The Library of Fates by Margot Harrison Book Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25 stars)

"The Library of Fates" is a love letter to stories: the ones we read, the ones we tell ourselves, and the ones that quietly shape who we become.

Set across two timelines - college years in 1995 and the present day in 2019 - the novel follows Eleanor, a woman deeply shaped by childhood tragedy, who finds meaning and belonging in a mysterious library devoted to helping people understand their lives through books. At its heart is the Book of Dark Nights, a rare and dangerous volume that offers glimpses of the future in exchange for a confession from the past. When Eleanor’s mentor and the library’s keeper dies under suspicious circumstances and the book goes missing, Eleanor is forced back into the orbit of Daniel, the librarian’s estranged son and the man she once loved.

What unfolds is part mystery, part magical realism, and part second-chance love story, unfolding from Harvard to Paris as Eleanor and Daniel attempt to recover the book while navigating old wounds, regrets, and unresolved feelings. I especially appreciated that their relationship doesn’t magically snap back into place. Time has changed them, and the story honors that reality. Their reconnection is cautious, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded in a way that felt refreshingly true to life.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characterization. Eleanor and Daniel are complex, believable, and deeply human. Their choices make sense, even when they’re painful or imperfect. Eleanor’s longing for purpose and belonging is especially poignant, and Daniel’s complicated relationship with his parents adds emotional depth to the narrative. The themes of regret, forgiveness, and enduring love are woven gently but persistently throughout the story.

The writing has a beautiful rhythm and flow, and while a few descriptions felt slightly verbose, they never pulled me out of the story. The pacing stays steady, moving forward with purpose without feeling rushed. The balance between plot and character is particularly well done—the mystery drives the story, but it’s the emotional lives of the characters that give it weight.

My favorite moment was the rooftop scene at the end, which beautifully mirrors the ending of Eleanor’s own fictional story. It felt earned, tender, and quietly hopeful—a reminder that sometimes the future we imagine for ourselves can still find us, even years later.

If you enjoy magical realism, historical elements, and stories about books and destiny, "The Library of Fates" is absolutely worth picking up. Fans of "The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves" or "The Book of Doors" will feel right at home here.

Thoughtful, immersive, and emotionally satisfying, this was an easy recommendation for me.

Plot / Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐  

Writing Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Atmosphere/Vibes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Spice 🌶️ 

Overall ⭐⭐⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC. #TheLibraryofFates #NetGalley #hiveinfluencer @htp_hive @htpbooks