2.5 stars
I am so so so sad to say that I did not enjoy this book. I am not sure what all to say because there isn't really that big of a reason I did not like it. I did not like any of the characters and I felt no chemistry AT ALL between our two love interests and I hate that because so many people have loved this book and I was really hoping to love it as well

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for providing an ARC of A Five Letter Word for Love.

🟩Release Date: Dec. 3 2024
🟨 Tropes:
• Manic Pixie Dream Girl
• Workplace Romance
• Wordle, Wordle, Wordle

I love myself a silly little romance focused around one thing. Christmas romances? Yes. Hockey romances? Yes. Hockey and Regency romances? Oddly yes... But Wordle! The thing I really only remember exists when I am at Thanksgiving or Christmas when all my older relatives break out their phones to play! Yes, please, do sign me up.

So yeah, I got a little excited for a Wordle-y romance. And it was... Fine?

Emily is a floundering 27 year old who is broke with a degree in chemistry, but dreams of having a super important or artsy job in a big city. Because that's what makes your life worth living, duh!!

Enter her quiet, minds his own business, coworker: John. He *clearly* hates Emily or something because he doesn't talk to her every single second of the day. And is also rude to customers! Well, he is if you are Emily. I think this is something critical that needs to be addressed: John is straight to the point and doesn't frill things up or try to be something he isn't, is that rude or is that just called being an honest individual? His behavior and mindset reads to me as being neurodivergent, and honestly some of the reviews I have seen hating him for being "so boring", "rude", or "not what a love interest should be" are really toxic. He might not be the leading man with flowing locks of hair and his shirt unbottoned, running across the continent to show his undying love, but is that *really* better or healthier than a partner who knows what they want and cares for you in a realistic manner?

Emily is really terrible to John. She would happily leave him and the life she loves behind for "her dream job since she can remember" AKA her dream job of at most 2 months, and she doesn't understand how that is unfair of her. She belittles John constantly for "not trying hard enough at life" or "settling" as if it's a bad thing to be content.

And this is all without mentioning how much Emily thinks about Wordle. It's constant. She mentions many times how it's always there for her, it's part of her every day, blah blah blah. Her and John form a relationship over Wordle, but honestly at one point it comes across that John doesn't care about it nearly as much as she does (he doesn't enter the word in even though they figured it out). I was kind of expected this to be the cause of a third act breakup for a Wordle themed romance, since that I could more easily forgive and see them reconciling over. But nope, it's never really addressed.

Anyway! If you are die-hard about Wordle, there may be aspects that are annoying to you (Wordle rules are not followed, the words are way too elementary, etc.) and if you AREN'T die-hard about Wordle, you will get annoyed by the constant mentioning of it... So expect some level of annoyance either way.

Loved the beginning and really enjoyed the whole premise. I saw a lot of my own personality and friendship/personal struggles in Emily. I felt that she was me a few years ago. I love John's character and his whole casual, nonchalant attitude. I felt as though he was the typical guy you meet but also such a cinnamon roll! I love the side characters and how much you have those exact types in life!

I thought the roller coaster relationship they went on made sense and I understood most of it. I wish the ending was different: there, I said it!

Overall, it was good and I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc, even if I got to it a little later!

I really enjoyed this book, it was sweet and fun, exactly the kind of light reading I needed.

I did have a little issue with it, and that was Emily’s attitude towards finding her ‘dream job’. Just like John, I felt that she was being whiny and snobbish at times and while there was some development from this, it didn’t quite feel like enough.

But overall, I had a great time reading this and would still recommend it!

What a fun rom-com! I am such a Wordle fan, and was so excited when I received this arc based off the cover alone. Though I didn't find the main characters to be very likeable, I did still really enjoy the concept of the story, and found it to be a unique take on a 'workplace' romance. I had a fun time reading this book, though I personally did not find it to be the most memorable romance I've ever read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc!

A Five-Letter Word for Love is the perfect wholesome romance for readers looking for contemporary romance with a little bit of sass and quarter-life crises thrown into the mix. Emily, our protagonist, like many twenty-something graduates, is still searching for her dream job and finding her place in the world. Her college degree in a STEM field is basically useless, as the one thing Emily knows for sure is she won't be happy in a job that doesn't allow her to flex her creativity at least a little. But finding the answers to the meaning of life can be a little harder when stuck in a small town like Waldon, PEI. Until she figures out her bigger life plans, Emily's focus is on maintaining her Wordle streak and making just enough money to pay her student loans.

Emily is the perfect Gen-Z protagonist - a little angry at the world and the pretentiousness of crossword puzzles, and a whole lot of anxious about starting her dream career and reaching the milestones all her old university roommates seem to have already mastered. A Five-Letter Word for Love feels like a timely, realistic romance for a generation just starting to realize that life post-college isn't as straightforward as it seems.

As a Wordle girlie, I squealed when I got approved for this ARC.

If you’ve ever wondered how Wordle could spark romance, A Five Letter Word for Love answers that question with a charming, albeit somewhat predictable, love story. Set against the quaint backdrop of Prince Edward Island, the novel follows Emily Evans, an extroverted receptionist dreaming of a bigger life, and her seemingly grumpy coworker John, whose settled, small-town existence couldn’t be more different from hers.

What makes this story unique is in the use of Wordle as the medium for a connection. Emily and John share small pieces of their lives through the daily puzzles, building a bond that is sweet and refreshingly ordinary. A little subdued, quiet moments mark their interactions; Emily, needing to break loose from her career rut, and John's mystery yet dependability-their chemistry is palpable, if understated.

Emily is a vibrant protagonist who isn't afraid to take risks and pursue her dreams, which alone makes her journey compelling, even in the parts where the pacing feels rushed. Her determination to find fulfillment beyond her comfort zone is inspiring; the ending leaves you wishing her story had gone just a bit further. Meanwhile, John's quiet strength and his unexpected moments of sweetness gave him an enigmatic appeal, even though some of his motivations remain puzzling-what did "court" mean, anyway?.

It's a novel of self-discovery, as much as it is one of love, and it fails to live up to the promise it holds. Parts of the story, such as the character development of Emily, have been undernourished and could be given more depth. The romance in it is sweet but at times predictable, leaning toward familiar tropes without adding a distinct twist.

For readers looking for a light, small-town romance with a little quirk, A 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.

Amy James crafts a heartfelt story in A Five Letter Word for Love, where we follow Emily’s journey of self-discovery and unexpected romance. While the book was enjoyable overall, I have to admit that Emily’s character was occasionally grating. Her quirks often felt more frustrating than endearing, and at times, I found myself questioning John’s feelings toward her—did he even like her all that much? Their dynamic didn’t feel as emotionally convincing as I’d hoped.

As an avid Wordle player, I was immediately intrigued by the title and loved the subtle nods to puzzles and wordplay woven throughout the story. Beyond that, what truly shines in this book is the overarching theme: happiness isn’t tied to achieving some idealized version of life. Instead, it’s about appreciating and finding joy in what you already have. James delivers this message beautifully through the plot’s twists and turns. It’s a comforting reminder that perfection isn’t the goal—contentment is.

The pacing and storyline kept me engaged, and I found myself reflecting on my own priorities while reading. Fans of cozy contemporary romance with a deeper message will likely enjoy this one, even if they don’t love every character. I’ve noticed other reviewers on NetGalley share similar thoughts about Emily’s personality being a bit polarizing, but that didn’t take away from the book’s charm for me.

Overall, while not perfect, A Five Letter Word for Love was a sweet, satisfying read. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking for a story that’s less about the fantasy of love and more about its grounding, realistic aspects.

Rating: 4/5 stars.

I have tried to read this book several times and I find the main character annoying. I haven't figured out if it's her lackluster approach to life or if it's something else. I will try it again in the future, but I did not finish as of the date of this review.

Emily is 27 years old, and she has no idea what she's doing with her life. She has big dreams of having a creative career in the big city, but she's stuck working at an auto shop as a receptionist on Prince Edward Island. Her only company is her coworker John, who couldn't seem to care less about her. The only thing she has going for herself is a 300+ day streak on Wordle. One day, she's forced to ask John for help on the Wordle when she's stuck on her last guess. This sparks a romance between the two of them that leads Emily to question what she really wants in life and step outside her comfort zone. The setting of Prince Edward Island in this book was so picturesque, and I loved imagining all of the scenery. I also enjoyed the small town vibes and the relationships Emily formed with her elderly clients. I found Emily to be quite a relatable character at times, because she's very ambitious but she's not quite sure what she wants to do with her life yet. I think this is something a lot of 20 somethings can relate to. However, she was a bit immature at times and didn't seem to really think through her decisions, which annoyed me. The romance between Emily and John lacked chemistry. John didn't seem to like Emily that much and he seemed a bit rude to her. I did like the overall message of the book though, which is that your don't need to have some big fancy job or glamorous life in order to be happy.

This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

The premise of this book was adorable - two coworkers bonding over Wordle, developing a friendship and, ultimately, a romance. The characters were fairly likable - Emily, the main character, goes on a journey of finding what she truly wants and prioritizes in life. I think the execution of the book is what fell flat - although both main characters were in their late twenties, sometimes they felt younger than that. But, I think a lot of the thoughts that young adults have in their late twenties are articulated in this book - because do we really want what we want, or is there something bigger and better out there for us? Sometimes Emily & John’s romance seemed to have a weird pace and their communication was alllll over the place. Overall, it was an enjoyable, cheesy read. The writing style seems like a new writer, (it is a debut novel) but for a sweet read for someone who likes Wordle, I recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s Publishing for the ARC of this book to read.

What a creative, pretty unexpected premise in the romance world! I really enjoyed the idea that the two main characters bonded over working on Wordle daily. The entire story is set in a small town with quirky characters, which can sometimes get a little too saccharine, but not here. I appreciated the way that the side characters helped develop the stories of our two main characters.

Also, I deeply appreciate that it wasn't insta-love for the two. Their relationship developed at a pretty healthy pace and in a healthy way. I didn't feel that there was anything particularly unique about either main character - they both seemed to be just...normal people, making it through the world. (Maybe that's a selling point for you!)

Five letter word for this story: COMFY.

Definitely recommend! Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for an advance copy of this book.

2.75 stars//
Emily is feeling lost with no sense of direction as she continues her life as a receptionist in a small town in PEI. She constantly dreams of doing something bigger with her life and finding her purpose. The only thing she has going for her? A wordle streak that is close to 365 days. Through her passion for completing the daily puzzle, she starts to get closer to the grumpy, quiet mechanic at her job, John, and begins to find more connections on the island. Through her relationship with John, she begins to gain the courage to chase after the life she wants, a life she wishes to feel proud of with plenty of friendships and a job she feels she can do well. Following her passion for museum design and event planning, she applied to NYU for a degree in museum science and an internship at the MET. Soon enough, she'll have to decide what her definition of success is and how she should chase it.

This book was not the match for me as I was bored enough to where I was put into a reading slump. I did finish it months later, but I did struggle to get through it. This book being in first-person did not work for me and I was not a fan of the fourth wall between the reader and Emily being broken consistently. It felt like it was a ploy to try and get the reader to be more invested by having that relationship with the MC, but it just turned me off. Emily's personality is an acquired taste and for me, I was annoyed by it. Many of her choices as a character seemed out of character and just a way to keep the story going. John as the love interest had a good start, but even in the highest part of their relationship, it felt like there was barely anything to him past liking wordle and car racing. Even though I wasn't the biggest fan of this book, I'm sure some people would like this as there are cute moments and some might have the same humor as the narrator.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

There were some things about the plot that I really enjoyed, but there were also a lot of things that fell short for me? I feel like this book gave me Wattpad in terms of the style of writing. I didn't really love the romance either, it sort of fell flat for me, but the one thing that shined through with this book is the idea of growing up and having these dreams when you're younger, but struggling with what you wanted when you were younger, but also coming to terms with what you want now, without feeling like a failure. I do wish there was more of a resolution with the conflict with her college friends. Overall, this book was okay, not my favorite. 3 or 2.75 stars.

A cute little romance set on Prince Edward Island, of Anne of Green Gables fame. While the concept was cute and overall it was a fun read, the dialogue and emotion felt flat overall.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 stars:

so like for the first 50% was rough, i really did not like how Emily (FMC) kept going on and on about how big dreams can be and so unhappy. like i genuinely did not like her and contemplating DNF.

i love wordle. i loved her strategy and the plot of her with John (MMC).

after 50% once the story picked up and then kind of focused on all the good that was surrounding her, it was easier and i was more motivated to read.

i’ll also add that the second half of the book made up for the first half.

thoughts:
-John is a good book boyfriend
- i love the old people in this book
- i did crack up a lot while reading this book
- some parts of the book were directed towards the reader which was an experience

What’s more niche, contemporary, and having a moment than Wordle, other than Pickleball? Emily, 27 and working as a receptionist at a car mechanic shop while aspiring to a more intellectual and lucrative career, is very focused on keeping her streak. The position leaves her with plenty of free time at work, and emotional bandwith after to take on projects like volunteering to check in on elderly neighbors in her touristy town of Prince Edward Island. When Emily’s car breaks down, John comes to the rescue, and she’s surprised to discover that the surly, hot, car mechanic is also into playing Wordle. They begin comparing tips over lunch break, and as she and John spend time together, at work, and not, they find more common ground.

In an effort to make the best of her situation: no boyfriend, a low-paying job, disconnect from the friends she can’t relate to, and career derailment, Emily takes on caretaking side work and contemplates that as a potential career change. She also begins volunteering at a the local musuem, which focuses on the town’s history of coopersmithing. She finds a way to make barrels exciting, but her evil supervisor takes the credit for all Emily’s ideas and successes, and even fires her to bring on paid workers to do the volunteer job. Emily applies for museum curation programs and is selected for a prestigious internship, but by the time this opportunity rolls around, she’s in a relationship and has forged other bonds and friendships in the small town community she was originally dismissive of.

The writing is very clever–James explains Wordle succinctly, and weaves it creatively through the story. Emily is smart and logical, and also uses Wordle as a daily horoscope of sorts, believing that it’s highly relevant to her life in a way John scoffs at. She uses her current situation or state of mind for her starting guess, and celebrates or groans when the solution feels spot on. Emily is compassionate, if a bit chaotic and spontaneous, but she’s complex; John’s character feels much more one-dimensional by comparison. She seems willing to give up everything to maintain a very new relationship, and the ending is neatly resolved. There is chemistry and passion, but profanity and intimate details are absent and off the page

Remniscience of Pickleballers with it’s obsessive attention to detail for a competitive passtime, A Five-Letter Word For Love inspired me to start a streak for the new year (so far, I got two days in a row, and then four, before missing an answer–my success rate is just over 80%).

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #AFiveLetterWordForLove via #NetGalley, courtesy of #Avon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyage for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I found this to be a fun and easy read, more of a story of self discovery than romance. There was one error with a Wordle (her starting word was all gray but the correct answer had a letter from her first guess) but that's me being nitpicky.
Emily doesn't know what she wants from life, but she feels like her current place in a small town on Prince Edward Island isn't it. She wants more, but is uncertain what more looks like.
She bonds with a grouchy mechanic at her work over Wordle, and their daily breaks to play the game grow into friendship and then romance.
Meanwhile, she's trying to figure out the rest of her life.
I won't go into spoilers, but the conflict isn't that conflict-y, and since this is a romance you get the expected HEA.

I found Emily to be likeable, and her interactions with the locals to be fun and endearing. John was a little one-dimensional, but their dialog was snappy.
Overall I did very much enjoy this book. if 3.5 stars was an option, that's where I would land.