I enjoy reading historical fiction because I always learn something new! The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin is on my shelf of favorites now, this time bringing to light the Boots' Booklovers Library. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such an interesting story about war time in England and the fact that a married woman,mother or widow can’t have a job.Emma a widow with a child finds herself desperately needing to find work to care for herself and Olivia. Emma just happens to be in the right place at the right time and begs the manager at Booklovers Library to take a chance on hiring her. Emma learns to depend on her community and her love of literature to find hope.
Thank you to NetGalley for copy of ARC on this historic book.

In a time when married and widowed women in England were forbidden to take a job outside the home, widow Emma Taylor is desperate to provide for her young daughter Olivia. She hides her identity to get a job at Boots Booklover's Library and this place would become her comfort and support with war looming when she's forced to send Olivia to the country for her safety.
This is a wonderful book about books and the people that love them. While these characters were struggling with the realities of a country at war, they came together as a community to support each other and, of course, use their love of books as an escape. The book was beautifully written, highly emotional and heartbreaking at times, but also filled with hope, community, and friendship. I highly recommend this book, but make sure you have the tissues handy!

As World War II is becoming a threat. Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job, but she is a mom and a widow. There are laws that prohibit widows with children from most jobs. Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance. (Yes Boot’s…the pharmacy they had a subscription lending library until the mid 1960s!) Emma has lost her parents, and husband so she’s isolated herself. She suddenly forms friendsships with people at the lending library and and her neighbors.

I abosulutly loved this book. If you had read Madeline Martin’s “The Last Bookshop in London”…there is a easter egg in this book for us! If you have not read Madeline Martin’s book…go …go pick one up!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for an advanced copy! #TheBookloversLibrary #NetGalley

This book was INCREDIBLE. I am a new mother of twin girls and her descriptions about her relationship with her daughter and her fears, heartache, and anxiety literally had me crying as they napped. I usually read more of a thriller/mystery type book, but this intrigued me and I’m so glad I read it. I was so engrossed by the depth of the characters, the interesting historical aspects, and the writers quality prose. This book somehow manages to be cozy, heartwrenching, and light all at once. The characters are quirky but still have depth, and are quite charming and endearing. There is a love story but it’s not the focus of the book (which I’m a huge fan of). Overall, just incredible emotion and storytelling. A truly impactful story.

This book was so touching! Set during WW2, single mother Emma must figure out how to work a job as well as decide that is best for her daughter. This time in England was so heartbreaking

There are quite a lot of books that center on this general theme... a young woman works in a library during WWII. The things that I liked about it were that it showed how difficult it was to be a widowed single parent in a time when women were kept from respectable jobs when they were either married or mothers. The setting is not London, which I appreciated, though there is a part of the book that takes place there. It also shows what it must have been like to have to send your children away (for their own safety) and to not know what their status was from day to day during a very tumultuous time.

While this isn't the best book I have read set in this time period, I am giving it an additional star for the reasons detailed above. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes historical fiction set during WWII.

I have been on a WWII "kick" reading stories set in the UK. As a book lover (obviously since being on NetGalley ;-) ). the title intrigued me. The story includes inequities for women, a love story, air raids and the like. Having literally returned from London where there was a Boots pharmacy, the setting transported me to that time with having current day settings out my front door. The Booklover's Library was a pleasant read. I did not realize that there were lending libraries during that time that curated to the various clientele. I would give the book a 5 star if it did not have a sappy ending, which was not necessary. Good read for those who love books set in this era.

Thank you NetGalley.

I love books about books! This story is a warm hug. Emma is a widow with a young daughter in wartime England. She was raised by her father, a bookseller, and her earliest memories were sharing a love of books with him. After a tragic fire that destroyed her family's bookstore as well as killed her father, Emma was adrift. She married and had a daughter but also suffered tragedy after her husband died. Adrift, Emma found herself working in a library where she bonded with others who had a love of books. They helped her navigate through difficult times, especially trying to keep her daughter safe, and she, in turn, helped them. This is a lovely story about friendship, perseverance, and hope. Easy to read, it is just the right antidote when you need a happy, heartwarming book. Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced copy.

The Booklover's Library takes you to London during WWII where a widowed mother is trying to support herself and her daughter. She finds a job with The Booklover's Library against the odds of married and widowed women not being allowed to work outside the home. The story of these women and the trials they faced during the war will pull at your heartstrings.

I absolutely loved this story of Emma and her daughter Olivia. I loved how this book centers on the thought that books can make even the darkest and hardest times better. This is an uplifting historical fiction that focuses on friendships and relationships. I loved learning more about the lending libraries that were around during that time period, especially learning that The Booklover's Library was real and how it was a bright spot on so many lives during the war. This is the perfect read for any book lover!

While The Booklover's Library didn't seem to flow quite as well as Madeline Martin's previous novels, I enjoyed the story very much. Martin's brand of WWII books about books is going strong!

This was my first time reading a Madeline Martin book, and I was very impressed by her writing. Historical fiction is not my normal genre, but every now and then, a book catches my eye. I truly enjoyed The Booklovers' Library. The characters were so likable; hence, I didn't want to put it down since by that time I actually had begun to care about what happened to them. And besides, it combined my love of stories on books with my interest in learning something while being entertained.

Thank you to HTP (Harlequin Trade Publishing), and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thank you, Harlequin, for providing me with an ARC of this captivating book.

Emma Taylor’s life has been marked by a series of heart-wrenching losses. After losing her mother at a young age, she found solace in the bookshop her father owned—until a devastating fire took his life as well. Later, when Emma thought she had found stability in marriage, a freak accident claimed her husband’s life. Once again, Emma is on her own, now with her daughter Olivia by her side. Set against the backdrop of pre-war and wartime England, this historical fiction novel weaves Emma’s journey with the magic of books, hinting at the healing power of literature.

Reading this book felt like brewing the perfect cup of tea: you need patience as the water heats and the tea leaves steep, but the result is a rich and satisfying experience. The story unfolds slowly, inviting you to savor each detail, and it eventually blooms into a deeply intriguing narrative. I was drawn to the meticulous historical details and the unique inspiration behind the story. I’ve never read anything quite like this before. There’s something truly special about books that center around the love of books, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The depiction of wartime England, with its bombings and air raids, adds a layer of tension and authenticity that kept me turning the pages.

The characters are wonderfully diverse and vividly portrayed, each adding depth and color to the story. I particularly enjoyed the author’s insights into her creative process and where she drew inspiration from for this novel.

If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced thriller, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you love stories that unfold slowly, with rich historical context and a deep appreciation for literature, I highly recommend this book.

I can’t wait to read more from Madeline in the future!

An enchanting historical fiction that will have you going through all the emotions. Set in wartime England the characters are well developed and the heroine instantly likeable.

If you're searching for a cozy yet profoundly moving historical fiction novel, look no further than The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin. Set against the backdrop of early World War II England, this novel effortlessly blends historical depth with heartwarming storytelling.

Emma, the novel’s resilient protagonist, has faced unimaginable loss in her life. Yet, her iron strength shines through as she navigates the turbulent times, supporting and loving her daughter, Olivia. Emma’s journey is one of both personal and emotional recovery. Martin masterfully crafts Emma's evolution over the years, portraying her growth with nuance and authenticity. As Emma finds solace and a sense of belonging at the Booklover's Library, it becomes clear that her journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about survival.

The novel beautifully captures the essence of hope and friendship amidst adversity. Emma’s interactions with her new friends, including the delightful side character Tubby, add layers of warmth and charm to the narrative. The library itself becomes a symbol of refuge and renewal, mirroring Emma’s own path to healing. As the story unfolds, the camaraderie and support Emma finds in this close-knit community become a beacon of light in the darkest of times.

The relationship between Emma and Olivia is particularly touching, showcasing a mother’s unwavering love and sacrifice. The novel doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of war but balances them with moments of joy and human connection. Emma’s eventual discovery of love and happiness, despite the hardships she has faced, offers a hopeful and satisfying conclusion.

Madeline Martin’s storytelling is both engaging and inspiring, making The Booklover's Library a must-read for fans of historical fiction. The book’s themes of resilience, friendship, and the transformative power of community will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Booklover's Library to friends and followers on Instagram. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the enduring strength of the human spirit, wrapped in the cozy embrace of a beautifully crafted historical setting.

Madeline Martin always does a great job with literary WWII novels. I enjoy the bookshop and library settings in her books. This one takes place in a lending library that requires a membership from its patrons. It was really interesting learning about these! I also thought the book did a great job of showing the emotions of mothers and fathers as they either sent their children to the English countryside or brought them home. There were so many unknowns and I can't imagine how difficult this was for families. I loved the characters, especially the neighbors that soon become friends. The book did seem a bit repetitive and slow at times, but there was enough action to keep me going.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Madeline Martin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Grab this historical romance on September 10th!

While based in England during WWII, this is not a war book. This is about love and home even during unimaginable times. Its a book about mothers and their unending love for their child.

I adored all the characters in this novel. I really loved the bond between Emma and Olivia, as well as the rest of the "family". I laughed and cried and felt all the emotions.

Lovers of historical fiction/historical romance/romance, grab this one. Easy 3.5 star read.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and the way it was written. The POV of a widowed single mother and her gut-wrenching choices about keeping her daughter with her or sending her away with the other children of Britain is so beautiful. Add in the challenges of being in a country entering WWII, rations, and the fact that married women and mothers (married, widowed, or unmarried) are not supposed to work and the challenges tackled in this book are numerous. Friendship, found family, and books abound. Delightful, emotional, and handled well.

Loved this book so much! It takes place in England during WWII. Emma’s father owned a bookshop but after he died the bookshop burned down. Emma really had no options as she had a daughter, was a widow and not allowed to work. Women who were married or widowed or had children were not allowed to work. But the manager at the library inside Boots the Chemist decided to take a chance on Emma and hired her. But Emma was set for heartbreak as all children were sent to the rural areas to keep them safe during the war. The characters were delightful!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm always a little hesitant about choosing books that center around wars, because they can be particularly depressing and sad. This book references issues about WWII from the perspective of a UK woman, without overshadowing the characters so beautifully developed throughout. Be sure to read the author's note after the Epilogue, for further information regarding elements the story.

I Ioved the story, the characters, the setting, and basically everything about the entire package!