When your wish to save a library becomes so much more…

Synopsis

An uplifting story about fresh starts, new beginnings and the power of stories, from the bestselling author of Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop!

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?

My review

Elodie Halifax is more known as Ellie Astor, the daughter of a media empire, and the face of the business. With not only her mother, but everyone watching her every move, Elodie’s desire to follow her own dream only grows with each day.
So when she learns that the in Willow Grove they are looking for a librarian, Elodie grabs this opportunity with both hands, also giving her brother a chance to show his own potential in the family business.
Libraries aren’t that popular anymore, but Elodie is determined to show everyone the importance of a library.
However, Elodie also learns that even in Willow Grove there are people who need a fresh start. And with local journalist Finn, she comes up with a plan… A plan where people can not only borrow books, but also ‘borrow’ people, to hear out their stories.
Elodie herself is not ready to share her own story, but with the library’s growing success, can she keep her own real life hidden from the people she starts to care about? 

Hello, my name is Tiziana, and I am a bookworm. So having a book about books, is just adding fuel to my addiction. And I put the whole responsibility of being invisible for everyone out there while reading on the author!
How does she expect me to go outside while there is this wonderful book waiting for me???

I truly adored Elodie. Even if she is famous as Ellie Astor, daughter of a media empire, she is down – to – earth, loves books and just like me can cry while reading them, as they touch her emotionally.
Being in the spotlight, she is used on putting on a mask, and just smile on command, even if her smile isn’t genuine.
When she decides to just follow her heart and passion and apply for the position of librarian, I was cheering her on.

It’s obvious that a library is the perfect place for Elodie. I can almost see the stars in her eyes when she enters her own vision of heaven.
My heart broke with her seeing how the library isn’t that sanctuary anymore, like it used to be.
But I admired her determination to make it work, on her own forces.
And while some ideas may seem very obvious, the idea of ‘borrow a person’ is just genius, and also what Willow Grove needs.
Seeing how she treats the ‘outcasts’ of Willow Grove, and sees the person for who they really are, truly warmed my heart.
Elodie doesn’t hesitate to help out Homeless Harry, or Sofia or even adorable, smart and talented little Alfie…
She doesn’t judge a book or a person by its cover and just does what is right. 

Can I add that Alfie just stole my heart? The author shows us that people are easy to put a label on someone who is ‘different’. But even if Alfie has such a (and may I say terrible) label, his honest remarks and visions made me smile and even laugh out loud. Alfie shows us that he is just like us, looking for someone to share his passion for sharks and find real friends. 

Obviously there is romance in it, because let’s be honest, I don’t think I couldn’t fall in love with Finn myself!
But I didn’t feel that was the main purpose of this book, even if Finn is showing support and help in every step Elodie is taking.  

For me, the whole purpose was to show us that people get into situations beyond their control. Just like Sofia wasn’t to blame that her husband was a scumbag, yet she is the one to pay the price.
And Harry who hasn’t talked to anyone, because he felt invisible…
If we just take time to stop and listen to those around us, we may discover just how amazing they are. And let’s forget about all the presumptions we have, because even if we think we know the truth, that isn’t always the case.

This was a marvellous book to read, perfect for bookworms, but also for non – bookworms. It made me feel happy while reading, and showed me the good in people. Everyone deserves a second chance, or a chance to follow their own dreams and passions. And that may be being a librarian, or cooking, or even finding friends who accept your superpower of calendar counting!