon during the early part of the war seems realistic. The tensions created by refugees echoes what is felt today. It is an excellent historical novel.

The title indicates that this is a story centred around a bookshop, and all things bookish....it is not.

I was torn in this one: It is soooo easy to read, which is a skill in itself....but, the content just brushed the surface throughout. Set in the 2nd World War, but seemingly skirting around the edges as if looking in from a 'comfortable and fluffy' distance....I just felt much more could've been made of the location and the period of history. Many thanks to the Publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Lisbon was a mecca for spies during World War Two. The Bookshop of Secrets gives glimpses into what might have been. The story was a very enjoyable way to explore and learn about the lives of spies and munipulation. I finished the story still thinking about the possiblities that might have been.

Lara left England and travelled to Lisbon in search of family before the war. She didn't find family but she found so much more as she was forced to remain in Lisbon. It is thanks to eavesdropping on Lara's life that the reader witnesses corruption, the challenges of those trying to escape the Nazis, and the trickery practices to share misinformation. The story was page after page of fascinating moments as Lara uses her acting and mimicing talents to aid in the war effort.

It was brilliant how the author used people that we have all heard of to weave a tale of thrills, chills, and suspenseful moments. Ian Fleming plays a role in the story by helping to create the right situation. The Duke and Duchess are tools for the British. All brought more life and more excitement to the story. They made the story even more realistic, more believable. I would love to see more of Lara's adventures.

I don’t tend to read historical novels, but there was something about the synopsis of The Bookshop of secrets that piqued my interest. In Lisbon, a bookshop owner leads a double life and following recent death of her father, Lara finds herself travelling to Lisbon in search of a family she’s never met. Whilst the Second World War rages through Europe, Lara finds solace in the bookshop. But when she witnesses something opening, she realises there is more to the bookshop than simply selling novels. I adored this novel and found it hard to put down. The plot unfolds with ease and you easily warm to the characters. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

I had hoped this book would be more serious than it was and probably that is my fault for misreading/misunderstanding the blurb, but I was a bit disappointed by the light hearted take on what was a very serious time during the war.
Having said that the book is well written and I'm sure many people will enjoy it. It has a cast of different but mostly likeable characters and a beautiful setting in neutral wartime Lisbon.
After the death of her father, Lara sets off to find her mother's family in Portugal and due to a series of unfortunate incidents she becomes stranded there for the duration of the war. Regretting she cannot do her part as her friend and cousin she finds herself (again through a series of unexpected incidents) drawn into the world of espionage,
All in all a little too light hearted for me to really enjoy.
With thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an arc copy in return for an honest review.