The title of this book drew me in first and even though I wasn't entirely sure it was something I'd like I thought I'd try it, and I'm so glad I did. It was such a delightful read about a 16 year teenager, Tom, and a feisty 70-something lady, Maggie, who became friends through their local library and helped each other out.

Tom's mother died when he was younger, so it's just him and his Dad now, but his Dad is struggling a lot with finances and life in general, drinking all the time, and not looking after his son at all, the house is a mess and both father and son are fighting all the time, so it's a really unhappy home life for Tom who struggles along on his own most of the time as his Dad works nights, he doesn't like the way his Dad has become, even though he loves him.

Maggie lives on her own on a farm, but daily life on the farm is getting harder for her as she gets older, so meeting Tom is a godsend for both of them really. Maggie helps Tom navigate his relationship with his father, feeds him a lot of the time (as there's hardly any food in his house), and gently steers him in the right direction, as he's got a good head on his shoulders, but just needs a bit of encouragement as he's quite shy. Tom in turn helps Maggie around the farm a bit and finds he quite likes it, even though he's not so sure of it initially. Their relationship was like grandson and grandmother, something they both really needed in their lives, even if they didn't realise it.

Then their local library, where they meet on a weekly basis, comes under threat of closure and the local book club who use it, start a campaign to keep it open, with Maggie as the ringleader and Tom and others helping out. But then a spanner is thrown in the works when Tom finds out something about Maggie that he doesn't like, their relationship falls apart, and it takes them both a little while to work through things.

This book had two such completely different perspectives from both Tom and Maggie but it really worked, I loved both their characters, and there was a really lovely ending. One of my favourite reads.

4.5 Stars

I’m a huge fan of Bella Osborne’s and fell upon her latest novel, The Library, with glee. While slightly different in tone from her romantic comedies, The Library has all the warmth, humour and heart that have made her books must-reads for fans of contemporary women’s fiction

For teenager Tom, the future is looking bleak and hopeless. His relationship with his dad is strained and deteriorating with each passing day and with a job at the dog food factory looming large, Tom is desperate for a chance to escape from the claustrophobic shackles of his home life. When he steps through the doors of the local library, he thinks that he has at long last found somewhere he belongs and a place where he no longer has to hide in the shadows.

Maggie has always found solace in reading. All she needs in life is her favourite books and an ever-changing supply of novels to keep her entertained and happy – or so she tells herself. Her regular trips to the library never fail to brighten up her day and she always finds something new that piques her interest, but she never imagined that she would find a kindred spirit in teenager Tom. The two immediately recognise something in each other that will end up changing both of their lives forever.

However, when their beloved library comes under threat, Maggie and Tom realise that they simply cannot take this decision lying down. They will fight tooth and nail to keep their sanctuary open – whatever it takes. The library has provided both Maggie and Tom with a window into another world, but its survival is not just about the books on the shelves, but about their community.

Can Maggie and Tom save the library that means so much to them? Or will all of their efforts end up being in vain?

A wonderful tale about the magic of reading, the importance of friendship and the pleasure that can be derived from a good book, Bella Osborne’s The Library is an engrossing, entertaining and highly enjoyable page-turner perfect for bookworms everywhere. Brimming with moments that will make readers laugh and cry, characters that come alive on the page and plenty of humour, pathos, drama and emotion, Bella Osborne’s The Library is an irresistible delight that has got winner written all over it.

To say I love this book is n understatement. I just finished it and I want to read it again. I adored Tom and Maggie and their relationship was so warming. The struggles with his Dad and the state he got into were a tough read, but well written and well handled.
A perfect ending to the story too. Not ashamed to say I have a few tears in my eyes.

I am surprised by how much I liked this. On the surface, it sounded a bit ridiculous, but I do love my a story about books and/or a library, so I wanted to give it a go.

The story is told in a fast paced, switching back and forth between Tom and Maggie's POVs. The two work well together to tell the story and they were distinct enough in their telling I didn't find them difficult to separate. I liked the author's writing style, it was easy to read and painted a good picture of what was happening.

As for the story itself, there were certainly elements of the sort of ridiculous moments that I expected. But what I did not expect was all the more heart wrenching moments of the story. And at some point I realised that I felt like here was maybe one too many hard-hitting plot lines. They work well to emphasise the characters' past and inner lives, but it was also one thing after another.

I liked this book well. I didn't outright love it, but I had a great time reading it.

feel good generational novel that was a sweet as pie. It depicted so many different characters but most in a loving light.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. Delightful and uplifting with wonderful characters, this book will tug on your heartstrings.

I loved this sweet book! I am a librarian so I loved how the community worked to save the library. I loved the friendship between a teen and an elderly woman. This is just a feel good book! I am so happy that I was able to read this and hope the little library where I work is important to the people in my community.

The Library is a perfect book if you like books and libraries and characters who come together, fight their demons, form relationships, learn to trust and stand up for themselves, and form unlikely communities. That's a lot! And it all works. It is a well told story with real people, facing real problems.
When rumors arise about the possible closure of the local library, the patrons come up with plans to increase membership.
We primarily follow Tom, a high schooler, and Maggie, an independent 72 year old woman. Their friendship is just so tender. I want to read more books about these two characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Aria publishing for this ARC, and thank you Bella Osborne for bringing this story to life.

As a keen reader and life-long supporter of libraries, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Teenager Tom and pensioner Maggie form an unlikely friendship. Both use the local library and are determined to support it when it comes under the threat of closure. However, things are rarely simple and both characters benefit from their friendship. Both have secrets and Tom in particular realises things are not always how they seem. A timely reminder about the importance of libraries and their role in keeping communities together.

The Library by Bella Osborne is an absolutely brilliant read!
Osborne has woven a tale that is so much more than the story of a fight to save a small town library. This is a story about the importance of friendship, and how it can be found in seemingly unlikely places. It's about the wisdom to be found from one's elders and those younger as well. It's about the trials and tribulations of family, and the importance of communication. It is a coming of age story, and a coming to accept age story.
#TheLibrary is an exquisitely written page turner that is difficult to put down. It is full of warmth, courage, and triumph.
This is truly a fabulous book. I thank #NetGalley for he chance t read the ARC.

I inhaled this book in one sitting, I was totally absorbed in the lives of the characters. Perfectly written and plotted, I was actually sad when it needed, these characters will stay with me for a long time.

I loved the juxtaposition of the two central characters in this novel. One a teenager, the other elderly, you realise that stereotypes are not going to wash with these two. They are brought together in the fight to keep the local library open but you soon realise that they both have much in common, including loneliness and an interest in what's going on in the world. It is an endearing and touching tale as you discover more and more about their past.

The descriptions of life on Maggie's farm add colour and humour to the story of her life there. You certainly sense the affection that the library holds in the village life and there is a message loud and clear, that it fulfils an essential service to the community. Anyone who loves reading will have smiled at Tom's surreptitious reading of the often looked down on romance genre. How foolish such ideas are. With such a mixture of sadness and fun, you can be confident you will enjoy this immensely.

In short: Inter-generational friendship

Tom Harris is struggling. He is 16-years-old, has no close friends and tragically lost his mother when he was eight. His father is an unhappy factory worker drowning his sorrows in alcohol. A chance meeting at the town’s library with 72-year-old Maggie changes everything. Maggie is a flower child of the ‘60s and cares for animals on her small farm. A special bond is created that opens up a new world for Tom. And widowed Maggie’s life is brightened by the new friendship. When it is announced that their library is slated for closing, Maggie and Tom gear into action. But this is much more than a “save the library” story. It is a very touching book about how two people help each other fill a deep void in their lives. Emotional without being sappy, author Bella Osborne has created two endearing characters to truly care about. And the backdrop of books and the love of libraries should appeal to avid readers. Check out this lovely book.

An unlikely duo fight to save their library from closing. This book definitely pulled at your heart strings, both for the friendship and libraries we all hold near and dear in fear of disappearing.

Unfortunately, this was a dnf for me. I love the idea of teens and seniors making unlikely friendships and this was no exception. The charm and the heart was there but the writing style wasn't it for me. It was taking too long for me to get through and I had to toss in the towel.

I feel like that gif of Stephen Colbert crying... my heart is going to burst because it's full of rainbows.

This book is absolutely lovely. It just came to me at absolutely the right time and wrapped me in a warm hug. It's a beautiful tale told in a comforting and compelling way. Something comfortable to wrap yourself up in. Cannot recommend enough.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I can't enthuse enough about how wonderful this book is! What an absolute delight it was to read something so warm, funny, poignant, kind and absolutely endearing. I especially loved the connection between Tom aged 16 and Maggie in her 70's. For me it was so refreshing to have a story about two very different generations but to not have the older of those generations portrayed as a doddering, feeble old woman but as a feisty, independent, funny and lovable character. Maggie is such an amazing lady but her past hasn't always been smooth running as we learn in the book. Young Tom faces his own demons and insecurities and, in coming together to help save their precious library from closing, these two unlikely friends change one another's lives for the better. This is the first of Bella Osborne's books that I've read but I hope to read more by this author. An absolute breath of fresh air and a book that will live long in my heart and memory. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Tom is an awkward teenager who is at a major crossroad in his life. His mother passed away when he was eight. His dad is an Alcoholic. Maggie is seventy two ,lives alone. These two meet at the local library and becomes friends . The library is slated to be closed, Tom and Maggie wanted to save it.

This book was real wholesome one. I love Tom and especially Maggie. Their friendship was the highlight for me. The author did a a great job at describing what it feel likes to live with druken parent. The UK settings was superb. The book address many heavy topics like Alcoholic parents, family relationships, Grief, loss etc. But the writting was really simple. My only complaint is that the books was unnecessary long. Some part were not really relevant to the actual plot. Other than that it's was great read

The Library
Tom is a Sweet boy with a lack of social interaction with his peers at school. He's the quiet one who faded into the background. Tom's had a hard time of it and is opening up to Maggie.
Maggie is an older lady and part of the Library. She take a liking to this young boy and takes her under his wing. I would highly recommend reading this book to a young adult age range. Maggie also gives Tom some natural nature life lessons. This is a much needed read for all. I furtherly enjoyed this book. There some events I didn't expect but it really made me think and touched my heart strings.

I enjoyed this book. It was a predictable one in that the village library was threatened with closure and different generations, from differing backgrounds came together to stop this happening. However, it was a little more complicated than this and there were a number of well woven twists along the way.

In some ways it is an issues and a coming of age novel . Tom Harris starts by saying he is invisible. He has already had to deal with the death of his mother and much more besides. It is a book about bereavement, about adoption and meeting blood relatives, about misunderstandings and about alcoholism and its effects. It is not light handed over these issues but it does deal with them head on and in a positive manner.

Most of the characters were realistic and likeable, the contrast between homes was interestingly brought about. There are light hearted moments and some that almost brought me to tears.

It will be a popular book for adults, sadly I do not feel many teenagers will read it. If they did they would learn a great deal about the opposite sex and find suggestions as to how they should unwind.