ARC REVIEW

3.75 stars 🌟

this story had such an interesting plot. the fmc, elsy, who was an avid reader magically ended up in the fictional town set in her favorite book series.

it was interesting to read her story, being a reader myself who has always imagined what it would be like to be thrown into the fictional world of the different stories i enjoyed. seeing elsy go through it was a fun journey.

once again, ashley poston did an amazing job with the magical realism of the story, having elsy help the other characters because their own stories weren’t quite finished, and the plot twist about anders being real and the ex-fiancé of rachel flowers (the author of elsy’s favorite series).

i would have given this book four stars (like i did for the seven year slip and the dead romantics), but i was still left confused on how exactly the town of quixotic falls manifested in the first place. wide it just manifest when anders went to the accident site where rachel had died? that was why i knocked it down to 3.75, but other than that i enjoyed the story and can’t wait to read any future ashley poston novels.

Reviewing this because I am unable to mark DNF's. I read over half of it, and really couldnt get into the story. Because we aren't reading the book in the story, i never had real feelings while reading it. It was nearly impossible to relate. Her past two books were both five stars, but this one was a miss for me :(

I hope Ashley knows how impactful her stories are to all who read them.
I hope she knows that her words will live with me for the rest of my days, as I'm sure they will for so many more.
A Novel Love Story didn't feel like a romance, but how do you categorize a book that is a romance for Romance? This book was written for the authors, for the people who fill their shelves with smutty and swoon-worthy romances, and it is for the girls whose dream is to open their own little bookstore. Sometimes the best books ever written are the ones that cannot be categorized, the ones that break down those walls and become something altogether their own.
Needless to say; I loved this book. Everything about this book built up to the ending and the journey our main character Elsy goes on. This is a novel about finding yourself when you have always been the one to give. It's also about love: love for your favorite author, love for your best friend, and the love we experience from someone who knows our worth.
This was a beautiful love story to all who love a good love story. And Ashley's typical magical flair rises from the pages in every word.
I hope all romance-lovers find themselves in these pages.

Ashley Poston has a way of creating lovely romances with touching and heartfelt stories. Adding a little magical realism to the mix only makes it better! So so good.

Eileen is on her way to her annual book club retreat (alone because no one else could make it) when her car breaks down. She finds herself right in the middle of the quaintest small town that seems right out of a novel. And then she realizes, it IS right out of a novel. But not just any novel, her favorite romance series fictional town, Eloraton. When she realizes that every day is the same, including the afternoon storm, she begins to think it's her mission to bring the romance series to an end since the deceased author was unable to finish it herself. But who is this grumpy bookstore owner with the mint-green eyes? He's intriguing. And can she bring him back with her when she leaves? Another perfect magical realism romance from Ashley Poston!

I like Ashley Pistons books and this one has enough of a twist, just like her other ones that helps her books stand out. I really liked it and was sucked in right away.

I have a serious case of the warm & fuzzies from this book!! A true love story between readers & fictional romance.

Strangers to lovers
Love note to our love of books
Small town
Minimal spice

Ashley Poston pour secret sauce into all of her books. I love her magical realism and how cozy her books make me feel! Imagine diving into the town of your favorite story and getting to know the characters and setting that make you swoon! This book was adorable!

After reading the seven year slip last year and LOVING it, I was thrilled to have another Ashley Poston book! This one wasn't as wonderful, but still loved the premise! It felt like it moved slow in some parts and my attention wavered

I wanted to love this as much as I had her other books but it didn’t do it for me. I liked the idea of it all, I mean who wouldn’t love being stuck in their favorite book setting. But it seemed like it took forever to get anywhere and I just didn’t like the characters that much. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Eileen, is on her way to a solo book club retreat and gets trapped in an imagined town in her favorite romance book series.

I do really enjoy Ashley’s writing and her stories feel cozy and comforting. Her books always have a magical realism element and I love how she weaves these aspects together.

This story feels a little bit like the Gilmore Girls, Groundhogs Day, and the Wizard of Oz all mixed together. This story focuses on the journey rather than the destination, and the main character needs to isolate herself to grow. This is a fairytale adjacent, heartwarming story.

However, there is not a ton of tension or angst between the two main characters, and I didn’t quite believe their strong connection. This is an insta-love story and the two fall in love in like five days. One of my other qualms – there is a lot of repetition about the male main character’s appearance or scent.

This isn’t my favorite of hers but it still has some charming scenes and I do love a book about books!

A Novel Love Story felt like a walk down romcom memory lane. What started off as your typical contemporary romance quickly shifted into Poston’s uniquely magical world. She builds a story so beautifully I feel like I am a part of the main character’s journey.

The backstory she provides us is emotional and relatable all in one. I became emotionally attached to the characters’ love story. The character arc for Elsy is done so well with her struggles finding her place and purpose in life.

Her experience in Eloraton and connections with the fictional characters in the town pulled at my heartstrings making me think what I would do if I met my favorite characters “in real life.” These questions Poston evokes is what makes her stories all the more special to me.

Highly recommending you give this book a try as I am still thinking about this read weeks after finishing.

I was really hoping to love this one as much as I loved The Seven Year Slip, but it just didn't reach that bar IMO.

I was absolutely roped into this story from the beginning because I loved the premise of accidentally being stranded in your favorite book town. However, the story just didn't keep my attention after the initial introduction to the town and characters. I spent from about 10-70% not being sold on the story and feeling a bit bored, but then at around the 70% mark I really started enjoying it again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for the ARC.

where do i even begin with this book? this is a book lovers dream come true! imagine you are driving in a rainstorm and somehow end up in your favorite romance’s small, fictional town. like helllllllo? i didn’t even know that was something i could wish and dream to happen to me but because of a novel love story this is now all i ever want.

this book truly had everything you could ever hope for in a book - amazing main characters, side quests, tropes, a cute small town, book stores, twists, found family, friendship all sprinkled with a heartfelt romance. i loved lovED LOVED this one!

it was an easy five stars. i will say that i think my happily ever after ended after chapter 34. it was a perfect, no notes book for me before i turned to the next page and started chapter 35. everything that was added on after in the last 25ish pages was just really unnecessary conflict that really could have been avoided. it was a lot of anxiety i didn’t love but i still ended up loving the ending just not really loving the extra 30 pages at the end to get there ♥️

Ashley Poston really knows how to put on the charm in her stories! I really loved the town, side characters, and all the nerdy references that this book had, it is somehow a great romance book about great romance books, but also about life and how even though times may get rough, life will keep pushing us forward and I think that’s a great reminder for everyone. It doesn’t get any cozier or quainter than a book like this!

3.5 Stars

This was a charming read with a bit of magical realism. I adored the side characters, and I thought the plot – staying in the town of your favorite romance series, was clever. Unfortunately, I felt like the beginning was a little too slow. I was a little bored and was anxiously waiting for something to happen. When the two MC’s relationship finally started to spark, I couldn’t put it down. This wasn’t my favorite by this author but it was an enjoyable read and perfect for book lovers.

I loved this book!! The concept of this book was unique - I love how she double meanings and concepts in everything which makes it soo relatable!

I was a somewhat disappointed by this book. Ashley Poston's previous two novels were so delightful and it was so easy to buy into the quaint magic of them. But something about it didn't work for me with this one. I kept expecting that it was all a fake coma dream, rather than a magical situation like the time slipping apartment.

A Novel Love Story is a whimsical romantic comedy that hit all the right buttons for me as a reader. Imagine if you could stumble into the little quaint town where your very favorite, most beloved romance series takes place. You know the town and the characters and it feels like you were meant to be there, only there is one small problem, it is not real. Then imagine if while visiting this magical place you have only ever dreamt of, you meet the love of your life who happens to be the bookstore owner. How can you ever leave, but how can you ever stay? Poston has written another lovely story that I did not want to end. I hope you love it too!

Happy Pub day to "A Novel Love Story" and thank you SO much to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for an early copy for me to read
Ashley Poston has such a way with words that just burrow deep into you heart and she has very quickly shot up to my list of very favorite authors. I won't go into TOO much detail since the book quite literally just came out and no one likes a spoiler but I will post a more in depth review later on!
I sooo deeply love Elsy's character and feel so very seen in her (those are the best characters), she feels safe in a book, at home, and she loves to get lost in her fictional happily ever afters. And can I just say, I loveeee seeing women in their 30's in romance novels.
This is a book for book lovers and romance believers. For the girls who have more fictional book boyfriends than they can keep track of.
And you'll definitely want to add our grumpy bookstore owner, Anders to the list.
I loved the pacing, the cozy atmosphere, and I just truly adore how Postons writing just feels like sitting in your very favorite armchair after a long day.
#bookish #anovellovestory #ashleyposton #romance