Will Lacey be able to find out the history of her grandmother Sophie's life?

We meet Sophie, Hanna, and their parents in 1938 as Hitler takes control of Austria.

Their father was removed from his position at the library because of his Jewish heritage and was shot during an incident.

Their mother owned a bakery but was taken away because of her resistance.

That left Sophie and Hanna as orphans and with only one thing to do - they had to leave Austria.

Hanna was sent to America and Sophie was able to get employment in London at the Royal library.

We follow both sisters during the war and Lacey in 2021 as she tries to find out about her grandmother.

Historical fiction fans and fans of the Royal Family and Windsor will be thrilled with this book.

THE ROYAL LIBRARIAN is a lovely, enjoyable, heartfelt, well-researched read with a mystery to solve about Sophie along with some surprises..

I was curious about what Sophie was up to and enjoyed reading about Queen Elizabeth and her sister in their youth. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Royal Librarian
by Daisy Wood
An extremely well written book. This story follows the lives of Klein sisters who are forced Austria after the nazi invasion in 1938 as they are of mixed heritage an English mother and Jewish father Sophia the eldest has to get her young sister out of Austria at all cost . Sophia managed to get Hanna to on a foster programme taking children at risk to America but Hanna must be at the train station the next day. Sophia only way out of Austria is to become a spy for British intelligence and is sent to Windsor castle to become the Royal Librarian.
The story is a dual time line Sophia story in occupied Austria and in Britain during ww2 and Hanna’s story as an elderly woman when a member of her family discover by accident that she’s Austria and not an American as they all thought. A slightly slow burn beginning with some parts people might find upsetting but it does grab your attention to become a page turner of the best kind. There an many twists, emotions character good and bad. This was an excellent enjoyable read , and thought provoking too. A tear may be shed too. A recommended read. 4.5/5

The Royal Librarian is like the two previous novels, a book with two storylines. One of them is set in the present and the other is a historical story that takes place just before and during WWII.

In America, Lacey is the main character. She accidentally discovered that Grandma Gubby was born in Vienna, something no one in the family knows. And she also discovers a letter from Sophie Klein, her grandmother's unknown sister. It triggers her to look for the past of her grandmother and Sophie Klein.

It is 1938 when Austria sides with Hitler with the anschluss. The atmosphere in the streets is becoming increasingly grim and a day at the park turns into a major drama. Sophie Klein does everything she can to keep her sister and herself safe, which is only possible by leaving the country. Sophie ends up in England, in the library of Windsor Castle.

Most of the book is about the events surrounding Sophie Klein. With her you get a glimpse into life at Windsor Castle. It is an original story because of the setting. It is nice that the members of the royal family are regularly featured. Sophie finds her place, makes enemies, but also friends and compromises between her work and the assignment she has. Sophie Klein is a strong personality. It's nice to see how she survives after her flight from Austria. She is a strong woman who stands for her ideals and cannot stand injustice.

The second storyline is about Lacey searching for the past. This part of the story sets the stage for the story about Sophie. Lacey travels to London for her research and, in addition to finding the truth about her great-aunt, she also finds love. Lacey's story is secondary. The alternation of both storylines makes it fascinating to read until the end.

Wood has a pleasant way of writing. Her stories are visual and easy to follow. The feelings of the characters are also well developed. You feel the atmosphere of the environment, both the threat in Vienna and in England. The history is beautifully intertwined with the story. The changing of the crown, the unpredictability of King Edward and Wallis Simpson, the young princesses and government leaders Chamberlain and Churchill are given their place in the story.

The Royal Librarian is a beautiful and fascinating historical novel, combining fact and fiction into an impressive story about family, friendship, love and betrayal.

Two Austrian Sisters separated by traumatic events at the beginning of WW2 is the basis for this delightful timeline novel from Daisy Woods.
After reluctantly sending her young sister to Anerica, Sophia travels to Windsor Castle to work in the Royal Library as a spy but ends up jeopardising her role in the event of a possible abduction of the young Princesses.
Present day and Lacey is looking for her 93 year old grandmother's passport when she discovers that Guppy was born in Austria not America as the family thought and had a sister she never acknowledged. The investigative side of Lacey takes over and she travels to Windsor to discover what happened to Sophia and why the sisters were estranged.
I loved the historical side of this novel, having visited Windsor Castle in the past I was seeing it differently through the eyes of Sophia. An interesting tale on the lives of the young Princesses and I don't mind admitting to shedding a tear at the end.
A lovely read and I'm grateful to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this advanced copy with no obligation to leave my review

3.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Overall, I did end up enjoying the book, but I did struggle to get into it at first - the dual timeline was very jarring at first and did seem a bit predictable. Some of the character development was lacking, especially from the 2021-2 flashes- I’d get so engrossed in what was going on in the 1938-1940 plot that when we flashed forward, I’d forgotten who some of the minor characters were that were referenced or where we were in the storyline. While I appreciated Lacey’s storyline, it wasn’t really necessary and muddled what was actually a really entertaining plot. Because of the present-day portions, some of the WWII plot seemed rushed or glossed over, and further character development could have been completed - as a result, the ending of Sophie’s timeline seemed very hurried as if the author tried to tie everything up into a tidy bow but had hit her page limit. I wanted to really enjoy this book, but had I not wanted to complete my task of reading rhetorical ARC and leaving a review, I’m not sure I would have pushed past the first few chapters. However, I am really, really glad that I did because I was very interested in the story of Sophie at Windsor, the role of Edward, and the espionage that occurred. I think, in the end, while I appreciated the forward flashes for what they were trying to do, I ended up being distracted from the central storyline, particularly in the beginning. Overall, though, Sophie’s story was incredibly enlightening about the atrocities that happened in Austria, the difficulties getting to safety for Jewish people in areas under Hitler’s control, life in the British royal household during warfare, and life in war torn England. It was very evident that the author did her research on the history of the period even if she took liberties with actual events in the Royal Library (which she acknowledged at the very start of the book).

I had read about this book and thought it sounded an exciting read. The title, for me, was a major attraction. I was not disappointed
The book has a dual timeline. 1938 in Vienna progressing to Windsor Castle in England. We are introduced to Sophie and Hanna, 2 sisters, whose parents have been killed by the Nazis. Hanna is rescued by an American family, while Sophie escapes to London as a spy to work in Windsor Castle, protecting King George, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose.
The story follows the day to day happenings of Sophie in particular. Her sorrow at Hanna’s lack of contact, and finally finishing up with Hannah’s family in Philadelphia, I found the story exciting and also sad in places. I would recommend it to anyone who has even the slightest interest in the history of the Nazis and their progress during the war, I am thankful to NetGalley and Avon books for an arc of this super story.

Book Name: The Royal Librarian
Author: Daisy Wood

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK | Avon for an ARC of The Royal Librarian by Daisy Wood

Stars: 3.25
Spice: 0

Standalone
Slow Paced
Dual POV Dual Timeline
Cozy-ish Historical Fiction Mystery

- Thoughts.
- Dual Timeline
- Dual POV
- Tear Jerker
- Family Mystery & Family Trauma
- Low Tension
- Low Stakes
- Slow Moving
- Ending Felt Conclusive

A Cozy Low Stakes Historical Mystery with a slower pace that is reminiscent of the plot of the Paris Librarian. This book didn’t hold back on tears, between exploring the traumas of separated families in WWII and the traumas faced by our FMC in post-pandemic life. This book definitely a historical novel with romance SUBPLOT which did feel a little like a side note to both characters amidst the sweeping family narrative. The addition of making the story low-stakes was a fun change compared to the high-stakes high

Just finished "The Royal Librarian" by Daisy Wood, and what a whirlwind!👑 ️

First a little bit of blurb:
A royal palace. A closed book. A betrayal that will echo through generations…
Windsor, 1940: Secretly tasked with foiling a suspected plot, Sophie Klein is placed in the Royal Library at Windsor castle, where the princesses reside. But when she learns that Windsor is compromised, Sophie must sacrifice everything she knows to save the future queen of England…
Philadelphia, Present day: Looking through her grandmother's papers, Lacey Jones comes across a mysterious letter stamped with the Windsor Castle crest. But how did it come to be in her family's possession?
And so begins a journey that will take Lacey deep into the heart of the oldest inhabited castle in the world, and change her life forever. . .

📘The Royal Librarian weaves a compelling narrative across two distinct timelines, offering a blend of historical intrigue and present-day mystery.
I know Windsor quite well and as I do not live too far away I couldn’t resist taking my kindle and reading some of this beautiful book but the river side. If you have the opportunity to do this I highly recommend as its just … (chefs kiss)
It’s got a blend of mystery and romance to make it a perfect cosy read. Although of course the historical side is the key focus and you can tell a great amount of research has gone into this plot. Windsor always seems stuck in a bit of a time warp for me and with the wartime atmosphere brought so vividly to life with the writers style of writing it was incredibly easy to picture Sophie strolling through the streets on her way to the station.


Normally dual timelines frustrate me as they break the continuity of the story but in this beautiful tale it added so much more to our two heroines stories.
I loved how intelligent and resourceful our young protagonists are and it was very easy to be rooting for them from day one.

My only slight disappointment with the book is that the story starts incredibly strongly and then the pace slows quite a bit at time, especially during those present day chapters. The historical thread maintains a sense of urgency, while the present-day chapters just can’t match it.


🇬🇧Fans of wartime stories, royal intrigue and strong female characters will find this book hard to put down

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book.

First of all I have to say that this is unlike what I normally read, so take my review with a pinch of salt. This book was included under romance on NetGalley, but there is no romance in this book.

That being said, there were more than a few scenes in this book that made me very emotional and I cried a few times. I really liked the way Daisy Wood conveyed emotions and everyday horrors people faced during the war.

It was difficult for me to get into the book, there were a lot of filler parts that I felt the book could have done without. A book is sometimes made infinitely better by just removing what isn't needed and leaving the good stuff. The plot really picked up towards the end, but it felt a little anti climactic. It felt like some very important events were skipped over and summarised in a sentence in a middle of a large paragraph. It brought me out of the emotions to have some thing just stated and told, compared to the way other scenes were so emotionally charged.

Overall, I enjoyed reading parts of this book. Some chapters I couldn't wait to get back to, while others I skim read to get further in the story. However, I did finish the story by crying. This does not have a traditional happy ending, and I guess that was the reality of millions of people during that time and maybe I am biased because there is always a happy ending in romance.

If you are a fan of historical, mystery and emotional novels then this might be the book for you.

History fiction revolving around world wars is an all time favourite for me so I am very thankful for Netgalley and Avon books for the ARC of this book.
Pivoting between two timelines (1938 and 2021) we are watching the story of two Austrian sisters unfold during German occupation.
I was definitely more invested in the past timeline as we get to see the different struggles faced by women in the war which definitely broadens our knowledge of the past. Loved this read that was laced with pain, hope and admiration for these characters.

An unusual story involving the royals but what an interesting story it was.
I really enjoy stories that mix fact and fiction and this was one of them.
setting the story in a library was a winner of course but the historical links made it sparkle

recommended!

This book tells the story of a half-Jewish family that was torn apart by World War II.

In 1938, Hannah and her sister, Sophie, are forced to flee Austria because of the nazi ocupation. Sophie, having been offered a job as Royal Librarian in Windsor, England, manages to take on even a bigger role. However, due to the nature of the job, the discoveries she's been making are going to be her doom.

In 2021 USA, Hannah does not speak a word about her sister. Hannah's daugher and grandchildren don't even know about Sophie Klein's existence. But everything changes when Lacey, one of Hannah's granddaugthers, stumbles upon a letter from her supposed great-aunt.
Determined to find the truth about what happened to Sophie, Lacey embarks on a journey of self discovery, family secrets and national security.

Daisy Wood's style of writing makes you one with with the characters. The manner in which she writes about the events, that are being so closely tied with the Royals, the secret services and spies during WW2, makes you believe this is a true story, not fiction. (And maybe, for some families out there, this is more truth than tale.)

With war knocking on our door nowadays, this book is a reminder of how conflict can tear apart families. This book, although fiction, teaches each reader about how every person matters.

Trigger warning: This book contains mentions of abuse and drugs.

I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and I was under no obligation to provide a review.

I adore Historical Fiction, and this book fuelled my love for this genre even more!

There are so many books set during the time of World War II that you would think it would be difficult to deliver a story that is unique and engaging. The Royal Librarian tapped into a time, place and perspective that was new to me...the Royal Library. Having lived in Windsor for 8 years, I found this fascinating!

The dual timelines and dual perspectives brought incredible depth to the story. We are brought back to the tragedies, struggles and unknowns of Sophie and Hanna during WWII, and then able to fast forward to 2021 Philadelphia to draw the perspectives and join the journey for answers to Hanna and her family's unresolved questions. This story is a wonderful blend of mystery, espionage, family separation, tragedy and love, all while learning more about history.

If I could change anything about this book, I wish it would have spent more time focusing on Lacey's time in England, seeking to discover the truth about her great aunt, Sophie. This piece of the story was pivotal, but felt rushed. Without giving anything away, there is a piece of the story that deals with a scary event in Lacey's life back in the USA. This piece of the plot felt out of place, and I am not sure how it contributed to the story overall. With that said, this story is a gem and worth reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. You made this historical fiction lover a very happy reader!

I really loved this book, I couldn't put it down! It has very vivid descriptions and characters a story full of history and intrigue. Totally enjoyed it.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fabulous book by Daisy Wood.

The story which is dual timeline is of Sophie and Lacey, and had me hooked from the beginning.

It was very well written, and had a lot happening throughout. I was rooting for them both to meet.

I highly recommend this book.

What an absolutely fabulous story this is! It weaves together the stories of Sophie, a young woman in Nazi occupied Austria in 1938, and her younger sister, now known as Gubby, now in her nineties in 2022, after being evacuated just in time to America and growing up happy and well cared for there, but out of contact with her big sister. The first third of the book is taken up with setting the background scene in Austria, the difficulties faced by Sophie's family with her father being born Jewish, and by the point Sophie manages to escape to a job in the Royal Library in Windsor Castle, you are fully invested in the characters. Gubby's timeline centres on her granddaughter, Lacey, who discovers accidentally both that her gran was born in Austria, and also that she had an older sister, and who takes it upon herself to find out more, culminating in a visit to the UK to meet her uncle and dig into the history of the sisters. And what a history it is! The plot of the wartime years in the castle is absolutely gripping, so well researched and written, I couldn't put it down. The present day chapters were engaging and enjoyable, and the gradual bringing together of the two timeliness was incredibly emotional and I confess there were times I couldn't see the pages through my welled-up eyes! Wonderful scene setting, pacing, and character development throughout. Incredibly rewarding read - thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read an advance copy. From the front cover that drew me in (what avid reader can resist a library picture?!) to the final page, a genuine pleasure.

Oh wow. This book has absolutely taken my breath away. It captivated me from the very start and I couldn't put it down! It is an incredible book with vivid descriptions, characters and storylines. Utterly enthralling from start to finish.

What an amazing read, the story is full of history and intrigue, life in occupied Austria and the fight to leave. The death of her parents makes it a desperate situation for Sophie and her sister Hanna, Sophie manages to get Hanna placed with a group taking children to America while Sophie is offered a life line but with consequences in England as Assistant Librarian at Windsor Castle.
Please read this brilliant book and enjoy each page.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to the publisher Avon Books Uk for the early read.

AMAZING! DELIGHTFUL! PERFECTION!

I was sucked into this story and this book from the very beginning. I cannot stop talking about how much I love this book and I have told everyone and their mother they need to read this book. I have already placed an order for the physical book and am awaiting its arrival in the future.

I can’t remember the last time I felt the need to stay up all hours of the night just to finish a book! I needed to know how it ended before I could go to sleep!

3.5/4 stars⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the digital e-arc of this book. I loved the dual timeline throughout this book and I will definitely be reading more of Daisy Woods books in the future. I like the idea that it's set around 1940 and the Second World War which is interesting to read.