Prompt #40 – A book about chosen family

As part of my never ending mission to clear TBR, I am trying to fit my existing TBR and NetGalley shelves to my reading challenge prompts. I love an odd ball group of people who become friends and found family and The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore sounded like the perfect fit for the prompt.

What’s it about?

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.

What I think:

I loved this book.

It was the perfect comfort read.

Sloane is a book loving librarian. While her own family are dysfunctional, she has found comfort with her fiance and his lively and supportive family. She loves her job and believes in the power of literature.

When library regular and sparring partner, Arthur, fails to show up one day she is worried and goes against library rules to check on him.

Finding Arthur unwell and in need of a friend, Sloane takes it upon herself to look after him, even though he does not want her there. With the help of a neighbour, Maisey, Sloane gradually begins to win over Arthur and understand the man beneath the grumpy exterior.

The supporting characters, Greg, Mateo and Nigel all get a chance to share their stories and support each other.

I found this an emotional and joyful read. Books bring together a group of people who may not have otherwise met, and friendships begin to form.

Each of the characters is lonely in their own ways. Maisey is missing her daughter, Mateo needs to takes a  chance on fulfilling a dream, Greg is reconnecting with family and Nigel has some ghosts to lay to rest. Arthur insists he is fine by himself and doesn’t need anyone in his life, but as the days pass he begins to open up to new friendship and allow love and laughter into his life again.

Alongside Arthur, Sloane goes on the biggest journey, re-evaluating her relationships and plans for the future. I was rooting for Sloane from page one.

This was one of my first reads if 2025 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The different perspectives add to the depth of the story and are a reminder of the importance of connecting and reconnecting with people that bring joy into our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley for my gifted digital copy of The Lonely Hearts Book Club.