Book Lovers

"Maybe love shouldn't be built on a foundation of compromises, but maybe it can't exist without them either.Not the kind that forces two people into shapes they don't fit in, but the kind that loosens their grips, always leaves room to grow.Compromises that say, there will be a you-shaped space in my heart, and if your shape changes, I will adapt No matter where we go, our love will stretch out to hold us, and that makes me feel like...like everything will be okay" I don't even know where to start with this book! but let me just say two things- 1)I bow to the queen of witty and captivating contemporary romance books, I will read your grocery list, your 3yr old to-do list or a detailed recipe on how to broil Asparagus to perfection.I will read anything and everything you shall write. 2)Emily Henry's books are truly soul food, they penetrate deep inside your skin and settle down in your soul ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY! _________________________________ Book Lovers is one of my most anticipated releases this year, after being moved by Beach Read and how PWMOV spoke to me, I thought I am ready for her new book, ehh naah I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught-she blew it out of the park once again with this charming blue book which is filled with larger than life emotions. Emily Henry has the knack to cater a book for a wide set of audience but somehow can make it personal to each and everyone of her readers, I believe everyone has something or the other within themselves that they can relate to her books with. Book Lovers felt like a witty, heartfelt love letter to life filled with hard to talk about emotions, day to day relationship struggles, familial bonds and deeply rooted anxiety that can stem out of loss and grief. There were moments I laughed so much that my insides were in stitches and then there were endearing moments that made me heart ache with joy, this once again is a very quotable book like her other books. It follows Nora, a literary agent who is a city girl through and through and holds life by it reigns trying to have everything under control. Nora's character is a personification of a strong woman who wants everything and has the capability to take it,but what lies under that brave facade goes deeper than she could ever anticipate, her life revolves around her younger sister Libby to whom she is more of a mother than a sister. Nora's fear of losing makes her overprotective at times so when Libby and Nora feel like they are drifting apart, they decide to go on a vacation to spend time together, a lot of things boils to the surface during their time in a small quaint town in North Carolina, which Nora will have to tackle head on. Nora's character will be quite relatable to people who have hard time sorting their emotions and talking about them, I absolutely adored her character growth Nora and Libby's struggles and sibling rivalry is true to real life and complex because of the way they grew up and varying perspectives they have on life, I love how their relationship wasn't turned into something hurtful or ugly. It was authentic and refreshing how their characters develop and how their love for each other changes them into better people, if you have a sister yourself I dare you not to cry while you read their beautiful relationship The unexpected twist Nora's doesn't anticipate while going on this "trip of a lifetime" is having to see the ever charming albeit snarky Charlie Lastra, her work nemesis which later ensues a fiery banter and sizzling chemistry between these two true enemies.Nora and Charlie's banter is a chef's kiss, they have so many witty word volley's that will make you guffaw and make you forget that you are reading, my heart is so full while I read the precious moments between them.I also had to say this is probably the "spiciest" of all Emily Henry books could go on spice level with few open door scenes. Here is one of my favorite quote- "Be my shark Stephens". "Already was",I say. "Always have been". "I love you", he says again. "I love you too". I don't have to force it past a knot or through the vise of a tight throat.Its simply the truth, and it breathes out of me, a wisp of smoke, a sigh, another floating blossom on a current carrying billions of them. "I know",he says. "I can read you like a book". What to expect -Heartfelt belly laughs as a result of witty/hilarious writing -A story of two siblings that tugs at your heart strings -A strong woman's love letter to life in NYC - Endearing moments that will make your soul content -A beautiful love story between two characters who can be easily misunderstood - Deep discussions on big foot erotica ;) Do yourself a favor and get lost in this book! PS- That epilogue tho… TW- Anxiety, Death of a parent, grief

I expected this book to be a light rom com, but it turned out to be so much more! Emily Henry has this way of making the characters feel real. Nora is ambitious, driven, and self-aware. I loved that the book did not punish her for being successful. Charlie had the perfect balance between sarcastic and soft. Their banter felt natural, and I enjoyed reading about many of their exchanges. This book is not only about romance, but throughout the book there are themes of family, grief, and learning how to redefine what “home” really means. Nora’s relationship with her sister added so much emotional depth. It is not just about falling in love but about choosing the kind of life that feels right. It is a slow burn with big emotions. The small-town setting, bookish details, and humor make it feel cozy, but the story is still very good.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry is an anti-trope rom com about two people working in the publishing industry, their rivalry, and unlikely friendship when they find themselves spending time in the same small town. Nora Stephens is known as a cutthroat publicist who will do whatever she needs to do for her clients’ success. Having lost her mom at a young age and becoming responsible for her baby sister has hardened Nora to love. Her sole focus has been on making sure that she, her sister, and now her nieces never want for anything. When her sister suggests an extended vacation in a small town that one of her client’s books was based on, she reluctantly agrees and even puts on a smile for the bucket list her sister has declared they must complete. What she doesn’t expect is to find her nemesis working at the local bookstore. I adored this book! Emily Henry has cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me. I have yet to be disappointed by anything she’s written. This one is no exception. I absolutely loved the opening and was hooked instantly. This story opens on Nora running late for a business luncheon with our soon-to-be nemesis and love interest. Why she is running late though is what made me laugh. She’s being dumped over the phone by yet another boyfriend who took a vacation or business trip to a small town and found his true love there. Sound familiar? It should because it’s what happens in every small town romance and almost all the holiday Hallmark romcoms. Nora has cast herself as the city girlfriend who all those guys dump in the movies. This twist on your typical small town romcom makes for a hilarious and often heartfelt novel that feels more true to life than the ones that stick to the trope. I love Nora, her barely there tolerance of the small town, and how much she loves her sister. And then there’s our nemesis turned love interest, Charlie Lastra. Charlie is so great. We don’t really learn too much about him as the story focuses mostly on Nora and her owning up to her own issues. Charlie balances Nora out, he sees her and likes all of her, even the things that have driven her exes away. Overall I loved Book Lovers. This book was written for those that love books, love romance, and love a good story. Nora and Charlie, Nora’s sister, the small town charm, all of it works together to create a a story that feels real, like I could go visit this town on any given day or run into Charlie or Nora on the street. Highly recommend this one!

Waves! I’m back with another review. Title: Book Lovers Author: Emily Henry Genre: Rom Com Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book was my introduction to Emily Henry, and I’m so happy I took a chance on it. I gave it five stars for a few simple reasons. Was it something brand new? No. Did it have a complicated plot? Also no. Did it make me laugh until my sides ached? Yes. Yes. Yes. And sometimes that’s exactly the book you needed. I thought it was brilliant when the author poked fun at the genre she is so clearly a master of. I mean, the best way to end an argument is to agree with the person trying to debate with you, and she does that straight out of the gate with this book. The characters were complex, the heartfelt moments pulled at my heartstrings, and the world-building made me feel as if I was in NYC or in the small town of Sunshine Falls. I also liked that the small town wasn’t perfect, because I grew up in a small town, and they aren’t all like Stars Hollow. But the lively banter, the quick snark… oh, my heavens. It was top-tier. I also enjoyed the ending. No, scratch that. I LOVED THE ENDING. I have to point out that Julia Whelan did a fantastic job narrating this book! She performed every character with unwavering conviction. Truly outstanding. Happy reading, and grab a bag because we’re taking a trip to small-town trope-ville with a fun twist.

I realize how popular this book is, so this is a minority opinion. I liked it slightly more than I disliked it. I thought the pacing was very tedious. I only started to really get into the story and enjoy it 2/3 of the way in. There are elements that are different from the typical romance novel and I can see where brainy book lovers would find some resonance, even delight, with the main characters, even if I did not as a self-described lover of books. I also think it's worth mentioning that the author seemed to be actively going for an anti-Hallmark movie female main character, which I can appreciate. I like the fact that we're trying something new and the backstory of a book editor meeting a book agent is something that a number of his book nerds would really enjoy on principle alone if not execution. There are a number of unexpected aspects of the story that went deeper than just a piece of fluff, which added some depth. However, I also found the sister Libby very annoying, especially the way she called her sister "sissy" which I almost never see grown women doing. I thought Libby was very selfish and manipulative. Her reasons come out later, but I'm generally not a fan of bratty characters and although she was certainly not the worst, there were enough times when I found her quite tiresome. It should also be mentioned that there's literally zero diversity in this book. It is so, so, so white bread and stereotypical. I seriously wonder why almost every romance heroine has to be white, skinny, blonde (fake or natural) and have either green or blue eyes. The world is made up of so much variety. I think we need to reset our expectations of romance heroines. I think I've been spoiled by reading more diverse novels, but it struck me how a town in the south (and NYC!) could be so homogenous, which seems to be a stark departure from reality. Once the book picked up, things got marginally more interesting. It was an OK read, but I don't see myself coming back to it and would probably hesitate before reading another book by this author unless I had solid proof ahead of time that there was more substance, diversity that reflects the real world and it wasn't so drawn out.

Was this the best book I’ve ever read? No, but it kept my interest. For me, it started out slow but picked up speed. I loved the relationship between the sisters, Nora and Libby. They have drifted apart and decide to spend one month together in an Airbnb in Sunshine Falls, South Carolina. They want to regain the closeness they once had. It made me realize it’s time to plan a sisters’ retreat with my two sisters. There is also a love story between Nora and Charlie. Nora is a Literary Agent, Charlie is an editor. Together they work on a book that is being written by Nora’s client. There are instant sparks. But how will they navigate their relationship? I enjoyed this book to the last page.

Yet another book I’ve been looking forward to read for a long time & I very much enjoyed! The FMC is 32-year-old Nora Stephens, a literary agent with a Type A personality heavily laced with neuroticism & anxiety (particularly after losing her mom 12 years prior). She’s roped into a month-long vacation by her more free-spirited younger sister, Libby, to Sunshine Falls, NC, the setting which inspired Nora’s client’s latest hit novel, “Once in a Lifetime”. Everyone seems to like this book except for Charlie Lastra, a surly editor with whom Nora gets on the wrong foot two years prior. The two sisters arrive to Sunshine Falls with a to-do list they hope to accomplish while there; Nora goes along with it to please her sister, who’s expecting baby #3 soon, but she is soon shocked to run into Charlie, the editor Nora met two years ago, who turns out to be a Sunshine Falls native! Eventually, the two must collaborate on Nora’s client’s next book, the protagonist of which seems to resemble Nora in every way but name. With Nora’s bad luck streak in dating, can she possibly find her own small-town love story & fix her own life narrative the same way she’s tried to fix others? With many love stories you find the FMC golden retriever/MMC black cat characterization, but here both the main love interests are black cats. In this way, whereas everyone else in Nora’s life has written her off as an unfeeling, uncaring, overly ambitious, bloodthirsty shark, Charlie is the only one who seems to get her. They also match each other’s wit & dry sense of humor, which made their banter quite entertaining. That made it all the more incredible to see both their guards lower as they became more professionally & personally comfortable with each other. The spice was at the perfect level for me, detailed enough to allow me to visualize the action but also allowing the characters & readers alike a reprieve from potentially more graphic content. Some of the plot points were a bit predictable for me, but not so much that I never entertained other outcomes. Overall, this is a book I think is suitable for anyone like myself who’s not a huge romance fan but still likes a good story with some twists & turns.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry is an absolute gem that beautifully encapsulates the pure joy and magic of falling in love with books. As a self-proclaimed bookworm, I found myself swept away by this heartfelt and enchanting tale from start to finish. This novel deserves nothing less than a resounding five-star review. From the very first page, Henry's masterful storytelling immediately drew me in. The characters are incredibly relatable, and I found myself easily connecting with both the protagonist, January, and her love interest, Gus. Their witty banter and undeniable chemistry make for a delightful and swoon-worthy romance that had me eagerly turning the pages. Henry's love and deep understanding of literature shine through her writing, making every single book reference and allusion a pure delight. As a fellow book lover, it felt as if the author was speaking directly to my heart, sharing my passion and excitement for all things literary. It was a joy to embark on this literary journey alongside January, whose love for books becomes palpable as the story progresses. One of the standout aspects of Book Lovers is the vivid and picturesque settings that Henry paints. Whether it's a charming bookstore tucked away in a small town or the breathtaking landscapes of a seaside cottage, the imagery is so vivid that I could almost smell the pages of an old book or feel the ocean breeze on my skin. Henry's ability to transport readers to these magical places is truly remarkable. Another noteworthy element is the well-executed blend of romance, self-discovery, and personal growth. This novel not only celebrates the power of literature but also explores the themes of friendship, family, and the resilience of the human spirit. It expertly combines a heartwarming love story with profound moments of reflection and personal transformation that left me feeling inspired and hopeful. Book Lovers is an absolute must-read for anyone who has ever found solace, companionship, or pure delight within the pages of a book. It will tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh out loud, and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the magic of storytelling. Emily Henry has crafted a masterpiece that not only celebrates the joy of being a book lover but also reminds us that sometimes, the most extraordinary stories are the ones that unfold within our own lives. In conclusion, I cannot recommend Book Lovers enough. It is a five-star treasure that will captivate readers with its heartfelt romance, captivating story, and its unyielding love for the written word. Emily Henry has crafted a love letter to bookworms everywhere, and it is an absolute pleasure to read.