What a great unique historical fiction! This was my first novel by Elise Hooper and I loved it. Great cast of characters spanning so many years,

Tildy Barrows, Head Curator of a beautiful archival library in San Francisco, is meticulously dedicated to the century’s worth of inventory housed in her beloved Beaux Art building. She loves the calm and order in the shelves of books and walls of art. But Tildy’s uneventful life takes an unexpected turn when she, first, learns the library is on the verge of bankruptcy and, second, discovers two exquisite never-before-seen dollhouses. After finding clues hidden within these remarkable miniatures, Tildy starts to believe that Belva Curtis LeFarge, the influential heiress who established the library a century ago, is conveying a significant final message.

With a newfound sense of spontaneity, Tildy sets out to decipher the secret history of the dollhouses, aiming to salvage her cherished library in the process. Her journey to understand introduces her to a world of ambitious and gifted women in Belle Époque Paris, a group of scarred World War I veterans in the English countryside, and Walt Disney’s bustling Burbank studio in the 1950s. As Tildy unravels the mystery, she finds not only inspiring, overlooked history, but also a future for herself, filled with exciting possibilities—and an astonishing familial revelation.

Spanning the course of a century, The Library of Lost Dollhouses is a warm, bright, and captivating story of secrets and love that embraces the importance of illuminating overlooked women of the past.

There’s secrets in this library! Secret rooms, secret dollhouses, and secret family revelations. This book had me in the feels waiting to find what is next! This one is a women’s literary fiction that also feels a bit like historical fiction.

I listened to the audiobook of this story. I loved the narrator. I felt she did a good job representing the story and portrayed the whimsical tone that the author writes in very well. The writing style and amount of description reminded me of the book, “The Lost Apothecary,” but obviously with a different plot. The timeline is non-linear as there are flashbacks, but even in the audiobook it was easy to follow.

The plot: in “The Library of Lost Dollhouses,” Tildy Barrows learns the archival library she works at the Beaux arts building is on the verge of bankruptcy. She finds a hidden room that contains dollhouses and begins the idea of having an art exhibit for these dollhouses as well as some paintings. Tildy finds notes that lead her to more secrets contained around these dollhouses and even has ties back to her family. Can Tildy find the true background of her family? Can Tildy save the library? This book travels between present day with Tildy, and the past with her mom Meg who has since passed. The journey to discover the secrets of her family and the dollhouses is very whimsical.

I loved just about everything in this book. The imagery was wonderful. The narrators portrayal was moving. The plot kept me going. As a book lover, who wouldn’t love to find secrets in a library! And also, who wouldn’t love to learn more about their family member who have passed. As I compared this book to “The lost apothecary,” I think they are similar in their descriptions for imagery, whimsical tone, the way they write their flashbacks, however “The Library of Lost Dollhouses” takes place within this past century rather than many centuries ago (as in “The Lost Apothecary.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this listen and think many who love women’s literacy fiction would enjoy uncovering the secrets in this story as well. I’d like the thank the author Elise Hooper, Harper Audio, NetGalley, and the wonderful narrator for allowing me to listen to this ARC for free in exchange for an honest review. I’ll be keeping my eye on Elise Hooper!

I loved this book. I liked how the POV went back and forth between the past & present. I wish this was a true story. I also enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook.

I was really excited to read this book. It contains a library, a secret room, and dollhouses with secrets. Sounds great to me!

Tildy the main character is fun and predictable. She has a specific mug for every day. Tildy just happens to find a secret room in the library with two immaculate dollhouses. These dollhouses have been meticulously made. When Tildy learns that the library is in financial trouble she starts searching for answers on where the dollhouses came from.

The story switches point of views. From Tildy in the present day and Cora Hale during World War II. Cora has lots of secrets in her past. Cora ends up meeting a lot of high society women in her career.

Turns out the dollhouse hold secrets of wealthy women during a time when it was a "man's world".

The thing that is not mentioned on the back cover is the intimate nature of the female characters in Cora's time. I understand that authors might do this so that a reader does not discriminate against their book. I have a hard time with this because I am a librarian. There are patrons that I know that would be offended if I had suggested this book to them. Being forthright with a topic is helpful. There are quite a few lesbian relationships in this book.

Tildy Barrows is the curator of a San Francisco library and archive housed in an historic San Francisco Mansion. With the library on the verge of bankruptcy and its most valuable art possible to be sold, she discovers as hidden space in the building where she finds an exquisite dollhouse model complete with miniature artwork as well secret messages in its wallpaper. Going back and forth from the present through the history of the woman who created the dollhouse and others, as well as her loves, art, and struggles. Extraordinarily compelling historical fiction.

The Library of Lost Dollhouses delivers a captivating blend of history, art, and mystery. It's rich with historical detail, and portrays the creativity and resilience of women. I'll definitely be recommending this one to historical fiction lovers.