3.5 Stars

Thank you #NetGalley @htp_books @HarlequinBooks @ParkRowBooks for a complimentary eARC of #TheMessyLivesOfBookPeople upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Liv Green is the daughter of an English Literature professor, loves the world of books, works two jobs, scrambles to make ends meet, and cares for her family. She finds her escape in a good book and dreams of being a writer. Her job as a house cleaner for a popular, reclusive, eccentric author feeds this dream. When the author unexpectedly dies, Liv is astonished by the author’s last wish….she wants Liv to complete her current work in progress. There’s an important writing deadline to meet and secrets to uncover.

Did you ever dream of being a writer?
Do you have a dream on the back burner?

I enjoyed the unique premise, the focus on writers, and the mention of several book titles in this story.

Will Liv finish the book and meet the deadline? Will she be able to write a compelling and satisfactory ending and uphold the author’s reputation? Will she uncover the author’s closely guarded secrets? Will this assignment break her marriage? Even though one of the plot points (where she attends a conference and impersonates the author) is a bit far-fetched, the author holds my interest. I felt invested and motivated to keep turning pages as I cheered for Liv’s success and her HEA.

I’m placing The Messy Lives of Book People in the “uplit” category. It’s a heartwarming story of bookish people, writers, and realizing a dream.

I’m warmly recommending The Messy Lives of Book People for fans of uplifting women’s fiction, for book clubs, and for your beach bag!