Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this review copy in exchange of an honest review.

Why is it so hard to keep track of all characters? And why the hell there are so many characters and they sound similar. I needed something good after getting over finals and it is definitely not that. So Dnfing it.

loved the ending of this book and really liked Cassie and Georgia but I had some trouble with the main characters.

Erin’s trauma of losing her best friend really resonates but the issues with her mom fall flat. I understand how a teen may hold a grudge but at 31, how does she lack the understanding and empathy?? Also it sounds like the falling out with her mom happened when she was a teen, so for what, 10 plus years they didn’t speak? I just struggled with that

I also struggled with how wronged Erin felt by James when they were in school, it felt childish and again that she lacked empathy. What happened wasn’t his fault.

I felt deeply terrible for James but also struggle to imagine his family or doctor never told him his mother’s mental illness wasn’t his fault. And the kids at school tormenting him, assaulting him, because his dad was a one hit wonder who delivered pizza? I just don’t buy it.

The relationships between Erin and Cassie and Erin and Georgia, I just loved them. The side character should have their own spinoff books!!

Thanks for the ARC!!

I would do anything to read this for the first time again. It immediately sucked me in and I didn’t want it to end. The story telling, the background, and everything in between was beautiful.

4 ⭐️

For being a debut novel, the writing in this really impressed me! It almost felt like I was watching a movie as I read this. I was hooked from the first few pages and I loved the plot, the synopsis alone had me so intrigued. From the cover you’d think this is a romcom but it definitely leans literary fiction. It’s a veryy slow burn and focuses a lot on family and friend relationships, grief, finding your purpose and doing what brings you true happiness. The concept was so cool and the book exchanges/notes/questions were my favorite, I love reading about book lovers!! I think the friendship parts were slightly drawn out and I do wish there was a little bit more romance but I really enjoyed this and would highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers takes readers on a journey beyond the surface of a typical rom-com. While the initial pacing may require patience, the narrative gradually reveals itself to be more than a cute love story, and tackles themes such as trauma, mental health, bullying, and the path to healing.

Initially, the fmc is quite unlikeable, and at times you want to tell her to just grow up already (in fact, her sister does) but as the story unfolds, Bickers intricately crafts her journey of redemption. Through her character arc, readers witness a transformation that adds layers of complexity to the narrative. While instantly more likable, the mmc goes on his own path of discovery and forgiveness.

Bickers' treatment of weighty subjects lends the novel a gravitas that distinguishes it from lighter romantic fare. For those seeking a romance with substance and depth, "The Book Swap" offers a compelling and thought-provoking read.

This book was wayyyyyyy heavier than i was expecting. If you’re looking for a light/cozy cute read, this isn’t it. That being said, I enjoyed the last half of the book much better than the first half. The book centered on grief and loss and how to navigate and move on.

3.5 What a cute, cozy read. The book really focused on personal growth for the characters, and the love story was a side plot. I enjoyed how the characters were relatable. They had issues that took time to resolve (and you got to actually see them struggle with the process!). Everything tied up quite nicely without it feeling like the author was rushing to do so. I think people who liked the book The Flatshare will also be fans of this book.

I decided to DNF on page 168, around halfway through. I’m grateful to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for letting me have an ARC, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish once I reached halfway and was wondering how it could get teased out for another half. I think the premise of this book, a library meet-cute and writing in the margins, was wildly romantic and cute-but not 350 pages cute. It was just becoming tedious and I wanted to love it very badly as a book lover, but I could not.

What a fun book centric book, throw in a little growing up, and a little love story. Can't wait for more!

Still reeling from a recent tragedy, Erin Connolly knows she needs to start living, but has no idea how. When she accidentally donates her favorite book—a heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird containing a memento she can’t be without—to a local little community library, she’s devastated. But then the book turns up a week later, back in the library with fresh notes in the margins, along with an invitation in a copy of Great Expectations to meet her newfound pen pal.

A life-changing conversation, written only in the margins of beloved classic books, begins between Erin and her Mystery Man. Following each other through the pages of their favorite novels as the book exchange continues, they both begin to open up, falling into a friendship…and maybe something more.

But Erin and her pen pal have a shared history that neither of them has guessed. Faced with painful reminders of the past—and the one person she swore never to forgive—Erin finds herself at a crossroads. One that could change her life forever.

I expected a pretty basic romance based on the blurb and the title and this novel definitely contained more in depth topics than I expected, I was able to read this debut novel by Tessa Bickers thru NetGalley and it coincided with my love of books. As another reviewer said it covers topics including bullying, family issues, terminal illness and death, and even toxic workplaces. The author made it intriguing since you didn’t find out the real problem between the main characters till well into the book.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Giving someone hope is like giving them the wings they need to fly through life.”

Was a very slow burn on the romance department, but it's so much more than that!! I experienced just about every emotion reading this.

-Dual POV
-Second Chance
-Family Drama
-Self Growth
-Grief/Loss

I'm not one to spoil anything, so thats all you get from me 😉

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for this ARC! 🩷

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this!

This book has everything: self discovery, love, dealing with grief and hardship, forgiveness and friendship.

It took me a little bit to really get into the story, but once I did I blasted through the rest of the book. I loved the story and how the author touched on grief and battling with hardships, with both Erin and James. I loved James so much and I felt so protective over this sweet man 🥺

The last 50 pages had me sobbing because it was so touching and pulled at my heart strings so much 😭

Great book! ❤️

Review published on Goodreads and The StoryGraph on 5/10/2024:
The Book Swap was such an enjoyable read. I grew to love all of the characters and couldn’t stop turning the pages to learn more about them. The two main characters, James and Erin, have such a complicated history, and it was intriguing to piece apart how their relationship fit together in the past and what that meant for them now. And the secondary characters were just as lovely and developed. Having the book centered around literature and how it brings people together was a theme that I particularly loved. Highly recommend this book, be prepared for some tears!

This book was ADORABLE. I swooned over every word through this whole book and could not get enough of it. It had "You've Got Mail" vibes but instead of AOL messenger, it was notes through a Little Free Library.

The pros:
- the character depth. I loved James' character especially and how he grew as an individual. Erin was a bit more frustrating but she redeemed herself in the end.
- the romance. There is NO spice in this book for those wondering. However, it was beautiful to watch it (read it?) unfold.
- the throwback to classic books. I loved all the references of the classic books that both James and Erin read/exchanged. It felt so nostalgic for me.

The cons:
- Sometimes it was confusing when Erin was talking to Bonnie (her dead best friend). At first, I was like "does she have a brain tumor - she's seeing things." But it made sense once i realized it was her coping mechanism.
- Erin's character. She was frustrating throughout the entirety of the book - never giving ANYONE the benefit of the doubt. I truly hated her as a character. But I also think we were supposed to feel that way and then she was redeemed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This isn't a warm cozy, cute, romantic story. Don't let the cover fool you. With that being said, although it's a decent story it did have some hard hitting subjects, like grief, mental illness and loss.
I'm really glad that Erin had the guts to quit her job and find her true passion.

I absolutely ADORED this book. Tessa Bickers' debut novel is a delight. Readers meet Erin Connolly as she processes her grief at the loss of her best friend. Erin is lost - jobless, living with a roommate-with-benefits, and trying to find some kind of purpose in life. After a mix-up at the local little free library, she first loses and then reclaims her favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird. Only now in her annotated book, there are notes from another reader.

What ensues is a slow-burn love story between Erin and a mystery man. Within the pages of several classics, Erin not only finds herself but exactly what she has been missing in her life. My husband and I always joke that our love language is reading books, and The Book Swap really shows how it can be! If you're a fan of a rom-com with substance to it, this book is for you. Thanks to NetGalley and Graydon House for the chance to be an advanced reader!

Rating: ★★★★☆

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is a delightful and charming read that will resonate with book lovers everywhere. This novel offers a refreshing take on the world of literature, weaving a heartwarming tale that celebrates the power of stories and the unexpected connections they can create.

The story revolves around a group of individuals who participate in a local book swap, each bringing their own personal favorites to share. What follows is a journey of discovery as they explore new genres and authors, finding not only new perspectives on literature but also on life. The characters are relatable and well-developed, each with their own quirks and passions.

Bickers' writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy to lose oneself in the narrative. The book expertly balances light-hearted moments with more poignant reflections on the complexities of relationships and the impact of literature on our lives.

One minor downside is that some plot points feel a bit predictable, and certain characters could benefit from deeper development. Nevertheless, the overall story is a joy to read, and the themes of friendship, love, and the transformative power of books shine through.

In summary, "The Book Swap" is a highly enjoyable read for anyone who appreciates books and the connections they foster. Tessa Bickers has crafted a feel-good novel that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and a renewed appreciation for the magic of storytelling.

4.5 stars
This debut novel tells the story of two strangers connected through comments in the margins of books swapped back and forth in a tiny free library. Erin has recently rage-quit her job and is still mourning the loss of her closest childhood friend. James is stuck between promotions at a job he’s not sure he even wants and going back to his hometown to help his father deal with his bipolar mother.

As they trade insights into various famous novels, they also each begin to examine their own lives and the assumptions they have held as truths. In the end, it’s life off the page that forces them to examine their perspectives on reality.

I enjoyed this book a lot, although I would classify it as women’s fiction or romantic fiction rather than as a romance. Definitely worth putting on your TBR.

I loved the premise of this book, and enjoyed the complexity of Erin and James’ backstories, especially their complicated family lives. However, their inner monologues were often a little self-indulgent or melodramatic, which made me less sympathetic to them as a reader.

Gwyn Jones is perfectly happy with her life in Graves Glen. She, her mom, and her cousin have formed a new and powerful coven; she’s running a successful witchcraft shop, Something Wicked; and she’s started mentoring some of the younger witches in town. As Halloween approaches, there’s only one problem—Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow.

Wells has come to Graves Glen to re-establish his family’s connection to the town they founded as well as to make a new life for himself after years of being the dutiful son in Wales. When he opens up a shop of his own, Penhallow’s, just across the street from Something Wicked, he quickly learns he’s gotten more than he bargained for in going up against Gwyn.

When their professional competition leads to a very personal—and very hot—kiss, both Wells and Gwyn are determined to stay away from each other, convinced the kiss was just a magical fluke. But when a mysterious new coven of witches come to town and Gwyn’s powers begin fading, she and Wells must work together to figure out just what these new witches want and how to restore Gwyn’s magic before it’s too late.