The Underground Library was the book I needed. I was in a reading slump. The Underground Library is about a group of women who are in London in 1940. The women are there for different reasons but their love for books brings them together and makes them family. If you need a sweet story with a happy ending that is tied up in so many pretty ribbons, this is for you.

This is an uplifting, girl power happy ending book. Set during the London Blitz.

Juliet, Katie and Sofie all meet at the library before the bombing destroys it. They proceed to move the library to the Underground station. The story focuses on them, their lives and how they all come together to help lift the community.

I enjoyed this book. I was invested in these women's lives and what happened to them. However for a WWII book it had quite a few happily ever after endings. Still worth the read though.

My thanks to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book. Publication date is March 12, 2024.

Solid WWII story, mostly set in London. Loosely based on a true story.

Due to nighttime air aid sirens & bombings people have taken to staying overnight in the underground tunnels of the train system. The main characters are 3 young women, each from different backgrounds with very different lives. Chapters are separated with each of their names.
There's many other women in the story who play big parts.

Juliet works at the library & convinces the head director to move books to the tunnels as this has become such a safe place for many & a gathering place.

So we see how these women develop friendships, make connections to find missing loved ones & to give support to others in need. The library becomes bigger than reading books.

This was a wonderful story set in the East End of London leading up to and during the Blitz of World War II. It is framed in actual events and focuses on the lives of three rather different women all brought together by one cause - the love of reading and the desire to share it and imbue that love in others. There's Sophie, a young Jewish refugee working on a domestic service visa. Kate is a young college-bound girl whose sudden change in situation derails her plans and subjects her to society's scrutiny. Then there is Juliet, the deputy librarian, fortuitously serving in a traditional man's profession. She has strong ideas and a desire to serve the community and help others develop a love for reading. It's at Bethnal Green Library where these women meet. Through their shared love of reading, amidst the horrors of a war torn neighborhood under attack, they build strong friendships and bond over their shared love for books and sharing that love with their community.

Having read other books by Jennifer Ryan, I knew that I was in for a treat with this one. As anticipated, it did not disappoint. On the contrary, it carried me away to a different time and place and held me there in thrall through the entire book. It filled me with a full range of emotions and empathy for the characters as they quietly struggled. The initial tears of sorrow and angst give way to tears of sheer joy and hope. Who could imagine that a library would become the lifeline that everyone needed?

I am grateful to Ballantine Books for having provided an advance reader's copy of this book through NetGalley.
Anticipated Publication Date: 03/12/2024
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books
ISBN: 978-0593500385
No. of pages: 368

All are affected by war in their own way.

Juliet is a young British woman eager to make her mark on the world despite the reservations of her rather stodgy parents, and arrives in Bethnal Green in 1940 to begin her post as deputy librarian. Katie is a bright young woman excited to be leaving for university in the fall, and enjoying her summer work at the Bethnal Green library. Sofie is a young Jewish woman who has managed to leave her native Germany through a work visa as a domestic, leaving behind her family and her station in life. All three have been and continue to be affected by the war raging across Europe, but will find friendship, support and purpose through their love of books. As they face their individual struggles, will they find the strength within themselves needed to forge a life of meaning and joy?
For those who enjoy historical novels set in Britain during the Second World War, The Underground Library is a pleasant read that introduces some new elements to a well-represented genre. The three main characters and those who surround them are easy to like, and author Jennifer Ryan does a good job in developing their stories. Prior to reading the novel, I had no idea that there existed a formal program for allowing German Jews into England through work visas as domestic servants (not all of whom arrived to find tolerable employers), nor that an internment camp existed on the Isle of Man which proved for many to be a tolerable, if not pleasant, alternative to deportation or prison. The novel, based in part on some true events (albeit with some poetic license as to exact place and time) is told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Juliet, Katie and Sofie, women from different backgrounds and walks of life who each are trying to overcome tragedies and the limitations that others have tried to place upon them. I would describe the book as part historical fiction and part romance, and while the story breaks no major new narrative ground it is well-written and an enjoyable read. Fans of authors like Martha Kelly Hall, Catherine Ryan Hyde and Mary Kay Andrews should give Jennifer Ryan’s latest a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me early access to The Underground Library.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan was a captivating read that really took you on a journey. The book is so wonderfully written, with characters having so much depth a fascinating tale to tell. The storyline was marvellous and had so much context and drive, it was impossible to not find yourself invested in the characters and their lives as the story begins to unfold.
Such an inspiring and compelling story.

Thank You NetGalley and Ballantine Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A story of women's lives during The Blitz in London, Ryan's words build a living, breathing group of remarkable women surviving and thriving through one of the toughest times in history with grace, self-possession, and caring. They all have very different upbringings and backgrounds, but the common love of books and the community that can be built around them brings them together to help create and nurture a community in times of danger and loss.
I was hooked on what could happen to every single character and spent the entirety of the book dreading something horrendous happening to everyone. Yet in true Jennifer Ryan fashion, there is darkness but the whole point of the story is the light and hope that you can find by coming together as a community.
Another highly recommended historical novel by an author who never disappoints.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the wonderful read!

The lives of three plucky women intersect in WW2 London during the Blitz--Juliet, the deputy librarian eager to start a new life in London; Katie, the soon-to-be-university student pining for her fiancée; and Sophia, the Jewish refugee searching for her family-=in a novel inspired by real life settings and events. Each woman's story is poignant, rife with love and loss; they are united by their love of books and will to thrive in the face of war. Ryan brings realistic events to life against the backdrop of air raids and underground shelters and creates a diverse cast of characters representing a cross-section of those impacted by the war.

Throughout the novel, Ryan deals with serious themes including healthcare and childbirth, the horrors of battle and bombings, and persecution of the Jews. as she weaves these stories together. Each character is clearly developed, and their stories are engaging, but the reader's attention is pulled in many directions over the course of the story.

“The Underground Library” by Jennifer Ryan is a heartwarming historical novel set during World War II. When the Blitz threatens a London neighborhood, three young women band together to save their beloved community library. Amid tragedy and adversity, these women prove that even in the darkest times, literature and community can thrive.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all of Jennifer Ryan’s historical fiction novels and her new historical fiction novel, the Underground Library delivers on everything Ryan does well in her novels. Her home front novels showcase how World War II impacts live in both small and large English communities and how there is redemption despite the ugliness and sadness. Her novels are full of female characters with spunk and likeability and this novel is no exception.

Here, the reader is introduced to Bethnal Green Library in London and the surrounding neighborhood when Juliet Lansdown takes a position as Deputy Librarian in 1940 much to the chagrin of its head librarian who has always hired men for the position. Juliet is desperate to escape her small-town life after her fiancé goes missing in the war. She soon meets a wonderful cast of supporting female characters including two older sisters and Jewish refuge who escaped from Germany only to find tough circumstances in London. The group solidifies when the library is damaged and they start running an underground library in the nearby Tube station as part of a nightly bomb shelter.

I love Jennifer Ryan’s books because while the characters go through hard things (it is a war after all), there is redemption and community so the book does not feel overwhelmingly sad. Five stars!

I will post reviews on post this review on Goodreads, Bookbub, Amazon & Barnes & Noble.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is a great book based on history. It is an amazing story of how, in the middle of a war, people came together in a way that benefitted so many in their community.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

First, let me say that Jennifer Ryan has added much to my understanding of what it was like to live in England during WWII. Her meticulously researched stories bring the era alive and make me filled with wonder and pride for the women left at home when the men left to fight the Nazis.

This story begins when Juliet Landsdowne travels to London to serve as Library Assistant Director at the Bethnal Green Library. She is from a very small town and London is, at first, overwhelming. But she is getting away from an unhappy childhood and the loss, and probable death, of her fiance, who was reported missing amid the Dunkirk evacuation.

Although the Library is not all she had hoped, it is much larger than the one in her hometown and she revels in the sheer number of books. The first person she meets is Katie, who is working the front desk until going off to University at the end of the summer. When Katie receives word that her boyfriend is missing and presumed dead, she and Juliet bond over their losses and become good friends. But Katie realizes she has a small problem that she must hide from everyone. Because Katie's boyfriend has left her pregnant, an unforgiveable sin in her parent's world, and one she has no idea how to handle.

One day a young German Jewish refugee comes into the library looking for respite from her employer. She has come to England on a Domestic Visa and must work for the employer who vouched for her, but he is an unhappy and demanding employer who mistreats her and takes advantage of the power he has over her freedom.

These three women work together to form a Reading Group in the Library and when the building is bombed they relocate the Library to the nearby underground train station. There are hundreds of people forced to spend their nights in the train station during the London blitz and the little underground Library becomes very popular with a lot of them.

The story follows the three women, others they become acquatinted with, and, of course, the men they meet. It is a great read and you almost feel as if you are trapped in this underground area with bombs going off all around and above you.

Excellent historical fiction based on a true story. Historical fiction isn't my go to genre but I was intrigued by the idea of an underground library in London during the Blitz. Great characters, well paced plot, and multiple story lines kept me reading late into the night. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley andBallantine Books for an advanced reader copy.

The Underground Library is an inspiring, true life event that occurred during WWII in East London.

A group of women come together to save the books, brining joy in the tube where residence seek shelter during air raids. Their work saves precious literally works and lives in their fully functional underground library. The harrowing events of this war, and this books story, gives glimpses of heartwarming moments during the ravishes of war.

Ryan has written an engrossing story, weaving three women's story into perils for survival. The British people demonstrate amazing spirit and willingness to live life no matter the where they make their bed. The Underground Library is love letter to ALL libraries around the world.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books

Once again, Jennifer Ryan has pulled me into a historical fiction novel with some romance that is based on a true story, but fictionalized. The Underground Library features three women in London during World War II when London was bombed and air raid sirens sounded nightly.

Juliet Lansdown is the new deputy librarian at the Bethnal Green Library. However, it isn’t busy and she is determined to invigorate it despite a head librarian who doesn’t want change. Katie Upwood has been working at the same library until she starts at the university in the fall. Her family life is filled with conflict, she has a secret, and her boyfriend died in the war. Sofie Baumann is a refugee from Berlin who received a visa by going into domestic service to a hateful and disparaging widower. She’s concerned about her father and sister left behind in Berlin. Will they get visas? Her one relief from it all are her visits to the library and friendship she finds there.

When the library is destroyed by bombs, Juliet manages to relocate the books to the local Underground station where residents take shelter each night. However, tragedy seems to follow them. Will the library be saved? Will Juliet, Katie, and Sofie get their happily ever afters?

Juliet has oppressive parents who she is happy to leave behind in Upper Beeding. She’s smart, needs a challenge, bookish, energetic, empathetic, and has a lot of ideas. Katie is smart, lives at home with her parents and brothers, and has a secret. Sofie uses books to escape terrible times. She is worried about her family in Berlin and is treated horribly by her employer. The characterization is the main and supporting characters is excellent.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. The characters were likeable and the focus was on women, the roles others wanted for them, what the women wanted for themselves, and the challenges they faced in achieving them. Other themes included friendship, family, life choices, wartime danger, community, found family, sacrifice, volunteerism, treatment of others, the power of books, hope, and romance.

Overall, I learned a lot about these women who had a vision and pursued it relentlessly as well as about the library itself and the internment camps on the Isle of Man. The excellent characterization made this book special. The author did significant research and I recommend reading her note after completing the novel.

Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books and Jennifer Ryan provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be March 12, 2024.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books and the author for the privilege of reading and reviewing an ARC of The Underground Railroad by Jennifer Ryan. This review reflects my honest and freely given opinion. The Underground Library is a wonderful and compelling book that touched my heart in a way that books sometimes do; I imagine it will stay with me for sometime. I havent read much historical fiction based on World War II events, however after reading Ms. Ryan's moving story about the Bethnal Green Library I will be seeking out more books of this period.
The book, while fiction, is based on events that actually occurred. Juliet, Sophie and Katie, fictional characters, come to life on the pages, and I felt as if I was rooting for friends as they faced their many challenges with indomitable spirits and firey passion. The book provided insight as to the trials
faced during the war, how individuals who, may at another time, not had much in common forged friendships and bonds that wouldn't be broken, how believing in oneself empowered each woman to exceed their personal expectations, and significantly and positively impact the lives of others. I highly recommend The Underground Library, a must read for book lovers. 5 Stars.

Juliet is excited to start her new job as deputy librarian at the Bethnal Green Library in London, but soon learns that, as a woman, she won’t be doing anything really worthwhile. Katie, a young library employee, has a secret but doesn’t know who, if anyone, she can trust. Sofie, a Jewish refugee working on a domestic service visa, is employed by an exceptionally cruel man, so she escapes to the library as often as possible, not only for a break but also for help in finding her sister. When German bombs destroy the library, Juliet and the others move a good portion of the library’s collection to the local Underground station where many of the city’s residents shelter every night. Despite one tragedy after another, the women are determined to keep the Underground Library open and help boost the spirits of their new neighbors.

I have read several other books by this author and have enjoyed them all, so it’s no surprise that I really liked this one as well. The writing is beautiful and made me feel like I was right there with the people of the story, hearing the planes and their deadly cargo, scouring the debris for people and things of sentimental value and trying to put lives back together. I liked the three main characters, but also liked most of the secondary characters as well, especially the library regulars who had connections that helped in difficult situations. The individual stories of the three women drew me in right from the start and kept my interest throughout the book. I was not surprised by the resolution of any of those stories, which were logically and emotionally satisfying.

I have two or three of Ms. Ryan’s earlier books on my to-read shelf, and I look forward to reading them – and anything new she writes – at my earliest opportunity.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

Three young book lovers cross lives in London during the Blitz. The Nazis are attacking and disrupting everything in the city. People are scrambling for safety, especially at night.

Juliet, Sofia and Katie have different reasons for being in London, but their lives soon intersect with others who help bring the library underground to save the books from bombs. They each have a story to tell, and end up helping each other beyond measure.

This book is based on a true story and has a valuable cautionary message for today about book banning to make everyone think alike. Books and libraries are needed in every community for many reasons.

I feel this novel best targets a YA audience as an introduction to WWII and Nazi dominance. It all ties up in the end a little too nicely for me, but would highly appeal to a young girl with a romantic heart. My rating: four stars.

Fans of Jennifer Ryan know that her novels about the WWII British Homefront are always based in fact and that they feature well drawn, sympathetic female characters coping with the war. Here, Juliet, Sophie, and Katie meet and bond at the Bethnal Green Library where Juliet has just been made deputy director. Katie, meant to be heading to university in the fall, helps when they move the library to the underground during the Blitz but she's got a secret that won't be secret too long. Sofie , a Jewish refugee in service to the meanest man in the novel, loves to read but she's desperate for news about her sister, which introduces her to Mac and then changes her life. These women are joined by a wonderful supporting cast, including a pair of elderly sisters. While this follows a familiar trajectory, there are some good twists for each woman. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. I know it's one more WWII novel but Ryan's storytelling skills make it a worthy one.

I love historical fiction and especially enjoy WWII books. It is a very inspiring story. I enjoyed following the three characters throughout the story. I always enjoy a book about books. I felt that the story was well done and would be sure to pick up more by this author again. Thank you to NetGalley and Random house for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest review
4 star