What do you think?
Rate this book
The Little Village Library
It takes a village...
Cloverdale is known for its winding roads, undulating hills and colourful cottages, and more recently, its Library of Shared Things. Need a ladder, a hedge trimmer or a waffle-maker? You can borrow it from the Library of Shared Things.
Single dad Adam is doing a good job of raising his daughter, Zoe, whilst burying his past and moving forwards. When he agrees to run a mending workshop at the Library, new friendships start to blossom.
Jennifer is a volunteer at the Library. When her younger sister Isla moves back to Cloverdale after their mother dies, Jennifer finds herself wondering whether Isla is hiding something.
And when Adam's daughter Zoe makes a startling discovery, it's time for the people at the Library of Shared Things to pull together and help one family with its biggest challenge of all.
This is a novel with community at its heart. It's about the kindness we can find when we least expect it and the bonds we can form when we're not even looking.
Cloverdale is known for its winding roads, undulating hills and colourful cottages, and more recently, its Library of Shared Things. Need a ladder, a hedge trimmer or a waffle-maker? You can borrow it from the Library of Shared Things.
Single dad Adam is doing a good job of raising his daughter, Zoe, whilst burying his past and moving forwards. When he agrees to run a mending workshop at the Library, new friendships start to blossom.
Jennifer is a volunteer at the Library. When her younger sister Isla moves back to Cloverdale after their mother dies, Jennifer finds herself wondering whether Isla is hiding something.
And when Adam's daughter Zoe makes a startling discovery, it's time for the people at the Library of Shared Things to pull together and help one family with its biggest challenge of all.
This is a novel with community at its heart. It's about the kindness we can find when we least expect it and the bonds we can form when we're not even looking.
384 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2020
82 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Helen Rolfe
69 books128 followersHelen Rolfe also writes as Helen J. Rolfe
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and relationships. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds. She also loves creating village settings or places with a small-town feel and a big sense of community.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia where she eventually turned her attentions back to the career she'd dreamt of when she was fourteen. She studied writing and journalism and wrote articles for women's health and fitness magazines. Helen began writing fiction in 2011 and hasn't missed the I.T. world one little bit... in fact she may just have found her dream job!
To learn more about Helen, find her at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and relationships. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds. She also loves creating village settings or places with a small-town feel and a big sense of community.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia where she eventually turned her attentions back to the career she'd dreamt of when she was fourteen. She studied writing and journalism and wrote articles for women's health and fitness magazines. Helen began writing fiction in 2011 and hasn't missed the I.T. world one little bit... in fact she may just have found her dream job!
To learn more about Helen, find her at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 29, 2019
Village Library: 1 star
This book was really not to my taste. The first quarter had continual ominous hints that something had happened to Adam and Jennifer. It seemed like these occurred every paragraph, with no more information revealed. This made the first 25% so tedious that I almost gave up. However, some editing would sort that out.
The other thing I didn’t like was the amount of (off page) domestic violence. I do think it is important to have stories about this out there, but the blurb gave me no indication that this might be included in the book, it looked like it was a light hearted romance. I read to escape from the horribleness of real life, not to experience more of it.
I thought the library of shared things was an excellent basis for a book, and the plot with Jennifer and her husband was good. The sense of community in the village was also enjoyable to read about.
I think with some stronger editing of the first quarter, and a cover and blurb that reflect that serious topics are covered, this could be a really good and important book.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was really not to my taste. The first quarter had continual ominous hints that something had happened to Adam and Jennifer. It seemed like these occurred every paragraph, with no more information revealed. This made the first 25% so tedious that I almost gave up. However, some editing would sort that out.
The other thing I didn’t like was the amount of (off page) domestic violence. I do think it is important to have stories about this out there, but the blurb gave me no indication that this might be included in the book, it looked like it was a light hearted romance. I read to escape from the horribleness of real life, not to experience more of it.
I thought the library of shared things was an excellent basis for a book, and the plot with Jennifer and her husband was good. The sense of community in the village was also enjoyable to read about.
I think with some stronger editing of the first quarter, and a cover and blurb that reflect that serious topics are covered, this could be a really good and important book.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2020
A word first, I think, for the idea that gave birth to this book – the quite inspired Library of Shared Things. And in the wonderfully drawn community of Cloverdale, it becomes so much more than where they go to borrow their leaf-blowers, waffle makers and power tools. It becomes a real hub for the village’s residents, with its range of activities like the “how to” sessions and dance classes, as well as being somewhere the lonely can always find friends and conversation.
The central characters are quite beautifully drawn. Jennifer, the driving force behind the library, was quite complex and particularly relatable – and then there’s her rather exotic and unreliable sister Isla, newly returned to the village, getting a few people a little hot under the collar. Adam and his family are a bit of an enigma – a dad with two children, and an absent wife – and his story provides everyone with lots of opportunity for speculation. And then there’s Viola, bit of a perfectionist and superwoman – but why is there such tension between her and Jennifer when they were once such close friends?
What follows is a story with rather darker edges than you might be expecting, and a few quite heavy issues – but they’re all particularly sensitively handled, taking the story in directions you might not be expecting (and that’s always a good thing), and the secrets revealed all come as a bit of a surprise.
I’ll will admit that I did find this book just a little bit heavy on the dialogue – although always particularly realistic and well-done – with characters explaining things, sharing their secrets and stories, and that did start to slow the pace a little more than I’d have liked it to. But then again, there’s a scene towards the book’s end that has you reading through your fingers, heart in mouth – and the pace picks up as much as you could ever ask for.
The author’s writing is, as always, superb – she really does have a particular skill for creating a community you find yourself living in the heart of, peopled by characters who become entirely real. And this is an excellent story – a whole set of strong stories really – with a depth and unpredictability that I very much enjoyed.
The central characters are quite beautifully drawn. Jennifer, the driving force behind the library, was quite complex and particularly relatable – and then there’s her rather exotic and unreliable sister Isla, newly returned to the village, getting a few people a little hot under the collar. Adam and his family are a bit of an enigma – a dad with two children, and an absent wife – and his story provides everyone with lots of opportunity for speculation. And then there’s Viola, bit of a perfectionist and superwoman – but why is there such tension between her and Jennifer when they were once such close friends?
What follows is a story with rather darker edges than you might be expecting, and a few quite heavy issues – but they’re all particularly sensitively handled, taking the story in directions you might not be expecting (and that’s always a good thing), and the secrets revealed all come as a bit of a surprise.
I’ll will admit that I did find this book just a little bit heavy on the dialogue – although always particularly realistic and well-done – with characters explaining things, sharing their secrets and stories, and that did start to slow the pace a little more than I’d have liked it to. But then again, there’s a scene towards the book’s end that has you reading through your fingers, heart in mouth – and the pace picks up as much as you could ever ask for.
The author’s writing is, as always, superb – she really does have a particular skill for creating a community you find yourself living in the heart of, peopled by characters who become entirely real. And this is an excellent story – a whole set of strong stories really – with a depth and unpredictability that I very much enjoyed.
February 11, 2020
I love this author so much and couldn’t wait to read this one the cover was really drawing you in as well as the title. I wasn’t let down at all it was fantastic and couldn’t put it down at all the characters were brilliant and you wanted to keep reading just to see what happened. It’s full of kindness friendship families and romance and of course all based round the library.
Clover dale is a lovely small village and at the heart of the village is the library of shared things it’s where people can borrow anything they might need and somewhere where they can all come together. Jennifer is the one who has put all her heart in to getting this library up and running and she hasn’t always got on with her sister Isla but she moves home and can they be open with each other and work through there difficulties and come close to each other again or not. Then you have single dad Adam with his two children and he’s never been open with his children or the local community about his wife. But when he’s asked to do a workshop at the library he accepts and starts making new friendships. Isla has been hiding a big secret and can Adam help her mend her broken past but also when Adams daughter finds a diary that she thinks is her mums how will she react and also the village want to know what Adam is hiding and they get the wrong end to. Sadly his daughter goes missing and can they find her and will she learn the truth and can everyone pull together for the biggest challenge and will they all be happy or not.
Fantastic read and worth more than five stars.
Clover dale is a lovely small village and at the heart of the village is the library of shared things it’s where people can borrow anything they might need and somewhere where they can all come together. Jennifer is the one who has put all her heart in to getting this library up and running and she hasn’t always got on with her sister Isla but she moves home and can they be open with each other and work through there difficulties and come close to each other again or not. Then you have single dad Adam with his two children and he’s never been open with his children or the local community about his wife. But when he’s asked to do a workshop at the library he accepts and starts making new friendships. Isla has been hiding a big secret and can Adam help her mend her broken past but also when Adams daughter finds a diary that she thinks is her mums how will she react and also the village want to know what Adam is hiding and they get the wrong end to. Sadly his daughter goes missing and can they find her and will she learn the truth and can everyone pull together for the biggest challenge and will they all be happy or not.
Fantastic read and worth more than five stars.
January 12, 2020
An enjoyable read with serious issues, emotional reading, not so light and fluffy. Again it is an emotional read, but also uplifting I loved the idea it focused around the village library and community. A great book with strong characters, good storyline and important messages. Great to see the author can deal with sensitive issues as well as the lighter stories she usually writes, well written and a highly recommend this book, thought provoking entertaining
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
February 21, 2023
Мой первый чик-лит с тех пор, как я вообще ввела это слово в свой книжный лексикон. Подозреваю, что большинство книг в жанре производят сходное впечатление: пока слушаешь, пьешь чай и улыбаешься, выключил - и ничего не вспомнил.
Я пыталась дотянуть до "троечки" за счет откровенного описания домашнего насилия, но именно это и выглядело инородным элементом на ванильном слое.
Британская провинция, новоприбывший холостяк, любовные интриги - книга-однодневка в духе рождественских историй от Hallmark.
2.5*
Я пыталась дотянуть до "троечки" за счет откровенного описания домашнего насилия, но именно это и выглядело инородным элементом на ванильном слое.
Британская провинция, новоприбывший холостяк, любовные интриги - книга-однодневка в духе рождественских историй от Hallmark.
2.5*
February 8, 2020
The cover of The Little Village Library suggests that Helen Rolfe's new book, which is also the first book that I have read by this author, was going to be another one of those lovely relaxing reads centred around a village. I love this type of story and never get sick of reading them. The title is gorgeous and the minute I saw this, combined with the cover, I knew I had to read it. What I wasn't bargaining for was that this was a real serious read with important issues at its centre. Honestly, I was expecting, a light, frothy and easy read that would make me feel all warm and cosy inside and that the community spirit would shine through in abundance with an added dash of romance thrown in for good measure. Yes, there is the community spirit coming through as the Library of Shared Things is a new initiative to bring this about once again but to be truthful this was a much darker read than I had expected and I think others will feel the same time too.
Despite the opening few pages being tense, emotional and intriguing where someone is talking about being frightened and having bottled everything up for so long and is now on the verge of spilling all, it did take me until around the half way point to really get stuck into the plot and the themes which were coming to the fore. I found in the first half that nothing much really happened and there was so much repetition. We were told endlessly that one of the main characters Adam and his young family were hiding something and in a similar way one of the main female protagonists had something which had occurred in her past and affected her relationships with several people today. I could tell from the very good writing that this was all going on and I just feel we didn't need to be endlessly reminded of it instead I wished the story would have just gotten going allowing for earlier development of the characters and perhaps actually telling us in a more definitive way what was actually wrong with people. Perhaps a little bit more editing in the beginning would have allowed for smoother development in the initial stages of the book. Pushing this issue aside, once I reached the midway point I thought things took a turn for the better and I became more interested and invested as to the eventual outcome for all involved. When little snippets started to reveal themselves and people's actions and opinions began to make more sense, I found the empathy and understanding I had for them growing.
Adam and his young family are settling into the village of Cloverdale and have bought one of the beautiful cottages that can be found dotted throughout. Previous to this they lived in London and prior to that they resided in Australia. Adam's two children Zac aged 9 and Zoe aged 14 have experienced significant changes in their already short lives and now their father hopes that things can settle down and the past can be put to bed whilst a comfortable and positive future will be built. Buying the cottage Adam believes will give the small family unit a sense of permanency. But from the outset, I could see that Adam was always on edge. On one hand he did mix well with the residents of the village and took every opportunity possible to visit the Library of Shared Things as established by Jennifer. He wanted not to remain on the outskirts hiding away as he has been doing that for too long but yet on the other hand he was wary of revealing too much too soon and even though a problem shared is a problem halved he seemed reluctant to reveal his true state of affairs.
I couldn't quite put my finger on what actually was going on with Adam and, like one other character in particular, I was jumping to all sorts of conclusions. I suppose living in a small rural village everyone wants to know everyone else’s business and they don't take the time to let the person open up of their own accord. I felt Adam needed to be more honest and let people form their own judgements on what he had to say. I think being so closed and secretive only increased speculation and really daughter Zoe was old enough to know the truth. She was a young girl going through a time when so many transitions and changes occur that she should have been given more credit for how she would handle things than she was. Adam and his family certainly provided an intriguing aspect to the overall story and like Viola who initially came across as a busybody I was desperate to know just what made Adam tick and why the need to be overly cautious about every aspect of his family's life.
The other main character is Jennifer who to me was really at a crossroads in her life. Events in the past had made her retreat into herself in terms of what she wanted to do professionally with her life. She has enjoyed rearing her family but now she feels as if her marriage to David has reached a stalemate and they do not communicate on the issues that definitely need talking about. Jennifer wasn't happy and the problems she has with herself and her relationship manifests themselves in the relationship she has with her sister Isla who has recently returned to the village after travelling for some time. Their parents are now both passed away and Isla is renovating their house. To me, it seemed like Jennifer was jealous of Isla as everything she had wished for her own life Isla seemed to have. Deep down Jennifer was hurting emotionally and mentally, the scars of events of the past still throbbed and she was fearful of taking steps forward or admitting things out in the open for fear of the reaction of others.
Jennifer had hurt those around through careless actions and even now as she feels stirrings to get out there in the world and perhaps do something for herself in terms of work there is that reluctance to venture forward. But we all learn from past hurts and devastating experiences and if we didn't we wouldn't be the people we are in the present. But I did wish she would cast aside the way she felt towards Isla because the characteristics she was displaying towards her weren't very nice. Isla herself may have put on a bright and happy front but deep down she had her own traumas to deal with. The same could be said for her relationship with ex best friend Viola.
I thought Viola must have done something truly awful for the pair to barely even speak to each other anymore. Yes, when that aspect of revelation came I thought OK Jennifer I am with you on this one, your stance is entirely justified. Through Jennifer's establishment of the Library of Shared Things, a place where people can come and rent out things that may be only needed once or twice, a community spirit and a sense of unity slowly returns to the village. Jennifer's idea becomes the catalyst for change in many peoples lives and it spurs them on to stop hiding and to be who they want to be with no secrets or lies. But will everyone be happy with what information emerges and can they cope with the fallout?
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and I can say having finished The Little Village Library that she has certainly brought a more modern slant to this genre. The fact that she wasn't afraid to present an issue that always gets shoved under the carpet and not talked about as if it doesn't happen because it certainly does. This book will make you more aware and sensitive to something which is going on all around the world and people will sit up and take notice. The author has woven a good story about friendships, secrets and community. All three elements are here and each have a significant role to play in the overall plot of this book.
The majority of the characters have to face up to the realities of what they have been hiding. They need to push their fears away and confront what has been eating away at them or else emotions and mysteries will fester away and perhaps lead to devastating consequences for their emotional well-being. Overall, this was a good read once I felt I finally got really into it. I would be interested to see how Helen's other books compare to this one in terms of the themes and issues raised and I wonder will she continue to venture in this direction with her future books. A collection of novellas is to be published as a full length book later in the summer and again the cover of The Little Cottage in Lantern Square appeals to me so I will give it a go when it is published.
Despite the opening few pages being tense, emotional and intriguing where someone is talking about being frightened and having bottled everything up for so long and is now on the verge of spilling all, it did take me until around the half way point to really get stuck into the plot and the themes which were coming to the fore. I found in the first half that nothing much really happened and there was so much repetition. We were told endlessly that one of the main characters Adam and his young family were hiding something and in a similar way one of the main female protagonists had something which had occurred in her past and affected her relationships with several people today. I could tell from the very good writing that this was all going on and I just feel we didn't need to be endlessly reminded of it instead I wished the story would have just gotten going allowing for earlier development of the characters and perhaps actually telling us in a more definitive way what was actually wrong with people. Perhaps a little bit more editing in the beginning would have allowed for smoother development in the initial stages of the book. Pushing this issue aside, once I reached the midway point I thought things took a turn for the better and I became more interested and invested as to the eventual outcome for all involved. When little snippets started to reveal themselves and people's actions and opinions began to make more sense, I found the empathy and understanding I had for them growing.
Adam and his young family are settling into the village of Cloverdale and have bought one of the beautiful cottages that can be found dotted throughout. Previous to this they lived in London and prior to that they resided in Australia. Adam's two children Zac aged 9 and Zoe aged 14 have experienced significant changes in their already short lives and now their father hopes that things can settle down and the past can be put to bed whilst a comfortable and positive future will be built. Buying the cottage Adam believes will give the small family unit a sense of permanency. But from the outset, I could see that Adam was always on edge. On one hand he did mix well with the residents of the village and took every opportunity possible to visit the Library of Shared Things as established by Jennifer. He wanted not to remain on the outskirts hiding away as he has been doing that for too long but yet on the other hand he was wary of revealing too much too soon and even though a problem shared is a problem halved he seemed reluctant to reveal his true state of affairs.
I couldn't quite put my finger on what actually was going on with Adam and, like one other character in particular, I was jumping to all sorts of conclusions. I suppose living in a small rural village everyone wants to know everyone else’s business and they don't take the time to let the person open up of their own accord. I felt Adam needed to be more honest and let people form their own judgements on what he had to say. I think being so closed and secretive only increased speculation and really daughter Zoe was old enough to know the truth. She was a young girl going through a time when so many transitions and changes occur that she should have been given more credit for how she would handle things than she was. Adam and his family certainly provided an intriguing aspect to the overall story and like Viola who initially came across as a busybody I was desperate to know just what made Adam tick and why the need to be overly cautious about every aspect of his family's life.
The other main character is Jennifer who to me was really at a crossroads in her life. Events in the past had made her retreat into herself in terms of what she wanted to do professionally with her life. She has enjoyed rearing her family but now she feels as if her marriage to David has reached a stalemate and they do not communicate on the issues that definitely need talking about. Jennifer wasn't happy and the problems she has with herself and her relationship manifests themselves in the relationship she has with her sister Isla who has recently returned to the village after travelling for some time. Their parents are now both passed away and Isla is renovating their house. To me, it seemed like Jennifer was jealous of Isla as everything she had wished for her own life Isla seemed to have. Deep down Jennifer was hurting emotionally and mentally, the scars of events of the past still throbbed and she was fearful of taking steps forward or admitting things out in the open for fear of the reaction of others.
Jennifer had hurt those around through careless actions and even now as she feels stirrings to get out there in the world and perhaps do something for herself in terms of work there is that reluctance to venture forward. But we all learn from past hurts and devastating experiences and if we didn't we wouldn't be the people we are in the present. But I did wish she would cast aside the way she felt towards Isla because the characteristics she was displaying towards her weren't very nice. Isla herself may have put on a bright and happy front but deep down she had her own traumas to deal with. The same could be said for her relationship with ex best friend Viola.
I thought Viola must have done something truly awful for the pair to barely even speak to each other anymore. Yes, when that aspect of revelation came I thought OK Jennifer I am with you on this one, your stance is entirely justified. Through Jennifer's establishment of the Library of Shared Things, a place where people can come and rent out things that may be only needed once or twice, a community spirit and a sense of unity slowly returns to the village. Jennifer's idea becomes the catalyst for change in many peoples lives and it spurs them on to stop hiding and to be who they want to be with no secrets or lies. But will everyone be happy with what information emerges and can they cope with the fallout?
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and I can say having finished The Little Village Library that she has certainly brought a more modern slant to this genre. The fact that she wasn't afraid to present an issue that always gets shoved under the carpet and not talked about as if it doesn't happen because it certainly does. This book will make you more aware and sensitive to something which is going on all around the world and people will sit up and take notice. The author has woven a good story about friendships, secrets and community. All three elements are here and each have a significant role to play in the overall plot of this book.
The majority of the characters have to face up to the realities of what they have been hiding. They need to push their fears away and confront what has been eating away at them or else emotions and mysteries will fester away and perhaps lead to devastating consequences for their emotional well-being. Overall, this was a good read once I felt I finally got really into it. I would be interested to see how Helen's other books compare to this one in terms of the themes and issues raised and I wonder will she continue to venture in this direction with her future books. A collection of novellas is to be published as a full length book later in the summer and again the cover of The Little Cottage in Lantern Square appeals to me so I will give it a go when it is published.
August 27, 2020
Adam and his 2 children have moved from London to Cloverdale after moving away from Australia. He has a past that he was desperate to escape from and which made him move half way across the world.
The Library Of Shared Things has been created by Jennifer and you can borrow anything from a badminton set to a gazebo. Jennifer soon ropes in Adam to help and they develop a friendship which makes Jennifer question her marriage.
This book tackles the sensitive subject of domestic abuse and does so very carefully. It also makes you realise how quick people assume that it is always the man that is the abuser which isn’t necessarily always the case.
A definite 🌟🌟🌟🌟 read from me.
The Library Of Shared Things has been created by Jennifer and you can borrow anything from a badminton set to a gazebo. Jennifer soon ropes in Adam to help and they develop a friendship which makes Jennifer question her marriage.
This book tackles the sensitive subject of domestic abuse and does so very carefully. It also makes you realise how quick people assume that it is always the man that is the abuser which isn’t necessarily always the case.
A definite 🌟🌟🌟🌟 read from me.
February 8, 2021
I seem to have lost my reading mojo for the past couple of months, hence this book taking seven weeks to read - very unlike me. It has no reflection on the book itself which was the usual fab standard by author Helen Rolfe. Hopefully I'll be back in reading mode very soon
December 31, 2019
What a deep and emotional but uplifting book this is.
It is clear from the off that Adam, Jennifer, Viola and Isla are all hiding things, and their secrets are alluded to often.
Strangely the largest reveal is also the one I kind of saw coming but not in that manner, the rest did surprise me.
It took me a while to get into the swing of this book, possibly due to the amount of characters I needed to keep in mind, but once I did I really fell for the village of Cloverdale and I love the concept of the Library of Shared Things.
There are many threads running through the story and once I was up to speed I was fully invested in seeing how everything would play out.
I really enjoyed this story and it was good to see that Helen Rolfe is able to write about some more serious topics than I've seen in the past, in such a sensitive and thought provoking way.
Definitely a book to make you think, filled with drama, intrigue and a great sense of community.
Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It is clear from the off that Adam, Jennifer, Viola and Isla are all hiding things, and their secrets are alluded to often.
Strangely the largest reveal is also the one I kind of saw coming but not in that manner, the rest did surprise me.
It took me a while to get into the swing of this book, possibly due to the amount of characters I needed to keep in mind, but once I did I really fell for the village of Cloverdale and I love the concept of the Library of Shared Things.
There are many threads running through the story and once I was up to speed I was fully invested in seeing how everything would play out.
I really enjoyed this story and it was good to see that Helen Rolfe is able to write about some more serious topics than I've seen in the past, in such a sensitive and thought provoking way.
Definitely a book to make you think, filled with drama, intrigue and a great sense of community.
Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
February 14, 2020
I have a little confession to make. Although I have a few of Helen's books on my ever increasing 'to be read' mountain, 'The Little Village Library' is the first one I have actually sat down and read. Now I am rather annoyed at myself that it has taken me this long to discover how flipping fantastic an author Helen Rolfe really is. Anyway as you may have gathered, I flipping well loved, no make that ADORED reading 'The Little Village Library' but more about that in a bit.
I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the synopsis for 'The Little Village Library', never mind from when I started reading the book itself. This book was just the tonic that I needed after a dreadful week or two. It allowed me to escape the stress that I had been under and I was transported away to Cloverdale, which sounds idyllic. As soon as I picked this book up I just knew that I wasn't going to be able to put this book down at all. No I don't mean that it was glued to my hands but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The pages seemed to turn at a furious pace but that was because I was so desperate to find out what happened next that I couldn't wait any longer. All too quickly I reached the end of the book, which I was genuinely disappointed about. I had been enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just wanted the book to continue. I wasn't ready to leave Cloverdale just yet.
'The Little Village Library' is brilliantly written. I just loved everything about the way in which it was written. There was drama aplenty but the story was uplifting and feel good. There was romance, there was humour and it was lovely to read about the strong friendships that were formed in Cloverdale. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draws you into the story. The writer uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that the characters seemed to spring to life and jump off the page as it were. They seemed just as real as you and I. I also felt as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I adored reading 'The Little Village Library' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. Now I have realised just how great an author Helen is, I can guarantee that the books that are on the 'TBR' mountain will not be there for much longer. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the synopsis for 'The Little Village Library', never mind from when I started reading the book itself. This book was just the tonic that I needed after a dreadful week or two. It allowed me to escape the stress that I had been under and I was transported away to Cloverdale, which sounds idyllic. As soon as I picked this book up I just knew that I wasn't going to be able to put this book down at all. No I don't mean that it was glued to my hands but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The pages seemed to turn at a furious pace but that was because I was so desperate to find out what happened next that I couldn't wait any longer. All too quickly I reached the end of the book, which I was genuinely disappointed about. I had been enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just wanted the book to continue. I wasn't ready to leave Cloverdale just yet.
'The Little Village Library' is brilliantly written. I just loved everything about the way in which it was written. There was drama aplenty but the story was uplifting and feel good. There was romance, there was humour and it was lovely to read about the strong friendships that were formed in Cloverdale. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draws you into the story. The writer uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that the characters seemed to spring to life and jump off the page as it were. They seemed just as real as you and I. I also felt as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I adored reading 'The Little Village Library' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. Now I have realised just how great an author Helen is, I can guarantee that the books that are on the 'TBR' mountain will not be there for much longer. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
July 22, 2021
The Library of Shared Things is a place where locals can meet and borrow anything they might need, from things such as food mixers to power drills. It is not, as I first thought from the title, a library of books.
The story centres around an array of characters. Jennifer has devoted all of her time to launching the library. Viola is the ex-friend who is desperately trying to reconcile their friendship. Isla (Jennifer’s sister) moves back to Cloverdale and is clearly hiding something. Then there’s Adam and his two children who are new to the village and who is trying to recover from his broken past.
Whilst I liked the characters and the village in which the book was set, this was not a light-hearted read that I was expecting. It was an easy read with a predictable storyline but tackles some serious topics, which I won’t address here as I don’t want to spoil the book.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and although I have only rated this book 3 stars, it wouldn’t deter me from trying another one of her books. For me, I think the summary of the book should be rewritten as I do not think that this book is a ‘heartwarming story’.
The story centres around an array of characters. Jennifer has devoted all of her time to launching the library. Viola is the ex-friend who is desperately trying to reconcile their friendship. Isla (Jennifer’s sister) moves back to Cloverdale and is clearly hiding something. Then there’s Adam and his two children who are new to the village and who is trying to recover from his broken past.
Whilst I liked the characters and the village in which the book was set, this was not a light-hearted read that I was expecting. It was an easy read with a predictable storyline but tackles some serious topics, which I won’t address here as I don’t want to spoil the book.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and although I have only rated this book 3 stars, it wouldn’t deter me from trying another one of her books. For me, I think the summary of the book should be rewritten as I do not think that this book is a ‘heartwarming story’.
August 8, 2020
Yes, this book did contain a serious issue, so content was more than the usual light stuff I was expecting, well done for that, but the author hinted every five minutes that (half the characters) had a deep secret or something they did wrong in the past... yes, we get it thanks, and we can wait for the big reveal...
February 6, 2020
Happy Publication Day! Cloverdale is a cute little village, full of friendly neighbours and friends. When Adam and his two children arrive in the town they settle in nicely, make friends and feel at home… BUT… There’s a secret Adam brings with him that could change everything and where is the childrens mother? Hmmmm.
I enjoyed reading this one. The way it is written and told so you’re assuming the worse when actually towards the end it makes you feel bad. Ooops. Well it did for me. I got it totally wrong. Poor Adam. What a lovely man. Seems to perfect bless him. The end gets a bit emotional and teary but a brilliant, uplifting and inspiring story after all.
A well deserved four stars from me. Loved the town and characters. Highly recommend. When you live in a small town nothing stays secret for long. I’d love to live in Cloverdale and loved the idea of the shared library. Brilliant.
I enjoyed reading this one. The way it is written and told so you’re assuming the worse when actually towards the end it makes you feel bad. Ooops. Well it did for me. I got it totally wrong. Poor Adam. What a lovely man. Seems to perfect bless him. The end gets a bit emotional and teary but a brilliant, uplifting and inspiring story after all.
A well deserved four stars from me. Loved the town and characters. Highly recommend. When you live in a small town nothing stays secret for long. I’d love to live in Cloverdale and loved the idea of the shared library. Brilliant.
December 7, 2019
Thanks to netgalley for a chance to read this book.
Another good book from this author. Adam moves to Cloverdale with his two children and a secret. He meets Jennifer who runs a library that’s lends things out to the community and they become really good friends until Adams secret comes out. Is it the secret Jennifer thinks it is?
Another good book from this author. Adam moves to Cloverdale with his two children and a secret. He meets Jennifer who runs a library that’s lends things out to the community and they become really good friends until Adams secret comes out. Is it the secret Jennifer thinks it is?
August 7, 2023
This one just didn’t hit it for me. I don’t know why but it just didn’t have the hook to draw me in. Especially for the first half. But the second half?! Ooof. It was compelling and felt like a completely different book?
It was never going to be a DNF as I was intrigued about the plot and story, with secrets hidden, romances blooming, marriages to save etc… so there was an element to keep me coming back. I have to admit, the plot line with Zoe was very compelling and earnt an extra star for that.
I think it was just that I didn’t care much for the characters. They were well written and the book too, there was nothing to fall out with. It was hovering at the 2 star mark but then I got closer and closer to the end and the plot twist well and truly had me. I was then hooked and couldn’t tear myself away from the book until it ended. The pacing was a little off as towards the end, it was like a ‘woah, where did this come from?’ Which was a nice surprise and I’m glad I stuck with it until the end.
Second time round: I tried reading it again and it didn’t hit me second time either. There’s definitely no preamble with this story and it launches straight in. We quickly meet Adam and his two children, Zac and Zoe along with Jennifer, the founder of the little village library.
I loved the idea of this shared little village resource where you could borrow anything from a carpet cleaner to a pasta maker and a full set of dining essentials! There’s a cosy sense of community but the story didn’t have its hook.
I felt like I was diving into a story that already had a few books beforehand. There was a lot of mystery and hidden drama, with the author heavily hinting as ‘secrets hidden in the past’ for our community to get to the bottom off and weedle out of the newcomers. Isla is also a new addition to the community who also has secrets; it was a steady mover but I found it easy to put down and didn’t finish it on the reread.
I have since read other books by this author and they’ve been great.
It was never going to be a DNF as I was intrigued about the plot and story, with secrets hidden, romances blooming, marriages to save etc… so there was an element to keep me coming back. I have to admit, the plot line with Zoe was very compelling and earnt an extra star for that.
I think it was just that I didn’t care much for the characters. They were well written and the book too, there was nothing to fall out with. It was hovering at the 2 star mark but then I got closer and closer to the end and the plot twist well and truly had me. I was then hooked and couldn’t tear myself away from the book until it ended. The pacing was a little off as towards the end, it was like a ‘woah, where did this come from?’ Which was a nice surprise and I’m glad I stuck with it until the end.
Second time round: I tried reading it again and it didn’t hit me second time either. There’s definitely no preamble with this story and it launches straight in. We quickly meet Adam and his two children, Zac and Zoe along with Jennifer, the founder of the little village library.
I loved the idea of this shared little village resource where you could borrow anything from a carpet cleaner to a pasta maker and a full set of dining essentials! There’s a cosy sense of community but the story didn’t have its hook.
I felt like I was diving into a story that already had a few books beforehand. There was a lot of mystery and hidden drama, with the author heavily hinting as ‘secrets hidden in the past’ for our community to get to the bottom off and weedle out of the newcomers. Isla is also a new addition to the community who also has secrets; it was a steady mover but I found it easy to put down and didn’t finish it on the reread.
I have since read other books by this author and they’ve been great.
August 10, 2021
I wanted to like this book. The idea was good, but the story was slow and predictable.
There were supposed to be 3 secrets. These dragged on for ages. The big one was obvious what it would be. The two smaller ones had a couple of options but no surprises.
Of course, books in this genre are normally totally predictable from the first chapter. But 3 secrets should have left some twists and surprises.
The worst thing in this book is the way the author mentions the library of shared things as a whole phrase ALL the time ! In my experience, around 95% of authors in this genre do the same thing. It makes me wonder if they are paid to say them or told by their agents; but I find it 100% annoying.
It goes something like this (I am making up this section as an example) - Today I have to go to the library of shared things and when I get to the library of shared things I am going to create a new hiring list for the library of shared things. People in Cloverdale love the library of shared things and they love Cloverdale. And Cloverdale loves all the people here. The library of share things is such a great idea...........
Now - no-one talks like that. What would be said is something along the lines of - Today I have to go to the library of shared things and when I get there I am going to create a new hiring list. People in Cloverdale love the library and they love this village. And the village loves all the people here. This project is such a great idea.
I think if authors wrote as people spoke then their books might seem more realistic.
There were supposed to be 3 secrets. These dragged on for ages. The big one was obvious what it would be. The two smaller ones had a couple of options but no surprises.
Of course, books in this genre are normally totally predictable from the first chapter. But 3 secrets should have left some twists and surprises.
The worst thing in this book is the way the author mentions the library of shared things as a whole phrase ALL the time ! In my experience, around 95% of authors in this genre do the same thing. It makes me wonder if they are paid to say them or told by their agents; but I find it 100% annoying.
It goes something like this (I am making up this section as an example) - Today I have to go to the library of shared things and when I get to the library of shared things I am going to create a new hiring list for the library of shared things. People in Cloverdale love the library of shared things and they love Cloverdale. And Cloverdale loves all the people here. The library of share things is such a great idea...........
Now - no-one talks like that. What would be said is something along the lines of - Today I have to go to the library of shared things and when I get there I am going to create a new hiring list. People in Cloverdale love the library and they love this village. And the village loves all the people here. This project is such a great idea.
I think if authors wrote as people spoke then their books might seem more realistic.
November 28, 2019
NetGalley
Member Review
The Little Village Library
by Helen Rolfe
Pub Date: 9 Jan 2020
Review by
jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 28 Nov 2019
My Recommendation
Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Having read all of this author's books I was delighted to get an early copy.
This book is quite a different style of writing from Helen's other books and it was a sheer joy to read something so poignant this is a tale of survival and none of us know what happens behind closed doors.
Adam's life was in tatters and with the help of FANTASTIC community finds inner peace.
I really can't praise this OUTSTANDING book enough and can highly recommend
Member Review
The Little Village Library
by Helen Rolfe
Pub Date: 9 Jan 2020
Review by
jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 28 Nov 2019
My Recommendation
Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Having read all of this author's books I was delighted to get an early copy.
This book is quite a different style of writing from Helen's other books and it was a sheer joy to read something so poignant this is a tale of survival and none of us know what happens behind closed doors.
Adam's life was in tatters and with the help of FANTASTIC community finds inner peace.
I really can't praise this OUTSTANDING book enough and can highly recommend
September 6, 2020
This just didn't really do it for me I'm afraid. The references to 'big secrets' and 'running from the past' were just way too frequent in the first half of the book, and i found the two main female characters a bit Stepford Wife-ish. One aspect I did enjoy was the relationships between the teenage girls and their parents.
Although the last few chapters of the book was fast paced, I'd already worked out the main twist and it wasn't enough to redeem it.
Although the last few chapters of the book was fast paced, I'd already worked out the main twist and it wasn't enough to redeem it.
December 20, 2019
An absolutely fantastic read by this author. This is my first book by this author but I have already added a number of others to my TBR list.
I absolutely love the writing style on this book and found it easy to get lost in the story.
I absolutely love the writing style on this book and found it easy to get lost in the story.
December 19, 2019
Before I started reading The Little Village Library by Helen Rolfe, I had certain expectations of this book. I was expecting it to be a sweet, romantic story. I formed this judgement based on the cover alone; there is just something about the cover that gives off the impression of a cute, light-hearted, snuggle up by an open fire and drink a hot cocoa kind of book. By no means did I envisage a story of such strong substance as The Little Village Library. This, my friends, is why we we should not judge books by their covers (although I will likely continue to do so).
You would never guess from the cover that The Little Village Library actually deals with some very important topics, including domestic violence and mental health issues. These issues are dealt with in such a way that does not affect the reader’s enjoyment of the book or the reading experience. Generally when I read a book that discusses topics such as domestic violence, I am left with a heavy heart. I often need to read something a bit more light-hearted next in order to bring my spirits back up. However, Rolfe handles these topics in a way that is in keeping with the rest of the more light-hearted tone of the book, meaning that I was not left feeling melancholic by any means. I hope this does not sound as though Rolfe is dismissive of these topics, because that is not the case by any means. In fact, I think that it is really well done. The balance between seriousness and light-heartedness in The Little Village Library is spot on.
The heart of The Little Village Library is the characters. There is single-dad Adam, who has just moved to Cloverdale with his children Zoe and Zac, and is trying to fit in whilst holding on to a terrible secret. There is life-long Cloverdale resident Jennifer, who has just started a community project at the local library and dealing with troubles in both her career and marriage. Jennifer’s sister Isla, with whom she has a difficult relationship, has recently moved back to Cloverdale, following the death of both their parents. To top it all off, Jennifer’s estranged friend Violet is working with her on the project at the library. To an outsider, the village of Cloverdale and its residents may look idyllic, but things are not entirely as they seem. Secrets are rife in Cloverdale, and I did not want to put this book down until I uncovered the truth.
I fell in love with each and every one of the residents of Cloverdale as I got to know them. Sure, they could be frustrating at times, but who isn’t? I found myself wanting to have cheese and wine nights with Isla and Jennifer, hang out with Zoe and her best friend Ava, and attend some of the village’s quirky events. The village of Cloverdale reminded me of Star’s Hollow in a way. It is the perfect backdrop for some of the more serious aspects of the story. In the acknowledgments to The Little Village Library, Rolfe writes “I had some serious themes in this book and so needed a setting that would enable me to tell the story that leave readers uplifted.” I must say that Rolfe executed this perfectly.
The Little Village Library is a truly enjoyable read. It deals with some serious issues, whilst remaining heart-warming and sweet. My initial expectations weren’t entirely wrong. It actually does make quite a good snuggle up by an open fire and enjoy a hot cocoa book. I already can’t wait to see what the author does in the future.
You would never guess from the cover that The Little Village Library actually deals with some very important topics, including domestic violence and mental health issues. These issues are dealt with in such a way that does not affect the reader’s enjoyment of the book or the reading experience. Generally when I read a book that discusses topics such as domestic violence, I am left with a heavy heart. I often need to read something a bit more light-hearted next in order to bring my spirits back up. However, Rolfe handles these topics in a way that is in keeping with the rest of the more light-hearted tone of the book, meaning that I was not left feeling melancholic by any means. I hope this does not sound as though Rolfe is dismissive of these topics, because that is not the case by any means. In fact, I think that it is really well done. The balance between seriousness and light-heartedness in The Little Village Library is spot on.
The heart of The Little Village Library is the characters. There is single-dad Adam, who has just moved to Cloverdale with his children Zoe and Zac, and is trying to fit in whilst holding on to a terrible secret. There is life-long Cloverdale resident Jennifer, who has just started a community project at the local library and dealing with troubles in both her career and marriage. Jennifer’s sister Isla, with whom she has a difficult relationship, has recently moved back to Cloverdale, following the death of both their parents. To top it all off, Jennifer’s estranged friend Violet is working with her on the project at the library. To an outsider, the village of Cloverdale and its residents may look idyllic, but things are not entirely as they seem. Secrets are rife in Cloverdale, and I did not want to put this book down until I uncovered the truth.
I fell in love with each and every one of the residents of Cloverdale as I got to know them. Sure, they could be frustrating at times, but who isn’t? I found myself wanting to have cheese and wine nights with Isla and Jennifer, hang out with Zoe and her best friend Ava, and attend some of the village’s quirky events. The village of Cloverdale reminded me of Star’s Hollow in a way. It is the perfect backdrop for some of the more serious aspects of the story. In the acknowledgments to The Little Village Library, Rolfe writes “I had some serious themes in this book and so needed a setting that would enable me to tell the story that leave readers uplifted.” I must say that Rolfe executed this perfectly.
The Little Village Library is a truly enjoyable read. It deals with some serious issues, whilst remaining heart-warming and sweet. My initial expectations weren’t entirely wrong. It actually does make quite a good snuggle up by an open fire and enjoy a hot cocoa book. I already can’t wait to see what the author does in the future.
February 17, 2025
New:
I made it to 150 pages. I was hoping after making it to 100 something would happen in the next 50 which would make this book enticing. We don't really learn much more about Adam which is to be expected, and yes I could've perhaps tried to read further to see if Jennifer ever opens that dream hairdresser or whether she repairs her friendship with Viola. Her and Isla however do start to reminicise over when they were kids-
It was boring. I suspect it would be a nice cosy read for a similar audience to the background it portrays. Small village. Not quite wealthy, but still doing better than 90 percent of the population. The writing was nice but something about books which go on about gossip and such - just reminds me of high school and not in the good way. As much as I wanted to enjoy this book it wasn't in the stars for me. I could've finished it but why push something you're not enjoying?
Bought for 99p from a local charity shop. Art was gorgeous. Not sure if I'd read this author again.
Old review
I'm currently reading so this is subject to change but at present, 100 pages in and its really boring. I like the concept of a library of shared things. The premise is decent. I'm very curious about this secret Adam has. But the feud between sisters, a housewife not enjoying life and missing her old job, as well as the conflict between an old ruined friendship. I'm not enjoying the tea.
With books like this usually there's something more to the mystery- which helps me keep reading, but the book reads as the most mundane day to day life - and it sounds like the village itself is mostly comprised of well off individuals- which makes the book even more boring. I don't like lending time to reading about posh people's apparent struggles with one another in a pride battle which up until now. Seems to be the main plot.
And Adam.
Like the two girls - the free spirited one and the married one- why you fighting over a man? I do hope their broken hearts can be healed. I also pray this book picks up soon because its a snoozefest for me right now.
I made it to 150 pages. I was hoping after making it to 100 something would happen in the next 50 which would make this book enticing. We don't really learn much more about Adam which is to be expected, and yes I could've perhaps tried to read further to see if Jennifer ever opens that dream hairdresser or whether she repairs her friendship with Viola. Her and Isla however do start to reminicise over when they were kids-
It was boring. I suspect it would be a nice cosy read for a similar audience to the background it portrays. Small village. Not quite wealthy, but still doing better than 90 percent of the population. The writing was nice but something about books which go on about gossip and such - just reminds me of high school and not in the good way. As much as I wanted to enjoy this book it wasn't in the stars for me. I could've finished it but why push something you're not enjoying?
Bought for 99p from a local charity shop. Art was gorgeous. Not sure if I'd read this author again.
Old review
I'm currently reading so this is subject to change but at present, 100 pages in and its really boring. I like the concept of a library of shared things. The premise is decent. I'm very curious about this secret Adam has. But the feud between sisters, a housewife not enjoying life and missing her old job, as well as the conflict between an old ruined friendship. I'm not enjoying the tea.
With books like this usually there's something more to the mystery- which helps me keep reading, but the book reads as the most mundane day to day life - and it sounds like the village itself is mostly comprised of well off individuals- which makes the book even more boring. I don't like lending time to reading about posh people's apparent struggles with one another in a pride battle which up until now. Seems to be the main plot.
And Adam.
Like the two girls - the free spirited one and the married one- why you fighting over a man? I do hope their broken hearts can be healed. I also pray this book picks up soon because its a snoozefest for me right now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2020
The first thing I want to say about this book is that it is not about a library for books! The second is it's not the cosy read that the cover maybe leads you to believe. Towards the end of the book there is a lot of descriptive domestic violence. It is dealt with sensitively and obviously it is something that happens, but I did not expect it in this book and probably wouldn't have read it had I known.
The story centres really around the characters in the village, one of whom happens to have opened a "Library of Shared Things". I would have loved to have read more about the comings and goings in the library but really it was just a mechanism for the characters to meet and be introduced.
I struggled with the book, for me it didn't flow that well and non of the characters were at all likeable. Every time I picked it up I felt I was wading through a lot of wordy descriptive writing that was unnecessary. The characters were full of woes and really I just wanted a cosy read which I didn't find.
There is intrigue around Adam who is new to the village and I only kept reading because I wanted to know his backstory and hopefully read that all the things he was being suspected of were untrue. When everything came to a head at the end of the book it was quite tense, and I feel this book should really have been marketed differently than it has been.
The story centres really around the characters in the village, one of whom happens to have opened a "Library of Shared Things". I would have loved to have read more about the comings and goings in the library but really it was just a mechanism for the characters to meet and be introduced.
I struggled with the book, for me it didn't flow that well and non of the characters were at all likeable. Every time I picked it up I felt I was wading through a lot of wordy descriptive writing that was unnecessary. The characters were full of woes and really I just wanted a cosy read which I didn't find.
There is intrigue around Adam who is new to the village and I only kept reading because I wanted to know his backstory and hopefully read that all the things he was being suspected of were untrue. When everything came to a head at the end of the book it was quite tense, and I feel this book should really have been marketed differently than it has been.
February 12, 2020
There is a tremendous sense of community in this novel, which does not just come from the setting in the Library. The inhabitants of the village have their own stories too, but you come to appreciate that though they may be very different people, they all have a sense of fellowship in common. Adam, Viola, Jennifer and Viola all have some deeply buried secrets which are hinted at quite strongly. There are some dark issues hidden in the past and you are left for much of the story trying to figure out exactly what has happened. Nevertheless, despite the seriousness of past events, you do not lose the warmth of the story as Adam's family begin to settle into the village.
I particularly enjoyed getting to know Isla and finding out what was at the bottom of her relationship with her sister. She is a breath of fresh air in the village. Jennifer seems to be the lynch pin between all the characters and you get a good sense of how alienated she is at the beginning and anxious to reconnect with her family and friends. The relationships between the parents and the children/ teenagers add another layer to the stories and there are some wry observations on 'life with a teen'.
In short: A delightful read with a solid heart.
Thank to the author for a copy of the book
I particularly enjoyed getting to know Isla and finding out what was at the bottom of her relationship with her sister. She is a breath of fresh air in the village. Jennifer seems to be the lynch pin between all the characters and you get a good sense of how alienated she is at the beginning and anxious to reconnect with her family and friends. The relationships between the parents and the children/ teenagers add another layer to the stories and there are some wry observations on 'life with a teen'.
In short: A delightful read with a solid heart.
Thank to the author for a copy of the book
January 9, 2020
So much going on in this book, it's impossible not to enjoy every little bit of it!
Cloverdale is a lovely scenic village surrounded by rolling countryside. Jennifer has always lived here and wants to get back to having more of a community feel, hoping that the inhabitants will mix more. As part of her plan, she sets up 'The Library of Shared Things' - a unique idea, and one I haven't come across before. Into the area comes Adam and his two children - but how much do they actually know about the new arrivals?
As with any village, there is plenty happening (I should know, I live in one) and it all fits together seamlessly! Helen Rolfe's experience shines throughout; with a bit of mystery, friendships, relationships and family dynamics I was glued to the pages from the beginning to the very last page. This is a terrific story, not all as straightforward as it seems at first and definitely one to get your brain ticking over. Well written and very enjoyable, this is worth every one of the four shiny stars I'm happy to give it.
Cloverdale is a lovely scenic village surrounded by rolling countryside. Jennifer has always lived here and wants to get back to having more of a community feel, hoping that the inhabitants will mix more. As part of her plan, she sets up 'The Library of Shared Things' - a unique idea, and one I haven't come across before. Into the area comes Adam and his two children - but how much do they actually know about the new arrivals?
As with any village, there is plenty happening (I should know, I live in one) and it all fits together seamlessly! Helen Rolfe's experience shines throughout; with a bit of mystery, friendships, relationships and family dynamics I was glued to the pages from the beginning to the very last page. This is a terrific story, not all as straightforward as it seems at first and definitely one to get your brain ticking over. Well written and very enjoyable, this is worth every one of the four shiny stars I'm happy to give it.
June 12, 2022
The Little Village Library by Helen Rolfe
Cloverdale is known for its winding roads, undulating hills and colourful cottages, and more recently, its Library of Shared Things. Need a ladder, a hedge trimmer or a waffle-maker? You can borrow it from the Library of Shared Things.
Single dad Adam is doing a good job of raising his daughter, Zoe, whilst burying his past and moving forwards. When he agrees to run a mending workshop at the Library, new friendships start to blossom.
Jennifer is a volunteer at the Library. When her younger sister Isla moves back to Cloverdale after their mother dies, Jennifer finds herself wondering whether Isla is hiding something.
I popped into my local library for one book, and walked out with six - this is one of those books. Having read and enjoyed a few books by Helen Rolfe, I am keen to read some of her other books. This is a nice relaxing read centered around the village of Cloverdale. I liked the idea of 'The Library of Shared Things' and was surprised to find that the 'library' was not a book library as I had initially thought.
Rating 4/5
Cloverdale is known for its winding roads, undulating hills and colourful cottages, and more recently, its Library of Shared Things. Need a ladder, a hedge trimmer or a waffle-maker? You can borrow it from the Library of Shared Things.
Single dad Adam is doing a good job of raising his daughter, Zoe, whilst burying his past and moving forwards. When he agrees to run a mending workshop at the Library, new friendships start to blossom.
Jennifer is a volunteer at the Library. When her younger sister Isla moves back to Cloverdale after their mother dies, Jennifer finds herself wondering whether Isla is hiding something.
I popped into my local library for one book, and walked out with six - this is one of those books. Having read and enjoyed a few books by Helen Rolfe, I am keen to read some of her other books. This is a nice relaxing read centered around the village of Cloverdale. I liked the idea of 'The Library of Shared Things' and was surprised to find that the 'library' was not a book library as I had initially thought.
Rating 4/5
January 30, 2023
From the cover, the title and the blurb, I expected this book to be a lovely cosy quick read. I thought it would be a very character heavy, community spirit kind of book. But as other reviews have said, there’s lots of series topics explored in this book which I hadn’t expected and really could do with a trigger warning.
I think this book is definitely a slow-burn. Nothing really happens except scene-setting and character building (parts are quite repetitive) until 150 pages onwards. Then the plot starts to unfold and it became easier to carry on reading. At one point, I did think I was going to give up with this.
The middle to the ending definitely made up for the rest as the plot moved forward quickly, the reader is kept on their toes and the serious topics were dealt with sensitively.
I just think there is a lot of unnecessary bumph which could be edited out. It wasn’t until I flipped to the front once I’d finished reading that I remembered there even was a prologue!
Overall, it was an enjoyable read but almost felt like reading a draft.
I think this book is definitely a slow-burn. Nothing really happens except scene-setting and character building (parts are quite repetitive) until 150 pages onwards. Then the plot starts to unfold and it became easier to carry on reading. At one point, I did think I was going to give up with this.
The middle to the ending definitely made up for the rest as the plot moved forward quickly, the reader is kept on their toes and the serious topics were dealt with sensitively.
I just think there is a lot of unnecessary bumph which could be edited out. It wasn’t until I flipped to the front once I’d finished reading that I remembered there even was a prologue!
Overall, it was an enjoyable read but almost felt like reading a draft.
November 5, 2022
I usually polish a book in less than a week but this one took me a while. The first 17 or so chapters seemed to drag a bit and I had to really push through because I knew that it would all come together in the end.
The last quarter of the book I finished in an hour as I was hooked from then on.
Love the idea of the little village library but don't really think it had much impact on the story. The characters could have been just as 'brought together' by the fact they lived in a small village, or their kids went to school together. The village library got over mentioned (and the title!) and I felt a lot of it wasn't relevant to the story. I thought it was going to be almost a character in itself but I didn't find it to be.
I absolutely fell in love with The Kindness Club on Maple Berry Lane also by this author, but didn't love this one as much. Overall it dragged, but I am glad I persevered for the ending 😊
The last quarter of the book I finished in an hour as I was hooked from then on.
Love the idea of the little village library but don't really think it had much impact on the story. The characters could have been just as 'brought together' by the fact they lived in a small village, or their kids went to school together. The village library got over mentioned (and the title!) and I felt a lot of it wasn't relevant to the story. I thought it was going to be almost a character in itself but I didn't find it to be.
I absolutely fell in love with The Kindness Club on Maple Berry Lane also by this author, but didn't love this one as much. Overall it dragged, but I am glad I persevered for the ending 😊
February 26, 2020
my goodness what a surprise. Far from being a gentle quiet little romance, this is a very very strong story. A dad and two children arrive in a village and within a short while the villagers want to know what they are not being told. I am not going any further with the story simply as so many people within the book have a story and I am not spoiling it for anyone. The library in the title is not the usual lending library to which we are all accustomed but one where people may borrow, for a small daily fee, household items i.e cake tins, bread maker, ice cream maker and gardening equipment to name but a few. It is for those testing out gadgets with a view to latterly purchasing them or for those just needing an item on a temporary basis, what a fabulous concept. I highly recommend this book and it is my view only. The narrator was excellent.
April 29, 2020
This was a beautiful story set i the village of Cloverdale, that pulled together as a very strong village community. New comer Adam does his best to settle into the village with his two children Zoe and Zac. He wants a fresh start but what is it he is actually running away from??? Secrets unravel as he makes friendships with Jennifer, Isla and Viola, who each have their own issues to sort amongst themselves.
For me this was a very slow story and i really had to persist with it, waiting for something more exciting to happen. It did really warm up towards the end though and i am very glad i stuck with it. The characters were easy to get to know and one or two of their stories really hit home on a personal level.
Over all a good read.
For me this was a very slow story and i really had to persist with it, waiting for something more exciting to happen. It did really warm up towards the end though and i am very glad i stuck with it. The characters were easy to get to know and one or two of their stories really hit home on a personal level.
Over all a good read.
February 24, 2020
I usually love Helen Rolfe's books, but I have to say I found this one really hard going, I felt the storyline was dragged out with far too much detail, I know it involves a very sensitive subject and Helen does a great job, but nothing much really happens in the lead up to the main part of the storyline.
I found myself skim reading a lot of it and just couldn't really get into it until the final 6 chapters or so.
I am sure this is just a one off for me, as I love all of Helen's other books. I would still recommend giving this one a go, it just wasn't for me this time around.
I found myself skim reading a lot of it and just couldn't really get into it until the final 6 chapters or so.
I am sure this is just a one off for me, as I love all of Helen's other books. I would still recommend giving this one a go, it just wasn't for me this time around.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews