2.5 stars. I really liked this one right off the bat. I was intrigued by the mystery of why Irma was selling the store and I liked the band of characters. But then it took forever to get to any real action of the story and it was kind of a letdown.

I love Gretchen Anthony's charming stories set in Minnesota, and The Book Haters' Book Club is maybe her best yet, though that maybe biased because book lovers love books about books, even tangentially. This was a quirky story about family and place, and while the characters are wonderfully Minnesotan, I think those elements will resonate with readers from all over..

After Elliott dies, his best friend and business partner gathers his and her closest family members to drop the bomb on them that she is selling their bookstore. Her daughters and Elliott's husband are convinced that something is wrong and decide to try to find out what is going on and save the bookstore. This was okay. I didn't like any of the characters much at first but got more into as I read. Really, there was no reason for Irma to be so secretive about why she was selling the store, but I guess without that, there's not much story. 3 stars.

The Book Haters' Book Club from Harlequin Trade Publishing is a kind of redemption / feel-good book that I could see made into a Hallmark movie. When Elliot, the co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookshop, dies unexpectedly. He always had the perfect book suggestion for the self-proclaimed Book Hater. Now his grief-ridden business partner, Irma, has agreed to sell the cozy Over the Rainbow to condo developers. But Elliot's partner, Thom, and Irma's two daughters won’t give up the bookshop without a fight.

The family dynamics are all too real, and each character is navigating grief of not only human loss but the loss of self, purpose, and career. Thom's anger with Elliot for not planning and making provisions if he should die is so true in life as we don't think we need to do that, and then it's too late.

This was a quick read for me as I was able to get immersed in the story. I enjoyed reading the newsletters embedded in the storyline; these brought a different dynamic and insight into the characters.

Overall, a good story, a bit slow in the beginning, but a worthwhile read for me. I would give this a 3.5/4 out of 5 stars.

#TheBookHatersBookClub #NetGalley

Under rather suspicious circumstances Irma has sold her bookshop after the death of her bookshop partner, Elliot. Soon her daughters and Thom the partner of Elliot begin to smell a fish. Why on earth would Irma do this before telling the others, just present the deal - signed and sealed.

Or is it? Bree, Laney and Thom think it is smelly and they endeavour to get to the bottom of what is going on. Irma who is cagey is giving nothing away. But its an awful low price so what is going on. So the trio come up with a plan.

After many struggles, secrets, insights and revelations, things begin to work out. A bookshop that seemed to be doomed has a promising new life. And what's more the characters themselves all too, look forward to that same promise in their own lives.

Interesting premise, clever title and a lovely tribute to booksellers, bookstores and librarians everywhere. I'm always intrigued by a book that offers a generous helping of quirkiness and family drama. The newsletters featuring real book titles as recommendations made me smile. I'm sure this novel was a challenge to write so I hate that it fell a bit short for me. As book people, we're always looking for ways to turn non-readers into super fans, so I appreciate the valiant effort that was made here. While the writing is excellent, the pacing is painfully slow. I just could not get into the story. Thank you for the opportunity.

The Book Hater's Club is the first book I have read by Gretchen Anthony, but I won't hesitate to read more. This was a wonderful book, set in and around a small, independent bookstore called Over the Rainbow. Irma and Elliot are co-owners of the store, but Elliot has recently passed away. Irma has signed an agreement to sell the store to local developers who plan to build condos on the property of the bookstore and the hardware store beside it. Her daughters, Bree and Laney, are shocked and along with Elliot's partner, Thom, are determined to stop the deal. What would the town be without the beloved bookstore. Things are not always what they seem, and Irma is keeping secrets, but so was Elliot.

I love books set in bookstores or libraries and this book was a winner for me. Irma is an infuriating character, who might have had good motives, but her secrets were infuriating. She had a huge heart and her daughters were her life, but her brusque nature made it hard for them to open up to her and share their feelings. Both Bree and Laney love their mom, but also get frustrated with her. Bree has had no job except working at the bookstore and always thought she would take it over when her mother retired, she is at a loss and doesn't know what she will do without Over the Rainbow. Laney is married to a retired racecar driver, but isn't really happy. She didn't want to come home, but once she was there, she begins to reevaluate what she really wants out of her life. Thom is just angry. He felt that Irma and the store, kept Elliot from spending more time with him. They didn't travel or do much and when he dies, Thom finds out that he has been left nothing. Did Elliot really love him. This group spends a lot of time together plotting, acting and finally opening up and healing. Throughout the book we get glimpses of Elliot. We hear from his newsletters that were wonderful. The newsletters were called "The Book Haters' Book Club" where the book gets it's title. They are recommendations to readers including a book title, why your want to read it, and who it would appeal to. It gives a voice to Elliot. We also have "commercial breaks" throughout the book where Elliot interjects, which adds a bit of whimsy. The story touches on grief, family, stubbornness, found family, activism, friendship, same-sex rights, secrets and more. This book made me laugh, shed a few tears and had me nodding my head in agreement. If you enjoy a family drama with some humour, quirky characters and of course reference to books, then this is a book I recommend you pick up.

You might think it odd that someone who loves books as much as I do would read something titled The Book Haters' Book Club, but I could not resist finding out what Gretchen Anthony's book was all about.

Elliot and Irma are best friends and co-owners of Over the Rainbow bookstore in Minneapolis. As the novel opens, Elliott has recently passed away and Irma has summoned her two daughters- Bree, who works in the bookstore, and Lacey, who left home as a teenager and owns a tire repair store with her husband Tuck in Oakland- and Elliot's life partner Thom to a lawyer's office.

To everyone's surprise, Irma has decided to sell the store to a developer who has designs on putting high-rise condos in the store's place. Bree cannot believe that this is the first she is hearing about this; she had planned on taking over the store when Irma retired.

Thom seems very angry at Irma for reasons other than selling the store. He has always been jealous of the close relationship Irma and Elliot had. Irma recently lost her longtime boyfriend Nestor to cancer and now her best friend and business partner has died. Bree and Laney want Irma not to make any rash decisions while she is grieving, but Irma is firm- she is selling and will give Thom Elliot's share of the sale, which appears to be a paltry sum, not close to what the store is worth.

Laney and Bree are confused by Irma's behavior. While the women were close when they were younger, they have grown apart. Laney rarely comes home, she is busy running her and her husband's business. The sisters band together with Thom to try and stop the sale.

As someone who works in a bookstore, I especially enjoyed and related to that aspect of the story. I also loved the humor in the story. Bree's attempts to woo the owner of the neighboring distillery made me laugh. She cannot hold her liquor.

The sisterly relationship is realistic as well. Lacey has a sarcastic sense of humor, and the way she needles her mother is delightful. Irma's exasperation at her daughters' attempts to save the store was something every mother can understand.

What makes the reader keep turning the pages is to find out exactly why Irma is adamant about selling the store so quickly. Everyone here has secrets that come to play (including the deceased Elliot) and they have to figure what they want out of life.

The Book Haters' Club is a newsletter that Elliot sent to customers, and we get to read some of the clever ones, which include several book suggestions. I squealed when I spied two of my favorite books by Helen Ellis - American Housewife and Southern Lady Code- in a newsletter.

If you are a true book lover, as I am, you must put The Book Haters' Book Club on your list. It's a treasure.

Thanks to Harlequin for putting me on their Fall 2022 Women's Fiction Blog Tour.

I read The Book Haters' Book Club because I enjoyed Gretchen Anthony's previous novel Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners, and was thrilled that overbearing Violet Baumgartner reappears as a minor character. The title is misleading - this is filled with lots of love for books and booksellers.

Over the Rainbow Bookstore was cofounded by best friends Irma and Elliott 40+ years ago. It's a fixture in its Minneapolis neighborhood with its bright yellow door and pink chandelier. That's why it's shocking when Irma announces to her adult daughters Bree and Laney and to Elliott's partner Thom that she's selling the store to developers who are leading the gentrification of the area. Bree, Laney, and Thom pledge to stop the sale, each for their own reasons and with their own methods. Bit by bit, the truth (and backstory) emerges, and in the process, the characters become more fully formed.

Gretchen Anthony incorporates a very quirky sense of humor in her writing; it works for me, but may not resonate with all readers. The plot also explores themes of family far beyond the traditional definition as well as grief caused by factors in addition to death. I resonated with a majority of the book, but one method of stopping the sale seemed very far-fetched, disconnected from the rest of the story, and unnecessary.

In addition to traditional chapters, the novel includes brief "newsletters" that feature book recommendations (from actual indie booksellers and librarians that are acknowledged at the end of the novel) as well as "intermissions" from a deceased character who's befriended by Judy Garland in the afterlife.

Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for the review copy.

‘The Book Haters’ Book Club’ by Gretchen Anthony was an enjoyable, heartwarming read with lively characters and a unique format. I loved it, and definitely recommend!

As a self-proclaimed book nerd, library assistant and book blogger, I'm always intrigued with books centred around bookshops and libraries. This striking cover and title caught my eye, so I eagerly requested an advanced copy and jumped right in!

Despite its bookish setting, it took me awhile to get into this story and I was surprised that it wasn't the main premise of a bookshop closing that kept me reading. I found that plot to be a bit long-winded with Irma's reasons for selling and the big ah-ha moment not as satisfying as I had expected.

I was in it for the relationships - in all their wonderful messiness! In this story there are family and friends who are tackling grief in their own way, a small-town feel, bits of humour and fabulous book recommendations. These aspects kept me engaged in this character-driven, slower-paced story.

A little cheesy but heartwarming, this is a story about family in all its beautiful permutations, the different ways we handle grief and the power of books when we're working through life's rocky bits.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Park Row Books for my complimentary digital advanced copy which was provided in exchange for my honest review.

I can’t resist a book with “book” in the title, then set it in a bookshop and I’m pretty much guaranteed to enjoy it.

Elliot and Irma co-owned Over the Rainbow Bookshop, but with Elliot’s sudden death, many things are changing.

Elliot had the drive and passion for customers and people. He always had the perfect book recommendation to turn even the worst book hater into a reader. Upon his passing, though, his partner Irma decided to sell the beloved bookstore to a developer.

I appreciated how family members and the community rallied to try and save this cozy little bookstore from being torn down to make way for condos. There are some funny moments, as well as some hijinks too. But it couldn’t be a book about books without a few good recommendations.

Thank you @harpercollins @htpbooks
and @gretchenanthony.writer for a spot on tour and a gifted ebook.

I really had high expectations for this one because I’ve heard good things, but this one kinda fell a bit flat for me. I’ll still recommend it, because it was good, I just expected more.

Irma’s business partner, Elliott, has recently passed away. Irma waste no time in selling their book store. This sends red flags to Irma’s daughters, Laney and Bree, and Elliott’s partner, Thom. These three decide to investigate and find out exactly what Irma is hiding!

The cast of characters in this book cracked me up, especially Laney! She is snarky and she takes no prisoners where her mother is concerned. When these three get together and start investigating, I found myself laughing out loud at some of their antics!

This story started out strong and I was hooked on the book references and the snarky comments. I found myself grinning and reminiscing about authors I read growing. However, it did slow down a bit in the middle.

Need a good book with great book references…this is it! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I love the concept of this book - and I loved the book! Let's be real... it's set in a bookshop! There is so much to love about this book. The concept of family, tradition, legacy, working together, and the love of reading. I found myself smiling as I read, and that is always the sign of a good book for me.

I am giving this a 2 star rating with the disclaimer that I couldn't get past the first few chapters. It's not a fair rating as I didn't complete the book, but it's my opinion based on what I did read. Take it with a grain of salt and give it a go - perhaps it will be your favourite book if the year.

Unfortunately, for me personally, the characters felt lifeless and boring. I had no vested interest in the story line. I typically enjoy books about books and bookshops but in this case, I just didn't care and often opted to read something else that held my attention.

Readers who love books about bookstores that have reading suggestions built into the story will love this book. Elliot's store newsletters were just the right amount of readers' advisory and life lessons. The first half of this book did feel a little slow for me, but the second half had me laughing out loud. The antics of Bree and Laney were just the sort of fun sister/friend behavior that can make anyone smile. Even curmudgeonly Thom. Readers will enjoy this heart-affirming story of so many types of love and self-discovery.

The Book Hater's Book Club was unlike anything I've read before. Although its not my typical read, I really enjoyed it! I found myself putting down my kindle to read more of this book! I really enjoyed the quotes at the end of every "newsletter." IYKYK. I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author! 5 stars from me! Thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I will definitely be recommending this to all of my book friends!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the title of this book, but it was a heart-warming story. Filled with quirky characters who have lots of secrets, the story is unraveled in a unique structure. I found it very satisfying.

The Book Haters’ Book Club is such a fun, enjoyable story. The whole time you are rooting for this bookstore to stay open. I loved Eliot’s POV from beyond. Such an interesting way to get so much emotion and information across. I really enjoyed this one and think anyone who loved the movie “You Got Mail” will too!