Wooh. This was not at all what I was expecting, but honestly I am so glad, because it was so good!
I went into this one expecting a light hearted, fun rom-com centered around a little free library, which I was super excited about being a LFL steward myself. This book was so much more, and in the best of ways.

I was not prepared for the emotional roller coaster that this book took me on. There is so much going on with our MCs, Erin and James. The heaviness of their grief, trauma, loss, and just feeling a bit lost in life was written so well. I laughed, I cried, I felt like chucking the book a few times. It was a trip for sure.

I absolutely loved the way Erin and James find their way to each other through their book annotations. It was such a sweet and unique take on a second chance romance. Watching them fall in love through the pages of each book and the way they yearned for each other long before they even knew who they were writing to was heartwarming and so fun to follow.

Bravo on an awesome debut novel! Can’t wait to see what’s next for the author!

What a debut !

I am extremely biased and should most certainly not be trusted to write this review considering I have a huuuuge passion for books about books.

Tessa Bickers' first novel is such an easy read. You are not able to put that book down once you have picked it up. It's addictive!

The author is able to talk about romance, grief, forgiveness, friendship and family with an amazing depth and a right-on-point development.

The romance is... believable. In a lot of books, the romance can seem too perfect to be true, but this is not the case when it comes to Erin and James. Their romance is troubled and chaotic, but somehow it still works.
However, this positive point is also a negative one. The miscommunication in this story reaches the unbearable level. I know that if they were excellent communicators there would simply be no book at all, but TO THIS POINT ? C'mon, guys, just SAY SOMETHING.

Other than this tiny little negative point, I honestly do not think I have anything bad to say about this book. Tessa's writing is smooth and beautiful. It reflects her love for literature.

The book itself is a love letter to books and I love that.

AMAZING !

❥ Thank you for the free book and ARC, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House Books, The Hive, and NetGalley.

As a little free library steward, as soon as I saw this cover and read the synopsis, I had to read the book! So, I was over the moon to be selected to receive a book to share in my little free library as well as a copy to keep.

This is a book for book lovers. It is an emotional and heartfelt story. It contained more depth than I had expected, which I appreciated. However, please check the trigger warnings. The romance facet was good. And I adored all of the literary references, including Wuthering Heights, Mansfield Park, and The Great Gatsby.

n the fog of the aftermath of her best friend's death, Erin accidentally puts her much loved and marked up copy of To Kill a Mockingbird in a Little Free Library. She is pleased when the book shows back up, and whoever has read it has responded to her notes and asked questions of her own. This starts a pen pal relationship through books delivered in the Little Free Library.

As someone who has a Little Free Library of her own (read more about it here), I loved the library at the center of this story. Erin and her mysterious pen pal alternate perspectives in this book and we get to see them moving in circles around each other toward the inevitable meeting.

A great easy read for all of the book and Little Free Library lovers out there. Also, if you love a book packed with mentions of other books you can then read, this one is great.

I absolutely adored this book! It was so much more than a romance, filled with such real and emotional conflicts. I think both of the main characters are lovable and are trying their best in life even with all of the bad hands they have been dealt. I found the characters and their relationships to be so complex and expertly written. Things were revealed in such an interesting way and though it is short, I found all of the different plot lines ended perfectly and without rushing. Check your trigger warnings as this book looks like a rom com but has a lot of heavy topics. If you love an emotional romance, this one is for you!

Thanks to the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this book. I was drawn by the title and cover. I am a Little Free Library steward and gravitate towards stories with them at the center. This book makes the lfl the setting for an actual love story to begin. As a reader, I adored all the exchange of books and opinions and tie ins. Although, I personally cannot write in books, I do enjoy this part of the story line. A story of looking at your past and readjusting your thoughts opinions and stories you tell yourself.

DNF at 24%

I could not get into this. I think the ghost aspect of Erin talking to Bonnie just killed it for me.

"The Book Swap” is a delightful and heartwarming novel that beautifully blends romance and literary passion. The story revolves around Erin and James, two individuals who bond over their love for books through an anonymous book exchange at a local community library. They leave notes in the margins of their favorite books, sharing their thoughts and gradually revealing their deepest selves.

Bickers’ writing is both charming and insightful, capturing the essence of how literature can connect people in profound ways. The plot follows a classic rom-com structure, but it’s the depth of the characters and their emotional journeys that truly stand out. Erin and James’ relationship is a testament to the healing power of books and the importance of second chances.

The novel also tackles sensitive topics with a deft hand, making it more than just a simple love story. It’s an exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the transformative power of literature. I found myself rooting for the characters and feeling seen and understood through their experiences.

“The Book Swap” is a must-read for book lovers and romantics alike. It’s a celebration of the written word and the connections it can forge. It will leave you with a warm and satisfied feeling.

First things first - this is not a “cute rom-com.” There may be moments of levity, but this book is full of very heavy, difficult topics at every turn. There was a moment I thought to myself, well this couldn’t get any sadder, could it? I was enthralled however, with the concept of trading books and notes with someone through the margins of books in a little free library. I enjoyed these portions of the book the most. I will say I don’t find Erin particularly likable, and her decision making was questionable. She held grudges and took advantage of others (especially her sister) so it was hard to root for her. James was significantly easier to root for and in that respect they didn’t feel evenly matched. Overall I enjoyed the read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

The cover threw me off. I didn’t expect the characters to be so rude, nor did I expect the book to cover heavier topics.
Perhaps the problem isn’t the story but the cover.

I just had a hard time following along. I just couldn't connect with the book or the characters. I almost DNF but i pushed myself to finish hoping it would get better. There was too much going on with the time jumps and left me wondering what was going on. This is not a rom com but about two people who have struggled with grief and trauma
Thank You to NetGalley, Tessa Bickers, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me access to an e-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really, really, really wanted to like this more than I did. I think part of the issue was that I didn't really like Erin (although I did like James).

I did love all of the bookish stuff in the novel though and those that love literature I think will also really enjoy two people basically nerding out about various parts of books which was fun to read and agree/disagree with!

The premise of the novel I also liked too - I think Little Free Libraries are so lovely and always browse them whenever I see one (even though I rarely take anything). The idea of a romance budding from one is fun!

This is a darker romance though than the cover makes you think and if there's things that trigger you definitely check the warnings.

Overall it was a good read, just not one that I'll be raving about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Graydon House for the eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Erin and James had been friends. Key word, HAD. A disastrous incident as teens caused Erin to never trust him again. While that was the case, her best friend Bonnie was not to remain friends with him either.

Years later, Erin is living in London. When she passes a little lending library, Erin finds her copy of a book that held a precious postcard from Bonnie, from before Bonnie died. Along with the postcard and all of Erin's notes in the book, a new reader has added some remarks of their own. This is how the book swap begins. But will their story have the typical happy ending?

Erin Connely is stuck. After a harrowing loss of her best friend to cancer, Erin knows she should be really living, but she can't seem to move forward.

In an attempt to gain control, she manically cleans her flat and accidentally gives away her beloved and heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird in her neighborhood little library. She frantically checks the library hoping someone will return. When it appears, it is heavily annotated back with an inscription to meet him in Great Expectations.

Erin and her mystery pen mate tear through the classics, bearing truths and becoming very close. When it becomes clear that these two have a history beyond the penpal encounters, how will they sort out their past?

Tessa Bickers plots a dual POV novel with beautiful characters that are brimming with life. Her FMC is imperfect and unlikeable, and we are routing for her any way! Tessa's on the cusp of change, but she is clinging to the past. it's a joy to see her grow beyond herself.

Just a note: mental health struggles and representation are heavily represented in multiple characters. Tessa's on the cusp of change, but she is clinging to the past. it's a joy to see her grow beyond herself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Graydon House for an advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this book!!! I loved the storyline and premise. It was fun and romantic. The topics were heavy and there was a lot to process. The relationship between the two main characters was complicated and held so much hope. I did not love Erin's character towards the end of the book but felt she was redeemed a bit at the very end.

Overall it was a sweet story. I recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Tessa Bickers for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book. It had so many bookish references and was such a beautiful story of loss and forgiveness.

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers is an adorable and unique read that captured my heart with its charming concept. I loved how the story dealt with heavy topics in a respectful and thoughtful way, adding emotional depth without overshadowing the sweetness of the narrative. Seeing the main characters grow individually throughout the book was a highlight for me—they each had their own journey of healing and self-discovery before coming together in a truly heartwarming way. The references to classic books like To Kill a Mockingbird and Great Expectations were a delightful touch, making this a must-read for any book lover. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC—I thoroughly enjoyed it!

When I first picked up this book I expected something much different that what I got. What I expected was a fun, quick, light-hearted rom com with a happily every after. What I actually got was a story that weaved it’s way into my hear in the most unexpected way. This book was a love story but it was so much more than that. It’s really about how two people find their way back to one another after the heartbreaking loss of their best friend. It broke my heart and put it back together in a way I didn’t anticipate.

The book follows Erin, who in the aftermath of losing her best friend and quitting her job decides to donate some of her old books to a free little library. After making the drop she realizes that she’s mistakenly donated her copy of her favorite book “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Inside the book is per most prized possession, a post card from the best friend that she’s recently lost. She returns to the library day after day to see if the book has been returned. When it finally reappears in the library the book has some new additions to her own notes in the margins from the mystery man who borrowed it from the library.

James the mystery man is trying to heal from years of childhood bullying. He’s living in the shadow of his mother’s debilitating manic depression when he finds Erin’s copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in the free little library. As Erin and James start to spark a friendship between the margins of their favorite books, it starts to blossom into so much more especially when we find out these two are not the strangers we originally thought.

This book really snuck up on me. I was unprepared for the depth of the emotions I felt when reading this one. This book is a love story, but it’s also about so much more than that. Self-discovery, grief, friendship and the power of forgiveness.

This one got me…I recommend that you let it get you too.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

The premise of this book was engaging. I was part way through when I realized it reminded me of Meet Me in The Margins. I had a hard time getting that out of my head for a while but the book is quite different and has a twist. The misunderstanding between James and Erin kept me wanting to know how the story would end.
Thank you Net Galley, Tessa Bickers and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to preview this title. The opinions expressed are my own.

The premise for this book was exciting, but unfortunately it fell short for me. There was so little chemistry between the two main characters and I was not invested in their individual journeys. I loved the idea of writing notes in the margins and swapping them, but it never quite landed for me.