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chuskeyreads 's review for:
The Library of Borrowed Hearts
by Lucy Gilmore
Chloe Sampson, our stressed-out librarian heroine. She’s balancing more plates than a circus juggler: three younger siblings, a career teetering on the brink, and a pile of unpaid bills. But just when things look bleak, she stumbles onto a rare book while cleaning out the library’s basement that leads her down a rabbit hole of forgotten love stories and old secrets.
Enter Jasper Holmes, the neighborhood's resident grump. He’s the classic grumpy-old-man trope, but with a twist—he’s got a past that’s tied to the very book Chloe just dug up. She soon realizes that the annotations are secret love notes between her grumpy old neighbor and the mysterious “C.” As Chloe dives into solving the mystery of these literary lovebirds, she’s not just piecing together a romance from the past—she’s finding herself knee-deep in a present-day one, too.
Now, this book doesn’t shy away from the tropes we all know and love. If you’re here for witty banter, slow-building friendships, and a dash of nostalgia, you’re in for a treat. But fair warning: the pacing might test your patience at times. Chloe’s journey from curious librarian to full-on literary detective drags in parts, and there’s a bit of "get on with it already" energy around the middle.
But don’t let that stop you. The mystery of the scribbled notes between two star-crossed lovers is enough to keep you invested. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to flip back through the pages, searching for clues you might’ve missed—and maybe even take a peek inside your own library books for hidden messages (just me?).
By the end, you'll feel like you’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket of bookish goodness. If you’re a sucker for stories that weave together past and present, with a quirky cast of characters who steal your heart, then this book deserves a spot on your shelf.
It’s the kind of read that leaves you with a smile on your face and a renewed appreciation for the magic of books. And really, what more could you ask for?
Enter Jasper Holmes, the neighborhood's resident grump. He’s the classic grumpy-old-man trope, but with a twist—he’s got a past that’s tied to the very book Chloe just dug up. She soon realizes that the annotations are secret love notes between her grumpy old neighbor and the mysterious “C.” As Chloe dives into solving the mystery of these literary lovebirds, she’s not just piecing together a romance from the past—she’s finding herself knee-deep in a present-day one, too.
Now, this book doesn’t shy away from the tropes we all know and love. If you’re here for witty banter, slow-building friendships, and a dash of nostalgia, you’re in for a treat. But fair warning: the pacing might test your patience at times. Chloe’s journey from curious librarian to full-on literary detective drags in parts, and there’s a bit of "get on with it already" energy around the middle.
But don’t let that stop you. The mystery of the scribbled notes between two star-crossed lovers is enough to keep you invested. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to flip back through the pages, searching for clues you might’ve missed—and maybe even take a peek inside your own library books for hidden messages (just me?).
By the end, you'll feel like you’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket of bookish goodness. If you’re a sucker for stories that weave together past and present, with a quirky cast of characters who steal your heart, then this book deserves a spot on your shelf.
It’s the kind of read that leaves you with a smile on your face and a renewed appreciation for the magic of books. And really, what more could you ask for?