***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Oprah Daily ∙ Today ∙Parade∙ Marie Claire∙Bustle ∙ PopSugar∙ Katie Couric Media ∙ Book Bub ∙SheReads ∙ Medium ∙ and more!
An insightful, delightful new novel from the #1 New York Timesbestselling author ofBeach ReadandPeople We Meet on Vacation.
One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming...
Nora Stephens' life is books--she's read them all--and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.
Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters' trip away--with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she's convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they've met many times and it's never been cute.
If Nora knows she's not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he's nobody's hero, but as they are thrown together again and again--in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow--what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they've written about themselves.
"Emily Henry never fails to deliver ... this may just be her best yet."--Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Lovers by Emily Henry is a classic enemies to lovers small-town romance, that I just loved. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration very much. This bookish book has that perfect balance of romance, humor, and emotion that makes it a perfect read for me.
Nora Stephens is a high-strung, workaholic, literary agent who lives in New York City. She loves her job and lives to help her authors get the best deals, the best contracts and helps them produce the best books. When her sister, Libby asks her to go with her to Sunshine Fall, North Carolina for the month of August. Nora isn’t sure about leaving her clients for an entire month, but August is the slowest month in publishing, so she relents, and packs up her laptop and phone to join her sister in Sunshine Falls.
Nora doesn’t expect to run into her nemesis, Charlie Lastra, and editor she’s bumped heads with back in New York. Turns out that Charlie is from Sunshine Falls and she can’t escape him and his family. But as they spend more time together, they find out they might have more in common than they are different.
So much to love about this bookish book. First is the relationship between Nora and her sister, Libby. Nora had to care for her younger sister after their mother left and even though Libby is now grown, married with 2 kids and another on the way, Nora can’t help but worry about her little sister.
Next is the humor. I love the banter between Nora and Charlie and it’s the little quips between them that just had me laughing out loud. The way they talk to each other is how I knew they were meant for each other. Much of the humor is subtle, and I would have to stop the recording and go back, just to listen to the lines again because the humor is quick, but oh so good!
And of course the romance! Nora and Charlie are both a bit cynical, a bit sarcastic, and a lot attracted to each other. Their banter is some of the best I’ve read recently, and when they are together, it’s just magic. Nora is a bit high-strung and intense on her own, but her relationship with her sister and Charlie softens her up and makes her a very sympathetic character.
I listened to Book Lovers and enjoyed the narration immensely. Julia Whelan does an excellent job with all the different character voices and had just the right amount of inflection and emotion.
UK Cover:
About Emily Henry
Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read, as well as several young adult novels. She lives and writes in Cincinnati and the part of Kentucky just beneath it.
Her books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, The Skimm, Shondaland, and more.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry counts towards my 2022 Audiobook Challenge hosted by The Caffeinated Reviewer. (click on the image below to learn more about this challenge)
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
I am not normally into the enemies to lovers trope, but this sounds fantastic.
Haven’t we all been in situations where we keep bumping into the same person over and over again that we’d maybe rather not see so often? It’s irritating but also kind of funny when that happens.
I own the other books by this author but haven’t read them yet either. I need to read this one, but I don’t own it. Glad to hear it was good!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2022/06/13/e-galley-review-the-ruthless-groom-arranged-marriage-2-by-monica-murphy/
I currently have this on hold at my library. Only about 17 weeks to go until I get my hands on it!
I’ve got this one right next to me. I’ve only heard good things about it. Excellent review, Wendy!
I hope you enjoy it Tessa
I am not normally into the enemies to lovers trope, but this sounds fantastic.
Haven’t we all been in situations where we keep bumping into the same person over and over again that we’d maybe rather not see so often? It’s irritating but also kind of funny when that happens.
You did a lovely job with this review. 🙂
Thank you, Lydia. You’re so right about how we sometimes bump into the same person over and over again.
I loved Book Lovers too! The humor was so good and the narration was excellent. Glad you enjoyed it, Wendy!
Thank you, Rachel. It sure was a good one.
I just put this on my TBR. It sounds like a book I’d love. Thanks for the review. 😀
Thank you, Jenni! I hope you enjoy it.
Fab review! I definitely can’t wait to read this one.
Thank you, Yvonne! I hope you enjoy it.
I loved this book for so many reasons. Lovely review. Julia Whelan is a favorite of mine.
Julia Whelan is a NEW favorite of mine too.
I loved this book, too! Especially the banter between Nora and Charlie. This entire book made me smile. 😀
I’m so glad you enjoyed it too!
Delightful review, Wendy!
Thank you, Linda!
Excellent review, Wendy. I still have not read any of her books. I think we’ll end up reading Beach Read for book club though.
I sure enjoyed Beach Read!
I still haven’t read her and I have 2 of her books on my shelf. This is such a great review, I’m definitely moving her up mt tbr.
Thank you, Rae! I hope you enjoy it!
Wonderful review Wendy! I’m so excited to read this one too!🤗📚🌞☕💜
I hope you enjoy it!
I do love the sound of this, I have been getting more into romances again at the moment 😊
Thank you, Jenny