Emma, the heroine of The Booklover's Library was left alone after her father's bookstore burned down. She quickly married and had a child, only to be widowed shortly thereafter. A single mother, Emma needs a job to take care of herself and her daughter Olivia. She gets a job at Boots in their book department. She describes what most readers would deem as Book Lovers heaven : "the library transported its subscribers to a place of cozy comfort with large stained glass windows that overlooked the street below, plush rugs underfoot, and the lingering perfume of freshly cut flowers from the small bouquets in elegant glass vases through the open space. Then of course there were the books meet shelves perfectly arranged pristine from Emma's vantage point..."

But as much as the novel is about the love of books, it is more about the love of a mother and a daughter. Emma's daughter Olivia has been billeted to the English countryside twice. First the woman who took her in became unable to care for her, and then she stayed with an unkind couple. Emma faces the loss of her daughter bravely, while knowing that the brunt of the war can hit them any second. The Booklover's Library tells the story of what it was like for women to lose their children due to billiting, and for children to be away from their homes, which is not often discussed in World War II novels. Emma's bravery and love of her child is a story that resonates even today.

Title: The Booklover’s Library
By: Madeline Martin
Pub. Date: September 10, 2024
Genre: Fiction, Historical, WWII, Books about Books

Trigger Warnings: World War II, Death, Dying, Child running away, Trauma, Loss of parents

Favorite Quote: “Everyone has their reasons for what they do.”

Summary:
Emma and her father love working together in their bookshop, until a tragic accident happens leaving Emma traumatized and alone. Fast forward and nine years later, Emma finds herself alone once again, only this time she’s a widow with a child on the brink of wartime. With her funds dwindling, Emma needs a job, however, widows aren’t allowed to work. By happenstance, Emma hears about a job available at ‘The Booklover’s Library” where she soon becomes employed all while keeping a deep secret from her boss and colleagues. A secret that will jeopardize her employment, and everyone she loves, including her daughter.
Review:
Madeline Martin has a way to share pieces of obscure parts of history. Everytime I read one of her books, I become more knowledgeable! The Booklover’s library book is not different.I love reading World War II fiction and this book is very different. The plotline isn’t really about the war, but rather the effects the war had on women, specifically regarding employment and marriage status. The story is based on true places and events that have been well researched. I loved learning about the lending library during this part of history. I highly recommend reading the author notes on this book specifically. Martin added personal touches of her own life in this novel, which is felt by the reader through the emotional connection of love, loss, and sacrifice between Emma and her daughter Olivia. I highly recommend this read! You will come away with a greater wealth of knowledge and empathy for women's roles during WWII.

Thank you Madeline Martin, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#TheBookloversLibrary
#MadelineMartin
#HarlequinTradePublishing
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

A wonderful story about how books and reading helped people through the dark days of WWII. I enjoyed Emma's story, I can't imagine how hard it would be to send your child to "safety" in the country! It's always a good sign when a book leads me to do my own research and I enjoyed learning more about the Boot's Booklover's Library.

I had a hard time rating this book as I just didn’t connect to it incredibly well. I realize I ended up with too many WWII books all at once, and this one seemed to fall short of others I have read. I always hate to read about the children that were separated from their parents during the war, as they were sent to the country for their safety, as it makes me think about what an impossible decision this was for them and how I would have handled it in the same situation. This was the meat of the book - Olivia’s separation from Emma. I felt that the library portions were just sprinkled in. I wanted more of this story - more of the characters who came in and how they were handling the war.

This book was so darling! It had such a cozy and warm vibe and I wanted to be transported right into the story!

Martin is so talented when it comes to creating beautiful imagery through her writing. The whole times I really felt like I was in the book and who doesn't adore that feeling? The characters were so fun, I just wish we had gotten to know them a little bit more. Their relationship was really fleshed out from the beginning, but I just wish we had gotten to know more about each one on their own.

I loved the magical element that this book brought and how seamlessly it fit into the story.

This felt like the perfect cross between Gilmore Girls and The Nightingale!

Oh, another Madeline Martin hit for me! The Last Bookshop in London was a breath of fresh air after reading so many dark books, and this newest book gives me all the same vibes (Keeper of the Hidden Books was very hard for me to read.) I loved Emma because of her love for her daughter AND books. She was relatable, and I just wanted to hug her throughout the book. All of the characters realistically face hard times, but they also get a happily ever after, which I need in my WW2 books. The book names dropped throughout gave my heart a little happy dance, especially ones mentioned for Olivia like Anne of Green Gables. A quick mention that the romances are chaste, and I appreciate the clean language. A great book to enjoy and recommend!

Title:  The Booklover's Library
Author:  Madeline Martin        
Genre: Historical fiction        
Rating: 5 out of 5

In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job to provide for herself and her beloved daughter, Olivia. But with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her.

When the threat of war becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In her daughter’s absence, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, as well as the recommendations she provides to the library’s quirky regulars. But the job doesn’t come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing, and her work forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.

As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.

This was such a lovely read! I do love World War II historical fiction, but Martin’s characters are always so well-done and vivid that I end up drawn into the story just because I’m so interested in the people. I loved the library, and I think being a book concierge would be a fun job! This is a great read, and I highly recommend it.

Madeline Martin is a bestselling author. The Booklover’s Library is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Hanover Square Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Set in Nottingham, England in the 1930's as England enters WWII.

As usual, Martin has pulled us into a story of the heart, survival and the power or books, people and love all together.

Magical, heartwarming and even tearful at times, the journey with history woven in is so gripping you will not be able to put it down until the last page.

The Booklover’s Library is set in England during WWII and strongly focuses on the evacuation of the children during the war. Parts of the book were difficult for my mama heart, but it is a great story.

💚WWII England historical fiction
💚Single widowed mother
💚Motherhood
💚Community
💚Work challenges
💚Lots of book references
💚A dash of romance

I’ve always loved when a child discovers the love of reading. Maybe that‘s why one of my favorite quotes from the book is

“I do enjoy reading it myself,” Olivia said. “It’s like my brain drinking in something good, like warm chocolate milk.”

P.S. If you read The Last Bookshop in London, you’ll notice a little surprise 🤫

Thank you Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Booklover's Library is a heartwarming tale about a mother and daughter and the love of books. This book brought me to tears more than once. This book explores what a mother will do to keep her daughter safe during times of war. I think any book lover will fall in love with this book.

A heartfelt story of resilience and hope.

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin is a beautifully written, heartwarming tale that immerses you in the lives of its characters during WWII. Emma has already lost her Father and her husband, now; she must send her daughter Olivia away to the country during wartime. The bond between Emma and her daughter Olivia is both touching and powerful. The historical details are so true to life. The reality of what happens during war time is heart wrenching but the emotional journey is so well-crafted that I couldn't put it down. I am an American, married to an Englishman, and while visiting England last year, we visited New Haven Fort with some of his family, where we sat in a interactive bomb shelter, to experience what it would have felt like to be underground during an air raid. It was an absolute revelation, sitting there in the dark, with nothing but a candle, the sounds of bombs going off above, the noise, the shaking, and the uncertainty of what you would find when you returned above. It was truly and eye opener visiting this fort and learning so much about WWII, from the rationing of food, women working during wartime, children being sent off to the country, the men that fought, just all the aspects about the war and how it affected the English people during wartime. This story really hit home for me. Martin truly captured the redemptive power of books, community, and love in the darkest of times. A must-read for anyone who appreciates heartfelt stories of resilience and hope.

I did a post on Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Books a Million, TikTok, Instagram and I will be posting another video, a review on TikTok and Instagram about this book as well.

Thank you again for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book.
It was such a great read.

Sincerely, Robin

The Booklovers' Library by Madeline Martin is a book that is right up my alley. I have said this before but I love books that have elements of truth that make me want to delve deeper into the subject. In this case, I wanted to learn more about the lending libraries during World War II that this book centers around. I had no idea these existed and in this story, they were part of Boots' pharmacies in England.

Apparently, these were a huge deal and had members of high society as patrons. They were treated to exceptional, professional service at all times. In this story, Emma has experienced some tragedy in her life and is raising her daughter, Olivia, alone. Even though she is widowed, she is technically not allowed to work, since she is a mother. This was true back then! However, Miss Bainbridge decides to make an exception and allows Emma to be the newest employee of the library.

Emma quickly becomes efficient in her job and finds she really enjoys it. Furthermore, a load is off her shoulders now, as she was in need of money. Emma not only works in the library but also volunteers where she can helping those affected by the war, working alongside her friends. I feel that is the story of how community comes together during a catastrophic time in our history.

My two cents: I enjoyed these characters immensely. I was invested in what happened to Emma and her friends and interested in learning more about the real libraries at that time. The author does a fantastic job bringing these characters to life and making them seem real, a trait I love in any book.

Madeline Martin is now going to be an auto-read author for me. I loved this entire story. I thought it was sad. I thought it was upliftings. The story just pulled me in and I didn't want to put it down every time I picked it up. This was such an easy book to read, but brought out so many emotions. I loved the mother/daughter relationship as well as Emma sharing her love of reading with Olivia. I loved seeing the difficult decisions that Emma had to make, not only for herself, but as a single mother. The entire concept of the Booklover's Library was amazing to read about, especially with all the characters who visited the library. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy historical fiction WWII novels.

I'm usually a sucker for anything WWII historical fiction and when it involves books and libraries, doubly so. However, for whatever reason I really struggled to get into this latest from Madeline Martin. I went back and forth between print and audio and not ever the voice talents of Saskia Maarveld could save this one for me. Recommended for fans of authors like Kate Thompson this was likely a me thing or a wrong book wrong time thing. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I always love a book set in a library, and I’m usually a fan of WWII historical fiction, so this was a perfect combination for me. The idea of a private lending library upstairs from a pharmacy was fascinating - I had no idea that was a thing. The policy of making sure all the women who worked there had a cup of tea and/or lunch made me smile. The rules about married women and widowed mothers being unable to work, not so much.
Emma’s story, as she navigates working in the library, sending her daughter away for protection, getting to know her new coworkers, and connecting with her neighbors, all while dealing with the threat of war, kept me turning pages late into the night.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy.

I love books about books and this one did not disappoint. Emma is a widow with a daughter and convinces a book lending library to hire her. The most eye opening part of this book was the restriction on married women to work. Even widowed mothers could not work to support their children. And yet they were shamed for the level of care they were able to provide (with no income).

Pick this up if you love:
- WWII novels
- books about books
- strong single mothers

‘The Booklover’s Library’ by Madeline Martin is my second book by this author. I was really pleased to find another book by Ms. Martin. First of all what could be more delightful for a bibliophile that reading about books and libraries. Add the fact that it is Historical Fiction during World War II and I’m in.

The famous department store Boots has a lending Library! Emma Taylor is a widow with a lively and lovely daughter named Olivia. Ms. Taylor is struggling to make ends meet and really wants to work. However during this time in history widows weren’t allowed to work. Emma grew up in a book store. She takes a chance by applying for a job at the Booklover’s Library. The head of the library takes a chance on Emma. Her life begins to transform. She is making friends and providing for her daughter.

The book is really a feel good story about Emma and Olivia. It starts out as they are two against the world during the looming possibility of war and ends up with them being surrounded by a small community. The book delves into the loss, pain, difficultly, and separation of family. The book gives us a feeling about the difficult choices people had to make during World War II. This story is much more on the softer side of then usual Historical Fiction Novels regarding this war.

It is heartwarming and leaves the reader with a happy ending. This was an easy read and a divergence from the usual World War II historical fiction novels. I am looking forward to Madeline Martin’s next novel. Well done.

I would like to thank the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Press Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished The Booklover's Library in just about 24 hours. I was completely engrossed in this story. In particular, I loved the pacing. It felt like in each chapter something different was happening and there were a lot of subplots that kept me turning the pages.

If you like WWII historical fiction, this will be a good fit. Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in London during WWII, Emma Taylor is a widow living with her daughter Olivia in a tenement house. Due to the war, Emma sends Olivia away as part of the evacuation plan to keep the children safe during the bombings. It becomes a trying time for both mother and daughter. Emma secures a job at the Boots’ Booklover’s Library, even though widows with children are prohibited from most jobs. She must hide that she has a daughter.

Through all the upheaval, violence, and turmoil of war, Emma embarks on an emotional journey. She finds solace and friendship at her job and sees firsthand the power of books to bring people together in good times and bad. The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a well-researched and lovely story about a woman’s journey back from loneliness and her intense love for her daughter.

This novel resonates with me as I have also been fortunate to find friends through shared love books. Never underestimate the power of other people’s stories and their impact on our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin is a captivating, heartwarming story of motherhood, friendship, love, resilience and community set in wartime Nottingham, England and how the power of books brings them together.

I loved this touching story, it is a must read.

Thank you NetGalley, Author and Publisher for the E-Arc.