Christine Nolfi is a new author for me, and when I spotted the title on NetGalley, I just had to check it out. I enjoy stories where someone today uncovers a secret, and we also get to see what happened years ago through alternating chapters. This book delivers on that front. It’s a historical fiction piece set in the 1970s, mixed with some flashbacks, and tells the engaging story of Claire, a determined 26-year-old antiques dealer, and Hannah, a reclusive 80-year-old heiress living in coastal Maine.

Things get interesting when they discover a hidden library filled with rare books and journals in an old house packed with secrets. The journals spill some history about the residents and both past and present staff, but Hannah has kept it all to herself—information that could either bring people together or tear them apart.

As Claire and Hannah bond over their love for books, their relationship develops despite their age gap. It’s the kind of cozy read that makes you feel good, and I honestly couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to Volume 2!

Captivating, vivid, and immersive!

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is an intriguing tale set in Maine during the years 1915 and 1973 that is told from two different perspectives. Claire, a young woman who, after being chosen to catalogue the possessions of one of the most prestigious homes in the area, stumbles across a hidden library full of books and long-buried secrets, and Hanna, an elderly seclusive woman, who’s finally ready to reveal a life that was filled with loss, tragedy, and heartbreak.

The prose is rich and sentimental. The characters are passionate, strong, and flawed. And the plot is a touching tale about life, loss, heartache, hope, healing, friendship, relationship dynamics, and familial drama.

Overall, The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is a heartwarming, alluring, compelling tale by Nolfi that highlights the power of stories and is a wonderful choice for anyone who enjoys a dual timeline story with both a sliver of mystery and a touch of romance.

4.25/5

What do you do when you’re in a slight reading slump? You pick up the newest release from one of your go-to authors. It also helps that it’s about a secret library filled with first editions and centered around an aging heiress in her mansion filled with mystery.

Hanna and Claire are an unlikely pair. One is an heiress looking for help cataloging her family history of furniture dating back years. The other is a young women trying to make her way and is reluctantly hired to do the cataloging. I loved the development of both these characters; the softening, growing and tenacity of both to handle whatever life throws at them. The supporting cast of characters added so much to the storyline and I loved watching them become a family. Throw in a little romance and a mystery, and this book turned out to be exactly what I needed. The best part? Looking forward to the sequel!

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

My first thoughts beginning The Secret Library of Hannah Reeves were, "I haven't been paying attention to some really good writing." How did I miss all the themes I find so wonderful? As a book lover, I was immediately attracted to the title. Who wouldn't want to own a "secret library?" Then there's the setting in a mansion that rivals the best of Newport, RI. Next, the characters: loyal staff, and a loving gay couple who have encouraged and promoted the talents of Claire Shelton, the lead. Hannah Reeves—I hope to be her when I turn 80. Still independent, sharp-minded, and witty-tongued, she forms an unlikely alliance with Claire. Which brings us to the plot. Nolfi blends mystery, romance, and dual timelines, all tightly woven into a book one should not be starting at sunset. A reader might just be seeing the sunrise. It is that good. Other titles by Nolfi have been book club selections, and this is a must for clubs of all ages, from YA to those who might remember the 1950s fondly. Highly recommended.

Full disclosure: I received this ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

If you’re in the mood for a cozy, heart-tugging story filled with family secrets, lost loves, and a dash of bookish magic, then The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is your next must-read. Christine Nolfi works her storytelling magic once again with this beautifully layered novel that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm quilt made of mystery, emotion, and old book pages.

An unlikely friendship develops between a young antiques dealer and a reclusive heiress in Maine (yes, there’s a rambling old house—swoon!) as they uncover secrets buried deep in the past. There’s something here for every book lover: hidden fortunes, intertwined generations, writing your own story, and the gentle reminder that we’re all a little more connected than we think.

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea), curl up with your comfiest blanket, and prepare to lose yourself in this thoughtful, twisty, and uplifting read. Trust us—you won’t want it to end.

This is a sweet historical fiction book that looks at community and legacy and family ties and obligations. It's a quick read, and the characters are engaging. I had wished that the books in the titular secret library would be more a part of the story, but that is personal preference and how I interpreted the title.

A wonderful story, following the fortunes of Claire, a young woman with no family who stumbles into the lives of Louis and Vincent. The pair run a high quality antiques shop and taking a shine to Claire, they offer her the lifeline of a job with them which means a new start, a great opportunity to have a head normal life. After years with in the company of her new 'family's and antiques, Claire has learned that she has a discerning she for quality antiques. When a letter is hand delivered from the famous heiress Hannah Reeves with an invitation to visit the Reeves Estate, Louis and Vincent decide that Claire should accompany them as she is an important member of their staff and the visit will win her great experience. Little do they know that this invitation will lead to one of the largest estate valuations.for their business but for Claire this will be a massive turning point in both her professional and private life.

ENGAGING, ENTERTAINING & ENLIGHTENING!

Christine Nolfi has written an engaging, entertaining, enlightening book. I highly recommend it! Nolfi introduces readers to dynamic characters, including Claire, a young woman striving to make her mark in the antiques world, and Hanna, an elderly recluse in her 80s who has decided to sell the priceless items from her estate. Although they are an unlikely pair, they develop an endearing relationship that becomes akin to family.

The book is entertaining due to its elements of mystery and suspense. After all these years, why has Hanna chosen to sell her family's priceless antiques? As Claire meticulously researches each piece and catalogs everything for sale, she stumbles upon a secret library that has become a local legend. Claire is ecstatic, as she loves books, and she begins sneaking in, losing herself among the numerous bookshelves filled with first editions that she can hardly believe she can see and touch. Additionally, there are leather-bound journals that belong to Hanna.

Nolfi enlightens readers by revealing the contents of these journals, which play a significant role in bringing Claire and Hanna together. The history within their pages can reunite families, rekindle old romances, and reconnect friends. This book is a delightful read!

Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. I am writing to express my own opinions without influence.

Claire was raised by her grandfather, Pete. Pete was an only child, his son was an only child, and Claire was an only child. Pete died when Claire was 18 and she was lucky to be employed by two high end antique dealers.

Claire was employed by Hanna Reeves to document and appraise all the antiques lovingly stored for decades in the attic of Hanna’s mansion in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The story takes place during multiple time periods in Hanna’s life, the “current” period is 1973.

Hanna has run the household since she was 18 and she is now 77. She’s been very altruistic with various charities and is well thought of in the community. She cares for her staff, although she remains aloof from most of them. Hanna and Claire develop a good working relationship, but Hanna is clearly the employer and Claire the hired help.

Claire is determined to find out if the rumored secret library in the house exists. If it does, it’s well hidden. But it is known that Hanna has kept extensive records over the decades on her staff.

The story does move a bit slowly at times but accelerates as the reader learns more about Hanna’s life, her hurts, her disappointments and her successes. The pages toward the end open a more personal look into Hanna’s life. I found the last quarter of the book to be very touching.

This is the second book by Christine Nolfi that I’ve read and I will continue to look forward to her future work.

I went into this one blind. I just read the title and thought oh, that sounds good. the narration was well done and mostly kept my attention. I did find my mind wandering during certain parts. I would have to rewind because I would end up missing key details. I was hoping for more mystery but I did enjoy the relationship between Hanna and Claire. I liked learning about Hanna's life and her heartbreaks. I really liked this book.

This was a quick and entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

🎵Queue music from “Heart of Gold”🎵
By Neil Young

“When you connect to literature on an emotional level, you find new answers, new ways of thinking.”

NO! This novel simply cannot end!
Have you ever felt that way? Did you ever read a book and just wished it hadn’t ended?!

Christine Nolfi has me waiting with baited breath to find out…”the rest of the story” after reading The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves, which published today. From the very first chapter, much like its title, I was summoned, and drawn into each subsequent page as I was brought back to 1973 to meet Claire Shelton and discover her story.

Nolfi has a way of writing so you really feel what her characters feel and see their world around them through their eyes.
Be it the feel of an antique Moroccan leather-bound classic novel, the thump of a walking cane on old hardwood floors, or the fresh and clean smells of peppermint, lemon, or leather, I didn’t feel like I was just reading Nolfi’s novel but experiencing it. I adored this novel, its setting, the characters, the secrets, and ultimately, the found family. For that is the crux of the novel, FAMILY, and ultimately, LEGACY.

Nolfi’s writing is no stranger to me, having read A Brighter Flame and A Heart Like Home, two of her novels where the theme of family take center stage. Though I rounded my 4.75 to 5, I would have given this a full-on 5 stars too, except that it truly ended too quickly for me!
I am very excited to learn that there is a sequel in the making, which is such a relief, as there are so many characters and loose ends that warrant further exploration! Ultimately, it was a truly wonderful book, a beautiful summer read!

Thank you to @christinenolfi, @Netgalley and @suzyapprovedbooktours for my gifted epub copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Claire, an antiques appraiser lives in Maine. Orphaned and brought up by her now dead grandfather, her employers Daniel and Louis have taken her under their wing. Set in 1973, Claire is asked to appraise and catalogue all the antiquities and heirlooms at Rose Hill Estate. Rose Hill is owned by Hanna, a feisty and cantankerous octogenarian who insists Claire lives in a cottage on the estate whilst she carries out the work. Initially the relationship between the two women is fraught. Claire discovers the existence of a secret library, contained within are numerous journals rich in detail about the house, past staff and their families. Flashbacks to the 1900s tell Hanna’s story explaining why she shunned society some years previously. As Claire sets out to uncover the mysteries of the past the two women develop a close bond.

Hanna’s backstory is well thought out and adds an engaging dimension to this saga. There is a logical progression, the flashbacks inserted at exactly the right moment. Christine Nolfi crafts believable and interesting characters, the many different personalities working at Rose Hill all add to the richness of the narrative. The prickly maid Dominga and English butler Leo two of my favourites. Throughout the story there are subtle hints of going full circle. I love a book with a satisfactory ending and this is definitely one of those.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review

This was a wonderful book! Young Claire’s life is about to change. She has been chosen to catalog all of the treasured antique items at Hanna Reeves’ estate Rose Hill. Hanna has decided to let the items go and has chosen the antique shop where Claire works to sell the items. Claire is an entertaining young woman. Hanna is a serious older woman with an interesting life and legacy behind her. I enjoyed these two and all of the other characters. I enjoyed their different personalities and the connections between them. Claire soon discovers the secret library of books hidden in the old house. But the library doesn’t just contain books, it has journals with a whole history and story all of their own.

“Spend your life standing still, and you’ll grow old before your time”

“When you connect to literature on an emotional level, you find new answers, new ways of thinking.”

“Sometimes life chooses for us.”

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

WOW! I was completely pulled into this story. A secret library that holds rare books and journals. An amazing old house holding so many beautiful pieces of furniture, antiques along with hidden secrets.
The journals hold some much history of the residents, former and present staff. Hanna has kept this all to herself. Information that could possibly bring people together or tear them apart.
A relationship develops between Hanna and Claire with their love of books. A relationship that I loved watching develop.
This was a captivating story that was so hard to put down. Left me wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Christine Nolfi is a new author to me. I really enjoyed this book, and enjoyed her writing. The way she uses flashbacks as a way to tell her story really resonated with me. I also loved how the story takes place in Maine! I would definitely recommend this!

THE SECRET LIBRARY OF HANNA REEVES is the latest beautifully-written and charming story by Christine Nolfi. I have loved every book I’ve read by this author and this one is no exception. Set in Maine, the emotional and thought-provoking story brings together Claire Shelton, an employee of an upscale antique store, and eighty-year-old Hanna Reeves, heiress to one of Maine’s most well-known shipbuilders and industrialists. The reclusive Hanna has retained the antique store to catalog and appraise her extensive collection of antiques and memorabilia from generations of her family. Why is Hanna willing to part with her treasures after all these decades? Hanna demands that Claire live on site in the mansion’s carriage house, which Claire is very reluctant to do. Claire and Hanna clash on many issues, but the revelation of a secret library of rare books inside the mansion, brings them into an unlikely alliance. The relationship deepens as Claire also discovers journals loaded with family and local history and intrigue. I loved learning Hanna’s backstory and how it brought the characters together in the later time frame. I found myself totally engrossed in this captivating book and can’t wait to learn what comes next. Highly recommended! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Several things drew me to this book. First of all—the author, of course. I've loved and read almost all of Christine Nolfi's books. I always know her latest one is going to be my new favorite read. And then there is this amazing cover. Seriously? A library? Yes, please. And then lastly—what is the secret surrounding this said library? So many things I need to know.

And I was not disappointed about any of the things that drew me to this book. This story is filled with wonderful, interesting characters and plenty of secrets, to be sure. The secret library is just the beginning. I loved how the history of the people and the place were woven together to get us to the present.

I absolutely loved this story and I found myself completely immersed in the lives of Hanna and Clare. I didn't want their story to end. I highly recommend The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves and I can't wait to re-read it.

Claire Shelton is a twenty-something-year-old, in the mid-1970s, who has been on her own since a teenager. She was raised by her grandfather and lived without too many restrictions in her youth. After her grandfather’s death, she leaves her hometown and ends up working at Holbrook & Kinney, an antiquities dealer, in Maine. She’s trying to better herself and has the opportunity of a lifetime when Holbrook & Kinney are contacted by a wealthy local recluse to not only catalogue but also sell some items. Miss Hanna Reeves is the only living member of a well-known shipbuilding dynasty. Her staff seems to be more of a collection of loyal and hardworking “misfits.” After Holbrook & Kinney agree to all of Miss Reeves’ stipulations, Claire has to relocate to the Reeves’ household and begin her work cataloguing everything in the main house. While there, she learns that Miss Reeves has a library filled with first edition books, but the library doesn’t seem to be in any of the public spaces within the home. Can Claire uncover the secret library while continuing to do what is required of her employers and not antagonizing either Miss Reeves or any of her employees?

Yes, there’s a lot more going on in THE SECRET LIBRARY OF HANNA REEVES than I’ve already mentioned. It quickly becomes apparent that most, if not all, of the employees are descendants of previous employees. Most of these employees have become a surrogate family to Miss Reeves and are fiercely protective of her and her privacy. Needless to say, there are several miscommunications between Claire and Miss Reeves’ staff, but eventually Claire settles in until she uncovers a secret that is not hers to reveal. THE SECRET LIBRARY OF HANNA REEVES is about so much more than family (birth and found), friendship, loyalty, secrets, and even romance. This story was incredibly engaging. I first read the digital review copy about six weeks ago and fell in love not only with the story but also with the characters and the storytelling. I ended up rereading it before writing this review, not because it wasn’t memorable but because it was such an entrancing read. There are layers to this story: the backstories of many of the characters, the town's history, the characters' current lives, their interactions with one another, and the romances (yes, there are several). I’ve read and loved every story written by Christine Nolfi, and THE SECRET LIBRARY OF HANNA REEVES is no exception. This story grabbed me, and no, it isn’t solely because it references books or a library. The library of Miss Reeves is just as much about the books as it is the assortment of people who have passed through her life. For those of you who enjoy multi-layered stories with intriguing characters and a bit of mystery and romance, I highly encourage you to grab a copy to read. I’ve already pre-ordered my digital copy and can’t wait to get the print copy for my 90-year-old book diva mother.

Cautious Claire Shelton, employee at a Maine antique shop, is surprised when she’s recruited to catalog the treasures of reclusive Hanna Reeves, sole descendant of the state’s most colorful shipbuilders and industrialists. Hanna’s retreat from society years ago is just one of many mysteries behind the walls of Rose Hill, her fabled estate.

This books sends you on quite a ride with a good tale to tell. I loved Hanna and her story is one you do not want to miss.

Then there is Claire. There were times in this book that I liked her and times I wanted to jerk her bald headed. She tended to overstep. But, if she had not overstepped, we might not have learned where the library was located. But, as you read this, you will figure out what I mean about her personality.

I did expect a different ending. I wanted more of a past connection or a mystery connection with Hanna and Claire.

Need a good family drama with a hidden library…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.