This historical fiction about a London-based librarian, Clara, during World War 2, and her best friend turned library assistant, Ruby, is both gutting and lovely. As they both navigate the traumas of war, they find hope in running the underground library of Bethel Green in an unfinished tube station/track in the heart of ravaged London's East End that also was a place of refuge for citizens who were bombed out of their homes. Based on true events that have been exceptionally and painstakingly researched (and included at the end of the book) by author Kate Thompson, the two librarians find comfort in the joys and hopes that the library brings and the found family it creates. Both librarians deal with their trauma and PTSD, having lost loved ones in the war and attacks, but they still manage to pour their love into their community and fight off the censorship and misogyny of an over-bearing library manager while also bringing people together through the escapism of books and the joy that they bring. The banter and dialogue is top notch while the writing is well-paced, as we are rooting for both Clara's budding romance with ambulance man Bily and Ruby's seemingly impossible relationship with American GI Eddie all while wondering about the fate of two young librarian patron sisters who become especially attached to Clara throughout the plot. My only complaint was Clara's somewhat underdeveloped relationship with her estranged mother and mother-in-law who are upset by her working in the library, but the closure of the plot helps explain some of this away. This is a must-have for collections where historical fiction circulates well and for lovers of Kristin Hannah, Pan Jenoff, Natasha Lester, Kate Quinn, and Sharon Cameron. It's an ode to librarians and libraries everywhere and the power of the community they help create.

While I did really enjoy this book, at times it felt a bit too YA. There's also a lot going on, with new twists being thrown at the main characters, but the resolution to those twists came too easily and therefore made it difficult to invest in. It was nice to see the characters get their happily ever after in the end though. It was lighter than most historical fiction I read, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

What to say about a WW2 novel that has t already been said. That's probably why this genre is such a comfort for so many people. It's cozy. You know the outcome already and so it's safe. Meanwhile. Clara and Ruby are two strong women who are fighting for the things they believe in. Sticking it to the man. Which is so lovely. I love strong female characters and friendships. On top of that, the book deals a ton with people who don't want to talk about hard things. Very reminiscent of its time. I love a story that is a fictionalization of real events and that's what we have here. If you like historical fiction, this one is right up your alley.

Nothing like books getting people through hard times and I love strong women! I thought this was an uplifting story with also heartache and Ruby's character was amazing. I loved learning about the underground library at Bethnal Green.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson. Pub Date: February 21, 2o23. Rating: 4 stars. Set during WWII, this historical fiction centers around a librarian who created an underground shelter during the war. This novel is based on a true story and while reading I could only imagine the courage and tenacity a woman like Clara had to be able to do what she did during WWII. I loved the characters of Clara and her best friend Ruby and felt their dynamic added a lot to the story line. This novel is full of female power in the face of adversity and I loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #thelittlewartimelibrary

I have mixed feelings about this book. There are parts of it that I loved, the unique perspective of the war from beneath the city and the focus on the underserved civilians of London was a fresh take on a story we have all read a million times, but the writing at times was a bit amateurish and it took away from the experience. I don't think it was a bad read necessarily but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it either. Just kind of okay.

A tribute to the power of libraries and librarians, The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson is an engrossing novel that includes history, drama, romance, intrigue, and humor. It was far more meaningful than I anticipated!

During World War II in East London, England's only underground library was established in the Bethnal Green tube station to support the 5,000+ people who lived in an below-ground bomb shelter. The Little Wartime Library was inspired by these historical facts and is told through main characters Clara and Ruby, the two library staffers.

Each chapter begins with a quote from a librarian interviewed by the author. There's many dramatic events - almost too many - in this plot, but it's wartime, and they definitely kept me engaged. The epilogue and author's note are fascinating and not to be missed.

This book reminded me of the BBC period drama Call the Midwife in that it incorporated historical facts about society into a compelling fictional story. I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Sarah Durham; I felt like I was in good hands with her 'efficient' narration.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for access to the review copy.

Very good read. I enjoyed this book and found it very interesting. I will definitely read more by this author!

I love a historical fiction that is about communities being brought together by a library and books. This cover is great too

Thank you NetGalley, publishers, and Kate Thompson for gifting me a copy of The Little Wartime Library in return for my honest opinion.

5/5 stars

London, 1944: Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While war ravages the city above her, Clara has risked everything she holds dear to turn the Bethnal Green tube station into the country’s only underground library. Down here, a secret community thrives with thousands of bunk beds, a nursery, a café, and a theater—offering shelter, solace, and escape from the bombs that fall upon their city.

Along with her glamorous best friend and assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures the library is the beating heart of life underground. But as the war drags on, the women's determination to remain strong in the face of adversity is tested to the limits when it may come at the price of keeping those closest to them alive.

Wow, what a wonderfully written book. Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres and when it is based on true events it always ends up being a tear-jerker for me. While reading this I went through many emotions, from anger, sadness, and happiness. This book really is a rollercoaster of emotions. I love reading about strong female characters that are fighting especially when they are trying to save books and knowledge!

I loved reading about the friendship between Clara and Ruby, it was so wonderful to read how they supported each other and were able to lean on each other. It was beautiful the way they supported each other through all of the tragedies and challenges that they faced. It was a truly inspirational read.

I loved how there was romance sprinkled in but it was not the main focus of the book, it truly was about the struggles Clara faced and how she overcame them. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a historical fiction lover, especially those who are fans of WW2. This was different than all of the other historical fiction books that I have read and I will definitely recommend it!

This epic story was so good! I love learning about things from history that I didn't know about, like how a subway station in London was converted to a library, bunks, and a whole underground community during the Blitz. The two main characters were strong women with their own point of view and I loved getting lost in their stories. There was even a twist at the end that I totally didn't see coming. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves strong female characters and historical fiction. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson is one of those books that stays with you long after reading. This historical fiction novel has such a unique concept and all of the characters are relatable and interesting to read about. The fact that the story is based on true events is really eye-opening and adds a lot of intrigue to the book. If you enjoy books that focus on heroic women during WWII, then this is one to pick up. You won't be disappointed.

This was so immersive and heartbreaking. What a needed book. If you like historical fiction this is a must read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

As a librarian, definitely recommend this book. It's based on a true story of a woman who set up an underground library for people who lived below ground, during WWII. This captivating, well researched, story will warm your heart right to the very last chapter. Highly recommend!

An interesting and unconventional story set in a time period that can sometimes feel oversaturated. Character development and dialogue were well-measured even as the pacing was brisk; I never felt bored with the prose. I will be looking out for more stories from Kate Thompson!

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting read . I found that I was able to read quickly and enjoyed the pacing and premise of the book. I would recommend to others.

Although war is never really "cozy," this story was full of the bookish historical fiction that makes a book a feel-good read. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

I'm normally not big on historical fiction, especially set during the war, but man this book had me unable to stop reading! Every character you meet has been through so much, but is incredibly resilient and they all come together through their love of reading and community. What an incredible story, and to come to find out it was based on a true story and beyond that that there really was a campaign to save the library going on in our lifetime via the author's note.. just made everything come to life even further for me.

10% into this one and I’m DNFing — I’m not invested! I’m so sad because this sounded like an ideal book for me, between the library plot line, historical fiction, and setting. But I’m having a hard time keeping the characters straight and just don’t care to continue.

Clearly others have loved this book more, which is great! Thanks anyway for the ARC.

Books have healing power. During WWII there were not many means of escape from the events that were taking place in the world. But books can save people and lift them from the events that are going on around them. The underground library was a great thing that came from WWII. The book does skewed the facts of the events and how they took place. In the book the only male librarian is evenly. However the people who ran the underground library were all men.