This book felt like a warm hug and I wanted to savor every word.

Ashley Poston is know for writing books with unique concepts that contain a blend of magic realism and this one is no different. During a thunderstorm, the main character Eileen (aka Elsy) finds herself trapped in a small town called Eloraton. But Eloration isn’t a real town, it’s the fictional town of Elsy’s favorite romance series. Who doesn't want to wake up in their favorite fictional world? Every reader has their own version of Eloration they want to get lost in.

I felt like this book was written for me. Elsy, she’s a people pleaser who bottles in her emotions, is lonely, a bit broken, likes to escape reality through books, never feels like the main character, and just wants to be loved. And I related to her a lot, I felt seen. (If you're a swifie Elsy's song would be "Right Where You Left Me.")

Let’s talk about Anders, the male main character. I know there’s no such thing as being perfect, but he just was ok! The perfect amount of grump, morally gray yet sassy, charming, witty bookstore owner who wears tweed, and owns a cat. How could you not fall in love with him and his minty green emerald eyes?

This book is whimsical and has that nostalgic feeling. It reminds readers why they fell in love with reading. Books that are written about book lovers can come off cheesy and a bit overdone, but this one felt just right. The writing was beautiful and the quotes!!! They made me feel warm inside and giddy. The small town is charming, each character, although a little quirky, has their own drama that adds an element to the story. Eloration, a town that doesn’t exist but feels like home, a place you’ll find yourself longing to visit after reading.

The concept is unique and unrealistic, but as a reader, you can’t help but wish you were one of the main characters. This isn’t just a romance book with a happily ever after, it contains deeper meanings about love and life. Why are we always searching for the ending of a story? Does every good story need an ending? I loved the romance story, the small town, the characters, and the hidden deeper meanings. The pace is a bit slow, but this is a book that is meant to be savored.

As readers, we love getting lost inside of a book; it’s our favorite thing to do. We read to escape and this is the kind of book you will want to get lost in.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc, in exchange for an honest review!

In this romance with a sprinkle of magical realism, Elsy finds herself in her favorite romance book setting. She feels lonely and left behind as none of her book club friends are able to join her on their planned trip. However, a wrong turn ends up being the way to Eloraton, the fictional town from her favorite books. Elsy finds herself to be part of her favorite author’s unfinished work. Will she find her own version of a happily ever after?

I love the way Ashley Poston writes. Her writing is beautiful and filled with poignant messages about life and love. This book seems like it was meant to be a love letter to the romance genre and to romance readers in general. I loved Anders and his cat Butterscotch, as well as the entire town and its quirkiness. There was plenty of banter to accompany the enemies to lovers trope, along with small town, forced proximity, and of course the clever take on magical realism that Ashley Poston is known for. Romance readers and book lovers will see themselves in the main characters and enjoy the escape to Eloraton as well.

Thank you so much to Ashley Poston, Berkley Romance, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley, and Ashley Poston for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This was a great book and another hit from Ashley Poston. The premise is so unique - the main character, Elsy, ends up in the town from her favorite book series. I loved learning about the characters in the town and seeing how much Elsy loves these books. The romance was also super cute and the ending was perfect! I wish I could visit this world as well. If you’re a romance fan or someone who appreciates books, pick this one up.

Did I need to read this review copy as early as I did (comes out in June)? No. But did I devour it the second it downloaded onto my Kindle? Yes. I'm a huge fan of Seven Year Slip and Dead Romantics, so I wasn't surprised that I absolutely LOVED this book. Actually, it's my favorite of the authors and she's made her way onto my list of top 5 best authors ever.

If you're a Swiftie, you'll automatically think of Right Where You Left Me as you read the book:
"Friends break up, friends get married
Strangers get born, strangers get buried
Trends change, rumors fly through new skies
But I'm right where you left me
Matches burn after the other
Pages turn and stick to each other
Wages earned and lessons learned
But I, I'm right where you left me"

Although this is a fun and romantic romp where a character ends up in the town from her favorite books, there was something deeper about the stories of Elsy and Anders. She and Anders are frozen, stuck in their heartbreaks and unable to move on. Their romance was more about chemistry, it was about them growing together and learning to love again. They really brought the best out in one another.

The side characters were fun and I loved the little dramas going on in Eloraton. I would even enjoy to read more about them and see where their stories went after the end of the book.

I used to be leery of romances with magical realism, but Poston makes it work so well. Her characters feel more real than a lot of contemporary romances I read. I can't recommend her books enough.

***Will post review on Amazon upon publication

Ashley Poston strikes again! I love a good magical romance and this one ticks the boxes for me. Last year, The Seven Year Slip was a top romance for me and I was so excited for the next story. Our MC has her favorite book series come to life. She walks through the pages of the story, meets and befriends her favorite characters, and sleeps in the loft of a bookstore. An absolute dream! Read this ASAP!

How does Ashely continue to write magic? She somehow injects her stories full of love and loss and pleasure and beauty.
A Novel Love Story is a love letter to books, authors, book sellers, and ultimately, us, the readers. This was another story where I wanted to be friends with the characters. I wanted to live in this world.

This is the perfect book for anyone who has ever wondered “what happens when the story is over?”

He wore tweed, iykyk.

Ashley Poston is my Rachel Flowers. I felt like this book was written for me; it is as if Poston had a play-by-play of the last 4 years of my life and decided to make it fiction, with a dash of Ghibli-esque whimsy. Elsy is me, and I am Esly.

I can see this book not being everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s the beauty of reading. Sometimes books just work well for you, and this was what I needed. I can't recall the number of times I've used books as a crutch to help me through pivotal moments in my life. All readers have their own version of Eloraton and Poston captured that feeling of nostalgia, of familiarity, for something you've never known perfectly. I do wish that there could have been more tender and vulnerable moments between Elsy and Anders and the opportunity to see Ander's side of falling in love. I would also love to see a character tree or some visual map of the interconnectedness of all the characters of Eloraton as the names, and their plot lines were hard to keep up with. Readers might not love the pacing, as I can see areas that could have been cut down, but if I were in Elsy's shoes I could understand wanting to be immersed in all aspects of your favourite world.

Everything Poston writes is so unique and expands upon the confines of what a conventional romance story is with her blend of magic realism. The plots are impossible but you, as a reader, can't help wanting to be in the shoes of the narrator, in this case, Eileen. Perhaps I should take a chapter from Elsy's book and allow myself to be the narrator of my on life again.


Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC, I’ll hold this story close to my heart for quite some time.

It’s fantastic, it’s gripping, it’s original, it’s sexy and it’s absolutely going on my favourites. I love the writing. I love the characters. I love the dialogues and the banter, Plus, Elsy is soooo cute and relatable.

A Novel Love Story" by Ashley Poston is a captivating literary escapade that seamlessly blends romance, whimsy, and a touch of mystery. Eileen Merriweather, the endearing protagonist, finds solace in the imaginary worlds of happily-ever-afters, a sanctuary from the real-world heartbreak of being left at the altar. Her annual book club retreat takes an unexpected turn when her car breaks down in Eloraton, a town that feels like it leapt off the pages of her favorite romance series.

Ashley's writing shines as she crafts a narrative that is not only witty and charming but also rich in detail, bringing the enchanting town of Eloraton to life. The novel's premise, with Elsy trapped in a town frozen in the late author's last unfinished story, adds an intriguing layer to the plot. As Elsy embarks on a mission to bring the town to its storybook ending, readers are taken on a delightful journey filled with surprises and heartwarming moments.

The quirky residents of Eloraton, along with the grumpy yet irresistible bookstore owner, create a cast of characters that readers can't help but root for. The seamless integration of romance, humor, and a hint of mystery keeps the reader engaged from the first page to the last. The exploration of Elsy's personal growth and connection to the town's fate adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a love story.

As Eileen's narrative becomes intricately woven with Eloraton's happily-ever-after, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster. Poston masterfully explores love, friendship, and self-discovery themes, delivering a feel-good narrative that leaves a lasting impression. "A Novel Love Story" is not just a charming escape into the magical realms of love and literature; it's a celebration of the transformative power of storytelling in both fictional and real-life contexts. This book is a testament to the enduring magic found within the pages of a well-crafted novel.