Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books and the author for the privilege of reading and reviewing an ARC of The Underground Railroad by Jennifer Ryan. This review reflects my honest and freely given opinion. The Underground Library is a wonderful and compelling book that touched my heart in a way that books sometimes do; I imagine it will stay with me for sometime. I havent read much historical fiction based on World War II events, however after reading Ms. Ryan's moving story about the Bethnal Green Library I will be seeking out more books of this period.
The book, while fiction, is based on events that actually occurred. Juliet, Sophie and Katie, fictional characters, come to life on the pages, and I felt as if I was rooting for friends as they faced their many challenges with indomitable spirits and firey passion. The book provided insight as to the trials
faced during the war, how individuals who, may at another time, not had much in common forged friendships and bonds that wouldn't be broken, how believing in oneself empowered each woman to exceed their personal expectations, and significantly and positively impact the lives of others. I highly recommend The Underground Library, a must read for book lovers. 5 Stars.

Juliet is excited to start her new job as deputy librarian at the Bethnal Green Library in London, but soon learns that, as a woman, she won’t be doing anything really worthwhile. Katie, a young library employee, has a secret but doesn’t know who, if anyone, she can trust. Sofie, a Jewish refugee working on a domestic service visa, is employed by an exceptionally cruel man, so she escapes to the library as often as possible, not only for a break but also for help in finding her sister. When German bombs destroy the library, Juliet and the others move a good portion of the library’s collection to the local Underground station where many of the city’s residents shelter every night. Despite one tragedy after another, the women are determined to keep the Underground Library open and help boost the spirits of their new neighbors.

I have read several other books by this author and have enjoyed them all, so it’s no surprise that I really liked this one as well. The writing is beautiful and made me feel like I was right there with the people of the story, hearing the planes and their deadly cargo, scouring the debris for people and things of sentimental value and trying to put lives back together. I liked the three main characters, but also liked most of the secondary characters as well, especially the library regulars who had connections that helped in difficult situations. The individual stories of the three women drew me in right from the start and kept my interest throughout the book. I was not surprised by the resolution of any of those stories, which were logically and emotionally satisfying.

I have two or three of Ms. Ryan’s earlier books on my to-read shelf, and I look forward to reading them – and anything new she writes – at my earliest opportunity.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

Three young book lovers cross lives in London during the Blitz. The Nazis are attacking and disrupting everything in the city. People are scrambling for safety, especially at night.

Juliet, Sofia and Katie have different reasons for being in London, but their lives soon intersect with others who help bring the library underground to save the books from bombs. They each have a story to tell, and end up helping each other beyond measure.

This book is based on a true story and has a valuable cautionary message for today about book banning to make everyone think alike. Books and libraries are needed in every community for many reasons.

I feel this novel best targets a YA audience as an introduction to WWII and Nazi dominance. It all ties up in the end a little too nicely for me, but would highly appeal to a young girl with a romantic heart. My rating: four stars.

Fans of Jennifer Ryan know that her novels about the WWII British Homefront are always based in fact and that they feature well drawn, sympathetic female characters coping with the war. Here, Juliet, Sophie, and Katie meet and bond at the Bethnal Green Library where Juliet has just been made deputy director. Katie, meant to be heading to university in the fall, helps when they move the library to the underground during the Blitz but she's got a secret that won't be secret too long. Sofie , a Jewish refugee in service to the meanest man in the novel, loves to read but she's desperate for news about her sister, which introduces her to Mac and then changes her life. These women are joined by a wonderful supporting cast, including a pair of elderly sisters. While this follows a familiar trajectory, there are some good twists for each woman. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. I know it's one more WWII novel but Ryan's storytelling skills make it a worthy one.

I love historical fiction and especially enjoy WWII books. It is a very inspiring story. I enjoyed following the three characters throughout the story. I always enjoy a book about books. I felt that the story was well done and would be sure to pick up more by this author again. Thank you to NetGalley and Random house for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest review
4 star

This historical novel is loosely based on a true World War II story. The Bethnal Green library was indeed bombed and the librarians set up an underground library in the half-finished Bethnal Green tube station, where all of the neighborhood sheltered. However, the characters are all fictional. I enjoyed the novel, told from the perspective of three women: Juliet (librarian), Katie (adolescent girl), and Sophie (German Jew who escaped from Germany to London). Each woman's story is given equal weight in the novel. Their stories intertwine nicely and all three women show growth during the novel. The novel was a bit more romanc-y/soap-opera-ish than I would have liked, but it wasn't too cringey. Overall, I would recommend this book.

On a side note, I discovered another historical novel about this same underground library called The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson. I haven't read it yet, but, interestingly, both authors turned the male librarian assistant into a woman.

*thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my review*

What a beautiful story about the kind of community that a library can create! Jennifer Ryan weaves a compelling tale about friendship and resilience based on the very real story of the Bethnal Green Public Library, which survived WWII by moving underground after the building was destroyed in a bombing.

Sophie, Juliet, and Katie share the spotlight in this triple POV narrative, where their bond over the library allows them to put aside their differences and help each other navigate the difficulties of life during wartime. A number of distinct themes arise in their shared stories: 1) overcoming situations, 2) overcoming limitations, and 3) overcoming expectations. Ryan deftly handles historically sensitive topics with grace as she tells this war story.

While the timeline wasn’t always clear and there were a few too many pithy realizations for my taste, the characters were so lovely, and the relationships were wonderfully developed. As far as WWII stories go, this one isn’t too heavy. Yet it honors the impact the war had on everyday life in Britain. The unsurprising separations and deaths don’t overshadow the HEA that so satisfyingly crowns the story.

I really enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a cozy bookish read set in WWII.

(reviews to be posted on Goodreads and Instagram)

I struggled with this book but I had struggled with another novel of this author, Kitchen Front, as well, so it may be that this author isn't for me. It may also be that I am not in the frame of mind for another WW II novel, though I have not read that much about the London Blitz and, having seen the remnants of a church in Liverpool from that period during a vacation with my family, I was fascinated. I also liked the concept of an underground library. I liked the historical aspect for the most part and I think the author did her homework. What I struggled with is that it was slow to get into and there were parts of it that were soap operaish. It was about these women in London during WWII that came together to start an underground library. There was a great deal of drama in their lives and that was the part that made it seem like a soap opera. Then there was difficulty at times following what was going on because it went back and forth between the characters which has the effect of making it challenging to understand each character.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for providing me with the opportunity to read this novel.

Another WWII book based on a true story. Aside from the aspects of the war and libraries, this is a book about friendship, pulling together and supporting each other. I really enjoyed it, but I always enjoy stories of women supporting women.

There are the three separate stories going on with the three main characters, all brought together by the library. One is facing sexual discrimination in her job at the library. One is facing struggles with her parents and a secret she is struggling with. The third is a Jewish immigrant trying to find a safe place away from the Germans.

This was different enough that I didn't feel like it was the same old WWII story. I loved it!

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group--Ballantine and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts are my own.

Inspired by the existence of libraries in the tunnels of the underground during WWII, The Underground Library is the story of the importance of libraries in building community and providing a common space for people from all walks of life. It has an important message in our modern times, when libraries, authors and books are under attack.

The story is told from the perspectives of three women who are, on the surface from very different backgrounds, but come together through the library. Each of their stories was inspiring, as each woman showed a strength that was not apparent at first, and each came into their own by standing up to adversity. They built bonds with each other and with their neighbors, as they created the library as the centerpiece of the community.

This is a wonderful story that will resonate with book lovers and historical fiction fans.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House-Ballantine for the digital ARC of The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan. The opinions in this review are my own.

Historical fiction set during the WWII London Blitz with multi-POV from the 3 leading female characters. A feel-good story about a library that’s forced underground & the perseverance of its staff & volunteers. Friendships are made through a love of books and how they can enrich our lives. Even though the book was a little formulaic at the end, I enjoyed the story of Juliet, Sophie, & Katie. Thank you for the advanced copy, NetGalley!

Leave it to Jennifer Ryan to bring readers a World War II story full of characters one can root for and a positive side to a very dismal time in English history.

As much as I have read of World War II, I had never heard about the people in London getting in the underground tunnels of the railway system to take cover from the bombing. Much roomier than the bomb shelters and cellars, the people were able to move around and had plenty of room to spread blankets and sleep for the night.

The story follows three women whose paths intersect during this time and how they become friends and build a sense of community during the tumultuous days of the Blitz. Juliet is a librarian, Katie is a future college student and Sophie is a Jewish immigrant from Germany who managed to get to England just in the nick of time.

When the main library is hit by a bomb and too damaged for the people to use, Juliet decides they should move to the tunnels and start a mini-library. The idea is popular among those escaping to the tunnel for safety and the tunnels eventually become a mini village under ground.

Each of the three women are facing challenges of the time. Katie has lost her fiancee in the war. Sophie has had an unpleasant experience with her employer and is trying to locate some of her family members. Juliet is dealing with a missing fiancee/possible deserter and is trying to keep the library up and running.

There are also many other memorable characters who are pivotal to the story and help the underground residents form a bond. I really enjoyed reading this and recommend to other readers who enjoy historical fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review and recommend to other readers.

Historical fiction readers will enjoy this well researched novel based on true events in London during WWII. Living in the tube stations during the bombings brought people of all walks of life together to survive. After the bombing of the Bethnal Green library, the library moved to the underground as told in this wonderfully crafted story. Highly recommended!

Historical fiction at its best! Ryan does a masterful job of telling the stories of several Londoners during the Blitz, and how their lives come to revolve around the Underground Library. When the Bethnal Green library is bombed, Juliet, a resourceful librarian, moves the surviving books to a nearby tube station, where locals take shelter as the bombs fall. The characters are beautifully and realistically rendered, from Sophie, a Jewish refugee from Germany, to Katie, a native Londoner who discovers that she's pregnant by her fiance, who is now MIA in Italy. Juliet draws the community together with book clubs, story hours, and her indomitable spirit.

The Underground Library is the second book of Jennifer Ryan's for me to read. I love that she brought to light a fact about WW2 that is so little known by many.

Juliet Landsdown finds herself working at the Bethanl Green Library. Once she starts her job there she discovers that the library is far from thriving.

The Underground Library brings together a wide range of characters. I love any books that show that we are better together.

If I had any complaints about the story it would be that the story was wrapped up too nicely in the end. It felt too unrealistic to me that everyone got their happy ending especially during a time that so many lost so much.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have loved Jennifer Ryan’s previous works, especially enjoying the way she pulls together the stories of various characters into a single story. This one I enjoyed, but not quite so much. She tried to provide so much information that I often felt like I was being lectured to. I loved the characters and the storylines though, and I would still recommend this to anyone who enjoys World War II/bookish fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, Ballantine Books, and the author, Jennifer Ryan for the opportunity to read The Underground Library. It was such an incredible account of the "The Blitz," in London during WWII. I was completely enthralled with the story.

I especially loved how Ryan focused on the women who lived in London at that time. She did a wonderful job showing how women stepped in and took over for their male counterparts after they had been sent off to war.

Ryan also did an excellent job of showing how hard it was for Jewish-Germans who had escaped to England. Even though they hated Hitler, their German accents often made some English act horrible towards them. Thankfully there were just as many people who stood by the Jewish population and helped them to feel worthy.

In the author's notes, Ryan explained how her book was based on a true story. Every time I read another aspect of the trials people went through during WWII I am flabbergasted. What an amazing project it was to have an underground library for everyone who had to take cover during the bombings. The people of London truly had an incredible spirit. They never gave up and they never allowed Hitler to break their spirit.

I highly recommend The Underground Library to anyone who loves historical fiction. It's a five star book in my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Ballantine Books for the ARC of The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan.

I've said many times that I am done reading books about WWII, so I was a little hesitant to pick this one up. What more can one learn and experience that hasn't already been covered in another book? Jennifer Ryan's novel proved me wrong. I had no idea that The Underground Library was an actual place created by those from the Bethnal Green library (And did you know Jerry Springer was born in an railway underground shelter during the war?). During a time of such turmoil, I could only imagine that solace that the townspeople could feel when they took shelter in the library. I also enjoyed learning about the Isle of Man and how it was used during the war.

The novel focused on the women during the war, and the hardships that so many of them faced. I truly enjoyed the characters and getting to know them. If I had to say one negative thing, it would be that in times of war, and especially WWII, happy endings were hard to come by. So, I did find it hard to believe that all of the characters would get their happy ending.

In the end, I enjoyed learning something that I didn't already know about WWII.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
Posted on March 7, 2024 by Carol Early Cooney

Dear Fellow Reader,

Welcome to March! A month of madness? That seems to be what it is famous for but this year it has so much more – Spring Forward, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter – a whole cornucopia of spring! Get out the patent leather shoes!

Meanwhile, I am sitting here warming my hands on a cup of tea! It is sometimes hard to overcome the damp, cold here in the Midwest.

I am happy to tell you about this week’s book. It is the fifth book by Jennifer Ryan. No, they are not a series, but all take place in England during World War II. I know I read The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle and I think I read The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. So, let’s break convention here and tell you that I like these books. Yes, I know that I profess to be sick of historical fiction. And in some ways, I am. But these books are really character-driven. While the historical background is there, these characters are living in the setting, they aren’t there to support the setting.


The Underground Library has three main characters and several supporting characters. Juliet Lansdown has left her parents and hometown to move to the Bethnal Green section of London to work at the library there. She had worked at the library in her hometown and loved it. She has hopes that it will be even better in Bethnal Green. Katie Upwood works at the library for the summer before she goes to the University. She is only allowed to study at the University because so many of the students are off to war, but she is bright and can’t wait to go. Sofie Baumann, is a refugee from Germany. She has come to Bethnal Green to be a domestic worker – the only way she could get out of Germany. She is not in a good situation but the day she comes to the library, she finds friends and support.

Soon into the story, the Germans start bombing London and each night the residents must leave their homes and go to shelter. The Underground soon becomes the shelter of choice. When the library is bombed, the friends gather around and move books to the Underground. Juliet starts some programs that become extremely popular like a time each night for reading aloud and eventually a school.

Our three main characters each face choices they never could have anticipated and despite rocky times, they find that their friendships keep them floating in the sea of hard times.

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on March 12th.

I really enjoyed this book! I've always heard of The Blitz during World War II, but it was really interesting to look a little deeper into it. I really liked that the cast of characters included women of various ages, and stages of life, and read about the challenges they faced. Not only the challenges of wartime, but also the social and cultural constraints of the era. It's ultimately a very inspiring and uplifting novel. Big thanks to Jennifer Ryan, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for access to the eGalley in exchange for an honest review.