The Library of Lost Love

by Norie Clarke

Joan thinks her story is over. But what if there is one more chapter...?

'The warmest, most completely charming story to sink into' JENNY COLGAN

'A wonderful tale proving change is always possible' KATIE FFORDE

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In a quiet Notting Hill street, Joan sits alone with memories of the man she walked away from one New York evening many years ago. In need of company, she advertises for a lodger.

Jess knows it's time to move on from her best friend's couch, where she's been crashing since her boyfriend emptied out her heart, and all her savings. But when she responds to an advert for a lodger in Notting Hill, Jess has no idea how life's about to change.

When Jess meets Joan, she recognises someone needing a way back into the world, and she suggests a if Joan will agree to go on-line, she will go off-line. And when Jess discovers Joan's library of lost love, she decides to follow the trail, little realising that in Joan's story lies her own unexpected new beginning...

'One of the sweetest love stories I've ever read' SUE MOORCROFT

'A glorious story of an unlikely friendship that heals heartache' EMMA COWELL

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Readers have lost their hearts to The Library of Lost Love:

'This book was truly beautiful...inviting and emotional. I couldn't put it down!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Love, love, loved this! Gave me all the feels!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A lovely feel-good story. One you'll fall in love with!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Just so beautiful. Left me wanting more' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Lovely, lovely characters. I couldn't put this down' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Oh, I absolutely loved this! Such a sweet, heart-warming story of lost love and secrets kept' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Such a heartwarming story. Perfect for a cosy read with a few surprises. I'd recommend' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Books About Books, Contemporary, Ebooks, Mystery

352 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[Jenn Webley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt and joyous; a wonderful tale of friendship, lasting love and secrets. Jess and Joan come into each others lives innocently, and a brilliant friendship blossoms that changes each of them in differing ways. Both address parts of their lives they hide away, secrets are discovered through the old lonely hearts, romantic letters, the new P.o. box and messages.

A cosy feel good read, of friendship, love and a good enemies to lovers type romance.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Delightful. Gratifying. Almost perfect.

In The Library of Lost Love, Norie Clark invites readers into a beautifully crafted tale of friendship and second chances. The story follows Jess, a young woman between homes and struggling for stability, and Joan, a seasoned soul seeking companionship in her quiet, long-standing home. Their unlikely friendship blossoms when Jess rents a room from Joan, opening a refreshing window into each other's lives and inspiring growth and gratitude.

Clark has expertly woven a story in which life’s. take center stage. Through the use of letters and Joan’s first experience with electronic communication, Clark explores what life could be like without the constant presence of a phone—a gentle but impactful reminder of the simple pleasures of simplicity.

This book is a sweet escape: there’s no heavy lifting here, just a peaceful, gratifying read that celebrates life’s quiet moments and the companionship that makes them meaningful. If you’re looking for a heartfelt story to savor, The Library of Lost Love is sure to delight.

[Joanne Sidebottom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice easy read, if not Very Predictable (@Katie you would enjoy this😊)

[Allyssa Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanna move in with an 80 year old woman and give up my phone for 4 months !!!!

[Susan Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it from start to finish - wonderfully romantic and a fabulous premise.

[Lisa Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a quiet Notting Hill street, Joan sits alone with memories of the man she walked away from one New York evening many years ago. In need of company, she advertises for a lodger.

Jess knows it's time to move on from her best friend's couch, where she's been crashing since her boyfriend emptied out her heart, and all her savings. But when she responds to an advert for a lodger in Notting Hill, Jess has no idea how life's about to change.

When Jess meets Joan, she recognises someone needing a way back into the world, and she suggests a if Joan will agree to go on-line, she will go off-line. And when Jess discovers Joan's library of lost love, she decides to follow the trail, little realising that in Joan's story lies her own unexpected new beginning...

What a lovely story this was of friendship, secrets and love. This had the 'You've Got Mail' vibes to it.

Joan as such a lovely and heartwarming character. I'd love to go and live with her and give up all electronics for a few months. Her and Jess developed such a great friendship and opened each others eyes to so many different things. I was really rooting for them to both get their happy ending.

[Rafina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! A nice easy rom com read, especially having seen (and being a fan of) you've got mail.

[Pippa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous story, loved this from start to finish, such an easy read. Warm, charming and so sweet.

[Claire Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but there were a lot of little things that annoyed me a bit.

First of all, it's far too predictable. There wasn't even a little mystery about it.

Secondly, the way Joan overcomes her 5-year anxiety about going outside is almost a miracle. I had agoraphobia for almost 2 years and let me tell you, it took me almost 18 months before I could leave the house on my own. I know everyone is different, but this story really, REALLY glossed over a serious mental health issue when it could have been woven into the story more delicately.

What else?

I felt like the chemistry between Ed and Jess was pretty rubbish. It felt forced and was so cheesy and cliche that it wasn't developed properly. Again, if Joan's anxiety played a bigger part in the story, it would have given Ed and Jess a more honest way to meet, become close, etc.

The way Jess forgives Liam after a quick conversation is unbelievable. Someone steals your entire flat deposit and you just forgive them? She'd been saving for 15+ years! And she didn't go to the police over it? Come on!

The good parts?

I liked Jess' character and the constant pull of her mother's memories. It was sweet and heartbreaking at the same time.

It was nice that the two characters swapped experiences of going on/off line and I liked how they grew from it.

I'm also glad Joan got the ending she did. I felt like that was well deserved.

Sorry to rant so much, but I felt like this book could have offered a lot more than it did!

[Jai Chalke · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars
The writing literally transported me, I could see so perfectly the rooms and it felt wonderfully descriptive without being overly waffley.
That is, unfortunately, where it stopped being interesting to me. The plot left a lot to be desired I honestly wish we just got all Joan's pov and no Jess bc she just annoyed me. I just didn't enjoy it.
Jess' romance with Ed felt really fake, and the chemistry really forced. I didn't enjoy them ending up together, didn't love liams redemption, but I did enjoy Ed not buying the cinema.
I did like Joan's ending though.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet delight of a story, chapters from Jess, 30 something & Joan 80ish & how they end up being friends & house mates.

Of course there's drama, romance, a old love found again.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I absolutely loved this! Such a sweet, wholesome, heart-warming but also heart-wrenching story of lost love, secrets kept, and how our minds can always conjure up worst case scenarios that never happen. The use of going on/off-line draws Jess and Joan together, helping Jess slow down and figure out what she wants, and helps Joan start living again instead of just existing. Secrets get revealed and dealt with, and loves are discovered or rediscovered. Simply put, this is an awesome story and a great debut novel that is worth every second it takes to read it.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ýou loved the film "You've got mail" then you'll like this book, it has echoes of the film which if I'm honest was very easy to spot. I almost DNF'd it, not because I dislike the film but knowing where it was going took away any plot twists but carried on as I was curious to find about more about Joan and her lost love Joe.

Jess goes to live with Joan, an octogenarian when her life turns upside down and her boyfriend runs off with her deposit for their flat. Joan is still longing for her lost love.

Together they navigate their loses but along the way learn to trust life again.

A sweet story if a little predictable.

[Chelsey Pryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely feel good story, nice and easy to read and just what I needed at the moment.
I loved how good Jess and Joan were for each other, and how along with Pamela made up a supportive trio helping each other through some difficult events both past and present. It reminded me of myself and a neighbour. I could understand Joan's anxieties as I have agoraphobia and I think the author done well with explaining the panic that comes from the anxiety of going out.
I would have loved a epilogue showing how things were a year on from the final scenes.
I'm going to take a look at other books by this author.

[sams_littlebooknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read! It's just a lovely love story with a nice happy ending. I love the relationship between Jess & Joan. It was the story of young and old, the highs and lows, gains, and losses. It was just a wonderful, joyous book.

[Sherie P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow, sweet, sentimental story…with a very happy ending.🥹

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up - what a lovely story!! And the ending was so gorgeous it gave me goosebumps! Just a perfect lil read to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city whilst commuting 🥰

[Donna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Danielle Shotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read. Good character development and romantic twists.

[Clair McKane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved everything about this book, you kind of get a inkling of the outcome but it’s still beautiful when it arrives

[Dena Jaroszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

love a “you’ve got mail” retelling 🙌🏻

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming feel good book with a lot of predicable scenes but all in all lovely to read.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely easy read - very enjoyable.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was fun. I really liked the premise of a younger woman and older woman trading technological lives. Jess gives up all technology for 4 months and Joan dives into it as they try to sort out their lives and find love where they thought I was lost. I found myself relating to parts of both women’s stories! A little predictable but still enjoyable.

[Charlotte Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story, would have loved for the story to continue when it ended!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the friendship crossing generations. The rest was very predictable. A beach read.

[Loretta TheMoodyRedhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

ShopGirl and NY152

This was extremely similar to you’ve got mail, but had an extra romance with an extra character. It was sweet like the movie.

[Lisa Shardlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story full of lovely characters. Absolutely loved this from start to finish!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable but cute.

[Sharon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but slow to start then it really grips you to finish it