A real gem of a book. A teenager and an elderly lady come together to save the village library. The dynamic between the generations is beautifully portrayed; Tom helps Maggie with her loneliness and help on her smallholding and Maggie helps Tom with the grief of losing his mother and living with a father deep in grief who has become an alcoholic. Their friendship has its ups and downs but proves to be solid. Important issues are sensitively handled. I read it in one sitting I found it so absorbing and the characters have stayed with me. The library theme is topical and timely. We need libraries!

I love anything library related so I enjoyed reading the premise and then eventually the book itself. This book shows the real-life struggle of public libraries and while it covers heavy topics, the book is great.

The cover was what first attracted me to this book. How could I not read a book that features a pile of books on the cover? Luckily the story lived up to my expectations.
Tom is a teenager in his GCSE year living with his father as his mother died when he was 8. He describes himself as invisible and spends most of his time on his Xbox. In an effort to meet a girl he likes, he ends up at the local library where he meets Maggie, a 70 something widow who runs a small holding. They meet properly when Maggie is mugged on her way to the bus stop and Tom intervenes. From this beginning, an unlikely friendship is formed.
This book addresses some serious issues, grief and alcoholism as well as loneliness but the story is a heart warming one. Tom and Maggie’s friendship isn’t without its issues and at one point is almost broken but they both need the other. The friendship between the two is the focal point of the story rather than the library although the fight to save the library from closure forms the background to the story and enables Tom to see more of the lovely Farah.
I loved this story and read it in one sitting. I loved the details of the romance books that Tom ends up reading. I honestly don’t how likely it is that a 16 year old boy would enjoy them so much but I’m prepared to suspend my disbelief. Tom and his father’s grief over his mother’s death and the ensuing issues that it causes as well as Maggie’s secret provide a contrasting dark side to the story that prevents it from being too sweet.
I definitely recommend this to all library and book lovers. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Library by Bella Osborne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

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“Books are such an underrated essential.”

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👍🏼 Thumbs Up:

LOVELY. Books like this are just what the world needs more of. Found family? Saving the village library? Learning to believe in yourself? Unlikely friendships? Sign me up.

👎🏻 Thumbs Down:

I don’t have any criticisms to share.

🤓 For Readers WHO:

Enjoy british lit, uplifting stories about found family.

👉🏼 This is what’s WHAT:

Maggie is a pensioner living on her own at her farm struggling with loneliness. Tom is a teenager struggling in his home life. Their paths cross as they both come to love their village library and form an unlikely partnership.

⏳WHEN I read this book:

It was just the book I was looking for at the time: uplifting while still having depth.

🚨WHERE you should watch out:

Alcoholism, bullying

📍WHY you should read this book:

It’s lovely, you won’t regret it.

📚 HOW I read this book:

eARC from netgalley and aria & aries

The Library by Bella Osborne

What a fabulous read, worthy of ten stars !
We read about Tom , a teenage boy who has lost his mother at a young age and lives with his surly alcoholic father . Maggie a lonely widow , running a smallholding by herself whilst being wildly independent.
They meet in the village library and their relationship develops over their love of books.
This book has a book group read all over it.
The characters of Tom & Maggie are completely believable and I loved reading about them and how they both brought out the best in each other.
A great heartwarming story

dnf at 44%
i dreaded to continue reading this the past few days cuz it was boring from the beginning & i was cringing so much as well so now i decided to just give up. the only thing i liked was the dynamic between the two mc but that wasn’t enough to make me want to read more.

Feel-good book featuring a septuagenarian (aka an old lady) and a teenage boy who come together to spur a small village into action to keep the local library open (and figure out life at the same time). Very lovable characters, charming surrounding, and some good messaging.

This book was better than I initially thought it would be. I actually went in not knowing much about this one and I think that’s a good way to go. It was cool to see Maggie and Tom’s dynamics!

Thanks for giving me the chance to read in advance. About the relationship between two people who form a bond whilst trying to save ba venue from closing. And how could I not read this. A book about books! Brilliant story

I have always liked Bella's books and was excited to see her next one was out. I loved it, and needed it at this moment in my life. Going through a lot means escaping with a book is the best thing ever. Reading about Tom and Maggie's unlikely friendship was lovely to see, they each have their own story which we get to hear about, both are lonely in their own worlds but the library has brought them together and has formed a lovely relationship between the two of them. It is a heart warming and touching read about a true friendship. I also enjoyed all the recommendations of different books and I genuinely want to read some of them. I cannot wait to see what Bella's next book brings. Perfect escapism that brings joy to a readers face.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have really liked all this authors books and this was no exception, a real feel good read, great storyline and great characters.

Tom is a teen with social anxiety living with an alcoholic father. His mother died when he was 8. Maggie is in her 70's and lives on a farm. The two first meet at the library when Tom tries to protect Maggie from a purse snatcher. After hearing that the library is slated to be closed, the two try to raise awareness and save the library becoming close friends in the process.

The story is mostly about the relationship between these two and the struggles each deals with in their personal lives. Some parts are heart wrenching and some are heart warming.

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries Publishing for a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Publication day for this book is April 1, 2022

What happens when the two most unlikely people become friends in a library? Bella Osborne has the book for you. The Library is a book about community and how people can come together to save the things that are most important to them, and maybe even themselves. An adorable read that feels like a warm cup of tea!

The Library by Bella Osborne was a heartwarming read of two people who really brought the best out in each other. I found the plot to be somewhat unoriginal and at times I forgot that the library was closing at all, but the characters really pulled it through.
I personally would have liked to read more into the issues Tom faced with his father being an alcoholic to bring an even deeper level to the story. I think it could have been really powerful to dive into Tom's thoughts about loosing his mother and having an alcoholic dad - past the surface emotions. However, I think the topics were delicately handled for the audience they are aimed at.

Overall, I enjoyed the characters and countryside vibes The Library let out. A real easy and warming read.

How could I not request a book called The Library? And look at that lovely book filled cover. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but honestly it was the title a cover alone that got me. I am happy to report that the inside is just as wonderful.
What a wonderful book this was. Another brilliant read from Bella Osbourne. I loved it so much. Although the title suggests that it’s all about a library, that is not just this story it is also about relationships, and the angst of school exams. This was such a sweet story and I loved every page. You’re always guaranteed a good read from this author and this one was just as good.

This was my first book to read by this author but I hope to read more soon! The characters and the story stay with you long after you finish it. Good, fast read. Highly recommend!!

Tom and Maggie meet at the library and then discover it's due to be closed. They then join together to save it

I'm always sad to DNF a read but I reached the 25% mark and realized that while the warp and woof of this story appealed, the writing style just didn't work for me. The tight-knit bond and solidarity between Maggie and Tom was sweet and wholesome in that balm-to-the-soul way enough, though, and The Library might suit other readers' tastes better than it did mine.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for kindly passing on this ARC! 💫

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

A magical friendship to be sure!!

Grab a cup of tea and a blanket. I absolutely loved this book. It’s a gentle read but with excellent, feisty characters. I devoured it within 2 days. If you enjoyed Away with the Penguins, this is another teaching us not to judge the older generation before we get to know them! A really enjoyable way to spend a few hours.