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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#bookstagram #booksta #books #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #ilovereading #thetwistedlibrarian #professionalbookworm #thebookswap #tessabickers #book8of2025 #whatsnikkireading #whatsnikkilisteningto #london #secondchanceromance #managinggrief #navigatingfamilystruggles #classicbooks #booklovers #romance

Stopppp this was so cute! As a book lover (and Little Library lover) this made me so happy. A really heartwarming and sweet read. Thank you so much for the arc!

The Book Swap has a sweet concept that book lovers will appreciate—strangers connecting through shared stories and unexpected notes. The idea is charming, and there are some genuinely heartwarming moments. However, the plot felt a bit uneven, and the pacing dragged in places. The romance was cute but lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. It’s an easy, cozy read perfect for a weekend afternoon, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression. Worth a read if you’re in the mood for something light and bookish.

"The Book Swap" is cute and emotional and left me wanting to visit my local Little Free Libraries. I adore the idea of two people communicating through notes in the margins of books, and falling in love this way. I don't usually gravitate towards second-chance romances, but I was moved by this one and I might look out for them in the future. I loved watching the characters of this book slowly heal from tragedy and find their way back to love. I enjoyed this emotional, sweet read and plan to read any future books by Tessa Bickers.

Absolutely adored this book!!! If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would in a heartbeat! This story was everything I wanted and more: heartfelt, hopeful, and filled with emotions that lingers well after I finished the last page.

The meet cute was perfect and totally believable. I could absolutely see this kind of story unfolding in real life, especially with the way it all began through something as charming and nostalgic as a little free library. The idea of writing in the margins of books? Pure magic. I loved how Erin and her mystery man connected through stories they both loved, it gave their bond such a beautiful foundation. The use of classic books added such a thoughtful and meaningful touch. The conversations they had in the margins felt intimate and vulnerable, like a secret world shared just between the two. And when their real life started to intertwine… I couldn’t read fast enough!!! I would absolutely recommend this book to my friends and followers!

Hopeful, reminiscent, heart-wrenching, and romance - this book had it all. Erin's choices in life, from the donation of a book to the reaction to betrayal to dealing with tragedy, come to a crossroads in the margins of the books she reads. I alternately disliked and liked characters as I met them and learned more about them, felt the struggles of Erin and her Mystery Man (this is a dual narrator storyline), and enjoyed the inclusion of several classic titles and a little free library.

I loved this book! It was a little too long / could have used a bit of editing, but the heart of the book is in the right place and what devoted reader hasn't imagined falling in love through notes in book?

This was a cute and heartwarming read, James and Erin truly helped each other heal from their heartbreaks. They were definitely cute together and the pen pal dynamic of the book was super cute!

This was such a great book! Great book references throughout the book. The ranging was just perfect!! I loved being able to read it early! Thank you!