Book Review - Elodie's Library of Second Chances by Rebecca Raisin

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Title: Elodie's Library of Second Chances

Author: Rebecca Raisin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: 4th August 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Everyone has a story. You just have to read between the lines…

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?

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

"Never judge book by it's cover" is certainly the message that I have taken from this absolutely gorgeously covered book. 

It's all about not judging on appearances, listening to small town gossip and seeing if you can make the town a better place. 

And it's a battle to save a library, by attempting to increase memberships to be eligible for funding, all without any budget at all. 

Which is what makes Elodie's experiment and brainwave all the more impressive. And it's clear she is lover of books and doesn't mean any harm by deceiving the residents of Willow Grove as to her true identity. 

From the second I started this book I was hooked, from Elodie's family and job which sounded exhausting to the reasoning behind her applying to be the Willow Grove librarian.  It all just made sense and was believable and I she really is just trying to live her life on her own grounds. 

And the four people that Elodie is trying to help in the community, well they stole my hearts in the end,  especially Alfie - from the second he first spoke, I wanted to be his friend, and to protect him and help others see just how great he is. 

I loved finding out about so many of the character's pasts, and it helped make them such rounded and loveable and real people. 

This is Rebecca Raisin at her finest, and with a book filled with stories, a library, romance, secrets and a great message - well what more could a girl ask for?

Thank you to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.