The Booklover's Library: A Novel
"A must-read for booklovers." --Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana
A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of books that bring them together, by the bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job. She and her beloved daughter Olivia have always managed just fine on their own, but with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she's left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots' Booklover's Library to take a chance on her with a job.
When the threat of war in England becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In the wake of being separated from her daughter, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, and a renewed sense of purpose through the recommendations she provides to the library's quirky regulars. But the job doesn't come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing and the work at the lending library forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.
As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.
A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of books that bring them together, by the bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job. She and her beloved daughter Olivia have always managed just fine on their own, but with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she's left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots' Booklover's Library to take a chance on her with a job.
When the threat of war in England becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In the wake of being separated from her daughter, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, and a renewed sense of purpose through the recommendations she provides to the library's quirky regulars. But the job doesn't come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing and the work at the lending library forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.
As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.
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Community Reviews
Set in 1930’s England, Emma’s family owned book shop is lost to a fire. Facing heartbreaking challenges, she lands the best job imaginable at a lending library selecting books for their clientele. This library becomes a lifeline for both the employees and their patrons as the war looms with the constant fear of bombings. Ever resilient, Emma learns to find joy amongst a life of uncertainty. If WW2 historical fiction is your genre, then this is your book.
I absolutely loved this book! I love the research that the author did to bring the story to life. I learned so much about life in London during World War II. I related so much to the main character her love for books the loss of her parents, and her sweet friends that she makes throughout the story. I thought the character development was fantastic and well thought the little mysteries added were so good as well. I enjoyed the light romance, and I appreciated that it didn’t go further than it did in description or depth. The focus was on her daughter, and I appreciated that I like that the characters Have struggles and we learn about them through it and we see growth, and I was happy that all of the ends were tied up in a beautiful bow with books and tea. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a sweet, tender book.
This was my first time reading a Madeline Martin book, and I was very impressed by her writing. Historical fiction is not my normal genre, but every now and then, a book catches my eye. I truly enjoyed The Booklovers' Library. The characters were so likable; hence, I didn't want to put it down since by that time I actually had begun to care about what happened to them. And besides, it combined my love of stories on books with my interest in learning something while being entertained.
Thank you to HTP (Harlequin Trade Publishing), and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Thank you to HTP (Harlequin Trade Publishing), and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
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