Member Reviews
Cute! Friends to lovers is not my fav trope, but how could I resist a romance that takes place in a bookshop?! What’s funny to me is that Lizzie struggles with anxiety, and yet, her pining for Jack but not just *talking it out* gave me anxiety. Generally, that’s the name of the game for friends to lovers, so I should have known better. Miscommunication, or lack there of only hits for me when they hate each other until it combusts into some good heat. Overall it’s a cute, witty, quick read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley, and to the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my review.
This book was an absolute pleasure to read. Anything by Jayci Lee is actually. I highly recommend this book.
1.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
Wow, I soooo wanted to like this one. I was honestly so excited to read this but it just lacked in the end. I had to fight not to DNF this but still ended up skimming the book. I couldn't connect with the characters at all, and they're supposed to be in their 30s here but honestly, they don't act their age at all. The plot was super predictable along with that this was supposed to be friends to lovers, but where was the friends part?? Because when I started this book they were already hot and bothered for each other so that's another thing I felt lacking. Overall I feel like certain things are being focused on too much like food and bath descriptions. instead focusing on character development or backstories that allow readers to connect to the characters. This book has a good baseline if only it was executed differently.
Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee features a dual-pov romance. Lizzy is an overachieving attorney who has anxiety. After winning a trial brings her no joy, she takes a vacation to the small town where her bff, Jack lives. Jack is working for the family brewery, has been hiding his feelings from Lizzy for about 20 years, and looking to pursue his own dreams in corporate America.
While on vacation, Lizzy rediscovers her childhood dream of owning a bookstore by helping out a friend. Jack and Lizzy start dating and things move along.
This book had so much promise but I struggled to connect to the characters. I felt that I could skip large chunks of dialogue and not miss anything.
I enjoyed reading this contemporary romance! A classic friends-to-lovers featuring Lizzy and Jack, it takes place in small town California and heavily features a local indie bookstore, which is always a great setting. I’m a sucker for a good bookstore. The author does a fantastic job building the characters and the world around them; I finished the book wanting to visit Weldon and the Sparrow bookshop. Featuring Korean leads, it was perfect to read during AAPI Heritage Month! If you enjoy romcoms, you’ll enjoy this read (though be warned, it does have a little spice). This was my first read by Jayci Lee, but it won’t be my last!
This was really cute! I loved Lizzy and Jack together. I wish there was a bit more bookstore content that was about the store itself, not just the sexual tension between "friends". And the end felt a bit rushed. But overall, I really really enjoyed this.
Ah this book was so cute and entertaining. Absolutely loved the plot, the characters were sweet and fun. Very well written and well paced. Such a sweet and heartfelt story.
I was blushing and giggling the whole time!!
Thank you so much St.Martin’s Press for this ARC!
Booked on a Feeling is a sweet novel about two best friends-turned-lovers searching for their identities and future. As a Korean-American, I was really looking forward to reading this, but found myself struggling with feeling connected with the characters and keeping my interest for the first 10% of the book. Once Lizzy and Jack met in Weldon, the storyline settled into a rhythm of secret crushes and attraction, with expansive monologues that extended through most of the novel. The character dialogue was a little juvenile, but the light-hearted, playful tone of the novel made for an easy read.
I wanted to enjoy this book more, it has a lot of the elements I often like seeing in books like this - more diverse characters, quirky moments, etc, but ultimately it felt a bit flat. Lots of time building up to moments that could have been significant, including but not limited to the sex scenes, only for the actual moments to blink by with no detail.
“I’ve loved you since we were ten, and I’ll love you until I’m a hundred and ten.” Ugh, this book was so sweet. It’s about Jack and Lizzy, who have been friends for 20 years, realize they have feelings for each other, and decide to try their hand at romance. And, let me tell you: they obviously win. The characters in this book are loveable and quirky. The romance is sweet and genuine. The setting is charming and adorable, And (to my surprise), there’s even a little well-written spiciness included. I ADORED this book, could not put it down, and definitely recommend it as a sweet, fun, and fast read.
This was a cute book that had really funny banter. I was immediately drawn in by the title and description of the book and requested the ARC right away. The only thing that was a little much for me was all the internal back and forth monologue about their feelings for one another that occurs in the first 40% of the book. Lizzie and Jack have such funny banter and it had me laughing out loud at certain parts. I will definitely be reading more of Jayci Lee's books in the future.
I received this ARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
Admittedly, I kinda skipped the first two and went straight for the third book in the series by reading this ARC on NetGalley because the title and synopsis had me going ✨grabby hands✨ for this! A bookstore at the center of a friends-to-lovers romance? Sign me upppppp!!!
I loved the individual journeys these two MCs went as well as their journey of becoming friends-to-lovers, they wove together seamlessly and complimented each other well! I didn't love the plot device used in the third act per say because I saw it coming, but I will admit, it made sense for natural growth and coming to terms with some concepts for the main characters. It did make me wanna chuck a relationship therapist at the two of them though!
All in all I really loved this. I laughed my BUTT off, I cried, and I cringed at how dorky these two cuties were. Nonetheless I am quite excited to circle back around and read books one and two in this standalone rom com series. Would probably have rated it a 4.5 because of some minor unresolved plot holes/unfinished loose ends and that unspoken third act plot device used, but rounded up because it was honestly just a really fun read!
Overall, I loved the characters of this book, but I feel like it felt a little boring at times because the tension didn’t appear to have much of a buildup. I am always up for a good childhood friends to lovers book, but I was unable to finish it completely; however, I do think that it is a sweet book if a reader wants to just get out of his or her own head and transport into a happy setting.
If you are looking for a light summery fun friends to lovers book, this book is for you. The book overall was adorable, and I loved the messages shown throughout the novel. I just felt like something was missing for me. I was not too fond that Lizzy didn't respect Jack's request to take things slow. I also thought it was frustrating that the book was based on the two main characters' miscommunication. I would recommend this book, although I don't think I would reread it.
*I received this ARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely. Quotes used subject to change with publication.
This is a cute second-chance romance that deepens with characters finding out who they are, not who their families say they are. It’s filled with cute banter and fun scenes I could picture in my head (especially the transformation of a small-town bookstore!). The characters are endearing, and I miss them already.
Arc provided by NetGalley; all opinions are my own.
Thank you,Net Galley for this arc! How cute are the cover and title? It is definitely my favorite. This book was very sweet, I felt that a quarter of the way in, it really hit its stride as far as cuteness and chemistry between the leads. I felt like the relationship development was a bit too quick and the characters tended to feel two dimensional at times. I will add that I did not read the companion books, but that did not ruin the experience for me and I got through it fine!
I liked the premise of the book but the writing style was choppy and didn't have much of a flow to the story. The main characters were also a little abrupt and the flow of the book was so off for me. I wanted to like the characters, but as the story went on, it was just not relatable on any level for some reason. I'm not sure why this book was harder to get into or enjoy, but overall it was just not one that was a favorite for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
I love all Jayci Lee books so much and this gives off the same romantic and soft vibe that I love from all the books. Lizzy and Jack are literally the sweetest and lovable characters. They all have their own charm and I love the meaning behind discovering yourself behind it all.
Booked On A Feeling was a sweet, light small town, childhood friends to lovers story. I was drawn in by the lovely cover art and the premise - I mean what book lover doesn’t dream of the whole small town bookshop escape bit? 😊 The book was a quick read and I did like and enjoy he story overall. Definitely a good pick for a fluffy, fun beach read.
Some highlights for me (other than tropes), were the inclusion of the glimpses of culture and mental health rep. Both mains were Korean American, so I really loved the bits about their families, culture and food that were woven in to the story. I’m always a big fan of MH rep, and seeing stories of different experiences of what that can look / be like - so it was a welcome addition to see Lizzy’s experience with anxiety and panic.
Wishes I had for the book would mainly be in regards to pacing and build. The pacing in the story was a bit off for me personally at times, particularly in the middle where it felt a bit slower which for me may have to do with wish two. In terms of build, I wished for more of a slow burn, yearning build up which I didn’t really feel here. I think in some ways the story would have lent itself better to a movie a la hallmark visual watching experience for me.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This was a lovely story. It is a bit too slow at the start as the characters are established and the end is a bit rushed. However, fans of friends to lovers will enjoy it. If you have ever thought that romance novels are unrealistic, maybe this is the romance novel for you. It is sweet and slow burn but very realistic. I truly believed that the plot was true to the characters. It was too slow-paced for me but I think some of you will really love it.
Something I really enjoyed was the exploration of what happens when you have done everything you were supposed to or were expected to but then you realize that was never your dream and you want to start living for yourself. That was so relatable, if only making those decisions were just as easy as in books.