I absolutely adored this book! It had everything a romance novel should have. I also loved the relationship between the sisters and how it was about their relationship as well as a blossoming romance. I also loved the romance between the two Main characters and hoped their relationship would succeed. One I would read again! Without doubt 5 stars!

DNF

I was rather disappointed with this read. I had high expectations but I just did not like any of the characters.

After reading mostly positive feedback on this book, I gave it a second chance but it still couldn’t finish it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

A witty take on the over used romantic tropes that Nora Stephens sees everyday in her role as a literary agent in the high flying world of New York publishing. Charlie Lastra her literary nemesis is just as cynical as she is so why does he show up in the North Carolina town where Nora's client has set her best selling romantic novel? An anti love story that will keep you turning the page.

A HUGE thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for the arc! All thoughts are my own.

5 🌟

I went into this veryyyy hesitant. I've heard mixed reviews for Emily Henry, people said her book were a hit or miss. I'm happy to say this was a total hit for me. I LOVE this book, and now I have to read all of Emily Henry's books.

Book Lovers is a book made FOR book lovers written BY a book lover. And it was sooo good!

Let's start with a brief summary...

Charlie Lastra is a fancy schmancy editor who wears all black expensive clothes and is super sexy and hot. And he's the grumpy in a grumpy x grumpy love story. 😍😍😍 Basically, I love him.

Nora Stephens is a fancy schmacy literary agent who loves her heels and expensive clothes and is also very hot. Also grumpy. And she's a protective older sister 🥰🥰 so relatable

See the similarities between them?

Anyways, they end up spending a summer at the same place and stuff happens... ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Characters

I love Nora so much. She's my favourite type of heroine. Smart, confident, knows what she wants, unashamed and hardworking. I love that even though she grew as a character in the book, she didn't change her whole personality and end up staying in Sunshine Falls. She went back to the city and gave her career that she worked so hard for the importance and priority it deserved.

Charlie was honestly the cutest thing. 🤩 He read Nora like a book (haha) and ALWAYS said the right thing. LIKE CDGFSJAK And the way he's a total feminist. And isn't too insecure to date a tall woman.

Romance
I LOVED IT if you can tell!!! Charlie and Nora have the best banter. It was so entertaining to read. But the best part of their relationship is the way that they support each other so much. Rather than giving up their aspirations and worlds for each other, they make it work. Charlie cares about Nora's career and even helps her with her editor job. I love that books are their love language, it's actually adorable.

Overall this whole book was heartwarming and bookish and I just loooove it

Great easy reading romance-excellent holiday read!

Relatable and well written characters make this book a joy.

As a booklover (particularly a romcom lover), to find a book about other book lovers and their romantic/ personal journey...HEAVEN! Henry- you genious!

This literally encapsulated every romcom/book lovers fantasies. The list the sisters create is perfection and if I'm honest I wanted to join them on their mission. Until I had to remind myself that this is in fact another work of fiction.
The settings, the chemistry, the humour, the drama: every single element was spot on.

Emily Henry just has a way with words that even the small moments feel monumental. This story is so far my favourite by Emily. This was a cozy, warm, sweet, funny, emotional and heartfelt story. I loved the building relationship Nora and Charlie as well as all the scenes between Nora, her sister, her nieces and the entire town this story is set in. It gave me all the feels of a hallmark movie with the added substance and heart the author sprinkles in throughout.

This books makes me excited to read more of Emily Henry's future books and to buy a physical copy as I know I'll definitely be rereading this one time and time again.

Was excited to read this one, and it didn't disappoint! A great read, and one I definitely recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book

You can’t go wrong with a book about books! This is probably my favourite book of hers to date. A superbly written rom-com that I didn’t want to end. A definite hit for 2022 which I would highly recommend reading. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Book lovers was everything I was looking for - a witty, feel good rom com with a book industry enemies to lovers which leads to a happy ending. All I need - all the time!

I adore Emily Henry’s writing style and characters so much because they are not your typical cookie cutter romance hero and heroine.

I particularly loved that Nora (our heroine) was a shark - career focused and unapologetic about that! It was refreshing to read!

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book.
There were steamy encounters, a strong female lead, a moody man without being an asshole to everyone, and a lot of banter between the love interests.
It was definitely an enemies to lovers trope without Nora loosing any of her spark or intelligence.
It reminded me a lot of The Hating Game, whereas both main characters worked in literature and starting off hating each other.
The book is relatable and the characters grow without loosing themselves. A great romance read!

This isn’t far the most captivating book I have read in a while. It’s always wonderful to read a book centred around other book lovers but this one had an edge as the main female character didn’t appear to be what you expect initially. I loved the relationship between the three lead characters, I read this book in one afternoon and the ending was just perfect. I’m going to buy some more books from the author immediately to get my next hit! Thanks netgalley.

I loved this book. I loved the characters, the plot and the setting.

And omg I could relate to a lot about it even though I am not an oldest sister but from the more bookish aspect. I loved how emotional and real the story was even if a bit slow in the middle but it was definitely a 5 star for me.

5/5⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the arc in exchange for a review!

“Nora.” He just barely smiles. “You’re in books. Of course you don’t have a life. None of us do. There’s always something too good to read.”

This might seem stupid, but I feel like Emily Henry analyzed me and wrote this book specifically for me. The way this book made me feel surpasses any other feeling in the world right now, and I’ve never been so thankful.

I have to admit that going into the book, I was really scared. I wasn't sure if I was going to absolutely love it or hate it, because Emily Henry created those trust issues with her books. However, knowing the premise, I tried to convenience myself that I was going to love it, and it was true. I truly loved this book, probably more than People We Meet on Vacation (and that's saying a lot because that book has me in a chokehold)

In my personal opinion, I think this is Emily Henry's best work. You might disagree and say you hate every book she has ever written, and I respect that, but for me, this was truly a masterpiece and exactly what I needed in my life when I first read it. A little ray of sunshine, you know?
The tropes, the characters, the romance, the sister relationship, the plot, the quotes... it was all perfect.

Plot:
The book is about Nora Stephens, a literary agent who is a workaholic and definitely not a small-town kind of person. However, her sister Libby, compelled her to go on a sister's trip with her to Sunshines Fall. Libby is sure that this is exactly what Nora needs, to live that small-town romance that they see in the movies and get away from their city life for a couple of weeks. However, when they arrive, they bump into Charlie Lastra, who is another editor from the city. Although they haven't always gotten along, Charlie and Nora decide to collaborate on the project when Nora accepts an editing job with one of her clients.

Characters:
- Nora: possibly one of my favorite characters ever. Like I mentioned before, I've never felt so seen by a character until now. It's not about her being harsh or a sarcastic bitch (we actually see those characters a lot); it's about her being a realistic portrayal of a working woman who knows what she knows and is determined to achieve it and have control of the situation. I liked how Emily Henry didn't change her character throughout the book and didn't make her love the small-town life; she's a city girl and stayed that way, unlike most romcoms. Nora is also really caring, and we see this in her moments with Libby, her little sister. Their mother died when they were still teenagers, so Nora had to take care of them and showed how strong and determined she is, by always worrying about Libby and taking care of her, making sure she was always okay even if she risked her career dream a couple of times.

“That’s the thing about women. There’s no good way to be one. Wear your emotions on your sleeve and you’re hysterical. Keep them tucked away where your boyfriend doesn’t have to tend to them and you’re a heartless bitch.”

- Charlie: his character is definitely more seen in romance novels and didn't have as much complexity as Nora, but I still love him so much! Charlie is really brooding and closed off, but we see him open up to Nora about his family and his life when he lived in town, it's clear that he's actually really sensitive. He has a gift and always says the right thing, even if it's not on purpose, but he's always there for Nora even when he was also going through stuff, which shows how caring he is. I don't think I'll ever recover from Charlie Lastra and that's okay.
Just to be clear, mean little cats >>>>>>> golden retrievers
(and I'm allergic to cat hair, so it makes it funnier)

“How do you do that?”
His brow furrows. “Do what?”
“Say the right thing.”
The corner of his mouth quirks. “No one thinks that.”
“I do.”
His lashes splay across his cheeks as his gaze drops. “Maybe I just say the right thing for you.”

“Stephens,” he says, tone dry once more, “if you’re the villain in someone else’s love story, then I’m the devil.”

“So if you’re the ‘wrong kind of woman’, then I’m the ‘wrong kind of man.”

Romance:
I love the chemistry they have, I've read a lot of contemporary romances and I don't think a couple has ever had this connection.

“Or maybe, Nora Stephens, I can read you like a book.”
I scoff. “Because you’re so socially intelligent.”
“Because you’re like me."

Usually, the couples are opposites or have things that differentiate them a lot, but in Book Lovers, Nora and Charlie are developed very similarly. Both their lives are heavily influenced by their families, Nora wants what's best for her sister and always takes care of her, while Charlie stays in that small town to help the family business, even if that's not what he would rather do with his life. They're also known to be really harsh when they edit, they're honest, and I l love that.

“Not just because Charlie and I are so similar, but because he’s right: we belong. In a way I don’t understand, he’s mine, and I’m his. It doesn’t matter what the last page says. That’s the truth. Here, now.”

Another thing to highlight about their relationship is the sacrifice. By the end of the book, Nora has to go back to the city, but Charlie has to stay and help in the family business. Charlie, instead of convincing her to stay with him in that town, makes her go to the city and live her dream without having to compromise her happiness for someone else. It's not that Charlie isn't enough; it's about Nora finally being able to finally do something for herself. I loved the way Charlie conceived her to do it and helped her spread her wings. Get yourself someone that instead of holding you back, pushes you to accomplish your dreams, as Charlie did with Nora.

“Of course I love you, Nora. If I loved you any less, I’d be trying to convince you that you could be happy here. You have no idea how badly I wish I could be enough.”
....
“If anyone could be enough,” I say, “I think it might be you.”

Additionally, I wanted to mention the smut scenes. I think that in contemporary romances, these are really important because they add passion and chemistry to the couple, so after reading Beach Read, I thought Emily Henry would add an over-the-top smut scene. However, it wasn't like that, it was simple and absolutely perfect. Why? Because Nora and Henry didn't need a super detailed sex scene to show their chemistry, they've had it since the beginning!! It was exactly what the story needed.

“I read once that sunflowers always orient themselves to face the sun. That’s what being near Charlie Lastra is like for me”

Nora and Libby:
I think their relationship is one of the most important concepts of the book, and it's what I think made it surpass any other Emily Henry book. I don't want to talk too much about it, because I think it's something that you need to read. If you're an older sister, you'll definitely relate a lot to Nora and her relationship with Libby, it's not always the best and they have fights, but they'll always be there for each other, trying to push each other to their best version.
The way Nora took care of Libby when their mother died and put on hold her dreams to make sure Libby had everything she needed, even with both of them in adulthood... it was just... aghhh. I cried, okay? just read it pls

“You and your sister might have your differences, and she might not totally understand you, but you’re never going to lose her, Nora. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“I don’t know how to be without you, Nora,” Libby squeaks. “I never thought I would be. And I know this is right for me and Brendan, but—fuck, I thought you and I would always be together. How is it possible for two people who belong together to belong in two different places?”

If you're too lazy to read the whole review, just read the quotes! that might definitely convince you to read the book even without the context :)

“Sometimes, even when you start with the last page and you think you know everything, a book finds a way to surprise you.”

I’m writing this over a month after I read it so unfortunately my memories and feelings aren’t overly fresh, but I know I enjoyed it! I remember feeling a bit disappointed at the end and almost gave a 3 star rating rather than 4, however the banter was great and I really enjoyed the fact that Nora was a ‘strong independent’ city woman who didn’t give up her entire personality for a man.
I just wish I could have loved this one as much as Beach Read which I have re-read, and will continue to re-read, over and over again!
I will continue to read everything that Emily Henry writes as even though this isn’t a new favourite, it was still a great book that I had a lot of fun reading!
(Oh, and although this book was provided to me via NetGalley, I purchased a physical copy as soon as I could!)

I enjoyed this book although I did find it hard to warm to the characters, I’m afraid and fully understand what I have missed in this book. Maybe I should try it again but maybe it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This book was a disappointment and no one is more sad about than my because I LOVED People we meet on Vacation. But this book gave me the total opposite feelings that pwmov gave me.

The first few chapters made me think the book had potential but then…

I just couldn’t connect with the characters and I found them all to be pretty bland. The romance had no build up and felt rushed so I had no time to really see their feelings develop.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Penguin for approving me for an ARC of this book. I am a huge fan of Emily Henry’s work and could not wait to dive into her third novel.

What I have come to love about Emily Henry is the bookish content within her stories. Whether it’s a book shop, an author or an editor, we always have an element of a book theme pop up. This book goes one step further though and starts by slating the well known tropes of a small town romance story. The girl from the big city going to a small town and finding her one true love etc, etc, etc. You get the picture?

Our protagonist Nora is all too familiar with these tropes and it was hilarious seeing her trying (and failing) to avoid them on her holiday with Libby. The relationship between these two sister’s is beautiful and heart warming. You can see just how much they love each other and their heart to hearts often made me well up. How they both saw their childhood and their roles as they entered their adult life was very interesting and just showed the different experience they both had.

Of course this wouldn’t be a romance without a swoon worthy leading man to fantasise over. Charlie is so smooth it’s ridiculous. He’s smart, funny and extremely sexy. The chemistry between him and Nora was throw the roof, in fact the whole house was burning!

“She wonders whether what comes next could ever live up to the expectations. She doesn’t know. You never can. She turns the page anyway.”
― Emily Henry, Book Lovers

Every time I read one of Emily Henry’s books I don’t think she can possibly top it but this could quite possibly be my favourite of hers so far. It’s sexy, romantic, funny and emotional. This novel is a complete contradiction of the romance tropes it slated at the start but it works! There is a reason why we read books like this. To get swept up in the characters and their journey, you can’t help but fall in love with the small town tropes and even if you know where it will lead the journey getting there is so much fun!

“The last-page ache. The deep breath in after you’ve set the book aside.”
― Emily Henry, Book Lovers

Oh how I loved this and devoured this in one day.

The quick banter, the chemistry, the enemies to lovers. I’m such a sucker for it. It was funny too.

Their chemistry was insane. Loved how they were. He was funny made me laugh she was funny how she retored back.

Right amount of cheese, romantic, perfect sister bond, special auntie, lovely community. Like a hallmark movie.

Read all of the books and was so glad net galley approved me for this. Thank you.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry is a fun twist on a lot of sweet contemporary romance tropes, and I loved it. Just like Beach Read which I enjoyed a couple of years ago, the writing is - the sort of book that almost makes me want to give up writing because I don’t think I could ever do it as well as that.

It follows cut-throat literary agent Nora and successful editor Charlie who both work in the New York publishing industry. After a bad first impression a couple of years ago, they don’t really get on, but then they run into each other while they’re in a small town in North Carolina for a few weeks.

OF COURSE everything you would expect to happen, happens, but it’s the way she tells the story that really makes it. Nora is super against “typical” romance stories; in past relationships she’s always been the grumpy ex back home in the city, always choosing her job over a boyfriend, while those boyfriends meet someone in a small town and ‘discover’ themselves. She’s a little bit cynical.

Charlie, meanwhile, has more going on that first meets the eye. Like I said, it’s packed with tropes, but done in such a way that it both gently teases and fully embraces them. I really loved it, and I think that like Beach Read, it’s going to become one of my comfort books that I reread again and again.