This book is an epistolary novel. It’s written all in correspondence, mostly between writer Juliet Ashton and her friends at a publishing firm in London.

After a man from a channel island in Great Britain writes Juliet to request a book from her, she becomes interested in a literary society formed during WWII where reading becomes an escape from the islanders’ current situation: war and German occupation.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was formed as an excuse for a group of people being up past curfew, but turns into a real literary society.

Juliet, the main character, corresponds with the group and becomes great friend with them via mail. She has an idea to go to Guernsey to meet them all and write a book about their lives and their love of reading during the German occupation.

The story is less action-related and more expository. In fact, it seems like very little happens throughout the novel besides talking, and learning of people’s stories. When Juliet finally decides to visit Guernsey, her correspondence turns to her publishing friends, telling them what she’s doing on the island with her new-found friends and book ideas.

Overall, it was an interesting little read. I generally like historical fiction, but it didn’t feel like I was getting too much history and a lot more fiction. I wouldn’t recommend this book to another serious reader, but maybe to someone who was looking for something light and quick to purge their system of heavier reads.