Emily Henry strikes again! I have loved all of her books so far and this one - with a Bookish twist - is right up there with the best releases of the year.

Book Lovers is Emily Henry’s best adult romance book yet. This is not hyperbole or exaggeration. If I had to rank her three adult books so far, this would top Beach Read just about and People We Meet on Vacation comfortably.

It’s a disservice to this book that it’s somehow being called rivals to lovers. Charlie and Nora aren’t rivals—I would even say it’s barely hate to love. It’s more that they get off on the wrong foot initially, that being around each other brings out the snarky, occasionally impolite, side of each of them. But. That’s a dynamic that Emily Henry does so well.

Let’s make this my first point then: I loved the banter in this book. I think realistic and fun banter is a clear sign that two characters have chemistry, that the author knows how to write chemistry, and that was definitely the case here. I spent the whole book on tenterhooks for Nora and Charlie’s next scene together because of it. (Not to say that the other scenes, with Nora and her sister, or Nora and other people, weren’t great too, but they just didn’t have the same certain quality as Nora and Charlie.)

This is also a book that subverts the small town romance trope in that neither protagonist nor love interest actually likes the small town. As Nora says at the start, she isn’t the woman the protagonist falls for, she’s the woman who’s left behind in the city. But I think this is part of why this book is so fun—it’s cognisant of the tropes it’s playing on and it lets you know it. Not in an obnoxious way, but in a way that makes you smile along.

I think it’s a sign of a good book that, not only are you unable to put it down, but then you spend the next few days only able to think about the book. That you, perhaps (and not saying I did haha), end up rereading it only days after you first finished it. That’s what Book Lovers is, really. It’s an absorbing and addictive book, that you sit down to read, just to start, and before you know it, you’re halfway through and don’t want to stop. It’s the kind of book that just writing the review makes you desperate to reread it (again).

And I can’t promise I won’t go and do just that.

This book was such a breath of fresh air. After reading some heavy books i was in need of a light hearted romance and that is what ‘Book Lovers’ was. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, but it was just the perfect balance of seriousness and romance which made the story much more realistic and relatable.

‘Book Lovers’ is about Nora Stephens a workaholic literary agent, who agrees to go on a three week holiday with her sister Libby. While on this holiday in a small, small town, who does she run into? Only THE Charlie Lastra. eugh. Of course because it’s such a tiny town they run into each other every minute of everyday and before long they are head over heels for each other. (wooooo!!)

I am obsessed with this book and will never stop talking about it. The characters were written so well. I found myself relating to every one of them in certain moments. Whilst this book gives you hope for a perfect romance it also touches on family conflict and self conscience, but shows that in the end, with a bit of communication and effort, everything will be okay.

Thanks NetGalley and Penguin for an eARC of this book!!

Nora is a city girl who works as a literary agent. Her younger sister convinces her to go on vacation together to the small town: Sunshine Falls, North Carolina and makes a bucket list to get Nora to have her own small town romance, like the books they read and Nora reluctantly agrees. But when they arrive, it is not a local charming farmer that Nora runs into, but instead it is Charlie, a grumpy, brooding editor whom Nora knows from back in the city.

This is Emily Henry’s best book yet. I absolutely loved it. This book was written for the eldest daughters and I don’t think I’ve cried this hard in a long time when reading a book.

I loved Nora’s character, she was such a relatable character to read about and her character was so well fleshed out. What I loved both about Nora and Charlie was that they were the same. You get to see how these two spent their entire life being misunderstood, find a sense of belonging with each other and find the one person in the world that truly understands them for who they are. I just wanted to give the biggest hug to both Nora and Charlie and tell them everything was going to be okay.

I tried to keep this review short as possible as I could write a whole novel on why I loved this book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CW: death of a parent, grief

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinukbooks for the E-ARC and Book Lovers comes out on the 3rd May 2022 in the US and 12th May UK. UK peeps I know the wait is a little longer for us, but it will be so worth it.

I was addicted to this story from beginning to end. Overall, just a great fun feel-good read. Nora is an interesting character: conflicted, independent and loyal. I was on her side from page one. Her close, almost claustrophobic, relationship with her sister is worth exploring. And, of course, Charlie. The misunderstood, brooding and well-dressed love/hate interest... loved him from the beginning.

I predict 'Book Lovers' will make it on to many best seller lists and be seen on many a beach towel this summer as it is the archetypal summer read. But bring your sunglasses, as many tears are sure to be shed along the way.

Thank you yo NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

I thought that this book started off well with two very different sisters (one a little less mature married with kids and the other a workaholic over-achiever) going to a small town near Asheville, NC. The book seemed to start as an alternative “hallmark” story without the cliche, but it ended up going in that direction in a long-winded way.

I felt some parts of the book took too long to address the points, and I had trouble believing the characters in places. For example, the love interest almost getting together with multiple opportunities then not doing so and the conflict with the sisters based on communications - which I struggled to find believable.

One of the best books I’ve read this year!

🌆New York based
📚Literary Agent/ Editor
🔥Slow Burn
💙Stranger to Frenemies to Somewhat-Friends to Stolen-Secret-Kisses to Soulmates

Nora and Charlie are seriously one of the cutest couples. Stranger to frenemies to somewhat-friends to stolen-secret-kisses to soulmates. Their story captured my heart from the beginning and held it all throughout the book until their happily-ever-after where I left with a new favorite book and a heavy heart but in a really good way.

I recommend this to everyone. If you’ve tried this author before and left disappointed then I suggest you try this out. If you’ve never read anything by her then this is the perfect book to start. And if this is one your favorite authors then get ready because its gonna make you fall in love even more.

I’m so thankful to have been lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley and Penguin Random House.

CHARLIE?! I LOVE YOU!

I have multiple thoughts/feelings about this book. One major thing is that this is very much Beach Read, this is what Emily Henry is good at. PWMAV was a fluke so I forgive you.

BookTok is going to love this, it's an instant hit.

There are multiple things that work and the first is that Nora is relatable. Not everyone wants kids, wants to live in the country or gives up their career for family life.

I'm 26 and this book resonates with me so much.

No one talks about family breakups and this book does that so well. There was no romantic twist, the twist was purely family-focused and I adore it.

I love Charlie but I fucking love Nora. Nora is a bad bitch with repressed feelings trying to hold on to memories of a childhood where she was parentified.

God that was a great book!!!

I do have to say, I wish the twist was her sister being the mystery writer using the story to tell her something, that would have been great...

There’s literally nothing I don’t love about this book. I’m becoming a firm Emily Henry fan now.
Read this, you deserve it!

Having read 'You and Me on Vacation', I was really looking forward to reading another Emily Henry book. Unfortunately, I don't think it lived up to the hype. I enjoyed the self-reflexive take on the publishing industry but didn't find the characters or the plot particularly original or interesting.

I will read anything Emily Henry writes, and thankfully I wasn’t disappointed by Book Lovers.
I loved Nora and Lily’s relationship. I don’t have a sister, but if I did I would want us to be like them!
I wasn’t as much a fan of Charlie as I was of Alex and Gus, Henry’s previous male leads. I just didn’t warm to him as much.
The ending was frustrating but satisfying.
Can’t wait for EH’s next novel!

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Nora, a New York literary agent, spends a summer in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina at her sister Libby's request.
She has to collaborate with Charlie, an editor, on her biggest author's latest book and despite an inauspicious first meeting a couple of years ago in New York, they start to get very close!

Wowwww Emily Henry does it again - fabulous! I can't think of a single author who does witty banter between characters better than Emily Henry. I absolutely loved the developing relationship between Nora and Charlie - the perfect balance of sass and real emotional depth too. I haven't been so invested in a potential couple since Loralei and Luke (Gilmore Girls)! I also loved the 'small town' scenes and Nora's relationship with Libby. I laughed, I cried and I raced through the pages. I could go on and on but... this is the perfect novel - very VERY highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Emily Henry has done it again.. well no, actually I think she’s done it better! Book Lovers is by far my favourite EH book. She is such a good writer, I love how seamlessly she blends romance and literary fiction. Her characters have so much depth and likability.. Charlie and Nora are absolute perfection. The banter and chemistry was *chef’s kiss*.

I loved the mix of New York City and small town vibes but Sunshine Falls was my favourite. I want to go book shopping in Goode books followed by food & drinks at Poppa Squat.!

I can’t wait for the next book from Emily Henry and this one isn’t even out yet!

4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had great expectations for Book Lovers but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I didn’t particularly like anything about it and found it struggles to hold my interest. I would rate it two stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin and the author for the chance to review.

Having read Emily’s last two books and loving them, I had very high expectations. I did enjoy this book but not quite as much as the others, but it still had the very likeable characters that she knows how to write. This book starts with a funny prologue about your stereotypical ‘hallmark’ movie, and how the main character has been left several times by partners who have found themselves in a small town and hooked up with a small-town girl. I found this book a little slower going than her previous books, but still enjoyed it nonetheless and will definitely be picking up her next novel. I was rooting so hard for the main love interests and was deeply invested and worried about her sister, Libby throughout the book! Would recommend 😊

This was a simple, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming.

The chemistry between the two love interests was excellent, their banter and the way their relationship evolved had me grinning for the whole book I absolutely loved it!

This is a great book for anyone who loves small town romances and of course the enemies to lovers trope

Book Lover’s is a fun summer read and the ending was absolute perfection, I would 100% recommend.

I freaking loved it. Emily Henry’s books keeps getting better and better. This one is my favorite so far. The chemistry between the MC and the love interest is amazing. The smut which I am not usually a fan was exactly what I wanted. Not super hot sex impossible to follow, but you know smut enough to have all the ~feelings~. Not gonna lie, sometimes I wanted to smack Nora’s head, though I understand her reasons to be the way she was. Omg, I love this book so much!!! Go read it!

I really enjoyed this! It's a great book for anyone who loves literary references, sisterly love, small town romances and the enemies to lovers trope.

Although, personally, I don't think Charlie and Nora are RIVALS per se, that's a bit of a stretch, but I liked their banter and relationship. They just seemed more like colleagues to lovers to me. But that didn't take away from the book.

My favourite Emily Henry book is still You and Me on Vacation but it was MUCH better than Beach Read.

The reason I gave it 3 stars is because I did find myself putting the book down a few times because it felt long, it was a little too slow in the middle for my liking. And compared to YaMoV, it felt a little underwhelming.

I also found Nora's sister, Libby, quite irritating. She keeps forcing her sister to not work for three weeks when she knows how busy Nora is and how heavy her workload is. Constantly complaining if she even looks at her phone. She can't just spontaneously stop working for 3 weeks, surely she understands the situation with Dusty and that she can't just leave her clients in the dark for so long. Her understanding of Nora is disappointing and I wish she'd been more supportive. It felt like Libby thought it was all about her, like her sister had to baby her and she was the only one with problems.

Anyway, aside from that, I'd still recommend this for a light summer read, it's sweet and fun and perfect for book lovers everywhere!

Emily Henry is fast becoming one of my favourite writers, she writes so well and her characters and storys are always so real and make you want to just keep reading. Superb.