A story for lovers of books and characters that come alive
4.5
The Secret Library Book Cover The Secret Library
Amanda James
New Adult, Magical Realism, Woman's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
One More Chapter
February 23,2027
Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
384

Some stories don't end. They wait to be found… Book editor Lucy Thomas has just inherited her grandmother’s windswept Cornish home, and with it, a library bathed in sunlight, a spiral staircase that leads to secrets, and a battered box filled with unfinished stories… To honour her grandmother’s last wish, Lucy must finish what was left undone – and discover the magic hiding between the lines.

“Our story gene is a magical energy that helps to uplift, inspire and heal.”

Magical Realism for People Who Love Books

Amanda James’ latest novel The Secret Library delivers an entertaining, magical realism story wrapped around an inspiring message. So many of the reasons readers are drawn to and love books are illustrated in this contemporary story that seamlessly merges real life experiences with unexplainable, magical events that bring the characters to life. Her expressive style of writing pulls you into the very British world of Lucy Thomas, an established editor in her own right, who upon inheriting her deceased grandmother’s Cornish house and estate is tasked with fulfilling her cherished grandmother’s last wish of editing some untouched book submissions. Lucy returns to the house and library, her most beloved place because of the love and memories associated with it, and discovers a magic through helping authors complete their unfinished manuscripts.

Cornish house overlooking the sea

A good story is magical, uplifting. We need that escape. Yes, of course we have to come back to the real world, but the difference is, we’ll have a book inside us. Hope inside us. Characters who live with us, guide us through. Help us become a little bit stronger, so we can try and deal better with the next horror on the news that brings us to our knees.

I loved the premise of The Secret Library. From the opening pages I was swept up in Lucy’s life and gift as an editor, bringing unfinished stories to life and inspiring authors to share their characters and visions with the world. Following in the footsteps of her late grandmother, who was not only an esteemed editor but her bedrock of love and support, Lucy is able to both take her passion and gift to the next level. In the process she is able heal many of the wounds inflicted by a hyper-critical mother and emotionally absent father. Lucy provides the edits and encouragement to authors who are then able to complete their stories and share their characters with the world. As her Granny would always say, “A good writer can make them come alive, become human, almost. They get under your skin, live in your heart and mind if you really get to know them well.”

characters come to life

Books Bring Characters to Life

While Lucy helps authors share their stories and bring the characters to life, she begins to reimagine herself and her own story. She realizes that the view she has accepted of herself, because of her mother’s constant criticisms and her singleness at 30, does not have to be the reality. She can be the author of her own life, become the type of person he wants to be, and find the love of a lifetime, like her grandparents had. That change in outlook turns out to be the true key to happiness. I really enjoyed the way Amanda wove these inspiring nuggets within a great story. Not only was I entertained but also challenged to look at things from a different perspective and be the “good character” in my life’s story.

Grab The Secret Library or other works by this author at your favorite book seller or library and follow Amanda on Instagram at (1) Instagram.