This was a very quick read but it didn’t hold my attention much. It’s still a decent read.
Thank you netgalley for the arc!

This one had you've got mail vibes and I'm here for. I'm a sucker for dueling bookshop so to speak. It was quick fun read.

This was a bit too cringey for my taste. From the setting and names to the overall plot was just predictable and eye roll worthy. It wasn’t a bad bad read but just did nothing for me.

A sweet, heartwarming and cozy read. Loved everything about this. Easy and quick to get through. Great for anyone that feels like they are in a book slump.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, why was there no mention anywhere of this being a Romeo and Juliet re-telling? It caught me off guard when I started the book.

But not only is this a Romeo and Juliet re-telling, but the play is mentioned by the characters multiple times? I really did not like that this is a Romeo and Juliet re-telling, in a world where Romeo and Juliet, written by Shakespeare, exists. Again, this threw me off and took me out of the book.

In terms of the story itself, on paper, there is nothing wrong with it, but the execution is very rushed. That goes for both the plot of the book (saving the bookshop) and the relationships (Jules and Roman interacted a handful of times in the first 50% of the book, but were somehow in love after their first date? They don’t know each other!!!).

A lot of depth was missing from the story all around, which ties into it feeling very rushed. I would’ve liked to see Jules and Roman’s relationship build naturally and them actually get to know each other. I would’ve liked to see the book shop ACTUALLY get saved instead of it just happening in a summary in the epilogue. Also, side characters would just pop in and out, like Freya who was Jules’s best friend in the first half, but that we never saw in the second half despite them living down the street from each other.

Overall, there was potential with this story, but in practice, almost every aspect fell flat and needed more work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced eARC for an honest review.

I wanted to like this one since it was a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but sadly, it fell flat for me. I liked the premise of the two MCs feuding through their respective bookshops, but the chemistry between the two felt nonexistent. Once they were finally together, everything felt rushed—mostly because of the other subplots happening in the book. There was too much emphasis on the Bridget Capelthorne story and not enough on the romance between Roman and Jules.

Cute little romcom! Lighthearted and easy to read. Keep you entertained. My first book of hers but excited to read more!!

This was such a cute fun read. I had issues with the pacing and missing the romance between the two characters. Overall 3.5 stars!

I just finished The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander. Wow, what a great book. It was a five star read!

The dialogue was brutal and the premise a bit childish… I really tried to enjoy this but I just could not get over the juvenile nature of the writing and storyline.

While I love forbidden romance and slow burns and am a fan of Romeo and Juliet, something about this retelling didn't catch my attention as I had hoped. It ended up being a DNF about a third of the way through.

Great for those who love a literary-themed story! This will be a winner with book groups (especially if they include librarians or bookshop workers).

DNF @ 65% -- I tired so hard to push through with this one and it just wasn't working for me. The story moved forward so slowly. There was absolutely no chemistry between the couple. The only interesting character was the dead witch from 1656.

You should read this book if you love the following:
-Romeo and Julet Retelling
-Rival Bookstores
-Enemies-to-Lovers
-Slow Burn

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately Battle of the Bookshops was quite underwhelming over from characters that felt poorly developed to a bland romance and an ending I found frankly stupid. I didn’t care for the FMC but I didn’t despise her like I did the MMC who said some things I found disgusting. A positive I did find was the bookshop atmosphere at the beginning of the book which gradually faded as we dealt with issues never truly resolved.

This book is an absolute delight—a heartwarming tale of rivalry, family legacies, and the magic of independent bookstores. Set in the charming seaside town of Portneath, The Battle of the Bookshops captures the nostalgia of dusty bookshelves and the fierce determination to keep history alive, even in the face of modern competition.

Jules Capelthorne has always loved Capelthorne’s Books, the beloved bookshop run by her great-aunt Florence. But with the store on the brink of bankruptcy and a lease renewal looming, she’s forced to fight for its survival. Enter Roman Montbeau—her childhood nemesis and heir to the wealthy family that owns half the town—who opens a sleek, modern bookshop directly across the street. The rivalry between them is immediate, and Jules is determined to prove that passion and tradition can triumph over profit and marketing.

The banter between Jules and Roman is full of tension and charm, making for a classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic that slowly transforms into something deeper. Their families’ long-standing feud, combined with their undeniable chemistry, creates the perfect Romeo & Juliet-style love story—with plenty of bookish charm thrown in. The supporting cast, from Aunt Flo’s wisdom to the quirky bookshop assistant Charlie, adds warmth and humor to the story.

Beyond the romance, this book is a love letter to independent bookstores and small-town communities. It beautifully explores themes of tradition versus progress, the importance of perseverance, and the magic of books bringing people together. The subplot surrounding an ancient grimoire mystery adds an extra layer of intrigue, making this more than just a romance—it’s a celebration of literature, family, and the power of storytelling.

If you love cozy, feel-good reads with endearing characters, witty rivalry, and a setting that makes you want to curl up with a book in a charming little shop, The Battle of the Bookshops is a must-read.

Battle of the Bookshops is like if "Romeo and Juliet" and "You've Got Mail" were put into a blender. Jules Capelthorne moves back to Portneath to work at her Great Aunt's bookshop but longtime crush and longtime enemy Roman Montbeau opens a newer, hotter bookshop right across the street. Sparks ensue. This is a great read while traveling or at the beach.

This was such a cozy read! I love bookish romance and this did not disappoint. The Battle of the Bookshops included likable characters, Shakespearian connections, enemies to lovers vibes and even a witchcraft subplot!
The Montbeau and Capelthorne families have been rivals for years. Julia Capelthorne returns to her home town to help her aging great aunt with the small, independent bookstore that's been in the Capelthorne family for 100 years. Roman Montbeau, her very wealthy and handsome rival, opens a large contemporary bookstore right across the street from her aunt's bookstore. There is an instant attraction between the two rivals but can their relationship last through the competition and family history?
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for a fun and charming book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book. It had an enemies to lovers and Romeo and Juliet vibes . I love the characters and the premise of the book was great. I love how the two bookstores were dueling together and how the two main characters catch feelings for each other! It reminded me of the movie “you’ve got mail” . I will continue to read more from this author and I highly recommend this book. It was funny, exciting and heartwarming!

This was my first time reading something by Poppy Alexander, and I enjoyed this modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. This is a nice and cozy story set between two feuding families and just a perfect ending. I will have to say that the romance building, the dates and overall chemistry, is off page so it does feel like we are skimming through their story. While I did enjoy the ending, I wish we got to see more of their chemistry and development of their relationship.