Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an audio ARC of Lucy Gilmore’s THE LONELY HEARTS BOOK CLUB.

A lonely librarian bringing together misfits for a soul reviving bookclub is totally my cup of tea…. BUT… this just wasn’t.

I tried to finish this audiobook (I really did!!). Despite coming back to it repeatedly, I just couldn’t get over how blah Sloane is and how incredibly rude and annoying Arthur is. Maybe they both get better as the story progresses, but I just couldn’t muster the interest to find out.

Some of my issue with the story may have been narration related (not the actual narrator, as she was totally fine) - the way she characterized Sloane and Arthur (and the voice she gives Matteo) irritated me (a lot!).

The book release date is March 28th, so maybe I’ll revisit as an ebook and come back to try to really rate and review properly.

DNF but NetGalley requires a rating, so rating is reflective of my experience with the story and narration.

I am so excited that this was my first Lucy Gilmore novel. It is everything you could want in a story and then some. Rarely can a story have so many characters that can all suck you in and want you leaving more from each and every one. Old man Arthur is the pendulum at the center of this novel, swaying back and forth, gathering pieces of those he has let. It is a love story unlike any other. Platonic love and all other loves in between are captured. Also, who wouldn't love a novel that has Anne of Green Gables as a backbone AND doesn't have that horrific extreme conflict scene that lasts far too many pages? This is one I will be thinking about for years.
The audio version was simply delightful. The narrator was able to somehow make familial characters have a tint of the same dialect. It truly brought the story to life in a dimensional way.

I loved the various perspectives; each character was wonderfully human. Together they were a group that captured my heart. I love watching books bring people together. Watching this rag tag group become a found family was so endearing.

Hmmmm. I liked many parts of this book, which I listened to in audio. but I hated the ending, or rather the lack of a decent ending, and my rating lost two stars due to my disappointment. On the positive side, it sent me scurrying to find my copy of "The Art of Racing in the Rain" and had me wishing that I could remember more of "Anne of Green Gables." Those are just two of the many books discussed within The Lonely Hearts Book Club, the story of an odd group of loners who come together almost by accident and cement their ties through reading and disecting a series of odd titles. The narration of their friendship begins with Sloane Parker, a small town librarian who knows her library patrons better than she knows her own heart. The tale is continued in turn, however, by all the members of the odd club: a nosy neighbor, a curmudgeonly old man, his estranged grandson, a second librarian with a hidden talent for show toons, and an elderly gentleman who pops in toward the end. They all have complicated back-stories, and their relationship ebbs and flows over the course of the generally delightful novel. But here's my problem with it: the book comes to an abrupt ending. There's no real resolution to any of the plot lines we've become invested in. Yes, they finish reading "The Joy Luck Club," but what about each of them?? If this is the first in a series, the author and publisher need to make that fact clear to the reader. If not, the ending just plain blows.

“Sloane Parker lives a small, contained life as a librarian in her small, contained town. She never thinks of herself as lonely…but still she looks forward to that time every day when old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan comes to browse the shelves and cheerfully insult her. Their sparring is such a highlight of Sloane’s day that when Arthur doesn’t show up one morning, she’s instantly concerned.”

I hesitated with this book, as I was sure I was in for a rollercoaster of ugly-cry emotions.

I wasn’t entirely wrong, but I’m not at all sorry I wrecked my mascara.

I loved all the characters (main and supporting) their backstories, and their interactions in book club and out.

I loved that the theme of Mothers was prominent.

I, OF COURSE, loved all the Book Talk.

My only real criticism was that it ended so abruptly – as if Gilmore noticed she only had one piece of paper left.

This is my first work by this author and I’ll be looking for more.

7.5/10

Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Dreamscape Media for this charming ARC.

Sloane Parker lives a simple and predictable life in her dream job at a library. When the grumpiest patron, Arthur McLachlan, seems to soften toward Sloane, her life gets turned upside down. Somehow everyone on the periphery of both Sloan and Arthur's life become central characters in their now intertwined lives.

As a librarian myself, I knew I was going to love this book, and it didn't disappoint. One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this book was the way the author incorporated books and reading into the story. The characters are both charming and exasperating. Arthur in particular is one that, as a reader, you look forward to when his façade is going to break, because you know it will. I did find the second act of this book a little frustrating, as Arthur's attitude changes so quickly and with no buildup or fanfare. I feel like we deserved a little more of the story of him realizing how his actions had consequences. This was the only thing that dropped my star rating down a little. This was an easy 4.5. Highly recommend for a cozy, emotional, and triumphant read.

I loved the book people and the drama of the people's lives. I loved the relationships that are in play between the people in the book club. I am a lover of people discussing books and having opinions on books.

This book is for book lovers. This book contains multiple POVs, love, loss, grief, and finding ones self. We start with Sloane, a 27-year-old librarian who wants to please everyone and loves everything about books and libraries. One day, she stumbles along a grumpy old man who only wants to read about the Roman Empire and wants none of Sloane's joy or fun-ness. Come to find out, this grumpy old man is named Arthur, and comes to the library at the same time every day. Soon Sloane realizes that Arthur hasn't come to the library in a few days. She's worried and decides she needs to figure out if Arthur is ok. Advised to NOT check in with Arthur, Sloane does anyways and loses her position at the library, freeing up her time to take care of Arthur. Along the way, we meet Maisey, Mateo, Lincoln, Greg, and many others that are key elements to this story. All Sloane has wanted to do was create a book club, and she may do just that.

There is one narrator, but she gives each character their own "voice" so the listener is aware of what character is narrating the story. Sometimes it was a little off putting, but overall it was great!

It gives "A Man Called Ove" and "Bookish People" vibes. You will fall in love with the quirky and relatable characters. It's heartwarming and funny. I loved Gilmore's choice to include the POV of a few characters to really get a feel of what was going on in everyone's life, not just Arthur and Sloane's. I love this found family!! Adding it to my favorites list immediately. I didn't think I was going to fall in love with this one, but I sure did.

Thanks to NetGalley and SourceBooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchanged for an honest review!

Sloane lives a quiet life as a librarian and the highlight of her day is sparring with a curmudgeon patron Arthur. When he doesn't turn up to the library for a few days, she grows concerned and tracks him down. In an effort to bring some joy to his life, she creates an impromptu book club.

If you love a heartwarming read and stories of unlikely friendships, pick this one up! The characters are full of heart but navigating their own loneliness and past regrets. Each character gets their turn to narrate and so we can view the world from their lens, and they all come together in a unique way to support one another. There are plenty of sarcastic jabs blended with sentimental moments, and I loved the bookish setting and cast of quirky characters.

If you're a fan of books like A Man Called Ove or All the Lonely People I recommend picking this one up. I enjoyed the audiobook -- the narrator did a great job changing voices for each character.

Thank you Dreamscape Media for my copy.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club📚
By Lucy Gilmore❤️

Review📝

This book was made for book lovers! Who doesn’t love a book that revolves around books!? Every time they made a reference to a book I have connected with it was like Christmas morning. The cover was the first thing that got me excited to read it! Loved how colorful and bright it was. There is a wide variety of characters and as the reader it was easy to relate to them. It seems a group of misfits have one thing in common: they are looking for someone or something to fill a void. A book club is formed and more people join throughout the book. I read a Man Called Ove shortly after this and they have similar vibes for me. Human connection and how it can change you. Overall, a really lovely book.

Found family💗
Love & loss🌈
A book about books📕
Heartwarming🫶🏻
Library setting📖
Friendship👯‍♀️

Quote:

“I hadn’t loved anyone who didn’t exist between the covers of a book”

4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Oh, how I loved this book! At a time when libraries are either being defunded or vilified, Gilmore shines a light on the amazing good that books and librarians can do. Sloane Parker has a good life in the small town where she works as a librarian. She’s come to know her patrons very well and looks forward to seeing all of them, particularly the town grump, Arthur. The two of them enjoy a verbal jousting match each time he visits. When Arthur suddenly stops coming, Sloane stops by his home to discover he’s been confined to bed. It’s obvious how glad the old man is to have company, and Sloane decides to start a book club for all the lonely, marginalized people in town. What happens next is nothing short of a small miracle, as residents of the town come together to talk about books and discover they aren’t quite so lonely after all. This book is a warm hug and a testament to the power of books and friendship

This was a cute book! This is a new to me author and I loved her writing style, I will be looking for more by her. I listened to the audio version and enjoyed it, however I wish they had a male narrator as well as the female. Some of the male voices just didn’t work, even though our narrator did her best and she is great!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

This was my first Lucy Gilmore book, but I enjoyed it. A solid four stars!
This book was unique in it's delivery. We start by following Sloane Parker. She's a librarian, engaged, lost her sister (and favorite person) at a young age, and likes to argue with the local grumpy old man when he comes into the library.

Honestly, delightful.

But SURPRISE, like 20% into the book, we switch perspectives! I wasn't expecting it. I thought this would be Sloane's story all the way through, and it is, but it's also so much more. I really liked it. I liked that we didn't jump perspectives every chapter or two. We moved on from Sloane and we never came back. Now we get her story (and everyone else's) but it's told from everyone else's perspective in the book club.

And the characters are all a delight.

I really enjoyed this. There wasn't any glaring issues. No miscommunication or cheating or toxic behavior. Except maybe Arthur when he lashes out, but that's also expected, and he doesn't get to get away with it.

MAJOR shout out to the narrator who voiced all the different characters, and did an amazing job with multiple men on this one. I will say I think the book would have benefitted from different narrators for each perspective, but that's okay. Small potatoes.

I will say I liked Sloane's fiance. He seemed to get her eccentricities for most of the book, until the end when we needed that to change for *plot.* But I am so glad there wasn't a cheating or slight overlap or even immediate change from relationship to relationship. Well handled Lucy Gilmore.

I would read another Lucy Gilmore book if one passed my line of sight.

Curmudgeon is an understatement for Arthur McClachlan. He’s mean, not crabby. Her boss, her future in-laws and her boyfriend are also very mean to Sloane Parker. Not a little mean. Very mean. Sloane works at the library and she is very timid. When the library “curmudgeon” stops showing up to berate her, she’s concerned. After receiving help from a quirky neighbor, Sloan finds Arthur injured and ultimately agrees to help him out for a couple of weeks since she’s been put on suspension at the library. This group forms a little book club and start becoming friends.

It helped the story a lot to get the different POV’s from several of the characters. It put things in better perspective. Unfortunately most of the banter still came off as mean arguing and the story was just okay for me. The ending felt rushed considering how slow paced the story was.

The narrator did a good job voicing some of the characters, like Sloan. A couple of them, like Maisey and Nigel were a bit much for me. Unfortunately Maisey narrates a large part of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early audio copy.

Pub Date: March 28, 2023
Pages: 352

Gave up listening to this audiobook as the narrator was monotone and boring. Might try reading the actual book though.

A heartwarming story that introduces a cast of charming and relatable characters who are all searching for solace and companionship in their lives. As the characters come together to form the Lonely Hearts Book Club, we’re treated to a touching and emotionally meaningful journey of growth. There are a few couples in the book, but I wouldn’t classify this as a “romance” but more fiction because it’s focused on their self-discovery.

My favorite thing about the book is the characters — each member of the book club has their own POV chapters, which allows us to get to know them on a personal level. From their individual trials to their hopes and aspirations, I became invested in the lives of these characters. While some of their stories are heartbreaking, there is always a sense of hope and resilience that shines through. It's impossible not to root for them and want them to find happiness.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audiobook arc of this book. All opinions are voluntary and my own.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club
by Lucy Gilmore, narrated by Angie Kane

Old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan hits the library everyday, stomping his way through the aisles, seeking out librarian Sloane Parker to rain down insults on her. Sloane gives as good as she gets, knowing just the book related quips to keep Arthur fired up during each of his library visits. Sloane's life is orderly and calm although she has a chiropractor fiancé who allows no one to forget that he's a DOCTOR, parents who are constantly sparring so loudly the neighbors hear every word, and a hole in her heart that time can never fill.

When Arthur doesn't show up at the library several days in a row, Sloane takes action despite her boss warning her she'll be in big trouble if she hunts down a library patron. Sloane does so anyway and this is when her life changes in ways that might seem disastrous but ultimately opens the doors to really living and really loving.

While we are seeing things from Sloane's POV at first, we then move on to the POVs from other people in Arthur and Sloane's lives. There is Mateo, Sloane's coworker, Maisey, Arthur's neighbor and my favorite character in this story, Greg, trying to make amends he might not even need to make, Nigel, a figure from the past, and Arthur himself, his own worst enemy.

Each person is lonely in their own way. Or they are trying to escape something that will bring their life down until they actually face why they are doing what they are doing. They've each been hurt in one way or another, even if it's their own actions hurting themselves. All are drawn to the book club that Sloane starts in Arthur's house. Arthur now has a crowd of people in his house and he's doing his best to act his grumpiest, stacking up his insults as high as he can while needing home health care. All his nurses have walked out on him and now he needs friends in a way he never would have admitted in the past.

The story is low key and sweet while dealing with the types of hurts that can get packed down and hidden as a person attempts to go through life as if they are just fine. If there was anything I'd change about the audiobook is that it would have been better if most of the characters didn't sound like women. The huge lumberjack built guy with the deep voice did not sound like he had a deep voice at all. Despite the serious issues in each person's life this story left me feeling lighthearted and glad that books are so important to my life. The words we need to express ourselves can be found in books and they can change our outlook on life if we share them with others.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.

I wanted to like this one more than I did. The narrator was great, all the voices felt distinct and really helped clarify who each character was. That said - the book was a sort of a bummer. I had a hard time getting past how terribly rude and disrespectful Arthur was for the majority of the book. Old age is not an excuse to act like a total jerk! This may be a personal issue for me, but it just felt like he was behaving abusively and everyone was letting him get away with it.

Honestly, it was hard for me to get past Arthur's behavior and general vibe. I liked the other characters, but even the "redemption arc" we were given for Arthur was not enough for me. He's a very mean, nasty man and nobody deserved to be spoken to the way he spoke to literally everyone in this book.

Thanks to the publisher for the audible copy of The Lonely Hearts Book Club. I wasn’t sure I’d like it as the story began, but in no time, I was absorbed and have to say that I loved every chapter. Angie Kane is the perfect narrator and reads quite beautifully. The premise has been described well in other reviews, so there is no need to repeat it. I found the characters engaging and likeable, even Arthur, and I couldn’t wait to get my headphones on and join them all for more. Well done, Lucy Gilmore, I will certainly look for more of her work and recommend it. Many thanks – five stars from me

5 strangers coming together to bond over their heartaches is exactly what all people going through heartbreak should do. Sometimes it is easier to confide in a stranger than it is your best friend, family member, or someone you already know. I promise you will likely relate in some way or another to at least 1 of these characters if not all of them. In a lot of ways, this book makes you feel less alone and more empowered to go beyond romantic love and find love in other forms. This is a book that makes you look back at your past heartbreaks with sadness, fondness, and perhaps a new insight. I loved that there were so many different stories (5 to be exact) as it shows you the different ways people handle love and loss and how there is really no right way to do so.

Cannot wait to see what this author writes next!

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.