Leave it to Jennifer Ryan to bring readers a World War II story full of characters one can root for and a positive side to a very dismal time in English history.

As much as I have read of World War II, I had never heard about the people in London getting in the underground tunnels of the railway system to take cover from the bombing. Much roomier than the bomb shelters and cellars, the people were able to move around and had plenty of room to spread blankets and sleep for the night.

The story follows three women whose paths intersect during this time and how they become friends and build a sense of community during the tumultuous days of the Blitz. Juliet is a librarian, Katie is a future college student and Sophie is a Jewish immigrant from Germany who managed to get to England just in the nick of time.

When the main library is hit by a bomb and too damaged for the people to use, Juliet decides they should move to the tunnels and start a mini-library. The idea is popular among those escaping to the tunnel for safety and the tunnels eventually become a mini village under ground.

Each of the three women are facing challenges of the time. Katie has lost her fiancee in the war. Sophie has had an unpleasant experience with her employer and is trying to locate some of her family members. Juliet is dealing with a missing fiancee/possible deserter and is trying to keep the library up and running.

There are also many other memorable characters who are pivotal to the story and help the underground residents form a bond. I really enjoyed reading this and recommend to other readers who enjoy historical fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review and recommend to other readers.

Historical fiction readers will enjoy this well researched novel based on true events in London during WWII. Living in the tube stations during the bombings brought people of all walks of life together to survive. After the bombing of the Bethnal Green library, the library moved to the underground as told in this wonderfully crafted story. Highly recommended!

Historical fiction at its best! Ryan does a masterful job of telling the stories of several Londoners during the Blitz, and how their lives come to revolve around the Underground Library. When the Bethnal Green library is bombed, Juliet, a resourceful librarian, moves the surviving books to a nearby tube station, where locals take shelter as the bombs fall. The characters are beautifully and realistically rendered, from Sophie, a Jewish refugee from Germany, to Katie, a native Londoner who discovers that she's pregnant by her fiance, who is now MIA in Italy. Juliet draws the community together with book clubs, story hours, and her indomitable spirit.

The Underground Library is the second book of Jennifer Ryan's for me to read. I love that she brought to light a fact about WW2 that is so little known by many.

Juliet Landsdown finds herself working at the Bethanl Green Library. Once she starts her job there she discovers that the library is far from thriving.

The Underground Library brings together a wide range of characters. I love any books that show that we are better together.

If I had any complaints about the story it would be that the story was wrapped up too nicely in the end. It felt too unrealistic to me that everyone got their happy ending especially during a time that so many lost so much.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have loved Jennifer Ryan’s previous works, especially enjoying the way she pulls together the stories of various characters into a single story. This one I enjoyed, but not quite so much. She tried to provide so much information that I often felt like I was being lectured to. I loved the characters and the storylines though, and I would still recommend this to anyone who enjoys World War II/bookish fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, Ballantine Books, and the author, Jennifer Ryan for the opportunity to read The Underground Library. It was such an incredible account of the "The Blitz," in London during WWII. I was completely enthralled with the story.

I especially loved how Ryan focused on the women who lived in London at that time. She did a wonderful job showing how women stepped in and took over for their male counterparts after they had been sent off to war.

Ryan also did an excellent job of showing how hard it was for Jewish-Germans who had escaped to England. Even though they hated Hitler, their German accents often made some English act horrible towards them. Thankfully there were just as many people who stood by the Jewish population and helped them to feel worthy.

In the author's notes, Ryan explained how her book was based on a true story. Every time I read another aspect of the trials people went through during WWII I am flabbergasted. What an amazing project it was to have an underground library for everyone who had to take cover during the bombings. The people of London truly had an incredible spirit. They never gave up and they never allowed Hitler to break their spirit.

I highly recommend The Underground Library to anyone who loves historical fiction. It's a five star book in my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Ballantine Books for the ARC of The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan.

I've said many times that I am done reading books about WWII, so I was a little hesitant to pick this one up. What more can one learn and experience that hasn't already been covered in another book? Jennifer Ryan's novel proved me wrong. I had no idea that The Underground Library was an actual place created by those from the Bethnal Green library (And did you know Jerry Springer was born in an railway underground shelter during the war?). During a time of such turmoil, I could only imagine that solace that the townspeople could feel when they took shelter in the library. I also enjoyed learning about the Isle of Man and how it was used during the war.

The novel focused on the women during the war, and the hardships that so many of them faced. I truly enjoyed the characters and getting to know them. If I had to say one negative thing, it would be that in times of war, and especially WWII, happy endings were hard to come by. So, I did find it hard to believe that all of the characters would get their happy ending.

In the end, I enjoyed learning something that I didn't already know about WWII.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
Posted on March 7, 2024 by Carol Early Cooney

Dear Fellow Reader,

Welcome to March! A month of madness? That seems to be what it is famous for but this year it has so much more – Spring Forward, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter – a whole cornucopia of spring! Get out the patent leather shoes!

Meanwhile, I am sitting here warming my hands on a cup of tea! It is sometimes hard to overcome the damp, cold here in the Midwest.

I am happy to tell you about this week’s book. It is the fifth book by Jennifer Ryan. No, they are not a series, but all take place in England during World War II. I know I read The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle and I think I read The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. So, let’s break convention here and tell you that I like these books. Yes, I know that I profess to be sick of historical fiction. And in some ways, I am. But these books are really character-driven. While the historical background is there, these characters are living in the setting, they aren’t there to support the setting.


The Underground Library has three main characters and several supporting characters. Juliet Lansdown has left her parents and hometown to move to the Bethnal Green section of London to work at the library there. She had worked at the library in her hometown and loved it. She has hopes that it will be even better in Bethnal Green. Katie Upwood works at the library for the summer before she goes to the University. She is only allowed to study at the University because so many of the students are off to war, but she is bright and can’t wait to go. Sofie Baumann, is a refugee from Germany. She has come to Bethnal Green to be a domestic worker – the only way she could get out of Germany. She is not in a good situation but the day she comes to the library, she finds friends and support.

Soon into the story, the Germans start bombing London and each night the residents must leave their homes and go to shelter. The Underground soon becomes the shelter of choice. When the library is bombed, the friends gather around and move books to the Underground. Juliet starts some programs that become extremely popular like a time each night for reading aloud and eventually a school.

Our three main characters each face choices they never could have anticipated and despite rocky times, they find that their friendships keep them floating in the sea of hard times.

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on March 12th.

I really enjoyed this book! I've always heard of The Blitz during World War II, but it was really interesting to look a little deeper into it. I really liked that the cast of characters included women of various ages, and stages of life, and read about the challenges they faced. Not only the challenges of wartime, but also the social and cultural constraints of the era. It's ultimately a very inspiring and uplifting novel. Big thanks to Jennifer Ryan, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for access to the eGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The cover and title made this one jump out to me; I enjoy books that take place in a library setting. I also enjoy historical fiction, but I'm beginning to tire of the WW2 setting. It's told from the perspective of three different women and I enjoyed the themes of community and friendship. If you enjoy historical fiction and books about books, give this one a read.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC.

Juliet Lansdown is the new deputy librarian at Bethnal Green Library during WW2. Normally these positions are not given to women at all but held by men, but because of the war, women are being “temporarily” assigned to them. She wants to make sure the library is being used not by just the select few, but by everyone. Even when the actual building is bombed during the Blitz. Juliet along with her staff and people in the community moves it underground. Now she knows it will be successful, but the past can come back to haunt her and ruin her plans.

Katie Upwood has a beautiful life, she works in the library, will be going to university in the fall and has a boyfriend who has left to go to the front line. Then it all comes crashing down when he goes missing and is presumed dead, her parents are having issues and she has a secret that will change her life forever.

Sofie Baumann, is a Jewish refugee from Germany who was lucky to escape to England because of a work visa. But the man she works for is horrible expecting her to do anything and everything, at one time he even takes one of few things of jewelery she was able to smuggle out. She is trying to find out if her sister was also able to get away and one place that has been helping her is the library. Everything comes to an abrupt halt when she is accused of stealing something and being German she is automatically considered dangerous.

In the past few years lots of books have been coming out about World War 2, especially the roles that women played in it. Some have been wonderful and others not so much. When I saw this I couldn’t wait to read it because I do like other books by this author. The only thing that worried me was that I had read a book last year about the same library and there was a chance that this book would be too similar to it. Thankfully it was not. It was one of those books I could not put down until I had finished it. I loved the way it took us back in time to include real events that took place in real places and allowed us to see what so many went through during that war. It truly shows how many felt that the working class did not deserve to be educated the same way the upper class was, if at all and how women had to struggle in so many ways. All things that have been forgotten about even though it was not that long ago.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House/Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

The book is set in London during WWII. Sofie is reluctant to leave her family in Berlin even though it has become unsafe for Jewish families, but her sister makes sure that she catches her train to go to the housekeeping job that she got in London. Juliet has been hired as a deputy librarian at a library in the city while the regular person is off fighting in the war. She has lots of great ideas but the head librarian is not interested. Katie is working at the library for the summer before starting at university in the fall. This is a wonderful story about discovering who you really are amidst the hardships of war time. I enjoyed the main characters and their growth through the book plus the interesting side characters.

"The Underground Library" takes place in the midst of WWII across the perspective of 3 women brought together by the Bethnal Green Library in London. Julia Lansdowne has taken on a new role as the deputy librarian and despite resistance from the current head librarian, is determined to transform it into something new. Her love for literature and ability to bring in the community around help propel her forward to starting the Underground Library, but she also does her best to avoid discussing her fiance, Victor, who disappeared in the midst of battle and was labeled a deserter by the government.

Julia meets Katie Upwood, a staff member at the library planning on attending university only a few months later. The two immediately bond, but Katie's dynamic with her image-centric parents is at odds with her relationship with Christopher, another man who signed up to join the war. She receives devastating news about him, but also is forced to confront the looming possibility of motherhood as a single, unmarried woman.

The third storyline is told from Sofie Baumann's perspective, a Jewish refugee from Germany forced to leave her family behind in order to utilize the working visa that the British government has given her. She serves as a maid for Mr. Wainwright, a wealthy but heartless individual who manipulates her situation to and overworks her cruelly. When she meets Katie and Julia, Sofie finds a brief respite from her grueling days, and a community of women who come to care for and help her try to find her remaining family members.

I'm a sucker for WWII historical fiction so immediately wanted to read this novel. There's a lot that I (and many other readers) would enjoy - a female-centric novel with protagonists breaking the norm, a community centered around the library and literature, and a look into an area that isn't as frequently written about during the war. I overall did enjoy the storylines, the evolution of the Underground Library as British citizens were forced to shelter in the underground stations for protections during raids, and the progression each of the characters made. However, the writing style felt clipped and lacked the complexity and depth I was hoping for, which might have also been because there were 3 POVs that the author needed to cover. I also really wished there wasn't as much emphasis placed on the romance aspect, as it seemed a minor component to the overall themes and focus of the novel.

Overall an enjoyable read, especially given the research and historical inspiration of the real Bethnal Green Library!

The Underground Library is the newest WW2 England-based historical fiction by Jennifer Ryan. This novel explores the lives of three young women who are attempting to carry on with their routines during the bombings of WW2. They come together to form a library for their community set in the underground train station where they are sheltering. This is a tale that makes you appreciate all of the little luxuries we take for granted now. Read and enjoy!

As a librarian, when I saw this title, I had to read it. It was a good read. A little slow at the beginning, but it did get better. I'm curious to read more from this author in the future.

I've been seeking out books by Jennifer Ryan ever since reading The Kitchen Front. Once again, she writes historical fiction about WWII in England, this time following the story of three very different women who are brought together by their local library. During the London Blitz by the Nazis, many Londoners sheltered in the underground train stations. Therefore, the librarians "moved" the library to the underground tube to provide access to books and services during the war. I loved the premise of the story and then learned from the author's notes that the underground library of this story was a conglomeration of many train stations around London. The underground shelter/library becomes the heart of this community during this difficult time.

With the library backdrop, the novel also closely examines the role of women during the war, and how these three female characters truly come of age during this time - Juliet, the deputy librarian who recently moved to London, Katie, a young woman who will be starting university but whose parents are very concerned with "appearances" and Sofie, a Jewish young woman who escapes Germany to work as a domestic for a man in London. Each of these women suffer from their share of grief and challenges, and yet continue to try to flourish during this difficult time.

I highly recommend this novel to historical fiction readers, who enjoy learning even more little-known aspects of WWII London. Thanks to #RandomHouse # Ballantine for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review. I am always appreciative of early access to these wonderful novels.

2.5-I was drawn to this book because I find the Bethnal Green library to be a fascinating topic. While this book was about that, it was more in the background of the story as opposed to feeling like it was the story.
This follows the lives of 3 women- Juliet, Katie, and Sofie from a few months before the Blitz began to not quite the end of it. Juliet is new to London having just been hired as the new Deputy Librarian of Bethnal Green library, Katie is a Bethnal Green native and is the assistant librarian, Sofie is in London on a work visa as a Jewish refugee from Berlin. While all 3 women lead vastly different lives the library brings them together and is something over which they bond.
This is told from each of the women in alternating chapters and each story line follows the same formula including a problem, a love, and a tidy resolution. I liked how the story starts a few months before The Blitz so that we get to see the library as it was before the bombings started, but I didn’t like how Ms. Ryan included events from other tube shelters and other time periods. While I applaud her for attempting to incorporate other important events I think it dampens the story she originally set out to tell. The characters are likable but their storylines all fell flat. The fact that each storyline took place in a span of about year the events they went through were rushed and felt a little unbelievable because of that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for an advanced copy of this. The Underground Library hits the shelves on March 12th.

This story is about three women surviving during the war. It’s also about a library and books and how they bring a whole neighborhood together. The three main characters are strong women who are even stronger by the end of the book. It’s a good story.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

4.5
I really enjoy Jennifer Ryan's historical fiction novels! She writes about different aspects of the British home front during WWII that I feel like is unique to this genre. I really liked the characters and loved the underground library. I also appreciated the author's note at the end of the story. I highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and especially fans of WWII historical fiction.

WWII books are a dime a dozen, but Jennifer Ryan hits it out of the park every single time. This is the third book I've read by her, and while she stays with a certain formula of keeping the story centered around a group of women who support each other, each story is unique and immersive. This one has three main characters during the Blitz in London, each dealing with specific challenges and questioning their futures. The common denominator is the library they love and strive to preserve as more and more buildings are bombed. The story captures your attention right from the start and there is never a dull moment. Wonderful supporting characters buoy the plot as well. I sailed through this book in just over a day and highly recommend it.