what would you do if you find yourself inside your favorite book? and the ending is not written yet? and you fall in love with a fictional character?

sounds kinda like a dream for every book lover right? well for elsie it was happening for real and you’ll never guess how this story comes to an end, or does it?

this is what happens: elsy is excited to go on a vacation with her friends from a book club she and her best friend started, where they read this romance series from her favorite author (who tragically passed a while ago and didn’t finished the last book of the series), but this year none of her friends can go, and because she wants to scape from her real life she decides to go alone but in the middle of the road she gets stranded and finds this town, a very familiar town, the town where the story from those books happen, with all the characters from the story too, how weird right? but there’s one person she can quite place, the handsome and cranky owner of the bookstore she’s staying.

now listen to me, i’m never know where the story is going from the beginning of a book, i don’t over analyze every single detail, i’m here to enjoy a good story and that’s it, but here i was so intrigued about how the love story was going to end because let’s be real for a minute: how do you fall in love with a possible character from a fiction story in the real world? how is that supposed to work? and oh boy when you find out how it ends it just comes down on you like a waterfall.

last month i read the seven year slip and i fell in love with ashley’s writing, making a love story with magical elements in a contemporary world is not an easy task, you have to make it in a way that the reader will believe it will work out at the end because we know there has to be a happy ending right? that’s how romance novels work, but also in both of these books there was a point where i said: maybe there’s no need for a happy ending here? and it didn’t make me sad or disappointed in the story, i was happy and i understood why maybe this story was ending this way, i was still going to love it, no matter the ending, that’s how good this writing is, i loved the characters, each one of them, i love their stories, i love the growth you see in the story, i just loved every part of it. so i don’t know how much i can say to convince you to read this book and make it your new favorite. it’s definitely in my top 3 now and that is saying a lot.

thank you to the penguin random house team and netgalley for proving me with this arc. i’m forever grateful for it. and of course to ashley poston for writing such an amazing story.

rating: ☆☆☆☆☆/5

Thank you to the publisher for letting me read this book early. Ugh, ASHLEY, this is so good, damn you. Really really enjoyed this one. Were there less puns in this one??? Loved the mention of Benji and Florence. Just really and truly enjoyed reading this one and kind of didn't want it to end. Go Ashley!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy!

I've read several Ashley Poston's adult and young adult novels, and I have had a great experience with her books so far. And this one was a great one to add to the list! I loved the idea of a reader getting lost in a town from her favorite novels (what reader wouldn't want that?) and getting to interact with all of her favorite characters. The contrast between Eileen's experiences with the characters while reading the books versus in real life was very interesting and relatable. The story beautifully shows the power of stories and words, and that is an idea that will strongly resonate with any reader. And, of course, the relationship between Eileen and the grumpy bookstore owner, Anders, was so fun! And I liked how it played on the "book boyfriend" trope. There was one scene that started getting spicier that I like to read, so I skipped over that. But overall, this was such a fun read and very relatable to everyone who has ever had their life changed by a story/book.

When Eileen Merriweather's friends bail on their annual book club trip one by one she decides to go by herself. On the way her car breaks down and she finds herself in the fictional town her favourite romance novels take place in. She thinks she's here to help the characters find their happily ever afters, but the grumpy bookstore owner she doesn't remember reading about doesn't want her interfering.

This book was such a delight! I'm a big fan of Ashely Poston's Big Feelings Books and this one did not disappoint. Despite the fantastical setting, the characters felt grounded and relatable. The way Poston takes on the challenges of adult friendships felt so real.

Whatever Ashley Poston puts in her books, I always need more of it. She is magical. Her worlds are so whimsical and amazing. I love the characters in this book. The whole concept, I could’ve read about this story for another hundred pages.

This story was perfect. I loved every freaking second of it & am so grateful I got to read it early 🧡

Long story short, there was just no chemistry (no matter how many times I tried to convince myself otherwise) and the romance just didn’t do it for me at all (especially when it all was wrapped up with a very jarring f2b moment). The romance took a while to start, then they had a really great kiss, then they kept getting interrupted. Then when they were FINALLY under the hot and steamy waterfall they had openish door foreplay…and then one “and after it was over” sentence to sum up the penetration and any subsequent details.

Like it wasn’t even a new chapter break, it was just a new paragraph on the same page as his dirty talking telling her what he was going to do it her!! Just on a craft level, it was really weirdly done. Real bummer guys, real bummer. I would’ve preferred full closed door because I was not expecting a spicy book! But then he made me think it was going to go kinda hard!!

What’s the point of explicitish foreplay but then giving absolutely NOTHING on the same page for the full scene? He was talking such a big game too like WHAT DO YOU MEAN ??? I felt led on. I was also hoping the sex would help fix the chemistry issues for me (I know it’s not a fix but I’m just a girl who wanted to love this book) so it doubly ruined any momentum I had.

Oh and I hated the twist in the third act and was really skeeved by the breakup bc WHAT DO YOU MEAN ???? Shit was morbid fam ???? And then a final thing happened right at the end and I was like “nope two stars that makes me sad and I didn’t like how that made me feel.” The ending was so rushed and random and this book definitely suffered from the absence of Anders’ POV because wtf happened during that break bc explain yourself sir???? I’m a notorious single POV lover but I really didn’t know that man, which neither did Elsy…and she mentioned it…and then it was magically fixed with a time jump. I’m sorry to that man but I really just did not care about him by the end.

The magic element was also just confusing in this one and somehow harder for my brain to make sense of than seeing dead people or a time traveling apartment. Either the magic was semi explained in the other books…or I’ve seen Just Like Heaven and The Lake House enough so I could grasp the concepts and just go for a ride. Further, I just never fully got invested in the fantasy element. Since she already knew all the side characters there was way more telling rather than showing and I felt pretty removed from most characters in the book.

Further, the book felt more about the writing than the plot/romance if that makes sense? Like it sounded beautiful but there wasn’t much substance plot wise. So I didn’t truly hate the book at any moment because I enjoyed the writing, and part of me was like “it’s three stars at least” but I am getting angrier the more I’m thinking about it, so two stars it stays. It was ~fine, but still a major disappointment.

Overall, in the grand scheme of things, the f2b did not truly impact my enjoyment of the book! That was really just a weird craft thing to me. But I really needed more chemistry throughout the entire book and I just was never feeling the romance. The thing that really made me angry was the third act reveal/breakup/twist/whatever. I simply didn’t like what it did for the story and the characters. Oh, and I was more confused than intrigued but the fictional book town. Le sigh.

⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️/5



Spoiler (I guess but also it doesn’t actually spoil what happens)

I really wish the end twist would’ve been that she was in a side character in a book the entire time and she found this town right when the author was starting her book LOL. Idk if I would’ve been fully into that ?? but I like it better than what we got.


I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.

What a fun concept! I really loved it. This is my third novel by this with and it falls in second place to The Dead Romantics (which I’m obsessed with the references of in this book). My biggest complaint would be the repetition of the word “mint”. Thank you for the chance to read this early.

What a sweet story! This was an ARC, so I think there will likely be some fixes before the final product, but it was wonderful to fall into a world of tropes that feels like fantasy and reality at the same time. Levels! I'm a sucker for a romance with a take on "I'm in the book." This was like Schmigadoon for romance fans.

A Novel Story is an ode to romance readers everywhere. Ashley Poston wrote this book for all of us readers who have felt homesick for the places and people within the books we read.
I adored all of the characters within the story. The author is an absolute genius for making the book series that the main character, Elsy, loved feel real. She also has a gift for making me laugh and cry on the same page.
Another fantastic Ashley Poston romcom!

Ashley Poston…. the author that you are.
if I could live in any book, it would definitely be yours.

this story was so unique, whimsical, and absolutely beautiful.
this seriously felt like a huge hug to all of us book lovers who find comfort and safety in stories and new worlds. I adore Elsy and related to her in so many ways. The amount of times I thought “That’s actually me” about her is crazy AND comforting.

I now want to live in Eloraton! Getting to experience a characters favorite book world was so unique and truly magical! it made me feel nostalgic in a way.
the amount of beautiful quotes I highlighted… something about Ashley’s writing speaks to me and hits hard.
this story had so many life lessons and things I needed to hear at this point in my life.

“Sometimes a book can change your life.” well that’s literally every book Ashley Poston writes…❤️‍🩹

I thought of so many songs that fit this book so here’s some

ceilings- lizzy mcalpine
risk- gracie abrams
I hate it here- taylor swift
right where you left me- taylor swift
it’s time to go- taylor swift
margaret- lana del ray
feels like- gracie abrams
ghost of you- 5sos

thank you netgalley for providing me this eARC <3

Many thanks to @berkleypub @berkleyromance and @netgalley for my #gifted (free) copy. Pub date 6/25/24.

This was such a unique take on a romance novel, and I had no clue what to expect after I read the blurb, I just knew I had to read it. I've never read anything quite like this, and it was just so warm and cozy. I could literally picture the town in my head. It gave me Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) and Bluebell (Hart of Dixie) vibes. If you're looking for a not your normal type of romance novel, small town, cute bookstore, and great characters, this is definitely the book for you! I'm off to buy the authors previous books now!

Elsy is on a road trip by herself to go to a secluded cabin and do nothing but read for the whole week. She packed a stack of books and brought with her her favorite series, Quixotic Falls Quintent. Unfortunately, Elsy's car breaks down, and she finds herself in a small little town with no cell service. Things look oddly familiar to her, when she realizes all the town peoples names and all the landmarks are all the exact same as what's in the Quixotic Falls Quintent series, except for the grumpy bookstore owner.

I just read The Seven Year Slip and was excited to get my hands on Ashley’s newest before publication. I love the premise and the lead. I was a little frustrated with the shift into a miscommunication plot, but I also didn’t see the twist coming at all. I never do. Ashley created a town that a book lover would want to visit with charm, mystery, romance, and honey. Like Eileen, I think this will be a revisit time and time again.

A Novel Love Story is just that - a love ode to book lovers and their romance books.

Eileen, fresh off a broken engagement, is headed off on her annual book club retreat solo (no one could make it this year but she refuses to give up on the ritual) and stumbles into the town of her very favorite unfinished book series where she encounters her favorite characters. She discovers that there is more to the happy ever after endings and learns what it means to write your own story.

Poston does a wonderful job of writing books for readers. This book is an ode to book clubs everywhere, the way a story can soothe and comfort you when real life is tough, how friends bond over stories, and I really enjoyed the main characters arc of finding her path. As someone who is a part of an online book club and has found her people that way - I felt very seen and comforted by these aspects and just know readers everywhere will love it for this part alone.

Unlike the other two novels, the romance in this one did not feel as natural to me but I also think the main characters story could be perceived as more of the focus than their relationship. I wish the two had more chemistry between them and it felt a touch insta-lovey but I did enjoy the spice and ending.

As a lover of magical realism, I once again love how Poston wove her tail with just a little bit of the fantastical element to make it plausible without seeming unlikely.

Vibes:
Book references galore
Small town
Magical realism
Grump sunshine
Broody book boyfriend
Happy ever after
Grief discussions
Wide cast of characters

This was a tough one for me. I didnt feel the chemistry between the two MCs and the sex scenes were a bit of a let down... I wish I liked this one more but I just was "okay".

Thank you for this eARC.

A Novel Love Story is a charming escape into a world where fiction becomes reality and happily-ever-afters are just around the corner!
Elsy Merriweather is on a quest for her own happily-ever-after, but she never expected to find it in the pages of a book—or in the quaint town of Eloraton, straight out of her favorite romance series. From the sweet honey taffy to the grumpy yet irresistible bookstore owner, every detail feels like it's been plucked from the pages of a novel.
The author weaves a delightful tale filled with whimsy, romance, and a touch of magic. As Elsy navigates the challenges of bringing the town to its storybook ending, readers will be swept away on a journey that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
With witty dialogue and heartwarming moments, A Novel Love Story reminds us that sometimes the greatest adventures can be found within the pages of a book—or in the unexpected twists of real life. So grab a cozy blanket and prepare to be enchanted by this delightful read!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Ashley Poston's romances are always so unique, and this one was no exception. Really fun and the characters all felt real.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

This book is not just a romance, it is a love letter to all book lovers and to all of us who have ever dreamed of visiting a book world and the characters that live there. I really enjoyed reading this book and I think it is probably one of her best books yet!

Eileen, known as Elsy, is really feeling stuck in her life at the start of the book. She is unhappy with her job, feeling very unlovable, and now her friends have deserted her and cancelled their yearly get together in upstate New York. She was easily one of the most relatable characters I have ever read. She felt very real in all of her emotions and her desires. My heart went out to her and I wanted to give her a big hug almost instantly. I loved her reaction to finding herself in Eloraton, and to meeting all of her favorite characters. I also understood her need to help them all find their happily ever afters as well. The slow burn romance was also well done, and I totally got why she was so hesitant to have any feelings for Anders.

Anders was adorable. He is also vulnerable and emotionally broken in ways that are slowly revealed over the course of the book. He was another character that I instantly felt a connection to and wanted to give him a happy ending. He is coming from a place of grief and just wanting to move on with his life, but totally unable to.

The world building was magical. I loved all of the characters that we met in this book, and would love to read this fictional series. The writing is clever and delightful and so rich in detail that I almost wanted to look this town up on Google maps! I loved all of the themes in this story, such as Elsy’s coming to terms with her self worth and facing the decisions she has made in her life. Grief is also a big theme with both Anders and Elsy dealing with a the loss of people they loved. I also loved all of the references to the writing process that Elsy finds behind the garden. ln addition, I adored how the whole fictional boyfriend storyline worked out and the ending was perfect.

If you are an Ashley Poston fan, I think you will just love this one. If you are not yet a fan, this would be the perfect book to start with. If you are a book lover, especially a romantic one, then this is the book for you.

3.5 stars. I know that I knew, at the time I requested this book, that the author also wrote The Dead Romantics (which I loved). I had forgotten that by the time I read the book, though-- which is probably a benefit to this review: if I had consciously remembered the connection, I would have had higher expectations. I did find myself thinking frequently throughout the reading that the set-up had a lot in common with The Dead Romantics-- unattainable hero who isn't on the same plane of existence as the heroine.

This is a sweet story that will be perfect for summer-time reading. For a literary-adjacent book in a bookstore setting, this title is better than Love at First Book.

I found a lot of the narration to be repetitive, belaboring the same couple of points repeatedly. Tighter storytelling could have provided more room for depth without compromising the pacing.

eARC from NetGalley.

one of my most anticipated reads of the year and over all i enjoyed my time. it felt like getting to dive into your favourite book and living out the story with you as the main character. ashley’s writing felt like a love note to the genre of romance and romantics as a whole. she really encapsulated the beauty and art of finding ones self through literature. her writing will always be a fav of mine and the concept of this book is truly such a dream. the dead romantics + the seven year slip are some of my all time favourite romances but unfortunately this felt a little eh for me. i think my expectations were set in the direction of a swoony, heartfelt romance and to be honest there wasn’t a lot of romance in this one. it felt like a woman’s lit-fic and i feel if i had that mindset going into this one i would have enjoyed it a lot more. i kept searching for the romance and when the romance aspects showed up it was a bit repetitive and i didn’t really feel the chemistry ☹️!!!!

over all, i enjoyed the small town feels and i loved the unique concept of this novel i was just expecting a bit more romance

one of my most anticipated reads of the year and over all i enjoyed my time. it felt like getting to dive into your favourite book and living out the story with you as the main character. ashley’s writing felt like a love note to the genre of romance and romantics as a whole. she really encapsulated the beauty and art of finding ones self through literature. her writing will always be a fav of mine and the concept of this book is truly such a dream. the dead romantics + the seven year slip are some of my all time favourite romances but unfortunately this felt a little eh for me. i think my expectations were set in the direction of a swoony, heartfelt romance and to be honest there wasn’t a lot of romance in this one. it felt like a woman’s lit-fic and i feel if i had that mindset going into this one i would have enjoyed it a lot more. i kept searching for the romance and when the romance aspects showed up it was a bit repetitive and i didn’t really feel the chemistry ☹️!!!!

over all, i enjoyed the small town feels and i loved the unique concept of this novel i was just expecting a bit more romance