This was such a delightful story- a book for book people. I really enjoyed getting to know Elodie as see her confidence grow as she stepped away from her stage managed life to doing things on her own. The supporting cast of eccentric characters were amazing. I loved getting to know their stories as part of the people library. I loved the overall message of not judging people before getting to know their stories. This was such a lovely comforting read. My first by Rebecca and I can’t wait to check out more.

Thanks to @netgalley and @harlequinaus for the complimentary copy to read and review.

WOW! Such a wonderful feel good read. This book is pure escapism at its best. I loved every page and the story although a light read kept me turning the pages to the end.
This is my first Rebecca Raisin book and certainly will not be my last.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was a sheer delight.

Heartwarming, sweet and full of small joys, between the pages of Elodie's Library of Second Chances is the perfect place for book lovers. A small town library that needs saving, that in turn saves it's people - this is a story that will leave you with that warm fuzzy feeling and believing in the power of books!

"Never judge a book by it's cover" takes on a whole new meaning as you meet a cast of perfectly mismatched characters, who come together to change the prejudices of their town and remind it's reader that you never really know what someone else is going through - kindness is prevalent throughout! I really enjoyed it! 💞📚

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but when the word library is included in the title and it's by writer Rebecca Raisin, I know I'm going to like it before I turn the first page.
Who wouldn't love a heroine who loves books? This story sees Elodie Astor turn her back on her privileged life as heir to a huge media company to indulge her passion for books and people by taking a job as head librarian in the small town of Willow Grove. There she encounters opposition and apathy in her efforts to save the library - she'll need all her people skills to turn things around with her very fresh and unusual ideas.
I enjoyed this a lot. Elodie was a strong main character, confident in her abilities and steadfast in her resolve to follow her own path, but without hurting friends or family in the process. Local reporter Finn Ford is the perfect hero for her, and there is a strong cast of supporting characters in the vulnerable, lonely, endearing people Elodie enlists to help with her plans to save the library.
The narrative is funny and warm, with just the right amount of suspense. Underpinning it are some strong themes, like the importance of being non-judgmental; the healing power of forgiveness; honesty and the necessity of being true to yourself, no matter what face you present to the world.
It's so nice to lose yourself in a book about books - a romantic and comforting read.

It took me a while to get into the book but overall I did enjoy it. There was definitely lessons to be learned from the human books which gave the book a feel good factor and positive vibes..The storyline was quite unique and made for an enjoyable read.

A very light read with plenty of feelgood scenarios reminding us all to be less judgemental about outward appearances whether it's the cover of a book or a person. A little predictable and a little slow in parts but an interesting idea nonetheless. I have to admit I didn't actually enjoy this book as much as some others by Rebecca Raisin. An diverse collection of characters drawn together by their being seen as somewhat odd. A good heartwarming holiday read .with lots of positivity.

Rebecca Raisin’s novels are such a good example of this style, the happy and comfortable easy read. I have read some of her novels before and when I see her name I know that I’m in for a feel-good few hours that leave me feeling a little better about the world ( until I watch the news ). Her characters are kind and thoughtful , her writing style easy but not too easy and the plots well paced. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Oh I loved this uplifting and feel good story of Elodie and her new start in a place called Willow Grove. She applies for a job at the library (she loves books!) and here the story begins. She wants to help others and give meaning to her life.

And really this is other peoples stories, about people listening and hearing about other people. It is about life and sharing, it is about family and secrets. It is just a really good feel good story that took me no time at all to read.

If you want a book that lifts your spirits, makes you feel good, makes you smile and makes you start thinking about other people then this is the book for you. So easy to read and well written. I really enjoyed this book.

Beautiful.

A wonderful weekend read, I throughly enjoyed this all the way to the end. I am a big fan of the Travelling Shops series.

For me it was the little boy who stole the whole book for me, while as a family going through a autism referral it was perfect to read a boy who has it but was seen a "Superpower" that it should been seen as. I came away feeling statisifed with the human books story line and loved the idea of borrowing someone to listen to.

"Never judge book by it's cover" is certainly the message that I have taken from this absolutely gorgeously covered book.

It's all about not judging on appearances, listening to small town gossip and seeing if you can make the town a better place.

And it's a battle to save a library, by attempting to increase memberships to be eligible for funding, all without any budget at all.

Which is what makes Elodie's experiment and brainwave all the more impressive. And it's clear she is lover of books and doesn't mean any harm by deceiving the residents of Willow Grove as to her true identity.

From the second I started this book I was hooked, from Elodie's family and job which sounded exhausting to the reasoning behind her applying to be the Willow Grove librarian. It all just made sense and was believable and I she really is just trying to live her life on her own grounds.

And the four people that Elodie is trying to help in the community, well they stole my hearts in the end, especially Alfie - from the second he first spoke, I wanted to be his friend, and to protect him and help others see just how great he is.

I loved finding out about so many of the character's pasts, and it helped make them such rounded and loveable and real people.

This is Rebecca Raisin at her finest, and with a book filled with stories, a library, romance, secrets and a great message - well what more could a girl ask for?

Thank you to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Elodie comes from a very influential family but wants to leave. She's always been interested in books and wanted to be a librarian. A job as a librarian comes up in Willow Grove and she applies using her real name so no one will know who she is. Lovely book thoroughly enjoyed it.

A great summer bookish read. Elodie returns to a sleepy country town to revive the struggling local library and makes friends with a host of intriguing locals on the way. Thanks NetGalley!

If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. It is a long time since a book has drawn me in so quickly, but this one did that and so much more.

The characters are all so relatable, the stories they share are just heart wrenching, and the setting is perfection. I cannot say enough how much I loved this story and I was so sad when it ended.

The author has created somewhere I would love to live, and characters I want to know. This is something a lot of authors can’t do. I am in awe of her ability to do this.

Huge thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.

Rebecca Raisin fast became an author I would choose to read without reading the blurb. Her books are always well written, with a high feel good factor and with totally believable and likeable characters. This book is no exception, and the fact that it is set around a Library and someone who loves books as much as I do makes it a A++ from me!

Ellie Astor had it all – a lavish lifestyle, a wonderful apartment, a very high paying job where she was set to take over the empire from her parents – and she was miserable. When she saw a job advertisement to be a librarian in a small town called Willow Grove she applied under her real name of Elodie Halifax and got the job!

Trying to resurrect a library with too few members, no money for anything including new books, and where your only employee is acting strangely is not easy, but Elodie has a master plan – a people’s library where you can borrow people too, and hear their stories. With the help of Finn, the local journalist, Elodie is trying to save the Library but can she do it in time to secure the funding she needs? Will her family let her go or will her Dad’s health pull her back?

A wonderful story I didn’t want to end.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4831010176

All Elodie wants is a quiet life. She had had her every move watched and scrutinized by paparazzi her whole life thanks to being the daughter of parents who have built a media empire.

So when Elodie sees that Willow Grove is in need of a new librarian she knows that this is the perfect job for her, as there is nothing better for Elodie then to get lost within the pages of a good book.

Elodie has always been very aware of people, their feelings and always saw what other didn't see, and knows that in willow grove she can make a real difference to the life of the people around her. People that other people walk past and don't even notice the people who are crying out for help that others are too blind to see.

Together with new found friend journalist Finn, Elodie decides that these people's lives and stories need to be heard and so they set up a group where instead of being a book group where you all pick a book and read together Elodie and finn decide that they will borrow a person instead, where you can sit with a person you do not know and learn about their lives and the things that make them amazing.

This is a really lovely book, with such a sweet message, it tells us all that we should all be more mindful and we should all take more notice of the world and the people around us, as we never know who could desperately need our help and everyone has a story to tell the story of what makes them who they are.

I'm really disappointed that I couldn't like this book more. It has all the elements I love in a book - someone trying to change their life, books, library, food, found friendships, and so on. Elodie was just too perfect and everything and everyone she touched just fell into place too perfectly. While the story itself is lovely it just all felt too light, too convenient for my tastes.

5 stars for this wonderful novel by Rebecca Raisin. Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

When we first meet Elodie she is the face of Astor publishing, her families thriving business. Elodie never wanted this life and longs for a more simple life and to enjoy her passion for reading and books. When she sees in the newspaper that one of her favourite libraries from her childhood is facing closure she decides to apply for the position of head librarian and is determined to stop the library from closure. Elodie leaves behind her glamorous PR position, her town house in London and swaps it for a peaceful quite town called Willow Grove.

Elodie has her work cut out for her, the library has little members, the books are old and sparse and in order to receive funding for new books and save the library she needs to recruit 500 new members. With the help of Finn the local journalist, Elodie starts to get to know the locals and comes up with a genius way of saving the library.

This book was an absolute delight to read, the storyline flowed really well and I loved the characters especially Alfie in particular.

This book is the perfect summer read.

I normally like this kind of read but I just found this one a bit too slow for me. It was predictable but these books always are. I just didn’t love the characters enough. Not 5 stars I’m afraid but still a pleasant Sunday!

Charming and romantic, a wonderful summer read that left me with a feeling of warmth and happiness. Great characters, good backdrop, and the story flowed really well.

Thankyou for giving me the chance to read in advance. Brilliant summer read and finished within 2 days. Says it all. Thankyou!