It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

3.5 stars

Must Love Books is more of a contemporary novel than a romance, but I still enjoyed it. Don’t let the cute cover fool you - this book does deal with some heavier issues (tw for depression and suicidal thoughts), but at its core this novel is about self-discovery and growth.

Nora has spent the past five years at a job she thought she should love. As the company faces more and more layoffs and Nora’s workload increases (while her pay decreases), she realizes that she’s far from happy. Barely making enough to cover the bills and student loans, Nora takes on a secret second job to make ends meet. Soon the lies begin to take on a life of their own, and Nora’s jobs might not be the only things on the line.

Nora is a flawed character and most of the time I didn’t like her. Even so, the author did a great job of making you feel for her. During the catastrophic publication mixer I had to put the book down because I was cringing and so anxious about the outcome. I still wanted her to be ok.

I enjoyed Nora’s romance with Andrew. He was an interesting character and he seemed like a great love interest. He was supportive and giving to Nora, even when she kept walls up. I did find the romance a bit lacking, especially for something that was marketed to fans of romance. I also really enjoyed the view into the publishing world. I love books that take place in bookish places.

Overall this was a strong debut and I’m glad to have read it. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an advance copy. I look forward to checking out future works by this author.

I loved the insite given to the world of publishing in this book . There was also some very smart career path insites too.
This book was very clever in its approach to many issues and while not avoiding them it didn't make them a huge issue. Race being one of them .
I loved how the author approached mental health and the happiness scale. This was done in such a relatable fashion.
I adored the relationship and interaction between Nora and Andrew.
All in all , this was a really enjoyable read.

This book was a recommendation for romance readers, but it just isn't. Not a fan of the trend placing contemporary fiction written with women in mind being auto-categorized as romance.

Book Review: Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson

Must Love Books is the women’s fiction novel by debut author Shauna Robinson. It follows the tumultuous weeks where young editorial assistant Nora Hughes takes on a secret additional freelance job for a competitor when her salary is drastically cut at her current publisher.

Nora Hughes is one of her last team members remaining at Parsons Publishing when she gets the news that further cutbacks mean a reduction in her salary and still more responsibilities. Fearing she won’t be able to pay her rent she takes on an additional new job freelancing for a competitor. As Nora tries to juggle both jobs and keep it all secret she is also falling for one of her authors, Andrew. The lines start to get blurry as Nora has to decide which publisher she should push Andrew toward all while trying to manage depression as it begins to seep in.

I think a lot of readers will find Nora very relatable as she struggles with her career, finances, expectations and finding joy. Andrew was sweet and funny and I really rooted for them as a couple. There is also a lot of good inside information about the publishing industry and the people behind the books. Plus cute moments of humor mixed with more serious issues which is the type of read I gravitate toward. This is an excellent debut novel that I recommend to reader’s that enjoy stories about young women finding their place in the world along with a love of books.

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m sad to say this book wasn’t what I expected. Based on the cover, I expected a light-hearted novel about love and books. I know I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but many of us do it anyway – and I did. But even the synopsis didn’t lead me to the trigger warnings that should have been present for this title.

While the synopsis hints at her life spiraling out of control, it fails to mention that Nina Hughes, the main character, deals heavily with lying, manipulation, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

I’ll give it the fact that it was a realistic representation of someone struggling through depression, but it also sat in the depression for awhile compared to other books that deal with this topic. She works on finding a way out of her dark mindset, but she definitely sits in it for awhile first.

My heart does go out to the author. I know authors put their heart and soul into their books and I don’t take that lightly. This one just wasn’t for me. That said, I know it was largely pulled from her own life, and for that, I appreciate that she was willing to share her story with the world.

TW: depression, suicidal thoughts

‘And the final line under the desired skills and qualifications section sealed her fate, three little words that curled around Nora’s heart and told her she belonged in publishing: Must love books.’

This was not the book I was expecting but proved to be a really interesting read. It most definitely is not a romcom - yes there is romance, however, it is very much a side plot and thankfully, sensitive to the overall direction of the book. The couple have laughs, however, I far more appreciated their discussions surrounding happiness and mental health - this being the surprise package of this read.

‘… the only person left standing was Nora, alone. Working on books she didn’t understand or give a damn about, with authors who rearranged the same words on different pages year after year to make another royalty check.’

This book is very much about the lead character, Nora and her quest for a meaningful life with happiness. After several years in the same job, she is finding herself lost and literally staring at the ceiling fan. It’s not just about the meaningless job but also the issue of making ends meet on a poor wage especially given the extra tasks assigned to her. The author herself states that, ‘By unpacking the myth of the “dream job,” this story explores happiness as a fluid, ever-changing thing.’

‘Whenever Nora mentioned anything to do with publishing - manuscripts, books, working with authors - there was a faraway look in Kelly’s eyes, like she was on the verge of swooning.’

One of the reasons I selected to read this book was a chance insight into the life of a publishing company - and it provided this in bucketloads! It gave a detailed (and rather depressing) look at a career in publishing (a bibliophile’s purported dream job) and that it may not be a path for many. The surprises in this book were the themes surrounding mental health: (trigger warning) self harm and suicide thoughts. This was really quite powerful and overall well handled I felt. It also touches on racial issues (Nora mentions her ethnicity on occasions) and this, whilst minor, is still worth mentioning.

‘She could be the person she’d always imagined being, working on books - novels - that could actually help someone. Not help them leverage synergy to maximize productivity, but help them the way books had helped Nora. Help someone feel connected to something. Help someone feel less alone.’

Given the clear focus on one person’s journey to find meaning and purpose in life, I was both relieved and grateful for the ending which remained true to what I felt to be the author’s goal. My only issues are that, firstly, it was a trifle repetitive and slow on occasions. Secondly, Nora’s resolve to call a meeting to discuss her possible futures appeared somewhat out of character given her personal struggles throughout the book.

‘Nora ducked into a bookstore across the street to be among books and forget, for a minute, how they were made.’

So if an insight into life in a publishing house as a ‘dream job’ appeals to you, look no further. There are excellent Discussion questions at the conclusion along with an Author interview. Not the book I had thought to be reading, I did however, walk away much richer for my understanding of publishing career paths and, more importantly, when your dream job turns out not to be your dream job - what do you do? Nora’s journey of reevaluating and making tough decisions to alter her life path was something I very much appreciated.

‘learn(ed) how to find a new dream. And another, and another, until he found something that worked out for him.”














This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

A book about books is something I will never get tired of! It was so interesting to look into publishing and the issues found there, the challenges to overcome through the MC’s eyes! I liked that this book was not really about romance, but finding your true self, being self-conscious, overcoming your fears and loving yourself every minute of your life!

It had great depression representation!

I have very rarely not finished a book, but unfortunately this book wasn't for me. When I saw a book about a woman working at a bookstore, I think I was hopeful for something similar to Much Ado About You by Samantha Young. What I found instead was a book that highlights how downright hard it can be to stay afloat in the book marketing industry. Business is hard, especially with online markets, and this boo emphasizes this challenge for indie bookstores competing with big brands. Nora is likable and a believable character. Her moral compass plays a huge role in this story as she tries to determine what compromises she can and cannot ethically make. All in all, I was just searching for something lighter.

It is such a sweet romance. If you love books and big ideas, big dreams, and big love you'll love this sweet romance book. I would recommend it for anyone that needs a pick me up from a book slump. A great distraction of a read.

Nora has done the same crappy job that she doesn't even like for the last five years and is too scared to move out of it until she has literally no other choice than to find something to help make money to keep living her same life. At 10% in, nothing felt like it was moving, and it's just not the book for me. However, our average library goers would easily enjoy at a solid three stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

This is a tough one for me. I loved the setting of a publishing company and the honesty of working in that type of environment sometimes. I also loved Andrew’s character and the interactions between him and Nora.

However, there were things going on that I didn’t care for. TW…Suicide and depression are a big part of this book. Going into it, I was under the impression I would get a more lighthearted book with a love story and a character finding herself. Both of these things happened, but the book was a bit darker than I anticipated. I don’t mind a dark book that explores difficult topics, but a heads up is nice.

Having said that, it felt authentic the way Nora was acting in the beginning after discovering she battles depression. The writing was well done, and the longer I sat with my thoughts on this book, the more I could appreciate what the author put into it.

Thank you also to @netgalley and @sourcebooks for the arc in exchange for my thoughts!

I was wowed by this debut novel from Shauna Robinson. Must Love Books is an engaging, contemporary story about a young woman whose life becomes unsettled when she realizes that what once was her dream job as a publishing assistant has now become untenable. It’s not only a fascinating behind-the-scenes peek into the publishing industry, but it’s also a book that seems especially prescient as it debuts in the midst of The Great Resignation.

Even though I’m considerably older than the protagonist, Nora, I found her to be both relatable and likable, and I was rooting for her all the way. I strongly empathized with her frustrations towards people who send emails that are just the worst, and I also greatly appreciated the ways this book engaged with honest, compassionate conversations and depictions surrounding mental health, financial stability, and racial dynamics in the the workplace.

This book is not a rom com (the original cover seemed to imply that it was, so I’m glad it was changed!) but there IS a delightful romantic subplot, which was made even better by the fact that the love interest’s name, Santos, instantly had me picturing a young Jimmy Smits, thanks to the West Wing. 😍

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy of this book for review.

I really thought I’d like this much more than I did. Overall it was a fairly enjoyable, easy read with an OK romance, but I think the cover might deceive a few people. It’s not exactly the light-hearted rom com it appears. I’d consider this more a book about corporate burnout, career fatigue and someone struggling with where they are in life than a romance, though that is a big and sweet element of the story.

It was really interesting to read this depiction of the publishing industry. I think the frustration and disenchantment Nora feels in her job will speak to a lot of people. And I could certainly relate to many aspects of her work life!

I did like the story & I felt the way Nora’s deception fell apart was really well done, but I’m not sure I ever really connected with the protagonist, especially when she was playing such a risky & professionally unethical game & I think that affected my reading unfortunately.

I think this would especially appeal to readers who enjoy workplace settings or corporate dramas, and bookish protagonists with a touch of romance.

Title: Must Love Books
Author: Shauna Robinson
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Meet Nora Hughes—the overworked, underpaid, last bookish assistant standing. At least for now.

When Nora landed an editorial assistant position at Parsons Press, it was her first step towards The Dream Job. Because, honestly, is there anything dreamier than making books for a living? But after five years of lunch orders, finicky authors, and per my last emails, Nora has come to one grand conclusion: Dream Jobs do not exist.

With her life spiraling and the Parsons staff sinking, Nora gets hit with even worse news. Parsons is cutting her already unlivable salary. Unable to afford her rent and without even the novels she once loved as a comfort, Nora decides to moonlight for a rival publisher to make ends meet…and maybe poach some Parsons' authors along the way.

But when Andrew Santos, a bestselling Parsons author no one can afford to lose is thrown into the mix, Nora has to decide where her loyalties lie. Her new Dream Job, ever-optimistic Andrew, or...herself and her future.

I liked the style and writing of this novel, and I enjoyed Andrew and Nora…except that Nora thought it was okay to be unethical, lie, and steal (authors). She was under a lot of stress, but that doesn’t excuse poor morals. So no matter how much I enjoyed her and Andrews’s banter, that made the whole book much less enjoyable than it should have been.

Shauna Robinson lives in Virginia. Must Love Books is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review.)

Books about anything book related always end up on my must read list, and I was so excited to read MUST LOVE BOOKS just from the cover + concept. Thanks to Sourcebooks for my ARC!

Not only did Robinson give us such great insight into the publishing industry, but she wrote us a book that touched on so many relatable feelings for many of us. If you've ever had to work a job that may not appreciate your talents or the time you put in, or had to work two jobs to make ends meet, this book is for you. For me, how things happened to Nora at work, in her personal life, her growth as a person were such messy and real problems, I instantly found myself in her and wanted to cheer her on.

While the focus was definitely on Nora and her journey for a sense of self, I really enjoyed the relationship between her and Andrew as well. It added to the story in a realistic way while not taking over the plotline. I loved going into this book with no expectations, and having such an intimate, personal reaction to the story that made me want to take a look at my own self.

Nora's interactions with her friends and co-workers in the book made me want to reevaluate my own core words and intentions, I loved that hers were 1) Books 2) Input 3) Persuade 4) Nonprofit and how each of these were a part of the themes of the book.

Must Love Books does an excellent job of giving us an intimate look at a career in publishing and how a young woman finds a path to better utilize her gifts. Funny, sweet and intriguing, a great read

4.5 stars!! A quarter way through, I thought this book was only going to be a mediocre read but at the halfway point things took a turn and I ended up loving this book so much. The raw emotions really grabbed me. I could relate to Nora in so many ways. Feeling “stuck” in life is such a hard thing to go though. I appreciated the mental health aspect of the book a lot. I also really enjoyed the romance part and I wish all real life boyfriends would be as patient and understanding as Andrew. Of course, bonus points for a book featuring books! Well done!!

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks so much to netgallery and Sourcebooks Landmark for Shauna Robinson’s advanced copy of Must Love Books. Don’t let the cover deceive you, this is not a romcom! This is the story about Nora, a black women navigating the white publishing world, who also is dealing with mental health issues and trying to figure out her life. There’s also a little bit of a love story thrown in there too! I really enjoyed this book but at times was a bit frustrated with Nora. Overall I would recommend reading!

This book was a quick read, but it wasn't that enjoyable. I honestly think I read it so fast so that I could be done with it. The main character was annoying in my opinion and I didn't like the theme of choosing between her or a boy. I also am not a fan of books talking about characters struggling with mental health due to their own choices. Just makes me angry, but thats my opinion.