I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley & Avon and Harper Voyager!

After the death of her grandmother, Jess Metcalf decides to pack her belongings, including the vast collection of her grandmother’s books, and move to the country. She soon finds herself the owner of a little cottage with a red phone booth in the yard. Along with some help from new friends, the phone booth is transformed into a little lending library of her beloved books.

This book is the perfect mix of sweetness and small town charm. I love the concept of little free libraries. There is some clean romance but it isnt the main focus of the storyline. A majority of the plot follows Jess and her journey of a new start. There’s no epilogue so the last chapter seems a little open ended. I’m not sure if the author is planning to have this be part of a series but there’s definitely room to expand on any of the characters.

This is the first book that I have read from this author but I look forward to checking out her other works and what she may write in the future.

I only got a very short way into this book before being so badly turned off I quit. On the very first page, the protagonist and her bestie are celebrating protagonist's "freedom" from a decade spent "buried alive" working at a public library. Wow. Ok, so, fine, you're not happy with your workplace, fair enough. But a few pages later up pops this sentence: "Being a librarian...was no longer an option and being a librarian anywhere else was a doubtful ambition; council funding cuts and the digital age were making traditional librarian skills increasingly obsolete." This is just straight up shitty information. The writer clearly loves books, otherwise they wouldn't be writing a book?? And this is their impression of libraries??? Forget it.

eARC
The Littlest Library
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Poppy Alexander
Pub day: 7/19/22
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Clean Read: Yes

“It takes a village” is so often used as a reference for families helping with little ones, but the true root meaning of the saying inspires the trusted belief that there are people on your side. This sweet story is a true reminder of that. It’s about finding one’s place, trusting oneself, and building a home. I enjoyed the relationships, characters, beautifully crafted village setting, and the focus on family (of all kinds).

Overall, the book felt longer than it needed to be and as a result, it took me longer than usual to read through it. I found myself frustrated with both protagonist’s for different reasons. I was upset that Aidan let Lucie control him for so long, and I was upset that Jess couldn’t get of her own way to be happy. But, all in all it worked out nicely. I love books about books and was charmed by and wholeheartedly rooting for “The Littlest Library”!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Collin’s for a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun and heartfelt story - just what I needed!

I love the fact that little libraries are so popular around the world because it helps to make things more accessible and create that sense of community as well.

Jess is a very relatable character who showcases the uncertainty of how life can unfold, but the way in which you accept it and use it to your advantage can define you. The fact that she was able to create The Littlest Library seems quite serendipitous for not just her, but the whole village.

It’s never easy to lose someone so close to you, but being able to carry on and keep that loved ones spirit alive is the best way to celebrate your love of that person. Sometimes when you least think about things, other rays of light can remind you of better days.

This is the kind of story that, as you’re reading it, gives you a bit of a hug and says: yes, you may be going through a tough time, but always remember that you have support, whether that be your friends, your family, your community, a beloved pet or a story/memory. It also shows that you don’t need to be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings with others, but more especially acknowledge them with yourself.

Thank you to the author, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this ebook copy!

The Littlest Library was written for us book lovers. It's like a warm hug. It's one of the most charming books I've ever read. After her grandmother passes away, Jess packs up her books and moves to a small village. She soon discovers she owns an old telephone booth so she decides to make a little library. The village falls in love with her little library and it provides her a sweet connection to her new town. The Littlest Library was such a sweet and adorable read. I loved it!

This was a really cute and heartwarming read. Alexander navigates Jess's grief and the upheavals in her life really thoughtfully and did a great job making Jess relatable to almost anyone, as we've all experienced stressful times and navigated new situations. My favorite aspect was the setting, which I found absolutely charming and at times, hilarious. Alexander made living in the countryside of England and having my own little phone booth library at the top of my bucket list :)

After the passing of her grandmother, the woman who raised her, Jess Metcalfe packs up and moves to a small village and into a run down cottage with a an old, unused telephone booth out front. As she struggles to find her place in the village and in life…she turns the phone booth into a little library with the hopes of bringing the community together. As she struggles with her leap of faith decision to move, she becomes enamored with the village and it’s residents and the fact that everyone seems to think she’s a perfect match for the village bachelor who has a big obstacle to overcome before he can open his heart to anyone.

I really enjoyed this book. It provided me a sense of community within its pages that I long for in my own life and I felt welcome within its pages. It also made me want to start a little library of my own outside my house. This would be a great weekend read or beach read as it flows really well and makes you smile.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Poppy Alexander for early access to this gem in exchange for my review. I loved it…but not the bats in the attic…lol!

I will start by saying this book is a great casual read - one of those feel good, simple books. It didn't have any cliffhangers, spicy romance, or big dilemmas. It follows the life of Jess who's MiMi has just passed away and she lost her librarian job in her hometown and now Jess is left to figure out what she wants to do with her life. She finds a quaint little town and a rundown cottage to live in. She makes friends with everyone in town and decides to turn the red phone box into a library that eventually takes off and brings lots of good to the community.

There were a lot of miniature plots in this book. Learning about the neighbors and their lives, Jess's life, her friend Hannah, the library's life - sometimes it felt monotonous. There were a lot of characters and their stories to keep up with.

I was upset the romance didn't play a bigger role in this book because I feel like it was set up perfectly that the MC and love interest was going to be a huge story line but in reality it was only talked about for a handful of pages throughout the whole book.

Again, loved the book and happy I finished it. This is a great book for anyone needing a simple, slow read.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of The Littlest Library.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Women's Fiction
Pub Date: July 19, 2022

This book is such a delight. If you're looking for a story about the healing power of books, letting go of your reservations, and finding your place in life, The Littlest Library is the book for you. This story is an ode to growth and change as much as learning to say goodbye to those we love. I was so invested in Jess' journey, and I was also so intrigued with the life she carved out for herself. Jess' character was so well-developed, and her slow slide into the community was very genuinely written. This is just a feel good book, and I'm so happy I got to read it.

This book has some darker/more triggering aspects to it, too. I found myself identifying with Jess' grief a lot and her struggle to come to terms with her grandmother's death really spoke to me. My own grandmother died in 2008, and I still struggle with the grief of her death. I was comforted by this story not glossing over the ugly, hard aspects of grief and instead it gave a very realistic depiction of grief. I appreciated that more than I can write.

While there are triggering topics in the book, this book has a lightness to it. I thought the author did a wonderful job balancing the dark with the light to ultimately write a tale of hopefulness. This book is just really well done and enjoyable. I laughed, I teared up, and I enjoyed the heck out of this book.

Very cute book about a library that is converted from an old telephone booth. The way the author brings the characters to life, makes the reader feel like you could step into the little town and enjoy your own time in the little library.
Jess comes across as a meek character in the beginning but the more I read the more I saw her strengths in her convictions.

This is a warm, feel-good story of the power of community, books, and love.

Jess has felt loss, the loss of her parents at 4, the loss of her grandmother (Mimi) who loved and raised her and the loss of her beloved library position. This could be a book about grief, but it's so much more.

Fate brings Jess to a small village where she buys ivy cottage and starts anew. The new home comes with a red phone booth and the requirement the new owner maintains the towns landmark. With 10 smallish boxes of Mimis books, Jess opens the littest library in that red phone booth in her front yard.

Jess and her neighbors each struggle with something in their lives, much like we all do. They find connections with each other, new purpose and hope. Each of the residents of the village is endearing. Middlemass is a charming place I would love to live. It is a community that comes together via the magic of books. I especially enjoyed Mimis books were filled with her thoughts and reflections of the individual stories, notes of family purpose in Swiss Family Robinson are a wonderful example.

This is the first book I have read from Poppy Alexander, and through her words, she has filled me with hope and renewed purpose, exactly what she does for the inhabitants of this small village. Interlaced throughout Alexander's book is the common thread for the love of books- they magically guide, inspire, and provide and escape from life.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins, for this magical, heart-warming tale of the beauty of books and community. I whole heartedly recommend others pick it up and enjoy the wisdom and love contained.

Thank you to the publisher and @NetGalley for the E-ARC copy of this book. The rating of this book is entirely of my own opinion. #NetGalley #TheLittlestLibrary #FunRead

This book is my cup of tea! I am a librarian and so I loved the connections with books and libraries. This book is delightful, charming, and I enjoyed reading it. I am so glad to read about people who value books! I am giving it five stars because I just loved reading this book and escaping into the little English town where Jess lives.

In this book, Jess purchases a charming cottage in a small English town. She needs a change of pace because her grandmother has passed. The property also includes a red telephone booth that she is not allowed to move. So, she decides to make it into a library...like the little libraries we have all over many towns. In the process, she makes friends, grows to love her town, has romantic feelings for the man who lives next door, and manages to help make lives better through the books and her friendships.

This book is similar to Jenny Colgan's books. Such a wonderful and sweet escape.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Net Galley. Look for this book to be out in July 2022.

I adore unique stories, and this is such an interesting premise. I recommend because of the story itself, writing style, and its ability to transport you into a different world (plus that cover!!).

The premise of this is very cute, and as a bookseller I had to try for an eARC. For the most part, this lived up to its synopsis, though it was overlong in my opinion. And when I want a cozy, soft story, I REALLY want cozy. This book had a very brusque love interest who was truly a jackass for much of the first chunk of the book, and while I realize this is an archetype in romance/women's fiction, it's definitely not to my taste. (And while there are the rare exceptions, this wasn't one of them.) Overall, it was a fun enough time, but it just wasn't quite chill and fun enough to be a keeper.

This book was a book. That's really the only thing I can say about it. It wasn't bad, but I didn't love it. I feel like this book definitely caters to a specific audience and that audience just isn't me. I usually get through a book like this in 1-2 days, but this one took me ages to read and that's probably because I wasn't into it. If you like whimsical story-telling, you'll probably like this novel, but it didn't work for me.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Avon and Harper Voyager and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Charming, quirky and quaint. Lovely characters with a story to tell.

If you are looking for a sweet and charming read that highlights the healing power of books, then you should read The Littlest Library. The story is about Jess, who moves to a new town after losing her grandmother and job in a matter of months. When she purchases a cottage, she doesn’t realize that it comes with an old and no-longer-used telephone booth, and community leaders are eager to learn her intentions for the landmark.

Since she brought a large collection of books that her grandmother left her, Jess decides to put them to good use and turns the phone booth into a little library. Soon, people across the small community are visiting the little library. As Jess makes new friends and becomes more ingratiated in the community, she makes friends and even manages to break through her handsome neighbor’s tough shell. But is Jess ready to move on and make this new town her home?

This is a lovely story about friendship, community, starting over, and finding love. Jess is a well-developed and layered character, and I loved her physical and emotional journey throughout the book. She goes from being a woman who thrives in predictability and is in a bit of a slump to a woman who takes risks and opens herself up to love. Jess lost her parents when she was young, and she was raised by her wonderful grandmother. So, it’s logical that she feels untethered when she loses her grandmother too. Jess spends a lot of the story figuring out who she is and what she wants in life.

The story depicts grief well, and I really connected with Jess’s feelings over the loss of her beloved grandmother. I like how it suggested that there is no timeframe for grief and that people grieve and heal in their own ways. It also shows how Jess has to redefine herself and figure out who she is without her grandmother’s influence, which is exactly how I felt when my mother died. Who was I without this strong and supportive role model? Losing someone that important to you changes you, and the author showed this journey well.

The story addresses other heavy issues, including divorce, toxic relationships, aging, and more. However, it isn’t a heavy or dark read. Instead, it offers hope and optimism and shows how one community supports each other in little ways. Do I want The Littlest Library in my neighborhood? Yes, yes I do. It sounds lovely, and it’s a perfect way to repurpose something that was just taking up space. The more I thought about this, the more I realized finding new purpose is a major theme throughout the story. There are many strong messages about transforming, repurposing, renovating, and taking risks, and it isn’t just in regards to inanimate objects like the library. Many of the characters transform and find new purposes throughout the story, which I loved. Jess and her neighbors learn so much about each other and themselves, and it’s wonderful to see how one small thing can affect an entire community for the better.

Though the romance is not at the forefront of the novel, it is a nice addition to the story, and it has total grumpy-sunshine vibes. I like that both characters have built walls around their hearts and are fearful of taking that step toward being vulnerable and connected to one another. They have a lot of emotional obstacles in their way, as well as an ex that causes problems, but I really wanted to see this pair find happiness. They’ve both been through so much and deserve to find a partner that supports and loves them unequivocally.

The Littlest Library is a charming read with great messages, a wonderful group of people connected by books, and an interesting enemies-to-lovers romance. I would definitely recommend the book to readers of contemporary romance and am very thankful to NetGalley, the author, and Avon for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

After she loses her job at the local library, Jess decides to uproot her life and moves to Ivy Cottage in the small English village of Middlemass. At the entrance to the cottage is an old rundown red telephone box, which also happens to be hers. Throughout the transformation of the telephone box into the new village library, we meet a cast of interesting townspeople and a possible love interest for Jess. This book combines the love of books, family and the importance of community.

When Jess's grandma gives away most of the books out of her library, Jess is concerned. "Don't worry, ma cherie," she had said "All the books that matter are still here. They are yours to keep and to take with you wherever you go." "but I'm not going anywhere," jess protested. "Not now, but you will, and when you do - when you are ready - you will unpack these boxes and it will be like I am standing there beside you; all our memories, all our precious times together, wrapped up in these books...Trust me. You'll see."

When Jess randomly pulls of the main road and enters the small town of Middlemass, she falls in love with a cottage and impulsively buys it without so much as touring the cottage or obtaining an inspection. Her first order of business is to do away with the old-fashioned red phone box (phone booth in the US). Due to certain circumstances, it instead becomes a home for her grandmother's books and becomes the "Littlest Library". In the process, the phone box library brings the town together and helps Jess become part of a community, and at long last, she becomes part of a family.

This was a sweet book and look at that cute, cute cover! I would have liked it better had the characters been developed just a little bit more and if there was a bit more flow to the various storylines.