Sweet, sexy, and witchy…. It’s a great romantic read with some spicy scenes. Both Sera and Wes are great characters. It was so interesting seeing them connect because of Ford. This story truly reminds you of the importance of the relationships you have. Whether friends, family, or romantic. Always remember to connect with the ones you love.

"The Bookbinder's Guide to Love" by Katherine Garbera is a delightful and enchanting romance that weaves together themes of love, magic, books, and unexpected connections.

The story follows Serafina Conte, a young woman who has found solace in creating journals and writing her wishes within their pages. Now running a quirky new age store with her friends, Sera's journals are gaining attention for their supposed ability to manifest desires. When her mentor and store co-owner passes away, Sera finds herself faced with challenges from his brooding and suspicious grandson, Wes. The two strike a deal: Sera will help Wes find closure by sharing memories of his grandfather, and in return, he will work in her store for six weeks. As they spend time together, Sera and Wes discover that their initial impressions of each other were far from accurate, and a deeper emotional connection begins to form.

Katherine Garbera's writing is engaging and vibrant, capturing the whimsy of magical realism and the warmth of a slow-burning romance. The blend of bookbinding, magic, and romance creates a unique and enchanting atmosphere that draws readers in. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own vulnerabilities and growth arcs. Sera's determination, creativity, and kindness make her a compelling protagonist, while Wes's layers of skepticism and hidden depth add complexity to his character.

The pacing of the story is well-balanced, allowing for both the development of the romance and the exploration of the characters' personal journeys. The interactions between Sera and Wes are filled with chemistry and witty dialogue, making their evolving relationship a joy to follow.

"The Bookbinder's Guide to Love" is more than just a romance; it's a tale of self-discovery, healing, and the transformative power of love and human connection. It emphasizes the idea that sometimes the most unexpected people and experiences can lead us to the greatest happiness. With its blend of romance, magic, and bookish charm, this novel is a heartwarming and captivating read that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and a touch of magic in their hearts.

This is a cute romance that is also all sorts of sexy. Best readers know what to expect. A quick read for those wanting to try something new.

Books + journals + bookbinders= an amazing witchy RomCom. The details put into the binding to the quirks of the characters will have you drawn into the pages of this story!

I wanted to adore Katherine Garbera’s “The Bookbinder’s Guide to Love” but too much of the plot, and the characters themselves, were underdeveloped — in a way that made the book itself feel unfinished. That said, while the final thing could use some polish, Garbera is a talented writer and the premise/world she’s created here does offer a lot of promise.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.*

Serafina Conte works with her best friends Liberty and Poppy at WiCKed Sisters, a bookshop/tea shop where Sera makes hand-bound journals to sell, and business has been brisk since a famous pop star credited the three women with the "magic" she needed to create her new album. In the midst of all the new business, Sera receives news that both saddens and enrages her: her dear older friend and mentor Ford Sitwell has died, and his grandson Wesley has both banned Sera from the funeral and demanded that she give back the valuable old books Ford left to her.

Wes is suspicious that such a young woman could be good friends with his grandfather without wanting something valuable, and when they meet in her shop, he outright accuses Sera of hooking up with Ford. He realizes immediately that (A) he has hurt Sera, and (B) she doesn't give any appearance of being greedy or manipulative. And since Wes feels a strong attraction to Sera, he makes a quick apology and tries to get to know her instead.

There's a lot about this book that appealed to me: bookbinding as a vocation, three close friends bringing their abilities and "magic" together in business, a grumpy hero who quickly makes amends and gradually deals with his own troubled family relationships. Sera is a likeable character who has her own challenges, chiefly an inability to trust or to believe that someone she cares about will stick around (thanks to growing up in foster homes), and she bounces between being warmly welcoming and retreating into her shell. Wes's trust issues add to the push-pull between the two of them, and he also struggles to recognize and articulate his emotional responses, so the development of their relationship ends up going in cycles of togetherness and hurt separation that got a little frustrating after a while. Because of that, the writing started to feel repetitive at times, and what was actually a relatively short book ended up feeling much longer.

For me, the story had a lot of promise, but the execution felt uneven and not as satisfying as I had hoped. Not a bad read but not a favorite. 2.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you, Harlequin and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

I really enjoyed the Bookbinder's Guide to Love. As a Katherine Garbera fan I've read many of her books. I love her writing. The Bookbinder's Guide to Love is a hip look at love and friendship sure to appeal to a wide audience. I loved the information about bookbinding presented in a fascinating way. I also love books and loved how books brought Wes and Sera together. It was a different and interesting concept I hadn't read about before.

Sera and Wes both had difficult childhoods and the story of how they overcame their resulting problems was sweet, real, and honest. It's also a book about friendship and family. Sera, who grew up a foster child never having family, made her own family with friends, both old and young. Wes had family, but they were never close and he seeks to remedy that during the book. How they both overcame their fears to allow love into their lives was realistic and touching. Read it, you'll love it!