The Littlest Library

Jess is a librarian who’s had major life changes, having lost both her job and her cherished grandmother, Mimi, who raised her.

While driving around Devon, Jess comes across a ramshackle cottage in the village of Middlemass that instantly appeals to her and she decides to buy it, even though it needs considerable work. Her only close friend, Hannah, lives overseas and she knows she must force herself out of her comfort zone and take a gamble on fitting into this new community where she knows no-one.

At the end of her garden is a decommissioned red telephone box, and Jess sees the opportunity to turn it into a free lending library using the many books left to her by Mimi.

Jess swiftly makes friends with residents such as the flamboyant Diana from the parish council and Becky, a harassed mum who was once a hot-shot lawyer. Then there is Aidan, the grumpy single dad and local bat authority who may turn into an unexpected romantic interest.

Before she knows it, the little library is a success, drawing people together in a new way and even, in one case, ending a lifetime feud. Although it’s not all smooth sailing when someone thinks the telephone box would be better served to house a defibrillator.

Naturally, the plot is predictable in that you know everything will turn out well in the end, but that is the intention of any cosy reading journey. The descriptions of Devon are delightful, the characters are charming and at the conclusion Jess has newfound happiness and gained a confidence that she didn’t have before.

It’s not surprising that escapism has been part of our lives during the recent worldwide pandemic. I’m sure many of us have foregone our usual favourite fiction genres such as dystopian sci-fi or gory crime drama, preferring to lose ourselves instead in other kinder and gentler spaces. This delightful book fits that feel-good bill perfectly.

Four stars

(With many thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC)
 
 
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