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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
laurelloaf's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
lostinabookishworld's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Unfortunately, I thought this was just okay. While the premise sounded cute and loved the setting, for me, the romance fell flat. I don't think I ever understood why our main characters liked each other and Emily's inner monologue was immature at times. The dialogue was forced, some of the plot was pretty unbelievable, and I never got sucked into a story. I will say, towards the end, I felt like we were finally getting more depth from our characters but it was too little too late. I wanted to like this and I'm sad it wasn't a win for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse
mrsjoylovesbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Thank you @PRHAudio for the audiobook. Brittany Pressley did an amazing job with the narration, of course. This was a really sweet read with a believable HEA romance, but also a beautiful friendship between an author and a fan/new assistant. I don’t usually cry in books, but this one brought on the tears. I was listening while driving and had to park. I honestly think Siobhan’s relationship with her son, Kieran, and also with Emily is a more prominent plot line than the romance, although it really all weaves together. If you want to read about a lovely town in Ireland, fall in love with a grumpy Irishman, and don’t mind your heart-breaking...I recommend listening to Love at First Book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
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