The Library of Lost Love: The most hopeful, heartwarming and uplifting story of new beginnings and second chances

by Norie Clarke, Joan Walker (Narrator), Harrie Dobby (Narrator)

As the blossom blooms on a quiet street in Notting Hill, a beautiful story of old love and new friendship is waiting to be discovered... Perfect for fans of The Keeper of Stories and The Reading List.

Joan has spent too long alone with her treasured memories of the man she walked away from one Manhattan evening many years ago. In need of company, she decides to advertise 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 ad in the newspaper for a lodger on a quiet Notting Hill street, Jess has no idea how life's about to change.

When Jess meets Joan, she recognises a woman left behind by the world, and so she suggests a if Joan will agree to go on-line, she will go off-line. And when Jess learns Joan has never forgotten the love of her life, a man she used to write to via the Lonely Hearts column, Jess decides to search for him, little realising that in Joan's story lies her own unexpected new beginning...

(P) 2024 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

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

Audible Audio

Published December 21, 2023

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.

[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.

[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.

[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 🙌🏻

[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.

[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

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit predictable, but good characters and story.

[Tracey Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! Jess moves in as Joan's lodger, and they begin to heal each other's life wounds! Jess goes offline, and Joan goes online as they navigate their past and share past secrets! It's chick lit at its best, with a lovely community spirit and hopelessly romantic!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cross generational tale of love lost and found, unexpected friendship, and new beginnings at every age is inspirational. Several points of view are presented in the first person narration. One woman has been cheated out of her life savings by an absconding boyfriend. Another has spent a lifetime trying to forget the jazz musician she left behind when she came home to marry the man her parents preferred. The unhappy marriage didn't last too long before the man left his wife and small son with their large house on Nottinghill and disappeared. The two women separated in age by more than forty years, become roommates and friends. They help each other confront their pasts and focus on their futures.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

didn’t want it to end just yet

This was a cute read. I was so invested that didn’t want it to end. I loved the characters and how deep their friendships were…. Young and old. I truly believe that our wellbeing depends so much on multi generational relationships. If you are looking for a sweet read, this is a good one.

[maureen cowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT

This is such a beautiful story of friendship and lovewhich l enjoyed reading very much and with the ending l was hoping for

[ali :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this healed me, broke me , and healed me again

this also hit me even closer to my heart because my Nan is called Joan like the main character.

Genuinely this is a read with a tea and blanket in bed and sniffle as you go kinda book. I loved the split narrative, the romance that wasn’t too overwhelming and also wasn’t the only plot line of interest in the book. The characters were introduced beautifully and I loved how their characters and history were slowly introduced.

A truly beautiful book :’)

[Gemma Rowlands · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice easy read, no surprises in it though, they were entirely too obvious. But a comfortable book, like a hallmark Christmas movie