Love at first book. A story of a young woman trying to work in a bookstore in Ireland and the completion of dealing with attraction also

#NetGalleyARC Love, love, love this book. I'm a cute/sweet/romance feel lately and this book did not disappoint. The characters were well written, relatable and not annoying like some characters are in romance novels. I love that McKinlay writes characters that could appear in any of her other book "universes" and that her characters are written so that you want to root for them. A perfect Valentines Day read!

Is it too soon to call this my favorite book of the year? Cause that's what I'm doing!

OMG! This book ripped by heart out, left me crying and then happily put it back together again. There was so many part of this book that I loved. A heroine trying to find herself seek to become and assistant to her favorite author. A hero who doesn't like change - especially a woman from the US coming into his bookshop.

I will be raving about this one for years to come! Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an arc. All thoughts expressed are my own.

This is my second book by this author I enjoyed it just as much as the last! I was really excited for Emily’s story after meeting her in summer reading and it didn’t disappoint. First of all, I’m a sucker for anything that takes place in Ireland, and especially the Irish accents 🔥 Kieran and Emily’s back and forth banter was so good and I love the slow burn! I will say I was not expecting this to be as heartfelt and heavy as it was, don’t get me wrong there was a lot of cute, funny, swoony and steamy parts too, but I was absolutely sobbing during some parts at the end as well.

Can’t wait to read more from this author!

This is one of the most delicious romcoms I have ever read. Jenn McKinlay was able to transport me to Ireland and bring a castle, ruins, and a quaint village to life! For anyone who has ever had self doubt, felt worthless, or just stuck in the routine of life this is the book! Imagine meeting and working with your favorite author, daydreaming of being a heroine in a book, and meeting a handsome Irishman! Wow, just wow!

Freaking PERFECTION. 10/10. This was just so so good. I couldn’t get enough of it and wanted a thousand more pages of this.

It's delightful. I mean come on, it's a librarian who moves to Ireland to be an assistant to her favorite author (but why the author is her favorite is a fantastic storyline). She also works in a bookstore (a location used in her favorite books) and said bookstore also has a coffee shop. Like what is this awesomeness? And of course there's an Irish guy ;)

I like books with complex family dynamics and this had this for both the male and female protagonists. I also appreciate books with misconceptions and how everyone needs to move on from them. This book did that very well!

Jenn McKinlay's standalones are even better than her excellent series titles, and this one is no exception. A young librarian leaves her lifelong home in Martha's Vineyard to accept a one-year job in Ireland as the assistant to an acclaimed children's author (someone like JK Rowling). It has been 10 years since the famous author has written a book, and her millions of fans want an end to her mega-popular fantasy series. In addition to helping the author, she will work in the author's son's bookstore. The son is very much against his mother getting so much pressure to write another book, and is not helpful. He is, however, very handsome, and a good guy all around -- so, romance happens! A wonderful story full of heart and gentle humor.

Emily + Kieran

Emily has finally gotten away from her super annoying mom. Ten years ago she had to quit college to take care of her mom after her dad left, but now she's finally left for Ireland. Living and working her dream in a super cute book store and as an assistant to her very favorite author. Who has been suffering from writer's block for ten years!
But there's also the author's son and book store owner Kieran. It seems that he hates that Emily's here. But why? And can that hate turn into something else?

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ....

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That was adorable!
And obviously a bit sad and heartbreaking too.
But mostly it was sweet and so full of books and Ireland and small town charm and just beautiful!
I loved reading this. I wanted to move into this little Irish town and eat all the goodies in the book store café and drink all the tea and whisky and read all the books.
Em and Kieran are so adorable and perfect for each other. He's a bit grumpy most of the time - so cute! And Em with her hypochondriacal moments. Too funny.
I just loved this book!
And I would so love to see this on TV one day!

LOVE AT FIRST BOOK was such a beautiful love story! Adorable, funny, sparky, sweet, Irish, bookish, small towny and a bit sad and heartbreaking .... I loved reading this! Run to your nearest book dealer for your own Kier - this one is MINE!

Love At First Book, more like love at first read. Wow, this book, these characters, their story. I am head over heels.

We first met Em in Summer Reading; which I highly recommend, and you don’t have to read it to enjoy this book (though you should - it is also a fantastic read) to enjoy LAFB. A librarian stuck in a tough situation, without joy or her sense of purpose. I could commiserate with her uncertainties and her desire to follow her own path. I honestly could not wait to read Her story.

Finally, through a stroke of luck and a leap of faith, Em is taking her moment and truly embracing her adventurous spirit. I laughed, I blushed, I cried. I fell hard for these characters. Their story will stay with me for some time.

Emiliy’s journey to find her path while on her grand adventure to Ireland felt incredibly close to my daydreamer's heart. I am beyond grateful to talented author Jenn McKinlay, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this lovely story. Five stars from me. A must-read!

McKinlay’s Mavens *heart*

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a charming and heartwarming read. It had the perfect combination of romance, humor, and a touch of Irish magic which makes it a perfect read for anyone looking for a feel-good story. I would highly recommend to all romance lovers and fans of Irish settings.
The story follows Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, who has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. Her dream comes true when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in Ireland to help her write the final book in her acclaimed series. As a longtime fan of Siobhan’s novels, Emily is ecstatic and jumps at the opportunity.
However, her excitement is short-lived when she meets Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy, who manages her bookstore and clearly doesn’t want Emily around. Despite Kieran’s initial resistance, Emily persists and finds herself falling for the charming and mercurial Irishman.
As Emily helps Siobhan write her final book and spends her days bantering with Kieran, she starts to fall in love with her new life and the man who seems to soften toward her with every quip she throws at him. But when she discovers the reason behind Kieran’s initial coldness, Emily is torn between helping Siobhan find closure and her own feelings for Kieran.
The author does a fantastic job of creating a beautiful and picturesque setting in Ireland, making the reader feel like they are right there alongside the characters. The story is filled with witty banter, heartwarming moments, and a touch of Irish charm that will leave readers swooning.

Lovely book, well written. A small town in Ireland with a romance about people who deeply love books, what’s not to like?

Short, sweet, and everything you want from a book about books.

A brooding bookshop owner, a reclusive author, and an unwanted new employee from the US in a tiny Irish village.

This book gives a little mystery, a lot of unspoken sexual energy, and a ton of heart. Thanks to NetGalley and Jenn McKinlay for an ARC!

I loved this book. Gives insight to a writer and the writing process. I wish I could go to that bookshop. Delightful. I connected with it so well it gave me chills multiple times.

This book whisked me away to Ireland! Grumpy sunshine, book lovers and a really believable setting for North Americans due to the American protagonist. Great for fans for Emily Henry - the banter is there

In Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay, Emily Allen, a librarian from Martha’s Vineyard, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, love, and literary adventure. When Emily's favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in Ireland to help complete her acclaimed novel series, Emily eagerly accepts. However, she finds herself at odds with Siobhan's son, Kieran Murphy, the bookstore manager and a staunch protector of his family's privacy. As Emily and Kieran navigate their initial animosity, they gradually find common ground and a growing attraction toward each other. Despite the undeniable chemistry between them, Emily faces a dilemma when she uncovers the reason behind Kieran's initial resistance. Torn between her desire to help Siobhan finish her series and her blossoming feelings for Kieran, Emily must decide if she's ready to embark on a new chapter in her own life. McKinlay's writing shines in this delightful romantic comedy. Her characters are well-developed and relatable, and the banter between Emily and Kieran is both witty and heartwarming. The book's setting, the picturesque Emerald Isle, provides a stunning backdrop for the story. Love at First Book is a charming and heartwarming tale that celebrates the power of books, the beauty of Ireland, and the transformative nature of love. With its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and heartwarming storyline, this book is sure to appeal to fans of romantic comedies and literary fiction alike.

Readers will love this story of a lifelong fan meeting and working with her favorite author.. A real dream come true! Set in a charming bookstore in Ireland, this rom-com has heart and depth as well as characters to fall in love with. It also offers a glimpse into the world of writing and publishing.and the price of fame for a family.

Jenn McKinlay has a way with writing the grumpiest characters without making you completely hate them and root against them. This was a perfect plot with librarians, writers, and of course, grumpy sons of writers. It was fun and heartwarming.

Solidly okay. The voice feels generic and it wasn’t the most interesting. I stopped after chapter 1 (4%). Likely three stars for the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

review on goodreads i liked this book and i actually loved the main character she was very relatable as I have had illness anxiety disorder as a kid!