The Underground Library.

 

★★★★

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Random Publishing Group/Ballantine, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

When new deputy librarian, Juliet Lansdown, finds that Bethnal Green Library isn't the bustling hub she's expecting, she becomes determined to breathe life back into it. But can she show the men in charge that a woman is up to the task of running it, especially when a confrontation with her past threatens to derail her? 

Katie Upwood is thrilled to be working at the library, although she's only there until she heads off to university in the fall. But after the death of her beau on the front line and amid tumultuous family strife, she finds herself harboring a life-changing secret with no one to turn to for help. Sofie Baumann, a young Jewish refugee, came to London on a domestic service visa only to find herself working as a maid for a man who treats her abominably. She escapes to the library every chance she can, finding friendship in the literary community and aid in finding her sister, who is still trying to flee occupied Europe. 

When a slew of bombs destroy the library, Juliet relocates the stacks to the local Underground station where the city's residents shelter nightly, determined to lend out stories that will keep spirits up. But tragedy after tragedy threatens to unmoor the women and sever the ties of their community. Will Juliet, Kate, and Sofie be able to overcome their own troubles to save the library? Or will the beating heart of their neighborhood be lost forever? 

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 I've been eager to read this book for a while, but my work and school have kept me from doing so. The Underground Library is the first book I've read by Jennifer Ryan, though I've heard of the author before. The title and cover caught my attention since I love stories about books. I was intrigued by the title and couldn't wait to explore its story. After only a few pages, I knew I would love this story. I read it every chance I got. Even when I wasn’t reading it, I thought about it and wondered what would happen next. 

I enjoyed reading the story from three different perspectives, which allowed me to get to know each character better. I loved every character and could not choose a favorite. However, I loved Juliet, and I think that of all the characters in the book, she had the most character development. Juliet had done so much for the library, especially after the bombing. I love that the library was created as a shelter for people to escape the war. Juliet wasn't the only impactful character. I also loved Sofie, Katie, Mrs. Ottley, Sebastian, Mac, Dorothy, and Irene. I still think about the story occasionally; I can't get enough of it. 

The vivid descriptions and emotions in this book transported me into its world. The book had a few slow parts, mostly at the beginning when the characters were being introduced, but it picked up quickly. I loved the plot and characters and would highly recommend it to any historical fiction fans.

One Summer In Savannah.

 

 

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It's been eight years since Sara Lancaster left her home in Savannah, Georgia. Eight years since her daughter, Alana, came into this world, following a terrifying sexual assault that left deep emotional wounds Sara would do anything to forget. But when Sara's father falls ill, she's forced to return home and face the ghosts of her past. 

While caring for her father and running his bookstore, Sara is desperate to protect her curious, outgoing, genius daughter from the Wylers, the family of the man who assaulted her. Sara thinks she can succeed—her attacker is in prison, his identical twin brother, Jacob, left town years ago, and their mother are all unaware Alana exists. But she soon learns that Jacob has also just returned to Savannah to piece together the fragments of his once-great family. And when their two worlds collide—with the type of force Sara explores in her poetry and Jacob in his astrophysics—they are drawn together in unexpected ways. 

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Heart Wrecking. Powerful. 

Some individuals find it difficult to forgive. One Summer in Savannah was a book about forgiveness. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to forgive something like what happened to Sara. I stumbled upon this powerful book in my library's digital collection. I felt the book would be powerful, but I didn't realize its true impact. One Summer in Savannah is a book that evokes strong emotions from the characters' experiences. I should have known the impact this book would have on me. I still can't get the story out of my mind. 

You can't help but love Sara and empathize with her. I can't even begin to imagine how she felt upon her return. I did wonder if Sara would return to Savannah if it wasn’t for her father. After returning to Savannah, I had a feeling she wouldn't go back to Maine. I knew she was struggling with her emotions regarding what to do when she met Jacob. I wondered what David would think of his brother’s relationship with Sara. 

Alana was one of my favorite characters. I couldn't help but love the little girl and the bond she shared with Jacob. Although he wasn't her father, he treated her as his own. I wonder if Alana's perception of Jacob would change if she knew about his relation to the person who mistreated her mother. I couldn’t help but wonder how the story would end if the three of them would become a family. My favorite part of the story is the fact that Sara's father spoke in poetry, which I love. 

I enjoyed the story and found myself frequently thinking about it. However, the ending felt incomplete and left me wanting more. I can't believe that One Summer in Savannah was the author's debut novel. I'm eager to see what the author has in store for us next.

The Last Letter.

 

 

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Beckett,
If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have. 

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride. 

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.
And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help. 

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family. 

Please don’t make her go through it alone. 

Ryan 

 

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There are no words. Be prepared for heartbreak. 

I should have known I would fall in love, only to have my heart broken. There is a part of me that can't believe how it ended. I keep thinking, "Could that be the end?". But that’s what made The Last Letter one of the best and most emotional reads for 2024. I'm not surprised by how good it is, as I've read other books by Rebecca Yarros. My only regret is that I didn’t read this book sooner; it has been on my reading list for months I am pleased that the book club I am a part of has chosen this book for this month. Even though I finished it a few days ago, I can't seem to get the characters and the story out of my head. 

I loved most of the characters in the book, but my favorites were the twins Colt and Maisie. I adored their relationship and how they always watched out for each other. I can't even begin to imagine what Colt must have been feeling, and with what Maisie was facing, my heart broke for him and Ella. They didn't behave like typical six-year-olds; rather, they displayed an astonishing level of maturity. There were times I would forget how young they were. Beckett was my favorite character, despite disagreeing with some of his choices. I hoped he would tell Ella sooner, as delaying would make it harder. 

Letters were my favorite part of the book. I always looked forward to reading the letters between Beckett and Ella that Yarros included in every chapter. It was impossible not to love Ella; she had an inner strength despite her outward appearance. I adored every aspect of this book, experiencing the emotions of each character. The Last Letter is a book that you will never forget.

The British Booksellers.

 

 

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 3.5 Stars

  Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.Opinion expressed in review are completely my own.

 RELEASE DATE: 04/09/2024.

A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington . . . until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home doesn’t come with tender reunions, but with the hollow fulfillment of opening a bookshop on his own and retreating as a recluse within its walls. 

When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match. Though her heart had chosen another long ago, she pledges her future even as her husband goes to war. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop—Eden Books, lovingly named after her grown daughter. And Amos is nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane. 

As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and lost loves, Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive. 

 

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 My favorite genre is historical fiction, but I'm quite selective. I love stories featuring books or bookstores about book lovers like me. The British Booksellers was the first book I read by Kristy Cambron. The cover and the plot caught my attention, and I felt I would enjoy it. Although it wasn't what I expected, this story had many enjoyable aspects. I loved the way the story was told in two different periods. It's one of my favorite things about historical fiction books. As a reader, you witness the development of Charlotte and Amos, the main characters. Sometimes, I wondered if Eden knew the truth about what Charlotte had faced in the past. I wondered if the truth would affect the relationship between Charlotte and Eden. 

I was intrigued by Amos and Charlotte's relationship and wondered what caused them to drift apart. I hoped that they would be reunited at some point in the story. I loved learning about the Blitz, a historical event I knew little about. However, a few slow parts of the story took me some time to get into. I felt this was more of a romance story than a historical fiction. Although the story had historical aspects, it read more like a romance. I enjoy romances but would have preferred a better balance of history and romance. However, I was curious about the outcome of Charlotte and Amos. 

My favorite characters were Charlotte and Amos. I also enjoyed reading about Jacob and Eden, but I felt like they didn’t have the connection that Charlotte and Amos did. In general, I enjoyed the story, and there were a few aspects of the story where I found it hard to put the book down. After reading The British Booksellers, I am excited to explore more of Kristy Cambron's work. I am grateful for the opportunity to read the book before its official release.