Jennifer Ryan writes wonderful historical fiction with strong women characters. I like that her books focus on average people and how the war affected their everyday lives. All have been based on true events - events that are not widely known about.

In this one, The Underground Library, it focuses on a neighborhood library and three of the women who were affiliated with it. When the library is bombed, library service doesn't stop. The library is moved into the subway where a whole village is set up. The underground is filled with people who are sheltering from the blitz. The story is based on the real Bethnal Green Library in London which did move underground when the library was bombed. And, as described in this novel, there was an entire community down there including doctors, a cafe, theatre, etc. I have read a lot of historical fiction about WWII and had never heard of this. I applaud Jennifer Ryan for bringing these "virtually unknown" stories to life. They are an important piece of history.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

What I liked about this book:

1. Historical fiction that taught me new things!
2. Multi character plot line which is not usually my favorite but done really well here!
3, It's a book about how books "save" us - so what's not to like!

What I wished were different - maybe a little romancing for some but it was a lovely distraction amidst the horrors of the book - so it didn't bother me.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the digital review copy via Net Galley.

Underground Library was published on March 12, 2024.

Loved this. I’ve really enjoyed everything by this author. She’s an autobuy author for me. I love how every one of her stories is completely different from the others but you can still feel she’s the author. A very strong voice - one I really enjoy.

Beautiful, powerful historical fiction about women during wartime, and how a community comes together to provide strength and friendship during the worst of times. Engaging, emotional, and absorbing -- a terrific read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a history from WWII that I didn’t know about.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Historical fiction involving strong female characters and a library? The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan was tailor-made for me. And I am so happy that it did not disappoint. Told from multiple points of view, the story is centered around a group of women who meet during the early days of the Blitz in London. Juliet is the smart, spunky deputy librarian at Bethnal Green Library; Katie is the university bound helper who is mourning the loss of her boyfriend in the war; Sofie who escaped Berlin and came to London as a Jewish refugee. And then all the other characters that congregate in the library. Eventually, as the bombing raids intensify, the group begin meeting in the underground every night.

Each woman has a different secret that threatens to change their lives, and with each passing night, the tragedies and obstacles they must face mount. Sofie must deal with a horrible employer and is desperate to find her sister left behind in Europe; Katie is faced with the scandal of having a child out of wedlock; and Juliet is falling for a handsome neighbor- all while waiting for news about her fiancée who is a possible deserter. They all must rely on each other to make it through, and trust that there can be community even in times of pain and loss.

The Underground Library spans the stately Bethnal Green Library, the tunnels and crevices of the underground, and the military/ police camps on the Isle of Wight. The common thread throughout the novel is the library and a collective love of books. The women all contribute to saving the library after it is bombed and to building an underground library and school for the benefit of all who must shelter underneath the streets of London.

Jennifer Ryan creates developed and intriguing characters that you want to see happy, and supporting characters who you are just as invested in. Even though I am not a huge fan of multiple points of view, it worked so well here. Each narrator added a distinct perspective to the story as a whole, and it would not have worked as well without that format. And while this is yet another book about WWII, the subject matter- the library and its place in the shelters during the Blitz- is fresh for me. I highly recommend this book. Random rating 4/5.

The Underground Library
The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three young women from vastly different backgrounds come together to work in the Bethnal Green Library in London during the early days of World War II. Juliet takes the job as deputy librarian, Katie is biding her time until she goes to the university in the fall, and Sophie, a Jewish immigrant from Germany, finds refuge among the pages of the books and the supportive group of library patrons.

However after the library is bombed and virtually destroyed, the three friends take the remaining books to the local subway station and set up an underground library for all the residents who take shelter there every night.

This is a charming book about friendships, community support, learning to take control of your life in spite of setbacks, and the new roles that women take on during the war. It is based on a true story during the London Blitz, and includes many historical facts and situations. It has so many things that I like: books, libraries, librarians!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with this advanced reader copy.

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

I have literally read dozens of World War II historical fiction books over the past decade of my life and in my opinion Jennifer Ryan's books are some of the best in this genre. I always come away from one of her books with so much knowledge of what life was like for those individuals who were left on the homefront during the war. Similar to other books she has written, Jennifer Ryan had multiple main characters whose lives intertwine together to tell a story of bravery, intelligence, resourcefulness, and friendship.

Juliet Lansdown is the new deputy librarian at Bethnal Green Library. Under her leadership, a comaraderie of book loving women is formed, strengthened, and then cemented when a slew of bombs destroys the library and forces it to be relocated to the Underground station where neighborhood residents shelther on a nightly basis. Each character in this book faces personal hardships as loved ones are lost and personal conflicts must be overcome. Despite their unknown futures, the Bethnal Green Library book club members have each other's backs. I loved that there was a little bit of romance sprinkled throughout the book too.

As a bibliophile, I've always been a sucker for wanting to read any book that has the word "library" in the title. I was intrigued by the thought of getting to read about a library that was based on a real life library that once existed. I found this book to be very interesting and would highly recommend it to other WWII historical fiction readers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

I love when a book has a group of strong female characters who support each other. Juliet may have been my favorite - she had such big ideas. But I also loved Sophie, a Jewish refugee who is so worried about her family back in Germany. And of course there is Katie, who lives with her family in a very restricted life. I'm sure it was horrific living in London in World War II, and I loved how this story showed the sense of community support that neighbors could get from each other, and from books.

Such a beautifully told story of 3 women connected through the tube, or underground library. a story of friends, books and love.

I enjoyed this novel about WWII and the importance of libraries, community, and the power of books. However, I wanted more. A lot happens and while the storyline was compelling, aspects of the story felt underdeveloped.

This was a wonderful WWII story about women who survived. The idea that books bring people together amid trials was beautifully presented!

I love Jennifer Ryan's books and this one was a new type for me. Lovely, captivating, and interesting for sure. I look forward to more!

This is my first book by Jennifer Ryan, but it won’t be the last I seek out! This author’s writing style is the type I love. I enjoyed the romance element mixed in with the historical fiction, based on true events but also fictionalized. I’ve read a lot of books based during WW2 and this one sets itself apart from the crowd.

Another excellent book of historical read. I couldn't put it down. Everyone should read this book about the struggle to provide a library even during war, especially with all the crazy book banning going on today.

This book is set in London during WWII. It is historical fiction (the Underground Library actually existed) with romance. The focus is on three young women in the 1930s with the challenges that existed in society during those times, such as pregnant and unmarried, a career woman in a man’s world, and a Jewish woman running from the Nazis in Germany. The Acknowledgements at the end of the book summed it up nicely:
“… through it all, with the help of the community, people stayed strong. This is a tale about one such community, how they supported and helped one another…”

The author does a good job tying up loose ends at the end of the book and illustrating life for women during that time. If you enjoy a light, easy read, this may be a book for you. I found the book entertaining but predictable, especially with the romance. The plot felt shallow at times to me, because it was predictable. Learning about the Isle of Man, the Underground Library in the underground station, other true-life occurrences and people was enjoyable. I gave the book an “okay” score of 3 but would have given it 3.5 if I’d been able.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, Ballantine Books, An Imprint of Random House, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm a sucker for just about any book with "library" or "librarian" in the title. I know... I'm so predictable! When I saw this one available as an advanced reader copy on NetGalley I was giddy. The cover is gorgeous, and the title immediately demanded my attention. In a genre that feels fairly saturated (WW2 historical fiction), I found this one to be a unique angle covering a subject I was unfamiliar with. I really liked each of the three main female characters and I thought Ryan did a beautiful job telling each of their stories with unique voices. I also enjoyed many of the supporting characters. The themes of friendship, family (including found/chosen family), choice, aspiration, service were nicely explored and illustrated. And of course, the library was simply lovely. A few hiccups for me - with alternating perspectives the timeline sometimes felt very confusing, Juliet's volunteer work was shown in detail for a few chapters and then virtually disappeared (maybe I missed something explaining why she wasn't doing it any longer?), and the ending felt a little too happily ever after. Overall a satisfying read that I really liked, and I found myself up reading late several nights in a row, unable to put the book down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy of this book.

“The Underground Library” by Jennifer Ryan is a heartfelt and inspiring novel set in wartime London, where three women—Juliet Lansdown, Katie Upwood, and Sofie Baumann—find solace and strength in a library amidst the chaos of World War II. Juliet’s determination to revive the Bethnal Green Library against societal odds, Katie’s journey through grief and secrets, and Sofie’s struggle as a Jewish refugee seeking hope and safety, create a poignant tapestry of resilience.

As their library becomes a refuge in an Underground station following a bombing, the story highlights the enduring power of literature and community. Ryan beautifully captures the spirit of these women who, despite personal and collective challenges, demonstrate the unyielding strength found in friendship and stories. “The Underground Library” is a moving tribute to the transformative power of books and the courage of those who preserve them in even the darkest times.

The Underground Library tells the story of 3 women - Juliet, Sofie, & Katie, who are each experiencing their own trials & hard personal life events during the London Blitz. They are connected together through their love of books, reading, & the Bethnal Green Library. I loved this one so much & absolutely love that it’s based off a true story. I love how the story was told & developed & how the characters developed. I definitely recommend this one!