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dani_reis'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Cancer, Child abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
dogoodwithbooks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Closed Door Mod: Chapter 18
I was not expecting to fall in love with a book so much as I have with Love at First Book.
Whisked away to the heart of Ireland, former librarian Emily tries to set forth a new life for herself during her year-long work visa a local bookshop as well as serving as an assistant for her favorite childhood author. Meanwhile, Kieran, the bookshop’s owner and son of said author, is suspicious over Emily’s intentions and concerned about his mother returning to writing after a ten-year writer’s block. Yet, as the two spend more time together, the two realize that they have more in common than they originally thought.
I just love everything about this book. McKinlay has a way of words that transports you to the cozy charm of the Last Chapter within the small town of Finn’s Hollow (even the name of the town sounds cozy) as well as every book lovers’ dream of working within the walls of a bookshop or alongside their favorite author. The tension between Emily and Kieran, so palpable you could feel it, makes such for an enemies-to-lovers romance with enough slow-burn to have you kicking your feet and rooting for them to get together till the very end. Or maybe it’s how McKinlay makes you feel everything at once while reading this book.
Whatever it is that makes you want to read this book, and I can name a quite bit more reasons on why you should read this book, I assure you that you’re going to love it as much as I do.
I was not expecting to fall in love with a book so much as I have with Love at First Book.
Whisked away to the heart of Ireland, former librarian Emily tries to set forth a new life for herself during her year-long work visa a local bookshop as well as serving as an assistant for her favorite childhood author. Meanwhile, Kieran, the bookshop’s owner and son of said author, is suspicious over Emily’s intentions and concerned about his mother returning to writing after a ten-year writer’s block. Yet, as the two spend more time together, the two realize that they have more in common than they originally thought.
I just love everything about this book. McKinlay has a way of words that transports you to the cozy charm of the Last Chapter within the small town of Finn’s Hollow (even the name of the town sounds cozy) as well as every book lovers’ dream of working within the walls of a bookshop or alongside their favorite author. The tension between Emily and Kieran, so palpable you could feel it, makes such for an enemies-to-lovers romance with enough slow-burn to have you kicking your feet and rooting for them to get together till the very end. Or maybe it’s how McKinlay makes you feel everything at once while reading this book.
Whatever it is that makes you want to read this book, and I can name a quite bit more reasons on why you should read this book, I assure you that you’re going to love it as much as I do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Cancer
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Abandonment and Medical content
gmat's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child abuse
ckreads28's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
I am traveling around the world through my books and the setting through this Ireland shows the country and city as a well as the weather in an honest truthful way. I loved the banter as well as the banter being through book quotes. The grumpy x sunshine pairing and how books and a series can bring us together.
I loved the nicknames and the honesty of representation of healthy and unhealthy familial relationships. The need to set boundaries and having others validating them. Emily and Sam's friendship along with Ben's support of it was everything.
I loved the found family feeling of the town and the staff of the book store. The feels in this book are strong. I love that it also went over the writing process and the difficulties of it and the way it works for some people. Although there is a third act breakup, the grand gesture definitely makes up for it. Definitely need my own copies, will be rereading, and thinking of these characters long after.
I loved the nicknames and the honesty of representation of healthy and unhealthy familial relationships. The need to set boundaries and having others validating them. Emily and Sam's friendship along with Ben's support of it was everything.
I loved the found family feeling of the town and the staff of the book store. The feels in this book are strong. I love that it also went over the writing process and the difficulties of it and the way it works for some people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child abuse, Death of parent, Violence, and Emotional abuse
katrinaward's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Cancer
litbrett's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
mandareads222's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cancer, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Abandonment and Medical content
kimberlyyyreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
*4.5
Thank you Berkely & Netgalley for the free arc!
I don't even know where to start with this book, I was literally left with TEARS by the end of the book. I literally fell in love with everything about this book, Kieran, Em, Siobhan, and the last chapter. You can even include Tig McMorrow.
Emily Allen is such an amazing FMC, she really ends up taking your breath away. Her character development is phenomenal and I couldn't help but root for her from the beginning to the very end. I ended up relating to Em and the way she grew up. Having to basically parent her narcissistic mother and dealing with years of emotional abuse finding escapism behind books while also struggling with Hypochondria and eventually gaining the courage to leave her mother and healing. Em is such a strong character and one that I truly admire. She is everything I strive to be and more.
Kieran Riordan who is Sibohan's son and owner of the bookstore that Em works at part time is also an amazing character. We see him be such a loyal, loving and caring son from beginning to end. It was truly endearing how much he carried for his mom. We also see him have a hard time accepting Em in the beginning due to his overprotectiveness over his mother BUT...
Em and Kieran are so precious, their relationship started off with the utmost tension (In the best way ever) and witty banter. Keir calling Em "Red" as a nickname had me swooning on my knees. I really wish them nothing but the best. They deserve the happiest of endings and I believe Jenn gave them exactly that.
I must insist for everyone to check this book out, it is the perfect contemporary romance that will leave you all up in your feels in the best way possible. You will absolutely end up falling in love with everything about this book just in the way I did!
Cannot wait for you all to read this book!
Thank you Berkely & Netgalley for the free arc!
I don't even know where to start with this book, I was literally left with TEARS by the end of the book. I literally fell in love with everything about this book, Kieran, Em, Siobhan, and the last chapter. You can even include Tig McMorrow.
Emily Allen is such an amazing FMC, she really ends up taking your breath away. Her character development is phenomenal and I couldn't help but root for her from the beginning to the very end. I ended up relating to Em and the way she grew up. Having to basically parent her narcissistic mother and dealing with years of emotional abuse finding escapism behind books while also struggling with Hypochondria and eventually gaining the courage to leave her mother and healing. Em is such a strong character and one that I truly admire. She is everything I strive to be and more.
Kieran Riordan who is Sibohan's son and owner of the bookstore that Em works at part time is also an amazing character. We see him be such a loyal, loving and caring son from beginning to end. It was truly endearing how much he carried for his mom. We also see him have a hard time accepting Em in the beginning due to his overprotectiveness over his mother BUT...
Em and Kieran are so precious, their relationship started off with the utmost tension (In the best way ever) and witty banter. Keir calling Em "Red" as a nickname had me swooning on my knees. I really wish them nothing but the best. They deserve the happiest of endings and I believe Jenn gave them exactly that.
I must insist for everyone to check this book out, it is the perfect contemporary romance that will leave you all up in your feels in the best way possible. You will absolutely end up falling in love with everything about this book just in the way I did!
Cannot wait for you all to read this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, and Death of parent
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