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.

I first I thought not another depressing World War II story, but I'm delighted to sat I read it and loved it! Of course there were trying times but the 3 young ladies gave each other support that their friendship was definitely worth reading about. That a young woman was so dedicated to getting books into the hands of everyone was quite rewarding as I am a librarian myself. The book is very good reflecting the times in London during the bombing but not so it is totally depressing but showing how the average person did the duties that were required at the time, This is the World War II book to read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 stars! The story takes place in London during WW II and is based on a true story. The story is told from the viewpoint of 3 different women (Juliet, Sophie, Katie), and how the war affected their lives. My favorite storyline was Juliet’s - the creator of the underground library. I was drawn to this book because I love books about books, and the historical fiction aspect was a bonus. It was a very easy read, despite the timeframe in which it takes place. The book included themes about love, family and women’s resilience. This was the first book I’ve read from this author, and I’d definitely give some of her other books a chance based on this one. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this advanced reader copy!

I’ve always been drawn to WWII novels and love learning new aspects of the war and what life was like for those living through it. I learned about an aspect I’d never thought about in this story. These people were strong and resilient and did all they could to keep life going as normally as possible. The fact that this is also about books and a library make it even sweeter. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and loved learning something new. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this wonderful book.

I have never read any of Ms. Ryan's books but if the others are like this one, I would definitely look for them.
Yes, this is another book about the atrocities against the Jews during WWII. However, this story intertwines three different women in London who have the love of books and libraries. Each chapter rotates through the three women, their struggles and how they come to rely upon each other to move ahead. Until the last 20% or so, I would have given this book a five star. However, there were parts that became a bit farfetched and sappy.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my complimentary eARC of The Underground Library. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Historical Fiction set in WWII London, England is a favorite of mine. Throw in a library setting featuring strong women and I am ready to get cozy on my couch.
While equal parts scary and uplifting, The Underground Library portrays the unpredictable day to day life of 1940’s London.

Sofie is forced to leave her home and relocate to London where she finds domestic work with a horrid man.
Kate finds herself in a perplexing situation and is in desperate need of help.
Juliet is determined to make the Bethnal Green Library a welcoming destination for everyone.

The Library brings these three together but will it be enough for them to overcome the constant heartbreak of war ?

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of this story. I have enjoyed all of Jennifer Ryan’s novels but I think this is at the top of the list. WWII fiction that is based on a true story of the way the underground stations were used as shelter in London during the Blitz. This novel follows 3 female characters thru their experience during the war and just shows how the sense of community became so strong in order to make it thru the daily trials. Loved this book and strongly recommend it to everyone!

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan follows several women living in London in WWII as they create a lending library to serve neighborhood residents who spend nights underground in the tube, It’s both a romance and a chronicle of the power of community to overcome hardship, misogyny, and classism. It offers a glimpse of history with a happily ever after ending.

Jennifer Ryan made Juliet, Sofie and Katie come alive and steal their way into my heart. What a difficult life they each led both before and during the London blitz. Ryan made the tragedies inherent in the blitz so very real and the strength and amazing endurance of those living through it so very inspiring. I so appreciated Ryan’s ability to take a real historical event and create an unforgettable story that puts you in the middle of the underground library meeting all the amazing inhabitants while experiencing the horrors of the constant bombings, the bomb shelters, the womens’ strength and self awareness beginning to emerge, and the romances developing. Although it seemed a Hallmark moment I did appreciate the ending.
The camaraderie of those living in the underground library in spite of their very lives being at risk every day was so very admirable and heartwarming. The many examples of blitz spirit would be so very welcome in the world we currently live in.
Many many thanks to the very skilled Jennifer Ryan for immersing me in the daily lives of Londoners living during the blitz, Ballantine Books for having the wisdom to publish it and NetGalley for affording me the absolute pleasure of reading an arc of this amazing time in history.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Underground Library was such an easy book to devour in one sitting. After meeting our three main characters, I couldn't tell you which one was my absolute favorite. In all honesty, they were all quite likeable and deserved happiness. It also doesn't hurt that they were such great fans of books and reading.

Sofie, Katie, and Juliet probably had no idea what they were going to go through during this war. With the bond of library books and wanting the absolute best for each other, it isn't hard to wonder as to how they became such close friends. Or when they created such a bookworm community within London to try and cope with the war and bombs.

Whether they dipped their toes in romance or not, I went through a huge emotional roller coaster ride with each person's story. It wasn't easy reading what they all went through, and I was very surprised by some things that did happen. Which is absolutely okay because the people who did anything wrong or harmful to these girls or their friends will meet karma soon.

In the end, I'm really happy that they are finally happy and healing. This was such a good book, and I'm glad that I got the chance to dive into it.

I love reading books about books and I enjoyed the novel. Novel was written through alternative chapters, each through each woman.

Sofie Baumann needed a visa for herself and her family in order to live and work in England. Her employer was with a hateful man.Unfortunately her family was filled with conflict and Sofia was a refugee from Berlin. Sofia used the library to exercise her intelligence through the library.

Juliet’s parents did not approve, she supposedly was forced into a marriage that she did not want. the founding of the Bettina Green Library. However, Juliet was bright, so the library gave her away to do bookish things.

Kate Upwood was a smart woman and enjoyed working at the library and she had a secret.

I appreciated the strength of the women. My favorite genre is Historical fiction and I enjoyed the novel, I also liked the focus women also the many historical references

Jennifer Ryan, Ballantine books, and NetGalley for the opportunity of read and review the novel.

The Underground Library is a great novel based off a true story. I love that all of the main characters come from different backgrounds to form a book club of supportive women during WWII. Each character brings a unique perspective to the story, and I had not heard about underground libraries prior to reading this book.

Juliete as a deputy librarian sees a need for the people of London who are hiding nightly in the underground tube system. People need a distraction, and with books at her disposal, she creates an underground library for the citizens. Juliet is joined by book club members, Kate and Sofie who are the other main characters of the book. Kate is a young library staff member on the verge of going to university, and Sofie is a Jewish refugee taking shelter in London. I enjoyed the relationship between the main characters and hearing their backstories. I found the book to be very insightful of the Blitz, while also developing the personal lives of each of the women as well. Good historical fiction read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books for granting me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 stars

I loved that while this was set in WWII, it wasn’t set in the front of the war and was a fairly uplifting book. I enjoyed the focus on women and what they did during this time. I really liked the author’s writing; everything flowed so well and didn’t feel overly historical or tough to read at all. I even liked all of the characters.

I would recommend this book and will read other books by this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing- Ballantine for the Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for my honest review.

The story of three women and the community that they create in World War II London. Juliet comes to town to become the new deputy at the library. Katie is helping in the library until university starts in the fall and Sofie is a Jewish refugee who comes on a work visa. The story intertwines as these women, through different circumstances find their logical family during hard times. There is a delightful cast of characters involved as well.

This is the third book that I have read by Jennifer Ryan. And I have not been disappointed yet. She is able to paint a picture of the WWII times but still show the powerful bound of friendship and sisterhood. I will continue to seek out other books by Ryan.

Recommend for those that like historical fiction or women's literature. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

3.5 stars
The community of the Underground during the Blitz
I loved the character development and intersecting stories of British, Polish, and German perspectives. This was easy to read quickly but had depth. My downfall was the huge bow to wrap it all together.