3.89 AVERAGE

emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional funny inspiring fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was such a fascinating story of romance, friendship, and community that runs deep and pulls at your heartstrings.

Yes, there is a LOT that is going on and a lot of history that you, as the reader, are learning about all of the main characters. But, the way that the lives our MMC, Jasper, and FMC, Chloe are so parallel, and so connected - when the pieces start coming together, I don't know how anyone can read it with a dry eye.

For most of the book, the chapters are written in Chloe's perspective, and then flashbacks in the 60's, about 60% in, we get chapters written in other character's perspective. While I did like this, I felt that a lot of these chapters were fluffed up, and could have been made shorter. But looking back, I really appreciated getting the perspective of these characters at this point in the story.

A lot of books I've read with the dual timeline have been hard to get through and the flashbacks usually don't add anything to the story - this was so not the case. The dual timeline worked wonders for this story and the flashbacks added so much more value and dimension to the current timeline.

A popular opinion on here is that Chloe's mother and step-father's story was pointless and added nothing - I couldn't disagree more with that. Chloe's mother's actions shaped who she was as a person and again, the parallel between Chloe and Jasper's role in their families - !!!! I can't!!! Are you kidding??

Another popular opinion on here is that the story drags, but I couldn't disagree more. The chapters are well paced and well written. There is a lot that happens in this book, you can't rush this kind of romance.

I'm not a fan of how Catherine's part of the story ends, but at that point - Chloe's future was the one I was rooting for. Jasper had made his peace, and established his role in Chloe's life. DONE! Fantastic. Call it a day.

This book will live in the back of my mind and hold a place in my heart. Bravo, Lucy Gilmore!
emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved this book so much. The characters were rich and they all had their unique voices and perspectives. So beautifully written. Thanks to Sourcebooks for sending me the arc.
adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Dear Romances featuring Books, Bookclubs, and Libraries,


I will always pick a book like this up. Always. 

Writing love notes in the margins of books with a forbidden love……..🫠

What reader doesn’t want that? 

(Please don’t write in the margins of Library books- annotate your own copies.)
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes