Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the opportunity to read this advance reader’s copy.

Any book with library in the title (or bookstore) will draw me right in, but this novel, while it confirms the importance of books, doesn’t have much to do with libraries. If there is a central concept, it is the national decennial census of Great Britain. Not coincidentally, each of the four storylines, and each of the four dominant female characters in them, have a loyalty to the census that has little to do with its purpose of enumerating the population.

Starting with Ursula, who is so transformed by marrying the good and kind John Black that she suddenly becomes a rebel, a suffragist and a vegetarian, filling out the census document is a profound declaration of selfhood. Until women received the vote, they were effectively the property of their husbands and fathers, and only men could fill out the census form. With her husband’s approval, Ursula and her fellow suffragists defy the law by staying out until midnight on census day so they are not counted—until they count by being voting citizens. I didn’t know about this historical connection between the census and suffrage and it was a fascinating discovery.

The next chapter, 1911, follows stepdaughter Ann (later Annie) as she grapples with her late biological mother’s constant attempts to undermine her. This is a truth that emerges only very slowly. It gradually becomes apparent that the first Mrs Black was unhinged, very possibly a paranoid schizophrenic, who kept an unnaturally close watch over her household. She was always ready to denigrate her son Frank, her maid Isobel, and her servant Dave. Ursula is the heart and soul of kindness as the three vulnerable parties carry the trauma through.

Each story is about a strong woman who can happily live alone at 25 Library Terrace. Eventually each of them meets or is introduced to people who are navigating rough waters—bereavement, heartbreak, unemployment, homelessness—and agree to rent rooms to them. Eventually these interactions become solid friendships or even romantic relationships, leading to unconventional but nonetheless loving families. It is as if the house itself, shiny and new when John Black had it built for his ailing first wife and two young children, plays its own role in the unfolding history of several generations. It truly gives them shelter, almost magically bringing together, at the right time,those who need each other.

There are places where an otherwise flowing narrative falters. The stories have characters in common, but. As much as they are linked and situated in the same but ever-changing house, they often end abruptly and sometimes the connections are unclear. Tess, for example , appears in 2011, and also in 2021. The house’s then-inheritor, Georgia, has a long history with its previous families. Having provided refuge for Tess, the elderly Georgia then departs for an unexpected new opportunity. She leaves the house in Tess’s hands but not before encourages her to take in a motherless family in need. And here the story ends, leaving readers to assume what may take shape.

In the end, the writing is wonderful, the characters are sharply drawn, and the house has a magnetic pull for readers as much as characters.

This book tells the stories of the women who have lived at 25 Library Terrace over the decades. Told over different timelines and multiple POV. It is an easy read. Thank you to Netgalley and Embla Books for ARC.

Unique story encompassing close to a century of lives in one address in Edinburgh. 25 Library Terrace housed one traditional family for a short time and then it's life really took off in unusual directions. The nuclear family was headed by a seemingly kind/normal father and tyrannical mother who died before the story commenced. However, the mother pervaded the lives of those who lived in 25 Library Terrace for many years after her death. Subsequent inhabitants including a kindly vegetarian quasi-suffragette 2nd wife, the maid, and daughter of the original family ran the house as a novel boarding property where women (primarily) could live for two year.

The writing style was enjoyable and straightforward; the story moved at a very nice pace and had just that bit of mystery to keep me turning pages. I didn't quite believe the "present day" character's discretion was enough to warrant the psychological scars she carried however, that is solely my take. It took me a few chapters to arrange all the characters in my mind but once that was established the plot was easy to understand.

This novel share the lovely tales of 25 Library Terrace and all of its inhabitants, particularly the strong females who ruled and managed the home, through decades of census filings.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

This novel had so many elements that I love: multiple points of view, layered timelines, and a cozy old house brimming with stories and secrets. 25 Library Terrace offered a rewarding and heartwarming reading experience.

What really worked for me: Tess’s journey and the encouragement to step away from the tech life and social media was both timely and refreshing. I connected with her and wish we had more time with her within the novel like we got with Annie and Ursula. And the way the story came full circle in the end? Loved it! There’s something so satisfying about narratives that honor connection and closure across generations.

What didn’t quite land for me: A few of the timeline transitions felt a little jarring; which is unusual for me, since I typically have no trouble following dual or multiple timelines. I can’t pinpoint exactly why this one was a tad choppy for me. I also found myself waiting for a bigger payoff with some of the details, like the vegetarianism and the census references. They didn’t quite click for me, though they may resonate more with other readers.

Overall, 25 Library Terrace is cozier than my usual picks, but it left me with that warm, reflective feeling I always appreciate. It’s a gentle reminder of how interconnected our stories really are, even across time.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this book.

25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie is an upcoming novel set in Edinburgh, exploring the lives of multiple generations who have lived in the same house. The story spans from 1911 to 2022, covering themes like women's suffrage, unconventional living arrangements, personal struggles, and the connections between past and present residents. The story intertwines the lives of multiple generations within a single Edinburgh home and has very rich historical detail and good story telling particularly with the focus of strong and determined women. The novel highlights the fight for women's rights, particularly through Ursula Black's involvement in the 1911 census protest. Her journey reflects the broader struggle for equality and independence. Across different eras, the house becomes a place where people redefine family and community. Throughout the story the challenges faced by each generation is explored and the house itself is a symbol of c0ntinuity carrying the stories and secrets of all who have lived there with it across the generations.

If you enjoy multi-generational stories and reflective historical fiction then this book is for you. The story serves as a reminder that while times change, certain values—love, kindness, and shared stories—remain constant. Really enjoyed this book and got very involved with it.

DNF 25%

Too wholesome and unproblematic that it’s boring. Not that there should be drama, but like any good music, even the fun ones should have some ebbs and flows. This is so monotonous that there’s no contrast between the good stuff v whatever challenges the family is facing whether it’s within or from outside forces. It may come later, but at a quarter in I expect a little bit of tension esp if this spans generations and multiple POV’s.

this book is such a wonderful read. i delved deep in and didnt come out until it finished. there is so much heart in this book. there is so much to learn and be reminded of by this book. and it really shines a light on how much times have changed which offers so much more kindness to people. but also how we should never stop trying to change and there is STILL a whole lot more work to do with so many things. but when i found myself getting a little down by this is was soon picked up by keeping reading again.
the book is about one big holding pen for so many lives that run through it over the span of decades. and that holding pen happen to be this gorgeous home. this gorgeous house.
the book opens with us in 1911 with a marriage.John is widowed and he has married Ursula who will now also be the stepmother to Ann and Finley. but this isnt a wicked stepmother trope. the children all flourish under her care and way of living. Ursula also become part of the suffragette movement and new movements in food. the legacy this woman leaves is someone i myself would love to have either known or followed. she set the tone for this house. almost like she was weaving herself through it. leaving herself, or her guidance amongst the atmosphere the next people would find.
then we have 1931. the daughter Ann now manages the house. she has grown under her own guidance from Ursula. so she creates a house for those who arent being helped by life. who find themselves with somewhere to stay and a kind place to stay.
then in 2011 the house is managed by Georgia who was raised by Ann. this story follows more broken or broken hearts of the people living in this house.
then we have 2022 and Tess the lady who we met in the timeline above is now managing the house. and this is how the woven threads of all the times and woman come together.
.this book is a really smart, heartfelt and thoughtful book. i loved it so very much and was so emotional between the lines of the book. i was invested in all the timelines which only goes to show just how brilliant it is. because you dont always get to feel involved in each timeline when a book writes about a few. it felt like i too was being enveloped in this house for a while.
i think we could all do with a house like this. or the kindness of that which went on there and made it the safe place and loved place it became.

Stories of women who have lived at 25 Library Terrace over many years. It was fun to think about the history that one place can hold. Only downside was once I'd feel invested in one character's story, it was time to move on and fast forward to the next person.
Thank you NetGally and the publisher for access to this eARC.

A House Full of Stories, Secrets, and Soul”

25 Library Terrace is an utterly enchanting read that blends historical fiction with contemporary storytelling in the most satisfying way. Spanning over a century, this novel beautifully captures the lives of the women who lived in one Edinburgh house—each shaped by their time, their choices, and the quiet magic of the place they call home.

From Ursula’s courageous defiance in 1911 to Tess’s fresh start in 2011, every chapter reveals how history echoes through generations. I loved how the book wove together themes of social change, personal growth, and connection—all through the lens of one ever-evolving address.

The shifting timelines are handled masterfully, and the characters feel real, flawed, and deeply human. The final section, set in 2022, brings everything together with warmth and emotional payoff.

A must-read for fans of Kate Morton or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo—and a perfect pick for book clubs. It reminds you that every home holds stories, if only we stop to listen.

A beautiful novel rich in atmospheric history, and love.

25 Library Terrace follows the lives of the people who lodge here from when it was first built in 1908 until 2022.

Through the years, we meet many interesting and inspiring people all stemming from Ursula, who in 1911 marries John, and as a second wife and step mother to his two children, begins making changes to the house and the way the family live.

We jump forward 20 years after she’s passed and follow Annie, her step daughter who continues Ursula’s work and rents out the rooms upstairs with a peculiar private rental agreement. All the tenants who stay at 25 Library Terrace are struggling with something in their lives, and have no where to go. It’s beautiful to see the bond they all make with Ursula, Annie, Georgia and then Tess over the years, and it’s inspiring to read about their growth.

I love that over the last 100 or so pages, it’s slowly revealed how everybody’s lives are intertwined. Is it coincidence? Or Divine intervention? Either way, it’s heartwarming and satisfying.

I do feel like just as we start to get a deeper understanding of things, time jumps ahead to the next landlady and her lodges but I also feel that having it written this way definitely kept me invested.

I loved 25 Library Terrace for the stark contrast between the different time periods. The way that the house withstood the times, while the residents became modern and still shared the same heart was simply beautiful.

For lovers of historical fiction, new found family, and strong women characters it’s a must read.

Thanks so much Netgalley and Embla books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I like how it followed generations of the women of a family. It touched on many issues that women faced through the years. I like that the men were supportive of their women. Well, maybe not Tess’ but she showed him!
I did find that it jumped pretty quick from timeline to timeline. I would have liked a little more connection or explanation leading into the next timeline. This was my first book by Natalie Fergie and it did not disappoint. I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Despite its title, this is not a book themed novel. Rather, it is about the residents of a house over a period of one hundred years.. This house serves as both setting and main character. Divided into four time periods, the philosophy of its residents doesn’t change much through the years, however, the times certainly have.

The book opens in 1911 with the marriage of office manager, Ursula, to her widowed boss, John. Ursula takes both her role as stepmother to children Ann and Finley seriously and sets a different tone for the atmosphere in the house. She flips the idea of the wicked stepmother coming in after the loss of a loving mother. The children thrive under her guidance and example. Ursula also becomes involved in the suffragette movement and embraces vegetarianism. Moreover, she establishes a more equitable and respectful relationship with the maid, Isobel. She leaves a long lasting legacy at 25 Library Terrace.

Fast forward to 1931. Daughter Ann now manages the house and utilizing Ursula’s methods and forward thinking, she establishes the house as a place for people to live when their lives have come undone.

By 2011, the house is managed by Georgia, raised by Ann. That part of the story focuses on tenant Tess , who comes to her by way of a broken relationship. While this part of the story forwards the theme of communal space for people who need it most, the Tess story was weak. The reason for the breakup and her violent reaction seemed over the top. In my mind, change of heart, though painful, is different from betrayal. Her reaction seemed implausible.

It concludes in 2022. Tess is now running the house and the threads of the four generations come together.
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It is a fast, satisfying read. The quirkiness of the characters and the path they forge is an interesting one. Food, intrinsic to their way of life, forwarded the communal spirit of the house. I must admit I was unfamiliar with many of the food ingredients discussed nor could I really picture the kitchen in its various incarnations but it didn’t take away from what was important.

I would recommend it as a reminder that no matter what the circumstances, kindness, generosity and trust in one another, can change lives.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Embla books for the opportunity to read this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this and at points it was really good. I fell in love with the characters unfortunately the duel POV just didn’t work for me, just as I was getting into someone’s part of the story it would move on and some characters had less then the others and I just needed more.

Having loved Natalie Fergie’s debut novel, The Sewing Machine, I was eager to read 25 Library Terrace. While this book took a little longer to draw me in, its rich historical scope—from 1911 to post-pandemic Edinburgh—kept me engaged and I was captivated by some of the character within its pages.

The author masterfully connects the lives of the women who lived in the house across generations, weaving in fascinating links to the census records and the evolving nature of the questions asked over time. These details add a compelling layer of realism, reflecting not only personal histories but broader societal shifts. The novel also explores themes like vegetarianism and social change, showing how cultural attitudes and personal choices have transformed across the decades.

From Ursula Black’s fight for women’s rights to Tess Dutton’s modern-day discoveries, each timeline unfolds with intricate detail, making the house itself feel like a silent keeper of history. As the narratives intersect, the novel beautifully examines identity, resilience, and how the past continues to shape the present.

The immersive storytelling and attention to historical nuance make 25 Library Terrace a deeply rewarding read. If you’re a fan of multi-generational fiction that explores the intersection of person

Brilliant, character driven, shadows and light.

25 Library Terrace tells the lives of a few of those who have lived in it, spanning just over 100 years, from when its build was just being finished into the early years of the 21st Century.

The protagonist changes but is always a strong woman, and we see them reflected through the social changes relevant to their lives.

A brilliant book, I wanted to read it without stopping and savor it slowly all at the same time,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Embla Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If houses could talk, 25 Library Terrace would have one hell of a story to tell—and Natalie Fergie makes sure we hear it in every layered, lovingly told detail.

Spanning more than a century, this quiet, character-driven novel unfolds through the lives of several women who, at different points in time, call the same Edinburgh house home. From Ursula’s census-defying feminism in 1911 to the post-pandemic threads tying everything together in 2022, this is a story that thrives on the gentle unraveling of family secrets, shifting societal norms, and the often-unexpected echoes of the past.

The pacing is on the slower side—this isn’t a book to rush through. But if you love stories where time hops feel earned, and the emotional payoff builds like the layers of wallpaper in an old Victorian terrace, you’ll be well rewarded. Also: census records as a narrative device? Nerdy and excellent.

It’s not quite a tearjerker, but it is quietly profound—and will especially hit if you’ve ever looked at your house and wondered who else found heartbreak, hope, or healing within those walls.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review—like a census protest, this opinion is entirely my own.

The story of a house and it's occupants over a long period of time. A whole bunch of fascinating characters who come together through the house.

Natalie Fergie’s 25 Library Terrace is a multi-generational novel set in Edinburgh, weaving together the lives of various inhabitants of a single house across different time periods. The narrative spans from 1911 to 2022, exploring themes of social change, personal growth, and the interconnectedness of human experiences.

The novel offers insightful social commentary, delving into issues such as women’s suffrage, alternative lifestyles, and the impact of historical events on individual lives. Fergie’s attention to historical detail provides a rich backdrop for the characters’ stories. 

However, the structure of the novel, which shifts perspectives between different characters and time periods, can be challenging. Just as readers begin to engage with one character’s story, the narrative transitions to another, leaving some storylines feeling underdeveloped. This approach may lead to a sense of disconnection and hinder emotional investment in the characters.

While the premise of exploring the life of a house through its various occupants is intriguing, the execution may not resonate with all readers. The frequent shifts in perspective and the resulting gaps in character development can make the reading experience feel disjointed.

An ambitious novel with commendable themes, but the fragmented narrative may not appeal to readers seeking a more cohesive and character-driven story.

I hope there is a sequel to 25 Library Street! I would genuinely love to know who lodges there next and what the future holds for Tess. A gloriously warm novel which made me feel like I was a part of the ‘family’. I will definitely search out more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.