In Not Quite By The Book the protagonist is set to inherit her family’s bookstore but before her parents retire, she takes a 6 week vacation in a small quaint town, staying at the house of an online book friend and channeling her inner Emily Dickinson. I really loved this twist on You’ve Got Mail. I loved the book references and the book nerds galore. I loved the adorable little town with all the perfect small town vibes. I loved the romance. And I loved the self-exploration, taking care of oneself and finding one’s happiness. Just a book of warm fuzzy that was written for book lovers. And it just reiterated my dream of owning a bookstore.

Julie Hatcher delivers a heartfelt and witty story in Not Quite by the Book, a novel about self-discovery, family expectations, and unexpected romance. Emma Rini has spent her life running the family bookstore, always assuming it was her destiny—until her parents decide to retire and pass it down to her. Overwhelmed, she retreats to a secluded manor in Amherst to embrace the solitary life of her literary idol, Emily Dickinson. But solitude proves more challenging than expected, especially with a grumpy (yet swoon-worthy) architect constantly around and a secret admirer leaving floral messages.

Emma’s journey is beautifully layered with humor, warmth, and a touch of mystery. Watching her navigate independence, romance, and her own desires was deeply satisfying. Davis, the brooding architect, added plenty of sparks, and the book community connections were a delightful touch.

Oh how dang cute was this audiobook?! It didn’t just meet my expectations, this one exceeded them! It was cute, it was funny, romantic, and just the perfect listen!

Not Quite by the Book by Julie Hatcher was... okay. Cute at times, but ultimately predictable and bland.
There’s nothing wrong with it, but there’s nothing particularly exciting about it either. The story follows a familiar formula, and while that’s not always a bad thing, it left me feeling like I’d read this book a dozen times before. Part of the issue was I found the main character Emma kind of annoying and repetitive.

Slow start to the story but I did like it. It wasn’t the best book I have listened to but it was entertaining .

I think some will like it

Not Quite by the book by Julie Hatcher
4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this one! Julie Hatcher is also Julie Anne Lindsey, who writes cozy mysteries under that name, Jaqueline Frost and Bree Baker. I loved her books so I had to try this new women's fiction book by her!
I DEVOURED this audiobook in 1 day! Liked it so much, I bought a physical copy! It if was not for some of the language used in this book, it would be 5 stars. [5-6 F words, some S words etc.] But it was not so much language that it took me out the story too much.

We have Emma Rini as our main girl here who needs to take time for herself. Her sister is pregnant with her first baby, her parents are about to retire and travel and Emma is just taking everything in stride by being the one who continues to take care of everything! I related to that SO much because I am always having to take care of my parents/brother's stuff it seems like and try to keep the family together.

Emma can't remember the last time she was on a vacation or a romance worth anything. Her parents assume she will take over the shop without a break so she decides to stand up and take that break she needs. She loves Emily Dickinson so she finds a manor house outside Amherst where Emily resided and she gets off the grid for 6 weeks there, to learn how to rest and enjoy life without all the stress of family and work stuff. She struggles with some of the off the grid things though -- like being able to start a fire and take care of the manor's issues. In comes the handsome grumpy architect renovating the manor who is helping take care of the issues at the manor, Davis. They form feelings as things progress...but she has a secret admirer sending her flowers and letters too...is it Davis or someone else?

My favorite bits of this were the parts of Emma trying to dive into writing, letters, poetry, gardening, reading, and just enjoying her time at the manor. I loved the resolution between her and her family and the bookshop elements. I also loved the slow burn between Davis and her. They grew to really like one another. There were a few parts of their relationship I didn't love -- some things in the end, but overall I still loved their relationship together.

I also don't know much about Emily Dickinson and have never read her poetry, but this made me want to read some of them!

Looking forward to more women's fiction by Julie!

Thank you to the publisher for an ALC of the book to listen to and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content: cursing 5-6 F words, some S words, mentions of the universe type stuff etc.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
Great narration, very enjoyable listen.

This audiobook was a delight! The narrator's performance truly brought the story to life, adding depth and emotion to the experience. The book itself is an easy-to-read contemporary romance, making it the perfect palate cleanser. It's light, engaging, and leaves you with a smile. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a feel-good listen

This book was a Hallmark movie level of romance and story line. Emma is a hardworking single female who is struggling with feeling burnt out and over worked, and dreams of the grass being greener on the other side. On a whim, a "vacation" is taken to find peace in solitude and master the art of being alone. This, however, proves to be harder than expected with many comical lessons learned along the way, including a new love interest :) The audio is a bit slow, so I opted to listen at a faster pace which did not seem to affect the book /narration for me. Overall, this book was a cute light read with a fun story line, cute nuances, and a HEA style ending.
Book: 4 star
Narration: 4 star
Spice: 1 star
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This book was a letdown. I can't put it any other way. Every little detail gets spoonfed to the reader, down to minute details that have no bearing on the situation. I came for a charming cozy story, but the pacing was so off, it wasn't pacing anymore. It was a slug. Too many elements felt forced and overexplained. So many useless scenes leading nowhere. Snippets of attraction with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. I waited and waited and waited--thanks to the narrator's good delivery--but DNF'd at thirty percent.

Thank you to Netgalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun, lighthearted, women's fiction, kissing only romance that sees a workaholic bookseller taking a vacation to embrace her Emily Dickinson/recluse era only to find out that she's not as introverted as she thought and she just might be falling for her mysterious pen pal! Good on audio and perfect for fans of You've Got Mail and anonymous text/letter exchange romances. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Not Quite By The Book is a charming and life affirming novel about Emma, on a quest to find herself. She is working in her parent’s bookstore that will one day become her inheritance. She feels stuck, trapped and unhappy with the life she’s living. She realizes she needs a break - from the bookshop, her family and her life. She rents a house where she can emulate her favorite recluse, Emily Dickinson. Once there, she begins to discover that being a recluse isn’t as easy as she’d thought. As her world begins to widen in Amherst, we are introduced to a charming cast of characters. This novel has it all; family misunderstandings that turn out to deepen their relationships, finding ones self and realizing what is important in life, the love of literature, and a secret admirer. Oh how I loved this novel! I will definitely be recommending it!

I adored ‘Not Quite by the Book’ by Julie Hatcher! This contemporary romance was a delightful blend of self-discovery, sweet romance, and a hint of mystery, all wrapped in a cosy and heartwarming package. I listened to it on audiobook, and it really captivated me with its gentle pacing, romantic undertones, and charming characters.

One of the things I loved most about the book was how delicately the romance was handled. The romantic elements were certainly present, but it wasn’t just about the physical side of things — the emotional and personal growth of the characters took centre stage. The intimate scenes were treated with such care, balancing delicacy with depth, which is something I appreciate in romance novels. The chemistry between Emma and Davis felt genuine and slow-burn, which I found really refreshing.

The story revolves around Emma Rina, who’s suddenly thrust into the responsibility of managing her family’s bookstore business after her parents announce their retirement plans. Having put her own life on hold for years to keep the store running, Emma realises she’s never really had a moment to herself. In an attempt to regain some control over her life, she decides to spend six weeks in a cottage in Amherst, Massachusetts, the home of her favourite poet, Emily Dickinson. There, she hopes to channel her inner Emily and find clarity about her future.

The setting of the story was charming. Emma's stay at the cottage, combined with her attempts at following in Dickinson’s reclusive footsteps, created a really cosy and introspective atmosphere. I loved the contrast between Emma’s people-loving personality and her attempts to disconnect from the world. While she does try to embrace solitude, she ends up finding a deep connection with the people in the small town, which was heartwarming.

The mystery element involving the anonymous flowers and letters sent to Emma added an intriguing layer to the story. I was just as curious as Emma to find out who her secret admirer was, and it added a touch of whimsy to the romance. It may not be the biggest plot twist, but I don’t always need to guess ahead!

Davis Sommers, the gruff yet handsome handyman, was the perfect counterpart to Emma’s more open and outgoing nature. Their interactions were filled with sweet moments, and I loved how their relationship developed naturally. There was a genuine sense of connection between them, and their romance felt like something that would really last.

But beyond the romance, the heart of the story was Emma’s journey of self-discovery. It was inspiring to see her take the time to reflect on her life, confront her family’s expectations, and explore what she truly wanted for her future. The book really emphasises the importance of prioritising yourself and finding balance between your obligations and your desires — a message I think many of us can relate to.

Lastly, the Emily Dickinson theme was a huge win for me! As a fan of her poetry, I loved how the book wove in references to her life and work. It gave the novel a literary depth that felt both thoughtful and fitting for the character of Emma.

Overall, ‘Not Quite by the Book’ was a pleasure to listen to. It was cute, romantic, and beautifully paced, with well-rounded characters and a delightful mix of romance and mystery. If you're looking for a heartwarming read with a touch of literary charm, this one is a must.

5 ⭐ (audio) I really enjoyed the audio version of Not Quite by the Book! Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did a wonderful job bringing this story to life.

3.5 ⭐ (story) Emma Rini is in a rut so deep she could shelve books there. While her sister awaits her first baby, and her parents kick off retirement with vow renewals and travel, Emma stays put among the stacks of the family bookshop. In fact, she can’t remember the last time she took a vacation. Or had a romance that hovered above disappointing. When her parents assume she’ll take over the shop for them without a break, she realizes she needs to get away—back to the nineteenth century. Channeling her favorite poet recluse, Emily Dickinson, Emma rents a crumbling manor house outside Amherst where she can learn how to be quietly, blissfully alone.

But becoming a world-weary spinster isn’t easy. She can’t start a fire or reason with the bunnies that are destroying the garden. She finds herself sparring constantly with the grumpy-hot architect who is renovating the manor. And then there’s the secret admirer who keeps sending her complicated floral messages.

The story was entertaining, but the romance felt a bit flat for me. Also, I realize miscommunication is a trope used in romance a lot, but outright lying is something I have a hard time accepting from my protagonists. 3.5 ⭐ rounded up for the narration!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for access to the ELC of Not Quite By The Book (audiobook) by Julie Hatcher read by Julie Anne Lindsey.
The audiobook production and voice talent were both well done.
The general concept of the book seemed interesting and I was really hoping the "You've Got Mail" plot line would make it great, but both the concept and the reimagining fell flat. The level of miscommunication and pettiness in the family dynamics and in the love story were all over the top and hard to get invested in. Overall, not a favorite.

I loved everything about this book. From the bookshop to the obsession with Emily Dickinson to the letter writing and gardening. The story is of Emma needing a break from running the family book store, from her retiring parents and her pregnant sisters. She hasn't had a vacation in years and now is the time to go, before everything changes and she'll be stuck in the store forever. She decides move to an old mansion outside of Amherst to live like her literary hero Emily Dickinson. She wants a simple life of cooking, solitude, and creativity. She thinks it's just the tonic she needs. But living like Emily is a lot tougher, and lonelier than Emma imagines and she takes to town to partake in a letter writing course and meet some new people.
What Emma doesn't count on is the house she's living in is a fixer up and the handsome, but grumpy handyman isn't helping. And finally, a secret admirer is sending specifically chosen flowers sending her confusing messages.

The narrator was lovely, perfect voice and tone for the story. She was terrific.

The author is fantastic. I hope to see much more of her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for this sneak peek. I loved it.

✨📖A review of "Not Quite By the Book" by Julie Hatcher, with thanks to Brilliance Publishing for providing me with a copy of the audiobook to review📖✨

📚Summary:
After giving all of her time and energy to running her parents' bookstore, Emma is completely burnt out.

Sick of life passing her by, she decides to follow in the footsteps of her beloved Emily Dickinson and embrace a life of slow living and solitude, in a mansion just outside of Amherst.

What Emma doesn't count on is a crumbling home, a grumpy handyman and a secret admirer inserting themselves into her plans!

✏️My thoughts.
Mia Hutchinson-Shaw provided a lovely narration for the audiobook, which I found very relaxing to listen to.
I absolutely adored seeing Emma rediscover her joy as she begins living with intention. This is an uplifting and thought-provoking read for anyone who enjoys cozy settings and dreams of escaping to a different life (even if just for a short time).

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

The relationship that Emma had with her mom was written just perfectly. I have to say it brought tears to my eyes realized how much they truly loved one another. Sometimes people continue their patterns of behaviour because they THINK it’s what everyone expects, until they begin to expect it. Many of us think our families should just know what we want, but Julie Hatcher demonstrated beautifully that that is not always the case. I enjoyed the fact that Emma wanted to rediscover herself, so she went in her own private “adventure”. I’m not sure I would choose where she went, so isolated and a place she already knew so close to home, but I think it is a statement that we all lose ourselves sometimes. This started off quite slowly, and seemed rushed in the end. It was more of a rediscovery of family and self, than a romance in my opinion. While Davis did end up doing the right things, I still think he requires a little more redemption.

This story is so charming.

Books about books is my absolute favourite thing, so right away, we start off strong.

I loved the crumbling manor setting.

I, weirdly, loved that the romance was a big part of Emma’s story, but not the ONLY part.

I loved the self-reflection I did as I made my way through this story.

I loved everything except the bunnies. It’s stew for you furry lot.

The leaning into Emily Dickinson, the Language of Flowers, and all the Grumpy Neighbour Goodness, has me itching to track down more from this author.