Book Review: The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander

Posted July 22, 2022 by WendyW in Book Review, bookblogger / 36 Comments

The Littlest Library
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

by Poppy Alexander
Publication Date October 12, 2022
Published by THORNDIKE Press
Purchase Here Buy on Amazon US - Buy on Apple - Buy on Kobo - Buy on Google - Buy at Barnes and Noble - Buy on Waterstones - Buy on Audible - Buy on Amazon UK
Goodreads
Genres: Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Small Town & Rural, Fiction / Women
Pages: 460
Format: ARC

***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.

UK Cover:

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?

36 responses to “Book Review: The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander

  1. 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. 😀

  2. 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 🙂

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Jenny+McClinton

    I love the sound of this book & the idea of a book library in a phone box is amazing, great review 💕

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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!

  9. 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.

  10. Rosie

    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.