Bookllovers didn’t have a one size fits all trope. It was a bit of everything, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, workplace romance, small town you name it and its it. It was an interesting read but unfortunately wasn’t the vibe I thought it would be and fell slightly average for me.

The book started off pretty easy breezy for me. The perfect distraction from this crazy world we live in. Charlie and Nora had some great banter and this was looking to be a cute and funny; until…it wasn’t. Charlie was mentioned at the beginning of the story then we didn’t hear of him again until 30% into the novel. I so badly wanted more of them. But this novel become more about Nora’s sister relationship.

Take my review with a grain of salt as I seem to be in the minority.

Loved it! Thought the characters were relatable and interesting and loved the chemistry between them. Appreciated the inside look into the publishing industry as well. Would definitely recommend!

Rom com is not my genre and neither are Hallmark movies; however, all the buzz about Book Lovers and its positive reviews made me curious, and I requested and received the title from Netgalley.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Author Emily Henry's clever take on the book publishing industry and its denizens skewers the Hallmark movie tropes of the heartless career woman, the superiority of small towns, the dangers, isolation, and unhappiness to be found in big cities, etc. Clever banter between main characters Nora and Charlie keep the narrative flowing as literary agent Nora worries about her younger sister Libby and her insecure bestselling client and editor Charlie worries about his sick father and flighty mother.

Of course, rom coms require a nearly insurmountable challenge for its protagonists (else there is no story). And, like many rom coms, the challenges in this one could have been solved by a few honest conversations between the main characters, instead of so much sturm und drang.

Nevertheless, Book Lovers was an enjoyable read that should satisfy readers, even those who are not rom com devotees.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Book Lovers: Emily Henry’s Charming Meta Romance for the Hallmark Cynics

It’s been a while since a romance novel made me burst out cackling on the second page, but Emily Henry has done it: Her heroine Nora (named for Ephron, of course) Stephens introduces herself by way of a Hallmark movie formula—basically, You know how every male lead in one of these movies has an ice queen girlfriend barking into the phone from her Peloton for him to come back to the city and leave behind idyllic country life? That’s me, I’m the Peloton bitch.

It’s an ambitious move, centering her latest contemporary romance on the kind of person that Hallmark and Lifetime (and, increasingly, Netflix) have long taught us is the antihero. But in doing so, Henry has outdone even herself by presenting a delightfully prickly enemies-to-lovers romance that brutally takes apart the Hallmark Happily Ever After and sensitively revises it into something more realistic yet still swoon-worthy.
Nora is a very particular breed of New Yorker, a cutthroat literary agent whose star client Dusty Fielding happens to write the kind of small-town romance that is her personal kryptonite. And while she’s such a finely-honed archetype of HBIC, I still felt incredible solidarity for her—as someone who once launched into a screaming diatribe on behalf of Idina Menzel’s character in Disney’s Enchanted (whose only sin was not being doe-eyed Amy Adams and therefore Patrick Dempsey’s polar-opposite love interest) because my college boyfriend had also deemed me the anti-soulmate of his personal movie.

It’s never fun to be the not-enough girlfriend, and Nora has had it happen four times. It’s completely understandable that this career badass would be terrified whenever a new beau goes on a work trip to some idyllic place that’s not New York City—and why it’s so difficult for her to leave the Big Apple for even a weekend trip.

The only person Nora would even consider departing the city for—and only during publishing’s slow season in August—is her younger sister Libby, who’s long-established in her own HEA with a doting husband, two rambunctious girls, and a third kiddo on the way. Libby convinces Nora to join her in visiting dreamy Sunshine Falls, which happens to be the setting for Dusty’s bestsellers. Only, it seems as if Dusty has taken some creative liberties with the town…and there’s another black-clad New Yorker who sticks out as sorely as Nora.

Surly book editor Charlie Lastra, thorn in Nora’s side since a mutual bad first impression years ago, is inexplicably summering in this random North Carolina town as well. And when they wind up in an unexpected Dusty collaboration, which conflicts with Libby’s pre-baby bucket list, Nora finds herself pulled between the most important person in her life—and someone who has the potential to become a close second.

This is Henry’s third romance to take place over a summer (like last year’s People We Meet on Vacation) and second to exist in the Venn diagram of publishing folks’ seasonal wind-down (after her 2020 debut Beach Read). But despite any surface-level similarities to the latter’s premise, in which romance author January Andrews and literary wunderkind Augustus Everett challenge each other to switch writing genres, Book Lovers might as well exist in a different section of the proverbial bookstore.

Beach Read played into that rom-com Pavlovian delight that is watching opposites attract, but for so many of us that’s pretty unlikely. Even Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game, with its slightly kinky enemies-to-lovers publishing dynamic that makes it a close comp to this, emphasizes the lovers’ every difference from height to attire to sunshine/grump personas. Book Lovers reassures readers that it’s OK to fall for someone who’s not just similar to you but is basically the male version of you down to every ruthlessly ambitious bone and unapologetic adoration for metropolitan life—that is, every “worst” aspect of you that compels others to leave.

Yet the novel also continues a growing trend in contemporary romance that I hope is here to stay, wherein the love affair isn’t the only heartstring being tugged. For most of the novel, in fact, Nora is more emotionally invested in the fact that she and Libby have grown apart, with her main motivation being to bridge that distance and fix whatever it is that saddens or panics her baby sister—despite the “baby” expecting her third child. The friction between these opposites drives the plot, never pitting one life path against a drastically different one but instead exploring the tension of diverging wants.

Nora’s run-ins with Charlie are at first incidental, though despite their charmless first meeting, they seem to have readily established the romance trope of epistolary courting—here, with self-published Bigfoot erotica via work email. Moments like this briefly strain credulity only because of how stridently Nora opposes the barest glimmer of a made-for-TV-movie formula. Yet that seems to be Henry’s point—that the old adage about the truth being stranger than fiction applies even (or especially) to love stories.

I was at first skeptical of setting another novel in the publishing world, to the point where I don’t know how I would have reacted to a January/Augustus Easter egg, but about two-thirds through, it clicked: Beach Read subverts genre snobbery by way of the derision directed at anything written by women, but Book Lovers takes a red pen to supposedly universal romance tropes—again, not wholly excising, but figuring out how they can actually jibe with reality.

The trickiest part of romance is sticking the landing. If readers expect an HEA but your whole book is predicated on life not always ending on a happy note, how do you reconcile the two? There’s a part of me that wonders, if Book Lovers had been written to lean more into the literary fiction side of things, if it might have turned out differently. That said, Henry pulls off an ending that both fulfills the genre tropes while still surprising this teary-eyed reader.

Another fantastic book from Emily Henry! Not sure how she does it but she keeps writing seriously fantastic books. The character development, pacing and plot were all on point. Nothing to complain about. I adore the grumpy sunshine trope and it was done so well in this book. The book was hard to put down!

4 Stars!
Cheeky Hallmark Movie

The story follows Nora Stephens, a book agent from New York and her sister Libby. After their mother passed, Nora practically raised her younger sister, and always put Libby’s needs above her own. Now in their 30’s Nora is a workaholic and known for being ruthless; she represents Dusty Fielding, a popular romance novelist who wrote the bestseller “Once In A Lifetime” based on a small town in North Carolina called Sunshine Falls.

In order to distress and spend some quality time together, Nora and Libby travel to Sunshine Falls for a month-long vacation. Libby, a lover of romance novels, puts together a checklist of things for the sisters to accomplish- wear flannel, date a local, skinny dip, save a small business, etc. The last thing Nora expects to find in the small town is her rude, uptight colleague Charlie Lastra. Together Nora and Charlie help edit one of Dusty's new books, and finally become friends... or something more.

This book is an ideal summer read, a lighthearted rom-com with some steamy moments. I loved the banter between Nora and Charlie, especially the first half of the book and the literary references. The small town atmosphere and characters really felt like a Hallmark movie. My only complaint is that the sister’s relationship overpowered Nora and Charlie’s quite a bit, but overall I really enjoyed it!

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an ARC!

An enemies-to-lovers that was executed perfectly! I devoured this book in one sitting. I adored the characters and found them all so charming! The book aspect was phenomenal and made this book nerd so incredibly happy. The small town charm, sister relationship, and witty writing were just icing on the cake. I loved it! 4.5 stars.

I was hopeful that I would like this book as much as I liked Beach Read and that it would be so much better than People We Meet on Vacation. It definitely leans more toward her first book. It took me a few chapters to get into the story of Nora, Libby, and Henry. The quaint town is like a character in this book. I am looking forward to Emily Henry's next book because I feel that she hasn't even hit her groove yet.

This book was nothing short of incredible. I was under the impression that nothing could top Beach Read for me yet here we are. This book was written for the older sisters. I've never wanted to re-read a novel so quickly after finishing. I could get lost in Nora & Charlie's stories for hours. Emily Henry's writing never ceases to amaze me. The easiest 5 star rating I've ever given!

⭐️ 5‼️

*screams into pillows*

This book was magical! To be very honest, I was very hesitant about trying out another Emily Henry read. The only other book I’ve read by this author was People We Meet on Vacation, and I was not the biggest fan of it

But I kept on seeing this author on Tik Tok, and hearing so many people rave about her work so I knew I needed to give her another chance.

BOY DID THIS BOOK ROCK MY WORLD

I gave this book a 2 min hug, while ugly crying, after reading it. I am the oldest of three girls, and after a pretty nasty divorce between my parents I ended up feeling like both of my parent’s partner for almost all of my childhood/teenage years. I had to grow up faster than I wanted to.

I never thought I would read about a character I could connect so deeply with, but then came Nora Stephens and I feel like that girl is my soul sister.

This book was absolutely PHENOMENAL, and if you had a hard time with PWMOV please know this is NOTHING LIKE THAT

This deserves 5 million stars ‼️

Emily Henry is an insta buy for me !! Her books always hit me hard and this one was no different. I would say this book was more of a fiction read than a romance. The relationship between Nora and her sister gave me anxiety. I did really like Libby’s character and the development between the two. I teared up with those two. Okay to the goods! The banter between Charlie and Nora was top tier. Emily Henry does so well with humor in her books. Overall, I wished there was more romance, but once you read it you’ll understand why it didn’t have as much spice. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review.

I fell hard for this book. This book is more life lesson than romance, but it is amazing no matter what! I loved the characters and the relationship between Nora and Charlie as well as the relationship between Nora and Libby.

Emily Henry has an amazing ability to keep me laughing even when she's showing me what life offers. This one screams Hallmark while being so much more than "just another Hallmark" book. Anyone loving romantic comedy or chicklit will love this.

The absolute perfect book for a BOOK LOVER!!!

The witty banter!!!! Like seriously. This might be the best banter ever written. A mix of talking, texting, and emailing. Why is Emily Henry so freaking talented?! I think this is my fave of hers.

I laughed.
I cried.
I swooned.

Like her other books, there is a lot of character building in the beginning which makes it a tad slow. THEN - she hooks you. And you’re in love with the characters so hard. I identified with Nora’s need to make everyone in her life happy. And I LOVED CHARLIE! Like instant book boyfriend. I mean a guy that shares my love of books and is incredibly smart and kind *swoon*

There is the typical Emily Henry steam levels and perfect chemistry. Hot kisses in the best locations. Also typical of Henry, there are some heavy themes (grief in particular) and some great family dynamics.

Honestly, my fave book of 2022! Easiest five stars that I’ve ever handed out.

TW:: loss of a mother, stroke

Book Lovers by Emily Henry is a fun summer read that all book lovers will enjoy! Nora and Charlie both work in the cutthroat world of book publishing. They've had a few encounters with each other and those didn't go well. However, they both find themselves summering in a small town in North Carolina. They begin to get to know one another and reevaluate the directions their lives are headed in. Read and enjoy!

This was so sweet. It’s emotional, lovely, fun, and sad all wrapped up in one lovely story. Nora and Charlie are both such well written but flawed characters. They have their strengths but also show their vulnerabilities. Their love is passionate and fun. Opening up to each other and showing their secrets was shown in such a great way. I loved this emotional and sweet romance,

Absolutely admit to being an Emily Henry fangirl so already had high expectations but Book Lovers went above and beyond. The prologue alone had me convinced this was going to become one of my favorite books of all time - Henry's humorous, honest voice shines through the complex relationships of Nora, her sister Libby, and the enemies -to-lovers trope with Charlie. I adored these characters, was easily sucked into the twists and turns that befall them in Sunshine Falls & my only complaint is that the book ended!!!

Usually I save quotes till the end, but I have to start with this one because it was my whole mood reading this book:
“Maybe that’s why people take trips, for that feeling of your real life liquefying around you, like nothing you do will tug on any other strand of your carefully built world. It’s a feeling not unlike reading a really good book: all consuming, worry-obliterating.”

What was the first clue I would adore this book?

It was written by the goddess herself, Emily Henry.

What was the second clue?
The title is LITERALLY BOOK LOVERS…I mean…COME ON!

But really guys, I probably won’t say anything others haven’t, but this book? I read it in one sitting.

It was ALL THE THINGS and had everything I needed.

Swoon-worthy

Amazing dialogue/bantering

Enemies to lovers

Sister bond for the ages

Hallmark vibes while also poking fun at hallmark vibes

Quotes that you will be in love with forever

A story I’m so sad is over and that I might actually have to reread and I never reread.

If you live books that just make your heart and soul happy while sobbing from sweetness at the same time? This is it

💕Favorite Quotes💕

“[…] and good books would make her happy(universal truth).”

“There’s just tall women, and then men too insecure to date them.”

“Maybe love shouldn’t be built in a foundation of compromises, but maybe it can’t exist without them either. Not the king that forces 2 people into shapes they don’t fit in? But the kind that loosens their grips, always leaves room to grow. Compromises that say, there will be a you-shaped space in my heart, and if your shape changes, I will adapt. No matter where we go, our love will stretch out to hold us, and that makes me feel like…like everything will be okay.”

I loved this book! It subverts the common troupes in romcoms and makes us love characters who are not often given the spotlight in romance books! Emily Henry is an expert of writing couples that you can't help but root for. Everyone that works at my indie bookstore loves and it and recommends it to customers!

A charming romantic comedy about family, work, love, choices and of course books.

Hard working literary agent Nora has looked after her younger sister Libby ever since their single mom passed away. Now expecting her third child, Libby decides she and Nora need a vacation and a list of things they need to try. Asheville, North Carolina is a small town with not much going on but a whole lot of interesting people. At the local bookstore, Nora runs into Charlie, an editor she has met before. Sparks fly when they find they need to work together to edit a novel for one of Nora's authors. The banter between Nora and Charlie is inspired.

This is a laugh out loud, cry out loud, make you smile book. It reminds us of what is important in life, to take chances , to love and to believe that you can write your own story one page at a time.

I was so excited to get this from NetGalley! This story was so cute, I loved every minute of it. Another excellent book by Emily Henry.