Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy of this title.

This was a wonderful, heartfelt story. Similar style to the author’s other titles, but different enough to be a delight.

I love that this book was so different and that the setting was in a fictional town. I'm a sucker for a grumpy sunshine troupe, especially when that grumpy male main character owns or works in a bookstore!

While I enjoyed the premise of this book, I struggled with the pacing, and some of the characters. At times, it really dragged and I did not feel connected to the story. The conflict wasn't captivating me.

This is a love story for the book lovers! We've all wished we could enter our favorite book and lucky for Elsy- she falls into hers. I love how all of Poston's books include a little magical realism. It makes her romances very unique to others in the genre. The setting of Elsy's favorite book, Eloraton, was the perfect backdrop for her story- from the candy store to the "haunted" inn. I also loved the feelings Elsy has around being "too much" as she gets older and her best friend's life takes a different direction from hers. This was a very sweet story and I can't wait for more from Poston this year!

This book has a creative, bookish premise—getting stuck in the world of a beloved romance series is every reader’s dream! Eileen’s journey through the charmingly imperfect town of Eloraton, complete with its quirky characters and unfinished storylines, starts off strong. The grumpy bookstore owner adds some fun romantic tension, and the concept of tying up loose ends in both fiction and real life is intriguing. However, the story feels rushed in places, and Eileen’s emotional journey doesn’t quite pack the punch it could have. While it’s a fun read for book lovers, it doesn’t fully deliver on the depth or magic the premise promises. Still, it’s an enjoyable escape for fans of meta romance tales!

I really enjoyed this book! My first Ashley Poston novel! I love how she combines contemporary romance with fantasy elements. As a huge book lover, I really related to the main character and think that any book lover would want to get stuck in a similar situation. While the book was overall really enjoyable, I do think that the 11th hour twist and the choices that the MMC makes towards the end were a bit frustrating and made the story feel a little bittersweet so I wish that didn’t happen! If it wasn’t for that, this book would be a full 5 stars instead 4.75.

I have to really enjoyed Ashley Posten in the past and this one just didn't work for me. It failed to pull me in from the start and I just couldn't connect with it.

Nobody does magical realism quite like Ashley Poston and pair that with a book about books and you get a home run. She had me laughing and crying with this love letter to readers and even though I wish there was a little more romance, I loved every page.

Huge thanks to Berkley for the copy to review.

This book is adorable. I love the theme of renewing your commitment to living your life after heartbreak.

I had heard that Ashley Poston is an author known for infusing magical realism into her love stories. She's new to me. The set-up in A Novel Love Story is both sweet and imaginative, with some truly delicious chemistry between Anders and Elsy that thrums under every stolen glance and clever bit of banter.

Ashley Poston's ingenious concept – being magically transported into a beloved book world – is pure delight. She gleefully subverts romance tropes, injecting humor and self-awareness. A bookshop cat named Butterscotch? Of course! Poston also sprinkles in delightful nods to other fandoms, a charming reminder of bygone eras like the Twilight craze.

The novel is a heartfelt ode to romance readers. Elsy, a devoted fan of author Rachel Flowers, navigates the enchanting town of Eloraton with genuine passion and humor. The bookstore scenes are pure magic, and the bookish surprise at the end is truly unforgettable (though I'll keep my lips sealed!).

Books about books hold a unique charm, and this one is no exception. I adored the entire cast, particularly the vibrant Book Club, and yearned for even more of their camaraderie.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for introducing me to Poston, an author I will be reaching out to read again soon!

This was so good! A Novel Love Story was my first of Ashley Poston's adult novels that I've read but it definitely won't be my last. All these characters and their relationships were just so wonderful.

I do have to complain about Kyle being in this though, and so much more than I was expecting to. But other than that, I was entirely charmed by this book and romance.

Ashley Poston can do no wrong! Took me a bit to get into but the writing is always so beautifully done. 4/5 stars!!!

This was such a good romance and I fell in love with these characters! I really connected with the FMC and really enjoyed their growth throughout the book. I will now be reading all of Ashley Poston’s novels

Ashley Ashley Ashley, one of my new faves ever. She's so good . Her books are so beautiful and different. I love the little magic she brings. This is her third romance and I can say they were all amazing

This is my first read from author Ashley Poston and I absolutely adored this book. When I first started reading I had trouble suspending reality (the setting is a fictional town from a book that doesn’t actually exist), but as I read more and more I fell in love with the characters and plot. Magical realism at its finest. For fans of Sarah Addison Allen. Highly recommend.

There are many days where I wish I could stumble into my favorite book and the allure of that, and this being Ashley Poston, are what made me pick this up. I liked a lot of the secondary characters, but the book felt like it should be Anders' story instead of Elsie's and I think that led to a lut bit of underwhelm. I guessed what the twist was going to be so I wasn't really surprised by that, and the magical realism left some plot holes that nobody in the story seemed to question but I sure did.

A super cute story of a girl who finds herself in the world of her favorite book series. The pacing was a little off for me, but still enjoyable.

Ashley Poston's books never disappoint! They are a wonderful mix of romance and magical realism with unique set ups and interesting characters.

I really like that her characters experience a significant amount of individual personal growth in addition to the relationship development. This story is no exception. Eileen really finds herself after being adrift for so long after a relationship ended badly. It was so interesting seeing her favorite series and characters through her eyes and how she knew every beat of what was supposed to happen but then realized things needed to move forward as well.

I ended up listening to part of the book on audio and the narrator did a fantastic job. It was an easy and engrossing read in both formats. I cannot recommend this book enough and it is definitely one of my favorite reads of this year.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.

I’ve really enjoyed how Ashley Poston adds magical realism to her books, and this one was no exception. Our narrator embarks on an ill-fated, post-breakup road trip, takes a wrong turn and finds herself … in the fictional town where her favorite book series is set.

I usually find books about bookish people way too cheesy and gimmicky. I didn’t feel that way at all with this one. “A Novel Love Story” is truly an ode to books and reading with a love story on the side. If you liked the author’s previous two books, you’ll enjoy this one.

An Enchanting Escape into Fiction and Love

I just finished A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston, and honestly, it felt like stepping into a daydream. From the very first page, I was completely swept away by the story’s charm, whimsy, and heartfelt romance. It’s one of those rare books that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place.

The story follows Eileen Merriweather, a literature professor who, after hitting rock bottom in her personal life, somehow ends up inside her favorite romance series, Quixotic Falls. Yes, you read that right—she’s literally transported into the pages of her favorite books. As someone who’s always wondered what it would be like to live inside my favorite stories, I was hooked immediately.

Poston does an amazing job of bringing the fictional town of Eloraton to life. I could practically smell the coffee from Anders’ little bookstore and feel the cozy warmth of the community. Speaking of Anders, the romance between him and Eileen is pure magic. It’s slow-burn perfection, with witty banter, tender moments, and just the right amount of tension to keep me rooting for them the whole way through.

What I loved most about this book, though, is how much it celebrates book lovers. Eileen’s journey felt so personal, like a love letter to anyone who’s ever found comfort, adventure, or even themselves in the pages of a novel. Poston has this incredible way of balancing humor, heartache, and hope, and it all came together beautifully in this story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.