An excellent. Read!
I loved reading how librarians scoured Lisbon for books and articles and then had them sent to the US for safe keeping.
I loved the setting of Portugal because its role in WWII hadn’t really been explored before and this novel opened my eyes to all that occurred there.
I had never heard of wolfram and its importance to both sides during the war.
My favorite character was Bea because of razor sharp mind and her ability to unscramble codes, something I could never accomplish.

“The Librarians of Lisbon” is a compelling thriller set in WWII that will make an excellent book club choice. I’m a retired librarian myself, so I found the story of two librarians who saved books from the Nazis to be particularly powerful. While this book is exciting, there’s also a spooky resonance with how books are now being banned in the US.

In Lisbon in 1943, 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. Inspired by real historical figures, award-winning author Suzanne Nelson pens a captivating story of two remarkable women, their bravery and heartache, and a friendship that withstands the ravages of war. Selene Delmont and Beatrice Sullivan, Boston librarians turned Allied operatives are enlisted to collect banned books, both women are undercover agents tasked with infiltrating the Axis spy network. Soon, they’re caught up in games of deception with two of Lisbon’s most notorious men—the outcast Portuguese baron, Luca Caldeira, and the lethal spy, code name Gable. As Selene charms her way through lavish ballrooms with Luca, the more bookish Bea is plunged into Gable’s shadowy world of informants. But a betrayal unravels a carefully spun web of lies and everything they’ve fought for is thrown into jeopardy. As Selene and Bea are pushed to their breaking points can their friendship, and their hearts, survive the cost?

Being a retired librarian, books about librarians, especially connected to WWII, always catch my attention, and this one was no exception. Inspired by real historical figures, award-winning author Suzanne Nelson pens a captivating story of two remarkable women, their bravery and heartache, and a friendship that withstands the ravages of war. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering this well written novel with very interesting characters and how they worked to help defeat the Germans during WWII. Anyone who likes WWII novels with interesting women characters will love this one.

In the vein of of other recent works about women's contributions to WWII, Nelson tells the fictional story of two American women serving in the OSS in Lisbon in 1943. While their official title is that of librarian (collecting books banned by the Nazis), Selene Delmont and Bea Sullivan. both work undercover to collect information about the Nazis for the Allies. It's dangerous work and the women can't even share what they are doing with one another.

Disowned by her wealthy family, Selene poses as the lover of Baron Luca Caldeira, whose identical twin brother plays both sides of the war by selling minerals to them all. Bea falls in love with "Gable," the spymaster who has created a world of informants. The story includes nightlife, fantastic clothes and parties, secret trips, and danger. While the women struggle to maintain their friendship in their private worlds of secrets, they encounter one another unexpectedly in their work and nearly lose everything.

Readers who enjoyed The Secret War of Julia Child won't want to miss this one. Nor will fans of historical fiction, especially historical fiction buffs.

I liked the book. It had some slow moments but the ending won me over. A fun read

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

As a huge fan of WW2 historical fiction novels, this one didn't quite hit the spot for me. While I loved learning more about Portugal's role in war as a neutral nation, and always love a spy story, the romantic storylines in this novel were incredibly distracting and took away from the depth of the experiences of Bea and Selene, two American librarians who move to Portugal as undercover agents.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I enjoyed reading "Librarians of Lisbon" by Suzanne Nelson. I appreciated a look into the lives of those who went above and beyond is service to our country. It seems like more graphic/descriptive romance is added into books now days instead of just using your imagination. But beside that, the book was enlightening and enjoyable. I will recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am not a huge historical fiction fan but I was intrigued by the set-up of this one and the Casablanca reference. Casablanca is a movie I love so I figured I’d give this a whirl! It’s a really interesting book that I really appreciate for shining a light on some unsung real-life heroes. The Lisbon setting was fantastic and made me want to book a trip!

"Librarians of Lisbon" by Suzanne Nelson is a captivating and heartwarming historical fiction novel that celebrates the power of books, libraries, and community. This delightful story follows a young librarian as she navigates the challenges of wartime Lisbon and finds solace in the world of literature.

I didn’t get a chance to finish this great book but our library purchased it. I rate it as a five and will share the story of 2 brave women infiltrating the Axis spy network. Love this genre. Thanks to the author Suzanne Nelson!

I love historical fiction centered around WWII and the lead-up to WWII. I enjoyed the depth and intricacies of this book. I enjoyed reading from this persepctive.

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.