A Novel Love Story was the perfect mix of a sweet and funny romance. The main character finds herself in a small town from her favorite romance novel and it’s everything she’s pictured and more. I loved it! Ashley Poston has done it again!

As a non romance reader I advise to take this review with a grain of salt. I thought the premise was really cute because I’m a book worm of course. I couldn’t connect with the main character. Through out the entire novel her demeanor was a childish and needy. Also, the sex scenes at the end were a bit cringey given the fact that the novel was set in a fictional town with “cute” scenes.

3.5 stars rounded down

Ashley Poston, man. I love the way she writes, and I love to be emersed in her stories, and yet something near the end always makes me feel just a little not right? She has magical realism down pat, and yet something about the pacing between her couples is just not quite what I want. I thought Elsy was so wonderful, and so fun to follow and Anders was like, pretty good? I'm just not sure. I think if you enjoyed Poston's other books in this series, it's worth a try, but I wouldn't recommend it for someone trying to break into the genre of romance.

I enjoyed this, but something felt a little disjointed. Continuity of details, or insertion of characters that felt like I should know them but didn't and then they didn't really spend a lot of time on page, etc. Also, Elsy's realization/growth was non-existent, and then suddenly happened. However, the third act was a major tear-jerker, so I definitely had some connection with the characters.

I tried not to get too wrapped up in the "how could this happen" or logistics, because that wasn't the point, but my brain does that and it distracts me, so I think that may be why I had that disjointed reading experience.

A book lovers dream come true!!! I loved all of the main characters and just falling into this book and story like Eileen did herself. Not my favorite Ashley Poston and the conflict at the end wasn't my favorite either, but I'll read anything she writes. She's a true storyteller with a way with words and magic!

Genuinely my favorite book of the year so far. Ashley Poston is by far the best magical realism author I've read, and the way she adds romance is perfect.

Have you ever wished you could visit the places from your favorite books? Elsy finds herself stranded in the small-town setting of her favorite book series and gets to know in real life the characters she's previously loved from the other side of the pages. Wonderfully cozy and perfect for book lovers, definitely a book I'll recommend!

I cannot put my finger on what it is exactly but Posten’s books just hit that deeper level that makes a great romance almost perfect. There’s so much thought put into character’s emotions and choices and journeys that I feel her books in my bones.

Novel Love was no different. Definitely a top contender of favorite romances this year. I resonated with Elsy a million times over and love her so much as a main character. The development of her and Anders relationship was really well paced in my opinion and the plot twist I saw coming but wanted it to come so I didn’t mind.

I’m also always impressed at how she is able to weave in these fantastical elements into her books and it doesn’t feel out of place or random at all.

Will be first in line for everything this woman ever writes!

Elsy loves a happily ever after novel, a far departure from her own love life. She especially loves the ones the comes from her favorite author and series. So what happens when her car breaks down and she quite literally finds herself in the fictional town those books are set in?

Poston always has a sprinkle of magical realism in her romances, but this was such a heavy sprinkle it verged on fantasy. I’m glad I knew that going in! I still loved this story🥹

And honestly, that’s a testament to Ashley Poston. In another author’s hands I really don’t think I would’ve liked this book but her writing works for me every single time and as far fetched as this story was I thought it was really cute, sweet and fun!😚🩷

This was another cute novel by Ashley Poston (who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors). I don't think it had quite the punch of Seven Year Slip but truly was such a cozy read. The magical book town reminded me of Stars Hollow and who doesn't love a grumpy (hot) bookseller?

A love letter to romance readers everywhere, this book captures the magic of getting lost in a good book and a romantic world.

There’s a handful of authors whose books made me fall in love with the romance genre, and Ashley Poston is one of them. I was surprised by how much I loved THE DEAD ROMANTICS and then completely floored by THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP.

The balance of light and dark really worked for me in those novels. I want fun love-filled romance but I also want exploration of big themes, and TDR & TSYS deliver that with their interrogation of grief.

A NOVEL LOVE STORY reads a little different in its lightness. A literature professor finds herself stuck in the town of her favorite, unfinished romance series and becomes determined to help end it, but for some reason, a character she doesn’t recognize - the town’s cranky-but-hot bookstore owner - doesn’t want her to.

I loved the metaphor about the power of our favorite stories to distract us from the real world, and also the flip side of knowing when it’s time to really re-enter your life and make changes. I flew through this book in a day; it was the perfect backyard companion and I’m sure it’ll make its way into many beach bags this year. It didn’t hit me quite as hard as her first two, but it works in a different way, a warm hug of escapism.

Really loved this new release from Ashley Poston! So cozy and the perfect read for an escape from reality into a love story that warms your heart.

Another win by Ashley Poston! This book was so cute and I had such a fun time reading it with my friends. A great read about finding yourself and building confidence!

If you're the type of delusional reader that wishes you could wake up in your favorite book, this is for you! This is a charming and delightful novel filled with magical realism. If you want a sweet romance story that isn't too spicy, this is a great choice! I ended up choosing this for a book club at my bookstore. It is going over well.

Eileen's safe place is inside a good book with a happily ever after. Same, girl. So she's eager to get to her book club’s annual retreat to escape. But on the way, her car breaks down leaving her stranded in the perfect little town that is literally right out of a book. An unfinished story. Eileen realizes she's here to help finish the story and when she meets a hot, grumpy bookstore owner, she can't help but think her own happy ending might also be here.

Wouldn't it be a dream come true to step into the land of our favorite books? This is getting close to that. Here we have a romance slowly sparking between Eileen and the bookstore owner, Anders. On the way to getting to their romance, we also experience a ton of world building in this little town between the fun places mentioned and all the great side characters. I'll be honest. This book was pretty slow for me. But once I hit the last 10ish chapters, I was hooked. They totally made the book for me. So if you are having trouble keeping up with this one, I highly recommend hanging in there.

Thank you to Berkley Romance and the author for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You're someone who is particularly fond of reading to escape.

A Novel Love Story is a delightful magical realism romance by Ashley Poston. I have loved all of her books and this one was just as lovely!

Elsy is headed to her yearly romance book retreat when she has car trouble in a small town called Eloraton. It turns out that she is in the middle of her favorite romance book series and there she meets a disgruntled bookstore owner that she doesn't remember being in the books. Elsy also finds that she needs to help finish the story for the characters in the book and maybe she will find her own HEA.

I highly recommend this book! Thanks to Berkeley and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of the book.

I want to start by saying that the premise for this book was perfection. A reader getting stranded in the fictional town from her favorite romance series? So unique. I loved the little details and the descriptions that really resonated with me as a romance reader. It was such an adventure being able to explore this town with Elsy and feel the thrill of being within your favorite novel.

However, while I loved this aspect of the novel and the overall plot, I felt as if the characters and the pacing fell a little flat for me. I loved Elsy but I just didn’t get enough out of Anders to form any kind of connection with his character. This book felt very centric around the premise itself rather than the execution and characters. There were so many details that I really wish had gotten more time. And it took me 60% of the book to really feel attached to Elsy and the other characters due to the pacing.

While this wasn’t my favorite Ashley Poston book–it was still a good book. I loved the uniqueness of this story, and the attention that was given to Elsys individual happiness. I loved the ending because it was realistic and not overblown. This book definitely romanticizes reading and I loved that so much, being a reader is such a beautiful experience and Ashley captures that so well.💘

A Novel Love Story was very sweet and charming. I would definitely recommend it to fans of small-town romances. 🌸📖 Ashley Poston creates a whimsical tale where the main character enters the world of her favorite book, only to encounter a mysterious bookstore owner not found in the series. While I found this one lacking the angst and oomph of her other romances, I kept reading to see how it all worked out. The end was very satisfying, and I appreciate Poston's creative storytelling. ✨

The MC Eileen who is a professor of literature, finds herself unexpectedly caught up in a work of fiction—literally.
After her car breaks down, she ends up stranded in Eloraton, a small town that feels like it’s right out of a romance novel.
But there’s a twist the town of Eloraton is trapped and Eileen must help bring the town to its storybook ending, all while she has to deal with a grumpy bookstore owner who doesn’t want her to finish the book.
If you enjoy magical realism, contemporary romance, and a touch of fantasy, this story will transport you into the heart of a charming, bookish world. Thank you netgalley