A lovely story about an unlikely friendship between a woman in her seventies who lives on her own and a teenage boy, raised by a single dad, who doesn't have any friends. Both are very lonely for different reasons, both have experienced great loss and grief, and both find community, hope, and adventure within books and their small town library.

With each chapter, The Library changes from Maggie's point of view to Tom's... and I found that I enjoyed both equally, always eager to read the next chapter. While I could have done with eight or nine less mentions of "losing yourself in a book" or "escaping into another world" (etc), as it was quite repetitive and added nothing to the greater story, this is ultimately a touching, heart-warming read about friendship, family, and the joy of reading.

Content warning: some violence (a mugging), alcoholism

I didn't expect this book to be so good. A diverse group of people works together to save a local library from being closed. In addition to this library bond, friendships develop outside of the walls of the library. Throw in students working toward being their best, an alcoholic dad trying to get his life together, and several baby farm animals and you have a wonderful story. I easily read it one evening and would love to read a sequel to see how everyone is doing. It is that kind of book... Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher, for an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely ADORED this book! Books about books (and libraries) hit a sweet spot for me. This one is so well done. I love the characters, they are so well written. Real without being cheesy. Five big stars!

This is a wonderful, feel-good story! Just what I needed to read at this time. Osborne shows how friendship can be found in the most unlikely places, and the characters demonstrate the wisdom that can be gleaned from those of any age. It did take me a bit to initially get into the story, but once I did, the pages flew by. There are some heavy topics (alcoholism, grief, and loss), but they're handled in a tactful way. Overall, this is an interesting and unique take on a coming-of-age novel.

If like me, you're a book worm, just the title of this book alone with send a tingle down your spine. If ever a book was written for me, this is it!!!

Based around the closure of a town library, which is becoming all too familiar (and horrific) across the, teenager Tom and pensioner Maggie are thrown together to save this important foundation stone in their local community.

The two main characters are Tom, an awkward teenager who stumbled into the library one day, and walked out with a rucksack full of romance novels for “his mum” and pensioner Maggie attends the book club each week. One evening when leaving the library Maggie is set upon by two muggers and Tom comes to her aid, and this is where their friendship blossoms.

On paper their friendship shouldn’t work but it does and it is a lovely thing to read about. Without knowing it, Tom and Maggie lean on each other emotionally as their friendship grows.

This is a book that I didn’t want to end, I absolutely loved it, and I would go as far to say that this is certainly my favourite novel of 2022!

"You'll pass a million people on your path and just a few will be worth spending time with."

This was totally different and unique. The depiction by the author will hit you hard. This story is filled with struggle, pain, grief, kindness and how we don't think about our actions affecting others.

"Books provided a secret door to escape through: something she had often been grateful for in her life."

Tom is a teenager who isn't happy with what is happening in his life at the moment and the impact of it on his future. He forms an unlikely friendship with Maggie, a pensioner who he meets at the library and rescues her from a burglary.

"That's nature I'm afraid Tom. It's neither cruel not kind just pitilessly indifferent."

This book is filled with emotions and is realistic in the best possible way. The author addresses heavy issues of alcoholism, relationship, grief and how friendship doesn't see age. I liked how she has molded everything to bring out such a beautiful story with the focus on library.

Thank you Netgalley for providing with a chance to read this.

What a beautiful story and brilliant characters!

The library is a story about saving Compton Mallow library from closure, but it is so much more than that. It is a story of friendship, love, loss, loneliness and forgiveness.

Maggie is 72 and lived alone on her small holding. Tom is doing his GCSEs and lives with his father. Tom and Maggie strike up an unlikely friendship when they meet a the library.

As Tom’s life gets hard, Maggie steps in to help and their friendship grows, until Tom finds out the truth…

Can they save the library? Can they get past the truth?

Brilliant characters and touching storylines. A must read book.

The Library is such a sweet, feel good book. Dealing with loneliness and finding friendships in unexpected places. Then people coming together to save their local library. I truly enjoyed this one, especially the friendship between Thomas and Maggie.

I received this book for free in exchange for a review. This doesn't affect my opinion of the book.

Meet Tom, a teen of sixteen who is living with his Dad under very trying circumstances. At school he is not doing so well, and there is a bully that shows his hand every so often.  And then Tom takes up reading books from the library, not ones you'd expect either.

Meet Maggie, about in her seventies, small time farmer who likes her own company - sort of. She has quite a back story too, but let me tell you has a heart of gold. And a few tricks up her sleeve.  I loved her and of course Tom too. They are both characters I totally fell for.

When they meet up that's when the story gets going. Sometimes I smiled, sometimes my heart squeezed. Sometimes I wanted to look away.

The story explores the library today, loneliness, alcoholism, parenting and loss. Tough subjects but told with such warmth and humor. I totally fell for this book. Of course the cover drew me in, and the story kept  me within its covers.  It is a keeper.

EXCERPT: The post lady came in and handed over a pile of letters and something Christine had to sign for. Christine let out a gasp worthy of anyone winning a TV prize jackpot but her face told a different story. Maggie went to see what had caused it but Betty was quicker off the mark.

'Something wrong?' asked Betty, her face laden with glee.

'They're closing us down,' said Christine, followed by a dramatic sob as she clutched the podium for support.

Betty was quick with the tissues, which gave Maggie a chance to swivel around the offending letter and have a quick read for herself. She wasn't surprised to see that Christine had made a mansion out of a Lego brick. 'It's inviting you to a meeting about the future of the library, Christine.' It wasn't exactly an eviction notice. Maggie had seen plenty of those in her time.

Christine looked affronted. 'That's what it means.' She stabbed the letter with a neat fingernail. 'It came by recorded delivery. They call you to a meeting and that's when they tell you they're closing you down. . .'

ABOUT 'THE LIBRARY': Two different generations. Two unusual people. Thrown together to save their local library.
Tom is a teenager and blends into the background of life. After a row with his dad, and facing an unhappy future at the dog food factory, he escapes to the library. Tom unwittingly ends up with a bagful of romance novels and comes under the suspicion of Maggie.

Maggie is a pensioner and has been happily alone for ten years, at least that's what she tells herself. When Tom comes to her rescue a friendship develops that could change her life. As Maggie helps Tom to stand up for himself, Tom helps Maggie realise the mistakes of her past don't have to define her future.

They each set out to prove that the library isn't just about books – it's the heart of their community.

Together they discover some things are worth fighting for.

MY THOUGHTS: I needed this! If you want a book that is going to make you smile and your heart swell, this is it!

The characters are realistic, relatable and mostly lovely, except Kemp who is an out and out bully. Thomas Harris, just like the author, is seriously lacking in self-esteem, and feels like he is invisible - 'Not actually invisible – that would make me interesting and I’m not. I’m the person others find easy to forget. The one who is lost in the crowd.' - except to Kemp, who always manages to see him and make his life even more miserable than it already is.

Maggie is in her 70s, and lives alone on a smallholding with just her animals for company. The highlight of her life is the weekly book club at the library. She is an extraordinary character with hidden depths and a tragic secret.

Maggie and Tom meet at the library after Tom's dad smashes his x-box which seems like a tragedy at the time but which is probably the best thing that ever happened to him, because he starts reading again, something he hasn't done since his mum died.

A friendship that will change both their lives begins when Tom comes to Maggie's aid when she is getting mugged.

The Library isn't so much about the efforts to save the local library as a touching story of an unlikely friendship. It's a heartwarming and uplifting read that left me with a smile on my face and needing to read more from this author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.3

#TheLibrary #NetGalley

I: @bellaosborneauthor @avonbooksuk

T: @osborne_bella @AvonBooksUK @aria_fiction

#comingofage #contemporaryfiction #familydrama #sliceoflife #smalltownfiction

THE AUTHOR: Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She likes to find the humor in the darker moments of life and weaves these into her stories. Bella believes that writing your own story really is the best fun ever, closely followed by talking, eating chocolate, drinking fizz, and planning holidays. She lives in the Midlands, UK with her lovely husband and wonderful daughter, who thankfully, both accept her as she is (with mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping). (Amazon)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria & Aries via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Library by Bella Osborne for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

4.5 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.


Lately I have read so many good books! The Library is another one that just made me smile.

Tom is a teenage boy, living alone with his dad. Tom has aspirations of university and a future outside of their small town. Tom’s father has other ideas tho. Paul wants Tom to start an apprenticeship at the local dog food factory where he works. Nothing has been right between Tom and his father for years. This is just one more thing that Tom can’t stomach.

Tom finds himself at the local library to do his schoolwork, just because he can’t stand being at home with his father any longer. There is a book club meeting at the library. One of the members, Maggie, takes an interest in Tom. She finds him more fascinating than the book they are discussing. When she leaves the library later that day, she is accosted by a hooded man who steals her bag. When Tom sees what’s happening and tries to intervene, he ends up the one who is wounded, and the thief gets away. But this gives Maggie a chance to start a friendship with Tom.

When they find out that the library is going to be forced to close, Tom, Maggie and Farah, the girl that Tom is pining for, rally around the librarian Christine, and scheme to keep the library open. The three become partners in their Save the Library campaign. But more than that, Farah helps Tom study for his exams. Maggie helps Tom escape his toxic household. Tom brings new joy to Maggie’s life. Everyone offers something to this unusual group of friends, all because they want to save the library.

Reading this book was such a pleasure. It’s not all perfect sunshine and rainbows, but it shows that friendships can bloom between the most unlikely of people. That we all need someone to care for us. That you’re never too old to give a damn. Each of the characters emotionally grew throughout the story. I didn’t want this one to end. Such a lovely tale. I would recommend this one to everyone!

It took me a while to get into the story, but I had decided to request it because it reminded me a lot of another book I had loved years ago as well as Up.

This story and friendship between Maggie and Tom is heartwarming and one that you will remember for a long time!

I thought this sounded right up my street - quirky, funny, and with lots of potential for mischief. Add in the setting of the library and I was sure I was guaranteed a hit.

Unfortunately, although I did enjoy this one, I didn't love it. I found the writing to be very simplistic, and it didn't engage me as much as I would have liked. However, the story was interesting and hopeful, and it's a nice, easy read.

I loved this book. It really has it all. The library is threatened with closure, the book club who meet there plan to save it. Maggie is an older woman living alone on a small holding, who tries to fill her time. Tom is a troubled teen with an emotionally absent father who tries to stay invisible in order to avoid the bullies.
These two form an unlikely deep friendship which is reassuring, hopeful and full of kindness and respect. As the story unfolds and we live alongside these two, we learn more about Maggie’s past, and see Tom mature into a wonderful young man.
It has feel-good factor written all over it, and I would highly recommend this book
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

What a brilliantly charming read.

I loved entering Tom’s world, it was sad at times but I was rooting for home throughout.

The relationships he develops within the story were authentic, interesting and very credible.

I was whisked away into their world and feel a whole lot better for having read this book, brilliant!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The Library by Bella Osborne is a good pick for bibliophiles because it touches on how public libraries are central to communities - not only for their books and services, but as a place for people to connect. In this book, a small-town public library is threatened with possible closure and the story fondly reminded me of The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson.

But for me, this was much more of a heartfelt story about the unexpected kinship that begins at a public library. Tom is a socially awkward teenage boy who finds friendship, community and help dealing with his loneliness and family problems when he meets sassy septuagenarian Maggie at the library. This unlikely pair tells their individual stories through alternating POVs, and I found their bond to be endearing and authentic.

With the addition of emotional topics (Trigger Warnings below disclaimer), the story took on a surprising and enjoyable depth and the issue of the library closure took a bit of a backseat to this social aspect (which I was okay with). The characters made this book for me and were, for the most part, well-developed and readers will connect with Tom and Maggie equally. My only beef, as a Library Assistant, was how Christine the librarian came off as bumbling and almost incompetent.

Equal parts heartwarming, charming and insightful, The Library is a story about the importance of public libraries within communities, friendships at any age, and second chances.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Aria and Aries for my complimentary advanced digital copy given in exchange for my honest review.

Trigger Warnings: alcoholism, grief, family dysfunction

Such a sweet story. I’ll admit it was predictable, but it also included some beautiful and poignant passages. I loved both Maggie and Tom and their unlikely yet desperately needed friendship.

They randomly meet at their local library, a 72-year-old widow and a 16-year-old boy, both with heartaches, loss and regrets in their lives. But as they work together to save their small library from closing, they find peace and purpose from each other.

A warm feel-good story.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #Aria for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

I am a sucker for books that are library related so this one was an automatic must-read!

And omg what a book it was!

I read this, coincidently, at the library and was literally grinning to myself at all the cute moments!

I loved everything about it; the plot, the characters and the ending was just perfect. Honestly, I'd read a book with short stories of Maggie and Tom's lives.

A lighthearted book that also covers major topics, like alcoholism and bullying, which was perfect for me after being in a bit of a reading slump!

The Library by Bella Osborne was a surprise because I loved it so much about this book. I am a sucker for anything related to a library, much like most book nerds, but this book was beautiful to read. I did not expect to fall in love with an unlikeable kid like Tom, but I was rooting for that kid by the end. It was also pleasant to unravel Maggie's story from the perfect human to a genuine human.

The backdrop of losing the library seems to be a minor setting for such a powerful book. This book covers many topics: grief, alcoholism, anger, depression, family abandonment, and loneliness. It is handled very delicately because the character development is solid. I love the characters because they are flawed, making them so much more relatable.

I would love to read more from this author!

A book to pull you in heart and soul. It captured my attention from the opening moments and didn't let go.

Character creation was especially poignant through out with Tom and Maggie's connection stealing the show hands down. Their unlikely pairing kept me reading on as their scenes stole the show, it was purely magic.

The Library is a touching tale of warmth and community that I didn't want to end. Yet another glorious story from Bella Osborne.