Book: The Littlest Library
Author: Poppy Alexander
Publisher: Avon (https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/avonbooks)
Release Date: July 19, 2022
Genre: Romance
Summary: After the death of her beloved grandmother and the loss of her library job, Jess needs a fresh start. When she stumbles on a fixer-upper cottage in a quaint village in the English countryside, she buys it without thinking twice. The decommissioned phone box out front makes for an odd yard ornament, but it turns out to be a perfect library for the town. As the villagers borrow books, Jess begins to build relationships with her new neighbors, and they all discover the power of connecting someone with the right book.
Review: If you've ever turned to a Great British Bake-Off binge in times of trouble, love the Cameron Diaz/Jude Law portion of The Holiday, or find solace in the pages of books, this might be the story for you. Following Jess Metcalfe as she stumbles into a delightfully pastoral new life is a joyful experience, but Alexander doesn't shy away from the heavier emotions either. Jess struggles with grief and anxiety, afraid to allow herself to be happy for too long for fear of the tragedy that she believes is inevitable. Watching Jess grapple with this was a comfort in its own way, with instance after instance showing that happiness can follow difficult times. I especially enjoyed the magic of the little library, with inscriptions from Jess's grandmother helping the villagers when they needed them most. Though the pacing and timeline were occasionally confusing, I loved the broad cast of characters and never found it difficult to follow the side stories. The romance was sweet and understated, which I always appreciate, and the overall effect of the story was idyllic and wonderful.
Rating: 4/5 stars
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