Being a librarian by profession (and a book nerd) I had a pretty good idea I was going to love this book. And I couldn't have been more right. I loved the way the author wove the story with books and characters and would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a feel good book that will really draw you in.

Received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

This book was so much fun! I loved all the characters, and was happy to see June blossom and come out of her shell. I wasn't happy with the town council or those auditors, but was happy that it all ended up the way that it should.
I don't usually write really long reviews, but feel that I need to say more about this book because of the issues that June is dealing with. I know people like her, who's life seems in a holding pattern that they can't break out of. They are truly afraid to try new things, to get out of the comfort zone that they have put themselves in. I was glad that June got the help she needed from her circle of friends that she didn't know she had.
I was hoping for more at the end, and was sad to see it end, but I feel that June ended up with her version of happily ever after.

June practically grew up in the Chalcot Public Library where her mom worked. During her last year of school as she was heading off to Cambridge to become a writer, her mom got sick and June put her life on hold to care for her mom. Fast forward 10 years and June's life is still on hold. She's working as a library assistant at the Chalcot Public Library and living in the unchanged house she shared with her mom, who passed away 8 years ago. Then, one day the library gets word that the council is going to close down several libraries in the county and Chalcot is on the list. A ragtag group of patrons decide to fight the closure, and June, though desperate to keep the library open, doesn't think she has anything to contribute to their efforts. She's painfully shy and can't even imagine speaking up.

June is a relatable and likable character, but it's the supporting cast that really makes this book shine! Stanley Phelps, an 82-year-old pensioner who spends all day every day in the library; Mrs. Bransworth, a brash middle age lady who complains about every single book she reads but keeps coming back for more; Jackson, an 8-year-old boy who's home-schooled and reads (and remembers) anything and everything he can get his hands on; Linda, Jackson's grandma, June's mom's best friend, and June's neighbor who won't stop encouraging June to get back to living; and Vera, a mean old lady who complains about everyone and every thing at every possible opportunity. This motley crew forms the Friends of the Chalcot Library and their fight to save their library will make you laugh and cry throughout the book. Then, don't forget Alan Chen who grew up in Chalcot with June and is back to help out his dad for a few months and Chantal, a teenager who depends on the library for a quiet place to study and June for help and support.

The writing is beautiful and the plot moves along nicely. I read it in one quick afternoon and just enjoyed the whole thing. This book is a love song to the power of community and the power of libraries to create community. Absolutely worth your time! Highly recommended light, escapist reading with a powerful message.

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Last Chance Library had me hooked before I'd even finished the first chapter. Having worked in libraries for more than 30 years myself, the characters in this book really resonated with me. I laughed, I cried and was pleasantly surprised when the problems between the council and the protesters didn't turn out as suspected. Thanks to Freya Sampson for writing this love letter to books, libraries and small towns everywhere!
#TheLastChanceLibrary #Netgalley

The Last Chance Library was a bit too lightweight. The main character, June, rubbed me the wrong way right off the bat with her inability to defend the library she had been raised in by her librarian mom. The fact that she currently worked in that same library, didn’t give her enough motivation to save the library or her job. In the end, she came around; but having worked in libraries for the past 17 years, I don’t know a single librarian who wouldn’t have jumped into the fray with guns blazing to protect their beloved library. I gave it 3 stars to encourage non-librarians to read it and find out what libraries face during cutbacks.

Holly hell! This book is extremely cute! Sweeter than my favorite Nutella cronut! (At least you don’t pass out because of high sugar level and complain about calories when you read this! ) it’s so fresh, exhilarating, comforting feel good novel! What can go wrong when you decide to read a book about books? Absolutely nothing! It’s one hundred percent satisfaction guaranteed, heartfelt journey makes you laugh so hard but a few pages later you find yourself cry like a whiny toddler! Your feelings are everywhere! But at the end the pure happiness surround your heart and it absolutely puts a permanent smile on your face! It’s amazing feeling you never want to miss it!

You easily get connected to June Jones: 28 years old, introvert, lonely librarian created walls around herself built by books. A great read always takes care of her problems, helping her to travel around different worlds, discovering new places as she’s stuck in a small British village. Once upon a time she was hopeful, energetic girl with full of dreams including discovering new cities, getting education at Cambridge to chase her dreams for becoming a successful author.

But you know what they say: you make plans , God laughs. She procrastinates her big plans after her mother’s illness and takes care of her, getting a job at Chalcot Public Library, following her mother’s career steps. After her mother’s death, she is still living at the same house, full time working at assistant librarian, building a safe cocoon around her.

But now it’s time for her coming out of her shell, standing up for the library which is threatened with closure by council because of budget cuts.

Now it’s time for her to raise her voice and rediscover herself how far she can risk to save the place that saved her from the most painful days of her life.

There are so many quirky, entertaining, lovable character portraits in this book you desperate fall for including fiery Mrs. B, Stanley , Franklin.

Only two things bothered me was instant romance between charming Alex Chang and June and abrupt ending of the book. The romance parts could be developed a little bit and I think the book could be a little longer.

Maybe I loved and invested to the characters so much and I didn’t want to say goodbye to them so suddenly!

Anyways this book truly makes you dream of living a small British town, interacting with eccentric townies, burying your into dusty pages of amazing books, enjoying your pure happiness. I think I can teleport myself anytime if it’s possible!

I’m giving my 4 joy of reading, self discovery, learning to be bold, laughing loud, sentimental, beautiful stars!

So many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing For sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Overall, this book was cute, I cannot deny it. And, the big star getter from me, is there were parts I found really, truly laugh-out-loud funny, maybe even more so because of the way the humor was, not so much subtle or understated, but sneaky and sudden. I found the ending and some other bits a bit too pat, and I was disappointed by how underdeveloped I found the romance. Alex Chan was charming and interesting, and I thought could have used a lot more focus!

I fell in love with this book from chapter 1, and by the end, it became one of my favorite books of all time. It isn't often I can honestly say that a book made me laugh aloud AND shed real tears, but this one certainly did. I absolutely couldn't put it down, and when it ended, I was reluctant to have to leave its delightful warmth behind. From page one, I was instantly swept away to the charming English village setting, which I could easily believe is a real place. The characters are vibrant as they are contrasting, and it was an absolute joy to watch them band together to save their beloved village library. Shy librarian June is a heroine after my own heart. I have never related more to a character in a book, and I think that's why her journey had such a visceral effect on me. Though at the beginning, June is reluctant to push herself out of her comfort zone, we see her bravery blossom slowly and in a way that is both realistic and encouraging to those of us with similar fears. The author does an incredible job helping us to fall in love with even the prickliest of characters, and I think that's one of the best parts of this book. We are encouraged to look beyond the surface of the people we see every day--under the cover of the book--to discover the beautiful story that lies underneath. There is so much heart on every page, this book filled me with light and hope--which was something I was so desperate for in times like these. Every book lover HAS to read this book, a love letter to escapism, to storytelling, to librarians, and to small communities. June taught me so much, and I am excited to take a little bit of her courage with me into my own life.

With a lush setting, unforgettable characters, lots of laughter, and carefully crafted emotional beats, THE LAST CHANCE LIBRARY is a book I will cherish forever.

Okay, So this is the first Freya Sampson book that I have read. I have to say wow, she just wrote a love letter to all of us book nerds and find solace getting love in a book.
It's funny, heartwarming, and filled to the brim with affection for that heart of the community: the library.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Freya Sampson for sharing this arc copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Last Chance Library felt like an ode to book lovers around the world. I loved the references in this book. The fight to save the local library was about much more then just the library, it was about fighting for a safe-haven, a second home, an invaluable resource. It was about fighting for what really matters and against corporate greed.

At times June was frustrating because of home anxious and timid she was, but I was happy when she found her voice and realized what mattered to her. I loved the secondary characters, from Stanley to Mrs. B to Vera to Alex, they added much needed humor to this book.

I recommend checking this book out if you love books and fighting for what's right.

The Last Chance Library is a beautiful and charming story of awkward and unwilling hero, June Jones, who must overcome her personal obstacles in order to save her local library from closure. This book had me laughing out loud and surreptitiously wiping away tears. With a cast of wonderfully hilarious, unique characters who seek refuge among books, The Last Chance Library is so relatable and a must-read for anyone who’s a book lover. It was a heartwarming, escapist read in these difficult times, and I couldn’t recommend it more!

After reading this, I want nothing more than to go to a library, smell books, and then gorge myself on chicken in black bean sauce!
This was such a heartwarming story, I truly enjoyed it from start to finish.
June Jones lost her mom 8 years ago and unbeknownst to her but known by all those that love her, she is still grieving. Often locking herself away from the world, getting lost in books, June is going through her life just existing. Like her mother, June works at the Chalcot library that is in her small hometown village. She is a full time library assistant and loves her job and the people that frequent the library, but she often sells herself short thinking they only like her out of pity. Nothing could be further from the truth, and slowly June realizes this when she is faced with losing something and someone else that she loves again. Learning to rely on her village and to believe in herself, June finally comes into her own conquering her fears.
I read this book a lot quicker than I meant to because it was so easy to read. The characters come alive on the pages so much that I could see this being a cute Netflix/Hallmark kind of movie.

June Jones used to have big plans. She was going leave her small town of Chalcot to go away to University and become a writer. But her plans were derailed when her mom got sick and eventually died. Now June has spent the last 8 years of her life living in the home she grew up in, working as a librarian assistant in the town library, and quietly keeping to herself. She spends her time outside of the library reading books at home.
But June’s life takes a turn when her beloved library, the one her mom worked at through June’s whole life, is threatened with closure from the council. Can June find her voice before it is too late?
Filled with an eclectic group of citizens, this book is a delightful read. The author's voice is wonderful. As you read the book you learn so much from each of the characters, especially June and Stanley. This book is about more than June coming out of her shell and fighting for things. It is also about friendship as June learns that her life isn’t nearly as lonely as it seems. This was such a charming story and you keep hoping they save the library. I especially loved this story because you see how important libraries are to the communities they serve. They are such wonderful safe places for people.

This book was a sheer delight. It was just the most gentle, lovely escape into a community full of interesting characters, books, and a budding romance. I loved all the references to stories and thought Sampson did a beautiful job drawing interesting and lovable characters both young and old. The fight to save the library and the personal growth were both so compelling. I was brought to tears and laughed several times--the Matilda reference was a particular favorite. I will definitely be looking forward to Freya's next book!

As a lifelong reader, I've always loved stories about books – and libraries, and bookshops, and the people who love them as much as I do. And The Last Chance Library is a prime example of this genre. It's funny, heartwarming, and filled to the brim with affection for that heart of the community: the library. It is also a lovely reminder of the power a place like this has to bring people together and change lives.

28-year-old June Jones once had big dreams for her life, but when her larger-than-life mother became ill, she puts off college to take care of her mom and work at the local village library. Years later, Mum has passed, and June has retreated into her world of books, letting life pass her by. But when budget cuts (and shady business deals) threaten her beloved library, June must break out of her shell and fight alongside its loyal patrons to keep the doors open.

Watching June take control of her life and open up to the people around her was such a rewarding experience. Her impulse to accept her life as it was and convince herself she didn't actually want to take chances (on people or on dreams) was understandable but obviously hurting and isolating her, so her increasingly bold attempts to fight for the library were a delight to watch. In the process, of course, she also comes to recognize the friends she's made in her years at the library and draw closer to them.

Which brings us to the real highlight of this story: the community. Sampson understands the important role that even the tiniest libraries play in their communities, providing a safe place to spend the day, access to resources like the internet for school, job searches, and benefits, and also, of course, books filled with wonders to inspire readers young and old. I worked as a library assistant at a tiny public library during college, and the colorful characters that make a library feel like home are all here and brought to life beautifully. I fell in love with them all, from gentle Stanley to firebrand Mrs. B to boy wonder Franklin, and I laughed and cried as they fought for what they loved. Add Chalcot Village to the list of literary travel destinations – if only to taste Leila and Vera's cakes and listen to Mrs. B's protest stories!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Warm, uplifting story about a quiet and shy library assistant forced to go out of her comfort zone to fight for what she loves. It's a tale of realizing that you are not some, and that you have a voice. It's like a warm cup of tea on a chilly day. Drink up.

This was absolutely delightful - Berkley knows how to publish great books. A highly recommended first purchase for all general fiction collections.

I had a good idea I was going to like this book from the description, so was delighted to get an eARC. Chapter one had me in sympathetic tears. Chapter three had me laughing out loud. And it just got better and better from there.

What a wonderful book. An absolutely adorable, heart-melting, riveting book. I started reading in the afternoon and could not put it down until I'd read the whole thing. June was a lovely heroine, so brave despite what she thought about herself. And the whole cast was vividly portrayed, making me feel while I was reading that the library was a real place, the villagers real people.

There's so much in here that bookworms and long-time library lovers will enjoy. This is a book I know I will reread many times.

The Last Chance Library is a wonderful debut novel by Freya Sampson. From the plot description I thought it would be a light story about a meek small town library assistant who fights to save her small town library from closure. While that was the basic framework this book was so much more. It was truly a love letter to all of us who love books, who love going to the library and who know how much libraries mean to a community. The characters in the book are so endearing that I could not wait to see what happens to them. I hope I don’t have to wait long for another book by Ms Sampson.

June has lived in her little English village all of her 38 years. She’s a quiet, introverted woman who loves her job as the local librarian, books are a safe place to reside. Then budget cuts threaten her library,a nd her very way of life. Suddenly this meek woman must transform into a lioness if she is to save the building that is the heart of her village and the place that meant so much to her late mother. Joining a committee with a group of like minded villagers, June sets out to save her library. Joining them is her old school friend Alex, who offers his services as an attorney pro bono. Alex has feelings for June, but she’s already being so brave, fighting for the library, has she got any courage left over for a relationship with him? This was a charming story, that highlights the sad plight facing libraries everywhere, as budget cuts threaten citizens access to knowledge and the sheer joy of reading