I truly enjoyed this romance. As an avid reader, there are many things that I look for when reading. Great character development, an amazing tension between the characters, and a few good moments of banters are always high on my list when it comes to romance.
If you’re on the lookout for a book that beautifully encapsulates the intricacies of love in all its diverse forms, "A Five-Letter Word for Love" by Amy James is an essential read. This novel profoundly explores relationships, personal growth, and the transformative essence of love, wrapped in a narrative that's sure to resonate emotionally.

At the heart of the story is Emma, a young woman navigating the challenging landscape of love and loss. Her journey begins with a cryptic crossword clue from her late grandmother, setting her on a fascinating quest that bridges the past and present, unveiling hidden secrets and fresh starts. Amy James presents a protagonist who is relatable and inspiring, making Emma's ups and downs exceptionally personal.

The supporting cast is equally compelling. Jake, the mysterious neighbor with a love for puzzles, brings an intriguing charm to Emma’s life. Aunt Liz, with her no-nonsense approach and unwavering loyalty, adds both humor and wisdom to the narrative. Each character is intricately developed, enriching the multifaceted storyline.

Amy James’ writing style combines lyrical prose with sharp, witty dialogue. She has a talent for crafting vivid imagery and emotionally charged scenes that linger in the reader's mind long after finishing the book. The way she skillfully weaves together themes of love, loss, and healing is truly remarkable.

Fundamentally, "A Five-Letter Word for Love" emphasizes finding love in unexpected places and embracing the journey, even when the path ahead is unclear. It highlights the connections we build and the bravery required to open our hearts, no matter the risks involved. Emma’s journey is a moving reminder that love, in its many forms, holds the key to solving many of life’s challenges.

This book is a must-read for those who appreciate stories that are as thought-provoking as they are heartwarming. Amy James shines in her portrayal of the nuances of love and the complexities of human relationships, making "A Five-Letter Word for Love" a standout work in contemporary fiction. Whether you're a fan of romance, family dramas, or simply great storytelling, this novel will surely impress.

In summary, "A Five-Letter Word for Love" is a beautifully crafted narrative that sensitively explores the many dimensions of love. Amy James has written a timeless and relevant tale, filled with characters that feel like long-lost friends. So, grab a cozy blanket, brew your favorite cup of tea, and prepare to be immersed in a story that will warm your heart and invigorate your spirit

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute, and a wonderful small town romance.

I’m not going to lie I knew how this was going to end after like 5 percent of the way through but it was still wonderful! (Like a hallmark movie in a way)

I thought the FMC was actually very funny and I liked how she was an elderly caregiver!

All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes rom coms and I will definitely read more books by this author in the future!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the ARC.

While I enjoyed this story in general, I found myself very annoyed with the FMC. It didn't endear her toward me at all. The story itself is strong and made me want to know more but the conflict felt very pushed.

Definitely worth a read but I don't think I'll be coming back for another read.

In this cute and charming small-town romance, readers join Emily on the idyllic Prince Edward Island where small-town life isn’t exactly what she wants. With her dreams totally different from her reality, Emily’s 300-plus day Wordle streak is the highlight of her small life, and, when on the verge of breaking her streak, her irritating coworker John’s help might just totally change her perception of him. As they keep working on their Wordle streaks, romance starts to develop, forcing Emily to consider if she can be happy on Prince Edward Island with a life and career totally different from what she had envisioned for herself. Charming, emotional, and witty, the novel has perfect small-town vibes with proximity, conflicts, and tropes throughout. The Emiily and John are total opposites, but the tropes of their relationship and the endearing atmosphere of the novel really brings their story -- both the highs and the lows -- to life. Emily is relatable and complex, and while occasionally frustrating, her heart is in the right place and the novel really makes her grow and develop as time passes. Whimsical, romantic, and perfectly tropey, readers will love this cozy small-town romance for its immaculate vibes and entertaining cast of characters.

4.5 stars. So I really enjoyed this one. It takes place on PEI, has a Wordle theme, and has Anne mentions. It also has to do with museums. It felt liek the older characters represented the older characters from Anne (Marilla, Matthew, and Rachel). My only dislike is the unrealistic view of the museum world. It's not super easy to get museum jobs and this book made it seem like it was. Don't get me wrong I still loved this book but this annoyed me.

Five Letter Word for Love is a cozy and enjoyable read. Nothing too out of the ordinary, perhaps, but with its down-to-earth characters and some clever moments with Wordle, it is an endearing debut worth exploring.

This was a really sweet romance where Wordle was the connector for the two main characters.
3.5 stars

✨ ARC Review✨

Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A better review is to come. It was super funny and relatable! I related to Emily so much in trying to look for the next best thing in life and discovering that you can't live life like that because you may end up missing some amazing opportunity.

A Five-Letter Word for Love is a beautifully crafted and emotionally rich novel that captures the complexities of love in all its forms—romantic, platonic, and self-accepting. With lyrical prose and authentic, heartfelt characters, this story pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. The author masterfully explores themes of vulnerability, forgiveness, and the power of connection, making it a deeply relatable and moving read.

What makes this book unforgettable is its raw honesty and emotional depth. The characters are flawed yet lovable, their struggles and triumphs feeling achingly real. The tender, bittersweet moments are perfectly balanced with hope and warmth, leaving you with a full heart. This is a poignant, beautifully written story that will stay with you long after the final page—a must-read for fans of emotional, character-driven fiction.

While the Wordle plotline was unique, charming and added a fun, the romance plot ultimately fell flat for me. Emily's immaturity and lack of self-confidence made it difficult to root for her, especially as she allowed her so-called boyfriend to discourage her from pursuing her dreams. Despite a promising setup and the potential for growth, the story felt frustrating rather than inspiring. I wanted to see Emily stand up for herself and chase her aspirations, but instead, her character arc left much to be desired.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

i honestly don't remember this book at all, because i dnfed it pretty early. the premise seemed really cute though!!!

Thank you to Avon, NetGalley and LibroFM for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was such a sweet romance all about sharing the same hyperfocused interest with someone else. Loved the small town vibes and the quirkiness.

my guilt complex never lets me do 1 star but this book angered me so bad and i am so glad i am finally done. to sum it up:
- emily is the worst type of person. indecisive and insufferable and childish and honestly pretty classist.
- john doesn't really have a personality
- her getting into nyu AND the met internship with no experience or qualifications is not only unrealistic but just annoying as hell
- WORDLE DOESNT WORK THIS WAY PLEASE GOD SOMEONE SAVE ME
- i'm so glad it's over. so so so glad.

i feel bad because i received this as an arc and i'm so thankful to harper collins and the author for letting me have it early to review but unfortunately..... a very big miss

I really enjoyed this sweet romcom and can’t wait to read more from this author. The characters, setting, plot and chemistry were all enjoyable. My least favorite part was that the MC played wordle on the easy setting and that the 2 MCs would tell each other if there was a double letter in the word. As a daily wordle player, that irritated me haha! Definitely recommend this book though!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager Publishing for allowing me to read this unedited copy for free in return for honest feedback.

As a fellow Wordle connoisseur, I ate this up. It was such a cute, closed door romance. The FMC was quirky, aspirational and yet whimsical. She had goals and dreams, and she was not not ashamed. Everything about this novel was unexpected from the idea that this girl was a receptionist at a mechanic to her love for museums being inspired by a barrel themed museum of all places. This book was a great time and had me laughing all throughout. I would love a spin-off with Kiara!

My ONLY complaint is the MMC was very one dimensional. He lacked depth, and I could not connect with him.

I would romance readers to give this a go!

First of all, overall this was cute.
The plot was nice. I like the whole word app included as part of the plot and how it helped the couple to connect. The caregiving and the museum was a really nice touch and I love the culmination of that plot.
Now the FMC did got on my nerves a couple of times. Seriously I haven’t meet someone as indecisive, her complains and indecision was driving me up the wall.
The love interest is nice as well, and while i wanted to strangle him a bot there at the ending he was ok .
I would said a cute quick read for anyone that ask .

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.

I loved the concept of this book! The Wordle aspect intrigued me a lot, especially as someone who plays the NYT games every day. I liked the small town aspect of it and definitely could feel the chemistry between Emily and John from the beginning. Overall, there were definitely things about each main character that made them slightly unlikeable. They came across a bit immature at times. I found it hard to understand John's character at the beginning. He didn't have much of a personality and seemed to take the "mysterious and quiet" vibe a bit too far. Loved the side characters! It was an enjoyable, easy read.

DNF. I thought the premise sounded cute so I wasn't to give it a try but ultimately, this wasn't for me. Emily was just... not a great character. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

I'm a bit scared to do a find and count for the word 'Wordle' in this book. I get it was the premise but it felt SO overused that even though I also do it nightly, I was getting sick of it and the idea of the game. The beginning and middle of this book had promise, she was starting to figure out herself, the museum scenes were cute, and she was starting to find her 'thing'. I even liked the relationship with John (didn't entirely get their relationship but could see it working). The grad school part was just odd to me - the break-up just because she applied to the decision to leave suddenly, him buying the house and it having nothing to do with her, it was all just odd and didn't make sense for the story and the characters. It felt a little like two books put together.