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fantasycat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Grief, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Cancer
oceanwriter's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I found this book at a thrift store and was so drawn to the vibrant and bookish cover that I didn’t so much as glance at the synopsis. It’s caught by eye on my bookshelf and thanks to a bingo challenge, I was inspired to finally pick it up. What a treat it was!
June’s life revolves around her job at her small town’s library. Her attachment has been even greater since the death of her mother. When the library is at risk of closing, she’s forced to come out of her shell for the sake of her friends, job, and the community.
I couldn’t have picked this book up at a more perfect time. It was a relaxing, sweet read that resonated deeply with me. I love that the romance plot of the book was mostly in the background and didn’t overshadow the main plot surrounding the library. Some scenes felt unnecessary and stalled the progression of the book, but it wasn’t difficult to get back into the groove once it picked up again. I will absolutely be reading more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying and Cancer
Minor: Alcoholism
caitimae's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book as been sitting in my downloads for so long it's a shame. It's an even bigger shame it took me so long to actually finish the book. A great short novel about the love one community holds for their local library while they fight to keep it afloat through budget cuts. This book so rich with characters and how the library and it's assistant, June Jones, has impacted their lives for the better and worst. Because a library is more than just a place to check out books, it's a sanctuary for some.
Highly, highly recommend. I will definitely be reading Freya Sampson more.
Highly, highly recommend. I will definitely be reading Freya Sampson more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Cancer, and Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Death
chemeducator's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
A quick, light read about a small town drawing together to try to keep the local library branch open. While much of the plot is predictable, I like the theme of the importance of books and libraries even in this digital age.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Death and Cancer
Minor: Alcoholism
juanat77's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Vomit, Cursing, Death of parent, and Grief
cass28's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I started this book because I'm also working in a library and the plot hits home. The story begins expectingly shallow and the characters seemed cliché, so I didn't think much more of it than a good side read. The bullying of the main character even closely made me quit because I couldn't stand it, since June couldn't even fight back, yet alone speak, for her defense one damn time. She is passive in life and the story got me extremely angry. But then there was Stanley who carrys the whole story and was my favourite character since he got introduced.
I'm now glad I didn't quit the book, since after the first half it was getting very deep and emotional, surprisingly.
The book made me cry for various reasons.
All in all I really enjoyed that book and it's one of my favourites now! :)
I'm now glad I didn't quit the book, since after the first half it was getting very deep and emotional, surprisingly.
The book made me cry for various reasons.
All in all I really enjoyed that book and it's one of my favourites now! :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Bullying
Moderate: Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism and Cancer
jenniee_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have been reading a lot of fantasy books lately and needed something light and easy as a buffer. I felt that this was pretty slow in the beginning, but it picked up after a few chapters and I found myself rooting for the characters and their cause to save the library. I love how unique each of the characters are, and although predictable, I felt the ending was perfect and tied everything up nicely. I randomly picked this up and it did exactly what I needed it to do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Alcoholism
ttorisaurus's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Death, and Cancer
el90's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Bullying
delz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story starts out slowly, but it has to do with the gray cloud of grief that has gripped the main character for the past 8 years. June took care of her dying mom, Beverly, for the 3 years before she died. It was the year June would be taking her A levels and going off to university but 8 years later June is still living in Chalcot, living alone and working as the assistant librarian. June’s mum Beverly was a vivacious, lively woman, who June and many in the community looked up to. She was also the librarian at the Chalcot library. June has been moving through life in a kind of a daze, until the town council announces it will be closing the library due to budget cuts. June wakes up and realizes what her mother helped build and that all the best memories of her mum will be lost forever. There is a crazy cast of characters brought together by the threat to the library, each of whom brings laughter and tears to this lovely story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cancer