A small town tries to fight the closure of their library. Quite a lot of eccentric characters with lots of opinions. June, the library assistant is threaten by the closure and tries to find her voice but will she be able to come of of her shell to save her job?

I have to say that this book started out a bit slow for me. Part of it was the pacing as the momentum in the community to save the library grew, but part was how unsympathetic the protagonist seemed to me. June's personality was so timid that I had a hard time caring what happened to her and sometimes even wanted to grab her and shake her for being so meek and shy. But once she decided to make an effort, then things picked up speed and became more interesting. The shutdown and/or consolidation of branch libraries is all too common in real life, but there are additional factors that make this particular closure entertaining to read about. The patrons are such a variety of characters - retirees needing computer help, youngsters who are voracious readers or looking for a quiet study space, the knitting club, the children's story hour attendees, etc. - that there are plenty of commonalities to form connections with readers. There are also various subplots of possible romance, underhanded business dealings, grief, and pressure to participate in a former friend's wedding events, just to mention a few. Readers who find the drive to save the library a bit slow to take action will have these other storylines to keep them occupied while they wait. In the end, the story is not just about the library itself getting a second chance but also many of the patrons and workers within it. If you enjoy realistic fiction about small communities and joining a good cause, then you should "check out" The Last Chance Library.

The beloved library can't be shut down.

What will the people of Chalcot Library do without this meeting place and the books?

June worked as a library assistant and was a very shy, sheltered person.

Learning that the city was going to shut down the library was devastating to her. June knew nothing else.

Her library wasn't just about books, it was also about the people in the town having some place to go to socialize.

When some of the older patrons decided to fight about keeping the library, June joined in too.

THE LAST CHANCE LIBRARY is a sweet, feel-good read and has great characters.

Some are funny, some are feisty, and some are just loyal library patrons.

Fighting to keep libraries open is a great theme, and one that is echoing all around.

If you need a read that will make you smile, add this book to your reading queue.

It is a tribute to libraries, the comfort they provide for its patrons, and for everyone who uses the library for books and friendship.

I KNEW I was going to like this book, but I LOVED it!!

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

June Jones, shy librarian, has her awakening when the council threatens to close her library. A love letter to books and libraries this book will delight anyone who loves to read.

The Last Chance Library is a charming love letter to the small town library. June Jones has been the librarian assistant in her sleepy British village for years, ever since her Mom passed away. Impossibly shy, she hides in books and quietly takes care of library patrons of all walks of life. When the town council threatens to close her beloved library, a quirky band of citizens unite to save it. Readers will cheer for June as she struggles to come out of her shell to join the cause; and possibly find friendship and love along the way. Readers who enjoy themes of found family, small town life and all kinds of literary references will love The Last Chance Library!

This is the best portrayal of a modern library that I’ve ever read. A celebration of libraries and communities!

It was fine. A cute, quick read for anyone who loves libraries. There were a lot of characters and it became hard to keep track of and things tied up a little to quickly for my taste. Thanks to Netgally for a review copy to read.

3.5 stars

As a book lover, I always enjoy books about libraries, etc. The cast of characters is a nice mix and easy to connect with. There's a bit of a romance angle, but it's not overpowering. June's search for a place to belong will likely resonate with readers, and Stanley reminded me a bit of my grandpa, so I really enjoyed his part in the story.

Overall, this is a charming, lighthearted, and cozy read about a woman who realizes that her job at the local library is about more than helping people find a good book.

Refreshing story about a lonely library clerk who fights to save her local library from being sold off to a coffee shop chain. She also meets someone who might become a romantic interest and thus she opens up her future to a more challenging life.

A cozy, heartwarming book about a village library fighting to stay open, a woman struggling with years' of grief, and a community of people, each more than they appear, coming together to offer support for the library and each other. Also: a voracious reader hates every book she reads, an old school chum may want to get chummy, an ill-tempered cat is ill-tempered, and a wheel of brie takes down three (they deserve it). Perfect for fans of The Authenticity Project!

Brimming with library love and book references, The Last Chance Library follows June Jones, Chalcot's assistant librarian, as the cocoon of safety she's been living in since her mom's death is threatened by an impending vote to close area libraries. An eccentric group of library patrons refuse to let their beloved village library close without a fight. Which is fine with June, except she can't help them. She just can't. She isn't a strong and vibrant leader like her mom — she can't even bear to lead story time at the library — and her hands are tied in other ways as well. But perhaps she could secretly help by investigating what may be troubling motives behind the closure? WWMD? What would Matilda do?

With a touch of mystery, a touch of romance, and an endearing cast of characters, this is a sweet story with flashes of creativity and humor that make it easily forgiven for its ultimate predictability.

Topics, tropes and themes: community, community resources, libraries, books, reading, grief, social safety net, corporate and community development, corruption, depression, self image, family, friends

Content notes: death of a parent, death of a friend, cancer, family estrangement, alcoholism, squatting/houselessness, fear of public speaking, anxiety attacks, social awkwardness and unkindness

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Libraries; Libraries, Libraries! Books, Books, Books, June Jones, Stanley, Mrs. Bransworth hates all books! Alex, Matilda, June, June, June! Stanley saves the library! Did I mention Libraries, Libraries, Libraries? A scrumptious bit of wonderful sweetness about the wonder of the importance of libraries and saving them!

June Jones is an assistant librarian in a small town. Life is passing her by. When the library is threatened with closure June finally comes out other shell. This was an OK book. It had interesting characters but the plot was predictable. There was very little romance in it. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I’m a sucker for books about libraries. A book about saving a library? I’m sold.

The Last Chance Library follows June Jones, a shy, awkward librarian assistant who is still grieving the loss of her mother. The Charcot Library holds a special place in June’s heart, not only because she is employed there but her mother was also. So when The Charcot Library is threatened with closure, June chooses to force herself out of her comfort zone and do something. The library is more that just a building; in this small town, the value is immeasurable.

The characters in this book are so diverse and well-written. The impact the library had in the small community and its members is something worth fighting for. The character development in June was so satisfying to see. The cast felt real and completely relatable. Last Chance Library showcases friendship, strength, and coming together as a community to enact change.

I recommend this book to any book lover and anyone who values their local library.

Thanks to Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

What can I say, I love books about books! This is my favorite trope in books and so I immediately had to request the arc edition. The romance was sweet and although I’m not usually into insta-love, this was cute. laughed and I teared up a little through this book! Solid 4.5 stars!!!

June Jones’ mother Beverley had served as the Director of the Public Library in the small English village of Chalcot since June was four years old. From the time her mother became sick with cancer and died, eighteen year old June began working as a library assistant and spent a decade in this role. Chalcot Library was blessed with a colorful mix of regular patrons, and June had a special knack for meeting all of their library needs. The Chalcot Library served as a second home for June and the other villagers who frequented its doors. Beyond her library position, June lived a very mundane life in her childhood home which was still occupied by her mother’s knickknacks and an aloof cat. June’s only escape was found through her books, which were like long-lost friends to the timid introvert. When the news began to spread that Chalcot Library was one of six libraries in the county to face closure due to lack of funding, June’s livelihood was threatened. She feared that the library that she loved might cease to exist, and wondered how she would manage. The eclectic Chalcot patrons rallied together to oppose the closure, and staged a series of protests. As June and the others bonded to try and save the library, she learned some surprising secrets about some of her patrons, and discovered a side of herself that she didn’t know existed. This is a charming book with well-developed characters, a touch of humor, and a fun storyline. It is a must-read for library supporters and those who love a heartwarming story.

While a cute story of a town rallying around its library, the main character was a little flat. Although her backstory explains some of her behavior, her bland life and dull personality made it hard to want to cheer her along in her journey.

This is one of the best books I've read so far this year! I was rooting for June and the patrons in their efforts to try to save their beloved library. This book is full of humor, a little heartbreak, some intrigue and a little romance. This book is for those who like The Bookshop of Lost Chances and fans of Jenny Colgan.

This was a great story! The writing was excellent, with very good character development. With this pandemic still not over, it was lovely to read a hopeful story.

This book is about small towns and how vital a library can be for many of the residents. It’s also about friendship and the power of a GROUP OF VOICES COMING TOGETHER!!!

The small town Chalcot library is one of a handful of libraries that has been threatened with closure. There is just so much money that the council has to disperse. It’s thought that perhaps a mobile library or volunteer library would provide the residents with the books that they want and/or need.

Of course what they don’t know is how much more a library means to people!

This library is a place to learn and study for a homeschooled child, a place where an immigrant can begin to start a new life with guidance, access to lots of helpful books and the internet. And of course a place for the townspeople to see each other and stay together as a community!!

Led by Mrs. Bransworth, the most outspoken (and I mean that very literally) member of a loyal group of library users, there are petitions, protests and even a “sit in” at the library.

There are some things going on with the council that will come as a surprise to the residents as well as the reader.

As much as I wanted to love this book I found the plot to be rather predictable. The characters were an interesting group and it was great to see June finally decide to pursue an education and a life outside of this small town.

If you are looking for a cozy book and a light, entertaining read then this might be just the book for you!

This novel is set to publish on August 31, 2021.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.

June is the quintessential librarian, who loves her job, her anti-social cat, Alan Bennett (named after the British playwright) and her routines-like her weekly takeaway of Chicken in black bean sauce, from the “Golden Dragon”.

She may be quiet, as she shelves the books that she imagines are whispering their stories to each other, but she always remembers her patrons names, associating them with the books they choose to borrow.

So, she is devastated when she learns that the City Council is planning to close the Charcot library where she works, following in her Mother’s footsteps, after she died a few years ago.

The Patrons are outraged as well, and they form a committee called F-O-C-L (pronounced Fock All ) which stands for Friends of Charcot Library, with one goal-to save it from being closed.

They are disappointed that June, won’t join, especially her friend, the dapper Stanley Phelps, but what they don’t know is that she will lose her job if she does. After finally, confessing this to her childhood friend, Alex, who is in town briefly to help his parents run the “Golden Dragon”, they devise a plan for June to help the group secretly.

Code Name: Matilda-named for the fierce, book loving girl from Roald Dahl’s beautifully illustrated children’s book, of the same name.

June learns to find her voice for the first time, with a little help from her friends-but will it be loud enough?
And, will it be in time?

This book started quietly, like June, but by the end, it had packed quite the emotional punch!

A wonderful DEBUT from Freya Sampson, who lives in London with her husband, two children, and her own, antisocial cat! 😼

I would like to thank Elisha at Berkley for providing a gifted ARC through NetGalley!
It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

Available August 31, 2021