The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper is a historical fiction about a young librarian, Tilly, who discovers historic dollhouses in a hidden room, leading to questions about the library, maker of the dollhouses, and her own family. She embarks on an unexpected journey that reveals surprising secrets about the lost miniatures and leading to her own personal growth.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. The dual-timeline story was interesting, learning both about Tilly in present day and Cora Hale during the WWI and WWII timeframes. Sometimes historical fiction novels are very emotional but I found this one to a fast-paced heartwarming story that didn't cause me to "boohoo" cry (some early reviews are critiquing this saying it lacked depth because of it's pacing but I appreciated it because sometimes I want to read something historical but not be emotionally broken because of it). There were both elements of mystery and love, however nothing graphic. This would be a good option for readers who enjoy historical fiction but don't necessarily want to feel heartbroken.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.</i>

2.5 stars rounded up

I’m having a hard time explaining why this didn’t really hit for me - but I think it came down to not really getting the level of detail or investment in the characters. I was interested in the all the little details of the dollhouses but didn’t get that sort of development when it came to the actual story.

This book had an intriguing premise, but it struggled to find its identity. It shifted between romance, mystery, and historical fiction without fully developing any of them. The story introduced multiple mysteries but lacked a central focus, making it difficult to stay engaged. Some plot points were exaggerated, while others were brushed aside, and one character seemed to defy time itself. If the novel had centered on the mysteries within the dollhouses, it could have been a compelling read. Unfortunately, the lack of focus and emotional connection left me feeling detached, and by the end, I just wanted to finish it.

The narrator of the audiobook made it difficult to listen too. I had to speed it up to 2x because I felt like she read too slowly. Also, many times I was lost on who was talking because so many characters sounded the same.

I loved the story line. The connection to secrets hidden in dollhouses, the history and research put into the story, the time and patience that goes into building. I truly thought it was incredibly well done. It switched between different POV and timelines, yet I was never confused and I found that the book moved seamlessly and perfectly. It was easy to differentiate the characters and timelines. It was a quick read - I switched between audio and ebook and both were enjoyable. My only complaint is that the story was so focused on the dollhouses, both past and present, that I felt like I did not get enough from the characters' stories. It felt very flat and surface level... and I wish there was a better balance of the two. Overall, a quick and enjoyable read! 
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

I loved every second of this book. It is truly a beautifully written story that sucks you in from the first chapter. Working in a library myself, I loved Tildy's character and related to her so much. I also loved that it takes place in 2024 so it is very relatable and you don't feel disconnected. The pacing is perfect. Even with jumping between characters and time, you never feel disjointed while reading it. I love the way the story builds as you read and you discover Cora's life alongside Tildy. The author does a fantastic job of describing without feeling that you are being bogged down with details. This is the perfect book for fans of historical fiction as well as those that like some mystery elements included!

I absolutely loved this book!
And, I have to say that the cover totally drew me in! 😉

Imagine finding a hidden room in a place you've been working at... for a long time.
Then, imagine finding a collection of miniature dollhouses within this room. And... that these little houses actually HOUSED secrets of their own!!! 😮🫢

That IS: The Library of Lost Dollhouses!

Additionally, we get multiple POV's that span over quite some time. Like… a century…
We begin locally, to then Paris, and England...and even to Walt Disney!!! I mean, seriously, what an imagination!!!
And, I'm glad the author added a note at the end stating that it was all fiction, because she must've known that that was exactly what I was going to do.... start looking people and things up! Although she states that it is loosely based on some REAL people!!

This is Historical Fiction at its best!!
And, tells the story of MULTIPLE people along the way, so you are involved in the story throughout...
And… the secrets… At times I felt like I was reading The Rose Code!!

And the ending... just priceless! Especially since I became fond of all those involved and intricate to the story itself!!

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!!

#TheLibraryOfLostDollhouses by #EliseHooper and narrated beautifully by #EmilyRankin and #CarolineHewitt.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarperAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date was yesterday, 4/1/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves now !! ***

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Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance review copy of this audiobook. I was captivated by the premise of the “Library of Lost Dollhouses” and thoroughly enjoyed the dual timeline structure. The meticulous attention to detail in the dollhouses and the intriguing mystery added a unique charm to the story. However, while the audiobook narrator performed well, I found her delivery less engaging, which caused my mind to wander at times. The pacing felt a bit too slow for my taste. All in all, I would still recommend this book but I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I read the print copy

Absolutely beautiful book. I loved how it focused not only around these beautiful hand crafted dollhouses but associated them with the war as well. Two timelines and POV, but both were easy to follow and eventually put together. Such a unique idea for a book and very creative. The details and descriptions of the dollhouses made me feel like I could see them. Phenomenal writing by the author. Great narration. I loved the ending.
This book has a bit of everything, a mystery, woman’s history, a bit of a love story and all around great writing.

5/5 for the lesbian undertones.

This is a beautiful story! The cover is beautiful, the narrator was great and I really enjoyed this story.

I wasn't certain what I expected when I picked up The Library of Lost dollhouses, however the story was so much more emotional and information than anticipated and I loved it. You won't get any supernatural or magical realism, but you will get a bit of a love story woven into a narrative about fierce, intelligent women in history who made their own contributions to the arts.

We meet Tildy who is the head curator of a small library in San Francisco, however the library has fallen out of the public's interest and is struggling financially. Yet one day, Tildy is n a storage room and discovers a hidden space with two intricate and exquisite dollhouses which has been hidden away for most of their existence. She starts to wander down the rabbit hole of the creator, Cora Hart, and who she was as an artist as well as how she ties into the life of Belva LeFarge, the heiress who established the library with the dollhouses.

the story is wonderfully woven and I loved the idea these women existed in history in some way. The author's afterword helps the reader understand that though the story is ultimately fiction, many of the characters references within are based loosely on true women in history. Once I finished the story, I wanted to know more about the real women who inspired this story. This historical fiction hit me in all the right places to make me feel connected to the story and people. I was fully invested in their story though the end.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. I was attracted to the cover and I was really enjoying this book until the lesbian undertones started coming in. I wish that this was mentioned as I do not read that kind of books. So that was a negative for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult & Elise Hooper for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a historical tale that will send you to google to research the strong and resilient women that the author was inspired by. The dual timelines brought each mystery to light in a beautiful way.

The dual narration for each timeline/POV was really well done.

Tildy Barrows, Head Curator of a beautiful archival library in San Francisco. She accidentally comes across a hidden door and discovers two never before seen dollhouses. This send Tildy on a hunt to discover their history and possibly save her library.

Tildy is a bit of a mouse at first. But let me tell you, before this story is over, she roars. She is determined to find out about the history surrounding these doll houses and how her own mother’s picture is in one.

Y’all know I love a book with secrets and this novel is full of them. Not only that…she has STRONG women characters that you will want to know more about. This story had me researching because not only does it have great women it is full of history!

I have read one other book by this author, Fast Girls. I highly recommend that one as well!

Need a novel full of secrets and great female characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

5 Stars!

Thank you to HarperAudio Adult for the ARC of this audiobook on NetGalley! All opinions in this review are my own.

Tildy works as the Head Curator at a library in the Beaux Art building, and her life takes an expected turn when she discovers some never before seen dollhouses, and learns the library is on the brink of bankruptcy. Upon discovering the dollhouses, Tildy and the library reach out to the public for more information, and Tildy starts to learn her family history is connected to the Beaux Art building in ways she never anticipated. This story is told from two different time periods, with Tildy in present day, and Cora, our other narrator and creator of the houses, from pre-WWI to the 1970s.

What drew me into this book and made me request the ARC was that I grew up with a beloved dollhouse my grandpa built for me. Since then, I’ve had a love of miniatures and historic dollhouses, so I felt I could relate to Tildy’s passion for learning more about the houses in this book. This book was so much more than I thought it would be and I absolutely loved it! I loved learning the history of dollhouses woven through the story, from trying to bring joy to a town, and telling one's personal history through the houses.

What I loved most about this book was that it was a story of uncovering a woman’s talent who had been forgotten to history, while also revisiting history that might be difficult to share and setting the record straight. History, especially family history, can be messy and complicated, but Tildy faces these issues head on and works to correct the story to remember talented women like Cora.

I also thought the narrator did a perfect job portraying both Tildy and Cora in this audiobook!

The Library of Lost Dollhouses: A Novel by Elise Hooper, is a Women’s Historical Fiction Novel. Covering the span of a century, it depicts how these commissioned doll houses contain the hidden stories of the women depicted in the book.

In addition to the book, I had the good fortune to be able to listen to the book simultaneously as well. Narrated by Emily Rankin and Caroline Hewitt, both voices clearly identified the POVs in the book and allowed the listener to be able to easily identify which timeline they were in.

Thank you to William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio for the opportunity to read the eARC and listen to the ALC. All opinions are my own.


Print book Rating: 4 Stars
Audible book Rating: 5 stars
Pub Date: May 20 2025

Tags:
#WilliamMorrow
#HarperAudio
#TheLibraryofLostDollhouses
#Elsie Hooper
#EmilyRankin
#CarolineHewit
#YarisBookNook
#netgalley

The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hopper is a captivating blend of mystery, nostalgia, and emotional depth. The story revolves around dollhouses that hold secrets of the past, with each one acting as a key to unraveling family mysteries. Hopper’s evocative writing brings the world and characters to life, creating a perfect balance between tension and heartfelt moments.

The pacing is just right, with unexpected twists that kept me hooked, and the themes of memory, loss, and healing are explored beautifully. A big thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC and audiobook, which added an extra layer to the experience.

If you enjoy family sagas with a touch of the supernatural, this book is definitely worth reading.

I really enjoyed the premise of the book as it is original and interesting. Tildy Barrows is the Head Curator of a beautiful library, located in San Francisco. The library is in the historic Beaux Art building and her life revolves around her job. She will discover a secret past and hidden dollhouses located in the building. 1910: Cora Hale arrives in France after a scandal leaves her packing her bags and leaving NYC. She needs a place to stay so she can pursue her passion for art. She meets Belva Lafarge, and the two instantly hit it off, and Belva gives her a place to stay. Cora's story spans through decades, and she makes a name for herself designing dollhouses and meeting incredible people along the way. I found the idea of a dollhouse builder hiding mysteries within the walls, rooms, and tiny decor of her houses unique and fascinating. The author wove the timelines together nicely and the history was interesting. The Library of Lost Dollhouses comes out on April 1st. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

I enjoyed The Library of Lost Dollhouses. The characters were well-developed, and I loved the dual timeline structure—it added depth to the story and kept me engaged. The premise was unique and intriguing, and I found myself invested in both timelines as they unfolded.

However, the pacing felt a bit slow in parts, which made it hard to stay fully engaged at times.

Overall, it was a solid read with compelling characters and an interesting premise. I’m glad I read it.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my honest review. 3.75

The premise sounded intriguing, but it seemed like the author tried to cover too much. The story seemed a little disjointed and not all subplots were resolved.

Harper Audio ALC
I know when I pick up an Elise Hooper novel, I am going to get an engaging and fascinating historical fiction. This one is dual timelines, between past and present, and I was fully engaged in both Tildy and Cora's POV. I loved how this story story was structured around dollhouses and miniatures. These artistic endeavors took so much passion and finesse. It was so much fun to spend time in this world learning about something I knew not much about. Her characters had such great depth and tenacity, and I rooted for both of them. This would be a great novel for those that love historical fiction yet want a topic that there's not many fiction books about. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.