This was such a beautiful, sentimental story. First of all, I am absolutely obsessed with Noodle. He is such a sweetheart and he cares so deeply for everyone. Chloe had to grow up way too fast. When her mother abandons her younger siblings and they are placed in foster care, she drops everything to run home and pick up the pieces. She is strong willed and selfless and she became exactly the mother that her siblings needed.

You will fall in love with each and every character in this novel. (Well, except for the mother…who does that to their kids?!) This story was beautifully written and the characters were well developed. If you are looking for an easy read that will warm your heart, this is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook.

Wow! Lucy Gilmore does it again. I absolutely loved this story. Chloe Sampson had to leave college to come home and take care of her young siblings after her mom abandoned them. She works at the library, and one day when clearing out the library basement, she finds an old copy of Tropic of Cancer which is very valuable, and inside she finds that a couple had sent notes through book. This becomes a literary scavenger hunt, to find other books this couple had passed note in.

This book is really heartwarming. It has wonderful literary references, and it deals with what we sacrifice for family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced listener copy. The audiobook is wonderful and is narrated by a full cast, Leanne Woodward; Aven Shore; Joe Jameson; and Bob Ball. I highly recommend this book. 4.5 stars.

A story about books? Here I am!

The Library of Borrowed Hearts is a very heartwarming read that celebrates love and second chances.

Chloe is a librarian struggling to stay afloat while raising her younger siblings. She comes across an old library book with notes scrawled in the margins and soon discovers that the notes are a conversation between lovers. Jasper, her neighbor, learns of the book and offers to purchase it from Chloe for a ridiculous sum of money leading Chloe to the conclusion that Jasper might be one of the authors of the secret notes and new story will be discovered.

I enjoyed how it was described the dual time throughout this book and I also enjoyed the characters.

This is a story that I think could appeal a lot of readers just by looking at the book cover and I mean it because it’s so cute!

Least but not last I want to mention the cast narration! The performances were fantastic! I really enjoyed the narration.


Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review

The Library Of Broken Hearts is the perfect uplifting summer read. This is the story of Chloe who is struggling to raise her younger siblings, and her grouchy and spiteful next door neighbor, Jasper. When Chloe finds an old novel with mysterious notes in the margins, she embarks on a life changing journey to find out who left them and what the notes mean.

The character arcs of Chloe and Jasper are perfectly timed and the ending of the novel is satisfying. This is a great novel for several different types readers, and is ultimately a love letter to books. 5 big stars!

3
This was like if there was a parallel universe/happy sunshine pg version of Shameless + having the love of books haha

I loved The aspect of a big sister doing all she can to protect and provide for her siblings while also trying to find herself and live her life.

I enjoyed all the characters minus Catherine which I think Is an overall consensus

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, the author and the narrators for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

DNF @ 33%

I grabbed this book due to its title and description, expecting a thoughtful novel. Sadly, I could not get into it because of the style.

😍 The good:
The idea was rather lovely and intriguing and the title was really inspired. The dual timeline had potential (the past one was more engaging, but could not save the book). I also liked the fact that the novel included classic literature references.

😅 The not-so-good:
The storyline seemed slow and scattered to me and the narration didn't help it much, so it was not my cup of tea as I could not follow it well. The main character from the present was not very likeable which kind of made me lose interest even more, and the story rather lacked the expected depth.

4.5 stars

This was a really complex and interesting romance. It feels a lot longer (in a good way) as you sort of get two different love stories, one taking place back in time. Everything comes together towards the end. Maybe some people could have predicted it, but it caught me by surprise. I had a problem with Catherine and how she handled everything, but honestly it seemed true to her character. All the characters felt real (even if flawed) and I really grew to care about them. I felt all the weight on Chloe's shoulders, and loved Noodle and Gummy Bear. I'll be thinking about this story for a long time.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy Gilmore's 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 swept me away with its enchanting tale of love, loss, and unlikely friendships. Chloe Sampson, a dedicated librarian juggling familial responsibilities, embarks on a literary scavenger hunt after discovering romantic notes in an old book. As she unravels the mystery, Chloe forms an unexpected bond with her reclusive neighbor, Jasper Holmes. Gilmore's writing is captivating, seamlessly blending humor, heart, and poignant moments. Chloe's dynamic character, along with her endearing siblings, adds depth to the narrative, making them feel like cherished friends. Gilmore effortlessly crafts a multi-layered story that spans decades, weaving together themes of love, forgiveness, and the power of human connection. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 is a delightful read that will warm your heart and leave you longing for more.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for sending this audiobook for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Lucy Gilmore's novel, "The Library of Borrowed Hearts," follows in the vein of "The Man Called Ove," offering a touching narrative that explores how class disparity may dictate the trajectory of romantic and familial relationships. In a story told from multiple points of view over alternating timelines, various characters, including Jasper Holmes, are brought into focus. At a tender age, Jasper took it upon himself to support his impoverished family. But nothing prepared him when he met Catherine, a feisty, strong-willed librarian who had just moved into their town in 1960. After years have passed, Jasper lives solitary as the neighborhood curmudgeon, bereft of a family and burdened by the boisterous siblings living next door. Chloe, the eldest of the Sampsons, who works as a librarian, finds a bootleg copy of "The Tropic of Cancer," which she assumes is her windfall once she sells the rare book for a steep price. But nestled within its margins are exchanges of notes between two people in love. When she realizes that her grumpy neighbor, Jasper, was half of the pair who had written those notes, she learns about Catherine, who had opened his heart to love but also shattered it. As Jasper soon warms up to the Sampsons, he finally finds himself entangled with the family whose life mirrors his own.

While the plot is somewhat formulaic, the book's take on the forbidden love trope's usual dismal and dynamic layers is made more sentimental with its epistolary narration, albeit in tiny fragments. There is an undeniable desire to see how the characters progress from the crisis point to a happy or tragic ending. At first, I was slightly let down, knowing I could sense how the entire plot would unfold given the circumstances. Yet, I still reeled from the impactful dialogues, valuable insights, and vivid imagery.

Gilmore alludes to essential classics like "Wuthering Heights," "The Haunting of Hill House," "Farewell to Arms," and the controversial book "Tropic of Cancer" to drive home a point: that readers are drawn to certain fictional characters because they identify with them or desire their attributes and predicaments. Lured by the magic of books, Catherine and Jasper identify with the personas created in the books they read, modeling their lives after them. The author has designed parallels between their lives and those of the beloved fictional characters they've come to cherish.

But this book is not just a love story. It is a deep dive into the socioeconomic barriers that precipitate child abandonment. Several moving scenes depict the repercussions of parents neglecting parental duties, and the author's execution is raw yet evocative.

With a lush writing style and endearing characters, Gilmore's "The Library of Borrowed Hearts" manages to craft a storyline that explores multiple themes without becoming convoluted. I appreciate how each character's journey is well laid out with detailed backstories. While some characters have found redemption, in contrast, others who have borne guilt have acquired valuable lessons, all wrapped up with a satisfying conclusion that doesn't leave loose ends.

I thought this was a sweet and heavy read. I loved the family and all the book quotes along with the choose your own adventure through a book theme. However, this book was a bit sad, and I would definitely recommend checking trigger warnings for child abandonment, death, and pregnancy loss.

Although I loved the idea of this book, it just didn't capture my attention the whole way through, and I kept checking to see when it was going to be over. However, I was rooting for this adorable family and their neighbor the whole way through and enjoyed the few little twists in the story!

4 stars

A book about books; who wouldn't love that?

I enjoyed the dual timeline throughout this book.

The characters are richly drawn and relatable, each grappling with their inner demons and yearning for connection.

The Library of Borrowed Hearts is a captivating and heartwarming read that celebrates the beauty of second chances and the enduring power of love.

Thank you to Macmaillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, this cover is adorable! I love books about books and found family! This was a such sweet book with so many wonderful characters. I really fell in love with Chloe’s brother Noodle and grumpy next door neighbor Jasper. Their relationship was especially fun to read. I’m a big sucker for found family. It gets me every time!

I enjoyed how the story was told. The use of flashbacks to tell Catherine and Jasper’s story was great. The way it was interwoven with Chloe’s relationships with her siblings, her mother, and her love interest Zach. It all flowed well. Plus, the narrators did a great job bringing all of the different characters to life. I love a full cast of voices to listen to.

My only complaint is that the book just ends. I was hoping for an epilogue, but the ending was left up to interpretation.

Overall, a really sweet story that I definitely recommend to readers who enjoy books and found family!

This was a good book and I know I’m unfairly comparing it to Lucy Gilmore’s last book which I LOVED, however, this is still a really solid read.

Chloe is a librarian who is the caretaker for her younger siblings and at the beginning of this story she finds an old novel with correspondence written in the margins of the pages. When her cranky old neighbor, Jasper, sees her with this book he quickly offers $5,000 to buy it off her, tipping off to Chloe he’s likely one of the correspondents in the margins. Chloe has a companion in Zach to start to unravel the mystery within the margins.

There’s a lot of hurt and trauma with Chloe having an absent mother and having to step in for her and some differing familial traumas with Jasper and Catherine. The ending leaves it up to interpretation of the individual reader to decide where it ultimately leads and often I dislike that but I think it works really well in this instance.

This is definitely a general fiction rather than a romance novel despite two main romances being at the center of the story. I also liked the narrator chosen for this audiobook and think they did a good job.

4 stars

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmaillan audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When you tell me a book is about books and features a curmudgeonly octogenarian, I automatically know this is a book I must read. Though The Library of Borrowed Hearts starts off a bit slow, the payoff at the end is quite satisfying.

Chloe is a librarian struggling to stay afloat while raising her three younger siblings. She comes across an old library book with notes scrawled in the margins and soon discovers that the notes are a conversation between lovers. Her grouchy neighbor, Jasper, learns of the book and offers to purchase it from Chloe for a ridiculous sum of money leading Chloe to the conclusion that Jasper might be one of the authors of the secret notes. Thus begins a mystery that will span sixty years and encompass two love stories. Told through many references to literary classics, there is a benefit to the reader being familiar with those works.

Lucy Gilmore has written an utterly charming and heartwarming novel that illustrates the healing power of books and their ability to touch hearts when we cannot find the proper words. Her book is brimming with hope, resilience, and a powerful reflection on what it truly means to love so deeply that you are willing to make any sacrifice.

This is a full cast narration which brings each of the characters to life in a way that brings depth to the story. I enjoyed the performances and found them to be well cast.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the free ALC. MY opinions are my own and leaving them voluntarily. I tried to push through but made it to 30% and had to throw in the towel I personally have not read the classics so was disconnected to the revenue points in book. I wish it moved a bit quicker too. I had it at 2x speed.

The narrators made such a beautiful addition to this story! Each part was narrated perfectly. This book was already phenomenal but the narrators truly brought it to life. I listened at 2.0x comfortably.

Chloe is a young library worker struggling to make ends meet and raise her three younger siblings. When she comes across a vintage copy of Tropic of Cancer in the library’s basement storeroom, she knows she’s found something special. When she discovers love notes scribbled in the margins of the book, she’s worried that her treasure’s resale value has tanked, but for some reason her curmudgeonly next-door neighbor Jasper is willing to pay thousands to take the book off her hands. Chloe soon finds herself fascinated by the young lovers and embarks on a kind of literary scavenger hunt, eager to learn more about what happened to their romance.

This is a sweet story with a lot of heart. It will likely appeal to many readers, but I just wasn’t the right audience for this book. It’s jam-packed with literary references from Hemingway to Wuthering Heights all the way up to the Warriors cat books that my son loves and even the author’s own previous book, but it leans heavily on the classics. Despite my lifelong love of reading, I’m not a fan of the classics, so these numerous excerpts and their links to the notes between the young lovers didn’t do much for me. It felt like the author spent too much time on this aspect of the book and not enough on character development. Fans of A Man Called Ove (like me) will surely love cranky old Jasper, but I couldn’t connect with either of the FMCs. I felt like I hardly knew anything more about Chloe at the end of the book than I did when it started, and I couldn’t relate to Catherine at all.

This is a full cast audiobook which is always a plus, and the narrators all do a great job with their characters’ perspectives. Having both read and listened to this one, I did find it a bit difficult to follow the literary references and the notes between the two lovers, as there’s nothing in the audio to alert you to which items are quotes, who is writing which note, or where the perspective switches between notes.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Dreamscape Media for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This book was equal parts romantic, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and hopeful. The Library of Borrowed Hearts is a book full of love stories… young lovers from different worlds fighting for happiness, siblings sacrificing for each other and seeking joy in the face of tragedy, unexpected friendships, and second chances. Gilmore has also penned a love letter to books, libraries, and librarians, and speaks to the power of books - the ones that have shaped and defined us, given hope when life was bleak, provided an escape and brought hope, expanded our hearts, broadened our worldviews, and ultimately, connected our hearts to others.

I loved the dual timeline and the multi POV. Gilmore did a wonderful job creating suspense throughout the story by sprinkling the love notes from the past and connecting them with similar themes in the present day storyline. I couldn’t stop reading and finished this book in one sitting - I was fully invested in this entire cast of characters and needed to know what happened next.

There was a familiar quality in Gilmore’s writing that gave this story a coziness and felt like being wrapped in a fluffy blanket and coming home. This story explores love and the sacrifices we make and the lengths we go to for those we love. My heart ached throughout this story and truly broke for these characters when they faced impossible choices and heart wrenching circumstances. Life isn’t always rainbows and sunshine, but this book serves as a beautiful reminder that joy and hope can be found in the unexpected… and that when things feel overwhelming or we need an escape, we can always turn to books - either for an adventure in a new story or for comfort in the reread of a favorite.

I cannot recommend the audio enough! The full cast narration was fantastic and made for such a moving and emotional reading experience.

The Library of Broken Hearts is the first book from Lucy Gilmore I have come across and I loved it so much that when thte audiobook became available when I was a few chapters in that I decided to do a readalong and I loved it even more!

I am not normally a fan of multi-narrator audiobooks, but this was an absolute delight, a stellar performance where everybody played their part authentically and with style. Excellent portrayal of the cadances of the different era's by Leanne Woodward, Aven Shore, Joe Jameson and Bob Ball

Chloe Sampson is an assistant in a library, she is tasked to clear out an old, dusty basement, full of books long left unread. It is here that she comes across a rare book, banned because of its themes, damp, mildewed but a potential $1000 sale online. The book is "The Tropic of Cancer" and she is blindsided when her neighbour (Jasper) offers to buy it instead. Why is he so keen on it? Why is he after a book in such a state? It is at this point, that Chloe looks deeper, and notices the notes in the margins. Are they just notes? Or something more?

(The premise of a love story played out in the margins of books long consigned to a dusty basement is brilliant and how do C and F relate to Chloe's mysterious old neighbour?)

Chloe has a dichotomy in front of her. She needs to make money to support her and the 3 abandoned siblings she has just been reunited with, but she also has a deep love of books and is intrigued at finding more and more books in which a long-lost love story is playing out

This book is written beautifully and sent me into so many different reactions, through joy and incredulity to a tear or two and lots of chuckles. A love story played out through the decades and lives lived through adversity and avarice. Brilliant

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Casablance, Dreamscape Media, Lucy Gilmore and the narrtors for this awesome ALC and ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

two romances in one book, with a dual timeline and a love of books this book was truly a book lovers dream.
The audiobook was a great listen, the narrator’s voice was very engaging.