Wow! When Elodie hears that Willow Grove Library is under the threat of closure she is devastated - the library offers so much, and lending books is such a small part of what a library does. The community, the people, the lives that a library can change and the support they can give is all part of what is a library offers and when Elodie hears it may be closing, she throws everything into doing her very best to save it. Taking a well-deserved break from her media career, Elodie starts working at Willow Grove. A very determined Elodie has one incredible idea to help save the library and with the help of the lovely Finn, a journalist, she sets out to do just that with the best idea ever!
We meet several members of the community and hard-hitting issues are covered. Elodie and other members of the library help everyone to shine and help them become who they really are. The effect of everyone on each other’s lives is immeasurable.
Everybody deserves a second chance. Nobody actually knows the real story of anybody. Unless you walk in their shoes, live and experience their lives, you do not know their real story and just like a book, we must never be judged by our cover. Many of our covers are our armour, shielding and protecting us. Listening to us and hearing our story allows for a better understanding of who we are.
We meet some wonderful and very relatable characters in this inspiring story. Being able to tell your story, for people to listen to you directly instead of listening to untrue rumours and stories, means so much. The impact of being able to tell your own story and for people to listen is immense. And even saying Hello as you pass someone in the street, can mean so much and may be the only communication they have had that day.
Friendships form, families come together, and relationships develop ... and the library - well you will have to read and find out!
Libraries are very special, and this book is a very special read.

Elodie's Library of Second Chances follows the theme of some of Rebecca Raisin's previous novels - what happens if you decide to leave your old life behind and start again somewhere completely new? In this case Ellie leaves behind 'Elodie' a society heiress, in pursuit of her dream of being a librarian. The library in question faces a rocky future and needs to up its visitor numbers massively, and quickly. Can Ellie turn it's fortunes around, without relying on her family money and connections? In doing so, she comes up with an ingenious idea, to attract people to the library but also to help inspire the fractured local community to be more accepting of one another.

Elodie's Library of Second Chances is a great summer read, perfect for fans of Veronica Henry and Jill Mansell.

Such a beautiful book, it had me hooked as soon as I heard the name of the book Elodie was reading at the start.

It somehow managed to be both a cute and cosy read while still being thought provoking. The characters were really engaging and it really made you think about how you judge/treat people. (The old cliché don't judge a book by its cover I guess).

The end was really heartwarming and Elodie's story encapsulated how I feel about books, such a wonderful escape from real life.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This inspiring and moving book follows Elodie who under the name Ellie is the face of Astor News and Media.

The family’s business is very successful, and she has always been expected to eventually take over when her parents retire.

Elodie doesn’t share the same vision as her parents and then she hears about a library near closure in Willow Grove. With the fond memories she has for the place she decides to slip away from the family business pressure and try to save the library without any help from her well known family and name.

Moving to Willow Grove is an exciting idea for Elodie but when she arrives her challenge seems more difficult than she first thought, with much to do and local mindsets to be changed she sets to work.

Will Willow Grove library be saved? Will Elodie find a way out of the family business?

This is one of the sweetest and most heart-warming books I have read, it has everything you could want, including books, and is very inspiring and uplifting.

I loved Elodie’s character, she is a strong woman, but even with her upbringing she really cares about people and will do anything to make them feel at ease and comfortable.

I won’t spoil the character’s idea to save the library, but it is an amazing thought, and it is lovely to see the reaction of the character’s she brings together when many of them need it the most.

There is a little romance blossoming too which always helps, and it is lovely to see that side to Elodie as well outside of the library.

Overall, an inspiring and heart-warming story with an amazing idea to bring everyone together and not judge a book by its cover.

This story was so sweet, I loved it!. Rebecca Raisin writes beautifully and creates relatable characters who the reader falls in love with as they read on through the book This is a tale about finding your own place in life so you can be yourself and happy!. We know.that Ellie is privileged but all she wants is a normal life.. Can Only you will find out!. she save the library she now works for without throwing money at it?.I read this in one sitting and only had a break for a few hours sleep!!. I haven't read one by this author before but I fully intend to read more!.
#Netgalley, #rebeccaraisinwrites, #HQ

Elodie is a woman on a number of missions; she wants to escape from the family business where she is forced into a role that she hates, she wants to make use of her degree in librarianship and live in the countryside. When she accepts a job at Willow Grove library she is on her way to meeting these goals but then has others to address.

There are some interesting characters in this lightweight, feel-good romance. The "People Library" though is slightly unconvincing as a concept. Definitely a holiday read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an early review copy.

“The perfect story for all book lovers”.

I absolutely loved this book and want to be in Willow Grove with Elodie.

I was hooked from the start, Elodie’s work sounded very tiring, when she sees a job vacancy to be the Willow Grove librarian, she applies as she wants to make her own decisions and live as she wants to.

The message that came across from this book was “Never judge a book by it's cover". Don’t think that what you see and hear about a person is true.

Elodie loves books, and Willow Grove Library is special to her as she visited it in her childhood. The library is going to close due to not enough members.

Elodie has a fight on her hands, if she wants to stop the closure, without any money in the library kitty, she needs to get more members, so that she can get funding from the council to make changes that are needed.

Elodie has an idea which she hopes will work, hoping that hiding the truth about herself will not be a bad thing for those that live in Willow Grove.

I loved the four people that Elodie wanted to help, especially Alfie, from his first appearance in the library. I’d happily be his friend, and make people see just how special he is.

It was interesting reading about the characters, what made them into how the community now see them, their stories proving that they’re just like us, loveable and real people.

The book is full of secrets, romance and above all else, a message that we could all remember.

I highly recommend this book.

What a fantastic book 5 stars from the top Rebecca Raisin this story is fantastic I love every bit of it. This is a must read. Thank you for allowing me to read and review it

What a beautiful cover for a charming sweet story with some lovely characters. Overall a lovely concept, reminding readers of the importance of being kind; everyone is facing battles.

Unfortunately for me however I felt the book lacked depth; everything was a bit easy breezy and obvious.

I do think many will love this book but it was just a too perfect and preachy for me.

I’ve read and enjoyed previous Rebecca Raisin books and this is a delightful addition. The English village setting and likeable main characters might make you feel that this is a light, frothy romance but the darker side of a close community is also explored. Prejudice and judgements that affect some villagers are challenged in an unusual manner. This is a warm feel good summer read that is highly recommended.

I absolutely love Rebecca Raisin's stories. It is like having a real hard day and coming home to a beautiful dinner with wine. There are so beautiful words that describe her stories...self-esteem, thankfulness, forgiveness, happiness, wonder, love, laughter, joy, life is good, beautiful countryside. Rebecca includes all them and more. This was especially close to my heart because it takes place in a beautiful countryside, thatched roof cottage, and the best of all a library that needs to be saved along with the people of the village. For a feel good read, and a feel good day. You'll love this.

Elodie has spent years being “The Face” of the Astor Media empire. The company is owned and run by her parents and as her brother Teddy has failed to live up to their expectations all of their ambitions are focussed on Elodie.
Close to burnout Elodie decides to take charge of her own life and follow her dream of being a librarian. Getting a job at Willow Grove may seem like a dream but the library is in danger of closure and the townspeople don’t seem to have much appetite to save it.
If Elodie can save the library she might just save some of the Willow Grove residents and herself in the process.
A lovely, warm book all about not judging a book by its cover and looking beyond the first impression. It will leave you with a big smile on your face.

At first glance, this makes a wonderful summer read that will keep all bookworms happy wherever they may be... however, dig a little deeper and this book contains some moral messages that you will certainly take away with you.
Elodie is a fascinating character and her search for realism and a life of her own really endears her, despite her obvious prestigious background. (How I wish more actual millionaires could be like her!) Her 'People Library' project is something that I've heard about before, but the way Rebecca Raisin has used this as a method for uncovering people's prejudices and encouraging people to 'see beyond the cover' is truly brilliant. I've taken away something special from this book and I'm sure you will too.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

I always really enjoy Rebecca Raisin’s books and this one was no exception. It was a quick and easy read with really likeable characters. I really enjoyed seeing the characters reveal themselves one by one and getting to learn each of their stories as the book progressed. The romance was really cute and I loved the library saving aspect of this book. Definitely a cute summer read!

Wow! This book was not at all what I expected but I loved it. I went in thinking it would be light and frothy chick lit, based on the cover and description, but found something much deeper. Elodie is trying to escape her family name and save a library she loved as a child, but in doing so she breaks down walls and assumptions in a small town, helping the community heal and grow together. While yes it absolutely was an enjoyable read, I came away with something more. I will absolutely be looking into more of the author's books as I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style and character development!

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I love a book with a library setting and this one was definitely a good read.

Elodie is used to being the face of her family's business but she needs something more. When small village Willow Grove's library is in need of saving she feels like it's what she needs to do.

The library was such a special setting because it allowed the characters to really come out and shine. Of course, this was some of Elodie's doing as well with the changes she puts in. I really enjoyed getting to know the villagers and what they'd been through as well as watching Elodie finding the place where she was supposed to be.

A lovely read in a lovely setting.

A relaxing, heartwarming, uplifting read with a message to us all; everyone has something going on their life that you don't know about so maybe take the trouble to understand before you judge them. The perfect summer read.

A great holiday read. Lovely characters and the setting was beautiful. I really enjoyed it and would recommend reading it.

Have you every judged a book by its cover? Guilty. Have you ever judged a person based on what you've heard? Also guilty...
A sweet, heartfelt and uplifting book that asks the reader to consider looking past the cover and hearing the story within. Rebecca Raisin writes with joy and happiness and the library setting made my bookish dreams come true. I now want to save a library in my spare time! She makes the characters human and recognizable and Elodie is hard not to like with her plucky courage and heart on her sleeve.
If you're looking for a cozy, cute read with a nice little life lesson reminder (which opens your mind to the possibility that sometimes we judge before we know a full story) then pick up this book!

What a lovely read.

Elodie is the face of her mothers publishing and multimedia empire as Ellie Astor, however deep down this is not the life she wants... a book worm who did a degree in Librarianship. Her brother Teddy was a typical 20 something year old... plenty of money and not a care in the world, and had a history of living the good life. Elodie actually wants Teddy to lead the empire once her parents retire , however her mother particularly won't hear of it.

Ellie sees an article about Willow Grove Library ( the one she used to visit when at boarding school) it is about to close unless there are over 500 new members and they find a Librarian. Ellie shows the article to her brother and decides to apply under her real name of Elodie Halifax.

For those of us whose libraries are under threat, we can fully understand the dilemmas and challenges Elodie faced.

An uplifting read... full of laughs and tears