This was a wonderfully engaging story. Told over dual timelines it centres around a family torn apart by WWII, and the aftermath impact it had on the family many years later.

We are thrown straight into the story in Austria, where a young family are devastated by the arrival of the Nazis. Your heart just breaks for the young sisters who are orphaned and then find themselves apart due to circumstances. Sophie is the older sister, and she soon finds herself sent to England to work in the library of Windsor Castle, helping to catalogue letters and communication.

We are also in the present timeline, where Lacey is a woman who keeps herself to herself, but is struggling with coming to terms with something that happened to her. She's not even told family and finds herself spending time with them and begins to discover other family secrets, that might help her open up too.

I really love a dual timeline historical story, and this is perfect in capturing the emotions of the characters and really transporting you back in time. I loved watching Sophie and her experiences in London, especially interacting with the Royal Family, including the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

And the character of Lacey was also a really fascinating one, especially when she started investigating letters she found belonging to her grandmother. The 'quest' seemed to help her move forward with her own problems as there are some startling revelations for her to get her head round.

A wonderful read and I look forward to reading the other work from this author.

"The Royal Librarian" is the story of sisters Sophie and Hanna who are forced to flee Vienna just before the outbreak of WW2. It turns out that their father is Jewish, but not their mother, and despite not having been brought up in any particular faith this would be enough for them to be denounced to the Nazis. Their story is uncovered by descendant Lacey, and it is slightly far fetched, but then these were extraordinary times when people couldn't even trust their closest friends and neighbours.

This is an interesting book and gives a different viewpoint to many thrillers set during the war.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

The Royal Librarian is a dual timeline historical fiction novel that is set mostly in 1940 at Windsor. In the modern day timeline, Lacey has found a letter in her grandmother's things that indicate that she has a whole life and family the rest of them know nothing about. In her search for the truth about her family, Lacey uncovers a thrilling story of a great aunt who narrowly escaped nazis to become a spy in the service of the future Queen of England.

The story was fast paced and on the 1940s side, while the present day timeline was a bit shallow and not nearly as interesting. It is often hard to fictionalize real people and events, but I thought Wood did a great job blending truth and fiction in Windsor with the Royals. The descriptions of the castle and the library where Sophie works are amazing. It was fun to see the future Queen Elizabeth appear as a child.

A very well written book set in ww2. It's a bout life, love, family, friendship, espionage. There's lots.l of secrets and a mystery to uncovrr. It is also sad and joyful. An amazing amount of work went into this book and it really shows.

Unputdownable, well written, intriguing novel set during WW2. The Royal Libarian tells the story of family secrets, espionage, mystery and how the choices we make path the future. A story of sadness, love and forgiveness. A good amount of research was done to describe the setting, the intwined truth and fiction parts of the story and the easy-to-follow dual timeline made a great read.

I would like to thank Avon Books UK, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

The story begins in Vienna 1938 and the Nazis are welcomed for the majority but not all. The Klein family are fearing their fate being Mr. Klein is Jewish, even though his wife isn’t. She makes plans with her oldest daughter Sophie and with her younger daughter Hanna for them to escape while there is a chance. Things aren’t easy and also expensive and when at the hands of the Nazis her father dies of a heart attack and her mother is arrested and died mysteriously it is time. Hanna has a chance to escape and at the age of nine with fifty other children gained visas to America. As for Sophie it is a more difficult matter, but being that her mother was English and she spoke it well plus her background working at the library she was given a chance. Of course there is a catch, she needs to work for the British Intelligence.
This is a dual timeline, the present, Lacey Jones finds a letter in her grandmother’s drawer and wonders why she never knew she had a great aunt. Being that her grandmother was upset about her going through her things she never mentioned the letter she found.. Her career as a ghostwriter and being curious she begins a research and winds up in Windsor. To find a long lost cousin and to learn who her Aunt Sophie was.
As always well written and having been in Vienna and Windsor was extremely of interest to me. I must admit the beginning was very similar to a previous book, but then one must remember the time period. Those who love WWII stories will definitely want to read #The Royal Librarian. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #HarperCollinsPublishers

Set in Vienna 1938, Winsor during World War 2 and Philadelphia 2021.
Sophie and her sister Hannah become separated in Vienna 1938, Sophie sends Hannah to America and then she travels to England where she is given a job as a librarian at Windsor Castle.

Lacey is single and lives in Philadelphia, she travels to her grandmother Gubby’s house at Christmas when she accidentally discovers her grandmother’s secret, which sends her to Windsor to try and find out who her grandmother really is.

This was about families, friendships and secrets set mostly during World War 2. Lots of action. I loved the descriptions of Sophie’s life at Windsor Castle and how she spent her time documenting correspondence and other documents to be stored in the library archives.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for a chance to read and review this E-Book.

The Royal Librarian is another wonderful dual-timeline work of historical fiction by Daisy Wood. The principal characters—Sophie in 1938-40 and Lacey in 2022–are women who face numerous challenges and are often unsure of themselves, but aspire to grow stronger and do the right thing. I found Sophie’s story, from the tragic events that she experiences with her family in 1938 Vienna to her move to England on the eve of war and working at Windsor Castle during a tumultuous period, to be well-crafted and compelling. I loved the modern-day Lacey and her determination to learn more about her grandmother as well. The period that Lacey spends in Windsor is really interesting and the setting is beautifully conveyed. I was captivated by this story from the first page and flew through the book. I’m already looking forward to Wood’s next book! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this regal theme, Daisy Wood weaves two tales together skill fully. I found myself reading much longer than I should have as I wanted to know what would happen and if the sisters were able to get together after the war ended. I found it hard to read the sections where her parents were killed but the sections describing Sophie and her time as the Royal Librarian kept me on the edge of my seat.

After the Nazis arrived in Austria in 1938, Sophie Klein and and her nine year old sister Hanna found themselves orphaned. Both their parents had lost their lives to the Nazis and Sophie knew she had to get Hanna out of Vienna. The couple who were rescuing children accepted Hanna and she sailed to America, frightened but assured that Sophie would find her and they'd be together again. When Sophie was contacted and asked to attend the British Embassy, she was recruited to work for the British government. After a long and stressful journey, she found herself in England, where she was tasked with working beside the Royal Librarian in Windsor Castle.

Lacey Turner loved her grandmother who they all called Gubby and although she was in her nineties, Gubby still enjoyed getting together with her family - Lacey's sister Jess, plus her husband and children; her daughter Alexa and of course Lacey. But she refused to talk to them about her past. So when Lacey discovered - accidentally - that Gubby had a sister in that long ago past, she decided to head to England to do some research. Lacey didn't tell Gubby why she was going, as she didn't want to upset her. But what Lacey discovered was mind-blowing. How would Gubby react to what Lacey had to tell her?

The Royal Librarian is another outstanding historical novel by Daisy Wood and I loved it! Incredible history, with the royal sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret, at young ages; Sophie's work with cataloguing in the Royal Library; her position as Royal Librarian as she took the place of the last person - it all kept me glued to the pages. Both the young Hanna and Sophie are well crafted characters, along with current day Lacey. I've read two previous books of this author's, giving them both 5 stars, and this one is no exception. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This story is set during WW2 and Sophie working at Windsor Castle. It’s told with dual timelines, both just as interesting. I felt sadness for both Sophie and her sister whose lives are forever changed because of the war.
It’s another good historical fiction book. I had a hard time putting this book down. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

First off thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this arc! I really enjoyed this historical fiction book that takes place within two different timelines, personally I wish there were more of the earlier timeline but overall this is a good read that I recommend!

Started the day grumpy…..picked up The Royal Librarian and almost immediately was living the story, I did not put it down except for essential meals and ended the day much happier! The whole story where past and present was beautifully alternated and I felt equally engaged by both timelines. The atrocities in Vienna were portrayed in their awfulness and to be honest the images stayed with me for quite some time…even though I knew about these happenings it was so much more awful when seen through the eyes of the family.
I will be looking for more of Daisy Wood’s work from now on, a very engaging story teller.
Thank you Netgalley, publisher and Daisy Wood for the ARC.

If you are looking for an easy read which incorporates espionage, war and the royal family, this is for you. This is the story of Sophie, a young Austrian girl who ends up working as a librarian for the British Royal family just at the start of the Second World War. However it is also the partial story of her sister, niece and great niece

The book was easy to read and I was more concerned with the characters and their story than the historical part so if some facts were elaborated or fabricated it made no difference to the story for me. I actually found the descriptions of Windsor Palace and the late Queen wonderful and could almost transport myself to that time and for me this is what a good book should do, transport you to a different world.

I don't read many historical fiction books, but when I do they usually revolve around World Wars, books, and brave young women. This book was no exception! Plus, they usually make me cry, as this one did, and we all know I love a good emotional outlet when reading sometimes. The prose was stunning, there were so many quotes that will stick with me forever, and Sophie and Lacey will be with me for a long time to come. I also believe Daisy Wood really did her research, and it shows. That's usually my criticism of historical fiction novels, but I could find no fault here. Daisy created a beautifully fictional world within a very real and raw time period, and I'm in awe.

This book alternates viewpoints in the past and present, which is a concept I love and in this book particularly I never struggled with the pacing and or following both timelines fully. Truly masterful storytelling, and I'm excited to read more by Daisy Wood!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I am a huge fan of WWII historical fiction, especially that which is based on an actual historical figure. This book is based on actual people, but most of it is speculation. I found the history to be interesting, but I felt like there wasn’t a lot of action to drive the story. In stories like this, I am used to some tension throughout whilst this one seemed to have it confined to one or two chapters.
Perhaps the dual character timeline caused some of that tension to be lost.
Overall an interesting read. Especially for anyone interested in WWII era life in Britain I would say 3.5/5 stars for me.

I received a ARC of this title,, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this historical romance! I’m not always keen on dual timelines however this one was very good at drawing you in. Highly recommend

This was one of the best first chapters I've read in a long time and it hooked me straight in. The descriptions and setting of Windsor Castle was vivid and engaging. I preferred the ww2 storyline. This was a great historical read from a fresh angle and I enjoyed it hugely.

Captivating.

What. A. Book.

I've always enjoyed reading historical fiction that shows both past and present perspectives, but sometimes these stories get confusing and have awful pacing. I am happy to confirm that Daisy Wood managed to ensure that every chapter in both Lacey's and Sophie's journey was exciting to read.

This book took me on a journey and I finished it in a couple of hours, which is one of the reasons that I gave it a five-star rating. Extra points because this book made me cry. It also made me highlight beautiful quotes and prose that hit me to my core. I might have a soft spot for books like this, however, since I am a librarian and a historian myself. I can tell the author put a lot of time and effort into understanding and describing all the intricate details of both the setting (Windsor Castle and Europe during World War II) and the characters and their own experiences, which highlight both past and present political and social issues.

People who enjoyed The Paris Library and The Book Thief should definitely pick up this book, and I warmly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.

- Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an ARC of this book.

While looking for her grandmother's passport, Lacey comes across information that her grandmother was born overseas and had a sister! She is reluctant to bring up the information bit longs to learn more. So much she books a trip to Europe to find for herself information about Sophia and what became of her.

Sophia is a Jew by blood and that is enough for the Germans to make life miserable for her and her family. Finally, securing passage out to Britian, she finds herself undercover in the royal library at Windsor Castle.

Through the back and forth time frames we get a story of family, hope and the sacrifices that many made to insure a better life for those they loved.

A good read and I enjoyed all the characters and plot lines. I do wish there was some historical points of view from Hanna but overall well done!