25 Library Terrace

by Natalie Fergie

Every house tells a story. Every woman has a story to tell.

25 Library Terrace is a house in Edinburgh where lives are changed.

In 1911, new resident Ursula Black embraces women’s suffrage in the form of census protest, discovers vegetarianism, and learns just how difficult it can be to bring up someone else’s children.

In 1931, the house becomes part of a radical experiment in a different way of living, and a family secret from the past is uncovered.

In 2011, Tess Dutton needs somewhere to live in the wake of a failed relationship and is introduced to a rather unusual landlady.

In 2022, delayed by the pandemic, it’s another census year for Scotland, and as Edinburgh’s residents are able to gather once more, the strands of four generations at 25 Library Terrace are finally woven together.

25 Library Terrace is a deeply satisfying novel about strong and determined women who grasp their own destiny and help other women to grasp theirs. At its centre stands the house, a reminder that however our lives change over the years, the things that matter – love, kindness, stories and good recipes – stay the same.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Scotland, Books About Books, Audiobook, Adult

464 pages, Paperback

First published July 24, 2025

Reviews

[elizabeth rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of 25 Library Terrace — a single house carrying generations of secrets, joys, and sorrows — is absolutely captivating. Unfortunately, the multiple timelines and shifting perspectives made it difficult to stay emotionally connected. Some storylines were stronger than others, but I often found myself wishing for more depth before jumping to the next.

✨ For readers who enjoy:
- Multi-generational stories
- Quiet, character-driven narratives
- Reflective historical fiction

While it didn’t quite hit the mark for me, there’s a poignant message here about how home holds the stories of those who lived within it.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always been a firm believer that our homes are an extension of who we are. Natalie Fergie’s story about the home at 25 Library Terrace is no different. Exploring the home through the ages, she reveals the memories, laughter, tears of struggles, and achievements that are embedded within the floors, doorways, and walls. Slowly and softly, she tiptoes through time to share the signature whispers of this space, highlighting the tales of its inhabitants, its history and its soul, leaving you welcomed but aching to have more time with each family.

25 Library Terrace is more than a building, it’s a snapshot of life. It holds stories of what it has seen. Curious? Then add it to your ‘to be read’ pile.

I was gifted this copy by Embla Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 3🌟 rating is actually a real shame, because the premise of the story is really poignant and there were huge chunks that merited a 4 perhaps even a 5. I usually love a multi generational title with a split timeline, however I felt here that we stayed in one timeline for so long that by the time we came to the next it took several chapters for me to understand who was who and where we were.

I still really enjoyed this title but it didn’t flow as naturally as I’d have liked. Gorgeous premise.

I absolutely loved the narration by Lesley Harcourt 🎧

Huge thanks to W F Howes via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

[Kremena Koleva · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘I read somewhere that future historians will despair at the lack of twenty-first century letters and diaries."

25 Library Terrace е книга за характерите, преминаващи през един английски адрес в продължение на десетилетия. Винаги ми е било интересно да гледам стари достолепни сгради, съхранили вида си през годините и да гадая какви са били хората, които са ги построили, онаследили и продължили да ги поддържат. Това са толкова различни съдби! Аристократи от миналото и днешни милениуми. Ценностите са се менили, преживявали са войни, правили са избори, имали са загуби и победи. Но може би духът на сградата донякъде се е съхрнил. Някои наследници са полагали труд и грижа, за да не личат следите на времето. Други са били немарливи и са искали да не пипат нищо, защото не си струва да се хвърлят пари по толкова стар дом...
Natalie Fergie разказва толкова увлекателно за съдбата на къща в Шотландия! Започвайки от 1910 година. От първите собственици на 25 Library Terrace с тяхната драматична съдба, която се променя след смъртта на странната госпожа Бляк. Втората господарка на къщата внася различна атмосфера на толерантност, топлота и напредничавост и дава начало на ред стъпки към осъзнаването на жената като пълноправен член на обществото. Малки актове на протест, които обаче обръщат духа на всички в семейството. В атмосфера на обич и доверие това се превръща в движение на жените в изборителното право, в преброяването, в избора на храна в менюто на масата...
През десет години, до 2022, 25 Library Terrace дава подслон на жени, преки и косвени наследници на семейство Бляк. Идеята да се отдават стаи в дома на хора,които са изоставени, избягали от насилие или търсещи начин да започнат отначало, е поставена през 1911 година и неотклонно следва няколко правила и за наемателите и за собствениците. През всяко десетилетие авторката ни представя характери, съдби, исторически моменти и социални събития, за които сме чували, които са даденост днес ,но не знаем как са постигнати. Книгата беше като дневник и аз постоянно подчертавах, маркирах, отбелязвах истини, прозрения.
25 Library Terrace изпълни мисията си на книга, събираща реалност и измислица във въображението на читателя!

* " But honestly, Isobel, why am I worried what a stranger will think about the decoration of my home?’
‘Everyone does. It’s human nature. "

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very partial to a novel set in Edinburgh, and a house through time story as well.
So, I had to give this one a go.
I loved it! It covers a fair sweep of social history in Scotland for the last 100+ years and tackles some big issues. That said, it is pretty cozy and I was never in any doubt there'd be a good resolution to what was going on.
I felt some of the dialogue, particularly in the earlier sections was a bit stilted and there could have been a bit more depth in some of the people and issues.
Still, not a bad way to while away a rainy afternoon.

[Nic · Rating 2 out of 5]

We’re in 1911 for ages (hah) and I waited for the other story threads to weave in. There’s just no plot, really. Not on the page, anyway. Just the Black family’s life, and not even the interesting parts. For example, there’s an event (at the 23% mark) that gets hyped for chapters and chapters, but we never see it happen. They sit down, the chapter ends, and the next begins after the event, with them outside the venue, WHICH IS ON FIRE. After a brief description of that visual, they walk home and explain what happened. Why was that not shown in an actual scene? Ostensibly, Ursula is connecting with suffragettes and picking up new ideas. Do we see a single one of those discussions at the café? Nope.
Overall, what happens in the story feels more like a sequence of events than a proper plot propelling the characters forward. It lacks tension. It lacks focus. The whole first third of the book is about how awful the late Mrs. Black was.
I kept waiting for something to happen, for what has happened—even if mostly off-page—to gain relevance. Instead, we jump ahead twenty years and the boredom continues.
I DNF’d the audiobook at 40%.

The voice actress is wonderfully charming and the only reason I didn’t rate this 1 star.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful journey I’ve been on - spanning more than a century with the residents of 25 Library Terrace. I love the idea that it’s not just people who have stories and experiences to share, but a house also has stories to tell.

Natalie Fergie has truly captured so many highly relevant social and historical details in each time period which I found fascinating and informative; ranging from the Census protest of 1911, the Suffragettes, Vegetarianism, the fire that destroyed Edinburgh’s Empire Palace Theatre, the post-World War One years, the way in which the status of women has changed across the years, right up to the post-Covid society in 2021. 25 Library Terrace has indeed seen it all!

Everyone who reads this book will certainly take away their own specific characters and time periods that they connect with or feel inspired by.

I love the way the rippling effects through the family generations are so skilfully portrayed; all the joys and the sorrows, with 25 Library Terrace at the heart of it all.
I highly recommend this 5-star book - it will leave a lasting impact on you.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous, utterly engrossing book. The imaginary social history of a single house in Edinburgh from 1911 to 2022 makes for a highly original novel and one which I enjoyed so much I was truly sorry when it finished. Highly recommended 5* read.

[Ingstje · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a chance on this new author to me after I read some reviews and I certainly don’t regret my gamble.

25 Library Terrace is a fabulous historical novel. I really hadn’t expected to be so engrossed and to learn so much. The novel spans over a hundred years and follows the people living at this one house. I have to say that all of the women were quite empowering but it all started with Ursula who amongst other things quietly rallies for women’s rights to vote in her own way.

One of the most surprising revelations for me though was the fact that there were already vegetarian cafés and cookbooks in 1911. Who knew? I genuinely thought it was much more recent. I loved how she and Isobel (the maid) tried to adapt certain dishes just for her alone but that slowly the family transforms into an all vegetarian household. I’m not sure how representative Ursula’s husband John is of that zeitgeist but he’s a very modern man for that era, who is open, communicative and respectful towards his wife.

All of the characters were amazing, there are no bad guys here and this novel is filled with heart and warmth. The only reason I didn’t give it the full five stars is because of the time gap. At one point in the book there’s ‘Olivia’ making her entrance and the next moment there’s ‘Georgia’ living at the house. She still adheres the same rules as her predecessors: no meat in the house, the back door remains unlocked, every lodger needs to count the steps in the house, the rent is 25%. I understand that the author wanted to keep it surprising and interesting but I wasn’t ready for this leap in time and while I liked Georgia I didn’t get to know her as well as Ursula or Annie. Therefore I loved the time lines set back in 1911 and 1931 most of all and wished I could have stayed there a while longer :-).

If walls could talk.. well I certainly had the feeling I was a fly on the wall. I so much enjoyed this read that I’m immediately adding the author’s first novel (The Sewing Machine) to my readlist.

[Lucia Godbert-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put off reading this book for ages and I am not sure why as it was amazing! Loved every second of it, loved the intertwining stories and the fact that this was all about strong women making a place for themselves in the world.

[Jane Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an intriguing book. Set in Edinburgh somewhere around Morningside it tells the story of one house and the occupants who lived there and who was connected and why. It runs from the beginning of the 20th century through to the present day and is cleverly told. I enjoyed it - it would probably make a good book group book I expect.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often I read historical fiction, but I'm really glad I picked this up. Don't let the title fool you, 25 Library Terrace isn't about books. It's a beautiful, enriching story about 1 house over the course of 100+ years and the many residents that have shaped what it has become. The writing is quite powerful and filled to the brim with so much love, a sense of belonging, and plenty of periodic moments in history. It was both uplifting and empowering without being in your face, and I really enjoyed how the stories intertwined with each other but still held their own significance as a new chapter. It was nice to see how, whilst certain things stayed the same, small adaptations were made now and again to highlight how times (and attitudes) have evolved over the years. The acknowledgements were an interesting read, too. It gave more insight into how the story was developed, especially knowing that some of the letters were real. This definitely helped highlight how the characters were important and likeable in their own right. I think Ann/Annie was my favourite, though. The whole thing with the door never being locked for Finlay was something that really tugged at the heartstrings.

I highly recommend giving this a read. By all means, I wouldn't say it's a quick read, but it is lovely and highly insightful to our, or at least Scottish, history.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been eagerly anticipating reading this book and it didn’t disappoint. 25 Library Terrace looks at the people who lived in that particular house in Edinburgh again over the course of more than 100 years.

25 Library Terrace starts off as a family home and the first resident we meet is Ursula Black who becomes second wife to John Black and step-mother to his children Finlay and Ann. Ursula is an well educated woman, who is strongly in favour of women’s suffrage and becomes involved in the census protest of 1911, something I’m ashamed to confess I hadn’t heard of. Census years form a focus for the rest of the book as we meet residents in 1931, 1951, 2011 and 2022. Ursula’s firm beliefs in the rights of women leave a legacy in the form of the rules of the household throughout the years. I enjoyed reading about all the women who are the focus of different strands of the book, getting to know them, finding out their connections to Ursula and their reasons for staying at 25 Library Terrace.

The house itself of course is a constant in the story, very much a character in its own right, and I felt I could easily visualise the various rooms, the garden, the huge old cooking range, the maid’s room above the scullery. I enjoyed reading about Edinburgh at various times in its fairly recent history too.

Reading 25 Library Terrace gives the reader a fascinating insight into the social history of the past century and especially how women were affected over those 100+ years. It’s a story about strong women helping and supporting other women. With brilliant characters and a gripping and intriguing storyline, I thought this was a fantastic read. This is book which historical fiction fans should definitely have on their reading radar.

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful novel rich in atmospheric history, and love.

25 Library Terrace follows the lives of the people who lodge here from when it was first built in 1908 until 2022.

Through the years, we meet many interesting and inspiring people all stemming from Ursula, who in 1911 marries John, and as a second wife and step mother to his two children, begins making changes to the house and the way the family live.

We jump forward 20 years after she’s passed and follow Annie, her step daughter who continues Ursula’s work and rents out the rooms upstairs with a peculiar private rental agreement. All the tenants who stay at 25 Library Terrace are struggling with something in their lives, and have no where to go. It’s beautiful to see the bond they all make with Ursula, Annie, Georgia and then Tess over the years, and it’s inspiring to read about their growth.

I love that over the last 100 or so pages, it’s slowly revealed how everybody’s lives are intertwined. Is it coincidence? Or Divine intervention? Either way, it’s heartwarming and satisfying.

I do feel like just as we start to get a deeper understanding of things, time jumps ahead to the next landlady and her tenants but I also feel that having it written this way definitely kept me invested.

I loved 25 Library Terrace for the stark contrast between the different time periods. The way that the house withstood the times, while the residents became modern and still shared the same heart was simply beautiful.

For lovers of historical fiction, new found family, and strong women characters it’s a must read.

Thanks so much Netgalley and Embla books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release Date: 5th June 2025

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Having loved the author’s earlier novel, The Sewing Machine, I was very keen to read this one, and it didn’t disappoint.

25 Library Terrace is set in Edinburgh and spans from 1911 right through to 2021. I found it fascinating to read about vegetarianism being openly discussed in 1911; I had no idea it was so much on people’s minds back then. The way it was woven into the story felt natural, and the recipes sounded delicious.

The novel touches on so much: suffragettes, the impact of the First World War on the main characters, and the changing times across the decades. I particularly liked how the house itself almost became a character and introduced afresh in each new era with the arrival of the census.

The story is engaging, the characters are believable and likeable, and there’s a real sense of kindness running through the book. It shows how we can create our own families, and it celebrates the friendship and support of women.

This book made me smile many times, and I came away feeling uplifted.

[Narinder Gore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one gave me everything I like in a great book! Found family, love, closure, history- just pure 🤌🏽.

This book starts in 1911 and goes up to 2022, it follows the lives of the people who lived in 25 Library Terrace and what a life they all lived ❤️
One thing I have to rave about is the accuracy of the History- its a pet peeve of mine when people write things in the past that are inaccurate 🙈 I love the nods to Suffragettes, the Wars and also up to Covid too. It all felt very relatable. I loved Annie and who she grew up to become ❤️. I also loved the little quirks of the story- the counting stairs that linked all the characters till the very end and the Census which was a running theme throughout 😍.

"There must be a feeling that It's your home"

I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this as its definitely one that feels like a warm hug!

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing journey that follows multiple lives across the years, all who have lived in the same house across a century.
It's an inspiring journey of growth, forward thinking women, and shows the loved poured into the house from all its different occupants.
All residents have a distinct journey in their time period, but it was interesting to see how their lives were interconnected and the sense of community.
I also enjoyed how each story had a healing element, where new relationships or friendships were formed, or it acted as a safe place for those in need and that they became found family.
It's a compelling historic journey showing real life struggles, victories, losses and joys.

[Charmaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this plot better had the author stayed on one timeline. I found it rather confusing to keep up with each character, and especially how they connected over time. The author tried to stretch out the mystery of their connection a little too far and left me wondering how they fit in for too long. I also did not really connect emotionally with any of the characters. I did enjoy the concept of the house/lodgers arrangements, the care they took for one another, and the idea of returning the lodging fee after 2 years.

The narrator of this audio version was very good.

Clean Readers: The plot is clean. There are a few swear words, including one unnecessary "eff" word.

[Dun's · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a house in Edinburgh and its residents, told from multiple perspectives across decades. I love how the story develops, the different era backdrops, and the characters.

I wish I could give this more stars. The early decade is the focal point of the novel and that works fine. Then the story kind of drags from midpoint through the last pages where the timeline is more recent. My attention and interest wane because of the slow pace.

[Rachel Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It follows one row house in Edinburgh and the individuals who lived there over a span of 100 years. I enjoyed the style of writing and how each entry is dated and concise which made it easy even if I only had a few minutes to read. The character development was extensive yet not overbearing/boring and made each renter of the “boarding home”(as the house became a collection of people down in their luck who didn’t have a place to stay)personable. Each renter was endearing yet flawed and I wish I could learn more about a few of them. I learned a little history about Edinburgh (suffragettes, the great fire of 1910, among other things) in the process, and it was a quick/easy read.

[Emma | emmaisreadingabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5 ✨]

[Samantha E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming read that had me invested from the first chapter. The time hops, the family history, it was all wonderful. If anything, I would have loved to know more about Ursula and Annie's stories.

[Jacki T · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I would call easy reading, enjoyable

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 4 out of 5]

if walls could talk, they could tell some amazing tale sof rhe lives that come and go. 25 Library Terrace traces the stories of the occupants who live within its walls over decades and through war times, to the pandemic and present day. Whilst the people and stories change the love friendship, support, and recipes remain the same. The concept of 25 Library Terrace as a refuge for those in need and a sturdy point from which to start afresh, is wonderful. A lovely story with some beautiful characters. #25libraryterrace #Nataliefergie

[Charlotte Mcmanus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looove a multi generational book- I love the characters and what they stand for 💜🤍💚

[Anne Pickering · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the social history and links to the characters. An easy read.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, gentle novel that kept me entertained during a difficult stay in hospital. I loved 'The Sewing Machine' too so hope we don't have to wait so long for another book by Natalie Fergie.

[Rahdigras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Set over a period of 120 years, about a house and all the different people who lived there. Loved all the different characters.

[Jane Hadfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable enough read and nice to see who lived in the house over the years.