Book Review with Spoilers | ARC Review | The Library of Borrowed Hearts by Lucy Gilmore

A.J. Fikry meets The Bookish Life of Nina Hill in this charming, hilarious, and moving novel about the way books bring lonely souls together.
Running, Reading, & Random Life Things
Running, Reading, & Random Life Things

A.J. Fikry meets The Bookish Life of Nina Hill in this charming, hilarious, and moving novel about the way books bring lonely souls together.

In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins…Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson’s life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.

The team of first time moms is back after they stumble upon another murder in their quiet village in the Cotswolds. As they try to navigate parenting one year olds and figure out who they are in this new stage of life, they find some purpose in putting on their sleuthing hats to solve the mystery of who killed a protestor.

I loved Ann Claire's Dead and Gondola series, it got me on the cozy mystery kick that I'm on. I was so excited when I realized she had this book out!
This was such a delightful read! The French setting added such a charming backdrop to the story and the cycling tour aspect was a refreshing twist. It made me want to sign up for one immediately!
The characters were a real highlight for me. Each one seemed to have their own motives lurking beneath the surface, which kept me guessing until the very end. And let's not forget about Manfred! What a gem of a character. His unwavering positivity was like a breath of fresh air amidst all the drama.
This cozy mystery is definitely worth a spin (pun intended!).

This was a cozy dive into family drama wrapped in a murder mystery blanket. With a slow burn pace, this book takes its time to explore the intricate web of relationships within the family rather than rushing to reveal the culprit.
Lana was my favorite character with her fiery determination to prove her worth by cracking the case and exonerating her granddaughter. Her character is a blend of determination and a hint of mischief, making her journey all the more entertaining.
What sets this book apart is its emphasis on family dynamics. It's not just about solving the murder; it's about unraveling the complexities of familial bonds, sprinkled with moments of humor that keep the narrative light-hearted.
While the pace was slow for me, it was still satisfying read - delving into the intricacies of relationships and character-driven plots filled with twists, turns, and a sprinkle of snarky charm.

Gator Queen (Critters and Criminals #1) Finished: February 2024Book Source: NetGalleyBook Publication Date: March 2024 “You’re the girl who traps gators?” Even in the quirky town of Wahoo, Florida, twenty-five-year-old Maggie Andrews is an anomaly—a petite but determined female gator…

Deadly to the Core (A Cider House Mystery #1) Finished: January 2024Book Source: NetGalleyBook Publication Date: January 2024 After losing her husband in a terrible car crash, thirty-five-year-old Kate is left to pick up the pieces of her life alone. Although…

Everyone on This Train is a Suspect Book Publishing Date: October 2023 My Rating: For fans of Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz, a fiendishly fun locked room murder mystery from the author of the indie darling Everyone in My Family…

No One Can Know My Rating: The author of What Lies in the Woods returns with a novel about three sisters, two murders, and too many secrets to count. Emma hasn’t told her husband much about her past. He knows her parents…