The Booklover's Library" beautifully explores the themes of family, mother-daughter bonds, friendship, loyalty, resilience, love, and second opportunities during World War II in England. I appreciated reading about how citizens endured and coped with the hardships of the war. I was particularly moved by the account of children being separated from their parents for protection during air strikes, a painful and unimaginable experience.The bond between Emma and Olivia is incredibly touching. My personal experience resonates with this, as my mom, grandma, sister, and I shared a strong bond, especially after my mom and grandma passed away. My sister and I have maintained that special connection.The depiction of friendship and the love of books through the Booklovers Library, as well as the support from neighbors, highlights the importance of community and mutual support in difficult times. This book reaffirms how much we need each other. I loved it.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book.

The Booklover's Library: A Charming Read with Room for Improvement

Madeline Martin's "The Booklover's Library" offers a heartwarming wartime tale set in a charming English library. Following Emma, a widowed mother navigating war and societal restrictions, the story celebrates the power of books and community.

Here's what I enjoyed:

Wartime Resilience: The novel portrays the anxieties and struggles of wartime Britain with a poignant touch.

Endearing Character: Emma is well-developed, and you feel as if maybe you creating a sense of connection.

However, the book also fell a bit short in a couple of areas:

Predictable Plot: The story unfolds in a fairly conventional manner, but I just felt as if it was lacking.

Emotional Depth: While the story is heartwarming, it doesn't quite delve as deeply into the emotional complexities of war and loss as it could have.

Overall, "The Booklover's Library" is a pleasant and engaging read, particularly for book lovers. However, it might leave readers seeking a more profound emotional connection or a more surprising plot

Thank you to Madeline Martin, NetGalley, and Hanover Square Press for this ARC.

The Booklover’s Library is a warm and satisfying story about opening yourself up to new people and growing through the relationships you develop. And, of course, it’s about books.

The book is set in WWII-era England and is obviously very detailed and well-researched on many aspects of life there at the time. I discovered many new things, or new to me at least, and learned more details regarding events I’d heard of, but only had a cursory knowledge of prior to reading. A few bits sent me down a rabbit hole, reading up on the real events that occurred throughout the book, so it took me a little longer than usual to finish. The MC’s were layered and likable and the main protagonist went through a great deal of growth as the story progressed.

All in all, an interesting and enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was my first novel by this author. Though I love historical fiction I have been shying away from WW2 books because there are just. So. Many. And they all kind of seem the same to me. But I was offered this one and couldn’t resist.

Our heroine is Emma, a quiet bookish lass in Nottingham England who lost her mother at a young age. And then her father died in a fire at the bookstore they owned and lived above. She married quickly, had a baby girl (Olivia), and then Olivia’s father died. And then Germany attacked England. Yeah, it’s a lot.

Emma and Olivia are struggling financially but Emma scores a job at the Boots Booklover’s Library, a subscription based library lending service - which is tricky because widows are not allowed to have jobs at the time. When the bombs start raining down, Olivia is evacuated to the countryside, leaving Emma more alone and lonely than ever. Olivia isn’t too happy leaving either.

But Emma makes friends at work and in her tenement house and even finds love. Hooray!

I enjoyed learning about the Booklover’s Library, which I was unfamiliar with. I was also very moved by the stories of parents evacuating their children. However I found Emma just a sad little character and it kinda brought me down.

Three stars.

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin is a WWII historical fiction. It's a heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of the books that bring them together.

I was drawn to this book because it's about books and it did not disappoint! I really appreciated how smooth the writing was in this story. WWII fiction stories are often very emotionally heavy, and while this one had some intense moments, I felt like I was able to read through the story without getting too overwhelmed. The characters, both main and side, are very likable and I felt really invested in their story. Fans of this genre will likely enjoy this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me an eBook ARC. The Booklover's Library is expected to be published on September 3, 2024.

"The Booklover's Library" is a beautifully crafted, poignant tale that effortlessly transports readers to World War II-era England. Madeline Martin's meticulous research shines through in the rich historical details, breathing life into the often-overlooked story of subscription libraries and the resilient women who staffed them. Through Emma's compelling journey, we experience the heart-wrenching choices and quiet heroism of everyday people during wartime. The author masterfully balances the gravity of the era with moments of warmth and hope, creating a tapestry of human connections that will resonate long after the final page. With its expertly drawn characters, evocative setting, and touching exploration of motherhood and community, this novel is a must-read for historical fiction enthusiasts and book lovers alike.

The Booklover’s Library is a heartwarming historical fiction set in wartime England that talks about the power of books and how they bring people together. It was a great story.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for the opportunity to read!

Honestly parts of this book fell flat to me however if you push through it was such a great read. Reading the author's note did help see the perspective of the read. Such a beautifully written story that tugged on the heart strings. Well written and touching characters, overall highly recommend this for all historical fiction lovers.

Finding Friendship Through Books
This story takes place in Britain in the days leading up to WWII and during the war itself. The story is centered around a lending library, its employees, and its customers. Our main character is a young widow who is trying to raise her daughter alone. In those days, mothers and married women, including widows, were socially not allowed to work. During the course of this story that changes as most of the working men go to war and the women are needed to take their places. As you can tell, this is not a simple 'left at home' war story. The book hits on most of the pain and uncertainty suffered by those at home. It is a well-rounded story. Folks who could become caricatures are presented with depth and a reason for their attitudes. It is a very good book. The epilogue is a very nice touch and adds even more realism.

The Booklover’s Library is a very moving book that brought me to tears and had me holding my breath! Emma is a widow and mother to a young daughter who lives in Nottingham, England. When war seems imminent, she just decide f she should send her daughter to safety, or keep her with her, potentially putting her life at risk. There is much heartbreak with this decision, as you can imagine. Emma is also newly-employed at a lending library, which is chock full of interesting workmates and book lovers! This book deals with some of the arcane laws at the time which forbade wives and mothers to work outside of the home. I loved the way this diverse group of neighbors and coworkers banded together at this extremely difficult time, and I loved that books and stories were such a huge comfort to them.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I've read a few of Madeline Martin's books and was very excited to get my hands on this one. I loved learning about the paid subscriptions for the lending libraries. I had no clue those existed. The levels of subscriptions and the way those subscribers were treated was fascinating. I loved the characters! Madeline really developed them into a way that you felt what they felt. I loved the found family Emma gained and how they all worked together. I can't even imagine what the moms went through when they had to send their kids away. The ups and downs and positives and negatives that these moms and kids hand to face was gut-wrenching.

I did find the transitions very odd and distracting at times. I don't want to give spoilers for specific examples. As I was reading, I felt that sometimes maybe I accidentally skipped pages because the transitions were so odd. Hopefully that is something that will be addressed in final changes. The author's note took this book from a 3 star read to a 4 star read. I wish I could have read the historical information prior to starting the book. Miss Crane ... such an odd bird. I wish there had been more on her story. What made her the way she was. I feel like we were left hanging with her. I wish the connection with Miss Bainbridge had come out earlier in the book as well. That would have been a fabulous found family relationship to watch develop.

Thank you again Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley!!!

If there is such a thing as a cozy, World War II historical fiction genre, Madeline Martin has made it her niche and nailed it once again with The Booklover’s Library. The book centers around Emma, a single mother who takes on a job in her local lending library as World War II begins. As a widow, she’s technically not supposed to be working but a sympathetic manageress gives her employment that helps ends meet. Previously living in a world that consisted primarily of just her and her daughter Olivia, her new job allows her to form connections not just at work but in her building as well. Just as she’s settling into a new life with new opportunities England declares war on Germany, the bombings begin, and she is faced with the difficult decision of evacuating Olivia to the countryside. The book doesn’t avoid some of the difficult situations people in England dealt with, including rationing, evacuations, bombings, and the loss and missing men during the war, but it does so with a light touch that allows the focus to remain on the relationships and camaraderie of the people living through the dark times. And like other books by Martin, books and the comfort they provide are also part of the story. The stories feel a bit formulaic but I really enjoy them anyway. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I knew I would add Madeline Martin’s The Booklover’s Library to my favorite book list from page one. There is not a character in this story that I didn’t like. Not a one. In fact, towards the end I found myself slowing down and savoring my last moments with Emma, Olivia, Mrs Pickering, the crew at the Boots Lending Library and all the warm and caring men and women I met on this wonderful reading journey.

I am an avid reader of historical fiction and The London Bookshop, also by Madeline Martin, remains one of my favorites set in the WWII timeframe. Many of the books introduced me to strong and determined women of the resistance movement during WWI and WWII; information I never learned in high school or college.

The Booklover’s Library is also a story of strong and determined women in WWII England. What sets this apart from other books written in the same timeframe is that this story is told through the personal perspective of Emma, a woman who lost her father and beloved bookshop in a fire and was widowed with a small child soon after. Her memories of the bookshop she grew up in and planned to manage someday, coupled with flashbacks of wise words from her adored father, are threaded throughout her story.

England’s “Marriage Bar” was new to me - I was unaware that women were not allowed to work after marriage. Emma was symbolic of the many widowed women, with and without children, who were not allowed to work in England once they married.

I had previously read about England’s Operation Pied Piper, the directive for families to send their children out of London to keep them safe before the bombing started. But, never had I read how the mothers felt, how they struggled wondering if they did the right thing sending their children to homes of strangers. I could feel Emma’s angst as she and Olivia parted. I cried with her as her heart ached to bring her daughter home.

Emma faced both these restrictions yet she managed to find work, overcome many obstacles and frightening situations, and create a life rich with love, compassion and community.

Having been to England several times I had shopped at the Boots DrugStore chain. I did not know that during the war years Boots Chemists, as it was called, was also home to lending libraries! I won’t go into detail as I am not one to include “spoilers” in my reviews. All I will say is that these lending libraries were a major, important and interesting component in The Booklover’s Library.

Like all historical fiction I’ve read there was a romantic component to this book. Several, in fact. But Martin does a great job in keeping them in the background for most of the book. Sure, they are obvious but they do not overwhelm the story she is sharing.

Please be sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end. Martin’s smooth and engaging writing style reflects her intense research and commitment to getting the facts right.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing UK for a digital copy of The Booklover’s Library.

This beautiful story is set in England during WWII. It’s a story of love and loss, but more importantly of the bond between mother and daughter.

Emma and Olivia, mother and daughter. It’s just them against the world. That is, until war breaks out and it’s no longer safe for Olivia to be at home. What lengths will Emma go to in order to keep Olivia safe?

I enjoyed this book very much and will be checking out more of Martin’s books.

Thank you to Madeline Martin, NetGalley, and Hanover Square Press for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. A great historical fiction written during the time of WWII showing the love and compassion of relationships with books and people to get you through those tough times.

After reading the author's note, I get why this book was written the way it was. It's meant to be a book about mothers and their unending love for their child. The cover, title, and description however make you think it's about a library in WWII England. Very little is written about the library and much of the book is boring. I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn't been expecting a very different book.

The Booklover's Library is about young widow, Emma Taylor, living in Nottingham during the early years of WWII. Legal restrictions prohibit women who are married and have children from working, but Emma stumbles upon a job at the Booklover's Library within Boots, and becomes Miss Taylor for the library patrons, and must hide from her coworkers that she has a young daughter. This book is a slice of day-to-day life for living in England during the war and the years of the Blitz. Emma encounters a cast of characters in her daily life, from her neighbors in her tenement building, to the library patrons and her coworkers at Boots.
This particular book was the first I've read by Madeline Martin, and overall, I enjoyed it, reading it from start to finish in a single day. This is a book for readers who don't require a plot heavy book but enjoy seeing a place and time from a character's unique perspective. Emma has a distinct voice, and showed development over the course of the book, learning to believe in her own strength and abilities as a mother, while also learning to rely on her friends. I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, who are interested in the daily lives of people in the path of important events in time.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

I had heard so many good things about this book and was looking forward to this book so much. I REALLY wanted to love it. The first hundred pages had me hooked. The emotional parts were done well.

...but...the rest of the book kind of dragged out, was repetitive and predictable. The book should have been called "Us Against the World". The library wasn't the main focus as I was expecting and wanted. It was just the "side chick" to the "against all odds I shall protect my daughter" theme. The little that actually took place in the library, I feel like half the scenes were fluff. And can we talk about what a wet blanket Emma is? With all the women empowerment rah-rah going on in the story, when someone looks down on her for being a working mother or questions her motives, she turns into an Eeyore.
Super disappointed.

My book club read The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin in April/May and were lucky enough to have the author join us for a final Zoom. During that call, we learned about The Booklover's Library, so I immediately came to NetGalley to request it.

The Booklover's Library follows Emma, a widow raising her young daughter Olivia alone in London. She convinces the manager at a subscription library to take a chance on her for employment, with most jobs being closed to widows. And, with WW2 raging and the Blitz happening around them, Emma receives instructions to evacuate Olivia to the country for her own protection. Independent to a fault, Emma must depend on those around her for survival.

I so loved this book! Learning about the private libraries in England was so interesting, that people paid for the opportunities to access new titles as the public libraries typically stocked classics. Emma's story was compelling, especially the choices she had to make as a widow and the obstacles she faced at every turn. Despite not having a spouse to help provide, so many doors were shut to these women while still having children to raise. One could really feel the discrimination and judgment Emma faced in all the decision she made in raising Olivia on her own.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. Madeline Martin did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would recommend it!