Not this book making me tear up at the end. 😭
This was such a cute, fun, romance completely surrounded by books in Ireland. Classic grumpy x sunshine.

Love at First Book was the cutest slow burn, enemies to lovers story I have read in a long time.
Em packs up her life and heads to Ireland after a letter she wrote on a whim to her favorite author results in a job offer to be her new assistant after leaving the main character of her popular series in limbo for ten years. She didn't expect that the owner of the book store that she would also be required to work at part time would be so opposed to her helping get the last book of the series in motion. The banter between all the characters was top notch and the story was beautiful, funny and heart wrenching at times. I couldn't put it down and look forward to more books by Jenn McKinlay.

Not sure how one of my fav cozy mystery writers wrote a romance that almost made me cry, but here we are.

Kier and Em are 😘😘😘

A hot Irishman that owns a bookstore and knows and recites obscure quotes from literature? *Swoon* Where can I find one?

Kier and Em’s relationship starts off rocky but their banter makes it all worth it.

Does @mckinlayjenn set up a story with Kier’s mom/Em’s literary idol where you know you’ll end up crying at some point? Oh, for sure. Are the tears worth it? Most definitely.

I loved this so much, and McKinlay might now be one of my favorite cozy mystery AND romance authors.

Special thanks to @berkleyromance for the ARC. This book is out today!

I really liked Love at First Book so much. I loved grumpy Kieran and Em and loved the family she found. Emily leaves her life as a librarian in the States to work at a bookstore in Ireland. Watching them all find their way and their feet in this emotional journey was so heartwarming and rewarding. There was a pretty big piece of the story that I felt was unresolved, but the rest of the story is so cozy and warm that it almost made it ok.

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay 💚
Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Romance
ARC Review
368 pages
🗓️ May 14th

📖 small town romance
🖋️ workplace romance
📖 dislike to love
🖋️ close proximity
📖 found family
🖋️ writing books, reading books, selling books

📌 “Do you mean you’re willing to make changes?”
“For you, Red, I’ll change anything you want. Just come home and be with me where you belong.”

Was I planning on crying on Monday’s Day? No.
But this book and it’s last chapters tugged at my heartstrings and I just couldn’t hold it inside anymore. I’m a cry baby. But I dare even the ones who aren’t to read all of this and not feel these same emotions 😭

{don’t worry. It has a glorious HEA. Just sometimes things happen and we can’t do anything to change them. I mean, Jenn McKinlay totally could but then we wouldn’t be feeling all the feels and as a book dragon I must say… it just wouldn’t be the same🥹}

I also wasn’t expecting to already hold a copy of this book in my hands but I went to the bookstore and it was there. Literary looks were exchanged and just like that it was coming home with me 😜

If you love all things books.
If you love all things love.
If you love all things found family and small towns.
This one is a love letter to you 💞

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would at first. For the first quarter or so I thought it was cute but kept getting pulled out of the story because the language felt clunky and kept tripping me up. I kept running into phrases like "she threw off the throw" which are grammatically fine, but sound really weird. And the language in general felt a little bit simple or juvenile.

But then, around a third of the way through, the story hooked me. I fell in love with the characters and the language stopped tripping me up. I don't know if the story found its groove and flowed more smoothly, or if I just stopped noticing it because I was too focused on what was happening in the story. Either way, from that point I loved it.

And that ending! I cried, like a lot. More than I've cried at a book in quite a while. I wasn't crying at the romance for a change, but for the story as a whole and the relationships between all the characters.

I think I would place this more in the category of 'character discovers herself' rather than strict 'romance.' It's a romance, sure, but that's not all it is and it's not always even the driving force. The romance is just a piece of what drives Emily to reinvent herself into the person she was always meant to be.

I would also recommend reading with a box of tissues beside you.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early copy for review.

Grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers book set in Ireland?! Sign me up! Not only is this a rom com but it does get into some deeper conversations which I appreciated. Overall a great booK!

Love At First Book by Jenn McKinlay
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Rating: 4.5 stars
Pub date: 5/14

Thank you so much to Berkley for my advanced copy and to PRH Audio for my complimentary audiobook.

Taking a break from her life, librarian Emily Allen heads to Ireland, where she’ll be working at a quaint bookshop in a small town and as her favorite author's assistant. Siobhan Riordan has had writer’s block for over a decade and can’t finish her popular series, which happens to be Emily’s favorite. She’ll thrilled to be there, with just one tiny problem: Keiran Murphy, Siobhan’s strikingly handsome, broody son who doesn’t want Emily anywhere near his mother.

Emily is instantly relatable with her dreams of adventure and her deep love for literature. Who hasn't fantasized about working with their favorite author in a picturesque setting like Ireland? But, of course, where would the fun be without a bit of friction? Kieran’s gruff exterior hides a heart of gold, and the dynamic between him and Emily crackles with witty banter and undeniable chemistry. It makes their journey from adversaries to lovers an absolute joy to witness.

Beyond the swoon-worthy romance, "Love At First Book" delves into deeper themes of family dynamics, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. Emily's journey towards independence and self-discovery is inspiring, while her efforts to help Siobhan find closure with her series was heartwarming.

The Irish backdrop, which leaps off the page with vivid detail and charm, was a big draw for me! I love books about books and anything that takes place in Ireland, so I was hooked on this story from the very start. Brittany Pressley does an incredible job voicing these characters and really elevated this story for me.

This book is a love letter to bookworms everywhere, serving up a delicious blend of romance, humor, and heart. With its lovable characters, engaging plot, and irresistible charm, it's a must-read for anyone looking for romance and a little adventure.

Read if you like:
*books about books
*grumpy/sunshine
*enemies-to-lovers
*mental illness rep
*small-town setting (in Ireland!)
*single POV

Thank you Penguin Random House Audio and Berkley Publishing Group for this complimentary audiobook and gifted copy.

I loved this book so much, it took me completely by surprise and it was just what I needed because I ended up with a smile on my face. It was swoony, funny, moving and addictive.
If you like books about books or just love a good romance this is a must read!

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 by Jenn McKinlay is out today!

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

A beautiful love story about the power of books!

Happy pub day to Love at First Book! This one actually shocked me by how much I enjoyed it. At the beginning, I wasn’t too sure, but it definitely grew on me. The way Kieran and Emily connected through their love of literature was absolutely beautiful and by far my favorite part of the book. The town of Finn’s Hollow was a delightful setting with a wonderful cast of characters to liven it up. Did I start looking at library and bookstore jobs in Scotland when I started reading this book?? Yes, 100% (I know this takes place in Ireland, but I just went to Scotland and need to go back).

While I felt that Kieran and Emily’s relationship was well done and very well developed, I think the story lacked Emily's connection with other characters. When she first arrived in Finn’s Hollow, it was such a big change for her, and we see her connecting with her landlords, Siobhan, and the other workers at the bookstore. However, as her relationship with Kieran progressed, it felt like those relationships fell to the wayside. This story could have easily been longer and more cohesive if we had spent more time cultivating those relationships, particularly Emily and Siobhan’s because Siobhan became such an important person to Emily, but we don’t really see them connecting beyond Tig McMorrow (which is incredibly important, but in the end, it still felt like their relationship was missing something).

I usually don’t enjoy romances with a single POV, but I actually enjoyed this one. I still feel like we got to know Kieran as much as Emily. Emily as a narrator wasn’t my favorite. It seemed like she was constantly telling people she was quiet and introverted, but she wasn’t too quiet. She spoke up for herself and went after what she wanted. Maybe this was because I didn’t read Summer Reading, so this was my first time being introduced to Emily, but she did not seem meek or quiet at all.

Overall, a beautiful love story. This one is for the book lovers!

“‘The most difficult path is usually the right one to take.’”

Oh, my heart. If you love books, devour books, and have used books as an emotional support to get through some of the tougher times that life throws at you…please, please read this book. I feel understood and SEEN.

Love At First Book is like a love letter to books, book lovers, indie bookstores, and authors. Throw in the Irish countryside and a hot Irishman worthy of a romance book cover and you’ve got yourself a book that is like receiving a warm hug.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was pretty mid for me. I loved the premise, I liked the fmc, but why was Kieran SO incredibly grumpy?? You’re trying to convince me these two end up together forever ™️ but then why was I unconvinced of his feelings??

I loved the setting too. I want more books taking place in a small Irish town asap.

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for an arc.

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay is set in a small village in Ireland where Emily goes to work with her favorite author. She’s to be her assistant and work part-time in the local bookstore. As she immerses herself in her new life, far from her home in Martha’s Vineyard, she has no idea how much her life will change.

Leaving her job as a librarian and moving out of the house she’s always lived in with her verbally abusive mother sets something free in Emily. She and her new boss, Kier, are immediately attracted to each other and argue nonstop. But is it to hide their feelings for one another? Emily and Siobhan, the author who is also Kier’s mum, have a warm relationship, and Emily is extremely helpful in getting her creative juices flowing in order to write the last book of the series, ten years later. Will this be the stepping stone that Emily needs to forge a new life for herself far from where she grew up?

We’re surrounded by all things Irish, as well as so many lovely people, books, and quotes. The townspeople are welcoming, as are Emily’s coworkers at the bookstore, and it gives Emily warmth and a sense of belonging. Kier doesn’t like change, but Emily keeps making suggestions of changes needed at the bookstore and in his life. But are those the only changes that might occur? Emily and Kier are good for each other and boost each other when necessary.

There is a good flow after the first couple of chapters that set the stage. There are unexpected twists and turns, and multiple stories are told that are nicely woven together. The story heads in several unexpected directions and has an emotional ending with tears.

There is good closure and a happily ever after, but I would have liked the epilogue to be longer and more detailed. The list of name pronunciations would have been better at the front of the book. The Questions for Discussion are thought-provoking and had me delving into the story deeper.

Love at First Book highlights a bookstore in the Irish countryside, many books, and an author’s struggles. Grab a cuppa and sit awhile. You’ll be glad you did!

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

This was super cute. I loved the development with the parents. Grumpy sunshine isn’t always my fave but was executed well.

I honestly don’t remember the last time I cried in a romantic book. Yet here I find myself crying in my cubicle at work. WHO. AM. I? Thank you @berkleyromance for my early copy and @PRHAudio for my early listening copy.

I absolutely loved that this book revolves around another book series…and an Irish setting…and a brooding bookstore owner…and a librarian making space in her life for adventure. Just all the YES.

Emily, a quiet librarian, needs to get away, so she writes to her all-time favorite author, Siobhan (from a series she loved as a child). She then gets a dream job as an assistant to this author, in Ireland! She picks up a job at the local bookshop, which just happens to be owned by the author’s son (the plot thickens!). I love that she becomes known as “Red” immediately and their banter is just right for the moment. I love the way McKinlay weaves Emily and Kieran’s past, their struggles and pains, into their lives currently. She does a realistic job of creating characters so we can see our own lives within their frustrations and joys.

There are a few content warnings, including cancer, death, and manipulative & abusive parents, reach out if you have questions.

Have you ever unexpectedly begun crying over a book in the most public of places?? (really hoping it isn’t just me!)

Thank you @PRHAudio for the audiobook and @berkleyromance for the digital ARC. Brittany Pressley did an amazing job with the narration, of course. This was a really sweet read with a believable HEA romance, but also a beautiful friendship between an author and a fan/new assistant. I don’t usually cry in books, but this one brought on the tears. I was listening while driving and had to park. I honestly think Siobhan’s relationship with her son, Kieran, and also with Emily is a more prominent plot line than the romance, although it really all weaves together. If you want to read about a lovely town in Ireland, fall in love with a grumpy Irishman, and don’t mind your heart-breaking...I recommend reading Love at First Book.

Love at First Book wasn't bad! Kieran and Em were realistic and cute main characters. The only major gripe I had with Em were her references to librarianship. The "I'm a librarian" quips were WAY overdone. I did like how Em and Kier's relationship progressed. I thought the third-act conflict between them was believable. McKinlay did a wonderful job with the pacing. The book felt "just right." The ending was nicely written (get your tissues ready). One thing I wish the author focused more on was Em's relationship with her mother. At the beginning of the book, their relationship was a focal point of the plot. I was surprised when that plot point completely dropped off halfway through the story. It would have been nice to get some closure on that end. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

There was so much to love about this book. The setting was absolutely cozy, and the characters are very loveable.

Kieran and Emily have such a sweet relationship, and I just adore this type of grumpy x sunshine. They felt more relatable and realistic to me than characters sometimes do, I suppose because their stories and problems hit closer to home.

I really didn't expect to also love Siobhan, but she made me smile and cry more than once.

Having the main characters be book lovers? Especially.. a librarian? You've got me in the palm of your hand Jenn McKinlay.

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC copy!

I've read some of Jen McKinley's cozy mysteries but this is my first contemporary romance by this author and I loved it!

Librarian Emily Allen moves from Martha's Vineyard to Ireland to help her favorite author finish a book. Kieran Murphy, author Siobhan's son, is owner of the local bookstore.

This was a charming story with humor and banter that also dealt with some heavier topics. I really liked Em and Kier as they navigated family expectations and their deepening relationship.

Give this story a read if you enjoy:
--books about books
--an Irish village
--enemies to lovers /grumpy sunshine
--found family
--great secondary characters

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

Grab your tea, a blanket, and snuggle up because we are going to Ireland for a cute, cozy romance. Seriously, guys, the vibes and aesthetic alone had me ready to book my flight. The relationship between Emily and Keir is just unmatched. But also, the healing that occurs between Keir and his mom?! It’s just so beautifully written 🥹
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Emily needs to put some distance between her and her mother, and what better way than to go halfway across the globe to a rainy Irish village. Honestly, if I could, I would. She’s a trained librarian but accepts a job as the assistant to her favorite author, Siobhan, while working in a bookshop. As the assistant, Emily helps to pick Siobhan's brain and complete her beloved Tig McMorrow series.
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Keir is the grumpy, broody bookshop owner. He also happens to be Siobhan’s son and the biggest obstacle for Emily. Keir would prefer his mother spend her healthy years retired and enjoying the life she’s built. Instead, she convinces him to work with Emily and help her finish the Tig McMorrow series.
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Understandably, Emily has a hard time resisting Keir. I mean, who could? (Remember, grumpy, broody, bookshop owner?) After countless hours and tears, they complete the series. Once they close the door on Tig McMorrow, they have to decide if they should close the door on their future.
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I couldn’t have loved the setting or characters of this book anymore than I do. The banter is great and proves how difficult Irish men are to resist 😍. Not to mention, Emily’s reaction to seeing a real castle in person for the first time? Same. I was also in awe (and in Ireland, ironically). It was so fun getting to experience things I recalled from my own time in Ireland in the story☘️🇮🇪