THE LIBRARY OF LOST DOLLHOUSES is a novel of secrets, women's secrets across the 2oth Century, told in elaborate dollhouses created by Cora Hale (fictional character) who has herself perhaps the biggest secret. When librarian Tildy Barrows discovers two dollhouses in the California museum/library that she curates, she sees a possible way to save the institution she loves. But as she undertakes a journey to learn about Cora Hale, she finds herself both creating secrets and uncovering secrets about her own mother.

In 2024, Tildy discovers a secret room in the library she works at containing two elaborate, mysterious doll houses. In 1914, a young woman named Cora arrives in Paris intent on forging a new life.

This was such fun! I loved the characters, especially Cora, and the mystery of the doll houses and how they connect with Tildy’s mother was fascinating. Tildy’s romance was a little rushed for me to fully enjoy it, but I really loved all the other relationships in this book, the romantic ones and the friendships.

Cora’s story got a little Forrest Gump through history, but honestly that didn’t bug me as much as it usually would. I have spent hours studying miniatures and so every time a historically important miniature like Queen Mary’s doll house or the miniature Paris came up, I was ecstatic. And even more than indulging my love of miniatures, this was a wonderful tale of the importance of highlighting women’s stories.

My thanks to both NetGalley and William Morrow for this arc.

This book drew me in from the very first page. I loved the way the author described parts of the dollhouses being made and how they were more than just a dollhouse for both the people making them and the people they were made for. My favorite character was Hugh and you will see why when you read it!

The Library of Dollhouses by Elise Hooper

📖 About the book:
When librarian Tildy Barrows learns her beloved San Francisco library is at risk of closing, she also uncovers two stunning dollhouses hidden in the archives. Left behind by the library’s mysterious founder, the dollhouses hold clues that lead Tildy on a journey through Belle Époque Paris, post-WWI England, and the 1950s. As she pieces together the stories behind them, she uncovers a century’s worth of secrets, forgotten women, and surprising connections that could save everything she loves.

💭 Thoughts:
I loved this book. It was my third by Elise Hooper, and I really admire how she brings overlooked women in history to life in such meaningful ways.

The story is beautiful. It blends romance, history, and a touch of mystery in such a heartfelt way. The characters are wonderful.\I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the dollhouses and their tiny, intricate details. I’ve always loved the idea They were so fascinating that I started building a miniature version of my own home office/library. I’ve always loved dollhouses and secret rooms, so this story felt extra special to me.

In this fascinating and detailed historical fiction novel, readers join Tildy Barrows, the curator at an archival library in San Francisco, as she tries to find a way to save the library from bankruptcy. Discovering two exquisite dollhouses based on real buildings, Tildy’s research brings her to Belle Epoque Paris, World War I England, Walt Disney Studios, and New England as she discovers the connections between the library, the dollhouses, forgotten women, and (surprisingly) herself. Packed with incredible details and fascinating stories about art, creativity, and women supporting women in their pursuits, this brilliant new novel from Elise Hooper is a captivating and fascinating read loosely based on historical events and real people. The characters are the absolute stars of the book, and Tildy is a competent, capable, and entertaining protagonist. The characters are all well-written and have detailed backstories, while the settings are similarly detailed and really bring the characters’ stories to life and connect the threads of the dollhouse mystery. An absolute page-turner and a unique and fascinating novel full of incredible characters and historical details, readers will love this entertaining, exciting, and immersive new novel that fans of the arts, female friendships, and beautiful buildings will love.

I truly wasn't sure what to expect going into this one, but goodness, what a journey it was - in the best way. In the present day, Tildy discovers a room with dollhouses in the archival library where she works. What she doesn't expect is that she has a connection to them. As she starts to figure out the secrets, these houses hold, the stories of the past are shared through the voice of Cora, the creator of this beautiful creations. The history that was unraveled was full of all the layers, and I was so captivated. This was such a unique story. My only wish is that I could have SEEN these beautiful dollhouses. I could imagine them in my mind, but they must have been stunning! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this April 2025 release!

All about dollhouses that hold secrets, their creator’s story & history, & Tildy, a librarian in a famous library museum in San Francisco. Tildy comes across hidden dollhouses in the museum tucked away & finds out their history, but also her connection to them. Very interesting story about dollhouses & their creator, Cora Hale. I enjoyed reading this one & how things connected in the end.

San Francisco, present time; Tildy Barrows is the head curator of the Belva Curtis Lefarge library. She loves her job and is a true expert of preserving the historic inventory, books and art, in the beautiful Beaux Arts building. But the library is on the brink of bankruptcy and in danger of closing, Tildy finds out in a meeting with the director of the library. But then Tildy finds two beautiful historic dollhouses in a storage room. Who made these beautiful dollhouses, and why is there a miniature portrait of Tildy's mother in one of them? What is the secret message that Belva Curtis Lefarge. the heiress who started the libary, was trying to tell? Tildy finds the initials of a certain CH on the dollhouses. These initials belonged to Cora Hart. A woman who moved to Paris from New York just before the war breaks out. Cora landed in a house full of artistic women because the help of Belva. Belva is a married high society woman, but something blooms up between her and Cora. Cora starts making dollhouses that are truly works of art. She makes them in a part of Belva's estate. And then the war breaks out in Europe and all the women in the house leave. Cora wants to leave to and asks Belva to come with her, but Belva stays with her husband, who is unfaithful to her. With the help of a British duchess that also stayed in the house, Belva leaves for the UK, where she continues making dollhouses that contains secrets of the owners who ordered a dollhouse from her. She starts working with recovering injured soldiers from the war on the dollhouse, and later gets the chance to work for Disney in Hollywood. With the help of Cora's diary, Tildy discovers forgotten and secret histories, unexpected connections to her own family, and a chance to save the library.
I really liked the overall storyline of this book. The story starts and I was immediately interested in what happened next, and what the story of the dollhouses was. There are a lot of characters and a lot of different places and time periods in this story, so much that sometimes I was a little lost to what the connection was to Tildy's mother in connection to the dollhouse, and why there was a miniature portrait of her in one the dollhouses she found. The storyline was also a bit slow at some point in the later parts of the book. That part lacked a bit interesting plot twists. But further on I found this book entertaining at the other a parts. Overall I found this book not very outstanding, but it was a nice in between read to escape with.

This was a good story but the characters felt bland and I didn’t get much out of Tildy’s story other than how much dollhouses shaped her life.

What an enjoyable read. I was fascinated with the world of miniatures. It's a little hard to wrap my mind around the details that can be made. It also gives a little history of the role of women in WWII. The secret driving schools so women could contribute with driving ambulances and supply trucks. I thought Tildy was the perfect person to narrate the adventures of two remarkable women who helped shape history.

Absolutely a favorite book of my 2025 Net Galley reads. This is a richly drawn dual timeline story that completely captured me to conclusion. A story of helping veterans, of human connection and mysterious history of dollhouse miniatures. I love it and highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.
Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and the author. My review opinions are my own.

I am convinced that this historical fiction is so niche it may only attract specific readers. However, it is definitely a book for everyone. My grandfather was a dollhouse builder. When I saw this title, I was immediately sent back in time. Time spent with him.

Don’t let this one site on your TBR. Elsie Hooper has triumphed with this beautifully written story about human connection, loss, passion, and history observed through non-traditional sources. Readers of Kate Quinn should take A shot on Elsie Hooper.

I'm attempting to try to read more historical fiction because a lot of our patrons love it. Unfortunately, this wasn't something I was able to get into. I think it would make a fabulous movie or TV series, though.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I took a few chapters for me to get into this book, but then I ended up really enjoying it!

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it didn’t quite capture my interest. While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged. That said, I’m sure it will find its audience with readers who connect more strongly with the writing style or pacing.

I always love any story with a strong and supportive cast of female characters, with a dash of history and a fun premise. This fit the bill. I thought of more authors I've read that would be close matches for anyone who enjoyed this book. This well written historical fiction novel was amazing, and it was interesting to learn about the history of miniatures, how they were constructed and also how they came to be in the world of Disney.

A lovely book filled with mystery and intrigue. I would love to see these dollhouses in real life! My favorite part is how creating the dollhouses became a form of therapy for the wounded soldiers. Loved them!

With a riveting, dual timeline plot and deeply imagined characters, The Library of Lost Dollhouses kept me turning pages to uncover its secrets and mysteries.

When archivist and curator Tildy Barrows discovers two intricately detailed dollhouses in a hidden room inside the memorial library where she works, the discovery sends her on a fascinating quest--one that might save her beloved, nearly bankrupt library in the process. But who created these remarkably constructed dollhouses? And how did they come to belong to Belva Curtis LeFarge, the influential heiress who established the library a century ago?

With impeccable pacing that never rushes or lags, Hooper draws readers along with Tildy as she investigates this historical mystery that spans a timeline stretching from Belle Époque Paris, to World War I, to Hollywood in the 1950s. The prose is effortless and evocative, painting a rich backdrop to the connections the author draws between her characters. The dual timelines are seamless and equally compelling.

The Library of Lost Dollhouses is an absorbing comfort read--it's quietly suspenseful in a way that will hook readers immediately, while including all the atmospheric details that readers of the historical fiction genre enjoy. Themes of female friendship/mentorship, art as a form of rebellion and independence, and positive LGBTQ+ representation give this book high marks. Easily one of my favorites of 2025, thus far!

I was able to read this novel thru NetGalley and glad I got the chance before publication. It’s a mix of historical fiction with mystery within it too. The descriptions of the dollhouses and the importance they played for women in the past was intriguing.

Tildy Barrows is a librarian at an archival library in San Francisco. One day at the library she discovers a secret room upstairs and finds two beautiful antique dollhouses. One of the dollhouses has a miniature portrait of her late mother as a young girl! She begins to investigate the dollhouses and discovers a multi-layered history that spans many years.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction and I have a lifelong love of dollhouses and miniatures.

The dollhouse descriptions alone in this book made it a delightful read for me! The history behind the dollhouses, and the secrets found there, dating all the way back to the 1910's, were fascinating. Most of the book is told in the present time period but there are also chapters that flash back to Cora Hale, the dollhouse artist, and her complicated life in Paris, London, and the United States.

I loved everything about this book - the storytelling, the descriptions, the mystery, and the quiet romance that unexpectedly unfolds for Tildy.

The Library of Lost Dollhouses is certain to be a top 10 read for me this year. I recommend it highly for fans of historical fiction and especially for anyone else who loves dollhouses and miniatures. Five enthusiastic stars!