Witty banter here is the best she's ever done. Sexual tension to a Tee. And the small town dynamic is delightful. Loved it.

This book was fun, but for some reason, it took me a long time to finish. And this should be a 2-day read, tops! The characters are likable and the situations as relatable as any romance story.

Nora is a book agent who agrees to her sister's plan: leave NYC for a few weeks and spend time in the small town of Sunshine Falls, NC, the setting of her biggest client's biggest book. And complete a romance genre bucket list of sorts. Charlie is an editor and was not impressed with Sunshine Falls, the book. At his and Nora's meeting, they were instantly repulsed by one another, the opposite of attraction, whatever that is.

When Nora gets to Sunshine Falls and discovers Charlie is from there and is in fact living there with his parents, it doesn't take long for these enemies to become tangled up with one another, the town, and the next installment by Nora's client...and now Charlie's her editor, too.

I liked the sexual tension between the characters and the fact that they didn't lie to one another about the fact that they liked one another, although the romance was a bit of a slow burn at first. Both Nora and Charlie have hearts and they're not afraid to show them. Both of them place family above all else, even to the detriment of their careers.

Now, I did think things were going to get /very/ bad for one of the characters, but thankfully, this is a romance, so there is a HEA. Phew! It was good to get my adrenaline going for a little bit, there.

My thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Henry gets better with every book. Her characters live inside my head when I’m not reading the books and long after I’ve finished reading them.

Nora & Charlie are a duo worthy of the Rom Com Hall of Fame (Harry & Sally; Joe & Kathleen, etc. etc.) and their banter and barbs make this story so much fun to read. I didn't really get the Schitt's Creek vibes this is being marketed as having but still enjoyed my time in Sunshine Falls. Book Lovers is a love letter to the stories that shaped us and taught us how to dream.

Many thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC.

Never in my life have I seen two characters with such sizzling, magnetic chemistry! Every time Nora and Charlie appeared on the page, I swear my book started sweating. I also loved Book Lovers for leaving me in total suspense over how the central conflict was going to shake out. Usually I can sniff out a solution a mile away, but waiting to find out how Nora and Charlie were going to get their HEA had me furiously flipping pages. Another knock out from Emily Henry!

Emily Henry continues to show her incredible understanding of tropes and how to subvert them in Book Lovers. The idea to set this book from the point of view of the "ice queen" girlfriend who gets dumped in the end of so many Hallmark movies both provides a snarky homage and a fond criticism of those stories that simplify and infantilize small towns while demonizing urban environments and ambitious women. I loved it.

Out of all the Emily Henry books I've read (and I've read them all), this one was BY FAR my favorite. Henry writes in a way that makes you feel as though you are a part of the story, right along with her characters. They're relatable beyond belief, even if they're in a world you have no part of. The relationship between Nora and Charlie is full of quick quippy banter that made me jealous of their connection, to be quite honest.
I read this book in a single sitting. Henry is one to constantly stalk as to not miss anything she published. Well done.

A lot of people who have read this book say it's for the older siblings and they're not wrong. But it's also for the ones who may not be the older sibling but still had to do things on their own. People who like myself NEED control. We need control over every situation so if something were to go wrong we're there to fix it.

Book Lovers follows Nora Stephens who didn't have the most stable upbringing and therefore vowed to make sure she didn't feel that way the rest of her life. And she did. She has a successful career and enjoys seeing how happy her sister's life is. She spent her whole life watching over her sister to ensure her happiness. But Nora's sister, Libby doesn't see it that way. The two take on a vacation in a small town so they can bond again as sisters. But Nora suspects something else is going on.

You see Nora is seen as a workaholic, cold and cunning. She can't seem to let go. Even on vacation. Through the book you see Nora struggling to figure out what's wrong with her sister because she feels the need to fix it. She's a fixer. Despite being someone who is very much a type A person she's riddled with anxiety. She watches everyone in the book very closely, analyzing them to make sure she can respond appropriately. I do the same thing and it's hard to turn off. Enter Charlie Lastra. The two are both workaholics with a sarcastic sense of humor. Charlie doesn't tell Nora she can let go. Charlie instead lets Nora know that she can be herself. That she can spend her days taking care of others as long as he can take care of her.

What I love about this book is that instead of a female lead learning to change herself, Nora doesn't have to compromise who she is to fit in with those around her. Instead Charlie SEES her, UNDERSTANDS her and says, you can do it because you always have but you don't have to do it alone. Charlie sees her for who she is and loves her. Even if she is working late, or cynical. He doesn't ask her to make any sacrifices for him or for anyone else but to put herself first.

This book had me crying at 1:30 am. I've never felt so seen in my entire life. The things Nora would do, her mannerisms, her reactions are exactly what I struggle with. The conversations her and Charlie have are the same ones that I've had with my significant other.

This book had me laughing, crying, annoyed, blushing, swooning and most importantly made me feel okay with how my brain is wired. Also did I forget to mention that Nora is 5'11? We love a tall leading lady.

Spice: 3/5

Emily Henry knows how to write a fabulous book!

Nora’s life revolves around books, even though she is never the heroine in her own life. One summer her sister Libby convinces her to go to NC for a month in the summer as a girls trip. Nora is in for a surprise when she bumps into the brooding book editor she works with. Who would have thought she would run into him in this small town? Nora has no idea what she is in for this summer.

This book lived up to my expectations! I loved it from the first chapter. If you have enjoyed Emily Henry’s other books, here is one you must go out an read!

5/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I loved this book. I adore Emily Henry's writing and have loved all of her prior books. This one was no exception. Nora felt very relatable, I really related with her and understood where she was coming from. I was sad, happy, frustrated, and even a little angry at times. I felt all of the emotions here and loved every second of it. I would absolutely recommend giving this book a read. Emily Henry continues to be an auto-buy author for me and I am happy to continue to fall in love with her books.

It pains me to say this, but could not finish. Just couldn’t get through it. At first I was intrigued by the characters, but eventually I just didn’t care about any of them. The only part I enjoyed was the small town setting. Strangely, I was in the mood for a light romantic read, but there just wasn’t enough here to engage me. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advance copy.

My reviews are now my thoughts and I have a lot of thoughts about books. Here is some of them.

The Characters: Who are the lovable romantic couple, and how did they meet?

Nora and Charlie are not the typical couples you might find in RomComs. Neither are all that delightful or charming, and I loved both right from the start. They are both outsiders with the same ambitions and priorities. Nora is a driven, busy literary agent, too “cold” to be that lovely attentive love interest for some man. She is a “city person” but “not the one who meets the hot farmer. The other one” The uptight, manicured literary agent, reading manuscripts from atop her Peloton while a serene beach scene screen saver drifts, unnoticed, across her computer screen. “I’m the one who gets dumped.” Charlie is a grumpy stick-in-the-mud book editor and not that typical charming and handsome hero who returns home to save the day and gets the girl. He looks “like publishing’s own metropolitan vampire” whose demeanor is like a black hole “sucking all the light out and swallowing” up a room.

They meet to discuss a book by one of her favorite clients. Much to Nora’s dismay and disbelief, Charlie is not interested in editing the book because it is “unreadable” and the setting is “completely unrealistic.” Charlie would know!!!

Did I enjoy the banter? Yes!! Emily Henry keeps it real! It feel natural, funny, entertaining and not forced.

Tropes: What tropes are used, and do they feel fresh and exciting?

Nora works with books, reads them, and processes life in terms of tropes, because that’s her life that “governs her days.” The stand-out trope is the small-town love story, and there is “something truly new under the sun” here. The story has one of the best openings and hooks as Nora narrates her life through that overused small-town trope, and I was hooked.

Nora and Charlie do not fit the bill for your typical cynical hotshot heroes using that trope. Neither are that high-powered, neglecting everything and everyone but work who learn “the meaning of life” in a small town and are transformed by the love of a good woman or man. Emily Henry creates something fun, fresh, modern, and compelling here as she turns that trope on its head.

Relationship in Jeopardy: How are the characters tested?

Family is at the heart of the story here, and both Nora and Charlie put them first, defying those tropes around love coming first. Their relationship and devotion to their family test their growing relationship. Nora and Libby’s relationship is the heart of the story. Since their mother’s death, Libby has come first for Nora, and she will do anything for Libby.

Charlie has some secrets that add to his family dynamics that test his building relationship with Nora.

The Grand Gesture: Was there an incredible romantic line or moment that stood out?

The gesture here might not be grand but it fit this romantic or more like non romantic couple and I love it. There was an incredible romantic line that stood out for me but my lips are sealed.

Happy ending: Was I convinced they will have a happy life together or are meant to be?

YES!!

Everyone should get a once-a-year award to give to a book that defies 5 star ratings. If such an award existed I would use it for this book.

I have loved both of Henry’s previous books, and did not think I could love anything more. But I was wrong.

The chemistry between Nora and Charlie is off the charts. It’s witty, it’s sarcastic, it’s full of humor and intelligent banter; I loved it. I couldn’t get enough. A lot of authors try to mimic this and fall short. Henry writes character chemistry like a master.

I had conflicting feelings about finishing; I wanted to know how it ended but also didn’t want to leave these characters behind. The sister relationship was so sweet and Libby and Nora were real to me. Nora’s grief jumped from the page and made me feel so many emotions for her.

In summary, I loved every aspect of this book and award it 10 stars.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎.

The easiest 5 star review of the year!! I honestly get jealous by how natural Emily’s writing is. It’s like hanging out with your best friend. The humor and love just flows right off the page. I can’t help but have a ridiculous smile on my face anytime I read one of her books, she’s one of my favorite authors.

I don’t think I can adequately express how much I loved this book. Book Lovers made my heart soar for so many reasons. Yes, this is a ridiculously intense (and steamy) love story between workaholic literally agent Nora and brooding editor Charlie. But it’s also an emotional and beautiful love story of two sisters with an unbreakable bond, which is what really cracked my heart wide open. Minus some of the details about their life I can see so much of me and my little sister in Nora and Libby. Down to the fact that Libby calls Nora “sissy” which is what my sisters calls me, they made me laugh and cry. I understand Nora’s need to constantly take care of her sister she’ll do anything to see her happy even if it means putting her own needs and happiness second. But their relationship isn’t perfect it’s real. As Libby has gone on to get married and has 2 kids and one more on the way, Nora and Libby have drifted and kept secrets from one other. They just like everyone has communication issues and it leads for a roller coaster ride of emotions that I felt so deeply. I was so connected to these characters and their love of all things books that I never wanted it to end.

New York is where dreams are made, but small towns are magic. Nora Stephens is a shark. She’s a cutthroat literary agent, who thinks she’s the Evil Villainess instead of the heroine who gets the HEA. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, yes she’s a little emotionally unattached, but by no means is she mean. She’s had to be the rock of the family and raise her sister Libby after their mother passed away. To avoid her own grief she thrown herself into work and Libby and now all these years later, she’s successful but not really living. When her very pregnant sister begs her for a sisters’ trip to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina the setting of one of their favorite books for the month of August, Nora can’t say no. Libby has plans of a small town transformation for Nora, things like a makeover, riding a horse, even going on a date or two with a local. But instead of run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. If Nora thinks she’s the villain in someone else’s love story, then Charlie is the devil. As they are thrown together again and again what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves. As we learn about what makes Nora and Charlie the way they are we see they’re more similar then they think. They’re just two people trying to figure out where they truly belong.

Smart, sexy, and ultra funny this is a rom-com you must read. I can’t wait to see what Emily’s next title will do to my soul (probably just tear it out of my body).

Read if you like:
- Enemies to lovers
- Close proximity
- Strong sister bond
- Small town romance
- Love of books/reading/bookstores

Hands down, my favorite Emily Henry book yet! Loved the family dynamics, the archetypes, and that books were central to this story. Definitely one to add to your TBR! 4.5

This was amazing, blew me away and saved Emily Henry for me. I was cracking up and tearing up and overall i think this is her best work yet. Thank you for this arc.

I just got back from my honeymoon and I read so many books. Book lovers was hands down my favorite. I read it in less than 6 hours. If I could give it 6 stars I would. It had me from the very first page and kept me till the end. I can’t rave enough about it. Go buy it immediately. Like now. Go. I’ll wait.

I was a fan of her books before but man this one hit me in all my tropes. Fantastic read and I will recommend it all the rest of this year. May be my top read.

Thanks to Berkley, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured Book Lovers. I am just obsessed with the way Emily Henry writes romance books! I love how this book started off making fun of tropes and throughout the book, we never got a specific trope but we got tons of romance.

I loved the banter between the characters in this book and the characters themselves were just so perfectly developed I was obsessed. I absolutely hate the trope of the overworked corky girl who doesn’t date, but wow was this the exception because I loved Nora and she didn’t annoy me at all.

I legit only saw rave reviews about this book so whether you like romance or not I think you will be into this book. If you read Emily Henry’s other books and only liked the one I think you will like this one as well - it gives more Beach Read vibes to me which was my other fav.

So freaking good.

A romance novel with characters that are perfect stereotypes, yet actually relatable. It seems impossible, but it's true.

A romance novel that is predictable, yet somehow still has enough little surprises sprinkled through the pages to keep you engaged until the last page.

You should definitely read it.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Loved this book like I knew I would. Emily Henry does banter like no other and this new book did not disappoint. Relatively tight plot and sweet relatable characters. I did not want this book to end.