I’m giving this one 3.5 stars rounded up. I was so excited for this book to come out because I really loved The Dead Romantics. What Ashley does so well is come up with new concepts in what can sometimes feel like a stale genre, but I will admit that I had kind of a tough time with this one. I loved the idea of this book more than I loved the actual execution of it, but did manage to find joy in the story itself and how it unfolded. That being said, I found the romance to be really lacking and without getting into any spoilers, what happened in the third act was not what I saw coming or what I wanted from the story. It felt at once like there were too many side characters, but then also not enough information about any of the side characters to really flush them out. Also, if you are looking for spice, you will not find that in this book as outside of some foreplay, everything else is off page. This book absolutely made me cry but not necessarily for the reasons I wanted.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was hooked from the very beginning. I love how Ashley Poston’s characters are so relatable. There were so many dynamic females in this story and each of them were on their own little journey in life. My favorite part of this was the magical realism, I stuck out even more than the romance. I think if this were a dual POV it would have felt a bit more complete, but I enjoyed the book still. The Easter eggs to Ashley’s other books were the BEST!!

After feeling left behind, let down, and lost in her stagnant in life, Elsy finds herself in a fictional town right out of her favorite romance novel, slow-motion falling for a man who's surely fictional too.

Ashley Poston is now a must-read author in my book. She writes contemporary romance in a way that's perfectly tailored for me—with an original dash of magic that makes her stories unforgettable. The fictional town she crafted was infinitely charming in all of its idiosyncrasies, and the cast of fictional characters were so endearing as romantic leads of their own stories. The romance itself was the proverbial icing on an already enticing cake because this was a story written specifically for book lovers with characters who love meet-cutes and the smell of an old bookstore probably as much as you do!

Can easily say with my whole chest that I loved this one. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and the author for a copy of this book!

Ashley Poston has consistently written books that have been top books of the year. So to say I had high hopes for this was an understatement. And the premise? So good!

Unfortunately, this did not live up to the hopes I had for it. It felt clunky and disjointed, and in extremely sad it wasn’t a favorite of mine.

A quirky premise, an English professor gets stuck in the small town that is the setting of her favorite romance book series. It took a bit for me to get into this one, but I really enjoyed the second half.

The Seven Year Slip seemed like a more genuine story closer to home for the author and this one seemed more similar to the first of her novels I read, Dead Romantics.

🌶️🌶️- A little steam.

I really enjoyed "The Dead Romantics," so I was excited to get ahold of Ashley Poston's next cheesy rom-com.

"A Novel Love Story" will have every romance book reader hooked. Winding up in your own love story in your favorite book's setting? Duh.

Eileen and Anders are both looking for ways to start moving forward again when life threw them tragedies that scared them into standing still. The adventure they go on to jumpstart their lives is so very cheesy but in the best way.

The premise of the book was very unique and was mostly pulled off well. It ended up being a very sweet ending. I kind of wished the end stopped about two chapters sooner - but then it wouldn't be a love story, would it?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title early!

This is why we need a half star rating on here. It's a quality of life thing at this point. I'd confidently rate this a 3.5, but a 3 feels distinctly too low and a 4 feels distinctly too high. I had to either round down or round up, so I decided to round down.

I liked this fine, but it definitely ranks last of the three Ashley Poston books I've read. This one felt more underwhelming to me, even though the magical aspects of this one felt the most outrageously magical. I think that was part of the issue for me--it was magical and impossible, but it felt like the reaction to the magic wasn't where it needed to be? Elsy was way too quick to just be like WOW! and go along with it for me.

I also felt that Anders felt a little amorphous and I wished there was a little more consistency in his actions/reactions. I didn't get invested in him or his story until pretty close to the end and by that point it was good but I had wished the emotional investment came so much sooner! There didn't feel like there were really any stakes up until that point. It was also a little too repetitive in certain ways. Did anyone catch what color Anders' eyes were? I missed it.

I enjoyed the friendship between Elsy and Pru and I always enjoy a story about stories. Ashley Poston does grief super well. Also definitely enjoyed the cameos! Overall, this was cute, but far from her strongest.

This book is a love letter to romance girlies who love a good HEA. A warm hug smothered in warm honey and burnt burgers. The small town vibes were everything. I loved the FMC and MMC. Who doesn't want to get stuck in their fav romance novel?

Cute concept, and very readable. I always look forward to the magical realism elements of Ashley Poston's books because it's not something that I really get anywhere else. I found myself thinking about which author's work I would travel to in the event that I needed to escape from reality for a bit, and I still really haven't answered that.

I have looooved the previous two books by Ms. Poston, but I don't think I loved this one as much as I did the other two. It's weird because I see a lot of Eileen's fears and inability to move on reflected in my own life, but I wasn't super sold on some things. Maybe it's because my mom's name is Eileen. Maybe I wanted more spice. Still a solid read, though!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

This was such a good book. It was magical and cozy and warm and mysterious and full of LOVE. I am officially a FAN of Ashley Poston, I’ve only read her short story in the Improbable Meet Cute series, but now I’m IN. I’m also always such a fan of books about books and people who love books. And watching Elsy be able to immerse herself in her favorite books series felt so special. The first thought I had when I started reading was I would do ANYTHING to be able to go Inglewild and really get into the world Becs created 🥹🥹

I loved Elsy so much. She was so lost and unsure of what to do next. She needed this weekend away with friends DESPERATELY and somehow needed this time away in her favorite fictional town even more?? I loved that she kept thinking back to Pru and their friendship and how important that is to her, even as things are changing and not going quite the way they had planned. I loved seeing her reflecting and learning things about herself. And I loved watching her in her favorite town. The fact that she knew everyone, and she couldn’t quite figure out what was happening. And how Anders didn’t want her to change anything and she did anyway. It was all done so well!

I also loved Anders and Elsy so much. They were so similar, and they had such good chemistry and good banter. They were slow to warm up to each other, and there was clearly so many things happening. So at times it felt like they weren’t supposed to be a fit, but I feel like it was done intentionally but it doesn’t quite make sense until the end. But the end…made my heart so happy!!

Thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC and the free finished copy! I am GRATEFUL as always!!

This is my second read from Ashley Poston and I really enjoyed it! The romance was well done and it was an interesting read that didn't have any slow spots for me! I love her writing style and creativity. Super excited I got the chance to read this early. I am definitely going to grab my physical copy and recommend!

Super sweet (albeit farfetched), quick read, unique premise (for an adult novel). Alas, it felt a little perfunctory at times and that second act plot twist was an unnecessary distraction that undermined the MC's relationship.

What happens when you get trapped in your favorite novel?
📕
Eileen has had a rough time lately and when everyone in her #bookclub bails on their yearly trip to a cabin, she decides to go alone. When her car breaks down she quickly realizes she’s stuck inside the setting of her favorite novel series—the one that got her through the past few years when nothing else did. The problem is the author died before finishing the series and the only thing that doesn’t belong in Eloraron is the grumpy bookstore owner. Elsy wants to see how the book series ends, but wonders if she can have a part in that ending.
📕
I normally adore Ashley Poston’s romance books, but this one fell flat for me. I didn’t feel any connection between the two love interests and found the whole plot to be silly. The reviews seemed to be mixed online so when this one comes out June 25, tell me what you think!

CW: cheating, grief, death, vomit, alcohol, car accident, violence

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for supplying me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Eileen Merriweather is an avid book reader turned professor of English. Her greatest love is meeting with her bookclub yearly in person to sit back, relax, and read some good books. When none of the members can make their yearly retreat, she decides to go alone. But on her way there she finds herself stranded in a small town with a broken down car. As she gets to know the town residents, she begins to realize she's stuck in the setting of her favorite author's love stories: Eloraton. She knows most of the characters but then finds there is one she cannot place. She's determined to figure out why this character was never on her radar and what her favorite author was planning to do with his love story.
I've recently discovered Poston's books and have really enjoyed the ones I've read. I was truly looking forward to this one. Who doesn't want to get stuck in the setting of their favorite love story from their favorite author? It sounded like a fun read, one I would enjoy and zip through in no time. And, while I did enjoy it for the most part, it was lacking what Poston's other stories have given me: hope and a feeling of magic.
Elsy is kind of a boring character. She is very self-deprecatory which just didn't hit me the right way. Even as she learns about herself throughout the book:,what she truly wants to do with her life, what kind of love she wants to find, and where she wants to be, I honestly didn't feel her growth. I wanted to love her but I just kind of liked her. She didn't present as anything truly interesting to me. She doesn't come across as strong or a woman who is willing to take control of her life, though she does talk about it. Her back story did help to solidify whey she thought the way she did about love. I did get a hint of her growth in the last few chapters, but not enough throughout the book to make me care.
Anders is a flat character, as well. The most I know about him are that he has "minty green eyes" and that he is grumpy and tight lipped. I wanted to swoon over the MMC but he didn't really give me that feeling. I felt like I was missing something from him. I get that his presence is supposed to be a bit mysterious, but there was nothing there to connect me to him and care about his story line.
The romance was just ok. I didn't really feel the connection between Elsy and Anders. I needed more tension, more angst, more connection. Where was the chemistry? It felt a bit superficial and forced. How about some real banter, which the author tried but really didn't succeed to do in my opinion. And how many times can Elsy tell us she's not who he's meant to be with? There goes that self-deprecatory look at herself again. Nothing could convince me that these two were fated for each other.
I love the idea of a book within a book. But the magical realism did not come across in this one as it did in others I've read from her. I felt like it was really lacking that world building that helps you believe in the magic that's happening. It was slow and nothing truly gripped me.
My biggest complaint with this book is the repetitive descriptions How many times can Elsy tell us about Anders "minty green eyes." It was non-stop in ever chapter. Or how he smelled like black tea. And how golden his hair was. I get it, you like his eyes and hair and his smell is pleasant but it was no-stop. I felt like the editor truly missed this. It took me out of the story as it kept happening. It made me not care about Elsy or Anders. And it didn't help me to see any connection forming between the two main characters.
I do realize this book was more about the journey rather than the destination but it really fell flat of endearing me to the characters and making me care about what would happen in the end. This was one of my most highly anticipated release of 2024 and I was more disappointed than not with this one. I'm not giving up on this author, though, and will absolutely read books from her in the future.
2.5 stars rounded to 3

✨𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝐖✨

𝐀 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧

Thank you so much to @berkleyromance for the free book #berkleypartner - I have absolutely loved @heyashposton’s previous novels & was so thrilled to read this one too!

“It wasn’t the end that mattered, but every word to it.” 🥹

👍🏼: One of the things I look forward to the most in Ashley Poston’s novels is the magical realism. It takes you on such a unique journey & this book was no different! Eileen, on her way to her yearly book club retreat, is lost both literally & figuratively when her car breaks down in a random, quaint town. However, she quickly realizes that it is the town of Eloraton from her all-time favorite romance series, never finished because the author unexpectedly passed away. Imagine being able to go to the town from your favorite romance books!!! Amazing 😂 I loved Eileen’s journey in this story as she realizes stories aren’t always perfect & reimagines what her next steps are in her life too. Of course while finding some romance along the way 😍 I just wanted to give this book a big hug at the end, which is the best feeling ever!!

👎🏼: I will admit, the book slowed down for me a bit in the middle & I’m not sure if it was the story itself or if I was just too exhausted during the week to finish the chapters 😂 Either way, the last 20% of the book definitely picked up and solidified my love for the story!

Overall, I think many will love this one & enjoy all the magical realism and romance goodness that we love from this author. While it wasn’t my favorite from her, it was still memorable & I definitely recommend! Out 6/25!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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#anovellovestory #ashleyposton #magicalrealism #romancebooks

I absolutely adored The Dead Romantics and The Seven Year Slip. They're some of my absolute favorites. But I'm sad to say that this one left me wanting. The last 25% was pretty good! But most of the book felt like I was following around the town busy-body with almost no romance in sight. I think this could have been lovely, but we got stuck in the lives of the characters from Eloraton rather than really focusing on Elsy and her story.

I'll still read Ashley Poston in the future, but this book was a swing and a miss for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for my complimentary e-arc. All opinions here are mine.

So disappointing. I really enjoyed The Dead Romantics, but quit this one with 30% to go. I got too frustrated my the completely egregious number of minty eyes referenced. I also found the constant side tracking about Pru confusing. It's rare for me to DNF but this book goes on that pile.

Thank you for the opportunity though.

Not posted publicly out of respect for the author and because I DNF.

Eileen (Elsy) is bummed when her annual book club retreat is canceled. She decides to take the trip on her own even though the rest of the group is busy. She needs to get lost in the love stories and escape for a bit. On her way in, she actually gets lost and her car breaks down in a small town. The small town, she soon discovers, is the fictional town from her favorite book series. A series left unfinished after the author passed away. She sees her favorite characters, scene settings, and one out of place man she doesn’t remember from the story. She isn’t sure what’s going on, but she wants to wrap the story up for the characters so they can have a happily ever after.

This book was pure magic for my soul! I think we all have read a book and imagined what it would be like to be part of the story. This was a premise I didn’t realize was missing from my life and Ashley Poston absolutely killed it! Though Elsy had her moments, I found her and her story so relatable, down to the awful ex behavior and the inability to take her own advice. I chuckled, I teared up, and I couldn’t quite predict the ending, though I was close! I have yet to find a miss by this author, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.

4.5 (for the sheer uniqueness if nothing else)

The title says it all! This was a romcom like no other romance. I don’t even know how to describe it. When I glanced at the summary before I dove into the book, I focused on the part where Elsy is the only one aware that she’s in a made up story. I was so relieved that Anders was fully aware as well because stories where only one person knows something for most of the story are frustrating.

This is for die-hard Fabio-covered romance readers (though without the erotica), but could also appeal to those who are a little above that and more likely to make fun of those but still like a good romcom or have a weakness for Virgin River or Hallmark movies and series. Sidenote, it’s funny how they talk about how the books are really steamy, but they are pretty PG in their “real life” depictions of those romances.

I loved “Dead Romantics” and I enjoyed “The Seven Year Slip” for the most part, so I knew I was in for some sort of fantasy storyline. I have to give this book credit though, because I’ve never read a story like it and really got into it, eventually. I know, why such a score it was slow going for a while. I can’t explain it, but the later parts made up for the rest. I’m often undecided about how I feel about books afterwards and I’m still in a bizarre mindset over this one… in a good way. Even though I haven’t read a series quite like the one in this book, who hasn’t really wanted to escape to made up place full of happy ever after?

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review

*Received as a free ARC*
Not my all time favorite book, but it was still pretty good. Elsy and Anders were very cute. I appreciate how the chapter titles indicate Elsy's true love is her best friend--platonic love is just as important as romantic. The ending felt a little drawn out and clunky but overall was good. I'd certainly recommend as a lighthearted summer read.