Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

I picked this one up because the title screamed cozy literary mystery — and it mostly delivered on that promise. The audiobook narration was excellent and brought a layer of intrigue to the story that kept me listening.

Hannah Reeves herself was an enigma — elusive, elegant, and mysterious. That alone hooked me in. The overall tone leaned warm yet suspenseful, giving it that Hallmark-with-secrets kind of feel.

That said, the “secret library” aspect, which I was most excited about, doesn’t come into focus until nearly 30% in. The pacing dragged a bit, and I struggled to feel emotionally connected to either Hannah or Claire, which lessened the impact of the mystery and relationships for me.

Still, this would be a solid pick for readers who enjoy small-town secrets, bookish settings, and a slow-burn uncovering of family histories.

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.

Thank you Netgalley for the audio ARC of this novel by Christine Nolfi. This book has a little bit of everything - family secrets, small town vibes, and of course... books! What's not to love? The story is about the life of Hanna Reeves, who has decided to hire Claire Shelton and her family to catalog her possessions. Hanna is a fiesty old woman and she and Claire butt heads a few times throughout the novel but grow to appreciate one another. When Calire finds Hanna's secret journals (while snooping where she shouldn't), she takes it upon herself to reveal some things to others in the community about what she finds. As she digs deeper into the journals, she uncovers more family secrets that have the whole town wanting to learn more!

A captivating and character driven story.

I'll be honest, I only chose this book because I was drawn in at the magical thought of a secret library but the story was about so much more than that. It's a layered story full of love, tragedy and hope as individual stories unravel and intertwine.

Claire Shelton, an employee at a Maine antique shop, is unexpectedly hired to catalog the possessions of reclusive heiress Hanna Reeves, whose estate, Rose Hill, is steeped in local legend. As Claire settles into life on the estate, she discovers not only a hidden library but also a trove of family journals that reveal long-buried secrets.

As she and the sharp-tongued Hanna form an unlikely bond, the revelations from the past begin to ripple through the present—rekindling old relationships and threatening to upend others. What begins as a job soon becomes a journey into legacy, truth, and the ties that bind.

I really enjoyed the foray into the journals and we wish we had more of it.

The characters are so well written in this - they're complex and compelling. The story is set in 1974 but we do get a dual timeline with flashback to Hannah's youth in the early 1900s - this works really well to add more depth and insight into her.

The beginning was quite slow so in contrast whilst the ending was fantastic it felt quite sudden. I did hear that there may be another book in the series so fingers crossed.

A character driven story, if you like Diane Chamberlain's Big Lies In a Small Town then I think you'll like this. My first book/audiobook by Chistine Nolfi but I would definitely read more.

And a shout out to Megan Tusing who does a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. The voices were distinguishable - which is something I often struggle with for audiobooks.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing/ Brilliance Audio for the Advance Listener Copy.

My thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for an advance review copy of this audiobook, read by Megan Tusing.

I’ve made it my purpose to read anything that hints of libraries, bookstores, or any collection of books, large or small. If ‘secret’ is also in the title, all the better.

When the story opens, Claire Shelton is a twenty-something orphan who has been taken in by a lovely male couple who run an antiques business in, where else, a small Maine town. Intelligent and self-sufficient, but socially awkward and very self-conscious about it, she was raised from infancy by a loving but decidedly unrefined grandfather. It seems that little of her doting adoptive fathers’ sophistication has rubbed off on her. She remains unapologetically outspoken even to the point of rudeness.

The narrative unwinds through dual timelines, with Claire and Hanna meeting in the 1970s and then Hanna’s life story unspooling through flashbacks to her early 20th century childhood. Septuagenarian Hanna is sharp and spry, but hopelessly old and out of date to young Claire. She is the sole heir to her father’s wealth and social influence. Never married, she remains at the Rose Hill mansion where she was born, attended to by a dedicated butler and a coterie of servants. Since the death of her father Titus, she has cut off most social interaction. Now she wants to set her estate in order. The antique shop owners and Claire are summoned to appraise and prepare for auction everything in the Reeves family home.

Although their initial meeting is prickly, Hanna insists that Claire must handle the cataloging, and that she has to move into the Rose Hill coach house for the duration. Claire does so with very poor grace, and only because her fathers plead with her to do so.

Already questions arise. Why did a woman who was famous for her ‘galas’ and her community involvement close her door to the world when her father died? Why is she suddenly inviting in strangers to look at every one of her cherished belongings for possible sale? Claire, while closely guarding her own privacy, has difficulty containing her curiosity and gets too personal for the very self-contained Hanna.

Then there is the matter of the secret library. Built by Hanna’s father to house a collection of rare books that he purchased for his only daughter, it has become something of a legend in the town, many knowing of it but few having seen it. When Clare discovers not only precious rare volumes but also the Reeves family journals stored on its specially crafted shelves, she unwittingly gains entry into Hanna’s life in ways that she could never have expected.

Neither Claire nor Hanna present themselves as particularly endearing for much of the book, though their individual stories, as these unfold, explain why they react to each other—and to others—as they do. Yet from opposite sides of the social spectrum, they have much in common. The journals’ revelations at once resolve old tensions and inflame them. Claire and Hanna are both obliged to answer why they made certain choices, and whether they should change direction—in the first case with the rest of her life still to come, in the second with most of it behind her. This is a well-paced and well-written novel deftly exploring ideas about female roles in changing times and about the meanings of love, loss and family, expertly narrated by Megan Tusing.

I listened to the audio with Megan Tusing as narrator. She did an amazing job. I was able to keep the characters separate and totally enjoy the audio. It was a pleasure to listen to..

Christine Nolfi is an automatic read for me. Her books never disappoint. They are always thought provoking and emotional, with an ending that never leaves you hanging.

This is about a woman, Claire, who takes a job cataloging antiques to sale. They belong to Hannah Reeves. A very rich woman who has been almost elusive since her father's death many years prior. While working, Claire, learns there is a secret library in the mansion. She is adamant about finding it.

This book will make you want to keep reading well into the night. It was so hard for me to put down. I wanted to know everything. All the secrets. The characters are so wonderful and likable. Everyone that works for Hannah is so protective of her. Everyone who works there is a descendent of someone who had already worked there. Or at least most all. Hannah it seems is also very protective of her employees. You'll learn enough about each to get to know them. And a few other characters.

The story is so well written and pulls you in from page one. There is nothing about it that will let you down. It was one that I absolutely loved. A heartfelt story of a woman who helped out people without wanting anything in return. From her heart. The love story part made me weep. I do mean Hannah's love story.

I look forward to the sequel to this one. Please hurry and get it written....

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.

This story started out strong with interesting characters and story. Claire works at an antique shop in Maine and is hired to catalog the wealth estate owned by Hanna Reeves. Claire is instructed to live there due to the short timeline. While there, she hears rumors of a secret library and uses the knowledge inside to help the lives of people tied to the estate.

The story is told in one timeline, with a few flashbacks from Hanna’s life. I loved getting those flashbacks and seeing more of the character. There are many characters that are well developed with their own quirks, personalities, and histories you discover. There are a few romantic moments, but romance is not the driving plot line. I appreciated Hanna’s story and the impact family and our histories have on those around us. My only critique is that I wanted so much more! I was in shock at the end because I was expecting more story and felt cheated. The story was loosely wrapped up that left me upset considering I’ve enjoyed everything up until that point. I felt like the threads of the story were just cut. It left you feeling rushed and let down.

Thank you Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing, and Brilliance Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for a review.

A captivating, character-driven historical mystery, where the secrets are slowly unraveled through access to leather-bound family journals. Set in Maine in 1974.

As an avid reader, I was originally drawn to this story by the idea of a hidden library. I enjoyed this aspect of the story, as well as the developing friendship between cautious antique dealer Claire Shelton and reclusive, iron-willed heiress Hanna Reeves, and the mysterious Rose Hill estate.

I was fortunate to access the audiobook, which is beautifully narrated by Megan Tusing. Her voice and style made it an enjoyable listen, and easy to follow along with the varying perspectives.

If you enjoy heartwarming stories featuring well-developed characters and unravelling family secrets, then definitely give this a go.

With thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of the fascinating story, in exchange for an honest review.

I am keen to read that Christine Nolfi plans to write a sequel as I love to learn more about Hanna.

What book lover wouldn't dream of a secret library?! Not a single one that I know.... While this book's central plot is finding the secret library, I found Hanna's tale to be exquisite! This book is loaded with history, and yet told in a way that makes it all supremely interesting! I binged this in a day, and my only complaint is that I want more. More of Hanna's rich history. More of Claire and her sneaky sass. More of Claire's "step dads". Clyde, Dominga, the whole cast of extremely likable characters. Just more of Christine's awesome writing!

The narrator did a fabulous job as well! The intonation for each character was so unique, I never had to guess who was speaking. Phenomenal job!

4.5⭐ (audio) I listen to tons of audiobooks, and as long as I don't get pulled out of the story, I'm alright. This was well done and kept me engaged in the story!

5⭐ (story) 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.

Settling into Rose Hill’s carriage house, Claire finds Hanna, nearing eighty, to be a still-formidable woman. She’s demanding, judgmental, and protective of a mansion that is a veritable shrine to her ancestors. Then, diving into her work, Claire discovers a hidden library that is the stuff of legend among locals. An avid booklover, Claire is in heaven. More enthralling are Hanna’s leather-bound family journals that open Claire up to the past—and soon forge a rich and unexpected bond between two very different women.

Fantastic. Original. Wonderful characters, beautiful prose. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys general fiction! 5⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Listen, I’m NOT SAYING this book is AI, I’m just saying that if you were to feed all my nerdy little interests into ChatGPT, you’d have this book.

Antiques and history and mystery and dual timelines and characters both old and young and books and books and BOOKS.

It ticked ALL THE BOXES.

My only complaint is not getting nearly enough of her ‘step-dads’.

I need more Daniel and Louis immediately.

And – cherry on top – I’m always pleasantly surprised when a new-to-me author has such an extensive back catalogue.

It’s almost like Christmas.

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves by Christine Nolfi is a delightful journey into a Maine estate filled with mystery, history, and a whole lot of heart. Claire Shelton, a cautious and unassuming antique shop employee, is suddenly thrust into the glamorous yet guarded world of the reclusive Hanna Reeves—an iron-willed woman and the last of her storied lineage. Settling into the grand, secretive Rose Hill estate, Claire quickly uncovers a treasure trove: a hidden library brimming with leather-bound journals and dust-covered family secrets. As she delves into Hanna’s compelling family history, she forges an unlikely bond with the formidable woman, uncovering revelations that could change lives forever. Nolfi weaves a charming, suspenseful tale full of secrets that will make you reach for your magnifying glass and a good cup of tea. With each journal entry, the story’s layers unfold, revealing shocking truths and heartwarming surprises. It’s a book that celebrates the power of stories to heal, divide, and transform—and you’ll be hooked from the first page to the last. If you’re craving a story that combines family drama, a dash of mystery, and a touch of Maine charm, this one will keep you turning pages—and leave you pondering what secrets might still be hiding behind closed doors.

This was a well-told story and the writing drew me in to the drama right from the beginning. The characters were well-developed and the premise was intriguing but then halfway through, it just stalled. There’s the discovery of the library and then, that’s it. There was no deep, dark secret that is held there as there often is in other historical fiction stories. Sure, the other discovery was fun and helped others but the story never really picked up any steam. I did enjoy learning about Hanna’s past and how Rose Hill came to be the way it was but the story didn’t pack the punch I was waiting for. I did see that the author has a sequel coming so maybe it will be there but this should be able to stand on its own and I felt it was lacking.

The narration was well done, no issues.

I enjoyed this book. I did find myself having an issue because it was a bit on the slower side, but I did enjoy it overall.
This book is a historical fiction and mystery wrapped up in one.
Claire (26 yrs old) is an antiques dealer in Maine who has been given the job to catalog all of the items in the Rose Hill estate of Hanna Reeves (77 yrs old).
Hanna wants Claire to live in the carriage house while she undertakes this job.
Claire makes so many discoveries while on this job. Including an amazing secret library with so many treasures!
I don't want to give away too much, because this book has great bones and it is a pretty enjoyable read.
The timeline does jump from the 1900's to the 1970's.
The plot is well structured, even with the timeline jumps throughout. The pace is a bit slow and I found myself wanting to skip ahead several times. This is what brings my rating down to a 3, I just needed this to be sped up.
The characters are well developed. I felt that Claire was somewhat relatable.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this advanced listening copy of The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves.

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves will be released June 24th to retailers and Kindle Unlimited.

First off, this was a treat to listen to. The narrator was excellent. Usually I like to read and listen but this book is a great one to listen to! Next, I greatly enjoyed this book. The developing friendship between Hanna and Claire was well written. The mystery of Hanna Reeves, and how she has used her life experiences to shape her enigmatic personality, was a joy to read. I feel that the journey you read through this book can be compared to a warm hug. It’s cozy, with heartbreaking moments, but uplifting moments as well. I so enjoyed reading this and now want to read other works by this author!

I have a weak spot for stories with a bookish angle, and I was immediately intrigued by the premise of The Secret Library Of Hanna Reeves with its Maine estate setting, the hidden library and the unlikely friendship between the two women. I have to say that I really enjoyed my time with this story! Sure, the ending came as a surprise, as I hadn't realized that this was actually the first book of a series and everything was left wide open... But I can't deny that the journey so far was very satisfying, and The Secret Library Of Hanna Reeves turned out to be an interesting mix of historical fiction, mystery and romance.

I have no doubt that the audiobook enhanced the reading experience for me, as the Megan Tusing's voice was perfect for this story. The narrator was able to portray both women very well, and the pace of the narration itself was just right for me. Her voice was enjoyable to listen to, making it so much easier to overcome the slower parts in the story... If you are thinking about adding this book to your shelves, I could definitely highly recommend trying the audiobook.

As for the story itself... The Rose Hill estate is of course the star of the show, and I really enjoyed learning more about both its history and about the people who lived and worked there. I could appreciate the Maine setting in general, and the descriptions of the surroundings definitely helped set the right atmosphere. The main story actually takes you back to 1973, with many flashbacks to Hanna's past especially in the second half of the story. I wasn't expecting to travel quite that far back in the 'present' timeline, but it was without doubt a pleasant surprise and it also helped explain why people would still need the journals instead of searching for the same information online.

The Secret Library Of Hanna Reeves switches between Claire and Hanna's POV as we learn more about both women. Claire's behavior could get a bit frustrating at times, but her budding romance with Nate did help balancing out some of the heavier moments and I liked the antique shop angle. I can't deny that I did prefer Hanna's POV though, and I enjoyed learning more about her past in the flashbacks. The best aspect that the POVs have to offer is without a doubt the growing connection between both women, but then again I always love a focus on unlikely friendships.

Like I said, this book is a mix of different genres and you will encounter multiple topics incorporated along the way. There is a lot of focus on family, hardships, death and complicated relationships in general, but I felt the heavier topics were well balanced out with humor, romance and lighter moments. I would have liked to see more focus on the bookish element, as the library wasn't really as present as I thought it would be... But I enjoyed what the plot offered us instead.

While part of me does wish The Secret Library Of Hanna Reeves would have answered more questions instead of leaving everything wide open, I also can't deny that I enjoyed the journey this book took us on so far. It has definitely made me curious about the sequel, as these character have grown on me and I would like to learn how their stories end... If you enjoy more character-driven historical fiction with a dose of mystery, drama and romance, this book is a great option.

This is a cute, wholesome book. I like a pg rated romance, where the story mostly revolves around the library/antiquing. Overall, 3 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book set in the early 1970s in which
the main character, Claire, who works for an antique shop goes to a house to value its items to sell.

This just isn’t any house, but one full of mystery that has Claire the envy of everyone now that she has inside access to the estate.

The book has so many engrossing parts. The house allegedly has a secret library that was built for Hanna by her father. There is a close knit connection to the employees of the house over the years and Hanna’s record of these families including her own.

Claire’s relationship with Hanna develops so organically that it feels like these characters are real. Claire also meets a man and she develops a deep connection.

I loved everything about this read. I enjoyed the time period and references to popular songs of the early 1970s. I loved the kindness of and the interactions with all of the characters.

Set in the 1970's, we meet Claire, an antiques dealer tasked with the job of spending time with reclusive heiress Hannah Reeves.
Hannah Reeves is the stuff of legends. A woman in her seventies, she is wealthy, judgmental and a total mystery to many. Holed up in her beautiful estate, she has called in Claire and the antiquities team to work through her family's treasured catalogue of furniture and estate pieces.

For Claire, what first feels like a daunting, overwhelming job turns into an exploration of Hannah's mysterious life and the lore of her family and the beautiful estate, Rose Hill. Shocking revelations come to light through Hannah's journals and suddenly all of Maine is in a tizzy over the contents!

This book grabs you by the collar early on and will NOT let you go. I was lucky to have an advanced listener copy and this story was beautifully narrated. Tie flew by as I listened, and I realized I had been listening since dawn. I highly recommend for lovers of historical fiction that enjoy the weaving together of multiple time lines.

It was okay. I don’t feel like library was actually all that relevant. It was more about the journals. The flashbacks felt randomly placed, and the time periods were odd. Apparently current time is in the 70’s, nothing made it sound like the 70’s.