The Block Room

Title: The Block Room

Author: Lloyd Harvey

Genre: Contemporary Literary

Publisher: The Book Guild

Published Date: 2025

Book Length: 560

Format Read: Paperback

Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend

About Book: In a small Lancashire town, two lives intersect with secrets buried deep within a century-old mill.

After serving in the Gulf War, Dev opens a bakery in an abandoned wallpaper mill, seeking peace and purpose. Meanwhile, Dani, haunted by her family’s troubled history, leaves Manchester and moves in with her grandmother, whose own past is tied to a scandal at the mill dating back to 1915.

As Dani and Dev grow closer, they uncover dark secrets that link Dani’s family to the mill. A hidden room within its walls holds answers to long-buried mysteries, from a love affair with a spy to a shocking betrayal. As events unfold, Dani must confront her own buried guilt, while Dev faces his unfulfilled feelings.

When past and present collide, can Dani and Dev find peace, or will history’s sins consume them?

My Thoughts: The Block Room by Lloyd Harvey is a contemporary novel—and at 560 pages, it’s definitely on the chunky side. The first part of the book sets the scene and introduces the two main protagonists: Dev and Dani. Dev is a young war veteran, wounded both physically and emotionally, who’s trying to rebuild his life by doing something that brings him joy—opening a bakery. Dani, on the other hand, is running from a fractured family and finds herself living in a squat until life offers her a turning point.

Harvey layers the detail with real depth. For me, at times, it felt a little too detailed—I caught myself skimming through a few sections just to get back to the heart of the story. That said, the atmosphere he creates is rich and immersive.

The chapters switch between the points of view of Dev and Dani, interspersed with chapters from the past. I really enjoyed these historical elements—they added texture and a sense of legacy to the narrative.

The story unfolds slowly, just like the characters themselves. With every turn of the page, another clue or connection is revealed. You can feel the individual pain of both Dani and Dev—and as the story progresses, you witness their gradual healing. It’s tender, thoughtful, and beautifully human.

The Block Room is a story about finding purpose and rebuilding from brokenness. While the pacing might be slow for some, it rewards patient readers with a layered, heartfelt journey. If you enjoy character-driven novels with a touch of history and a strong emotional core, this might just be your next read.