I would place this book in the ‘cozy mystery’ category. Which aren’t my favorite, to be honest.

I wouldn’t have picked this up without being chosen as an ARC reader. While reviewing, I tried to approach the story from someone who would have been drawn to this story.

Yet my review still falls flat. I felt I was almost deceived or the story wasn’t finished quite yet. The author could have expanded as I feel the reader is left wondering what happens next. There are a lot of good elements and story lines that the author brings. Yet I feel as if those story lines are never expanded to their full potential.

We have a romance. We have a mystery. We have family history. We have a large group of diverse and memorable characters. With all of that, I still finished the book not quite sure what the point of the book was.

Was this book just about Claire and her journey? Is there a sequel coming where we get to see where Claire goes or what direction Hanna will take us? Are we looking forward to Hanna keeping the estate going or Claire finding love and a home? It has left me very frustrated.

The biggest deception though is the title. As a book lover, I wanted to read about books. I wanted to be impressed with this library filled of books. Yet the fact that the library was a secret is a silly point. It doesn’t matter? It didn’t add anything to the story. Who cares who knows about the ‘secret’. The rare books didn’t add anything to the story. Yet that is all the title is referencing and a major plot point.

I’m left disappointed because I went in with high hopes. Even though the genre doesn’t really speak to me, I still was hoping for more.

Amazon Link – The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves By:Christine Nolfi

Stats: 301 pages – Expected publication June 24, 2025

**Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.