Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC! Librarian Emily Allen decides to start over, taking a job in a small town in Ireland assisting the author of her favorite childhood series, Siobhan Riordan to write the final book of the series. Emily will also be working at the local bookshop, which just so happens to be run by Siobhan's curmudgeonly (but very attractive) son, Keiran. Though the two clash at first, with Keiran being very protective of his mother, and Emily doing anything and everything she can to challenge him, their attraction to one another cannot be denied. When a shocking development shakes their budding relationship, will love win out? With a small, endearing cast, cozy Irish setting, and heartwarming grand gestures, Love at First Book is a grand piece of literary romance from Jenn McKinlay.

4.5/5
The novel is an emotional rollercoaster that will make your heartache, but at the same time, it's uplifting and endearing. It's hard not to fall for both Em, the main character, and Kier, a bookshop owner. As an avid reader, I love books about a book!

Em, a librarian, decides to leave Martha's Vineyard and her self-absorbed mother behind to travel to Ireland and work as an assistant to her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan. While not assisting Siobhan, Em works in a bookshop called The Last Chapter, owned by Kieran Murphy, Siobhan's son.

Kier and Em have an undeniable chemistry that will leave you wanting more. The supporting cast of characters is straight out of your favorite rom-com movie and will keep you engaged throughout the story. The plot gets complicated quickly, and without giving away any spoilers, some moments in the story will bring you tears, but there are also joyful moments that make you smile. Although it's easy to see where the book is heading, it delivers the happy ending we all wanted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkely Publishing for providing me with an ARC.

This was a super cozy, wholesome romance set in an idyllic Irish town. I loved Kier’s character — as jokingly referenced in the book, I imagined him as an Irish Jamie Fraser. The setting/bookshop vibes of the book made it an enticing read, and I enjoyed Kier and Em’s relationship. I felt like the book really picked up 40% through and I started reading much faster at that point.

Unfortunately, I was left wanting a bit as far as the writing went. And although Kier and Em’s characters were pretty well-developed, I felt like I barely knew any of the other characters. Also, there was an entire plot line regarding Em’s mother that played a large role at the beginning of the book and then was barely mentioned again with no resolution…

Looking past these issues, it was a cute read.

I tried so hard to get into this book. I picked it up so many times to get through it but I just couldn’t get past the cringy dialogue. These characters are supposed to be in their late twenties/early thirties and acting like children. My apologies, I really tried!

I just had to DNF it unfortunately.

Thank you so much to Berkley and Netgalley for the eARC though!!

You had me at Ireland. I love reading books set in another countries. Especially bookish ones. I didn’t like that she kept calling herself a former librarian. I feel like if you have a library degree that you are a librarian with or without a library job. It made me want to start having a daily Elevenses. There was a back story that made me have to put the book down and take a breather. It hit too close to home. I had to prepare myself for what I knew would be coming. I did enjoy how the story wrapped up.

This story is a romance book about books. It's characters leap off the pages and right into your heart. It's enemies to lovers story is set in Ireland in a bookshop, and it continuously references scones and tea. What is not to like here? I was not expecting the gut punch ending that left me crying into my own tea. Get it on your must read list. It's the perfect book for book lovers.

I loved this book. The whole storyline was unique and fun. I loved that it was set in Ireland and the author actually used Irish slang and historical Ireland landmarks. What I thought was going to be a cute fluffy romcom actually brought me to tears a few times. The writing was impeccable and I loved all of the literary quotes and references. And I very much appreciate the recipe at the and for the Irish whiskey biscuits! My only "complaints" would be that the book was a little long and drawn out in some places and could have been shortened for pacing purposes and our FMC was described as a meek introvert but her demeanor switched so drastically and so quickly that it was a tad rushed in my opinion. I also wish we had gotten a resolution between our FMC and her mother. That was a major plot point for our FMC but was never resolved in the end.

Great book, and great use of the Irish dialect; I could hear the voices in my head! Looking forward to reading more by this author.

This atmospheric romance was adorable! McKinlay’s writing transported me to Ireland and I loved all of the vivid descriptions of the small village where the story takes place. The slow-burn romance between Emily and Kieran was written beautifully, giving me enough that I did not get bored as I sometimes do with this trope. This title is a must-read for romance lovers due to its extremely loveable cast and charming setting.

I mean, it was ~exactly~ what I expected and wanted it to be. Okay, I wasn't expecting to cry.

Emily, a reserved librarian, makes an out-of-character decision to move to Ireland after receiving her dream job- research assistant to her favorite author of all time, Siobhan. Emily spends half of her day working with Siobhan, and the other half working at the local bookstore for Siobhan's son, Kieran. Of course, he's the surly, bookworm type and there's instant chemistry.

This book is filled with small town charm, book-focused adventures, and relatable relationships. It's wholesome and lovely, while pulling on the heartstrings. Perhaps read it with a few tissues, but it's mostly the perfect, cozy read.

I really enjoyed seeing Emily grow throughout this book. There were moments where I felt like things were moving a little too fast or too dramatic but for the most part I had a great time reading this book. I think the relationship between Emily and Siobhan was fantastic and it was nice to see them compared to Emily and her own mother. Overall I had a great time reading this.

Fun, steamy, and heartfelt...sometimes you have to jump in with both feet and trust you can swim...also gives a great "escape your life" vibe

"Love at First Book" is a heartwarming story about starting over in mid-adulthood, which is so interesting and exciting for me to read since there seems to be onky few books of a similar setting.

This book follows Emily as she moves to Ireland to work for her favorite author and help her with writer's block, all while dealing with the broody author's son, Kieran. The setting of Finn's Hollow in Ireland is beautifully depicted, making me so wish I could be transported into that world. The slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance between Emily and Kieran was absolutely delicious and adorable and filled with witty banter, adding a delightful layer to the story which is always an easy way to touch my heart instantly. And it definitely had me hooked from the very beginning.

The book offers a classic, Hallmark-like plot with a small Irish village setting, a bookstore owner who dislikes Emily at first, and a slow-building romance that captured my heart. The subplot of Emily working as an assistant for the local author adds depth and emotion to the story, highlighting her growth and resilience in the face of past trauma. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and the supporting cast of townies adds charm and warmth to the story. I can't lie, I finished this book in one sitting because how hooked it had me!

The book also addresses themes of toxic family relationships, therapy, setting boundaries, and personal growth, providing a refreshing take on these topics which I appreciated so much. The intense and emotional journey towards finishing the author's book adds depth to the plot, keeping me engaged and invested in the outcome.

Overall, "Love at First Book" is a fantastic read that combines elements of romance, self-discovery, and healing, making it a must-read for fans of heartwarming and genuine stories.

Thankyou Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

The setting. The tension. The hard headed bossy man! I loved it all. The mother daughter relationship tugged at my heart. I absolutely adore when authors continue with familiar characters. Read the book. It’s great.

Emily is looking for a fresh start, and when she lands the perfect job as an assistant position with her favorite author and working in a small bookstore, she knows she has to take it, even though it means leaving everything she knows and moving to Ireland. What she doesn't count on is running straight into a wall in the form of Kieran Murphy. He's prickly and rude, and he stirs up responses that mild-mannered Emily usually doesn't let out. Will she be able to stick it out and find her place? Or will Kieran set her running for the hills?

I love books about books, bookstores, or librarians, and this one checks all the boxes. Em is a full-fleshed out character with plenty of backstory and personal issues she is dealing with, and Kieran is one big teddy bear once Em breaks through his walls, though he also has his own personal ghosts to deal with. I loved the growing bonds between them, along with the found family Em gets with Siobhan and the other side characters in their little town.

This is a great read to hit all the feels - love and romance, personal loss and grief, and the excitement of finding a place to belong. Readers will grin at the banter between Em and Keiran, but they will also go through all the emotions with the characters as they deal with the realities of life.

The only downside to reading a book about a great series is now I want to read those books - and they don't exist! Not fair!

A book about a librarian named Emily YES, please. I love all things bookish this book checked all the boxes. I will say it started off slow at first so be ready for a long road. However, once I got into it I really enjoyed the non-spicy love story between the two characters. and the emotional development of the two made them so relatable. I will say I couldn't give it a full five stars for me because slow start but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Full disclosure, I did not finish this book. The book seemed like something I would enjoy but the cheesy dialogue and moments were just not for me. And in the end, this genre may not be for me as well, although there are some literary romance novels I do love. Oh well, I tried.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for an advanced copy to review.

Hi. I freaking adored this book. Anyone that can get me to openly sob on a plane has a way with words, building characters and playing with my emotions.

While I thought I was getting just a literary-centered, bookstore romance - I got so much more from Love at First Book. We get a motley crew of found family, a touching story of a mother trying to connect and seek forgiveness from her son, a love story, and a story of a woman finding her confidence and place despite a difficult relationship with her mother. And, it's all set in a dreamy small town in Ireland.

On several fronts, I think we have astounding character development - whether that is learning to let go and trust, learning to set out on your own, despite your insecurities, and learning to seek forgiveness. We get a brooding Irish man (and those steamy scenes? PLEASE - I am begging for more!)

By the end, I was so touched with the characters that I was openly weeping on a plane - something a book hasn't done to me in quite some time! Thank you for sharing this story and these thoughtful characters.

The way I want to run out and grab everything Jenn MicKinlay has ever written...

When Emily’s letter to her favorite author gets answered with an invitation to come to Ireland and be her assistant, she immediately packs her bags. She will work with Siobhan in the morning, and help out at the bookstore in the afternoons, but Siobhans son Murphy leaves much to be desired. He has made it clear he does not want Emily there, and when Siobhan begins writing again, he wants it even less. As time goes on, it becomes clear his dislike for her stems from a deep like for her he is trying to hide,

Ok I may not be doing inventory like Emily was, but this felt appropriate for this one. Also, did I finish this book before bed and just lay there sobbing? Yes...yes I did. I absolutely adored the banter between Kier and Emily, and the quotes they threw out from books throughout the story was beyond amazing. I never would have been as good as the two of them and knowing what book the quote was from. I also just loved Siobhan and the unique relationship she shared with Emily, it was so heartwarming, and the end left me in tears. I always enjoy McKinlay’s books and this one was no different!

Love at First Book was my first book I’ve read by Jenn McKinlay but it won’t be my last! I had so much fun reading this book. Emily is a librarian who gets the chance to move to Ireland and work for her favorite author. She’s an introvert, but the grumpy (sexy!) Irish bookshop owner brings out a fiery side of her at every turn. This was such a cozy read, I highly recommend making a pot of tea and enjoying this book on a cold rainy day by the fire.

I received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.