A ROMANCE WITH BOOKS AT ITS CENTER IN IRELAND?!?! WITH MULTIPLE BOOK QUOTE REFERENCES?!

…okay.,.honestly… was there any other option besides me being obsessed with this book?

The enemies to lovers vibes, the literary banter (yes they banter in literary quotes), the MCs family complications and how they escaped to fictional worlds…it was just everything my soul needed. I flew through this book and I couldn’t put it down!

If you love books with…
ENEMIES TO LOVERS
COMPLICATED FAMILIES
BANTER GALORE
BOOKS AS A PLOT LINE
SEXUAL TENSION
BOOK LOVERS

This may be for you!

Love at First Book is the latest release by the super talented Jenn McKinlay. I loved getting to know Em and Kier and was rooting for them from the very beginning. Their characters felt so real and were easy to relate to as well.
It made me laugh and made me cry. Love at First Book will certainly pull at your heartstrings. I highly recommend this moving romance to anyone.

When Emily Allen leaves her librarian job in Martha’s Vineyard to help an author in Ireland, she gets more than she bargained for with the author’s grumpy son, Kieran Murphy.

This book was such a pleasant surprise. I absolutely adored the story, the characters, and the setting of a quaint Irish village. Em’s job was so cool. Who wouldn’t want to help their favorite author finish the last book in a series they adored? Plus getting to work in a bookstore too. Sign me up! There were so many great references to books throughout, and I adored how the book series they were writing played into the final parts of the book.

Love At First Book is part of an interconnected series, but it can totally be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed McKinlay’s writing style, so I plan to check out her backlist books soon.

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars

I adored the small town, Irish setting of the book. Everything seemed cozy and the accents jumped off the page. McKinlay certainly did her research and included lots of Irish words and phrases.

The first 50% of this book just dragged for me and I am not sure why. It was a slow burn, which I like but it took me almost a full week to make it through the first half. It had all the tropes that I normally love, but I didn't connect with it. I have seen some friends who I trust their reviews rave about this one, so maybe it was just me. I enjoyed Wait for It by McKinlay, so I am bummed to not have enjoyed this one as much.

Now the second half of the book really picked up for me. The second half gave more interactions between Kier and Emily, which was important in furthering the romance. I really liked the parts where Siobhan was maternal towards Emily since that is something she doesn't get from her own mom. The bookstore staff and town members were endearing.

Please check trigger warnings before reading as the second half of the book is very emotional. The author did a beautiful job, but it may be challenging for some readers.

I don’t often cry from books but that ending, sad but hopeful.

Things
• Single POV
• Quirky librarian from Martha’s Vineyard X Broody, Irish bookstore owner
• Small town, Irish setting
• Illness anxiety disorder (also known as Hypochondria) representation.
• Navigating toxic parental relationships and setting boundaries
• Books about books
• An emotional ending

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the advanced copy.

A bookstore romance?!? Sold. I loved McKinlay's Summer Reading last year and when I learned that Emily would be getting her own book, I was incredibly excited. This book is touching and heartfelt (and will probably make you cry a bit) and I can't recommend it enough.

A romance that features books and bookish characters that is set in a quaint Irish village AND is written by one of my favorite authors? Yes, please!

Love at First Book was everything I hoped it would be and more. It’s heartwarming, charming, and just checks all of my boxes when it comes to my romance reads. What I honestly did not expect though was that this cute little book would also pack such an emotional punch. I shed quite a few tears, both happy and sad, while reading this one!

Emily Allen is a librarian who lands a unique opportunity to travel to Ireland where she will work part-time in a bookshop, while simultaneously serving as an assistant to her all time favorite author, Siobhan Riordan. Emily is eager to work with her because Siobhan is, after a ten year wait due to a debilitating case of writer’s block, finally ready to write the final book in her beloved series, a series that got Emily through some of the worst days of her life.

Emily and Siobhan had my heart from their first meeting as their rapport is wonderful and they develop an almost mother-daughter relationship as the story progresses. What really hooked me though is how angry and resentful Siobhan’s son, Kieran, is about Emily’s presence and that his mom is writing again. That tension made this such a page turner for me because I just had to know what his issue was. As much as I didn’t want to like him since he was so grouchy toward Emily, my heart broke for him once it’s revealed why he’s so upset.

I was rooting for Siobhan to finish her book and for Kieran to get past his pain. I was also rooting just as hard for Emily and Kieran to end up together because once they get past their initial bumpy start, they have amazing chemistry.

I really liked this book! Emily has finally left her toxic mother and goes to Ireland to work for her favorite author, Siobhan, and work in a bookstore part time.
I loved seeing Emily’s growth as she leaves her mother and finds a worthy substitute all while working on a sequel to her favorite childhood books. Her relationship with Kieran, Siobhan’s son, is complicated by her relationship to his mother. The descriptions of Ireland are beautiful and make me determined to visit there myself. I was sorry this one had to end! 4.5 stars.

From the publisher:
When a librarian moves to a quaint Irish village where her favorite novelist lives, the last thing she expects is to fall for the author’s prickly son… until their story becomes one for the books.
Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.
Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of [this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

✔️ Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Workplace
✔️ Small Town
✔️ An American Abroad

This was a sweet read and reminded me of a Hallmark movie - a wholesome kind of romance with charming characters though both lean more romcommy than my usual preference.

I enjoyed the setup - it's hard not to enjoy a read set in a small town and throw in the abroad element and it's just doubly potent. Much like with Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year, the town/townspeople were the standouts for me.

If you're into books by Jen DeLuca, Lauren Kung Jessen, Lily Chu, this could be the book for you.

Steam 🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕

Love at First Book is perfect if you are looking for a cute, heart warming and swoon worthy contemporary romance.

Emily moves to Ireland after accepting a job assisting her favorite author. During her time in Ireland, Emily meets the author's grumpy son Kieran which leave to the beginning of a beautiful story full of adventure, self discovery, heartbreak, and love. I mean who doesn't want to read a story that involves a bookstore + Ireland? I have to admit that it did make me shed a few tears.

I will say that I did think the story was a little slow for my linking but at the end I was so happy with the story as a whole. I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a light hearted and beautiful story.

Thanks Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

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LOVE AT FIRST BOOK BY JENN MCKINLAY

I’ve read many of Jenn McKinlay’s mysteries, and all of her last four romantic comedies. She upped her game with her latest romcom, Love at First Book. It’s sexy, romantic, and gut wrenching. Of course, I picked this one up expecting to like it. It features a librarian who heads to Ireland to take two jobs, working as the assistant to her favorite writer, and helping in The Last Chapter, the local bookstore.

At twenty-nine, Emily Allen finally makes a move for herself. Her manipulative, demanding mother would have been content to keep Emily as her unpaid servant, waiting on her, and taking care of her as she has for nine years after Emily’s father left them. But, Em’s mother is quite capable. Emily spent all of her twenties trying to appease her, and it made Em a hypochondriac.

She can’t believe she’s going to work with Siobhan Riordan, the author whose young adult novels helped Emily survive her troubled youth. But, Siobhan never finished her series. She’s had writer’s block for ten years, and Emily wants a happy ending. She might not get one herself if it’s up to Siobhan’s son Kieran Murphy, the bookstore manager, who makes it clear Emily isn’t welcome in the shop, or with his mother.

Emily discovers a whole new personality when coping with Kier. She’s a fighter with a ready wit, and she won’t give in during an argument. It’s a side of herself she never saw, but she’s proud that she can go toe to toe with her handsome, sexy boss. Their attraction grows, until Em learns why Kier was reluctant to have her work with his mother. By then, it might be too late to save her heart.

Love at First Book is a love letter to bookshops, books, and loving mothers. As Kier and Emily banter, they challenge each other with their knowledge of book passages. But, Emily yearns for something Kier might not be able to give.

McKinlay’s latest is a romance about two people who need to be saved. It might just take book magic, and a charming Irish village, for them to find each other.

In Love at First Book, a woman takes a job in Ireland to work with the author of her all time favorite series (a Harry Potter kind of series) who is struggling to write the final installment. This book hit me in all the places. I laughed and cried. It was such a sweet romcom with so much more. With characters battling real life issues, confronting their past and learning to move forward. And it was all intertwined with the storyline of the favorite series. Oh, and the little town and cast of characters were all so endearing. And it made me want soda bread with Irish butter. Such a sweet book.

Emily is thrilled to be offered a job by her all-time favorite author and happily packs her bags and flies to Ireland to help Siobhan write the final installment in her series. Siobhan's son wants Emily - aka Red - gone and left to the peace and happy life they've grown accustomed to.
Jenn is so predictably good with character relationship development and laying out the back stories for all as the story unfolds. It's so easy as a bookworm to relate to and adore a bookish duo, particularly a heroine who carries an emergency book in her bag at all times.
I fully planned to only eyeball read this, but how do I not tandem read when Brittany Presley is the narrator? She is so great with emoting all the feelings the characters experience.
Thank you to @mckinlayjenn, @berkleyromance, & @prhaudio for the #complimentary arc and alc. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 ⭐️. 1.5 🌶️

This book got my attention from the beginning and never let it go. The story was beautiful and somewhat unexpected.

I love the cute slow burn romance. This was like a drink of fresh water. I came to this book after reading Magnolia Parks and if you have read that book you know what I’m talking about. I was so glad to encounter such mature characters. I love the concept of a reader working side by side with her favorite author imagine that, a dream come true. The story had funny, sad, and lovely moments. It did made me shred a tear or two🥹.

Why not 5 stars you may ask? Well I didn’t like how the first interaction between Emily and Kieran went I felt it was kind of inappropriate for a first meeting if this 2 characters both knew or had and inkling of who each other were. Also I was really never sure of what was going on Kieran mind and for a big part of the book I really couldn’t understand him.

This book will definitely go into my “to read again” list.

Ohhh a romance centered around a librarian, set in Ireland - yes please. This was delightful! I loved every second of this book and definitely will be suggesting it to everyone.

Love at First Book is a sweet love story set in a bookstore. Emily leaves her home on Martha’s Vineyard to become assistant to her favorite author who lives in Ireland. She also works in the author’s bookstore that is run by the her son. Any reader whose life was impacted by the books of a particular author will find a kindred spirit in Emily. I enjoyed the characters, the romance and the way Jenn McKinlay brought the book to resolution.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the free book and PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

This novel is literally a book lover's dream come true. Imagine this: you get the opportunity to spend months in Ireland working in a bookstore and assisting your favorite author. Sign me up. That's exactly what Emily gets to do. And when there, she meets the romance novel handsome, Kieran, who runs the bookstore. Despite the cat on the cover, the book actually features an adorable dog, Shackleton. It puts together so many of my very favorite things.

I am such a sucker for books about books, and this was simply delightful. It made me think about writing and the process in whole new ways. And it felt so moving. I found the growing relationship between Emily and Kieran incredibly well paced and believable.

But I also want to warn that you should definitely check your content warnings. This book hit me hard. It was so well written and moving, but also intensely emotional. (The CWs are a bit spoilery, so DM me if you want more information.)

The audiobook was narrated by Brittany Pressley, one of my all time favorites. She did a delightful job performing the multiple accents and made me more sure of the pronunciation of the Irish character names. I alternated formats, so that I didn't have to put the book down.

4.25 stars

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

A year in Ireland is a dream come true for Emily Allen, leaving her domineering, negative mother in Cape Cod, and working as assistant for her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan. There’s are problems, though, as Siobhan hasn’t written a new book in TEN years, leaving the series at a cliffhanger (I’d hate that, and so do avid fans of the series). There’s much work to do and some urgency, to get the creative ideas unstuck and a book completed.
Also, Siobhan’s son, Kier, manager of The Last Chapter bookstore, makes it clear he doesn’t want Em there, and thus begin the fireworks. Speaking of fireworks, I’ll put in a warning for those, like me, more comfortable leaving the bedroom scenes “behind closed doors” with the reassurance that the scenes are brief and easily skipped over or speed-read if they bother you. I thoroughly enjoyed their clever quips and games of name the quote, and family and friends’ love, concern, and support for one another. An engaging book — might interfere with sleep, caught up in the tale.

Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for my complimentary copies. My thoughts are my own.

This is such a delightful summer read and it will have you ready to hop on the next plane to Ireland!

When Emily accepts a job in Ireland, working with her favorite author, she is not prepared for the icy reception she receives from the author’s son, Kieran. But in spite of his determination to send her packing, she refuses to give up her dream job. Soon Em is happily helping the author with the conclusion of her series, but she also finds herself drawn to Kieran!

This one has everything I love in a romcom…likable characters, witty dialogue, heartwarming moments, and even a few tearful ones! I really liked the main characters, and I LOVED the bookish setting and the book within the book! The author does a beautiful job making the reader feel like they are in the idyllic Irish setting as well! This one gets all the stars!

Emily, desperate to finally get out from under her emotionally abusive mother's thumb, flees her home of Martha's Vineyard for a small town in Ireland to work as an assistant to her favorite author, Siobhan, and in a bookshop. But when the bookshop owner, Kieran, seems to despise her mere presence, it throws a wrench her plans--especially when she discovers he's Siobhan's son. But Emily is determined to both reinvent herself and help Siobhan finish the last book in her favorite series, that has gone unfinished for ten years--even if the hot, surly bookstore owner doesn't seem to want her to.

This book was such a feel-good story. It was wonderful to see Emily gain a backbone and finally break free of her toxic homelife, which we glimpsed in McKinlay's prior book, Summer Reading. I also teared up at certain emotional highs and lows in her and Kieran's journey working with Siobhan, who encounters some health issues. I rarely cry at books, but this one got me. It felt like everything ended where it was supposed to, though, and I look forward to seeing if any of these characters pop up again in future books.

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 8/10

After a couple of dnf's, I was so thrilled to pick up this book that absolutely delivered. If you're looking for a fabulous romance with emotional depth and a hint of women's fiction, I absolutely recommend Love At First Book. Emily, Kieran, Siobhan, and the whole bookstore crew are some of my new favorite people.

This book made me laugh and cry, which are usually signs of a winner for me!

There are some content warnings but they're spoilery so feel free to message me if you're wondering

A big thank you to @berkleyromance @berkleypub for my complimentary e-arc