Review
"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 & USA Today Bestselling Author 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 and America's First Daughter
"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
"To those flitting from party to party in fashionable pre-war London Nancy Mitford is shiny—a bright young thing with a rapier wit both on and off the page. These darlings of society don't realize Nancy's confidence is only skin deep. Eliza Knight's THE MAYFAIR BOOKSHOP takes readers into the legendary Nancy Mitford's head, and more importantly her heart—ravaged by frustrations with infertility and a cheating husband, and tested by the Nazi leanings of her beloved sisters. Drawn out of her self-doubt into the Ambulance Corp as bombs fall on London, and out of her loneliness by two dashing Frenchman, Nancy must ultimately take responsibility for shaping her own career happiness. In the process, she also molds the iconic Mayfair Bookshop, Heywood Hill. More than seventy-five years later Heywood Hill and a mysterious note left by Nancy on the flyleaf of one her novels will help launch another book-loving woman's quest of self-discovery. Lucy, a rare book expert from Washington, DC, hops the pond to curate the collection for a private library and finds herself searching both for a mysterious "Iris" mentioned in Mitford's note and for her own professional future. 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. In Nancy, there is a clever and endearing protagonist of great strength, called to take her place among the literati and ultimately the world's great writers. A rich portrait of a fascinating woman, THE LITTLE MAYFAIR BOOKSHOP hits all the right notes: intrigue, great heart, and hope. Not to be missed!"—Heather Webb, author of 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
"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, bestselling author of The Last Grand Duchess
"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
"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 Other Windsor Girl and The Last Debutantes
"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
"Witty, brilliant, and deep - Nancy Mitford comes fully, poignantly to life in this meticulously researched literary mystery. If you ever wondered what it was really like to be a Bright Young Thing in London between the wars, this book is for you." -- Kerri Maher, bestselling author of THE PARIS BOOKSELLER
About the Author
Eliza Knight is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of historical women's fiction. Her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles. She is known best for her novels, My Lady Viper, Prisoner of the Queen, and Ribbons of Scarlet. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and Novelists, Inc., and the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed. Knight lives in Maryland with her husband, three daughters, two dogs and a turtle.
It represented a commitment I’d made to live this life for me. To devote my days to a continued pursuit of love, ambition, joie de vivre. To forgive. To heal.Highlighted by 25 Kindle readers
