Cute, but not extraordinary. I had a hard time believing Emily was a shy little wallflower since she was so outgoing and outrageous the entire time - maybe seeing her before her move to Ireland would've made the transformation more believable. Minus a star for the heart wrenching death.

I thought that it didn't have original characters/plot. The writing didn't stand out to me, and it just seemed really cliche

I absolutely loved this book. The premise of the plot and the very likable characters drew me in right away and I was immediately swept into the story. I would've finished in one sitting if I'd had the time to do that. I couldn't wait to get back to this book to see what happened, and I thought it ended just the way I wanted it to. I will definitely be recommending this one and looking for other titles by Jenn McKinley for myself.

A solid 4.5 for sure. I adored this. It's cute and fluffy but a little angsty and steamy. Perfect for the book lovers crowd. I really enjoy all of McKinlay's books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for this earc

THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU CRY!

If it didn’t, I don’t think you have a heart. I went into this thinking I’ll get a cute rom com set in Ireland. And I got that. But did I also get my heart ripped out of my chest? Yes I did.

This story is about putting yourself first, how sometimes just because someone is related to you doesn’t mean they are good for, how people who love you will love you no matter what.

I loved that Emily’s and Kieran’s stories are so similar but also different. How both of them have a hard past but they find their way out together. I absolutely loved how Em helped Siobhan with finding peace and helping Kieran see how much his mom loved him.

This maybe a romance book, but it’s also a family book and a reader book and a kind of book you’ll just want to hug after finishing it.

*4.5

Thank you Berkely & Netgalley for the free arc!

I don't even know where to start with this book, I was literally left with TEARS by the end of the book. I literally fell in love with everything about this book, Kieran, Em, Siobhan, and the last chapter. You can even include Tig McMorrow.

Emily Allen is such an amazing FMC, she really ends up taking your breath away. Her character development is phenomenal and I couldn't help but root for her from the beginning to the very end. I ended up relating to Em and the way she grew up. Having to basically parent her narcissistic mother and dealing with years of emotional abuse finding escapism behind books while also struggling with Hypochondria and eventually gaining the courage to leave her mother and healing. Em is such a strong character and one that I truly admire. She is everything I strive to be and more.

Kieran Riordan who is Sibohan's son and owner of the bookstore that Em works at part time is also an amazing character. We see him be such a loyal, loving and caring son from beginning to end. It was truly endearing how much he carried for his mom. We also see him have a hard time accepting Em in the beginning due to his overprotectiveness over his mother BUT...

Em and Kieran are so precious, their relationship started off with the utmost tension (In the best way ever) and witty banter. Keir calling Em "Red" as a nickname had me swooning on my knees. I really wish them nothing but the best. They deserve the happiest of endings and I believe Jenn gave them exactly that.

I must insist for everyone to check this book out, it is the perfect contemporary romance that will leave you all up in your feels in the best way possible. You will absolutely end up falling in love with everything about this book just in the way I did!

Cannot wait for you all to read this book!

Love at first book. A story of a young woman trying to work in a bookstore in Ireland and the completion of dealing with attraction also

#NetGalleyARC Love, love, love this book. I'm a cute/sweet/romance feel lately and this book did not disappoint. The characters were well written, relatable and not annoying like some characters are in romance novels. I love that McKinlay writes characters that could appear in any of her other book "universes" and that her characters are written so that you want to root for them. A perfect Valentines Day read!

Is it too soon to call this my favorite book of the year? Cause that's what I'm doing!

OMG! This book ripped by heart out, left me crying and then happily put it back together again. There was so many part of this book that I loved. A heroine trying to find herself seek to become and assistant to her favorite author. A hero who doesn't like change - especially a woman from the US coming into his bookshop.

I will be raving about this one for years to come! Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an arc. All thoughts expressed are my own.

This is my second book by this author I enjoyed it just as much as the last! I was really excited for Emily’s story after meeting her in summer reading and it didn’t disappoint. First of all, I’m a sucker for anything that takes place in Ireland, and especially the Irish accents 🔥 Kieran and Emily’s back and forth banter was so good and I love the slow burn! I will say I was not expecting this to be as heartfelt and heavy as it was, don’t get me wrong there was a lot of cute, funny, swoony and steamy parts too, but I was absolutely sobbing during some parts at the end as well.

Can’t wait to read more from this author!

This is one of the most delicious romcoms I have ever read. Jenn McKinlay was able to transport me to Ireland and bring a castle, ruins, and a quaint village to life! For anyone who has ever had self doubt, felt worthless, or just stuck in the routine of life this is the book! Imagine meeting and working with your favorite author, daydreaming of being a heroine in a book, and meeting a handsome Irishman! Wow, just wow!

Freaking PERFECTION. 10/10. This was just so so good. I couldn’t get enough of it and wanted a thousand more pages of this.

It's delightful. I mean come on, it's a librarian who moves to Ireland to be an assistant to her favorite author (but why the author is her favorite is a fantastic storyline). She also works in a bookstore (a location used in her favorite books) and said bookstore also has a coffee shop. Like what is this awesomeness? And of course there's an Irish guy ;)

I like books with complex family dynamics and this had this for both the male and female protagonists. I also appreciate books with misconceptions and how everyone needs to move on from them. This book did that very well!

Jenn McKinlay's standalones are even better than her excellent series titles, and this one is no exception. A young librarian leaves her lifelong home in Martha's Vineyard to accept a one-year job in Ireland as the assistant to an acclaimed children's author (someone like JK Rowling). It has been 10 years since the famous author has written a book, and her millions of fans want an end to her mega-popular fantasy series. In addition to helping the author, she will work in the author's son's bookstore. The son is very much against his mother getting so much pressure to write another book, and is not helpful. He is, however, very handsome, and a good guy all around -- so, romance happens! A wonderful story full of heart and gentle humor.

Emily + Kieran

Emily has finally gotten away from her super annoying mom. Ten years ago she had to quit college to take care of her mom after her dad left, but now she's finally left for Ireland. Living and working her dream in a super cute book store and as an assistant to her very favorite author. Who has been suffering from writer's block for ten years!
But there's also the author's son and book store owner Kieran. It seems that he hates that Emily's here. But why? And can that hate turn into something else?

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN ....

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That was adorable!
And obviously a bit sad and heartbreaking too.
But mostly it was sweet and so full of books and Ireland and small town charm and just beautiful!
I loved reading this. I wanted to move into this little Irish town and eat all the goodies in the book store café and drink all the tea and whisky and read all the books.
Em and Kieran are so adorable and perfect for each other. He's a bit grumpy most of the time - so cute! And Em with her hypochondriacal moments. Too funny.
I just loved this book!
And I would so love to see this on TV one day!

LOVE AT FIRST BOOK was such a beautiful love story! Adorable, funny, sparky, sweet, Irish, bookish, small towny and a bit sad and heartbreaking .... I loved reading this! Run to your nearest book dealer for your own Kier - this one is MINE!

Love At First Book, more like love at first read. Wow, this book, these characters, their story. I am head over heels.

We first met Em in Summer Reading; which I highly recommend, and you don’t have to read it to enjoy this book (though you should - it is also a fantastic read) to enjoy LAFB. A librarian stuck in a tough situation, without joy or her sense of purpose. I could commiserate with her uncertainties and her desire to follow her own path. I honestly could not wait to read Her story.

Finally, through a stroke of luck and a leap of faith, Em is taking her moment and truly embracing her adventurous spirit. I laughed, I blushed, I cried. I fell hard for these characters. Their story will stay with me for some time.

Emiliy’s journey to find her path while on her grand adventure to Ireland felt incredibly close to my daydreamer's heart. I am beyond grateful to talented author Jenn McKinlay, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this lovely story. Five stars from me. A must-read!

McKinlay’s Mavens *heart*

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a charming and heartwarming read. It had the perfect combination of romance, humor, and a touch of Irish magic which makes it a perfect read for anyone looking for a feel-good story. I would highly recommend to all romance lovers and fans of Irish settings.
The story follows Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, who has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. Her dream comes true when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in Ireland to help her write the final book in her acclaimed series. As a longtime fan of Siobhan’s novels, Emily is ecstatic and jumps at the opportunity.
However, her excitement is short-lived when she meets Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy, who manages her bookstore and clearly doesn’t want Emily around. Despite Kieran’s initial resistance, Emily persists and finds herself falling for the charming and mercurial Irishman.
As Emily helps Siobhan write her final book and spends her days bantering with Kieran, she starts to fall in love with her new life and the man who seems to soften toward her with every quip she throws at him. But when she discovers the reason behind Kieran’s initial coldness, Emily is torn between helping Siobhan find closure and her own feelings for Kieran.
The author does a fantastic job of creating a beautiful and picturesque setting in Ireland, making the reader feel like they are right there alongside the characters. The story is filled with witty banter, heartwarming moments, and a touch of Irish charm that will leave readers swooning.

Lovely book, well written. A small town in Ireland with a romance about people who deeply love books, what’s not to like?

Short, sweet, and everything you want from a book about books.

A brooding bookshop owner, a reclusive author, and an unwanted new employee from the US in a tiny Irish village.

This book gives a little mystery, a lot of unspoken sexual energy, and a ton of heart. Thanks to NetGalley and Jenn McKinlay for an ARC!

I loved this book. Gives insight to a writer and the writing process. I wish I could go to that bookshop. Delightful. I connected with it so well it gave me chills multiple times.