This romance features a cute cover and a fun premise of books (specifically, romances) vs. reality. Parts of it are really engaging--Ryan's bulldog Duke, Kara's girlfriends, her budding friendship with an Englishman in Rome, but I wasn't totally sold on the main love interest, because I wanted to see it rather than be told it. Promising, yes!

When I read the sentence “I spend mommy money on books” and Kara is a romance novelist and bookstagrammer, I knew I was in for a good read. I couldn’t wait to get to the crux of why Ryan and Kara didn’t last. Their synergy is evident, but they like to banter. I liked,how the wedding threw them together. I liked it when Kara talked about the different tropes in romance genre. I was surprised at the turn of events late in the book since I didn’t anticipate it. All in all I love all the books, the bookish setting, the cover, and the relationship angle of Talk Bookish to Me.

Talk Bookish to Me gives a refreshing look at taking a second (and sometimes third) chance at love. The characters show phenomenal growth over the course of the novel and are showcased making mistakes and really taking their time to think things through when it comes to forgiveness rather than just buckling and forgiving at the drop of a hat. I could not put the book down.

This second-chance romance started out very strong. There was humor, great chemistry, and a cute dog. I thought I was heading towards a 4 or 5 star read, and then her friend's wedding happened. My enjoyment came to a screeching halt. I don't think Ryan should have been forgiven at all, and I felt like this book was glorifying some pretty unhealthy patterns. I think the book would have been excellent and a more balanced read if her not telling him about Italy would have been The Conflict.

Kate Bromley, I am now hopelessly devoted to you. This book has ruined me for all rom-com’s in the foreseeable future. The dialogue was hilarious, the characters were extremely likeable, and the story was unpredictable. I found myself re-reading lines, just so I could enjoy them a second time. Kara and Ryan, your story is a permanent addition to my bookshelf.

I received an ARC through netgalley.

I really liked this book, I wasn't sure at first because things were moving pretty fast but it was very enjoyable. The scene where they act out her book is everything. I enjoyed the fact that we got an epilogue of them with their kids, it was very cute.

A light hearted romance novel about a young writer facing an upcoming manuscript deadline, her best friend’s wedding and an impending 6 month working vacation in Italy. Her plans are uprooted when her best friend’s fiancé invites two childhood friends to the wedding and one of them is her college ex-boyfriend. Sparks are sure to fly at the wedding, read this and find out.
#TalkBookishtoMe #NetGalley

A cute and light novel about finding love. Talk Bookish to Me is good for anyone who is a lover of books and romance. This is a great read for a fun weekend or just lounging by the pool this summer. #NetGalley

This should be more charming than it is, especially to book lovers. A second chance romance, the premise is good and there are cute moments, but ultimately the characters aren't quite likeable enough to feel super invested in their reunion.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF: 25%

I feel a bit cheated. The cover is adorable. The title speaks to me. The synopsis sounds so promising! All of those parts seemed like they were going to add up to a delightfully entertaining whole. And yet, I could not keep going.

The dialogue is NOT. GOOD.

I may have been able to keep reading it if there hadn't been any dialogue -- maybe. It was so childish and stilted that it cheapened the characters. They seemed way younger than they're supposed to be because of it. And it was hardly realistic. It all just felt awkward and clunky, like it was trying too hard.

I had some issues with the characters, too. Cristina is a terrible friend if her first thought when her best friend's ex-boyfriend shows up is to see how she can manipulate the situation to throw them together. I didn't get far enough into the story to really know what went down between Kara and Ryan but I got the sense that it wasn't good and that Cristina knew some of the details. Her instincts here were awful.

Ryan vacillates between being angry at Kara and seemingly wanting to be with her and it kills the possibility of any romantic tension. It also makes for an exhausting character because as a reader, I didn't see any reason for him to vacillate. The history between Ryan and Kara is divulged in a way that prevented me from caring about them.

As it stands, I do not recommend this book at all.

It was pretty cute and I liked it. Your quintessential contemporary romance, set in NYC, with a cute dog. There were some serious subjects but overall it was pretty light and easy to read.

This was a different story but, I really enjoyed it. I was easy to get caught up in the lives of the characters This was a different story but, I really enjoyed it. I was easy to get caught up in the lives of the characters. The story centers around romance novelist Kara Sullivan. The story is told from her point of view. Kara reconnects with a former boyfriend, Ryan, at her friend’s wedding. This reconnection brings up a lot of feelings which Kara must deal with. She is also trying to meet a deadline and finish her current novel.

The story is also told through excerpts of her novel. This is an exciting plot with engaging characters. And a few plots twists to keep the reader engaged. Can love survive the challenges of the modern world?. The story centers around romance novelist Kara Sullivan. The story is told from her point of view. Kara reconnects with a former boyfriend, Ryan, at her friend’s wedding. This reconnection brings up a lot of feelings which Kara must deal with. She is also trying to meet a deadline and finish her current novel.

The story is also told through excerpts of her novel. This is an exciting plot with engaging characters. And a few plots twists to keep the reader engaged. Can love survive the challenges of the modern world?

Cute idea, author solves her writer's block by getting together with her long ago ex. However, I wasn't particularly invested with the characters. I'm also not a fan of books that rely on miscommunication as a plot device.

A sweet, charming read. Readers are immersed in Kara's life as she finds her own happy ending. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

Hilariously witty and charming, what I liked most about this book is that Lara was nothing but herself. Whether it be guilt regarding her dad, what could have been with Liam, or how her feelings towards Ryan never disappeared, she never changed and her self confidence never disappeared. Like her romance novels, love like that truly can happen. Of course, Duke, Mia and Tim were charming additions. Cristina and Maggie confirmed that it is better to have great friends than many acquaintances. Great read.

Past love is not my favorite trope for romance, but I found myself enjoying this book with its witty banter and forced proximity until......well, until I didn't.

Blocked romance writer Kara (and her mother) need significant grief counseling to come to terms with Kara's father's sudden accidental death a decade earlier. Hero Ryan, an engineer (I think) is a bit of a gaslighter, if we're being completely honest. Both he and Kara say some pretty awful things to one another, both during admittedly traumatic times in their past, but in present day as well.

There are SEVERAL Big Misunderstandings throughout, and I feel that's been out of fashion in novels for many years now. Seriously, who "forgets" to mention they're leaving for a six month stay in Italy in 4 days?

1st person, single POV, present tense narrator.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley, opinions my own.

Kara Sullivan is a bestselling romance writer coming quickly to the deadline of her next book...and she's blocked! It's just days before her best friend's wedding, and she's the maid of honor. At the rehearsal dinner they finally meet the groom's best friend, none other than Kara's college ex Ryan Thompson. Some unforgivable things were said in the breakup and now they both hate each other, but that needs to be put aside for the sake of the wedding. As Kara spends more time with Ryan, their snarky banter has an unexpected side effect...she's writing again! When Ryan needs a place to stay until the wedding, Kara offers her home to her unexpected muse and his adorable bulldog Duke.
Unlike your typical romance as described in detail in the book, these characters seemed more real with their own problems and mistakes. Real life isn't black and white and sometimes it's the hardships and mistakes you learn to forgive that make for true love and romance. And these two have plenty of those! I absolutely loved Ryan's dog Duke too! He reminds me off a couple dogs I've had in the past. Sometimes it's those interrupted romantic moments that are most memorable and hilarious.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Oh, I loved this book! I fell in love with both Kara and Ryan and had to find out what happened so read the book in one day. For fans of romcoms, second chance romances, and a book with all the feels, this is one you'll love! I'd gladly read more by Kate. Thank you for allowing me the chance to read and review.

I found Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley just ok. The main characters Kara and Ryan dislike each other because they broke up ten years ago. Kara is a fiction author with a great book contract but is unable to produce the book she's already been paid for. Somehow I never got excited about a potential rebirth of romance and I didn't get frantic about the book's deadline. Even the vacation in Italy was just ok. Maybe Kara and Ryan are just not my type.

I loved this story, it had all of the things you want from a romance, a past love, a second chance, new beginnings, joy, broken heart, soul searching, forgiveness, and a future. I loved the characters in this story. Kara could be feisty and fun but she carries so much quilt for something that was not her fault. Ryan is sexy, cocky, has the most adorable dog and is still in love with the one he lost. This story takes us through Kara and Ryan reuniting, the anger still there, the chemistry still there, and the love that grows again. Like most romances there is angst, hurt feelings, mistakes, and sadness. I enjoyed reading about her time in Italy and I liked meeting Liam. I loved what Ryan gave to Kara, the letters were beautiful and honest. Her friend Liam gave her the best advice in the whole book and that was the only reason I was okay with the decision she made, it changed everything. The wrap up of this story was really sweet and the epilogue was fantastic. I also want to say I really enjoyed her being a writer and loved the story within a story. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me a digital ARC for my honest review.