An interesting story set during WW2 in Lisbon. A family drama with intriguing characters along with an immersive storyline. A slow paced book but it kept me turning the pages nonetheless.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A beautifully written wartime story that captivated me. Kerry Barrett has created a cast of well developed and likeable characters, and has based their powerful story in Lisbon, a city that remained neutral throughout WWII.

Lara is an actress who heads to Lisbon in the late 1930's, in hope of finding her family, after the death of her father. When she finds they are no longer alive, she is ready to head back home when her wallet and passport are stolen. Stranded with no money, Lara takes up jobs in a bar and in a book shop to save for her return ticket, but before she can travel home, the war breaks out. Lara finds herself unexpectedly drawn into the world of espionage, finding herself digging deep for every ounce of bravery and courage she can muster, and leaning on her acting talents to fool the enemy.

The diverse characters were at once inspirational, brave and often funny. A light element of romance added an additional dimension to the story, without taking away from the seriousness of the grief and loss suffered during the war.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kerry Barrett and HQ for an ARC in return for an honest review.

When I first read the premise I mistakenly thought that this book would be more mysterious. What it is, is a historical tale set on war torn Europe where the heroine is residing and trying to work.
It was not entirely my cup of tea, I found it slow and somewhat laboured but for many they would enjoy this pace and genre.

I so enjoyed this book which was set in wartime Lisbon. Lovely historical plot, great characters and so well written.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and Publisher HQ Digital for the early read.

Lara went to Portugal to find her maternal parents, whom she learned had died. When her purse was stolen in Lisbon, she was stranded in the city. And then the war started.

Lara worked in a restaurant and a bookshop to earn money for a return ticket. She soon became involved in a resistance group. Using her ability to imitate voices, she transmitted coded messages to the Germans to give them false information and divert their attention to something else. But nothing was more dangerous than an operation the group was involved in, in which Lara had to pretend to be a countess with an Austrian husband at her side.

I like the setting of this book in wartime Lisbon, in a bookshop that was a camouflage place where the resistance worked together against Hitler. The diverse characters made this book even more interesting. I liked Lara. At times she seemed silly, funny and careless, but all her actions showed her bravery.

The author has woven a story of brave people fighting the enemy. It’s an easy read and didn’t have that feeling of a history lesson. Many readers will love this novel. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more books by this author.

The Bookshop of Secrets by Kerry Barrett is a captivating and atmospheric tale set against the backdrop of wartime Lisbon, where secrets and intrigue are woven into the heart of a tranquil bookshop. Lara Hope arrives in the city, seeking a fresh start after the death of her father and hoping to connect with a family she has never met. She finds comfort in the peaceful surroundings of her landlady’s bookshop, located in one of Lisbon's most picturesque corners.

However, Lara’s sense of calm is shattered when she witnesses a customer surreptitiously swapping a book, revealing that the bookshop is hiding more than it appears. As Lara delves deeper into the mystery, she is drawn into a world of secrets, deception, and hidden connections. Along the way, she forms unexpected friendships, experiences a blossoming romance, and even uncovers ties to royalty. In this thrilling journey, Lara must decide whether she is willing to risk everything for a new life and the truth behind the bookshop’s hidden purpose.

Barrett’s storytelling is both exciting and well-paced, with a perfect balance of suspense, romance, and historical intrigue. The themes of love, loss, and bravery resonate throughout, making this an engaging and emotionally enriching read. The Bookshop of Secrets is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy a story filled with mystery, heartfelt connections, and the courage to uncover the truth, set against a beautifully depicted city.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Set in 1940's Lisbon during WW2 it's city maintains it's neutrality, so though there were Nazi's everywhere they lived peacefully aside the locals .The characters are interesting especially Lara who is English and came to find her Portuguese family only to find they had died but she decides to stay and Otto a Nazi .The story is exciting and well paced and is a story of love ,loss and bravery ,an excellent read .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bookshop of Secrets by Kerry Barrett, a delightful and heartfelt novel that beautifully blends mystery, family drama, and the magic of books. The story follows Hope, a woman grappling with loss, as she inherits her aunt's cozy bookshop and embarks on a journey to uncover family secrets hidden among its treasures.

What I enjoyed most about the book was the dual timeline structure, which added depth and intrigue to the narrative. Barrett effortlessly weaves together past and present, revealing secrets in a way that kept me hooked. The characters are well-crafted, and I found myself rooting for Hope as she navigated her path to healing and self-discovery.

The bookshop setting was enchanting, with vivid descriptions that made me feel as if I were browsing its shelves alongside the characters. The story’s themes of resilience, love, and the power of books were heartwarming and left a lasting impression.

If you enjoy books with a cozy setting, a touch of mystery, and a lot of heart, The Bookshop of Secrets is a must-read. It’s a story that celebrates the joy of uncovering both hidden stories and new beginnings.

Thoroughly enjoyed this story set in wartime Lisbon. Interesting plot, well written and great character. Recommended.

A slightly different historical fiction based in Portugal. I tend to read these type of books based in Germany or Austria. I didn't love it, i felt the writing didn't match the historical times, which is something that does bother me. Many people will like this if that doesn't put them off!

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