Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Last Library by Freya Chance. I have given this book four out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A book about a library? Yes, please! An inspiring and hopeful story about a librarian and the community trying to save their library from being closed down. This book really showcased how important libraries are for all different people and their purpose to visit a library.

I must admit, throughout the majority of the story, I found it hard to connect with the main character, June. I really felt for her loss but only until halfway through the book did I start to warm to her character and enjoy reading about her growth. Also, there are a quirky, loveable group of secondary characters whom I really enjoyed learning about.

I loved all of the book references dotted throughout the novel. I might have to re-read through and make a list of all the books mentioned to pop them on my never-ending TBR!

As a book lover, I really enjoy novels that are set in libraries and looked forward to The Last Library.

I had so much fun getting to know library assistant June Jones and the visitors of Chalcot Library. Each of the characters were so distinguishable and the varied personalities really brought them to life. I also liked the running theme of grief and the affect it had upon June. I’d read that some found her character a little pathetic, however I loved her transformation.

A quick read with lovely spirit. I’ll definitely read more from this author.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

I liked the book but I would have enjoyed it more if the final third had been expanded. The first ⅔ dragged att8mes, and the it seemed to wrap up very quickly.

Sadly, this book was not for me. It was a little too light and airy, with a premise that I feel like I've seen many times. But I do know that others enjoyed it, so give it a chance!

I cannot put into words just how beautiful this book was.

In the book, we are introduced to Judy, a woman in her late 20s, who lives in her family home. Her mum, who unfortunately passed away a few years ago, worked at the local library. Her mum was a well thought of member of the society. June lives with her mother's belongings, follows her mum's routine (Chinese on a Monday etc) and works at the same library as her mum. June is quite content with her life alone, reading the books her and her mum enjoyed and going to work, where she feels close to her mum.

That is until the Council threatens to shut down the library.

This book follows the lives of different community members and just how important the library has been to the area and the people.

June eventually picks up the courage to stray from the familiar life she leads, but will she regret taking such a chance!?

I cried and laughed so much at this book. I loved the different book references that were dotted throughout the book, and the bookworm iin me, was checking off each book that I had read. I was one step away from joining the petition myself! I absolutely loved the characters, with the exception of Gayle and her crew!

This book has such a deep message, libraries really are at the heart of the community. They are needed for so much more than borrowing a book.

I fell in love with this book and, I will repeat, this book is beautiful.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for a copy of “ The Last Library “ for an honest review.

This was a delightful , and touching read ,that was of particular interest to me ,after working in libraries for over 40 years. The book had well written characters.that were reminiscent of those I’ve met over the years.
Having gone through the threat of redundancy from my job, with continued cutbacks , I know how passionate people feel , when at risk of losing all the services we provide.
We aren’t just about books !!
I’ve already recommended this to my fellow librarians

A gorgeously poignant story of community, friendship, grief and courage, as well as a wonderful celebration of librarians, libraries and the joy of reading. A fabulous debut!

This book was thoroughly enjoyable. A sweet, yet slightly sad at times, novel about a community banding together around their beloved library. I loved the wide cast of characters, so reminiscent of a typical British town, and how each one was unique; perfect characterisations all round. Typically, I wouldn't pick up a book of this type, as it's not my favourite genre, however, this is a book that so many people will be able to relate to.

📚R e v i e w 📚

The Last Library by Freya Sampson

This is the first book I’ve finished as part of #netgalleynovember and it was beautiful.

Being a school librarian, this book really cut deep. June has worked at the local library for years and her mother was a librarian before her. When she discovers there is a possibility it will be closed down, she is devastated and she can’t imagine a life without it. Thankfully the community rally together to try and save it.

When politicians decide that libraries should be closed, they are analytical in their decision making. They don’t see how libraries are the very heart of a community and how many people rely on it. Sampson has written a range of characters that reflect the real users of a library and they all warmed my heart. Stanley was my personal favourite and I loved how he tried to write the wrongs of his past. Jane’s transformation was perfect.

The ending was perfect, showing that even though change is inevitable, there is always room for the things we love. This is a heartwarming and uplifting debut that I know I will recommend and return to again and again.

June Jones, had bigger plans but life got in the way. Her mother fell ill and she came back home and cared for her to the end. She then ended up working in the library her mother did and that is where she has stayed ever since.

Following the same routine, journey and working day, June Jones is stuck in a rut. Even the local Chinese takeaway know exactly what her order will be. However when the library is threatened with closure and her boss is determined that June stops the stripper at her daughters hen night – June is suddenly thrust into the spotlight and it is going to take some getting used to.

With a library full of characters, Stanley a regular visitor to read the paper and do the crossword, Grumpy Vera seems to never had a good word to say about anyone, Mrs B itching for another protest and fight, a teenager escaping her busy and crowded home and young children there is plenty of people to fight the library closure. June cannot be one of them though, until she hits upon an idea.

Whilst of course the crux of the book is to save the library, there is the start of a relationship with an old friend of June’s from school days. That didn’t quite hit the spot for me, I couldn’t feel any connection between the two of them and felt it was all rather forced and progressed simply to aid the story. However, the incident at the hen night was horrifying to read and I felt for June, that I cried with her during the humiliation and was glad when karma seemed to find its way to the right people. Women can be particularly cruel to those that don’t fit in, like June and having been on the receiving end it was rather enlightening to see it in this book.

This is a great debut, there are clearly plot strands and characters stronger than others, and of course you can perhaps see how the story was going to progress. That said, I would still like to see what the author comes up with next.

This book is absolutely perfect for book lovers. For those who love reading, talking about books etc, this is a wonderful read.

I adore June, she is a brilliant character and this is a read that centres around a threat of a library closure. I cannot believe this is a debut, the author has set a high standard which will be interesting to see what comes next.

This is beautifully written and has a strong theme of friendship within the pages. This is cute and fresh, completely unlike anything I’ve read previously.

This is a feel good read that will make you laugh and cry. It is a perfect read and one that I have adored from start to end.

This is definitely a book I recommend. Without a doubt worthy of five stars.

This is really heartwarming read of community, acceptance and cross generational friendship. The library in question is threatened with closure and those to whom it means so much have to organise themselves to save the library. The library assistant June is the central character and the campaign means she has to leave her comfort zone. Recommended.

“You can tell a lot about a person from the library books they borrow”

I am all over books about libraries right now. 🥰 The Last Library is just gorgeous.

A simple storyline, full of heartwarming, vibrant characters who are on a mission to prevent the closure of their beloved local library. What this book does well is emphasise the importance the library plays in the community and what an impact it can have on people’s lives.

There are many comical moments including when June has to divert a male stripper to the library 🤣 Brilliant! This book gives you all the feels. I laughed, I cried and did many a fist pump in celebration of books and libraries. Also a bit of romance thrown in between two of the characters 😏

The Last Library is an uplifting story of community, friendship and kindness - I loved it. It was just what I needed ❤️ Highly recommend if you fancy a feel good read.

An uplifting and, at times, hilarious read featuring books and libraries?! Yes. Please. As soon as I heard about The Last Library by Freya Sampson I knew I had to read it and was so thrilled when my Netgalley request was granted. I saved it for my holiday a couple of weeks ago and devoured it in a couple of sittings, most of the time with a huge smile on my face 😀

The characters in this one are absolutely brilliant! They represent people from all walks of life, from booksmart old ladies (with extremely colourful language 😂) to students desperate for a quiet place to work, the bereaved, the lonely, and everything in between. They also show many of the different reasons why libraries are vital within communities.

This book had me laughing out loud on so many occasions I lost count. But it certainly wasn’t light on poignant moments and more serious messaging. Though there were some slightly less believable plot developments and others that I wished had maybe been written differently, I have to say that this is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend.

With thanks to Zaffre for gifting me a digital copy to review.

June practically grew up in Charcot library, with her mum as head librarian there. It’s a place filled with bittersweet memories now her mum has passed away, but June loves her job as a library assistant. Just like her house filled with her mums favourite books and trinkets, the library makes June feel connected to her Mum. So when the council plan to close down Charcot library, it’s time for June to get out of her shell and fight for it, along with the regular patrons.

The Last Library is a charming and funny book, perfect for any bibliophile who needs an uplifting read.

Yes, it is one of those books where a couple of chapters in you can predict the rest of the plot, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy going along for the ride as I read through.

Though at times I felt that June was a bit sappy and irritating, I did love her insider knowledge of the regular patrons and their secret reading habits. Mrs B and Stanley are brilliant, well formed characters who I quickly became fond of. It’s a bit twee in places and I didn’t really engage with the budding romance storyline as I felt it was a bit rushed and written a tad superficially. I enjoyed all the literary references too and how the author showcased how libraries shape communities and individual’s lives. It’s a funny and lightweight read for any bookworm who loves books about books.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion

🌟 A heartwarming tale about community, kindness & the importance of libraries, it gave me all the feels... I laughed, cried & it filled me with a warm glow.⠀
🌟The characters are all fabulous in their own ways, they wormed their way into my heart if I could give them all a big squishy hug I would!⠀
🌟 A love letter to libraries & books, what's not to love?! ⠀
🌟 This fabulous debut written with such tenderness & poignancy... I cannot wait to see what Sampson brings us next. ⠀
🌟 Pitch perfect uplit! If you are a fan of The Lido you'll love this.⠀
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Disclaimer: A huge thanks to @jenpetts @zaffrebooks for sending me this title for an honest & unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this debut and found it to be a heartwarming and emotional read. The fight to save their local library by library assistant June and her community echoes what has been taking place in many communities throughout the country after years of Tory austerity. Freya Sampson portrays the Chalcot community with real empathy and shows us the power of friendship, community and hope. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

An easy contemporary read. June is a library assistant who never met her potential because of a family tragedy. The council are threatening to close the library and June and the community who use it need to find a way to stop that happening.
It’s a light read end one which I think many will enjoy.

A story for all bookworms and book lovers. The Last Library is a wonderful warm, emotional read with brilliant characters and a few laughs along the journey to save the library. Stanley and Mrs B were particularly entertaining and I would have loved to be involved with some of their ideas to stop the council from closing their lifeline in the community. Seeing June grow in confidence as she allowed her friends to get to know the real person inside was lovely to read about too.