I struggled through this book, it was so all over the place and so many random details that had nothing to do with the plot. I was not interested in the main characters. Characters were introduced in the book and had you thinking they played some part of the story and they would not be mentioned again or short snips of them. They had nothing to do with the story. This book did not come together well from the enemies to lovers trope.

This was fun but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. Not a bad book by any means, but just very very average.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC and allowing me to read this early.

Unfortunately this was not that great of a book. Romeo and Juliet?

It was an interesting premise but 25% through I couldn't get into it as much as I tried. I did not finish the book unfortunately

Hopefully this works for someone else

Meet Jules, our fmc currently working for a publishing form in London, when suddenly her mother informs her that her great aunt Flo is in trouble. Arriving home to her small hometown of Portneath, she realizes her Aunt Flo is in worst shape than she thought. Jules is left taking over for her aunt and attending the book shop which she realizes in on the brink on bankruptcy. To make matters worse, her mortal enemy, Roman Montbeau, opens up a fresh new book store right across the street. Faced with this competition, dwindling sales, and a lease up for renewal, she must try to win hearts of those around town while also drawing up new ideas to renew her 100 year old family bookstore.

While I did enjoy parts of this book, it took me a long time to get into. I felt parts were rushed and the explanation behind why Roman had "loved" her all these years was never really explained. He saw her in the green dress, loved her, and has been waiting for her all these years ??? It seems as though they picked up where they never started. They hated each other (secretly loved) and then were kissing. Anyway that aside, I did enjoy their romance and feel as though they brought out good sides in each other.

I also really enjoyed Charlie and Aunt Flo, along with the side characters. I loved the little mysteries and the plans to save their small town family book store. Once I got into it, I enjoyed. I have always loved a small town, family owned business background. The Romeo and Juliet aspect was fun!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Poppy Alexander for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

I had read lots of other previews of this book that it was going to be a must read of 2025. I was really looking forward to reading this one. I loved the Romeo and Juliet theme of the book, but I felt like there were parts of the book that fell very flat to me. I almost gave up reading this one about half way through but happy that I went ahead and finished. I just wish that we had dug more into their relationship than the bookshops and their rivalry.

There was a lot of British language used through out the book. It took me a bit to get used to that part of the book.


Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and Poppy Alexander for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Poppy Alexander, Avon, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The cover is so cute. It instantly caught my eye. But unfortunately, I was not a fan of this one at all. I did not like Jules or her self-deprecating ways.

Poppy Alexander's "The Battle of Bookshops" is a charming and heartwarming read perfect for book lovers. The story follows a small bookstore facing competition from a new rival, and the owner's determined fight to save it. With relatable characters, a sweet romance, and a strong emphasis on community and the love of reading, this book has it all. Alexander's engaging writing and well-paced plot make it a delightful escape. If you enjoy feel-good stories about love, passion, and community, this book is a must-read.

I loved the premise of the book and the setting. The interactions between characters felt awkward and often incomplete to me, which made the story difficult to follow. The storyline felt stuttered and abrupt at times. I also struggled with feeling like the ending was wrapped up too quickly without enough context. I unfortunately wanted to like this one a lot more than I actually did.

The Battle of Bookshops by Poppy Alexander is a heartwarming and delightful read that immediately captured my love for books and quirky characters. As someone who enjoys a good romance and a bit of lighthearted fun, this novel checked all the boxes for me.

The story revolves around a small, charming bookstore and the challenges it faces when a competing bookshop opens nearby. The characters are warm, relatable, and incredibly easy to root for. I loved the main character’s determination to save her beloved bookstore, and her journey is filled with both emotional moments and delightful humor. Watching her fight for something she’s passionate about made the story feel even more meaningful.

The romance was sweet and filled with tension, but it never overshadowed the book’s central theme: the importance of community, love for books, and the connections we make with others. I also really appreciated how the author created a strong sense of place within the bookstore, making it feel like a character in itself. The relationships between the characters, both romantic and platonic, were wonderfully developed and gave the book a lot of heart.

Poppy Alexander’s writing is easy to read and immersive, making it a great escape for anyone who loves a feel-good, bookish story with a dash of romance. The pacing was just right, keeping me engaged without ever feeling rushed or dragged out.

Overall, The Battle of Bookshops is a charming, cozy read that will make you smile and maybe even inspire you to support your local bookstore. If you love a story about finding love, following your passions, and the power of community, this book is definitely one I recommend.

This is a cute romance with lovable side characters and a really cool, unexpected witchy side plot, that could’ve been even better if it had spent more time on the side plot and relationships and less time repeating the main characters’ last names.

When I first noticed the significance of their names (Jules
Capelthorne and Roman Montbeau), I was kicking my feet and grinning. When their names were constantly repeated every few pages and characters made very explicit references to them being Romeo and Juliet, I was a little frustrated and distracted from enjoying the story.

Jules and Roman are kinda idiots (affectionately) but I loved them so much. I would have loved to see more of their solo dates or conversations at the family tomb, as well as a little bit more pining.

Over all, if it had trusted the reader a little more to recognize the Romeo and Juliet influence, I think I would have enjoyed it more, but if you’re looking for a quick literary-themed romance, this one is cute and does the job!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC!

Jules is forced to return home after receiving a desperate text from her mother about her great-aunt's health. Jules returns home only to run into the town's golden boy, Roman, who she may have had a small crush on in school. After learning her aunt's health is not as dire a state as was thought, Jules stays to help her aunt run the bookshop... only to find out Roman has also returned to town to open a bookshop across the street. And did I mention their families are rivals? An adorable Romeo and Juliet retelling set around bookshops and small towns, this book is the perfect cozy feel-good read.

This modern day romance is influenced by Romeo and Juliet but with many other story elements as well! It had enough plot twists to keep you guessing as you kept on reading!

This was a good read! It was very slow at some parts and then very quickly a HUGE development would happen and it felt very choppy to me. But I loved the idea behind the story and of course I love a book that centers around books! The characters were very fun too.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun, quick, cute story.

Roman and Jules were adorable, but I do feel like their relationship was a bit rushed. I know it was an enemies to lovers, Romeo and Juliet inspired story, and it did that well. The story was cute, and Aunt Flo is a hilarious name for a character.

I would definitely read another by this author.

3.5

Romeo and Juliet retelling. Jules comes back to town to care for her 80 year old aunt that raised her, after she falls and breaks her leg. Her aunt runs a bookstore, that’s has been in the family for 100 years. Her rival comes into town at the same time to open up a bookstore right next door. Their families have been rivals for 100s of years. They start to compete with each other and fall in love.

First, let me say I did enjoy this book but it has many flaws. It mentions their names way too often, yes we get it it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling but we know their names. Secondly, the romance is the one of the most important parts of the book but they fall in love quickly and we are given that much detail. The author spends way more time on the group dates with his friends than on the one on one dates. All of their romantic moments seem to have happened off page. For a romance book there doesn’t seem to be much romance involved.
Additionally, there are so many characters discussed that really don’t need to be in the book. She could have spent that time on the romance or other main storylines of the book. Maybe some scenes were edited that would have given us more back story to the feud or more character development for Roman.
Also maybe it was me but the author is writing this at a very high level. I’m well read and I read a lot books written by English authors but I had to use a dictionary multiple times. I have never had to look up so many words. Again maybe that was me but I read 200 last year and I hadn’t encountered that issue before. I really thought I had a vast vocabulary but this one changed my opinion.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. I loved the story line with the great aunt and Jules, I also loved the historical background of the town, and the families. I loved the details about the historical buildings the story is set in. I loved the details about the antique books. I also really enjoyed the storyline about Bidy and her journalist grimiore. I just wish the main part of the story wasn’t rushed. Or that the romance part of the book was erased completely and that the focus was on the dueling bookshops and the relationship between the great aunt and Jules.

Overall I think this book is worth reading. I would recommend it with a few caveats.

Cute bookish romance and exploration of family dynamics. Side characters are interesting too and feels like there could be a whole Portneath series about the different couples. I received this as an ARC from Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley.

Thank you Netgalley for choosing me to review yet another arc! This was such a sweet treat. The plot was deliciously executed. We follow two characters names Roman and Poppy. Poppy is helping run her Aunt Flo's bookstore because it has become harder for her to run it alone as Aunt Flo is getting older, and as you can probably imagine.. the store needs a little help. Cut to Roman who decided to open a bookshop right across the street from Poppy and Aunt Flo's bookshop! You can imagine the banter between both Poppy and Rowan after that second bookshop pops open! I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for everyone to be able to read it in August!!

This was a sweet, cozy read. Will recommend to my friends that love Annabel Monaghan books as well. I do wish the POVs were even though--could have heard more from Roman.

The overview of this book was so intriguing - I thought perhaps it was a little like “you’ve got mail” but I was pleasantly surprised it was more old world. A lot of reviews shared that it felt very Romeo and Juliet and I would agree with that. It is very bookshop focused with romance being the co star. I think I don’t connect to the family rivalry so much so that took some stars off for me, but I think someone one who enjoys that trope or even wants something with a more traditional flair this would be a great option.

As someone who is an avid reader, works in a bookstore and sells bookish things, I was so excited to read this book!

The author does a wonderful job of making the world come to life with beautiful descriptions of the town and shops. I must say that I was initially inspired to read this ARC because I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance and with a bookstore twist? I was IN! However, the book glosses over much of the romance between the people. It is a Romeo and Juliet inspired couple (with multiple references to this throughout the book, but the depth of their romance is not really explored. This book is very much a love letter to small, independent bookstores, and as much as I love a good book with romance, I can hardly blame someone for loving the bookstores themselves.