Learned a lot of history in this book about people’s lives in the bomb shelters of WWII. Some parts were predictable and maybe a bit too tied up in a bow but the history alone helped me keep going.

Jennifer Ryan has such a beautiful way with words. Based on history, 3 young women fight to save the community library during The Blitz. The library must be moved underground, and the 3 women responsible for doing this must real with their own personal lives and problems. A story of love.

Lots of good information on London residents and on immigrants fleeing Germany during the horrific nighttime bombings of London that continued for years. The author also brings in societal issues of the time like women filling traditional male roles (I.e. head librarian) and treatment of unmarried mothers. I was unaware of how the Isle of Man was utilized as both safe haven for immigrants and prison for war prisoners. I gave it only 3 stars as it was a mixture of good historical fiction and romance fiction that seemed to dilute the power of the story. Everything was tied up so conveniently at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC to read and review.

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir is a favorite and other books by Jennifer Ryan also are high on my list. This one, not so much.

The setting: The Blitz and a London neighborhood, Bethnal Green. Women are at the heart of this story. Juliet Lansdown, the new deputy librarian for the imperiled Bethnal Green Library. Katie Upwood, who is heading off to university in the fall. Sofie Baumann, a young Jewish refugee who fled Berlin for the "safety" of domestic service in London. And a cast of others including Mrs. Ottley, whose children are sent to the countryside for safety; she rents out rooms in her house [Juliet]. The elderly and lovely Ridley sisters. Meg, somewhat of a street urchin. Marigold, a former singer. and quite the character. Parents not necessarily portrayed in a positive light

When bombs destroy the Bethnal Green Library, Juliet is determined to set up a library in the underground--to the dismay of her boss, Mr. Pruitt, a slog who believes women inferior.

The women are all lovely, The men--not so much--particularly Sofie's employer, Mr. Wainwright, and Mr. Pruitt.
But--enter Sebastian, who Juliet knows though his reputation as somewhat of a rake; she finds him offputting--at first. Mac, another Jewish refugee [though from Poland], befriends Sofie and seeks to help her locate her sister, Rachel, who also fled--whereabouts unknown.

And so it begins. The book was a fast-paced, easy read, Much sadness [due to the circumstances], but also light and love due to the camraderie of the women,

Some of the descriptions I quite liked:
"... slim, unsmiling, and gray, from his three-piece suit to his receding hairline and small, penetrating eyes. Even his silver-rimmed spectacles failed to add any color to the man,,, a dismal orderliness about him"

others not:
"the scent of him, warm and masculine"
"how her heart melted"
"her blood flowing thicker and faster through her veins" {I tend to get derailed by the "mush."]

Sometimes fluff, with lot of interesting tidbits/history, indications of the social divide, and of course the threat of Nazism.

The biggest detraction for me was I saw several of the trajectories miles away and there was way too much of the neat and tidy [although you won't get the spoilers from me]. So I went from 4 to 3.5 and ultimately, 3

Still, a fast, good read/diversion,

The underground library is a unique book based on a true story. It has 3 POVs and all stories are fascinating. I'm not sure I liked one more than the others. All 3 girls had important stories to tell.
Jennifer Ryan did an amazing job telling this story. It was easy to read but yet I didn't want to put it down. Great ending too.

For a romantic novel this book has been well researched. It is based during the blitz of WW2 in the East End of London. The story is told from the perspective of three main characters, a young ambitious woman who has just left home, a Jewish refugee who has escaped from Germany and an expectant teenage mother whose fiancée has gone to war. It is a well written story and you feel connected to these characters. Although many books have been set during this time period I would recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this advanced reader's copy.

In a time where their world was in upheaval three women have to not only break thru societal norms but survive during WWII. The story focuses on three women, Katie, Sophia, and Juliet, each facing different hardships and challenges but brought together but their love of books. Juliet leaves her parents home to take a job in a library. Upon arrival she realizes that she has the opportunity to bring books to the community, despite the head librarians disapproval. When the library is bombed Juliet and her friends bring it underground, uniting the community and giving them a way to escape their realities. Katie is a young girl who finds herself pregnant by her finance who is thought to be killed in action. And Sophie is a Jewish immigrant who is trying desperately to find her family as well as survive as a maid for an abusive man. All three women have to rise above what society tells them they should do and find inner strength to succeed.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this amazing account of a piece of history I wasn’t aware of. Being an avid reader myself I love the idea of an underground library that helped to hold the community together and bring hope.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan is a story from the perspective of three women who are impacted as bombs rain down on London during the WWII Blitz. Juliet, who must demonstrate that a woman is capable of running a library instead of a man doing it. Katie, one of the library workers and is hiding a secret of her own and Sofie, a young Jewish refugee, and the library is a place of escape and safety for her. When Nazi bombs destroy the library, it forces the three women and others involved to salvage what they can and move books to the local Bethnal Green underground station that is turned into a safe haven. As the city’s residents take shelter and the women face personal challenges, books keep up their spirits.

Jennifer Ryan writes compelling stories of women on the home front during WWII. And this book is amazing. I really enjoyed it. I appreciated the Author's Note describing how she did her research for this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

United States Publication: March 12, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

It is the very early days of what will turn out to be a very long war. England has evacuated their children to the countryside so a generation won't perish in any German blitzes happening in the cities, men have gone to war, and women are filling the gaps left by the men. Three women find themselves crossing paths in Bethnal Green at the library where one of them, Juliet Lansdown, has just arrived as the deputy librarian. Serving as a safe community center for the residents in the uncertain days of the war, Juliet comes to know Katie Upwood and Sofie Baumann, a young Jewish refugee, among many others. But this story centers on Katie, Sofie, and Juliet. When the residents start taking to the Underground tube stations for safety during bombings, a whole new world is formed for the residents. And when Bethnal Green Library is bombed and brought to rubble, Juliet and the community move the salvaged books Underground and rebuild the library there. Told through the voices of Sofie, Juliet, and Katie we are treated to a snapshot of what life in the early days of World War II might have been like for the residents of London and a glimpse of humanity when they come together for good.

It looks like Jennifer Ryan loves writing in the World War II era. This is the first title of hers I have read, but in reading summaries of her other titles, she seems to be authoring a whole shelf of fiction about World War II. She took a real event, World War II, and another event that happened, an Underground Library being built, and created a story featuring some young women who come from very different backgrounds trying to find their way, and survive, the war. It was an enjoyable read, the only "complaint" I have is that I felt like each of the three women's stories wrapped up a bit too neatly. But after all, it is fiction and in fiction, we love a happily-ever-after, even in wartime.

While written for a variety of readers (historical fiction, women's fiction, readers of WWII, etc ), this book truly hits home with librarians. The special reminder that books and libraries are safe spaces, that they can bring people together and break through barriers of prejudice. For those that think libraries are or should be quiet, dusty institutions for research and reading, this is also for you.

Highly recommend! It is an amazing story of how books can bring so much peace and encouragement during a time of war.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was uplifting and enlightening although set in a scary period of time. My historical knowledge and intrigue was expanded.

The Underground Library is historical fiction loosely based on a true story. I've not yet read a WW2 book with this type of storyline and that intrigued me. The story follows three women alternating between their POVs: Juliet, Katie, and Sofie. Juliet works at the library and is determined to breathe life back into it. Katie is thrilled to be working at the library and Sofie escapes to the library every chance she gets. While the three women's lives are connected by the library, they each have their own struggles they are facing. My favorite story was Sofie's. This is a recommended read for those who like historical fiction.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think my lower rating on this really is because this just felt like a...well a repeat for a book I've read recently. For whatever reason, there seems to be an influx of books that take place in Bethnal Green during the bombing blitz during WW2. Even down to the Underground Library that was set up. So because I've recently read a book (or two) with this as the topic, it just didn't feel...new.

There were also a lot of characters to keep track of! You had three women's stories that became intertwined...yet the real heroes of the book were Dorothy and Irene--side characters!

There really was a lot of keep track of in this book as you followed the lives of the three women. They all did have their full circle moments which was good plot wise. I really was glad for the restoration of Katie and her Mum. That was very satisfying.

For those who'd like to know, there is out of marriage sex by a couple of the characters. It's discussed, but it never happens in the book for you to read. Mild swearing.

Overall--it really was just okay. 3 stars.

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGAlley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

I was torn between 3 and 4 stars with this one. I enjoyed reading it, and the characters were interesting and the premise of the book club as bringing people together in difficult times was well-done. It was a little too saccharine in places for my taste, but had some wonderful scenes that will stick with me. I enjoyed this one better than some of her books but not as much as the Kitchen Front, which will always be my favorite by her I think.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is a love letter to “Blitz Spirit” the nickname for the indomitable spirit of those going through the horrors of WWII in London.

Specifically around the Bethnal Green Library and the underground where people took refuge from the air raids above, three women come together to save the library and each other.

Sophie, Katie and Julie share their struggles and triumphs in this homage to libraries, books and found families.

Jennifer Ryan is excellent at writing characters that are easy to cheer for. People brought together by circumstances that form a family like friendship.

The author has an affection for telling stories during this time and is a master at bringing the trials of war alive. Food rationing, nightly air raids and the overall worry of loved ones that are away at the front. She also brings in new ( to me) details like a British Internment Camp used to house foreigners. Any book that has me running to Google to investigate further is an immediate yes for me.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical fiction

What a sweet, heartfelt book 🥺

Set during World War II, three young women are united by their love of books and the community library that allows them to form tender friendships and a feeling of belonging. After the library’s closure is threatened by the war, they must band together to save the place that first brought them close.

While I’m not typically a big historical fiction gal, I found myself really enjoying the time I spent reading this book. Jennifer Ryan’s characters have so much heart and spirit. I loved the theme of growth and also really appreciated the meaningful friendships cultivated on the home front.

Overall, I really had a fun time reading this book, and I hope you pick it up upon its release on March 12, 2024!

Thank you NetGalley and for allowing me to read a copy of this book in advance of its release!

This is a lovely, gentle novel that nevertheless touches on some heart-wrenching themes: the Holocaust and the London Blitz amongst them. The story centers around several female characters whose lives become intertwined as they work together to lighten the spirits of London dwellers by reestablishing the bombed-out Bethnal Green Library in an underground station during the city's darkest days. I enjoyed how the story alternates between Sofie, Juliet, and Katie, giving the backstory of each, how they've all ended up in London during the Blitz, and how their friendships develop from that point on. Though parts of the story are sad, the treatment is never too graphic or distressing, and the note of hope persevering through the darkest times predominates. The story explores how the oppression of women at the time was somewhat lightened during the war, giving them opportunities in the workplace and in society which were unprecedented before the bulk of the male population was removed from ordinary working life to fight the war. I became invested in the story of each of these women from the first page, and the secondary characters were excellent, from the judgmental snobs and the weak and spiteful male antagonists to the elderly women--brave, supportive and true heroines of the Blitz. I highly recommend this novel to lovers of historical fiction.

I have loved Jennifer Ryan's books from the beginning and this one is no exception. Juliet, Katie, and Sofie are all vastly different yet are drawn together from the Bethnal Green Library, which Juliet is the assistant deputy of. WWII has been going on for a while in Britain and the Blitz has begun. Sofie is a Jewish German refugee and Katie is looking at the opportunity to go to university with so many men off fighting. Their journeys take some different turns but in the end it is their love of books and community that see them through. Truly a wonderful, comforting read.

The book focuses on three women durung the Blitz - Juliet Lansdown, a new deputy librarian, Katie Upwood,
a library worker waiting to head off to university and Sofie Baumann, a young Jewish refugee.
The uniting factor is the community that is brought together by the use of a tube station being used as
a bomb shelter by thiose living close by. The library that is started underground provides comfort to all who
seek shelter. The stories of the three women and other community members reflect the challenges
they faced during the war.
#TheUndergroundLibrary #NetGalley