Ellie just wants a normal life and she dreams about being a librarian and making her own choices. When the opportunity comes, she leaves all behind and pursues her dream. However, her old life keeps knocking on her door and her new challenges sometimes seem impossible to overcome.
I became a fan of Rebecca Raisin last year, so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it.
The author has a way of creating uplifting stories that make your heart smile and this book was not the exception. In this story, we can find hope, friendship and love. It also makes you think about all those times when people is judged without knowing their true story and it makes you remember that we all have struggles and sometimes what we need is a kind soul to listen to us, to be there for us. Moreover, we can be on the other end as well and help people all around us.
The romance story was well balanced with the rest and even when I did not love the insta-love I think Elodie and Finn are a really cute couple.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and I finished it with a warm feeling deep inside, and sometimes that is exactly what one needs.

I loved this book and thought it a great idea. Elodie took a degree in librarianship but was then dragged into the family business and is being primed to be the next CEO much against her will. Feigning exhaustion, she takes a break and takes over a failing library where she needs to get the members’ numbers up to secure funding.
She has a brilliant idea and I love the way it all comes to life.

Ellodie is from a strong, successful family but she is dissatisfied with her life. She has been brought up with the expectation that she will take over the family company, but what she really wants to do is something with books, her true heart’s desire. So once she decides she’s had enough, she leaves her family’s company and takes a job in a small town library that is at risk of closing if she can’t figure out how to turn things around. She has loads of new and fun initiatives to get more members and raise money, but Maisie, the other employee at the library isn’t making things easier, and the people of the town are so set in their ways and closed minded that they don’t see what the future could hold for them. Elodie comes up with an idea to make some of the people of the town their own “book” and let the others “read” their story and get past their preconceived notions about them. The idea is slow to take off but once it does. It changes everything.
There were some interesting characters and stories told but be warned there are some trigger warnings in the stories that people told of their lives. Elodie was a little too perfect for my liking, but she was raised in expectations of perfection, so I guess that’s the authors intent.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I loved this book such a wonderful uplifting story. Elodie appears to have the perfect life, the poster girl for the family business she is always at the salon getting beauty ready for another night on the red carpet. Problem is she hates every minute of it and her parents don’t take her seriously when she tries to tell them! When she applies for and gets offered a job as Head Librarian in a sleepy village she goes off grid with only her brother knowing where she is. Can she get the library memberships up enough so that she can save the library?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This is a rather special story. Elodie is the face of her family’s media empire. She has been groomed to eventually take the helm and run the whole company. She spends her life being styled and perfected as she attends endless receptions, gala openings, and similar events. Her life may seem glamourous, but all she wants is to dedicate her life to books. Dyeing her hair and eschewing her family name, she applies to be the librarian at a failing library in the peaceful town of Willow Grove.
Willow Grove is under the grip of gossips and troublemakers; the remaining member of staff is set in her ways and is distinctly unwelcoming. There’s a lot to be done, but Elodie has plenty of ideas. Along with a cast of truly adorable characters, she starts to make changes, but not everyone appreciates her efforts.
The obvious thread in this story is all about not judging a book by its cover. As Elodie learns more about the stories behind the people she meets, she decides that the best way to end the way that they are treated is to start a people library - incidentally, I have a friend who is a ‘book’ in the Human Library.
Each character is beautifully developed, and I found myself fully invested in their stories. There’s even a hint of romance courtesy of local reporter, Finn. The characterisations are simply perfect, and I felt that a whole array of people were represented.
Perhaps the biggest change was to Elodie herself, as she discovered the strength of character to focus on something that she loved doing whilst helping her relatives accept her need for independence from the family business.

3.5 stars
This is a read for the heart. So many beautiful characters written into this touching storyline.

Personally, I do think it was a little too optimistic for this self declared pessimist.

I didn’t really like Elodie. She seemed a little too perfect. The hardest think in her life is that she couldn’t follow her dream until she was 30 (still had the correct degree from the beginning, walked right into a head librarian job). She was over the top, instantly liked by almost everyone, always knew what to say, and had an instant connection with the town bachelor on literally day one.
Some lines were straight up impactful, others were EXTREMELY cheesy.

Overall messages were great- libraries are the bomb and necessary for communities/ don’t judge people when you don’t know them/ go after your dreams. All very inspiring.

I liked the way books were talked about- doors into new worlds/ comforting/ portable friends, but mentioning all that once was enough (somewhat repetitive).

Everything just ended up really well for everyone. Maybe too well, too quickly. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Again this was probably too optimistic of a read for me. If you can get past the cheesiness and the borderline unbearable main character, this book has a lot of good lessons to teach.

Always check content warnings. No spice.

Special thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this digital ARC.

If this book isn’t submitted to this year’s National Book Award, I’ll be disappointed—and for every other award, too. The message of this book is one every human being should be exposed to. It’s important. It’s genius. This idea should be replicated in every town in the world. A brilliant way to spread kindness and empathy. Rebecca Raisin’s BEST yet. A new level for her.

For me some books are 5* because they've entertained me so much, making me laugh (or sad, depending upon the story). Others make me sit back and think about the storyline and reflect upon it. This book is the latter, although it is entertaining, with Elodie, who is the daughter of a powerful media family, groomed for future success, instead taking the job as Head Librarian at a struggling library. There is some romance, naturally, but the main substance of the book is about the characters, who are "borrowed" in the same way as books normally are. How they tell their stories is what makes me think on how I treat other people when I don't know their background and their reasons for being how they are. Definitely worth a read.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Thank you HQ Stories and NetGalley for the ARC of Elodie's Library of Second Chances by Rebecca Raisin. I absolutely love books that center around a love for books and libraries. This story takes a look at Ellie and the life her parents are forcing her to live. She is the face of their company and has constant events to attend and a certain image she always has to maintain. This is not where her heart is at all. She loves books and has even attended University to be a librarian. When she is at her wit's end, she sees an advertisement on social media for a librarian position in the small town of Willow Grove. This library is headed for closure and needs someone that has the drive and passion to turn things around. She decides it's high time to pursue her dreams and does just that. What she doesn't expect, is all the other amazing things that follow once she gets to Willow Grove. She finally can stand on her own merit and with that she finds all that she has been missing from her life.

Thanks to @Netgalley.co.uk for a review copy

Elodie is looking to change her life when she applies for the job of librarian in Willow Grove. Her love of books drives her passionately to rescue the failing library. As the daughter of a family with a huge media company, she has never been able to stand on her own two feet and follow her dreams.

For Elodie it means the chance to make a real difference to the lives of the people she meets. The people of Willow Grove need to tell their story so together with local journalist Finn, Elodie decides to make that happen.

But Elodie isn’t quite as open as the people she meets. She hides the truth about her life. As the stories within the library unfold, will she tell her own secret?

I've loved previous books by this author. I have reviews of her "Travelling" tales, and before that, I read the "Little Shop" series, This story is very enjoyable too. Its light romance, humour, and compassion throughout make it another pleasing read.

I have a novel by Rebecca on the top of my TBR pile at the moment actually! So when I received her newest one as my beginner novel instead I was happily pleased.

Let’s say the momentum for reading this particular novel continued from there onwards.

As a book lover, how could one resist reading a novel about a library? Saving one as well.

Willow Grove sounds as cosy as it is written. Except for one thing, a lot of the villagers living there are stuck in their old minded traditional ways as they are so judgmental. For example; A pizza shop got remodelled to be more modern with the times and they refuse to go in there, come on.

It is like Chinese whispers around the place, I mean, a man you marry does not mean you can predict his every move, people have poor judgement and are good at manipulating does not mean you judge the wife that has been abandoned.

When we were given the description of Elodie’s mum I was half thinking it was about my own. But no, this one is far worse. Controlling her diets when she’s a complete adult with her own mind it is no wonder she wanted to escape from the lifestyle she had.

When Elodie goes to work at the library to save it from being closed down, her only other colleague is this downer named Maisie. All she did was complain and be lazy and she was very judgmental especially of poor Harry. Yet throughout all of this, Elodie still tries to see the best in every single person which I really admire. She is the least judgmental person for a novel I have read this year.

Listening to every ‘Library Book’s’ story was just something else. Understanding what they all went through and their true intentions. Oh, little Alphie he is extraordinary indeed.

I loved being on this journey with Elodie and I recommend that if you love a feel-good read in a small town then this novel is for you.

5/5 Stars

I wasn’t convinced when I started reading this book as it didn’t start how I expected at all and Elodie wasn’t at all I pictured when I first picked it up! However, I enjoyed the direction it went in and really liked Elodie. I really didn’t like the village initially, simply because of the people that lived there and how well it was portrayed! I also wanted to shake Maisie, and then Elodie for her treatment of Maisie. Overall I really enjoyed the story and it’s little surprises along the way!

What's the book about?

Elodie, the daughter of a media tycoon, is searching for a new beginning without the help of her family name. She submits her application for a librarian job in peaceful Willow Grove. Elodie has been waiting for this chance to genuinely make a difference. She soon realises that there are others in Willow Grove who may stand to gain from a fresh start.

Along with local journalist Finn, Elodie decides that the town's people have stories to tell. What if readers had the option to "borrow" individuals rather than books so they might gain knowledge about the lives of those they have previously overlooked when reading?

But Elodie isn't actually telling the whole story. Will her private information be revealed and her motives questioned by the trusting townspeople as word of the library's newfound success spreads?

My thoughts:

I loved how quick and uplifting this book is. Elodie is such a wonderful and warm character. The book itself is charming and delightful. This is my first Raisin book and I loved the feel good vibes her story gives off. Just what I needed after reading and watching a lot of dark and depressing content. Thank you! Looking forward to seeing more work from Raisin.

Rebecca Raisin is an instant buy/read author to me. There hasn't been a single book I've not loved.

All of her books have been thought inspiring, deep, meaningful and i think also pack a hidden message.

The Library of Second Chances is a beautiful story of exactly that - second chances, never judging a book by its cover and above all else showing kindness and compassion.

I can't wait to read another of Rebecca's gorgeous stories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a fan of Rebecca Raisin and this book was of her usual high standard. Elodie tries to save a small town library by introducing ‘human books’ to ‘borrow’. A thought provoking idea that we should never pre-judge people, stop listening to gossip and be nice! Lovely characters and a nice romance as well. A winner.

In this book the library isn't the only thing that got a second chance!

The story is centered on Ellie Astor, the heir apparent to a huge publishing company. Ellie's mother has high expectations for both Ellie and the company, and drives her mercilessly to achieve them. Ellie's burned out with corporate life, and just wants to pursue her dream of being a librarian. Knowing that no one would take her seriously if she uses her real name, she transforms into Elodie Halifax and finds a job that no one wants...director of a dying library.

As a library lover myself, I easily was drawn into the story and vested in Elodie's success. She makes friends in the small town of Willow Grove, comes up with an innovative program to attract library patrons, and even starts a relationship. But will it all come tumbling down if anyone finds out her real story? Will Astor survive without Ellie?

I found this book to be very well-written, fun, emotional and satisfying. Highly recommend.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

When I first started this book, I wasn't sure that I would finish it. I made myself wait until I got to where she'd started to make changes at the library, and I'm really glad that I did! Once she got to the town and started meeting people the story was lovely and cozy and had a lot to say about the impact that libraries and books can have on people.

Whilst I usually enjoy Rebecca Raisen books, I have to say this one totally blew me away. What started out as a fairly typical move to take over somewhere run down and try to turn it into the heart of the community trope took a turn into something really special with the introduction of the ‘human books’. Such an inspired idea should be part of every community library. This aspect of the story was deeply moving and thought provoking- how often to we judge people without knowing their story? A fantastic set of characters and a story I finished far too quickly.

I absolutely loved this book and had no idea how much it would move me.

Elodie is part of the family firm, in a place where she doesn't feel comfortable and isn't living out her dreams. She discovers a library which is run-down, applies to work there and starts to turn both the library and the area around.

I love how a couple of small things can be both so negative and have such a positive impact. I dare you to read this and not have a tear in your eye!

Oh, wow, wow, wow! What a brilliant story, a library with human books, I would definitely sign up for that both as a borrower and a book, a people library, it would be wonderful if this could happen in real life