I enjoyed this novel about WWII and the importance of libraries, community, and the power of books. However, I wanted more. A lot happens and while the storyline was compelling, aspects of the story felt underdeveloped.

This was a wonderful WWII story about women who survived. The idea that books bring people together amid trials was beautifully presented!

I love Jennifer Ryan's books and this one was a new type for me. Lovely, captivating, and interesting for sure. I look forward to more!

This is my first book by Jennifer Ryan, but it won’t be the last I seek out! This author’s writing style is the type I love. I enjoyed the romance element mixed in with the historical fiction, based on true events but also fictionalized. I’ve read a lot of books based during WW2 and this one sets itself apart from the crowd.

Another excellent book of historical read. I couldn't put it down. Everyone should read this book about the struggle to provide a library even during war, especially with all the crazy book banning going on today.

This book is set in London during WWII. It is historical fiction (the Underground Library actually existed) with romance. The focus is on three young women in the 1930s with the challenges that existed in society during those times, such as pregnant and unmarried, a career woman in a man’s world, and a Jewish woman running from the Nazis in Germany. The Acknowledgements at the end of the book summed it up nicely:
“… through it all, with the help of the community, people stayed strong. This is a tale about one such community, how they supported and helped one another…”

The author does a good job tying up loose ends at the end of the book and illustrating life for women during that time. If you enjoy a light, easy read, this may be a book for you. I found the book entertaining but predictable, especially with the romance. The plot felt shallow at times to me, because it was predictable. Learning about the Isle of Man, the Underground Library in the underground station, other true-life occurrences and people was enjoyable. I gave the book an “okay” score of 3 but would have given it 3.5 if I’d been able.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, Ballantine Books, An Imprint of Random House, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm a sucker for just about any book with "library" or "librarian" in the title. I know... I'm so predictable! When I saw this one available as an advanced reader copy on NetGalley I was giddy. The cover is gorgeous, and the title immediately demanded my attention. In a genre that feels fairly saturated (WW2 historical fiction), I found this one to be a unique angle covering a subject I was unfamiliar with. I really liked each of the three main female characters and I thought Ryan did a beautiful job telling each of their stories with unique voices. I also enjoyed many of the supporting characters. The themes of friendship, family (including found/chosen family), choice, aspiration, service were nicely explored and illustrated. And of course, the library was simply lovely. A few hiccups for me - with alternating perspectives the timeline sometimes felt very confusing, Juliet's volunteer work was shown in detail for a few chapters and then virtually disappeared (maybe I missed something explaining why she wasn't doing it any longer?), and the ending felt a little too happily ever after. Overall a satisfying read that I really liked, and I found myself up reading late several nights in a row, unable to put the book down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy of this book.

“The Underground Library” by Jennifer Ryan is a heartfelt and inspiring novel set in wartime London, where three women—Juliet Lansdown, Katie Upwood, and Sofie Baumann—find solace and strength in a library amidst the chaos of World War II. Juliet’s determination to revive the Bethnal Green Library against societal odds, Katie’s journey through grief and secrets, and Sofie’s struggle as a Jewish refugee seeking hope and safety, create a poignant tapestry of resilience.

As their library becomes a refuge in an Underground station following a bombing, the story highlights the enduring power of literature and community. Ryan beautifully captures the spirit of these women who, despite personal and collective challenges, demonstrate the unyielding strength found in friendship and stories. “The Underground Library” is a moving tribute to the transformative power of books and the courage of those who preserve them in even the darkest times.

The Underground Library tells the story of 3 women - Juliet, Sofie, & Katie, who are each experiencing their own trials & hard personal life events during the London Blitz. They are connected together through their love of books, reading, & the Bethnal Green Library. I loved this one so much & absolutely love that it’s based off a true story. I love how the story was told & developed & how the characters developed. I definitely recommend this one!

Great historical fiction read. WWII historical fiction is wildly popular, but I always learn something new about the people who went through this experience. I am fascinated by the research that these writers conduct. I loved the characters, but I did feel that everyone's story wrapped up a bit too nicely.

What an incredibly beautiful and uplifting story. I've read a lot of books centered around WWII and I was fascinated by the story of Londoners turning the Underground into their own little city during the air raids. The characters truly came to life on the page and I loved how they each had their own individual stories that intertwined with the Underground Library. Whether you like historical fiction or not, The Underground Library is worth the read.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 stars

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

This is the third or fourth book I have read for this author and she never disappoints me! In the genre of historical fiction, she does a terrific job both coming up with intriguing stories and interesting characters, while using little known facts from history. Everytime I read historical fiction I come across new information, and parts of history that we aren't ever taught anywhere else, and this was another one of those times.
This story goes back and forth between three main characters: Katie, Sofie and Juliet. Each character is going through their own trials and tribulations during this complicated part of history in World War II and the Nazi Blitz in Britain. Katie finds herself in a situation unacceptable to the times. Sofie is a Jew who has escaped to Britain from her home in Berlin, in hopes of being saved from the Nazis. Juliet has received a new job as a deputy librarian due to the lack of men to take jobs that are typically given to the men. This was one of those times, and thank goodness because Juliet was the catalyst to save everyone, including herself.

Beautiful, touching, and poignant! Highly recommend this book to any readers who love historical fiction.

I received an advanced copy of this text from NetGalley for review.

This book follows the lives of many characters' daily lives as they adjust during WW2. Juliet is the main character, and the one we see on the cover as the Deputy Librarian. She has moved to Bethnal Green in London after her boyfriend has gone missing in action, and declared a deserter by the army. Heart-broken she is looking for a fresh start away from judgmental people.

We also meet Sofie, Rachel, their father, and Rachel's boyfriend. A Jewish family who is trying to escape Berlin but finding that it will be difficult to do so together. Sofie goes ahead of everyone else to London, and then makes it her mission to reunite her family.

And finally, the last major character we meet is Katie. She is a young girl, in love, who comes from a well-to-do family. But also one that doesn't hold back in sharing their opinions about how she should live her life. When her boyfriend is killed in action, her entire world comes tumbling down around her, and it seems as if there is nobody to turn to.

These women find each other after the Underground Library is established, due to repeated bombings in London. These damaged the original public library and gave Juliet the idea of moving some of the books underground in order to give the community something to do while they were sheltering in that location already. This turns out to be a benefit for many reasons.

This historical fiction story of three women in London during WWII and the blitz was an inside look at the ways in which people coped and came together during the worst of times.
Juliet moves to London as the Assistant Librarian at the Bethnal Green Library, coming from the country, and excited about her new responsibilities.
Sophie is a German Jewish refugee who obtained a visa to work as a servant for an abusive and bitter man.
Katie is a young woman in love, pregnant with her boyfriend who is missing in action in the war.
Once the Blitz starts, librarians and locals take refuge in the Underground where Juliet starts a book club reading and discussing books,
The story brings another aspect of WWII demonstrating the devastation of London, the fear of its inhabitants, as well as the development of female friendships, and found family while coping with the losses of war and the fight for survival. The importance of books was integral to the plot (of course).
Each of the main characters developed a romance that did bring some hope to their plight, but I thought they were a little too predictable and melodramatic.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Random House and liked seeing London from this point of view. The opinions expressed are my own. .

Juliet Landsdown is thrilled to be moving to London to work in the Bethnal Green library, despite the fact that it's the middle of WWII. The stuffy library director isn't very welcoming but Juliet perseveres.

Taking refuge in the underground station during the Blitz, Juliet forms a book club. Sofie, a Jewish refugee working as an exploited and abused maid, desperately searching for news of her sister and Katie, who is keeping a secret from her family after the death of her young man in the war are book club members as well as juliet's landlady. When the library is itself bombed, Juliet moves many of the books to the Underground, setting up an impromptu library there to help people get through the long hours of bombings. Of course, the library director objects and Juliet and her friends try to save the library, and one another.

Based on a true story, this tale of the Underground Library will quickly hook fans of WWII fiction.

Note: I read an ARC provided by NetGalley.

A great perspective of women finding community during the darkest of times. Loosely based on a real u underground library, Ryan provides a tiny bit of light in an otherwise dark part of world history.

Jennifer Ryan once again gives her readers an authentic look at life in England during WWII. She paints for us authentic characters and problems that need creative solutions. Many of us are familiar with the urban setting during the blitz and the horrors that the citizens faced. But what did they do during the air raids? Where did they go? How did they protect themselves and their families?
Well, our author gives us a snapshot of life underground at night during the bombing.
The Underground Library is a book with strong woman characters who create a community with what they've been given. It's a book about books. It's a book with sadness, resilience, love and loss.
It is also a book that wraps up all the loose ends rather tidily. I'm a fan of happy endings so that works for me.
I am grateful to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a review copy as well as a finished copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I have to be in the right mood to read historical fiction, and this is an engaging bookish read that I really enjoyed.
Set in London during World War II, The Underground Library boasts a strong female main character, Juliet, taking on the Assistant Librarian role with a boss who has low expectations for her because she’s a woman. Told through three different female characters, The Underground Library shows the significant of female friendships and found family, as well as the importance of books and libraries, and the respite they can bring, mentally and physically, even in times of struggle
Having recently read Nineteen Steps, based on the Bethnal Green tube disaster, I had some knowledge of the Underground usage for shelter, and I really appreciated the author’s notes about what small embellishments and timeline rearrangements had been made for the storyline to work best. If you’re a historical fiction fan and a library lover, this book would be a great pick!