The Booklover's Library

by Madeline Martin

A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of the books that bring them together.

In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job to provide for herself and her beloved daughter, Olivia. But with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her.

When the threat of war becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In her daughter’s absence, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, as well as the recommendations she provides to the library’s quirky regulars. But the job doesn’t come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing, and her work forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.

As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Books About Books, Historical, Audiobook, World War II, War

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2024

About the author

Madeline Martin is a New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and international bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance with books that have been translated into over twenty-five different languages.

She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions), two incredibly spoiled cats and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she's not writing, researching or 'moming', you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while laughing over cat videos. She also loves research and travel, attributing her fascination with history to having spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany.

Check out her website for book club visits, reader guides for her historical fiction, upcoming events, book news and more: https://madelinemartin.com

Reviews

[Madeline Martin]

Update November 17, 2024

The Booklover's Library has launched into the world and has received such a wonderful welcome by so many of you. Thank you for all of you who have left reviews, who told your friends about my book, who have invited me to chat with your book clubs, and who have attended my in person and virtual events. I'm so incredibly grateful for all the love and support I've received!

I'm also so pleased to announced that The Booklover's Library is a nominee for The Goodreads Choice Awards for Favorite Historical Fiction. If you loved this story and would like to give it a vote, you may do so here: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward... (and thank you!)

For those of you wondering what's next for me, September 2025 I'll be launching The Secret Book Society - a Victorian era books about books novel about the power of women who build one another up in a society determined to keep them down where I explore all the things I love about the Victorian era. Find out more and add to your Want to Read here: https://madelinemartin.com/books/the-...

Thank you again so much for all your support!!! xoxo

Update March 27, 2024

Reviewers - The Booklover's Library just hit NetGalley!! You can request your copy here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...

But also...I HAVE A COVER!!!!!

I absolutely love this gorgeous cover for The Booklover's Library as it incorporates so many aspects of the books that were so important to me:
- I love how the parchment under the title is a nod to The Last Bookshop in London since this book channels those same heartwarming, Homefront vibes
- I love the mother and daughter and their obvious bond
- I love the warm, cozy colors
- And I LOVE that one of the books on the bottom shelf has an eyelet at the top of the book, just like the ones from the real Booklover's Library (because, yes, it was a real place!)

I also realized I forgot to post the official back cover blurb, so here that is too:
In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job. She and her beloved daughter Olivia have always managed just fine on their own, but with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her with a job.

When the threat of war in England becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In the wake of being separated from her daughter, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, and a renewed sense of purpose through the recommendations she provides to the library’s quirky regulars. But the job doesn’t come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing and the work at the lending library forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.

As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.

More to come as I have it! xoxo

Update 12/29/2023:
I just finished my edits for The Booklover's Library and sent them back to my editor this morning!

Reading through this book as I edited, I reconnected with all those characters again and was reminded of how much I love them! I laughed, I cried (sad tears, but happy ones too) and am just so excited for this book to come out in September.

If you loved The Last Bookshop in London, The Booklover's Library carries that same homefront heartwarming joy with ALL the feels!! (and there's totally a cameo from The Last Bookshop in London)

I hope everyone loves this book as much as I've enjoyed dreaming it up and writing it ❤

PS An official blurb is coming soon!!! I can't wait to share it!
PSS This year I also finished writing a special project that is a little different from my previous books and will finally be sharing news on that in January too!

Happy New Year, everyone! <3

Update 10/3/2023:
I've officially turned The Booklover's Library into my editor and really am so happy with how the story turned out. These characters are absolutely from my heart and I hope everyone loves them as much as I do. I especially loved writing some cameo scenes that had me smiling as I typed. :)

This particular book was a little more personal to me as I spent a few years as a single mother of my two girls. I pulled from that experience when writing Emma's story. While it was a difficult time, the bond I shared with my daughters then and now really shaped Emma and Olivia's stories. And, of course, there's the books - not only the classics that we all know and love, but some more modern (to 1939/1940) as was part of the charm of the lending libraries back then.

Stay posted for more details - I'll share as they come! :) Thank you for following me on this journey <3

First update 08/24/2023:
I've been working on this book already for about nine months and it's so exciting to be able to give some updates here :)

I know there isn't a blurb listed here yet. My publisher does a much better job than I do, but here's a rough go of it the following blurb is not the official blurb. I'm actually still in the process of writing the book, so things will likely change. Funny how I can write 100K word book, but it's these catchy blurbs that stump me!

Now that I've gotten you all excited for this poorly written blurb...here is is:
Widow, Emma Taylor, has just begun working at the Booklover's Library in Nottingham, England when the war breaks out and her daughter must be sent away to the country to remain safe. Bereft and broken-hearted, Emma takes comfort in the book community she has recently rediscovered. She is not alone in this need. As war descends in earnest, bringing bombs and danger to their doorstep, those around her are now more important than ever before - for safety, for support, and for hope.

People who loved The Last Bookshop in London will enjoy this heartwarming read of a mother and daughter's love and one woman's quest to find herself amid the loving - and sometimes quirky - community within the Booklover's Library. And when a trip takes Emma to London, there just might be a cameo from some of your favorite characters ;)

In March, my youngest daughter accompanied me to Nottingham, England where I dug into some great onsite research for The Booklover's Library. Nottingham isn't always forefront in people's minds when they think of the Blitz, but there was certainly a lot going on in the city between the children's evacuation, the many factories that turned to munitions work during the war, the bombings they experienced, and, of course, the caves under the city.

I'm really enjoying writing this book so much. For those of you who loved The Last Bookshop in London, this book is very similar - not only set in England, but also a lighter read with funny moments and heartwarming scenes that have me choking up with all the feels. And there's this adorable little dog named Tubby... :D I just hope you all love reading it as much as I'm loving writing it.

More to come soon!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, well-written, WWII historical fiction novel. It depicts the beautiful bond between a mother and daughter, and has endearing characters, friendship, a little mystery, a touch of romance, and a gratifying conclusion. Ms. Martin's loyal readers will appreciate the nod to one of her previous books. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Ms. Saskia Maarleveld, who has a captivating voice, does an outstanding job depicting the characters and their personalities. The author's note is interesting and informative, and is truly appreciated.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the author's note, I get why this book was written the way it was. It's meant to be a book about mothers and their unending love for their child. The cover, title, and description however make you think it's about a library in WWII England. Very little is written about the library and much of the book is boring. I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn't been expecting a very different book.

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

RTC

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Booklover's Library takes us to London during WWII when married or widowed women were not allowed to work, when children were whisked out of London to keep them safe from the bombings, and to wonderful research done by Ms. Martin.

The book opens with a fire in Emma and her father's beloved bookstore.

Everything was lost including Emma's father.

We then move to nine years later when Emma is widowed with a child, has no income, and with England on the verge of entering the war.

When England does get involved, Emma has to make the difficult decision of sending her daughter away to be safe.

The characters are lovely, and the storyline will warm your heart as well as tear it apart.

Learning about a lending library that had Class A and Class B clients along with a pricey subscription fee was quite interesting.

You will wish you could go to Boot's Booklover's Library and talk with the people who work there and experience the warmth of the people and the organization of the library.

This book is a can't-put-down one and another GEM by Ms. Martin that will have you shedding happy tears along with the sad ones. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love Madeline Martin’s novels featuring books and wartime experiences!

What a great, great cover!

Martin takes readers to Nottingham, England in 1931 and introduces us to a fellow bibliophile and Booklover’s Librarian, Emma Taylor. Like many of Martin’s readers, Emma finds comfort in books and has relied on them throughout her life for comfort in difficult moments. When tragedy strikes and Emma is forced to leave the Tower Bookshop in Beeston, she becomes a librarian of a lending library.

I’d never heard of this concept before (lending library versus a public library) and was intrigued to discover that they were located in many Boot’s chemists throughout England. I got sucked into a rabbit hole Googling ‘red label books’, ‘Class A subscribers’, ‘marriage bars’ and the social research organization, ‘Mass Observation.’ Although I had read a few books featuring the children’s evacuation in wartime England, Martin was able to bring a fresh perspective and I felt compelled to read further to find out what happened to Olivia and if she was ever reunited with her mother.

Martin’s novel is rich with nostalgia from her previous stories, addresses the stress of single parenting during wartime, features quirky characters, and is light on romance. It reminds readers that money doesn’t buy happiness and that we need to look for it within and foster it.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Booklovers’s Library by Madeline Martin
Historical fiction.
In the early 1930’s, married or widowed women were not allowed to work outside the house. Emma Taylor needs a job and though she will have to leave her daughter alone, she gets a job as Miss Taylor at Books’ Booklover’s Library with a little help from a kindhearted manager. Emma learns how the memberships work and who gets the priority books and how patrons may say they want a classic when in reality is looking for something else. Emma’s landlady also helps out watching Olivia until the war efforts demand she be evacuated to the countryside. As the war continues Olivia is later sent to stay with her grandparents on her father’s side who are cold and rule followers but air raids in the city prevent her from being able to come home. Intrigue at the library, volunteering and neighborhood regulars create friendships that help the time pass during the rationing, and bombings. It’s a difficult time for the world.

Sad and heartbreaking times but lives and love continue regardless of the war. It is actually heartwarming with made family while Olivia adds many poignant moments. Hopeful.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book SO much. I thought it would have many of the elements I love: WWII Home Front, books, women standing on their own, a fun library (especially knowing the history of lending libraries in Britain and Boots' early role), maybe a light romance.

But. BUT. This book had so little of the library in it I almost threw my phone (and thus the ebook) across the room. The amount of time spent in the bookshop during the course of the novel probably counts up to less than a week. It should really just be titled "Olivia", because it's just a long book about a woman's obsession with her daughter. EVERYTHING circles back to Olivia, and Emma is so absorbed by her there's nothing left of herself. I do understand putting your children first and loving them more than anything, but almost nothing of this story didn't somehow swing back to Olivia, a child who wasn't even present for half the book. And what a wet blanket Emma is, because every time someone might be judging her, she takes it and gallops off into worry.

I was also incredibly frustrated by the writing itself. All tell, very little show, It's stilted, weirdly formal, and honestly, kind of whiny. And so many random details the author wanted to include, but instead of incorporating them she just dumped them into the story, like talking about the sand being dug out under Nottingham while her daughter is laying on the ground pretending to be dead. There were just so many badly constructed, clunky sentences that begged for editing.

"Determined to now keep the wireless, she would now need to register the device with the government by law, as all wireless owners were required to do."

"Olivia beamed up at the two of them, her eyes starry as was the way of small children at impressionable ages when it came to seeing authority figures they knew."

"No matter how Emma tried over the next week, she couldn't clear her mind of Olivia lying amidst the rubble, immobile, gray with ash and the application of overly convincing cosmetics to appear dead."

This book was just a big flop for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling historical fiction story, about the power of books in wartime England.

In Nottingham England, widow Emma Taylor desperately needs a job to support herself and her beloved daughter, Olivia. Legal restrictions prohibit married women, or widows with children from most employment opportunities. Emma eventually persuades the manageress at Boots' Booklover's library to take a chance on her.

What follows is a heartwarming story about the bonds of family, the importance of community, and the beauty of books, particularly during tumultuous times.

I adore Madeline Martin's skill at writing a memorable historical fiction story, often featuring books.

4.5 stars (rounded up)

[Brianna Labuskes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Booklover’s Library is a timely and powerful reminder that it’s not just books that will get you through the darkest of days, but the people who love them right alongside you. Martin’s meticulous research transports readers to bomb-ridden England and opens a door to a fascinating slice of library history that I’d never read about before. Through it all, I cried, I sighed with joy and I rooted for all the complex and endearing characters. This love letter to literature, motherhood and community should be at the top of any bibliophile’s must-read list. Martin never disappoints!

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! It was brilliant and an easy 5 shiny stars rating from me!!! 💫💫💫💫💫

" It was the sound of joy. A sound of a nation healing. But perhaps, most of all, it was the sound of a room full of future book lovers."
-----Emma

I've been waiting to read this book since I finished The Last Bookshop In London a couple years ago!! I was so happy when I saw that I could pre order it and I called my brother to tap into his Amazon account to buy it. I got the audiobook on my Libby app August 27, 2024 and couldn't wait for the book to arrive the same day. Well, the publisher pushed the publication date back to September 10 th!! Decisions, decisions ..... should I wait for my book or listen to the audiobook? In the end, I decided to listen to the audiobook because I didn't know when it would come up on Libby again. So, it sorta fulfills one of my goals to read more books at home 💚 I will get it on the 10 th!

This is based on a true story of the real Booklovers Library in Nottingham, London. The characters are based on real people and events. It's the story of Emma and her daughter, Olivia. Emma is a widow and I didn't know how hard it was to find employment for a widow, especially a widow with a child, before, during and after WW2. Emma finally found a job as a librarian at The Booklovers Library and has to make a heartbreaking decision to keep Olivia with her or send her away for safety to another family.

I also learned that a lending library, such as The Booklovers Library, charged a yearly subscription fee to it's patrons for borrowing a book and you could only get one book at a time. Interesting. That would be hard for me because I usually get more than one book at once.

This is a story of love, hope, drama, a lot of action and the help of family and friends to get through the darkness of war. The power of books shines through once more to provide a light in the darkest of times! Oh, and to those who read The Last Bookshop In London, you'll revisit some old and dear friends!!!! 😀

Read the Author's Notes to see how this book came to be!! Whoever reads this book is in for a rollercoaster ride of emotions!! This one doesn't disappoint!! I very highly recommend this one!!

Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨📖

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another outstanding historical fiction book by Madeline Martin. When you read one of Madeline's books you see the history unfold before you're very eyes. Yes there is fiction, but it's almost plays second fiddle to the actual historical events that take place in Nottingham England during the beginning of World War II. You see when you look at the title, you think this may very well be a romantic fiction novel, but that is not the case. Martin uses fictional characters to bring actual historical events to life, and it captures the readers from page one and continues through to the very end. It's the story of Emma Taylor, a widow, and how she is able to cope with all that is thrown at her during this time. During this time, most all businesses don't hire widows, especially widows with a child which is a problem since Emma is the mother of an eight-year-old daughter, Olivia. Having grown up a round books. Emma jumped at the chance to potentially work at the Booklover's Library and here is where history takes over. I was unaware that there were such establishments in England, but Booklover's was a lending library where people bought subscriptions and were able to come and borrow books. It began in 1898 and continued until 1964, during which time it was a staple in Boots Chemists (a pharmacy), and became part of the very fabric of England. This is a story of how a group of women banned together to overcome adversities, including not being able to get married or engaged, what to do when you have an eight year-old child and the government wants you to move them to the country for their safety, the nightly air raids that are prevalent in Nottingham, England, the WVS a volunteer women's aid society that help those returning from the front lines of the way and for those unfortunate people who were bombed out of their homes. The book touches upon all of these issues in such a way that you are drawn into the story yourself, and it is a story that men and women can both understand and empathize with. Martin has a way of incorporating richn historical details into her characters, including the character, Margaret, a beautiful blonde who helps keep her weight down by taking "bile beans" something I never heard of until this book. And it goes on and on, in the hands of a lesser author it would turn out to be more of a romantic historical novel, but not with Martin who infuses her characters with real life emotions and passions, and while love may eventually be a part of this book it's not the major emphasis. Instead she writes as how women survived the beginnings of World War II. What to do with Olivia, who has been separated from her mother and who longs to come back home to her. It is also another winning effort by Madeline Martin. Just filled with believable characters, a wonderful plot and one that gives you a good bit of the historical perspective on how life was on the "home front" at the beginning of World War II in England.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! Martin never disappoints. Emotional and gripping story of a mother and her daughter and what she has to do to keep her safe.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stellar WW2 historical fiction, that is guaranteed to keep the reader hooked to the very end! This book should come with a Warning Label: “Do not begin this book if you have housework to do, or have food cooking. Your house will stay dirty and the food will burn, because it is unputdownable!”
This novel was like chocolate candy to me! I’ve been interested in the London Blitz, and the children’s evacuations, since I first saw “Journey For Margaret” on tv as a kid. I’ve read many books on the subject, wonderful ones and not so great ones. This book by Madeline Martin is one of the very best I’ve ever read! I need to raid the library to find more by her (or maybe a bookstore)!
The writing was superb; it drew me in from the first line. For historical fiction lovers who want to “experience” what they are reading about, this book is a must. The author’s notes at the end were very interesting, also, and added greatly to the book.
I usually add a “Memorable Quotes” section to my reviews, but in this case, I’m mentioning a whole section. The scene where Emma sends Olivia off on the train the first time broke my heart, it was so touchingly described. A reader would have to be made of absolute stone not to have misty eyes and a lump in the throat upon finishing those passages.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline Martin uses bookshops and libraries as beautiful vehicles to write about everyday people coping with personal trauma and the horror of war. Such a formula may lead you to think these stories are repetitive, but her work has taken readers from Washington, DC, London, Warsaw, Lisbon, and Paris. Each story is unique and each character an individual you can root for.

In this story, we follow Emma from her late teens, when she watched her father die as their home and bookshop burned down, to her late-twenties, when she gets a job at the bookstore inside Boots Chemist (yes, that Boots) and grapples with sending her daughter to the country at the start of the Blitz.

I knew about Operation Pied Piper, but following a mother as she dealt with the heartache and guilt of sending her daughter away multiple times made the difficulties of single parents during that time hit home.

Have a few hankies ready for this one!

[Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin is a historical fiction novel set during World War II in Nottingham, England. Emma Taylor, a widow with a child faces societies restrictions that limit employment opportunities for widows with children. She ends up being able to secures a position at Boots’ Booklover’s Library without completely disclosing her background. As WW2 escalates, Emma is forced to evacuate her daughter, Olivia, to the countryside for safety. During this time books serve as an escape, hope and connection away from their current reality.
This novel has wonderful historical detail and emotional depth. It is also well researched and shows the solace many find in books. I know for myself personally books are my escape from a stressful job and at times a very lonely life. They are my constant companion. I would be lost without them.

[Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!
I'm not going to lie. The opening scene will have booklovers gasp in shock when the events unfold.
From that point, I could not put the book down as I had to know what happened to the bookshop and the owners. It was gripping and filled with emotion, and the author's love of literature really shines through.
I'd happily read more from this author after loving this one so much!

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Sept. 10, 2024

Emma Taylor is a widow, raising her young daughter in Nottingham, England right before the start of World War Two. With so many regulations in place that prevent married and widowed women from holding a job, Emma is getting desperate, until a random encounter with an understanding manager gives her the oppourtunity of a lifetime- working at the Booklover’s Library. Daily, Emma is surrounded by books and the people who love them but just as she has found a place where she fits in, World War Two hits England hard and she is forced to send her beloved daughter, Olivia, away to the country to flee the violence. Now, all that Emma has is her love of books and the community of booklovers who are looking to escape the terrible violence around them. But is literature and the love of books enough to overcome the separation from her daughter, and the horrifying war raging around her?

Madeline Martin is a book lover and, if her new novel, “The Booklover's Library” wasn’t enough of a clue, how about her previous novels, such as “The Last Bookshop in London” or “The Librarian Spy”? I am always willing to read novels about books, booklovers, libraries or anything and everything literary, and Martin has delivered this in spades!

“Library” is told from Emma’s perspective, as she struggles with the loss of her husband, the daily threat to her life as the war wages on and the nearly insurmountable grief of sending her daughter away. Now, as a modern-day reader, I cannot relate to any of these situations thank goodness) but the most important, and relatable, aspect of Emma is her love of books as a means to escape the chaos around her. Any reader will definitely find a kindred spirit in this facet of Emma’s personality.

Martin’s “Library” is historical fiction, obviously based on real-life events, but also tells the harrowing tale of war and the humanity that surrounds us in times of sorrow and strife. Motherhood, community, new romance and societal ideals on women are also strong themes, which means that “Library” will have a little something for everyone!

New to me, Martin has introduced me to an entirely new series of books about books, so I have some catching up to do. But I won’t make that mistake again and will be sure to jump in line when Martin delivers something new!

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. Historical fiction is my thing and what couldn't be better than a story set on Nottingham in WW2 centered on a Boots Booklovers Library? So I started reading and quickly became alarmed and checked that yes, the author is, in fact, American. This shouldn't and needn't be an issue, but for this book it really is. To the point that the reading experience is spoiled. Throughout the book are inexcusable editorial errors that could have so very easily been corrected if a late script had been given to a Brit to read and check.
No one in the UK uses the word 'gotten', the UK does not use kilometers as a distance measure - it is always miles. There are no sidewalks in Britain - there is the road and pavement on either side. No one would ever have made blueberry scones, or pumpkin spice ones back in the 1940's. They would have been plain, or with some raisins in. And you can't 'whip clotted cream to perfection', it's not possible to whip clotted cream at all. Brits don't 'figure things out', they work things out, or think things through. No farmhouse would be made of wood - that's the barn. The farmhouse is made of stone or brick. There are many expressions, turns of phrase and vocabulary choices that are off throughout. Olivia uses Mum and Mummy inconsistently - a little girl would much more likely call her mother mummy, or consistently use one or the other.
Setting that aside, the story of whether Emma should send her daughter Olivia to the country to avoid the dangers of the German bombing campaign gets really repetitive. Unfortunately, many children did not have a wonderful experience when they were sent away, and I liked how the second placement turned out to be an exploitative (for the rations) experience. I also liked the camaraderie of the landlady, other women working in the library, bookworms and such. Women were barred from so much back then, and all the post WW2 propaganda to get women back in the home partially worked, but the genie was really out of the bottle and it was the start of women having careers beyond nursing, teaching and secretarial positions. The WVS really were heroes. I had no knowledge of the Boots libraries, so that was interesting and I would have liked more about the library and less endless loops of Emma brow beating and second guessing her decision to either keep Olivia with her or send her away.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Booklover’s Library is a very moving book that brought me to tears and had me holding my breath! Emma is a widow and mother to a young daughter who lives in Nottingham, England. When war seems imminent, she must decide if she should send her daughter to safety, or keep her with her, potentially putting her life at risk. There is much heartbreak with this decision, as you can imagine. Emma is also newly-employed at a lending library, which is chock full of interesting workmates and book lovers! This book deals with some of the arcane laws at the time which forbade wives and mothers to work outside of the home. I loved the way this diverse group of neighbors and coworkers banded together at this extremely difficult time, and I loved that books and stories were such a huge comfort to them. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher.

[Katie Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Releasing September 10, 2024

“I find the best way to understand a woman’s mind is to delve into the books they love best.”


Very sad to say this wasn’t good. It started out much stronger, but soon became fluffy & repetitive. The Booklover’s Library follows Emma. She is a widowed mother in WWII Nottingham, England. I did like the perspective of a widow during this time. I didn’t realize it was so difficult for a widow to make it in the world. There were societal prejudices that prevented these women from getting a job, as only single women were considered appropriate for most positions. That was something I hadn’t really known about. But of course our main character finds a special place willing to make exceptions. This book does show a lot about everyday life for the British during the war & there are a few interesting facts throughout which I appreciated. Like, they were told to put down all pets in order to save on food, & paper was also rationed which led to books printed during this time having very thin paper & cramped typing.
What I didn’t like was the entire book felt so repetitive & not a lot of exciting things happen, & when they do they are very quickly & conveniently resolved. Felt cheesy & predictable.
I enjoyed The Last Bookshop in London & was excited to read this, but I’m definitely disappointed.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline Martin is a new favorite historical fiction writer. I enjoyed this so much! It made me think about how hard it would be for parents to make the decision to send their children away to the country for safety during the war. And Emma was up against so much as a single parent. Emma’s relationship with her daughter is beautifully written. You can tell Martin put her own mothering heart and soul into it. I love the way Emma slowly begins to make friends with those in her tenement and at her job so that by the end of the novel, there is a whole community of beloved individuals who love and care for each other. It’s so heartwarming. I also love any time the WVS mobile canteens show up in a story. I like to think it’s what I would have done in the war. I love the scenes with Emma and Margaret’s service this way. Mrs Pickering with her WVS authority and enthusiasm was just the best. (And Nameless, hilarious!) Martin balances humor and heartache so well in the story. And it’s so hopeful! I’d love to work in the bookstore.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combining several aspects of the difficult decisions women faced in London during WWII. Set in a lending library that served paid subscribers, the employees were expected to be knowledgeable and polite. Married women were not allowed to work, nor were widows rarely considered for employment, making it hard to provide for their children. They also faced the choice of sending their children to the country. It became vital for women to support one another and lean on each other in times of need.
The book was well researched, and the characters well developed, a worthy read for fans of historical fiction.

[Lynn Cahoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's a woman to do when she becomes a widow with a child to raise on an allowance that doesn't cover the necessities? Go back to the one job she was raised to excel at, recommending books. She talks her way into a job, even when it means trusting her child to be a latchkey kid. Emma builds her community even when she's tested. Martin takes us to the war and the choices mothers had to make to keep their children safe.

[Sue Seligman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading Madeline Martin’s historical fiction books since the release of The Last Bookshop in London in 2021! It was set during the London Blutz of World War II. This amazing novel was followed by The Librarian Spy (set in Portugal) and The Keeper of Hidden Books (Warsaw, Poland). Each of these books highlighted previously little known stories of individuals striving to preserve aspects of life which were threatened by the challenges of war. Her latest novel, The Booklover’s Library, returns to England, to the city of Nottingham, and similar to the previous books, focuses on the perseverance and resilience of ordinary citizens dealing with extraordinary times. I was fortunate to receive an ARC from NetGalley (my first foray into this platform), and I was honored to be an early reader. This book will be published in September, 2024.
The story begins with seventeen year old Emma and her father facing the life changing challenge of a fire engulfing their bookstore. A widower, Emma’s father was a devoted single father who raised his daughter to love the literary world and to treasure the bookstore which they owned . Sadly, the bookstore was destroyed and her father did not survive! Shortly after she marries a man named Arthur and they have a little girl, Olivia. When Arthur is killed in a car accident, Emma finds herself solely responsible for Olivia.
As a single mother, Emma is frustrated by her difficulty finding a job due to the nationwide rules prohibiting married women and widows with children from working full time. Eventually she is hired by the sympathetic female manager of Boots’ Booklover’s Library where Emma finds her niche. Surrounded by books and the people who love them, she forms unique friendships with both her coworkers and patrons. As she becomes more engaged in helping fellow book aficionados find the perfect read, Emma slowly rediscovers her own love of literature; a love which she had lost when the fire took away her father and the bookstore where her love of books had been nurtured. As Emma becomes more comfortable in the workplace and develops close ties with her neighbors at home, the threat of war seems imminent, and her fear for Olivia’s safety becomes a real concern. Eventually the Blitz directly threatens their community, and Emma must make the difficult decision to send her beloved daughter to the countryside with the other children.
This novel is absolutely beyond compare, especially for book lovers like me. The overall theme of the story demonstrates how the love of books enables people of varying ages and backgrounds come together during challenging times. The author introduces a cast of quirky and multifaceted characters in The Booklover’s Library; all of these individuals are unique but are able to form friendships based on their affinity for books. As a devoted reader (especially of historical fiction) and a part time library employee and former teacher, I identified with many of the characters…especially the parents and the librarians. There are so many parallel situations within the situations and challenges facing the historical characters as compared to today’s events. As a present day librarian I identify with Emma’s excitement when she finds a perfect book for patrons, and especially when she helps Olivia discover the joy of reading when she meets Anne of Green Gables. No matter what is going on in the world, this novel demonstrates that both children and adults can learn so much about navigating the real world by exploring the pages of a book.
The Booklover’s Library is a 5 ⭐️ read for me. First and foremost, the depiction of the challenges faced by citizens during the Blitz is realistic and heartbreaking. Yet the author manages to convey a story filled with optimism and hope as well as tragedy and despair. The characters are emphatic and endearing and will live on in my mind for a long time. The description of the settings are vivid and the reader will feel as if they right in the middle of the action. I laughed and cried and so enjoyed the bonds among Emma, Olivia and the rest of the characters who formed their own “family”. I love this book and Madeline Martin has created an intense, emotional and engaging world! Highly recommend this 5 Star ⭐️ HF novel! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Madeline Martin for this ARC! Keep your eyes and ears open for the release of this book in September 2024!

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

WWII Nottingham, England

Charming!

The author does a spectacular job of incorporating historical details into this tale about motherhood, friendship, loving books and more.

As a widow with a child, Emma isn't allowed to have a job. At the same time, her funds are quickly dwindling. The owner of a lending library agrees to take her on if Emma will go by "Miss" and talk about her daughter Olivia as if she were her sister. With having to choose between presenting a falsehood and not having enough to eat, the decision is an easy one. Emma meets so many interesting subscribers and co-workers at the lending library. Multiple nods to classics in the pages.

Away from work, Emma fears for her daughter's safety and sends her to the country. The events and feelings Emma and Olivia go through are heart breaking.

A simply delightful novel. The author's note at the end including her personal connections to Emma's story and personal additions to the novel from her life added to the joy of reading this novel.

My gratitude to publisher Hanover Square Press for a complimentary e-copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. 🎧

[Walkeo · Rating 2 out of 5]

For anyone hoping this is a tale of The Booklover's Library, do not be fooled by the title. It is, in fact, the life story of Emma, an angsty, albeit very compassionate, widow who kvetches about the plight of women in 1940s England almost as frequently as she mom-shames herself. The library features as a character in (maybe) 20% of the book. Emma could have been a booklover in a factory who met some fellow bibliophiles, and her story would have been the same. In addition, the storyline felt contrived, even cliche - Emma's life conveniently crisscrosses with Dunkirk, East End bombings, the sinking of the SS City of Benares (which was not solely full of children as the story implies), Coventry bombings. (As an aside, travel from Nottingham to Coventry by car takes an hour on modern roads. The idea that the trip would have been made so quickly in 1940 over what were most certainly bombed out byways is ridiculous.)

Every chapter emphasizes how these events 'rend the heart' / 'set ablaze' / 'slammed into the chest' of the would-be heroine as she realizes how much she loves and wants to protect her daughter. Surely, the 25-year-old character would have suffered a panic attack amidst those mountains of anxiety and heartache spilling over every page. By the time I arrived at the end of the story, my annoyance with the over-sold emotions ruined what would have been a sweet mother-daughter story.

And, don't even get me started on the big reveal in the epilogue....really?

[Renée | apuzzledbooklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that felt familiar, yet had a few unique aspects to it. The story is told from the mother’s viewpoint and that’s not something you see as often. It is set during WWII, in England. The story follows Emma, a widow who has experienced a lot of loss in her life, and then has to send her young daughter Olivia away to the country, multiple times, for her own protection. This had to have been heart-wrenching. 🥺

Highlights | 📚
•Books are a solace
•Lending libraries 
•Mother’s love
•Marriage Bar

One of the most interesting things I learned from this book was that women weren’t allowed to work if they were married or widowed. The marriage bar was a practice in the United Kingdom that prevented married women from working in many industries from the Victorian era to the 1970s.

I also enjoyed learning more about lending libraries that offered paid subscriptions. And they still exist! 

The book includes some tense moments, a love story, and lovely literary references that are so appealing to book lovers. I enjoyed being a part of a chat with the author, and learning even more interesting things about the writing process.  

3.5/5 stars

My thanks to Cindy Burnett, Thoughts From a Page, and Hanover Square Press, for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline Martin has pulled me out of my comfort zone of historical romances with this series. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all three of the books and hope she can come up with more in this line.

The Booklover’s Library, while based in England during WWII, is not a war book. Instead it is a book about the preserverance of love and hope, even through unimaginable circumstances.

I don’t want to post any spoilers so I won’t go into detail but trust when I say you should read this book and the other two in the series!! You won’t regret it.