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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
hopeful
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:
No
/ Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for allowing a read of this ARC /
I was really looking forward to reading a bookish romance and Not Quite by the Book definitely delivered on that promise.
Emma and Davis, the two MC’s, are relatable, have a great dynamic and feel like they actually (could) exist.
The first 2/3rds of the book meander along nicely, but are quite predictable, if you read a lot of romance. There was a bit too much repetition of the main set-up (Emma trying to live her best Emily Dickinson life in order to make changes in and step back from her actual life) to my taste, but I did really like the premise and the building up of the world around the old manor and bookstore. I felt like walking through Amherst in fall!
The final third sped up and had a few minor plot twists and resolutions that felt satisfying and realistic. I am still rooting for the MC’s! I am also still frustrated by Emma’s family dynamics, so be warned.
Overall I really enjoyed this read and would read another Julie Hatcher romance.
I was really looking forward to reading a bookish romance and Not Quite by the Book definitely delivered on that promise.
Emma and Davis, the two MC’s, are relatable, have a great dynamic and feel like they actually (could) exist.
The first 2/3rds of the book meander along nicely, but are quite predictable, if you read a lot of romance. There was a bit too much repetition of the main set-up (Emma trying to live her best Emily Dickinson life in order to make changes in and step back from her actual life) to my taste, but I did really like the premise and the building up of the world around the old manor and bookstore. I felt like walking through Amherst in fall!
The final third sped up and had a few minor plot twists and resolutions that felt satisfying and realistic. I am still rooting for the MC’s! I am also still frustrated by Emma’s family dynamics, so be warned.
Overall I really enjoyed this read and would read another Julie Hatcher romance.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Emma loves Emily Dickinson’s poems and runs a family bookstore. She has no time for vacations. Emma is a people pleaser and she feels burnt out from taking care of the family bookstore. She never asks for vacation, and she has given up on love too. One day, she gets a chance to spend some time at a historic manor in Amherst, where she can embrace her inner Emily and take a break from the bookstore and her old routine.
I really enjoy it when a character embarks on a self-discovery journey. I admired Emma for standing by her decision to spend a month in the manor, despite her sister’s anger and her parents’ unpreparedness for her to leave the bookstore. I found Emma’s personal growth and self-discovery journey, as well as the new people she met in Amherst, to be very compelling. She didn’t give up, even after trying and failing at some new activities.
I love other things in the book like letter-writing, bunnies munching on Emma’s garden, mysterious flowers, and letters for Emma. The romance was a slow burn in the book.
Overall, this book was an easy read, and I love the descriptions in the book. I enjoyed reading this book.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Review coming in the next months.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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 is an incredible story of a woman in her early thirties that decides to take a chance and go on a six week adventure. Emma and her relationships are a little complicated because she has placed herself in the role of parent to her sister and mom and dad. Emma does not think of herself as being in this role and realizes during her get away how much resentment she has been building. Her quest to become more like her favorite author Emily Dickinson, turns into her repairing the relationships with her family by realizing what she wants to do.
Emma’s quest to become more like Emily Dickinson ends with Emma probing you can reset your life in your thirties. Emma goes through a lot of soul searching to figure out that she does indeed want to take over the family bookstore. She also ends up giving up on her goal of giving up on love, and instead falling for someone.
This story just made me feel like I was watching a hallmark movie and I loved it!