The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander: Book Review

The Littlest Library is the most recent book from bestselling author Poppy Alexander. Released in March 2021, it transports readers to a small village in England. When librarian Jess Metcalf feels lost and confused, she suddenly finds herself the owner of a cottage in the English countryside without a job. What can she do?

Synopsis from Goodreads

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?

My Opinions

Before reading The Littlest Library, I had only read one other book written by Poppy Alexander. The previous book was one I enjoyed, but not as much as I had hoped. And as such, I went into this one with some trepidation. But I am so happy that I have it a read.

Jess finds herself in a tiny village full of characters, and I don’t just mean because they are characters in a book. A pair of senior ladies try to outdo each other at every step, but no one knows why. The person running the village store is a transplant to the village and is considered the “new boy” still after 20 years. Of course, the harried mom of three tries to avoid the snobby moms at the school. Yet the harried one has her secrets and desires.

Jess is afraid to open herself to new experiences because she’s lost so much. On a whim, she throws caution to the wind and makes some changes. She regrets the changes afterward, only to learn that they are giving her the life she’s always wanted.

Who would I recommend this book to? Everyone that needs a reminder that sometimes change is good!

If you’ve read Jenny Colgan’s The Bookshop on the Corner or Phaedra Patrick’s The Messy Life of Book People, you must read The Littlest Library.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.