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The Royal Librarian
A royal palace. A closed book. A betrayal that will echo through generations…
Windsor, 1940: War rages, and as bombs rain down across Britain, nowhere is safe: not even a royal palace.
Secretly tasked with foiling a suspected plot, Sophie Klein is placed in the Royal Library at Windsor castle, where the princesses reside. But when she learns that Windsor is compromised, Sophie must sacrifice everything she knows to save the future queen of England…
Philadelphia, Present day: Digging into her great aunt’s family tree, Lacey Turner comes across a mysterious book bearing the stamp of Windsor Castle’s royal bindery. But how did it come to be in her family’s possession?
And so begins a journey that will take Lacey from battlefields to Buckingham palace in a quest to reunite the book with its rightful owner…
Windsor, 1940: War rages, and as bombs rain down across Britain, nowhere is safe: not even a royal palace.
Secretly tasked with foiling a suspected plot, Sophie Klein is placed in the Royal Library at Windsor castle, where the princesses reside. But when she learns that Windsor is compromised, Sophie must sacrifice everything she knows to save the future queen of England…
Philadelphia, Present day: Digging into her great aunt’s family tree, Lacey Turner comes across a mysterious book bearing the stamp of Windsor Castle’s royal bindery. But how did it come to be in her family’s possession?
And so begins a journey that will take Lacey from battlefields to Buckingham palace in a quest to reunite the book with its rightful owner…
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 651 reviews
April 7, 2024
After the Nazis arrived in Austria in 1938, Sophie Klein and and her nine year old sister Hanna found themselves orphaned. Both their parents had lost their lives to the Nazis and Sophie knew she had to get Hanna out of Vienna. The couple who were rescuing children accepted Hanna and she sailed to America, frightened but assured that Sophie would find her and they'd be together again. When Sophie was contacted and asked to attend the British Embassy, she was recruited to work for the British government. After a long and stressful journey, she found herself in England, where she was tasked with working beside the Royal Librarian in Windsor Castle.
Lacey Turner loved her grandmother who they all called Gubby and although she was in her nineties, Gubby still enjoyed getting together with her family - Lacey's sister Jess, plus her husband and children; her daughter Alexa and of course Lacey. But she refused to talk to them about her past. So when Lacey discovered - accidentally - that Gubby had a sister in that long ago past, she decided to head to England to do some research. Lacey didn't tell Gubby why she was going, as she didn't want to upset her. But what Lacey discovered was mind-blowing. How would Gubby react to what Lacey had to tell her?
The Royal Librarian is another outstanding historical novel by Daisy Wood and I loved it! Incredible history, with the royal sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret, at young ages; Sophie's work with cataloguing in the Royal Library; her position as Royal Librarian as she took the place of the last person - it all kept me glued to the pages. Both the young Hanna and Sophie are well crafted characters, along with current day Lacey. I've read two previous books of this author's, giving them both 5 stars, and this one is no exception. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Lacey Turner loved her grandmother who they all called Gubby and although she was in her nineties, Gubby still enjoyed getting together with her family - Lacey's sister Jess, plus her husband and children; her daughter Alexa and of course Lacey. But she refused to talk to them about her past. So when Lacey discovered - accidentally - that Gubby had a sister in that long ago past, she decided to head to England to do some research. Lacey didn't tell Gubby why she was going, as she didn't want to upset her. But what Lacey discovered was mind-blowing. How would Gubby react to what Lacey had to tell her?
The Royal Librarian is another outstanding historical novel by Daisy Wood and I loved it! Incredible history, with the royal sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret, at young ages; Sophie's work with cataloguing in the Royal Library; her position as Royal Librarian as she took the place of the last person - it all kept me glued to the pages. Both the young Hanna and Sophie are well crafted characters, along with current day Lacey. I've read two previous books of this author's, giving them both 5 stars, and this one is no exception. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2024
3.5 ⭐
Birthdays are for celebrating …
…for nine-year-old Hanna Klein, it’s one birthday she’s never forgotten. This birthday marked a turning point in the Klein family history and has haunted her and her older sister, Sophie, every day since 1938.
In 1940 Sophie leaves Vienna for Windsor, England after being hired by the British government as a spy. Thanks in part to her German language, she’s placed in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. One day she discovers that Windsor is indeed compromised and she’s forced to sacrifice again to save the future queen of England.
Eighty-four years later in Philadelphia, Lacey Jones discovers an envelope with the Windsor Castle crest in her grandmother’s belongings and it results in a long-held burden being released. To cut a long story short, Gubby's 93rd birthday is one worth remembering!
I loved getting back to Windsor Castle through an armchair travel. I was able to picture Sophie and the royals because of a tour we took through the castle. I’m a royal watcher and loved reading about Sophie interacting with the princesses. I appreciated the ‘visit’ to Frogmore Cottage and laughed at both the coal bin and the couch-surfing incident.
Wood’s story examines the flames of hatred that we nurse, the things we want to forget, the things we must remember, and the fight to survive. Woods reminds us that our stories and our love carry on.
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Birthdays are for celebrating …
…for nine-year-old Hanna Klein, it’s one birthday she’s never forgotten. This birthday marked a turning point in the Klein family history and has haunted her and her older sister, Sophie, every day since 1938.
In 1940 Sophie leaves Vienna for Windsor, England after being hired by the British government as a spy. Thanks in part to her German language, she’s placed in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. One day she discovers that Windsor is indeed compromised and she’s forced to sacrifice again to save the future queen of England.
Eighty-four years later in Philadelphia, Lacey Jones discovers an envelope with the Windsor Castle crest in her grandmother’s belongings and it results in a long-held burden being released. To cut a long story short, Gubby's 93rd birthday is one worth remembering!
I loved getting back to Windsor Castle through an armchair travel. I was able to picture Sophie and the royals because of a tour we took through the castle. I’m a royal watcher and loved reading about Sophie interacting with the princesses. I appreciated the ‘visit’ to Frogmore Cottage and laughed at both the coal bin and the couch-surfing incident.
Wood’s story examines the flames of hatred that we nurse, the things we want to forget, the things we must remember, and the fight to survive. Woods reminds us that our stories and our love carry on.
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
April 2, 2024
1938. Sophie Klein, lives in Vienna, her parents are worried when the political union of Germany and Austria happens. They want both of their daughters to leave Austria, and before things get worse and because the girls are classed a mischlings.
1940. Sophie makes it to London, she’s now the Royal Librarian at Windsor Castle, and she enjoys her job. Sophie misses her family, she worries about her younger sister and writes numerous unanswered letters. When she discovers Windsor has been compromised, the two young princess lives are in danger and Sophie doesn’t think about the personal consequences and the assumptions the authorities will make?
2022. Philadelphia, Lacey Jones has always been close to her grandmother affectionately known as ‘Gubby’, when she makes a startling discovery, her grandmother was born in Vienna and she has a letter stamped with the Windsor Castle crest. Gubby doesn’t want to talk about the past, Lacey starts investigating her grandmother’s childhood, how she ended up growing up in America and what link she could have to the royal family and Windsor Castle?
The dual timeline story is told from Sophie’s and Lacey’s points of view and is very easy to follow and understand.
I received a digital copy of The Royal Librarian by Daisy Wood from NetGalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an unbiased review. What an outstanding and thought provoking narrative Ms. Wood has written, it looks at life in Vienna during the Anschluss, and it’s full of wonderful descriptions of Windsor Castle, the Royal Library, and all the famous landmarks and including The Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, Frogmore House and it's the oldest castle in the world.
The author cleverly explores the possibility of Edward The Duke of Windsor and his wife Wallis Simpson being sympathetic towards the German cause and they met Hitler, what English government would do if the Germans invaded, where to hide priceless national treasures and did they had staff working undercover in the royal households?
An emotional and moving story about family, making difficult choices, kinder-transport, war, secrets, spies, misconceptions and finding out the truth. Five stars from me I highly recommend The Royal Librarian and Daisy Wood’s previous book The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris.
1940. Sophie makes it to London, she’s now the Royal Librarian at Windsor Castle, and she enjoys her job. Sophie misses her family, she worries about her younger sister and writes numerous unanswered letters. When she discovers Windsor has been compromised, the two young princess lives are in danger and Sophie doesn’t think about the personal consequences and the assumptions the authorities will make?
2022. Philadelphia, Lacey Jones has always been close to her grandmother affectionately known as ‘Gubby’, when she makes a startling discovery, her grandmother was born in Vienna and she has a letter stamped with the Windsor Castle crest. Gubby doesn’t want to talk about the past, Lacey starts investigating her grandmother’s childhood, how she ended up growing up in America and what link she could have to the royal family and Windsor Castle?
The dual timeline story is told from Sophie’s and Lacey’s points of view and is very easy to follow and understand.
I received a digital copy of The Royal Librarian by Daisy Wood from NetGalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an unbiased review. What an outstanding and thought provoking narrative Ms. Wood has written, it looks at life in Vienna during the Anschluss, and it’s full of wonderful descriptions of Windsor Castle, the Royal Library, and all the famous landmarks and including The Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, Frogmore House and it's the oldest castle in the world.
The author cleverly explores the possibility of Edward The Duke of Windsor and his wife Wallis Simpson being sympathetic towards the German cause and they met Hitler, what English government would do if the Germans invaded, where to hide priceless national treasures and did they had staff working undercover in the royal households?
An emotional and moving story about family, making difficult choices, kinder-transport, war, secrets, spies, misconceptions and finding out the truth. Five stars from me I highly recommend The Royal Librarian and Daisy Wood’s previous book The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris.
April 14, 2024
Will Lacey be able to find out the history of her grandmother Sophie's life?
We meet Sophie, Hanna, and their parents in 1938 as Hitler takes control of Austria.
Their father was removed from his position at the library because of his Jewish heritage and was shot during an incident.
Their mother owned a bakery but was taken away because of her resistance.
That left Sophie and Hanna as orphans and with only one thing to do - they had to leave Austria.
Hanna was sent to America and Sophie was able to get employment in London at the Royal library.
We follow both sisters during the war and Lacey in 2021 as she tries to find out about her grandmother.
Historical fiction fans and fans of the Royal Family and Windsor will be thrilled with this book.
THE ROYAL LIBRARIAN is a lovely, enjoyable, heartfelt, well-researched read with a mystery to solve about Sophie along with some surprises.
I was curious about what Sophie was up to and enjoyed reading about Queen Elizabeth and her sister in their youth. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
We meet Sophie, Hanna, and their parents in 1938 as Hitler takes control of Austria.
Their father was removed from his position at the library because of his Jewish heritage and was shot during an incident.
Their mother owned a bakery but was taken away because of her resistance.
That left Sophie and Hanna as orphans and with only one thing to do - they had to leave Austria.
Hanna was sent to America and Sophie was able to get employment in London at the Royal library.
We follow both sisters during the war and Lacey in 2021 as she tries to find out about her grandmother.
Historical fiction fans and fans of the Royal Family and Windsor will be thrilled with this book.
THE ROYAL LIBRARIAN is a lovely, enjoyable, heartfelt, well-researched read with a mystery to solve about Sophie along with some surprises.
I was curious about what Sophie was up to and enjoyed reading about Queen Elizabeth and her sister in their youth. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 19, 2024
Please could everyone stop, or at least try hard to stop, writing these generational novels, one plot during WWII and the other plot following some contemporary descendant of main character in Plot #1? This one is a salad mix: trauma from a spiked drink, murder by Nazis, kind-hearted, intelligent girl who forges her own path, silly dialogue attributed to a young Princess Elizabeth, and, of course, spies. I thought it might be some light summer reading. Nope.
November 22, 2025
a novel that radiates quiet strength, threading together historical intrigue, emotional resilience and the profound importance of stories. giving it 5 stars feels entirely justified, not because it dazzles with grand spectacle, but because it approaches its subject matter with such tenderness and intelligence that the narrative becomes deeply absorbing. Daisy Wood crafts a tale that moves confidently between personal journeys and the broader turmoil of a world at war and the result is both intimate and expansive.
at the heart of the story are Sophie Klein and Lacy Jones, two women whose paths cross through circumstance but whose connection takes shape through courage and conviction. Sophie is presented with a complexity that never feels forced; she carries the weight of fear, loss and uncertainty, yet her inner resolve grows subtly, shaped by small acts of defiance and clarity. the writer allows her vulnerability to coexist with a quiet bravery, creating a character who feels authentic, layered and deeply relatable. the reader accompanies her not as a distant observer, but almost as a confidant, someone who witnesses her hesitations, her hopes and the slow rekindling of trust in a world that seems determined to shatter it.
Lacy Jones provides the narrative with a contrasting but equally compelling energy. where Sophie is shaped by introspection, Lacy is driven by outward purpose, guided by an unwavering belief in the preservation of knowledge and truth. she is portrayed with an admirable steadiness, but Daisy Wood also gives her moments of doubt, making her more than an archetype of wartime heroism. the interplay between her outward determination and her private uncertainties enriches the story, lending it emotional depth. what makes the relationship between Sophie and Lacy so engaging is the way their strengths and weaknesses align with each compensating for what the other cannot always muster. their dynamic feels earned and grounded in shared danger, responsibility and the love of stories that transcend borders.
the plot unfolds with a balance of urgency and reflection. the author builds tension not through constant action, but through the gradual tightening of circumstances around the characters. the danger is palpable, but it is the quieter moments, when books are handled as though they were fragile lives, when secrets travel through the smallest gestures that reveal the true stakes of the narrative. the novel explores how information becomes both a weapon and a sanctuary and how preserving stories can be an act of defiance in itself. Daisy Wood’s pacing is deliberate in the best sense, carrying the reader from fear to hope with a smoothness that feels organic rather than orchestrated.
the historical backdrop is vividly rendered without overwhelming the characters; it informs their decisions, their risks and their loyalties, but never steals the spotlight. instead, it provides the necessary pressure that shapes them, drawing out qualities they might never have discovered in more peaceful times. the plot gains emotional power not through dramatic twists but through the way Daisy Wood illuminates sacrifice, compassion and the fragile connections that survive even in the bleakest circumstances.
ultimately, The Royal Librarian succeeds because it approaches its themes of knowledge, resistance and friendship with sincerity and depth. Sophie and Lacy are characters whose emotional trajectories remain with the reader long after the final page and the world they inhabit is one that balances hardship with moments of profound beauty. this is a story that reminds us that books can be both shields and mirrors and that the people who protect them are often protecting far more than paper and ink.
it is a richly told, elegantly paced and deeply human novel, one that earns its 5 stars with quiet but undeniable brilliance.
at the heart of the story are Sophie Klein and Lacy Jones, two women whose paths cross through circumstance but whose connection takes shape through courage and conviction. Sophie is presented with a complexity that never feels forced; she carries the weight of fear, loss and uncertainty, yet her inner resolve grows subtly, shaped by small acts of defiance and clarity. the writer allows her vulnerability to coexist with a quiet bravery, creating a character who feels authentic, layered and deeply relatable. the reader accompanies her not as a distant observer, but almost as a confidant, someone who witnesses her hesitations, her hopes and the slow rekindling of trust in a world that seems determined to shatter it.
Lacy Jones provides the narrative with a contrasting but equally compelling energy. where Sophie is shaped by introspection, Lacy is driven by outward purpose, guided by an unwavering belief in the preservation of knowledge and truth. she is portrayed with an admirable steadiness, but Daisy Wood also gives her moments of doubt, making her more than an archetype of wartime heroism. the interplay between her outward determination and her private uncertainties enriches the story, lending it emotional depth. what makes the relationship between Sophie and Lacy so engaging is the way their strengths and weaknesses align with each compensating for what the other cannot always muster. their dynamic feels earned and grounded in shared danger, responsibility and the love of stories that transcend borders.
the plot unfolds with a balance of urgency and reflection. the author builds tension not through constant action, but through the gradual tightening of circumstances around the characters. the danger is palpable, but it is the quieter moments, when books are handled as though they were fragile lives, when secrets travel through the smallest gestures that reveal the true stakes of the narrative. the novel explores how information becomes both a weapon and a sanctuary and how preserving stories can be an act of defiance in itself. Daisy Wood’s pacing is deliberate in the best sense, carrying the reader from fear to hope with a smoothness that feels organic rather than orchestrated.
the historical backdrop is vividly rendered without overwhelming the characters; it informs their decisions, their risks and their loyalties, but never steals the spotlight. instead, it provides the necessary pressure that shapes them, drawing out qualities they might never have discovered in more peaceful times. the plot gains emotional power not through dramatic twists but through the way Daisy Wood illuminates sacrifice, compassion and the fragile connections that survive even in the bleakest circumstances.
ultimately, The Royal Librarian succeeds because it approaches its themes of knowledge, resistance and friendship with sincerity and depth. Sophie and Lacy are characters whose emotional trajectories remain with the reader long after the final page and the world they inhabit is one that balances hardship with moments of profound beauty. this is a story that reminds us that books can be both shields and mirrors and that the people who protect them are often protecting far more than paper and ink.
it is a richly told, elegantly paced and deeply human novel, one that earns its 5 stars with quiet but undeniable brilliance.
February 11, 2025
As a lifelong historical fiction fan, The Royal Librarian by Daisy Wood didn’t quite meet my expectations. The synopsis sounded intriguing, and I was excited by the premise, which spans a dual timeline—from the Anschluss in 1938 Austria to 2022 in the United States. The story tackles heavy themes like betrayal, scurrilous journalism, and the impact of family secrets. However, I feel that dual timelines have become overdone in recent fiction, and in this case, they felt completely unnecessary to the plot. Sophie, the main character, was relatively likable, and I found her journey—escaping Vienna after the Nazi invasion, moving to England, and eventually becoming a librarian for the royal family—quite compelling. However, the 2022 storyline felt disconnected and unnecessary. The shift in writing style between the historical and modern portions was jarring, almost as if two different authors were involved. Additionally, I felt that the story missed any emotional punch. Given the weight of the subject matter, the narrative didn’t evoke the depth of emotion I was hoping for, and many chapters fell flat in that regard. 2.5/5
April 21, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of The Royal Librarian in exchange for an honest review.
The book has two timelines: one is with Sophie in the late 1930’s in Europe wartimes and the other is with Lacey in the present 2020’s in the United States and onto London as she goes in exploration of her family history.
We follow Sophie through the beginnings of the war in Austria and the Nazi reign as she escapes to Britain to become the Royal Librarian. Alternatively we follow Lacey in present day trying to figure out who Sophie is and what happened to her.
I struggled with the two timelines at first as the jump was jarring between the two. I couldn’t really get into the present day one and could have done without the COVID commentary. I think I would have enjoyed this more without the present day timeline. That part just dragged things out.
We don’t actually make it to the library until 50 - 60% of the story and things don’t really pick up until the last 20%, but by that point I was skimming to get to the end. If this has not been an ARC I would have dropped out much sooner. Unfortunately I just didn’t jive with it. I enjoy more character based historical fiction and this was not that.
The book has two timelines: one is with Sophie in the late 1930’s in Europe wartimes and the other is with Lacey in the present 2020’s in the United States and onto London as she goes in exploration of her family history.
We follow Sophie through the beginnings of the war in Austria and the Nazi reign as she escapes to Britain to become the Royal Librarian. Alternatively we follow Lacey in present day trying to figure out who Sophie is and what happened to her.
I struggled with the two timelines at first as the jump was jarring between the two. I couldn’t really get into the present day one and could have done without the COVID commentary. I think I would have enjoyed this more without the present day timeline. That part just dragged things out.
We don’t actually make it to the library until 50 - 60% of the story and things don’t really pick up until the last 20%, but by that point I was skimming to get to the end. If this has not been an ARC I would have dropped out much sooner. Unfortunately I just didn’t jive with it. I enjoy more character based historical fiction and this was not that.
June 7, 2024
This book wasn't exactly what I was expecting. The synopsis sounded incredible, and I really like the premise of the book. This is a dual timeline novel, part of it takes place during WWII and part of it takes place in 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The parts that take place during WWII are very well written and engaging. I enjoyed this storyline. But the parts that take place in 2021 felt like they were written by a different author. The writing was not on par with the historical and I just couldn't get invested in this storyline.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 3, 2024
My first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. Told from past and present times, we first find ourselves in Austria just as the Nazis invade. Sophie and Hanna are two sisters who flee from the country to safety, Hanna with an American family and Sophie to England where she becomes the Librarian in Windsor Castle, gathering information about the former King and his German acquaintances. In the present day, we meet Lacey who discovers her grandmother is hiding a secret from her past, and Lacey finds herself on a journey to find out what that secret is.
I wasn't expecting the dual timelines in this book, but I thought they worked really well. The story of the two girls in Austria was heart-breaking and you could feel the sadness and fear coming through the pages. I really liked Sophie's character, she was such a strong, level-headed young woman. Hanna was only young when she left Austria, but being separated from her sister brought tears to my eyes. I wasn't sure where Lacey's story was going and it does have a bit of a twist which was cleverly worked in. Her journey was interesting and I loved heading off to Windsor, a place I know well.
Both stories were full of secrets which slowly unravel as the book moves on. I equally enjoyed both perspectives, although the past storyline moved slower than the present. The past was historically correct and well researched and both past and present held my attention through to the end. An emotional read at times, and one which I would recommend if you like historical fiction.
I wasn't expecting the dual timelines in this book, but I thought they worked really well. The story of the two girls in Austria was heart-breaking and you could feel the sadness and fear coming through the pages. I really liked Sophie's character, she was such a strong, level-headed young woman. Hanna was only young when she left Austria, but being separated from her sister brought tears to my eyes. I wasn't sure where Lacey's story was going and it does have a bit of a twist which was cleverly worked in. Her journey was interesting and I loved heading off to Windsor, a place I know well.
Both stories were full of secrets which slowly unravel as the book moves on. I equally enjoyed both perspectives, although the past storyline moved slower than the present. The past was historically correct and well researched and both past and present held my attention through to the end. An emotional read at times, and one which I would recommend if you like historical fiction.
February 18, 2024
The attraction of reading historical fiction is learning new factual information effortlessly while being entertained and this book delivered. It is the first time I've read anything by Daisy Wood but it won't be the last. I've never been a royal watcher but I found the setting of Windsor Castle during World War II fascinating, having read about it endlessly in earlier historical periods. The story is told with a dual timeline and I much preferred Sophie's WW II thread to that of Lacey in 2021. Perhaps I am simply too old to relate to Lacey's issues.
Reading any novel set during World War II gives the reader the advantage of knowing certain facts that the characters don't. Sophie's assigned task at the Royal Library of rooting out disturbing documents of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor made me nervous, knowing that many of the British aristocracy supported Hitler. Though not a real person in history, Sophie was such a rich character and many of the people surrounding her were actual people. This book gives us another vantage point for viewing the Anschluss in Vienna and the war years in England. With fascism rising again in the 21st century, we must never forget the lessons learned in the recent past. This fascinating book both informs and entertains with a fast-moving plot and an emotional punch.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.
Reading any novel set during World War II gives the reader the advantage of knowing certain facts that the characters don't. Sophie's assigned task at the Royal Library of rooting out disturbing documents of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor made me nervous, knowing that many of the British aristocracy supported Hitler. Though not a real person in history, Sophie was such a rich character and many of the people surrounding her were actual people. This book gives us another vantage point for viewing the Anschluss in Vienna and the war years in England. With fascism rising again in the 21st century, we must never forget the lessons learned in the recent past. This fascinating book both informs and entertains with a fast-moving plot and an emotional punch.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.
March 7, 2024
I really enjoyed Daisy Woods other books, but this one has fallen a bit flat for me. I found the story a bit far fetched and predictable.
Told in a dual timeline, the story starts at the time of the Anschluss in 1938 in Austria and ends in 2022 in the United States. It covers themes of betrayal, scurrilous journalism and the effects secrets can have on a family.
I found the character development a bit lacking and so it was hard to really care about them, particularly the present day characters.
It’s difficult to fictionalize real events sometimes and even more so to fictionalize something that has been speculated about, but is not necessarily the truth. The British Royal Family definitely falls into this category and it’s hard to make substance out of speculation.
I ask thought some of the backstory involving Lacey was unnecessary.
So overall, it was worth the read, just not a book I loved.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Told in a dual timeline, the story starts at the time of the Anschluss in 1938 in Austria and ends in 2022 in the United States. It covers themes of betrayal, scurrilous journalism and the effects secrets can have on a family.
I found the character development a bit lacking and so it was hard to really care about them, particularly the present day characters.
It’s difficult to fictionalize real events sometimes and even more so to fictionalize something that has been speculated about, but is not necessarily the truth. The British Royal Family definitely falls into this category and it’s hard to make substance out of speculation.
I ask thought some of the backstory involving Lacey was unnecessary.
So overall, it was worth the read, just not a book I loved.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2024
I debated between rating this book a 2 or 3. In the end I went with a 2 because it just didn't grab me as much as other books that I have rated a 3. And yes, I can be a tough reviewer. Yet another book that takes place in two time periods (yes, that was one of my issues). It seems like an awful lot of novels have been written in the last five or so years with split time periods and someone finding something in the present that triggers them to research the past. In general, I thought the plot was interesting. Sophie was a relatively likeable character and I found her journey from Vienna after the Nazis arrived to England and becoming a librarian at Windsor for the royal family an interesting one. However, I just didn't find myself becoming emotionally invested in the historic characters and surprisingly apathetic to the "present day" characters.
March 19, 2024
History fiction revolving around world wars is an all time favourite for me so I am very thankful for Netgalley and Avon books for the ARC of this book.
Pivoting between two timelines (1938 and 2021) we are watching the story of two Austrian sisters unfold during German occupation.
I was definitely more invested in the past timeline as we get to see the different struggles faced by women in the war which definitely broadens our knowledge of the past. Loved this read that was laced with pain, hope and admiration for these characters.
Pivoting between two timelines (1938 and 2021) we are watching the story of two Austrian sisters unfold during German occupation.
I was definitely more invested in the past timeline as we get to see the different struggles faced by women in the war which definitely broadens our knowledge of the past. Loved this read that was laced with pain, hope and admiration for these characters.
May 26, 2024
4.5 ⭐️!!!
so many good twists & also had me crying!
Rekindled my love for a good historical fiction
so many good twists & also had me crying!
Rekindled my love for a good historical fiction
November 5, 2025
woah, this story completely wrapped me up with the detailed writing & historic impact. the two storylines were very different but equally engaging. sophie is heroic & her time at the windsor castle was impactful during the rise of hitler. in present day, lacey seeks out the truth about sophie’s time at the royal library. lacey finds herself as she uncovers the true story, & you can slowly see this happening. i love how it captured the importance of family, wrapping up the ending in a heartwarming, bittersweet manner.
May 11, 2025
Daisy Wood-tól korábban a Párizs elfeledett könyvesboltja című regényt olvastam, mert engem könnyű olyan szinopszisokkal táncba vinni, mint második világháború, nők, könyvtárak és/vagy könyvesboltok, meg ellenállás. Ugyan akkor voltak fenntartásaim a regény modernebb részével, nem tudtam ellenállni A windsori kastély könyvtárosa fülszövegének sem. Hiszen megint ott voltak azok a bizonyos hívószavak.
A regény második világháború előtt, környékén játszódó részei nagyon izgalmasak és érdekesek voltak. Főleg, mert eddig elsősorban angol vagy francia történeteket olvastam a 30-as évek végéről és Ausztria el volt mindig annyival intézve, hogy Anschluss. De hogy ez mit jelentett 38-ban az ott lakó zsidóknak és családjuknak, arról semmit se tudtam. Kimondottan szívszorító volt olvasni Sophie családjának megpróbáltatásairól ebből az időszakból. A windsori kastélyban játszódó részeket is érdeklődve olvastam, mert olyan életet és munkákat mutatott be, amivel eddig maximum a Király beszédében vagy a Crown első két évadának visszatekintős részeiben találkoztam.
A két idősíkon játszódó történetekkel mint korábban is megfigyeltem már mindig az a baj, hogy ha az egyik kevésbé jön be az olvasónak, akkor az nagyon rossz felé tudja billenteni az olvasmányélményt. Márpedig itt megint úgy éreztem, hogy a 2021-22-ben játszódó szakaszok kizökkentettek az izgalmas második világháborús kémsztoriból, ráadásul nem volt elég érdekes ami Lacey-vel történik. Ha csak az lett volna, hogy nyomoz Sophie után és beveti amit korábbi szellemírói pályáján tanult, sokkal jobb szájízzel csukom be a könyvet. Mert így még a megoldások is nagyon elsietettek lettek: a windsori események lassan épültek fel, aztán a végén hipp-hopp véget ért a történet, rengeteg szereplőről semmi lezárás nem jött és Lacey is már csak mások elbeszéléseiből tudta meg, mi történet Sophie-val.
Szóval így a második Daisy Wood regényem után azt kell mondanom, hogy a szerző igazán jó történelminek és hitelesnek tűnő karaktereket tud felépíteni megy az is, hogy izgalmas helyzetekbe teszi őket, de talán el kéne hagynia a kerettörténetet. Sophie sztorija anélkül is simán kitett volna egy regényt és jóval izgalmasabb lett volna. Ráadásul kezdem azért azt érezni, hogy azért már igazán nehéz második világháborús hős túlélőket találni, akik köré jó szívvel lehet 2020-as történetszálakat keríteni.
Részletesen: https://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2...
A regény második világháború előtt, környékén játszódó részei nagyon izgalmasak és érdekesek voltak. Főleg, mert eddig elsősorban angol vagy francia történeteket olvastam a 30-as évek végéről és Ausztria el volt mindig annyival intézve, hogy Anschluss. De hogy ez mit jelentett 38-ban az ott lakó zsidóknak és családjuknak, arról semmit se tudtam. Kimondottan szívszorító volt olvasni Sophie családjának megpróbáltatásairól ebből az időszakból. A windsori kastélyban játszódó részeket is érdeklődve olvastam, mert olyan életet és munkákat mutatott be, amivel eddig maximum a Király beszédében vagy a Crown első két évadának visszatekintős részeiben találkoztam.
A két idősíkon játszódó történetekkel mint korábban is megfigyeltem már mindig az a baj, hogy ha az egyik kevésbé jön be az olvasónak, akkor az nagyon rossz felé tudja billenteni az olvasmányélményt. Márpedig itt megint úgy éreztem, hogy a 2021-22-ben játszódó szakaszok kizökkentettek az izgalmas második világháborús kémsztoriból, ráadásul nem volt elég érdekes ami Lacey-vel történik. Ha csak az lett volna, hogy nyomoz Sophie után és beveti amit korábbi szellemírói pályáján tanult, sokkal jobb szájízzel csukom be a könyvet. Mert így még a megoldások is nagyon elsietettek lettek: a windsori események lassan épültek fel, aztán a végén hipp-hopp véget ért a történet, rengeteg szereplőről semmi lezárás nem jött és Lacey is már csak mások elbeszéléseiből tudta meg, mi történet Sophie-val.
Szóval így a második Daisy Wood regényem után azt kell mondanom, hogy a szerző igazán jó történelminek és hitelesnek tűnő karaktereket tud felépíteni megy az is, hogy izgalmas helyzetekbe teszi őket, de talán el kéne hagynia a kerettörténetet. Sophie sztorija anélkül is simán kitett volna egy regényt és jóval izgalmasabb lett volna. Ráadásul kezdem azért azt érezni, hogy azért már igazán nehéz második világháborús hős túlélőket találni, akik köré jó szívvel lehet 2020-as történetszálakat keríteni.
Részletesen: https://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2...
May 24, 2024
Fell flat. It seemed not too much happened, and what did happen was predictable. I had hoped for so much more.
March 11, 2025
I have read and enjoyed previous books by Daisy, so I was excited to see how this story would unfold. This is a dual timeline with the first story about two Austrian sisters at the beginning of Nazi rule in 1938. I found this part very interesting especially with regards to escaping their homeland - one goes to America and the other ends up being the Royal Librarian at Windsor Castle and working in intelligence. The second timeline is in the present when a granddaughter discovers that she does in fact have an aunt and travels to discover her story.
‘I am the Royal Librarian, she reminds herself, straightening her shoulders, and I have done nothing wrong.’
The story of Sophie, royal librarian, and her work at Windsor castle was the highlight. The whole issue concerning the role of the abdicated Edward and the espionage resulting was very engaging. I did not appreciate the contemporary timeline as much and felt the book would have been better served with just the one timeline and events would have evolved more quickly on the page. Daisy has undertaken a wonderful amount of research surrounding everything from the atrocities to Jews under Nazi rule to what life was like working in the British royal household during the war. The Royal Librarian is an entertaining read with interesting historical details - mystery, romance, family drama provide the icing on top!
‘Oh no, I want a quiet life.’ Sophie made an effort to smile back at him. In that moment, she could think of nothing better: losing peaceful hours in the archive, reading about history rather than living through it.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
‘I am the Royal Librarian, she reminds herself, straightening her shoulders, and I have done nothing wrong.’
The story of Sophie, royal librarian, and her work at Windsor castle was the highlight. The whole issue concerning the role of the abdicated Edward and the espionage resulting was very engaging. I did not appreciate the contemporary timeline as much and felt the book would have been better served with just the one timeline and events would have evolved more quickly on the page. Daisy has undertaken a wonderful amount of research surrounding everything from the atrocities to Jews under Nazi rule to what life was like working in the British royal household during the war. The Royal Librarian is an entertaining read with interesting historical details - mystery, romance, family drama provide the icing on top!
‘Oh no, I want a quiet life.’ Sophie made an effort to smile back at him. In that moment, she could think of nothing better: losing peaceful hours in the archive, reading about history rather than living through it.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
October 14, 2024
A dual timeline, 1949 Sophie Klien was employed as a Royal Librarian and in 2020 Hanna's granddaughter discovered her grandmother's secret.
An emotional and moving story about a family living in Austria just before the fast-approaching WWII. The father is Jewish and the mother is Catholic. The Jews are being rounded up, killed or sent to concentration camps. The family is on an outing in town when the father is gunned down and the mother is captured. Their girls Sophie and Hanna are mortified and flee for their lives.
Their future is grim, but a couple who rescue children, provide Hanna with passage to America where she is adopted. Sophie is contacted and recruited to work for the British embassy.
In England, her job was as an assistant to the Royal Librarian at Windsor Castle. Unbeknownst to her, Windsor Castle was being compromised and her mission was to save the two princesses.
In 2020, Philadephia, Lacey, "Gubby's (Hanna)granddaughter", discovers in her grandmother's possessions that Grandma was born in Vienna and a letter stamped with the Windsor Castle crest. Throughout her life, this revelation was never mentioned. Lacey, also discovers that Gubby has a sister. With this knowledge, Lacey heads to England and the truth.
An emotional and moving story about a family living in Austria just before the fast-approaching WWII. The father is Jewish and the mother is Catholic. The Jews are being rounded up, killed or sent to concentration camps. The family is on an outing in town when the father is gunned down and the mother is captured. Their girls Sophie and Hanna are mortified and flee for their lives.
Their future is grim, but a couple who rescue children, provide Hanna with passage to America where she is adopted. Sophie is contacted and recruited to work for the British embassy.
In England, her job was as an assistant to the Royal Librarian at Windsor Castle. Unbeknownst to her, Windsor Castle was being compromised and her mission was to save the two princesses.
In 2020, Philadephia, Lacey, "Gubby's (Hanna)granddaughter", discovers in her grandmother's possessions that Grandma was born in Vienna and a letter stamped with the Windsor Castle crest. Throughout her life, this revelation was never mentioned. Lacey, also discovers that Gubby has a sister. With this knowledge, Lacey heads to England and the truth.
May 8, 2025
I decided a long time ago that my revenge is to lead the happiest, most productive life I can. I don’t want to think of myself as a victim, not when I’ve been so blessed. Especially compared to the others.
я люблю родинні саги на історичному тлі, тому загалом мені роман був норм. але, чесно кажучи, дуже передбачувані сюжетні ходи і страшенно затягнуто – в якийсь момент книжка пішла в розряд «почитаю аби швидше заснути»
я люблю родинні саги на історичному тлі, тому загалом мені роман був норм. але, чесно кажучи, дуже передбачувані сюжетні ходи і страшенно затягнуто – в якийсь момент книжка пішла в розряд «почитаю аби швидше заснути»
February 2, 2025
A family narrative split between early WWII and present day. Better done than many of this genre with some unique settings. I found the whole “mystery” to be a bit rushed at the end and the present day anxiety narrative to be a bit tiring. Not that it isn’t important, just unnecessary to the overall plot.
February 7, 2025
Although it has an exciting premise, the story took a long time to get going, and there was no real tension in the narration. There’s a brief climax to the story at the end that doesn’t feel like sufficient pay-off, and the modern storyline was unnecessary and a distraction from the main plot.
May 12, 2025
Honestly dnf this book, kept trying go come back to it, but the present day storyline wasn’t engaging. Also I didn’t vibe with the overall writing style, especially the dialogue.
April 18, 2025
Loved the concept of this book and something about the writing was off for me. It does make me want to go back to London and see Windsor Castle.
March 22, 2024
3.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Overall, I did end up enjoying the book, but I did struggle to get into it at first - the dual timeline was very jarring at first and did seem a bit predictable. Some of the character development was lacking, especially from the 2021-2 flashes- I’d get so engrossed in what was going on in the 1938-1940 plot that when we flashed forward, I’d forgotten who some of the minor characters were that were referenced or where we were in the storyline. While I appreciated Lacey’s storyline, it wasn’t really necessary and muddled what was actually a really entertaining plot. Because of the present-day portions, some of the WWII plot seemed rushed or glossed over, and further character development could have been completed - as a result, the ending of Sophie’s timeline seemed very hurried as if the author tried to tie everything up into a tidy bow but had hit her page limit. I wanted to really enjoy this book, but had I not wanted to complete my task of reading rhetorical ARC and leaving a review, I’m not sure I would have pushed past the first few chapters. However, I am really, really glad that I did because I was very interested in the story of Sophie at Windsor, the role of Edward, and the espionage that occurred. I think, in the end, while I appreciated the forward flashes for what they were trying to do, I ended up being distracted from the central storyline, particularly in the beginning. Overall, though, Sophie’s story was incredibly enlightening about the atrocities that happened in Austria, the difficulties getting to safety for Jewish people in areas under Hitler’s control, life in the British royal household during warfare, and life in war torn England. It was very evident that the author did her research on the history of the period even if she took liberties with actual events in the Royal Library (which she acknowledged at the very start of the book).
November 7, 2024
This wasn't really what I was expecting. The synopsis sounded right up my alley, but then the book, well it was not up my alley. Not even in my town's alley in fact.
This is a dual timeline novel (which I love with historical fiction), WWII and 2021-2022. I think if the present day was any other period other than 2021-2022 I would have liked this more. The present day was so much about COVID pandemic, which honestly, can we just not use this in plots anymore?
The 'present day' writing was a completely different style writing too, almost like a different author wrote this portion and threw it with the historical portion. I think, personally, that this novel could have done without the 2021-2022 portion and just focused on being in WWII.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for my DRC.
This is a dual timeline novel (which I love with historical fiction), WWII and 2021-2022. I think if the present day was any other period other than 2021-2022 I would have liked this more. The present day was so much about COVID pandemic, which honestly, can we just not use this in plots anymore?
The 'present day' writing was a completely different style writing too, almost like a different author wrote this portion and threw it with the historical portion. I think, personally, that this novel could have done without the 2021-2022 portion and just focused on being in WWII.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for my DRC.
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