This book was well written and had a lot of heart. I definitely believed in them as a couple and loved the atmospheres the author created both in London and in California. The only thing I didn't enjoy was that I felt that the narrative dragged a bit in places... especially in the ending and epilogue.

** A copy of Love Walked In was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

My favourite sub-genre of romance is stories set in/around books so I was very excited to receive an ARC of Love Walked In. Mari comes to London from California to help revive Ross & Co. but she's met with resistance by Leo, the owner. Over the course of the novel, they figure out a way to work together, to overcome their differences, to work through their own baggage, and to discover joy and love. At times, I was frustrated with some of their choices and miscommunication but overall, I really enjoyed their story. I also adored the supporting cast of characters.

Bonus: As someone who lived in London and is a big Arsenal fan (COYG!), I loved all the references!

If Mari knows one thing, it’s how to keep small bookstores in business. After landing in London to help with a local store Mari is met by grumpy Leo. Leo is not ready to make any changes to the store after the loss of his beloved grandfather but after some nudging from Mari he begins making some changes. Mari has never really had a family or people who care, but she finds herself building a community in London, and Leo might just be her favorite person. But will she let her guard down and let him love her?

This was a quick and fun read! Emotionally deep. Both characters had some significant trauma from their past but were both pretty well adjusted despite their issues. And ugh the way Leo loved Mari was just so wholesome. I think we all want a golden retriever boyfriend like Leo 😭.

Dual POV
American abroad
Bookstore
Friends to lovers
Spicy 🌶️

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very sweet, cozy read about two booksellers who start out on the wrong foot and end up falling for one another. I thought the love story was very realistic and the characters were raw and real. It felt like an ode to learning to live with your grief whether that be grieving a person, a part life, or a future you no longer want. Really lovely read.

I absolutely love Sarah Chamberlain’s writing style. She writes such realistic, complex characters and they always have something deeper going on that’s always handled really well. In this case, Leo is trying to manage his family’s struggling bookstore and dealing with the fact that it was never his dream to run it. Mari is only in London for a short while to help the bookstore and she is still dealing with issues from her past that make it hard for her to be open to love.
Despite having a bad first impression, Mari and Leo have incredible chemistry and quickly become friends. I loved how in tune with each other they were and how comfortable they were. They were so understanding of each other and all the pining and prolonged looks from across the room were so good!
This book was really cute and fun but also had a lot of emotional depth and a lot of really great character growth. I loved the journey Mari and Leo had to go on in order to be with each other and by the end of the book I felt like they had really earned their happy ending.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!!

This felt like a warm hug that smells like pages of a book.

I loved Mari and Leo’s dynamic, I do wish we got a bit more of the bookstore aspect of things but I know that their romance is the spotlight so it makes sense. Some of the subtle foreshadowing of plot twists was well done as you move through the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a cute, cozy, spicy read!!

Makes me want to run away to a seaside town and open a little bookstore with a cat. Cozy bookstore vibes, with a bit of spice. Cute romance, an interesting little twist that I did suspect and enjoyed.