emily henry will never not be perfect. she outdoes herself every time. there’s just something about her characters … a realness? who knows, but it’s working.

#netgalley

Oh gosh. Am I crying right now? Oh foof. This book. This was SO good! One of the best books I've read in a long time. My heart is so full. Spectacular.

It's going to take my heart a while to recover from this one! I already can't wait to reread it. Emily Henry nails it again - I couldn't put Book Lovers down. I found it so well balanced and paced. The mix of humor and heart was perfect as was Charlie and Nora's banter and spice. It absolutely gave me all of the feels, swoons, and squeals. I also really appreciated that Nora grew but didn't change her core self. I loved that she was a shark and that Charlie loved that too. Can't wait to aggressively recommend this book to everyone I know.

Utter perfection!

Anybody who knows me knows that I am the biggest fan of Emily Henry's writing. I spent all summer hand selling her last book "People We Meet on Vacation" while working in Indigo, even going so far as to claim it as "my staff pick". To receive an ARC of this book felt like the book gods (Berkley) were smiling down on me and rewarding me for singing praises for Henry's work during my Indigo career. Like every one of her books, Henry draws you in with a seemingly simple premise. At face value, this is a book about a literary agent, Nora, and her sister, Libby, spending the tail end of summer in a small town, which so happens to be the featured location of Nora's client's best-selling novel. The sisters come up with a list of things they need to complete by the end of the summer and one item on the list is to be romanced by someone from said town. However, what Nora doesn't expect is that the romance she is seeking in Sunshine Falls might be from a rival literary agent, she hates back in NYC, who by chance is also spending the summer in this town. On a deeper scope, this book is an ode to those who put their happiness on the back burner to watch their loved ones succeed. It pays homage to those who struggle with the insecurity of things not being perfect, and those whose anxiety stems from being the one who is relied upon when things fall apart. Nora isn't the perfect character, but her flaws are human. I saw a lot of myself in Nora, and at times it felt like Henry was recalling my own feelings and anxieties in Nora's story. The premise and romance itself is an ode to all our favourite cliche romance tropes, but it's imbued with a uniqueness that makes the story stand out from the tropes it takes inspiration from. The book is highly addictive, and while you kind of know how the story ends, you still want to make sure that your characters and their hearts are safe. In true Henry fashion, this book is so much more than a romance book and I hope readers recognize it for what it is, good fiction, filled with character, thoughtfulness, fun, care and most importantly heart.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

I was so psyched when I got approved for this eARC that I actually did a happy dance in IKEA. I have loved all of Emily Henry's previous books and I loved this one too. Book Lovers was actually a lot different than I expected. I went into this only knowing that it involved an uptight literary agent, her semi-rival editor, and that it was it. The actual story is a twist on the typical Hallmark movie "big city girl goes to small town and falls in love with local farmer/baker, etc. so she breaks up with current big city significant other then moves to small town to start a new life" where our main character, Nora, is the big city SO who got dumped. She ends up in a small town with her sister who is determined that they will live out their best Hallmark movie lives while they are on vacation. Of course, the rival editor happens to be in that small town as well and sparks fly!
I loved the romance in this. Emily Henry wrote such a good teasing will-they-won't-they without overdoing any tired tropes like miscommunication or having the characters be too dramatic about it. As usual, there are a lot of deeper themes throughout the book. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Nora and her sister (though I didn't love how Libby called Nora "Sissy" all of the time) and it was really touching exploring the reconfiguration of their relationship.
There's also a small-town bookshop in this and I loved that so much.
I was definitely teary-eyed near the end of the novel.
I can't wait to get my physical copy and May so I can reread it and mark all of my favourite parts!

Emily Henry hits her stride with Book Lovers, a contemporary romance set in the world of the New York City publishing industry. I thought Beach Read was fine, and though it dealt with some of the same topics as Book Lovers (playing with literary tropes and personalities), it didn't feel particularly memorable.

Book Lovers was much more successful for me, from the character development to the plot progression. The writing, and especially the dialogue, felt real and never forced. I loved the banter between the two leads, but each of the characters really had their own voice that was unique and easily identifiable.

I'm already looking forward to her next book.

And PS - THANK YOU for that epilogue. It's foreshadowed earlier in the book in reference to how most romances end, but I got a good chuckle of it actually playing out realistically and not caving to convention.

Oh my goodness she did it again. Emily Henry is a mastermind and dare I say this book might be my favorite by her. This book takes a troupe and adds depth and character to it. Nora is an amazing character who has a lot going on. She is the hardworking city girl who doesn’t have much time for dating. This book is a reminder that there are people who are going to love you the way you are and appreciate the things you care about.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC!

Emily Henry is so good. The set up of this book is chef's-kiss perfection: Nora, an incredible high-powered literary agent and her sister Libby vacation in a small town in North Carolina, where Nora runs into Charlie, a book editor she's had tension with in the past. This book plays with the small town, professional woman trope beloved by hallmark movies everywhere, in a way that was so satisfying, and I loved that though the romance was central, Nora's relationship with her family was incredibly important to this book (as it was in my favorite Emily Henry book <i>Beach Read</i>. Emily Henry continues to rule, and I can't wait to read her next book.

Where to even start???

First THANK YOU SO MUCH to NetGalley, Berkley Books and Emily Henry for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review. To say this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 would be a gross understatement!

I fell in love with Emily Henry's Beach Read and People we meet on vacation and though she set the bar high I think Book lovers is by far her best yet!

Why I loved it so much (and think you will too):
-the beautiful sister relationship between Nora and Libby
-the small town AND big city love (NYC lovers and Stars Hollow lovers are going to all be happy)
-the strong, independent, female MC who is living her dream unapologetically and not looking for love, kids and a HEA to complete her life
-the LISTS!
-the OFF THE CHARTS sizzling, sexual tension/chemistry in this ultimate slow burn romance
-the ode to good books (literally!), writers, authors, editors, agents, etc ; this book is a love letter to all the things that make publishing great books possible
-the Beach Reads Easter egg at the end
-the PERFECT ending/epilogue

This was an emotional roller coaster ride and I enjoyed EVERY second of it. I didn't want this story to end but couldn't wait to see how it would. PRE-ORDER this one immediately and run to get your copy when it releases in May 2022! You will not be sorry. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez or Sarah Adams.

How do I even begin to write this review? Definitely crying if you’re wondering. Every time I am done with an Emily Henry book I feel my heart being destroyed and put back together in the best way.

A book about book lovers in every way. I expected for this to be a love story about two people falling in love but it was so much more than that. While Nora and Charlie are hilarious and the epitome of swoon worthy, this book highlights sisterhood in a beautifully breathtaking way.

I was not prepared for the grief in this book and the way it shapes this story. As someone who had to grow up too quickly, Nora’s storyline was so relatable.

This story is also hilarious. The banter in this book will not disappoint. The conversations between Libby and Nora are hilarious and the dry humor between Nora and Charlie will make your heart explode.

This book felt like a love letter to book lovers and to folks who unapologetically love the city. Folks can find the same passionate small town romance love in the city.

This book was honestly perfect. The new Adele song, Easy on Me, reminded me so much of Nora, how she was forced to grow up quickly, how she wants to take care of everyone, how she ends up loving Charlie so much she knows she has to walk away. “I know there is hope in these waters
But I can't bring myself to swim”

There’s no feeling like falling in love with Emily Henry characters for the first time. Enjoy! (less)

Emily Henry has officially become my favourite author of all the time. I love her books, I adore her characters and live vicariously through them. Her writing style, the relatable characters, the simple language, the voice of the heroines, introvert main characters, the angst, the chemistry, the sweeping romance and their love for the books is something and everything I want and need. I connected with Nora and Charlie so deeply and I’m already tempted to flip back to the very first page and start it all over again. It’s such a great story of love, acceptance and being shameless and comfortable with what you want in and for your life. Also, it’s a love letter to book. I couldn’t be more satisfied!!

"The last-page ache. The deep breath in after you've the set the book aside."

"Does anyone ever want to finish a good book?"

I cried when I finished this, so, NO I did not want to finish, and I deeply felt that last-page ache.

I am a HUGE Emily Henry fan, and this was my favorite of hers so far. I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again: Emily's books are a MASTERCLASS, not only in in romance and characters and setting, but also in the craft of writing itself. HOMEGIRL CAN WORK A METAPHOR. I was blown away by how beautiful this story was, and all the elements just *worked* so well. I couldn't put it down and I just want to re-read it again and again and again. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. A++++++

(Also, we love a man with killer eyebrows???)

A huge thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. BOOK LOVERS is out May 3, 2022.

Emily Henry's books are like a soft breeze on a sunny day. They are flowers blooming under your feet, in your life. They are the sun lighting up your world every single day. They are your favorite snack whenever you're feeling down. They are a hug when you need it the most. Emily Henry's books are your best friend, your best lover, your family. I swear every time I read one I feel like I shed a new skin and I can go at life once again.

Book Lovers is the story of one literary agent going on a trip with her little sister to a small town in order to complete a list inspired by their favorite book, but in said little town she finds the book editor she doesn't like so much too. Nora is a very sharp agent that cares so much about her work, about her clients. She has always believed she is the villain of her ex's love stories because she has always been the left woman, the girlfriend left in the city when her boyfriends have gone to a small town and found love with someone else like in the romance novels she loves the most. She thinks life is driven by popular tropes, so this book is definitely a love letter to book lovers, readers, and everyone who works in the book community.

You know, Beach Read is definitely more WF than romance while I think People We Meet on Vacation is more romance but still WF in some way. I think Book Lovers might have a bit of romcom in it tho. I couldn't stop laughing. I was smiling way too hard while reading the book. The way Nora, Libby, Charlie and every single character is so hilarious. The words, the conversations, Emily Henry never missed.

Now the romance? The romance is chef kiss. Nora and Charlie are right there with Alex and Poppy as my favorite EM couple. (But Nora is definitely my favorite heroine she has written!). The romance starts very early on but it still is very slow burn like an Emily Henry novel. She knows how to grab your attention and keep it there. She knows how to make you swoon and Nora and Charlie do it in spades. Skinny-dipping but also hot makeout session? Check. Kissing under the rain while fondling? Check. This book is HOT AND STEAMY. But also it's very charming and I love the banter between these two because they understand each other so fully. It's like they've met their equal and now can finally breathe. Huh, I've been searching for someone like you. Here you are.

But like any Emily Henry novel it's also really emotional. It talks about heavy topics like death (of a parent), grief and PTSD. So please thread carefully when you're ready to pick up this book, please!

What more can I say about this book? I loved it. I don't think I've said that. It's so good, so fulfulling, so wholesome. Every chance I got, I wanted to keep reading it. I can't believe I'm reading it now in October and this is coming out in May, so the next Emily Henry book is definitely coming out on 2023 I bet *sobs* more than a year of waiting for me now.