The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

As the year 1941 drew to a close on the island of Guernsey, under the shadow of German occupation, four friends found themselves facing the prospect of arrest for breaching curfew. In a bold bid to avoid incarceration, they conjured up a hastily assembled book club, dubbing it "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" with all the panache of a last-minute improvisation.

Five years later, in January 1946, renowned author Juliet Ashton (or Izzy Bickerstaff, as she was known to her publisher) was in high gear promoting her latest literary masterpiece. Her contract with Sidney Stark's publishing house stipulated that she would pen stories for The Times Literary Supplement extolling the virtues of literature. It was amidst this flurry of activity that a letter arrived from Guernsey, penned by Dawsey Adams - a man who had stumbled upon Juliet's copy of Charles Lamb's Essays of Elia and sought her counsel on where to find another book by the same author. As part of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society", Dawsey regaled Juliet with tales of the group's Friday night gatherings, sparking an epistolary exchange that would soon take her from the comfort of her armchair to the island itself.

Juliet's curiosity piqued by the society's enigmatic founder Elizabeth - who was conveniently absent, overseas - she proposed a visit to Guernsey to gather more information about this extraordinary collective. Her American beau Mark (ever the romantic) proposed marriage just as Juliet prepared to set sail for the island, and she accepted his offer of a lifetime.

As the ferry docked at Guernsey's shore, Juliet was welcomed into the fold by Dawsey Adams, Amelia Maugery, Isola Pribbey, Eben Ramsey, and the youngest member of the group, Eli - Eben's precocious grandson. It became clear that Elizabeth's daughter Kit was being looked after by Dawsey himself, earning her a peculiar but endearing nickname: "Dad". Amidst this sea of new acquaintances, Juliet sought permission to chronicle the society's story, only to encounter Amelia's skepticism on the subject.

As the days tick by in Guernsey, Juliet finds herself becoming increasingly enthralled by the island's complex history, her initial plan to return home forgotten in the face of uncovering secrets. Under the guise of researching the German occupation, she delves deeper into the stories of those who lived through it, including the enigmatic Elizabeth. Juliet learns that Elizabeth was arrested during the war and deported to Germany, leaving behind a community that still holds out hope for her return. With Mark's assistance in tracking down Elizabeth's fate, Juliet discovers that this woman, once considered a saint by many, had been involved in illicit relationships with German forces in exchange for luxuries. Dawsey reveals a shocking truth: he is not Kit's biological father; Christian Hellmann, a German doctor who worked alongside Elizabeth at the local hospital, was actually Kit's real parent.

Hellmann's fate serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of war. As Mark arrives in Guernsey, his criticism of Juliet for neglecting her engagement ring serves as a stark contrast to her growing emotional distance from Mark himself. The news of Elizabeth's demise at Ravensbrück concentration camp weighs heavily on Juliet, and she finds herself unable to reconcile with her previous life. A new chapter begins as she breaks off her engagement and channels her emotions into writing about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Upon completing her manuscript, Juliet shares a copy with Sidney and posts another to the society, whose members remain captivated by her words. Dawsey reads Juliet's covering letter aloud, only to realize that she has parted ways with Mark. His heart heavy with the knowledge, he decides to make the journey to London in search of Juliet. Coincidentally, Juliet has arranged to return to Guernsey, and as she boards the ferry, she spots Dawsey waiting for her on the wharf. Their reunion marks a turning point, as they simultaneously ask each other to marry them. Dawsey accepts, and their love becomes the anchor that holds them together.

In the months that follow, Dawsey reads to Kit from Tales from Shakespeare, Juliet sitting beside him, both now adorned with wedding rings. As the credits roll, the society gathers once more, Sidney sharing excerpts from books as the group engages in lively discussions, their bond strengthened by the power of literature and love.