This book was better than I initially thought it would be. I actually went in not knowing much about this one and I think that’s a good way to go. It was cool to see Maggie and Tom’s dynamics!

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for this eArc in exchange for an honest review!

When you’re in the mood for a sweet, uplifting book…this is it. The news of the world is stressful enough and sometimes you just want everything to work out, and people to care for each other.

** spoiler alert ** The story is a wonderful story about how we find people we need at the right time. When Tom ends up at the library because he can't stand being near his alcoholic father, he finds escape at the library first through books and then by meeting Maggie who has been through her own challenges with drinking.
While staying with Maggie,because Tom's father is recovering an alcoholic binge, Tom finds satisfaction in working hard on her farm and that trying your best by studing for school test feels good and worthwhile. Maggie on the otherhand finds that caring again for someone else makes her happy as well and reconnected. It also stirs up old wounds that she doesn't know she wants to deal with. But the best part of the book is when they band together to save the library that has help them become happier and better at being with others. There are a lot of feel good moments in the book and it made me happy to find them.

I want to thank Aria & Aries, Aria and NetGalley for this wonderful story about reaching out to one another.

THis is a wonderfully told story about unlikely friendships. I loved it. It was so heartwarming to read about the developing relationship between Tom and Maggie.
Don't get me wrong, there was a TON of stuff to get through. like alcoholism, death, loneliness, etc. But it was a beautifully written story that was expertly told and I enjoyed it so much.
For anyone who loves a feel good story with lots of bumps in the road, READ THIS BOOK!
I encourage everyone to read it and find peace during this stressful time.

An easy to read book about two unlikely friends who try to save their local library. It's a great concept for a story, especially to a book lover! I thought the dual points of view was a nice way to structure the book and it was like a heartwarming story.

This is the second ARC that I’ve read this year about an inter-generational friendship forged in a failing library between two very different people who end up bonding despite differences in age, sex, life experience, and circumstance, so I expected to find it redundant. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by how earnest and heartfelt it was. While things did get nicely wrapped up in the end, there was no illusion that everything was fixed or perfect— just getting better. As a librarian, I always love a story focused around libraries and books (and always enjoyed a name drop of whatever book Tom was reading). I also enjoy the genre of “elderly lonely person finds connection with someone younger.”

Tom Harris lives with his father Paul, he’s only sixteen and he has the weight of the world on his young shoulders. His mum passed away when he was eight, his dad works nights, and Tom's left home alone. He has a crush on Farah Shah at school, he blushes every time he sees her, and loses the ability to speak. He hasn’t a clue about girls, he starts borrowing romance novels from the local library, and to get some ideas on how to be less awkward around girls. Here he meets Maggie Mann, she’s seventy two, a widow and Tom comes to her rescue.

Despite the age difference Tom and Maggie become friends and he starts helping her around her farm. Maggie has twenty acres, she runs sheep, keeps chickens and grows her own vegetables. Maggie takes Tom under her wing, he appreciates her home cooked meals and she senses Tom isn’t happy at home and she leaves it up to him to tell her what’s going on.

Tom discovers the joy of reading, he gains confidence, he starts to apply himself to his studies, he wants to pass high school and go to university. When they threaten to close the library, Maggie, Tom, Farah, Christine and the members of Maggie’s book group start a petition and come up with ideas to save the library. An emotional story about an unlikely friendship, Maggie gives Tom the love and attention he desperately needs and she has a new lease on life. Tom learns valuable life skills from Maggie, and also people do make mistakes and you can’t hold their past against them.

I recived a copy of The Library from NetGalley and Aria & Aries in exchange for an honest review, Bella Osborne's book is beautifully written, it made me cry in a good way, my heart feels full of hope, and five big stars from me.

This book was an excellent reminder of how grateful I am for the library and for having books in my life. Saving the village library is a piece of the plot but not the focus. The book is really about Tom and Maggie. Tom is a teenager with an alcoholic father and Maggie is dealing with loneliness and isolation that comes with age. The friendship that developed between them was sweet. The author did a wonderful job of slowly building the relationship and changing stereotypes they had about each other.I really liked the references to books and the cute animals. The side characters were well developed and added to the story. Descriptions of Maggie’s cooking made me hungry while reading. Some of this did drag for me but overall a very solid, heartwarming read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Aria & Aries for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Tom and Maggie! Books! A library! You just need this book as it's a hub in word form. Two people from different sides of the track, from different generations join and come together in unexpected ways thanks to books. Ahh just read this, it's lovely!

Bella Osborne writes a lovely and heartwarming novel about the surprising relationship that develops between awkward 16 year old Tom Harris, with his GCSE's imminent, feeling invisible, and lonely 72 year old pensioner, Maggie Mann, who after the death of her husband, has felt all the fun leaching out of her life. The offbeat Maggie wears distinctive red Doc Martens, runs a small farm with sheep, has an unhinged aggressive ram called Colin, and chickens. She's an excellent cook but but with only herself, she doesn't often make the effort, does yoga, and can defend herself without any problems. Maggie has her own demons and secrets that revolve around the loss of her son. Tom lives with his difficult and worrying alcoholic father, Paul, who neglects him, they have deep money troubles, their home is at risk and there is often no food.

Paul is insistent that Tom begins earning money as soon as possible and begin to pay his way, and to this end, wants him to begin an apprenticeship at a local dog food factory. Tom wants more, and dreams of going to university, but has concerns about how well he will do in his exams. He is drawn to the popular, beautiful and bright girl at school, Farah Shah, who likes reading romantic fiction. After his father breaks his Xbox, Tom finds himself going to Compton Mallow Library, and begins reading romance novels, and it is where he meets Maggie, a group member of the weekly book club discussions. After trying to help Maggie when she gets mugged, the two of them start to become closer, each needing the other, a relationship that develops around their campaign to save the library from being closed. However, there are personal challenges to overcome for both of them.

Tom's father becomes more and more of a problem, it is not easy to live with an alcoholic father, when matters come to head for Tom, Maggie is there for him, providing him with a safe, secure environment where for the first time in a long time, he has wholesome, tasty and nutritious meals, and he thrives on the farm, loving helping out wherever he can. I love the fact that Tom is unashamed in his love for romantic literature, such as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, this helps him to cement a friendship with Farah. This is a fun, entertaining and engaging read, with great characters, particularly the wonderful Maggie, whilst touching on serious issues, like alcoholism and the ongoing threat to libraries, at the heart of so many communities. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. The word building was phenomenal in this book. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book and all books by this amazing author.

THE LIBRARY is a thoroughly delightful book! It follows the blossoming friendship between 16-year-old Tom and Maggie, a woman in her 70s. They encounter each other in the local library and each gains greatly from the relationship. Tom's father is an alcoholic and his mother is dead, so Maggie becomes a source of stability and comfort for tom. Maggie is bored and lonely and deeply misses the son she lost many, many years ago. Befriending Tom brings joy and solace to her. But their relationship is by no means smooth and both of them learn the dangers of keeping secrets. A really satisfying read.

I absolutely adored this story by Bella Osborne and I think it maybe one of my top reads for 2021.

The Library is a wonderful story of two lost souls building up an unlikely friendship. Tom is 16 and is a shy boy who has suffered with so much heartache. He's still dealing with the loss of his mother and has a strained relationship with his father. He doesn't have many friends and spends most of his time on his x-box. He has many happy memories of his later mother, one was reading so he plucks up the courage to visit his local library. It's an overwhelming experience for Tom and he flusters with the librarian. However, his visit catches the eye of one of the library regulars and she is intrigued by this young man.

Maggie is in her early 70's and has been a member of the book group at the library for a long time. She's bored with the same old conversations with her fellow book group members so when a newcomer to the library catches her eye she is inquisitive.

When fate and events keep bringing both of them together at times when they are most vulnerable Tom and Maggie strike up a friendship.

This unlikely multi-generation duo blend perfectly with each other. Maggie slowly gets Tom to open up and she relishes guiding him in life with her wise knowledge. Tom proves a comfort to Maggie as although she has confidence and plenty of life experience she admits she is lonely and Tom's enthusiasm to learn about life is filling a void she has tried hard to ignore.

As life continues to throw hurdles in Tom's way his friendship with Maggie is proving to be a lifesaver.

Whilst Tom and Maggie's friendship blooms the library is placed in jeopardy with the prospect of closure. The community pull together with the aim to save the library from closure.

Bella Osborne has written a wonderful story that deals with grief, loss, fear all dealt with grace and sensitivity. Although the story tackles some hard hitting issues there is a warmth running throughout and I felt a sense of hopefulness and inspiration. I truly did not want this story to end.

Thats It! This is officially my favorite book of the year, and am so happy to have read it at this time of November. This was such a chill and different read that kept me so interested and intrigued not pages into the story. The characters, especially Tom are my favorite! And the plot is so original and cute.
If you want a change from romance novels and fluffy reads but are still looking for a cute and chill read that features realistic troubles and it represents verbal abuse as well as issues that many teens have faced everywhere. It brings awareness and opens up peoples eyes to facts about peoples lives that we might not be aware of and this made me more interested!

I have to say that other then the plot, I also absolutely loved the characters! It is so cute to read about Tom and Maggie's friendship, and I love this dynamic duo. I love the protective granny vibes that Maggie gives off, and I just loved everything about their friendship, especially that Tom did not dismiss Maggie in the beginning for being old, and in the end when the big plot twist occurs! I honestly want a granny friend like Maggie!

I also loved the plot and the writing. The storyline of The Library was played out beautifully and peacefully. It was such a chill and relaxing, one day read and yet I could still feel my heart pounding mid-way. The book is about struggling teen in school and a lonely women, who is quite ferocious might I add, who discover their love for books as a sort of escapism from reality.
When troubling news arrives and the Library that they love is at the threat of closure, Tom and Maggie find a friendship that allows them to team up to prove that the library is not just about books!
I loved reading how both Maggies and Toms friendship developed throughout the book, and so did their personalty and characteristics. Maggie and Tom began to be more open to each other and the people around them and that was so sweet!

This book has a special place in my heart. It such a heartwarming and touching story that you should for sure check out!

This is a touching tale of friendship in between two lonely and unlikely people who have built an unexpected friendship that have changed their lives forever.

I could not put this ebook down to be honest. This book has made me laugh and cry. It’s another rare find book I’ve discovered in #netgalley. This is a heartwarming story of a finding a meaningful friendship with an elder protagonist. Personally, I’m always fond of elderly people who are full of excitement and wisdom. Just like Maggie in the story, she is a loveable character for me because of her life experience and developed personality. She uplifts one’s spirit with inspirational and depth messages to ponder.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a moving story about the importance of family relationship, friendship, sense of community and of course, the library. I could even wish Maggie is a real person. I would really like to meet in real life.

Thank you to @netgalley and to the publisher, Aria & Aries for this opportunity to enjoy an e-ARC in exchange of an honest feedback.

The book tells a story about unexpected friendship and a journey to self rediscovery. We find love in unexpected places and that it is also possible to find ourselves in unexpected places. This is a story not only for bookworm but for everyone who believes in love -- love in any forms, places, and faces.

This was a great, wholesome story and I really enjoyed it! Maggie was a great character and I really wanted to help out my local library after reading this. This story was so endearing and heartwarming... I truly loved it!

Tom is a 16-year-old boy in England in his final year of sixth form. Maggie is an elderly woman who works at the local library. The two form a friendship while saving the local library.

The description of this book drew me in. It was such a cool concept and I haven't read many like this before so of course I had to request it. I like that most of the significant characters are flawed and they make mistakes. They can be unlikeable at times but their character development is great.

The story idea and character development was okay but I feel like this story didn't have something to keep me reading more. I wish it had a bit more that makes you feel like you're lost in the book. The topics about alcoholism and abuse were well done and so was the portrayal of grief. Overall, an interesting novel about people saving a library and discovering what it means to them.

I loved everything about this book!

Tom is a great character who goes on such a journey of self-discovery throughout the story. 16 and approaching his GCSEs, Tom is struggling. His mother died when he was younger and it is just him and his dad. His father is struggling to pay the bills and control his drinking. Tom’s only outlet is his Xbox and then that is taken from him. Looking for something to fill his time and help with his revision he heads to the village library.

At the library he meets Maggie. Widowed and still working her small farm, Maggie is bright and busy but lonely. She has few friends and fills her days baking and reading.

When Tom helps Maggie one Saturday afternoon they begin a friendship that may be the saving of both of the.

Their forendship is so genuine and develops with immense warmth and humour. The details of their lives and sometimes tragic, but their resilience and strength shine through. It is an unlikely but perfect combination.

The book highlights just how important libraries can be, particularly for small communities. As well as the obvious books, it provides friendship and routine, support and a safe place for people to go. Sadly, the campaign to save the library is one that many communities have faced in real life.

This is a great read. You will be rooting for the characters from the first page. Highly recommend it.

Thank you to Nethallet for my gifted copy of The Library

The Library
by Bella Osborne
I LOVED this book! A beautiful, loving friendship Maggie and Tom had. Two lonely soles meet in the library and change one another's lives. It is a brilliant read and I was sad to say Goodbye toMaggie and Tom. I was blessed to have met the younger boy and older Lady. It warms my heart.