Set during the London Blitz of WWII, the story tells how three young women, Katie, Julie, and Sofie, help save the library and even start a school in the underground tube stations of the city. When German bombs crashed through the roof of Bethnal Green Library, it was moved underground, providing books and a safe place for Londoners during air raids. Jennifer Ryan has provided another great novel about friendship, community, and survival based on facts from WWII. Thanks to the author, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Yes, this is another WWII book, but I learned new things (the Isle of Man, underground library, tube stations as shelters). It centers around the Bethnal Green Library during the London Blitz, with three women connected through this community hub.

Historical fiction set in London during WW II about three young women: a unwed mother to be, a librarian whose fiance disappeared when he deserted the army, and a German-Jewish refugee. Their three stories intertwine around the library, that, after the building was bombed, was moved down into the underground transportation tunnels where residents sheltered at night during air raids. Lovely story of friendship and community.

A poignant tale with a narrative rich with depth and emotion. The characters leap off the page with their relatable struggles and unwavering determination, while the setting of the beloved library serves as a poignant symbol of resilience amidst adversity. This compelling novel captivates from start to finish, offering a stirring portrayal of courage and community in the face of unimaginable challenges.

The story is set in London where three young women - Sofie, Katie, and Julie - share the stories of their lives as the war has begun. They meet at the Library, which opened in October of 1922, but it isn’t long before the German bombs destroy the roof. When they are forced to seek shelter underground, they decide to bring the library underground, as well. This novel is an ode to books, libraries, and librarians. It is also a story that shares the hardships of the times and the toll it took on everyone. It also shows the willingness to step outside of their comfort zones and help one another, while also covering some of the issues of the times, and what some people had to endure.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-arc.*

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I've read both "The Kitchen Front" and "The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle" by Jennifer Ryan, and I do think this is one of her stronger works. You could say it's because I love "books about books" AND WWII historical fiction, and you'd probably be right, but I also thought the plot and characters were a bit more compelling in this most recent work of hers. I was drawn in different ways to the stories of Juliet, Katie and Sofie, who all had struggles surrounding the themes of identity, family, loss and a woman finding her place in the world, but in ways that were manifested very differently. I appreciated that overall I felt like each plot thread was as strong as the other. Some minor critiques would be the VERY tidy ending to each of the plot lines, and a few moments where moments of dialogue that took me out of the story because either the historical context was explained a little to narratively or densely by one of the characters (a bit too much "tell" and not "show"), or there was a little bit of a heavy handedness to the "lessons" being taught or learned by the characters. But overall, a gripping read, and I definitely enjoyed it! 4 stars!

The Underground Library
Jennifer Ryan

Late last year, I swore off World War II novels because there have been so many. But I had read Jennifer Ryan’s previous novel, The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle and loved it, so I decided to make an exception. Ryan is a fine writer and meticulous researcher. Her characters are well-drawn and easy to picture. She writes with a hint of humor which means her books are never dull.

One of Ryan’s strongest gifts is her ability to make her characters come to life. The handful of primary characters in The Underground Library have a variety of issues and challenges they are dealing with in addition to the issues of war. I wondered if I wanted to know what would happen to the young unwed pregnant woman who was being bullied by her parents. But, yes, I did. I quickly learned to have confidence that Ryan’s characters were going to work together to make sure everyone not just survived, but thrived as best one can in a war.

Anyone reading this book should be aware that some of the scenes Ryan paints are quite realistic and graphic. They might be disturbing to some. This book will warm your heart but it will break it as well. Nevertheless it's well worth reading. At the end of the novel, Ryan offers a look at the real history on which the story is based.

What an absolutely wonderful book. So many novel about WWII are heartbreaking and sad, this one was the definition of hope. This book shows the power of the library and some nonconventional women. Every woman in this novel, Juliet, Katie, and Sofie were resilient. They faced hardships, loss of freedom, and loss of loved ones. They showed up and kept going even when the odds were against them. To take the library underground during the Blitz and give hope to an entire section of London was no small feat. And while this book is fiction it is based on actual events.

The secondary characters are just as important, Marigold, the Miss Ripleys, Mrs Ottley. All wonderful and so important to the story.

I can't recommend this book enough. It was a truly powerful book about the importance of books and community.


Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Like some of her previous novels, this latest from Jennifer Ryan gives us a glimpse into life on the homefront in England during World War II. It was interesting to learn more about the extent to which daily life took to the underground during the Blitz. I had never heard of the alien internment camps on the Isle of Man, either. The plot was predictable, but it is always nice to read stories about how women come together and uplift each other during times of hardship.

This story took me back in time, to World War II, and tells the story of three women, and all that is happening, in London, with the bombings going on. Jennifer Ryan, tells the story with the emotions, the fear, the courage, and all that was going on. It was a different time, a different era, and the strength and courage they had to find to make it through all that was happening.
Almost everyone has read about World War II, and I have, but it was facts, and history. As I was reading this book, I felt like before I was detached and didn't grasp what actually was going on. This story made me feel like I was there because of the emotions, the fear, the strength and the courage, and I could feel what they were going through. I got a different perspective of what went on during this time, because when you feel, what is actually happening, it changes you, and how the ones who were there, changed.
After reading this book, I think of the events that have happened in my lifetime, differently. As I write this, I keep thinking reading this book, has changed me, and that is a book I am glad I discovered. I received an ARC from Ballantine Books through NetGalley.

This novel is about three young woman, Sofie Baumann, Juliet Lansdown and Katie Upwood. All three faces challenges in the time era of World War II in London. The novel is based on true happenings in England, where their country is being bomb nightly. Many characters come into play in the story and all are truely amazing people. The characters help one another without thought to their own life issues at this time.

I wanted to read this book as World War II is of great interest to me. Plus, I love the books that Jennifer Ryan writes, her research is amazing and the stories her grandmother told her help with her writings. In her author notes, I learned much more of the why and when's all this happened to people of London. They lived in a challenging time, rations on their food. No one could stay in their homes at night for fear of being killed by bombs. Many friendships were made among these lovely people.

It was hard for me to put down, as you were wanting what was going to happen next to each character. This was a community of caring, kindness and love for one another.

The Underground Library follows three different young women who end up in London during The Blitz. Once I got all the characters straight in my head, I loved this book. A story of perseverance, community and friendship that had me hoping all would work out in the best way possible for each of the characters. I really enjoy reading historical fiction where I get some insight as to how life was during that time period, and in this case, what it was like to live through the war, and I also enjoy learning tidbits of information I probably wouldn't otherwise know. I have enjoyed all of Ms. Ryan's novels and this one did not disappoint!

Jennifer Ryan has written an interesting story about life in London during the Blitz. I enjoy historical fiction, especially when based on true events and this was no exception. I learned more than I knew before reading it. The characters each had their own struggles which added to the overall story. Thanks #NetGalley #BallentineBooks

1. **Compelling Characters**: The book introduces intriguing characters facing personal challenges within the backdrop of wartime London. Each character's journey seems compelling and offers a diverse range of perspectives, which could engage readers emotionally.

2. **Historical Context**: The setting of wartime London adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, offering readers a glimpse into the challenges and resilience of individuals during such a tumultuous period. Exploring themes of community, survival, and sacrifice within this context could provide readers with a rich and immersive reading experience.

3. **Tension and Conflict**: There are various conflicts, both internal and external, faced by the characters. From Juliet's struggle to assert herself in a male-dominated environment to Katie's personal tragedy and Sofie's quest for safety and family, there appears to be a wealth of tension and drama that drive the plot forward and keep readers engaged.

4. **Themes of Resilience and Hope**: The determination of the characters to overcome adversity and preserve the library, even in the face of tragedy, reflects themes of resilience and hope. These themes, coupled with the power of literature to uplift spirits during dark times, could resonate with readers and offer a message of optimism amidst hardship.

Overall, "The Underground Library" has the elements of a compelling historical fiction novel, blending personal drama with larger themes of community, survival, and the transformative power of storytelling. Readers will find themselves drawn to the characters' journeys and invested in the fate of the library as a symbol of hope and resilience.

This book is based upon true events, and I found it to be very well written. I have read many WWII stories but not one that was centered around the libraries. The descriptions of the lives and the times were interesting and well researched.
I came to care about all the main characters, Kate, Sophie and Juliet. Each one had their own trials and tribulations. I highly recommend. The story was one of the best in depicting the fear of the bombing raids in the city and how hiding in the underground was a way of life.
Random House Publishing and NetGalley provided this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review. This one comes in with 5 stars.

This book is about the Blitz in London and the lives of three different women who are trying to save the community library. Juliet Landsdown is the main character. She is hired to work at the Bethnal Green Library with Mr. Pruitt, a man who does not like change. Katie and Sofie are two other women who escape to the library looking for peace, friendships, and advice. A bomb destroys the library so Juliet decides to relocate the books underground where everyone goes to escape the bombings. A rich sense of community and friendship develops with the people seeking shelter. Adversity is faced several times but this community comtinues to pull together through the challenges. I enjoyed this book and appreciated the happiness that was noted during the dark times of war. I give this book a 4.5. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

"To me, books are like old friends, telling us great truths, holding our hands through the difficulties, showing us light and joy at the end of every tunnel."

This book was based on true events during WWII in London. The underground library is the center of the story. The Bethnal Green Library is bombed. Three women coming from different backgrounds who become friends help save the library by moving any surviving books to an underground train station.
Sisterhood, support, strong women, resilience under horrible conditions, Jewish refugees, PTSD all make this a story that will be hard to forget.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Ball anyone for the opportunity to read this book.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley.

Not my typical read but it was fantastic. So much energy and life in this story.

3.75 stars

Jennifer Ryan's books are glimpses into the personal and not the battlefield side of World War II, specifically in Britain. The characters are appealing, imperfect, and sometimes struggle. The setting is catastrophic - husbands and sons off at war, the Blitz, the Nazis.

This one features an actual library, the Bethnal Green library in London, that was bombed during the Blitz (it was saved and is still around) and the story of how the surrounding neighborhoods sheltered in the Underground during bombing raids. The author notes that she re-arranged some history but the historical part is mostly real. There was an actual library that was opened in the Underground to provide some respite to the worn-out and scared citizenry.

The characters face challenges: shell shock, Jewish family trying to escape Germany, loved ones killed in the war or missing, what we would now call PTSD. These are not Pollyanna books but there is a happy ending for most which feels just right. To me, this is the equivalent of a Frank Capra movie -- heartwarming, sometimes poignant, but rewarding. And there is an impassioned plea about the importance of libraries which still resonates.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 🌟

A unique WWII book!

As someone who loves historical fiction and has read soooo many, I get nervous to pick up another WWII book. What is left to tell? But The Underground Library was such a unique WWII story. Also, I love any historical fiction written about females going again the norm. I'm really happy I took a chance on this book!

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!