The Booklovers' Library by Madeline Martin is a book that is right up my alley. I have said this before but I love books that have elements of truth that make me want to delve deeper into the subject. In this case, I wanted to learn more about the lending libraries during World War II that this book centers around. I had no idea these existed and in this story, they were part of Boots' pharmacies in England.

Apparently, these were a huge deal and had members of high society as patrons. They were treated to exceptional, professional service at all times. In this story, Emma has experienced some tragedy in her life and is raising her daughter, Olivia, alone. Even though she is widowed, she is technically not allowed to work, since she is a mother. This was true back then! However, Miss Bainbridge decides to make an exception and allows Emma to be the newest employee of the library.

Emma quickly becomes efficient in her job and finds she really enjoys it. Furthermore, a load is off her shoulders now, as she was in need of money. Emma not only works in the library but also volunteers where she can helping those affected by the war, working alongside her friends. I feel that is the story of how community comes together during a catastrophic time in our history.

My two cents: I enjoyed these characters immensely. I was invested in what happened to Emma and her friends and interested in learning more about the real libraries at that time. The author does a fantastic job bringing these characters to life and making them seem real, a trait I love in any book.

Madeline Martin is now going to be an auto-read author for me. I loved this entire story. I thought it was sad. I thought it was upliftings. The story just pulled me in and I didn't want to put it down every time I picked it up. This was such an easy book to read, but brought out so many emotions. I loved the mother/daughter relationship as well as Emma sharing her love of reading with Olivia. I loved seeing the difficult decisions that Emma had to make, not only for herself, but as a single mother. The entire concept of the Booklover's Library was amazing to read about, especially with all the characters who visited the library. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy historical fiction WWII novels.

I'm usually a sucker for anything WWII historical fiction and when it involves books and libraries, doubly so. However, for whatever reason I really struggled to get into this latest from Madeline Martin. I went back and forth between print and audio and not ever the voice talents of Saskia Maarveld could save this one for me. Recommended for fans of authors like Kate Thompson this was likely a me thing or a wrong book wrong time thing. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I always love a book set in a library, and I’m usually a fan of WWII historical fiction, so this was a perfect combination for me. The idea of a private lending library upstairs from a pharmacy was fascinating - I had no idea that was a thing. The policy of making sure all the women who worked there had a cup of tea and/or lunch made me smile. The rules about married women and widowed mothers being unable to work, not so much.
Emma’s story, as she navigates working in the library, sending her daughter away for protection, getting to know her new coworkers, and connecting with her neighbors, all while dealing with the threat of war, kept me turning pages late into the night.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy.

I love books about books and this one did not disappoint. Emma is a widow with a daughter and convinces a book lending library to hire her. The most eye opening part of this book was the restriction on married women to work. Even widowed mothers could not work to support their children. And yet they were shamed for the level of care they were able to provide (with no income).

Pick this up if you love:
- WWII novels
- books about books
- strong single mothers

‘The Booklover’s Library’ by Madeline Martin is my second book by this author. I was really pleased to find another book by Ms. Martin. First of all what could be more delightful for a bibliophile that reading about books and libraries. Add the fact that it is Historical Fiction during World War II and I’m in.

The famous department store Boots has a lending Library! Emma Taylor is a widow with a lively and lovely daughter named Olivia. Ms. Taylor is struggling to make ends meet and really wants to work. However during this time in history widows weren’t allowed to work. Emma grew up in a book store. She takes a chance by applying for a job at the Booklover’s Library. The head of the library takes a chance on Emma. Her life begins to transform. She is making friends and providing for her daughter.

The book is really a feel good story about Emma and Olivia. It starts out as they are two against the world during the looming possibility of war and ends up with them being surrounded by a small community. The book delves into the loss, pain, difficultly, and separation of family. The book gives us a feeling about the difficult choices people had to make during World War II. This story is much more on the softer side of then usual Historical Fiction Novels regarding this war.

It is heartwarming and leaves the reader with a happy ending. This was an easy read and a divergence from the usual World War II historical fiction novels. I am looking forward to Madeline Martin’s next novel. Well done.

I would like to thank the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Press Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished The Booklover's Library in just about 24 hours. I was completely engrossed in this story. In particular, I loved the pacing. It felt like in each chapter something different was happening and there were a lot of subplots that kept me turning the pages.

If you like WWII historical fiction, this will be a good fit. Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in London during WWII, Emma Taylor is a widow living with her daughter Olivia in a tenement house. Due to the war, Emma sends Olivia away as part of the evacuation plan to keep the children safe during the bombings. It becomes a trying time for both mother and daughter. Emma secures a job at the Boots’ Booklover’s Library, even though widows with children are prohibited from most jobs. She must hide that she has a daughter.

Through all the upheaval, violence, and turmoil of war, Emma embarks on an emotional journey. She finds solace and friendship at her job and sees firsthand the power of books to bring people together in good times and bad. The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a well-researched and lovely story about a woman’s journey back from loneliness and her intense love for her daughter.

This novel resonates with me as I have also been fortunate to find friends through shared love books. Never underestimate the power of other people’s stories and their impact on our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin is a captivating, heartwarming story of motherhood, friendship, love, resilience and community set in wartime Nottingham, England and how the power of books brings them together.

I loved this touching story, it is a must read.

Thank you NetGalley, Author and Publisher for the E-Arc.

Emma Taylor is a widowed mother who finds herself in need of a job just at WWII is amping up. She manages to convince the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to give her a job despite widows not being allowed jobs. She's looking forward to a better life with her daughter when the war arrives on British soil and she's forced to send her daughter away for safety. But danger doesn't only come from the Germans dropping bombs and Emma will have to decide if dubious safety far away is better than knowing where and how her daughter is doing.

It's a very sweet story about the hardships English citizens had to go through during WWII told through the lens of a kind woman determined to keep her daughter safe and do all she can to help those around her. The people Emma is surrounded by are almost all excellent people with their own stories to tell that contribute greatly to the world building.

I particularly appreciate that it's very much a WWII story that doesn't delve as deep into the horrors of war yet it still manages to get the point across by making it about the people. It's not just Emma's story, it's those around her who step up to support their community and their country.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the enlightening read!

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin is a heartwarming historical novel set in Nottingham, England, during World War II.

The story follows Emma Taylor, a widow struggling to provide for herself and her daughter, Olivia, amidst the chaos of the Blitz. Emma finds solace and purpose in a local library, where she discovers the transformative power of books and the strength of community.

Martin’s meticulous research brings wartime England to life, highlighting the resilience and sacrifices of ordinary people. The novel beautifully captures the therapeutic nature of books and the bonds they create among readers. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making their journeys both poignant and inspiring.

This was a compelling read for me as I am generally someone who enjoys those slice-of-life stories set against a historical backdrop. The Booklover’s Library is a testament to the enduring power of literature and the human spirit and I would definitely recommend it!

The Booklovers Library has some of my absolute favorite things to read about: libraries and books in general, found family and WWII historical fiction.

We follow widower, Emma Taylor as she struggles to provide a life for her daughter Olivia. When Boots’ Booklover’s Library takes a chance on hiring her (widows aren’t allowed to work), her life transforms with the friendships she makes. As the threat of the war looms over England, Emma will have some tough choices to make regarding her daughter’s safety.

This book was so heartwarming and beautiful. It just leaves you with such a good feeling. The research the author did in getting the historical accuracy down really shows. As far as WWII historical fictions go, this one was on the more mild light hearted side. I definitely plan on reading more from Madeline Martin.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Cozy, sweet, and sad; fans of The Last Bookshop in London will love this new novel from Madeline Miller. This historical fiction novel will have you asking, did that really happen?” and in most cases the answer is yes, it did. This tale of motherhood, friendship, and resilience makes an excellent comfort read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC.

I had my doubts in the beginning of this novel. Obviously, since I loved her debut novel, I had high hopes for this novel. And with the way the novel began with tragedy following tragedy and even more tragedy and a war...well, I was just not sure how Emma would survive this novel! And she's the main character!

As it moved along past the string of tragedies, the story picked up quite a bit, more historical context was explored (in particular, the law about married and widowed women not being allowed to work!), and things moved along quite well. It's a powerful story, one which I enjoyed immensely. Highly recommend!

A captivating read during WWII set in Nottingham. Madeline Martin wrote a beautiful story about a single mother, Emma and her daughter Olivia’s hardship and the road to happiness in ‘The Booklover’s Library’. I really enjoyed reading the Author’s notes at the end regarding her research and personal touches she added this storyline.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Madeline Martin for an eARC copy of ‘The Bookerlover’s Library’.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, all opinions are my own.

I loved this WWII historical fiction centered around the Boots' Booklover's Library. Our main character Emma, is a single mother barely making ends meet. The law says that married women can't work, and widows have very limited employment opportunities to provide for their children. Having worked at her father's bookstore until his death, Emma is well versed in books, so when she sees and opening at her local Boots' she applies out of desperation. The manageress is a kind woman and agrees to take a chance. The job brings some stability as well as a support group as the rationing of food begins as the war picks up.

This takes place before and during the German bombing of London and the surrounding areas of England, leaving Emma to make the tough decision to keep her daughter at home with her or send her away to the countryside where she will be safe. This brings its own set of problems as either way she decides has its issues.

This was such a wonderful look into a different aspect of the WWII. We normally see books about the war machine itself or those who participated directly as nurses, spies, or soldiers, but this is about a woman doing her best to survive as a civilian while the war wages on in another country and then at her doorstep. As she and the rest of England try to help the best they can by volunteering, rationing, and donating what they can spare, they also try to go about their day and find solace in books as many of us do today. Her job as a clerk in the lending library was to provide the best service to her patrons in a terrible time and give them a few moments of peace and a great book to escape in for a while.

I really loved the character development we get from Emma and the other characters. The relationship between her and her daughter Olivia was genuine and realistic. This explores not only what was happening historically during WWII, but also has a nice little romance, talks reverently about books, discusses relationships and so much more. This was such a wonderful read and I learned so much from it. I always love learning from historical fiction and I appreciated the time and research the author put into the details. I highly recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction especially set during the WWII time period.

There are so many different pieces of this book that will keep you interested and invested in the Booklover's Library. A widow's ability to earn a living and provide for herself and her children were very limited during this era. Emma's experience in her father's bookshop and her dedication in taking care of her daughter will convince the owner of a library to hire her. As WWI starts, Emma must send her daughter from London to the country for her won safety. These two story lines offer a new look at how the hardships of war impacted the civilians. The workings of the library will surprise many. Libraries were not always free to everyone, but had a subscription fee and were very limited.

Madeline Martin has done an excellent job of painting the stories with realistic characters and descriptions of the era. As she tells Emma's stories, it was very easy to be drawn into the pages.

A heartwarming beautifully written story set in wartime England. After her daughter being evacuated to the countryside, a widow,Emma works in Boot's Booklover's Library. She makes unlikely friendships and tries to solve the mystery of books disappearing and being misplaced. Wonderful, complex characters and an unpredictable story make this a real page turner and a must read!

One thing that I love about historical fiction is discovering something I didn’t know. I have read dozens of books that take place in WWII England. I have read about the Blitz, the Pied Piper Project, the goings on at Bletchley and the WVS, but until I read this book I had absolutely no idea that Boots (the famous ‘chemists’ had a lending library located in their stores. Many times located on the second floor away from regular business, the lending library was available via subscription only. The ladies that worked in the lending library were single without children. Emma is a widow with a young daughter. With England yet again on the verge of war, she is in desperate need of a job. Widows and married women are prohibited by law to work outside the home. As luck would have it, being honest during her interview at Boot’s’ Booklovers’ Library lands her a chance to prove herself as a bookseller. The book follows the story of Emma and her daughter, Olivia as they navigate Emma’s new job, air raids and evacuation to the countryside. There are several colorful characters, and some really good side stories. I enjoyed the book very much. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of this book.

I loved The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin! The main character of the book is Emma - and the book starts with her reading the novel "Emma". I don't like to tell about the storylines in books as I believe it's more enjoyable to read the book than to read a book report. So my REVIEW of this book is to simply give some of my thoughts on The Booklover's Library. While Emma was the main character the novel also tells the stories of people that Emma comes to know and how their relationships start and change in the first few years of WWII. It is filled with drama, romance, and moments of terror and tragedy that Emma and others experience. It is a wonderful example of true friendship, community, grit, and how those not on the battlefields of war still had their duty to fulfill for their country. From this book I learned that there really were Booklover's Libraries in England in the first half of the 20th century. I also learned that women at that time in England were not allowed to work outside the home if they were married - or even if they were widowed but had children. How the women in The Booklover's Library address the issue of married women - or even widows with children -is something you'll find out if you read the book. I strongly recommend The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin to anyone interested in books that take place during WWII with women as main characters. I received an advanced readers' copy of this book but all opinions are strictly my own.