The Library of Lost Love

The most hopeful, heartwarming and uplifting story of new beginnings and second chances

By: Norie Clarke

Narrated by: Harrie Dobby, Joan Walker

As the blossom blooms on a quiet street in Notting Hill, a beautiful story of old love and new friendship is waiting to be discovered... Perfect for fans of The Keeper of Stories and The Reading List.

Joan has spent too long alone with her treasured memories of the man she walked away from one Manhattan evening many years ago. In need of company, she decides to advertise for a lodger.

Jess knows it's time to move on from her best friend's couch, where she's been crashing since her boyfriend emptied out her heart, and all her savings. But when she responds to an ad in the newspaper for a lodger on a quiet Notting Hill street, Jess has no idea how life's about to change.

When Jess meets Joan, she recognises a woman left behind by the world, and so she suggests a switch: if Joan will agree to go on-line, she will go off-line. And when Jess learns Joan has never forgotten the love of her life, a man she used to write to via the Lonely Hearts column, Jess decides to search for him, little realising that in Joan's story lies her own unexpected new beginning...

(P) 2024 Headline Publishing Group Ltd©2024 Norie Clarke

Critic reviews

The warmest, most completely charming love story to sink into (Jenny Colgan)

Love!

This was a really special & sweet story. It kept me enthralled the entire time I listened to it . It gives growing older & getting out of your comfort zone something to look forward to. Loved it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a sweet story and I was so in love with Joan. Her story was heartbreaking but beautiful that she was able to find happiness late in life.

Sweet story

Lost love and secrets. Fresh starts and young and old meets in the middle. A younger girl becomes a housemate of a more mature woman. Lovely story

Can I like and dislike?

This story has two parallel - and intertwined - plot lines, for Joan and for Jess. Joan’s is by far the more satisfying, especially if you’ve seen You’ve Got Mail. Joan’s story is also the more original because most of Jess’s is a blatant rip-off of the film. Granted, I get having a character who is a fan and wishes for such a love. That’s all good. But then to boldly copy several scenes from the film? Well, now it’s someone else’s story. I really wish Jess’s story could have stood on its own, without a popular film propping it up. Joan’s story was more original, so we know it can be done.