Genre Fiction
![Lucy Gilmore - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B07RG7WC6V.jpg)
The Lonely Hearts Book Club
A young librarian and an old curmudgeon forge the unlikeliest of friendships in this charming, feel-good novel about one misfit book club and the lives (and loves) it changed along the way.
Sloane Parker lives a small, contained life as a librarian in her small, contained town. She never thinks of herself as lonely…but still she looks forward to that time every day when old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan comes to browse the shelves and cheerfully insult her. Their sparring is such a highlight of Sloane's day that when Arthur doesn't show up one morning, she's instantly concerned. And then another day passes, and another.
Anxious, Sloane tracks the old man down only to discover him all but bedridden...and desperately struggling to hide how happy he is to see her. Wanting to bring more cheer into Arthur's gloomy life, Sloane creates an impromptu book club. Slowly, the lonely misfits of their sleepy town begin to find each other, and in their book club, find the joy of unlikely friendship. Because as it turns out, everyone has a special book in their heart―and a reason to get lost (and eventually found) within the pages.
Books have a way of bringing even the loneliest of souls together...
Sloane Parker lives a small, contained life as a librarian in her small, contained town. She never thinks of herself as lonely…but still she looks forward to that time every day when old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan comes to browse the shelves and cheerfully insult her. Their sparring is such a highlight of Sloane's day that when Arthur doesn't show up one morning, she's instantly concerned. And then another day passes, and another.
Anxious, Sloane tracks the old man down only to discover him all but bedridden...and desperately struggling to hide how happy he is to see her. Wanting to bring more cheer into Arthur's gloomy life, Sloane creates an impromptu book club. Slowly, the lonely misfits of their sleepy town begin to find each other, and in their book club, find the joy of unlikely friendship. Because as it turns out, everyone has a special book in their heart―and a reason to get lost (and eventually found) within the pages.
Books have a way of bringing even the loneliest of souls together...
Editorial Reviews
"Gilmore's complex characters jump off the page, and readers should have their handkerchiefs ready for some cathartic tears. This is a treat." ― Publishers Weekly
"A fun, sweet read." ― Library Journal
"Funny and charming." ― Booklist
"A fun, sweet read." ― Library Journal
"Funny and charming." ― Booklist
Readers Top Reviews
Terrie D. Robinso
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore Pays Homage to Friendships Around Books! Sloane Parker is a friendless librarian at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library and Arthur McLachlan is the crotchety old gentleman who she counts on each day promptly at 10:30 AM. Arthur peruses the shelves for books but mostly he tosses insults and barbs at Sloane. She takes pleasure in her artful deflection of these taunts along with his consistent visits. When Arthur fails to show up at the library for several days, Sloane becomes concerned and takes matters into her own hands, even if it means putting her job at risk. What she discovers is Arthur in terrible shape, pretending he's not happy to see her, and firing his caregiver. What to do? Based on Arthur's love of books and to push much needed light into his dark frame of mind, Sloane creates a book club and Maisey, Arthur's concerned, lonely neighbor, offers to help whether Arthur likes the idea OR NOT... What could be better than a book that pays homage to friendships around books? The feelings it gives a book lover, like me, who reads it and feels like she's found her people inside the covers! The Lonely Hearts Book Club has great character building and I love how the author allows each book club member to narrate their own backstory and point-of-view. It's a great way for readers to get acquainted with this eclectic mix of introverts who have a love of books in common. What brings them together is the desire to help and what keeps them together are the books and friendships. This is one of those books where you just can't help feeling connected to each of the characters. But I have to tell you, my very favorite is grumpy old Arthur. He has such a great backstory and I have a special place in my heart for octogenarians, especially the challenging ones. This gentleman definitely has my heart! I enjoyed listening to the audiobook narrated by Angie Kane, whose gender voicing was a bit muddled, but resulted in a great experience overall and I would definitely listen to one of her narrations again. I love and highly recommend The Lonely Hearts Book Club to book lovers everywhere! 4.5 Book Club Stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Lucy Gilmore for an ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
