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jasmine_elizabeth's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed my reread if this. This was so much fun to read, they had a great summer, and their romance is so good to read about.
hhallyy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pipparature's review against another edition
5.0
Having read the first installment in the Lonely Hearts Bookshop series last year I was eagerly anticipating a return to 'Happily Ever After' in this second book. This novel sees Verity, the bookshop admin manager, take centre stage as she meets an architect named Johnny and agrees to be his 'fake girlfriend' for the Summer of social occasions ahead for both of them.
Both Verity and Johnny are interesting characters, the first is an introverted woman who struggles with the daily social interaction most people take in their stride, while the latter is a man still pining over a lost love from years before. Can their friendship and enjoyment of each other's company break down their self imposed barriers?
While this is definitely chick lit and will be ignored by many for this reason, I thoroughly enjoyed this Summery, fun read. The characters have enough depth to ensure that even the hardest heart of a reader will warm to them and this includes the wider cast, not just the two leads. It was really lovely to reconnect with the bookshop and I'm looking forward to the next in the series, which I'm hoping will focus on Nina, as well as the opportunity to see where Posy and Sebastian, and Verity and Johnny are now.
This book does exactly what it says it will, it's an easy, fun, romantic read which is well written and, whilst I knew how it would end long before I got there, the characters made that journey engaging and fun.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for supplying me with this book.
Both Verity and Johnny are interesting characters, the first is an introverted woman who struggles with the daily social interaction most people take in their stride, while the latter is a man still pining over a lost love from years before. Can their friendship and enjoyment of each other's company break down their self imposed barriers?
While this is definitely chick lit and will be ignored by many for this reason, I thoroughly enjoyed this Summery, fun read. The characters have enough depth to ensure that even the hardest heart of a reader will warm to them and this includes the wider cast, not just the two leads. It was really lovely to reconnect with the bookshop and I'm looking forward to the next in the series, which I'm hoping will focus on Nina, as well as the opportunity to see where Posy and Sebastian, and Verity and Johnny are now.
This book does exactly what it says it will, it's an easy, fun, romantic read which is well written and, whilst I knew how it would end long before I got there, the characters made that journey engaging and fun.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for supplying me with this book.
giveitagojo's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop. I sympathized with Verity, her family was awesome but challenging, and I loved the Pride and Prejudice references. The closing chapter when Verity asked was excellent.
Spoiler
what would Darcy doaiyshasbookrealm's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good Pride and Prejudice inspired book and this one does not disappoint. It’s a nice enjoyable read and I honestly found it very entertaining as the main characters are a lot of fun with all their antics.
The plot of the story follows a fake dating trope which is one of my favourites although it also features a love interest who is obsessed with their ex which caused so much frustration to read about as the the ex is mentioned so many times and she is married!
I absolutely loved Verity (the main character) as she is probably one of the most relatable characters I have ever come across as she is very introverted and despises confrontation - this is literally me. However, the only reason I dropped a star was the love interest as he was extremely annoying, being absolutely obsessed with his ex alongside not really having many redeemable qualities - what even were his positive attributes? This did make me enjoy the story less but I really wanted to read more about Verity so I did persevere and I am glad.
The plot of the story follows a fake dating trope which is one of my favourites although it also features a love interest who is obsessed with their ex which caused so much frustration to read about as the the ex is mentioned so many times and she is married!
I absolutely loved Verity (the main character) as she is probably one of the most relatable characters I have ever come across as she is very introverted and despises confrontation - this is literally me. However, the only reason I dropped a star was the love interest as he was extremely annoying, being absolutely obsessed with his ex alongside not really having many redeemable qualities - what even were his positive attributes? This did make me enjoy the story less but I really wanted to read more about Verity so I did persevere and I am glad.
jordannedunn's review against another edition
3.0
He’s Just Not That Into You, Because He’s Way Too Into Her
susani_'s review against another edition
5.0
I am going to be honest. I loved this book.
Most Ardently.
Most Ardently.
portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
I read the first of this series last year and really enjoyed it but if anything, I enjoyed this one even more. Don't worry if you didn't read the first book, The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts, as this is a self-contained story with only passing references to the first book.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book were the references to Pride & Prejudice scattered throughout. There are apt quotations from Jane Austen's classic at the beginning of each chapter and it is Verity's favourite book, almost her bible. When faced with any tricky decisions, her mantra is 'What would Elizabeth Bennet do?'. The story itself certainly had parallels with Pride & Prejudice too with Verity having four sisters, being intelligent, strong-willed and independent and with the relationship between herself and Johnny being not dissimilar to that between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. But does everything end up as it does in the original with a 'happy ever after?' (coincidentally the name of the bookshop where Verity works). Well, I'll leave you to find that out when you read the book.
True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop is, as the title suggests, a sweet romantic story. It has a lot of warmth and humour and is perfect escapism when you want a feel-good read. I must add that I loved Verity's large and eccentric family and would love to read more about her sisters at some point.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book were the references to Pride & Prejudice scattered throughout. There are apt quotations from Jane Austen's classic at the beginning of each chapter and it is Verity's favourite book, almost her bible. When faced with any tricky decisions, her mantra is 'What would Elizabeth Bennet do?'. The story itself certainly had parallels with Pride & Prejudice too with Verity having four sisters, being intelligent, strong-willed and independent and with the relationship between herself and Johnny being not dissimilar to that between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. But does everything end up as it does in the original with a 'happy ever after?' (coincidentally the name of the bookshop where Verity works). Well, I'll leave you to find that out when you read the book.
True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop is, as the title suggests, a sweet romantic story. It has a lot of warmth and humour and is perfect escapism when you want a feel-good read. I must add that I loved Verity's large and eccentric family and would love to read more about her sisters at some point.