This is an intriguing story with an interesting and varied cast of characters. Sloane is a librarian whose life was changed by a patron of the library who had a regular routine of coming every day. Arthur is in his 70s, a retired professor of literature and seemed to delight in being grumpy and argumentative, especially when discussing a book. When Arthur doesn’t keep to his normal schedule of coming to the library everyday, Sloane is so concerned she secretly looks up his address in the library files. This one little prohibited action changes the course of her life.

As the story progresses, more interesting characters emerge, including Author’s neighbor, Maisey, Mateo, another librarian, who is also a nurse, and then Greg is discovered sitting outside of Author’s house everyday in his car. Through unexpected circumstances, this diverse group form a book club at Author’s house that surprisingly changes each of their lives in unimaginable ways, including righting some wrongs and realizing that despite difficult circumstances, life goes on and there is joy to be found.

This is a compelling story filled with strong, relatable characters that come together to read and discuss books that ends up being life-changing for each of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions and comments expressed are my own.

I feel that this would’ve been a lot better if the perspectives were skimmed down a bit and it could’ve captivated me more if we just mainly focused on sloane’s pov

A very enjoyable story, with a cast of interesting characters of different age groups, “The Lonely Hearts Book Club”, by Lucy Gilmore (Sourcebooks Casablanca), is about loneliness, friendship, kindness and the human need for connecting with others, while also contemplating a very timid, emerging romance.
I loved reading a inter-generational story where young, mature and old people are brought close together and establish deep and meaningful, while also unexpected, connections.
Strangers, even if some are blood relatives, all become relatives of the heart, connecting in an extended family full of warmth, yet not devoid of conflict.
I liked having the characters’ perspectives and the fact that even the elder man, Arthur, had its own voice. The fact this mulish, unbearable man is the reason these lovely people meet and bond is compelling, too.
Some scenes and secondary characters, like Brett, made me laugh.
All the characters are interesting. Sloane, with the quirks and all that hidden pain, is perhaps the most interesting for me.
Greg is mysterious in the beginning with all that quietness, politeness, sometimes stoicism, but later I found him perhaps missing some substance. Maisey is a wounded soul with such a big heart. Mateo is intriguing.
Arthur exasperated me, but still he and the friendship with Sloane are central to the plot. The changes in his character in the end came a bit too easily and felt artificial.
“The Lonely Hearts Book Club” is also about intertextuality, while exploring the book club experience and also drawing on both Sloane’s and Arthur occupations and expertise.

first of all... how darn cute is this cover? it instantly drew my eye to the book and i am SO glad that it did! i loved following the life of sloane who lives her life in the shadows before meeting arthur and wanting to create a book club for misfits to. help cheer after up.

i always love a book with multiple POVs - i really think it helps you develop a deeper connection with the characters and their thought processes and draws me in as a reader. this was such a blast to read. i haven't read a fun little read like this in a long time so it was really nice to get this in 'the lonely hearts book club'

as always, a massive thank you to the publishers and netgalley for approving and allowing me to review this book.

What a gorgeous novel full of loveable characters and a storyline that I couldn't put down. This one is a must read!

The Lonely Hearts Book Club
by Lucy Gilmore
Because books have a way of bringing even the loneliest of souls together...

Sloane Parker lives a small, contained life as a librarian in her small, contained town. She never thinks of herself as lonely...but still she looks forward to that time every day when old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan comes to browse the shelves and cheerfully insults her. Their sparring is such a highlight of Sloane's day that when Arthur doesn't show up one morning, she's instantly concerned. And then another day passes, and another.

Anxious, Sloane tracks the old man down only to discover him all but bedridden...and desperately struggling to hide how happy he is to see her. Wanting to bring more cheer into Arthur's gloomy life, Sloane creates an impromptu book club. Slowly, the lonely misfits of their sleepy town begin to find each other, and in their book club, find the joy of an unlikely friendship. Because as it turns out, everyone has a special book in their heart—and a reason to get lost (and eventually found) within the pages.


This is my favorite book of sweetness, and heartbreaking, family of differences not related become THE family, you will love. I guess I loved the ending, it was meant to be. But, love, when you love, is not always a happy ending, but A smile. It was a great one.

I absolutely loved this novel 💜 I read it in one day; I couldn't wait to see what would unfold next.

The pacing of this is perfect and the characters - you come to care for all of them, and their relationships with each other. Ms. Gilmore has written a beautiful story of friendship, hope, and healing. Touching and lovely throughout, I really cannot recommend The Lonely Hearts Book Club enough.

What a delight of a book, I loved the characters and the fact there were chapters for each of them throughout was genius! This book was cozy and lovely! Thank you to NetGallery for this E-ARC for an honest review.

this was a beautiful story with a great friendship going on in this book. It was what I was hoping for from the description and was amazed from Lucy Gilmore's writing. It was what I was hoping for and really enjoyed the universe that was created. The characters were wonderfully written and am glad I was able to read this. I can't wait to read more from Lucy Gilmore.

“Does this mean I can hand off Little Readers Corner duty to Janell?” I abandoned my attempts at finding the art supplies and shoved the box back on the shelf. “Because that seems like a fair trade for a five-figure Arthur McLachlan check. I hope he didn’t say anything about turtlenecks, because I was kidding about that. Mostly.”

The main character of this book is a librarian who becomes invested in the life of one of her senior customers…she helps him when he needs her. He is gruff and rude, but she gets him to join a book club…what ensues is a mishmash of characters who come alive on the pages of this book. The author is talented and gifted at keeping the interest of the reader…this book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Enjoy these quirky characters in this novel.