I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

“Books teach us, and I want to make sure I’m learning everything they’re offering. I write in the margins to remember the book. To keep the words in my heart.”

This is such a sweet story — the perfect romance for lovers of little free libraries and second chances.

I loved James & Erin’s story, and I particularly loved the character of Bonnie (did anyone else picture Bonnie from TVD? Or was that just me?).

This story is sweet, sad, and full of so much sass woven through out the sentimental.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️/ 5

I loved this story, it felt so much more complex than a love story shared in book margins. The story had a lot of harder topics included such as suicide, cancer, mental illness so readers should check triggers before reading.

4 ⭐️

You’ve Got Mail meets London in book form - that’s rhetorical only way I can describe this book! I enjoyed this sweet story of young friends, to enemies, to adult lovers and all of life’s struggles and victories between. I especially loved the book theme throughout!

Trigger warning: cancer, mental health.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Graydon House for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

A little book library! Messages from a secret pen pal...a deep connection with an unknown person...who turns out to be someone you know!!

I loved the concept with the messages in the book. The backstory and the current day timeline both had some deep grief-filled and traumatic situations. My heart broke for both Erin and James. There were some sweet and fun moments, but also a lot of dark times. This was not the rom-com I was expecting, but I still enjoyed it!

4 stars

This was a perfectly fine book, but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. Romance/contemporary fiction usually takes me several days at the most to finish, and this took a month and a half. Perhaps the writing style just isn't for me, or I didn't care for the characters very much, but I can't really point to anything specific this book did wrong, just that I didn't gel with it. If the blurb sounds interesting to you, give it a shot.

“Books teach us, and I want to make sure I’m learning everything they’re offering. I write in the margins to remember the book. To keep the words in my heart.”

TLDR: A beautiful debut about second chances and new beginnings. It’s a love letter to books and to life and one I’ll be thinking about for a very long time.

This book completely took me by surprise. I had been warned it contained some heavier topics which was so helpful for this mood reader, especially since I tend to like the Com with my Rom. This however, was not that. It’s a journey of grief and growth and healing with bits of humor that had me all in my feels.

The connection between James and Erin was captivating. I enjoyed the growth they both experienced. I was equally invested in the side characters. Their lives were woven together so beautifully.

Tropes + things
second chances
self discovery
grief + healing
book about books
mystery penpal
community/little free libraries
mental health rep
dual POV/1st person

I was blown away this is the author’s debut novel. I am looking forward to reading her future work.

This was a ok read for me. There were parts of it that I loved. One part in particular I enjoyed was the book swapping.
There is no spice in the story. I am not a fan of a lot of spice. But, this story could have used just a bit of spice.
The Book Swap is a romcom that I did enjoy reading. I would like to go back and read it again one day.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars.

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is a lot heavier than I expected it to be. That doesn't detract from how good this book is. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I made my heart squeeze and ache the entire time I read it. It's cute, reflective, intimate, and interestingly explores grief. and loss. The strongest parts involve the main characters, Erin and James, who each have quite a bit of individual baggage in their lives. When they begin exchanging books at the little library, they divulge who they really are and who they want to be to each other in the process. These moments made my heart swell. But, as with all books like this, things eventually go wrong. I am glad this was a dual point of view book because without it, I fear James would have been basically erased. His character would have been stronger and more bold. Erin definitely needs to go to therapy, hahaha. The story has quite a few moving parts, which bog it down here and there. My focus felt all over the place, but overall, I found this to be an engaging and compelling read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bickers, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Graydon House for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

This book was a slow start for me but it didnt take long for me to become entranced in the story of James and Erin - heartache, laughter, intellect - this book had it all. Well done Tessa Bickers!

5 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

Publish date; 09/03/2024

“...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.”


First, I have to say, I really enjoyed this story.

As a lover of Little Free Libraries, I instantly was intrigued by the story's premise. Falling for someone by exchanging favorite books with personal notes? Adorable!

I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the main characters grow and develop while dealing with their own issues, past and present.

Overall, it is a sweet romance and enjoyable storyline.

Cute romance about second chance love and forgiveness. I love the depth of backstory given to each character. And I loved all the literary references. No spice, just a cute romance.

I fluctuated between liking and disliking The Book Swap several times throughout the book. I think overall, it could have been cut down in length, as there were times where I felt as if the plot points weren’t really contributing much to the overall story. I’m also not typically a fan of the miscommunication trope unless it’s done REALLY well, and this one missed the mark a bit. The main character was somewhat hard to like and held a grudge well beyond when it should have been. Her character arc didn’t do much for me.

I managed to finish the book and like the Author’s writing style, but I’m not sure it’s one I would recommend to others. Solid 3.5 stars, so I rounded up to 4.

This is such a fun refreshing read. I liked the writing style. The story is unique. Each of the characters grew with the story. The care that was taken to address trauma. The love for books and writing.
Thank you Tessa Bickers for sharing this one with the world. I've already recommended it to do many of my reader friends.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

At first glance, I expected a lighthearted rom-com - but it actually was more about trauma and growth. We follow the story of Erin and James relationship and how it builds through the notes left in the margins of books. Books carry these two through their difficult days and offer second chances and forgiveness. Bickers’ debut is really a love letter to books and a celebration of the power of stories.

Wow Wow WOW! This book is fantastic!!! Thank you to NetGalley and Tessa Bickers for my ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely ADORE this story and was completely engrossed from the very first page. This book has romance, heartbreak, trauma, triumph, and everything in between. I love the nuanced layers in this book and the journey that both Erin and James take throughout the story. The pacing of this book is perfect and the full cast of characters round out this story to make it one of my favourites of the year.

And the idea of the book swap through the little free library? SO STINKING CUTE and I want to believe that this is actually happening for someone in the world! I am a firm believer that you can know so much about a person through their taste in books, and this story brought that idea to a whole new level!

An incredible debut and one I have also chosen to add to my physical home library, I can't wait to see what Tessa Bickers does next. Congratulations on this stellar book!

This was a reasonably cute romance with a fun book aspect. The premise sounded promising and I liked the characters for the post part. Unfortunately, I found the book as a whole kind of bland and it ended up being a skim read for me. I think I was expecting it to be lighter than it was. It would probably be more appealing if you don't go into it expecting that.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this book before the archive date ended. I am extremely grateful that I got the opportunity to receive an Advanced Readers Copy from NetGallery. From what I was able to read, this seemed to be so cute and I love the idea of a book swap and communicating through there!

The Book Swap was a delight to read. I very much enjoyed this story of two characters who got to know one another (even) better through sharing their thoughts about books and life. The device that the author uses is to have them each taking books from a little free community library and writing to one another in the margins. I found that I was always looking forward to see which book these two would be reading next; maybe this reflects the eagerness that they had as well.

Readers meet Erin. She has faced a great loss and has a unique way of coping (find out in the book). In a scene that many readers may envy, she quits her toxic work place despite not knowing what she will do next. Readers follow as she figures this out with a therapist sister often voicing her opinions.

James has his own difficulties. His mother suffers from mental illness and he periodically spends stretches of time with his parents to help out. James has a job that he does not love. What will he do about this?

Bonnie…well, read the book to find out who she is and what her role in the story is.

No spoilers so don’t want to go into how these characters intersect.

This book is not entirely light in nature but it is a consistently good read. I was always happy to settle down and spend time in the world of these characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Book Swap looked like it was right up my alley, after all a romance that is developed over swapping notes in the pages of your favorite books? Give that to me in my day to day, romance optional, and I’d be happy as could be. While this book does include true book swapping (and free lending libraries which have been a genius idea since going mainstream), it was truly so much more.

We are introduced to Erin and James who have a common link in their friend Bonnie, since departed. The two have their share of issues they are struggling through but Erin especially wants nothing to do with James, which makes their common thread so poignant. I was expecting a lighter book given the hints to darker waters in the blurb didn’t seem to indicate that would be the focus of this story, though it was. And that doesn’t take away from this book at all, but be aware of what you will be reading, less so a rom com and more so a story of grief and struggle and the different ways we can find connections with those we wouldn’t expect to see us through the dark.

I recommend this for those that go in eyes wide open to understanding this book deals with some heavy topics. If you’re looking for lighter fare I would suggest you come back to this at another time.