I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. In my opinion, it was more of a romance than the history. It was still good and interesting but I feel like I learned more about the history part from the Author's notes. It also has a little bit of spice.

This book was slightly off the beaten path for me considering I tend to lean romance-heavy. I am so glad I stepped away from the pure romance genre to read this, as it was a page turner and well written/well researched. It was more of a historical romance with a touch of romance sprinkled in.
This book initially caught my eye because I'm bilingual and like to read things about/taking place in Portugal. The language was ok, but thought it might have been a bit improved if they checked with a native speaker. Otherwise a compelling plot, great character development and doubly enjoyable for me as it allowed me to step out of the box of genres I tend to lean towards by default. Solid 4.5 star read!

An edge of your seat story about two librarians who end up in Lisbon during WWII working as secret agents to uncover spies and traitors to the Allied cause. Selene and Bea are best friends who cross the ocean to do their part for the war effort only to be caught up in intrigues and romance that could cost them their lives!!

Being a librarian, this drew me in right away. I'm only sorry it took me so long to get to it! Based on historical facts, this story draws the reader in immediately. With echos of Kate Quinn in the writing, this was high on my favorites!

A heartfelt thank you to @suzannenelsonbooks @zandoprojects and @netgalley for the #gifted e-book!

This is an enthralling historical novel set against the backdrop of World War II, immersing you in the intrigue of espionage.

Bea and Selene, two resourceful librarians and steadfast friends, are enlisted by US Intelligence to infiltrate a complex spy network in Lisbon. As they navigate this treacherous world, they independently seek to uncover informants working with the Germans, all the while experiencing unexpected romance with the men aiding their mission.

This story is a riveting blend of fast-paced narrative and nail-biting suspense, enriched by the mystery surrounding the identities of the informants. Selene’s fearless confidence contrasts beautifully with Bea’s reserved caution, creating a dynamic friendship that enhances the plot. The dual perspectives deepen the reader’s connection to both characters. As Selene teams up with Luca and Bea with Gable, the fragile trust they forge is put to the ultimate test.

The author’s meticulous research shines through, and the closing note provides compelling insights into Portugal’s neutrality during the war and its profound impact on the lives of those seeking refuge there.

If you cherish gripping historical spy fiction, this is an absolute must-read!

I enjoyed this story. I love Lisbon and I really enjoyed reading about librarian spies. The hidden stories and political machinations were really interesting.

A beautiful European city full of spies and shady characters, two friends working on dangerous missions, two moving love stories in the midst of peril…What could be better? This was an exciting novel based on the true story of librarians acting as spies in the Second World War.

Bea and Seline, the heroines, are both likeable and well-rounded characters who really care about each other. Their love stories, although enjoyable and moving, were rather far-fetched because they both involved the women pretending to be mistresses of men to whom they were attracted! The plot was still clever, however, and Suzanne Nelson intertwines their stories very well. I was sorry to finish this novel.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Today librarians are thought to do little more than put books on shelves, check books out, and read books to children. The fact is, during WWII, librarians played key role as spies: helping to decode intercepted communications, copying and sending intercepted sensitive information, and even infiltrating clandestine groups. Based on real people, this historic fiction book brings to light the dangers librarians in Lisbon encountered in their fight against the Nazis. I was thoroughly immersed in this story! The characters are captivating. For another perspective on WWII, I would encourage all to read this book.

I really enjoyed reading this! I had no idea what role Portugal played during WWII, so it was fascinating to learn about its neutrality and how it became a hotbed of spies and refugees. The historical backdrop, especially the involvement of wolfram mining and its impact on the war, added an extra layer of intrigue that made me want to learn more.

The story of Bea and Selene navigating their secret roles as spies while trying to maintain their friendship—and unintentionally finding love amid war—was compelling. I appreciated that the book followed both of their viewpoints, though their stories became so intertwined toward the end that it was a little confusing until everything was finally revealed. The mystery element of figuring out who was really on which side kept me engaged throughout.

While I thought the pacing was solid and kept me entertained, I do feel like the ending was a little rushed. I also wish we had gotten more insight into their training at "the farm" before arriving in Portugal. They often relied on skills they learned there, but without much background, it was hard to gauge just how prepared or unprepared they truly were. A little more depth in that area would have made their journey feel even more believable.

Bea and Selene were both strong characters, but I had mixed feelings about Bea—she came off as self-righteous at times, especially in how she inserted herself into her friend’s dangerous mission, convinced she knew best. I didn’t love Bea and Gable’s romance, but I was really invested in Selene and Luca, which made their fate even more heartbreaking. That said, love in wartime has its own intensity, and the relationships—cheesy moments and all—added complexity to the story.

I also really appreciated the prologue showing Bea and Selene meeting again in their old age. Knowing from the start that they both survived helped me stay focused on their journey without constantly worrying about their fate.

Overall, this was a great read that shed light on an often-overlooked part of WWII history, particularly the role of women in espionage and Portugal’s unique position in the war.

This is an interesting historical setting that has not been written about enough. However, this book did not do justice to the setting or title. There were so many amazing places this story could have gone. I would have loved to learn more about the librarians work, but instead there are the usual contrived enemies to lovers that does not seem genuine and rushed. I would love to read this story if the women did not fall instantly in love with first bad-boy spy who comes along.

Mmmmm, this was okay. Kind of mid. It was good and kept me interested, but a bit slow and I kind of forgot everything about it as soon as I finished it.

The audiobook was tough to listen to - the narrator used such a strong French accent for some characters that I really didn’t understand what they were saying.

Unfortunately I don’t have much to say about The Librarians of Lisbon.

Wow! This book is so beautifully laid out. Selene and Betrice’s characters are both so distinct and I love that they have such distinct manners in which they shine when dealing with subterfuge. This book is unique and distinct in all the right ways. It was truly a joy to read. I love that we are hearing more and more about women and men who were not always highlighted previously in novels. This novel will not disappoint. It has intrigue, romance, joy and sadness, and doesn’t sugar coat the trials of helping fight against the Nazis.
Thank you so much to Zando Projects and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I received a copy of The Librarians of Lisbon by Suzanne Nelson from NetGalley and Zando Projects. This was a very well researched book but I feel like the focus was more of listing relevant food, people, areas in Lisbon on every page than the story. I did enjoy the character depictions of Selene and Bea - they felt real.

Lisbon 1943. As two American librarians are drawn into a city of dangerous subterfuge and unexpected love affairs, they are forced to choose between their missions and the men they love. Brimming with evocative writing and meticulous research, award-winning author Suzanne Nelson spins a web of secret aliases, sweeping romance, and great sacrifice. Inspired by real historical figures, this is the captivating story of two remarkable young women, their bravery and heartache, and a friendship that withstands the ravages of war.

With World War II raging across Europe, best friends Selene Delmont and Beatrice Sullivan are enlisted by the U.S. Intelligence Office and sent to Lisbon—a sparkling city and hotbed of trouble, harboring exiled royalty, hunted refugees, and spies trading double-edged secrets in seductively dark corners. In official capacity, librarians Selene and Bea have been recruited to catalog the vast mountain of information gathered by the Allies, but by night, both women are undercover agents tasked with infiltrating the Axis spy network.

This was a great read for me. I've read a lot of WW2 historical fiction. A lot of it is great, but even the great stuff tends to meld together after a while. This one is different. I don't think I've read a novel set in this time from Portugal, and it was fascinating to read from that standpoint. It was also a great story on its on with great characters, a compelling plot, and solid prose. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes WW2 fiction! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

1943: Selene Delmont and Bea Sullivan are best friends and librarians from Boston, they are trained to be agents for the U.S. Intelligence Office and sent to Lisbon. Selene and Bea are here to catalogue the vast quantities of information gathered by the allies, and by night, both women are undercover agents and they can’t tell anyone and including each other.

Selene is from a wealthy family she’s beautiful and poised, Bea is bookish and lacks confidence. Both librarians are caught up in treacherous game of cat and mouse alongside two of Lisbon’s most notorious men, Luca Caldeira a social outcast, and Rafael Delgado is an agent known as Gable. Despite Portugal and Lisbon being neutral, it’s the last gateway to Europe, full of desperate refugees and nobility, spies and double agents, a thriving black market and the top producer of wolfram and a mineral used to make ammunition.

Both Selene and Bea have night time missions and are under pressure to find out who’s the main leader of the spy ring, Selene and Luca, go to Lisbon's casinos, ballroom’s and hotels and she’s hoping to make friends with the mistresses of the underworld figures and get into their inner circle. Bea works for Colonel Fitzgerald and so does Gable and he doubts the stuffy librarian has what it takes and is shocked when he discovers she excels at deciphering codes and has a photographic memory.

I received a copy of The Librarians of Lisbon by Suzanne Nelson from NetGalley and Zando Projects in exchange for an honest review. Based on real people, events and what happened in Lisbon during the Second World War and the debut novel is told from the points of view of the two main characters. The reader gets an idea of the roles women played in helping the allies win and how important they were and what stopped me from giving the book a higher rating was the “romance” was a bit over the top, especially when the characters are agents and on high alert, very odd timing and it didn’t fit into the narrative. A story about friendship and secrets, survival and danger, action and intrigue, loss and heartbreak and four stars from me.

'The Librarians of Lisbon' is a novel from Suzanne Nelson that is both charming and well-crafted. The narrative is immersive and the author manages to keep the reader captivated from start to finish, exploring themes of courage, friendship, and the importance of women behind the scenes of the Second World War.

The story takes place in Europe during the rage of the Second World War in 1943. Best friends Selene Delmont and Beatrice Sullivan are recruited by the US Secret Service and sent to Lisbon - a sparkling city and hotbed of trouble, harboring exiled royalty, hunted refugees, and spies trading double-edged secrets in seductively dark corners. Selene and Bea are officially hired as librarians to catalog the vast mountain of information gathered by the Allies, but they also have another task to complete during the night...

Lisbon emerges as a central character in the narrative, and the author offers a vibrant portrait of the city in 1943. In the midst of the Second World War, Portugal presents itself as a refuge, apparently neutral, but full of tension and clandestine activity. The descriptions of its streets, cafés, and esplanades bring to life the beauty and complexity of the Portuguese capital, while global events shape the daily lives of its inhabitants. The author is brilliant at drawing a picturesque portrait of the period, and the reader gets lost in every corner of Lisbon.... Exceptionally well done!

The book's female protagonists are full of personality, and each contributes equal weight to the narrative. Selene is confident and fearless, Bea is reserved and careful. Selene longs to escape her family's impossible expectations and embrace her independence, while Bea just wants to heal from a heartbreak and keep the impulsive Selene out of trouble. The duality of these personalities is transcendent and their dynamic is living proof that women are a force for resilience, even in the darkest moments...

Suzanne Nelson's magnificent novel captures the essence of life during troubled times!

Thank You to Zando Projects, Suzanne Nelson & NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading The Librarians of Lisbon. The story following Bea and Selene during WWII working as spies in Lisbon was both fast-paced and suspenseful. The chapters rotated between their perspectives which portrayed their own experiences and missions which intertwined as the story went on. The epilogue at the end did a nice job of tying up loose ends that the story could have ended on.

The author's note at the end dives into the historical events and figures that inspired the book along with further readings to learn more which I am excited to read in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

The history shared in this book was fascinating. The research done was incredible. As someone who reads a lot of WWII historical fiction (and studied WWII History in College!) I learned a lot about Portugal's not frequently discussed role during the war. As a neutral country, it was fascinating to learn just how pulled they were by both sides of WWII. And that the people seeking safety were also part of both sides. Lots of spying, refugees and undercover activities. I loved that the main characters were librarians in the USA who became undercover spies for the Allies. I loved that they were strong, powerful and incredible women who were helping with the war. They found love, discovered a lot about themselves and most importantly they were able to help with the war efforts. I was truly engaged with all aspects of this story and loved the dual timelines - discovering just how much impact women had during the war. If you are a fan of historical fiction, this was a wonderful and fascinating read.
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy

4.25 I really enjoyed reading this! I had no idea what part Portugal played during WWII so it was really interesting learning that they wanted to keep neutrality during the war and became a hotbed of spies and refugees.
I really enjoyed the story of Bea and Selene navigating their secret roles as spies while also trying to maintain their friendship and unintentionally finding love amid war.
While I thought the ending was maybe a tad rushed, I overall thought the pacing of the story was good and it kept me interested and entertained. I also enjoyed the mystery element of figuring out who is who and who supports what/what side they’re really on.
I do wish that we could have gotten more information regarding their training before arriving in Portugal so we could get a better idea of how prepared/unprepared they were to face their new roles so we could’ve also gained a better understanding of how they were feeling going through it all.
I really wanted to rate this five stars, but ultimately I didn’t feel the emotional connection to the characters that I wanted to have.

Side note: Honestly, I don’t normally read the author’s note at the end of books, however I really enjoyed this one. I thought it was really informative and gave additional information to better understand and appreciate the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Projects for providing me with this ARC! This is my honest review with all thoughts and opinions being my own.

Release date: February 4th, 2025.

Quotes:
“She’d gotten her job with her looks, but would master it with her wits. Being catnip for tigers might be perilous, but it could also be wickedly amusing.”

“You don’t need to see my legs to know my mind’s worth.”

“We can’t let this war take every piece of us.”

“Grace was one of the strangest gifts this war had given her. The ever-present threat of death made it that much easier the grant forgiveness.”

“You invade my thoughts, every second of every day.”

“I want you. I love you, God help me, I love you.”

Librarians of Lisbon told me a part of history I'd never heard of and although a work of fiction it has its roots deep in real facts. The story can be thought of many points of view: Rafael Salazar/Gable's the bon vivant who was easily seen in the best parties and places in town but who was an extremely good spy, Selene who worked hard to infiltrate society and important contacts for the Allies' side of war, twin brothers Andre and Luca who gave their lives to help people in need at an atrocious time, and Bea who besides a librarian was a woman ahead of her time and an expert in infiltrating, disguising, and decoding complex messages. All characters are based on real people and the role they played to help defeat Hitler. I also had never heard of the wolfram trade and its importance in WWII. Besides being a romance, Librarians of Lisbon is a powerful account of one of the world's worst moments and well researched historical story.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.