Very very slow beginning of the book and it was honestly very boring to me, to the point that I wanted to DNF it. I like slow burn books, but this was TOO slow.

The Book Swap was not at all what I expected when I began reading the ARC, but I'm so glad I did! It is a beautiful story of painful grief, acceptance, healing, building trust, and ultimately falling in love, set against the exchange of classic books with notes between Erin and her mystery man. I thoroughly enjoyed the multitude of layers to the novel and how it doesn't fit neatly into any one box or genre or trope.

Well worth adding to your "To Read" list! 4.25 🌟, rounded to 4.

This was such an adorable and fun read! I loved the characters and the unique connection that is formed through a shared love of books! Book lovers will understand the attractiveness of a like-minded partner! The literary references of the classic books, in addition to the romantic gestures in the margins (and out :)) made this a winning combination for me!

This was a really cute story and a great read for anyone who loves books and book discussions. My only complaint was that the main character was really unlikeable. It made it hard to cheer her on in the way the story seemed to want the reader to because she was so selfish.

I love the idea of having a pen pal that you communicate with through little free libraries! This book was such a cute second chance-ish romance.

The Book Swap, a heartwarming tale of second chances and new beginnings weaves together the threads of grief, friendship, and romance. This debut novel shares a similar emotional resonance with the books I normally enjoy, and its exploration of the human heart's capacity for love and connection may resonated deeply with me. As you embark on this journey with Erin and her Mystery Man, you may find yourself turning the pages with bated breath, eager to see how their story unfolds.

I loved the concept, people falling in love through notes in the margins of books left in a Free Little Library, but the characters were both kind of annoying. They are in their late 20s but they are hanging on to high school drama so much and then also like, I can do what I want, follow my dreams, I don't know it just felt a little ... young.

Also, is it that hard to learn the concept of forgiveness?

The Book Swap was a cute book. I enjoyed the premise of two anonymous individuals sharing their books notes through books in a Little Free Library and then connecting with one another personally. I could tell this was a debut novel though because I felt the author try to cram too much trauma back story into each character. Each character did not need multiple bad things to have happened to them. If this was paired down I think I would have been more excited to read each chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Ok so hear me out, this was a very strange book for me. The cover made me think it was gonna be cutesy and romantic. It was not. It was a very heavy read with a bunch of friends who take bites out of each other (which I think is done with love) but it was very strange. I still liked it, it was just weird.

The Book Swap is an emotional journey wrapped in a love for literature. Erin’s story is less about romance and more about healing, second chances, and the beauty of connection through shared books. The annotated classics and mystery pen pal concept are heartwarming, but the heavy focus on grief and trauma makes this more of a reflective read than the light rom-com the cover might suggest. If you enjoy slow-burn stories with layers of depth (and lots of literary references), this could be your next favorite. Just don’t expect a breezy romance

4.5/5 ✨ I loved getting to know our characters and their battle with mental illness. There is character growth and the perfect mix of plot and romance.

With that being said, if you are going into this thinking it will be a romance, it isn’t. Literary fiction with a subplot of romance. This is a UK romance where the ending isn’t like what we expect in a US romance where it’s packaged in a neat bow in the end so keep that in mind. Overall I loved the writing and the story line. Look forward to reading future releases by her.

Thank you NetGalley for a complementary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A lovely little romance. As someone who grew up loving Jane Austen and other Masterpiece Theatre romances, I have a pretty high tolerance for a slow build. In fact, I prefer a romance that takes it time and contains more angst and longing glances than it does spice and spark which is something that I really enjoyed about this story.

Lastly, as a librarian, I'm a sucker for a book about books and reading. I can see how this would not be for everyone, but the people who find it and love it will really love it.

“I know that while I’m not okay at all, one day I will be. And for the days that I’m not, there’s always the sunshine.”

Although the book is boasted as a romcom, I’d have to disagree. Tessa Bickers weaves an amazing story of the characters and their approach and dealing with grief, depression, loss, and forgiveness.

Erin, after losing her best friend and quitting her job decided to visit a little free library and donate her favorite book. She soon realizes that she made a mistake, but by the time she returns to retrieve her book, it isn’t there. She continues to return to see if the book is returned. To her relief and delight, it was returned, and included some insight from the borrower, James. So starts a newfound pen pal relationship through books.

This book was a hard read for me due to a loss prior to reading this. Definitely a slow burn romance full of heartbreak. If you’re looking for a lighthearted funny read, this is not it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

NetGalley Review: The Book Swap
Rating: 4/5 Stars

Tessa Bickers’ The Book Swap is a charming and uplifting story about love, friendship, and the magic of books. When two strangers with very different lives connect through a book exchange, their worlds are forever changed.

The characters were engaging, and their growth felt authentic as the story unfolded. The alternating perspectives added depth and made it easy to root for both protagonists. The plot was light yet meaningful, though a few predictable moments kept it from being a perfect read.

Overall, The Book Swap is a delightful escape for book lovers, reminding us how stories have the power to connect and transform. Highly recommended for fans of heartwarming contemporary fiction!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House, and NetGalley for an Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a heartfelt read. The Book Swap is a rom-com but it will also make you cry (a lot!).

Erin Connolly is dealing with grief and the recent quitting of a job and decides to do a “does this spark joy?” deep clean. In the process she accidentally drops off one of her most prized possessions: a books containing a note from her best friend who had died from cancer. She returns to find her book with her annotations in it, but also someone else’s.

This story and the characters in it feel so authentic and human. Grief and working through the good and bad days of it is a hard undertaking and watching Erin and James’ journey together will surely tug at your heartstrings.

And again, make sure you have tissues!

Loved this book! As a frequent visitor of Little Free Libraries, I could feel the anticipation and excitement Erin felt when she visited. Of course hers was more than just finding a good book! I loved the literary mentions. The was a real story about moving through grief and loss. I appreciated the rawness of it. So sweet and so fun to read!

Book Swap… I saw all the raving reviews for this so I couldn’t wait to dive in!

I’m not sure if I would say this is a romance. For me, it was more of a story about growth.

I wanted to love this one but felt it was a tad slow for my liking. The chemistry between the two wasn’t really there for me.

I also don’t read classics at all and there was so many references which took away from the book.

Overall, it wasn’t bad but just not a big fan.

3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my copy

Tessa Bickers' The Book Swap is a delightful and heartwarming romance novel that celebrates the joy of reading. The story follows two book-loving individuals who form an unexpected connection through a shared love of literature.

Bickers' writing style is engaging and filled with witty banter and heartfelt moments. The characters are endearing and relatable, and their chemistry is undeniable. The novel's exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the power of human connection is both poignant and uplifting.

While the plot may be somewhat predictable, the charm of the story lies in its celebration of books and the transformative power of reading. The Book Swap is a perfect escape for book lovers who are looking for a romantic and heartwarming read.

This was just very average. I didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it. It was indeed a book. Didn’t change my life but was mildly entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers. This charming novel revolves around two strangers who exchange books and discover unexpected connections through the pages they share. Bickers’ writing style is warm and welcoming, making it easy to get lost in the cozy world she creates. I enjoyed the gentle exploration of friendship, love, and second chances, although some plot elements felt a bit predictable. The characters were likable and relatable, if not always deeply complex. Still, the overall warmth of the story and the underlying message about the power of stories and community made this a delightful, uplifting read.