Huge thanks PRH International, and Emily Henry for my e-ARC in exchange for the honest review.

Nora is a bright literary agent who genuinely cares about her career and clients. She meets a well-known editor named Charlie, and the two don't click but maintain a good working relationship. When Nora and her sister Libby come to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for a vacation, the last thing she expects to see is Charlie - yet there he is. Sunshine Falls, it turns out, is Charlie's hometown. When a problem arises with one of Nora's clients, she finds herself in need of Charlie's assistance.

If there's one thing I adore about Emily Henry's writing, it's her excellent banter. I loved the characters and liked the time spent developing their connections, such that at the end, I felt connected to them. Nora was fantastic as a heroine, a sister, and a companion. I liked how similar Nora and Charlie were and their adorable banter. Bonding over literature, family commitments, and other things that individuals had made them feel about. I like Nora and Charlie's banter and saw their friendship develop throughout the novel. I saw Nora as she discovers herself and her interactions with her sister and Charlie.

In this one, Emily Henry covers some serious and deep issues, such as death (of a parent), grieving, and PTSD. From the workplace and the challenges that strong businesswomen encounter to the center of a family and their beliefs. Book Lovers was the epitome of an enemies-to-lovers story, with the heroine's perseverance and enthusiasm for her job admired by her love interest from the start. It was a fantastic read for me. It was a great read.

Nora Stephens is not your typical romance novel heroine. A cutthroat literary agent, she's the career-minded, city-loving, allegedly high maintenance ex who usually gets left for the plucky sweethearts. But when her sister Libby coaxes her into a small town summer straight out of the pages of a novel, and straight into the path of brusque editor Charlie, the story she's always known about herself might turn out to have a different ending...

Each of Emily Henry’s books that I’ve read, I’ve seen myself on the page; each one, despite their differing plots and totally different protagonists, felt like she stared right into my heart and put it on paper. And I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.

Book Lovers is no different. I spent so much time while reading this wanting to underline and highlight and scribble “it me!!” all over the page…and I’m really nothing like Nora. Or any of her previous heroines. And yet.

Book Lovers makes emotions and experiences I’ve never felt (not to mention the ones I have) somehow feel so relatable, so real and immediate. It’s deeply funny (I laughed out loud about five times in the first few pages alone), deeply moving, and deeply true. It’s as much a love story between the book and the reader as between Nora and Charlie, as well as a love letter to life itself, a book that made me, after two years of pandemic life, long for both city life and country life, for a small town romance, and an urban adventure.

Emily Henry can build chemistry like no other, but she also constructs flawless comedic shenanigans; she tosses off both witty one-liners and poignant metaphors equally well. Book Lovers is just everything I want a romance novel to be: charming, clever, warm, and of course incredibly romantic.

Thank you to Berkley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝙋𝙍𝙃 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆-𝒂𝒓𝒄.


𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 is one of my most anticipated new releases this year, and I was fortunate enough to receive an e-arc from the publisher. If you didn't already know, I read 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 last year and it was one of my favorite books of the year.


𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:

-𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
-𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞
-𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐬/ 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬
-𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬
-𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧/ 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬
-𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬


I would say that I had high expectations for this book because I had previously enjoyed Beach Read. I wasn't lying when I said that book had me in a chokehold for a while, so I was thrilled and excited to dive into this.

So, for me, it was a little underwhelming?

Aside from the banter and the small town/summer vibes this book gave, I love the whole book theme going on here.

However, it didn't hold my attention as much as Beach Read did. The writing felt similar to Beach Read, but if I were to compare the two, which I am, I would say this one didn't hook me in the end.

The characters had so much depth that I could understand their actions, especially Nora's, but the book did become tedious as it progressed. Especially in the case of Libby, who irritates me to no end. I understand her intentions, but the way she projected them was very mean, and I just didn't like that part, and it was just plain disrespectful to Nora, who is trying despite not liking the idea of the escape. Furthermore, it is just annoying how they lacked communication, and what was going on with Libby leading up to the revelation was another annoyance for me as to why she keeps being mean to Nora when she is hiding something so important.

Aside from that, the story became repetitive at times, and the romance was a little dull for me? I was expecting more rivalry/enemies, but it wasn't like that. There are also times that I honestly couldn't picture Nora and Charlie together other than as friends. As if the chemistry wasn't all that appealing to me.

Overall, was this a letdown? I adore the book innuendos and the overall summer/small romance vibe. If you enjoy reading books about these subjects, I recommend Beach Read instead.

I guess 3.5 ★ then.

Emily Henry has once again written a fun, zippy, and romantic contemporary novel that takes romance tropes and lovingly spins them on their head. In BOOK LOVERS she takes on the 'career woman finds new life in a small town' and not only lovingly deconstructs the trope, she lets her career driven protagonist have that drive without shame, but with self reflection. Nora is an ambitious and no nonsense literary agent who loves her job, loves the books she reads, and doesn't have time to dwell on her need to care for her little sister Libby or the death of their mother that has followed them for years. I really liked Nora as a protagonist, as Henry doesn't villainize her for her drive, or belittle for for it, and I really loved her witty and crackling banter with dour editor Charlie. They are both really likable in their prickliness, and their chemistry oozes off the pages as they start to discover each other, and discover how they do limit themselves, but not in ways that feel condescending within the narrative. I had a harder time with Nora's sister Libby, who has convinced Nora to take this small town vacation and is pushing her to not be as driven, but as the story unfolds and we learn more about both sisters she started to grow on me more and more. And the rest of the characters, while perhaps more two dimensional, are easy to like.

I really liked BOOK LOVERS, and have realized that Emily Henry is perhaps a must read author for me. Given that I don't have many of those in the romance genre, this is a very welcome development!

Emily Henry writes narratives so captivating, full of heartfelt romance and clever wit, that include real-life struggles we all go through, and Book Lovers, with its lovable cast of characters, adds to her realm of endearing stories that will make your heart melt, ache, and jump for joy.

Book Lovers follows literary agent Nora as she confronts her past and present in a once-in-a-lifetime summer getaway with her sister. But what happens when the plot twist she least expected falls into her path in the form of her snarky and ever charming professional nemesis, Charlie, and she realizes that he’s the only one to see past her walls and let her be truly herself?

From the first page, Henry’s writing had me chuckling and falling for these characters. I adore her ability to write an original story filled to the brim with bookish tropes, including one of my personal favorites, a hate-to-love romance with a dash of competitive rivalry. This book brings those tropes to the forefront and confronts them in an imaginative down-to-earth way.

The chemistry between the two main characters was so electric and fiery that you constantly FEEL that magnetic pull between them, and the sarcastic back and forth banter was absolutely one of the BEST I’ve read. Every interaction between them is effortless and real, and when the two have deep and tender moments, their connection is undeniable and sweet.

After reading this book, my heart is SO full! It was such a beautiful story about finding your own happiness and living life to the fullest. Nora, Charlie, and the entire gang of Sunshine Falls have stolen my heart. If you loved Henry’s previous books or are looking for a story to give you ALL the feels, add this one to your list ASAP!

*Thank you SO much to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Is this my new favorite Emily Henry? Yes. Did this immediately put me in a slump because it's perfect? Yes.

Hot Takes
- I mean...what can I say that you won't already know? Emily Henry knows how to write a fucking book. And while this is a great romance, it's also a really good book. Like a really really good book.
- Is Charlie the new Gus? Maybe...
- The setting of this book is so fucking vivid. I don't think I've pictured a scene like this since reading My Brilliant Friend.
- The Beach Read cameo AJEOGN;ERJNG ;AERNG;ELRNG;EALJNG!!!!!!!!!
- I don't know what else to say, just read this please

Read If You Like
- Any other Emily Henry book. Literally any other book.
- Small towns and small towns where two literal books lovers are.

I’m convinced Emily Henry cannot write a bad book. The banter? Hilarious. The characters? Swoony and well developed. This book makes you root for every single person that is mentioned. I loved the idea behind it, the topics it dealt with, and the emotions you can’t help but feel.

Emily Henry writes romances that are funny yet filled with depth. She’s an auto buy author for me, and this book didn’t disappoint. A perfect summer read!

I loved this! Perfect vacation read, especially for someone who used to be an editor (dream job in NY at S&S) and is now a librarian. I was a bit hesitant at first with the author's many references to pop culture in the first chapter (I have never been a fan of that), but she stopped after that initial peppering. Charlie and Nora are wonderful characters, the setting is fun, and the plot is just a little bit different to avoid being trite.

This was my first Emily Henry, and it won't be my last.

Another Emily Henry book to add to the favorites shelf!

Book Lovers introduces us to Nora Stephens, a literary agent who doesn’t see herself as the heroine of any romance story, especially after some less than happy endings to her recent romantic relationships. When her younger sister convinces her to take a sister trip to a small town in North Carolina (conveniently the town that was used as a setting in a novel by one of her top clients), she quickly (and repeatedly) runs into Charlie Lastra, an editor with whom she’s had less than positive encounters with.

As with all of Emily’s books, there are so many things to love about Book Lovers. The characters were relatable from start to finish, and I loved watching Nora’s evolution and growth over the course of the story. Charlie is handsome, brooding, and I would happily read almost anything from his point of view. Emily Henry has a way with writing characters that draws the reader into their stories. The premise for Book Lovers was just as fun as Emily’s previous books, and fans of the movie The Holiday will love Nora’s character and her arc.

I can't wait to see what's next from Emily!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Emily Henry is an author that sticks to what she knows, but I believe it’s time she branch out.

Book Lovers follows Nora Stephens, an uptight literary agent who looks down on happy people, and her sister Libby as they take a trip to a small town to get away from real life - deadlines, a baby on the way, and the trauma of losing their mother. But Nora, as much as she rejects the tropes of a romcom, soon finds herself face-to-face with a workplace rival and everything she spends her whole life fighting shows up at her front door.

Going into this book not being the biggest Emily Henry fan made me even more critical of this text, but I simply could not immerse myself in this world as I felt the non-relatable and frankly unlikeable characters were ones that I did not care to root for. I am always a fan of the “big city goes small town” trope, especially when the town has significant meaning, but I found the colourful cast of residents of this town far more intersting than our protagonists.

Additionally, much like Henry’s other books, I found myself comparing her characters and plots to other books and media. Book Lovers in particular had me constantly feeling like I had read that line before or heard it in a TV show and the story read more like building a plot around these lines rather than fully developing a unique and compelling story.

For those who are die-hard Emily Henry fans, you will find her signature style and tropes in this book, but while I do love books, Book Lovers did not meet the hype.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC for Book Lovers by Emily Henry! All thoughts and opinions are my own:

When Nora, a literary agent, met Charlie, an editor, to discuss an upcoming book for her client she thought it would be just another part of the job. What Nora didn't expect was for Charlie to so quickly get under her skin. Flash forward a few years later when Nora agrees to take a trip to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina with her younger sister, Libby. Based on the town in her client's best selling novel, Sunshine Falls is everything city life is not. To make matters even worse, Nora constantly runs into none other than Charlie Lastra. Over the course of a few weeks Nora and Charlie begin to understand that you can not always judge a person by the cover they let you see.

I fell in love with this book so quickly. The characters have depth to them that transcends beyond just another romance novel. I enjoyed the pace of the book and finished it in two days! This book was more than just a love story. It touched on family dynamics and struggles, trauma, and seeing people beyond what they allow. As much as I was interested in Nora and Charlie's story, I was just as interested in Libby and Nora's and Charlie's with his family. I think the author did a great job with writing these characters in a way that many people can relate to. I found so many similarities between Nora and myself in how we were raised in and how that shaped us. I can't recommend this enough to romance lovers, people who vibe with enemies to lovers, and those just looking for a really good book!

TW: family trauma, child parent complex, emotional neglect

Delightfully spicy. Emily Henry is quickly becoming my one of my favorite authors for fun splurgy reads.

I can always count on Emily Henry to write a book that I devour. This one was especially fun because it was a book about people who love books! I appreciated that it wasn't just about romance, but just as much about sisters and their love for each other. However, the romance was well-written and I was rooting for them the whole time (and was actually anxious that it wouldn't work out!). I didn't love the main character, but I still appreciated her. It was another great romance from Emily Henry!

Oh what fun this is! Nora and her sister Libby are in small town Sunshine Falls when they bump into Charlie, Nora's nemesis back in New York where she's a high powered literary agent and he's an editor. You know these two will tussle in the enemies to lovers way, don't you? What isn't immediately obvious and what makes this worth reading is the expansive and lovely relationship between Nora and Libby and the way that Charlie and Nora find their way to each other. It's a hoot in so many ways- from Nora's lists to Charlie's comebacks to her insults. And the conversations between Nora and Libby! Henry has a super storytelling style which pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Soooo, I am loving this book. Every page. Every line of banter. All the growth. My heart is catching, my stomach is jumping. And then that thing happens–you know that thing, it could be any small thing, but it's your personal pet peeve? Hurt my feelings because I was already telling my bestie I was going to get the book for his wife for her birthday (in October; that's how much I liked it). It's so little, and most people wouldn't care, but...argh. And here I am, my balloon of perfect happiness popped.

Yeah so, great book. ¯\_(..)_/¯ Sigh.

emily henry, how i love thee! if you like emily's previous books, you'll love this one, too. they're just so fucking CUTE. like there's not another way to describe them. i love a good romance, and i love that emily's stories always have all the book references you could dream of. this one felt especially enjoyable with the publishing aspect. so many book tropes throughout, in the best way.

This book had the most amazing small town vibe w such funny moments and yet so much depth too??? unreal. Nora was everything, I think everyone will see so much of themselves in her! & Charlie? obsessed. Their banter and conversations were my favorite thing, and the relationships & friendships within this book were amazing. I’m in love with everything about this, but are we even surprised?

Book Lovers is the love story of Nora and Charlie, both whom work in the publishing world and are working on a book together. The banter is witty and the tension is so good. Nora’s character is relatable – she’s independent, cares for others and is passionate about her job. Charlie is the grumpy type and his dialogue with Nora is perfection. Ironically, they both live in NYC, but their love affair took place in a small town. There are a lot of romance tropes throughout the book, and Nora points them out and makes fun of them, which was pretty entertaining. Their romance was a slow burn, but I loved every minute of it!

A huge thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Henry needs no introduction to most of us as she is the successful American author of several books including the recent bestsellers "Beach Read" and "People We Meet on Vacation". This new release is another romantic comedy. Nora is a literary agent from NYC and when her sister Libby, who is pregnant with her third child, asks that they spend a month relaxing in Sunshine Falls, Nora cannot refuse her. Sunshine Falls is the setting of one of her authors best selling romance novels and Libby has a list of romance book activities that she wants Nora to fulfill. To Nora's surprise she finds that she keeps running into Charlie, a book editor from the city that turned down the Sunshine Falls book. Enemies to lovers trope perhaps? I really enjoyed it.

Fun enemies to lovers romance. Easy to read, great beach read for the summer. Similar feeling to her other titles, characters are very likable.