This latest work of historical fiction by Jennifer Ryan is centered around the London Blitz during World War II and its impact on one neighborhood in London. Told from the point of view of three very different women, we get a feel for not only life during the Blitz but also how difficult it was for women during this time. Even though women were expected to pick up the slack while the men were at war, they still had very little rights and were still largely dependent on men. After all, the men were more "sensible" and didn't let emotions get in the way of getting things done. As if! All three women while surviving the war differently are all united by the library in their community so much so that they try to keep it open even as the bombs continue to fall and everything else in their life is in upheaval. The power of the library as its own community comes through in this wonderful read that is based on historical events. This is the first book I have read by Ryan and I have to say I will definitely go back and read some of her other works!

This solidifies it, I am adding the rest of Jennifer Ryan's backlist to my tbr. This is my second time reading her work and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a bit predictable and even slightly cheesy at times, but somehow, it worked for me. You will enjoy her work if you enjoy things like Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife. This book is such a feel-good story. It read just like I was watching an episode of Downton Abbey. It had all the coziness and comfort I could have wanted. I tend to read a lot of dark and emotional books, so it's nice to have something like this to add to the mix once in a while to remind myself there is good in the world, too.

Based on true events, this is the story of community and friendship during a difficult time. When the Germans began bombing London during the Blitz, life went underground - literally. The city took shelter in the underground stations. In this story, we follow three women - Juliet, the new deputy librarian in Bethnal Green who has big plans for building readership in her library. Katie, who is working at the library for the summer and mourning her boyfriend who is believed to have died at war, and Sophie a Jewish refugee working as a housekeeper and finding refuge at the library. These three women come together through their love of books to build a community.

This was an enjoyable read full of romance, atmosphere, and a love of literature.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love historical fiction but I shy away from ones about war because I’m just more interested in reading non-fiction to understand the past. I make an exception when I want to learn about something that won’t make the history books but will give a good feeling of what it was like for the people of the time. I don’t want to relive wars of the past. I want to know how the human spirit can deal with them. I prefer stories of the women of the time. Their contribution has historically been ignored.

I was thrilled to read about three women who were from vastly different backgrounds but come together. Their experiences overlap in ways they never would have without war. I want to see how they helped each other and were strong for each other. The novel started out this way. Right away Sophie, a Jewish refugee trying to get out of Germany, is saved by a nun. This theme gets repeated again and again.

Where this one fell a little short for me was in depth. The women were all very thinly written. And the supporting women even more so. There was still that idea in the end that we needed to see them end up with the right man instead of make it on their own.

I am a big fan of reading books set in WWII. It is a time that fascinates and scares me. So, when I get widgets or see books on NetGalley that hint about WWII, I grab them. This was the case with The Underground Library. Random House sent me a widget, and I downloaded it. Now that I have read this book, it was a good read.

The Underground Library follows three women (Juliet, Kate, and Sofie) as they navigate life in a country at war. Juliet is the oldest of the three, and she is ambitious. But Juliet’s past threatens to derail everyone she worked so hard for. Kate is a young woman who is waiting for word from her fiancee, who is fighting in Africa against the Nazis. Her world is turned upside down when she is told he is missing in action. Sofie is a Jewish refugee working as a maid/cook in the vicinity of the Bethnal Library. Forced to leave Berlin by her sister and father, Sofie agonizes over not knowing what happened to her family. The three women meet at the library and soon become instrumental in setting up an underground library in the Tube tunnels, used as a makeshift bomb shelter. Over a few months, their lives will change for better and worse.

As I mentioned above, there are three separate storylines in The Underground Library. Usually, I’m not too fond of multiple storylines (or POV), but in this case, it worked. It only worked because the author could integrate all three storylines together at different points in the book but simultaneously keep them separate (if that makes sense). I was not confused by whose storyline I was reading (the author did label chapters with names). That made for a delightful read.

I liked Juliet. I liked that she was smart and wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted (the book club, children’s hour, and eventually, the library). Her backstory was sad with her fiancee going MIA in France. The more I read her storyline, the more I liked her. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed reading about a love triangle between her missing fiancee and her landlady’s nephew (who she also knew from school). It was pretty obvious who she was going to end up with. But everything does work itself out in the end.

I thought Kate was adorable. Her absolute devotion to her fiancee shone through the book, as did her devastation when she learned he was missing in action, presumed dead. The pregnancy was a neat twist that the author threw in there. When Kate’s mother found out about her pregnancy, I could see why she was so upset. During that era, girls didn’t get pregnant without being married (you and I know that this isn’t true, but people liked to believe it). But what Kate’s mother proposed and what she forced Kate into doing made me take a step back and go, “Whoa.” All I have to say is that she was desperate, looking for a way to keep her husband with her, and it would cost Kate. I was a little glad that this storyline ended the way it did (and the twist that came at the very end was heartwarming).

I pitied Sofie. Because of the Nazis, she was forced to leave her father and sister behind in Berlin (the near miss on the train took my breath away). It was explained that her sister got her a visa to work in England (her English was excellent). Sofie was going to be a live-in maid to an upperclassman who was willing to sponsor her. That wasn’t what Sofie wanted and not what she was used to (she came from a very wealthy family). The first half of her storyline details her job and how she deals with it (she has been there for over a year). The second half of her storyline got a little more exciting. Her inquiries into her sister’s location were answered, and she fell in love. Of the three storylines, hers was the one I enjoyed most.

The author included a note explaining the actual underground library that inspired the book at the end of the book. She tweaked some events, but everything that happened was mainly factual.

The end of The Underground Library was one of hope. I liked how every one of the characters got their HEA. I also liked that the author included some secondary characters in the HEAs. As I stated above, Kate’s storyline had a neat twist.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books, NetGalley, and Jennifer Ryan for allowing me to read and review an ARC of The Underground Library. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

Based on a true story, this book focuses on the lives of three very different women who are brought together at the Bethnal Green Library in London during WWII. When the library is bombed and must be shut down, deputy librarian Juliet Lansdown persuades her skeptical boss to set up the library in the underground train station where everyone in the neighborhood goes when the nightly air raids begin. Katie Upwood, Juliet’s assistant and Sofie Baumann, a Jewish refugee from Germany, befriended by Juliet, help her at the makeshift library which becomes a treasured gathering place. The author deftly weaves a great story about everyday life during the Blitz along with the harrowing challenges faced by the many women whose lives were changed when they were separated from their families or the men who went away to fight in the war. I would highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy WWII historical fiction. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story is told from a few points of view. Juliet leaves her home to take the position of deputy librarian in the Bethnal Green Library during the war. Her fiancé is listed as missing and she plans a new life. Katie is a young girl working for the summer before university when she discovers she is pregnant and her boyfriend has been killed in action. The third POV is Sophie who has escaped Germany and is working as a housekeeper for a horrible man and finds solace at the library. There were many other characters, the Ridley sisters, Juliet's landlord - Mrs. Ottley, Sebastian - her nephew, Katie's parents and Marigold. They were all interesting and in the end I wished I knew more about them. In an effort to help with the war Juliet starts driving an ambulance and I thought that the horror she encountered after some of the bombings was some of the most realistic that I've read but I felt that her ambulance driving was a part of the story that was dropped.

All in all I really enjoyed the story, the lovely characters, the atmosphere of the underground shelters and Juliet's fight to keep the library alive. I wish I knew more about Meg and even though parts of the end I knew were coming some things were just wrapped up too neatly.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine for providing me with a digital copy.

I love Jennifer Ryan's books and this new one doesn't disappoint. A lovely story of the Bethnal Green neighborhood with its library as its core. Plus an intermingling of various stories, a librarian, a soon to be university student and a Jewish refugee. A beautiful story of hope, perseverance and how the underground libraries served such an important purpose during the WWII blitz.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

I love historical fiction, especially when I read about a period in history that I think I know a lot about but then learn something new. This is the case. The tale of an underground library found in the bomb shelters of London during the Blitz came alive in this story. Created to give hope to those seeking safety during a traumatizing time, this showed how a library was more than a building of bookshelves filled with books. It showed how books transport you to worlds and are an escape offering you adventures beyond where you are. I loved all the characters that Ryan gave us, and how they supported each other in the face of adversity. This book kept me reading from beginning to end. Well researched and well written, this story focuses on hope among a trying time for many during WWII. Many thanks to #netgalley #jenniferryan #theundergroundlibrary for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I’m so excited to be pre-approved for an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley. Based on true life events.. this story follows the lives of three courageous ladies in London during WWll. I thoroughly enjoyed how the author told the narrative of each of these women.. their own battles they faced separately during such a tumultuous time in history;

*JULIET: new Deputy Director at the Bethnel Green Library

*KATIE: librarian at BGL, is starting college in the fall, and mourning her boyfriend who is missing in the war

*SOPHIE: a German Jewish refugee, seeks to find her family left behind.


I applaud these women, through strong will and determination they persevered to save their neighborhood library after bombs destroyed it during the Blitz. I adored the passion these women felt to see their project through, not only for their own personal reasons, but for the enjoyment of all during this time of upheaval, sadness and change. What a mesmerizing tale of courage, love and sacrifice, and the friendship between these women was everything. This is my first Jennifer Ryan book. ❥ 4.5 stars — Pub. 3/12/24

All opinions are my own.

📚 BOOK / REVIEW 📚

This was my first book by @jennifer_ryan_author, and it will certainly not be my last. I utterly DEVOURED #theundergroundlibrary, and I woke up this morning so sad that the book was over!!! Thank you, #ballantinebooks and @penguinrandomhouse, for my finished copy of this BEAUTIFUL, heartwarming, and uplifting #historicalfiction read.

The story is told in 3 different POVs,and each character is more charming than the next. It would be impossible to pick my favorite as they all brought such a different element to the story. I could see myself as Juliet the most - the first female deputy at Bethnal Green Library, given my obsession with books and reading. She was so strong and determined.

I strongly encourage you to read this. It was hopeful and pure, despite the WWII circumstances. I absolutely loved this book!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - this book is OUT NOW!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read The Underground Library. This book was amazing! The story is a beautiful love letter to the power of books. The charecters are so wonderful but the true stars are the books. This is based on true events. This book shows in detail how in our darkest times, a simple book will bring us comfort and peace. This book speaks to me because books are an integral part of my life. The Underground Library is an amazing story that will stay with you.

This is a wonderful book. It's set in London during WWll when they moved the library underground after it was bombed. It's a beautifully written story that will keep you turning the pages. The author did a wonderful job of combining fact with fiction into a story that pulls you in and doesn't let go. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

5+ stars. Excellent story of coping in London during the blitz of WW2 and how people and communities were able to come together. Wonderful characters, fully fleshed out and very real. The success of moving the town library to an underground shelter was inspiring. Based on real events, this book really opens one’s eyes to the importance of books and culture in our lives. Down with the book banners and book burners who deserve to be despised, then and now.

The Blitz Spirit of 1940 comes alive in a London underground tunnel. This endearing nod to the power of books and reading is based on the true account of the bombing of the Bethnal Green Library only a few weeks into the London Blitz. Jennifer Ryan’s characters have an indomitable spirit that shines brilliantly in the darkest hours of London’s history. Told from the point of view of three young women, each with a personal need for escape in order to survive, Ryan drops readers into the routine of nightly air raids, grabbing blankets and rations, praying to survive another night of bombing. She brings each young girl’s journey to a crucial turning point and as their paths cross, they join in a common goal. Juliet is really the main character who brings everyone else together through her love of books. The novels Juliet loves to curl up with include secrets, suspense, mystery, history, and even romance. She would adore The Underground Library! Characters include key young men who are away at war, Mrs. Ottley, the Miss Ridley’s, and Marigold, each adorable quirky “readers” Juliet adds to her book club, and who play a significant role in saving the underground library. This novel is a glorious homage to reading and how it changes perceptions, broadens minds, and creates a supportive and nurturing community.
I am in awe of the spirit and human connection created in the underground communities in the tube stations all over London. These stations provided all kinds of services, theater and musical entertainment, childcare and medical facilities. The Underground Library is just like every library: a place to celebrate each other and the power of the human spirit through reading.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan was the first book I've read by this author, but I very much enjoyed it. I'm not a big historical fiction fan, but there was something about the blurb for this book that pulled me in and I knew that I would enjoy it. Maybe because of the book tie, it could also be that it's based on a true story, although fictionalized, I'm not sure, but I did enjoy it and would recommend it! The Underground Library follows three women during World War II when London was being bombed nightly and they would have to find their way to safety as air raid sirens sounded and bombs rained down.

Juliet Lansdowne has come to London as the new deputy librarian at Bethnel Green Library. She finds that the library is not being utilized as much as it could be and it has a head librarian that doesn't care to change that, but Juliet wants to do what she can to make the library successful. Katie Upwood works at the Bethnel Green Library and she is planning to start university in the fall. Her family life is in upheaval and then she learns of the death of her boyfriend on the front lines which complicates things for her further. Sofie Baumann has come to London as a refugee on a visa where she will work in domestic service. Unfortunately she has been placed with a hateful and demeaning man who makes life miserable. She's concerned for her sister and father who she left behind in Berlin, however she has found refuge in the library and the new friends she's made there.

When the library is destroyed by a bombing, Juliet decides the only thing to do is to move it down to the Underground station where everyone takes shelter each evening when the air raid sirens sound. Juliet, Sofie and Katie, along with their other friends do all they can to keep the library afloat, but it seems they continue to run into issues and roadblocks. Will they be able to save the library in the end?

As I mentioned at the outset, historical books are not my thing, but I found myself into this one very early on. I was very drawn to all three of the women and I had to know what happened with all three of them. They all had very different stories, but I was rooting for all three of them to get their happy ever after! They were all strong in their own ways and they all broke the glass ceiling so to speak to do things they weren't meant to do in that time period. The supporting cast of characters were also interesting and intriguing as well. I would highly recommend picking up this very entertaining novel!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I enjoyed the historical backdrop of this WWII story taking place in London, based on the true Underground Library in Bethnal Green. I have read all of the author’s previous books and always enjoyed her in-depth characters, but for some reason I didn’t find these characters as charming as the ones in her previous stories. Overall, though, an enjoyable read. * 3.5 stars *

The Underground Library

By: Jennifer Ryan

Publish Date: 12 March 2024

Publisher: Random House Publishing group-Ballantine, Ballantine Books

General Fiction (adult)/Historical Fiction/Women’s Fiction

#TheUndergroundLibrary#NetGalley

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read and review this book.

Book Review:

I loved this book. I gave it 5 stars. At first, I thought I would give it only 4 stars, but I have already started to recommend it to others to read.

This book mostly takes place in England. There are three main characters you will be following. One is a Jew from Germany, one is an only child who wants to make it on her own and one is a girl who finds herself in a tough position. As you can tell all the main characters are female in around 1942.

Sophie is the Jewish and she has a work permit to be a housekeeper for a very mean man. She was able to escape Germany with this work permit. She misses her sister and father who are still trying to leave Germany.

Juliet is the only child of an older couple who wants to make something of her life. She is the deputy librarian at the local library. The manager isn’t thrilled that she is there because he wants to go Suffix.

Katie is the oldest of two children. Her beau is killed in the war. She also works at the library for the summer before she heads off to college.

Sophie will do just about anything to find out information about her family and this leads her into trouble.

Juliet has many ideas for the library but has issue with the manager. She learns to do things around his restrictions. She is making a lot of headway and friends.

Katie is dealing with the death of her beau and then realizes that she is pregnant and isn’t sure what to do.

They are dealing with the air raids that are coming every night now as well as the bombing. One day the bombing starts early, and the library is bombed. The manager wants to give up, but Juliet decides to take it underground. The reason for this is she has a following of people who comes to her area for the nightly readings she has started to help pass the time.

There is so much to say about this book, but I don’t want to give it away. You really need to read this book. It is based on two different areas in England during the second world war.

What a beautifully written book about 3 women in London during the bombings of WWII. I enjoyed the historical aspects - well researched and well written. It did not feel like a history book, but at the same time I was fully transported back in time. The main characters were all well written and very likable. I was fully invested in their lives and wanted happy endings for all of them. I enjoyed learning about the 3 women - what their families and society wanted for them, what the war required of them and what they wanted as individuals. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster and I could not put it down.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

Books are the answer to everything. Need friends? Join a book club! Need to look up pregnancy because you're unexpectedly expecting and your mom didn't tell you anything? The library has a book for that! Need something to do while waiting for an air raid to finish? Read a book! Need to leave home to get away from overbearing parents? Get a job at a library!

I think you get the idea.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan takes place in London, England during World War II. The residents of Bethnal Green are forced to evacuate their homes and take shelter in the Underground Tube Station whenever an air raid siren goes off. And then when one of those air raids results in the local library building being bombed, new deputy librarian Juliet has a great idea to salvage the books and take the library underground.

Juliet is just one of the characters in this wonderful work of historical fiction. There's also Juliet's landlady, Mrs. Ottley, and Mrs. Ottley's nephew, Sebastian. Once upon a time, Sebastian's and Juliet's parents tried to set up the two of them, but Juliet found Sebastian too much of a lady's man. But war has a way of changing people.

There's also Sofie, a Jewish refugee all alone in this new city. The only thing Sofie wants is to find her sister, Rachel, and have her family be together again.

Then there's Katie, who works at the library and finds out that her soldier fiance is presumed dead. THEN she finds out that she's pregnant! Now how did that happen? Ha ha.

No matter what these women are dealing with - deadbeat boyfriends, cheating fathers, uppity society women, and annoying bosses - they have the library and each other. You'll be rooting for all of the characters and the library, as well!

I've been reading a lot of World War II historical fiction, and I have to say, sometimes I wonder what else can people write about in this time period? So I appreciate books like this that enlighten me about a previously unknown (to me) aspect of history.

The Underground Library is published by Ballantine Books and will be available to purchase on March 12, 2024. I received a free e-ARC.

I loved this book. The three heroines, Juliet, Katy and Sofia, are so relatable and sympathetic. They manage to persevere through tragedy and form a found family in the midst of the Blitz in London. The love of books binds them, and, after the bombing of the Bethnal Green library, they establish the “ Underground Library” in the tube station that has become the neighborhood bomb shelter. Every night the citizens are able to distract themselves from the terror overhead with books and the soothing sound of Juliet reading.
Their passion for this library bring their friendship into focus, and they become truly family.