A wonderful historical mystery, mainly set in the 70’s with flashbacks to earlier times in the lives of the characters. There’s the mystery surrounding the library, deep friendships between both Claire the main character and those she loves, as well as the close relationships Hanna Reeves herself nurtures throughout the years. The heart of this book are those relationships, it’s filed with love and compassion. Highly recommend.

What a beautiful book! I loved this from the first page. Spanning many decades, with vibrant characters and an intriguing plotline, this novel was enthralling. I highly recommend this for fans of historical fiction and family sagas.

I'll be honest - I don't read a lot of historical fiction. I tend not to care for it as much as I do contemporary fiction, but I've enjoyed every single book Christine Nolfi has ever written and so I took the plunge with The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves. I'm really glad I did!

There were very many themes explored in this book and I enjoyed them all. I loved how Claire made friends and was eventually accepted even when she made some rather impulsive moves. The slow unfolding of the relationships between Claire, Hanna, Faye, and Tamron were what kept me turning pages and wanting to know more.

It was obvious that the author did a lot of research into the various different time in history that were part of this book and I really appreciated that very much.

This review sounds a little all over the place, but that's because I really enjoyed this book so much, but it's one of those that I can't spell out as to what pulled me in and kept me turning pages faster and faster even as it got later and later past my bedtime. Trust me, you'll enjoy this. Ignore this oddly written review and taken my word for it. Pick up The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves - you'll be so happy you did.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request. My thoughts, as always, are my own and happily shared because I loved this book and wish I could read it all over again for the first time.

This is a tale of historical fiction and the rest a mysterious hunt
along side the journey to find answers from different generations.
I enjoyed the slow and interesting journey in. developing the
relationship of Clare and Hanna. This is a book you just almost
become a part of from the beginning through to the last
chapter. I look forward, and really hope for, another adventure
with these characters.
My thanks to Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for
the download copy of this book for review purposes.

I enjoyed this story of an antiques dealer and an enigmatic heiress who embark on a revelatory friendship. It is a well written story about family ties, secrets, and belonging.

Set in the early 19070s, the story follows independent 26 year old Claire Shelton, an employee antiques dealer in the town of Maine. Claire is requested to catalogue a number antiques held in the attic of elderly and reclusive heiress, Hanna Reeves, a job that requires her to temporarily live on Hanna’s estate, Rose Hill. As Claire commences the task, she learns from a local town gossip of a rumoured Secret Library on Hanna’s estate, filled full of valuable first edition books. A great lover of books herself, Claire’s natural curiosity leads her to search out this library, when she is not cataloguing in the attic.

The book is written from different POVs and spans generational time periods, cleverly woven together to ultimately tell a story of discovery (incl. self), history, family / community, and lost love. The overall sentiment of the book is well balanced, with a number of humorous exchanges between Claire and Rose Hill’s maids, keeping the read relatively light-hearted, despite some of the more serious themes running throughout. The character development of Hanna was excellent, although Claire is written with less depth, lessening the reader connection. It was interesting however to see the friendship between the pair develop as the story unfolds.

My biggest disappointment was the ending, which was overly abrupt, and left elements of the story unfinished e.g. the antiques sale / outlook for Rose Hill and Claire and Nate’s romance. An Epilogue would have been an ideal.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing / NetGalley for the ARC.

#TheSecretLibraryofHannaReeves #NetGalley

This was a really interesting read. We learn more about these characters as the book goes on. I liked the stories we get throughout and we learn more about the library and Hanna and her collection.
I felt felt Claire really developed as a character as she hears more from Hanna and the history of everything in her estate.
A really interesting read that book clubs will enjoy as there is much to discuss.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

*The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves* by Christine Nolfi is a novel about family secrets, personal discovery, and unexpected friendships. The story follows Claire Shelton, an antiques dealer in Maine, who is invited to catalog the collection of the reclusive Hanna Reeves. Hanna, the last descendant of a family of shipbuilders and industrialists, has been living in isolation for years at her grand estate, Rose Hill.

As Claire begins her work, she stumbles upon a hidden library that is legendary among locals. Within it, she finds old leather-bound journals filled with family secrets that have the power to mend relationships or break them apart forever. The revelations inside the journals spark conversations across the community, leading to deep connections and surprising truths.

The novel explores themes of legacy, belonging, and how the past can shape the present. It’s described as both haunting and hopeful, with an emphasis on the bond that forms between Claire and Hanna despite their differences.

The writing of the author is lyrical and evocative, balancing the poetic descriptions effortlessly with the snappy dialogue. Her talent to create rich imagery enables the reader to walk into the mystical realm of the hidden library. The book has been written with warmth and delicacy that gives more power to the themes of the book. The novel has a focus on healing, discovery about oneself, and the transformative ability of books to change lives. By following Hanna, the author sends a strong message regarding the necessity of accepting vulnerability and deriving power from solidarity.

Christine Nolfi uses several literary devices, such as dual timelines and intertwined narratives, to create suspense and emotional resonance. The rhythm is well-constructed, switching between periods of stillness and tension relief. Her symbolism, particularly about books as agents of memory, enriches the narrative. The flow of the novel is well-maintained so that the narrative moves without being hurried or dragging. The structure, with its seamless transitions between timelines, enhances the narrative complexity while remaining accessible. The readability is high, thanks to Nolfi’s clear and engaging style.

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is a stunningly written novel that will speak to readers who hold dear the wonder of books. Its combination of mystery, emotional resonance, and literary appreciation makes it a unique and compelling work of contemporary fiction. Though some readers may find the introspective nature a trifle slow at times, the reward is clearly worth the effort. I highly recommend this book to readers of character-based novels, book lovers, and anybody looking for a positive read about grit and the power of the written word.

Claire’s curiosity combined with Hannah’s secrets makes for a very interesting relationship between the two of them. And while Hannah seems a bit cold she has a heart of gold and looked out for her staff. Claire, who was raised by her grandfather, benefits by Hannah’s actions and a truly wonderful friendship flourishes. Another great book by Christine Nolfi with strong characters and a great setting.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

i really liked this book! I love the familial secrets that sneak out and become uncovered, I loved the cozy feeling of a little bookshop in Maine, and I like the way this story unfolded. It kept me entertained, and it was good!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

A mysterious woman who has hidden herself away for years, with hidden treasures. Sign me up! This book was so good! The premise was so interesting, and the ending was perfect!

While I enjoyed reading certain portions of this book, it overall lacked much depth or plot. I could have read an entire book about Hanna, but I found Claire to be an incredibly shallow character (not shallow as a personality trait, just not well developed). I also felt that the decision to place this novel in the 1970s added nothing to this book (other than, I suppose, being able to have a character who was alive in the late 1800s. Although I was not alive in the 1970s, there is nothing that seems to actually place the book in that decade, except for a few uses of the word "groovy" and one hippie that appears momentarily (oh, and I guess some talk of "rock and roll"). The book also is about a "secret library," but there is not much about the actual secret library itself.

The "love story" was also very strange - why bother? I appreciate that it was not a central part of this novel, but it seemed completely pointless and underdeveloped.

The good: Hanna's back-story was a compelling read. There is not much of it, though, so it's few and far between. Also, I appreciated the setting in Maine, but the town itself was not described much and it could have taken place anywhere.

In all, an easy read, but am left wondering what the point of the story was.

“Spend your life standing still, and you’ll grow old before your time”

“When you connect to literature on an emotional level, you find new answers, new ways of thinking.”

“Sometimes life chooses for us.”

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

WOW! I was completely pulled into this story. A secret library that holds rare books and journals. An amazing old house holding so many beautiful pieces of furniture, antiques along with hidden secrets.
The journals hold some much history of the residents and former and present staff. Hanna has kept this all to herself. Information that could possibly bring people together or tear them apart.
A relationship develops between Hanna and Claire with their love of books. A relationship that I loved watching develop.
This was a captivating story that was so hard to put down. Left me wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

This book caught my eye when I saw it was about a Library.  Immediately I was hooked.  I spend my days working with books, but still get excited when I find stories that involve libraries. The story centered around the mysterious Secret Library of Hanna Reeves.  Claire Shelton is chosen to reside at Hanna's Rose Hill Estate.  Although her priority is to catalog the historical treasures found within the walls of the Estate, Claire finds the hidden library which holds many unique literary treasures. Among those treasures are Hanna's journals that hold the rich history of the residents she has surrounded herself with. The journals hold great power that can either bring together or tear apart the residents. Claire and Hanna also form a friendship that will help both women understand and heal from their pasts.

For me, this is a must read!  It is a must for every Library!  I highly recommend.

The book tells the story of Clair, a 26-year-old female character, who spends a month in the house of Hanna Reeves, a 77-year old female character, for work reasons.

It was a pleasant book to read, I've never got bored! There were some time transitions between 1900's to 1970's in it. It was very enjoyable to read the discoveries Clair made during this one month, the friendships she made, and the secrets she uncovered. Reading this book was like watching a cozy, family movie on a Sunday morning.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance reading copy of this book.

Cautious Claire Shelton, employee at a Maine antique shop, is surprised when she’s recruited to catalog the treasures of reclusive Hanna Reeves, sole descendant of the state’s most colorful shipbuilders and industrialists. Hanna’s retreat from society years ago is just one of many mysteries behind the walls of Rose Hill, her fabled estate.

Settling into Rose Hill’s carriage house, Claire finds Hanna, nearing eighty, to be a still-formidable woman. She’s demanding, judgmental, and protective of a mansion that is a veritable shrine to her ancestors. Then, diving into her work, Claire discovers a hidden library that is the stuff of legend among locals. An avid booklover, Claire is in heaven. More enthralling are Hanna’s leather-bound family journals that open Claire up to the past—and soon forge a rich and unexpected bond between two very different women.

A legacy is coming to light. All of Maine is talking. Because the revelations in the journals are enlightening enough to unite old friends, lovers, and families. And shocking enough to tear them apart forever.

I have to say that I am disappointed in this book. I wanted to read more about BOOKS! I also felt that the story was left unfinished. Is this a setup for a sequel? I did expect this to be a romance/light mystery. Definitely not my usual read. 2.5 out of 5 ⭐️ rounded to 3

From the title of this book, how could I resist this new book from Christine Nolfi. I loved the mystery, the dual timeline, and the relationship of Hanna and Claire. I loved the blending of Hanna's history, which gives Claire more insight into Hanna. The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is a very well crafted novel that left me wanting to read more about Hanna and Claire.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

“ if you’re fortunate enough to live as long as I have, you’re given the opportunity to become many people in one lifetime. To evolve, grow and change.”

This book was everything!!!
We meet Hannah when Claire is asked to catalog 100s of years of family heirlooms and antiques to be sold and cataloged.

It is in the 1970s, but we get to go back to the 1900s and learn more about Hannah and her background.

This book was amazing, the characters, the time period, the story, the secrets!!

It definitely needs more, the reader needs more and I am here for every part of this journey.