I love books about books and books about libraries and this story has it all. The Underground Library is about a group of women who meet through the local library at Bethnal Green in London during the Blitz of WWII. The library brings the community together but it is the people that really make the community and the library special.
We read the stories of Juliet the newly appointed Deputy Librarian of the Bethnal Library; Katie, who works at the library until she is heading off to University and Sophie, a Jewish refugee who is working as a domestic for a horrible man. When the Library is bombed during the blitz Juliet takes it underground and friends and community come together to ensure their library is saved but the truth is the library saves them and so many others who shelter in the underground during the Blitz. This is a wonderful read which will bring a tear to your eye as you bond with each and every character in the book.

Fascinating historical fiction that I could not put down. The story of the London Blitz and a real library is enhanced by the growth and perseverance of the three young women. Good character development and and important part of history that the younger generations may not be aware of.

The Underground Library is historical fiction based on actual events in London during WWII. The novel alternates among the POVs of three young women who are involved in saving the Bethnal Green Library after it was damaged by a bomb. They do this by moving the books they were able to salvage to the nearby Bethnal Green underground station. There they set up a mini-library that not only lends books but has a book club for adults and provides classes for children who shelter there during bombing raids by the Germans. Each of these three women has a love interest who is affected by the war or by the rescue operations in London. This is a story about friendship and about the sense of community that was very integral to keeping up spirits during the Blitz. A bit predictable at times but an enjoyable, fast read nonetheless.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this historical fiction of living in London during the Blitz and keeping the local library operational after it was bombed. I loved the characters and how they developed throughout the story, too. This book has history entwined with the fictional stories of the main characters, all strong, independent women... which I love even more. There's love, friendship, found family/loves, WWII goings-on a dash of romance and a strong sense of a community pulling together to keep calm and carry on. Definitely recommend this story.

This novel brings the history of the Underground in England during WWII to life. Highlighting the lives of three women we experience their problems and difficulties as they struggle to survive. This important story shows the unique world created in the tubes and how people banded together to escape the horrors of daily life. Women’s roles and jobs as well as their strength are showcased as they take on new roles that were always given to men. I enjoyed all the research as the library and school are brought to life. The author’s descriptions put you right in the middle of it. I especially like that the library is so much more than books which is the truth today as well. Romance and society’s norms are also an important aspect of this novel. Tears and cheers thought out this novel. #TheUndergroundLibrary #JenniferRyan #NetGalley

This is the first book I've read that was written by Jennifer Ryan. It won't be my last. I enjoyed The Underground Library. It's the story of 3 women living during the Blitz in London. Sofie is a young Jewish woman who narrowly escapes Berlin by getting a work visa in London. She's treated terribly by her employer and fears for the safety of her family. Katie is a young lady who is headed for college. Her boyfriend is killed in the war, sending her life into a spiral. Juliet arrives in London after her fiance is labeled a deserter in the army. All three of these ladies find the light in their life in the local library. Juliet and Katie work there and Sofie escapes her difficult employer in the library. When the library building is hit by a bomb the ladies have to figure out how to save the library they love so much. Each of their stories was interesting and the way Jennifer Ryan interwove them together was masterful. I appreciate NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a great read! This historical fiction story is set in England during World War 2. Juliet is named deputy librarian at bethnal green library but after the library is struck by bombs. Juliet has the idea to move some of the books to inside the shelter in the nearby tube station. Her idea is an instant hit with everyone except her boss, who doesn’t think the people are the “right” class. A group of ladies form a bookclub and they help each other to be less lonely. I don’t want to spoil the rest of the book. I do recommend you pick this one up if you enjoy historical fiction! Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for the honest review.

Loved this book! The characters were real; you cared about them.

The setting, London during WWII, was so well depicted, I felt like I was there.

I don't think I've read another historical novel based on WWII that made me feel that I knew what people on the home front in London had gone through.

I'd recommend this book to any historical fiction lover or book group. I gave it 5 stars!

New deputy librarian Juliet finds that Bethnal Green Library can use her help. Katie loves working at the library until she plans to go to university in the fall. Sofia, a Jewish refugee, works as a domestic for a very unpleasant man. When bombs destroy the library they take whatever books they can find and make an underground library. This is a wonderful, special book about women and their resourcefulness.

ARC Review-The Underground Library-by Jennifer Ryan
Publication date: March 12, 2024

Historic fiction novels are my favorite to read and this one did not disappoint. I love that Jennifer Ryan found a nugget of history—the underground library in the tube in London during WWII. From that nugget, she created a story of compassion, community, love, and survival during the harshest of times.

I love the character development for the three leading ladies: Juliet Lansdown-the new deputy librarian from a small village; Sophie Baumann-a Jewish immigrant, who was forced to take a housekeeper position to escape Germany; and Katie Upwood-the assistant librarian and teacher who is hiding a secret-she is pregnant. To me, they quickly became treasured friends you joined every day to find out what would happen next to each and find out they could save the library after so many overwhelming challenges.

Each woman evolves through their personal struggles as they fight to save the underground library that has come to mean so much to the group of people sheltering in the tube to escape the London bombings. In the end, the ladies are all are saved by the underground library community of Bethnal Green. The Community of loving, supportive women and men help everyone around them survive the war and together they save the library.

This book is a charming, thoughtful and will bring a tear and a smile.

Four Stars!
This book is available 3/12/24

I was lucky to read this advanced copy from the publisher in exchanged for a fair and honest review.

Advanced Reader Copy Review:

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan perfectly combines a bookworm's dream with a historical fiction novel. Set during the blitz in London during World War II, told from three women's POVs, The Underground Library tells the story of Bethnal Green Library and when it's bombed during the blitz, the librarians bring it underground into the tube station because they know that the power of the mind and spirit is more vital than any enemy. This book tells the fantastic homefront story and illustrates how books can transform the mind and spirit weaved through the fourth main character in the book. Not only does Ryan reference many books and authors, but he also displays how books can transport us when we feel lost and alone and can lift the mind and spirit. This was just so amazing. I loved every minute. Any historical fiction lover who loves to read will love every minute of the perfect combination of historical fiction and a book lover's dream. I will recommend this book to every lover of historical fiction.

This book gave me so many emotions as I was reading it. The story being about women who love reading and books gave me a direct connection to the characters in the book. I have read a lot of historical fiction books but none that grabbed my heart as much as this one did.
Juliet, Katie, and Sofie and their love of books made the book have a true meaning of life and what can be if you set your heart and mind to it.
To see how the love of books is a connection for many no matter where they are or what is happening to the world around them.
Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer Ryan and Random House Publishing Group for the copy of The Underground Library. This is my personal review.

The Underground Library is the tale of a group of women who come together by chance in Bethnal Green during the Blitz. I adored these characters, finding something unique and relatable about each, and as a lover of libraries, I appreciated the storyline of how a library can bring a community together in times of trial. If I have one mental shrug with the book, it's that everyone's stories came together a little too neatly at the end - a few too many happily ever afters for the reality of WWII London. But still, a lovely and cozy read.

Historical Fiction isn't my go too genre and though I enjoy women's fiction, I haven't read it for a while. Maybe it was the gorgeous cover of this book or its title that appeals to avid readers that grabbed my attention, but I'm so glad I read this book. I briefly studied about Nazism and WWII in history at school, but of course a story puts things into perspective and makes it so much clearer. I liked all of the 3 MCs that we followed through the course of the story, with their own very unique plotlines and stories. The book is raw, intense and honest, while still being charming and beautiful. There are some triggering scenes in here with physical trauma, PTSD, abuse, neglect and anxiety. You can't call a book like this one a HEA, but it left me with a bittersweet feeling.

I'm fairly confident that the events described in the book are well researched, making for an immersive and very believable experience with what I feel is great world building. As a lover of books, it makes me happy to see how the characters found solace in reading and that gave them so much joy. At the end of the day, the fact is that these characters found each other because of the library and how that changes their lives for the better brings me immense pride. Now I barely read classics because I'm not a fan of them, so I can't comment on how accurate the literary recommendations and references are.

Please do read this book if not for entertainment, then just for awareness on some atrocities in our world history. (Be mindful of the TWs as the book addresses many sensitive and emotional themes)

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am always attracted to a story based on libraries and books. This one was so good. It is the story of a community in London during the Blitz. When the library is hit by a bomb, the deputy librarian, Julie Lansdown, sets up a temporary library in the Underground Station. This is very significant because this is where a lot of the community members hide when bombs are being dropped on their city. I loved how the books were used to help the people somewhat escape the war for a few minutes The underground library also brought the community together through the sharing of books and listening to stories being read aloud... I also liked that it was based on true events. I think Jennifer Ryan has just written a wonderful story, and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was not familiar with Jennifer Ryan, but am a sucker for any book based on a library. I am glad I got the chance to read The Underground Library. It is a well written historical fiction based on a small English town during World War II. It provided good perspective on women in the workforce, life during the war, and the strength and resilience when community pulls together. There were so many great characters and I loved how they liftend and strengthened one another. Individuals may have ideas and dreams, but it is the support of community that makes those dreams reality and lifts one another in our weaknesses and trials.

Te Underground Library follows three woman living in London during the Blitz. Katie is an aspiring student working at the Bethel Green Library whose fiancee has gone MIA. Juliet is the new manager and is learning what she wants out of of life. She is the main character who ends up creating a library in the underground railway station. Lastly, there is Sadie. She is a Jewish girl from Berlin that has come to London on a work visa but is trapped working for a horrible old man.

These three woman meet and help each other as they all try to survive the bombings and trials that come their way. I thought it was a good read and I loved it was based on the real Bethel Green station underground library!

Only complaint would be that Easiest story feels incomplete and she us not given much character. She feels almost like an add-in to the story instead of a main character.

Another great WWII novel by Jennifer Ryan. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review!
Having enjoyed previous works I was very eager to read this and it did not disappoint. The story focuses on 3 very different young women experiencing London during the Blitz. What brings them together is the Bethnal Green library. Juliet comes to be an assistant librarian from her country roots. Her fiancee is MIA and his fate is most uncertain. Katie is another young woman from the country working at the library waiting to attend university. Her love is killed in the war. Sofie is a Jewish refugee who has escaped to London - hired on as a servant to a most unpleasant man. The library becomes a haven for her. The friendships that develop are wonderful.
Each woman's story was extraordinary and touching ! When the library is bombed in the Blitz they take to the Underground to continue to provide reading services to the citizens of London.
The characters were beautifully portrayed. One felt their stories so passionately. It is a very character driven novel.
There are certainly some tough moments in the book but overall it is quite uplifting.
This is definitely a book for book lovers as one sees what literature has to offer to enrich lives especially in trying times.

Another great story from Jennifer Ryan. She has a way of making your heart connect with each of her characters....you root for them, cry for them, and celebrate with them.

Libraries aren't only about books; they're about people. They're about human life, how books can mend hearts, comfort wounds, and inspire us. But most of all, books can bring people together. 97% mark

I have enjoyed Jennifer Ryan's books throughout her historical fiction writing career. Her characters are so heartwarming and her stories of these small villages and towns and how, during WWII as England was trying to find its footing and survival, the women holding down the fort and doing what they could do for the war effort, brought strangers together as they bonded to be come life long friends. Ryan tells the reader in her Afterwards that the concept of the library established inside the Underground really existed and kept the Londoners forced to flee their homes during the Blitz occupied and, for a little while, free from worrying about the bombs dropping around them. The main characters Juliet, Katie and Sofie all have their own unique storylines and alternate chapters as their stories unfold.
Juliet has left the comfort of the countryside and her rigid parents who pushed marriage matches for her befitting their status though against their wishes, she became engaged to a man who has turned up missing following the Dunkirk extraction with no word as to where he is. Now she has come to London to become a deputy librarian. It is a job she loves and hopes to help bring books and reading to more residents much to the current head librarian's chagrin. He has no interest in making the library more accessible, in fact, he wants out of London all together and go to a library in a safer section of England and hopes the library will close. But Juliet perseveres and starts a book club which becomes very popular. When the building is bombed, Juliet and other volunteers, bring books into the Underground to establish a safe way to give the residents of Bethnal Green access to books.
One of the new members is Sofie who is a Jewish refuge has obtained a work visa to get out of Berlin and becomes the housekeeper for a very hateful man who verbally abuses her and keeps her at his beck and call. She must comply because she needs this job. She had to leave her family behind and will discover people in town who are connected with the resistance in order to find her sister and her husband who have also escaped Nazi occupation.
Katie is a regular at the library and lives with her parents whose parents have a very difficult marriage and due to his job in insurance, her father feels they have to keep up certain appearances for business reasons. Katie's boyfriend is Christopher who has enlisted like so many young men and has been missing for sometime with no word if he is dead or alive. Things in Katie's life will have her having to grow up and grow up quickly, especially when the air raids send them down into the Underground and she catches glimpses of her father with a woman, not his wife!
Also woven in and out are the kind ladies of Bethnal Green who take in boarders like Juliet and all these women grow a deep friendship with each other as they are all going through the difficulties of war. These friendships are always a satisfying part of Ryan's stories as they show the support that existed during this terrible and difficult time.
I liked this story well enough but I would have liked Juliet and Sofie to be the only voices as their stories were more interesting, especially Sofie's. I learned for the first time that Jews like her were rounded up and taken to the Isle of Man where they lived pretty normally though the island was wrapped in barbed wire keeping them unable to escape. They could leave if they could secure a legitimate war job and in her case, she translated German newspapers for the war effort. In this way, she could return to Bethnal Green and didn't have to work as a housekeeper.
Thank you to Netgalley for the privilege to read this ARC of one of my favorite authors. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.