Quinn owns a queer bookstore and safe space. His horrible step father is evicting him to make some quick money. On Christmas. How can Quinn save his shop and his livelihood?

This book has a great premise. And that's where the greatness ends. I think this book could've done with a bit more editing. At least one more pass. The main draws of romcoms are witty banter and loveable characters. I found myself not liking any of the characters the longer the story went on. The dialogue felt somehow stilted and rushed all at once and I found myself getting lost in the jarring pace of some of the conversations.

I also checked out the minute it was revealed that Noah was in a relationship lol. But that's just a personal taste kind of thing.

I think this book has great bones but fell a bit flat in the execution. This is a debut and I look forward to seeing the next efforts from this author because the foundation of this book felt really good. I'm looking forward to seeing his growth. (I can't stay away from queer romcoms so I'll be back for the next one!)

Thank you to HarperCollins/One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This has an interesting and sweet concept and a lot of promise but I felt that it fell a little short in some ways. I also didn't love the romance between Noah & Quinn. I didn't particularly like Noah as a character in general. The writing was very strong, as was the world building and whilst this was an enjoyable enough read I didn't love it.

Plot

Quinn wants to save his bookshop, the last thing he needs is to fall in love…

Hay-on-Wye’s only queer bookshop is always a hive of activity. So when it’s threatened with closure, its owner Quinn Oxford is determined to do whatever it takes to save his beloved shop.

That is until romantic novelist Noah Sagearrives in town. Gorgeous, brooding and clearly unhappy to be there, Noah is the distraction Quinn doesn’t need. Noah has a history with Hay and it’s one he’d rather not face. But when the snow leaves him stranded, he’s left with no choice.

Hay is a small town, meaning Quinn can’t help but bump into Noah wherever he goes. And as the two grow closer together, is it possible that Noah’s feelings towards Hay will thaw? Can Quinn have a real-life romance and save his beloved bookshop? Or will he need a Christmas miracle…

Review

Where do I start with this cosy, sweet, charming book?

I was thrilled that I could finally read a book set in a town not far from where I live and the atmosphere of said town was caught amazingly. Hay on Wye is a book paradise and my only wish is that Kings and Queens actually existed there.

Jack Strange brings together a fabulous array of characters from optimistic but guarded Quinn, to handsome but slight closed off Noah to, who has to be up there as a favourite, the eccentric but determined Ivy, Quinn’s best friend and partner in crime to save his beloved shop.

The storyline kept me engaged all the way through and I loved the dynamics of not only the romantic relationships but also the familial ones which are increasingly important as the story goes on – won’t say anymore for fear of spoilers!

The pacing is also perfect with the right amount of comedy and drama to have you laughing or gasping at the right moments – shout out to Deb and June – if you know you know.

In conclusion, this book is a sweet romantic tale with a good amount of drama, comedy and intrigue thrown in. It’s a beautiful debut from Jack Strange and I look forward to more.

Rating

4 stars

Recommend

Yes with a hot chocolate a cosy blanket and a heart ready to be warmed

Thank you to One More Chapter for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

Look Up, Handsome is a heartwarming Christmas story set in the charming Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye. The story follows Quinn as he fights to save his beloved queer bookstore after receiving a final eviction notice from his stepfather, the building's owner, who insists, "It's just business!"

The community bands together to support Quinn, emphasizing the vital role of safe spaces for queer individuals. Enter Noah, a renowned author originally from Hay, who returns for a festival, sparking a slow-burn romance. I adored all the characters, especially Quinn's friend Ivy and Noah's mother, Hermione; their presence truly enriches the story.

While the ending may be predictable, the journey there wasn't as expected which I appreciated. I even found myself shedding happy tears in the second-to-last chapter. This sweet tale is perfect for cozying up with during the holiday season to evoke all the feels!

Thanks to @netgalley, @onemorechapter @jackstrangeauthor for the advanced copy.

This was a great story. The main character has the same overthinking and hyper focusing on the worst outcomes, which reminds me of someone very important in my life. This story is relatable even to people outside of the LGBTQIA+ community. I love that this story is about more than just a romance. It was wonderful watching Quinn come into his own and find his voice. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

This book has a really cute concept: struggling bookstore fights against the capitalist machine, also known as the owner's stepfather, to avoid getting closed down right before the holidays. And naturally, the bookstore owner is falling in love with an author. But I struggled to get through it, and I found a few recurring problems with the book.

First: it is way too long. No holiday romance novel has any busy being as long as it was.

Second: There was too much going on. Introducing the author's recluse mother wanting a ghostwriter to help with her autobiography was unnecessary and only added to what was already a long and complicated story.

Third: This is just a personal preference, but I am not a fan when one of the main characters is already in a relationship, even if it is flawed / toxic. Just end the relationship, wait a respectful period of time, and then try with the new person who has caught your eye.

Finally: There were some weird inconsistencies / irregularities with the plot. If they live in such a small town, how did they not know each other in high school? But also, the owner mentioned a high school crush. But also, they had never met. I ended up keeping a list of things that didn't make sense to me as I was reading.

Ultimately, I was disappointed by this one. It had a cute concept, but it was not executed well.

A town full of bookshops? Woohoo!
And a romance set in this town? Count me in!
"Look Up, Handsome" is the new, LGBTQ+ romance book set in a Hay-On-Wye and it's a wonderful, festive treat. Quinn is the owner of "Kings and Queens" bookshop in Hay-on-Wye, and by running the bookshop, he is following in the footsteps of his father. However, his beloved livelihood is in trouble as his stepfather own the lease on the shop and is threatening to sell up. While this is all going on, Quinn meets the love of his life, Noah Sage, a local and famous author.
Faced with the twin threats of losing his business and his heart, Quinn has to decide which one to fight for - or should he just walk away?
A perfect, uplifting read for any time of the year, Look Up Handsome is ideal for the lead upto the festive season. And one of my favourite aspects is how the novel adds hints of reality such as mentioning how bookshops have become safe spaces, in a warm and happy way.

This is Perfect, Feel-good, cosy up with the fire, wrapped in a blanket, with a hot chocolate and your Christmas tree-lit kind of book!

This is a very sweet Christmas romcom - it made me want to visit a Hay-On-Wye (it’s been on my list for ages but this book has made me realise I need to get there asap)! Noah and Quinn’s story was absolutely. The romance is a slow burn but it is worth it! It gave me plenty of time to get to know both the main characters and what was going on with them without feeling like the story was dragging on! The two of them have so many lovely meet cutes and it made this store so romcom Christmas cheesy in the best ways.

Who could resist an LGBTQ romance set in the book town of Hay-on-Wye? Not me, obviously (and I was excited to learn in the Acknowlegements that there is now a new LGBTQ bookshop in the town!). Quinn runs "Kings and Queens" in Hay-on-Wye, following on in his late father's tradition in being a bookseller, but threatened by his stepfather's plans to cash in on the lease he owns on Quinn's shop and turf him out. Mum is caught in the middle but not doing much, and Quinn's always been a quiet people-pleaser so keeps just shoving the eviction notices in a drawer. He has two piece of luck: knowing Ivy, the colourful, redoubtable cleaner who knows everyone's secrets, and meeting Noah, romance writer and son of the town who seems to be everywhere. We follow these characters as they work to save the bookshop, with the help of influencers and drag queens; the whole thing is charming, with good touches of reality, noting how the bookshop offers a safe space for people, including its employee, and how Welsh traditions suppressed by the English have bounced back (yes, there's a Mari Llwyd - shudder!). A very nicely done novel with a real feel for bookshops and a proper warmth.

Blog review published 25 September: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2024/09/25/covid-netgalley-reading-roundup-warona-jay-jack-strange-and-chandra-clarke/

This is an adorable holiday romcom that checks all the boxes. It's set in a cozy small town in Wales (Hay-on-Wye, which apparently is a real-life book town)! We've got the cute devoted bookseller Quinn and the sexy brooding author Noah.

Where Quinn loves his customers and the haven his bookstore has become to the local queer community, Noah has a complicated past with the quaint town and wants to get back to London as soon as he can.
But when everyone gets snowed in after the festival, and then they find out Quinn's LGBTQ+ bookshop is in danger. His author crush Noah is willing to help, along with a cast of characters like his super fun bestie Ivy, television reporter "Bloody" Blair Beckett, some romance fans, an influencer and a few drag queens. There are parties, protests, and book signings. But as Christmas day gets closer, the developer shows no sign of giving in. And Quinn and Noah are getting closer, further complicating things.
I loved the side story about the aging starlet, recluse who wants her biography written by Quinn. She has a great story and an interesting personality.
I also loved the ambiance and traditions of the small local town. It was its own character with cozy bookshops, inviting restaurants and a castle. I wanted to be there, bundled up, walking the snowy streets, and enjoying all the Welsch customs while drinking a hot beverage. The setting was definitely a highlight.

While I loved the romance between the main characters, I wanted more! They had great chemistry but so much was keeping them apart that sometimes I got frustrated at Noah for Quinn! Lol I just wanted to see more growth together between the two.

The ending was such a HEA! It was so satisfying! I loved this quote about Quinn's bookstore: "Kings & Queens was more than just a bookshop. It was a sanctuary, a respite, and a friend."

I have to mention a couple more things that made me love the book. First, I kept imagining Quinn as Joe Locke for some reason. That was just the vibe I got. So then the couple was just an aged up Charlie and Nick from Heartstoppers in my head. Lol Also, being a bookseller myself, I related to Quinn's passion and love of books. It felt authentic and you could tell the author understood working in a bookstore.
So if you like a good Hallmark holiday romcom with a little Alexis Hall feel, this is perfect for you to check out.

This was such a cute Christmas romance! It read like a Hallmark movie, which I am pretty sure was the author’s intention. Quinn is the proud owner of the only queer bookstore in Hay. He prides himself on creating a safe space for queer youth, families of LGBTQIA+, and anyone else who finds themselves in Kings and Queens. He sanctum is threatened by none other than his own stepfather. A man who puts business before Quinn’s and the people of Hay’s feelings. Quinn has to make a choice: Back down and allow Richard to do what he wants (which is his usual MO) or stick up for himself and finally learn how to fight back!

There were a lot of conflicts in this story, some of which I felt were not crucial to the story and could’ve been cut (*cough cough* Matty). This book just felt unnecessarily long at times and I think cutting out some of the unnecessary conflicts may have helped with that. The ending, although adorable, missed the mark a little for me. I wanted more. Some issues seemed to just magically solve themselves. I also wish Richard had gotten more comeuppance at the end; he just seemed to get everything he wanted and didn’t really care about the consequences.

Lastly, I would say that if you love cheesy Hallmark romances, then Look Up, Handsome is for you!

This is a perfect, feel-good, cosy up with the fire and Christmas tree lit behind you kind of book. Perfect Christmas read, simple and easy! This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

This book had me in the first 50%; it’s cute it’s hallmark it’s romcom then something happens in the 50% that really threw me off and it kind of felt out of left field and honestly the book goes downhill for me after that and it made me a little infuriated BUT obviously I kept reading so there’s that 🤣 what I liked? The Christmas vibes, the rom com vibes, the cute small town (that is an actual town that the author has been to I may add so I love that he wrote about something he knows and loves) what I didn’t like? The out of nowhere (at least it felt like that to me) plot developments and throwing things in to move the plot along that felt unnecessary. I really wanted to love this one but unfortunately it wasn’t my fav

The cover of this story is too cute and the synopsis had me hooked! Unfortunately the writing style in this novel was not for me.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.

Title: Look Up, Handsome

Author: Jack Strange

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

Thoughts in 3:
- The ultimate cute cosy Christmas romcom with all the hallmark movie vibes combined with cute small town Wales (Hay-on-Wye), that doesn’t scream Christmas so can be read any time. But also touches on some pretty deep topics and does so much more than tick the “cheesy romcom” box. Honestly this book is what dreams are made of.
- Quinn is everything we strive to be as future booksellers, he loves his beloved shop so much and his interactions with customers and the community that rallies around him just made my heart melt. Love a book about bookshops so much, especially when they touch on just how important indie bookshops are to communities.
- I’m not normally a huge slow burn fan, but Jack made it work so well in this one. We read the story from Quinn’s POV (although I’d love a bonus snippet or novella from Noah’s POV...), and the cheesy romance and character struggles just balanced perfectly to make the slow burn feel just right.

Recommend to:
- Anyone who loves a feel good romance, with well written commentary and exploration of some tougher subjects.
- Anyone who wants to support an up and coming author with his debut novel.
- Anyone looking to expand their reading into more diverse LGBTQ+ characters and content.

Look Up, Handsome is out 26th September! Jack’s next book, 25 Days in Athens is billed for 2025 and I personally cannot wait to get my hands on it!

The new adult vibes are strong in this one. I’m sure others will like it, but it’s not for me. It makes me think of the immortal words from Madonna: “A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.” I don’t have a lot of patience for characters who don’t stand up for themselves, and instead expect people to read their minds.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

’Tis the season to be jolly! Unless you’re Quinn Oxford that is. Quinn runs his small town’s sole queer bookshop and has done a pretty good job if he says so himself. However, after months of eviction notices, he can’t just ignore them anymore. The local castle is almost done with construction and the building his bookshop is located it will be reclaimed by the castle. Both his fate and the fate of his bookshop are inexplicably intertwined with that of Noah Sage, a popular romance artist that was born in this town. Will there be a Christmas miracle after all?

If you love Hallmark movies, then this is the book for you. Tropes and cliches abound. You have all the classics— city boy vs. small town romance, holiday deadlines to save your shop, among others. The storyline, while very Hallmarky, reads quickly and any conflicts find a swift resolution, so this book maintains its cozy, holiday charm. In my mind, some books try too hard to be different, but not everyone wants that. Some books are enjoyed best when you know everything is going to work out, and you get to just enjoy the ambience and the characters.

The ambience is where this book shines. It makes me want to book an airplane and an Air BnB and settle in for a white Christmas in a small town fully set away from the hustle and bustle of cities and real life. As for the characters, while Quinn definitely gets the most improved medal for his work throughout the book, his best friend, Ivy, is really the driving force behind the entire plot. She is the one that sets everything up and gets it to the finish line. Quinn just follows on her coattails. Quinn’s relationship with Noah burns hot and bright, but the save the bookshop storyline overshadows the relationship and building connections too much for me to really root for them.

Suffice to say, catch me in Wales in a few months for my own holiday getaway.

#netgalley #harpercollinsuk #lookuphandsome

Do you feel comfort in adorable, predictable Christmas movies? Then definitely read this M4M Christmas rom-com set in dreamy Wales. This is the type of book you want to sit in a big warm chair with on a snowy day. It doesn’t get much cozier than this!

A Christmas Queer romance is definitely up my street! This book was just so cute and cosy, it was so easy to get lost in this book.

Cozy Christmas Romance Read.

This book manages to hit on every Christmas and romance book cliche which is not a terrible thing.
During the festive season sometimes all you want is some low stakes Christmas joy where you are 99% certain everything will end up alright.

Oh course that means ticking off the Christmas Carol bingo card of - small town, mean ex, family issues, big money coming after the underdog, unlikely love and community spirit.

The dialogue is a little clunky and some of the characters could benefit from being more fleshed out. But this is a sweet book to while a way a few hours while drinking a hot chocolate.