A sweet novel that feels like a hug, reminding us of the need for books and human connections. Preferably human connections centered around books. I was sad to finish this one and miss the characters dearly after doing so!!

I loved this book.

It was the perfect comfort read.

Sloane is a book loving librarian. While her own family are dysfunctional, she has found comfort with her fiance and his lively and supportive family. She loves her job and believes in the power of literature.

When library regular and sparring partner, Arthur, fails to show up one day she is worried and goes against library rules to check on him.

Finding Arthur unwell and in need of a friend, Sloane takes it upon herself to look after him, even though he does not want her there. With the help of a neighbour, Maisey, Sloane gradually begins to win over Arthur and understand the man beneath the grumpy exterior.

The supporting characters, Greg, Mateo and Nigel all get a chance to share their stories and support each other.

I found this an emotional and joyful read. Books bring together a group of people who may not have otherwise met, and friendships begin to form.

Each of the characters is lonely in their own ways. Maisey is missing her daughter, Mateo needs to takes a chance on fulfilling a dream, Greg is reconnecting with family and Nigel has some ghosts to lay to rest. Arthur insists he is fine by himself and doesn’t need anyone in his life, but as the days pass he begins to open up to new friendship and allow love and laughter into his life again.

Alongside Arthur, Sloane goes on the biggest journey, re-evaluating her relationships and plans for the future. I was rooting for Sloane from page one.

This was one of my first reads if 2025 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The different perspectives add to the depth of the story and are a reminder of the importance of connecting and reconnecting with people that bring joy into our lives.

This was a heartwarming story of found family that bond over books! I enjoyed this cast of characters and how they all came together to help each other find their way.

I had high hopes for this one, a band of merry misfits and curmudgeon old man reminiscent of Ove (one of my favorite novels sounds like a recipe for a 5 star read for me. Unfortunately the characters didn't connect with me and I found myself wanting more from this read. So many friends loved this story so it just was a miss for me mostly. I am attracted to the cover and will recommend it to those I know who will like it.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a defrost my cold heart type book. Heart warming at its core.
I enjoyed the writing style, and I often found myself giggling at the remarks made by Arthur McLachlan (a spiteful old man) however the plot was often slow moving and the characters were the light at the end of the tunnel.

I loved Sloan and Arthur McLachlan the most but saw apart of myself in each character. I enjoyed their relatability and their willingness to be real and raw. Currently studying to work in a library I loved the library representation throughout the book and the sense of community it provides (just like real life) - Sloan being a librarian really was the icing on the cake!

This is a book that reminds you there are good people in the world and not to take spiteful old men (like Mr McLachlan) too seriously - they usually have their own underlying problems. Take those chances, have fun and be true to yourself regardless of what others say.

Good book. I would Buy another book by this author. I connected with the characters and plot. Highly recommend.

so sweet and wholesome. some of the characters (the fiancée) were tough for me but overall this was so enjoyable

Comparison is the thief of joy. This book was compared to A Man Called Ove so I have high hopes.............. only to be fairly disappointed. The characters lacked depth. Arthur was actually mean. The story was boring. Had a lot of potential here.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore. Pub Date: March 28, 2023. Rating: 4 stars. What a breath of fresh air this book turned out to be. Set in a small town with one of the main characters a small town librarian, this book centers around small town vibes, found family, friendships and books. A crotchety older man is a patron of the library, but when he does not show up one day Sloan, the librarian, goes to investigate. What she finds is an older man struggling with multiple aspects of his life, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. From this discovery, a book club is formed and lasting companionship sprouts. If you're looking for a feel good story, pick this one up. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. Thanks to #netgalley and #sourcebookscasablanca for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #thelonelyheartsbookclub

This was a really great book and a quick read. I really loved the librarian and curmudgeon and I was definitely hooked throughout the entire book. I'll definitely be reading everything Lucy Gilmore writes.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore is a heartwarming story about people coming together through a book club. Sloane, a young librarian, befriends a grumpy old man named Arthur. When Arthur gets sick, Sloane finds ways to keep their friendship alive. They connect with neighbors and relatives over books, forming unlikely friendships and healing lonely hearts. It's a touching and uplifting book that I really enjoyed reading!

This got a bit slow for me at times. I did like the changing viewpoints as some of the characters were more interesting than others to me. I also loved the highlighting of the books. That really gave it meaning to me. I loved how this was more of a book about platonic love than romantic love. And sometimes friendship is what gets you through life, which is what happened in this story. They became everything to each other.

Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore is about a group of people who come together through outside forces and start a book club. Sloane is a young librarian who befriends a grumpy old man. When Arthur gets sick, Sloane finds a way to continue her friendship with him. She befriends neighbors and relatives and they connect over books. One special books unites them and unlikely friendships and relationships are made while lonely hearts are healed.

This reminded me a little of a Man Called Ove with a stodgy old man that still wins the hearts of those around him. While this one is focused on the librarian and his neighbor, the message is clear that it isn't age but interests that binds people together. A little of a feel good story that these people are connected by books and loneliness and find a family in each other.

They each had their past and their secrets, but in the end they overcame that past to become family for their new found friends.

I thought this was an enjoyable book, and a great option if you're unsure what to read next. However, there were parts that felt a bit long and not needed to move the story forward. This is one of the most pure examples of found family, as the entire plot, as you spend time meeting and liking this motley crew of characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC. I was delayed on reading but just in time for the author’s new book coming out in ‘24. A coworker read and then submitted a recommendation at our library for this book which pushed me to pick it up. It is set in Idaho and a library which made me enjoy it even more. The only negative is when I listened to the audio they missed a chance to have a full cast and help the listener be in the minds of the characters. Enjoyable band of people who seemingly don’t go together but grow through out the novel. Pair this one with The Reading List.

I loved it! I was obsessed with the book since the very beginning which I loved! Since it has now been published I have suggested it for my bookclub and everyone had the same reaction which was brilliant. The book is phenomenal and I cannot recommend it enough honestly!

I have recommended this book to anyone whether they ask for a book recommendation or not! An absolutely lovely book of found family! I love how all the chapters builds on the story while also telling part of an individual story! So clever and really well done. The last chapter left me in tears.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club was a slow paced book.. It wasn't for me and I really wanted to love this. It might be for others who enjoy slower paced books.

This book hit the spot! 4.5 stars, rounded up.

Sloane Parker is working as a librarian and is quite content in her job. She loves books of all genres and loves talking about books and sharing recommendations with any patrons she meets at the library. She has heard about cantankerous Arthur McLachlan from the other library workers, but hasn't had the pleasure of interacting with him until one morning when she is putting away books left out by some kids doing the Tiktok trend of book spine poetry. When she does meet him, he truly lives up to the rumors! He completely insults her, as he does everyone else. Suddenly Sloane notices that Arthur hasn't been to the library for some time and she risks her job to look up his address in the library system and drive to his house to check on him. While there she meets a rag-tag group of people that are in Arthurs life and they start a book club at his home. This leads to a lot of changes in Sloane's life - job, relationship status, future plans, and friends.

This book is told in alternating points of view while still in a sequential timeline. I really enjoyed hearing from all of the main characters, but I loved Maisey's and Arthur's storylines the best.

This book is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, but I loved it! It made me laugh throughout and I did tear up a little bit in the last few chapters. I enjoyed the book discussions and quotes from classic titles such as The Joy Luck Club and Anne of Green Gables.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.