Whispers in the Stacks: An Anthology of Library Love Stories

by M.J. Lowe, Karin Kallmaker, Tracey Richardson

From pragmatic librarians finding unexpected connections to visitors discovering more than just books, Whispers in the An Anthology of Library Love Stories explores love in quiet corners and among towering bookshelves. Whether it’s the charm of a late-night study session turning into a subtle flirtation, or a librarian uncovering a spy lurking between the stacks, this anthology proves that even in the most orderly places, romance can write its own unpredictable story.



Stories
Jessie Chandler, Venetia Di Pierro, Nicole Gustafson, Kat Jackson, Heather Rose Jones, Karin Kallmaker, RJ Layer, Micheala Lynn, Catherine Maiorisi, Nance Newman, TJ O’Shea, Melissa Price, Tracey Richardson, and Laina Villeneuve.

Genres: Anthologies

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2024

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, Karin Kallmaker's and TJ O'Shea's stories a solid 4-4.5 stars

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love a librarian…… and many characters in this anthology do. Come for the authors you know and stay for “new to you writers”. Obviously the stories aren’t sequential, I read a few I from writers I knew, then some I didn’t, then more I did. As you would expect I loved some and liked others. A great sampler for new and a few automatic, trying and failing to think of a bookish pun…. Best I can say is, a few I don’t need a synopsis or review as these writers are auto buys from me.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book with short stories

i always admit that i find short stories a struggle but i have to say this collection of them wasnt to bad... though mainly most of them were set in libraries.... but thats not always a bad thing

always good to have a collection of short stories as back up when you are struggling with another emotionally charged book to change the tempo a bit and this one fitted the bill nicely

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is not to love about a new anthology featuring short stories from fourteen Bella Books authors? The connecting theme, as the title suggests, is Library Love Stories. I’ve read full length books by many of the authors and enjoyed reading these shorter works. It includes everything from meet cutes, flirting, mistaken identities, love after loss, and even a small mystery. And while most of the characters are in their twenties, a few feature more mature potential couples. I’m amazed how good authors can develop characters and a potential romance in only 10-20 pages. Of course this is not as satisfying as a full length novel. But I enjoyed the variety and differing storylines. I didn’t feel the need to read straight through and instead read a few stories at a time, so I didn’t tire of the format

I like anthologies as it helps me find new authors to read. I also enjoyed seeing what authors I knew chose to write for their stories. And being a librarian only makes me like the subject matter more. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[This · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like libraries and this edited collection is all about libraries, librarians and those who use libraries. What's not to like about this?
There are lots of short stories here. All with the library theme.
True - some are better than others but they are all enjoyable. Some of them are funny, some of them mysterious, there is historical, and there is a Kat Jackson special set in the English department at Pennbrook. There is even one telling the story from a child's perspective as her mother has a relationship with the librarian. And that one even has an epilogue - on a short story! An I do like an epilogue.

This collection is a delightful read with much to recommend it. Especially if your reading time is interrupted - most people can easily fit in time to read a short story here and there.

[Gretchen Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because librarians are super heroes

Nice collection of short stories for women who love books, libraries, and women. The only down side was that several of the stories would have been excellent
first chapters of novels; and yes, i wanted more! In uncertain times we need to remember the value of books, and their protectors.

[wonderfullyweird88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's a struggle for me to enjoy short stories as I feel there's little time for the author to develop a well-rounded plot I cannot resist book set in libraries.
These stories were fun lighthearted and everything you'd expect of anthology. I recommend this to any fellow library lovers out there.
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what it says on the tin, and generally delightful. Sometimes there’s a bit of spice in the stacks (and not just in the 641s). I read (about) one story each day and the stories by Kallmaker and Heather Rose Jones were particular standouts for me.

Ebook borrowed from the local public library.

[PJ Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Got to meet many wonderful characters and sample writers I haven't read. Many of the stories I could have used more to them. Love the Library references. Very enjoyable.