This was a sweet story; the characters were likable and believable. It’s also a treat for book lovers, who will find references to a number of favorite classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, Wuthering Heights, The Great Gatsby and more!

Tessa Bickers' debut novel, The Book Swap, is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the healing power of literature. The story follows Erin Connolly, a grieving woman who inadvertently donates her cherished, annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird; a keepsake from her late best friend - to a community library. To her surprise, the book reappears with new notes in the margins, sparking an anonymous correspondence between Erin and a mysterious pen pal. Their connection deepens through shared reflections in classic novels, leading Erin to confront her past and consider the possibility of new beginnings.

Bickers skillfully weaves themes of second chances and personal growth into a narrative that resonates with readers who appreciate stories about rediscovery and healing. The novel's charm lies in its portrayal of how literature can bridge gaps between individuals, offering solace and understanding. With its blend of romance and introspection, The Book Swap is a compelling read that will appeal to book lovers seeking a poignant and uplifting story.

A sweet light hearted book taking place in a small town with easy to live characters. I very much enjoyed it!

The Book Swap was such a cozy, feel-good read! I loved the small-town charm, the bookish setting, and the sweet connections between the characters. It had just the right mix of heart and light romance, with enough depth to keep me invested. If you enjoy stories about second chances, community, and the magic of books bringing people together, this one is worth adding to your list!

This one was just ok. I loved the premise of it, but the execution was lackluster. The characters just weren't interesting enough for it to really hold my attention.

This was a cute story! I loved that the characters wrote back and forth in the margins of books. I think this book covered grief and heartbreak well, I just didn’t feel connected to the romance part of the story. If you enjoy classic literature you may enjoy this one a little more than me, there were lots of references and mentions! Overall, still a good story however it wasn’t for me!

I loved this cute romance! Erin’s character was so easy to follow along with and her story made her more lovable. I think one of my favorite parts was the references to other classics. Great book, and I had a great time reading it.

This book had a beautiful premise—a connection formed through notes scribbled in the margins of classic novels, set in the charming world of a little free library. As a book lover, I was instantly drawn in by the idea of two people bonding through shared literary favorites like To Kill a Mockingbird and Great Expectations. The story explores grief, healing, and unexpected connection, and there are definitely moments that tug at the heart.

However, while the concept was emotionally rich, the execution didn’t quite live up to its promise. Erin’s grief was handled with care, but her character often felt inconsistent—sympathetic at times, frustrating at others. The “mystery man” had potential, but the romantic payoff was underwhelming once their identities were revealed. The twist involving their shared past added conflict, but it didn’t quite land emotionally for me.

This isn’t your typical lighthearted romance—it tackles themes like loss, mental health, and emotional trauma. And while I appreciated that depth, the story’s pacing dragged in places, and the character development felt uneven. Still, the love letter to books and the way literature becomes a bridge between two hurting people was a lovely thread throughout.

Worth picking up if you're in the mood for something introspective and bittersweet—but go in expecting a story more about healing than swooning.

When Erin’s best friend Bonnie dies of cancer, she goes through a really hard time. She knows that she is not really living and needs to make a change. She starts by cleaning out her room but soon discovers that she accidentally donated her most prized possession, an annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird with a card from Bonnie inside. She goes back to the little library and finds that not only has someone brought the book back, but also responded to her annotations and wrote notes back to her. James is the one who found the book and decided to write back to her. He is struggling at a job he hates and to take care of his mom during her bipolar episodes. At a time where they both needed a friend, they found each other through the pages of books. That is, until they find out that they actually know each other and share a painful past.

I actually really enjoyed this book. I will say that this isn’t the feel-good romance the cover would lead you to think. It actually talks about some really heavy topics like depression, death, trauma, betrayal, cancer, bullying, grief, bipolar disorder, and therapy. There are parts that are really sad and others that give you hope. I did love the idea of a book centered around a little free library. Overall I would recommend it but not if you are looking for a lighthearted romance. Thank you to @tessabickerswrites and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!

When a guy and a girl begin trading books through a little free library, they don't know that they actually used to be close friends in high school. This a testament to how soul mates can find each other though books. A must read for any book lover..

Erin is miserable in her job and her boss takes advantage of her yes attitude so she decides to quit one day. She has been struggling ever since her best friend, Bonnie passed last year. She ends up exchanging notes in a book with a mystery man that has her intrigued. James doesn't get on very well with his mom but does his duty to take xare of her when needed. The book swaps are the highlight of his days until he realizes who it is that is.
This book was o k. It kept me very engaged in parts and then very bored in other parts. I think the story was interesting enough but Erin really annoyed me and I found her character just pathetic and unreasonable

I loved the thought of this book but it heavily reminded me of another book I read. The growth never happened and the characters was dull.

I would not consider this book a romance. Two unlikeable characters who I still disliked by the end of the book were just not what I was looking for in this book.

The premise seemed interesting since they discuss other books and write notes to each other while reading it, but I just couldn't connect with either character.

It did tackle some heavier topics of grief and taking care of a parent with mental health issues, and that overshadowed the romance that was in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I enjoyed this title and give it 4 stars. This book is a love letter to reading and the power of sharing a favorite book. The idea of a mysterious pen pal is really neat too!

3.5 ⭐️ i liked the flip between main character POVs and also including flashbacks. there was a lot of miscommunication and side stories that i didn’t love, but was a cute read

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is an emotionally charged narrative about loss, rediscovery, and unexpected connections. The story follows Erin Connolly, who, in the wake of a personal tragedy, mistakenly donates her cherished copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird," only to find it returned with new annotations—and an intriguing invitation hidden within the pages of "Great Expectations."

Bickers weaves a beautiful story of healing and connection, as Erin engages in a profound dialogue with a mysterious pen pal through their shared love for classic literature. This unique form of communication not only opens a pathway to friendship but also evokes the potential for something deeper, as both individuals navigate their personal histories revealed through the annotations.

This novel is a heartfelt exploration of personal grief and the power of words to transcend barriers. As a quick yet emotional read, it prompts laughter and tears, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate a moving "tear-jerker." My enjoyment of the book was so profound that I even acquired a special edition copy from LitJoy.

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is a delightful, feel-good read that’s perfect for book lovers. The story is full of charm, heart, and just the right amount of quirky fun. I loved the mix of friendship, romance, and the joy of discovering new books through a shared love of reading. Huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC! I’ve already picked up a copy for my library system. If you're a fan of sweet, lighthearted stories with a touch of magic and a whole lot of heart, this one’s definitely worth checking out. Highly recommend it!

After tragically losing her best friend, Erin has no idea how to live her life and move past the grief. To make matters worse, she accidentally donates her beloved and heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird to her local little free library. Crushed to lose one of her last remnants of her best friend, Erin goes by every day in hopes someone will return her book. She's surprised when it reappears with another set of annotations in the margins and a note at the end pointing her to another book.

Erin and Mystery Man become pen pals, bonding over their shared love of classic literature and leaving notes for each other in the margins. When Erin realizes she may have a complicated history with the Mystery Man, she is at a crossroads of a painful past and an optimistic future.

I'm usually not much of a romance person, but I found the main plot of this book to be more about moving on from grief rather than romance. I loved all of the references to classic literature and how it can truly be life-changing. I also appreciated that the secondary characters in the book were much more than just sidekicks, but each had their own stories too. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who likes Emily Henry or more literary romance books.

4/5

This book felt like a warm hug and a quiet cry all at once.

I picked up The Book Swap because I loved the idea of falling for someone through shared notes in the margins of favorite books—and it delivered. Erin’s grief felt so real, so heavy. After losing her best friend, she’s just trying to figure out how to live again. When her beloved annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird ends up in a little free library, and then mysteriously comes back with new notes scribbled in the margins... I was hooked.

The pen-pal vibe through classic novels was so nostalgic and intimate—it reminded me of why I fell in love with reading in the first place. And as someone who’s dealt with personal loss, watching Erin try to carry her grief while slowly letting someone else in really hit home.

James (though we don’t know it’s him at first) was such a gentle presence. His struggles, the slow unraveling of his connection to Erin, and the tension of their shared past made the story feel layered and honest. Their bond felt earned, not rushed, and that made it even more beautiful.

The pacing was a little slow in parts, but it worked because the story isn’t just about romance—it’s about growth, forgiveness, and how books can bring people back to themselves.

If you’ve ever loved and lost, or found comfort in the pages of a book, this story will resonate deeply. It’s one I’ll think about every time I see a note in the margin.

<i>"Books teach us, and I want to make sure I'm learning everything they're offering. I write in the margins to remember the book. To keep the words in my heart."</i>

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing/Graydon House and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for this review!

I know, I know. I am WAY behind on this beauty, but sometimes life just LIFES way too hard. So, I'm planning on spending the next 6 or so months trying to play catch up on some of the books just chilling on my NetGalley (and physical) shelf. Starting with this one!

This hit me WAY harder than I was anticipating. At this point, I've read enough Abby Jimenez and Katherine Center to handle the heavy topics that get sprinkled into these romantic comedies, but I wasn't prepared for this one. My heart broke multiple times for James, especially LITTLE James. Not giving anything away, but that sweet angel baby 😞

Needless to say, I was EXTREMELY happy to see the happy ending when it came!

📚 London, England
❤️ Second Chance Romance
📚 Managing Grief
❤️ Navigating Family Struggles
📚 Classic Books
❤️ Talking in the Margins
📚 Book Lovers
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