Telephone Box Library

Little Maudley #1

by Rachael Lucas

The Telephone Box Library is an uplifting story about fresh starts and new beginnings, set in a picturesque Cotswold village, by bestselling author Rachael Lucas.

The perfect retreat for a stressed-out teacher. And Lucy has found just the right cottage for a bargain rent. All she has to do is keep an eye on Bunty, her extremely feisty ninety-something neighbour . . .

With her West Highland terrier Hamish at her side, Lucy plans to relax and read up on the women of nearby Bletchley Park. But the villagers of Little Maudley have other ideas, and she finds herself caught up in the campaign to turn a dilapidated telephone box into a volunteer-run library.

Along the way, she makes friends with treehouse designer Sam, and finds herself falling for the charms of village life. And it seems Bunty has a special connection to Bletchley and the telephone box, one that she's kept secret for decades . . .

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Books About Books, Audiobook, British Literature

391 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2020

About the author

Rachael Lucas has written 15 novels for adults and teenagers, including the Carnegie nominated THE STATE OF GRACE, the top ten bestseller SEALED WITH A KISS and many more. She is also the author (as Rosie Curtis) of sweet holiday romance We Met in December, an Amazon Editors' Pick. Her novels have been translated into many languages, including Korean, Hungarian, Italian, Turkish, French, German, Latvian, Estonian, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and more.

Sign up for Rachael's newsletter at rachaellucas.com, and find her on Facebook at facebook.com/rachaellucaswriter for behind the scenes news and updates.

Rachael lives by the seaside in the north west of England with her family and two very enthusiastic spaniels. When she's not writing at the kitchen table with a coffee by her side, she's out walking the dogs on the beach or the nearby pinewoods. She's a huge Kindle fan - her ten year old self would have been over the moon to be able to carry a whole library around in her pocket - and a lover of sweet, romantic, small town stories, which is exactly what she likes to write. She's a big Hallmark movie fan, wanted to be Anne of Green Gables when she was growing up, and Jo March was her literary heroine. (She still is.)

Rachael's books are full of warmth and gentle humour, as well as beautiful small town settings which give her readers an escape from everyday. Rachael has been described as having "a gift for capturing complex emotion and both romantic and platonic intimacy" and writing which "exudes positivity and warmth" which has received starred reviews in Publisher's Weekly. The British Guardian called her "honest, romantic and hilarious". Her teenage boys think she's a bit disorganised, and that she forgets to cook dinner when she's writing. (Luckily they don't get to leave a review.)

Reviews

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quaint, cosy, and heartwarming!

The Telephone Box Library is an absorbing, uplifting tale that sweeps you away to the beautiful village of Little Maudley and immerses you into the lives of several of its residents, both old and new, permanent and temporary as they celebrate, support, heal, grow, communicate, remember the past, take chances, start anew, and join together to create something worthwhile.

The writing is seamless and light. The characters are multilayered, kind, and endearing. And the plot, including all the subplots, intertwine and unravel into a charming tale of life, love, family, friendship, self-reflection, history, happiness, romance, and community.

Overall, The Telephone Box Library is a sweet, atmospheric, delightful tale by Lucas that is entertaining, satisfying, and the perfect sunny afternoon treat.

Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been quite a while since I read a book by Rachael Lucas but this new story The Telephone Box Library reminded me just how much I enjoy her writing. This is simply a gorgeous, warm read that you will easily lose yourself in for a few hours and when you reach the end you will be so glad you picked it up. It was just the kind of book I needed after having finished a fairly intense read. The cover is beautiful, so colourful and inviting and let's be honest that title screamed read me now as any story that has even the merest allusion to books and I know I am going to love it. The telephone box that stands emptied, neglected and unloved near the village green in Little Maudley becomes the focal point for the story as the villagers save it from being demolished by the telephone company and they decide to turn it into a small library as their nearest library is being closed down. But really the telephone box that can be seen from one special resident's kitchen window holds so many memories that to see it go would be a crying shame.

By the end of the first chapter you feel instantly at home in Little Maudley and that truly is a sign of a good book. I felt at ease and comfortable and that I could just literally be swept up in all the comings and goings in the village. The author did a great job of setting the scene and describing the village that I just wanted it to be real, and similar to our main character Lucy Evans that I could escape there to get away from everything. I totally identified with Lucy on so many levels and for many reasons, I thought she was brilliantly written and that as a reader we could really get inside Lucy's head and get to the bottom of her problems.

Being a teacher myself I really appreciated the various viewpoints that Lucy was coming from and why she so desperately needed the break from everything as she was being pushed to the max and burnout would be reached before she knew it. I saw a lot of qualities that I possess when it comes to my career in Lucy and therefore I really admired the journey she went on, the experiences she engaged with and learned from and how she always stood true to her own principles but along the way she was hoping for more of a balance in her life. But would answering an advertisement looking for someone to keep an eye on an elderly lady be the answer to all her problems? Or will she be back to the grindstone before she knows it and again facing down a barrel of stress that she sees no way out of?

Lucy is taking a sabbatical from her work as a history teacher to do some research in the countryside specifically based on Bletchley Park and what went on there during the war years which has always long held a fascination for her. Reaching breaking point and ending up in hospital was the impetus for her to take this much needed time away from an extremely high pressured job that despite loving teaching all the paperwork and long hours that went with it were doing her health or state of mind no good whatsoever. Fair play to Lucy, it must have been scary stepping away from a secure job for a certain period not really knowing how you would pass away that time. If your job is all that you have ever known it's nerve racking to admit to yourself that you need the time out.

Arriving in Little Maudley, it seemed like the perfect chocolate box village with such cute names for the cottages and as previously mentioned the telephone box standing by the green. I don't think Lucy bargained for having to be an aid to a 96 year old women called Bunty who is determined to resist any offers of help. Bunty believes her daughter-in-law is meddling in her life when she can manage perfectly well on her own. Bunty is a woman who refuses to let her age get in the way she lives her life but will unlocking the secrets of the past be too much for her or will sharing a burden kept close to her chest for so many years be just the thing she has needed to happen?

Bunty was a fabulously written character, I mean who would ever think that a woman of her age would have a snake as a pet! She was well with it for her age and I think sometimes her family members didn't always believe that she was able to live independently and that she was well aware of everything that was going on. Bunty wasn't someone who gave everything away at once but as Lucy was such a keen historian she sensed that Bunty had a story to tell and that if she bided her time and got to know her well enough than maybe some secrets would be forthcoming. I loved how the author mixed the past with the present in order to help us learn more about Bunty and how her story connected to the telephone box. The relationship that developed between herself and Lucy was tentative at first but over time it blossomed into something special without being forced or just occurring for the sake of it. Lucy had a specific focus that she had agreed to help out the Women's Institute in the village gather together stories from the older residents and make them into a booklet for a major celebration. This allowed Lucy to really immerse herself in village life and feel that she was becoming part of something. I could see that she was starting to unwind and relax and the pressures of her job seemed to dissipate from her mind.

Lucy had full intentions to come to the village and do what was required in the job advertisement but apart from that she would shut herself away in her cottage for complete rest, peace and tranquillity. But just like as it did with me the village, its many residents and its community spirit really got under her skin. She soon came to realise that she would look like the oddest of people if she didn't engage with the community and with such a varied cast of characters there was sure to be someone who would want to bring Lucy out of her shell. I loved how this all occurred so organically and naturally that it never felt forced or over the top. What was meant to be would be and the fact the sole focus of the book wasn't all about Lucy rather it encompassed many other little stories meant everything worked so well together side by side and came together to make one fabulous, feel good read.

There were several women featured in the story who became very good friends with Lucy and I enjoyed the easy relationship she had with each of them but it was the romantic strand that intrigued me the most regarding Lucy. The will they/won't they between herself and Sam Travis kept me guessing all the way through. Sam wasn't your typical man in that he already had a teenage daughter who lived with him so he was in a different mindset to Lucy. But still the camaraderie that started to brew between the two was enjoyable to keep an eye on. Even his daughter Freya got her own story line which I thought was handled beautifully and it is very relevant to the times we live in to today given a lot of families or young girls may have found themselves in this position or one similar to it.

The Telephone Box Library if you were to just judge it upon its cover you'd be forgiven for thinking this is just another run of the mill romance story but instead Rachael Lucas has given us so much more. I love any books set in small villages but then add in the historical element and this just brings the book up another level not to mention the inclusion of the lovely transformation of the telephone box. Then having Bunty as a kind of mentor for Lucy but Lucy doing the same for Bunty in allowing her to slowly open up following such a long period of secrecy that must have been really weighing her down. Of course all the antics of the locals and how they work together to do good for the village were funny and thoughtful in equal measure.

Lucy and Bunty are marvellous characters at the centre of an engaging, captivating and fascinating story with some lovely messages to be learnt and there is lots to be taken from the many themes that arise. The Telephone Box Library is Rachael Lucas at her very best and now I really do need to go back and read Finding Hope at Hillside Farm, which was her previous book and which has languished for far too long on my Kindle and which I am sure is just as good as this wonderful book.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half I found quite hard to get into but once into the second I found the story enjoyable. I liked the characters of Lucy and Sam and the setting. I'd like to read another Rachael Lucas book and see how I got into another one.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story but, just a little too predictable for me. I guessed the ending straight away. The idea was good and I’ve seen telephone box libraries around the countryside. How anyone to browse in those small spaces is beyond me!!!!
The descriptions of the Cotswold’s made me want to live in a picturesque village with chocolate box houses(everyone’s dream). The characters were very real and loveable especially Bunty who reminded me of my dear Mum. If, you want a sweet read the, try this book.
P

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

My word this book was amazingly brilliant just didn’t want it to end and just so gripping and a fantastic read from start to end. A very heartwarming and enchanting read and the characters and story plot are just brilliant. It’s full of starting over again and friendship and community spirit will there be any romance at all or not.
Lucy has been a teacher for a long time but is very stressed and takes time out when she has a time of not being well. She finds a lovely little cottage in the Cotswolds to rent and in doing so she has to keep an eye on the elderly neighbour. She arrives with her wonderful dog Hamish and she has plans to relax and read while also going to nearby Bletchley park as she’s interested in history. But when walking in the village with her dog she meets a lady who asks her to go to a WI meeting and before she knows it she’s been asked to help produce a history book of the village. Also she’s caught up in the campaign to change an old telephone box into a volunteer run library. She soon gets friendly with Sam who designs treehouses. He’s got a daughter who came up with the idea of the telephone box. He’s also trying to cope with his daughter acting strangely and he asks for advice from Lucy. His daughter is hiding a secret and opens up to Lucy but can she keep it a secret or not and will they be able to work together. Will she end up staying in the village or will she move back to her own home. She finds out a very special secret to from the elderly lady she sees every day.
Well worth more than five stars just amazing.

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that going into this book I thought it was purely going to be about a community turning an old phone box into a library, and I was ok with that, but this was about so much more. This book is about community, about your priorities in life and also about challenging what you think you know.

My biggest takeaway from this book, aside from those that I just mentioned is the accurate representation of teaching in England and the stress that that can bring. Having left teaching myself a couple of years ago I can really really relate to main character Lucy. Just listening to the way her life was before moving to Little Maudley brought back some anxiety for me and so a round of applause to Rachael Lucas for telling it like it is here, and also what life can be like when you take a step back and slow down to a walking pace.

I really loved getting to know all the residents of Little Maudley and finding out about all of their life complications. Each of these characters has their own storyline and their own interests in Lucy's storyline as well. I love the fact that we have various people who've started their own business and then we have the history side of things too.

I really enjoyed the fact that this book also covers some of the things that happened at Bletchely park. I don't know an awful lot about Bletchley itself but I have read books and seen films about the code girls and the important role they played in the war effort and so seeing it be crucial to a book life this was wonderful, it adds another layer of depth to the book and was really enjoyable.

If you like books with real characters and multiple sub plots to keep you turning the pages, you will enjoy this one and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more telephone box libraries next time I am back in the UK!

[Karschtl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Buch besticht mit einem wunderschönen Cover, auf dem sehr prominent das rote Telefonhäuschen mit ganz vielen Büchern abgebildet ist. Das zusammen mit dem Titel lässt den Leser ein besonders bibliophiles Buch erwarten. Das Ergebnis entspricht dem nicht ganz. Es kommt zwar auch der Umbau einer alten Telefonzelle in einen Bücherschrank vor, jedoch spielt das eigentlich nur eine Nebenrolle. Vordergründig geht es hier um die junge Lehrerin Lucy, die dem Leistungsdruck an ihrer Schule für ein paar Monate entkommen möchte und dazu in ein beschauliches kleines Dörfchen zieht. Hier lernt sie vor allem ihre Nachbarin Bunty näher kennen, und mit der Zeit auch ihre Geschichte aus der Zeit des 2. Weltkrieges, die vordergründig in Form von Tagebucheinträgen erzählt wird.

Trotzdem ich zu Beginn eine etwas andere Erwartung an die Geschichte hatte, hat mir das Lesen sehr viel Spaß gemacht. Vor allem weil ich die Charaktere wirklich mochte. Es gab auch keinen wirklichen Bösewicht, keinen Zwist oder Intrige die es zu lösen galt - was ich sehr begrüße. Klar hätte ich es gut gefunden, wenn der Telefonzellen-Bücherschrank noch mehr in die Geschichte eingebunden gewesen wäre. Oder wenn der Liebesgeschichte mehr Platz zuteil geworden wäre. Aber es war auch so ein netter Frauenroman, der mir vor allem auch ein bisschen Geschichte vermittelt hat. Von den Aktivitäten rund um Bletchley Park hatte ich noch nie was gehört - und musste das auch tatsächlich erstmal googeln, da die Autorin hier eigentlich viel Vorwissen bei ihren LeserInnen voraussetzt (was in der UK sicher auch der Fall sein wird) und gar nicht viel erzählt.

[Pattie]

A fun read! Xx

[Jennifer Bibby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this wonderful story full of fantastically created characters, especially Bunty. Really felt as if I was part of Little Maudeley life.

[PrettyFlamingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of ingredients I love - history, cute country villages, even cuter cottages, having the luxury of time to investigate local history and write about it and making fresh starts. We meet Lucy, a stressed history teacher (and I know all about that!) in a Cotswold village where she's moved from Brighton for a six month sabbatical. Part of her rent includes keeping an eye on her next door neighbour Bunty, 96 years old and somewhat reticent about her past. We see Lucy and her dog Hamish settling into the cottage, helping Bunty open up, making friends in the village and getting involved in a local history project. Conveniently too the village is near to Bletchley Park which Lucy intends investigating for her projects.

This was a great tale in the making and excellently written with appealing characters and a lovely depiction of village life. But I was left disappointed by the romance element occupying over 85% of the book and taking over from the far more interesting story of Bunty's exploits during the war, when she was involved in spreading black propaganda - or fake news. We also saw snippets of Bunty's 1940s diary and they were just that, snippets when they could have been much, much more. The old red phone box in the village played a large part in Bunty's teenage years and now it is about to be decommissioned, the village committee have to decide what to do with it. Though we can see from the front of the book what it becomes, this was still skimmed over in favour of the central love story about which there was no mystery at all.

I enjoyed the read and looked forward to picking it up again when I wasn't reading it, however I feel the story was unbalanced in the favour of romance to its detriment. There was so much historical background to get involved in and it was such a shame this wasn't fleshed out and developed. I'd still recommend it, though, as an engaging read.

[Blodeuedd Finland]

I am on page 188! Arghh, but I give up cos it wont get a better than ok, so why bother

[Lulli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Il problema con questo libro è che non mi ha particolarmente irritato, come invece è successo con altri ai quali ho dato una sola stella, ma è stato indicibilmente noioso e non mi ha trasmesso assolutamente nulla. Avete presente quei libri che hanno già esaurito tutto ciò che hanno da dire già nei primissimi paragrafi e sono talmente prevedibili che alle prime pagine sai già di conoscere tutta la storia e dove vuol andare a parare? Ecco, questo è l'esempio concreto.

Gli ingredienti per un pasticcio del genere sono pochi e semplici: un'insegnante trentatreenne di un liceo di Brighton, che vive per il lavoro, il quale è anche la sua unica passione a quanto pare, finisce in burn out con tanto di svenimento e sangue dal naso, portata via dalla scuola con l'ambulanza addirittura. Questa è la goccia che fa traboccare il vaso, poiché da questo momento darà una svolta non poco audace per una persona abitudinaria come lei e non certamente impaziente di avventure. Finirà per chiedere l'aspettativa dal lavoro per un semestre per trovare rifugio in un pittoresco villaggio, che manco il miglior paesaggista potrebbe mai ritrarre, nelle Cotswold, ospite/badante inizialmente non gradita di un'anziana estremamente arzilla di novantasei anni, che non si capisce bene da dove tragga tutta quella energia, soprattutto considerando che ha come compagnia un gatto nero e un boa constrictor. Ovviamente il piccolo villaggio è puntellato da una varietà di personaggi dai caratteri decisamente particolari e strambi. La nostra Lucy però, a parte i dubbi e le incertezze iniziali sembra proprio integrarsi bene, talmente bene che diventerà una vera e propria protagonista della vita sociale del paesino, nonostante si trovasse lì solo da pochi giorni. Eh, non dobbiamo mica lamentarci che i paesini piccoli sono comunità chiuse, con gente bigotta e mentalità superata. Little Maudley sembra rigettare questo modello. E ci vogliamo aggiungere anche Sam, il padre single e bello di una ragazza adolescente che abita proprio di fronte al piccolo cottage? Ci siamo allora: abbiamo una giovane confusa che non sa cosa vuol fare della sua vita, se non una pausa temporanea per capire come muoversi eventualmente, un padre giovane e single, un po' rozzo ma gentile e dal cuore d'oro, la cui priorità nella vita è essere un genitore perfetto e il miglior padre possibile per sua figlia quattordicenne, dopo che la compagna irresponsabile li ha abbondonati (ah, gli uomini con principi saldi e scrupoli che non si incontrano solo nelle favole!), il quale per giunta fa come lavoro il costruttore di casette sugli alberi. Non dimentichiamoci della vecchietta saggia Bunty, che ha la forza di un titano, che ovviamente Lucy che ha più di mezzo secolo meno di lei non possiede, la quale può benissimo badare a se stessa, e che nasconde dei segreti che non ha mai confessato a nessuno.

L'altro elemento fondamentale per spezzare un po' tutta questa storia melliflua al punto di farsi venire la carie ai denti è quello di aggiungere un qualche episodio di quella che costituisce il leit motif di tante storie, ossia la Seconda guerra mondiale. Ci avete mai pensato che i tre temi più ricorrenti nei libri di qualsiasi epoca sono l'amore, la guerra e la lotta per il potere? E non poteva mancare nemmeno nella nostra storia. E poi, soprattutto la Seconda guerra mondiale è quella più vicina a noi in termini di arco temporale e nella quale vi era un taglio netto di chi erano i cattivi e chi i buoni. Così tutti gli elementi si incastrano come in un puzzle senza tanti giri di parole: Lucy sta lavorando sul ruolo delle donne a Bletchley Park durante la guerra, Bunty ci aveva lavorato e vissuto nella contropropaganda e Sam che dovrebbe sistemare la sua vita. E tutti insieme contribuiranno a trasformare una vecchia cabina telefonica fuori uso in una graziosa libreria in cui scambieranno i loro libri. E con un po' di aiuto anche da Bunty con i suoi consigli che la vita va vissuta perché ce n'è una sola, Lucy e Sam scopriranno che sono fatti l'uno per l'altro. Lei prende la decisione di rimanere nel villaggio, dove andrà sempre a insegnare storia alla scuola superiore, e tutti vissero contenti e felici per sempre.

Qual è il problema con un libro del genere? Che non è assolutamente realistico nonché voglia apparire tale e che se scrivi una fiaba, anche se la ambienti nel 2019, con tanto di smartphone e social media e uscite venerdì e sabato sera, rimarrà sempre tale. Non è una feel-good story, è proprio una fiaba scritta in chiave temporanea che non fa sognare ma forse solo illude.

[Anke Kotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eine Portion Seelenfutter zum Wohlfühlen

Als Cover-Opfer habe ich mich sofort in das Buch verguckt - ein Dorf in den Cotswolds, hügelige grüne Landschaft, ein niedlicher Vierbeiner und die Bücherei-Telefonzelle - ein Muss für romantische Buchliebhaber und Leseratten.

Und es hielt, was ich mir versprochen hatte. Es war ein wunderbarer Roman zum Wohlfühlen, Träumen und Schwärmen.

Der Schreibstil liest sich toll, alles wird so anschaulich beschrieben, dass man sofort in der Story zu Hause ist. Und obwohl ich es mit Geschichte nicht so habe, unterhielten mich die Erzählungen über den Krieg in dieser Gegend und die Zeitzeugen bestens.

Die Hauptfiguren sind so lebendig und menschlich ausgearbeitet, man meint sie persönlich zu kennen. Sie waren mir alle gleich von Beginn an sympathisch.

Dieses Buch hat mir gezeigt, wie wichtig es ist, auch mal nur an sich zu denken, zu entschleunigen und nicht dem ständigen Druck nachgeben zu müssen. Man hat nur dieses eine Leben. Und mögen auch die Verlockungen und der Trubel einer großen Stadt anziehend sein, mag ich doch mein Leben auf einem Dorf. Und in so einem wie in dieser Geschichte würde ich wirklich gern leben.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy osy heart warming story. A nice slow tempo which is just what you need sometimes. The protagonist, Lucy was a nice likeable character and it was nice seeing her overcoming her demons. Sam is just a lovely man! Bunty was a little gem, I enjoyed her wartime story along with her old age woes about being babied!!

[abeer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I aim to be like Bunty when I'm old, her character was so interesting and the diary entries gave such an incredible insight into how she thinks. I think Sam should've been more strict with Freya, and the ending was quite predictable. However, it was a heartwarming novel overall, with an amazing community and intriguing war stories. (3.75 stars)

[Carole Hearn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book set in the beautiful location of the Cotswolds. Really easy read and the escapism we all need at the moment.

[Tracy Larner-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a lovely, cosy book.

I liked the characters, especially Bunty with her fascinating tales of Bletchley Park and the war years.

I will definitely be looking out for other books by this author.

[Susan Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, my first by this author. Have already looked into her others. Loved the warm characters but also the historical aspect to it. And who can’t love a telephone box library?!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This wasn’t a bad read but it also wasn’t great. There was really no romance, just a bunch of back and forth and two encounters so to speak. The main character ends up keeping a big secret from her love interest, which is tacky. Bounty’s story turns out predictable and just underwhelming after all the build up. And to be honest the telephone box library is hardly mentioned.

[Anitajt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story, the characters felt like old friends and were so true to life. Everything about it drew me in. The area they lived and each individuals tale. Bunty should have her own story, what an amazing woman.
Thoroughly recommend

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice, cozy , village life kind of book.
Very laid back and easy to read.
I enjoyed the bits of history and background on Bletchley Park.
Having grown up near there it made the book feel very homely for me.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I last had the pleasure of reading a story written by Rachael Lucas. However, all it took was the turn of a handful of pages of this wonderfully warm and wholesome story, for me to remember why I love this author as much as I do. Lucas is such a talented writer. She absolutely opens up a whole new world within her stories, full of some of the most welcoming, kind-hearted and enjoyable characters for readers to meet. It's utterly impossible to not become wrapped up entirely in the prettiest, quaintest places Lucas creates within her novels, to not want to step into the pages and lose yourself within a place you've never been before. I'm so happy I chose this book as my next read. It's left me with a smile on my face, and I feel completely satisfied with how Lucas ended this story, although there's no doubt that I'd absolutely adore to read more from these characters, but that's just me being greedy...
In 'The Telephone Box Library' by Rachael Lucas, readers are introduced to Lucy Evans. Due to a sudden health scare, Lucy has decided to take a six-month sabbatical away from her high-pressured job in teaching in the hopes that some time away will give her the much-needed break her body and soul are crying out for. So, where better to ease ones mind than a stupendously pretty little Cotswold village, known as Little Maudley? It's here that Lucy winds up after spotting an ad that couldn't be more perfect in her time of need.
'Beautiful cottage in Cotswold village available. Reduced rent in exchange for keeping an eye on elderly neighbour. Duties to include shopping, light tidying and daily company. Contact Margaret Nicholson for further details.'
Upon arrival, Lucas sets the scene perfectly and we are invited to step into this stunning little village alongside Lucy as she attempts to settle in, with her unruly woofer Hamish by her side. Lucas writes beautifully about the scenery within Little Maudley, making it spring to life on the page, capturing the very essence of the place in the most charming, desirable of ways. Everything from the wildflowers to the endless green fields, from the peaceful woodland to the gentle hum and thrum of nature all around, this was the ultimate countryside escape and I wanted so badly to be there, to explore every corner of it for myself. It was idyllic and peaceful, the very thing we all seek when our heads feel too full of 'things', and I had a feeling it was going to work wonders for our leading lady. I mean, how could it not? Lucas writes with so much warmth and love for the place where Lucy's story takes place. It's a joy to read, and feels like sunshine for the soul.
There's a real sense of community within this story, and I think in our society today, this is something we need more than ever. The feeling of people coming together, of friendship and care. Lucas seems to capture the essence of village life spectacularly. The characters were all utterly charming and I felt that they all brought that little something special into Lucy's life, something that she desperately needed. Bunty was a particular favourite of mine. She made me laugh constantly, and it was lovely to watch how her and Lucy's relationship evolved throughout the novel. Not only was she entertaining, but her life and her memories made this story all the more special, and all the more emotional. Lucas wrote about Bunty's history with tenderness and heart, and I was so curious about the other secrets she kept hidden away. I feel that each time Bunty opened up to Lucy, another part of their friendship was formed and solidified. There was Mel, too, and let's not forget the very handsome, very friendly Sam, who I enjoyed reading about very much. Lucas just seems to get the balance between romance and friendship perfect in this book.
There were so many themes within this story, all wrapped up within each other. From traversing the rocky roads of single parenting, to discovering more about the history of the village, to Lucy's very own self-discovery. I felt that with every new chapter, there was something new for me to be excited about. I fell completely and utterly head over heels in love with this story, with Lucy's search for peace and happiness, with Sam's experience of trying to be the best father to his daughter, and with Bunty's own acceptance of her past and choosing to tell her story rather than keep it hidden forever. I loved the secret link between Bunty and the telephone box too.
All in all, I am so glad I purchased this book. It's put a little lightness in my step and a little love in my heart. It was the most wonderful escape to the Cotswolds, rich with history and lovable characters, and sprinkled with that truly special Lucas magic that I've missed so very much and can't wait to read more of.
The Book Babe is awarding 'The Telephone Box Library' by Rachael Lucas with five out of five stars. An absolute must-read for anyone who is in need of a gorgeously written, romantic escape right now. I adored every moment spent within this story.

[Margaret Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. First sight I thought it just another boy meets girl happy ending going on the pretty cover but it’s more, much more. It’s a story based in a little village where Lucy goes to de stress from her very high pressured job as a history teacher for difficult students. She’s run herself ragged and truly needs a break. She finds this in the little cottage attached to Bunty’s. Bunty is the 95, still thinks she’s young, lady next door. Lucy has the use of the cottage on the knowledge she’ll look in on Bunty for her rather stuck up son and daughter-in-law, to see if she needs anything done or shopping. It’s full of historical events (which being a retired library worker I had to check) and was just up my alley as I love these feel good stories with a little bit of history too.

[Reelika Kullerkan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Idülliline inglise maakoht, kuhu maabub läbipõlenud kooliõpetaja. Ta kistakse kohe aktiivsesse kogukonnaellu. Lisaks on märksõnadeks torisev ja endassetõmbunud aga salapärase minevikuga naaber, puuonne ehitav teine naaber ja teismelised. Raamat aga läks väga aeglaselt edasi, midagi raputavat seal polnud.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable story set to a stunning backdrop of a small Cotswold village.

I enjoyed getting to know Lucy and Sam, but to me Bunty is the star of the book. For she is in her 90s, incredibly feisty, and has some fascinating stories to tell about life during WW2.

I'm not typically a fan of reading anything with a historical edge to it, which this has in spade, but the stories from in around Bletchley Park are very interesting and I found myself drawn to wanting to know about what happened in Bunty's past.

My other favourite character was Sam's daughter Freya, who is a very smart teenager, and I was very interested in her storyline. Also really loved getting to know Mel, Lucy's new friend.

Ooh and there are dogs, especially Hamish who is adorable! I did though find myself wanting to knock Lucy and Sam's heads together, as that has to be one of the slowest build ups I've read in ages and it seemed rather obvious to everyone other than them, that there could be something more than friendship.

A truly lovely story that I'm just sorry it took took me so long to get to.

Thank you to Pan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amiable read!

[Zoe_reading_queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow I loved this book. I’ve read it whilst off work sick and it was the perfect cosy comfort book. My first book by Rachael Lucas and definitely won’t be my last.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful story. I really enjoyed it.

[Angela Jury · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cosy read, really enjoy it 😊

[Piruvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story