This is the first book I read by this author and maybe that was my mistake. Maybe she is leaning into what her readers have come to expect and that’s why it was, for me, jarringly contrived. I expected some Hallmark Movie impossibility but what was hardest for me was the lack of understanding about libraries. It felt like the author hasn’t actually spent much time in one, at least as an adult. And that was too much to get passed

Meet Elodie, book lover and wannabe librarian in need of a new chapter in her life. This is a warming tale of a woman who is self aware, kind and compassionate and brings people together in unexpected ways. The story is set in Willow Grove, a little bit chocolate-boxy but in keeping with the story, and it’s characters are colourful and interesting as the author cleverly brings them to life.

There’s a little twist in this tale to keep the pages turning. This would make a great rainy Sunday read. I recommend Elodie’s Library of Second Chances by Rebecca Raisin.

Elodie is next in line to run her family's media empire, but what she really wants is to be a librarian. Books have always been her escape from the stress, so when she's had enough one day, she applies to be the librarian in small town Willow Grove. The catch: she needs over 500 new patrons to get the funding they need to keep the library open... with absolutely no budget to work with. After seeing how some of the townsfolk are treated, Elodie comes up with a brilliant idea: have these people be the "books" people can borrow to hear their story. The motto is not to judge a book by its cover. But Elodie is hiding a big secret of her own and is afraid everything will fall apart if the truth comes out.
I love books about books and this story was unique. Finn and Elodie together were just so sweet and I like that Finn was the one all of the outcasts connected with even before Elodie arrived. He's just such a great character. I've read a few other books by this author and they're guaranteed to be cozy and feel-good light romances.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a fairly new author to me and I am enjoying exploring their back Catalogue

This was a feel good and uplifting read and covered a lot of issues that readers would be able to relate to in a sensitive and thoughtful way and showed that the dying never judge a book by its cover also applies to people too and that everyone deserves a second chance and that includes buildings too which . Elodie has clearly shown when she set about transforming the lives of the inhabitants of willow grove and their library

Loved a book that also included a story about libraries and books too.

Will definitely be reading more form this author.

Raisin did a great job creating a nice, lighthearted, cozy read. I kind of knew right away from the cover that the read would feel warm and it did. I enjoyed the plot, the world building and the characters.

Love this author abd she doesn’t disappoint. Full of feel good romance abd likeable characters. The perfect cosy read.

What a lovely Book. It's a pure escapism uplifting read.

Elodie is the daughter of a media empire. A privileged upbringing but her life lacks autonomy. She works in the family business and whilst she's good at her job, it's not what she wants.
To escape her current life, she applies for a librarian position at Willow Grove, a failing library with threat of closure that she has fond memories of from her school days. They haven't had new stock in the library for a long time so no one bothers to visit and nor can they afford to buy any.
Meeting some of the locals, she discovers some have become 'outcasts' for a number of reasons but no one has ever bothered talking to them to hear their story and instead just shun them.
When local journalist and somewhat attractive Finn is interested in helping with the library's plight. Elodie hits upon the idea of the town's social outcasts becoming books and telling their story.
Will enough of the town's folk be interested to hear their stories and sign up as members and therefore entitle them to a grant to buy more books?
Hopefully Elodie can save the library, stop the tittle tattle of local folk and fall in love.

Ideal for general fixtion/ women's fiction and readers of romance.

#ElodiesLibraryofSecondChances #NetGalley

I love a good cozy book and this one did not disappoint. It was warm and just like curling up with a hot cup of coffee and a good friend. I highly recommend.

When Elodie applies for the job of librarian in peaceful Willow Grove, she’s looking forward to a new start. As the daughter of a media empire, her every move has been watched for years, and she longs to work with the thing she loves most: books.
It’s a chance to make a real difference too, because she soon realises that there are other people in Willow Grove who might need a fresh start – like the homeless man everyone walks past without seeing, or the divorcée who can’t seem to escape her former husband’s misdeeds.
Together with local journalist Finn, Elodie decides these people have stories that need sharing. What if instead of borrowing books readers could ‘borrow’ a person, and hear the life stories of those they’ve overlooked?
But Elodie isn’t quite sharing her whole story either. As the story of the library’s new success grows, will her own secret be revealed?
I really loved Elodie’s Library of Second Chances, I wasn’t sure what to expect when reading the synopsis but it exceeded every expectation. It pulled me right in and I couldn’t wait to see the outcomes. The characters were interesting and likeable and I felt invested into seeing a good outcome for them all. A heart warming hug in a book for sure.
I’d could really see this being made into a lovely film, would be a great chick flick. Also #rebeccaraisin can you please write a follow up for this? I’m sure there is plenty more story to be told .

Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
#ElodiesLibraryofSecondChances #NetGalley

I enjoyed reading this novel! It was like reading a Hallmark movie.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for an advanced copy!

Rebecca Raisin writes comfy, feel good, down to earth stories and this was set in a library in a small country town. In order to get finance for new books and equipment,Elodie has to save a library by increasing membership with no time to lose.
She notices that some of the town residents are not treated kindly by others and sets out to persuade them to be 'human books' telling their story so that others can understand their life. Using local newspaper reporter, Finn, as a way to publicise the scheme, people come to hear the tales. Using the idea of ^judging the book by the cover" seems to work.
Will it be enough to get people to sign up?
I liked the idea, the characters were great and I empathised with them but there was no complxity to the story and no unexpected twists so for that reason, it got 3 stars.. I'd still recommend it for a little light reading to while away time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this romance, which was a perfect read for a summer’s day. Elodie loves books, which is odd as she is the daughter of a media empire. Having applied for a librarian job in the peaceful Willow Grove, she’s looking forward to a new start, out of the spotlight. Along with local journalist Finn, Elodie believes that people like the homeless man, that everyone walks past and the divorcee who can’t escape her husbands misdeeds, have stories of their own that need telling. Elodie sets up a person ‘borrowing’ scheme, so instead of borrowing a book, readers, listen to the life story of a person. However, Elodie isn’t that keen on sharing her own story, but as the library’s success grows, her secrets might be revealed. An enjoyable and engaging heartwarming and uplifting story, with great characters and a wonderful setting.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The fabulous Rebecca Raisin is back with a charming, emotional and uplifting romantic tale that is impossible to resist: Elodie’s Library of Second chances.

Being the daughter of an influential media tycoon has meant that Elodie’s life is frequently under scrutiny. Elodie would love nothing more than to live life unencumbered by the fear that a photographer is lurking nearby waiting to sell a picture or a story about her to the papers, so when an opportunity to work at Willow Grove as a librarian comes up, Elodie jumps at the chance not just to indulge her passion for books, but also to slip under the radar and live a quiet life for a change.

At Willow Grove, Elodie finds everything that she has always wanted – books, kind-hearted people and a chance to make a difference in people’s lives. Realising that she is not the only one at Willow Grove in need of a fresh start, Elodie decides to help out the people in the community who could do with catching a break. From the homeless man everyone ignores to the divorcee whose marriage continues to persecute her. These people all have interesting stories that need to be told and Elodie is determined to help them come out in the light.

With journalist Finn ably assisting her, Elodie at long last finds the fulfillment that she has been seeking for so long. But Elodie also has a story – and a secret – that needs to be told. Will Elodie’s secrets end up putting paid to her future at Willow Grove? Or will she get the happy ending she had been dreaming about?

A new Rebecca Raisin is always a major cause for celebration for me and Elodie’s Library of Second Chances hooked me in from the very first page. A feel-good charmer that fizzes and sparkles with warmth, hilarity and heart, Elodie’s Library of Second Chances is a superb page-turner about starting over, finding the strength to take a leap of faith and finding your soul mate that is so enchanting I couldn’t bear to put it down.

Elodie is such a wonderful heroine. Kind, caring and resourceful, she is somebody readers will not be able to stop themselves from caring about and cheering on to get her much deserved happy ending. Add a cast of beautifully realised characters, a gorgeously described setting and a heart-melting love story and readers will have a feel-good romance they will not want to miss.

Fun, emotional and immensely enjoyable, Elodie’s Library of Second Chances is another winner by Rebecca Raisin.

Really good book. The plot was well-written and engrossing. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Every book I read by this author leaves me feeling happy and hopeful that the world can be a very good place! This was no different.

Ellie is tired of being the public face of her parents'publication company. She wants to follow her own dreams without the Astor name that has given her everything so far. With her love for books and reading, a newspaper article about a small town library in need of funds to continue operations seems the perfect project for her to take up. Especially as it is one she has fond childhood memories of. Away from the spotlight, Ellie loves the town of Willow Grove and wants to save the library even though it seems an uphill task. Until she comes up with the idea of a 'people' library that will let those neglected and ignored by the town to tell their stories and feel included along with increasing library membership.

The characters are the strong points of this story that is all about not judging anyone too quickly or harshly and giving everyone a fair chance. My favourite was 11 yo Alfie who is adorable and really smart though he is bullied for being different and not able to recognise social cues. His attitude was really moving. In fact I was rooting for all the 'people books' who bravely shared their stories with the town. Ellie, with her positivity and willingness to see the good in everyone was as fresh and likeable as Rebecca Raisin's other heroines. Loved her relationship with her brother and how supportive they were of each other. Her energy was very feel good.

A very positive uplifting read that emphasized the importance of community and relationships.

Absolutely yes! I really enjoyed reading this novel. The characters were fun, it held my interest, and provided an escape from reality. I would definitely recommend!

Life does not always afford us a chance to begin again. If we are given one, we make the most out of this fresh start. If we are in a position to give this opportunity to someone then it should not be that hard as we know what it felt like. Uncommon riches-to-rags theme, slightly wordy and slow paced but I loved the idea of the human books -to look beyond the cover and hence the title. In any case, small-town setting, a library, and a whole town rallying for you is always a favorite.

My first time reading a novel by Rebecca Raisin and I was surprised to find I have her 2 other books downloaded! Thank you, Net Galley, for the ARC!

This book and it's subsequent 'people's library' is a slice of magic from start to finish. Elodie or Ellie breaks away from the family business following the discovery of a news report about a floundering library from her youth but she has her work cut out to secure a sharp incline in memberships.

When I feel like a pick me up, I love reading one of Rebecca’s books. You know you’re going to get a cosy cute happy cuddly story that does just that.
Elodie’s library of second chances is no exception to that rule. I know exactly what I’m going to get when I read the authors books. Another excellent Rebecca Raisin book.

Heart warming and feel good story. Enjoyable premise and engaging delivery. Not overly unpredictable in places but the the ideas around the library are ingenious. Easy read.

Thank you Netgalley