Review: Book Lovers

This was a book I’ve been keen to read for a while, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

The strange thing about this book is that I wasn’t sure early on if I liked it. I was very aware of its popularity, and I do think that initially made it hard for me to be biased either way, and I was kind of second-guessing if I was actually enjoying it or if I just wanted to like it because it was so well-loved.

By the time I reached the second half, though, I knew I, in fact, did love it!

This was my first Emily Henry read, and I definitely went out and bought Beach Read and You and Me on Vacation after I read Book Lovers. I loved the way Henry established the setting. When they were in New York, I felt like I was there, and when they were in Sunshine Falls, I felt like I was there too. Nora’s love of the city as well was something I felt in my soul!

It was a great premise, turning - what I like to call - the “Hallmark Movie” cliche on its head in more than just one way. Nora was the typical city-slicker girlfriend, the one that usually gets left behind in favour of the small-town baker. But she was so much more than this, and I loved getting to know her and her sister and their dynamics and all the intricate ways they’ve become who they are.

Charlie was perfect, in my opinion. Top-tier book boyfriend material, but he, too, was given so much depth that wasn’t typical. That’s what I liked about this book beyond its enemies-to-lovers trope; it wasn’t a typical story. Also, the spice level was perfectly balanced!

I am definitely excited to continue my exploration of Emily Henry’s work and wish I could fall back into Nora’s world as wonderfully as I did the first time.

It was magic!

Rating: ***** (5/5)