A lovely vacation read! I loved this story about Claire, an orphan who grew up with her grandfather and now works for an antiques dealership in Maine. (It’s the 1970’s). And she has a yellow VW Bug!

Claire goes to work at Hannah’s estate, cataloging her antiques for an auction. She ingratiates herself into the household there; the servants, staff, and groundskeepers all play roles in the story.

My only flaw that threw me is there is not any character development for Claire, and no repercussions for her poor choices. It made me not like her very much, and she exhibits no self control as a woman in her mid-20’s.

The story and all the other characters are glorious and I loved it. Recommended!

Wow! There are secrets and there are secrets among the pages of this wonderful story!
Claire is a young antique appraiser who receives a request or perhaps I'd say a command to catalog an entire estate of a wealthy, single, elderly recluse named Hanna Reeves. Why Claire?
Hanna has a staff that tend to her every need and in return she truly cares for them in her own way. However, there are boundaries.
Claire and Hanna are generations apart and yet there are many similarities in their personalities that help to create a friendship and admiration for each other.
Will Claire be able to cut through the long standing hidden secrets within this old house?
This is a fabulous, emotional, mysterious story that I truly enjoyed. I adored each character and would love to see a sequel to this book.

Thank you to Christine Nolfi for allowing me to read and review this ARC,
If you like women's fiction, friendship, mystery and just a great story, this is for you!

This tale of emerging secrets, developing relationships and lost loves moves fast through its intriguing plot. There are some lovely descriptive passages about the glories of Maine, and the main characters are credible people that we feel we get to know as we read the book. It is almost wholly a happy stroy and a pleasure to read. Anybody who knows anything about 'rare first editions' of the sort the eponymous library is supposed to be full of will be disappointed, and the author has by no means captured the register or vocabulary of the times that her episodes are set, even the most recent, but most readers will be carried away into the mysteries of the vast house, its benevolent chatelaine, its numerous staff and its hidden histories. Recommended for a cosy evening by the fire.

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is a beautifully written novel about love, loss, generosity and family. Hanna's family is unlike any other, as you will discover as you read your way through her life. A secret library is hidden within the walls of her mansion, and the mystery of this library awaits the curious. As this magnificent story unfolds, many more mysteries will be revealed about the life of Hanna, and what a life it was! You will be wrapped within the pages of this book and come up gasping at the end. There is more to be told, and I can only hope for a sequel. Not all books earn a sequel, but this one surely has! I highly recommend it!

I absolutely loved the world Christine Nolfi penned in this novel. It was a good mix of historical fiction and mystery.
I will say, the main character, Claire, is the same age as me however she seemed to be more emotionally driven and immature in her decisions rather than think through the consequences logically with little to no rebuke. Besides this one thing, I enjoyed the storyline of all the other characters and the pacing of events was also good.

Claire found a home in an antique store after life threw her a curve ball. This is how she is brought in on a unique opportunity to visit the infamous Hannah Reeves mansion.

She is then not only asked to categorize and take on the project but also to stay on the property. After visiting a few few local spots, she hears about the rumors of Hannah’s secret library.

What will she find?

I would place this book in the 'cozy mystery' category. Which aren’t my favorite, to be honest.

I wouldn’t have picked this up without being chosen as an ARC reader. While reviewing, I tried to approach the story from someone who would have been drawn to this story.

Yet my review still falls flat. I felt I was almost deceived or the story wasn’t finished quite yet. The author could have expanded as I feel the reader is left wondering what happens next. There are a lot of good elements and story lines that the author brings. Yet I feel as if those story lines are never expanded to their full potential.

We have a romance. We have a mystery. We have family history. We have a large group of diverse and memorable characters. With all of that, I still finished the book not quite sure what the point of the book was.

Was this book just about Claire and her journey? Is there a sequel coming where we get to see where Claire goes or what direction Hanna will take us? Are we looking forward to Hanna keeping the estate going or Claire finding love and a home? It has left me very frustrated.

The biggest deception though is the title. As a book lover, I wanted to read about books. I wanted to be impressed with this library filled of books. Yet the fact that the library was a secret is a silly point. It doesn’t matter? It didn’t add anything to the story. Who cares who knows about the 'secret'. The rare books didn’t add anything to the story. Yet that is all the title is referencing and a major plot point.

I’m left disappointed because I went in with high hopes. Even though the genre doesn’t really speak to me, I still was hoping for more.

This is always something beautiful about a book that is based around a library. The creativity with this book was just wonderful and so beautifully done. I loved it.

This I a hertwarming read and I absolutely adored reading about Claire.

Claire is asked to take on the task of cataloging the treasures of the reclusive Hanna Reeves,

Hanna has not been seen for many years and hides herself behind the walls of Rose Hill.

Hanna, is almost eighty years old and Claire finds the lady to be very demanding, So Claire concentrates on her work and is thrilled when she discovers a hidden library .

She soon discovers leather-bound family journals telling of the history of Hannas family and their succesful ship building business.

This is an amazing story and one that I soon found myself lost in. It is a richly told tale and quite honestly one of the best reads of the year so far...

I really enjoyed this book, It’s a mix of historical fiction and mystery novel. While the mystery isn’t buried very deep it is still a fascinating journey with flashbacks that help set the scene for the characters current predicaments. It was very enjoyable and didn’t feel too heavy even though some of the subject matter could be considered so. Definitely a must for those who enjoy historical fiction!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

Wow!! What a great book!! This one was a page turner! Had me hooked from the first page! This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last. I enjoyed the plot, characters and the writing style!!

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This was the first novel by Christine Nolfi I have read. I enjoyed the story and characters, I felt like the story could have gone on longer - curious to know what happened to the relationships and the antiques!

Incredible! I’m so grateful to have been given this ARC because what a beautiful ride it was! I used to work in a bookshop in highschool and something about it was so nostalgic. I was guessing until the very end and the way the story unfolded was so well written. Happily giving 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.

Claire Shelton is an independent woman. As the assistant to an antiquarian furniture and collectibles-selling couple, she has also gained a remarkable level of skill in an industry that she—while not envisioning being a part of —is wildly thankful for. When Daniel and Louis, the owners of Holbrook & Kinney Antiques, are contacted and invited to a meeting by the premier of a mighty dynasty that has held power in the state of Maine for nearly two centuries, they can barely contain their excitement. Claire doesn’t know a great deal about the eponymous figure. Thankfully, the local gossip is around to offer some input.

***“The money her galas used to raise for Maine’s institutions... The arts, medicine, education—she improved countless lives... Hanna used to host the grandest events. The most exclusive parties outside New York City or Boston.”***

Hanna Reeves is quite the philanthropist for the local area and has quite the reputation for great deeds of charity over the last half-century. She has recently taken a step back from the limelight, and rumours are rife regarding the reasons why. Claire immediately is caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue and becomes excited to meet the matriarch of Rose Hill, the Reeves family estate.

Daniel, Louis, and Claire meet with Hanna a few days later, and it is almost immediately evident that the two women are equally independent, confident, and fiery. They also instantaneously clash over matters that can be described as class and generational differences. It’s clear that Claire and Hanna are from different worlds and have entirely different outlooks on life, which makes Claire all the more confused when, by the end of the meeting, Hanna demands that Claire not only catalog all of the furniture and collectibles in the stately home but also live on the estate full-time until she has finished the job.

Claire is somewhat incredulous at this request, given the nature of the war of words between herself and Hanna. What would be the reason for her to insist on Claire working in such close proximity to the rich heiress when the short meeting was so contentious? Claire reasons that the meeting was not the greatest estimation of who she is as a person, but her forthrightness and sass are products of being brought up solely by her grandfather.

***“Even as a young child, I assumed it my birthright to interrupt while he waited on customers… Polishing my social skills was never on the agenda. Pete had retired the parenting handbook long before Fate dropped me in his lap, an underweight, seven-month-old bundle of diaper rash.”***

Claire is eventually worn down by the prospect of earning enough money for a house and agrees to live in the carriage house within the bounds of Rose Hill. It is here, as she begins to work and interact with Hanna, as well as the staff who manage the day-to-day running of the estate, that her judgment of Hanna may have been incorrect. They both share an immense love of literature, for instance. But as Claire also travels into the local town, she learns more about Hanna’s childhood and the titular ‘Secret Library.’

In her exploration of Rose Hill to find the secret library, Claire becomes deeply immersed in the history and secrets hidden within the estate's walls. As she uncovers stories of the past, she realizes that the knowledge she gains is more valuable than she initially thought. She begins to understand the impact these secrets could have on others and contemplates how to use them for a greater purpose. It is her instinct toward charity and kindness, combined with a growing empathy for those connected to Rose Hill, that eventually allows her to truly understand Hanna Reeves on a deeper level.
Nolfi marries the intrigue of a cosy mystery with the conflict and suspense of a romance novel, creating a narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The novel effectively explores the emotional journeys of people who have faced trauma and loss. Their stories are interwoven with themes of hope, resilience, and the longing to find a family or community where they truly belong, making the novel both captivating and emotionally resonant.

4.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the arc

I’ll be honest, I hadn’t read any of Christine Nolfi’s work until stumbling across ‘The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves.’ And really, she had me at “secret library”—am I a criminal? We all have bookish hearts here.

But through her intricate writing, Gatsby-like setting, and a healthy pinch of mystery, Nolfi created a world that felt enchanting.

The story follows our protagonist, Claire, as she’s unwittingly recruited to catalog the antiques of philanthropist, Hanna Reeves. As a socially reclusive 80-year old with a ‘dynasty’ of her own, Hanna’s reputation proceeds her. Or at least, the gossip does.

Gossip is its own currency within the elegant world Nolfi created—not only heightening the stakes, but also seamlessly progressing the plot. What starts as an innocent opportunity—or as innocent as our 26-year-old, short-tempered Claire can be—quickly becomes haphazard exchanges of information along the grapevine. They say money is the root of all evil, and with gossip as its kin, there’s no wonder some exchanges can lead to ruin.

And yet, beneath it all, Nolfi expertly reveals that there are things far more important than the enigmatic activities of upper-class… and begrudgingly, I’ll admit, more important than secret libraries, too.

A beautifully written, enchanting novel. I loved the characters of Claire (a bookish and cautious antiques dealer) and Hanna (the mysterious and reclusive owner of the Rose Hill estate). The shifting points of view and time periods moved together seamlessly. I particularly enjoyed Claire's search for Hanna's rumored secret library somewhere within the walls of Rose Hill, as well as Hanna's journals and the evolving dynamics/friendship between Claire and Hanna. The novel's ending was full circle and overall satisfying - though I could happily have read another hundred pages. Fans of Kate Morton will enjoy this.

I would like to thank you for being approved as an arc reader.

The book is about the development of a friendship between Claire and Hannah, two very different ladies in society. This beautiful story is about uncovering the hidden pasts and learning to adapt to their pasts. The characters have surprising backstories and this story in many way reminded me of greats such as Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden. If you are a fan of either book then this is a must read. The story itself mixed together beautifully a blend of different times as well as makes it very clear when there’s a shift in pov. It has been well wrote using a variety of anecdotes across time and the world building of the different societies within the book has been very well constructed. Highly recommend.

Characters are memorable and the themes within this book are well put together. I particularly enjoyed the historical elements of this novel and can't wait for the official release to add it to my personal library.

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is a sweet story of finding your own family. The book tells the story of a Hanna Reeves and the staff of her estate. Hanna is well respected for taking care of her staff. The story focuses on how Hanna has quietly served others.

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves by new to me author Christine Nolfi, published by Lake Union, is a full length, stand alone. A story that spans decades, is beautifully thought out and beautifully written with twists and turns that had me guessing till the very end.
Loved the story and characters, 4,5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.
This is a very uplifting book about two women who start out with a difficult relationship, but end up having so much in common (especially books) that it unites them completely.
Their friendship, the history of the books, the characters in the story ... it's quite wonderful and brought an occasional tear to my eyes.

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is the latest work of art by author Christine Nolfi. Having read it in about a day and a half is a record for me and is a testament to how wonderful a story it is. It’s a historical novel that centers around the 2 main characters of Claire and Hanna. Claire is a young woman in her early 20’s who has had a somewhat difficult life. She was raised by her grandfather, never having had the chance to know her parents and they lived a rather poor life, always struggling to get by. As an adult she works as an antique appraiser at a local shop under the supervision of 2 older men who have become friends but feel more like family. Hanna is a woman nearing her 80’s who has lived a rather solemn life as the heiress at Rose Hill. The 2 women meet when Hanna hires Holbrook & Kinney’s to appraise and auction off her treasured family heirlooms under the guise of a supposed leaky roof. The 2 women seem to be polar opposites in the beginning but as the story plays out, I found them to be rather similar in personalities. The chapters take you to different timelines which helps the reader understand what life was like for Hanna throughout her days. Having the story center around a hidden library was a huge attraction for me as I’m an avid reader and absolutely love everything books! But it’s Hanna’s hidden journals that Claire stumbles upon while snooping that is the real basis of the story. This is a really wonderful book, I enjoyed reading it so much and I will definitely be telling all of my reading friends not to miss out on it. It’s one I highly recommend. It was so good in fact, I’ll be adding it to my own home library of favorites so I can reread it again at a later date. I’d like to thank Christine Nolfi for continually giving me great stories to read and enjoy and NetGalley for the arc. I’m giving this book a well deserved 5 star rating and look forward to reading more by Christine Nolfi in the not too far off future.