Elodie (Ellie Astor) is busy being the face of her family's company - the perfect vision - and who ultimately is groomed to take over one day. However, Ellie needs a break which enables her brother to prove himself at the company.
Ellie, using her birth name of Elodie Halifax, answers an ad to save a small town library with her never used library degree. For me, this is where the book comes alive. Elodie uses her creativity and deep love of books to save the library with a membership drive (need that precious funding!) and an experiment of lending people. Elodie notices that the village of Willow Grove looks over those who don't fit the expected norm. Since library funding is non-existent until she increases membership, she asks four 'overlooked' people to share their story in a People Library. Not only does this experiment help the four storytellers, but it also opens up a community that's subsisted on rumors and closed minds for too long. What else could make this even more heartwarming but to add one adorable hunk of a journalist (with as kind a heart as Elodie has) and a wonderful eclectic group of human books. Friendships blossom, and hearts heal.
Libraries are for everyone, and this book resonates that simple but universal idea. Charming - I will be recommending this book.
Thank you to the publisher, Rebecca Raisin and NetGalley for this ARC.

I have already read two other nice books by this author through Netgalley. This new one - with 'library' in the title, so nice - immediately attracted me. Again a wonderful story, light-hearted and fun, but with a social theme.

It is so well and beautifully written. The characters are well presented, the dialogues are pleasant to read and the story is very realistic.

The library in Willow grove is in danger of being closed unless 500 new members are added. Elodie flees her life into the spotlight and goes to do what she loves most: work in a library. No one knows who she is and she does everything she can to save the library. It's not easy. The people in the village are not waiting for changes and in doing so they cling to the old and are not willing to look further. This also has repercussions on some residents, who are gossiped about, but no one wants to talk to. Then Elodie invents the "human books", which can be "borrowed" and tell their story. Journalist Finn helps Elodie and with it himself. Don't jugde a book by it's cover takes on a whole new dimension with this story.

What a totally gorgeous read, really didn't want to put it down, some amazing charecters wrapped up in a charming easy to read story, loved every page

A really heartwarming story that I could not put down. I loved the characters and the idea of borrowing a person to hear their story instead of borrowing a book is genius! Thoroughly recommended.

My favourite part of this book was that everyone liked food and books - top combination. I enjoyed the idea of the People Library and reading the little stories. Overall the plot and characters felt a little placed and at times convenient however village life certainly captured and as mum to an autistic child myself, Alfie was great and I feel Jo's pain. 3.5 stars really but it took me forever to get stuck into the book.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for accepting me to read this arc.

Elodie is the daughter of the great Dorethea Astor and was born into a media empire but all Elodie wants is to curl up in the pages of a book not be on the red carpet. When Elodie sees that the job of head librarian is being advertised in Willow Grove she applies and looks forward to escaping the rat race and working with the things she loves the most.

With help from the local journalist Finn Elodie decides that she will save the library even if it means lending people rather than books. But despite lending other people so locals hear their stories Elodie is keeping her own story to herself. Will the truth out and will the library be saved?

I loved reading this book. Such a sweet storyline with great characters. Rebecca Raisin just has this knack of writing books that transport you to a happy place. Brilliant!

What an adorable book! I felt a true connection to Eloise and her determination to set her own path. Willow grove seemed like a quaint town I wish I really lived in. I appreciated all the stories from the people library and am looking forward to reading more of Rebecca’s work!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I found the first chapter confusing and didn't understand how it fitted the title however once i had read on it all made sense and fitted together well. I loved the back stories of the human books. All the characters were engaging, but I particularly enjoyed Alfie's story. It fitted alongside my personal experiences with young people who are on the spectrum. Rebecca writes we and explores the issues around how easily judgements are made, rumours spread and isolation happens.
I can recommend this book to everyone. It is also a good holiday read..

I received this copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

As soon as I started reading this I knew it would be one that I couldn’t put down until I’d finished it. I loved the story and the whole concept of the people library - such an amazing idea that we could all take onboard in real life. The dynamics between Elodie and her brother Teddy are captivating and that way in which Elodie brings the whole village together is mesmerising. I will definitely be buying a physical copy when this is released

This is a sweet story of redemption and acceptance. The story sees Elodie finally taking a stop to follow her dreams in life, but will her passion for books be enough to save the library? The book is super uplifting and has a strong message about not judging over people.

I liked this one but there were things I was definitely questioning along the way.
I am not familiar with libraries that have showers. And how did Elodie just show up the first day & let herself in and knew where things were.
I liked Elodie and I liked her ideas for the library. I liked how she brought people in to share their stories and how it helped build up the community.
A good quick read, just felt there were some holes throughout.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

30 year old Elodie has finally managed to escape the family business where she worked constantly without any private life. Hoping to fulfil her love of books, she applied for and was accepted as head librarian in a small county library. On Ellie's first day at her new job she's told that the library, once an important part of the community, is threatened with imminent closure.

Using her experience from her previous business world, Ellie plans, with the involvement of the townsfolk, to bring life and subscribers back into the library.

Ellie's idea of inviting previously shunned or ignored people to the library as 'living books' to tell their own life story was interesting, could this really happen.

An attractive and eye catching cover, not that it had anything to do with the plot. My main gripe is the name Elodie: is it E-lodie, or El-odie, or El-O-die, I just substituted Ellie for smoother reading.

Rating 3½. Perfect as a beach read or light entertainment when you don't want to concentrate too much.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

Another cute read by Rebecca Raisin. Loved the character of Alfie and the author’s letter at the end made it all the more sweet. Any book set in a library is a winner from me!

I always enjoy this author’s books and this one was no exception.

Elodie’s dream is working as a librarian, instead she works for her wealthy family’s media company. So when the position of librarian at Willow Groves library is posted, she jumps at the chance to finally do something that she is passionate about. But with the library under threat of closure can Elodie come up with a plan of action and save the day?

A delightful story with a lovely cast of characters which made for an easy and entertaining read.

This is the first Rebecca Raisin book that I have read and I really liked the premise, glamorous woman in the public eye walks out of her life in order to do good. Elodie is a face of her parents company, and is dictated to by them. She decides to follow her love of books and rescue a small town library.

I wanted to like the book but to me it read like a made for TV Christmas film and sadly I did not enjoy it. Elodie, despite having little real life experience seemed to know exactly what to say and do and even give parenting advice. That said the book did cover some difficult subjects.

It was unbelievable in parts, it was supposed to be set in the UK but didn't feel like it. How many small town libraries have shower facilities and spare cubicles for individual children to have for themselves. On her first day Elodie seemingly had access to the library without having to let herself in.

I am sorry to say that this book was not for me but thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is my first Rebecca Raisin book but I’ve already bookmarked her back catalogue on my wish list. The way she writes, it’s just so full of joy and passion.

I’ve said before that a story about books will already be a plus in my eyes, so this was always going to be a winner.

It’s sad to think that real libraries are going the way of the fictional ones - cuts and closures. Libraries are vital parts of the community, not just for reading but for socialising, and I think they’re so important for young children to get into reading and to realise there is a safe place for them in books. Librarians are out unsung heroes and that’s reflected in this book.

I really liked reading about Elodie. Even when she was struggling and not living her best life, she had a strength of character that was really admirable. Finn was a lovely co-star as well, fitting that romantic lead part perfectly. Elodie’s parents were hard work for most of the book, selfish, self-absorbed, proud…but her brother was a nice foil. And then the secondary characters - the likes of Harry and Maisie and Pete - they get given enough air time for you to get stuck into, but they don’t overshadow the main storyline.

I loved the plot of ‘checking out’ people instead of books, hearing their stories. I’ve seen things online about that before, in some libraries around the world they already do this and I think it’s a marvellous idea. Our elders - not only them, but other ‘invisible’ members of society too - have such fascinating stories and we just don’t listen, and that’s a shame. So I really hope it becomes a recognisable thing amongst more libraries.

The village setting of Willow Grove was gorgeous, it sounded right up my street and I want to find a community like that. Especially if I get to live in the cute cottage with the handsome man with walls covered in books. It just sounds so perfect.

There aren’t really any twists or earth shattering action, but I’m happy about that. This is a book about a community, about friends and family, about finding your heart and your soul within the inanimate (books) and the animate (people). If you’re looking for a book that will entertain you, make you smile, make you cry, fill you with joy and warm your heart - this is the one for you.

Just finished a lovely heart warming book. The characters felt so real and I think we all know an Alfie, Harry or Pete. All book lovers will appreciate the idea of the library being the hub of the community. I think the book represents and illustrates how libraries have had to change and adapt to a new world of technology and find alternative ways to increase their membership. The writer in a very non confrontational way also highlights how people we meet everyday can be mistreated and ignored in society. If you like an easy feel good read you will enjoy this book.

This was very sweetly told and I enjoyed it. Perfect cosy story of a collection of people seeking understanding and finding friendship. Thought the message of listening to other peoples stories was nicely explored.

Absolutely delightful story, start to finish. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was cozy and sweet and easy to read. I was surprised by how fast I moved through it. I will definitely be putting Rebeca Raisin on my comfort reading list for future escapist reading needs.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC

Free courtesy of netgalley

Wow I loved this book and have spent the last 24 hours avoiding housework so I could read it. It flowed lovely and I got immersed in the story, I want to meet the human books and listen to their story.

Elodie/Ellie is the daughter of the CEO of a media empire, her mother has her life all planned out for her, but it's not what she wants. Her dream is to work in a library and live a simple life, but it's not what is planned for her, she will one day take over the company like it or not.

When Elodie sees an advert for a librarian in a struggling library, she knows this is where she wants to be. So she applies for the job, packs up her stuff and disappears, leaving her brother to make up a story for her parents, until she can prove she doesn't need their name or money to manage.

She then meets the outsiders of the village she has moved to and sets about saving them as well as the library.

The characters are charming and believable. I want to be their friend and it shows how loneliness can affect your life. I would recommend this book to anyone who lives a good story that's not too heavy to read