Standalone Title – Page 33 – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title

Release Date: August 1, 2023

The summer of 1939 in Warsaw, Poland found best friends Zofia and Janina perfecting their first aid skills with the girl guides and preparing for a war that they didn’t believe would ever come to Warsaw. But the war did come and with it came pain, horror, and the loss of their freedoms, starting with the books they were allowed to read. They endured the occupation, believing they would be saved by the Allies, but as time passes, the hope of rescue begins to wane. But rather than lay down and comply, the indomitable spirit of the Polish people is ignited, and they fight back – in any way they can.

For their part, Zofia and Janina who are working at the main Library, covertly start a book club choosing books that have been banned. Later as the list of books expands and their rights are reduced, the girls along with several friends, begin to hide banned books in an effort to save their culture from being erased by the Nazis.

Sadly, Janina is fired from the library because she is Jewish, and then things get worse as Zofia and Janina are separated when Janina’s family is relegated to the ghetto. But they both continue to defy Hitler, and each continues to save books and train with the underground. For a very short time, they are occasionally able to secretly exchange letters, but then even that is taken from them, and it will be years before they learn of the fate of the other.

During their time apart, the war escalates, and the true horror begins, yet through it all, Zofia doesn’t stop hiding books or trying to make a difference. Her losses will be enormous, and her faith will be tested, but she will never stop fighting to liberate Poland and reclaim the independence her forefathers died to give her.

I usually exclusively read historical romance, but this author used to be a historical romance author and is such a gifted writer, that I happily make an exception to read whatever she writes. And to my surprise, this book did end up being a love story, maybe not in the traditional sense, but it is about the love of country, the love of friends, the love of family, and the love of books. This book is amazing, the writing, the research, the intermingling of true historical events with fictional events and characters is all spot on. It is a book that will make you think about all the things you might be taking for granted, and it will leave you in awe of the Polish people as well as give you a new respect for all the men and women who fought against Hitler and the Axis powers. I highly recommend this book but be prepared for an emotional read and keep the tissues handy.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

The Beast and the Bookseller by Eva Devon

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title

Release Date: June 5, 2023

Miss Elizabeth Sharpe is the only child of the owner of Sharpe and Son, a bookshop that opened in 1665 and that has been passed from father to son ever since. It has also boasted the patronage of the Dukes of Montrose for just as long. But now it appears that that connection may be coming to an end, as the Duke, a man who is known by all as a recluse, is coming to the shop in person to meet with Elizabeth’s father. This cannot be good and to make matters worse her father is not fit company for the duke, nor has he been for some time. Her father has taken the loss of Elizabeth’s mother and any hope for a son very hard, losing himself in drink and leaving the bookshop in Elizabeth’s hands. Elizabeth hopes that her father will see how capable she is and leave the shop to her, but if she cannot convince the duke to continue to give them his business, there will be no bookshop to inherit. Elizabeth is shocked to learn that the duke has not been receiving his weekly orders as she believed her father was performing that duty, the duke has demanded that Elizabeth perform the task herself or he will take his business elsewhere!

Garrett Edward Matthew Maximilian, the Duke of Montrose is annoyed that he had to interrupt his busy day to leave his home – something he rarely does – to visit his erstwhile bookseller. When Mr. Sharpe is nowhere to be found leaving his daughter to clean up the mess he made, Garrett is surprised by Elizabeth and instead of taking his business to another shop as he planned, he demands that Elizabeth take over the task of delivering his books from now on if she proves herself, he will continue to patronize the shop. Not only does she succeed in the task, but she also excels, and soon the two form an unlikely friendship. Garrett has a lot going on in his life, he is on the brink of avenging his mother, but the task takes him to a dark place and Elizabeth becomes a light in his life, keeping him sane and even happy. But when a well-meaning outing goes awry, their lives will change forever, but will their forever be happy??

This was a delightful Beauty and the Beast retelling with a dash of Pride and Prejudice thrown in for good measure. I loved Elizabeth and Garrett together, they have both known pain, yet they have reacted very differently to it. The story steadily unfolds and the reader is sucked into a tale filled with loss, books, new discoveries, changes, steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, pain, and finally a very sweet declaration scene promising HEA. I was disappointed that there was no epilogue, because I really felt it was needed, considering the major changes they would both be dealing with, but overall it was an emotionally gripping story that was an enjoyable read.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

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