The Mayfair Bookshop
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Published by: William Morrow
Release Date: April 12, 2022
Pages: 432
ISBN13: 978-0063070585
Synopsis
USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight brings together a brilliant dual-narrative story about Nancy Mitford—one of 1930s London’s hottest socialites, authors, and a member of the scandalous Mitford Sisters—and a modern American desperate for change, connected through time by a little London bookshop.
1938: She was one of the six sparkling Mitford sisters, known for her stinging quips, stylish dress, and bright green eyes. But Nancy Mitford’s seemingly sparkling life was really one of turmoil: with a perpetually unfaithful and broke husband, two Nazi sympathizer sisters, and her hopes of motherhood dashed forever. With war imminent, Nancy finds respite by taking a job at the Heywood Hill Bookshop in Mayfair, hoping to make ends meet, and discovers a new life.
Present Day: When book curator Lucy St. Clair lands a gig working at Heywood Hill she can’t get on the plane fast enough. Not only can she start the healing process from the loss of her mother, it’s a dream come true to set foot in the legendary store. Doubly exciting: she brings with her a first edition of Nancy’s work, one with a somewhat mysterious inscription from the author. Soon, she discovers her life and Nancy’s are intertwined, and it all comes back to the little London bookshop—a place that changes the lives of two women from different eras in the most surprising ways.
Add on GoodreadsPraise
"The Mayfair Bookshop traverses the Mitford family conflict with one another, a declaration of war and Nancy’s own struggle with her writing career. Eliza Knight’s wonderfully descriptive novel is a window into the riveting life of Nancy Mitford, not as an untouchable socialite, but as a woman who has her share of struggles on a very real, very relatable level – an absolute must read!"
—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London
"The Mayfair Bookshop is a moving, touching tale of a Bright Young Thing turned bookseller/author and her quest to find fulfillment, inspiration, and love in the chaos of the WWII home front. Eliza Knight brings Nancy Mitford to life as an appealing and uncertain young heroine in the days before she is burnished by fame and success—you cannot help but cheer her toward her destiny!"
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code
“Take one fascinating family, add in a legendary bookshop and a few Bright Young Things and you have the bookish equivalent of chocolate cake: a delightful treat. Nancy Mitford had an extraordinary life and Eliza Knight skilfully manages research, legend, fact and fiction to bring us a truly absorbing novel.” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Riviera House
“A fascinating view of a pivotal moment in history told from the perspective of an extraordinary woman at the heart of it all. Filled with intrigue, heartbreak, passion, and daring, Eliza Knight beautifully celebrates the life and influence of Nancy Mitford. Vivid and unforgettable!"—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba
"A romantic and moving love letter to bibliophiles everywhere, The Mayfair Bookshop offers a testament to the magic and power of books and bookstores to shine light on our darkest hours. Beautifully written and featuring a colorful cast of characters and delightful cameos, this historical novel is not to be missed."—Laura Kamoie, New York Times bestselling author of My Dear Hamilton
"The force of nature that was Nancy Mitford dazzles in The Mayfair Bookshop, first as one of society's 'bright young things' between the World Wars and then as a wildly successful writer. Both Nancy's razor-sharp wit and hidden heartaches make for riveting reading!"
—Stephanie Marie Thornton, USA Today bestselling author of A Most Clever Girl
“Twining two timelines together, Knight’s The Mayfair Bookshop reminds us that women and books have the power to shape the world, and we all have the power to forge our own destinies—even in times of extreme adversity. All we must do is summon the courage to take things in our own hands."
—Sophie Perinot, award-winning author of Medici's Daughter
"Knight brings vividly to life the war years, the troubling associations of Nancy Mitford's aristocratic family, and the ripple effect of their misdeeds throughout England and beyond. A rich portrait of a fascinating woman, The Mayfair Bookshop hits all the right notes: intrigue, great heart, and hope. Not to be missed!"
—Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author of The Next Ship Home
“Eliza Knight’s sympathetic and utterly believable portrayal of Nancy Mitford is the icing on this fabulous cake of a novel where present-day romance, a literary mystery, and the lives of England’s most controversial sisters keep the pages turning in this delightful and perfectly constructed story.” —Janie Chang, author of The Library of Legends
"The Mayfair Bookshop gives us not one, but two engaging heroines to truly root for. Knight has created a captivating look at life’s pursuit of love, literature, and dreams both realized and dashed set against a devastating war that divides sisters along the lines of political ideologies. Told with the wit and spunk of Nancy Mitford herself, Eliza Knight’s immense talent shines on every page." —Renee Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces
“Channeling Nancy’s verve and quick wit, Eliza Knight’s The Mayfair Bookshop showcases the complex reality behind the glittering Mitford myth, exposing the dark divisions in the breezy pre-war world of the Bright Young Things. Taking readers from country houses to the London Blitz, Eliza’s Mayfair Bookshop is an homage to Nancy’s timeless truth: that the pursuit of love, in all its forms, is worth fighting for." —Bryn Turnbull, author of The Woman Before Wallis
"A wonderful depiction of the legendary Nancy Mitford and her sisters in their element – both united as Bright Young Things and torn apart by love and war. Along with its added touch of mystery, The Mayfair Bookshop will keep you curled up and turning the pages." —Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms
"The Mayfair Bookshop is a riveting story of resilience and self discovery set against the tumultuous years of World War II. Nancy Mitford, one of the scandalous and infamous Mitford sisters, must navigate the horrors of war, a failing marriage, personal disappointment and family treachery to remain true to England and ultimately herself. Her struggle to carry on while inwardly crumbling leaves a modern day mystery that will captivate readers. Fans of Nancy Mitford and Amazon’s The Pursuit of Love series will love this emotional look into the life of an author who hid personal tragedy behind a brave façade and turned her story into a timeless tale." —Georgie Blalock, author of The Last Debutantes
Eliza Knight’s THE MAYFAIR BOOKSHOP delivers a deeply human portrayal of the fascinating Nancy Mitford, bringing to vivid life the story of a woman pulled between the expectations of family, society, and the desires of her own heart. Woven with an intriguing modern timeline, this story brims with complicated relationships, infamous characters, heartbreak and ultimately, triumph. Moving and compelling, this is a must read!—Kristin Beck, author of Courage, My Love
