Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dreamscape Audio for my copy of The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore Narrated by Leanne Woodward; Aven Shore; Joe Jameson; Bob Ball in exchange for an honest review. It published April 30, 2024.
This was really well-narrated by all of the authors, it was super enjoyable.
This was such a fun and sweet book, I completely enjoyed it, and I loved that even when I thought it was being predictable, it was totally on purpose. I felt like the character development was so perfect for several characters in this story, and I was rooting on basically everyone. Seriously, this cast of characters was just wonderfully written. The setting sounds so wonderful, as a PNW dweller, I love hearing about small towns I've never gotten to go to that are still in my area.
I highly recommend this gem of a book!

I loved this story so much!

Heartwarming, captivating and charming, and all the characters completely captured my heart. A librarian, a mystery to solve, a fantastic love story, this book will leave you with a smile on your face.

Thank you Casablanca Books and Dreamscape Media for this complimentary audiobook and gifted copy.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 by Lucy Gilmore releases April 30, 2024.

I typically enjoy books with libraries and this one fits right in. I like that books try to make a point of showcasing libraries because it’s important to still draw attention to them. This one was also cute because it had two love stories entwined but it never felt too busy or chaotic. It played out beautifully even though I could have done without the resurgence of their POS mother who shouldn’t even be called a mother.

I fell in love with these characters. Well, I hated the mother, but I loved the rest of them! I also like how the characters tied together, love notes in books will always make me swoon!

I received an advance audio copy. All thoughts are my own.

A sweet sweet library tale that just squeezes your heart. I love reading books about books and book lovers. This was a dose of honey.

This was an excellent audio production of a truly enjoyable and sweet story! I immediately borrowed the author's previous "Library" title on audio from Hoopla when I finished this one.

A feel good romance that’s as much a love letter to books and libraries as a story about love in many forms. This is a satisfying read that isn’t as predictable as some others, where the happy endings look different for different characters, and it’s not too steamy.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and it was very enjoyable. I loved that the different POVs had different voices and the voice actors did an incredible job. If you're a fan of audiobooks I definitely recommend this one!

As for the story, it was good but it had a lot of aspects of books I've read before and lacked the same depth. It had aspects of The Notebook, The House in the Cerulean Sea, and A Man Called Ove but for me it lacked the same emotions and feeling of those books. The romances were also missing something for me. It was an entertaining storyline and I enjoyed the read but it couldn't quite meet the bar for me.

I also didn't love the writing style. The multiple POVs didn't start until after the 50% mark in the book so the change was a bit jarring. I wish the multiple POVs were throughout the book as I think that would have made it so much stronger. There were times throughout the book it slowed and dragged and I think if those changing POVs were sprinkled in it would have helped with that, as well.

I did like the end twist for what happened to Catherine. The ending also made up a lot of ground and turned the book around for me.

I also liked all the characters with the exception of Ravenna and Catherine. Catherine was awful. The author tried to explain her motives but they fell flat. Then she gaslighted Jasper to be the at fault and the reason behind all her choices. She had him apologizing and she didn't apologize! Honestly, maybe one of the worst characters I've ever read.

Overall, this is a story of family, love stories, and heartbreak. It was a decent read but I think there are books that cover all those topics better. The resolutions weren't as satisfying as I wanted them to be. It was enjoyable but not something I would read again.

Audio Narration : 4⭐
Plot: 2.5⭐
Avg Rating: 3⭐

Librarian Chloe Sampson has a lot on her plate. Legal guardian to her three younger siblings ever since their mother abandoned them, she juggles her job at the local library and her responsibilities at home. When she discovers a rare edition of an old book while clearing out the library basement, she decides to sell it for a decent price, hoping that the sale will temporarily ease her financial woes. The book in question has handwritten notes written in the margin – notes indicating a romantic relationship between two book-loving people ( “J” an “C”). When her grumpy elderly neighbor Jasper Holmes offers to buy the book for a handsome price Chloe begins to put two and two together and begins to search for more books in the library with similar messages on the pages. As the narrative progresses, Chloe’s quest marks the beginning of an unlikely friendship with Jasper, who helps her when she is at her wit’s end. We follow Chloe as her deep dive into the events from sixty years ago gives her a deeper look into Jasper’s past and a love story that isn’t quite over.

I love stories that revolve around books/ bookstores/libraries. It's always a joy to find stories that emphasize how books can be a reader’s best companion and how the love for reading can bring people together. I was drawn to the premise The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore for the same reasons. Told through multiple perspectives in dual timelines with a plot that includes a wonderful selection of literary references with scribbled messages in the margins of old books, a struggling librarian who is intent on solving the mystery behind the identity of the two lovers who used books as a way to communicate in the 1960s, a likable protagonist and a curmudgeonly neighbor who isn’t as gruff as he makes out be, this novel had a lot to offer.

Initially, I was enjoying the story and found both present and past storylines interesting, but as the narrative progressed, I found myself struggling to maintain my enthusiasm. Chloe is an endearing protagonist ( though as the story progressed, I did question some of her choices) and I liked her dynamic with her friends and siblings (Noodle was one of my favorite characters). But the story moved too slowly for my liking and I thought that the 1960s storyline left a lot to be desired. There were several subplots and characters woven into the narrative, and there was too much going on, much of which was eventually of no consequence. The predictable, weak and unconvincing plot points (a few of which left me with unanswered questions) made it difficult to stay engaged. I was particularly disappointed in how the subplot revolving around Chloe’s dynamic with her mother was depicted. In the end, I wasn't quite sold on how the author chose to end the story.

I listened to the audiobook, brilliantly narrated by Leanne Woodward, Aven Shore, Joe Jameson and Bob Ball. I am glad that I opted for the audiobook, as I am sure that this would have been a tedious read.

This was my second Lucy Gilmore novel. The Lonely Hearts Book Club wasn’t an entirely satisfying read for me and unfortunately, this time was no different. However, many have enjoyed this book more and I would request you peruse other reviews before you decide on reading this novel.


Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I absolutely devoured this book and audiobook! I literally finished it in one sitting because I couldn’t stop!

"You don't get to decide how other people feel. The things you do matter...They don't get to walk away and then come back like it doesn't mean anything. We're...real live human beings. Not just some side characters who disappear the second they decide to turn the page."

"I take comfort from knowing that I can always pick up a book, a new one, if I want...someplace unique; an old one, if I find myself in need of a friend."

The Library Of Borrowed Hearts by, emotional eliciting, will read anything she writes, author Lucy Gilmore, ripped my heart to shreds and then slowly stitched it back together but there are scars.

Chloe, a young librarian, is struggling with life. Forced to leave college when her mother abandoned her 3 younger siblings, barely surviving financially, her solace is in books. But when she finds a rare, once banned copy of Tropic of Cancer, her life changes in unexpected ways.

She plans to sell it; then she discovers scribbled love messages in its margins, and realizes the romance continues in other classic books. Imagine her surprise when her cantankerous elderly neighbor, who refuses to return the frisbees that land in his yard, offers her a blank check for the book.

I was absorbed into the writer's world with every word I read and listening to talented voice actors Leanne Woodward, Aven Shore, Joe Jameson and Bob Ball be these complicated, often heartbreaking characters was emotional.

From the 1960s love affair of two star crossed lovers told through over 30 books from Rebecca to Wuthering Heights, to the present day love of found family, your heart will be curious, frustrated, oh so angry, and then it will weep, heal and love its borrowed time with this has my heart forever story.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from Dreamscape Media and SourcevBooks/Casablanca via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so sweet and heartwarming. I loved how events unfolded in the present and in the 60’s and how all the characters are tied together. This book made me feel so much hope and the joys of love. I loved how books were used to further the relationship between Jasper and Katherine and the mystery that was revealed in those pages. I loved the conversations that were jotted down in the margins of the books. I adored this book so much.

As a librarian, I was of course intrigued by the premise of this one. Chloe is a librarian in her small town, giving up on her dreams to come back and care for her siblings after her mother disappears. Struggling financially and mentally to do everything, she stumbles on a rare book in the libraries basement worth quite a bit of money. In the margins she finds correspondence between two long lost lovers. Her neighbor, an old cranky man, offers to buy the book from her for a considerable amount. But why does he want it so badly? With the help of a friend, she digs deeper into the story written on the pages and discovers town secrets that have been buried for years. Overall I enjoyed this one, but I did struggle with Jasper's sections. I don't even know why, the story was very good!

Every part of this book hit the right note for me. I loved the story both in the present and the past. The characters all pulled at my heart. The hunt to find the notes in the library books was such fun. I laughed and cried and the book pulled out all the emotions. The interactions between Chloe and the kids with Jasper were a highlight for me. I loved the friendship and family bond they formed. The book is one I would definitely reread. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Such a good story and so well written I am becoming a huge Lucy Gilmore fan. I loved the story and the premise about a secret romance and communicating through the library books. I enjoyed all the characters and that we got their different points of view. The narration was well done and the voices fit the characters. Really enjoyed this book and will be recommending! I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy Gilmore knows how to write the quirky bookish characters that have a great story line.

Chloe is a librarian (partially.) She is also taking care of her 3 younger siblings since her mother walked out on them. She's been struggling to get by, when she finds a rare copy of a book. Chloe plans on selling it, but she finds out that two people have left notes in the margins.. who wrote these notes? Come to find out, her grumpy old-man next door neighbor did.

Chloe and her friends try to find the various books that Jasper and C wrote in, to find their love story. Throughout the story there are various issues they have to face, will they find all of the books?

The audio was great, as each part (for different characters) was narrated by a different actor. I'd recommend this as a great fiction read, or for a book club pick! I'd definitely read another one of Gilmore's books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Dreamscape Media for both the digital and audiobook advanced copies via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The thing I've always loved about most books is how they make it possible to live a thousand different lives."

I put this book down right around Chapter 5 and almost didn't go back to it. I was right in the middle of a book slump and just wasn't ready to start a new book yet. But I am so glad I went back and finished it because this ended up being my favorite book that I've read all month.

I enjoyed the multiple-character POVs and the alternating timeline from present day and back to the 1960s. The different character POVs offered a more well-rounded view in to the story. I think without all of the perspectives chosen, the story would not have felt as complete as it was. I was elated when Noodle got his own POV. I loved that his perspective was added. Having this element made the side characters feel like they had more depth.

This story has so many layers to it. From Chloe taking care of her 3 younger siblings after her mom walked out on them, to the literary love story written between the pages of a bootleg banned book by two people and uncovering their love story and what happened to the people who wrote the notes, especially after Chloe's cranky old neighbor writes her a blank check for the book. The literary scavenger hunt was so fun to figure out as you continue reading. This was such a beautiful and wholesome story.

"The Library of Borrowed Hearts" by Lucy Gilmore caught my attention with its title and cover. Reading the synopsis told me that it could be a great match & I was delighted to be quickly drawn into the story. I listened to the audiobook and I'm glad that I did. (More below.)

What I loved:
- bookish/literary themes
- the local library
- small town setting
- romantic subplot
- the curmudgeonly neighbor
- dual timeline
- multiple POV
- multi-cast audiobook

I'm so glad I took a chance and requested the audiobook - thank you #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for the advanced copy! Since this is a literary fiction book about literary works and the ways they connected the lives of the characters, there are components of the story that may be a little tough to follow on audio. I thought the narrators did an excellent job of conveying the various speakers (or in the case of notes written in the margins, the authors) with varying inflection and tones. I very rarely felt confused and that may have been because I had the speed bumped up to 1.25x. If I have one complaint about the narration, it was that it felt incredibly slow at the default regular speed!

I have not read Lucy Gilmore's other book(s) but I look forward to reading more of her work! "The Library of Borrowed Hearts" had me laughing and crying, so caught up on the lives of these characters that I felt elated, heartbroken, worried, bereft, and hopeful. This story transported me and I absolutely loved it.

Browsing through ARCs, this book jumped out at me because of the premise. A literary scavenger hunt reminded me of one of my favorite books, Possession by A.S. Byatt. It also helped that the protagonist is a librarian, as am I! So I was really looking forward to this one.

Unfortunately, I was let down. To begin with, the scavenger hunt in question was resolved fairly early on in the book. Personally, I would have preferred if the book took place more in the present timeline than in the past timeline. The inclusion of the past timeline detracted from the mystery of the present timeline. But what really frustrated me the most was the casual way the book spoils multiple classics. This is one of my biggest pet peeves in books, to the point where I almost did not finish this one. The fact that I was out and about and needed something to listen to was really the only reason why I continued. These weren't just casual mentions of plot points, either; the ending of A Farewell to Arms is spoiled in practically every flashback chapter, to the point where it'd be difficult to even attempt to forget what you just read. I don't subscribe to the belief that because a book has been published for decades or centuries, it's okay to rob people of the future experience of reading it. I'm fortunate to have read the other classics so brazenly spoiled, but the fact that there are a handful speaks volumes.

This also fell into a trap that I was praying it wouldn't, which was a contrived plot twist involving some of the characters being connected in a "surprising" way. It felt so unnecessary, and I much prefer when communities come together out of purely caring for one another, rather than there being surprise connection all along. It's much less meaningful and takes away from the overall heart of the story.

“People just didn’t hoard books like they used to.” I feel SEEN. Speak for yourself, sir. 🤪

“‘Plants are alive, and books aren’t,’ Jasper said. This was only partially the truth. In many ways, books were more alive than most of the people he knew. They were living, breathing entities that changed each time you picked them up.”

This was the sweetest story with a huge emphasis on all things book. The importance of them. Their necessity. How often they are an integral part of someone’s story. It’s like a love letter to books and book lovers.

With four narrators, one for each of the main characters, the audiobook was fantastic and really came to life in my ears. You can feel the emotion and angst of the characters through the narration. And there is A LOT of emotion in this one. Overall I just loved this sweet story of book lovers and found family!

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Dreamscape Media, and the author for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.