The Littlest Library is a gem of a book. I was so thrilled to receive an ARC of this book from Avon books and NetGalley.

Jess Metcalf has not had an easy six months. Her beloved grandma, Mimi, has passed away after a battle with cancer. Mimi was Jess' entire world after Jess' parents were filled in an auto accident when Jess was four years old. On top of the grief, Jess was let go from her job at a library. Selling the house that she grew up in with Mimi, Jess sets out with no real plan.

Jess buys a worn down house in a small storybook town and searches for her place in a community.

Poppy Alexander has written a lovely cast of characters that show what a true community can be. This is a sweet story that is a balm for my weary soul. Poppy Alexander is a pro describing people and scenes to the point I felt like I was right there.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

We've always been told NOT to judge a book by it's cover but this is EXACTLY what I did.
I saw the book & KNEW I just had to try to request it to read it.

The cute red phone booth?! I mean, I've always been obsessed with them but FILLED with books and made into a makeshift library?! Umm, YES PLEASE!

I'm a total sucker for animated covers and since it IS a romance book, I said 'sign me up!' BUT... it wasn't what I expected.

I, unfortunately took a VERY VERY long time to read this. I stopped it, multiple times & decided to even reread other books vs trying to finish this one.

Although, I enjoyed the character development of our FMC, Jess. There was just something about here that just didn't click for me. I didn't feel for her either way. More or less, she just seemed boring to me.
Our grumpy MMC, Aidan had some great moments but together with Jess, the chemistry seemed more friendship than relationship. There seemed to be more emphasis on his relationship with his ex-wife than what he & Jess were building. Again, the tension was great it just fell.. flat.

Another reason that was a little blah to me was the attention to detail on stuff. I know we have to imagine the setting and believe me, I understand it is literally a very important aspect of story telling but it seemed like an over-attention to detail. There could be almost an entire page and a half of describing what Jess was seeing, making me bored and just skimming to dialogues instead.


For sure a slow burn, which I am NOT a fan of, so it might be for others but not for me.

I felt like the concepts, the tropes, and even the characters, everything was there but they needed more oomph for me. I couldn't connect to them in anyway and my disconnect is why I couldn't love this book.

*I was sent this copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Read this book if you like imagining a quaint English countryside and cottage home. Read this book if you love small towns, grew up in a small town, currently live in a small town, or have ever wanted to just completely change your life and move to a small town where no one knows you and start over. Read this book if you have even felt at a crossroads in life and didn't know which way makes the most sense, especially if you find yourself north of age 30 and are feeling like your options are limited and your life "should" be a certain way.

3.5 stars for me, rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley for early access to this charming book.

Jess has been dealt some pretty crappy cards throughout her life & when she loses her grandmother, who raised her, she decides that maybe it’s time for a change in her life. She embarks on a journey with potential to either change things for the better or have everything crash & burn around her. In reality, the choice is her’s as to which way it will go…

I must admit my main reason for wanting to read this book was because the idea of library in a telephone box is absolutely amazing. The character of Jess is equal parts optimistic and pessimistic, which is definitely hard to pull off. While she without a doubt has a self-defeating attitude for much of the book, she also has distinct moments where she wants to break that cycle she just doesn’t know how. She spends a great deal of her time in Middlemass working to help others and encourage them, while simultaneously ignoring her friend Hannah who is trying to do the same for her. Although it does take the entire book for Jess to finally see that in order to truly live she must be willing to risk letting people in, it was still a worthwhile journey.

Whereas Jess is unsure of herself and how she fits into the world, Aidan is completely self-assured and knows exactly what he wants for both himself & his daughter. Their characters perfectly compliment each other and I found myself almost on the edge of my seat as if I was reading a mystery trying to figure out if they would or would not end up together.

Had it not been for all of the people Jess met in Middlemass and all the help she was able to give, her character arc would not have been nearly as satisfying. Poppy was able to write a character that appeared relatable and overwhelmingly human after experiencing such a devastating loss. My only wish is that there would have been more relating to Aidan & Jess’ relationship at the end. #thelittlestlibrary #netgalley

*Thank you #Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for my honest review*

The Littlest Library is the latest from UK author Poppy Alexander. Before its July 19 release, Avon and Harper Voyager provided me an early galley to review.

The title and the cover instantly jumped out to me. Little libraries that spring up in neighborhoods are great ways for communities to share their books, especially when a larger library branch is not convenient to get to. As a librarian, I could relate totally to Jess and her career challenges.

This is a charming tale written in a comfy, down-home style. Alexander gives great detail when describing rooms and layouts of the smalltown settings; it is very easy to picture exactly what the author has visualized in her own mind. I know some readers do not enjoy that in-depth of descriptions, so it might not suit everyone's tastes. As for the characters, they are quirky and entertaining, just as you would expect in a small out-of-the-way village. And, of course, being a small village, everyone is into everyone's business which is very true to life but also can lead to a lot of repetitive conversations between characters or thoughts from the narrator.

Overall, the entire plot and the romance aspect of the tale reminded me of something one would see in a Hallmark movie. Again, not a bad thing and certainly something that will allow the story to find a receptive target audience.

Such a sweet book! I picked this up because of the cover and because the title tells be it's about books. I also thought it was probably one of those cozy mystery stories because the last three I've read with bookshop or library in the title have been just that. I was surprised when there was no mystery, but truly enjoyed this book with themes of grief, loss, finding yourself, and taking chances. And yes, there's a romance as well.

Jess Metcalf's grandmother died, and then she lost her job. She doesn't know what to do now, but decides on a new beginning. She moves to a cottage in the little town of Middlemass, a picturesque community in the English countryside. Much to her surprise, she finds out her home purchase include an old red phone box that has some strings attched. Jess decides to turn the phone box into a small library and stock it with her grandmother's books, to give something back to the community.

I loved reading about the lives in Middlemass and how the little library connects the community. Aidan, the scowling neighbor, was a good character and I liked the banter between him and Jess. I also really liked his daughter, Maisie - she seems like a terrific child. This book will pull your heartstrings as Jess deals with her loss and Aidan's situation was difficult as well.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 29, 2022.

The Littlest Library is a charming story about the power of community and the lifelong friendships that are made along the way.

Let me start by saying that the cover art is absolutely whimsical and truly encapsulates everything this book is about.

The setting was my absolute favorite aspect of this book. Our story takes place in Middlemass, a quaint village in the English countryside. We see Jess, our female protagonist, take on the task of renovating the Ivy Cottage, a cozy little home with lots of character. The author did such a wonderful job of describing in detail every little element that made this house a home.

I was not expecting there to be any romance in this story, so even though there wasn't much of it, the element was a nice surprise. That being said, once we got a taste of the budding relationship between Jess and Aidan, I couldn't stop myself from craving more of it. While I love a good moment of built-up tension, it seemed as if the complicated relationship between Aidan and his ex-wife, Lucie, took precedence and seemed to be dragged on to the extent that it became boring. The development of the Jess/Aidan relationship also seemed very abrupt, unexpected, and weak. You can't root for them as a couple because you haven't been given much to root for. I wish we could've seen more of the pure interaction between Maisie and Jess as well.

I deeply appreciate the way our female main character, Jess, was written. She didn't place her worth in a romantic relationship but instead established herself as a strong and independent woman who is set on navigating these new beginnings. She truly does deserve everything that is good in this world.

As for Aidan, I value his relationship with young daughter Maisie and admire that he established with Jess from the very beginning that his twelve-year-old would always come first. It's refreshing to see such a prevalent father figure.

I found this story to be a little too slow-paced and perhaps it was because I was waiting for the author to go more into detail concerning the plot. The concept and tropes held so much potential that were just waiting to be explored. The storyline seemed underdeveloped and surface-level. I couldn't connect as much emotionally to these characters and their struggles because most of them were briefly mentioned and then forgotten. It took me until the very end of the story until I got a grasp on each of the characters and their importance.

Overall I rated this book three out of five stars. The concept was heartwarming, it just lacked nuance and didn't hold my attention for very long. It took quite some effort to get through this story. Nonetheless, just because I didn't connect with this story doesn't mean someone else won't. At least I've given it a try!

As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by early access to this title.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with this ARC via Netgalley.

What an absolutely charming book! I didn't really know what to expect going in. The synopsis sounded cute, but I didn't expect it to be absolutely lovely. Set in the English countryside, this little village tale is just a lovely escape. The characters are so fun and the way the village finds joy through books is sure hit with book lovers. If you want a nice, easy read during your summer, highly recommend.

A sweet British novel. After her nana passes away, Jess inherits nana's prized book collection. Jess then bravely transplants to small town, Middlemass, and opens The Littlest Library, which ends up touching the lives of the entire community. This is a slow-paced story, sprinkled with lots of sweet friendly connections and a little romance. Would have liked less of Aiden's complicated relationship with his ex-wife, and more interaction between Aiden/Maisie and Jess. I loved the beautifully written setting: Middlemass and Jess' Ivy Cottage, and the whole concept of the Littlest Library.

Thank you Avon Books and #NetGalley for the ARC e-book!

Jess has just lost her job at the Library. followed by the passing of her Gran. Her Gran who raised her from the age of 4. Jess makes the decision to leave her beloved home as the memories are too hard.
This is a really cute book, starting with its cover.Jess buys Ivy Cottage a little place that has been neglected and has an old red telephone booth on the property.
I really enjoyed Jess learning that being happy does not always mean something bad will happen to end it.I savored the parts of Jess sprucing up and brightening the cottage as well as renewing her garden. The telephone booth turned Lending Library connects the residents of the village..You will have to read the book to find out how.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Avon Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book which publishes 7/19/2022

This was ok. Very little romance, barely an iota. Just mostly Jess’s problems and issues and then some lovely friendships are formed. But I wouldn’t call this a romance at all. The ending was a let down and seemed very abrupt.

Simply an adorable, cozy book!
I loved that the main character Jess had a special connection with her grandmother through books. As she was navigating through her grief and new life, she was able to expand that connection to the community with the same books . To me, this story was heartwarming and proved that books are truly magical.

This book was absolutely delightful to read. I would say the main theme was grief and a fresh start which was dealt with in the most beautiful way. Jess lost her grandmother who was her complete world and instead of staying in her home and absorbing all the pain it brought with it, she sold the home and moved to my dream setting. A rundown cottage in a small village, surrounded by beautiful nature. Through her grief and her grandmother's beloved books, she found a community of people who welcomed her with open arms and in the end it turned out they needed her too. One thing I loved about this book was it was mostly centered around friendship and finding her people and where she belonged, not just romance like a lot of books. There was romance, and it was definitely a missing piece in her life, but it wasn't what solved all her problems. Even though the story had a nice tidy ending and I don't see it having a sequel, I would love a peak inside the life that Jess builds after this book.

Jess has always been happiest when she was by her Mimi's side. She never really felt the need for friends. She went to work to the same boring job for eleven years. Living with her grandmother was enough of a life for her. When Mimi dies, Jess sells the house and moves, trying to find happiness in a future that she and Mimi had talked about. Jess does a complete 360, buying a fixer-upper in a little village that she found when taking a detour because of a traffic jam. Well, who wouldn't want to live in a little village? With its quaint ways, friendly people and a handsome neighbor. It would be a shame for Jess to have to leave the village, all the quirky friends she has made, and her cottage complete with cats, but if she doesn't find a new job in the area soon, she will have to relocate. Jess's new friends became my new friends as I read about them, learned about them and laughed with them. I would call this book a heartwarming romance, a feel good book, and a relaxing read among friends.
Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an adorable book about the need for connection AND books. I loved our cast of characters as we followed our main character navigate her way through a new place. This is a perfect read for lovers of books and those who have ever felt alone in the world.

This was beyond a doubt such a sweet, heartfelt, gem of a book! The Littlest Library delivered. upon everything I love in a book- an interesting setting, great characters, community ties, romance and the story of the hope that comes from healing and of a life changing and growing. Beautifully done. Thanks to @AvonBooks and @HarperVoyagerUS and #NetGalley for the ARC.

I am a sucker for books about books, especially books inside a telephone booth little free library. A friend of mine converted a telephone booth into a LFL just down the street from me, so I knew I had to read this one. It was cute! Filled with lovable characters and a enemies to lovers type romance. I also enjoyed the setting, made me feel very nostalgic for my hometown, a little village, West Byfleet in Surrey England.

This was such a sweet, cozy story.

I really enjoyed watching Jess’s progression - in settling herself in a new town after the loss of her grandmother (and only guardian) and opening herself up to making new friends and ultimately finding herself a community.

Though this story is told through Jess’s perspective, it was a story about the small town and it’s residents. It was lovely seeing how a little library was able to bring the community together and help different members with their respective problems.

Basically this was just a feel good story and is perfect for a book lover. (3.75)

{cw - death of guardian, custody disagreements}

The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander is the sweetest book about a woman starting over and the community she finds. This book is about community, love, belonging— I think readers of many genres with adore this uplifting book. It’s a solid read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

What a fun book about books!

Jess's life turns upside down after her Mimi passes. She decides to uproot herself and move into Ivy Cottage, which comes with it's own telephone booth. As she's finding her way, and learning the villagers - it's imposed upon her she needs to do something with the telephone booth. She decides to unbox Mimi's 10 boxes of books and turn it into a little library to share with her neighbors. It turns out, each new friend finds exactly what wisdom nuggets they need in passages and notes left in the margins by Mimi.

I steward a Little Free Library in my front yard for my village, so this one hit close to home. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a digital, temporary ARC in return for my review.