I really wanted to like this book. It has tons of charm and love and I think there are readers out there that are going to eat it up.

But I couldn’t help but think this needed one more draft. I don’t want to do a whole rundown here but a few points that just stuck with me that were so easy to fix:

- didn’t Sam have a dog? Where did the dog go?
- the first time they meet after Lexi has the concussion, Sam doesn’t even ask her how she is.
- what was the point of the project exactly? It made no logical sense and was out of the window almost immediately.
- he kicked her out of bed twice. I know this was addressed right at the end but honestly Sam just read as an immature man-child unable to have a conversation or recognise when Lexi was just being hashtag adorkable. There were no conversations. Just “I was a project? Get out.” “You’re thinking of going back to London? Get out.” Baffling.
- the third person narrator had Lexi’s voice, to the extent that I got confused in places why it wasn’t in first person.
- the amount of repetition about tipsy drinking made me wonder if the protagonist had a drinking problem.

I honestly think that one more draft could have resulted in a much stronger story with characters who have meaningful and realistic conversations. There was something great in here, but with so much cosy romance on the market I’m not sure where this one stands.

What could be more appealing to readers than a book centred around books? The allure of a romance set in two bookshops with an enemies-to-lovers trope seemed like the perfect holiday read. Bookishly Ever After certainly has tropes in spades it might need a new one – ‘car crash romance’ if only to describe the whiplash the book gives you!

After inheriting her grandmother's bookshop, Lexi Austen leaves the UK and moves to Washington to live her dream of working with the books she loves. Everything goes well until COVID hits, the used bookshop down the road closes, and a shiny new one opens, bringing direct competition for Lexi. Enter Sam Dickens, the fiercely competitive rival bookshop owner, setting the stage for a fight for survival.

Romance novels are often slated for being cheesy but there's nothing inherently wrong with that. You know that a bookshop romance is going to be really cheesy when the main character names are Austin and Dickens so I dove into this book expecting a cheesy, potentially humourous journey. Lexi starts by lamenting the DC dating scene, mentioning she's been on 837 dates in six years—about one every two and a half days. As the reader watches her during her date she can’t even be bothered to remember the person's name. This indifference is a growingly used trope in movies but not something that really works in books. There’s something about the first-person narrative of a book that makes you the character, and the rudeness is jarring. This is the first scene in which you experience Lexi and it does nothing to endear her to readers like myself.

With her dating life uneventful, Lexi decides to woo her competitor purely to distract him and win the "bookshop wars." Despite hating him, she believes she'll be in control, setting the stage for the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers story promised by the blurb. But within three pages, she's completely obsessed.

Every chapter reminds us that Lexi is British (though born in the US, a detail that feels unnecessary), loves tea (despite drinking a lot of coffee), her grandmother left her the bookshop, Sam has green eyes and oh yeah did she mention that she is British?. The constant repetition of her Britishness felt overdone. As a fellow Brit who loves tea, even I found it too much. It genuinely felt like an American trying to write a British person by including every stereotype that they could:

“She grins with all her yellowing British teeth.”

It got to a point where it felt insulting and I was genuinely shocked to find that Mia Page is actually a British author. Reading other reviews it's clear that she also offended her American readers too. If these details added value to the story, it might be okay, but they make up the lead character's entire personality, leading to another problem: the characters are at best flat, at worst dull, and uninteresting. This isn't helped by the constant re-summarising of events, making the book repetitive. What should be full of drama is instead full of self-pity and pettiness.

For all that I disliked about Bookishly Ever After the author did do a few things well. The author lived in DC for a while and the vibe of the neighbourhood and the Capitol Hill area of DC is beautifully described, showing her love for the place. She also perfectly manages to capture the feeling of never fully fitting in anywhere ever again once you have lived in another country for a while, something I know from personal experience and you can tell the author does too.

Overall while there are some parts that I enjoyed this book didn’t have the romantic feel that readers expect when picking up a romance book. There was none of the anguish that usually comes with enemies to lovers and portraying a book set in Washington DC as a ‘small town romance’ just feels out of place. It feels like the author was trying to do a modern take on Pride and Prejudice but sadly fell short of my Great Expectations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for providing me with this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a sweet romance book. Two bookshop owners, Lexi and Sam, find themselves in the midst of a rivalry while having very conflicting feelings about each other. The book is told from Lexi Austen's point of view and she not only talks about the joys and pitfalls of owning a bookshop, but she is surrounded by friends going through various changes, family left back in England, and trying to settle down with the right man. The theme of booklovers being kindred souls is carried through the entire book. Indie bookstores are rapidly declining due to corporate sellers. This book captures the love of indie stores though. Buying books online just does have the sense of community, family, and friendships along with the smell of stacks of books. There is a little bit of steam, not quite fade to black but mostly. It's a slow-burn and Lexi's connections and friends are written very genuinely. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and the author for this advanced copy.

If you like chick-lit and books, then this is the book for you! Lexi Austen and Sam Dickens are rival bookshop owners. Lexi inherited the bookshop from her gran and is finding it increasing difficult to keep it running successfully. When Sam begins to sell the type of books that she sells, she decides to take a leaf from her heroine and namesakes books and make Sam fall in love with her so that she can persuade him to sell only the books she wants him too. She finds Sam arrogant, so is certain that her heart is safe from his charms…. but of course, like in all good romances the course of love never runs smoothly. As well as being humorous and witty, I enjoyed finding out more about life for indie booksellers. A perfect holiday read.

If you go into this book expecting a deep indepth saga, you'll likely be disappointed, however if you go in looking for a cosy romance with an easy to follow plot, a simple love story and little nods to literature through the MCs surnames Austen and Dickens, and their places of work - bookshops and want a quick holiday read, this is for you.

It really reminded me of a lot of 90s and early 2000s romcoms.

That's not downplaying it, this book is enjoyable, but might not suit everyone. I feel books like this are great for weekends away or reading in downtime to help you decompress without being too taxing.

I really do look forward to reading more from Mia.

Unfortunately, I have decided to not finish it this book, at least for now, at 51%. I was quite interested in the premise of the book and I was expecting a nice romcom book. However, I feel like that’s not what I got. I did give the book a chance, and I got to 51%, but decided not to continue as I was just skimming through the chapters. I felt that the story wasn’t flowing naturally, there were a lot of time jumps that were difficult to recognise, and I feel like it could have been structured better. During the first thing 12/13 chapters, Lexi keeps talking about how much she hates Sam because of everything that he has done, and how he is enemy number one. However, we don’t really get properly introduced to Sam’s character and some of the things he’s “done” to Lexi and her bookstore until chapter 14, where we get a bit of backstory. I think it would have flowed better to have some backstory at the start to introduce the characters and the setting. I also felt as most of the characters didn’t get properly introduced, they just appeared on the page, like all the booksellers, or Erin’s friends. I also could not relate to Lexi at all, as I felt she came across like a very self-centered person; she wasn’t happy for her friends when they get engaged, and only complains about how lonely she’ll be and how her friends are not paying attention to her because they are busy with their own life - when she mentions multiple times that all she does is work and not spend time with them. She just didn’t seem like a good friend. On top of that, I couldn’t understand the motivation behind her decision to seduce Sam as a way to save the bookstore, it just didn’t make any sense to me that the goal was to make him fall in love and then… what would happen? How would he stop being her competition? I just don’t see the logic. I was sad to be disappointed with this book, as I think the idea and premise is good and could be a good rom com story, but I think maybe it needs to be thought about a bit more and maybe restructured to make sure that the story flows nicely. I think other people might like this book, but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

"Bookishly Ever After" starts off with promise—a tale of Lexi Austen, a bookshop owner dealing with drama in her dating life and competition from Sam Dickens, a rival bookshop owner. Initially drawn to the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, I hoped for a wild ride. However, the story quickly lost its allure as Lexi's tactics to win over Sam felt manipulative rather than charming. Her approach, especially given Sam's recent breakup, left me feeling uncomfortable, like she was playing games with his emotions.

The book's length and repetitive nature became glaring issues. Clocking in at what felt like too many pages, the constant reminders of Lexi's background and inner monologues didn't add depth but rather dragged the plot. Lexi herself came across as annoyingly self-important, making it hard to connect with her journey or root for her romantic endeavors with the bland Sam, who lacked personality and charisma.

Some scenes were downright cringe-worthy, like Lexi's inappropriate comparison of her father's death to Sam's father's life choices, or Sam's awkward greeting that focuses on Lexi's body. These moments detracted from what could have been a light-hearted, bookish romance, instead adding more discomfort to an already uneven storyline.

Despite my disappointment, I recognize that tastes vary. Readers who enjoy light, book-centric romances with a sprinkle of Jane Austen might find enjoyment here. The premise of rival bookshop owners navigating their personal and professional challenges amid economic woes and pandemic impacts has potential, though it ultimately fell short for me due to its forced dialogue and unnatural flow. While it wasn't my cup of tea, those seeking a quick, easy read might still find "Bookishly Ever After" a suitable choice for a cozy afternoon indulgence in literary-themed romance.

This really wasn’t for me I’m so sorry. I didn’t like the characters I didn’t like the way the dialogue was written. I also felt like there were so many unnecessary like pop culture references

I didn't really gel with this book.
The concept seemed ok, and I was looking forward to it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lexi was such a fun MC to follow and I thoroughly enjoyed living through her, her love for books and wanting to make her store succeed was amazing. Lexi and Sam are rivals and honestly, it just made this book so much better. Well worth the read, a perfect way to switch off from the real world and just enjoy where they story takes you.m

I had an absolutely divine time reading this book. From the moment we were introduced to Lexi, I adored her. Her love for books, dedication towards her shop and drive to succeed made her a fab female protagonist.

I mean, shock horror, but of course I fell in deep love with Sam - I mean who wouldn't? A book loving, piano playing god. There was so much substance to him too - his caring nature, his need for security and all around the generosity he shows, not always evidently mind you.

The way in which their relationship blossomed, all from Lexi's plan to make him fall in love with her and sabotage his career, was a stroke of genius and was executed so incredibly well.

An overall delightful read and one I would recommend to romance readers everywhere.

I had high expectations for this new read. It was a tale about two rival bookshop owners with a generous sprinkling of romance and humour—a perfect recipe. Despite my initial excitement, it sadly did not fully meet my expectations.

The narrative was a slow burn, taking its time to unfurl and only truly capturing my interest around the halfway mark. However, I attempted to delve into this story while under the weather, which might have unfairly coloured my perception and enjoyment. The characters were endearing and somewhat relatable, each possessing quirks and charm that added layers to the story's unfolding.

Despite some flaws, this book was a decent read, and I am still open to reading more from this author in the future. While it may not be perfect, moments still captured my heart and kept me invested in the story. Overall, I am satisfied with the experience and would consider giving this author another chance to impress me with their writing.

A book about books, what makes a better book!
Every now and then you just need to switch off from the world and read a book that you know exactly which way it’s going. Pure comfort reading. And this book is absolutely perfect for that. It was like receiving a bit literary hug.
Lexi and Sam are rival
Bookshop owners, sorry should I add Lexi Austen and Sam Dickens! What perfect names for bookshop owners!!
Dealing with the cost of living crisis and other financial issues, Lexi is not sure how much longer she can sustain running her beloved grandmas book shop especially when Sam keeps stealing her ideas!
The book is a perfect escape from the real world and a great enemies to lovers romance book. I could feel the sexual tension bouncing off the pages
I need book 2 to find out how it all worked out!
This would be a good book to take on holiday with you to read round the pool or when your brain needs something less complicated to process

Lexi and Sam run rival book stores, in this enemies to lovers romance. A great read, I love a book set in a book shop!

This was a cute, funny page turner that at its roots, is about loyalty, community and a love of books.
I did find the romance element a little underplayed in some areas - some more communication between the two characters would have given it some more depth!
Overall a fun, easy romance novel.

I unfortunately dnf this book, the pacing isn’t right for me and I’m finding it repetitive, but this doesn’t mean this isn’t a good book for others!

I really wanted to love this book, especially because the premise seemed so interesting. Sadly, the overall execution didn't work for me. The tone was quite juvenile throughout with some immature interactions between the MCs. Perhaps labelling the genre as YA would be more fitting. Lexi, the female lead, was very unlikeable because of the way she treated Sam, who didn't have much personality other than his stoicism. I think this novel could be a great success with concise editing and adjustment to the tone.

My Review of *Bookishly Ever After* by Mia Page (3 stars): A Cosy Enemies-to-Lovers Romcom with Great Banter and a Bookish Aesthetic

I really enjoyed this lighthearted romcom set in Washington, which follows two rival bookshop owners.

Our female main character, Lexi Austen, has inherited a bookshop in a lovely area of DC from her grandmother and is dedicated to keeping her legacy alive. Despite her best efforts, she’s struggling to keep the shop afloat while also juggling her dating life and her relationship with her best friend, Erin. Her biggest nemesis, Sam Dickens, owns a rival bookshop that’s not only stealing her customers but also her marketing strategies. To get back at him, Lexi develops a Jane Austen-approved plan to make Sam fall in love with her... to throw him off his game, get her customers back and increase her profits.

Full of romcom readers' favourite tropes, this is a fun and cosy read, albeit very predictable. I enjoyed the bookish aesthetic and references in this book. However, I found the ending way too convenient and very rushed. It’s a great relaxing read to take to the beach, but I would have loved for the ending to be more thought-through.

I had such high hopes for this book. I mean an enemies to lovers romance about rival bookstore owners is right up my alley... but unfortunately this one just did not deliver. Main characters always have a flaw - they would be boring and unrealistic without one. But Lexi was more flaw than character. She is self-centred (I mean who's first thought when their best friend gets engaged is to worry about never seeing them again??? Be happy for your friends!!), pompous, and honestly uninteresting. The only thing I know about her is that she has red hair, is British (this fact is reiterated approximately every two pages), and that her grandmother passed away. Her plan to woo the rival bookstore owner Sam is quite honestly horrible - especially once she learns more about him.

I loved this book and the characters! Bookish vibes and Enemies to Lovers 100% Amazing!

I would like to thank Avon and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.