This is such a charming, delightful, sweet, and sexy romance. An English professor stumbles into a mysterious town during a storm and finds herself in her favorite book series. Ashley Poston knows what she’s doing! And the way Anders calls Eileen “sweetheart” is perfect.

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

Brigadoon meets Groundhog Day in Ashley Poston’s most recent magical realism romance. Eileen "Elsy" Merriweather, a literature professor, gets stranded one night en route to the annual reunion of the Super Smutty Book Club she's been a part of for years, and lands IN Eloraton, the world of Quixotic Falls, her favorite romance series. Everything is just as described in the series--with blurry spots where the author hadn't quite imagined some details, like the complete menu at the Possum Cafe, famous for it's pancakes. Of course, since the local B&B is still under renovation (as that's where the storyline left off in a previous book), the only lodging is town is in the charming loft of the cozy bookstore, now under new management.

Eileen experiments with influencing storylines and attracting a specific, beloved, and still unattached character, but it’s Anderson, the cynical guy who runs the bookshop--the one NEVER mentioned in the series-- that she finds the most intrigue (and connection) with. Living IN your favorite book series sounds like a dream come true, but it begins to take on a stuck in a nightmare quality. There's no WiFi, no cellular connection, and no Internet -- how can Elsy escape and get back to her real (mundane) life--and once she finds a way, will Anders come with her?

I love how Poston plays with time and place in her novels, and her exploration of what it means to be lost/escape from your life. This one is truly an love letter to readers, as Elsy discloses she didn't believe in falling in love with reading until it happened to her. Every chapter contains literary allusions and Easter eggs referencing other fandoms, and plays with the tropes of the romance genre, both incorporating grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and meet-cutes. The world-building was excellent, reminiscent of Stars Hollow. In spite of the honey-themed everything, the novel is sweet without becoming too saccharine. The story gets a little meta when the series is described as parallel, more than linear; NYC editor Benji from The Dead Romantics is a side character as a member of the Super Smutty Book Club (though it might be a bit much if the series that Elsy is such a fan of is the one his dead grandmother penned, that Florence is ghostwriting...)

I received a free advance reader's review copy of #ANovelLoveStory via #NetGalley courtesy of Berkley.

2.75 stars rounded up to 3.

Eileen is a woman who loves to get lost in the perfect happily-ever-after book. You see, she knows that imaginary men can't leave you at the altar. Eileen feels most safe in a cozy book and is looking forward to escaping to her annual book club retreat. Unfortunately her car breaks down on the way there and she finds herself stranded in a town so charming it might be the setting in one of her HEA romance novels. Has Eileen found herself in the setting of her favorite romance series, frozen in time? And who is that grumpy character that she can't remember from the series? How did she get here and how will she get back home...or does she even want to return to real life?

A Novel Love Story is my first novel by Ashley Poston. I think it had an adorable premise that immediately sucked me in. I mean, who wouldn't want to live in their favorite comfort book world at least for a short time?! I enjoyed the magical elements sprinkled throughout and the grumpy x sunshine type trope. But I'm not sure that it worked for me as much as I was hoping it would. I found Eileen to be a bit annoying and Anders to be pretty rude. I also found the romance to be a little too immediate/sudden. They can't stand each other but then suddenly they're kissing and I didn't really feel any chemistry between the two.

I have heard that Poston's Seven Year Slip is great, so maybe I'll go back and try that one. I'm sure if you enjoy her other books you will enjoy this one as well. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I absolutely love Ashley Poston, I usually cannot put her books down. The premise of this one immediately had my attention. How cool would it be to be in your favorite book? Like talk about a dream come true. The issue I have is pacing and chemistry between the characters. I found myself struggling to pick this book up - because I felt like majority of the time nothing was happening and the relationship really lacked spark and chemistry.

This book is truly a love letter to rom com readers, and I loved that this book played with the idea that I always day dreamed about. What if I could step into my favorite romance series and just live there for a while? How wonderful would that be? If you have ever had that thought when waiting for the next book in your favorite series, than you will fall into this book the same I did and probably just as quickly. Just know that Post on has a wonderful voice and style, but the quirky and unique way of storytelling may give you a moments pause before leaping into the magical realism that informs this book. But once you make that leap, this book will draw you in and not let you go!

Reading this book reminded me of the movie Pleasantville, starring Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire. As I love that movie, it is definitely a compliment!

This is a lovely story about finding oneself after feeling so lost, metaphorically and then, to get into the town, literally. Eloraton is a fictional town of the book series beloved by Eileen, a book series that has provided comfort, joy, and perhaps even escape from the real world over the years. It also ends up being the place where Eileen (Elsy) can find herself again after a miserable couple of years of feeling directionless.

The cast of characters (in a very meta way) are engaging and also perhaps feeling a bit lost, too, as the author of the book passed away prior to writing what was expected to be the concluding book of the series.
Also lost, in many ways, is Anderson, who was not a character in the books. Finding out who he is and why he is in Eloraton is heartbreaking as he is on his own journey but is perhaps also scared of moving forward.

The ending is heartwrenching but beautiful. I enjoined how Elsy found herself, found her direction, and then pursued it, regardless of whether Anders was going to be with her or not. She was no longer going to hold herself back. of course, the HEA was beautiful and really emphasized that Elsy's and Anders's relationship represented new chapters (pun intended) for both of them.

Ashley Poston is fantastic at writing magical realism and this book is no exception.

Thanks to Berkley for the eARC; all opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this one, but it fell a bit flat for me. The premise sounded super interesting, but upon execution, it had a hard time holding my interest.

3 ⭐️

I am sooo sad that this book wasn't a hit for me because I loved Seven Year Slip so much. I felt very disconnected to the storyline, and honestly did not care for the male main character for the majority of the book. I didn't feel the romantic connection at all and guess the twist, so overall it was not a good read for me.

There were some many things I loved about this book. I loved the characters and especially the little book town!
I did not however like the pacing of this novel or the relationship (romance) in this story. I couldn’t feel or imagine the passion they had.
With saying that, I still truly loved the experience I had with this back and will definitely be picking up whatever novels she puts out!

4.5 Oh Ashley, you really know the way to my heart. The thing I love most about her books is the magical aspects added to a super heartfelt story and relationship. Anders and Elsy were so freaking cute, also shut up because hes a bookstore owner ugh. The whole package tbh. All the little details were so well done in this book and everyone needs to read Ashley's books.

In A Novel Love Story, Elsy’s week at the cabin becomes an experience of a life time when her car breaks down trapping her in the fictional town of Eloraton. This book is light-hearted and romantic full of happily ever afters. If you love magical realism and cozy small town romance, this book is for you. The ending is unexpected but the outcome is great.

4 stars!!

I read this book like it was a movie! This is a book written about book lovers *for* us book lovers.

My first book from Ashley Poston and it’s become a huge favorite of mine! I love the magical realism element in romance, so this was the perfect romance to start the summer with! I’ve definitely found another auto-buy author because I adore Ashley’s prose.

I wish we got to see a certain character’s decision about Quixotic Springs at the end of the book, but this book was overall so beautifully written.

Thank you Berkley for the e-arc!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston!

4.25 stars
I think after reading and loving The Seven Year Slip, I had some super high expectations for this book, which it didn’t totally meet. I absolutely loved the idea for this book (because who wouldn’t want to meet their favorite characters in real life?) and with Elsy’s favorite books being set in a small town, I loved getting this twist on reading a small town romance with a found family cast of characters! After seeing some other people’s thoughts, I’ve been able to articulatw what was missing for me in this book, which was Anders’ POV. There was a twist to this book surrounding his identity, and while some people apparently guessed it, I truly was so surprised. But I do think his growth was also important to the ending, and we never really got that. Still, this was such a charming and beautifully written book, and I’m very excited for what else Ashley has up her sleeves!

I LOVED this one!! It was heartfelt and swoony and funny and emotional in the way I’ve come to expect from Ashley Poston books. I didn’t want this to end.

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!