The Booklover's Library

By: Madeline Martin

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of 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 neighbors 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.

©2024 Madeline Martin (P)2024 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Critic reviews

“A must-read for booklovers.” —Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana

Lovely Listen

Such a sweet story. This author keeps you so interested in the story. I really enjoyed this listen.

excellent & historically accurate.

Awesome read. Enjoyed storyline and vivid characters. Would recommend this book and author. very enjoyable.

Another winner from Madeline Martin

This was a tender, heartwarming story of a mother and daughter during WWII in England. The love of books is, of course, an integral part of the story. It was a beautiful tale, superbly told. I loved it!

very enjoyable listen

Loved listening to The Booklover's Library. So much better than watching something on the television. I took the story everywhere, not wanting to put it down. I became invested in Emma and her daughter, Olivia.

Emma, as a widow, could not work by law, even in the town of Nottingham. She needed to work and was lucky enough to stumble into a job at The Booklover's Library. I loved hearing about the library, that I honestly knew nothing about. I thought my mom was talking about a public library, but now I am not sure.

The story brings a realistic picture to the struggles and dangers experienced by the citizens in England. I was able to see different situations thanks to the visitors to the library. I rode along while Emma drove the streets bringing tea and food to those in need. I was reminded that as bombs dropped people scrambled to survive.

I appreciated hearing about the struggles a mom had while sending a child away. Safety did not wash away the guilt. I didn't realize how moms that kept their children at home were judged.

What I loved most was how people banned together. They helped one another. They stood by one another. They comforted those in need. In a time of tragedy people found strength and love.

Beautiful and Heartfelt

The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin was a beautifully written testament to a mother’s love for her child/children and how a single book can turn a person into a lifelong reader!

This is by far my absolute favorite book of 2024! It has all of the feels, the highs and lows, the heartbreak and the happiness of life. Martin’s extensive research into the history surrounding wartime life in England comes shining through in the details of the story. And her characters portray real life experiences in a way that I know to be true, as I’ve seen or experienced them myself. Emma, a single mom, struggles with the choices she has to make for the safety of her daughter, and breaking the rules in order to have a career to provide for her daughter. I’ve watched friends struggle with those same decisions. Watching Olivia find the one book that changes her life, and turns her into a lifelong reader, the same book that also made me a lifelong reader. Another thing I love about Martin’s books are the secondary characters that make them so unique. Mrs. Pickering and Mr. Sanderson at the boarding house. Her co-workers at the Booklover’s library, Mrs. Bainbridge, Margaret and even Miss Crane, as well as the quirky customers, Mr. Beard, Mrs. Chatsworth and Pip, and of course Charles Fisk. I also love that when Emma went to London she found the bookshop on Primrose Hill, and we got to see Grace Bennett and Mr Evans.

All in all it’s just a fabulous book, and the marvelous Saskia Maarleveld, does a magnificent job in narrating the story.

Wonderful

My second listen from this author and both were perfect. Love the history, characters, and narrator.

My new favorite book of the year!

I loved the progressive character development as the story unfolds. The more I read, the more they hooked me in. I imagine for a mother or someone who wants to be a mother one day, this book would really resonate. The mother has very tough choices that have to be made in a time few of us have had to live through. There are also so many feel good moments throughout the book, not just with the daughter, but other characters. Such a great book!

Last call out, Saskia Maarleveld has become my favorite narrator. She and Madeline make a perfect pair in story writer and storyteller. Saskia has narratored for so many great reads. Please keep doing what your doing. Can't wait for the next one!

Once again, Madeline Martin knocks it out of the park!

Great book. Well written and great storyline. She knows her characters and they come to life on the page!

The history shared by the characters

I enjoyed reading about libraries and the characters that visited them. Emma story was very interesting.

Outstanding!!!

Beautifully written with such meaningful and descriptive words and phrases!! A real joy to read!!