3.5 STARS

Juliet Lansdown arrives in war torn London to take up the position of deputy librarian at the Bethnal Green Library. The head librarian is a stodgy old fellow who does not take kindly to Juliet’s ideas for improving their patronage so she must find a work around. Juliet decided to go to London from her country village after her fiancé went missing from the Dunkirk front. Juliet also becomes a volunteer ambulance driver to help the war effort.

Katie Upwood is working at the library during the summer until she goes to university which is a newly won privilege for women of her time with so many men away at war including her boyfriend who turns out to be missing in action. Katie soon realizes that she is in trouble knowing that her family will all but turn her out.

Sofie Bauman is a Jewish refugee who barely escaped Berlin with her life and now works as a maid for a terribly abusive man who constantly threatens her with deportment. Sofie left her family behind and is desperate to discover if her sister and father made it out as well.

All three women come together not only as a support group but to facilitate the library in London’s Underground tube station after the library is bombed during a German air raid. The bombings become almost a nightly occurrence forcing the whole community to relocate below the streets to avoid the deadly destruction. Juliet, Katie, and Sofie have angst filled life issues to deal with as well besides the stress and strain of living in a war zone.

The resilience of people during this difficult time as well as horrific treatment of the Jews by the Nazis is highlighted in the story which is based on true events regarding the bombing of the Bethnal Green Library. The author has done extensive research on those who lived the Blitz Spirit way of life including that of her grandmother. There are parts of the story that are predictable with more happy resolutions than one would expect from a work of this type; however, readers of Ms. Ryan’s other works will likely enjoy this latest addition.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book..I loved the author's previous books especially the Wedding Dress Sewing Circle. This is another historical fiction story set during the time of the London Blitz, a time in history I havent specifically read much about. We have 3 POV of 3 women during this time, all going thru different struggles with family, love, life, war, death, pregnancies. The title comes from the Bethnal Green Library which was moved to the underground bomb shelters to keep the library alive, and how books comforted people during this horrible time in history. I loved the strong female characters and reading their struggles. I never knew the story of this library so I found that fascinating. Be sure to read the author's afterword also as that adds more details and perspective. Definitely recommend this book!

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through NetGalley.
The premise drew me in as this is a period/topic I like to read about. Ryan uses three narrators to tell the story in alternating chapters. These three women represent distinct viewpoints during World War II as they all meet and survive during the Blitz. We first meet Sofie as she is sent from Berlin to escape the Nazi regime. As a young Jewish girl, this may be her only way to survive. Readers make the journey with her and watch her deal with challenges and mature into a young woman as the book unfolds. Next, we meet Juliet, a British young woman who has taken a job as a Deputy Librarian at a London library. She is an example of the young women who have lost someone in the war and who must find their own way. Her family background stands as opposite Sofie's as her parents were cold and uncaring and lived in a rural area. The final narrator is Katie, and she comes from a more upper class environment. All three grow throughout the book but still remain a bit one dimensional by the end.
I'm glad I read the entire book as the story picks up a third of the way through. Once the characters are finally established, the action moves forward. Yes, Ryan takes liberties with history and that is frustrating but the underground scenes still offer readers a view of what it was like to establish a new normal during this time.

Story told from events that threatened every war torn nation and community. Saving the library an important task, yet so difficult if materials are banned, burned and otherwise confiscated.

Three strong women doing more than their best to keep the spirit alive.

I recommend this book when you are looking for a story to touch your heart!

A solid 4 stars for a heartwarming historical fiction book set in WWII London, England. This book is based on a historical incident of a library that was bombed and reborn as an Underground library in the subway tunnel. There are 3 women, Sofie, Katie and Juliet who are the focus of the book. The book is set up with rotating chapters between each woman.
Juliet is the Deputy Bethnal Green librarian.
Sofie is a German Jewish refugee.
Katie is pregnant and single.
#TheUndergroundLibrary #NetGalley
One quote on the power of books: "How they could transcend time and speak to an inner voice."
Thanks to Megan Whalen at Random House for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

World War Two is always a hard sell for me with historical fiction because I have read so many books set during that time so I was cautiously optimistic about this book and while this book was a different view of the war, it still ended up falling a little short for me.

I think a lot of people will love this book and it isn’t bad. The story just felt a little more light hearted than I would have wanted. The main characters are extremely likeable and the writing and pace is well done. I know a lot of people I would recommend this book to and I think this is a book that would make a great book club book. It just wasn’t amazing for me.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is a historical fiction focused on the entwined lives of three young women during World War III. As the Blitz begins in London, the city is systematically bombed and people must seek safer shelter for themselves and their children, including in the underground subway station. The tale represents friendship, determination, and hope amid tragedy as the three women pull together to protect the literary world from destruction.

I personally thought the premise was stunning and instantly grabbed my attention. The description of the environment and all the people that surrounded the main characters was incredible; however, I had trouble getting into the pace of the story and did not feel very connected to the main characters. I enjoyed the positivity throughout the story, despite being in such a dark time period, but at times it did feel like a little too much and in turn the story ultimately lacked suspense. The Underground Library was not necessarily my cup of tea, but I can see some historical fiction/WW2 genre readers enjoying this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

A lovely historical fiction novel intertwining stories of several women during the Blitz of WW2 in London.

Like most books that cover several points of view, it took me a few chapters to get into the pace and be wrapped up in the story. This is a new author for me and I’m definitely interested in reading more of her work.

This is a story based on true events during WWII. The story follows an Underground library in the subway. The characters were interesting and the story was compelling. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.

2.5 stars rounded up
I was expecting more from this. The whole story was a little too upbeat and happily-ever-after considering it took place during the London blitz of WWII. There was no suspense and the outcomes of the main characters were entirely predictable. I couldn't connect with any of them.

This is the second book I have read by Jennifer, Ryan, the first being the enjoyable Wedding Dress Sewing Circle, and it did not disappoint. This one centered around three female characters of varied backgrounds: Julie, who becomes a Deputy Librarian in Bethnal Green, London; Sofie, a Berlin Jewish girl who in May 1939 succeeds in getting a work visa as a domestic; and Katie, a young woman about to go to university whose fiance Christopher, is missing in action. The three meet at the Bethnal Library where new librarian Juliet begins a reading group. Other characters, the quirky Ridley sisters, and Marigold quickly join.

As the Nazi nightly bombings begin, Londoners seek shelter for themselves and their children. Though the police attempt to stop it, Londoners resort to the “undergrounds” to shelter and sleep. The initial and later atmosphere there is well-described, complete with “punters,” romantic trysts, and illegal dealings.

After Bethnal Green Library is bombed, Juliet is able to start an Underground Library and reading sessions to entertain children and adults alike: it becomes very popular. Canteens develop, medical facilities, and a sort of community. Sofie tries hard to locate the sister she left behind in Berlin and at one point is sent to the Isle of Man to an internment camp.

There are numerous plot twists, romantic entanglements, and close friendships that develop among the underground library staff and patrons. A much more detailed of WWII London is portrayed than I have ever encountered, and so many details on which refugees could be provided visas. I found it all fascinating.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #Ballantine Books for an advance copy in return for an honest review..

I struggled with this book from the get go. Just something about the writing style didn’t pull me in. I found the characters to be a bit flat and just problematic overall. As the book continues the story is a good one and interesting, but there are some factual errors. While I do think certain liberties can be taken with fiction, other things should not be changed on a whim. I just wasn’t compelled by this story and found it easily forgettable.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

Jennifer Ryan did not disappoint! I have enjoyed several of her books and find endearing characters with each novel. The Underground Library takes place in London during the nightly bombings that the city endured. We are given a varied cast of characters who are mostly women making the best of things. We end up with the best kind of found family along with some reconciliations.

Juliet has moved to London to take on the role of librarian at the Bethnal Green library. She is soon tested when the library is bombed and the decision is made to move the library underground into the train tunnel. The library soon becomes a beacon of hope and community in the space where so many spend time hiding from the bombing. We also meet Katie who comes from a wealthy family. She is chosen to go to college since so many men cannot fill those spots but her plans have to change. Sofie has escaped Nazi Germany as a Jewish teen and her visa is dependent on her having a job. Her employer takes advantage of her with long hours and grueling work. She longs to be reunited with her family. There are additional characters who add to the story and are definitely people I wish I could meet. They all help each other and support each other.

While the library is central to the story we see many aspects of life underground. There are clinics, schools, canteens and some shops. I thought that was quite fascinating and the author does a good job of giving us more information at the end of the book. I love how Jennifer Ryan often gives us a small part of the big picture during the war and helps us see the good in people. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

Author Jennifer Ryan is known for her cozy, WWII British home front novels featuring found family. Backlist titles have been set in the context of choirs and cooking shows. While there are war time struggles, a community comes together and resilient female characters find a measure of happiness. “The Underground Library” is no exception.

This time, the story follows three young women in the Bethnal Green neighborhood of 1940 London. During the Blitz, the Underground (or subway) was used as a bomb shelter. When the air raid sirens sounded, Londoners took food and bedding to the nearest Underground station and spent the night. The local library was damaged in the bombing and some of it was relocated to a corridor in the Underground station. Circulating books, children’s story time, and book clubs made the shelter experience more tolerable. Juliet is the deputy librarian, who spearheads the library move. Her fiancé is a moody writer with a less than honorable military service record.

Katie also works in the library. Her boyfriend is MIA and presumed dead. Shortly thereafter, Katie discovers she is pregnant. Sofie completes the trio of young women. She is a recent Jewish refugee from Berlin working as a domestic while facing suspicion and discrimination.

A host of mostly delightful secondary characters round out the cast. The community rallies to save their Underground Library and support Katie and Sofie. Sprinkled throughout the novel are lovely observations on the gift of books and reading. For example, “A book isn’t just a physical object; once you’ve read it, it becomes a thought, a story, a memory that is alive inside you forever.” Similarly, the theme and characters of this story will remain a pleasant memory in my thoughts for a while.

This is the story of a woman deputy librarian in England during the blitz. Just about everyone was sleeping in the underground transit to escape the bombing, so she brought books with her so that people could read to take their minds off what was happening. It caught on.

The hardest of times teach a person to either sink or learn to swim. This book focuses on 3 young women who come together to stand up for what they want. During the WWII blitz, the Underground Library becomes a place of refuge for Juliet, Kate and Sofie to put their lives back together as well as find friendship and purpose.

Beautiful story that kept me hooked from the beginning.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jenifer Ryan’s Underground Library is so good. I started it this morning as we are snowed in and I couldn’t go anywhere. I loved it. Following three women in WWII London during the Blitz. It will pull you in and have you rooting for each of them! Katie is a young, unwed, and pregnant. Juliette is desperate to prove that she can do something important, even though she is a woman. And Sofie is a Jewish refugee trying to survive in a new place. The three women become fast friends and helpers to each other as they spend time in the London Underground, where the library becomes a lifeline for people. Such a great book. I gladly could’ve kept on reading more and more about them!

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is a WWII historical fiction based on a true story. I read a lot of WWII historical fiction novels and had never realized all the activity in the underground tunnels during the Biltz. Everyone has heard the stories of the people sleeping in the tunnels at night for protection from the bombs, but I had no idea they had libraries, health clinics, and many other services set up underground.

The Underground Library is the story of three determined young women who are each struggling with their own demons in the mist of all the hardships in London during the Blitz. When the Bethnal Green Library is bombed, they pull together to move the library underground. With the help of the entire community, the undergoing shelters became a place of safety, security and friendship.

A beautiful story of the power and strength of friendship and determination. Part historical fiction, part love story, this is one you don’t want to miss.

The horror of the London Blitz brings disparate women together in the underground station used as a bomb shelter. Juliet, the deputy director of a dying library. Sofia, a Jewish refugee who is trying to find her family. Katie is an aspiring college student who has just received word of her fiancé’s death in battle. When the library is bombed they decide to move the books to the underground bomb shelter, where people can read in their darkest hours. This is a story of people who create an underground community to face the new reality of war. As we peek into their lives, we care for them in spite of their missteps. This book is based on actual underground libraries which make the story even more meaningful.

If you love WWII, especially the great lengths average people went to in order to save the literary world from annihilation, then this is the book for you!

The Underground Library takes you to the heart of London during the blitz when the comfort of a good book took one’s mind off the bombs falling all around them. When a beloved library is bombed, the librarians and patrons within its walls work together to bring the library underground to a subway tunnel where people have taken refuge. They face the challenges of getting a male dominated profession to see beyond the black and white of the pages of the books and into the souls of books and all that they mean and can do for people.

Based on a true story, this page turner is one you don’t want to miss! Thank you NetGalley, Random House Ballantine and Jennifer Ryan for allowing me to read this remarkable story!