Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley features a historical romance writer and bookstagrammer, second chance romance, enemies to lovers, a wedding, a trip to Italy AND a rather high maintenance dog. A lot for a debut novel but it mostly works most of the time.

TALK BOOKISH TO ME is Kate Bromley’s debut, and what a debut it is. A contemporary rom-com that had me laughing all the way through it. Kara is a romance writer, specifically historical romance, bodice rippers. She is having a hard time finishing her latest book. Her best friend is getting married, and she is a bridesmaid, but when she meets the groom and his wedding party, she is shocked. Her first love from college, the guy who cheated on her, is one of the groomsmen. Ryan Thompson’s unexpected arrival sparks Kara’s writing. Should she let him back into her life? What about planned trip to Italy for six months? Is this her best chance at a happily ever after?

This was such a fun story. I loved the banter between Ryan and Kara. Unfortunately Kara has some baggage that involves Ryan, even if he doesn't realize it. Can she get past those feelings? I loved Duke, Ryan's dog. All his scenes had me wanting to find him and give him a big hug. Ryan was a great character. Yes, he kept a secret, but it was for a good reason, wasn't it? Kara had an emotional journey throughout this story. Her interactions with her family and friends felt believable and the writing flowed through all the ups and downs seamlessly. The secondary characters in Kara's life all play a very important role in getting her to where she needed to be. I don't want to spoil anyone's reading of this story, so will leave it there. If you enjoy contemporary rom-coms, then pick up this book to read, I don't think you will be disappointed. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

Do not recommend. Didn’t engage me as a reader and dislike the cheating plot and some fat phobia was off putting. Would not recommend or purchase.

I absolutely loved this story. It was a great way to kick off my summer reading this year. I’ll read this again and recommend it to my friends.
NetGalley gave me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
#NetGalley

I was super into this novel right from the start. I fell in love with Kara and her quirky writer personality. I also really loved Ryan, her ex-boyfriend from college and first heartbreak.

I would probably categorize this as a Second Chance trope / Forced Proximity!

These two are seeing each other for the first time in ten years at a mutual friends wedding. Her best friend is marrying his childhood friend.

Despite the lightness of the book cover and the easy banter between Kara and Ryan, this book was just a tad heavy at times. The heartbreak of their split I felt down to my soul.

One quote that stood out to me, when we finally hear the full story of how it happened in a convo with her best friend Maggie,

“The way you told me that story, which by the way makes me want to sing Drivers License at full voice while wrapped in a blanket, 100% proves how not over you and Ryan are.”

I felt that lol.

I was rooting for the two of them. Nobody’s perfect. They both could have done things differently in the past.

And then…. When I got to the crisis that causes the two main characters to have a falling out… oh man. The crisis was ten fold. Usually in romance the crisis is something that can easily be bounced back from.. a misunderstanding, etc. uhhhh this one I kinda felt might not have been salvageable. Like, at all.

But, it’s a romance so it’s obviously it has an HEA. I honestly loved this book until that turning point. Shoot, I FELT that betrayal and wanted so much more for Kara.

Overall, I really loved it up until that point. Would I recommend you ready it? Yes! I just felt that that turning point in the story could have been toned down to a reasonable conflict that would have been more salvageable between the two characters.

But, I did enjoy all the #bookstagram references and the scene where they acted out a steamy part in the novel she was writing 🔥

Enemies to lovers was the theme between these lovers. When Kara met up with her ex Ryan, she had to decide if there was a spark between them. I loved how their love story progressed, with her being an author, it had another layer of authenticity to her characterization. a sweet read.

I'm a big of of frenemies to lovers, or past-lovers given second chances.... right from page one, I loved Kara's character and job! (historical romance author). Throw in a pre-wedding gathering and run in with her ex-lover from the past, and I was hooked. This coupe had a LOT of chemistry but also a LOT to work out. Right when I felt like they were moving on and finally finding their way back to one another, Bromley would throw in a wrench and it seemed like these two were just against all odds. Really loved this book and a perfect read for anyone who loves a witty romance full of tension!

I really wanted to like this book. An author using her romantic life to write a romance novel is right up this librarian's alley. My problem had to do with the incredibly long chapters and not feeling connected to the characters. The lives of the main characters felt overly involved and the speckling of book-within-a-book did not translate well to audio. I think this book would do well with fans of second chance romances and general romance lovers.

There were so many things happening in this rom-com including multiple settings. It took awhile for me to warm up to the main characters, I did like Duke and his lifestyle. The historical story within this story was very creative of the author. Those interested in how writers deal with deadlines will find this interesting. A good summer read.

What I loved most about this book was how it was so meta throughout. While talking so much about romance and alluding to tropes that were happening right at that time. I loved the character development and growth in this book and how they had to fight to be a couple, making it not always perfect all the time. Overall a really fun book I couldn't put down!

Kara reconnects with her first boyfriend at her best friend's pre-wedding party in this adult contemporary romance.

Talk Bookish to Me looks and sounds like a lighthearted second chance romance book, but it's actually full of emotional and triggering topics. While Kara and Ryan had chemistry at the beginning of the novel, it evaporates as the two spend time together. It was obvious Ryan had a secret he was keeping from Kara, and, oh boy, it was a doozy. Once it came to light, I could not root for him or their relationship. Others may enjoy the couple's reconciliation and Ryan's redemptive arc, but not me. I also didn't love the story within a story aspect - more time spent with the novel in my hands and less on Kara's manuscript would have been appreciated. It did contain some snappy and fun dialogue so perhaps I will give books by this author a *haha* second chance in the future.

tl;dr It may have had snappy dialogue, but I couldn't root for the couple after the male lead's secret came into the light.

I absolutely loved this book. I didn't want it to end. I love the book within the book idea and I've not experienced that before so it was new and fun for me. I highly recommend this book. You'll be sucked in and enjoy every second.

This is a fun book about books. It includes a Bookstagram, writing and reading books. This is an easy paced book that is sure to delight readers. Kara and Ryan are former college sweethearts who parted ways 10 years ago. Let's just say they did not part on the best of terms.

Fast forward to present day, Ryan and Kara run in to each other at the wedding of mutual friends. From the moment that they see each other, sparks fly. Once again, Ryan and Kara are verbally sparing with each other.

This is an enjoyable rom-com with some heavier topics. Possible triggers: sudden death and loss of a parent

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

It took a bit to get into this one. I wasn't really drawn to the characters, but I loved the dog Duke. But after about half way I thought it picked up and ended well.

Being an author on a deadline is rough – particularly when your best friend is getting married, you’re tasked with helping, and you’ve got a deadline approaching with nothing written. That’s just where we find Kara – a writer and bookstagrammer who’s got a full plate and then some. And with her best friend getting married and deadlines approaching – things are starting to move at a near frenetic pace. No real relationship since college, she’s steady trying to believe that the imaginary romances between the covers of the books on her shelf and those she pens are just enough.

But unexpected twists – some good, others not so, appear. The first in the form of her first love and ex Ryan, with his little bulldog in tow – and needing somewhere to stay in the week before the wedding. Kara seems to be a bit bulldozed and caught off guard – but the two do have things to talk about and unresolved issues from years earlier – maybe this will be the time. And, of course, the historical romance she’s trying (and failing) to write has now started to come to her as if in a dream – perhaps having Ryan around won’t be that bad?

Ok – so the premise here wasn’t horrible, and I love books about authors finding a bit of inspiration and the challenges they often go through. But, Kara’s willingness to take much of Ryan’s crap from the start – appearing out of the blue, engaged but more than ready and willing to take a chance at a dalliance / rekindling, as he compared a trip she didn’t ‘fully inform’ him of as akin to his infidelity and lack of concern for his own fiancé (not at the wedding). I was more than a bit frustrated with Kara, her willingness to play doormat to Ryan’s whims and desires and forgetting her own needs and desires. Told from Kara’s Pov, woven with ‘comparative scenes’ from the historic romance she’s writing to the present day – there was a great idea here, but it felt choppy and rushed. A bit uneven and less than laugh out loud with an ending that I felt did great disservice to the initial set up. Their first meeting when Ryan arrived seemed to hint toward actual resolution of long-held issues and answers to questions, but I felt more were ignored or brushed over or Kara took his ‘word’ without making him work a bit harder to prove his intentions and actual feelings. It was OK for me – and I am curious enough to see if this author can bring a premise that was so intriguing to a satisfying end while dealing with the issues in a more complete and less ‘brush them off’ sort of way.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aVD /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Review will be posted on 7/8/21

Kara Sullivan is an author of historical romances and love stories. However, she is currently feeling uninspired. She has a novel due to her publisher (she isn't done it!!) and she needs to submit it to them before her extended trip to Italy. Meanwhile, her best friend, Cristina, is getting married and at one of the parties prior to the wedding, in walks her college ex-boyfriend, Ryan. This isn't just any ex. This is the one who broke her heart and to make things even more awkward, she hasn't spoken to him in ten years. What is he doing at her best friend's wedding? She finds out that Ryan grew up with the groom and not only is he attending the wedding, he is in it! As the days go by, her and Ryan fall into old familiar habits and in turn, this inspires her writing. Maybe she can meet that deadline after all? Then Ryan and his dog get kicked out of their hotel and have no place to stay. Surprisingly, Kara offers up her place. What could go wrong? Well, at least Kara will have lots of inspiration for her upcoming novel. Kate Bromley's debut, Talk Bookish to Me, is a bookworm's kind of romance and is also perfect for fans of reunited love stories.

Kara is a fantastic character in Talk Bookish to Me. I enjoyed her bookish tendencies (obviously), her references to Bookstagram, and while I didn't always agree with her, I enjoyed her overall. Allowing Ryan to stay at her house seems a bit drastic, but if it's helping her writer's block perhaps it's worth it? Maybe. Kara's relationship with her mother and sister is also well developed in addition to the central love story of the novel. This leads me to my main issue in Talk Bookish to Me.

Ryan. Ugh. I just wasn't a fan, so I couldn't get behind the love story as much as I had hoped. I didn't like the secrets he was keeping and I didn't feel that Kara ultimately needed him around for inspiration. She can write her own novel (like she did before!!) without him. I wanted to shake her and tell her, "You don't need him!" I also didn't what Ryan was hiding. For me, his secret would have been a deal breaker. Best part of Ryan? His adorable dog, Duke.

I was surprised that Talk Bookish to Me jumped settings to Italy. This was a nice surprise and I really enjoyed this part of the novel. I mean who wouldn't? An extended vacation to Italy sounds ideal and also the perfect setting for a romance author!

While certain aspects of Talk Bookish to Me were a little disappointing; overall, I enjoyed it for the bookish content (there's a book within the book!), and the rekindled romance of a first love. Once I got over the fact that Ryan wasn't going to be the kind of character I would necessarily love and I just let the story flow, I enjoyed it a bit more. Nonetheless, if you are a bookish sort of person, check out Talk Bookish to Me.

LOVE. That’s how I feel about this book. Kara and Ryan’s love story is one of my new favorites. Kara is a BOOKSTAGRAMMER and an author. She often details how much work goes into taking book pictures, which I adored, because it’s so true. I also loved hearing about Kara’s writing process and wondered how much of the author’s actual experiences with writing went into Kara’s character.

Kara’s best friend Maggie is laugh out loud funny. I started this book in the grocery store and was laughing to myself while picking out produce.

Ryan is swoony, and while this seems like an enemies to lovers trope at first, it’s more of a second chance love story (and a tiny bit of forced proximity), and I am here for it. Absolutely adored this book.

Kate Bromley's "Talk Bookish to Me" is a contemporary "second chance/ enemies to lovers" romance with well-drawn characters and (hilarious) witty banter. I found myself invested in the side characters and their relationships with Kat, as well as Kat's romantic relationship with Ryan. I particularly enjoyed the snippets of Kat's regency romance WIP, a unique characteristic of the book and a creative way to show the reader Kat's feelings and thought process.

Overall, "Talk Bookish to Me" is likely to appeal to readers who are looking for an escapist, fun read. I would definitely recommend to fans of Christina Lauren ("The Unhoneymooners"), Helen Hoang ("The Kiss Quotient," "The Bride Test") and Emily Henry ("Beach Read").

This was a cute title and I overall mostly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be able to early read it!

“So far, I have the book lying on my windowsill and framed with twinkle lights. My curtains run along the edge of the photo and vintage book pages that I ordered online are scattered underneath. I look through the camera on my phone to check the lighting but there’s still too much empty space…’I never knew so much work went into these pictures,’ he says. ‘Most people don’t. Bookstagram is time-consuming but intensely worth it. And the sense of community is magical.’“

Kara Sullivan, a best selling romance novelist and influential bookstagrammer, finds herself with a deadline looming and writers block. When she runs into her ex at her best friends wedding she wonders if Ryan can be the great muse she is looking for to help her finish her historical romance.

A book within a book. Italy. A dog. An author. Bookstagram. An enemies to lovers trope. A best friends wedding. Did I mention Italy? I could leave the review at just that and I feel like you would know exactly what I mean and exactly why I loved this book so much. It was like a warm hug for any book lover or bookstagrammer.

If you love enemies to lovers or second chance romances, read this adorable book. Even if you don’t, read it for the love of dogs and books and pretty book pictures!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.