The Underground Library is about three women who must use their fighting spirit to save the communities beloved library when the Blitz imperils the London neighborhood. This was a page turner from beginning to end and all of the characters were amazing. The author wrote this really well and I look forward to reading more books from this author. Overall, this is one I loved a lot and would recommend this book to any reader who loves historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine Books for this read in exchange of my honest review of The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I love books about books and this one was so much more. Set during WWII, the story is based on some true events, focusing on two women in particular that work in the local community library. After the building is bombed, they relocate the books to the underground shelter. The story brings to life the hardships of the time, the role of women when so many men were off fighting, and the importance of family and community support. I thought the book was well written and well researched and the characters were relatable and likable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

As with other Jennifer Ryan novels, I truly enjoyed this book. I always enjoy her looks into different parts of life during WWII, especially things that may be unfamiliar to most of us.
Her characters are fantastic, always fully formed. The descriptions in the narrative allow me to transport myself to London, the tube stations, the shelters, etc.

While we all know about sheltering in the tube stations, I had no idea of everything that went on in the tubes, or even with the folks who were trying to maintain calm.

Thank you again, Jennifer, for helping us to learn about what was going on in English society.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Books, history, fiction, strong FMC - sign me up!

"The Last Library" is more than just a historical fiction; it’s a tribute to the enduring power of community and the written word. Ryan’s characters are memorable and inspiring, each contributing to a narrative that reminds us of the importance of standing together in the face of adversity. This novel will resonate with anyone who has ever found solace in a book or believed in the strength of their community. A must-read for fans of heartfelt historical fiction!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted ARC.

In The Underground Library, Jennifer Ryan masterfully captures the enduring strength of women and the profound power of books during one of history's darkest times. Set against the backdrop of the Blitz, the story intertwines the lives of three resilient women: Sofie, a Jewish refugee seeking solace from her tragic escape; Juliet, a determined new deputy librarian fighting to transform the quiet Bethnal Green Library into a sanctuary; and Katie, a young woman grappling with personal loss and a life-altering secret.

When bombs threaten to reduce their beloved library to rubble, Juliet bravely moves it to the Bethnal Green Underground Station. Here, amid air raids and uncertainty, books offer a lifeline to the community, fostering connection, courage, and hope.

Ryan’s novel is meticulously researched, shedding light on lesser-known historical events—such as the Isle of Man’s refugee camps—while balancing fictional storylines with real-life details. Each character’s journey is well drawn, though the sometimes overly tidy resolutions can feel contrived for the turmoil of wartime. Still, the book shines in its depiction of community resilience and the unbreakable spirit of these women, making it a moving tribute to libraries and the lives they touch.

For fans of WWII fiction and heartwarming tales of courage, The Underground Library is a touching, insightful read. Four stars.

** Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. The opinions are my own.

Based on a true story, this is a beautiful and frightening reminder of the importance of books of all types, librarians, and libraries, as well as the atrocities “civilized countries” subject people to because they are different.

The author’s note is worth reading.

I read another book, The Little Wartime Library, about this time from another author, which focuses on things a little differently.

When a town library is destriyed in a war. They decide to bring the books to the underground. This was an incredible read. the history of it and reading how people work togerher for the better..

Jennifer Ryan writes wonderful historical fiction with strong women characters. I like that her books focus on average people and how the war affected their everyday lives. All have been based on true events - events that are not widely known about.

In this one, The Underground Library, it focuses on a neighborhood library and three of the women who were affiliated with it. When the library is bombed, library service doesn't stop. The library is moved into the subway where a whole village is set up. The underground is filled with people who are sheltering from the blitz. The story is based on the real Bethnal Green Library in London which did move underground when the library was bombed. And, as described in this novel, there was an entire community down there including doctors, a cafe, theatre, etc. I have read a lot of historical fiction about WWII and had never heard of this. I applaud Jennifer Ryan for bringing these "virtually unknown" stories to life. They are an important piece of history.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

What I liked about this book:

1. Historical fiction that taught me new things!
2. Multi character plot line which is not usually my favorite but done really well here!
3, It's a book about how books "save" us - so what's not to like!

What I wished were different - maybe a little romancing for some but it was a lovely distraction amidst the horrors of the book - so it didn't bother me.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the digital review copy via Net Galley.

Underground Library was published on March 12, 2024.

Loved this. I’ve really enjoyed everything by this author. She’s an autobuy author for me. I love how every one of her stories is completely different from the others but you can still feel she’s the author. A very strong voice - one I really enjoy.

Beautiful, powerful historical fiction about women during wartime, and how a community comes together to provide strength and friendship during the worst of times. Engaging, emotional, and absorbing -- a terrific read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a history from WWII that I didn’t know about.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Historical fiction involving strong female characters and a library? The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan was tailor-made for me. And I am so happy that it did not disappoint. Told from multiple points of view, the story is centered around a group of women who meet during the early days of the Blitz in London. Juliet is the smart, spunky deputy librarian at Bethnal Green Library; Katie is the university bound helper who is mourning the loss of her boyfriend in the war; Sofie who escaped Berlin and came to London as a Jewish refugee. And then all the other characters that congregate in the library. Eventually, as the bombing raids intensify, the group begin meeting in the underground every night.

Each woman has a different secret that threatens to change their lives, and with each passing night, the tragedies and obstacles they must face mount. Sofie must deal with a horrible employer and is desperate to find her sister left behind in Europe; Katie is faced with the scandal of having a child out of wedlock; and Juliet is falling for a handsome neighbor- all while waiting for news about her fiancée who is a possible deserter. They all must rely on each other to make it through, and trust that there can be community even in times of pain and loss.

The Underground Library spans the stately Bethnal Green Library, the tunnels and crevices of the underground, and the military/ police camps on the Isle of Wight. The common thread throughout the novel is the library and a collective love of books. The women all contribute to saving the library after it is bombed and to building an underground library and school for the benefit of all who must shelter underneath the streets of London.

Jennifer Ryan creates developed and intriguing characters that you want to see happy, and supporting characters who you are just as invested in. Even though I am not a huge fan of multiple points of view, it worked so well here. Each narrator added a distinct perspective to the story as a whole, and it would not have worked as well without that format. And while this is yet another book about WWII, the subject matter- the library and its place in the shelters during the Blitz- is fresh for me. I highly recommend this book. Random rating 4/5.

The Underground Library
The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three young women from vastly different backgrounds come together to work in the Bethnal Green Library in London during the early days of World War II. Juliet takes the job as deputy librarian, Katie is biding her time until she goes to the university in the fall, and Sophie, a Jewish immigrant from Germany, finds refuge among the pages of the books and the supportive group of library patrons.

However after the library is bombed and virtually destroyed, the three friends take the remaining books to the local subway station and set up an underground library for all the residents who take shelter there every night.

This is a charming book about friendships, community support, learning to take control of your life in spite of setbacks, and the new roles that women take on during the war. It is based on a true story during the London Blitz, and includes many historical facts and situations. It has so many things that I like: books, libraries, librarians!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with this advanced reader copy.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

I have literally read dozens of World War II historical fiction books over the past decade of my life and in my opinion Jennifer Ryan's books are some of the best in this genre. I always come away from one of her books with so much knowledge of what life was like for those individuals who were left on the homefront during the war. Similar to other books she has written, Jennifer Ryan had multiple main characters whose lives intertwine together to tell a story of bravery, intelligence, resourcefulness, and friendship.

Juliet Lansdown is the new deputy librarian at Bethnal Green Library. Under her leadership, a comaraderie of book loving women is formed, strengthened, and then cemented when a slew of bombs destroys the library and forces it to be relocated to the Underground station where neighborhood residents shelther on a nightly basis. Each character in this book faces personal hardships as loved ones are lost and personal conflicts must be overcome. Despite their unknown futures, the Bethnal Green Library book club members have each other's backs. I loved that there was a little bit of romance sprinkled throughout the book too.

As a bibliophile, I've always been a sucker for wanting to read any book that has the word "library" in the title. I was intrigued by the thought of getting to read about a library that was based on a real life library that once existed. I found this book to be very interesting and would highly recommend it to other WWII historical fiction readers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

I love when a book has a group of strong female characters who support each other. Juliet may have been my favorite - she had such big ideas. But I also loved Sophie, a Jewish refugee who is so worried about her family back in Germany. And of course there is Katie, who lives with her family in a very restricted life. I'm sure it was horrific living in London in World War II, and I loved how this story showed the sense of community support that neighbors could get from each other, and from books.

Such a beautifully told story of 3 women connected through the tube, or underground library. a story of friends, books and love.