In the summer of 1914, Alice and her two closest friends are working at Foyles Bookshop. As a story of friendship and family during WWI, this sounds exactly my sort of thing, yet if an audiobook I was waiting for had become available sooner, I would have easily abandoned this. I wanted more details about working at Foyles (it was more like a backdrop for conversations the characters have, rather than a focus), more details about the job Alice gets driving ambulances, and stronger dialogue.

I couldn’t pinpoint any specific lines of dialogue that were unrealistic, but the cumulative impression was that these characters were all just a bit too good at saying what they really thought and felt. That takes being direct, articulate and self-aware, and people just aren’t all three of those all the time.

While I’m being snobbish and critical, I predicted most of the plot developments too. I think this would be a nice introduction to fiction about women’s lives during WWI, but is less satisfying if one is already familiar with the era and genre. ( )

I just couldn't resist this book from the title alone. What book lover doesn't enjoy reading books about books, or in this case, a bookshop. Not just any bookshop either, but the famous Foyles in London.

The girls of the title are Alice, Molly and Victoria, although this is very much Alice's story (I understand book 2 of the trilogy concentrates more on Molly). She's a privileged young woman, living with her parents and siblings when the story begins. Despite those privileges, she's one of the kindest people around, even if her actions do sometimes come across as more do-gooder than helper. She has a gorgeous man in Freddie and she is allowed by her father to work part time at Foyles. I say allowed as her father is a very difficult man and Alice has worked hard for her little bit of independence.

If I say the book begins in 1914 then you'll surely know the direction it's going to take. The outbreak of WW1 is a catalyst for change in Alice's life as she takes on different roles and witnesses some of the men in her life going off to fight.

The Foyles Bookshop Girls is a lovely read, a sweet one in so many ways, although I did find a tear springing into the corner of my eye once or twice at some of the consequences of the war. However, I do think it could perhaps have been a bit more in depth, a bit more meaty, but what suits one reader does not always suit the next.

I did very much hope for a happy conclusion for Alice and I was pleased with the way the book ended. I'm looking forward to finding out a bit more about Molly and also, hopefully, to following Alice through the remainder of the war years. Overall, I enjoyed this delightful and touching read. ( )

The Foyles Bookshop Girls by Elaine Roberts is the first story in The Foyles Girls series. Alice Taylor works at W & G Foyles Bookstore on Charring Cross Road in London with her friends Victoria Appleton and Molly Cooper. Victoria is responsible for her two younger siblings since their parents died four and a half years earlier. Molly is in love with Tony Fletcher who likes to flirt with every woman he encounters. Alice comes from a well-to-do family and her father, Luke has very rigid ideas for women which makes life difficult for Lily, Alice’s spirited sister. Alice loves her job at Foyles and spending time with her beau, Freddie who is a police sergeant. Then England declares war against Germany and the men rush to enlist including Freddie. Before Freddie departs for training camp, he proposes to Alice. The wedding will have to wait until he gets leave. As the war continues, Alice, Victoria and Molly want to find a way to help the war effort at home. Alice learns to drive an ambulance and transfers passengers from the train station to the hospital. She likes to keep herself busy to avoid thinking about the danger those she loves are in. Will Freddie make it home from the war? Are her brothers safe? Will the war ever end? Venture back to 1914 in The Foyles Bookshop Girls.

The Foyles Bookshop Girls takes readers back to 1914 when World War I begins. We see how quickly life can change. The story focuses on Alice but includes her family and friends. Alice comes from a more affluent household than her friends. The author did a wonderful job at setting the stage for the book. Elaine Roberts descriptions brought the book alive for me. I could envision the characters, their homes, and Foyles Bookshop. Alice is a spirited, strong intelligent woman. She was the anchor for her group of friends. I like how the characters developed over the course of the story and the friendship between the ladies deepened. Alice matured and developed new insights and a stronger voice. I just loved the accounts of Foyles Bookshop. It sounded like a magical place with all the wonderful books. When Alice mentioned the smell of the books, I completely agreed and understood. It was interesting how the bookshop operated (how people purchased their books, how the payment system operated). I would have liked more about the Foyles Bookshop. It was not central to the story. I wanted to know more about Victoria and Molly. I am hoping that they will be featured more prominently in the next two books in the series. The Foyles Bookshop Girls contains good writing and it is gently paced. It is a tale of friendship, family, faith and hope. Elaine Roberts is off to a promising start with her debut novel of The Foyles Bookshop Girls. ( )