This is a great historical fiction story to get lost in for a day. The book follows Emma from childhood through raising her own daughter and their love of books. As a child, Emma’s father ran a bookstore. One day it caught on fire and Emma narrowly escaped. Her dad perished due to the fire. After his death, Emma quickly married and had a daughter named Olivia. Soon after the birth, her husband was killed in an auto accident. Emma lost her love of reading due to the fire and deaths. One day as the money ran out, Emma was at a café and noticed that a Booklovers Library had an opening. Technically a widow with a child could not have employment. The lady that ran the lending library overlooked this and hired Emma. Emma regains her love of reading by recommending books to the patrons. It also made her feel connected to her father. Multiple times for safety due to the bombings in England, Olivia was sent to board with others away from the activity. The story follows the war efforts of the people living in the tenant building and Emma’s work at the lending library. Emma falls in love again and marries. I really enjoyed this story that meshed the love of reading and the love of family. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy.

Thank you Hanover Square Press, HTP, and The Hive for my #gifted copy of The Booklover’s Library! #hanoversquarepress #HTPHive #htpbooks #HiveInfluencer #TheBookloversLibrary #MadelineMartin

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

𝟓★

Madeline Martin writes the BEST historical fiction novels and I love the amount of research and heart she puts into each one of her novels. The Booklover's Library was such a beautiful book, perfect for anyone who loves books and how they can bring people together.

I really enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship in this book and how Emma had to rely on others in such a difficult time, in order to make the best decision for her daughter. I also loved the central theme of friendship and leaning on others during difficult times. This was so central to the book and I loved how it was such an important part of the book.

The whole idea of the lending library was so interesting to me and I loved how much research Martin did to incorporate them into this story. I also really appreciate how she included information on the marriage bar between Emma and Margaret, because that was not something I was really aware of until I read this book.

Overall, this book was just beautifully written and I love how it all wrapped up so beautifully at the end. Madeline Martin is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and I can always count on her to teach me something I didn’t know, and I really appreciate that about her and her research!

"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚠𝚗𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗’𝚝 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛. 𝙸’𝚖 𝚜𝚘 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍."
"𝙾𝚑 𝚢𝚎𝚜." 𝙼𝚛𝚜. 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚜𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚎𝚍, 𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝚖𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎. “𝙷𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗’𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚢𝚎𝚝.”

Posted on Goodreads on August 23, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around August 27, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on August 27, 2024
**-will post on designated date

This is a book that felt familiar, yet had a few unique aspects to it. The story is told from the mother’s viewpoint and that’s not something you see as often. It is set during WWII, in England. The story follows Emma, a widow who has experienced a lot of loss in her life, and then has to send her young daughter Olivia away to the country, multiple times, for her own protection. This had to have been heart-wrenching.

Highlights |
•Books are a solace
•Lending libraries
•Mother’s love
•Marriage Bar

One of the most interesting things I learned from this book was that women weren’t allowed to work if they were married or widowed. The marriage bar was a practice in the United Kingdom that prevented married women from working in many industries from the Victorian era to the 1970s. I also enjoyed learning more about lending libraries that offered paid subscriptions. And they still exist!

The book includes some tense moments, a love story, and lovely literary references that are so appealing to book lovers.
I enjoyed being a part of the author chat, and learning even more interesting things about the writing process.

3.75/5 stars

My thanks to Cindy Burnett, Thoughts From a Page, and Hanover Square Press, for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WWII changed so many aspects of society, including women working. At a time when a married woman or a widow with children couldn't work, Emma Taylor, a widow with a daughter Olivia, must work to provide. The tragedies in Emma's life have shaped her into a strong, determined mother. Applying to work at the Booklover's Library in Nottingham England, she confesses to the manageress that she has a daughter and is given a chance to prove herself. Then, the war comes knocking on England's doorsteps. As many parents did, Emma sends Olivia away to the countryside for safety.

Strong characters, tragedies, resolutions. So much action and emotion packed into this wonderful historical fiction.

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin releases Sept. 10th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"The Booklover's Library" by Madeline Martin tells the story of a young widow, Emma, and her daughter, Olivia, living in Nottingham, England during WWII. Ms. Martin refreshingly writes about this well-documented time period by focusing on a few individuals, how they lived and worked and survived the trauma of war. Readers are introduced to subscription libraries located in Boots, a pharmacy, where patrons paid to borrow books (find out about red spine books and subscription levels) and where Emma is able to secure a job despite the prohibitions against a married woman working outside of the home. As a mother, I sympathized with Emma's struggles to provide for her child while also agonizing over the impossible decision whether or not to evacuate Olivia to the countryside for her safety. The books in the subscription library provide comfort and an escape for Emma, her colleagues and the patrons trying to survive the war. Emma and other women also volunteer with the WVS where they supported and aided their fellow countrymen. I strongly recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction and strong female characters. Thanks to Cindy Burnett with Thoughts from a Page and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.

A mother and daughter during WWII in Nottingham, England. Emma needs a job and widows and mothers with children are not allowed to have one. She persuades the manager of the Booklovers Library to give her a chance. When the Blitz hits Nottingham does she evacuate her daughter to the country or keep her home. Wonderful story of books and family, I loved it!

Ohhh, this book is gorgeous!

I had high expectations after reading (and loving) The Last Bookshop in London many moons ago, and this read did not disappoint. Martin continues to write near-flawlessly, as well as educate me on aspects of WWII I knew little to nothing about. (It still amazes me, how much more there is to write on the topic; I've read enough of Sarah Sundin, too, to marvel at that. But it's true.)

I was reminded while reviewing this that I have a few more of Martin's WWII books on my shelf; methinks I'll have to move them up on my TBR list!

Fans of _Last Bookshop_ will certainly enjoy this read as well. It's fantastic, and I'm truly sad to see it end. When is her next book coming out? ;)

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A heartwarming tale of a woman navigating England as an orphan, widow, and mother during the years of WWII. I appreciate all of Madeline Martin’s research to make a work of fiction as remarkably historically accurate as possible. It was a great story from start to finish in which I fell in love with all the characters. Emma was a strong main character with many hardships. Being a widowed mother during that time period was exceedingly difficult as the widowed women with children were treated the same as married women and were expected not to work. I am glad that Emma was able to become a trailblazer by being a widow that the manageress of the Booklover’s Library took a chance on.

The fact that the story shows how community helps heal and provide support during difficult times was refreshing! Emma’s friends helped her through the tough decisions regarding her daughter filled me with appreciation. Near the end of the book, so much had happened and I was actually cheering for their happy ending even though I knew there could be a possibility of there not being one. Many families during WWII did not have a happy ending. It was good that the author also showed this possibility.

I highly recommend reading this if you enjoy historical fiction, especially stories from the WWII genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are mine alone.

I'm very saddened to say I was unable to get into this book. I loved the idea and was hoping to get sucked right into this story, but I didn't. I wish both the author and publisher much success upon it's release.

Madeline Martin has written a few book related novels set during WWII and I have enjoyed each one, but this one…this one takes the cake. I cried, I laughed, I gasped…it touched so many emotions.

Emma, a widow with a young daughter living in Nottingham, England, gets a job at Boot’s lending library. The manageress took a gamble on hiring her, as married women and widows were not allowed to hold certain jobs in this time period. When Hitler’s army begins bombing the cities, Emma sends her daughter away to the country where she hopes it will be safer, per the British government.

This story is truly wonderful and if you love books about books, or WWII historical fiction, I highly recommend it. It’s a tale of community, love and friendship, and how literature can change your life.

Thank you to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for an advanced copy of The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin. It will be out on September 10, 2024.

Emma Taylor was a widow, trying to provide for her daughter during WWII England, and finds a job at The Booklover’s Library. This story is a love letter to books, and the power of reading as Emma navigates being a single mother during a war.

I enjoyed this book and the many references to different books. The characters were well developed, and I truly empathized with the struggles that Emma faced throughout the book. The historical information about the war, and that time period were interesting and the story kept me engaged throughout. Overall, it was an enjoyable read!

#booklover #historicalfiction #historicalfictionbooks #bookworm #booknerd #netgalley #thebookloverslibrary

Thanks to Netgalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for the E-ARC! Absolutely loved!! Beautiful writing style & loved the setting. New favorite author.

Booklovers rejoice, we have received a love note to readers. So, yes this book will mention Anne of Green Gables and Jane Austin!. Set in London in WW II, the author illustrates how books can help a reader cope, grow and reach out to others. The story is heartwarming and yet manages to include a few very tense moments involving a child. Be prepared to read just one more chapter.

Thank you to Netgalley, Cindy Burnett from Thoughts from a Page and Hanover Square Press.

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin is a story about a young, widowed mother trying to support her daughter and stay alive during World War 2 in England. It is an interesting, easy to read story about how the war impacted everyday life in tiny communities throughout England. This is an enjoyable read, especially if you are interested in the details of small town life during this time.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

A captivating historical novel about a mother regaining her independence though books and friends as WWII ravages England, threatening the ones she loves most.

I adored Emma and her quest to find joy again through books which had been her whole world until tragedy struck her as a young woman. I love the way Martin explores what it means to be a devoted mother, especially during a war where the wrong choice meant death. I can’t imagine being in Emma’s shoes as she made a decision on where her daughter would be safest during the war. Plus the worry over having to live with the judgment of others was another added stress.

I loved learning more about life in an English town outside of London during the Blitz. Martin does a fantastic job at making the reader feel the rumble of the bombs and the smell of the smoke as the Battle of Britain comes to Nottingham. My heart was racing several times as Emma and the other characters ran for their lives. I also loved all of the historical details about the lending libraries and now want to visit one myself on my next trip! Plus the romance in the story was pitch-perfect and refreshing.

Exploring motherhood during wartime is one of my favorite subjects in historical fiction, and this book will be added to my list of top reads! I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down! Thanks to Cindy at Thoughts from a Page for the opportunity to meet with the author and to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Publishing for an early copy of The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin

Author Madeline Martin has once again placed readers in the terrifying theater of World War II England as everyday people struggle with food shortages, bombings by Nazi aircraft and the agonizing dilemma of whether to send one's children away from London and to strangers in the countryside.

One such parent is widow Emma Taylor. Raised by her father who perishes in their bookshop fire, Emma must hide the fact that she has been married and has a child as the attitudes in England of the time demand that married women and mothers do not work. She gains employment at the Booklover's Library, a private lending library in London as she struggles with how to keep her young daughter Olivia safe.

The novel digs deep into the heartbreak of separated families who worry constantly about their children's welfare and the effect that the war has on the young. While Emma has moments of joy among newfound friends and members of the lending library, Olivia is never far from her thoughts.

Strong character development, the importance of relationships in trying times and newfound love will keep readers engaged in author Martin's latest writing and at the conclusion will be looking forward to more.

Emma is a widowed mother living in Nottingham, England when war begins. She is struggling to support her daughter since it is illegal for her to work due to the Marriage Ban. When an opportunity arises at Boots’ Lending Library, she introduces herself as “Miss” Taylor and lands a job. When the government decides that the children should be evacuated from the large cities for their safety, Emma has to decide whether she can let her daughter go. She is the only family she has left. What follows is a testament to a mother’s love and the impossible choices one makes to keep a child safe.

This is purely a Homefront novel. It will appeal to readers who prefer their WWII fiction on the lighter side, including a bit of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A pull-at-your-heartstrings story of a widow balancing motherhood, both a need and a desire for employment, and the consequences of a country at war.

Emma, a bibliophile with a gift for reader’s advisory, both desperately needs employment to support herself and her daughter, but also desires to carve something out for herself in an era that often doesn’t allow widows and married women to work. Emma must hide her identity to secure a position at an esteemed lending library, and meets other women like herself struggling with policies of the marriage bar. I especially sympathized with Emma’s coworker and friend, struggling with the decision to marry her fiancé before he left for war, but prolonging their engagement meant that she would remain employed- a necessity should her fiancé not return. The story sets itself apart from other WW2-era fiction by focusing on the impact of the marriage bar during wartime, and I consider any historical fiction that prompts me to do my own research and learn something new, a big win.

The book also centers around the gut-wrenching choice that parents had to make regarding the evacuation of their children during wartime. It depicts the complexity of this decision well, because it wasn’t always as black-and-white as history can make it out to be. Sending your children out of a major city could protect them from air raids, but it could also put them at risk for abuse or mistreatment, as you had limited to no control of their placement. As a mother myself, the passages of Emma grappling with this impossible choice were heartbreaking.

I enjoyed Emma’s strength and determination to take care of her daughter and herself. There are some well-developed friendships that added to the depth of Emma’s character, but I did not think that the romantic subplot was needed. It felt forced, and in a way, it detracted from the women’s battles against the marriage bar that solely identified them by their marital status. This would have a been a stronger story for me if it had fully leaned into Emma making her own way for herself and her daughter, but it was still an impactful read that book lovers, historical fiction fans, and women’s fiction readers will enjoy.

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin is not your average WWII novel. She brings in new pieces of history. Without any spoilers, there are so many nuggets and nuances of history that many WWII novels miss.

Books save and heal; any book lover needs to read this novel. Strong communities were also portrayed. Emma, the main character, ended up surrounding herself around other fellow book lovers and it got her through the war.

Emma had so much grief to endure, and had life altering decisions no woman or mother wants to face.

The author highlighted the marriage bar which was a new historical detail I was not familiar with. No matter where Emma was at in her life, she and other women were at a disadvantage to obtain employment or maintain their employment.

The characters and the novel have so much depth; you felt you really knew the characters and the setting. (Be sure to read the author’s note as the author adds her own personal touches which made the novel so immersive).

This novel teaches us that books are everything. It’s a way to learn, laugh, cry, heal, conversate, and escape amidst the difficulties of the world, which still rings true to present day.

Read this if you love:
-all things books/libraries/bookstores
-want to read about loving characters who feel like friends
-loved the Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to Cindy Burnett with the Thoughts From a Page podcast / Page Turners Patreon group for arranging ARC copies. Thank you to the publisher Hanover Square Press; the author; and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.

The main characters, Emma Taylor and her daughter Olivia, immediately pulled me in. The events tug at your heartstrings as the author portrays the hardship of having to choose between endangering her daughter and sending her away to live with strangers.

I like the author's insights into this historical period, especially since it was based on genuine incidents from when children were evacuated in WWII. This account is unlike anything I've ever read on the subject. This is a must-read for those who appreciate WWII stories and love books. It was exciting to learn that the Book Lover's Library was real! This is a fascinating and heartbreaking read that would be ideal for your next book club pick. This is the first book I’ve read by Madeline Martin; it won’t be the last.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN: Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog: https://psalm516.blogspot.com/