Blog Tour: The Booklover’s Library – Madeline Martin

A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of the books that bring them together, by the bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.

In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job. She and her beloved daughter, Olivia, have always managed just fine on their own, but with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her with a job.

When the threat of war in England becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In the wake of being separated from her daughter, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbours and coworkers, and a renewed sense of purpose through the recommendations she provides to the library’s quirky regulars. But the job doesn’t come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing, and the work at the lending library forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.

As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times

Madeline Martin is a New York Times and International Bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance novels filled with twists and turns, adventure, steamy romance, empowered heroines and the men who are strong enough to love them.

My thoughts: I’m not really a fan of books set during WWII for various reasons, but I really enjoyed this one, particularly the look at the lives of ordinary women and the Boots’ Booklovers’ Library.

Set in Nottingham, where Boots is still headquartered, Emma joins the staff of Boots’ Booklovers’ Library, founded by Mrs Boots after her husband’s family business became more than just a local chemist. Subscribers paid a yearly fee and could take out a book at a time. It no longer exists but it fascinates me as a student of literary history. 

Emma finds friendship and solace in her role advising subscribers on their next reading choice, and even a little romance with a handsome fireman! It also helps her when her daughter is evacuated to the countryside as Nottingham comes under fire from German bombers.

The relationship between Emma and her beloved daughter, Olivia, is at the heart of the book, a widow, herself raised by her widowed father, Emma tries to be the best parent she can, but learns to accept help and support from her kind and generous hearted neighbours so she can work and care for Olivia.

There was some humour and joy amidst the bombs and fear, mostly in the form of Emma’s colleagues and their customers, who all have their own quirks. All of them united by a love of reading, finding an escape from the horror surrounding them.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.