***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
A heartwarming literary-themed novel about a woman who turns an ordinary red phone box into the littlest library in England and brings together a struggling town.
A little red telephone box full of stories, a chance to change her life...
Jess Metcalf is perfectly content with her quiet, predictable life. But when her beloved grandmother passes away and she loses her job at the local library, Jess’ life is turned upside down.
Determined to pick up the pieces, Jess decides it’s time for a new beginning. Unable to part with her grandmother’s cherished books, she packs them all up and moves to a tiny cottage in the English countryside. To her surprise, Jess discovers that she’s now the owner of an old red phone box that was left on the property. Missing her job at the local library, Jess decides to give back to her new community—using her grandmother’s collection to turn the ordinary phone box into the littlest library in England.
It’s not long before the books are borrowed and begin to work their literary magic—bringing the villagers together... and managing to draw Jess’ grumpy but handsome neighbor out of his shell.
Maybe it’s finally time for Jess to follow her heart, let go of her old life, and make the village her home? But will she be able to take the leap?
The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander is a sweet story of self-discovery and community spirit. I enjoyed this book very much and loved the charming village and its inhabitants.
Jess Metcalf leads a quiet peaceful life with her grandmother. When her grandmother passes away, Jess is left feeling lost and a bit lonely, but when she loses her job at the library, she decides it’s time for a change. She finds a small cottage in a small village in the English countryside. She decides to purchase the cottage and later finds out that an old phone box is on her property. She works with the town council and they decide to turn it into a library.
Jess decides to use her Grandmother’s old books to start the library, and as the library becomes more popular, Jess becomes more at home in her new little village. She befriends many of the quirky villagers, and especially the somewhat grumpy Aiden, who sold her the cottage.
I enjoyed this small town story. The story is mostly about Jess and how she moves through her grief of losing her grandmother and how she makes a new life in the village. The romance with Aidan was a slow burn, but there was some great banter between the two. And I adored Aidens daughter Maisey, she was a fun addition to the story.
I recommend The Littlest Library to anyone who enjoys Women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Poppy Alexander
Poppy's first book - the bestselling 25 Days 'Til Christmas - has been translated into several languages and optioned for TV.
Poppy Alexander wrote her first book when she was five. There was a long gap in her writing career while she was at school, and after studying classical music at university, she decided the world of music was better off without her and took up writing instead. She takes an anthropological interest in family, friends and life in her West Sussex village (think, The Archers crossed with Twin Peaks) where she lives with her husband, children and various other pets.
She is generally lurking on social media so search for PoppyAlexanderBooks on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Poppy also writes as Rosie Howard.
I like the US cover a bit better because it shows the books and bookshelves inside the telephone box. But I’ll give the UK cover credit for having the cat on the cover. 😻
Have you read The Littlest Library? Which cover do you prefer?
This sounds like a fun story. Her library in the old phone box reminds of the Free Little Library phenomenon. A phone box is perfect for one of those. 😀
What a lovely sounding story. The idea of setting up a little library is so nice in itself but even better that it gets her to make so many friends. Wonderful review, Wendy 🙂
This sounds wonderful and especially appeals to me because I had such a close relationship with my grandparents – especially my grandmother. I’m really looking forward to reading this one.
Great review, Wendy. I have this book to read, and will get to it before it is published. I like the US cover better, because it shows the library and the books.
Jenny+McClinton
I love the sound of this book & the idea of a book library in a phone box is amazing, great review 💕
This seems like exactly the sort of book you’d love! I was actually coming over to your blog to recommend it because I’d forgotten that you mentioned it was on your TBR earlier. (Or at least I think you did?)
I’ve had this on my TBR since I first heard about its release. It sounds absolutely precious and after reading your review, I’m even more excited to pick it up in the near future once my own library has a copy available!
I heard good and bad about this book, but your review makes me want to read it. The U.S. cover definitely wins for me this time. I too love seeing the books.
This sounds like such a sweet story. I like when a small town is practically like another character in a story.
It sounds wonderfully heartwarming. 🤗
The US book cover is my preference. I’ve seen this one on a lot of blogs and will put it on my TBR.
This sounds like a fun story. Her library in the old phone box reminds of the Free Little Library phenomenon. A phone box is perfect for one of those. 😀
I’ve seen so many positive reviews for this one and already added it to my TBR. Really does sound like a lovely read.
Have a good week Wendy!
What a cute little library idea. The story sounds so charming, and I’m glad it was good!
What a lovely sounding story. The idea of setting up a little library is so nice in itself but even better that it gets her to make so many friends. Wonderful review, Wendy 🙂
This sounds wonderful and especially appeals to me because I had such a close relationship with my grandparents – especially my grandmother. I’m really looking forward to reading this one.
Great review, Wendy. I have this book to read, and will get to it before it is published. I like the US cover better, because it shows the library and the books.
I love the sound of this book & the idea of a book library in a phone box is amazing, great review 💕
That cover and title is enough for me to want to read this. Amazing review, Wendy!
Thank you, Yesha.
This seems like exactly the sort of book you’d love! I was actually coming over to your blog to recommend it because I’d forgotten that you mentioned it was on your TBR earlier. (Or at least I think you did?)
May you get a film version of it sometime.
Thank you, Lydia! And thank you for thinking of me! 🙂
I love this idea! That cover is also adorable. Great review, Wendy!
It’s such a cute idea!
Great review Wendy! This book sounds lovely and I love the idea of turning a phone booth into a LFL. I prefer the US cover too.
It’s such a cute idea. And that US cover is so much better.
I prefer the US cover and the books sounds wonderful! Thanks for the review!
Thank you, Jolene!
I’ve had this on my TBR since I first heard about its release. It sounds absolutely precious and after reading your review, I’m even more excited to pick it up in the near future once my own library has a copy available!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I also prefer the US cover.
I like it much better too.
This cover is so cute and we love the premise!
Thank you!
I heard good and bad about this book, but your review makes me want to read it. The U.S. cover definitely wins for me this time. I too love seeing the books.
It was a good and positive book, perhaps a bit slow in the middle.
Wonderful review Wendy. I’m excited to read this one too 🤗📚☕💕
I hope you enjoy it, Susan.
Awww…I love your description of this story. Such a feel-good tale! Excellent review!
Thank you, Tessa!
I absolutely loved this book x
I’m so glad you loved it.
I love the sound of this book. I prefer the US book cover, the UK one looks like it is trying to be too reserved.
I think you’re right, Rosie. The UK one is trying to be too reserved! 🙂