When it comes to books about books, I'm all in. Kate Bromley's debut novel, Talk Bookish to Me, is packed with bookish references and second chance emotions.

The last time Kara and Ryan last saw each other was in college, right before their relationship crumbled. Fast forward 10 years, when they're mutual friends are getting married and they are forced together for the festivities. Cue unresolved feelings, truth to their side of breaking up, and chemistry they can't deny is still there.

This was a great read and loved this story so much, I finished it in one day (I had to know how it ended so badly). You won't be disappointed...side note: the twist is gut wrenching! (I could hardly breathe when it happened!)

This book was me. Genuinely me in a book. Ok, not completely – but so many parts. You guys, this book talks about BOOKSTAGRAM!

It was so fun reading about a woman making it in the publishing world but truly struggling with deadlines and inspiration. It was wonderful to see our book community highlighted in a book – talking about the challenges of the photography and the wonders of the people.

While my life isn’t quite the same as the events in this book, it was one that warmed my heart to read and I couldn’t put it down.

🆂🆈🅽🅾🅿🆂🅸🆂
𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙈𝙚 follows Kara Sullivan, a bestselling romance novelist and influential bookstagrammer. While she tends to write about romance, her personal romances are on hold.

Right now, her best friend is getting married in a week. At a pre-wedding party, Kara is introduced to one of the groom’s childhood friends and groomsmen – who also happens to be Kara’s head-over-heels love story from college: Ryan.

Having ended on bad terms, Ryan and Kara butt heads a lot, with witty sarcasm and digs toward one another. But it’s possible that their hostility is masking the truth: that their feelings for one another may have never gone away.

But can Kara trust him again? After everything he put her through? Everything she put him through? Isn’t history bound to repeat itself? Is love worth it? And in the meantime, can she use their tension to complete her newest book and meet her deadline?

Kate Bromley’s debut novel Talk Bookish to Me is a contemporary romance that was irresistible to me because it features so many of my favorite things. It’s set, first in Manhattan and then later in Italy, it features a romance author as the protagonist, and it’s equal parts enemies-to-lovers and second chance romance. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you can see this book practically has my name written all over it. Talk Bookish to Me didn’t disappoint either. It’s filled with loveable characters, witty and hilarious banter, some seriously intense chemistry, and, as if all of that isn’t enough, there’s also an adorable bulldog named Duke.

The story follows Kara Sullivan, who is a romance writer with no inspiration to write. With the deadline for her latest novel fast approaching, Kara needs to find the spark that will get her writing mojo back on track. That spark unexpectedly appears in the form of her ex-boyfriend, Ryan, who she runs into because he is in town for their friend’s wedding. Kara and Ryan parted on bad terms ten years ago and after this tense and awkward reunion, Kara is suddenly able to crank out a few chapters for her book. When Ryan’s dog, Duke, destroys their hotel room and gets Ryan kicked out, Kara surprises herself and offers to let Ryan and Duke stay at her place. Her thought behind this crazy idea is that if she continues to trade barbs with Ryan, perhaps she’ll be inspired enough to actually get her book written on time. What could possibly go wrong?

I had so much fun reading this book. I loved Kara right away and found her so relatable. She’s fun, sweet, quirky, and not only is she an author, she also loves to take photos of books and post them on Bookstagram. In many ways she felt like a kindred spirit. She’s also carrying around some pretty heavy emotional baggage involving her father’s death that put me in her corner rooting for her all the more.

Ryan is a great character too. I loved watching him with his dog and his banter with Kara is just so entertaining. It’s clear from the moment they reconnect that he still cares for her and would love a second chance. The more I watched them interact, the more I wanted him to get that second chance as well. I will say there was one moment where I really wanted to kick his butt and wanted Kara to kick it as well, but he eventually digs himself out of that hole and then I was rooting for the two of them to get their long-postponed happily ever after.

I also enjoyed the way the author gave us Ryan and Kara’s journey but also mixed in chapters from Kara’s book as she was writing it. It was fun to see what her interactions with Ryan inspired her to write each step of the way.

Talk Bookish to Me is a fun and sexy read that is sure to please romance fans.

Talk Bookisk To Me by Kate Bromley was a really cute and cozy second chance romance that gives you all the feels. I really enjoyed Kara and Ryan as characters. Their problems felt genuine and as characters they were relateable.
The reason why I knocked it down a star was because I did not like the eventual "conflict" they had (as all romance novels do). The miscommunication trope is to over used and very annoying.
Otherwise it was solid book and a great summer read.

Ah- a second chance romance with a romance novelist in the lead! Kara is excited for her BFF's wedding but not so much when Ryan, her college love, turns up with his bulldog and has to spend rime on her couch. She's a romance novelist who started writing when they broke up and now she's got a deadline for her new book but Ryan... Here's the thing, Ryan has a secret he really should have disclosed immediately, Not good. However, he does have some redeeming qualities, among them the ability to verbally spar with Kara. I liked the bits of Kara's novel, enjoyed her, was surprised by the secrets and well, liked this as a rom com. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. This would make a good beach read.

After having her heart broken by her college boyfriend, Kara Sullivan found success as a romance author, publishing hit historical romance after hit historical romance. Then her inspiration dried up, and her agent wants the next book on her desk. Just when she thinks she might be in a hole too deep to dig herself out of, in walks Ryan Thompson, the very same college ex who destroyed her emotionally ten years ago. But then something strange starts happening: Kara gets over her writer’s block around Ryan, and chapters start flowing after they’ve been together. Kara thinks her problems might be solved. Her old college flame is now blazing back in her life. Her next book might actually get finished on time. But when the past comes roaring into the present, and Kara discovers Ryan’s been keeping secrets, she will have to decide just what kind of ending she’s going to write for herself.

Like any good romance heroine, I fell instantly for Kara and Ryan as soon as they walked onto the page. They had the sort of chemistry that you can feel sizzling and smoldering, and they perfectly embodied the exes-back-to-lovers trope. Kara and Ryan were both wonderfully flawed characters, and there was so much tension throughout the story that I found myself questioning whether we would actually get a happily-ever-after from these two even though it was obvious they were meant for each other. I loved that Kara was both a) a historical romance author, and b) a self-professed bookstagrammer; she was clearly a character after my own heart. I’m absolutely a sucker for when authors write characters who are readers and book nerds, and Kara was not about to let anyone, especially Ryan, shame her for all the romance tropes on her book shelves. Ryan was far from perfect, but after reading far too many romances where the woman is an emotional wreck after a break up and begs the man to take her back, I liked that Bromley made it the man’s turn to beg for a second chance. I also liked that Kara wasn’t necessarily the strong, alpha female, either. We see Kara go through a lot of emotional growth in this story, which is definitely an added bonus to the romance plot. I loved these characters, I loved the whole bookishness about it all, and I would love to read more from Kate Bromley set in this universe.

The cover and the title totally got me on this one. I mean, Talk Bookish to Me?! How could I not. Kara is a romance writer, but she’s struggling to finish (or even start) her next book. With her bridesmaid’s duties ramping up for her best friend’s impending wedding, and a six-month trip to Italy planned right after that (paid for with her advance), Kara is running out of time to be inspired. Until, inspiration walks into her best friend’s rehearsal dinner in the form of her ex-boyfriend from college, Ryan.
The backstory behind Ryan and Kara’s relationship was detailed and heartbreaking and added a lot to their present day storyline. As they reconnected, their chemistry was palpable and the growing romance was illustrated through cute, believable scenes that I could picture perfectly.
The story changed significantly when Kara is living in Italy, but I loved that just as much. The change of scenery was just as beautifully depicted and Kara’s experiences there added even more of an understanding of her character.
My one big problem with this book was the infidelity aspect. For me, this took away a lot from my enjoyment of the romance and I wished there had been a different conflict that didn’t detract from the characters in the same way.

Review to be posted in May and links added then.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed the story. It was fun and light. The characters were very enjoyable. Second chance love stories are some of my favorites. Ryan and Kara had a history and all the feelings they had in their college years resurfaced when they saw each other at their friends wedding 10 years later.
They were definitely made for each other. The love they had for each other was strong.
Kara’s novel writing process and snip its of the novel she was writing was a great add on to the story. Her trip to Italy and meeting Liam was very interesting to read about.
I didn’t like the cheating part, that was the only thing that is preventing me from giving it higher rating. Cheating is never okay, not being honest and leading someone on and making them feel like “the other woman” is never okay. I understand the heat of the moment but still can’t overlook that part.
The ending was super cute. I’m glad they found their HEA after the obstacles they had to face.

A book about a romance writing bookstagrammer?!? Yes please - sign me right up!!

Straight out of the gait I adored Kara, her fun friends, and the man from her past, Ryan. The wit and banter was exceptionally top notch and had me laughing out loud. There was a bit of the “book within a book” happening here as Kara was climbing out of her writing slump, which I loved! I found myself so invested in this adorable relationship!!!

This book was moving along as a literal five star read for me: I found a new book boyfriend in Ryan, I was shopping for apartments in Tudor City, and wishing I had a farting bulldog. Then the surprise happened and my heart broke immediately in half. There are certain things in fiction (and IRL) that are unforgivable for me and this surprise was one of them. Possibly a personal preference, but it changed my view of the rest of the book. Ugh.

BUT!!! I still loved it. This book was a true celebration of romance as a genre and such an incredible debut! I adored Bromley’s writing and will be first in line for anything that comes next!! Thank you to the author for an early copy in exchange for my honest review!!

Kara is a romance writer who isn't feeling a lot of inspiration lately, and her deadline is only a month away (ouch!). In the midst of it all, her best friend is getting married in a week, and Kara is the maid of honor. So what doesn't Kara have time for? Well, she definitely doesn't have time for ex-boyfriend, Ryan, who was her first love during college 10 years ago.

Ryan is up for the week for his best friend's wedding, and is surprised as Kara to find that their paths have crossed again. He has a hotel room all worked out, but he makes the mistake of leaving his sort of needy bull dog alone in the room (without first playing his lullabye playlist to make sure the little darling was asleep while he snuck out. In a burst of abandonment fear, Duke destroys the hotel room and gets him and Ryan kicked out for the remainder of the week.

Ryan has nowhere else to go but to the bride and groom's to crash on their couch, totally ideal the week before a wedding, right? Kara does what any best friend would do and invites Ryan to crash her apartment and save her bride friend's sanity.

What follows is an examination of what exactly happened to their relationship ten years ago? Mistakes were made on behalf of both parties, and netiher has ever really gotten over the other. But is rekindling their romance just as easy as that?

I loved this book. I loved the little book within a book that occurs as we see Kara writing her own novel as she gets to know Ryan again (he works as her muse) and I enjoy their quick witted back and forths to each other. The sense of humor is this book really works for me, and made it highly enjoyable.

And you can't go wrong by putting a cute and needy little bulldog into the mix!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for offering me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Inspiration can come from the most unlikely—and inconvenient—sources.

In Kate Bromley's novel, TALK BOOKISH TO ME (GraydonHouse), Kara Sullivan’s life is full of love—albeit fictional. As a bestselling romance novelist and influential Bookstagrammer, she’s fine with getting her happily-ever-after fix between the covers of a book.

But right now? Not only is Kara’s best friend getting married next week—which means big wedding stress—but the deadline for her next novel is looming, and she hasn’t written a single word. The last thing she needs is for her infuriating first love, Ryan Thompson, to suddenly appear in the wedding party. But Ryan’s unexpected arrival sparks a creative awakening in Kara that inspires the steamy historical romance she desperately needs to deliver.

With her wedding duties intensifying, her deadline getting closer by the second and her bills not paying themselves, Kara knows there’s only one way for her to finish her book and to give her characters the ever-after they deserve. But can she embrace the unlikely, ruggedly handsome muse—who pushes every one of her buttons—to save the wedding, her career and, just maybe, write her own happy ending?

Anything with the word book, library, bookstore, bookstagrammer, you get the idea, in the title is the book for me. I loved how delightful TALK BOOKISH TO ME was. Perfect mind candy!

3.5 Stars

Kara is a romance author with a major case of writer's block. Her deadline is looming, and despite the fact that her job as maid of honor for her best friend's wedding is surrounding her with plenty of romantic vibes, inspiration has never felt farther away. Until she meets the groomsman she'd previously only heard about, and it turns out he's the same Ryan she dated in college and never quite got over. Despite all the resentment and past hurt now bubbling to the surface, Kara finds herself able to churn out a few chapters when the evening is over. Could being around this man she never wanted to see again be the solution to all her problems? And what happens if, in the course of getting her book written, she gets her heart broken all over again?

I enjoyed most everything about this book. The characters were charming, the banter was funny, and there was an adorable dog with very special needs (including a specific naptime playlist that included Celine Dion). I really liked the sample chapters of Kara's book, which mixed in a little historical romance with the contemporary.

My issues came about 3/4 of the way through the book, where it took an abrupt dramatic turn involving infidelity and a 6-month hiatus in Italy. The story went a little off the rails there, and I lost interest a little bit. It was hard to stay invested in the characters when one was suddenly a cheater and the other is off eating pizza with another person. (I'm being vague on pronouns to avoid spoilers.)

However, for the most part, I liked this debut from Kate Bromley, and I'll be interested to see what she does next.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**

This was a really sweet and cute story. I really loved Kara's character and the fact that she was a romance writer. The way that the author intertwined the romance that Kara was writing with her own story was really cute and creative. The story was heartbreaking at times, but overall hopeful. The scenes that took place in Rome were my absolute favorite. I could picture myself there and it just felt like the best place for Kara to clear her head and experience some personal growth. Thank you to Netgalley and Graydon House for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this debut from Kate Bromley. It’s witty and clever and funny. Neither of the MCs are anywhere remotely close to being perfect (in fact, they were both jerks at times), but something about them kept me rooting for them, which I’m sure was the author’s intent. And some of the sarcastic dialogue was so unbelievably funny, it literally made me laugh out loud.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I had this book on my net galley shelf for a while because the title and the cover made this book look like a cringe and corny romance. If I saw it at a bookstore, I probably wouldn't pick it up or turn it around to read the summary, which is such a shame because..

I LOVED IT!

I am not usually a romance reader, but this book was so perfect. The thing I loved the most was Kate Bromley's cheeky dialogue and narration. Kara and Ryan had such a funny back and forth that I found myself reading every word, and not skimming at the slow parts. Sometimes I feel like writers save their funniest bits for a single character, but the wit was delivered consistently throughout at a high level. Also, I loved the writer/ Bookstagrammer part of it! It made me and my little bookstagram feel seen.

I would definitely recommend this book to others, and my followers!

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review.
A thousand shades of nope. At first I thought it was kinda cute with the romance writer heroine, and while the romance didn’t click with me and there were some somewhat icky casual things, like fatphobia and romance genreshaming, I decided to stick it out a bit longer Big mistake. Then, when it still wasn’t clicking with me, I went to look at the reviews, and holy Batman…how is Ryan a romance hero?! He’s engaged to someone else, the woman she thought he was cheating with when they originally broke up. At the time he wasn’t, but now he is, and it’s been going on for SIX MONTHS. Apparently, Kara also ultimately forgives him, according to a spoilery rant review from a trusted fellow reviewer. How have more people not noticed? Cheating is such an unforgivable thing in romance, and while I forgive screwing up once (preferably in the past), this was intentional, and pouring salt in a wound. I know how this goes, but I hope in the “after the book” times, Kara dumps him and finds someone more worth her time.

I love bookish romances so much and add some lovers to enemies to lovers and I enjoyed that too. I thought it was cool to add “clips” of her WIP to the story as well. I also thought her friends were great and were totally relatable friends. The only issue I had with it was the conflict in the relationship at the end. It was well written but cheating isn’t next my favorite thing to read about.

When I saw the synopsis for this one, I knew I would have to read it and give it a chance, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! This book combines so many of my favorite things (hello.. romance novels, and bookstagram!), and it is done in a well-thought-out way. I really liked the main character, Kara, and her sarcastic wit was fantastic. Kara is a best-selling romance author, but her own love life leaves something to be desired. Enter Ryan, her college boyfriend turned nemesis. The love/hate between these two was evident from the minute they bumped into each other. I loved the way the author navigated their reunion and made it seem pretty realistic. Also, throughout the book, we get snippets of a historical romance that Kara is writing (and all told, if that was a real book, I'd happily read it, too!). This was an enjoyable romance that had a lot of good elements, including good secondary characters, great dialogue, trips abroad, and some turns that I was not expecting. Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC of this novel to review.

I loved this book! It is the story of a romance writer who connects with her college ex-boyfriend at her best friends wedding. They didn’t have the best breakup so are not very happy to see each other. But are the sparks still there?

This is a feel good read perfect to escape everything around you. I laughed out loud at several points. It reads like a typical rom-com but as explained in the book, just because something follows the same basic outline as something else does not mean it’s not exciting. I also loved how she was writing her book during this book and she is a bookstagrammer! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a laugh, fellow bookstagrammers, or anyone who loves reading about books.

Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley is a refreshing and hilarious contemporary romance releasing just in time for Memorial Day weekend. The story follows Kara Sullivan’s journey prepping for her best friend’s wedding amid a looming publishing deadline, and she hasn’t written a single word. If that wasn’t enough stress to deal with, things are further complicated when she finds out her ex-boyfriend Ryan Thompson is a part of the wedding party. Kara is a bestselling romance author and an influential bookstagrammer. Ryan’s unexpected appearance strikes a lightning bolt of creativity for her. Kara decides that for the sake of her career, she’s willing to put up with the man who broke her heart to meet her deadline and enjoy the trip she’s spent her entire life planning for. As Kara and Ryan spend more time together, Kara begins to question are second chances at love only reserved for the characters in her books?

I couldn’t put the book down. The characters are what drove this novel. Kara is an incredibly relatable character. She’d much rather dig her head in a book than face what is in front of her. I think that is a concept that many could relate to. Fear of heartbreak, failure, or not being good enough are all relatable human flaws. She is constantly dealing with the pressure that she is only as good as her last book. In her avoidance to deal with her current writer’s block, she is neglecting to deal with the root of her past traumas. She consistently ignores her agent’s phone calls and emails and lies to her mother, telling her the book is coming along wonderfully. When in reality, everything she writes, she has erased, until Ryan’s reappearance in her life.

The banter between Kara and Ryan had me in stitches. They knew exactly how to push each other’s buttons. Their effortless dialogue was evident of their intimate past:


“You and I both know you experienced a trauma,” Ryan says solemnly.
“You had some turbulence on a flight to Denver as a child. I’m not sure that could be considered a trauma.”
“When you’re seven years old, dramatic turbulence feels like you’re plummeting directly into the pits of hell. I would have thought you’d be a little more sensitive.”
“I am sensitive, but it’s kind of extreme that one bad flight made you anti-plane for the rest of your life.”

This is just a sample of the banter that awaits you in Talk Bookish to Me. Ryan and Kara’s history sets the foundation for these pieces of observed detail to be pulled through for the reader. Those easy-going conversations gave you glimpses into what their previous relationship would have been like and how that same banter could so quickly fragment into frustration and anger. Hate and love is a fine line these two often dance on. There were times when I was simultaneously routing and shaming Ryan. However, his flaws and how the characters move forward throughout the book are part of what makes this couple so relatable. They aren’t perfect; they’ve gone through peaks and valley. Kate keeps you on the edge of your seat with some very unexpected plot twists I didn’t see coming. But, watching the couple’s evolution felt like routing for my close girlfriend and the man we all know she should be with.

While the book was an effortless read, the novel is underscored by several other heavier themes. Kara has struggled with the grief she carries from her father’s death, and the regret she takes with her has continued to influence the relationships she has in her life. She also navigates a complicated relationship with her mother, who has changed since the loss of Kara’s father. Kara has to learn to stand her ground for who she is and what she believes.

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to read about a second chance romance, with dynamic characters, witty dialogue, and a good laugh. It was light and uplifting yet covered themes and struggles many could relate to.