DNF. I don't like the trope of competing for your job. I couldn't get into it. I did like the idea of a straight man owning a romance bookstore.

Battle of the Bookstores was the perfect mix of bookish banter, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of chaos. Josie and Ryan were like a walking, talking (and bickering) enemies-to-lovers masterclass—she was all structure and spreadsheets, he was all charm and chaos, and watching them clash over everything from event planning to the importance of romance novels was an absolute delight.
The bookstore rivalry? Top-tier entertainment. The secret online friendship? Chef’s kiss. The moment they realized they were unknowingly falling for each other both IRL and behind the screen? I squealed. This book gave me You’ve Got Mail vibes in the best way possible but with even more bookish magic.
The author delivered a rom-com that was equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, with just enough angst to make the happily ever after extra satisfying. If you love grumpy/sunshine, workplace rivalry, and characters who are one bookish debate away from accidentally confessing their feelings, this one is a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have a soft spot for stories that pay homage to She Loves Me/ You’ve Got Mail. I fell in love with my husband over emails and phone calls , so I have a soft spot for when characters’ relationships evolve through the written word. I think there is something extra sweet about it. I liked that this book dealt with some real issues but it wasn’t too heavy. It was definitely a love story to independent book stores, too, and how important they are to community. I felt like the conclusion was very satisfying, as well.

As a fan of You’ve Got Mail, I absolutely adored this book. It was everything I hoped it would be. Thank you Berkley and NetGalley.

The Battle of the Bookstores is very You've Got Mail coded, which, for me is an absolute win. I will never tire of that kind of set up between characters! As well, there are tons of references for Romance fans scattered throughout the book which are fun & validating that it is a genre worth one's time. While Josie and Ryan are initially set up to be rivals by their stores owner, the more they get to know one another, the more they realize that despite their differences, they're actually better together as a team. As a reader, it was lovely to see their friendship and trust develop over the span of the book, and of course, then blossom into romantic love. The Battle of the Bookstores will certainly appeal to fans of the genre and lovers and all things indie bookstores.

I really enjoyed this book! I will say I think I liked the first half a bit more than the second but I loved the book store rivalry and the relationship between the 2 main characters! Overall really enjoyable!

I have read a lot of romance and a lot of bookish centered romance. An enemies to lovers between rival bookstore owners isn't a new theme for me but when I say that this is a top tier one I wouldn't be exaggerating!

There was something so unique about the two perspectives. Both were very well written and well rounded characters. You become just as invested in them as individuals with their own hang ups and hopes and dreams as you were cheering on their stumbling relationship. And I am always a suckering for books with books in them and this one has the perfect references in the romance genre and literary fiction! Over all pleasantly surprised and finished it in a day!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

4.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Wow. I really enjoyed this one. Two bookstore managers competing to run one large bookstore? My enemies to lovers, You've Got Mail loving heart will eat this up every time. The characters were so fascinating. The authors gave them so much depth and the chemistry! The enemies to lovers vibes were immaculate. After getting through the first 15% to set the story up, it was all fast moving from there and I found myself invested in the story and the characters.I love that the characters kind of being opposite of what you expect. I don't often read books where the FMC is a bit more prickly and the MMC is more open and softer. I also love a tall man in glasses, so it didn't hurt that Ryan wore glasses. I have also decided that I resonate with Ryan and not being able to keep his car clean. I TRY and it doesn't work out. This book was a love letter to bookstores and romance and I had a blast.

Closed door modifications: (mentions throughout the book) 25, 27, 30

This book was such a delightful read! From the very first page, I found myself completely immersed in the story. The writing was so approachable and warm, making it easy to connect with the characters and the plot. I loved how the book felt both inviting and engaging, without ever being too complex or hard to follow. It was just the right mix of comfort and intrigue, and I truly enjoyed every moment of it. It’s a wonderful read that I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a heartwarming escape!

This charming enemies-to-lovers story, with the added delight of books, books, books! will capture your heart. Coolly intellectual Josie and warm, emotional Ryan are set in competition by their heartless landlord--only one bookstore will survive. One of the inventive parts of the story is their secret on-line relationship. If they only knew that they were forming a deep friendship with one another, maybe their competition could go in a different direction! But when they discover the truth... no spoilers but it will keep you guessing until nearly the end! A gift-of-the-magi type almost-resolution had me laughing and cringing at once. Definitely 5 stars!

All the feels! All the nostalgia!
Every fan of bookshops and films that feature books will fall for this book!

"Elaine, the store's original owner and my first and only boss, created this little corner of the world to be a little haven for the tenderhearted: those who love love but don't always feel deserving of it. She'd be proud of how we've grown, carrying the books to back up our motto - Everyone deserves a love story."

I absolutely adore Josie's mom. Could she be my favorite character? "Those 'silly books' show me that anyone can be brave and try again," she tells Josie. And that advice goes for anybody, and whatever books they enjoy.

"It's not about the happy ending - it's believing that you're worthy of one."

Battle of the Bookstores is the ultimate bookish romcom. Literary references abound — from classics (Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden) to modern favorites (Lucy Score, Ali Hazelwood, [and speaking of Ali, there’s “Knitting and Knotting” event at the romance bookstore OMG]). It’s a love letter to bookstores, booksellers, and book lovers. It’s packed with moments where the characters wax poetic about reading in a way that made me feel SO seen. Also, it’s very hot. It’s AB’s first true romance novel and it delivers!

Now, if that weren’t enough, it’s a retelling of You’ve Got Mail — my favorite movie OF ALL TIME (I could quote it start to finish). Josie runs the indie literary bookshop, while Ryan manages the romance bookstore around the corner (HA). Both stores are owned by resident bad guy Xavier, who plans to merge them. The catch? The manager who brings in the highest profit will take over the new store… while the other is either demoted or out of a job. I love this set up because it fixes the biggest flaw of most YGM retellings: miscommunication as the central conflict. Here, Josie and Ryan have a shared enemy, and their battle to save their stores drives the tension instead.

This book is a delight — it’s got romance, humor, spice, and BOOKS ON BOOKS ON BOOKS. It’s about to become my entire personality — consider yourselves warned. In the immortal words of Kathleen Kelly, “Read it! I know you’ll love it!"

The perfect book for any book lover out there!

I have no words to describe this book; it was just that good. If you’re wanting a page turning book about books, look no further.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Reading the description, I figured this book would be an obvious choice for me. Competing independent book shops, characters who love to read, enemies to lovers trope, etc.

Unfortunately, I really struggled to get into this one. I started it and then it took me months to finish. I didn’t find the characters believable or all that compelling.

Looking at other reviews, I definitely seem to be alone in these feelings. I’m sure this book will find an audience… it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A fun, lighthearted romance that book lovers will particularly enjoy -- who can resist a rom-com set in not just one, but two bookstores? Josie runs a bookstore that focuses on serious literary works. Ryan, two doors down, manages a store that focuses on romance. When the wealthy investor who owns both stores decides to consolidate the two bookstores, incorporating the coffee shop that sits between them, he pits Josie and Ryan against one another. After all, he only needs one manager now that there will be only one store. The competition is fierce, and before long, so are their feelings for each other. A wonderful title that I look forward to recommending.

Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
Definitely a rival to lovers in who gets to keep their bookstore running Ryan a romance book seller Josie Fiction Seller. Despite of their differently personality books were their one common factor when secretly chatting. Ryan ( RJReads) figures out who bookshopgirl is could this complicate more. It definitely reminded me of “You got Mail “. This book was meant for book lovers who love to live the 200a romcom.

Rate : 4 ⭐️

Mini Summary 💭
Enemies to Lovers ❤️
Book Lovers ☕️
Pen Mates 💻
“You Got Mail”💌
Saving the bookstore 📖
One bed 🛏️

Thank you Ali & NetGalley for the advance reading 📖

I binged this book so quickly as I loved it so much!! The characters and the setting just pulled me right in !!

Josie and Ryan both run bookstores on the same street. The owner of the buildings decides that 2 bookstores are not necessary so close to each other. He puts the 2 in competition against each other and the one with the most sales will manage the new bookstore. They will both learn so much about themselves during this journey!! The cast of characters who work at Ryan’s bookstore are so fun!!!

wo bookstores on the same street with very different clientele and very different managers. Josie runs the literary fiction store while Ryan runs the romance one, the two are are polar opposites and generally do not get along. It doesn’t help that the owner of the stores wants to combine the stores and creates an comfortable scenario where Ryan and Josie have to compete for one to keep their job, the one with the highest profits at the end of the summer will remain as manager of both stores. Pitted against each other, Josie and Ryan do all they can to win - their main outlet for their frustration is the anonymous online friend they have on a bookchat. What will happen when they realize their nemesis is on the other side of their bookchat?

I love a good book based novel so I was excited to crack this one open. I loved all the references to other novels and authors - sort of inside bookspeak. What I liked about this enemies to lovers story is that the enemies concept made sense, didn't seem forced for plot purposes and wasn’t over the top - it worked with the story and the characters seemed real. In addition, one of the main characters is Jewish, the story doesn't revolve around this but I love the subtle representation (it doesn't happen very often and I appreciate it). There are quirky bookstore employees, pets and books - this had everything I needed.

4.25 stars

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Thanks to the authors, Berkeley, and NetGalley for a review copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion. I breezed through this one - just like I did when I beta-read it last summer after meeting Alison and Bradeigh in Boston.
I baked cinnamon rolls today from a dry mix - there was a lot of waiting time for them to rise, which I got to spend reading, at least. And Ryan, the tall MMC in BOTB has a bit of a gruff exterior at times but is a total cinnamon roll, so it totally works to show off the book!
Josie and Ryan are bookstore managers at bookstores separated by a coffee shop. Josie’s is full of literary fiction, while Ryan’s is a romance bookstore (with lots of diverse representation!). Their landlord enters them into the battle, as he wants to knock down the walls and combine the bookstores with the coffee shop and cut down to only one manager. Who can sell more books by the end of the summer? The battle is on, but there is more going on than the two booksellers first realize.
I loved how the book has scenes at some quintessential Boston spots - from Davis Square staples like The Burren, JP Licks, and Rosebud to some Back Bay favorites like @bplboston and Parish Cafe - I loved being able to weigh in on the local aspects, and I absolutely love how the book turned out. I also love that I witnessed Bradeigh reading a sex scene aloud at The Burren, as Josie does in this book 😍 I hope the book tour involves a stop in Boston 🤞 Put this book on your radar for early June - it is SUCH a fun read, and a bit of a departure from previous Ali Brady books into pure romance territory, and it’s done exceptionally well, including themes of found family and sisterly bonding, too!

I don’t give out a ton of 5-star ratings but I absolutely loved this book! It’s a romance, certainly. It’s also a love letter to bookstores, especially indie bookstores. The plot brought back memories of that terrific movie, You’ve Got Mail. Be prepared to fall in love with these characters.

Josie is the manager of a bookstore that focuses on literary fiction, Tabula Inscripta. Beans is the coffee shop next door, and beyond that is ANOTHER bookstore, this one featuring romance books, called Happy Endings, which is managed by Ryan. Their personalities are polar opposites and their stores reflect their personalities. Josie’s store is super-organized and neat. Ryan’s store is a bit more chaotic, but also organized, just in a different way. (I personally LOVED the way Ryan chose to organize his books, so creative and encouraging of making discoveries.) Anyway … Josie and Ryan don’t really have anything in common other than they love books, or so they think. Josie doesn’t even know Ryan’s name! The owner of their building decides he wants to merge the two stores and include Beans as an in-store cafe. So he pits the two of them against each other, both vying for the future single manager position.

As in You’ve Got Mail, the two of them actually have a relationship already but they don’t know it. They are online buddies in a bookstore-oriented app/website and they are ever so compatible there. Each of them, Josie and Ryan, have really interesting backstories; both have had very different childhood/family experiences.

The Battle of the Bookstores features a number of tropes: obviously an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story, but also opposites attract. I loved how diversity of all sorts was just matter-of-factly featured in the book: dyslexia, disability due to an accident, LGBTQ and Jewish rep, and more. Much is made of Ryan’s being particularly tall; it’s almost a running joke. Another thing I loved was the dual POV; some chapters were from Josie’s POV and some from Ryan’s. The side characters were all interesting and not cookie-cutter stereotypes. The authors (Ali Brady is a writing duo) dig deep into why romance books are so popular and their writing will make a convert out of many a skeptic.

Warning: there are a couple of very explicit scenes later in the story. Also there’s a history of abandonment trauma, so be advised.

Thank you to the authors, Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. (Normally I tend to read closer to the publication date but I just couldn’t wait on this one!) All opinions are my own.