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!

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.