How to save a library. Budget cuts threaten a small village library. What services do you cut and which do you save. As an ex librarian i vote for the library. But it’s not an easy decision .

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson

Thirty year old June Jones gave up her dreams of college, new friends, and a writing career when years ago, her mother was fighting cancer, a battle her mother lost. While her librarian mother was still alive, June became a library assistant, the same job she holds today. Shy, lonely June spends her days at work and her nights and weekends eating alone and reading books, some many times over, while dodging the hisses and swats of her late mom's old cat, Alan Bennett.

Back into town comes old school mate, Alex Chen, and June feels the need to attempt to hide her loneliness, geekiness, and all round failure-ness from Alex, not realizing that Alex admires everything that makes June the person she is today. If only June would give Alex a chance to tell her how he feels but June is too busy running from people and anything resembling a close relationship.

It's when the Chalcot Library is threatened with closure that June realizes that she is about to lose the safe, routine life that she has settled into so easily. Thinking she is devoid of real friends, it's the fight to save the library that is going to wake up June to all that she's had in life and all that she is really on the cusp of losing. But more importantly, June wakes up to what the library has meant to those who need it so much more than she does. This is a quiet, feel good story, that shows the importance of friendship and working together, when the chips are down and things look bleak.

Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

Freya Sampson’s The Last Chance Library is a charming read about a 20-something assistant librarian still grieving her mother’s death, who finds out she might lose her job as part of an effort to cut costs by eliminating library services.

June Jones has never done anything to bring any attention her way, until she’s convinced (by library-goer Stanley and her mother’s memory) to do something about the threat the Chalcot library’s facing. I liked this part of June’s story, where she isn’t just a lump of a girl too scared to do anything but work at the library and eat the same food every day, but learns to work through her fears and take chances. And the adventures are hilariously amusing, from June’s wondering what on earth is she doing to the unexpected outcomes.

I liked the cast of characters and their backstories too. Stanley, whose life is so very different from what June could even begin to imagine. Vera, who’s faced such hardship and maybe begins to let her walls gain cracks. Even June’s boss isn’t as bad as you think. Pick up The Last Chance Library for a lazy day with a lemonade & a cool reading area, and enjoy this cozy read that doesn’t require anything other than a little bit of time.

drey’s rating: Pick it up!

I really hate to say it, but this book irritated me throughout. I absolutely hated June and did not like her as a protagonist. The entire plot felt entirely too twee and precious. Why this is listed as a romance is beyond me as it barely qualifies.

A slow-burn read for sure, The Last Chance Library is a love letter to libraries, books, and librarians.

June is a library assistant and has been since her mother passed away eight years ago. All June has ever known is this library, as her mother had worked there herself, too. June had had plans for her life – university, becoming an author, etc. – but was never able to break out of her small town after losing her mother.

But now the library is being threatened to close due to financial reasons and the town is trying to rally to keep it open. What most don’t know is that a library is a safe haven – it’s far more than just a place to check out books. The people of Chalcot know this, though. They’ve lived it. And June has helped each and every one of them, whether she realizes it or not.

Can they save the library? What will they have to do to make it happen? And who might they lose in the process?

Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to dive into this one, because it sounded like a charming, easy-to-read, feel-good celebration of books and bookish people. It did not disappoint.

It concerns 20-something librarian June Jones, who put her life on hold to care for her sick mother, and never found her way out of the rut. She’s shocked into action when her village library’s existence is threatened by the craven local government, so she bands together with a bunch of bookish misfits to try to save it.

If a Hallmark movie was a book, it would be this -- Last Chance Library is well-executed, wholesome, and sweet, with a happy ending guaranteed. It was mostly quite charming and moved at a fine pace, with a few small exceptions (the hen do felt like a set-piece that was kind of removed from the momentum of the book, for instance). You’ll especially like this if you enjoy books set in English villages.

My favorite things about the book were June’s game of guessing what strangers read (this seems to happen less as the book goes on sadly), and all the literary points of reference in general. If you’re an avid reader, you’re going to feel like June is an old friend. I didn’t quite buy that June was as naive as she was written; my experience is that people who love great books tend to be pretty worldly and wise, even if they’ve not traveled far.

This book is not going to keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next, but if you’re looking for a pleasant world to escape to for a few hundred pages, where the virtues of stories and the communities they build are celebrated in a full-hearted way, this book will fit the bill nicely.

3.5 stars, rounded down
This is a sweet, albeit fairly predictable story about saving a local library from closure. I'm a sucker for books about books, libraries, and the people who love them, and so I was drawn to this novel for those reasons.

June as a character grated on me for quite a while during my reading of this book. I'm not a fan of weak, simpering females who can't speak in public or stand up for themselves. I was quite annoyed for a long time at her inability to find inner strength to lead a children's program or tell her boss "no" when asked to do something outside of her job that she didn't want to do. Eventually, June does find her voice, but I thought it took way too long for her to get there. The romance storyline was really not needed and I felt like it got in the way because it was so very predictable and cliché.

Other than that, I thought this was a charming story of a heartwarming group of villagers who want to save their library. I loved the humor and the poignancy of the relationships and the camaraderie of this group of individuals who become like a family to each other. The way they fight for their library is what elevates this book and makes it more of a special read.

Overall this is a meaningful tale for book lovers everywhere and worth asking your local library to purchase a copy.

This book was beyond so cozy and just a wonderful story to fall into & be absorbed in. I so so appreciated the way Freya Sampson writes June as a character who is on a journey of self discovery as she works her way out of grief and into what might be next for her. The small town community rallying around to work to save the local library, the well-written "side" characters, and the subtle "romance" made for a perfect Saturday morning read.

Ten years ago, June gave up university to care for her cancer-stricken mom; now, the shy librarian assistant's world has shrunk to the home she's inherited, work, and Chinese takeout. But when her library's threatened with closure (a coffee chain wants the property), June, defying her boss, assists FOCL (Friends of Chalcot Library) in a bid to save it. A winning tale of community.

If you are an avid reader than I would assume that you have a love of libraries. Although this book takes place in the UK, maybe libraries around the world are threatened with losing funding. This story is about one such library but it is about so much more than that at the same time.

The library itself is just a building but it is what happens inside of that building that makes the library so very important. I adored each and every quirky character in this novel and instantly connected with them in some way. The debut novel is top-notch and I can’t wait to see what else Freya comes out with.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Freya Sampson - 4.5 stars!

June Jones is kind of stuck in her life since her mom passed away. An introvert, she continues working as a library assistant in the library were her mom used to be librarian, she has changed nothing in her home, and shelved all her long-ago dreams. When the library is threatened with closure from the town council, a small group of loyal patrons band together to try and save it from closing. June must step out of her box to make changes for the library and herself.

What's not to like about a novel that's a love story to books, libraries and librarians? Throw in some quirky characters, wonderful small town ambience, and a little romance and you have a great book. I was really transported into this book and cared about June and these characters. It had a sweet mix of charm, humor, romance and character. Don't miss this one!

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson is an absolute gem of a book. I’m a sucker for a book about books anyway, but throw in a charming smalltown setting, a group of feisty senior citizens determined to do whatever it takes to save their local library, and an introverted library assistant who really wants to find her voice and this book was just an all around wonderful experience for me.

The story follows June Jones, a timid but lovable library assistant who works at Chalcot Library. The library holds a special place in June’s heart, not just because she loves assisting fellow book lovers but also because for years, her mother also worked there. Since June’s mother passed away, working at the library has been a way for June to still feel close to her.

I loved watching June interact with the patrons, especially the children, who she did everything she could to help foster their love of reading, and the elderly, who she not only helped with book recommendations but also with any technology/internet needs they have. When the local council starts talking of closing the library as a way to save money and it appears that the head librarian, Marjorie, may be in on it and tells June she is forbidden from speaking out against the possible closure, June is determined to do whatever she has to do to save the library, in spite of Marjorie’s warning, thus sealing her place in my heart as the beloved underdog.

I also had tremendous sympathy for June because in some ways, it seems that she is so busy trying to preserve her mother’s memory that she has stopped living her own life. She still lives in her childhood home, hasn’t packed up any of her mother’s old belongings even though she died 10 years ago, and June has indefinitely put on hold her dreams of going to university to study writing. Helping to save the library really seems to be the spark she needs to finally move forward and start living again.

It’s not just June fighting to save the library though. The library’s elderly patrons spring into action, forming a Friends of the Library group to protest the closing. I adored the members of this group so much. They’re so much fun to read about – all scrappy, full of wit, and just so incredibly devoted to the library. Through their actions, it becomes clear that the library is so much more than just a building full of books. It’s a safe haven for the homeless, a place where teenagers who live in crowded homes can have a quiet place to study, a place where unlikely friendships are forged between a cranky old woman and an immigrant who is new to the area. In short, the library is the very heart of the community.

I don’t want to say anything else that may spoil the plot, but this really is such a special story. If you enjoy books about friendship, finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in, and of course books about books, be sure to check out The Last Chance Library!

This was a sweet, feel-good story about a shy, introverted librarian assistant, June Jones, finding her courage to join an eclectic group of library patrons to come together to try and save their beloved village library. At times it was humorous, sometimes it was sad, but in the end, it was just a lovely story. If you’re a bookworm (which, if you’re reading this, I suspect you might be) I think you’ll really enjoy this book. I mean, it’s a book about books, you really can’t go wrong with that.

Personally, I very much related to June. I’m not quite as painfully shy as her, but I am very introverted and have let fear hold me back more often than I’d like to admit. So seeing June find her voice and finally fight for something that she believed in made my heart happy and gave me hope.

There was quite a cast of characters in this book and I loved seeing how the library impacted each of their lives. Wanting to save it from closure was about much more than a place to borrow books. You can’t help but root for them to succeed in their mission. You’ll have to grab a copy for yourself to find out whether they are successful or not! If you’re looking for an easy read that’ll leave you with a smile on your face (and maybe even a tear in your eye) then you ought to give this one a try.

I loved this book so much! I love how one library brought together the whole community. I found this to be a touching story. I had so many emotions while connecting this book to my own library. I would be absolutely devastated if mine closed. This book hit really close to home, which is something that I really loved about it. I also really loved the characters in this book and how they all cared about one another. Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

Thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of The Last Chance Library.

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson is a book about a small library in England and the patrons who band together to save their beloved library.

I loved the eccentric locals and how they fought to keep their library open in this book. For Assistant Librarian June, the library is her life. She's worked there for ten years and she'd rather read then venture out. I didn't really love June's character and found her a little too naïve. But I liked the aspects of this book talking about all of the things libraries do and why they are such an amazing community resource.

This was a sweet and predictable book and book lovers should enjoy it.

This one was so cute and exactly what I needed in a book. I found myself loving the characters and really becoming not only invested in their quest to save their beloved library, but also invested in the characters lives as well. If you're a book lover or bibliophile, I think you will really connect with June (our MC) and understand the impact books can have on ones life. If you're looking for a charming, light hearted read- look no further. 4.5 stars, rounded up for goodreads.

Thank you to Freya Sampson, NetGalley, & Berkeley Books for this E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This one comes out on 8/31/21- pick yourself up a copy!

Books about books are like their own category of love language for me - like a warm, cozy hug that makes me equal parts nostalgic for books I've already read, and the hope of growing up to be surrounded by books I love.

Thanks to NetGalley + Berkley Books, I received an eARC of this one, and instantly I fell for the idea of June and her story and could not wait to get to it. I started following Freya on instagram because I just KNEW I'd love this book, and was pleasantly surprised when I WON a giveaway from her, including some adorable Matilda goodies and a signed ARC!

I devoured the book, and loved the Friends of the Library, how fun and charming each of the supporting characters were. I really enjoyed June's growth as a person, finding her way after the death of her mother and her footing as an adult on her own. This debut was well written and gave me everything I needed from a book standing up for the library, and each character perfectly represented the regulars at the library I expect to see, and have come to love at my own -- it was like a hug for me! The Last Chance Library was a ​lovely deb

As a librarian and book lover, I am drawn to any books that are about either of those things. This book was both.
The main character, June Jones, has a life stuck on repeat since her mother died. She works as a library assistant at the same library her mother worked and has no life. But, when the government threatens to close the towns library due to budget cuts June has to step out of her comfort zone and fight.
While the book deals with being stuck in grief and overcoming it, the book really felt like a love letter to libraries. It really speaks to the way libraries bring communities together and serves people above and beyond just books.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves good realistic fiction, especially concerning libraries/librarians and books.

Despite her unremarkable life, June Jones loves her job at her local library, even if it is only part-time and even if it means dealing with the increasingly erratic behavior of her boss. She loves helping the library's regulars, as long as she doesn't have to speak in public or play-act for the kids' story time program. When her library is threatened with closure, though, she is forced to come out of hiding to stand up for what is more than just a building with books.

I would love to make this required reading for all the people who think libraries are no longer needed by their communities. It demonstrates in many ways how a library can be the center of its community, not just a place to read and borrow books. While the specific details of this story are predictable, and I wanted to look Jane in the eyes and tell her to grow a backbone on more than one occasion, I ended up really liking this book. I liked the library regulars and enjoyed watching how they interacted with one another, despite differences in age, background, income and so much more. I liked the way they decided to stand up to the powers-that-be in an attempt to save their library, and I liked that they encouraged June to emerge from her shell and become the person most of them saw beneath her timid exterior. I will certainly keep an eye out for more books by this author.

As a librarian, I love books that are set in libraries. Needless to say, Freya Sampson's latest release warmed this librarian's heart. Such a fun page-turner!