A super historical book set in a brilliant setting the library which I loved. A fabulous book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While the world remains at war, in East London Clara has created the country's only underground library, built over the tracks in the disused Bethnal Green tube station. Down here a secret community thrives: with thousands of bunkbeds, a nursery, a cafe and a theatre offering shelter, solace and escape from the bombs that fall above. Along with her glamourous best friend and library assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures the library is the beating heart of life underground.

This story is based on true events set around WWII. There's also comments between the chapters which are from past and present librarians. The main characters were wonderful, especially Ruby who was quite funny. I like learning what took place in the library. There's stories from children and adults as they escape reality whilst reading in the tube station. The book will tug at your heartstrings. The author has well researched the background into this lovely story.

Another wonderful heartfelt story by Kate Thompson.
This book is full of tenderness but also courage and strength as the characters face an uncertain future. Engaging and well researched. A must read!

I truly believe I have withdrawal symptoms after finishing this book, it was gripping. It should be in all schools and libraries so that the young can learn about the conditions people lived in during war years and that people in general learn the importance of community.
The story itself is great, makes you laugh at bits, cry at others then with regards to Mr Pinkerton-Smythe, shout out at the audacity of the man who sees himself as superior to Childrens Librarian , Clara. Clara is a widow mourning the loss of her young husband in the war and has returned to work alongside Ruby in running the underground library which is built on Bethnal Green tube station. The library sounds more like a drop in for all the locals, children and adults. There are some lovely characters, Tubby, Sparrow, Mr Pepper. Ruby meets a GI who pursues her at whatever cost. A young man takes a keen interest in Clara, will he be the one for her! There are twists and turns along the way. Highly recommend this.

I absolutely loved this book. It had me engaged from the very beginning. Kate Thompson is brilliant at writing historical fiction and this is up there with some of her best works. If you enjoy books set in WWII, you'll adore this

Kate Thompson is one of my favourite authors of WW2-era fiction. So, as soon as I heard about her latest novel, of course, I couldn't wait to read it! The Little Wartime Library was actually one of the books I most wanted to read in 2022 and suffice to say, it certainly didn't disappoint.

The story focuses on the lives of those living in London's East End during the latter part of the second world war. Although Clara and Ruby are the two main characters, this is a character-driven story through and through, and it would be doing a disservice to these strong, remarkable people not to include them all. From the overworked factory girls to the young children who know little beyond the safety of the tube tunnels, even the smallest characters play a big role in this story.

It's also important - and amazing - to remember that this is based on a true story. Nowadays, it's virtually impossible to imagine the grief, worry, and despair that so many people faced on a daily basis, all without breaking their stiff upper lips. Yet this book delves deeper, unearthing the real heart that kept these brave people going during their darkest days and nights. Kate Thompson has a knack for portraying the horrors of war through a human lens; it's living, breathing social history.

Whether it's stolen moments of cheeky fun or breathtakingly poignant sadness, there are plenty of heart-in-mouth instances throughout this book. In fact, it's almost impossible not to be moved by the story of these extraordinary East End characters.

A brilliant read - The Little Wartime Library is another firm favourite from Kate Thompson.

DNF'd at 52%

Sadly this turned out not to be for me. I was quite interested in the library aspect but it wasn't enough to hold my attention. I think it's because this isn't the kind of historical fiction that I normally read, I prefer more literary historical fiction, but if you enjoy family sagas or romance then I think you would really enjoy this.

Many thanks to the publishers Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance review copy, I really appreciate that.

A lovely story a wonderfully written book of historical fiction.I just loved the characters the story hated to see it end.This book will stay with me and I will be recommending it perfect for book clubs.#netgalley #h&s

Wow, what a read. Absolutely fantastic book, I loved everything about it, the characters were amazing and will stay with me for some time. I highly recommend that you read this, it's got everything you need, love, laughter, sadness, it will make you laugh, cry and be angry. Blooming brilliant.

A brilliant World War Two historical novel based on true events which made it all the more enjoyable.The characters are brought to life and even though there is sadness there is also joy and fun. I especially enjoyed the comments between chapters which were by actual librarians past and present. This book will stay with me and I would certainly give it 10/10 if I could

What a delightful book. Every page was a treat.
Well written with some warm likable characters.
It had a wonderful coming together of people from all walks of life during a tough time. We learned a lot about the love, care, and support of the people going through WW11.

I loved the end of each chapter where we had words written by many librarians and other book-minded folks.

The main characters Clara Button and Ruby Red Lips were brilliant, Ruby especially was such a funny character Whilst Clara was the sensible one.
She created an underground library in Bethnal Green, London to escape the bombs. It was like a little village with a doctor, theatre, and cafe for the hundreds of people living down there.
The book was funny in places but also had its violent moments.

I recommend it 100%
Thank you NetGalley for asking me to read and review this wonderful book, it made me feel special.

The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson is a heart-warming tale of friendship and resilience in tough times during the war in 1944. This story is based on true events.
Bethnal green 1944 the world is at war. Young Widow Clara Button creates the country’s only underground library on the disused tracks of Bethnal Green tube station. But it is not just a library is where a community thrives. Where adults and children live to survive the bombings in the East London. Clara is helped with her friend Ruby Monroe. They use the books not only to help them learn but also help them through the tough times they had to endure.
This was a great read from the author centred around the library. How with great determination Clara not only introduced the community to reading with all the different books but helped in other ways too. I loved the camaraderie the little community and the children she looked after. This also talked about abuse between man and wife. Women were supposed to do what their husbands told them to do. They weren’t allowed to have their own opinions. I also liked the quotes in between of real librarians throughout the story. 5 stars from me.

I really enjoyed this book. As a librarian, I think I might be biased towards anything that so aptly captures what it is like to work in a public library (seems the sort of 'characters' you get coming through the door each day hasn't changed much from 1940s to now!).
I found the characters likeable and got really engrossed in their individual stories. I loved Clara the most and really had my fingers crossed the whole way through the book that she would get her happy ending.
I think this book would make a great book club read as there are so many themes and issues that could spark lively debates and conversations. I'll certainly be recommending it in my library!

As always Kate Thompson writes a wonderful book that draws the reader in,it's a lovely story that you become engrossed in the pages wanting to know more.Excellent book loved it 5*

Such a lovely war time tale. The lives of Ruby and Clara and those they touch, help and love are detailed as they to and fro in the underground library in London during the war. The attitudes, thinking and minutiae of life in London as the bombs hit is brilliantly explored and detailed - you almost get the smell of the tunnels and can see the clothing, smoke and bruises of daily life.

Beautifully written historical novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

I started off really loving this one, but as the story progressed I struggled to stay connected with the characters. The pacing felt a little off, I felt like I was reading the same passage over and over. I might try this one again once I can get a physical copy of it, I'm hoping that improves my reading experience!

The Little Wartime Library, I did not want this story to end, it captured my absolute attention and made me fall for the lovely characters.

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
This is a library like no other with Ruby and Clara at the helm, there not just looking after the books there looking out for everyone the chameraderie is just brilliant from the young to the old.
What goes on in the library stays there, its just such a brilliantly beautiful book that is quite overwhelming at parts and I can't praise it enough and highly recommend.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot (other reviews like that out there if that's what you're looking for!)

I really enjoyed this novel. I expected it to be a light read, with a touch of romance and plenty of patriotism - but it turned out to have more substance to it - dealing with issues such as domestic violence as well as the expected sadness of wartime losses.

I love public libraries (as a child was given special permission to join early, as I'd read all the books in my school library!) and have spent many hours in them - reading, studying, and enjoying simply being in the presence of books! The underground library in this tale played a hugely important role in the lives of so many people, and the author's love of libraries and reading shone through. I was both surprised and interested to learn that it's based on some real events - it's wonderful to think of the part that reading played in keeping up the spirits of the people of Bethnal Green!

There were some wonderful characters - I particularly loved Sparrow, Billy, Mr Pepper and Ruby - and the book evoked a real feeling of friendship, bravery, determination, and "cheerfulness in the face of adversity" (our family motto!)

Recommended if you enjoy reading about the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary times, and if you love reading and libraries!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.