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The Secret Library
'The perfect book to curl up with, whether beach or fireside. I absolutely loved it!’ Celia AndersonBook editor Lucy Thomas has just inherited her grandmother’s windswept Cornish home, and with it, a library bathed in sunlight, a spiral staircase that leads to secrets, and a battered box filled with unfinished stories…
To honour her grandmother’s last wish, Lucy must finish what was left undone – and discover the magic hiding between the lines.
Filled with warmth, whispers of magic, and the irreplaceable comfort of books, The Secret Library is for anyone who knows how one story can change everything.
–
PRAISE FOR AMANDA 'This was an emotional and heartfelt read and had me invested from the start.' ★★★★★
'A thoroughly uplifting enjoyable read that will certainly leave you feeling better with the world. Amanda James always seems to write intriguing, sensitive books with that touch of magic and The Midnight Bookshop is no exception.' ★★★★★
'To appreciate the book fully you have to leave any preconceived ideas at the first page and open up you mind to a magical world.' ★★★★★
'This is quite an intriguing and magical story of fantasy and realism [and] in many ways, is a complex novel about relationships and Amanda James successfully weaves magic with realism to create a potent tale in an unforgettable way.' ★★★★★
'The book underscores the importance of community and self-reflection, especially in a time when many people feel isolated or overwhelmed.' ★★★★★
'This book had me rooting for all three of them and didn't disappoint.' ★★★★★
'[Amanda James’] writing so beautifully captured all the emotions throughout the novel.' ★★★★★
'Those who enjoy [magical realism] are going to love the fairytale aspects of this charming, well-written book with its uplifting message and sweet romance.' ★★★★★
'The Secret Library – A place where everything is possible — even the impossible.’ Christine Stovell
To honour her grandmother’s last wish, Lucy must finish what was left undone – and discover the magic hiding between the lines.
Filled with warmth, whispers of magic, and the irreplaceable comfort of books, The Secret Library is for anyone who knows how one story can change everything.
–
PRAISE FOR AMANDA 'This was an emotional and heartfelt read and had me invested from the start.' ★★★★★
'A thoroughly uplifting enjoyable read that will certainly leave you feeling better with the world. Amanda James always seems to write intriguing, sensitive books with that touch of magic and The Midnight Bookshop is no exception.' ★★★★★
'To appreciate the book fully you have to leave any preconceived ideas at the first page and open up you mind to a magical world.' ★★★★★
'This is quite an intriguing and magical story of fantasy and realism [and] in many ways, is a complex novel about relationships and Amanda James successfully weaves magic with realism to create a potent tale in an unforgettable way.' ★★★★★
'The book underscores the importance of community and self-reflection, especially in a time when many people feel isolated or overwhelmed.' ★★★★★
'This book had me rooting for all three of them and didn't disappoint.' ★★★★★
'[Amanda James’] writing so beautifully captured all the emotions throughout the novel.' ★★★★★
'Those who enjoy [magical realism] are going to love the fairytale aspects of this charming, well-written book with its uplifting message and sweet romance.' ★★★★★
'The Secret Library – A place where everything is possible — even the impossible.’ Christine Stovell
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
Amanda James
28 books297 followersAmanda James (aka Mandy) was born in Sheffield and now lives in Cornwall with her husband and a cat. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, singing, and spending lots of time with her grandchildren. She also admits to spending far too much time chatting on Twitter and Facebook! Amanda feels most at home walking on the beach and making plots up in her head. A fair amount of these have made it onto paper, and been turned into books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
June 4, 2026
London, England 2025. Lucy Thomas has just inherited her late grandmother Morwenna’s house called Atlantic Heights, and as a child this was her safe place when her parents argued and she stayed every summer. Her granny always encouraged Lucy to read and to become an editor like herself and she has the most incredible library with a skylight and spiral staircase.
Lucy works for a publishing company, and her job is to find rough diamonds of stories, help the author polish them and make their dreams come true. But lately all the books are thrillers, she lament’s about this with her best friend Claude over lunch and it’s what the market wants.
Morwenna liked to make things fun and challenge Lucy, this time she has left her a box with three unfinished manuscripts inside and she has to find the magic hidden within the pages, something she needs and the links to her life and being able to move forward without her beloved granny.
Lucy travels down to St Ives on the weekends, here she enjoys having a break from the rat race, exploring the seaside town and invites Claude a fellow bookworm to stay, and she can’t believe how many first editions Lucy’s granny owns and the sheer scale of her extensive library.
From a young age Lucy has felt the presence of the characters in the books she reads, talked to them and she has never shared this with anyone other than Morwenna in case they think she’s bonkers.
I received a copy of The Secret Library by Amanda James from NetGalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an unbiased an honest review. I’m not normally a huge fan of magical realism, but this novel changed my mind and I adored it. A narrative about the power of imagination, being part of something that can bring about change, friendship, hope, love and making a difference by opening your mind the possibilities.
Five stars from me, I want to visit Cornwall, St Ives, walk the streets, eat the food, sail on a boat and I come from a seafaring family, life is about living and reading great books and The Secret Library is one of them.
Lucy works for a publishing company, and her job is to find rough diamonds of stories, help the author polish them and make their dreams come true. But lately all the books are thrillers, she lament’s about this with her best friend Claude over lunch and it’s what the market wants.
Morwenna liked to make things fun and challenge Lucy, this time she has left her a box with three unfinished manuscripts inside and she has to find the magic hidden within the pages, something she needs and the links to her life and being able to move forward without her beloved granny.
Lucy travels down to St Ives on the weekends, here she enjoys having a break from the rat race, exploring the seaside town and invites Claude a fellow bookworm to stay, and she can’t believe how many first editions Lucy’s granny owns and the sheer scale of her extensive library.
From a young age Lucy has felt the presence of the characters in the books she reads, talked to them and she has never shared this with anyone other than Morwenna in case they think she’s bonkers.
I received a copy of The Secret Library by Amanda James from NetGalley and One More Chapter in exchange for an unbiased an honest review. I’m not normally a huge fan of magical realism, but this novel changed my mind and I adored it. A narrative about the power of imagination, being part of something that can bring about change, friendship, hope, love and making a difference by opening your mind the possibilities.
Five stars from me, I want to visit Cornwall, St Ives, walk the streets, eat the food, sail on a boat and I come from a seafaring family, life is about living and reading great books and The Secret Library is one of them.
June 2, 2026
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
After the death of her grandmother, book editor Lucy inherits a beautiful house (and library) by the Sea and three unfinished manuscripts. As she attempts to honor her grandmother's last wish and edit these old manuscripts, Lucy begins to see increasingly magical changes in the world— visions of characters in the real world and responses from long dead authors. Slowly, her own life also begins to change as she accepts love and begins to stand up to her mother.
Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. I found the prose to be lackluster, often reading like a summary of a plot. The dialogue was also a bit on the nose. Every character seemed to say exactly what they meant at any given time. These things contributed to the overall lack of depth in this novel. People were either good or evil, imaginative or dull, right or wrong. Intelligence and morality were equated in a way that I didn't care for, and I found the politics to be extremely surface level.
Although the premise was sweet and the general plot interesting, I just struggled to connect with this novel. This might also be a sign of my growing dissatisfaction with cozy fiction.
After the death of her grandmother, book editor Lucy inherits a beautiful house (and library) by the Sea and three unfinished manuscripts. As she attempts to honor her grandmother's last wish and edit these old manuscripts, Lucy begins to see increasingly magical changes in the world— visions of characters in the real world and responses from long dead authors. Slowly, her own life also begins to change as she accepts love and begins to stand up to her mother.
Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. I found the prose to be lackluster, often reading like a summary of a plot. The dialogue was also a bit on the nose. Every character seemed to say exactly what they meant at any given time. These things contributed to the overall lack of depth in this novel. People were either good or evil, imaginative or dull, right or wrong. Intelligence and morality were equated in a way that I didn't care for, and I found the politics to be extremely surface level.
Although the premise was sweet and the general plot interesting, I just struggled to connect with this novel. This might also be a sign of my growing dissatisfaction with cozy fiction.
July 29, 2026
i loved the idea of this book but it was not executed well. i didn't understand the magic and everything was either too perfect or too dramatic. it felt like a 14 year old wrote it and then it was published without editing.
Read
July 10, 2026I’m about 50% through & I’m reading the Kindle version. I’m writing an early review simply because I can’t believe the way this book reads. I like the story & characters, yet the editing — in a book written about book editors no less— is incredibly poor. From typos to sentence structure it doesn’t read well. Maybe it’s just me but I’m rereading sentences repeatedly to make sense of them. It’s noticeable enough to make me come here to write about the frustration lol 🤷🏻♀️
Just me?
Just me?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I finished this book with very mixed feelings, frustration but also admiration. Some parts where beautifully written and well thought out. The idea of stories that are lost and are waiting to be found by the right person is intriguing. It touches on how important books are;
‘If only for a little while. A good story is magical, uplifting. We need that escape. Yes, ofcourse we have to come back to the real world, but the difference is, we’ll have a book inside us. Hope inside us. Characters who live with us, guide us through. Help us become just that little bit stronger, so we can try and deal better with the next horror on the news that brings us to our knees.’
The library is every booklovers dream and the description made it come alive for me. As well as the description of the town and coastal feeling.
However there were moments where the behaviour of the main character made me sigh more often than wanting to root for them. The magical realism, which initially feels like one of the book’s most intriguing elements, unfortunately loses me and gets exaggerated, making them feel less like a natural extension of the world and more like a convenience for the plot.
Overall, the were parts of the story and the writing that where beautiful, but I don’t think this book was for me.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One more Chapter, Amanda James and Netgalley for the E-ARC.
3 stars🌟
‘If only for a little while. A good story is magical, uplifting. We need that escape. Yes, ofcourse we have to come back to the real world, but the difference is, we’ll have a book inside us. Hope inside us. Characters who live with us, guide us through. Help us become just that little bit stronger, so we can try and deal better with the next horror on the news that brings us to our knees.’
The library is every booklovers dream and the description made it come alive for me. As well as the description of the town and coastal feeling.
However there were moments where the behaviour of the main character made me sigh more often than wanting to root for them. The magical realism, which initially feels like one of the book’s most intriguing elements, unfortunately loses me and gets exaggerated, making them feel less like a natural extension of the world and more like a convenience for the plot.
Overall, the were parts of the story and the writing that where beautiful, but I don’t think this book was for me.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One more Chapter, Amanda James and Netgalley for the E-ARC.
3 stars🌟
June 20, 2026
In THE SECRET LIBRARY, Lucy's mission as an editor is to find a diamond. A book that is out of this world. Upon her grandmother's death, she inherits not only her massive house in Cornwall, but also three unfinished manuscripts that she should edit. As she does, some of their characters come to life, and the past is entirely altered.
I'll keep this short: this book did not work for me. It read like an early draft. The prose seemed dry and on-the-nose, as if the readers couldn't figure things out for themselves. Everything had to be stated and clarified, from emotions to the implications of every interaction. The pacing was strange, the story can't seem to decide whether it's primarily magical realism, romance, or literary, and swims between the three - unsuccessfully.
The idea is brilliant. The execution is not. Maybe if it had gone through some edits and heavy restructuring, it would've been a great novel, but I barely finished it, when I wanted to love it.
I'll keep this short: this book did not work for me. It read like an early draft. The prose seemed dry and on-the-nose, as if the readers couldn't figure things out for themselves. Everything had to be stated and clarified, from emotions to the implications of every interaction. The pacing was strange, the story can't seem to decide whether it's primarily magical realism, romance, or literary, and swims between the three - unsuccessfully.
The idea is brilliant. The execution is not. Maybe if it had gone through some edits and heavy restructuring, it would've been a great novel, but I barely finished it, when I wanted to love it.
June 7, 2026
Loved this book - just as I have others written by the same author. Her characters are fantastic - loved Lucy and her grandmother, Morwenna and the special bond they have. A story set in Cornwall always helps and when you have such an amazing sounding house as Atlantic Heights, with it's spiral staircase up to a secret library, with skylights allowing the moonlight in and a view of the stars, you have to be onto a winner!
Add to that a story centred around books and the world of editing, lost manuscripts, good friends and then a bit of magic, well, who wouldn't enjoy this! You do have to go into it with an open mind - yes, fantastical, impossible things do happen - but if you go with the flow, they don't seem impossible! Add in a bit of romance and spoiler alert - a happy ever after - and you've got the complete package. Highly recommended.
Add to that a story centred around books and the world of editing, lost manuscripts, good friends and then a bit of magic, well, who wouldn't enjoy this! You do have to go into it with an open mind - yes, fantastical, impossible things do happen - but if you go with the flow, they don't seem impossible! Add in a bit of romance and spoiler alert - a happy ever after - and you've got the complete package. Highly recommended.
August 13, 2026
Loved it.
October 11, 2026
I tend to think that my issue with most books I dislike reading comes down to the editor more than the author. This one - about a book editor no less - was truly awful in so many ways and this poor author’s editor clearly slept through the whole thing.
“‘…I suppose each book has left its own unique mark – a signature across my heart, if you like.’ Lucy notices the look of amazement on Claude’s face and stops abruptly. A rush of blood heats her cheeks. Where did all that come from?
‘Wow. What a lovely way to describe it all. I adore books, as you know, and you’ve just put the way I feel about some of my favourites into words.’
It’s refreshing to know that Claude totally understands.”
If that totally sounds like the kind of book you want to read, look no further, because that general conversation repeats itself about 50 more times. The magic system is… weird. The subplots end abruptly. A few antagonists pop up and disappear so quickly I was looking for them until the very last page. The MC mentions her weight really randomly but it doesn’t play any part in the actual story it’s just something the author wants to keep reminding us about?
It’s baffling to me that a story about an editor lovingly helping to shape stories and bringing about magical outcomes would be so poorly edited. Like I must be missing the joke?
“‘…I suppose each book has left its own unique mark – a signature across my heart, if you like.’ Lucy notices the look of amazement on Claude’s face and stops abruptly. A rush of blood heats her cheeks. Where did all that come from?
‘Wow. What a lovely way to describe it all. I adore books, as you know, and you’ve just put the way I feel about some of my favourites into words.’
It’s refreshing to know that Claude totally understands.”
If that totally sounds like the kind of book you want to read, look no further, because that general conversation repeats itself about 50 more times. The magic system is… weird. The subplots end abruptly. A few antagonists pop up and disappear so quickly I was looking for them until the very last page. The MC mentions her weight really randomly but it doesn’t play any part in the actual story it’s just something the author wants to keep reminding us about?
It’s baffling to me that a story about an editor lovingly helping to shape stories and bringing about magical outcomes would be so poorly edited. Like I must be missing the joke?
May 16, 2026
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A nostalgic magical realism read perfect for readers looking for characters that literally come to life, an interesting magic system, and a gran's love so strong it overcomes time itself.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3 ⭐
1 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"I know you're destined for great things, Lucy. So many people's lives will be changed for the better because of you."
"Often, it's not just about the story, is it? It's the memories and magic that come with it."
"Jory is the one. You know, the idea of the one you were always sceptical about and scoffed at? Well, it's actually a thing. Not for everyone, I'll grant you, but Jory is yours."
"Since when is it a bad thing to do good? Some may sneer, deride and mock what we try to do, but we must stand firm and do good anyway."
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
When Lucy inherits her grandmother’s Cornish home and a library filled with unfinished stories, Lucy must honour her grandmother’s final wish and complete the manuscripts, uncovering the quiet magic hidden within her legacy.
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🫶 Found Family
🏘️ Small Town
📚 Books about Books
🔮 Clairvoyance
💫 Teleportation
🕰️ Time Travel (ish)
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🪦 Familial Grief
💔 Infidelity outside Main Pair
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Nostalgic Beginning
+ Authentic Family Bonds
+ Meaningful Character Growth
+ Characters Coming to Life
+ Interesting Magic System
+ Connecting with Lost Loved Ones
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Didn't connect with overall Voice
- Lots of Exposition/Repetitiveness
- Slower Pacing
- Insta-Love (friendships and relationships)
- Dialogue lead most Plot Progression
- Vague explanations to Magic
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
On the surface, this read sounded right up my street! Unfortunately, I just didn't connect easily to the voice of the book, or some of the story choices. However, I think The Secret Library will still resonate with others!
At the start, we see Lucy as a child visiting her Gran's house and the wave of nostalgia immediately hit me. There's something so poignant about a memory like that trapped in time. I feel like the strength of the bond between Lucy and her Gran was obvious and authentic, contrasted by Lucy's difficult relationship with her mum.
One thing I struggled with early on, however, was the amount of exposition. We get a lot of descriptors of the house her Grandparents had, which do drag the pacing down a lot. This is further emphasised in later chapters when Lucy describes the property to friends, or visits it after her Gran's death. It's all a little repetitive for me.
Also, we meet a coworker of Lucy's early on - Claude. She seems nice enough, but they're very fast "friends". They don't appear to have much in common other than Lucy taking Claude under her wing at work a little. It seems a friendship of convenience more than anything to me, but this relationship continues to build as though they're best friends throughout. Claude unfortunately felt more like a plot device than an actual character with independence.
And really, these things that I struggled with continued to appear as the book went on. The speed at which Lucy befriends Claude is also the same speed that she "falls" for Jory. Their romantic relationship moves much faster than my personal preference (I love a slow burn). A lot of the story repeats in dialogue, or dialogue is used as a means to progress the plot. This also happened to slow pacing again for me.
However, that's not to say it was all bad. As mentioned earlier, I loved the connection between Lucy and her grandparents, and once Lucy begins working on the manuscripts it's really fun to see the characters come to life and how Lucy deals with that. I found the messages that Lucy learns while working on those stories to be relatable and strong. And it was nice for her to finally find her people.
Plus, Lucy having the ability to communicate with her lost loved ones later on through the magic of her library was really emotive. The idea that when she finishes the manuscripts, they go back to the past and change the present is very interesting! Where it becomes a bit far-fetched for me is when there's no actual explanation for these things. A lot of the characters give the answer "it's just magic" and leave it there - but I prefer a less vague justification. Especially when Lucy shouldn't be able to do certain things that only fictional characters can manage.
Despite this, I think fans of the author's existing work would enjoy it, as well as those looking to relive memories with lost loved ones. It's lovely imagery, and has an overall feel-good vibe.
Thank you to Amanda James and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A nostalgic magical realism read perfect for readers looking for characters that literally come to life, an interesting magic system, and a gran's love so strong it overcomes time itself.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3 ⭐
1 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"I know you're destined for great things, Lucy. So many people's lives will be changed for the better because of you."
"Often, it's not just about the story, is it? It's the memories and magic that come with it."
"Jory is the one. You know, the idea of the one you were always sceptical about and scoffed at? Well, it's actually a thing. Not for everyone, I'll grant you, but Jory is yours."
"Since when is it a bad thing to do good? Some may sneer, deride and mock what we try to do, but we must stand firm and do good anyway."
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
When Lucy inherits her grandmother’s Cornish home and a library filled with unfinished stories, Lucy must honour her grandmother’s final wish and complete the manuscripts, uncovering the quiet magic hidden within her legacy.
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🫶 Found Family
🏘️ Small Town
📚 Books about Books
🔮 Clairvoyance
💫 Teleportation
🕰️ Time Travel (ish)
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🪦 Familial Grief
💔 Infidelity outside Main Pair
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Nostalgic Beginning
+ Authentic Family Bonds
+ Meaningful Character Growth
+ Characters Coming to Life
+ Interesting Magic System
+ Connecting with Lost Loved Ones
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Didn't connect with overall Voice
- Lots of Exposition/Repetitiveness
- Slower Pacing
- Insta-Love (friendships and relationships)
- Dialogue lead most Plot Progression
- Vague explanations to Magic
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
On the surface, this read sounded right up my street! Unfortunately, I just didn't connect easily to the voice of the book, or some of the story choices. However, I think The Secret Library will still resonate with others!
At the start, we see Lucy as a child visiting her Gran's house and the wave of nostalgia immediately hit me. There's something so poignant about a memory like that trapped in time. I feel like the strength of the bond between Lucy and her Gran was obvious and authentic, contrasted by Lucy's difficult relationship with her mum.
One thing I struggled with early on, however, was the amount of exposition. We get a lot of descriptors of the house her Grandparents had, which do drag the pacing down a lot. This is further emphasised in later chapters when Lucy describes the property to friends, or visits it after her Gran's death. It's all a little repetitive for me.
Also, we meet a coworker of Lucy's early on - Claude. She seems nice enough, but they're very fast "friends". They don't appear to have much in common other than Lucy taking Claude under her wing at work a little. It seems a friendship of convenience more than anything to me, but this relationship continues to build as though they're best friends throughout. Claude unfortunately felt more like a plot device than an actual character with independence.
And really, these things that I struggled with continued to appear as the book went on. The speed at which Lucy befriends Claude is also the same speed that she "falls" for Jory. Their romantic relationship moves much faster than my personal preference (I love a slow burn). A lot of the story repeats in dialogue, or dialogue is used as a means to progress the plot. This also happened to slow pacing again for me.
However, that's not to say it was all bad. As mentioned earlier, I loved the connection between Lucy and her grandparents, and once Lucy begins working on the manuscripts it's really fun to see the characters come to life and how Lucy deals with that. I found the messages that Lucy learns while working on those stories to be relatable and strong. And it was nice for her to finally find her people.
Plus, Lucy having the ability to communicate with her lost loved ones later on through the magic of her library was really emotive. The idea that when she finishes the manuscripts, they go back to the past and change the present is very interesting! Where it becomes a bit far-fetched for me is when there's no actual explanation for these things. A lot of the characters give the answer "it's just magic" and leave it there - but I prefer a less vague justification. Especially when Lucy shouldn't be able to do certain things that only fictional characters can manage.
Despite this, I think fans of the author's existing work would enjoy it, as well as those looking to relive memories with lost loved ones. It's lovely imagery, and has an overall feel-good vibe.
Thank you to Amanda James and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 12, 2026
Wow, this was so far fetched, I almost DNF. I like book characters who come to life and seem real but to leap off the pages and live in the world was a bit much. The first couple characters were ok but one after the other? I started skimming pages.
August 2, 2026
The magic of imagination!!
June 3, 2026
Warm, magical, and utterly charming!
Editor Lucy inherits her grandma’s house and a hidden library of unfinished manuscripts where her notes can rewrite stories, and characters step into real life.
Full of bookish joy, gentle romance, heart, and a sprinkle of magic.
Uplifting, cosy, and perfect for anyone who loves stories about books, second chances, and wonder.
Editor Lucy inherits her grandma’s house and a hidden library of unfinished manuscripts where her notes can rewrite stories, and characters step into real life.
Full of bookish joy, gentle romance, heart, and a sprinkle of magic.
Uplifting, cosy, and perfect for anyone who loves stories about books, second chances, and wonder.
June 27, 2026
The Secret Library by Amanda James follows Lucy, a young woman who discovers she has inherited a unique family gift. Sadly, this one missed the mark for me. While the premise of stepping into manuscripts to change history is highly intriguing, the execution left me frustrated because there is no actual explanation for how this work. The magical realism, which initially feels like one of the book’s most compelling elements, unfortunately loses its way and becomes exaggerated. This makes the magic feel less natural and more like a convenient plot device eg. quick transits to London in the blink of an eye.
I thought I was going to love this book, but there were too many bits and pieces that failed to work. I am usually a huge fan of magical realism, but it all gets slightly crazy around the 70% mark. While Lucy's gift and her relationship with her grandmother are central to the story, the final act feels far too far-fetched to pull off a satisfying conclusion.
‘You're telling me. I have to remind myself daily that whatever supernatural, spooky, otherworldly, magical book shenanigans are at work here, I have to accept them. Let the child lead, and know that the outcome will be worth every "whoooo" heart-stopping moment.'
No, sorry.
I thought I was going to love this book, but there were too many bits and pieces that failed to work. I am usually a huge fan of magical realism, but it all gets slightly crazy around the 70% mark. While Lucy's gift and her relationship with her grandmother are central to the story, the final act feels far too far-fetched to pull off a satisfying conclusion.
‘You're telling me. I have to remind myself daily that whatever supernatural, spooky, otherworldly, magical book shenanigans are at work here, I have to accept them. Let the child lead, and know that the outcome will be worth every "whoooo" heart-stopping moment.'
No, sorry.
August 13, 2026
I think this is a case of either you connect to the story, or you don't, and I didn't despite reading over halfway. The story started out with a female editor inheriting a large estate from her grandmother. Both of them edit books.
After getting the mansion, the main characters of the stories come to life magically. How they manifest in real life is unknown, and the granddaughter, Lucy, keeps having somewhat weird behaviour somehow interacting with them in public, while other people don't seem them. She gets fixated on certain characters. The though processes going on in Lucy's head at times, is almost delusional.
You know how some women are so caught up in fantasy, that after having one date, are imagining marriage. It's that kind of thought process, the 'cart before the horse', sadly.
After getting the mansion, the main characters of the stories come to life magically. How they manifest in real life is unknown, and the granddaughter, Lucy, keeps having somewhat weird behaviour somehow interacting with them in public, while other people don't seem them. She gets fixated on certain characters. The though processes going on in Lucy's head at times, is almost delusional.
You know how some women are so caught up in fantasy, that after having one date, are imagining marriage. It's that kind of thought process, the 'cart before the horse', sadly.
July 9, 2026
This was just honestly so magical and not just cause there was some magic in the story! The style of writing and storytelling just sucked you in from the first page and all I wanted to do was actually be there! Lucy inherits an ol home from her grandmother and discovers there is magic tucked away in the unfinished stories in the attic. It's just so cozy and I truly never wanted this one to end. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!
August 1, 2026
The author of this book has such an exceptional imagination that presents itself throughout the book. So inventive and broadminded. A story that takes so many wondrous routes. It is magical, exciting, mysterious, and so much more. The book makes so many twists and turns.
September 19, 2026
I was intrigued by the premise of the book. The first 1/3 or so was really enjoyable. The rest of the book made me angry. So many what the actual F moments. I caught myself saying seriously?!? and ffs NO through the rest. I could not suspend disbelief but kept going because surely it wasn’t going to get more ridiculous. I was wrong.
October 3, 2026
YA Magic and Romance
I liked the idea behind this story of a magical library. Unfortunately a very sappy love story was put in the middle of this that did not add any great value to the story.
I liked the idea behind this story of a magical library. Unfortunately a very sappy love story was put in the middle of this that did not add any great value to the story.
Did Not Finish
September 4, 2026Guys. I got 70% done with this book and realized I am not enjoying it, nor am I invested in the characters or what happens to them.
September 22, 2026
Loved this book, imagination can be a lovely release, this book shows this with some twists
September 23, 2026
The summary deceived me. It seemed magical and unique, but in fact, it seems like a teenager wrote this.
September 27, 2026
Magical! If you really are enveloped in the journeys you can go on reading a book, this one won’t disappoint.
June 15, 2026
What you are looking for is in the library!
This is such a cosy read that is also unexpected. You follow a quiet lady called Lucy, who has a seriously stressful mother. She finds solace in her grandparents and their house by the sea in Cornwall.
When Lucy’s grandmother passes away, she finds mysterious notes telling her to edit some ‘unfound diamond’ manuscripts. What she discovers she can do will astound even the best editor.
This cosy novel pushes beyond expectations and really highlights the importance of imagination. In it you will find: love, sadness, happiness and new beginnings.
I laughed and cried reading this and honestly would try another of her novels!
This is such a cosy read that is also unexpected. You follow a quiet lady called Lucy, who has a seriously stressful mother. She finds solace in her grandparents and their house by the sea in Cornwall.
When Lucy’s grandmother passes away, she finds mysterious notes telling her to edit some ‘unfound diamond’ manuscripts. What she discovers she can do will astound even the best editor.
This cosy novel pushes beyond expectations and really highlights the importance of imagination. In it you will find: love, sadness, happiness and new beginnings.
I laughed and cried reading this and honestly would try another of her novels!
October 29, 2026
I loved the first half of this book but then wondered where it was going to go. The second half was a bit slow and then picked up again at the end.
August 14, 2026
I felt the writing was very juvenile. I don’t like political preaching either for any reason. I don’t understand why this novel has such high ratings.
May 10, 2026
I have read and enjoyed a number of magical realism and romance books by Amanda James so I knew this would be fun, magical and inspiring. Of course any title with library or bookshop grabs my attention as these are two of my favourite places! Considering this was a story about books and a secret library that had power—well it is not easy to see I was easily persuaded.
The Secret Library is quite a feast of possibilities, brimming with hope and dreams that come true. Lucy Thomas is a book editor and she has just got the shock of her life. At the hearing of her grandmother’s will, she discovers she has inherited her grand home. She is first put to a unique test and passes. From this moment on, we know there are going to be some very unusual things happening in this story. Of course, we don’t know initially how special this library is but we witness it quickly when Lucy is tasked by her grandmother to edit some unfinished manuscripts she has left behind in her library. As we gradually get to know Lucy and learn about her late grandmother, we realise they share some very unique characteristics and interests.
The setting of the novel is quite atmospheric and on this windswept Cornish coast, the dance of lights spark imaginations. The box of unfinished stories takes on quite the life when Lucy begins to edit these forgotten tales—to fulfil her grandmother’s wishes. But little do we know (including Lucy) what amazing things will happen to the authors she encounters and the characters they create.
During this discovery, Lucy begins dating again but is hesitant at first due to previous romantic disasters. And sadly one of the men she encounters is not quite what he seems. But through various promptings that come about during her editing of manuscripts, she discovers a new writer with a bizarre connection to the past. She will be drawn to him in a way like no other. I know I am talking in riddles but I don’t want to give anything away as there are a number of surprises readers will enjoy.
Lucy’s best friend, Claude, is an important support person for her even though Lucy cannot share her secrets about the library. They have some brilliant discussions, though, about books and life. Claude starts out as more of a realist saying we cannot bury our heads in the sand. (But something happens to her that will alter her views as far as romance is concerned.) But Lucy is the dreamer who wishes to see more uplifting fiction that allows people to be transported to somewhere special, to escape the frustrations of life—even if only for a short while. She seeks manuscripts of originality, individuality and magic—that make readers feel like they are kids again. To foster the belief, there is hope.
The Secret Library makes some strong statements about how much we need positive fiction in our lives. It also highlights the responsibilities authors have but also the support and encouragement they need to keep writing. Books can heal, influence, help and free hearts. Lucy’s job is not only to find those story diamonds in the rough and help polish the work but to also be an encourager of writers. The publishing journey is a tough one where lots of self-doubt can surface. Writers need support and kind words—to know they are on the right track. And if they are not, a bit of gentle guidance is appreciated.
The characters in this story manage to do the impossible. And Lucy quotes Mary Poppins: ‘Everything is possible, even the impossible.’ This is the heartbeat of the story. All the things that transpire in Lucy’s domain, under the influence of her library, grandmother and even grandfather, are quite special. I enjoyed the journey, the revelations, the surprises, the drama, the romance, the magic and mystery. It’s an imaginatively written story that book lovers everywhere will enjoy. Yes, suspend belief as that is what this story is about. Its magical realism qualities are here. We get a detailed picture of the real world but it is infused with the supernatural, the magical and divine. This novel invites us to take a ride on the magic carpet! Be a child again and believe. 4.5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for a review copy.
The Secret Library is quite a feast of possibilities, brimming with hope and dreams that come true. Lucy Thomas is a book editor and she has just got the shock of her life. At the hearing of her grandmother’s will, she discovers she has inherited her grand home. She is first put to a unique test and passes. From this moment on, we know there are going to be some very unusual things happening in this story. Of course, we don’t know initially how special this library is but we witness it quickly when Lucy is tasked by her grandmother to edit some unfinished manuscripts she has left behind in her library. As we gradually get to know Lucy and learn about her late grandmother, we realise they share some very unique characteristics and interests.
The setting of the novel is quite atmospheric and on this windswept Cornish coast, the dance of lights spark imaginations. The box of unfinished stories takes on quite the life when Lucy begins to edit these forgotten tales—to fulfil her grandmother’s wishes. But little do we know (including Lucy) what amazing things will happen to the authors she encounters and the characters they create.
During this discovery, Lucy begins dating again but is hesitant at first due to previous romantic disasters. And sadly one of the men she encounters is not quite what he seems. But through various promptings that come about during her editing of manuscripts, she discovers a new writer with a bizarre connection to the past. She will be drawn to him in a way like no other. I know I am talking in riddles but I don’t want to give anything away as there are a number of surprises readers will enjoy.
Lucy’s best friend, Claude, is an important support person for her even though Lucy cannot share her secrets about the library. They have some brilliant discussions, though, about books and life. Claude starts out as more of a realist saying we cannot bury our heads in the sand. (But something happens to her that will alter her views as far as romance is concerned.) But Lucy is the dreamer who wishes to see more uplifting fiction that allows people to be transported to somewhere special, to escape the frustrations of life—even if only for a short while. She seeks manuscripts of originality, individuality and magic—that make readers feel like they are kids again. To foster the belief, there is hope.
The Secret Library makes some strong statements about how much we need positive fiction in our lives. It also highlights the responsibilities authors have but also the support and encouragement they need to keep writing. Books can heal, influence, help and free hearts. Lucy’s job is not only to find those story diamonds in the rough and help polish the work but to also be an encourager of writers. The publishing journey is a tough one where lots of self-doubt can surface. Writers need support and kind words—to know they are on the right track. And if they are not, a bit of gentle guidance is appreciated.
The characters in this story manage to do the impossible. And Lucy quotes Mary Poppins: ‘Everything is possible, even the impossible.’ This is the heartbeat of the story. All the things that transpire in Lucy’s domain, under the influence of her library, grandmother and even grandfather, are quite special. I enjoyed the journey, the revelations, the surprises, the drama, the romance, the magic and mystery. It’s an imaginatively written story that book lovers everywhere will enjoy. Yes, suspend belief as that is what this story is about. Its magical realism qualities are here. We get a detailed picture of the real world but it is infused with the supernatural, the magical and divine. This novel invites us to take a ride on the magic carpet! Be a child again and believe. 4.5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for a review copy.
August 13, 2026
wandering
It started really well, but got lost in the process. It could’ve been a good story if the second part of the book didn’t exist. I lost interest in stopped reading.
It started really well, but got lost in the process. It could’ve been a good story if the second part of the book didn’t exist. I lost interest in stopped reading.
September 16, 2026
I was enjoying this book. It is an uplifting , delightful story I would classify as a "Bathtub Book". Unfortunately, in chapter 22 the story weaves in political opinions of the author that I felt was leaning towards propaganda. This is a magical themed story and to incorporate political ideologies into a lighthearted, feel good novel was rude and frankly, ruined the story for me. I was looking forward to purchasing all of her novels, but after chapter 22? I don't think I will waste my time and money on a "woke" writer.
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