UGHH. I hate when I want to love a book so badly and it just falls flat.

A modern day telling of Romeo and Juliet - Jules is called home to help her aunt run a failing bookshop, while her family's archnemesis, Roman, opens a brand-new bookshop across the street. What ensues is so predictable and boring.

This was supposed to be slow burn, but honestly the fire never started. The writing was beautiful, but the characters had absolutely no chemistry and it felt like insta love. Writers put so much love into their work, so I hate to give a negative review, but this one just totally missed the mark. Great storyline with poor execution.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

Ty is was slow..too slow. If it takes me 50% to get into the book then it’s a no for me.

Love love loved The Battle of the Bookshops.
It did take me a bit to get into the story and to fully understand some of the characters' actions, BUT, it did not disappoint once the plot really started moving!
Full Review to come.

Review an eARC courtesy of Netgalley:

A little slow to start but picked up at the halfway mark once the main characters started spending time together. Sometimes the Romeo and Juliet parallels seemed forced. I was a little confused by the grimoire plot line but it eventually paid off. I wish there was more done to establish Roman falling for Jules. I appreciated the European setting as a reader from the States.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-book arc copy to read.

This is a modern day Romeo and Juliet story meets battle of the bookshops. The story is brimming with so much angst, longing, self discovery and family relationships. There was the perfect mix of drama and happiness. I do wish there was more dialogue between Roman and Julia because I feel like that was missing in their relationship but nevertheless the story flowed well and all the parts connected and ended well in my opinion. 📖✨

I love a good little romance to cleanse my pallet between my other genres, add bookshops and I'm sold. I really enjoyed this cozy little romance. When I first read the description for this, I got "You've Got Mail" vibes and instantly had to read it. I was not disappointed. Of course you hate Roman at first, but then as you read more about the history and his character, things start to make sense as to why he behaves the way he does. I really enjoyed this read, it was perfect with my tea and blanket.

A super cute, clean read that was perfect for the quick holiday read!

This book is in 3rd person POV, and if you know me, this isn't my favorite style of writing. However, I think the story was told beautifully and I have to give some credit there! As far as the characters go, Jules and Roman were great and I loved their journey.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc!

It's Romeo and Juliet but there are books involved in some fashion. It's a typical romance. It was not for me.

A bookish take on "Romeo and Juliet" it was so sweet and enemies-to-lovers, I just adored it and needed it in my life on this holiday season. Thank you for writing this feel good book.

1. Not enough people are talking about how this is a modern day Romeo and Juliet.

2. It’s not good enough to talk about.

3. UGH WHYYYYY i wanted to like this one soooo much but everything about these characters is dry and boring. The new toaster i got in the mail yesterday is more exciting than this book and I hate that I slogged through it.

4. If you have a friend that says they like Shakespeare but only knows R + J, they will likely love this book.

I absolutely loved this book!!! Poppy Alexander was a new to me author that has now turned into an instant buy author. I loved this banter and I could not get enough. How long do I have to wait to read it again?

This is my first review of an ARC from NetGalley and I was so excited to read it...until I started.

I just could not stay awake and was not interested in the characters or plot. Some things felt so random (the first half focuses on Jules reconnecting with her best friend, immediately being asked to be her MoH...then Freya isn't in the rest of the book? Oh and the MoH doesnt even know until the day of who's walking the brude down the aidle or who the best man is.)

The dialogue and interactions felt very juvenile for adults. Jules big hang up on Roman...is that she thinks he laughed at her in middle (maybe high?) School for having toilet paper on her shoe? Oh and the self depreciating that this adult woman still "doesn't fit in with the cool kids" and then stares at every attractive guys mouth?

Not for me. Wish I had a better review for my first ARC

Firstly, thank you NetGalley for the ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I struggled with this one. I liked the premise but had difficuly getting interested and found the pacing to be slow. I thought the Romeo and Juliet aspects were interesting but felt the author was too heavy handed with it, almost as if she didn't trust the readers to pick up on the clues.

Overall, a cute read, but fell a little flat for me. I think fans of Sarah Adams would like this book as I got similar vibes.

This book felt a little slow in the beginning but I loved the characters, the Romeo and Juliet inspiration, and the vibes all around. Excited to read more of Poppy's books!

This was the most perfect book! I don't know what it is but every time there is the competing bookstore trope, I eat it up. No questions asked. This was done beautifully and I loved every second of it

I give this a solid 3.5 stars. There were just a few character flaws and storyline issues that I found distracting. The cadence and the dialogue though, those were light and very Romeo and Juliet. I adored the research put into bookselling and what it means to own and operate a bookshop. If a lighthearted romance and books are your jam, I'd add this to your TBR!

Down to the nitty gritty:
Jules with the red hair is also a prominent character in the very popular Twisted series. Once I read the name of the character and description, it was the same. I'd change her name to actually Julia through the whole book, or maybe Julianna. Since I've already read the Twisted Love series, I just kept thinking of that character and getting distracted.

Chapter 3: If Aunt Flo is 86, I'd have her break a wrist. It's not truly realistic in the time frame set up that she'd be back on her feet that soon after breaking a leg.

Chapter 4: Privilege of birth does create class disparity, as well as social. I'm not sure I'd spout that a white guy with very rich upbringing and family has it tough coming to America. Also, show don't tell. As a reader, I enjoy a scene being set and painted instead of being told things - don't tell me it feels like her birthright is a curse; show me. Tell me a tale from her childhood that made her resent it, etc.

Chapter 8: There's a part where it says "stars" instead of "stairs." Also, her attitude by this chapter was starting to grate on me. I get being gloomy but her outright vitriol towards Roman was a bit overboard. PS How'd she drool over Cally and then just never actually have a conversation with the girl?

Chapter 9: Please use adjectives. I personally hate the use of the word "thing." I get it, it can be cutesy and useful for some people, but I want description. I want you to paint a picture, set the scene. This makes the storyline feel immature.

Chapter 14: This is where it came to a head. Jules was a truly awful maid of honor. The whole time during the wedding, all she was focused on was the yellow dress that she was convinced made her look ugly. Even her acceptance of the role of maid of honor made me roll my eyes, it couldn't have been more lukewarm. And then to not even make a speech on top of it? Weren't you best friends at one point? Why not put in some more effort than the bare minimum, after ditching her during the bachelorette party even. I feel like the wedding was very rushed, and I almost wish that Jules had been sick and hadn't gone. Just have her scroll through instagram and see pictures. She was barely a good wedding guest. And wouldn't she have met Roman at the rehearsal? Why wasn't there a rehearsal? Also, calling an elaborate meal for this wedding "unmemorable" just took the cake. I had to put this book down for a few days. Poor Freya. She and Finn, I almost wish I'd had their love story to follow.

Chapter 16: The audible eye roll when Roman said "it'll be my special name for you" when.... it's literally her government name. Also, take out the Tourette's syndrome reference as a descriptor for someone's behavior when they don't even have the syndrome. It's mad insensitive and I was really surprised that in 2024 that this passed (I'd assume) some sort of inspection before being let out as an ARC.

Chapter 21: I'm confused why this Brynlee had them meet in person? Why was that necessary at this point? It truly seemed like saying I have a theory but it's vague and probably won't work out could have been an email.

Acknowledgements: I'd thank your readers and your fan base at the end, then list your socials.

Jules and Roman, have families that have feuding for years, and now have bookstores in the same small town. Obviously will be conflict. A Romeo and Juilet story, and was a fun and easy read. Would recommend.

2.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️. 5

I’ve got to admit I’ve read 3 books recently about rivals bookshops and lately they have all fallen flat. This story focuses on two rival families similar to Romeo and Juliet, who have a bookstore directly across from each other. Of course it is supposed to be an “enemies” to lovers story , but I never felt it between Roman and Jules. The Capelthorne’s and Montbeau family have a history, but me as the reader? I could hardly care.

The characters and storytelling fell flat for me. unfortunately. Merlin was the best part. Other than that, I really can’t add more to this review. I didn’t care for the characters or story. Of course, give it a fair shot, but I can’t recommend it to you to read.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Poppy Alexander, and NetGalley for this free e-copy for my honest review. #BattleOfTheBookshops #NetGalley #ARC

Cute quick palate cleanser with a Romeo and Juliet vibe but set in a bookstore setting. A little history and a little romance. Perfect blend of fun reading!

This is another retelling of Romeo and Juilet without the death. I took me a lot longer than it should have to read this because it was a bit boring and the main character to me was a bit annoying. She would cry and get emotional at thr drop of a hat. However, the character Aunt Flo was my favorite and I l9ve her ending of the story.