I love anything by Taj McCoy. I love the setting, the characters (esp the grandma!), and the potential love interests. I consider this a great, light, and fun read for the summer!

I enjoyed Zora and her family and the bookstore. I didn't quite get the actual choice laid out by the book, it was clear ot me who was best:)

What a fun heartfelt story centered on a fabulous heroine living her dreams. We meet Zora as she’s busy chasing her dreams by building up her events and clientele for the bookstore she bought a few years ago. Between managing a store, building up a network of local authors, and creating a sense of community Zora has her hands full. Bonus: her favorite author just agreed to a signing at her store!

For those of who read on the regular, having an author crush is bound to happen. Zora was no exception. Not only is Lawrence handsome and charming in person, he invites Zora out after the event. I loved this particular scene in the book as a fan of many authors, the giddiness and exuberance that is shown and described is *chefs kiss*. This scene also made me figure out the plot twist, which admittedly, was slightly disappointing.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Zora and her family. Her grandmother Marion is a delight and her best friend Emma really rounded out this eclectic group. The witty banter and constant poking from Emma and Granny really endeared me to them. Sometimes even the best heroines need a little push. Of course the romantic triangle is not to be trifled with. Lawrence, the sweet and charming author, and his grumpy yet endearing best friend Reid both vie for Zora’s affections. The “friendly” competition definitely had the spice and woo-ing factor. Both men were equally yummy to read about it, and their characters shined in different ways.

All in all I loved the cast and story as it unfolded. Chasing your dreams and lifting others up along the way is such an inspiring story to tell. I adored the idea of Zora focusing on community growth and supporting the student authors while also chasing her own dreams. What a testament to the way a community can support everyone’s dreams. Highly recommend this happily ever after romance!

I wanted to love this book but parts of it fell really flat and I ended up not finishing it. :( sorry!!

Taj McCoy does it again! She's an expert at crafting steamy romances that also focus on heroines trying to grow and make sure they themselves are stable. The love triangle in this is well-structured, and the grumpy x sunshine trope is perfect. I'm really looking forward to Taj McCoy's next work.

I didn’t have a lot of luck with McCoy’s first story. The fat shaming was too much. So I was a little scared to try this. However, after I started reading it I realized I didn’t need to be. This was so different than her first and I’m glad I gave her another shot.

The very best thing was the way the romance unfolded. I don’t think I’ve read a book where the FMC was dating more than one person at a time. And I mean dating, being intimate, and actually talking about important stuff. Zora had the full treatment with both of them. Now did I know which one she was going to choose? Not until the fiasco that happened (TWICE!) but I figured it out. And I was SO GLAD she picked that person. Tbh I liked the dates and things that they had together more than the others too. I was glad she didn’t let the glitz and glamour be the only thing she worried about.

The writing style was good too. I didn’t care for it in her last book. In fact I DNF’ed it. (I was put off by the fat shaming. I know it was own voices, but I just couldn’t stomach it. I was re-living too much from my past and I didn’t like it. But in this one, both of her partners and her only talked about what was amazing about her body and what all they liked about it. My body dysmorphia felt so much better.

The bookish part of this was also awesome. But y’all know me, I ALWAYS want books about books, so this was an easy add to the TBR for me. I found myself picking out things from the book that I related to. Like how she fangirled a bit when she met the author. And how she picked out things from the book that others hadn’t. And how she felt when she found out the conflict. Now what she did when she found out….. Yeah i wouldn’t have done all that.

Speaking of the end, for her to read books, I don’t know how she didn’t realize what was happening. I immediately figured it out. Like as soon as she said he didn’t understand what was happening with his own character? How did that not clue her in? And she mentioned that she was a bigger store, so she was able to get stuff from publishers, so I thought she knew some of the bookish publishing terms. I thought she would have called it, but it lasted entirely too long in my opinion. Idk it just seemed a bit naieve.

This book was definitely just what I needed at the time. She was me and I was her. All of it had me just trapped in the pages. I remember not being able to sleep until I finished. Go read this book and fall for it like I did!

I really really REALLY wanted to love Zora Books Her Happy Ever After as the premise and initial impressions of the characters were right up my street. Unfortunately this just isn't the book for me as over time I was getting more and more annoyed with the main characters, their behaviours and choices. I slogged it out up until around 40% when it became a DNF for me.

Thank you for letting me take the opportunity for a closer look though.

I read #ZoraBooksHerHappyEverAfter a few weeks ago and loved it. Besides the fact that it's set in a bookstore, one of my favorite settings, this contemporary romance hits all of the right notes. Charming characters, compelling plotlines, and plenty of tantalizing spicy bits. Spot on perfect for contemporary romance fans.

‘Zora Books Her Happy Ever After’ by Taj McCoy was fantastic from start to finish! I completely loved it and highly recommend picking it up!

I got this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion via NetGalley. Also, sponsored in part via Xpresso.

Zora has dedicated every waking moment to her D.C. bookstore and rarely has time for romance. However, when Lawrence, an author she's been crushing on for years has an event at her store, she begins to revaluate her life's priorities. Add in his best friend Reid, and this is a book full of a love triangle.

I have to admit, this was a lot spicier of a book than I'm used to reading, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved that the author had Zora as a plus sized girl who was also strong and confident, it was relatable. I also enjoyed the little mystery that was written in. Even though I figured it out much earlier than "Zor-lock." If you're into steamy books, with comedy, love and mystery, this book is for you.

BLACK JOY.

If I had to come up with one phrase to describe Zora Books Her Happy Ever After, that would be it: Black. Joy. That is the number one thing that absolutely shines through the pages of this sophomore novel from romance author Taj McCoy, and I was here for it! Yes, our heroine is a bookstore owner and bibliophile, so books play a huge role. But there’s also incredible descriptions of food consumed all over DC, delightful depictions of family and friend relationships, and so much frank and hilarious talk about sex -- all of which add up to one great big heaping helping of Black joy. It makes my heart happy all over again to even write this and to think about how much fun I had reading this book and being a fly on the wall for all of the joy! That’s not to say that nothing tough happens in these pages, but this is not a trauma novel or an issues book -- this one is all about living and loving in the moment and reveling in one’s Blackness, and it made me so happy to read.

I knew who I wanted our dear Zora to end up with from the moment we met him, and I knew what the mystery was that Zora (deemed “Zor-lock Holmes” by her bestie, Emma) was trying to figure out even before she realized there was a mystery to figure out -- but that didn’t even matter to me because I was just all about experiencing the journey of a confident, happy, successful, independent Black woman finding love in her mid-thirties. There was even a love triangle, which I usually hate, but because of the way it was approached in this book -- oh look, actual adult communication! -- it didn’t bother me one bit. Basically, y’all, this book is the embodiment of Black joy and Black love and I want to just alternately hug it and press it into the hands of everyone I meet. Taj McCoy absolutely nailed this one, and she has a new fan for life in me.

Oh and also, I need a Granny Marion in my life. Stat.

RATING: 4 stars!

**Disclosure: I received an eARC from the publisher for purposes of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.

I unfortunately don’t think this author is for me. I didn’t enjoyed the author’s debut and hoped this would be better told but I did not enjoy the story or writing

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written book. It's fun and flirty with some strong primary and secondary characters that support and complement each other. There are lots of different things happening to keep you entertained, two love interests (who would you pick? I know which has my vote!), a little intrigue and fantastic characters representing a black community of super awesome people.

It's refreshing to pick up a book and not have a pretty blonde having a dilemma but an independent black woman with ambition, drive, and an advocate for young people of colour to truly be themselves. And to add to this, Zora is a bookstore owner! She's living every bibliophile's dream.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Zora Dizon is a successful business owner and book-lover. When an author she's been crushing on agrees to appear at her bookstore, she's very excited. Granny Marion is Zora's largest supporter and she's in desperate need of great-grandbabies, so Zora has lots oe encouragement to go after author Lawrence Michaels.

But, but -- there's this other guy in the audience that pushes her buttons and just happens to be Lawrence's best friend, which starts a love triangle of sorts. Isn't that the way it always goes though -- from famine to feast, Zora has two men in her life, both looking for her attentions. But there is something about the relationship to the two men that has Zora wondering just what is going on with there. There are some red flags that Zora needs to pay attention to!

I like the idea of the love triangle in romance. As a reader, I'm interested in how the main characters in a romantic triangle handle the relationship and make decisions, so this part of the story attracted me to this story. And in real life -- isn't that the way it goes -- when it rains it pours and Zora has some decisions to make about these two men. I did like the thoughtful way that Zora goes about looking out for herself and her own needs.

There's plenty of steamy moments here, no doubt about it. I also liked the Zora's relationships outside of the two men -- her friend Emma is terrific and Zora's interactions with the young writers is a lovely part of this story.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and liked the homey feel of it along with the examination of the potential love triangle. It made for an interesting romance and I'll be looking for future titles from this author.

Unfortunately Zora Books Her Happy Ever After isn't the book for me. I was very frustrated with many of the main characters choices.

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Zora Books Her Happy Ever After stole my heart! This book was so funny and spicy! I was really cackling out loud to Zora and her best friends’ conversations! There was a great cast with all different colorful characters! I enjoyed Zora’s logical approach to life but also her practical approach to love.

In this love triangle romance, Zora must choose between her favorite author she has admired for years or his grumpy best friend. This story is told from a third person POV solely from Zora’s perspective. She meets both at a book signing she’s holding for Lawrence, her favorite mystery author, at Opus Northeast, her bookstore. Her work life holds new challenges and opportunities that she has to balance with her love life. After a couple dates Zora still doesn’t know if Lawrence or Reid, the cranky high school teacher, deserves her heart. It’s only the truth between the two men that will show her the right answer.

I loved the fun dates that Lawrence and Zora go on! My inner foodies did a happy dance with her every time they are somewhere new. I had the warm fuzzies with the thoughtful dates Reid takes Zora on. I couldn’t help but imagine myself in her place. I was favoring Reid but it was still a hard decision between the two until everything goes awry! Phew! Things take a turn for the left and they keep turning! I was just waiting for Zora make the decision I wanted her to and she got there in the end!

I’m so happy with the HEA in this book and that my pick was her man at the end! Her and I have great taste! This was my first book by Taj McCoy but it will not be my last! Loved this one and highly recommend!

A huge thank you to Harper Trade Publishing and Hear Our Voices Tours for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!



Spice Rating

3/5 🌶🌶🌶

There are several open door scenes in this book with both MMCs. It’s pretty spicy with most of the action happening I’m the second half of the book.

Main Themes

Love

Before we meet our MMCs. Zora is adamant that she doesn’t have time for relationships. Through conversations with her best friend and grandmother, we learn that Zora has used her inquisitive nature and superior sense of logic to rationalize her way out of committing to someone for several years. Her relationship with dating in her beloved DC has made her jaded and resistant to falling for anyone. It’s only when Lawrence and Reid both present themselves as admirable candidates, that Zora’s logical approach to dating both of them to make a better decision for what she wants proves useful.

With Reid, she connects to him about their love for empowering young writers and their love for supporting their city. With Lawrence, their love for delicious food and luxury win her over. During dates with them, we see Zora keep her logical approach even when it doesn’t work. She tries to treat love like her job and it backfires. It is only when Zora learns to follow her heart that we see her find what love means to her.

Friendship

The relationship between Zora and Emma is what reeled me in to this story at the beginning! I loved Emma’s big personality and how unafraid she was to call her friend out when she was overthinking. Zora and Emma had each other’s back and no one knew them better than they did! I liked how honest they were with each other. Emma always offered Zora her unfiltered opinion, especially when she didn’t want it. They were hilarious together but the love between them was so obvious. Their back and forth had me in stitches more times than not.

Zora has a different friendship between her and her grand mother. Her grandma is both a maternal figure and a friend. Zora often relies on her grandmas advice when she has no idea where to start. Her grand mother’s unabashed experience often give Zora the information she needs to move forward with deciding things in her own life. They joke around but there is so much love and respect for each other.

Community

In this book, Zora spends a lot of her working hours and even her personal time participating and organizing event in the DC area. With all her heart, she gives back to her community. Zora wastes no time singing the praises of her community to others she meets! She marvels and shares at the amazing amount of black history and culture that is deeply woven into her city! Zora supports as many local businesses as she can while also sharing about her bookstore and making connections.

Her greatest endeavor is the DC Speakeasy competition which she works through the whole book trying to make it the best event possible because she holds her community such a high esteem. The standards she set for herself shows just how much the respects the culture that this event highlights. She loves to involve young people and uplift young writers she is energized after every time she gets involved. He demeanor is so generally positive around the students in Reid’s class but also the young people she employs in her store.

Finally a love triangle I could appreciate. Zora was just a lovable character and I saw myself in her. Both main male characters were entertaining but I knew the author really wasn’t early on yet I kept reading as it was an entertaining read. As always Taj delivers on the spice!

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. A book about a bookstore? Count me in! I loved reading as each character’s personalities developed more and more with each page. Both the main and supporting characters were hilarious and likable (a must for me). The romances in this book were phenomenal! The love triangle took me on an emotional roller coaster and the lessons learned were so relatable - first impressions are not always true, looks and lust can only take you so far, and true love is inevitably out there!

Zora Books Her Happy Ever After is a fun rom-com that follows a savvy bookstore owner who has dedicated all her time to creating her now thriving business - but not much time for love. ⁣
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A good place to start? Dating the hot author she’s been crushing on for years!⁣
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Not a good place to start? Dating his best friend at the same time.⁣
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These two guys couldn’t be more different. How does she decide who is the one? Plus, something between them seems really... off.⁣
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Well, for me, it became super obvious almost right away ... but it slowly becomes evident that first impressions may not be the best ones to get that eventual HEA.⁣
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A fun and spicy body-positivity romance that has a bit of mystery, is quite entertaining as well as educational, perfect for foodies, and yes, of course - most wonderfully bookish.

I enjoyed this novel despite it having a love triangle as the romance trope. I really liked Zora and how dedicated she was to her bookstore, those closest to her, and her community. She really brought people together and inspired others to pursue their craft, which I thought was really cool. I found myself rooting for one love interest pretty early in the story and maintained that commitment until the end. Both men had their strengths and issues, but I felt it all worked out for the best in the end. The diversity in this book was great and I liked the DC setting it was based in. The descriptive writing, especially when it came to food, was great and had my mouth watering! Lots to like about this one romance readers!!