I liked this one - I really did but unfortunately for this book the last few books I've read that have taken place in bookstores where 5 star Keeper Shelf level reads so I went into this one with sky high expectations. Expectations that I don't think this book quite lived up to. I really liked the characters - except for Irma who drove me crazy with her refusal to deal with a situation of her making and talk to people she had insisted be in her presence. Luckily, because she was so unwilling to be part of the conversation she is mostly sidelined to a background character unless she's the topic of a "What should we do about Irma" conversation. The relationships between Bree, Laney, and Thom were interesting and I liked seeing that develop as well as getting to know each character better on their own.

Mixed in with the third person chapters were first person bits of narrative written by Elliot which I enjoyed. Elliot absence is such a pivotal issue in the book that it was nice to get to know him a bit. I found the writing style easy to read and I think it had a good flow.

While I enjoyed this book and liked the characters it just didn't pull me in and make me fall in love with the world the book created. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and will be keeping an eye out for her books in the future.

Bookstores are not just stores, they're places where you discovered new worlds, learned something new, and they're forever part of your soul.
This is the story of a bookstore, of people who love it, and how they fought to save it because it was part of their life and soul.
It's lovely book with a cast of great characters and an interesting plot. It made me smile and root for the shop.
The beginning is quite slow and it takes someting before things get going but if you are patient you are going to read a lovely and entertaining story.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Park Row and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Book Haters’ Book Club is a heartfelt novel full of self-discovery, community spirit, and lots of book recommendations. If you liked The Last Chance Library and stories about books, this is for you!

The charming Over The Rainbow bookstore is about to be sold. After losing her best friend and business partner, Elliot, Irma sees no other option but to sell. Enter Irma’s two daughters Laney and Bree who team up with Elliot’s widow, Thom, to stop the sale. Together, Laney, Bree, and Thom galvanize the local community to save Over The Rainbow from being turned into condos. It’s a story many of us can relate to – seeing our favourite independents being torn down in favour of progress and development.

What makes this book unique is how the pacing is broken up with interludes of the Book Haters’ Book Club newsletter and the breaking of the fourth wall with Elliot speaking directly to readers. The newsletters and Elliot’s carefully timed interruptions give Elliot his own voice as well as providing a history of Over The Rainbow Elliot and insight into the characters, particularly Irma and Thom. The newsletter also activates the book beyond the story because it includes real-life book recommendations for further reading, making you feel as if you are part of the Over The Rainbow family.

The Book Haters’ Book Club is a light-hearted and quirky book that is a perfect read for a crisp fall day, a comfy chair, and a cup of tea.

Thank you, HarperCollins Canada for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I love books, and I love books about books, This one was no exception. This one does a great job of showing the importance of family and friends, especially during challenging times and crises. The mother/daughter dynamic was a bit annoying at times, and some parts were a bit predictable. However, overall, this is a fun, lighthearted read.

With a slow start but ultimately a heartwarming lesson about family and determination, this book is worth reading. The first half of the book, I honestly was not sure that I would be able to finish it since the whole premise of the book about selling the bookstore was all that seemed to be the focus. At the beginning of the book, Elliot has passed away and his co-owner of the bookstore, Irma, has decided to sell Over the Rainbow. Irma refuses to explain to anyone why she would even consider selling Elliot’s beloved bookstore to a condo developer, but she is determined to do so in spite of all of the objections from her daughters Laney and Bree and Elliot’s partner Thom. Bree’s employment, in fact her entire life, is centered around the bookstore, so she is understandably about to melt down. Laney flies home from CA when she is summoned by her mother and is as bewildered about Irma’s choice as everyone else. The most charming part of the book and the reason I rounded up was the newsletter that was written by Elliot and interspersed throughout the regular plot. In the newsletter, Elliot gives book recommendations that are filled with with and recommends real books to those who don’t like to read. Elliot was convinced that a non-reader just has not met the right book yet, so in his newsletter, he strives to introduce them to what he thinks would be a good fit. The entire small town gets involved in the dilemma about selling Over the Rainbow so the drama is heightened. There is a lot of heart and humor in the book. I particularly found Laney to be humorous, snarky at times and vulnerably wistful at others. Once the secret was revealed for why Irma has decided to sell, the book’s pace picked up and the story continued on its merry way to a conclusion. I was not a fan of the relationship between Thom and Elliot, seeing it as a nod to that lifestyle, but it was not portrayed in a way that was offensive, so I was able to read the book without any problems. I did enjoy the sense of family overcoming things together and the town pitching in to help, even if their methods were a bit over the top. The characters were credible, the plot was slow at first and then moderately paced and the story itself is worth reading.
3.5 rounded up to 4 because of the charming book recommendations included throughout the book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive reviewer. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

**Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review!**

Wow! I really enjoyed this!
First starting out this book, I wasn't entirely sure where it would go... I was really excited about the idea of a book being centered around a bookstore and the people who ran it, were affected by, etc. And this didn't disappoint!
The beginning was a bit of a slow start for me, but I quickly became intrigued by the premise and the characters. I think that is the best part of this book - the characters. They are so real! They do things that you want to yell at them about, that you completely understand, that you want to cry or laugh with them over. Seeing all of the different types of relationships - friends, sisters, children, partners, spouse - and how these characters interact with each other, these relationships change due to things happening in their world. It was wonderful to read about.

And the bookstore? I want this bookstore to exist! Can someone please point me to something like this store!? The recommendations and stories alone make the store enticing, but when you read what it looks like, even better!

As you may have noticed from the gushing above, I really did enjoy this book. It deals with some heavy topics, but it never feels so heavy or dark that you need to put it down. It deals with them in a real way, but with a touch of hope tinting the reality. The plot propels the character growth, and the character growth makes you love the characters even more. There is creativity and realness to the scenes - yes, even the one where a full grown drunk adult pees their pants (I laughed so hard at this entire scene!!!)!

I will admit there was one thing that didn't work for me in the story, but it is kind of a spoiler - read on in the spoiler section at your own risk! There are moments in between chapters where Elliot - a character we don't actually meet since he has passed away before this story - pops in to give insight or additional information. I found this strange and it constantly pulled me out of the story... This was a character we got to hear stories about, who was gone before this story itself starts, and it didn't seem to add anything integral to the story but only pulls the reader out for these constant "commercial breaks..."
I did like the insertions of the Book Haters newsletter though!

If you want a story that centers around books, relationships, and working your way through the hard moments, this is the book for you! There is so much wealth and hope from this story - and even a tiny bit of romance side plot ;)

What a crazy, convoluted, ragtag bunch of characters in this town outside Minneapolis. Each of them seemed quite real and full of heart. I just loved each of them. The current countdown to the closing of the Rainbow book shop alternates with old issues of "The Book Haters' Book Club" newsletter from different points in the store's history. The friends are family, and the family is family--they don't always get along or communicate well, but they LOVE each other. It is a really fun read, even considering the sadness each of them feels over the loss of Elliot. It's his spirit that seems to spur them on throughout the book.

Recommended for all book lovers, especially those who love and support indie stores.

Cute read. The title is misleading. Irma is selling the bookstore and the sake is imminent. Her daughters and her partner’s partner have to think fast to salvage the store.
I loved all the book talk and anytime a bookstore is in jeopardy of closing is ever good. I liked how Beth, Laney, and Thom worked in a plan and then executed it. Sacrifices had to be made and they did make them.
I really couldn’t make sense over Tuck and Laney’s relationship.
It’s a good read about healing from the past and forging ahead into the future, with books, of course.

The Book Haters’ Book Club follows multiple characters dealing with the death of the owner, Elliot. As the book unfolds each character must come to terms with the possibility Over the Rainbow would be sold to the highest bidder and the legacy of Elliot would be lost. The characters work together to ensure the store is not sold through interesting actions of the characters and the secrets that come out due to those actions. Elliot’s partner finds a way to carry on the legacy through shrinking the business so it can continue. The story is interrupted by newsletter articles and weird commercials. The newsletter recommends books to reluctant/ book haters. Overall, the story was often funny and touching. The author pays tribute to the librarians and book sellers and their ability to often change lives.

When Elliott dies unexpectedly, his business partner Irma surprises everyone by selling the bookstore Over the Rainbow to a development company. Shocked and outraged by the quickness of the sale with no input by the family or community, Elliot's partner Thom and Irma's two daughters Bree and Laney work together to come up with a plan to save the bookstore and find out why Irma is in such a hurry to sell. Mixed with funny "interludes" in Elliot's own words, awesome book recommendations, and complicated family relationships, this is a book for book lovers. After all, "All it takes is the right book to turn a Book Hater into a Book Lover…"I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

I'm always going to pick up a book about books, bookstores, etc....always. This one had the winning combination of a bookstore, some family drama and a bit of a mystery.

After the devastating loss of her partner, Elliott, Irma decides to sell their dream bookstore, Over the Rainbow. Elliott's partner, Thom and Irma's daughters, Bree and Lany are stunned. The trio decides to join forces to uncover why Irma would sell and at such a paltry price.

Uncovering the reason for the sale gives grief stricken, angry Thom purpose as he has the most to lose financially. Bree and Laney are working through their one personal struggles and remnants of sibling rivalry and bitterness as the unite for this common goal. I love a found family story and these unlikely allies do become family as the Elliott and Irma's full story and partnership origins are revealed.

The title comes from Elliott's newsletter which gave book suggestions for people who say they don't like to read. An avid reader will likely be adding some titles thanks to the excerpts interspersed throughout the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about books, set in a bookstore, but was so much more.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Park Row for the complimentary digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

What worked:
Bree and Laney's relationship is so sweet and their teasing banter is some of the best I've ever read. Actually, the dialogue is really well written and the true star of the novel.

What didn't work:
There was quite the little "huh?" reveal at about 25% about Bree coming into the family that I really thought should have just been laid out in the beginning. Irma's continual avoidance of discussing the upcoming sale went on too long and became annoying. There is also an "I released a breath I didn't know I'd been holding." Why are authors still committing this cliché?

I'm ambivalent about:
I always hate the "surprise baby / oh I'm not sick, I'm pregnant" trope, but this one was at least a bit original in both the realization and subsequent decisions.

Personal note:
I chose to read this ARC because I was dealing with losing a close friend and needed something "light." Yes, a death is referenced in the summary, but I thought this would be a fluffy and fun read about a bookstore. It was actually pretty heavy on the grief. Elliot's presence and opinions are made known by his little pop-ins throughout the story and while he was charming and funny, it was painful to read it juxtaposed against his boyfriend's (and my own) overwhelming grief.

THE BOOK HATERS’ BOOK CLUB is the first book I’ve ever read by Gretchen Anthony but it certainly won’t be the last! Once I started reading, the twists and turns kept on coming and I could not put it down. Gretchen Anthony has a talent for creating wonderful plot lines that hook the reader right from the very first page. I took my time with this amazing and unusual story as I wanted to make it last. Gretchen reels in her readers with quite a hook. I am kicking myself for not reading this story the minute I received it! She starts by putting the reader on a crazy roller coaster ride of emotions. Oh and I have to mention that while you are reading, there are book recommendations throughout the story! Just what us book addicts need right? How can you not love a book about books?

THE BOOK HATERS’ BOOK CLUB flows smoothly between present and past. I was quickly caught up in the story-line and found it difficult to put down. This book just flew by! THE BOOK HATERS’ BOOK CLUB is such a fun ride for the reader. There is mystery and many secrets that all come out eventually. Irma owned the book store, Over the Rainbow with her partner, Elliot. After he passes away, Irma sells the bookstore. Her daughters can’t believe it and know something else must be going on. Laney and Bree are shocked by Irma’s actions and are not going to let the bookstore go without a fight. Plus, her daughters always believed that Irma would be leaving the bookstore to Bree as she was being groomed to take over when Irma was ready.

THE BOOK HATERS’ BOOK CLUB is a fun read. I couldn’t put it down until I knew what was going to happen. Fans of bookish mysteries will enjoy this one. Plus, if you are a reader over a certain age, you will remember the thrill, before we had Kindles and readers, of going to a bookstore. THE BOOK HATERS’ BOOK CLUB is so well written, that even though it jumps back and forth between the present and the past, it is still easy to follow. This book hooked me from the very first page. I do not want to tell too much because I don’t want to give anything away, but while reading, I felt every possible emotion I could think of and loved every minute of it! There is so much going on in this story, but Gretchen Anthony does a wonderful job of weaving all the pieces together. Gretchen writes about quirky characters that are sometimes, very funny and I will admit to laughing out loud more than once.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Park Row through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Irma raised two daughters with the legacy of leaving them her bookshop, Over the Rainbow, to both of them. However, when her business partner Elliott passes away, Irma suddenly announces that she is selling the business. Bree has spent years working at the bookstore and was sure her mother was going to leave it with her. Bree's sister Laney is equally shocked. Then the fact that the space the bookstore occupies is soon to be turned into a condo development causes everyone concern, and this also includes Elliott's partner Thom.

So, Bree, Laney and Thom decide to fight the sale. What is more is that they try and get to the bottom of things and to try to understand Irma's sudden decision to sell. There is another character, and this character come in the form of a first-person narrative in this third-person story. With all the changes occurring, the story helps readers to see everyone's motivations, and even their pain and sadness over the impending sale.

Irma definitely has her reasons for the decision that she is making, and this further presses into the family's background and how the past years have played into all of their lives. This enjoyable story does more than deal with the possible sale. In fact, the title, The Book Haters' Book Club has a reason for its name. The characters work hard at turning non-readers into readers, thus providing wonderful book recommendations throughout. Factor in the compelling family drama and this was a truly delightful read.

Many thanks Park Row to and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review as well - https://youtu.be/ZUTTzDJjpBg

A book that gives you book recommendations!? I’m in!

Wow! This book pleasantly surprised me. I thought this was going to be a cute little book about saving a bookshop and while yes, that was exactly what it was about, it was also about so much more! The Book Haters Book Club was an absolute delight to read. Full of heart and wit, it’s perfect for any book lover.

I loved seeing the titles of books I’m reading with my kids (Dog man!) and titles/Authors works I’ve read in the past (Judy Blume!!). I absolutely adored the Book Haters Newsletter tidbits and thought it was super neat the way some recommendations were thrown in. While I didn’t particularly care for the “commercial break” parts, I thought The Book Haters Book Club was an overall fun read and I’m looking forward to more by this Author!

I also loved the fact that the book recommendations within were given by real librarians and booksellers. I thought that added piece at the end just made it so much better!

4 stars!

Highly recommend this one! This was my first book to read by this author but definitely won't be my last. The characters will stay with you long after you finish the book and you will find yourself wishing the story would never end.

I think the IDEA of this book worked better in concept but the execution wasn't great.

The first half was TEDIOUS is get through and could have been done in a more compelling way and have made the story more fun. That said, there were many fun and funny parts to this story. Overall, it's a story about books and turning book haters and non-readers into readers and book lovers....which, really, is the dream.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

Bree and Laney don't understand why their mother Irma is selling Over the Rainbow, their beloved father's beloved bookstore, and they are determined to keep it open. Thom, Elliot's long time partner, who has never liked Irma, doesn't understand either (or does he?). This is a tale of family dynamics interwoven with some terrific book recommendations which appear in Eliot's newsletters which punctuate the novel. There are a few surprises but this is mostly notable for the love for booksellers and bookstores. The characters, especially Bree and Laney, ring true. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A good read.

I had such high hopes for this book but I ended up DNF’ing it. The first person pop in where just unnecessary and it was taking way too long to get to the point.

Novel Approach To Novel Writing. I *really* like what Anthony did here with the interludes throughout the book, including opening and closing. It becomes very clear (because one of the early ones is "signed') quite early exactly who this person is, but the way Anthony writes them and where she chooses to place them are indeed quite novel in my experience, and thus this book is recommendable for this feature alone. Then there are the (Minnesota-specific) actual book recommendations spiced throughout the tale, in the form of newsletters the bookstore/ book club sent out periodically. And again: *Actual. Books.*. As in, you can search for them on your preferred site and buy them yourself! Which, again, is novel and recommendable for this feature alone.

Actual story-wise, we spend the first half of the book with many of our characters in shock and trying to prevent what they see as a travesty... and then a bombshell is dropped when the answers they've been begging for are finally provided. This bombshell twists the entire book to pivot in a new direction... and gives them all much more depth. Throughout both halves there is quite a bit of humor and heart, and there are a lot of different threads and themes going on here. (So those readers that prefer a more contained/ linear / singular focused tale... I still say give this one a try, but know going in it may not be your thing.) Ultimately the story itself is strong enough here, and the novel aspects of the writing truly take this book over the top in the best ways. Very much recommended.