I really enjoyed this historical novel. I don't know Portugal at all but, this brought it to life and made me feel that I was actually there. A heartbreaking story but interesting as well. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This book was an absolute joy. I didn’t want to finish it. I’ve only started reading Kerry Barrett books fairly recently and have thoroughly enjoyed them, This latest is no exception! It is set in Portugal at the start of WW2 and gives a great insight into the country’s role as a place of refuge which I wasn’t previously aware of. The storyline is strong & intriguing. It will keep you reading past bedtime! The characters are well rounded and descriptive. I loved the ending. Killy weaves the fictional story well around real life historical events. All in all, a great read. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

A story of espionage and war set alongside a bookshop in Lisbon. Not a traditional war story but one full of friendship, romance and what ifs. A brilliant read.

The Bookshop of Secrets by Kerry Barrett

Rating: 5*

This historical fiction is set during World War II is a story of loss, love, and bravery.

Barrett weaves an incredible narrative that illustrates the profound ways in which war can alter individuals. The story unfolds in Lisbon, a city that maintained neutrality during the conflict. The protagonist is a badass female character who's strength and resilience readers can truly admire.

The novel is full of espionage, featuring a subtle romantic element that complements rather than overshadows the main plot. It encompasses all the essential elements of a compelling story.
I found myself completely absorbed, as the narrative flowed seamlessly, reflecting the extensive research Kerry took into researching the neutral city and those refugees in need of help.

Themes of grief, war, love, and the concept of found family emerge in unexpected ways. The narrative powerfully conveys that sometimes, a single act of kindness can significantly contribute to the fight against the enemy.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

This is a book right up my street. Interesting foreign location - check. WW2 time frame - check. Books - check. Spy story - check. I loved this story, it was interesting, well written with very likeable characters. There were lots of thrills and intrigue. Highly recommended.

Looking for a new start after her father’s death, Lara Hope arrives in Lisbon in search of a family she’s never met.
As war storms across Europe, Lara finds solace and belonging in her landlady’s tranquil bookshop in one of the most beautiful corners of the city.
But when she witnesses a customer secretly swapping a book, she realises the bookshop is not all it seems. Lara is plunged into a labyrinthine world of mystery and facades, encountering new friends, an unexpected romance, and even royalty… Is she prepared to risk it all for this new life?
If this doesn’t speak romcom perfection I don’t know what does!… I was so delighted with the warm fuzzy feeling this book left me with

I really enjoyed this book by Kerry Barrett. It was a lovely read and the characters were so well written and relatable.. its got love .bravery ,and loyal friendship with the group of people who come together to do what they can for the war effort .
it had a great plot line .
An exceptional read !
I really hope there will be a follow on to this book

Once I got into the story I found it to be a real page turner. Great characters and a lovely location. The characters were lovely and I was really captivated by the characters and how they worked together. A very good read.

I really really enjoyed this book! It had it all in it. I really liked all the characters and felt for them! I want to know what happens to Lara and Otto next!

While there are better books written about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, their posting to the Bahamas, and their possible affiliation with Hitler, there are definitely far worse than this tale of espionage set in a Portugese bookshop.
I read through the story Kerry Barrett has created at quite a speed, imaginatively taken up by the feisty characters and their derringer do story.
The setting, Lisbon, is pleasingly unusual, most similar stories are set in France, Germany or even the UK, so it was interesting to learn about the situation in Portugal
Lara, the narrator, is a natural born actress who turns up in Lisbon, searching for her mother's family, just in time to be recruited to a team setting out to sew seeds of false information to the higher echelons of the Nazi party.
Her acting skills are stretched still further when she is set up to befriend Wallis Simpson and her "David" at the time of the Dunkirk evacuation.
Kerry builds a very convincing picture of 1940s Lisbon, and touches on the tragic stream of refugees arriving, desperate to escape from Europe as the German forces spread through their home countries.
It is , perhaps, a little unfair to the little boats at Dunkirk, to write them off quite as comprehensively as is suggested in the book, as nearly 1/3 of those escaping from Dunkirk were brought home via small boats near the beach. Nonetheless, a bit of a myth was woven around the " miracle of the little boats" and, morale back home was boosted by patriotic films, so, Bea, Lara, Phil and Bill could very well have been involved in that.
All in all, I enjoyed the story and can think of readers in my library to whom I would recommend it
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for an earc and this is my honest review

This book is all about nostalgia and is bitter sweet and yet the language comes across warm and friendly. We follow one person and their view as they start the book honouring their dead father with a tribute show named after him and then start the dance in time. The book goes back to the war years and follows what is half exciting and yet frightening as a book shop plays a key role in Love and romance. The book is quite touching and really looks into what it means to have a close friend both in April in the present day but also in the war years. There is a theme of renewal and fresh start that holds the book together and makes it a lovely read.

OH! what a joy this book was.

Lara was a fascinating character and the descriptive writing brought to life this tale of war and mystery.

I loved loved loved the setting and the bookshop is somwhere I would like to visit.

It really is a novel that is both beautiful and emotive.. fabulous..