This novel, like Moyes’ others, made me feel a lot of things deeply. The characters are written beautifully and the premise - a group of women who start a library (via horseback) in rural Kentucky, to encourage people to read - is attention grabbing and thoughtful, as well as being based on a true story.

I’m usually not one for historical fiction, but I enjoyed this book, though there were some slower parts that took me a while to get through.

This book is an excellent look into the lives of the women of appalachian mountains and the work they did to bring books to people. I enjoyed reading this book and the character development. I was routing for everyone in this story! I wish I could read it again for the first time! I loves the friendship and love portrayed in this book. I was hooked from the beginning! I can not wait to read more books by Jojo!

This book was just ok. I didn't identify with the characters as much as I did in her other books.

Do they not have skunks in England???? I'm sorry, but if you got sprayed by a skunk, simple washing up is not going to get rid of the smell. I haven't ever been skunked but my dog has...and it really never goes away!!

This is one of the best books I've read in quite some time. The story and characters were well developed. I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Moyes does not disappoint! I cried at the end of Me Before You. I have been hesitant to read another of her novels, as I didn't want to be disappointed. This novel was extraordinary! I fell in love with the characters and plot line. I was impressed with the narrative and setting of this story.

I highly recommend this book!!

I recently read another book about a similar topic and have heard a lot of discussion about who did it better/first. Because The Giver of Stars is by a favorite author of mine, I didn't hesitate to read it. While both books are about a similar topic, I feel they both have a place in my reading list. The Giver of Stars was less historically detailed and more a novel of the hardships and relationships of the women during the time. I found this book to be an easy and enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I feel that I would have liked this book more had I not recently finished and loved a book about the same topic. I had a bit of trouble getting into this one.

I enjoyed this. The author did a lot of research on this subject and it was very enlightening. Even though the author is British, she captured the flavor and feeling of Kentucky in the '30's. I live not very far from the area in the book and it made it seem very real.

I have to start off by saying that this type of historical fiction is right up my alley. American historical fiction set around the Depression Era and it is set in the south, what more could I ask for....oh yeah, strong women characters and unbreakable bonds of friendship!!

Did this story remind anyone else of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by: Fannie Flagg? I felt like there was a strong correlation between Marge and Alice and Igdie and Ruth. Another favorite of mine.

The characters in this story blaze trails, they are strong women who have convictions and stand for them. I appreciate the treatment of Sophia and during a time when race relations are strained they saw her worth as a human no matter what anyone said. Women had value in this story, and even during a time in our history where we were considered property this story had women standing for equality and strength. Also I appreciated the deep friendship of these women who started the Pack Horse Library. Friendships are such an important part of our lives, and that deep friendship between them all, where they encourage each other and support each other is beautiful.

All around I love this story, I listened on audio book and felt as if I was sitting at the feet of my grandmother while she told me a glorious moment from her past.

I read this book after I read a similar book set in the same time period. To me, they are two completely separate books. Once I got into this book, it was difficult to put down. The characters development for each and every character was strong. I could picture the small town in Kentucky. The storyline was less about the book women and their jobs and more about the way women were (miss)treated during that time period. While there was one central character, it was really the combined efforts of all that characters that made this an enjoyable read.

I really liked this book, it kept me interested til the very end. The characters are great, the story flows well, and the writing is so good. I would definitely recommend!

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review

I was REALLY surprised that British writer, Moyes, took on the topic of the Kentucky Packhorse Library. The book has enough drama, mystery, and history to keep readers of all types interested. The one thing that was bothersome about the book is the idea that Alice didn't know that a marriage had to be consummated. I'd figured that out by less than halfway into the book and had to keep waiting on her to tell someone.

This book was a lot different than the description. I was hoping for more on their adventures of delivering books, instead it seemed like a lot of family drama and murder.

I loved this book. It was captivating and I would recommend to any book lover. I am suggesting this as my book club pick

Jojo Moyes does it again. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC. The Giver of Stars is written in such a way that I was transported to another world. This was a great escape from my quarantined life. This book is not only a great story about the lengths that someone will go for friendship but it is also points out the inequities between men and women in the south at the time and between races. This book was a quick read that gave me hope. I believe that this is Jojo Moyes first historical fiction however I do hope it is not her last! This book will be my go to book recommendation for a long time!! (4.5 Stars)

While the subject matter of the novel was intriguing, the writing style was not for me. Jojo Moyes is a great author and writes so descriptively, but I felt like a lot of the narrative could have been whittled down and the pacing led my mind to wander. It’s a shame - I really wanted to love this one. I put it down at 20% and never picked it back up again. Rating it 3 stars because the part I read was well written and I can see why others love the book. DNF.

NetGalley provided me with a courtesy copy for an honest review.

I have heard many good things about this book and was excited to have the opportunity to read it, but I could not get into the book. I could not relate to the characters and didn't enjoy the plot. I was disappointed, since I am a fan of Jojo Moyes.

The Giver of Stars is a story of strength, independence, and friendship. While this novel's premise differs from Jojo Moyes previous titles, it is sure to appeal to her fans. I found myself up in the middle of the night, anxiously reading about the adventures of this eclectic group of characters. This book had me laughing at one moment and crying at the next. This story of resilience will have you cheering for the Packhorse Librarians!

Alice, left her home in England for a new life with her husband in America. Her marriage turns out to be loveless and life in Kentucky is more isolating than she imagined. Margery is a woman on her own, with physical and emotional scars left on her by her family, long dead. Together Margery and Alice throw themselves into working the Eleanor Roosevelt’s traveling library, Tragedy and happiness co-existing as in life..

Jojo Moyes makes her characters come alive on the pages and the reader finds themselves in the story. The quotes from classic literature add to the experience.

Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the galley for an honest review.

I LOVE Jojo Moyes! She is a fantastic author and an incredible storywriter. This was a bit of a change for her, as it was a historical fiction, but it was absolutely wonderful. The writing was fantastic, as usual and the plot development was sensational. Although Jojo Moyes typically writes Women's Fiction, this was a terrific change.
Her ability to craft unusual stories and unique plots is just amazing. She used a historic event and made it into her own.

I'd highly recommend this book! Five Stars!