The Mayfair Bookshop: A Novel of Nancy Mitford and the Pursuit of Happiness

Eliza Knight

Apr 2022 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this eBook

One of Hasty Booklist's Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Novels!

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.

“An absolute must-read!”—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author The Last Bookshop in London

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 dazzling 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. 

Ratings and reviews

1930's to present time A rich, emotional story that spans time as two people are brought together in an unexpected way. This is Eliza Knight at her best, with historical facts woven into the life of Nancy Mitford, an author and socialite, who sparkled but was also wounded inside. She tries to make ends meet by working in the Mayfair bookshop. Current day, Lucy St. Clair travels to England to have a chance to work in the famous Mayfair bookshop, she hopes it will help her heal and takes a first edition book by Nancy, inscribed with a mysterious message. I love reading about history and now will have to investigate Nancy Mitford and find out as much as I can. Such a touching story that wrapped around my heart!!

Eliza Knight’s “The Mayfair Bookshop: A Novel of Nancy Mitford and the Pursuit of Happiness” is such a wonderful must read! I have immensely enjoyed Ms. Knight’s Highlander and medieval romances and was thrilled to read this story. Curious about Nancy and even more curious about her sisters ties to the Socialism and Nazi ideals and how their political differences affected their lives. We all know that in large families especially, not everyone agrees on all things. Nancy Mitford, the fascinating, oldest of the Mitford sisters was regarded as one of England’s Bright Young Things, a nickname given to a group of Bohemian young aristocrats and socialites in 1920s London. Eliza Knight has skillfully brought her to life in this wonderful story that centers around her extraordinary life and the Mayfair bookshop. Nancy worked at the Heywood Hill Bookshop in Mayfair during the second half of WWII and being the writer she was, found herself at home there. This wonderful novel humanizes the Nancy beautifully as a relatable young woman seeking fulfillment and happiness, a woman saddened and tormented by infertility and an unfaithful husband. In a duel timeline we are also introduced to Lucy, a rare book expert from Washington who’s come to London seeking to find a rare collection of books and find much more. It is through Lucy’s research we see Nancy’s story unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed this must read story! Eliza Knight presents the story with heart and soul as she unwraps the layers of personality, passion, wit, intrigue exasperation, and even sadness that was Nancy’s life and search for happiness and belonging. Her writing was outstanding! Her imagery was so vivid and sharp that I could easily imagine myself in the midst. Thank you so much Ms. Knight for this lovely tale of one woman’s pursuit of happiness!

Alternately laughed and cried through this book. Loved it

About the author

Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today and international bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles. As an avid history buff, she’s written dozens of novels including The Mayfair Bookshop, Starring Adele Astaire, Ribbons of Scarlet, A Day of Fire, and Can’t We Be Friends, which have been translated into multiple languages. She is the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed, and host of the History, Books and Wine podcast. Knight lives in Maryland and Florida with her husband, three daughters, two dogs, and a turtle.