DNF 26%

I don't know what it is about the writing that grated on my every nerve. There was a simplicity to the sentences that were almost TOO simple, yet a banal amount of over-description, which made me feel like this book was a romance hi-lo. It's at its best when the characters are sniping at each other.

Shout to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC! All I needed to hear was "librarian" and "romance" and I knew I needed to read this. Obviously I'm going to love a romance that has a librarian in it, that's a given, it's basically part of my job description. And the main love interest is grouchy? This had all the makings of a good romance and it absolutely delivered. This was such a satisfying read. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone when it comes out.

This book was absolutely everything I needed, now where is my own sexy Irish man!!

When reader obsessed Emily Allen writes a letter to her favorite author begging for her to write another book to her favorite book series, she suddenly finds herself moving to Ireland to work for said author. What she learns very quickly is this author’s son Kieran does NOT want Emily there, and he lets her know it. This book is full of banter is an enemy-to-lovers type meeting that makes for some absolutely great tension.

I adored Emily and the journey she takes to get out on her own. I feel her independence story line could have been further pronounced in the second half of the story.

Kieran was my FAVORITE, he was all quips and just such a fun character. The dynamic between him and Emily was so fun to read I was GIGGLING BAD.

I will be recommending to any of my friends who love a bookstore romance.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the arc.

How do I love thee, let me count the ways:) Jenn McKinlay hit all the spots for me!
1) a story set in Ireland... can't be a better setting!!! I have visited Ireland and McKinlay captured it's beauty, history, murcurial weather! It's encanchment! Loved it so much.
The heroine I just love! I loved how vulnerable and sweet and timid she is...but how fierce and fiesty when the hero calls her "Red". I loved her emotional conflict and her authentic struggles. She was so real.
The hero... I mean a hot Irishman... done!!
Finally, the subplots... the story with Siobhan Riordan was fantastic. The author was able to create this very realistic and lovable supporting character. Can't wait to read the next book:)
Bravo:)
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this copy, I will treasure it!

A fun book about books / writers / the bookish world, without losing the thread. Their relationship developed nicely, the grumpy x sunshine is a favorite for me, and Ireland is SOOOOO hot right now.

I received this book from the publisher & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

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!