The book is set in London during WWII. Sofie is reluctant to leave her family in Berlin even though it has become unsafe for Jewish families, but her sister makes sure that she catches her train to go to the housekeeping job that she got in London. Juliet has been hired as a deputy librarian at a library in the city while the regular person is off fighting in the war. She has lots of great ideas but the head librarian is not interested. Katie is working at the library for the summer before starting at university in the fall. This is a wonderful story about discovering who you really are amidst the hardships of war time. I enjoyed the main characters and their growth through the book plus the interesting side characters.

"The Underground Library" takes place in the midst of WWII across the perspective of 3 women brought together by the Bethnal Green Library in London. Julia Lansdowne has taken on a new role as the deputy librarian and despite resistance from the current head librarian, is determined to transform it into something new. Her love for literature and ability to bring in the community around help propel her forward to starting the Underground Library, but she also does her best to avoid discussing her fiance, Victor, who disappeared in the midst of battle and was labeled a deserter by the government.

Julia meets Katie Upwood, a staff member at the library planning on attending university only a few months later. The two immediately bond, but Katie's dynamic with her image-centric parents is at odds with her relationship with Christopher, another man who signed up to join the war. She receives devastating news about him, but also is forced to confront the looming possibility of motherhood as a single, unmarried woman.

The third storyline is told from Sofie Baumann's perspective, a Jewish refugee from Germany forced to leave her family behind in order to utilize the working visa that the British government has given her. She serves as a maid for Mr. Wainwright, a wealthy but heartless individual who manipulates her situation to and overworks her cruelly. When she meets Katie and Julia, Sofie finds a brief respite from her grueling days, and a community of women who come to care for and help her try to find her remaining family members.

I'm a sucker for WWII historical fiction so immediately wanted to read this novel. There's a lot that I (and many other readers) would enjoy - a female-centric novel with protagonists breaking the norm, a community centered around the library and literature, and a look into an area that isn't as frequently written about during the war. I overall did enjoy the storylines, the evolution of the Underground Library as British citizens were forced to shelter in the underground stations for protections during raids, and the progression each of the characters made. However, the writing style felt clipped and lacked the complexity and depth I was hoping for, which might have also been because there were 3 POVs that the author needed to cover. I also really wished there wasn't as much emphasis placed on the romance aspect, as it seemed a minor component to the overall themes and focus of the novel.

Overall an enjoyable read, especially given the research and historical inspiration of the real Bethnal Green Library!

The Underground Library is the newest WW2 England-based historical fiction by Jennifer Ryan. This novel explores the lives of three young women who are attempting to carry on with their routines during the bombings of WW2. They come together to form a library for their community set in the underground train station where they are sheltering. This is a tale that makes you appreciate all of the little luxuries we take for granted now. Read and enjoy!

As a librarian, when I saw this title, I had to read it. It was a good read. A little slow at the beginning, but it did get better. I'm curious to read more from this author in the future.

I've been seeking out books by Jennifer Ryan ever since reading The Kitchen Front. Once again, she writes historical fiction about WWII in England, this time following the story of three very different women who are brought together by their local library. During the London Blitz by the Nazis, many Londoners sheltered in the underground train stations. Therefore, the librarians "moved" the library to the underground tube to provide access to books and services during the war. I loved the premise of the story and then learned from the author's notes that the underground library of this story was a conglomeration of many train stations around London. The underground shelter/library becomes the heart of this community during this difficult time.

With the library backdrop, the novel also closely examines the role of women during the war, and how these three female characters truly come of age during this time - Juliet, the deputy librarian who recently moved to London, Katie, a young woman who will be starting university but whose parents are very concerned with "appearances" and Sofie, a Jewish young woman who escapes Germany to work as a domestic for a man in London. Each of these women suffer from their share of grief and challenges, and yet continue to try to flourish during this difficult time.

I highly recommend this novel to historical fiction readers, who enjoy learning even more little-known aspects of WWII London. Thanks to #RandomHouse # Ballantine for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review. I am always appreciative of early access to these wonderful novels.

2.5-I was drawn to this book because I find the Bethnal Green library to be a fascinating topic. While this book was about that, it was more in the background of the story as opposed to feeling like it was the story.
This follows the lives of 3 women- Juliet, Katie, and Sofie from a few months before the Blitz began to not quite the end of it. Juliet is new to London having just been hired as the new Deputy Librarian of Bethnal Green library, Katie is a Bethnal Green native and is the assistant librarian, Sofie is in London on a work visa as a Jewish refugee from Berlin. While all 3 women lead vastly different lives the library brings them together and is something over which they bond.
This is told from each of the women in alternating chapters and each story line follows the same formula including a problem, a love, and a tidy resolution. I liked how the story starts a few months before The Blitz so that we get to see the library as it was before the bombings started, but I didn’t like how Ms. Ryan included events from other tube shelters and other time periods. While I applaud her for attempting to incorporate other important events I think it dampens the story she originally set out to tell. The characters are likable but their storylines all fell flat. The fact that each storyline took place in a span of about year the events they went through were rushed and felt a little unbelievable because of that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for an advanced copy of this. The Underground Library hits the shelves on March 12th.

This story is about three women surviving during the war. It’s also about a library and books and how they bring a whole neighborhood together. The three main characters are strong women who are even stronger by the end of the book. It’s a good story.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

4.5
I really enjoy Jennifer Ryan's historical fiction novels! She writes about different aspects of the British home front during WWII that I feel like is unique to this genre. I really liked the characters and loved the underground library. I also appreciated the author's note at the end of the story. I highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and especially fans of WWII historical fiction.

WWII books are a dime a dozen, but Jennifer Ryan hits it out of the park every single time. This is the third book I've read by her, and while she stays with a certain formula of keeping the story centered around a group of women who support each other, each story is unique and immersive. This one has three main characters during the Blitz in London, each dealing with specific challenges and questioning their futures. The common denominator is the library they love and strive to preserve as more and more buildings are bombed. The story captures your attention right from the start and there is never a dull moment. Wonderful supporting characters buoy the plot as well. I sailed through this book in just over a day and highly recommend it.

I’ll start my review with a disclaimer that I’m absolutely fascinated by WWII stories. While it was a grim time, so many amazing stories of heroism, perseverance, and community come forth from those who unwillingly became a part of the war.

This book is a historical fiction tale of three women whose stories are intertwined by friendship forged through the Bethnal Green Library. The story begins with one woman, Sofie, who is Jewish and living in Berlin in 1939. She escapes to London on a domestic visa, and first goes to the library on an errand for her employer. Juliet has come to London to work as the Deputy in the library. Katie is working in the library temporarily until she goes to University.

Once the nightly bombings by the Germans start, the reliance on each other becomes crucial.

The author weaves in well-researched occurrences in London during the war. She shows that despite the aggression by the Nazis, life goes on and people can be forever changed — both good and bad. I felt emotional reading the heartwarming stories of these characters, I think because the dialogue between them is so moving.

Thank you to Net Galley/Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine and Jennifer Ryan for the advance copy. Expected publication on March 12, 2024.

Wonderful story!

This was a fantastic book, very well-written and fast-moving. I have always been a lover of libraries and the value they bring to a community, and this book absolutely personified that sentiment.

Juliet, Katie and Sofie, all young women from different backgrounds, but all central to the survival of the Bethnal Green Library, which, after a blitz attack, was moved to the nearest Underground station, becoming The Underground Library. The library became essential as the residents of the community took refuge, night after night. The library gave people something to keep them entertained and their minds off what was happening above ground for a precious few hours.

All 3 women are also going through issues of their own. Their devotion to the library and community created bonds with other women and men, who supported each other throughout their struggles. It was beautiful to read about the connections forming, and the families who were created, blood or not. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys women's fiction and historical fiction.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Thank you to netgalley and Ballantine books for allowing me to read The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan. Jennifer Ryan is a great author who writes great historical fiction books, I am lucky enough to read some of her books. My favorite quote from the book "Libraries aren't only about books; they're about people. They're about human life, how books can mend hearts, comfort wounds, and inspire us. "
Juliet is the librarian who has to move the library to a safe place hence the the title underground library.

For fans of historical fiction there is so much to love about this book! WWII themes, books and strong female characters. This book has it all. Wonderful characters, easy to read and well written.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
While I don’t read many World War II books anymore, I was drawn to the premise of The Underground Library and how it explores the way people banded together to protect their library and controversial books in the wake of Nazi book banning. Given the continuing relevance of book banning today, this book feels very timely.
Ryan did a lot of research into the era, and I really got a sense for the setting, especially how they navigate everything from rationing to life in the underground stations and you even feel the smoky atmosphere as a result of the bombing during the Blitz.
I really appreciated that the three women at the center of the book came from different walks of life, bringing different perspectives to this vital space, while also demonstrating how these different people can come together to form a community. Each woman’s voice feels distinct, and while I can’t say I really was drawn to their lives beyond the library, I enjoyed them overall.
The book has a slice-of-life feel overall, and while the atmosphere captures a subtle sense of fear and anxiety over the war-torn backdrop the characters live in, the story is otherwise on the slower, more mundane side at times. That’s not to say that it’s not engaging, but it impacted the pacing at times, with my immersion occasionally flagging.
However, I did mostly enjoy this, and would recommend it if you enjoy World War II historical fiction, and/or if you’re interested in a book about the importance of literature and the sense of community and connection.

I really enjoyed this book! Jennifer Ryan definitely did her research, as the book was based on actual events and places during the Second World War. The character development was excellent. I look forward to recommending this one to our patrons.

I enjoyed this book set in London during the Blitz. Each chapter rotates through the stories of the three main characters. I found all three women’s stories interesting and I found the connections between them believable. It was interesting to learn about what went on in the London Underground stations during WWII

This wasn't the best world war 2 story I've read but it wasn't the worst - Reading about their different personalities was so fun and I had a good time with it. Some parts did feel repetitive and unimaginative though
3.75 Stars

I was thrilled to receive a digital advanced copy of The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan from NetGalley.com. Both of my parents grew up in England during World War II. My mother was evacuated out to the country, but my father remained in London with his parents. He often told me how fearful he was of being on train station platforms due to the amount of people and beds in the underground stations during the Blitz. While I've tried to imagine the scenario, it never became clear to me until I read this book.

This book transports you back through the years to the Blitz and makes you feel like you are there with the characters experiencing the "Blitz spirit" of the community pulling together to the make the best of a horrid situation through the underground library. I loved it so much that I couldn't put it down and was quite upset when it ended. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author. Highly recommended!

I turn to Jennifer Ryan’s books when I need something comforting. The characters will definitely face hardships and there may be some tragic event, but over all I know things will work out. I also appreciate the research she puts in to write historical fiction that portrays life during WWII.
The Underground Library follows three main characters – Sofie, a Jewish German refugee on a domestic worker’s Visa, Katie, a recent graduate looking forward to attending university whose boyfriend is reported missing in action, and Juliet, the new deputy librarian at the Bethnal Green Library in London. The story jumps forward in time every few chapters, but the bulk of the story takes place from August to December 1940.
Each of the main characters learns more about the world outside of her own narrow experiences. The emotional growth is believable and I enjoyed how intertwined all their lives were. Taking women from disparate backgrounds and bringing them together to work for a better future is the hallmark of Ms. Ryan’s books. I agree that books and sharing ideas and information is important, but the tone did get a little preachy at times.
I appreciated the Author’s Note at the end explaining how she took events that may have happened at different times and places in London and centered them on this neighborhood for the story. She provides sources and additional reading information as well. She does an excellent job of describing the sites, smells, and chaos of London during the air raids.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.

The Underground Library is a lovely story surrounding three women at the beginning of WWII. The focus, however, is not on the war. Instead, it is a love letter to libraries, books, and friendship.

Juliet: new deputy librarian at Bethnal Green library
Sofie: a German Jewish immigrant, working as a maid
Katie: works at the library, is off to university in the fall

The three women are all brought together by the Bethnal Green Library in East London. When the library is destroyed during the Blitz, Juliet decides to move the library underground to the Bethnal Green train station, building a community among the many who shelter there during the nightly bombings. Surrounded by a cast of delightful side characters, each woman works to save the library while also dealing with their own personal struggles.

I read this book in a day. Highly recommended.