This book was adorable! I really enjoyed it! I loved the nostalgic dual timelines & multiple points of view.

I really enjoyed that this book was a literary lovers book! I love reading books that sprinkle Hemingway quotes & mentions of the classics.

I also loved the relationship that blooms with Zach. I enjoyed that they began to investigate the relationship of Jasper & Catherine together.

The only thing I could say is that the modern day timeline fell a little flat for me, the contrast if the writing in the flashback vs the flash forward felt different.

But I truly enjoyed this book & this author 💖

The Library of Borrowed Hearts is a story of books and their ability to bring people together. Heartwarming at times, and quite infuriating at other times (Ravenna and Catherine’s choices really made my blood boil), this is a story of how Chloe and Jasper come together to save each other. I found that there were so many characters and points of view that st times it was difficult to connect or feel for them in the way I wanted to.

I really love Gilmore's writing. She is hugely talented and writes novels that make you feel good. But, The Library of Borrowed Hearts was a bit slow to develop, with so many storylines that it ultimately became convoluted. It lacked a bit of the spark that her first novel had. For that reason it just won't be memorable long term for me. But she is an author that I will continue to read!

I truly enjoyed The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore for its charming blend of romance and mystery. Chloe Sampson, a librarian juggling life's struggles, finds her world turned upside down when she uncovers a rare book with romantic marginalia. This discovery sets her on a literary scavenger hunt that intertwines her life with her reclusive neighbor, Jasper Holmes.

Gilmore’s knack for weaving heartfelt narratives shines through in Chloe’s journey. The way Chloe delves into the history of the book and the notes within echoes the author's previous works, where complex characters uncover deeper truths about themselves and others. The exploration of past loves through the book’s annotations brings an added layer of depth, reminiscent of the emotional richness found in Gilmore’s earlier novels.

While the story is engaging and the mystery intriguing, the resolution feels a bit predictable. Nevertheless, The Library of Borrowed Hearts delivers a warm, touching tale that emphasizes the unexpected connections and the healing power of love and friendship, making it a satisfying read for fans of heartfelt fiction.

The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore is a sweet dual timelines novel. Overall though it both has too much going on and not enough momentum. The multitudinous subplots detract from the main stories and overall the pacing is very slow with little pay off. Chloe is an endearing protagonist that you want to root for!

The Library of Broken Hearts is one of heartbreak, found family, complex family dynamics, true love, and a pure adoration for the written word. This novel follows Chloe, a small town librarian that had to drop everything to become the guardian of her three younger siblings when their mother ran out on them. One day she finds an extremely rare book that has notes inside, depicting a conversation between lovers in secret. Chloe goes on a hunt to find out more about these lovers and strikes up an unlikely friendship with her grouchy old neighbor, Jasper.

Switching between two timelines, present day and 1969, we follow the romance as it blooms and try to piece together where it ended. This novel did a great job making me fall in love with love and each and every one of the characters. They all added to the story in some way and I couldn’t help but root for them. One downfall, however, is that there are so many points of views as this book is divided into 4 parts. While I think some of them were necessary, others felt like they dragged the story and made this book seem a lot longer than it was. I found myself wanting to just get that POV over with and move on or wondering what a different character was thinking in this situation.

I will say, the family dynamics were incredibly interesting and there was a lot explored between Chloe’s family, Jasper’s family, and Catherine’s family. It was very complex and eye opening, I just wanted to deep dive even more.

Overall, there were just a few points in this novel that didn’t make sense to me character wise and it felt a bit slow, but I still really enjoyed my time with it. I love reading about anything book related and reading about a love story unfolding between the pages of books?? Yes please!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and SourceBooks for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

After reading The Lonely Hearts Book Club earlier this year, I knew I had to read Lucy Gilmore latest novel. And I am so glad I did! It was such an easy story to get absorbed in right away.

Chloe's situation made me think of Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead in some ways. I felt so bad for her to have to give up her dream because her mom chose to neglect her younger siblings. Having very little money to work with was also stressful. All the supporting characters were great and there were so many surprises around every corner. I especially loved Chloe's younger brothers. One reminded me of my younger son, with his interest in science and all the facts he kept sharing. I also liked how there were different perspectives in this novel, just like with Lonely Hearts and that it went back and forth between the past and the present to fill in the whole story.

There were a couple of times when the story slowed down a bit, but then it picked right back up again, leading to a satisfying and comforting ending.

This was a charming story that you will definitely devour. I want Lucy to write many more book-themed novels.

Side note: I had a mini-book club for this novel with my friend who recommended The Lonely Hearts Book Club. We had a great time discussing it!

Movie casting suggestions:
Chloe: Annalise Basso
Jasper: F. Murray Abraham
Zach: Jacob Elordi
Catherine (1960): Oona Laurence
Jasper (1960): Jamie Flatters
William (1960): Charles Vandervaart

Books about books are always my jam. Throw in cranky curmudgeon neighbors and mysterious love stories within the pages of classic books and you have a story that will grab you. There are some slow moments and plenty of drama which is par for the course when you have a story that has duel timelines and several POV'S but there are also some serious moments and twists that had me feeling all kinds of happy and thoughtful.

The Library of Borrowed Hearts was suggested to me since I had previously read and enjoyed Lucy Gilmore’s other book,The Lonely Hearts Bookclub. If I am being honest, had Netgalley not suggested it, I would have never read it. That would be an utter shame as it was a beautiful story, so much so that it is in the running for my favorite read of 2024.

Chloe Sampson isn’t your ordinary twenty something. After returning home to care for her three younger siblings, she was forced to give up her dreams of becoming a librarian. Tasked with the insurmountable job of providing a roof over the head, food to eat, and medical care, she is barely making ends meet. Until one day she discovers a banned book that might hold the key to her money woes.

I am a sucker for dual timelines and multiple points of view; both of which Gilmore effortlessly provides in her latest novel. Alternating between present day, the 1960s, and five different POVs readers are invited to witness two unique love stories that center around banned books.

Gilmore choosing to center the love stories around banned books, opened the door for an important discussion. She calls into question what criteria should be used to deem a book inappropriate, or if it is merely censorship. This is a fascinating topic that deserves to be addressed more.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Lucy Gilmore for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a lovely read, though I did find myself a bit lost with the changing viewpoints/timelines. Two romances, two storylines, but they end up weaving together beautifully. Well done!

4/5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advanced copy.

I thought Chloe was a great character as she struggled to raise her siblings. Jasper was another solid character but I didn’t quite like Catherine. Enjoyed most of the book references but the story seemed slow to me, almost was a DNF.

** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. **

This was a great book with dozens and dozens of nods to great literature. As a school librarian, I appreciated that 2 of the main characters also worked at a library, 60 years apart. All the characters in this book were so lovable with all their quirks and idiosyncrasies. I love how it started off with Chloe on the hunt through the great works to find clues as to who would be writing love notes in the margin of library books. (though the librarian in me cringed a bit at the idea of people writing notes in books that they don't own). It was so fun to piece the story together along with her and meet the characters of Jasper and Catherine as they were in the prime of their lives, falling in love for the firs time.

I also loved the twists the author took so as not to typecast her characters. Jasper was the romance-loving woodsman and Catherine was the horror-loving rich kid. Just when I thought Jasper was never going to find love again, we discover that Catherine isn't dead after all like he's believed for all these years. Instead of second-chance romance, however, Jasper finds he can continue on with his life and look after the younger generation living next door.. I love how Catherine also went on to a live a full life, though I hated that she lied to Jasper to do it, and became a single mom with an amazing career as an editor.

I'm so glad that the story didn't end with all the main characters falling in love and getting married but rather finding fulfillment in their places in life. I love the gift Catherine gives Chloe to explore having a career and not being locked into small-town life.

This book was so stinking sweet! I loved Chloe and her commitment to her family. I adore Jasper and how he inadvertently takes them under his wings. It was a great and uplifting read!

This was an interesting book about the relationships between people. Chloe works at a library. She struggles to make ends meet with her three younger siblings living with her. She’s excited to find an old edition of a book. But then she’s puzzled why her grumpy older neighbor wants to buy it. Why is he interested in this book? Chloe knows there are notes written in the book’s margins and she sets out on finding out if there are other books with writing in them as well. She’s also curious about the story surrounding the written notes.

This one was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the mystery that Chloe was solving in the books, and how it led to learning more about her own past as well as her neighbor's past. Watching love grow both in the past in in current times was fun, and I enjoyed the romantic nature of the story!

I DNF this book. Too many references to literature I wasn't familiar with, and could not get into either storyline.

I love a story with a good curmudgeonly character, and Jasper does not disappoint! Chloe is a librarian that is struggling to take care of her younger siblings. One day finds a rare book at the local flea market, to her surprise her neighbor offers her a crazy amount of money to buy it. Once she takes a closer look she finds a series of notes written in the margins, they are between two people and one really seems to have been Jasper. So begins a mystery that spans multiple books, and a decades old love story begins to unfold. At the same time, Chloe is dealing with family drama in the real world. Through it all she will learn about love, friendship, forgiveness and the true meaning of family. I absolutely loved reading her younger brothers journey, and watching the development of all the characters! This was such an enjoyable read, Lucy Gilmore does it again!

Ahhh this book was so sweet! I loved the dual timelines and multiple points of view! Great cozy read!

Short synopsis: While cleaning the old shelves in the library, Chloe finds an old copy of Tropic of Cancer with love letters scribbled in the pages.

My thoughts: I am such a sucker for a book about books. And this one was just so adorable! Now I need to go back and read The Lonely Hearts Book Club, which is already on my TBR!

This one has dual dual timelines, and multiple POV. They all just blend seamlessly together to really give the reader all the feels of this story.

There is heartache and hope, a mystery of who wrote the messages in the book, and so much love. Chloe was such an amazing character and the love she showed her siblings. And don’t even get me started on Jasper. I love a crotchety old man in my books and his inner softness was everything!

Read if you love:
- Books about books
- Libraries
- Dual timelines
- Multiple pov
- Romance

The Library of Borrowed Hearts Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS ONE. Lucy Gilmore does it again! I read The Lonely Hearts Book Club on a whim so when I saw this ARC on NetGalley I knew I had to have it! Thank you to the author and publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC copy!

This book is so heartwarming that I literally SMILED while I read it. The book references, the characters, the mystery and the message that family is what you make it and that family can be found in the most surprising places and people is just 10/10. Lucy Gilmore writes compelling characters, even with all their flaws you want to understand their stories. This book even has a reading list of all the books mentioned and quoted in the story, what a cool feature!

I hope Lucy Gilmore (who has several author aliases) keeps doing what she is doing here with these literary themed, feel good fiction because I need more of it. Also I LOVED the nod to Arthur from her other book.

Read this one, it’s a 5 star read from me. I have no criticisms.

I will be posting my review on my book instagram @readitwithtay sometime this week (6/24-6/30)