“So far, I have the book lying on my windowsill and framed with twinkle lights. My curtains run along the edge of the photo and vintage book pages that I ordered online are scattered underneath. I look through the camera on my phone to check the lighting but there’s still too much empty space…’I never knew so much work went into these pictures,’ he says. ‘Most people don’t. Bookstagram is time-consuming but intensely worth it. And the sense of community is magical.’“

Kara Sullivan, a best selling romance novelist and influential bookstagrammer, finds herself with a deadline looming and writers block. When she runs into her ex at her best friends wedding she wonders if Ryan can be the great muse she is looking for to help her finish her historical romance.

A book within a book. Italy. A dog. An author. Bookstagram. An enemies to lovers trope. A best friends wedding. Did I mention Italy? I could leave the review at just that and I feel like you would know exactly what I mean and exactly why I loved this book so much. It was like a warm hug for any book lover or bookstagrammer.

If you love enemies to lovers or second chance romances, read this adorable book. Even if you don’t, read it for the love of dogs and books and pretty book pictures!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Are you a fan of a book within a book storyline? If so, this is for you. I actually am and I thought Kate did a brilliant job -- two people who don't like each other turned into lovers. I know we've read it before but when it's done beautifully we know we love it!!

RATING: 2.5 STARS
2021; Graydon House/HARLEQUIN

If you know me, I requested this book solely on the title. Blank Book Blank Blank...sold! This was not a bad book, I just didn't feel the chemistry between the heroine and hero. It felt a bit like a chore to pick back up again. I did listen to this one on audio, so I was able to finish it.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

3.5 stars.
The characters felt very realistic and the main character's two best friends were highly entertaining. Unfortunately, the romance itself was lackluster. Despite laughing out loud a few times this story made me feel very little. Basically, very average with a tiny bit more good than bad.

TALK BOOKISH TO ME by KATE BROMLEY
A fantastic, fun and steamy read, loaded with ALL the feels!

*Special thanks to #NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing - Graydon House Books for a free, electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*

Opening on an energetic note, we’re introduced to our main character, Kara Sullivan (an historical romance novelist, facing blank-page angst after the success of her first novel - with a deadline looming and not a word written she needs a muse fast!). She is arriving at her best friend’s pre-wedding party…
– and just what is a pre-wedding party you ask? well, it’s …”basically a casual reception days before the mega-reception.” Kara Sullivan, Talk Bookish to Me.

She and her BF discuss the upcoming nuptials ever so casually, and how one of her fiancé’s old friends is standing up with him and that he knows our MC from college. Enter Ryan Thompson. The one person Kara never expected to come face to face with, especially after a 10 year lapse. This is NOT a serendipitous meet cute, oh no – this is a kick in the gut, breath-stopping shocker of a re-meeting; and what does her so-called best friend do?.. but disappear and leave her to deal. Sarcasm and hilarity ensue as these two are forced together time and time again due to wedding revelries [including *gasp* even ‘shacking up’ due to the antics of an overzealous mutt!] and they realize they have some unfinished business.

Waffling between hurt and anger and the comfort of a once familiar love, the pattern of fighting and flirting that develops has Kara super confused, but to top it off it ignites her creativity. Uh oh!
Could Ryan be the muse Kara so desperately needs or the target {read motive} behind her murder trial?

I enjoyed this book immensely. I especially liked how caring Ryan was concerning Kara’s career, the witty, and oft times sarcastic banter between them [I laughed out loud! Not something that happens with many books proclaiming the ‘com’ surname – they seriously lack in the comedy department.] and how well-developed all of the characters were. Despite the some-what predictableness of the plot (oh! But that twist at the ending!) the pace was just right and the humour was on-point with just the right amount of steam.
A great beach read under a huge umbrella with a cool beverage!
4/5

Love reading a book that is totally relatable! As a self-published author and a bookstagrammer, I just loved Kara. I loved her entire relationship with Ryan - from wanting him yet trying to avoid him, to giving in. I loved the wedding as a setting as it definitely helps push relationships or crushes along. In the end, I think it's true that authors look to what they see to find inspiration for some of the best books.

3.5

Perfect summer read! Very quick read for me! It kept my attention and was an overall smart/funny story. Would recommend. :)

Perfect summer book. It’s smart and funny, I flew through it. The characters were splendid and the storyline kept my attention.

CHEATING. IS. NOT. CUTE. OR. ROMANTIC! The author destroyed any potential of this book when the twist of the book was finding out the MC's romantic interest was already engaged. But it's only for 14 days so it's not a big deal! And her friends all think she should forgive him because he's clearly in love with her. If I could give this zero stars, I would.

Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley is a cute enemies to lovers/ second chance romantic comedy that I enjoyed. What is better that a wonderful romance on a hot summer day, perfect escape. I will be reading more books by this author, I highly recommend this book if you enjoy romances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This book was utter perfection up and until the 75% point and then the author decided to use a plot point for angst or to cause drama that was absolutely not needed. After that point I never wanted to see the hero again, ever, the heroine could’ve fallen in love with another person in the last 25% percent of the book and I would have been perfectly fine with it.

Kara and Ryan knew each other in college and dated in college things were perfect in college until they had to go long distance. Things really got complicated then, which leads up to the point of them meeting at mutual friends wedding. From here on out it’s them getting re-acquainted and let me tell you this part of the book is perfection her writing her plot line absolute perfection. I laughed, I cried, I was invested in these two. I knew that there was going to have to be a twist in the story for them to grow a little bit more even though this book might not have needed it. This is the part where the book didn’t need it, especially this plot twist. Stop now if you don’t want a spoiler ahead….. Ryan is already engaged.. yup you read that right, he’s engaged he’s cheating on his fiancé. You cannot convince me in any book that this is okay. Anyways she forgives him life goes on blah blah blah.

I think I will try one of her books again in the future just not right now I’m to jaded.

I’m going to be honest–Kara was a main character that I had trouble relating to at first. And, try-as-I-might, I have the hardest time reading books featuring characters that I can’t relate to at all. It didn’t take too long, though, before I was immersed in this one.

A tale of second-chances, love, and some serious humor thrown in. Bromley’s freshmen novel shows that this author is full of potential!

This second chance romance/enemies to lovers romcom started really strong. Kara a historical romance writer and bookstagrammer is at her best friend’s prewedding party when she unexpectedly discovers that one of the guests is her ex-boyfriend. Having split 10 years before they are now forced to spend time together as wedding party members. Kara discovers that time spent with him helps cure her writers block and he becomes her muse with her book deadline looming.
The book is fast paced, fun and witty. The dialogue and banter are well done and additional characters are interesting and well developed. However about 3/4 of the way through there is a plot twist that was disappointing and changed the trajectory from fun romance to one that was more angst filled. With a strong start, laugh out loud moments and lots of favorite romcom potential, the first part of the books was great but the plot twist derailed it and cause it to miss the mark.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I must say the title had me from the get-go. I mean any title that refers to talking about books has my full attention.

Then I began t read the book and fell even more in love with it.

I loved the characters in this book, and I enjoyed how the author used her main character Kara to shed light on a few notions people have about romance novels. I also loved Kara because she was sweet yet sassy. She is also stubborn, hard-working, and is relatable. I felt she was a strong lead

Ryan is a charmer. The kind of guy you can't help but like. He is what I like to call a true southern gentleman. He also fits well into the makeup of this story.

I feel the author did a great job keeping the story going at a nice pace. The characters were well developed and the storyline fun and believable. Overall a loving afternoon read on a rainy day.

I am very happy that I got a chance to read this book and look forward to reading many more by this author.

This is the ultimate second chance romance book!

I loved this book. Deeply. Everything about it was so much fun and entertaining. I laughed so much that people around me thought I was a little crazy but that's completely fine because this book was well worth it. I'm surprised that this book is a debut! I'm so so excited to see what else Kate Bromley comes up with!

Did you know that the MC is a bookstagrammer? I mean, as a bookstagrammer, that is the coolest thing ever. She knew the struggles!! The pictures, the commitment, the passion for books you need. And she was also writing a historical romance which is just everything. I've never connected with a character more than I did with this one!

Side note, Duke is adorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the earc in return for an honest review.

Ok So I found out something while I was reading this book. What I found out is I don't like a book within a book kinda story. I Just got bored and wanted to just flip through all those pages. I ended up DNFing this one because I just didn't care about it.

Kara Sullivan is a romance writer on a deadline. Her best friend is getting married, so she has that stress on top of her work. Before the wedding, Kara meets the groom’s best friend, who happens to be Kara’s ex-boyfriend, Ryan. Ryan was Kara’s first love and they had a devastating break up ten years ago. Now, Kara and Ryan are thrown together in the wedding planning. Spending time with Ryan actually gives Kara inspiration for her novel. Since Kara is finally making progress on her book, she decides to give Ryan a second chance to make their own happily every after.

This was such a sweet and emotional romance. I could relate to Kara as a writer. She had written books in the past but she was struggling with her current idea. Sometimes, you just need the right inspiration to keep moving forward. Ryan was the key to finishing her novel. She used the formula of a romance plot to guide her relationship with Ryan, to hopefully make it last this time.

Since this was a romance novel, I knew something would happen to divide Kara and Ryan before they could show their strength and become a real couple. Ryan seemed like a dream guy to me, especially since he could discuss romance novels with Kara, which made what he did almost unforgivable. I was so heartbroken for Kara, and I don’t know if I would have forgiven Ryan. I was glad that the story picked up and had a happier, romantic ending.

Talk Bookish to Me is a fun bookish rom com!

Thank you HarperCollins for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Talk Bookish to Me sucked me in from the get go and it was near impossible to put down. It was flirty, fun and had more feelings than I was expecting.

Kara is a romance author and bookstagrammer. I really loved that she did both, and that she was an established author, but still struggled with writing. Her trials through writing her current book felt so real. I also liked that the author showcased bookstagram and how it definitely requires work. Kara is the maid of honor for her best friends wedding, and that's where she ends up coming across Ryan, her old college boyfriend, who is one of the groomsman.

I really liked Ryan from the beginning, He was very down to earth and was eager to remedy the past with Kara. However a thing happens later in the book that I really dislike and 99% of the time it ends up ruining the book for me, however Bromley executed it so well that it was impossible for me to not be reeled back in.

Talk Bookish to Me was a wonderful read and I can't wait for Bromley's next book!

I love books that talk about other book and this cute and sweet story was an excellent one.
I rooted for the characters and had fun in reading it.
Good character and plot development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I was already predisposed to like this book after reading the summary but all it took was the first chapter for me to realize I may as well go ahead and toss my to-do list for the day. These characters reeled me in hook, line, and sinker and I knew I wouldn't be putting the book down until I reached the conclusion of their story. And what an entertaining, satisfying, and surprisingly twisty story it turned out to be.

I loved that the author made these characters so flawed and real. There wasn't anything easy about their second chance at a relationship. The end of their college romance had been messy and hurtful, leaving residual feelings simmering in both Ryan and Kara. Hurtful words were spoken that couldn't be taken back. When they meet again ten years later, animosity is front and center but deeper feelings are still churning beneath the anger. All that messiness was still present, keeping them - and me - off balance. I wasn't at all sure I even wanted them to be together and then just when I decided they could only be happy with each other...well, you'll have to read the book to find out what comes next.

I really enjoyed all the twists and turns woven into this story. Bromley kept it real (really real - there were times I wanted to string Ryan up by his manly bits for his behavior) and kept me guessing about what would ultimately happen right up until the end. She filled the story with humor, desire, snappy banter, and self-reflection. She gave both Ryan and Kara the necessary time to confront their feelings, grow emotionally, heal from past hurts (not all of which were related to their relationship), find forgiveness, and reach a place where they were each able to move forward as whole, emotionally healthy, individuals...after a grand gesture and suitably appropriate amount of groveling on Ryan's part, of course. ;-)

I could not put this book down. I had to know what would happen next and, let me tell you, what happened next was almost always a surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed Talk Bookish to Me and recommend it for your summer reading list. I'll be keeping my eyes open for more from this debut author.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review