The Lonely Hearts Book Club is one I am having trouble processing. As an audio arc, it was a quick read spanning two days. That's high praise from me because if I hate a novel, I struggle to force myself to continue. This one was enjoyable and kept me listening. The premise was intriguing - a young female librarian meets an aging curmudgeon patron with seemingly no redeemable qualities. The personality and age difference is not nearly as important as the connection through books, and loneliness.

One plot point which stuck in my craw was the library supervisor's vehemence and ire when, after the elder patrons unlikely absence, the younger woman looks up his address to do a well check on him. Her supervisor immediately attacks her and threatens her with punishment. An over the top response which was required for the story to begin, but so beyond the realm of what I imagine the world to actually be like that it felt forced.

The idea of the story was one of lonely people in a lonely world brought together through a love of books, and a desire to create community. That's the dream - being part of something bigger and having familial bonds in an isolated society. That's what I loved about the Lonely Hearts. I loved the banter about books. I loved that the thing which drives my current community on Instabooks, connected these sad people.

What I didn't love might be less about the writing, and more about the medium. As an audiobook the narrator chose to present two of the main characters (curmudgeon and grandson) with a CONSTANT, ANNOYING angry, bitter, higher pitched voice which grated on my nerves. Although I liked aging Arthur, the delivery of his words into my ear was like chalk on a chalkboard. That delivery was crucial in me always questioning - how could so many be drawn to this man who is voiced in such an ugly way? This might be compensated for if you listen to the book through Audible or Libby. On Netgalley, narration speed control is very limited but through other sources you can subtly alter the speed and that alteration might improve this experience once the audio releases on March 28, 2023.

Overall I do recommend the book and have rounded up to 4 stars.

At its heart this novel is a story of found family and learning to know yourself. From the book’s description I did not expect to laugh out loud right from the start. However, there was a lot more than humor in this book. I enjoyed every well-developed character and the ways they came to appreciate and care for each other. At the same time they were discovering their own strengths and learning what really matters. Of course, a book filled with references to other books, as well as characters who work in a library, earns stars.

Angie Kane did a lovely job with the audiobook narration. Her pacing was just right. The characters’ voices were distinctive and fairly easy to distinguish. Only a minor character was difficult to identify. With the story broken up into multiple narrators Ms. Kane kept the voices consistent throughout which worked very well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was just “OK” for me. Listened via audio and found myself zoning out, which is not typical for me. Thanks to Netgalley and publishing for allowing me to listen and review this story

Three stars!

Thank you NetGalley, dreamscape media and the publisher and the author for the #gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review. I love the premise of this with a curmudgeon old man and a group of readers. I found it a bit long and would habe liked another narrator to differentiate betwern characters a bit more.

3.5/5☆ rounded up

A touching, heartwarming plot that is perfect for any lover of literature.

A shy librarian finds friendship with an elderly patron in this cozy, feel good book about a group of strangers who come together thanks for their love of books. I enjoyed hearing about each character's lives, and while this was a feel good novel, it wasn't overly sweet or twee.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Lucy Gilmore for providing me with an ARC of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this story was really sweet! It was lovely how everyone banded together to take care of Arthur and eventually, built a friendship with him. It showed that there truly is more to people than meets the eye.

I am a mood reader and I pick books based solely on titles and covers. As an introverted book lover, the title drew me in immediately. Sloane is a quiet, wallflower who found her place as a librarian. It is at her job that she forms an interesting relationship with a patron that ends up building a tiny network of people who seem to have lost their way. Again, I am not someone who reads discriptions of books so I went into this story expecting one thing and got something completely opposite. That being said, it was a wonderful read - different than a lot of other things I have read and so enjoyable. I did listen to the audio version and the person reading fell a bit flat for me, I wish there was a bit more inflection and excitement in her voice while telling the story, but that's a small detail. This was such a great palate cleanser between all of the other books that I've been reading, I actually wanted to keep going back to this.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lucy Gilmore for the advanced copy. Be sure to mark your calendars and grab this book, out March 28th!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an arc of this audiobook. Below is my honest review. I apologize if misspell any names or locations, I read this via the audio narration.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club is the story of a group of people who are each working through something in their life while finding support and friendship together.

The book starts with Sloane, who has the superpower of being inoffensive. While working in the library, she meets Arthur. He is the quintessential adorable grump and they spar with each other daily. (Their spats are some of my favorite scenes). Everyone is afraid of Arthur except Sloane. Okay, Sloane is afraid of him too. One day, Arthur doesn’t show up to the library. Arthur never misses a day and is never late. Sloane has no idea if Arthur has any family or friends to look out for him. She finds him at home ill, recuperating, and very, very lonely. So, Sloane helps care for Arthur and starts a book club to bring more life into his home.

Will Arthur let Sloane help him? Will anyone want to join book club? Will true friendships develop?

I really enjoyed this book. The cast of characters were well developed. Each had their own backstory and growth throughout the novel. Sloane seemed meek, until Arthur pushed her into snarky clap backs. I felt so much for Arthur. He desperately wanted love ones in his life but didn’t think he deserved them. Maisey, Greg, Mateo, and Nigel round out the rest book club and … there was not one character I didn’t like. (Okay, I didn’t like Sloane’s fiancé Brett or Maisey’s ex. That was intentional though.)

If you want to read a story about finding a family of friends against all odds, this is definitely for you. I loved whenever the characters discussed books, when they fought for each other (even if it meant fighting each other), and watching the book club form against all odds.

Thanks to narrator, Angie Kane, who did a fantastic job and gave each character has a distinct voice.

TW: Death of family members (off page, one by cancer, one by heart defect).

The Lonely Hearts Book Club
by Lucy Gilmore
Narrated by Angie Kane
Pub Date: 28 Mar 2023
Dreamscape Media
Women's fiction

When aging book enthusiast Arthur McLachlan crosses paths with young librarian Sloane Parker, you are in for a humorous adventure. Add in an eclectic group of friends with a love of literature who form a book club and the story gets even sweeter. The touching plot centers around humorous banter and poignant emotional pain. Angie Kane's narration brings an unlikely group of strangers together to form an unexpected bond. It is engaging and tender.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sharing this wonderful audiobook with me. I appreciate your kindness.

As a public librarian this book was right up my alley and I couldn't have enjoyed it more!!

A young librarian befriends a curmudgeonly older man in this feel-good book about a group of strangers who come together over a shared love of books. Each of the diverse cast of characters has something going on in their lives that they're struggling with and I really enjoyed how the book alternates POVs between them providing first person insights as the story progresses.

Recommended for fans of books like All the lonely people by Mike Gayle, The last chance library by Freya Sampson or The reading list by Sara Nisha Adams and great on audio narrated by Angie Kane. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!