This is a delightful novel about an intergenerational friendship between two lonely people. Warm and humorous it also tackles some big issues like grief and loss, social isolation and alcoholism.

Tom is a sixteen year old and thinks of himself as invisible and happy to blend into the background. The only friends he has are the ones he plays X-Box games with. He fancies a girl in his classes, Farah, but thinks she's too pretty and popular to ever notice him and anyway the school bully has told him what will happen to him if he so much as looks at her. Tom's Mum died when he was eight and since then it's just been him and his Dad, who drinks too much and wants Tom to leave school for a job at the dog food factory now that he's sixteen, whereas Tom has his sights set on going to University.

When Tom's X-Box is broken, he finds himself at a loose end at the weekend and heads off to the library, a favourite place his Mum would take him to as a little boy, where he hopes he might see Farah there. Instead he ends up borrowing a swag of romance novels and helps Maggie a seventy two year old woman after she's tackled by a bag snatcher. A stalwart of the library's bookclub, Maggie has lived alone on a small farm since her husband died, raising sheep and growing vegetables. Over the weeks Tom and Maggie become good friends and when Tom's life starts to come off the rails, she provides a welcome safety net for him. With the library facing closure by the council in a few weeks, Maggie and Tom also join forces to rally the village to put up a fight to keep it open.

What is so delightful about Tom and Maggie is the way they not only bring out the best in each other but support each other through difficult times. Tom needs someone to care and nurture him and help him deal with his Dad while Maggie needs company and the joy of having a boy around, experiencing the delights of a farm for the first time. It was also lovely to see Tom open himself to learning new things, like yoga and discovering the joy of reading, to the point of becoming confident in talking about books with Maggie and others.

This book overall was just okay, of course I enjoyed the library setting.

The character dynamic was wholesome but whilst having some conflict involved which I found real & flushed out the characters more.

Whilst I enjoyed my time reading it I wasn’t blown anyway by it.

A story of an unlikely friendship, that will lift and inspire you with an important message.
I could not have loved this book more. The relationship that grows between Maggie and Tom through their struggles is absolutely delightful to follow. The way they get each other through and learn so much from each other was an absolute joy to read.The characters are so special and well written they leap from the pages. It was told from the perspectives of the main characters, giving you the reader, a window into their thoughts and internal monologues that showed their vulnerability and feelings and therefore giving the story an incredible depth and moving you in a way that only a really good book can.
I read late into the night as I just couldn’t put this down. Maggie’s farm sounded like the perfect place to be. I could feel the warmth and care that was poured into helping Tom.
The book also addressed issues with alcohol addiction and takes a realistic look at how people struggle, manage and then even thrive. It made it feel real and I was willing these characters to come together.
I was really sad to finish this as I just adored the setting, the library, the quirky characters, the very real life worries and am delighted I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this. I will follow Bella Osborne and can’t wait to read more wonderful stories in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Aria and Aries for the ARC, it really was an absolute treat!

Ok, let me tell admit to something first... I have a HUGE expectation of this book. The title - library, the description - books and friendship, cover - bookish vibes, of course, and the author who I know quite well. So what could go wrong?

That was... ok. Just ok. It does not break my heart, it does not make me laugh out a laugh. It was nice to read it but I moved forward and just forgot about it. Nothing really holds me there and makes this book special in any way.

Shame, cause it has great potential, it is well-written, but something is missing. Something that would keep me waiting for more.

This time, it is no love, no chemistry between me and this book. Who knows, maybe next ones? ;)

What a feel-good story! Just reading the title of this book drew me in. So many people can relate to having a connection to a library or having some fun or interesting tale about visiting one. When I go on vacations, I do my best to try to find libraries and book shops to stop at just to see all the different ways people show love for literature and find new recommendations.

This story will make you smile and also pull at your heartstrings. When people find a partner, one of the first questions asked of them as a couple usually is: how did you meet? But what about your best friend? Do you ever take time to look back and try to determine that moment you met your best friend or the moment you knew you had found a kindred spirit? That’s what this story is all about.

The chapters flip back and forth between the elder Maggie and the teenager Tom. It’s interesting to see both points of view as anyone’s experiences can be skewed to be a bit one-sided; this way you get a full picture and find empathy towards each character. It really does put you in the mindset of a teenager and that of someone older and wiser who has had time to better understand herself and others (which helps her to help him).

I read this at a solid pace, never feeling like I needed to take a break or slow down; I became very invested in how their friendship evolved. What was also lovely was how they showcased how many good things happen in libraries. Most people tend to identify them mainly with book loans, but they are so much more tied to the community than people may be aware of.

It starts out as seeming to be two unlikely people becoming friends, but it just goes to show that, as they say: you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Your willingness to get to know new people can really open up your life to new worlds (whether real or fictional), new emotions and new bonds.

Thank you to Aria, the author and NetGalley for this eARC of the novel!

The title of this book drew me in first and even though I wasn't entirely sure it was something I'd like I thought I'd try it, and I'm so glad I did. It was such a delightful read about a 16 year teenager, Tom, and a feisty 70-something lady, Maggie, who became friends through their local library and helped each other out.

Tom's mother died when he was younger, so it's just him and his Dad now, but his Dad is struggling a lot with finances and life in general, drinking all the time, and not looking after his son at all, the house is a mess and both father and son are fighting all the time, so it's a really unhappy home life for Tom who struggles along on his own most of the time as his Dad works nights, he doesn't like the way his Dad has become, even though he loves him.

Maggie lives on her own on a farm, but daily life on the farm is getting harder for her as she gets older, so meeting Tom is a godsend for both of them really. Maggie helps Tom navigate his relationship with his father, feeds him a lot of the time (as there's hardly any food in his house), and gently steers him in the right direction, as he's got a good head on his shoulders, but just needs a bit of encouragement as he's quite shy. Tom in turn helps Maggie around the farm a bit and finds he quite likes it, even though he's not so sure of it initially. Their relationship was like grandson and grandmother, something they both really needed in their lives, even if they didn't realise it.

Then their local library, where they meet on a weekly basis, comes under threat of closure and the local book club who use it, start a campaign to keep it open, with Maggie as the ringleader and Tom and others helping out. But then a spanner is thrown in the works when Tom finds out something about Maggie that he doesn't like, their relationship falls apart, and it takes them both a little while to work through things.

This book had two such completely different perspectives from both Tom and Maggie but it really worked, I loved both their characters, and there was a really lovely ending. One of my favourite reads.

4.5 Stars

I’m a huge fan of Bella Osborne’s and fell upon her latest novel, The Library, with glee. While slightly different in tone from her romantic comedies, The Library has all the warmth, humour and heart that have made her books must-reads for fans of contemporary women’s fiction

For teenager Tom, the future is looking bleak and hopeless. His relationship with his dad is strained and deteriorating with each passing day and with a job at the dog food factory looming large, Tom is desperate for a chance to escape from the claustrophobic shackles of his home life. When he steps through the doors of the local library, he thinks that he has at long last found somewhere he belongs and a place where he no longer has to hide in the shadows.

Maggie has always found solace in reading. All she needs in life is her favourite books and an ever-changing supply of novels to keep her entertained and happy – or so she tells herself. Her regular trips to the library never fail to brighten up her day and she always finds something new that piques her interest, but she never imagined that she would find a kindred spirit in teenager Tom. The two immediately recognise something in each other that will end up changing both of their lives forever.

However, when their beloved library comes under threat, Maggie and Tom realise that they simply cannot take this decision lying down. They will fight tooth and nail to keep their sanctuary open – whatever it takes. The library has provided both Maggie and Tom with a window into another world, but its survival is not just about the books on the shelves, but about their community.

Can Maggie and Tom save the library that means so much to them? Or will all of their efforts end up being in vain?

A wonderful tale about the magic of reading, the importance of friendship and the pleasure that can be derived from a good book, Bella Osborne’s The Library is an engrossing, entertaining and highly enjoyable page-turner perfect for bookworms everywhere. Brimming with moments that will make readers laugh and cry, characters that come alive on the page and plenty of humour, pathos, drama and emotion, Bella Osborne’s The Library is an irresistible delight that has got winner written all over it.

To say I love this book is n understatement. I just finished it and I want to read it again. I adored Tom and Maggie and their relationship was so warming. The struggles with his Dad and the state he got into were a tough read, but well written and well handled.
A perfect ending to the story too. Not ashamed to say I have a few tears in my eyes.

I am surprised by how much I liked this. On the surface, it sounded a bit ridiculous, but I do love my a story about books and/or a library, so I wanted to give it a go.

The story is told in a fast paced, switching back and forth between Tom and Maggie's POVs. The two work well together to tell the story and they were distinct enough in their telling I didn't find them difficult to separate. I liked the author's writing style, it was easy to read and painted a good picture of what was happening.

As for the story itself, there were certainly elements of the sort of ridiculous moments that I expected. But what I did not expect was all the more heart wrenching moments of the story. And at some point I realised that I felt like here was maybe one too many hard-hitting plot lines. They work well to emphasise the characters' past and inner lives, but it was also one thing after another.

I liked this book well. I didn't outright love it, but I had a great time reading it.

feel good generational novel that was a sweet as pie. It depicted so many different characters but most in a loving light.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. Delightful and uplifting with wonderful characters, this book will tug on your heartstrings.

I loved this sweet book! I am a librarian so I loved how the community worked to save the library. I loved the friendship between a teen and an elderly woman. This is just a feel good book! I am so happy that I was able to read this and hope the little library where I work is important to the people in my community.

The Library is a perfect book if you like books and libraries and characters who come together, fight their demons, form relationships, learn to trust and stand up for themselves, and form unlikely communities. That's a lot! And it all works. It is a well told story with real people, facing real problems.
When rumors arise about the possible closure of the local library, the patrons come up with plans to increase membership.
We primarily follow Tom, a high schooler, and Maggie, an independent 72 year old woman. Their friendship is just so tender. I want to read more books about these two characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Aria publishing for this ARC, and thank you Bella Osborne for bringing this story to life.

As a keen reader and life-long supporter of libraries, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Teenager Tom and pensioner Maggie form an unlikely friendship. Both use the local library and are determined to support it when it comes under the threat of closure. However, things are rarely simple and both characters benefit from their friendship. Both have secrets and Tom in particular realises things are not always how they seem. A timely reminder about the importance of libraries and their role in keeping communities together.

The Library by Bella Osborne is an absolutely brilliant read!
Osborne has woven a tale that is so much more than the story of a fight to save a small town library. This is a story about the importance of friendship, and how it can be found in seemingly unlikely places. It's about the wisdom to be found from one's elders and those younger as well. It's about the trials and tribulations of family, and the importance of communication. It is a coming of age story, and a coming to accept age story.
#TheLibrary is an exquisitely written page turner that is difficult to put down. It is full of warmth, courage, and triumph.
This is truly a fabulous book. I thank #NetGalley for he chance t read the ARC.

I inhaled this book in one sitting, I was totally absorbed in the lives of the characters. Perfectly written and plotted, I was actually sad when it needed, these characters will stay with me for a long time.

I loved the juxtaposition of the two central characters in this novel. One a teenager, the other elderly, you realise that stereotypes are not going to wash with these two. They are brought together in the fight to keep the local library open but you soon realise that they both have much in common, including loneliness and an interest in what's going on in the world. It is an endearing and touching tale as you discover more and more about their past.

The descriptions of life on Maggie's farm add colour and humour to the story of her life there. You certainly sense the affection that the library holds in the village life and there is a message loud and clear, that it fulfils an essential service to the community. Anyone who loves reading will have smiled at Tom's surreptitious reading of the often looked down on romance genre. How foolish such ideas are. With such a mixture of sadness and fun, you can be confident you will enjoy this immensely.

In short: Inter-generational friendship

Tom Harris is struggling. He is 16-years-old, has no close friends and tragically lost his mother when he was eight. His father is an unhappy factory worker drowning his sorrows in alcohol. A chance meeting at the town’s library with 72-year-old Maggie changes everything. Maggie is a flower child of the ‘60s and cares for animals on her small farm. A special bond is created that opens up a new world for Tom. And widowed Maggie’s life is brightened by the new friendship. When it is announced that their library is slated for closing, Maggie and Tom gear into action. But this is much more than a “save the library” story. It is a very touching book about how two people help each other fill a deep void in their lives. Emotional without being sappy, author Bella Osborne has created two endearing characters to truly care about. And the backdrop of books and the love of libraries should appeal to avid readers. Check out this lovely book.

An unlikely duo fight to save their library from closing. This book definitely pulled at your heart strings, both for the friendship and libraries we all hold near and dear in fear of disappearing.

Unfortunately, this was a dnf for me. I love the idea of teens and seniors making unlikely friendships and this was no exception. The charm and the heart was there but the writing style wasn't it for me. It was taking too long for me to get through and I had to toss in the towel.