I adore historical fiction that includes bookish characters, jobs, or communities. I was instantly in love with this book cover and couldn't wait to read it! The Underground Library is an incredible historical fiction novel that readers of The Librarian of Burned Books and The Keeper of Hidden Books will love. This book takes you on an emotional journey through three characters lives and it will be impossible to forget.

I do love novels set in England during the blitz. Ms. Ryan really breathed new life into the themes of war, family, loss, love, essentially what makes life worth living when there is death and destruction all around you. Books provide so much when times are good and even more when times are bad. The three heroines were very well written and fleshed out with believable back stories. I enjoyed each heroine for different reasons. I don't want to spoil anything so go ahead and read The Underground Library!
I look forward to reading more from Ms. Ryan.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

I ADORED The Underground Library. This novel is the perfect culmination of WWII trials meets strong women meets found family. It seems a bit out of place to call a story about war heartwarming, but that’s exactly what it is. All three of our main characters along with a full cast of secondary characters are fleshed out and fully developed. I loved getting to know each and every one of them. I know this book and these characters will stick with me for quite a while.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I truly appreciated this story about the importance of books, and friendship. I rooted for each of the characters throughout the story, and connected with almost all of them. The only one I did not like was Victor, but that was done on purpose. I do not think the reader is supposed to trust him. I did not know anything about underground libraries before reading this novel, and i appreciate that I was able to learn something new.

The novel follows three women during the early stages of WWII. Near the beginning of the London Blitz, the German bombs destroyed the large and beautiful Bethnal Green Library, requiring its relocation underground. Juliet Lansdown has just taken the role of Assistant Librarian, a role usually reserved for men. Jewish Sofie Baumann has managed to obtain a visa to leave Berlin for London as a household servant. Household servants were one of the few ways Jews could still get out of Germany and go to the relatively safe shores of England. Katie Upwood, a library assistant, finds out she is pregnant shortly after hearing that her beau is missing in action, presumed dead. Together these women, and the growing community taking to the tube station for nightly shelter, form a support system for the female cast of The Underground Library. It was interesting reading about the events happening during this time. Big hotels opened their basements for dancing, women in internment camps teaching each other skills, the treatment of unwed mothers surprised me, deserters are mentioned, efforts at Jewish reunification. The universities started to open up for female students due to a lack of male students.

It is an amazing historical fiction due to all the factors told. The novel is written by the three females — each one in a different chapter. I enjoyed “seeing” through their eyes and thoughts. It’s a book to be treasured.

There are a lot of WWII stories out there, and I'll admit that I was hesitant to dive into another one...but I am happy to report that I really enjoyed this book. As the story progressed I found myself more and more invested in these characters, and I also appreciated that while there were definitely love story components to most of the storylines they weren't the focus of the story. I think what made this book stand out amongst the wealth of other WWII novels is its focus on the library, and the fact that it was based on a real underground library. I thought the author did a great job of depicting the impact public libraries can have on their communities, and how much value libraries add to the lives of the patrons that rely on them.

This was a delightful novel. I can't remember the last time I read a book where there was limited tension and fear that things wouldn't work out in a positive way for the characters. Yes, horrible events were going on in London during the Blitz, but the characters in the novel displayed courage and resiliency, much like we read that Londoners really did. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and even a touch of romance.

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

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was as good as Jennifer Ryan's other books!

Wow, what a wonderful book! I like historical fiction and have been trying to read more lately. It seems like a lot of recent books are set in bookstores or libraries, which are some of my favorite places. Ms. Ryan has done her research, and this book reflects the horrors and fears (plus the goodness) of living in the time of the blitz. Her characters are well developed and likable, even relatable. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction. I look forward to reading Ms.Ryan's future books.

I am always drawn to World War II fiction and have read quite a few books about it. The Underground Library was probably one of the better ones that I've read though I think I might be biased because I am a librarian and it is a book about how important librarians and books were to the time period.

I liked that the three women that were POV characters were pretty different from another and therefore easy to remember which one you were reading about at which time. The combination of character types was also good with Juliet being a working librarian trying to gain respect as a woman, Katie being a younger woman with relationship trouble and a big secret in a time period where that secret was scandalous, and Sofie, a Jewish refugee. The women were wonderful characters and I liked their character growth.

Overall I really liked the book and how it depicted the importance of books, especially in a time of such high anxiety though I kind of think the ending may be a bit unrealistic. (Spoiler alert: it was a pretty darn happy ending for everyone given the circumstances.)

I don't like to say I enjoy stories involving the war, but I'm unsure how else to acknowledge the wonderful story that was told based on the time period. The writing is beautiful; the characters felt real and I was fully invested in their lives.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of The Underground Library!

Juliet Lansdown moves to London to take a job as deputy librarian right before the Blitz after her fiancé goes missing during the Battle of Dunkirk. Katie Upwood is thrilled that Juliet is joining her at the library and leans on her as she also lost her beau during Dunkirk. Sofie Baumann, a young Jewish refugee, came to London on a domestic service visa only to find herself working as a maid for a man who treats her abominably. She escapes to the library every chance she can, finding friendship in the literary community and aid in finding her sister, who is still trying to flee occupied Europe. Together, with other members of the library, these women learn to survive the chaos of war and lean on each other.

This book is a delightful addition to the WW2 historical fiction genre! This book is lighter than a lot of others in this genre and while there are definite moments of anguish, this is a mostly uplifting story of surviving a war and welcoming progress for women. I have been moving away from reading WW2 books but I am really glad I picked this one up. The characters, main and secondary, are well-developed, unique, and delightful. This book touches on some history that I hadn't heard before so it was delightful learning new details as well.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see multiple POV’s from many backgrounds. I have to admit it did seem to sag in the middle a bit, no real peak to the story.

Another book about WWII and the chaos and destruction caused by Hitler and his madmen. But out of the horrors, the rubble, the despair, a group of women find their inner strength, their ability to support each other and those around them. I was rooting for each one as they faced their deepest fears. My heart broke for Sofie, torn from her family and sent across the sea to what was hoped to be a safe job, finding those new circumstances slightly better than slavery. How could you not cheer on Juliet, a bright and optimistic young woman, leaving behind her oppressive parents and a fiancé lost to the war to assume a dream job as a Deputy Librarian. Katie is a bright eighteen year old student, the first in her school about to start university until everything falls apart. Then there is Mrs. Ottley who has sent her children to the country to protect them from the Blitz and who offers Juliet a place to live. Irene and Dorothy Ridley, the dearest set of older sisters who play such an important role in helping these young women to realize their capabilities.

Ryan has done an excellent job of adding flesh to her characters so that they truly come alive and depth to her story. In Sofia’s words she explains “how transitory life was, how nothing ever stayed the same, every life fluttering in the wind.” Heartbreaking and uplifting she shows us the worst and the best of humankind. She offers hope when things are beyond tenuous and always keeps the door open for one more chance. Katie reminds us “beneath all the struggles and unspoken rules, life was about these inborn connections, as easy and instinctive as nature itself.”

So many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy of this very moving book.

The Underground Library shows the resilience of women and the power of community and books during the blitz in London as three women struggle to make their way in the world amid the war. While it was predictable and the ending was a little too neatly tied up, I did enjoy the research the author put into the book. I always learn something new when reading historical fiction, and this one didn't disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

A beautifully researched and written historical fictional novel. The setting is the Bethnal Library, a hub of the area. We go along on the journey of three very different strong, smart amazing determined women who’re just trying to survive meet during the time of the London Blitz during WWII. These women are all trying to survive their own personal horrors due to the war, but then when their beloved place of peace and solace is all but destroyed, they relocate the library to the local Underground (subway). It becomes a place of safety, community and a little bit of normality from the horrors of WWII. Smart, well written, emotional and an important book, particularly given where we are in the world today. A book I think everyone should read.

When the Blitz begins, the bombs start reigning down, there’s not enough places to shelter, people are at breaking point and they start using the underground train stations as a place to sleep and it grows into an underground community. Juliet starts reading out loud one night in the Bethnal Green Station, she has people of all ages gathered around listening to her, it takes their minds of the lack sleep, bombs and worrying about love ones fighting in the war. Juliet and Katie would love to open an underground library, books and reading provides a way for frazzled people to relax, a break from reality and transports them to another place. Women supporting women in their growth while nurturing and providing comfort to those in need. The book has everything, and shows yet another point to WWII. The bravery, strength and inclusion shown during this time is reflected well in the book. Definitely would recommend. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher.

The Underground Library was a great read by Jennifer Ryan. Juliet Landsdown is the new deputy librarian at the Bethnal Green Library. She finds out that the library isnt the bustling hub she was expecting and is determined to breathe life back into it. She has to show the men in charge that she is up to the task of running the library. Katie Upwood is happy to be working at the library but is only there until she leaves for university in the fall. Unfortunately her beau is killed on the front line and she fidns herself with a life changing secret and no one to turn to. Sofie Baumann is a young Jewish refugee that is in London on a domestic service visa. She finds herself working as a maid for a man who treats her horribly. A slew of bombs destroy the library and Juliet relocates the stacks to the Underground station that the residents are sheltering in nightly. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

I’m torn on this one. I’m a sucker for WWII books and have read many so maybe my expectations were a little too high especially since this one is about a library.

Sadly, it was lacking the heart and depth I generally experience when reading about WWII. Also, the ending was wrapped up a little too neatly. However, I did learn a few new things which is always a plus.

Another fiction WWII book set in London during the Blitz-I wonder if this new book by Ryan will be worth the read. Yes, it's worth the read. I delighted in the stories of the three women.