The concept of this book is great and refreshingly fun. It just seems chapter after chapter you are left wondering why the book is both too long and not long enough since each scene isn't really thought out and it feels like this is not the first book in the series like I must be missing something ??

3.5 stars for this short & sweet piece of women's fiction by Lauren Kate!

Laine is a book editor who got into publishing thanks to her love of the prolific love stories told by Noa Calloway. But when her boss decides not to return from maternity leave and she takes over the sole job of editing Noa's next book, she realizes that Noa is not the interesting woman she's been emailing with for seven years but in fact a smoldering thirty-something man named Noah Ross --- who is four months late on the deadline for *his* next book.

As she tries to draw inspiration from her surprise author, she begins to think about her own love story and how she wants it to be written.

I really enjoyed this book but couldn't help feeling like it was missing a little "oomf". I was hoping for a little more romanic tension between Laine and Noah --- their relationship felt more like an excellent friendship. I also would have loved to see another 50 pages to wrap this up -- I felt like it ended very abruptly just when I wanted to see how they would handle the ramifications of Noa's last book.

I received this free ARC of By Any Other Name from NetGalley and this is my honest review. The story follows our MCs- an author and editor through the ups and downs of writing a book. There is one glaring difference though, the editor has thought she was corresponding and building a friendship with a sister-in-arms, a woman who got her on the very basic of levels. Lanie is quite stunned to find out her romance guru is in fact a man. What follows in the aftermath is having to rethink her views on her life path, career, and a different path towards love. The characters both struggle with real life problems- aging/ sick parent, death of a parent during childhood, wanting to understand your heritage, true love vs. a settling kind of love for fear of finding something better….I wanted this story to keep going and going long after I turned the last page. This is the epitome of the perfect love story and a glimpse into the writing process to boot! You will not be disappointed in devoting an entire day to diving into this love affair!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.
This is a very sweet book. If you want something that’s lighthearted and a good afternoon treat, this is the one. I wish we could’ve spent more time with Lanie and Noah as a couple, but I did enjoy the ending as well as the cast of characters. You’ll get to know New York through the characters as they go about their lives. In all, this is a lovely read!

Reviewed on the Story Graph:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/01515ee5-8534-41bf-bd2a-b70546c2ab1c

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate
Tags: Slow Burn Romance; Mistaken Identity; Epistolary Element

“…romance about an editor, her bestselling author, and one life changing secret.”

Having never read any books by this author before I was going in blind – I was initially attracted first by the cover (I am a sucker for cover art) and title, and then hooked by an intriguing premise. Luckily for me, this translated to a charming and heartwarming book that I adored. It somehow managed to check a lot of boxes for me (some of which I couldn’t even easily put into words) of what I delight in finding in a book.

Highlights for me:

• Although the story was billed as an enemies to lovers (a trope I adore), it didn’t read that way to me in the traditional sense. For me it was more of a combination of friends to lovers meets mistaken identity via a You’ve Got Mail meets Cyrano vibe ? I’m not sure if that makes sense, but like I said, I was really into it.

• I absolutely adored the Central Park, Gapstow Bridge bits – I won’t spoil anything but I was so happy with a few things about this bit. I could picture it so clearly in my mind, and very much long to visit after reading about it.

• I very much enjoyed the “meet cute(s)” of Noah and Lanie – each felt perfect to me. There are three bits in particular I could point to on this – if you’ve read I’ll just say initial, unveiling, and finale.

• The whole idea of finding the story inspiration and the moment when the story idea is captured – just heartfelt sigh moment for me.

• I also loved the epistolary elements and the story within a story angle (this in particular, does not always work for me) but honestly I desperately wanted more – I wanted to read that story and Chapter 1 = all the feels.

• Finally, last but definitely not least – in addition to a truly relatable and intriguing leading couple. I loved both of the mains and was intrigued by each story – I liked that Noah was a bit of a mystery that unraveled slowly as the story built and that we got a bit of a journey of discovery for Lanie. I also loved the secondary cast of characters – I think BD tops the list as being hilarious and eccentric, but I also really enjoyed Meg and Rufus and wanted more of them as well.

Nitpicks / Wishes:

Not too many, but as with any read, I had a few things that didn’t sit as well / work as well for me personally –

• The gender emphasis / focus – on the one hand I kind of understood it, it also bugged me. If I found out one of my favorite romance authors (who I thought was female) was in fact male, it wouldn’t really mean anything to me personally 🤷‍♀️I didn’t like the whole possibly being ‘cancelled’ bit. I also kind of felt like it was a little unresolved for me…

• The motorcycle piece – again a personal nitpick. I’m not interested in or a fan of motorcycles. I have some personal feelings that aren’t great about them, so it wasn’t a dealbreaker by any means but just didn’t do anything for me.

Overall, I found this story to be extremely enjoyable, I whisked through it and I didn’t want it to end. I actually found myself hoping for an epilogue (which I don’t always like) for a glimpse into what the future might hold for Noah and Lanie. Definitely one I will buy and read again.

All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and freely offered. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read an early copy!

This was a quick, cute read. Lanie reminds me in many ways of myself. She has her list of ninety nine things she wants in her SO, I had my list of fifty things. We both tried to define love by those lists and got it wrong the first time. I loved seeing her growth throughout the book, along with the character and romantic development of the LI. I really liked the overall message of the book and can’t wait to read Lauren Kate explore more adult romances. It’s almost poetic how I was reading her YA books a decade ago and falling for her characters and here I am, doing the same again.

I’m unsure of how I feel about Noa’s identity in the bigger scheme of things, but I’m willing to suspend my moral debate for this story (I don’t want to think of what that says about me).

"By Any Other Name", by Lauren Kate, has a fairly cute storyline: Lanie has been promoted to book editor for the highly popular author Noa Calloway. However, there is one small problem: no one has actually met Calloway. She is considered eccentric and reclusive. That's not a problem for Lanie, as she begins testing and emailing the author and developing a long-distance friendship. However, when Lanie finally meets this reclusive author and discovers "she" is actually Noah Ross, she is stunned. Can she continue to work with him despite his subterfuge? And how will she balance her work life and her romantic life?

I felt that Lanie's vitriol toward Noah was a little over the top, and the ending was resolved too quickly. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ah! I downloaded this to read this week, then thought just one chapter…and now it is 12:30am and I finished it in one gulp. It’s cute and genuine and genre perfect.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

When the first words out of your mouth after reading the final words of a novel are, “Oh my God. That was so cute.” you know you’ve got a winner. I’ve never read anything from Lauren Kate before, so I had NO idea what to expect, but BY ANY OTHER NAME was pure magic.

Following newly promoted book editor, Lainie, as she navigates her new role with one of her favorite romance authors, reclusive and private Noa Calloway, who is months behind on their manuscript, despite consistently knocking out novels with regularity. However, when Lainie finally meets the author she’s only ever corresponded with through email, her life is turned upside down in more ways than one: Noa Calloway is actually the pseudonym for Noah Ross, a man who has changed and will change her life in more ways that one.

There were so many wonderful things about this book: Lainie’s friends and her Bubby, the little Easter eggs Noah slips into his novel, Javier Bardem the rabbit and Alice the tortoise. I loved Lauren Kate’s writing style—the words flowed so beautifully—and I could feel the connection between Lainie and Noah. One of the only complaints I have about BY ANY OTHER NAME, however, is that Lainie and Noah spent almost half the book barely interacting, and Lainie was engaged for most of that time! I would have loved to have gotten more moments with them as they trekked around New York hoping to break Noah’s writer’s block, though the scenes the reader does get are so, so sweet. I was a little nervous that there wasn’t going to be a resolution at the end, but even that was wrapped up so satisfyingly that I almost didn’t miss the epilogue I ALWAYS crave to get one last peek into the characters’ lives. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Lauren Kate in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the chance to read an ARC of By Any Other Name. I’m sharing my review voluntarily. This book was so charming and a super fun read. My attention was kept from the first chapter. The characters were well developed and seemed authentic. I especially loved BD, Meg and Rufus as captivating side characters.

I wish we’d learned more about Noah’s motivations and his feelings for Lanie more consistently throughout the book. I didn’t need a dual POV necessarily but just more exposure to his perspective. I also wouldn’t characterize this as an enemies to lovers. That is one of my least favorite tropes and I would have possibly skipped such a wonderful book!

I didn’t get most of the pop culture references but I think that’s probably an age/generation thing but I didn’t need them to stay engrossed.

I loved the inclusion of the book chapters and the work as an editor, that was fun to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I very much appreciate it!

I enjoyed this quick and fun read. I couldn’t put it down but then I tried to slow down to make it last longer. The characters were great ; …. Very Likable and well developed. The only thing I didn’t like was the breakup with Ryan, her fiancé. They had been together for years and broke up on a whim before she realized what she was doing. However the rest of the book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A sweet contemporary romance about an editor at a publishing house whose career is dependent on getting the reclusive star author to deliver a new manuscript on time. Only she finds out the truth about the author (and herself, of course). Lanie is likeable and quirky and the love interest, Noah, is not quite as three dimensional but you still get why she falls for him. Lanie’s friends are good sidekicks and the book feels grounded ven in the more fantastical elements. My biggest issue is that the last quarter of the book felt compressed. It needed to be drawn out more. Still, enjoyable to read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I instantly fell in love with this book. I didn’t want to put it down. I adore it. I cannot wait for March 1st so I can buy a physical copy and hug it.

Its fast pace writing will make you want to binge read it. And my only complaint is it’s over. I finished it and wanted more. I would happily read a 2nd book and 3rd with these characters! Would absolutely love that!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishing team for providing me with this ARC!

I was pleasantly surprised to realize this was Lauren Kate whom I had previously read fantasy for.

This book took me by surprise! We follow Lanie, who is on the editorial staff of a publishing house getting ready to launch the next book for one of their most popular authors, an author whose books greatly impacted Lanie's life. Then she meets said author and all goes topsy-turvy from there.

The writing style for this book was comical and easy to follow. I appreciated Lanie's journey, her relationships, and how her journey begins and ends. I think Lanie learning to navigate the idea she has of Noah/love vs what the reality is was nicely done. At first, I didn't really think she needed to be that upset at finding out the truth (and still don't) but I also get it. The romance was nice though you felt Noah was already invested in things vs Lanie who still grappled with things (which is valid considering she ended an engagement so abruptly and we all collectively forgot about him). In all honesty, the story didn't focus on the romance as much as it was on Lanie learning to love what she needed for herself. The story kept me engaged and entertained because it was about all relationships of life that one goes through which translated so nicely to what Noah's final book theme was about. I liked how steady Lanie and Noah's relationship actually began and morphed into what it was. When I got to the last page, I was shocked it <i>was</i> the last page. It left me wanting just a little more.

Definitely a feel-good read! It also gave me quite the urge to quit my job and want to go into book editing.

I really enjoyed this romance. Lanie, an editor, has a deadline for Noa Calloway’s new romance but Noa has writers block. And Noa, a female writer, is actually Noah Ross, a cute guy. The story follows Lanie helping Noah with his writers block before the deadline or she’ll lose her newly promoted position. Along the way l, she starts to fall for Noah, her email friend of 7 years.

The romance was cute and so were the adventures Noah and Lanie went on. Noa Calloway reminded me of Nicholas Sparks, who’s one of the most famous romance writers. It was interesting to read about Noah’s reasoning for not coming forward and how that was handled. Maybe one day we’ll get a sequel to see how his reveal was received.

My only issue was how Lanie handled her long term relationship with Ryan. She knew it wasn’t a great fit but it was sort of rushed so she was single again. They weren’t a good match but the breakup felt rushed.

I would definitely recommend this book. It’s a cute read.

Oh my! By Any Other Name is such a great book. I loved the backdrop of the literary world, the enemies to friends and finding love in the end. Lanie and Noah’s story as editor and writer starts out funny and cute and then turns deeper as the story goes. A fast read for sure. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC - it’s a good one!

Yes, super cute read!! Loved the writing, the characters, EVERYTHING!! I read this book in one setting and couldn’t put it down. I honestly wish it was longer!

*Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

Absolutely loved this romantic-comedic heart felt story. The entire book, I kept waiting and waiting for the two main characters to get together. The suspense for how and win was tied up in the last pages of the book. The in between stories melded together quite a love story.

I loved this book, even though I knew where it was going with the romantic interest, I was still invested in getting all the details. The characters were hilarious and I wish they were my friend group. The only thing I with were different was the ending. I feel like I still have unanswered questions. Is this the opening for a follow up book?

I guess I am committed to always love books about books/publishing/editing/etc. :) This book was so sweet and fun! I enjoyed it! I don't think it was "enemies to lovers" by any means, more so just miscommunication... I enjoyed the cast of characters, and it also felt like a love letter to New York City in a way. I liked how everything wrapped up but the pacing kind of fell off for me towards the end, the tone of the book changed quite a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!