I love reading World War II fiction. The resilience, bravery, and everyday struggles of people during the war never fail to move me.
Books set in England during the war really bring the era to life, from the Blitz to life on the home front.
Here are ten must-read WWII novels set in England.
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Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce
Amazon Rating: 4.2/5
Set in wartime England, Dear Mrs Bird of Emmeline Lake and her best friend Bunty as they navigate the challenges of daily life amidst German air raids.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Amazon Rating: 4.6/5
Set in January 1946, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society follows writer Juliet Ashton as she searches for her next book subject in post-World War II London.
The Rose Code
Amazon Rating: 4.6/5
During World War II, three women join Bletchley Park to work as codebreakers. Vivacious Osla, self-made Mab, and shy Beth form an unlikely alliance, but war, loss, and secrecy tear them apart.
In 1947, a mysterious letter reunites them, prompting them to confront past betrayal and uncover a traitor. As they decode one last mystery, danger looms closer with each petal they remove from the rose code.
Goodnight, Mister Tom
Amazon Rating: 4.7/5
As London braces for World War II, young Willie Beech is evacuated to the countryside and taken in by the gruff yet kind-hearted Mr. Tom.
Through Mr. Tom’s nurturing care, Willie begins to heal from past abuse and discovers a world of love and friendship.
However, when Willie is abruptly summoned back to London, Mr. Tom embarks on a journey to find him, determined to protect the boy he now sees as a son.
The Last Bookshop in London
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5
Amidst the looming threat of war in August 1939, Grace Bennett arrives in London only to find a city gripped by fear and uncertainty.
Unexpectedly employed at Primrose Hill, a quaint bookshop in the heart of London, Grace navigates through the blackout and air raids of the Blitz.
Through the power of storytelling, Grace discovers the resilience of her community, forging connections that defy the darkness of wartime.
Secrets of a Charmed Life
Amazon Rating: 4.4/5
Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner follows the lives of two sisters, Emmy and Julia, as they endure the bombings of London during World War II.
The novel explores the impact of the war on their bond, their future, and the secrets that shape their lives long after the war ends.
Everyone Brave Is Forgiven
Amazon Rating: 4.2/5
Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave is set during World War II in London and follows the lives of Mary, a teacher, and Tom, a soldier, as they navigate the impact of the war on their personal lives.
The Light Over London
Amazon Rating: 4.3/5
The Light Over London by Julia Kelly follows the intertwined stories of Cara, a young woman in present-day London, and Louise, a former WWII anti-aircraft gunner.
As Cara uncovers Louise’s past, she learns about the resilience, sacrifice, and love that shaped both their lives during the war.
The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor
Amazon Rating: 4.6/5
In 1940 Kent, Alice King, a reserved schoolteacher, finds unexpected courage when a plane crash near her home sparks a desire to help evacuate Britain’s children. In London, Lily Nichols faces a heartbreaking decision amid the chaos of war: keep her children close or enroll them in a risky evacuation scheme.
When a Nazi U-boat torpedoes a ship carrying evacuated children to Canada, Alice and Lily’s lives intersect in a desperate bid for survival, forging an unlikely bond as they navigate the storm-tossed Atlantic.
Where the Sky Begins
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5
In wartime London, Josie Banks’s life shatters as bombs destroy her home and tearoom. Evacuated to the countryside, she finds refuge at Miss Harcourt’s estate, where she seizes the chance to open a tea shop.
Amidst the chaos of war, Josie finds solace and love with Canadian pilot Mike Johnson. However, when her husband Stan returns unexpectedly, Josie must confront a dangerous secret that threatens to unravel everything she has built.