25 Library Terrace is a delightful exploration of the webs of lives and how they are intertwined over the course of 100+ years. Structured round the Census which takes place every ten years, this book is a delightful exploration of the women's fight to vote, and i was especially intrigued by the census protest. The first census taken in 1911 at 25 Library Terrace is the one that takes up most of the book and introduces us to the Black family, John, his new wife Ursula and his two children Finlay and Ann. Ursula brings about so many changes in their lives that continue to the present day, including making the house vegetarian, which is very uncommon at the time, but most of all she makes the change in Ann's life that brings 25 Library Terrace into what it become today. Each character introduced has a heart-breaking backstory. As this book spans so many years, many are skipped, but the main years/stories covered find their roots in the original Black family. 25 Library Terrace goes from a family home to a refuge for people who need to be there, if only walls could talk and tell the tales of every person who passed through the rooms of 25 Library Terrace. It also highlights that blood doesn't make a family and this theme continues throughout the book, right up to the present day with the Covid pandemic.
I loved this book!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and Natalie Fergie for this ARC!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a compelling, well-written book. I enjoyed it a lot!

The premise of this book along with the cover were both very intriguing and had me excited to dive into this story. However, upon starting the story, I found I was unable to connect with the various characters and the plot was quite dragged out and seemed to be stuck in the early 1900's for a long time. Therefore, this detracted from my overall reading experience and left me wanting more development =and faster pacing within the story.
Thankyou to Net galley and Embla Books for an arc.

I started coveting this book the second I saw the stunning cover. And I was so incredibly thrilled when I learned I would get to review it thanks to @netgalley and @unboundsocials
25 Library Terrace is a special house. For over 100 years it will provide a safe space for the women who reside in it. When Ursula moves into the newly built home in 1911 as a new bride and new stepmother she is not sure how to run a home or mother the children in it. Isobel was the maid under the late lady of the house and has trepidation about what changes the new lady of the house will bring with her and how she will treat it’s residents, especially the children. The two women will find an unexpected ally and friend in each other. As the years pass and the house gains new ladies in charge they will continue the legacy set in motion by Ursula and Isobel. From suffragettes to pandemics, censuses to wars, this house will see it all.
I loved every page. I love multi generational stories and Natalie Fergie did an incredible job making this one. The characters were all unique and all had something special about them to make you want to know more and more of their story.
Look for #25libraryterrace on August 5 2025
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It was indeed a captivating narrative, meticulously crafted over more than a century. The story follows a diverse group of characters, all interconnected through familial relationships, which added a particularly engaging element to the plot.

if walls could talk, they could tell some amazing tale sof rhe lives that come and go. 25 Library Terrace traces the stories of the occupants who live within its walls over decades and through war times, to the pandemic and present day. Whilst the people and stories change the love friendship, support, and recipes remain the same. The concept of 25 Library Terrace as a refuge for those in need and a sturdy point from which to start afresh, is wonderful. A lovely story with some beautiful characters. #25libraryterrace #Nataliefergie

I love the British colloquialisms and British references. I was born and grew up in England before moving to Canada, so these made my heart happy, as well as the reference to Calgary, which is my home city.

An incredibly hygge, multi generational story about the importance of friendship. I adored Isobel, Ann, Ursula, Georgia, and Tess’ story so much. My Gran grew up in World War II, so the references to that were reminiscent of some of the experiences she described to me. My only complaint was when it was over and that I had no more of the characters to return to. 😔 I binge read this book in under 24 hours with 3 small children underfoot, is how much I loved this book. I also loved how the mystery of Georgia’s biological parentage, and the history of Georgia & Ben’s families all came full circle. I enjoyed that the author used some of her own family and friends’ history as inspiration for the novel.

A story about a house and all the residents that lived there over the years. Over a hundred years of strong women that lived in this Edinburgh house are written really well, a very nice read

This was my first book by Natalie Fergie, and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I loved seeing the living history of number 25 Library Terrrace. I found it really clever and interesting how every person was linked in some way to the house and it's history.

It was interesting to see the history of the time through the eyes of the characters and seeing how it directly affected them, with Ursula and the votes for women and the war and Finlay, even Covid and how is affected Georgia and she had to stay away and only visit in the garden.

It was amazing to see the house full of life and then cycle through to it just being Ann and then when Keith and Rab come how they invest their time and themselves into the house and we see it slowly coming back to life, and then with Georgia and her secret, and then to Tess who helped to keep the house going and eventually have it filled with a family again. Lost souls brought together through love and friendship, it was nice how the past residents also kept in touch and came back to visit and share how well they were doing.

It was a very thought provoking book and I found myself totally caught up in it waiting to see what was going to happen next. An excellent read and I will definately recommend it

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie


Be still my beating heart!!! Well done and Thank You so much to Natalie Fergie for a hugely successful, emotive and stunning read!! This book is very smoothly written with vivid descriptions which really help you see what's going on around you as well as the storyline. The blurb and the cover compliment the novel perfectly. I absolutely love the addition of the house blueprints at the front of the book and am so glad you have included them!!

OMG!!!!! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely addictive and truly unique book!!! Honestly this book has just hit my top 3 books and considering how many books I have read that is an epic success!!! Instead of wasting your time reading this just grab your copy and get lost in this immersive storyline now. I can promise you won't regret it!! Where on Earth have you been all my life Natalie??? I cannot believe that I had never read any of your books before this and am just so pleased that I have rectified that now!! I cannot wait to get stuck in to your previous and future books! Natalie's amazing and evocative writing skills really has brought the house and its inhabitants to life all throughout this fantastic book, dropping you straight into the storyline where you will see, feel and hear everything that the house and characters are thinking, feeling, seeing and hearing. I will not be forgetting any of them any time soon, if I ever do!!! This book really has been one of the best books I have ever read!!! I am not going to go into any more details about this absolutely gorgeous one of a kind book as it truly is a book you just have to read yourself. I can absolutely GUARANTEE that you will not regret reading this beauty and you can thank me later. With multiple generations, timelines and character perspective this book is truly immersive and will absorb you into the lives of Ursula, Annie, Georgia, Tess and more seeing the house, storyline and characters leap to life out of the pages. With an absolutely stunning storyline ram packed with history, woman power, society, healing, family, friendships, empowerment and covering historical topics such as the Census Protest, the Suffragettes, the wars and even up to and including Covid
and so very much more what on Earth are you waiting for? Grab your copy of this book and fall in love with 25 Library Terrace today. I can tell you one thing, this book and characters are going to be living in my mind for an extremely long time, if not for the rest of my life!!! Natalie really has created a truly stunning multi generational story with both multiple protagonist perspectives as well as multiple timelines while also including difficult topics and weaved it all together into an absolutely incredible, beautiful and just stunning must read!!! It is such a down to Earth and realistic everyday storyline but one filled with emotions that I could see it all play out in front of my eyes. I must admit my first thought is that, with it being called 25 Library terrace, it revolved around a library and books and although it didn't I was not at all disappointed as this story has so, so much more to offer!! Natalie also does an amazing job of creating such realistic characters so we see and feel what they are feeling and doing throughout the storyline while also living their lives along with them. Every single one of the characters are realistic, well developed and strong and I loved them all. The fact that she genuinely cares about her characters absolutely shines through the book as does the fact that he has done plenty of research or has experience about a variety of topics and a wide range of timelines. It is a pet hate when an author does little or no research into their chosen topics as it then runs the risk of their books being littered with mistakes and spoiling what could otherwise be a very good story but Natalie has completely avoided this by doing plenty of research! I genuinely love how she covers such a range of history and events, some of which I had never actually heard of so I not only thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in this beautiful storyline but also learnt so much!! Natalie portrays a range of family life, history, social life, friendship and more and creates this intriguing, captivating page turner that I was completely hooked on! Regardless of the fact that is one of the longer books I have read with it being 445 pages long (please DO NOT let that put you off as it is worth every single moment of reading time!!) there was no way I could finish just one chapter as even though I kept telling myself I would and then go to bed, each chapter ended in a way where I just HAD to know what happened next and before I knew it I had devoured the whole book in just two sitting!!! The storyline was realistic which I always prefer as it makes it more enjoyable to read when you can see that it is something that could and did happen! This book is well constructed and was absolutely ram packed with so much going on that you will just fly through the pages!!! It is multi layered with all the fantastic characters backgrounds and personalities coming out and each and every character has their own personalities. It was a very compelling and addictive read!!! I genuinely could not praise this book enough as words just will not give it justice so grab your copy today, you won't regret it!!!! The storyline is absolutely unique having never come across anything like it before and I doubt I will again so a MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to Natalie for this. I have read hundreds and hundreds of books so it is getting so difficult to find a book with a unique storyline but she absolutely managed not only that but a storyline I truly believe will stay with me for life!

Clear your schedules and get ready to get completely sucked into a gorgeous, immersive and beautiful page turner. This book is such a unique and intriguing page turner!! Congratulations Natalie on an absolutely stunning successful book, an absolutely brilliant, unique and thought provoking must read and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your amazing books!! Welcome to my favourite authors club and here is to your next guaranteed success 🥂!!!!

Overall an absolutely gorgeous, unique page turner filled with history. emotions and with memorable characters!!!

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Spanning over a hundred years, 25 Library Terrace follows generations of female inhabitants within the same Edinburgh house. Hopping across decades, we get a snapshot of societal change and how it affected this household in particular. The linear timespan allows the reader to easily follow all the various characters and their personal stories, and I loved how intertwined all the characters and their stories became. Sometimes, I did wish for more details about what happened to a character in the intervening years, this, for me, was especially noted with Isobel. I loved reading all the references to the household appliances bought and used and the changing eating habits across the years. I'm also in a bit of a reading slump, and this book was a nice cozy read for me.

Follow the lives of the occupants of 25 Library Terrace, Edinburgh from when it was built in 1908 to the present day, in this delightful saga full of historical content, friendship and love. The tale begins in 1911 when Ursula marries John, a widower with two children. Gradually and quietly, Ursula makes adjustments to the way the family live, wholly supported by stepdaughter Annie. This novel is full of strong women encouraging other women to find their inner strength.

I really enjoy fiction that takes historical facts, weaves a story around them, and brings the past to life. With social commentary aplenty, this book does not disappoint. There are references to the suffragette movement, with interesting detail about the census protest and the role of women as domestic servants. The true story of the tragic death of the illusionist The Great Lafayette is a clever inclusion, the impact of which resonates throughout the book. The descriptions of the house itself are excellent, making it so easy to picture the characters in the setting of their time.

Definitely a book whose pages you can 'climb into'. I loved it!

With many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #25libraryterrace #netgalley

25 Library Terrace is a new build in the 20th Century that the Black family moved to. From the outside they were the true nuclear family although undercurrents ran through the house that only the owners knew. Follow a 100+ year history of the historical new build and see what it uncovers behind the walls!

I am really enjoying historical reads currently and the area of history that interests me is social history so I knew I must read this book from the description.

This book covers some very emotional topics which are essential to be spoken about and brought into British history. It really turns traditions, old beliefs and values on their head and shows how there were many people who did not believe in the societal values of the time but felt it was their duty to conform. These topics covered were suffragettes, vegetarianism, abuse, world wars, MIA, pregnancy out of wedlock as well as many other topics . All of these topics are delicately written to show how life has its challenges and secrets at every point through the ages. It also shows how a decision one person makes can influence a host of other people throughout their lives.

However I felt that the book ended very abruptly. I was really hoping we would get to see a good ending for Tess and also see Georgia’s reaction to Nicola’s return even if it was in a prologue. The way it ended makes it feel unfinished but I’m not sure that there is enough for a second book as a series which would be the other reason that I could see for the author leaving it as they did.

What a wonderful journey I’ve been on - spanning more than a century with the residents of 25 Library Terrace. I love the idea that it’s not just people who have stories and experiences to share, but a house also has stories to tell.

Natalie Fergie has truly captured so many highly relevant social and historical details in each time period which I found fascinating and informative; ranging from the Census protest of 1911, the Suffragettes, Vegetarianism, the fire that destroyed Edinburgh’s Empire Palace Theatre, the post-World War One years, the way in which the status of women has changed across the years, right up to the post-Covid society in 2021. 25 Library Terrace has indeed seen it all!

Everyone who reads this book will certainly take away their own specific characters and time periods that they connect with or feel inspired by.

I love the way the rippling effects through the family generations are so skilfully portrayed; all the joys and the sorrows, with 25 Library Terrace at the heart of it all.
I highly recommend this 5-star book - it will leave a lasting impact on you.

What a cozy, lovely book about life in a home in Edinburgh from 1911 to 2022. I would have loved if the. book were longer and could have touched on other boarders at 25 Library Terrace. I also appreciated that everything was not tied up with a neat little bow at the end. I want the house to be there with Tess in 2031 and forward - not as a sequel but in the fictional world that the author created.

Each of the characters had a connection to the house -- not in contrived coincidences -- in believable ways. Those connections tied the book together so it wasn't just a story about a house. Most of the action of the book takes place in or at the house, there are only a few short chapters that occur elsewhere. So, the reader feels connected to the house and its residents.

The author did a lot of research to ensure the accuracy of her descriptions of the time periods. I love a fiction book that makes me go look into historical facts of which I was unaware. I'm American, so much of this social history was unfamiliar to me (e.g., the census boycott and the fire in 1911). I appreciate a well-researched historical fiction book.

Overall, this book made me feel like I was seated in the kitchen at 25 Library Terrace with the fire going and Isobel cooking Parkin. Cozy and safe and at home.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. We are all familiar with the saying, If the walls could talk, the stories it would tell. Well, this is the story of 25 Library Terrace. As we weave our way from its first residents, Finlay & Ann Black and their parents in 1911, right through to 2022, we are gifted a beautifully told story. The main focus is not only the house, but more so on the lives of the women who reside here. Highly recommend.

I’ve been eagerly anticipating reading this book and it didn’t disappoint. 25 Library Terrace looks at the people who lived in that particular house in Edinburgh again over the course of more than 100 years.

25 Library Terrace starts off as a family home and the first resident we meet is Ursula Black who becomes second wife to John Black and step-mother to his children Finlay and Ann. Ursula is an well educated woman, who is strongly in favour of women’s suffrage and becomes involved in the census protest of 1911, something I’m ashamed to confess I hadn’t heard of. Census years form a focus for the rest of the book as we meet residents in 1931, 1951, 2011 and 2022. Ursula’s firm beliefs in the rights of women leave a legacy in the form of the rules of the household throughout the years. I enjoyed reading about all the women who are the focus of different strands of the book, getting to know them, finding out their connections to Ursula and their reasons for staying at 25 Library Terrace.

The house itself of course is a constant in the story, very much a character in its own right, and I felt I could easily visualise the various rooms, the garden, the huge old cooking range, the maid’s room above the scullery. I enjoyed reading about Edinburgh at various times in its fairly recent history too.

Reading 25 Library Terrace gives the reader a fascinating insight into the social history of the past century and especially how women were affected over those 100+ years. It’s a story about strong women helping and supporting other women. With brilliant characters and a gripping and intriguing storyline, I thought this was a fantastic read. This is book which historical fiction fans should definitely have on their reading radar.

Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books for this eCopy to review

I recently finished 25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie, and I absolutely loved it. This novel is a beautifully woven tapestry of history, resilience, and the lives of strong women who have called the house at 25 Library Terrace home over the decades.

The story spans more than a century, beginning in 1911, when Ursula Black moves into the house and becomes deeply involved in the fight for women’s suffrage. She embraces vegetarianism and takes on the challenge of raising children who are not her own, all while navigating the shifting social landscape of the time. In 1931, during the Great Depression, the house transforms into a radical experiment in communal living, and a long-buried family secret is uncovered. Fast-forward to 2011, when Tess Dutton arrives at 25 Library Terrace after a failed relationship, only to find herself drawn into the house’s rich history and the unconventional landlady who welcomes her. Finally, in 2022, as Scotland faces another census year, the lives of past and present residents intertwine, revealing the enduring legacy of the house and the women who shaped it.

What I loved most about 25 Library Terrace was how Fergie masterfully connects the lives of these women across generations. The house itself feels like a character, witnessing moments of triumph, heartbreak, and transformation. The themes of community, resilience, and the power of storytelling resonated deeply with me. The writing is immersive, and the historical details are rich without feeling overwhelming.

This novel is a celebration of the quiet yet profound ways women shape history, and I found myself completely captivated by its depth and warmth. 25 Library Terrace is an unforgettable journey through time, love, and the enduring spirit of a home that holds so many stories. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female leads and a beautifully layered narrative, this book is a must-read!

Have you ever wondered about all the people who lived in your house before you?
25 Library Terrace in Edinburgh is a house where lives are changed.
In 1911, new resident Ursula Black embraces women's suffrage in the form of census protest, discovers vegetarianism, and learns just how difficult it can be to bring up someone else's children.
In 1931, the house becomes part of a radical experiment in a different way of living, and a family secret from the past is uncovered.
In 2011, Tess Dutton needs somewhere to live in the wake of a failed relationship, and is introduced to a rather unusuallandlady.
In 2022, delayed by the pandemic, it's another census year for Scotland, and as Edinburgh's residents are able to gather once more, the strands of four generations at 25 Library Terrace are finally woven together.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I loved seeing not only the progression of time, and how things changed from decade to decade, but also how things came around full circle. If I had to choose, I would say my favorite timeline was the 1911 timeline. I adored Ursula. She stepped in as her husband's second wife, and stepmother to his children, and had no idea the minefield she was entering. Her husband had no idea what his first wife was like when he wasn't at home, so both children and the cook/housekeeper were traumatized. She made such a difference in all of ther lives, as well as being a driving force for "modern ideas" such as vegetarianism and the women's right to vote. I highly recommend this one!

Every house has its own story to tell and this book does just that. This was an interesting read in that the house kept getting new occupants and it tells there story, however in parts it was confusing as the residents changed.