498 reviews for:

Not Quite by the Book

Julie Hatcher

3.43 AVERAGE

allyherro's review against another edition

4.5

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

mandiking's review

4.0

lighthearted medium-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

rebeccalisamarie's review

4.5

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Cute story, but too much Emily. 

katie_liz's review

3.75

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Not By The Book is a warm and cheerful read which had me yearning to book an extended holiday in a drafty Victorian mansion. 

Emma and Davis are delightfully earnest and kind, each on their own journey of self discovery. Emma’s energy and introspection was contagious and empowering. Whilst I found the plot a little scattered at times, with occasional lulls in the pacing, overall this was a quaint and warm read. 

I enjoyed the many literary references, and the obvious homage to You’ve Got Mail. The town of Amherst made for an atmospheric and romantic setting, and the letter writing classes such a quaint setting. A lovely read for anyone looking for a cosy and bookish romance. 

Thank you Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own. 

linz33's review against another edition

4.25

lighthearted 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

jkwriting24's review against another edition

3.25

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

thistlereads's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 14%

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Wasn’t pulling me in

rychelereads's review against another edition

3.5

hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

shortstack5's review against another edition

3.25

lighthearted slow-paced

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The idea of this story is really great, but the execution fell short. It was pretty predictable and repetitive. I love the self discovery aspect. I enjoyed the complexity of characters and how their pain and past impacted their POV and choices, especially their poor ones. I liked how the characters felt real and how they were able to have hard conversations that were not sugar-coated. I was much more invested in every other relationship with the lead than I was with the romantic one. It dragged on and wasn't very intriguing. There were so many things I liked but so very much that was lacking.

cellardior's review

2.0

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes