When Sloane Parker first made the acquaintance of Arthur McLachlan at the library, she struggled to stay positive in spite of his bluster. He was well known at the library for being harshly abrasive with the staff. Most of the librarians ran from him. Sloane stood her ground. She offered up saccharine book recommendations that she knew he would hate, but she did so in a way that somehow won her over. He came back the next day and made a beeline for her, repeating his abrasiveness while she smiled and recommended books she knew he would hate.

This went on for several months, Sloane and Arthur parrying each day, same time, same place, until it stopped. One day Sloane realized that he hadn’t been around for several days and became quite worried. She looked up his address in the library system—a big breach, punishable by suspension—to find out how to check up on him. She finds his house and sees that it’s lit and there is movement inside, so she feels better. And then there is an argument she can’t hear, a crash, and a woman storming out. Sloane figures out this is nurse, or rather, his former nurse.

She is still worried and stakes out his house. But apparently she falls asleep, as she is awakened in the driver seat of her car, her coffee spilled and her book fallen from her lap. The noise that awakened her, a knocking on her window, is Arthur’s neighbor Maisey, who has breakfast sandwiches. Maisey climbs into the car to talk to Sloane about Arthur and how he keeps firing nurses, and when Sloane realizes that Arthur has been alone in his house all night, she rushes inside to check on him. She finds him in his kitchen, shaky and bleeding, having cut his hand as well as the apple he was preparing for his breakfast.

Sloane and Maisey patch him up and make plans to check up on him later. But when Sloane’s boss at the library finds out what she’s done, she feels like she has no choice but to fire Sloane. Sloane and Maisey infiltrate Arthur’s home and life, making sure he’s recovering okay and starting a book club. Eventually they add in Arthur’s grandson Greg and Sloane’s former co-worker at the library Mateo.

As the days go by and the group surrounding Arthur grows, they all find that the grief and pain that they have been holding onto individually is seen by the others. It’s felt by them all, and that gives them something to hang onto as they struggle with their relationships, their jobs, their dreams. and their loneliness. But just by being together, bringing their opinions and good food, they all find that there is room in their hearts for more than pain, more than sadness, more than isolation. The book club can’t fix everything that’s wrong in their lives, but it can give them a safe place to start from.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a heartwarming look at isolation and grief, at hope and healing, and how books and friends help repair the damage that life has done. Author Lucy Gilmore has created this group of individuals who are all connected in interesting ways but also suffering from their individual pain, dealing with the consequences of their own decisions. They all have strengths they bring to the group, and watching as they figure out their place is a true journey.

I adored The Lonely Hearts Book Club. I thought it was smart and witty, sensitive and caring. There is a lot going on in this story, and I was here for it all. There were delightful surprises all along the way, so the painful moments were woven into a bigger creation and balanced with humor and heart. Readers needing a pick-me-up after a heartbreak or looking for connection will find a kindred spirit in these pages, and maybe even find some hope and healing as well.

Egalleys for The Lonely Hearts Book Club were provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca, with many thanks.