3.75 stars rounded up to 4.

This book made my heart feel full - and I couldn't have asked for a better feeling. I loved Arthur and Sloane and the concept of the story. The tears were flowing, something I didn't exactly expect to happen, but here we are. Would recommend.

This is a charming, thoughtful book with character that I won't soon forget. Though it is slower paced, it is engaging and lovely. I'll be reading more by this author in the future!

This was...fine. It shares DNA with A Man Called Ove, in that a mean old man cultivates a support system against his will. A bunch of broken people find each other and grow into themselves through their time spent together. I don't think the narrator quite pulled off all of the character's voices, but that was a difficult ask with 4 different main characters to embody.

Deliciously hilarious with spunk. I love how books brings diverse people together. One of the best contemporary literally books, I've ever heard. I can't wait to see more from this author.

This sweet story reminded me of "A Man Called Ove" and "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" with many literary references mixed in. While the storyline moved slowly, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I started this book but did not finish. I did enjoy the narrator. Perhaps I will try again in the future.

Such a cute beginning, but the audio let me down. I think others are going to really love this grumpy old man meets nice young librarian story, but the audio narration took me out of the story. I trudged through to the end, but would not recommend on audio.

Such a perfect title for this touching and heartwarming novel. The novel follows a few “lonely people” who are eventually brought together by a book club. Every character in the novel struggles with their life… sometimes of lonely, etc. Through the book discussions, they support each other and become friends. Couldn’t help but love all the characters in this novel!

Loved the narrator for this novel! Truly brought it to life!

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore was a slow start for me but the more I read the more I feel in love with this book. Great ending.

"The Lonely Hearts Book Club" by Lucy Gilmore is a heartwarming novel that follows a group of misfits brought together by Sloane to create a book club in support of Arthur, a bitter and reluctant member who has lost his zest for life. I absolutely adored this book.

One of the main strengths of the novel is the depth and nuance given to each character's struggles. Each member of the book club brings their own unique perspective to the table, and their individual journeys are explored in a way that feels authentic and relatable. As a reader, it was easy to invest in their stories and feel a connection to them.

The use of multiple point of view chapters also added to the impact of the novel. It allowed for a more well-rounded exploration of the characters' lives and struggles, and provided insight into their motivations and emotions.

While the romance in the novel isn't at all the main focus, the little bit that is there is sweet and well-developed. The slow burn nature of the relationship between Sloane and Arthur's grandson, Greg, was satisfying to watch unfold, and their eventual connection felt earned and natural.

I listened to the audiobook of the novel, and the narrator was fantastic. She brought a warmth and depth to each character's voice, and made the reading experience even more enjoyable.

Overall, "The Lonely Hearts Book Club" is an incredibly sweet and heartwarming novel that explores the power of connection and the importance of community. I can't wait to read more from Lucy Gilmore in the future.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a beautiful story imagined by author Lucy Gilmore. There are a multitude of themes woven carefully throughout this book, including but not limited to, loss, loneliness, aging, illness, regrets, bitterness, and finding and forming a family of diverse individuals. While I know these do not sound like the ingredients of a tale that will as easily make you laugh as shed a tear, it most certainly is!

Sloane Parker, a thirtyish librarian in at the Coeur d'Alene public library, has been using books since childhood to escape life’s slings and arrows. When her sister Emily was sick for so many years and could do little more, they read together and imagined worlds where they would never travel. Once Emily was lost, Sloane retreated into a fictional world to escape the loss as well as her dysfunctional parents. A quiet, cordial young woman with a nice enough fiancé, Sloane seems to come alive when she encounters 80 something Arthur MacLachlan on his daily visits to the library where she works. It seems his main purpose in coming each morning is to spar with Sloane over literature and life. When Arthur doesn’t show up for several days, Sloane breaks all the rules by looking up his address on the library server to make a wellness check on Arthur, which results in her losing her job when she cannot promise to never check on him again.

Eventually a ragtag group, including Sloane, a psychic neighbor, an estranged grandson, a fabulous singer turned nurse turned library colleague, and an old adversary form a book club with Arthur at the center, creating a path forward for each of them.

One of the unique aspects of this story is that each of these main characters have their own voice and different sections are told from different viewpoints. This invites the reader to have a glimpse of each character and look on as Ms. Gilmore flawlessly weaves the gossamer strands of each life to arrive at an unforgettable conclusion. This may truly be one of my favorites of all time! I am already missing these characters! I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

A book lovers treasure. Excellent character development - I wanted to sit down with all of them and be a part of their book club! They are a very eclectic group but, in spite of each person's oddity, they mix well together into a makeshift family! A beautiful story which encompasses loss, grief, despair, loneliness, friendship, and found family. This novel leaves you with a warm feeling of unconditional love and the idea of goodness in people.

The start is very slow and boring. Not my ideal way to kick off a book, or a review for that matter. Is it worth it? Definitely! Stay put till chapter 4 or 5, and you'll get what I mean when I say this is an unconventional masterpiece.

Initially, I got ancient, weird vibes from the book, but as we progressed, I fell in love with the characters. I would break everything down to give you a better idea of the book, but this reading experience was amazing for me and I'd like for you to feel the same.

So yes, there is romance, friends, family relationships, denial, and loads of bookworms. I couldn't stop thinking of the characters!! They are so different and distinctly colorful, yet they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. The story is NOT the highlight, so again, please be patient to be acquainted with all characters and then you will have a blast.

I've heard a bit about Lucy Gilmore and now I'm convinced she is a superwriter. I can't imagine how this book took birth, but I'm so grateful it did. Ask me whether I'd rather meet the characters or the author, and I won't ever decide. Although I'm not a big hugger, I would bear hug every person who made this book reality.

And about the narrator. Angie Kane is soooo talented. I've never heard such mastery with different voices before, and the way she jumps from one voice to another is fantastic. If you can get your hands on the audio version, please do, because this is meant to be listened to!

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC of The Lonely Hearts Bookclub.
I loved the story and the characters! Would definitely recommend physically reading the book instead of listening to the audio version. While I enjoyed the narrators voices for some characters, I think it would have been better to have multiple reads - especially for the male characters. Because of this, I'm giving it a solid 4 stars, but would have probably been closer to a 5 if the narration was better.

This was a sweet story but unfortunately I just had a hard time getting into it.
I know some would love it but it just wasn’t for me .

The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a story of a group of strangers who are all a little lost in their life. The story is told from switching between the point of view of each character. It is a heartwarming story that shows you can find what you are looking for in the most unlikely places.

This emotional read had me falling in love with the ensemble of characters.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club is made up of six characters who kept me guessing and ready to keep reading. Without giving away too much know that each character brings something different to the table and each character's life is changed just by joining this club. Overall, all the characters are likable and their budding friendship makes you want to go out and make your own book club. The writing was beautiful and kept me wanting to read to see growth and friendship.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a heartwarming story to read on a cozy afternoon. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story!

This was a warm hug in a book! This eclectic cast of characters seem to have nothing in common but through the power of books, they come together as a chosen family and are able to be the support that each other needs.

The POV changes between Sloane, Maisey, Arthur, Greg, and Matteo. I appreciated being able to get into these characters heads and understand their motivations. They all have a bit of loneliness and are searching for love and belonging.

Gilmore ties the story together with a beautiful little bow, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story.

Thank you to NetGalley publisher Dreamscape Media for this copy.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5511957227

Thank you so much for the advance audio of this title. I really loved listening to this story - found the narrator absolutely perfect for this story and I became completely attached to the characters. I'll be looking for more by Lucy Gilmore, thank you!

This book had some interesting insights and twists. It reminds me of a book I'd read a couple years ago involving a bank robber, but for the life of me, I can't remember the title. I love that a book club came to be with the most unexpected characters coming together.