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msradiosilence's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
4.0
Tldr; for a straight romance, I had a good time.
Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/book-lovers
Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/book-lovers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
alysereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Love Emily Henry’s writing and how she depicts her characters, deeply human, with struggles and strengths. I think at times she leaned pretty hard on the ice queen narrative, and made Nora’s controlling nature annoying at times, but mostly found the characters lovable. I liked the complexity and depth of the ending. Slightly disappointing, but still satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It comes as a shock to absolutely not me that the contemporary romcom GOAT aka Emily Henry has done it again, folks. She’s written another 5-star novel nothing short of excellent.
With each of her last three books, she makes the romantic tropes of “coincidence” fresh and fun. I would say so especially in this one, as it touches on nearly every cliche or archetype, but in a way that feels like it’s never been done before. Idk if that makes sense but she does, so just trust me.
Nora (loved the Ephron reference here!), our very accomplished MC with a heart for others above her own. I really related to her sense of needing control and feeling lonely, but also her increased longing for fulfilling daydreams and giving in to love.
And of course, our leading man Charlie Lastra, ladies and gentleman, is everything. The thoughtful sweetness hidden behind the intimidating, often-pouty exterior.
Their quick fire, intelligent banter kept me laughing the entire story through. The carefully crafted flirtatious insults. All of the tropes, but somehow still the exact right amount of trope, the precise dash of small town magic. This book is SMART, okay.
Nora and Charlie are the type of enemies-to-lovers you don’t find yourself rolling your eyes over, like not even once—they are remarkably real, sweet and sour. They’re not so over the top in their hatred that it definitely feels like the trope is the single reason for the continuation of the story. In this book, the trope more serves as a cheeky reminder that white hot tension and true fate are excellent anecdotes to Two Adults Who Are Meticulously Stubborn and Deliciously Compatible. The story is about the characters and their interactions, not just moving from point A to the inevitable point B. Sure, that does happen, but it’s not what you focus on the entire time. You’re drawn to all of the many points between. There is such a natural softening of the bristly edges, a gradual turn from enemies into lovers; it doesn’t feel rushed or forced at all, which I find happens in a lot of novels of the genre. The pacing for this one is just right.
In simpler terms, I loved this book. To Emily Henry, I say: I love your brain.
ALSOOOOO the January Andrews (from Beach Read) shout-out!!!! Little Easter eggs like that make me so, so happy.
With each of her last three books, she makes the romantic tropes of “coincidence” fresh and fun. I would say so especially in this one, as it touches on nearly every cliche or archetype, but in a way that feels like it’s never been done before. Idk if that makes sense but she does, so just trust me.
Nora (loved the Ephron reference here!), our very accomplished MC with a heart for others above her own. I really related to her sense of needing control and feeling lonely, but also her increased longing for fulfilling daydreams and giving in to love.
And of course, our leading man Charlie Lastra, ladies and gentleman, is everything. The thoughtful sweetness hidden behind the intimidating, often-pouty exterior.
Their quick fire, intelligent banter kept me laughing the entire story through. The carefully crafted flirtatious insults. All of the tropes, but somehow still the exact right amount of trope, the precise dash of small town magic. This book is SMART, okay.
Nora and Charlie are the type of enemies-to-lovers you don’t find yourself rolling your eyes over, like not even once—they are remarkably real, sweet and sour. They’re not so over the top in their hatred that it definitely feels like the trope is the single reason for the continuation of the story. In this book, the trope more serves as a cheeky reminder that white hot tension and true fate are excellent anecdotes to Two Adults Who Are Meticulously Stubborn and Deliciously Compatible. The story is about the characters and their interactions, not just moving from point A to the inevitable point B. Sure, that does happen, but it’s not what you focus on the entire time. You’re drawn to all of the many points between. There is such a natural softening of the bristly edges, a gradual turn from enemies into lovers; it doesn’t feel rushed or forced at all, which I find happens in a lot of novels of the genre. The pacing for this one is just right.
In simpler terms, I loved this book. To Emily Henry, I say: I love your brain.
ALSOOOOO the January Andrews (from Beach Read) shout-out!!!! Little Easter eggs like that make me so, so happy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Medical content, Alcohol, and Abandonment
tiannakelly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, Cursing, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Bullying
baileycowen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I can’t and won’t stop talking about this book- it’s perfect in every way and I loved it all. Truly amazing!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
jenna36'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
5.0
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I like this book even better than Beach Read. It was emotional, sweet, and also very funny. I think Charlie might be one of my favorite romance heroes of all time. He was absolutely perfect. And I loved how well-rounded Nora was as a character. The way they fit together was beautiful as well. I cried twice while reading this, it is just so beautiful and authentic. I thought that People We Meet on Vacation was a step down from Beach Read, but Book Lovers has cemented Emily Henry as an auto-buy author for me.
Update: On reread it holds up!
Update: On reread it holds up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Pregnancy
kaseybereading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
ratetheromance's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Can I give this book more than 5-stars? Because...oh, my heart! I liked Beach Read, really liked People We Meet On Vacation, but I absolutely obsessively loved BOOK LOVERS.
Emily Henry has perfectly written this small town, enemies-to-lovers, all the feels, beautiful story! I feel like I know each and every character in this book, no matter how small.
Nora is such a wonderfully complex character. She is tough and smart. Rigid and hard-working. Loyal and driven. The relationship between her and her younger sister is EVERYTHING. Their communication had me snort-laughing more than once and their sibling relationship was beautiful and complicated.
Charlie and Nora have pitch perfect hate-banter at the beginning of this story and achingly swoony moments towards the end. Charlie is so solid and straight-laced and wonderful.
BOOK LOVERS has everything I want in a book. Complexity, humor, sweetness, character growth, grief, healing, steam (ahem!), and a happily-ever-after that left me contentedly sighing and grinning.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The beauty of this story, for me, is the realness of the writing. Nothing is glossed over and tied neatly into a bow. Real life, with all of its mess, is woven into this every page. That is my favorite kind of book. I want to read a story in which there is no clear path forward, no black-and-white solution to every conflict. There is just life's truth shining through the fiction.
Do yourself a favor and just one-click purchase BOOK LOVERS and then prepare yourself to devour it in one sitting. You can thank me later!
Emily Henry has perfectly written this small town, enemies-to-lovers, all the feels, beautiful story! I feel like I know each and every character in this book, no matter how small.
Nora is such a wonderfully complex character. She is tough and smart. Rigid and hard-working. Loyal and driven. The relationship between her and her younger sister is EVERYTHING. Their communication had me snort-laughing more than once and their sibling relationship was beautiful and complicated.
Charlie and Nora have pitch perfect hate-banter at the beginning of this story and achingly swoony moments towards the end. Charlie is so solid and straight-laced and wonderful.
BOOK LOVERS has everything I want in a book. Complexity, humor, sweetness, character growth, grief, healing, steam (ahem!), and a happily-ever-after that left me contentedly sighing and grinning.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The beauty of this story, for me, is the realness of the writing. Nothing is glossed over and tied neatly into a bow. Real life, with all of its mess, is woven into this every page. That is my favorite kind of book. I want to read a story in which there is no clear path forward, no black-and-white solution to every conflict. There is just life's truth shining through the fiction.
Do yourself a favor and just one-click purchase BOOK LOVERS and then prepare yourself to devour it in one sitting. You can thank me later!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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