Finding true love via books, I mean can it be any sweeter?? This book does touch a very sensitive topic but overall it is a light hearted read and so easy to love the main character!

A story that centers the loss of friendships, love, and unfulfilled potential should be everything I could want. The possibilities of exploring a dual POV of two people who were right person, wrong time is right up my alley!

Unfortunately the execution of this leaves so much to be desired. Erin, the female MC, is insufferable as a person that I had little difficulty understanding why she has no one in her life and so few prospects professionally and personally. She is a loser in every sense of the word which feels harsh, if it were not for how childish and immature she acts under the guise of her former traumas. It takes an unbearably long time to figure out what the unforgivable thing is that James did to her when they were kids to lead to such a harsh disconnect yet when we finally DO learn what it is, it is so horrendously underwhelming and an immature showing of the miscommunication trope, that I nearly DNF in protest. I never need a perfect female MC nor do I think grief/loss/depression in stories is a turn off in a love story; if anything, those elements elevate it. However, Erin was such an annoying character to be in her head that if she were my friend, I honestly can’t say we would’ve been friends for long.

James is not nearly as bad though his backstory and background felt, despite having an equal footing in the narrative, lacking. Erin’s world, despite how frustrating she was in interacting with it, felt more fleshed out while James in many ways felt as if his life was filled in for the plot points we needed to follow. Could there be an argument that this, in fact, the point since so much of his life was just listlessly moving forward? Perhaps, though it feels less intentional and more just of an afterthought.

There are a lot of elements here that should work and in some ways, they do. There’s a HEA and plot threads neatly tied up in the end (a little too tied up for me personally) but the ages of the characters doesn’t match their behavior. Had they been a decade younger, or even just five years, I think I might’ve liked this one more.

Lauren 's and James's relationship is the backdrop to explore all of the different kinds of love people experience in a lifetime. Learning to love and accept others how they are isn't easy, but Tessa Bickers handles this theme with laughter and tears. The sister bond between Lauren and Georgia was so authentic Experiencing Lauren's and James's relationship in the margins of classic books was genius. Like they say, books make you better, and it was obvious with these two characters each time they "swapped". This was a brilliant first novel for the author.

What a sweet story! It covered a lot of heavy topics in a way that ripped my heart out then slowly put the pieces back together. James and Erin have had tough lives to say the least. They’ve both been through unimaginable hardships in life but incredibly reconnect through notes in the margins of books. I mean, who wouldn’t want a romantic penpal annotating bits and pieces of stories that remind them of you?! The ending felt a bit abrupt but it warmed my heart so much I barely care. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for this ARC of The Book Swap!

Before I start this review proper, I just have to mention that reading this ARC after the ARC for Lucy Gilmore’s, The Library of Broken Hearts, meant that I’ve now read back to back ARCs where the romantic interests connect by writing in the margins of library books. Both books also include writing in Wuthering Heights. Although it was a bit was distracting for me, I found both ARCs well done.

Sorry, that has nothing to do with my review of the story. Anywho…like most romances, the subtext is predictable but I appreciate it when a book shines a light on mental illness. The ending was so strong that I’m giving this an extra star. I know we can’t quote ARCs but boy do I wish I could. So many great lines on loss, grief, the sometimes thankless job of caregiver and most importantly, moving forward. A section towards the end involving Bonnie triggered my own experience with grief and yes, I shocked myself and cried. I love Bonnie. Such a lovely story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite part of this book wasn’t the romance, it was the main girl character. Loved her! so inspiring

I thought this was a romantic comedy book and it was very much not. It’s a story of grief over loss and dealing with mental illness and everything in between. It was hard for me to connect with the characters and get into the book as I wasn’t in the mindset for this type of book. The summary is misleading to the nature of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and harlequin for the ARC.

"The Book Swap" is a book lover's dream, brimming with references to beloved classics such as "The Great Gatsby," "Great Expectations," "Wuthering Heights," "Mansfield Park," and more. Through these literary touchstones, the novel explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of storytelling to heal and connect.

Don't let the cover fool you with this one, this isn't just a cute little romance involving a free little library. These main characters go way back, and not in the best way. They both are reeling from years of trauma and tragedy, some of which was (unintentionally) inflicted at the other's hand. Somehow karma or the universe or bestie intervention beyond the veil leads them to the same free little library, where they unknowingly reconnect in the margins of books, back to where they first connected as kids just in different volumes. Can the spark of connection survive off the page with all of their history in the way?

I loved this book because it in no way brushes aside the MCs mental health, their history or challenges. It embraces the messy middle to portray the reality of loving someone who struggles with mental health and doesn't have a perfect, happy shiny life.

The Book Swap…

Is so much more than a romance. If anything, it’s an exploration on what it means to be yourself beyond your traumas and the expectations set by yourself and others.

James and Erin feel like normal people I’d meet in real life, and the progression of their story is sweet. The way they communicate through the margins of a borrowed book feels fantastical in a real sense. It comes across a tad insta-lovey which makes the third act conflict feel unreasonable since their relationship realistically should not have progressed so fast with nothing more than some notes to go off of.

I do think this book could benefit from a content warning at the start, especially since mental health is heavily discussed, as are the stresses surrounding being a caretaker. I did enjoy the time I spent with the book, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re in the market for a bookish/classics influenced British romance that reads like women’s fic, this is the book for you!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC and I look forward to seeing this on shelves come early Sept!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ LIKE - Would recommend

Tessa Bickers has written a love story to mental health that unfolds through the pages of classic literature. She helps her characters embrace their pasts in order to create the future they dreamed of.

Erin is stuck. She is stuck in a thankless job that keeps her in a flat with a useless roommate. After she quits her job unexpectedly, she decides a good old fashioned de-cluttering will make her feel better. She decides to donate a stack of books to a free little library near her flat. There’s just one problem…she gave away her favorite book with a note from her favorite person in it. When she returns to retrieve it, the book is gone…

James is stuck. He gave up on his dreams for financial stability. He would love to leave his job to pursue writing, but they keep promoting him. As he is wandering around the new neighborhood his promotion helped him afford, he stumbles across a free little library. Inside he finds a well loved and heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. James decides to give the book a try.

James and Erin start communicating in the margins of classic novels. They begin separate journeys of self-discovery and personal growth. Will their paths converge in the real world or is this fantasy exactly what they need?

Firstly, I’d love to thank NetGalley and Tessa Bickers for the eARC of The Book Swap. Secondly… I loved this story!! The characters were well thought out and had so much depth. The plot wasn’t something altogether new but it felt fresh and had so much meaning behind it!! I would highly recommend The Book Swap for anyone who needs to feel a good emotional story!

What a delightful surprise "The Book Swap" turned out to be! From the moment I delved into its pages, I found myself swept up in a whirlwind of emotions, much like the protagonist, Erin Connolly.

At first glance, I expected a lighthearted rom-com, but oh, how wrong I was! Tessa Bickers weaves a tale that delves deep into the human experience, tackling themes of grief, loss, and the journey to healing with a deft hand. This book made me feel so many different emotions, it's simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking.

The blossoming relationship between Erin and her Mystery Man, fostered through the annotated pages of beloved classics, captured my heart. It was a slow burn, yes, but oh-so-rewarding! And let's not forget the dynamic between Erin and her sister Bonnie—so authentic and touching, it resonated deeply with me. And as a lover of classic literature myself, I relished the nods to timeless literary works scattered throughout the story. It added a layer of depth and resonance that I truly appreciated.

My only tiny gripe? I yearned for an epilogue, a glimpse into Erin and James' happily ever after. But perhaps that's just the hopeless romantic in me wishing for a little more closure.

"The Book Swap" is a great tale that will tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh, and leave you contemplating life's many mysteries. A must-read for anyone who treasures the power of books and the magic they hold within their pages.

I thought this was a nice book! I wasn’t expecting it to be so emotional and deep, but I thought the author did a good job working through the main characters feelings and they both had a good amount of growth. At times I was definitely frustrated with the main female character, but I’m glad there was some redemption in the end. I just felt the main female character, Erin, was extremely selfish at times. The only other thing I wish was a little bit different would be a little bit more romance between the two main characters.

Heartbreaking but sweet and uplifting. I think it’s a good book to honor the love of books and the love of life. It made me emotional but also felt healing.
I would say it felt a little slow at parts and maybe dragged a bit, but overall a lovely story that has some great heart behind it!

Erin and James are two old friends who find each other through their love of classic books after both experienced loss and struggle to find their place in the world. They go on a journey of finding themselves through writing to each other in the margins.

I enjoyed this debut novel from Tessa Bickers.

Thank you to Harlequin publishing and NetGallery for this arc!

This book comes out on September 3, 2024.

When I started The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers I expected a light fun romcom. We all know & love them. An easy pallet cleanser. This book took me by surprise as so much more than that.

When we meet Erin she’s deep in the grief of losing her lifelong best friend, Bonnie. She’s bending over backwards for a toxic boss & when she finally reaches her breaking point, quits during a team meeting. It’s what Bonnie would tell her to do. After all, since Bonnie’s death, Erin has been trying to live her life to make Bonnie proud, when in reality she’s miserable. Pan to James. When Erin runs into him at Bonnie’s annual memorial it’s clear there’s history there. She can’t stand to be near him. As this story unfolds we find out the shared history of Erin/Bonnie/James. How they became friends & how the friendship fell apart.

It’s hard to go much further without giving away too many details but I really enjoyed the complex family dynamics. Each of them dealing with their own struggles while finding themselves. Both learning to find forgiveness, including within themselves. Learning to let go of the lives that are safe to find what they truly want.

I absolutely loved this debut. I cannot wait to see what Tessa Bickers comes up with next. Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Tessa Bickers for the opportunity to read The Book Swap ahead of its September 3rd release.

Book Swap

This debut novel is an alternating POV book was a very sweet and cozy read. While there is romance in it, it is so much more. It’s a story about friendship, loss, family dynamics, grief, forgiveness, and mental illness. It covers so many topics beautifully.

I loved the beautiful picture painted of what love really looks like (long suffering and kind) in one of the side characters.

While I did like the other storylines in this book, parts of the book fell flat. For a book that is very realistic and offers a commentary on some difficult subjects, somehow it all magically works out for 3 of the characters quit their jobs with no plan because they aren’t “happy”.

This doesn’t seem to match the rest of the book. Real life is people not having the luxury of rage quitting their jobs- yet 3 characters manage just fine.

But overall a really lovely read and spectacular writing for a debut novel!

Thank you to the Author, publisher, and Author for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for this ARC copy

In true fashion I am drawn to any books with a fun cover, and there was something so idyllic about this little library cover. This was the first time I have read a book by Tessa Bickers, so was not quite sure what to expect. I was expecting more light hearted romance, but the book does cover heavier topics, which is not a bad thing - just not what I was anticipating.

The first half of the book was slower but the second half was great and really adorable. If you love classic books you will enjoy the references especially since the main character. loses her favorite book To Kill a Mockingbird.

Thank you NetGalley, Tessa Bickers, and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

if you’re going into this book thinking it’s a rom com you are going to be disappointed. It’s a romance, but it tackles a lot of really hard topics. I would say it’s more about two individuals healing and growing after life has hit them hard. I think the writing back and forth in the margins of books at a little free library is such a sweet premise. I loved Erin and James’ shared passion for books and how that passion established their relationship and is what brought them back together in the end. There are a lot of references to classic novels and I had only read a few, but I didn’t feel like I needed to have read them to understand the book. This book is raw, real, and heartwarming. I definitely recommend!

Trigger Warnings:
Death / Cancer
Mental Illness
Bullying