really enjoyed this story as you can tell and would recommend if you like women’s fiction. the found family was so great and I enjoyed this so much

A grump turned soft? I'm in! Jasper Holmes is the neightbor from the Sandlot. The one where if your ball goes over its lost forever. Jasper is a pain in Chloe Sampson's side. Chloe was left to raiser her younger siblings when her mother deserted them and Chloe had to give up on her future dreams. Jasper refuses to give back frisbees, he's an all around grump and Chloe just knows he's the one who called child protective services on them back in the day.
But is Jasper all that evil of a man? Jasper himself has a past that he has struggled to come to terms with, and yes, he may have called CPS but only for the best or reasons and he tried to provide those kids that sneaky kind of support (bc he has to remain gruff and mysterious of course).
In this dual-timeline story bound by a series of books we learn why Jasper is the way he is. Chloe finds the trail of books Jasper and his secret lover exchange and while she's finally connecting with the old neighbor in the present she's unraveling his past.

I have seen many mixed reviews on this book, but for me it worked.

Chloe has a lot on her hands at the moment. She's raising her three younger siblings (whom her mom just left one day) and although she loves working as a librarian, the job barely covers the bills. One day during a library clearout, she finds a mysterious old copy of a book that SHE KNOWS is worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars. So...she decides to take it since they would've thrown it away anyway. And that's just the start of Chloe's adventure. She starts reading the book and in it unfolds a mystery of two lovers who were leaving each other notes in the book during the 1960s...and one of the mysterious lovers might be her hermit of a neighbour - Jasper - who has suddenly become interested in the book and offers her 5000 dollars to buy it from her. Chloe soon discovers this isn't the only book where the two lovers exchanged notes in and so starts a literary scavenger hunt.

Ah, I just loved this book! A book about books? SIGN ME UP! It gave me all the cosy vibes that I need from a book. The story itself has multiple POVs (which I've not come across that much) and has dual timelines, going back and forth between nowadays and the 1960s when the two mysterious lovers' love story takes place. There are lots of classical book references in the book, so if you're a lover of the good old classics, you'll be in for a ride. There's a lot going on in the book, but that's what I loved about it. You were never bored and I loved the characters and how they developed throughout the story. My overall rating would be 4.5/5 stars, but I'll round it up to 5 stars.

I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Tamara Berry writing as Lucy Gilmore. Readers who love bookish love stories need this in their lives. This book is full of the library love evident in The Lonely Hearts Book Club, the author’s first women’s fiction novel. This plot centers around correspondence written years ago in the margins of classic books shelved in a public library. There’s also a deeper story involving a family of siblings.

At times Chloe’s relentless prying into the correspondence between two young lovers seemed like a big invasion of privacy, but since the notes were written in public library books, the couple shouldn’t expect secrecy. I enjoyed this cast of characters, and really appreciated the ending. And the beautiful bookish cover would be a lovely addition to any bookshelf.

The audiobook is narrated by four individuals: Leanne Woodward, Aven Shore, Joe Jameson, and Bob Ball, which was surprising since the first half was voiced by a single person.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for access to the audiobook.

Chloe Sampson doesn't seem to control anything in her life. She's the guardian of her three younger siblings, she had to leave school, and she can't always make ends meet. Oh, and her neighbor is a total grumpy old man, Jasper Holmes. But when Chloe finds an old book with writing in the margins that she thinks might make her a little bit of money, Jasper shows a lot of interest in it. What she unravels with her friend and possible flame, oh and Jasper himself, is a long-ago unlikely love story. When unwelcome family finds itself back into their lives, their found family steps up and shows that love comes in all different ways.

This was my second Lucy Gilmore book, and it was just as charming as the first. As a librarian myself, I can't help but read books about books and books about librarians. Throw in some romance, a grumpy man that would give Ove a run for his money (iykyk), and a stressed sister, and you've got a book made in heaven just for me! Gilmore's writing style is relaxed, yet emotional, and the pacing of the book is great. If Gilmore keeps writing books like these, I will be a devoted reader!

As a librarian, I love novels about librarians and books.

Chloe Sampson has given up her education to return home and care for her three younger siblings. It is a difficult job that she barely manages with her library job and the careful rotation of credit card balances. Just when things become particularly trying, she finds a rare copy of a once banned book with notes in the margins that appear to be a conversation between two people.

Chloe goes on a search to unearth additional books and uncover the mysterious story. She is helped along the way by a curmudgeonly neighbor, a loyal friend, and a handsome survivalist.

This dual timeline story is sometimes a little predictable but also thought provoking and heartwarming. There are many great quotes for booklovers and some tender moments. In the end, this was a very enjoyable read.

The audiobook was expertly narrated by four actors and their characterizations helped the novel to come alive. Highly recommend. 4 stars.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advance copy of the audiobook version of this novel.

What a wonderful story! I absolutely fell in love with all of the characters and their interwoven lives. I loved the different viewpoints we got to dive into.

Books about books will always be an immediate buy. Add in a dual timeline that features a whirlwind romance with swoony note exchanges you have created the perfect book. Reading this felt like a like a hug for my soul. My mind enjoyed all the book references and there was so much to highlight/annotate it’s impossible to include all in this review.

However, there is no wrapup at the ending of the book - it just ends. It felt incomplete.

This one was just okay for me. I really struggled to get through this book. I really loved her other book but this dragged.

SUCH a heartwarming story that will give you all of the feels! I love grouchy older neighbors that deep down have a heart of gold. It was so fun getting the pov from the past to gain insight on who Jasper is in the present. I personally melt easily over stories that involve a librarian and this was no exception!! & This librarian has a mystery to solve that involves one epic love story.... *swoon*

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of The Library of Borrowed Hearts!

This was my favorite read of April! I definitely have a soft spot for grouchy old neighbors with a heart of gold and Jasper is certainly one of those! I also have a soft spot for books about books so this one was really checking all my boxes. I enjoyed all of the characters. Usually in a multi POV book I feel disappointed when the character narrating switches but with this one I was perfectly happy to get back into that other timeline or viewpoint. Chloe is an exceptionally well developed character with her squashed dreams and forced responsibility balanced perfectly with the love she bears for her siblings and happiness she finds in the life she didn't plan but is making the most of. Zach is such a great balance for her.

Jasper and Catherine's timeline was also excellent with a different kind of focus on family expectations and how everyone embraces those differently. Catherine's mom was such an unexpected character. I loved her despite some of her actions. I don't necessarily agree with Catherine's actions but we wouldn't have this wonderful story without them so I suppose we will have to accept them.

When the story started to lag, new plot twists were introduced at the right time to bring the book back. The ending wasn't what I expected but I loved it.

The multi-narrator audio was excellent! I LOVE when that happens!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dreamscape Audio for my copy of The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore Narrated by Leanne Woodward; Aven Shore; Joe Jameson; Bob Ball in exchange for an honest review. It published April 30, 2024.
This was really well-narrated by all of the authors, it was super enjoyable.
This was such a fun and sweet book, I completely enjoyed it, and I loved that even when I thought it was being predictable, it was totally on purpose. I felt like the character development was so perfect for several characters in this story, and I was rooting on basically everyone. Seriously, this cast of characters was just wonderfully written. The setting sounds so wonderful, as a PNW dweller, I love hearing about small towns I've never gotten to go to that are still in my area.
I highly recommend this gem of a book!

I loved this story so much!

Heartwarming, captivating and charming, and all the characters completely captured my heart. A librarian, a mystery to solve, a fantastic love story, this book will leave you with a smile on your face.

Thank you Casablanca Books and Dreamscape Media for this complimentary audiobook and gifted copy.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 by Lucy Gilmore releases April 30, 2024.

I typically enjoy books with libraries and this one fits right in. I like that books try to make a point of showcasing libraries because it’s important to still draw attention to them. This one was also cute because it had two love stories entwined but it never felt too busy or chaotic. It played out beautifully even though I could have done without the resurgence of their POS mother who shouldn’t even be called a mother.

I fell in love with these characters. Well, I hated the mother, but I loved the rest of them! I also like how the characters tied together, love notes in books will always make me swoon!

I received an advance audio copy. All thoughts are my own.

A sweet sweet library tale that just squeezes your heart. I love reading books about books and book lovers. This was a dose of honey.

This was an excellent audio production of a truly enjoyable and sweet story! I immediately borrowed the author's previous "Library" title on audio from Hoopla when I finished this one.

A feel good romance that’s as much a love letter to books and libraries as a story about love in many forms. This is a satisfying read that isn’t as predictable as some others, where the happy endings look different for different characters, and it’s not too steamy.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and it was very enjoyable. I loved that the different POVs had different voices and the voice actors did an incredible job. If you're a fan of audiobooks I definitely recommend this one!

As for the story, it was good but it had a lot of aspects of books I've read before and lacked the same depth. It had aspects of The Notebook, The House in the Cerulean Sea, and A Man Called Ove but for me it lacked the same emotions and feeling of those books. The romances were also missing something for me. It was an entertaining storyline and I enjoyed the read but it couldn't quite meet the bar for me.

I also didn't love the writing style. The multiple POVs didn't start until after the 50% mark in the book so the change was a bit jarring. I wish the multiple POVs were throughout the book as I think that would have made it so much stronger. There were times throughout the book it slowed and dragged and I think if those changing POVs were sprinkled in it would have helped with that, as well.

I did like the end twist for what happened to Catherine. The ending also made up a lot of ground and turned the book around for me.

I also liked all the characters with the exception of Ravenna and Catherine. Catherine was awful. The author tried to explain her motives but they fell flat. Then she gaslighted Jasper to be the at fault and the reason behind all her choices. She had him apologizing and she didn't apologize! Honestly, maybe one of the worst characters I've ever read.

Overall, this is a story of family, love stories, and heartbreak. It was a decent read but I think there are books that cover all those topics better. The resolutions weren't as satisfying as I wanted them to be. It was enjoyable but not something I would read again.

Audio Narration : 4⭐
Plot: 2.5⭐
Avg Rating: 3⭐

Librarian Chloe Sampson has a lot on her plate. Legal guardian to her three younger siblings ever since their mother abandoned them, she juggles her job at the local library and her responsibilities at home. When she discovers a rare edition of an old book while clearing out the library basement, she decides to sell it for a decent price, hoping that the sale will temporarily ease her financial woes. The book in question has handwritten notes written in the margin – notes indicating a romantic relationship between two book-loving people ( “J” an “C”). When her grumpy elderly neighbor Jasper Holmes offers to buy the book for a handsome price Chloe begins to put two and two together and begins to search for more books in the library with similar messages on the pages. As the narrative progresses, Chloe’s quest marks the beginning of an unlikely friendship with Jasper, who helps her when she is at her wit’s end. We follow Chloe as her deep dive into the events from sixty years ago gives her a deeper look into Jasper’s past and a love story that isn’t quite over.

I love stories that revolve around books/ bookstores/libraries. It's always a joy to find stories that emphasize how books can be a reader’s best companion and how the love for reading can bring people together. I was drawn to the premise The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore for the same reasons. Told through multiple perspectives in dual timelines with a plot that includes a wonderful selection of literary references with scribbled messages in the margins of old books, a struggling librarian who is intent on solving the mystery behind the identity of the two lovers who used books as a way to communicate in the 1960s, a likable protagonist and a curmudgeonly neighbor who isn’t as gruff as he makes out be, this novel had a lot to offer.

Initially, I was enjoying the story and found both present and past storylines interesting, but as the narrative progressed, I found myself struggling to maintain my enthusiasm. Chloe is an endearing protagonist ( though as the story progressed, I did question some of her choices) and I liked her dynamic with her friends and siblings (Noodle was one of my favorite characters). But the story moved too slowly for my liking and I thought that the 1960s storyline left a lot to be desired. There were several subplots and characters woven into the narrative, and there was too much going on, much of which was eventually of no consequence. The predictable, weak and unconvincing plot points (a few of which left me with unanswered questions) made it difficult to stay engaged. I was particularly disappointed in how the subplot revolving around Chloe’s dynamic with her mother was depicted. In the end, I wasn't quite sold on how the author chose to end the story.

I listened to the audiobook, brilliantly narrated by Leanne Woodward, Aven Shore, Joe Jameson and Bob Ball. I am glad that I opted for the audiobook, as I am sure that this would have been a tedious read.

This was my second Lucy Gilmore novel. The Lonely Hearts Book Club wasn’t an entirely satisfying read for me and unfortunately, this time was no different. However, many have enjoyed this book more and I would request you peruse other reviews before you decide on reading this novel.


Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.