A parallel story of an American and a French woman using their skills and resources to protect the vulnerable and fight the influence of the Axis powers in WWII. The US military invites Ava to continue her librarian career working in Lisbon while secretly gathering intelligence. In occupied France, Elaine joins the resistance, operating a secret printing press and helping to distribute an anti-Nazi newspaper. Each discovers the depth of their own bravery and the extent to which they will go to do the right thing.
I loved how these stories were told in parallel, yet each woman is a fully developed character with a rich story that we get to experience. The intersection of their actions comes as a surprise. Great for readers of women-centered historical fiction.

A librarian who wants to do more for the war effort joins a team that works for the Resistance. A moving novel inspired by the true history of America’s library spies of World War II.

I absolutely loved this book. Madeline Martin is one of my favorite authors and she definitely did not disappoint with this book. The characters were amazing as was the storyline. I was on the end of my seat the whole way through the book . You could just tell that it was well thought out and very well written. I can't wait to see what comes next for this author!

I think this book is well written. The author's note reveals that it is well researched. It covers a lot of ground. And I do love the theme of providing hope where needed, but in a market oversaturated with WWII books, this one just didn't stand out.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press for the book to review. All opinions are my own.

The Librarian Spy takes place in Lisbon, Portugal and Lyon, France during World War II. Ava works as a librarian at the Library of Congress until she is recruited by the U.S. military to spy during World War II. She is sent to Lisbon to pose as a librarian while gathering intel for the war effort. Meanwhile, Elaine is working in Lyon helping to operate a printing press run by the French Resistance, but the Nazis are frantically searching to locate the press and silence the printer. As the war continues, the two women begin communicating through coded messages as they each work to help the Allies win the war. While many historical fiction books are set during World War II, few address what life was like in Portugal during that time period. Since Portugal was neutral during the war, life there was drastically different than most of Europe, and Martin vividly depicts this in her compelling, heartbreaking, and entertaining tale.

I was unfamiliar with Portugal during World War II, so I enjoyed the setting. At times, the historical details overwhelmed the plot, and I felt an odd sense of being slightly removed from the action. Still, it held my interest and I did want to know what happened to the characters.

I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. The author did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

"**The Librarian Spy**" by Madeline Martin is an extensively researched and eloquently crafted work of historical fiction. The novel sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of librarians during World War II, intertwining espionage with the narrative of a strong female lead. It is an ideal choice for readers who appreciate narratives set in historical periods, featuring empowered women and intricate spy tales. Although some may find the narrative's progression measured, the depth of detail and emotional depth ultimately enrich the reading experience.

To summarize, "**The Librarian Spy**" stands out in its literary category for its insightful portrayal of the courage and resourcefulness of librarians and spies during the war. The novel's fidelity to historical events, coupled with its engaging narrative, makes it a commendable recommendation.

This was a different perspective than most other WWII stories I’ve read. I liked that about it. It took me a while to get into it but it was well done.

Well researched with descriptive detail, this story draws you into the struggle of the human heart when faced with such dark times and the triumph of light over darkness.

I am a fan of World War II fiction, so this was a no brainer for me! I loved the writing style, and the alternating perspectives was a great way to tell this story. I felt so connected to the characters, right up until the end. Librarians and spies and history all rolled into one, sign me up! The author did a great job of showing the strength and passion of these women working so hard during such a terrible time in history. I had never read something that took place in Lisbon before, so that was new and very engaging for me. This was also my first time reading a book by this author, and I am happy to say I will be looking into her other books as well!

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I was expecting The Librarian Spy to be just another World War II story, and there are alot of them out there, but reading about how Lisbon played a part in the war was a new angle for me. I cared deeply for the characters and appreciated that they did not all have a happy ending in keeping with the realities of that period in history. I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the alternating points of view. I felt like I had to hold my breath through a lot of this book. It was definitely suspenseful in spots.

This is a great example of WWII historical fiction done right. I loved the Lisbon setting and the focus on two female protagonists. A great option for readers who loved The Nightingale or The Rose Code.

I loved reading this book and could not put it down. I have read plenty of books on World War II but this one is written on a very different aspect It is a page-turner.

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press for the ARC copy for my review.

This was based on real events and was well researched. This story took place during World War II in Lisbon, Portugal and occupied France.

The author does an amazing job of showing us the cruelty of war and the strength of the women doing their part during the war.

Very much looking forward to reading her next novel.

#NetGalley #TheLibrarianSpy

While the title of The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin intrigued me, its plot was perhaps too dense for me to fully appreciate. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld which wasn't the ideal format as I confused some of the character details and plot points that may be easier to track in print.

This World War II story featuring a French resistance worker and an American librarian is well researched. Ava is a librarian at the Library of Congress when the US military offers her an opportunity to serve as a spy in Portugal, aiding efforts to track German activity. Elaine is French and a member of the resistance, assisting with printing and distributing an underground newspaper. Told in alternating chapters, Ava and Elaine's lives intersect through their anti-Nazi activity.

The story, inspired by true events, shared insights into the daily hardships of wartime in an occupied country contrasted with the relative luxury of life in neutral Portugal. The treatment and plight of war refugees was also included in a subplot.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for the review copy of this novel.

Thank you to the publisher for a free netgalley.

Though I think the WW2 novel market is over saturated, what drew me to this one was the unique premise of librarians assisting, as well as, the setting of Lisbon. We are heading to Portugal this summer so I finally picked this one up.

I really enjoyed Miller's writing and liked the dual plots. Both women's stories were interesting and I loved how it all came together. I plan on reading more books by this author and I am sorry it took me so long to get to this galley!

WWII historical fiction? Librarian to spy? Count me in!

While I typically enjoy reading a historical fiction World War Two book from time to time, I found this book to simply be an okay read. The storylines fell a bit flat, there was nothing captivating to make me want to continue reading and find out what happens to the characters, the entire thing just had an average historical fiction feel. However, this is just my personal opinion. If you enjoy WWII history and librarians turned spies, then check this book out.

Ava Harper is a librarian at the Library of Congress. She is eventually sent to work at a library in Lisbon to spy on the Germans who reside there. Shortly after her arrival, she receives a coded message from Elaine, who works for the Resistance at a printing press, to help a Jewish mother and son find safe passage to America. Ava immediately agrees to help. Elaine and Ava are determined to risk everything-including their lives-to save the mother and son.

Ava is a fascinating character. She is a woman who has a traumatic past. She was an orphan, and her only relative is her brother, who is currently fighting in the war. In order to save her brother, she is determined to become a spy. I really adore Ava’s love for her books. Her books are her comfort and strength. I also like how Ava is very kind, compassionate, and selfless. She is very brave and often puts herself in danger. Thus, Ava was a compelling character.

I found Elaine to be a more intriguing character than Ava. She joined the Resistance to help save her husband who was captured by the Germans. She is also selfless, empathetic, and caring. She cares for both her friends and strangers. She is very courageous and takes many risks of being captured by the Germans. Thus, Elaine was a more engaging character, and I wanted to know how her story ends.

Overall, this novel is about friendship, loss, and hope. The message of the book is that no matter how dark and hopeless it seems, there is always a silver lining. While I found Ava and Elaine to be well-developed characters, the other characters are very cliché. I loved Elaine’s storyline more than Ava's because it is very action-packed and shows the cruelties of war. Ava’s story had very little action until the end. Her story did not focus on her role as a spy but was heavily focused on romance. The main plot of the story does not start until halfway through the book. Therefore, I would have enjoyed it better if there was more focus on Elaine’s story and Ava had less chapters. Still, I liked the setting of neutral Portugal and war-torn France. The writing style is very simplistic and easy to read. The Librarian Spy is an absorbing read for those who love reading about WWII. Even if you are tired of reading WWII novels, it is still worth a read because of its unique setting. I recommend this novel for fans of The Codebreaker’s Secret, The Rose Code, and The Girl from Guernica!