I really enjoyed this heartwarming World War II story of three women in different circumstances whose paths cross in London during the Blitz. I loved the bookish setting as they all meet working at a library and the story of how books and stories bring people together and give hope during difficult times.

I love how Ryan does such a good job using the war as a backdrop and setting for the story, but much like some of her other books, the real story is about powerful women and female friendship. The stories of how people came together and found ways to find joy and lift morale in the underground during bombings actually reminded me a lot of the early days of Covid and the ways people found fun and creative ways to life each other’s spirits while socially distancing. While the circumstances were completely different, the human experience was relatable.

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely keep reading more from this author. I definitely recommend to fans of historical fiction and stories about female friendship.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. *

I've been eager to read this book for a while, but my work and school have kept me from doing so. The Underground Library is the first book I've read by Jennifer Ryan, though I've heard of the author before. The title and cover caught my attention since I love stories about books. I was intrigued by the title and couldn't wait to explore its story. After only a few pages, I knew I would love this story. I read it every chance I got. Even when I wasn’t reading it, I thought about it and wondered what would happen next.

I enjoyed reading the story from three different perspectives, which allowed me to get to know each character better. I loved every character and could not choose a favorite. However, I loved Juliet, and I think that of all the characters in the book, she had the most character development. Juliet had done so much for the library, especially after the bombing. I love that the library was created as a shelter for people to escape the war. Juliet wasn't the only impactful character. I also loved Sofie, Katie, Mrs. Ottley, Sebastian, Mac, Dorothy, and Irene. I still think about the story occasionally; I can't get enough of it.

The vivid descriptions and emotions in this book transported me into its world. The book had a few slow parts, mostly at the beginning when the characters were being introduced, but it picked up quickly. I loved the plot and characters and would highly recommend it to any historical fiction fans.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for generously providing me with the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of "The Underground Library" by Jennifer Ryan.

"The Underground Library" presents a unique twist on the conventional World War II historical fiction. It is a story of a library compelled to relocate to the London Underground amidst the bombings of the Blitz. There are three protagonists: a librarian who moves from the peaceful countryside to work as a Deputy librarian, a local Londoner employed at the library, and a Jewish refugee fleeing the horrors of Germany and working in the surrounding neighborhood.

Each character navigates their own unique trials and fate brings them together with the library as the backdrop. Through their struggles, they forge bonds of friendship. I loved many of the side characters the author includes as well.

The story is well told and fast paced. The conclusion offers a satisfying (and likely unrealistic) resolution.

Title: The Underground Library
Author: Jennifer Ryan
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

When new deputy librarian, Juliet Lansdown, finds that Bethnal Green Library isn't the bustling hub she's expecting, she becomes determined to breathe life back into it. But can she show the men in charge that a woman is up to the task of running it, especially when a confrontation with her past threatens to derail her?

Katie Upwood is thrilled to be working at the library, although she's only there until she heads off to university in the fall. But after the death of her beau on the front line and amid tumultuous family strife, she finds herself harboring a life-changing secret with no one to turn to for help.

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.

When a slew of bombs destroy the library, Juliet relocates the stacks to the local Underground station where the city's residents shelter nightly, determined to lend out stories that will keep spirits up. But tragedy after tragedy threatens to unmoor the women and sever the ties of their community. Will Juliet, Kate, and Sofie be able to overcome their own troubles to save the library? Or will the beating heart of their neighborhood be lost forever?

This was a lovely read! I love World War II historical fiction, strong female characters, and books, so this hit a lot of high notes for me. I loved Juliet and Sofie’s points-of-view, although Juliet was a bit too gullible for me. Sofie was such a strong person, and I loved her journey. Katie’s naïveté was…a lot. I can’t imagine feeling so powerless and helpless, though, and it was lovely to see her grow.

Jennifer Ryan grew up in England. The Underground Library is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Random House/Ballantine in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 4/3.)

A wonderful uplifting story of three women from different backgrounds that find themselves in London, England during the Blitz of 1940. Each one comes with their own baggage, but navigates the difficulties of the time with dedication and aplomb. Based on the true story of the Bethnal Green underground station, it is a story of trials and tribulations, but shows the dedication of the human spirit. Each character grows immensely. But it is also what happens when a library is moved underground and what a community’ can do in the face of adversity. The author does a suburb job of character development. The book flows quickly. A not to be missed read.

The Underground Library proves you didn't have to be on the front lines to suffer the horrors of war (or even be in Nazi strongholds like Germany or Poland). When a bomb destroys the Bethnal Green library deputy librarian Juliet moves stacks of books to the London underground tube stations where residents sought refuge during raids. The tunnels are the heart of the novel- where friendships are forged, love is found, lives take unexpected turns- and is the true embodiment of the "Blitz Spirit." Based on actual events, The Underground Library is filled with characters overflowing in strength and resolve, especially Juliet, who fights not just the Nazi's, but the patriarchal system that doesn't "allow" women in high ranking library positions. There are many novels with graphic descriptions of the atrocities done by Hitler's Regime- The Underground Library is not heavy on these but instead focuses on the ordinary citizens who came together to not just survive but thrive, as buildings literally collapsed around them. It is a triumph of a novel about the triumph of good in the face of unspeakable evil.

What a wonderful read! The author expertly weaves the horrible conditions of the London blitzes into a heartwarming novel about a diverse community of friends and family with one common goal - togetherness in the name of the Bethel Green Underground Library. The reader follows the different characters from those shocked by what is happening above the ground - sirens, raids, destruction, relationships - to their transformation of love, friendship, protection of one another in the underground tunnels of the city. This is also a story of the power of women who look out for their community but also bring the library (and the school) to life making it a haven of escape from the war.

I highly recommend!

This book was so enlightening! Never knew about the underground library. The telling of this story made you feel like you were there. Courageous people who I knew nothing about until this wonderful book

Centered in WWII, this is the story about how books connect us and save us in many ways. This is a three perspective story about a librarian in London, a left behind young lady that just sent her boyfriend off to fight, and a young Jewish refugee that is struggling to survive in London during the Blitz. Each character has struggles that are faced and where books play an integral role in overcoming those struggles. A beautifully written novel with much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

“the underground library” is a historical novel set during the beginning of ww2 in london, and follows the lives of 3 young women who first cross paths in the bethnal green library.

first i need to say that i honestly have no idea why i requested this book on netgalley… i’m not a huge fan of historical chick lit, so who knows why this one caught my fancy. well it did and i read it! there’s not much i can say in favor of this book. i’m sure the grisly details of the war were accurate, but it seemed like other details were given much less scrutiny. i mean, one of the characters mentions “the chronicles of narnia,” the first of which came out in 1950. for those of you who can’t keep up, that is actually AFTER ww2! it’s small details like these that put a bit of a sour taste in my mouth while reading.

i also found that the characters, their ordeals, and their conversations with others, were incredibly one-dimensional and unconvincing. to be clear, i am NOT saying i believe that the things they went through were one-dimensional and unconvincing — what i mean is, the writing lacked depth and heart. i didn’t particularly care about the story and honestly, around the 30% mark, i started skimming. there were some heartwarming scenes, and i appreciated the scenes that had less to do with the characters and more to do with descriptions of living conditions in london at the time. for these reasons i will give this book a 2/5 instead of 1/5. but it was close!

I give this 5*. If you loved the popular series Downton Abbey and/or Call the Midwife, I highly suggest this book. Each chapter in the book follows three main female characters, Sofie who becomes a maid to an extremely harsh man, Juliet who becomes a deputy librarian and fights hard to keep the library open, and Katie who also works as a librarian. Based on the true happenings of Germany bombing London, people took shelter in underground stations. I really enjoyed the historical findings in the book also each girls story was wrapped up neatly in the end and I love that. I definitely will continue to read Jennifer Ryan's book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Ryan and Ballantine Books for allowing me this arc e-version in exchange for an honest review.

This is story tells the tale of the 3 tenacious women brought together by a library in Bethnal Green, London during the WWII era. Determined to save the library, the culture and the spirit despite the constant air raids, Juliet sets out to move it all underground, as the tube stations are used as bomb shelters.

This story is based on true events and weaves in some heartfelt and extraordinary side stories and characters. I was very pleasantly surprised by the romance subplots and found it all incredibly uplifting in such a book tackling such heavy topics. I loved the characters and the development of each. This book is packed full of historical knowledge as well as important life lessons. I truly enjoyed this book

It is always hit or miss taking on a WWII novel as to whether or not there is something new to learn, so I was really glad to finish The Underground Library and find that there was, yet again, more to learn about this time period. The story centers around three women during the London Blitz: A librarian, receptionist, and maid for the library. Based on a true story, albeit with some major changes to the story, it discusses when people began using the underground train stations as shelters, creating an underground community that included a library, and the three women from different backgrounds who made it happen. The author does a great job transporting the reader to the time period, and presenting the main character's dilemmas and outcomes. This is a book I think book clubs will enjoy.

The Underground Library was an easy reading book. The story, takes place during the Nazi Blitz, tells about three women who were able to escape to London during the war. Juliet, Sophie and Kate find they have to make new lives during the bombings where they end up working together. The Bethnal Library is the center of the story as the bombings in London bring the community together in the underground tubes where the community escapes during the nightly bombings.

Jennifer Ryan tells her aspect based on a true story with some twists and turns. I am not a WW reader basically, but found this interesting as I always like to learn about peoples lives and times in different parts of the world.

I would recommend this book if you like historical readings. Thank you to NetGalley for the kindle edition to review this advanced copy.

I’m so glad I got a chance to read this book. This is my second red from this author and I loved it as much as the first. I’ve read a den watched a LOT of WW2 historical fiction and this is the first time I’ve heard about a particular location. No spoilers! So that’s a win in my book. I’m a sucker for a happy ending. This one felt almost unbelievable considering the subject matter. However, it didn’t bother me a bit. Sometimes you just need everything to work out ok.

I learned so much about life in the Underground during the Blitz. Ryan based her book on many factual events and created an historical read while also developing so many strong female characters in the novel. In addition, we have romance, family drama, and the importance of friendship. I think many readers will find this a thought- provoking book since it attests to the power of reading- what it can do for us. Regardless of bombings, floods, and nay-sayers, Juliet perseveres to make books accessible, and they bring comfort and a sense of normalcy to people whose world has been upended.

Thank you to NetGallery and Random House/Ballantine for an advanced digital copy in exchange for sharing my honest opinions.

Generally speaking, WWII Historical Fiction can do no wrong in my book. The Underground Library benefits from taking place in London which simply offers a different perspective than all the stories I've read that take place in Germany or France. I feel silly that I went into things not realizing this was the story of a *literal* underground library, as in... a story about a library in the Underground! I loved the additional author notes on the history and it led me to an internet research deep dive which is precisely why I love historical fiction so much. If I had to criticize (without posting spoilers) I was not satisfied by how everything tied up in the end. We get solid conclusions to everyone's story but they lack authenticity, given the hardships of the time. Regardless, it was well worth the read!

I found "The Underground Library" to be a compelling piece of historical fiction. The author's meticulous research shines through in the narrative, which authentically portrays the realities of life during World War II in London, England. The focus on the underground library in Bethnal Green, forced to relocate to a tube station due to bombings, highlights the resilience and unity of the community during wartime. The story beautifully captures the challenges faced by women who stepped up to take on new roles and responsibilities in the absence of men fighting in the war, showcasing their strength and determination.

I recommend reading the author's note at the end of the book, which provides valuable insights into the origins of the story and the historical accuracy woven into the narrative. This book is a poignant exploration of wartime struggles and the power of community support amidst adversity. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful WW2 story set in England. A story of 3 strong women during a very difficult time working to help others. The Author's writing was beautiful in the way each of the women's stories were told. In the 1940's difficult subjects were touched and told with such poise and strength. Will definitely be reading more by Jennifer Ryan. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Jennifer Ryan is an auto - read author for me! Her novels pull me in strait away and keep my attention until the ending. I love WWII historical fiction, books about books / libraries and women main characters so The Underground Library was an all around win for me!