Nora Hughes love books, so what better place is there for her to begin her career with books than an editorial assistant position at Parsons Press. But what she didn't count on was the continual restructuring, downsizing, overworking and underpaying that comes along with a job at Parsons Press, and now she is hanging on by a thread because they cut her already non existent pay.

Enter an opportunity to pick up some extra cash moonlighting for a rival publisher, which she secretly takes, leveraging old Parsons authors with her new job to try and secure a better position in the future. When she meets author Andrew Santos in an unfortunate meet cute at Parsons, things get even more complicated for her, and for both of her jobs, too, when she tries to sway his decision professionally while also falling for him personally.

This was a great debut novel that hooked me right from the start. It touches on topics such as mental health, happiness, and basically just trying to get your life together in adulthood, which is obviously really, really hard. I was on the edge of my seat with Nora as she juggled both jobs and her blossoming relationship with Andrew, and cringed every time I thought "it's all about to come crashing down!"

4.5 stars and a great and entertaining read. Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars

Must Love Books was much more of a finding yourself journey than a romantic journey. Nora, the main protagonist, is barely scraping by as an editorial assistant at a small publishing company that mostly specializes in business books. She doesn't particularly like her job and her co-workers are the only bright spot in her day - until they all slowly get laid off or leave for other opportunities. Nora knows that she needs to make a change soon and one of her options is to sign her company's biggest author for a new contract and secure a promotion. However, the author is sweet, sincere, and smart (the three big s's?) and she knows that he could do better at a bigger publisher. Nora winds up in quite a pickle where her career and her love life are all on the line. The question is, will she be able to salvage either one?

This story really doesn't focus on romance as the main storyline, which is perfectly okay. This is more a career crisis and finding out how to be financially stable while still enjoying life and your job. I could absolutely relate to Nora's struggles with career and finances so I kind of felt at home with this. You leave this book feeling soothed and better about life, so I'm going to call that a win.

Loved this book! I used to work in publishing and this was as if I had stepped back into the office once again. The details were spot on, the characters believable, and the romance was sweet. Great job for a debut novel! I could not put it down and cannot wait to read more by Shauna Robinson.

"But some uncertainties were better than a lot of other certainties."

Must Love Books is a heartfelt, realistic and very charming and encouraging novel.

The behind the scenes of the publishing industry and what it's like as an editorial assistant was very interesting to follow. That the author herself started out in publishing was definitely helping to really understand what working at a publishing house can look like. And I liked the representation of Black/non white main characters, such as our protagonist Nora and her possible love interest, Andrew.

I could easily sympathy with Nora. She's a smart and sweet woman, who's struggling to find her path and realizes that she's been stuck in a job she doesn't even like anymore, which has taken a toll on her mental health as well. It takes such bravery and courage to admit these problems to oneself and then actually change something about them. Her kind nature brought understanding to her motifs and actions, and she turned out to be a very well developed character who I only wished the best for.

And she too did receive understanding from the people she's worked with. Having people at work you get along with does have such a big impact on your contentment as well. Nora was very reflective and self-aware of her behavior and actions, which showed to me, that there's always room for learning and becoming better.

"I think I have a tendency to accept what I'm given instead of asking for what I want."

And you guys, I have to say, Andrew Santos is the absolute nicest guy there is. Ugh, I can't get over how genuine and sweet he was with Nora. This is definitely not a sappy love story with a happy ever after for everyone, but a story of growth and asking for help when needed. It's about listening to your guts and setting yourself on a journey of self-discovery, while dealing with your demons and intensely taking care of your mind and health.

The author touched on Nora's struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide even. Some kind of trigger warning would've been nice, or maybe a follow up by the end of the book with resources on mental health and even suicide hotlines, as I wasn't expecting this dark turn from the book cover and premise alone. It was a realistic approach to Nora's issues and I wholeheartedly appreciate the author for going that route, because these things have been sitting with me at times too.

Between the funny dialogues and sweet moments Nora had with her colleague Will, her friend Beth or even Andrew's nudging and helping, I can genuinely recommend this book. It's an easy read, not always light on topics but still very enjoyable, hopeful and heartwarming

Must Love Books absolutely blew me away. It's brilliant, heartfelt, and made me shed more than a tear or two. As someone who wants to work in publishing after graduation, the premise hit me particularly hard (and made me reconsider my future plans more than once). Robinson captures a beautiful blend of longing and practicality. There were so many quotes I highlighted in this novel—so many quotes that resonate with me.

Robinson writes candidly and honestly about mental health and depression; this book is sure to strike a chord with anyone that has gone through the same mental health struggles that Nora has. I appreciate that Robinson never fell back on the stereotype of a person with depression as someone who does little else but stay in bed all day. It's often more complicated than that, as Nora points out.

This novel is flush with humor, beautiful writing and brilliant characters that will make you believe in the beauty of the world again. It's hard to keep spoilers out of this review because all I want to do is to shout how amazing this book is from every rooftop in America. I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to read this novel in advance of its publication. Must Love Books should be on everyone's most anticipated books of 2022.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

😌A book about finding purpose. What a wonderful premise.

🎊I went into this book blind and had no expectations. I didn't even know the characters were people of colour until I started reading. It was certainly a nice surprise and an interesting view of the publishing world (a world the author actually comes from!).

📝The writing style wasn't bad but also not exceptional. The book overall definitely had a slow feeling to it which I hoped would eventually change. It didn’t but in the end it kind of fit the mood of the story and Nora's "three". Nonetheless, Nora's reflection on suicide felt a little shocking and unexpected as a reader. I wish there had been some sort of hint that this was how extreme her feelings and thoughts were. That being said, it is definitely something I am glad to see discussed. It is a delicate matter but very relatable. Depression and the general search for purpose is something many people (especially new adults) struggle with. Despite the slow feeling of the book, I had to keep reading to see how things would unfold and I have to say I'm pleased.

💕Lastly, I loved that a man wasn't the final solution to all of Nora's problems. Sure he was there to support and guide and just be totally awesome (where can I find me an Andrew Santos?!) but unlike other books, he wasn't the answer, he wasn't her purpose.

🗓Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC! Book goes on sale January 18, 2022

Romance, books, and publishing-- what's not to love? This is was a cozy escape that I found to be fun and heartwarming. The main character of Nora was incredibly endearing and likeable and her job as an editorial assistant in the publishing industry provided an intriguing setting. Shauna Robinson provides perfect banter and setup for well-developed, likeable characters.

I really enjoyed this novel. From the appealing cover and title (I mean, who doesn’t love books!?) I thought this would be a fairly light romance novel. In some ways it was but it was so much more. The main character Nora is stuck in a dead end job as an editorial assistant, hoping against hope to advance in a career in publishing or at least start to make a living wage. The most surprising aspect of the book was the frank and well delivered discussion of Nora's struggles with mental health. So many people struggle with finding the happiness they seek and are unsure how to get there in both personal and professional life. The book doesn’t hand out answers but gives the reader something to think about. The importance of friends is a big part of Nora's path forward and of course her love of books. This was not a sad read but an uplifting and thought provoking novel. I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this book because it felt like a backstage pass to learn about the world of publishing! I have never worked in publishing but, as an active reader, have been curious about the process. I feel like I learned a lot about it while reading this book! The romance was adorable as well. Fun read overall!

Think you want to work in publishing? Shauna Robinson wants you to think again! On the face of it, Must Love Books looks like a funny romantic read with a bookish base; right up my alley. In actuality, it’s so much more.
Nora is an editorial assistant and has been for five years. She got into publishing because she loves books, then application itself said ‘must love books!’ But five years on, the powers that be are cutting budgets positions and people and Nora is face to face with too much work, not enough support and a real sense that books and publishing are not adjacent.
Must love Books is really a story of a mental health journey, to looking headlong at your life and challenging the way you think about yourself and the choices you make. I loved Nora’s somewhat raw and proudly found journey from stuck in a life she never expected; to taking some risks (that don’t all pay off) to realising that you don’t have to have all your ducks in a row to find your happy.
A brilliant debut novel that explores the myth of the ‘perfect job’ and reminds us that we don’t have to have all the answers all the time. Thank you so much to Shauna Robinson and Net galley for allowing me to read Must Love Books; can’t wait to have a hard copy of this one on my shelf at home.

This was a fun, quick read. Anyone who is interested in the publishing industry and/or who can relate to a character who is unsure what she wants to do with her life will enjoy the story. The romance side of it was very well done, too: the characters' relationship was believable and sweet, and I loved that the ending was inspiring and happy without being a fairytale. I'll be recommending it!

Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Nora is unhappy with her job, and with life in general. When she gets a pay cut, she realises she won't be able to make ends meet on a lower salary, so she takes a second job without telling either of her employers. Where she meets Andrew, who becomes more than just an author to her, complicates things.

Kudos to a Shauna Robinson with this debut. Likable characters and a storyline that keeps you reading. Must Love Books is your next book club read.

I received an ARC of Must Love Books from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m glad I did because I’m not sure I would have read it otherwise.
When I asked for the book it was based on the title and cover. Both are clever. And both fit the book perfectly.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
The honest portrayal of anxiety and depression faced by so many today, especially young professionals trying to make ends meet in this world where everything is so expensive.
The misogyny from Henry—ugh! The uncertainty about how to move forward. The tension that moved from light to intense as every page leads to the catastrophe readers know is coming. ***CW suicide ideation is part of Nora’s journey.
Andrew is Nora’s perfect opposite. The light feel of romance in this women’s fiction novel is perfect. Too much would have negated Nora’s journey.
Must Love Books is master storytelling. It takes a strong writer to weave all the tough issues Nora faces through a a story without letting the story itself feel heavy.

What a wonderful debut by Shauna Robinson! Of course, the title and cover captured my heart. And I could definitely relate to main character Nora Hughes, stuck in a low-paying job she hates. We’ve all been there! Turns out even publishing jobs can do a number on one’s psyche, as it did to Nora. The real strength of MUST LOVE BOOKS is the way the author deals frankly with depression. Wonderful books like these help remove the stigma and give hope for a new, happier life. Brava!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 18 Jan 2022
#MustLoveBooks #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

Shauna Robinson has written a terrific first book with believable, likeable characters. I cheered for Nora through the whole book - everyone will.

Quick read, about a millennial trying to find herself set in the publishing industry. The writing could do with some editing, and the protagonist is quite solipsistic. I liked some of the writing about irritating older colleagues, and the book ended well. 2 1/2 stars for this, rounded up to 3.

This was an immensely personal read for me, as I sit here writing this review next to my bookshelf housing four Octavia Butler novels with one year left until I complete my English BA with hopes to one day work in publishing. Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson contains so much depth and soul that cannot simply be conveyed within the confines of a summary or a review. I'm very grateful to have been afforded the chance to read the ARC of this novel.

What happens when you land your dream job and it's not at all how you imagined it? This is the general premise of Must Love Books as Robinson takes the reader on a journey through the professional and personal life of Nora, an editorial assistant working Parsons Press. After salary cuts, Nora is left floundering for some way to make enough money to continue living in Oakland. She begins freelancing for Parsons' rival company, Weber, to make a little extra money with hopes it will develop into a full-time position. Caught up in the politics of the publishing industry and her growing confusion surrounding her relationship with author Andrew Santos, Nora is just trying to find SOMETHING that will make her happy again.

Something that this book does really well is its discussion of depression. Although it isn't explicitly written out, it's shown from the start of the book that our girl Nora has been struggling for a very long time. Often described as feeling empty or having loss of her will to live, Nora is really doing the best she can to stay afloat in this world that doesn't meet her initial expectations. I really loved that the author didn't just "solve" Nora's depression. It became apparent that this is something that Nora has to work on and deal with herself, with no set end in sight. It brings a real sense of reality to the story.

I really appreciated the ending of this book, no matter how unsatisfying it may seem. Not everything was wrapped up in a shiny bow and delivered onto the laps of the reader, love didn't solve all problems, and people still have room to grow. It may not be as gratifying as the whole "walk off into the sunset" ending to most books, but it was real and I think readers will appreciate that.

All in all, this was a wonderful novel of both professional and personal development. With a healthy balance of wit and existentialism, Shauna Robinson is sure to wow readers with this beautiful story.

This was adorable! I found myself wishing for a bit more time getting to understand the characters but it was a sweet and lovely read

Another cure for my anxious, nervous mind with its effective healing powers: such a lovely feel good novel!

I love books about books theme: the romance part of the story perfectly balanced with self worth-self discovery-finding yourself and purpose in the world parts. The author’s respective and realistic approach of mental health issues also blended well with the entire premise.

Being stuck at the same job: like a mouse chases its tail, spiraling slowly might be so frustrating : that’s what Nora Hughes deals for years. After 5 long of years at her dream job which turns into quite freaking nightmare, working at the very same position without any promotion, it’s so natural to expect more for her life but instead of getting promoted and she got the pay cut which will affect her financially.

She’s not gonna make end meets. She will be the one at the lowest ranking with her lowest paid job , working on compulsory tasks that no one wants to deal with. If she doesn’t want to declare bankruptcy, she has to find a second job urgently!

Thanks to her lucky stars she’s landed to another job in Webber. Her plan is simple and achievable! She has to balance her Parsons and Webber jobs for six months. She is determined to prove Webber team she can do anything they ask for including helping the authors meet deadlines and bringing more fresh authors to sign with the company. She has also make sure her bosses at Parsons don’t find her second job because of conflict of interest. She has to hang on long enough till Weber offers her editorial coordinator position. Then she can quit from Parsons.

But her meeting with Andrew Santos who has contract drawn up and awaiting his signature for Parsons will change her destiny. She tries to convince him to sign for Webber. And the bunch of lies she has to tell put her in complicated situation.

Overall: I easily empathize with Nora. The publishers world always picks my interest. It was well written, riveting, genuine, lovely novel I absolutely enjoyed to read!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.