The Booklover's Library
Madeline Martin
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Emma Taylor is a widow who lives in Nottingham, England, with her daughter Olivia. She finds herself in need of a job now, but with the legal restrictions that keep widows with children from working, she doesn't have the opportunities that she'd like. However, she gets lucky and gets hired at Boots' Booklover's Library.

When the threat of war becomes a sad reality, Emma realizes that she has to send her daughter away to the countryside if she's going to keep Olivia safe.
Emma finds herself taking solace in the friendships she makes with her neighbors and coworkers.
She also finds a new sense of purpose through the recommendations she provides to the library's regulars even if they are a tad odd. But the job doesn't come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously ending up on the wrong shelves and disappearing left right and center, and Emma knows that she has to find the person responsible for it all.

As the Blitz gets really crazy in Nottingham and Emma fights tooth and nail to reunite with her daughter, she will learn to depend on the community and the way that only books can bring people together.

Oh my goodness! This book is absolutely fabulous. I think I literally fell into this book. What a book. As a mother, I could totally understand how horrible it must have been for these brave ladies who not only saw their husband's off to war but also had to send their children away as well. This book has all the feels. I went through a total roller coaster of emotions. It's amazing how Ms. Martin can write and make you feel you are right there. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Ms. Martin.

I have been reading Madeline Martin’s historical fiction books since the release of The Last Bookshop in London in 2021! It was set during the London Blutz of World War II. This amazing novel was followed by The Librarian Spy (set in Portugal) and The Keeper of Hidden Books (Warsaw, Poland). Each of these books highlighted previously little known stories of individuals striving to preserve aspects of life which were threatened by the challenges of war. Her latest novel, The Booklover’s Library, returns to England, to the city of Nottingham, and similar to the previous books, focuses on the perseverance and resilience of ordinary citizens dealing with extraordinary times. I was fortunate to receive an ARC from NetGalley (my first foray into this platform), and I was honored to be an early reader. This book will be published in September, 2024.
The story begins with seventeen year old Emma and her father facing the life changing challenge of a fire engulfing their bookstore. A widower, Emma’s father was a devoted single father who raised his daughter to love the literary world and to treasure the bookstore which they owned . Sadly, the bookstore was destroyed and Emma did not survive! Shortly after she marries a man named Arthur and they have a little girl, Olivia. When Arthur is killed in a car accident, Emma finds herself solely responsible for Olivia.
As a single mother, Emma is frustrated by her difficulty finding a job due to the nationwide rules prohibiting married women and widows with children from working full time. Eventually she is hired by the sympathetic female manager of Boots’ Booklover’s Library where Emma finds her niche. Surrounded by books and the people who love them, she forms unique friendships with both her coworkers and patrons. As she becomes more engaged in helping fellow book aficionados find the perfect read, Emma slowly rediscovers her own love of literature; a love which she had lost when the fire took away her father and the bookstore where her love of books had been nurtured. As Emma becomes more comfortable in the workplace and develops close ties with her neighbors at home, the threat of war seems imminent, and her fear for Olivia’s safety becomes a real concern. Eventually the Blitz directly threatens their community, and Emma must make the difficult decision to send her beloved daughter to the countryside with the other children.
This novel is absolutely beyond compare, especially for book lovers like me. The overall theme of the story demonstrates how the love of books enables people of varying ages and backgrounds come together during challenging times. The author introduces a cast of quirky and multifaceted characters in The Booklover’s Library; all of these individuals are unique but are able to form friendships based on their affinity for books. As a devoted reader (especially of historical fiction) and a part time library employee and former teacher, I identified with many of the characters…especially the parents and the librarians. There are so many parallel situations within the situations and challenges facing the historical characters as compared to today’s events. As a present day librarian I identify with Emma’s excitement when she finds a perfect book for patrons, and especially when she helps Olivia discover the joy of reading when she meets Anne of Green Gables. No matter what is going on in the world, this novel demonstrates that both children and adults can learn so much about navigating the real world by exploring the pages of a book.
The Booklover’s Library is a 5 ⭐️ read for me. First and foremost, the depiction of the challenges faced by citizens during the Blitz is realistic and heartbreaking. Yet the author manages to convey a story filled with optimism and hope as well as tragedy and despair. The characters are emphatic and endearing and will live on in my mind for a long time. The description of the settings are vivid and the reader will feel as if they right in the middle of the action. I laughed and cried and so enjoyed the bonds among Emma, Olivia and the rest of the characters who formed their own “family”. I love this book and Madeline Martin has created an intense, emotional and engaging world! Highly recommend this 5 Star ⭐️ HF novel! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Madeline Martin for this ARC! Keep your eyes and ears open for the release of this book in September 2024!

I loved The Booklover’s Library…even though there was some tragedy in this book..it made my heart happy with the love of books. (I’ve always been a reader, it’s so crazy to me when people aren’t.) Madeline Martin is a great story teller!

A wonderful story of overcoming adversity in a time of war. This story takes you to Nottingham, England and the beginning of World War II . A mother's love for her daughter and warring with herself over sending her daughter away to protect her and wanting to keep her with her and rediscovering a deep love for books. The people they meet and the friends they make as well as some of those friends becoming family themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and couldn't put it down. I read an Advanced ebook and am Voluntarily leaving a review.

While definitely on the fluffy side and more attuned for the heart-on-sleeves wearers out there, Madeline Martin is successful in tugging at readers’ heartstrings while also offering insight to the way women lived in WWII England. It’s a charming tale of a woman who desperately cares for her daughter, traumatized in the wake of her father’s unfortunate passing.

Anyone who has ever deeply loved someone, either platonically, romantically, or otherwise, (especially those who love historical fiction), should read this book!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, NetGalley, and the author Madeline Martin for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.5/5 (rounded to 4!)

Emma Taylor finds a job in a local library. She is forced to send her daughter into the country for safety of the coming war. Emma does what she can to stay alive. Books come up missing. There is mystery and intrigue in the story. Good book!

THE BOOKLOVER’S LIBRARY. ON SALE SEPTEMBER 10/24

War has been declared and widow, Emma Taylor is a single mom to 7 year old Olivia, living in Nottingham, England. Since her husband, Arthur, was killed crossing the street, Emma has had to fend for herself and Olivia and it has been difficult.

Emma is down to her last few shillings when she overhears a conversation about a woman leaving her position at the Booklover’s Library, a lending library open to subscribers, situated above Boots Pharmacy. Even though, as a widow, in the eyes of society, she is still a married woman, Emma cannot seek employment. During a conversation with Miss Bainbridge, the manager, Emma convinces her that she should hire her. They decide to keep the matter of Olivia quiet and if anyone should ask, she is her sister. So Miss. Taylor, not Mrs. Taylor has joined the staff of the BOOKLOVER’S Library.

The trials of war, sending Olivia to the countryside with other children for their safety, the air raids, the bombs, and the uncertainty of war surrounds Emma as she maintain the strength of a single mom.

This is not just another war time story, but a story of family, mother/daughter bonds, a community coming together and most of all, for all the BOOKLOVER’S out there.

This was a beautifully done novel, it had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the realism to them. It uses the wartime elements perfectly in the story and thought the overall feel worked with the historical setting. The characters were realistic and enjoyed how well everything that I hoped for. I can’t wait to read more from Madeline Martin.

Emma lives in Nottingham, with her 9 year old daughter during WW2. She grew up with her dad above the bookstore he owned and, at age 17, it burned down and her father died. Her husband died shortly after her daughter was born. Emma is forced to get a job to make ends meet and ends up working at the book Lovers store, even though she is a widow with a child. This is a great story of how Emma learns to live again, read again, and love again all while working. It's a great book for people who love reading.

I enjoyed this heartwarming read. Emma is a widowed mother of a young daughter, Olivia. Living in Nottingham during the Second World War, she faces agonizing decisions at every turn: should she send Olivia to the countryside for protection (again and again)? How will she survive when widows with children are barred from the workforce? Luckily for her, a sympathetic manager at the Booklover's Library turns a blind eye to her motherhood and hires her as a librarian at one of the most prestigious lending libraries in Britain. There she meets a variety of characters, some more likable than others, but all sympathetic. Most importantly, she learns to rely on others and that people are never all that they seem.
The emotional undercurrent is largely driven by Emma's love for her daughter, Olivia, and the strength that she needs to be a single mother (and widow) at a time when widowed mothers were deprived of opportunities for employment and faced with even more stigmas than today. To me, this was the strongest aspect of the book, followed by the friendships. I enjoyed watching her friendships with Margaret and Mrs. Pickering, as well. To me, the romance felt rushed and a bit forced - she interacts with this man a few times at a bookstore and once or twice on the street, and suddenly he is declaring that he knows that she and her daughter will always be safe from bombs because he would die to protect them. It felt very rushed in my opinion, but I enjoyed reading about Emma's happiness.
Another aspect of the plot I felt was lacking was some of the other characters - in many ways there was too much back and forth for my taste. Each time Olivia goes to the countryside, she has something dramatic happen that makes it seem like it will be a huge plot point - the lonely older woman who is jealous of her relationship with her mother, the abusive family that keep her in rags and censors her letters - but neither of these truly become important to the plot, though each of these alone could really provide some character development. Instead, the relationship with what seemed like the lowest stakes (her emotionally distant grandparents) was the one that really drove the plot, which felt forced to me.
Additionally, there was a bit too much "telling" rather than showing in my mind with some of the other characters - even the most crotchety ones turn around and give long explanations about why they are behaving the way they are. While this really drives home the message that people are not necessarily all that they seem, it felt a bit too heavyhanded and unrealistic.
Overall, I enjoyed this cozy read, though. On a personal level I also appreciated the lack of swearing and open door scenes.

In The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin we meet Emma Taylor, a young widow and a mother. She finds herself desperately in need of a job. There are legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most jobs. So she must hide the fact that she has a young daughter in her pursuit of employment. She must persuade the manageress at the infamous Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her with a job.
Soon, the threat of war in England becomes a reality. An edict for evacuating children to safety to the Countryside is given and Emma must evacuate her young daughter, Olivia. Once she is separated from her daughter, Emma seeks solace in the friendships she forms with neighbors and the co-workers in the Booklover's Library. She must find a sense of purpose to get through the dark and lonely days with her daughter so far away.
I can't even imagine what that must have been like. Sending your child away and you have no possible way to be assured of their happiness and safety.
Emma's late father owned a bookstore that was destroyed. Now her work at the lending library allows her to heal but also brings back sad memories of that horrible loss. I loved the relationships she forms with the regular patrons. Soon the threat of bombings comes true and as the blitz intensifies in her sleepy little town, she must rely on her neighbors and friends.
I absolutely loved this book and this incredible story of perseverance. The characters really grew on you and though I wanted to finish the book to see what happened, I didn't want these characters to go away.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Booklover’s Library is a timely and powerful reminder that it’s not just books that will get you through the darkest of days, but the people who love them right alongside you. Martin’s meticulous research transports readers to bomb-ridden England and opens a door to a fascinating slice of library history that I’d never read about before. Through it all, I cried, I sighed with joy and I rooted for all the complex and endearing characters. This love letter to literature, motherhood and community should be at the top of any bibliophile’s must-read list. Martin never disappoints!

Did I stay up all night to finish this book…yes, yes I most certainly did. This has been one of my favorite reads so far in 2024 and I am so thankful I received the ARC for this.

I am obsessed with Emma and Olivia’s relationship! This book gave such thoughtful insights on the toll it took on not only parents, but also the children who were sent to the countryside during WW2. This even sparked my own conversation with my parents, asking what they would have done in that situation.

I love the mentions of other books in this
Book as well. The incorporation of some of my favorite classics (Anne of Green Gables and Little Women) brought my heart so much joy.

Madeline Martin has easily become one of the authors I highly recommend when people ask what they should read. Her books always contain so much detail and you can tell she puts so much research into her books. Hopefully we get another book from her in the future!

Madeline Martin has pulled me out of my comfort zone of historical romances with this series. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all three of the books and hope she can come up with more in this line.

The Booklover’s Library, while based in England dirkng WWII, is not a war book. Instead it is a book about the preserverance of love and hope, even through unimaginable circumstances.

I don’t want to post any spoilers so I won’t go into detail but trust when I say you should read this book and the other two in the series!! You won’t regret it.

I absolutely love this book! It was so good. I love historical fiction and the story of this was breathtaking

I really enjoyed the beginning of The Booklover's Library but then it fell flat. I ended up not finishing the book about 20% in.
In my opinion, I just couldn't get a grasp on the development of the characters.

I wanted to like this book so much.

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres so I have read my share of books set during WWII, but never one from this perspective. The author did an amazing job researching and then weaving the historical facts into a story that is as timeless as it is relevant to life today.

This book is set in England during WWII and I learned so much about what the citizens of England were going through. I had no idea that children were separated from their parents and sent to the country for their own safety. This book really put me in the position of those parents and I felt all the turmoil that went along with the decisions they had to make. Apart from that there is an element of the story that reminds you that everyone has a story and that the bonds we create with other people can help us weather any storm.

A good portion of this book is set at The Booklover’s Library. During this time period libraries had very few fiction books available and purchasing books was expensive so individuals would buy memberships to these establishments and be able to check out books. (I looked it up and there are still some around).

Another interesting aspect to this book was that the main character is a widowed mother and learning how difficult it was to get hired for any job for women in that position was eye opening.

This book was extremely well written and really drew you in to all the characters lives not just the main characters. The author did an amazing job of relaying historical facts while weaving them into a story that you will carry with you.

Thank you @netgalley and Hanover Square Press for the ARC!!

I really liked this book. I had loved the author's debut historical fiction novel but did not like her second one. I decided to give her books another chance, and I'm glad that I did. This book was a charming story of WWII England, and a widow's struggle about how to care for her child during the bombings and air raids. Added to that, this is a book about people who love books, which any reader loves. The author does a great job of developing both her characters and community in which they live. A solid read for lovers of WWII historical fiction.

A good historical view of England on the cusp of the blitz by the nazis. Interesting point of view of issues single women faced and the issue of sending their children to the rural areas. The lending library was also an interesting place. Enjoyed this one and would recommend.

Madeline Martin's The Booklover's Library is a historical fiction novel about what a parent will do to keep his/her child safe. Emma, left parentless after her father's bookshop burnt down and widowed after her husband's passing, must navigate single motherhood during WWII. Wives and mothers are not supposed to work; however, Emma is offered a position at the local lending library: The Booklover's Library. With her new job and the imminent threat of war, she struggles with sending her daughter Olivia to the country to keep her safe. Olivia bounces between billeting locations and home, all while Emma questions her parenting decisions. When bombings being in Nottingham, will Emma's worst fears become reality?

I am a huge fan of Madeline Martin. She uses vivid vocabulary, builds main characters with depth, and always leaves you wrestling with what is right. This novel is much less a romance novel (although there is a romance as a secondary thread), and much more a mother/daughter novel of sacrificial love. I didn't find the romance very believable because Charles isn't a main character and not well-developed, but I loved the relationship between mother and daughter and the friendships with other women.

Demonstrating the importance of books is always a plus for me, especially when you witness a child find the book that makes her voracious readers (all the heart eyes). These scenes were probably my favorite part of this novel. And the cameo of characters from the Last Bookshop in London was perfection. A solid 4, but closer to 5 stars for me!

A special thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for sending an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.