⭐️ 3/5

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

I was really excited to read this book, especially since enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and the premise had so much potential!

The beginning was cute and quite funny, and I enjoyed the rivalry between them. I really liked that the FMC, Kate, definitely held her ground against the more grumpy MMC, Sebastian.

However, as the story progressed, I felt like it lost a bit of its momentum. The character motivations seemed to shift in a way that didn't quite have the depth I was hoping for, and I found myself wishing for a bit more development to keep the intrigue high towards the end.

I really enjoyed this book it was nice and easy to read and although I loved the subplot of the letters it was confusing at the start of every chapter for the first 25% of the book. I can’t wait to see the art work that goes in at the end of each chapter

A book about books and bookstores? I was so ready to fall in love with Book People. Unfortunately, while the premise had promise, the execution left me feeling a little... underwhelmed.

What I Loved

Let’s start with the good stuff! I’m always a sucker for a story set in a bookstore, and Book People absolutely delivers on that front. The atmosphere, the love of literature woven throughout, and the charm of bookish characters—it’s the kind of setting that makes any book lover feel right at home.

There were also moments that really worked. The exploration of grief, trauma, and personal growth added depth to the story. The FMC's journey, in particular, had some touching moments that made me empathise with her struggle to move forward. I also appreciated the themes of family expectations and legacy, even if they were a little heavy-handed at times.

What Fell Flat

Now, the romance. This was supposed to be an enemies-to-lovers story, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. The tension that makes this trope so compelling was missing, and instead, we got a dynamic that felt... off.

The MMC? Honestly, a bit of a wanker. He’s self-absorbed, stuck in his own head, and completely fixated on his family history as if it dictates his entire existence. While I can appreciate a character struggling with their past, his attitude made it hard to root for him as a love interest. He lacked the charm or growth to balance out his more frustrating traits.

Then there’s the FMC, who is understandably traumatised from a previous relationship. While her struggles were valid and made sense for her character, they sometimes overshadowed the romance. There were sections where I found myself skimming because her internal monologue felt repetitive. It’s important to represent trauma in a meaningful way, but in this case, it slowed the pacing and made certain parts drag.

Final Thoughts

Book People had all the ingredients for a cosy, bookish romance, but it didn’t quite come together the way I’d hoped. If you love books about books, it might still be worth picking up but don’t expect a top-tier enemies-to-lovers romance. The setting was lovely, and there were some good emotional beats, but the lack of chemistry and frustrating character dynamics kept this from being a standout read for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A decent read, but not a favourite.

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for an eArc of this book; my thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found this just such a perfect, cozy read for the deep cold that we recently had. I loved the idea of two rival bookshops filling completely different niches. The two main characters, Kate and Sebastian, had a lot of depth. I loved the parallel story running through the book of their great-grandparents. As a kiwi, I was excited to see the book was written by a fellow kiwi and loved the nudges to New Zealand.

After a breakup, Kate starts a bookshop in a building she has inherited in the small town of Wychtree. Her shop is opposite another bookshop that sells a completely different type of books and focuses on a different clientele. The owner of said bookshop, Sebastian, seems to dislike her, for reasons Kate can’t figure out.

"Book People" by Jackie Ashenden is perfect for those who love books about books. The romantic and sexual tension between rival bookstore owners is definitely engaging.
The pacing was a bit slow at times, and the characters could have benefited from a little more development. Overall, this was a light, heartwarming read. I can definitely say I learned a few new words!

Book People by Jackie Ashenden is a cosy, funny rom-com that’s perfect for book lovers. Picture You’ve Got Mail but with more tea, grumpy blokes, and a dash of small-town charm.

Kate, the cheerful bookseller who loves romance novels, and Sebastian, the uptight owner of the posh bookshop across the street, are a classic enemies-to-lovers pair. Their banter is sharp and hilarious, and the slow-burn tension between them is delicious. The small-town setting is so quaint you can practically smell the old books and hear the gossipy locals.

That said, Sebastian’s grumpiness can be a bit over-the-top at times, and the ending feels a tad rushed, Still, it’s a fun, feel-good read with plenty of heart and just enough spice to keep things interesting. If you’re after something light, funny, and bookish, this one’s worth a go—just don’t expect Pride and Prejudice levels of depth.

Thank you Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this book early!

I loved the premise of this book when I first read it but unfortunately it fell a bit flat.

I enjoyed the plot for the most part and seeing Sebastian and Kate get their happy ending but I can’t really get over Sebastian’s attitude for the first part of the book. I completely get some hostility but he was borderline insufferable with his rudeness towards Kate before he got to know her.

Unfortunately not the book for me.

Thanks to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really cute story surrounded by books and letters/ghosts from the past. The male lead is a very frustrating, grumpy man because of whom I almost stopped reading several times but the female lead brought me back. She is real, strong and confident woman who balanced it out, I guess that is the whole fun behind the the grumpy-sunshine trope.

Books plus romance = catnip. A very cute and easy read. Decent chemistry between Kate and Sebastian made for an enjoyable read.3 🌟

I tried it, I didn't like it much. The enemies to lovers trope moved too fast and honestly, I didn't like the main character. It wasn't enough for me to keep going as I have a TBR list taller than Mt. Everest.

This book had so many points where the reader is able to really connect with the characters. You get a good plot, relatable characters, some spice and an ending that makes you love books like this.

I wanted to like Book People, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me. The characters felt a bit over-the-top and hard to connect with, and the complications in the plot often seemed far-fetched rather than adding depth to the story. It made it tough to fully invest in the romance.

While I’m sure this book will appeal to some readers who enjoy more dramatic, larger-than-life scenarios, it didn’t really hit the mark for me personally.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This is a sweet book for book lovers and anyone who has ever wanted to move to a small town and open up a book shop. I enjoy a good enemies to lovers trope. I also liked the mystery elements in this book.

Book People is a charming romance about Kate, a passionate bookseller, and her dream of opening a shop dedicated to the fun and popular genre fiction she loves. Her plans hit a snag when Sebastian, the rigid owner of a highbrow bookstore across the street, disapproves of her approach to literature. As their professional rivalry heats up, the two are forced to work together on the town’s literary festival, and sparks fly—both good and bad. Their growing attraction is undeniable, but can they overcome their differences?

Sebastian is stubborn to a fault, and Kate has her share of issues, but their dynamic is fun to read. They challenge and complement each other in ways that feel genuine, making their budding relationship both frustrating and sweet. Their witty banter and the tension between them kept me hooked throughout the story.

One of the highlights of the book is the subplot involving long-lost love letters, which adds a heartwarming layer to the story. It tied in beautifully with the literary theme and gave the romance an extra touch of charm. Book People is perfect for readers who adore stories about books and love. It’s a cozy and delightful read that celebrates the joy of reading and the magic of unexpected connections.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this copy! I really enjoyed the writing style and found myself very interested in how the characters were constructed. I think it'll be perfect for my genre fiction book club who often have arguments / struggles with things being "guilty pleasure" versus being "worth it" and I think this book is a great example of worth it and yet still fun!

This charming romance follows Kate and Sebastian, rival bookstore owners in a small town, whose opposite personalities and literary preferences spark an unlikely love story. With themes of community, bookish passion, and personal baggage, the novel blends humor and heartfelt moments. The subplot of historical letters adds a sweet touch, though unresolved family drama and loose story threads leave the ending feeling incomplete. Despite occasional repetition, witty banter, engaging side characters, and the cozy small-town setting make this a delightful read for fans of bookshop-themed romances.

I really wanted to like this book, but I must say that it left a lot to be desired. The premise was interesting but the way it was executed was not the best, it seems as if you have all the pieces of the puzzle, but somehow they don't fit. I feel that the relationship of the main characters was a bit forced; In my opinion, the author tried to get them to have experiences in common so that they could get closer, but that connection was simply not felt. As for the characters, I understand that they both have their struggles and flaws, but there were times when I honestly couldn't stand their inner-thoughts sometimes. The subplot of Kate and Sebastian's ancestors was creative and emotional; The mystery of the love letters was something that I loved, and I am encouraged to continue reading. There are times when I liked it when the characters make references to books or describe their love for reading, but there was a point that became annoying and unpleasing. I have a love-hate relationship with the last chapters, since there were some that were repetitive and tedious as well as some that were good. Although I liked the final moment between Kate and Sebastian, I was disappointed that this book didn't have an epilogue. Despite all that, the book also leaves an emotional message of how you decide how you want the direction of your life to be and fight for it. Overall, this book is for someone looking to read a romance with a bit of mystery and an immense love for books.


Thanks Netgalley for this ARC

1.5 ⭐️
This was gonna be a 1 but the last like 20 pages made this deserve a higher rating. This book sounded right up my alley but I just couldn’t get into it. I didn’t feel any connection to the characters and felt like they didn’t stand out to me. I didn’t see them as being a good couple either. Sebastian’s character really wasn’t for me, I can see that the author was trying to go for the dark, brooding MMC, but he just came across as arrogant and rude. Kate was a bit better, I enjoyed her character much more but still wasn’t a huge fan. If Sebastian said “We Blackwood men are cursed with women” one more time I was gonna lose it. The story was very slow paced and I felt like it kept moving in circles and no progress was even made in the story until almost 70% in. I was tempted to dnf but didn’t because I wanted to see how the story was gonna keep playing out and the plot concept was good, but I just don’t think it was executed well.

Thank you Netgalley for this E-ARC for my honest review

Jackie Ashenden’s Book People is a delightful romantic comedy centered on two rival booksellers, Kate and Sebastian, who couldn’t be more different. Kate’s enthusiasm for accessible, genre fiction clashes with Sebastian’s preference for highbrow classics, leading to constant friction as they work together on a town literary festival. But beneath the rivalry lies undeniable chemistry, turning their sharp banter into something far more intimate.

Set in a lively small town with quirky residents, the story weaves humor, romance, and heartfelt moments. Ashenden masterfully contrasts Kate’s sunny, free-spirited nature with Sebastian’s reserved demeanor, making their journey from adversaries to lovers feel both refreshing and genuine. For fans of romantic comedies and stories about the power of books, Book People is an irresistible read that charms from beginning to end.

if you want and are in the need for some cozy and bookish vibes just go for it because this story’s waiting for welcoming you in its world and capturing you with its beauty and warmth!

thank you to headline, the author and netgalley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!