I love a good physical book and I love a romance and then throw in the way to meet each other being a free library…. You had me hooked.

Erin, who is spiralling and can’t seem to find her footing, by mistake, puts her beloved copy of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD in a local free library complete with a postcard from her recently deceased best friend and in this book she has all of her notes written in the margins.

She finally finds her book, but it’s been borrowed and returned with new notes.

James is dealing with a lot in his life, a job he doesn’t really like, a bi-polar mother, and the loss of two very important relationships in his life. Then he “checks out” Erin’s book and discovers a true fellow reader.

This was such an interesting book! Im calling a 3.5 stars. I couldn’t stop reading sometimes and other times I had to stop. It was an emotion-wringing book. I am not sure how to really review this! I liked Erin but I also really didn’t like her. The things that happened to James were dreadful! Yet they were both so damaged and not facing it. The growth was great. All the book notes-swoon!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

this is a story about grief over loss and dealing with mental illness and more. i liked the concept of a book being about books (as a book lover of course). with that being said, it was one of those stories you don’t want to read fast and rush through. it’s important to note it’s not a rom com but still worth the read.

The Book Swap was a very heartfelt story. I went in thinking it was going to be a fun light hearted romance story about two people who connect through books. And while it had that there were so many more deeper situations that the characters were going through. The romance is there but very much slow burn.

I have to be honest I had a bit of a slow start with the first few chapters. Didn’t get hooked into the story until Erin and James really begin communicating more through the books and when we also started learning about all the events that led to their falling out. Also when we start meeting their families and we see how much of the things Erin and James are going though is centered around them.

This book covers a lot of trauma like bullying, mental illness, death, suicide and personal struggles. I think it is what made the story feel more real and relatable. We see James and Erin find themselves through the words they wrote in the books exchanged and realize their true passions. I have to say the things James went through really made me feel for him, I know it is a book but the reality is that there are people that really suffer that type of bullying and it’s heartbreaking. I barely cry at books and the final scene of Erin with Bonnie made me tear up. Their character growth was really great.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my hones opinion.

This was so much more than a rom-com. Book Swap was a deeper story about guilt, recovery, and friendship. I already love books about books, and the addition of a Little Free Library style (kind of) meet-cute was the cherry on top. Tessa’s writing was very reminiscent of Josie Silver, whom I also really enjoy. For me, it wasn’t a book that I wanted to race through to get to the ending by any means. But the writing style made you want to savor it a little bit more.

I’m not sure if it was the way the book was formatted (the digital ARC had some random spaces paragraph breaks) or if it was the pacing, but it seemed to jump around quite a bit in the second half of the book. It got to the point that I kept having to reread in confusion.

My other conflicting thoughts had to do with the “betrayal” that took place between Erin and James in their childhoods. It felt rather trivial to me, which made it difficult for me to believe. The initial conflict felt like it was one that would take place in a YA novel. I was relieved that everything ended up wrapping itself up in a way that made sense and that was true to the characters and story, even if they were a bit infuriating in the beginning.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of this book and backgrounds of each of the characters but for some reason it didn’t intrigue me throughout like I was hoping! I’m a big fan of the “You’ve Got Mail” story-line and how it brings characters together, and I’m not sure if it was the pacing or writing style that threw me off in this case, but I struggled getting through most of the book.
Erin and James come back into each other’s lives through their love of books, writing to each other in the margins of classics. However, they don’t know who the other is while they build-up this connection through loss and life struggles.
On paper, this book is right up my alley. But unfortunately it didn’t do it for me this time. When I got to parts about Bonnie or when James and Erin were interacting in person I was interested completely. Normally the rest of the story just adds to the whole slow-burn buildup but it didn’t have the same effect for me on this one!
2.5-3 out of 5⭐️
Spice- non-existent (just a good old fashion romance)

Finding true love via books, I mean can it be any sweeter?? This book does touch a very sensitive topic but overall it is a light hearted read and so easy to love the main character!

A story that centers the loss of friendships, love, and unfulfilled potential should be everything I could want. The possibilities of exploring a dual POV of two people who were right person, wrong time is right up my alley!

Unfortunately the execution of this leaves so much to be desired. Erin, the female MC, is insufferable as a person that I had little difficulty understanding why she has no one in her life and so few prospects professionally and personally. She is a loser in every sense of the word which feels harsh, if it were not for how childish and immature she acts under the guise of her former traumas. It takes an unbearably long time to figure out what the unforgivable thing is that James did to her when they were kids to lead to such a harsh disconnect yet when we finally DO learn what it is, it is so horrendously underwhelming and an immature showing of the miscommunication trope, that I nearly DNF in protest. I never need a perfect female MC nor do I think grief/loss/depression in stories is a turn off in a love story; if anything, those elements elevate it. However, Erin was such an annoying character to be in her head that if she were my friend, I honestly can’t say we would’ve been friends for long.

James is not nearly as bad though his backstory and background felt, despite having an equal footing in the narrative, lacking. Erin’s world, despite how frustrating she was in interacting with it, felt more fleshed out while James in many ways felt as if his life was filled in for the plot points we needed to follow. Could there be an argument that this, in fact, the point since so much of his life was just listlessly moving forward? Perhaps, though it feels less intentional and more just of an afterthought.

There are a lot of elements here that should work and in some ways, they do. There’s a HEA and plot threads neatly tied up in the end (a little too tied up for me personally) but the ages of the characters doesn’t match their behavior. Had they been a decade younger, or even just five years, I think I might’ve liked this one more.

Lauren 's and James's relationship is the backdrop to explore all of the different kinds of love people experience in a lifetime. Learning to love and accept others how they are isn't easy, but Tessa Bickers handles this theme with laughter and tears. The sister bond between Lauren and Georgia was so authentic Experiencing Lauren's and James's relationship in the margins of classic books was genius. Like they say, books make you better, and it was obvious with these two characters each time they "swapped". This was a brilliant first novel for the author.

What a sweet story! It covered a lot of heavy topics in a way that ripped my heart out then slowly put the pieces back together. James and Erin have had tough lives to say the least. They’ve both been through unimaginable hardships in life but incredibly reconnect through notes in the margins of books. I mean, who wouldn’t want a romantic penpal annotating bits and pieces of stories that remind them of you?! The ending felt a bit abrupt but it warmed my heart so much I barely care. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for this ARC of The Book Swap!

Before I start this review proper, I just have to mention that reading this ARC after the ARC for Lucy Gilmore’s, The Library of Broken Hearts, meant that I’ve now read back to back ARCs where the romantic interests connect by writing in the margins of library books. Both books also include writing in Wuthering Heights. Although it was a bit was distracting for me, I found both ARCs well done.

Sorry, that has nothing to do with my review of the story. Anywho…like most romances, the subtext is predictable but I appreciate it when a book shines a light on mental illness. The ending was so strong that I’m giving this an extra star. I know we can’t quote ARCs but boy do I wish I could. So many great lines on loss, grief, the sometimes thankless job of caregiver and most importantly, moving forward. A section towards the end involving Bonnie triggered my own experience with grief and yes, I shocked myself and cried. I love Bonnie. Such a lovely story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite part of this book wasn’t the romance, it was the main girl character. Loved her! so inspiring

I thought this was a romantic comedy book and it was very much not. It’s a story of grief over loss and dealing with mental illness and everything in between. It was hard for me to connect with the characters and get into the book as I wasn’t in the mindset for this type of book. The summary is misleading to the nature of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and harlequin for the ARC.

"The Book Swap" is a book lover's dream, brimming with references to beloved classics such as "The Great Gatsby," "Great Expectations," "Wuthering Heights," "Mansfield Park," and more. Through these literary touchstones, the novel explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of storytelling to heal and connect.

Don't let the cover fool you with this one, this isn't just a cute little romance involving a free little library. These main characters go way back, and not in the best way. They both are reeling from years of trauma and tragedy, some of which was (unintentionally) inflicted at the other's hand. Somehow karma or the universe or bestie intervention beyond the veil leads them to the same free little library, where they unknowingly reconnect in the margins of books, back to where they first connected as kids just in different volumes. Can the spark of connection survive off the page with all of their history in the way?

I loved this book because it in no way brushes aside the MCs mental health, their history or challenges. It embraces the messy middle to portray the reality of loving someone who struggles with mental health and doesn't have a perfect, happy shiny life.

The Book Swap…

Is so much more than a romance. If anything, it’s an exploration on what it means to be yourself beyond your traumas and the expectations set by yourself and others.

James and Erin feel like normal people I’d meet in real life, and the progression of their story is sweet. The way they communicate through the margins of a borrowed book feels fantastical in a real sense. It comes across a tad insta-lovey which makes the third act conflict feel unreasonable since their relationship realistically should not have progressed so fast with nothing more than some notes to go off of.

I do think this book could benefit from a content warning at the start, especially since mental health is heavily discussed, as are the stresses surrounding being a caretaker. I did enjoy the time I spent with the book, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re in the market for a bookish/classics influenced British romance that reads like women’s fic, this is the book for you!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC and I look forward to seeing this on shelves come early Sept!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ LIKE - Would recommend

Tessa Bickers has written a love story to mental health that unfolds through the pages of classic literature. She helps her characters embrace their pasts in order to create the future they dreamed of.

Erin is stuck. She is stuck in a thankless job that keeps her in a flat with a useless roommate. After she quits her job unexpectedly, she decides a good old fashioned de-cluttering will make her feel better. She decides to donate a stack of books to a free little library near her flat. There’s just one problem…she gave away her favorite book with a note from her favorite person in it. When she returns to retrieve it, the book is gone…

James is stuck. He gave up on his dreams for financial stability. He would love to leave his job to pursue writing, but they keep promoting him. As he is wandering around the new neighborhood his promotion helped him afford, he stumbles across a free little library. Inside he finds a well loved and heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. James decides to give the book a try.

James and Erin start communicating in the margins of classic novels. They begin separate journeys of self-discovery and personal growth. Will their paths converge in the real world or is this fantasy exactly what they need?

Firstly, I’d love to thank NetGalley and Tessa Bickers for the eARC of The Book Swap. Secondly… I loved this story!! The characters were well thought out and had so much depth. The plot wasn’t something altogether new but it felt fresh and had so much meaning behind it!! I would highly recommend The Book Swap for anyone who needs to feel a good emotional story!

What a delightful surprise "The Book Swap" turned out to be! From the moment I delved into its pages, I found myself swept up in a whirlwind of emotions, much like the protagonist, Erin Connolly.

At first glance, I expected a lighthearted rom-com, but oh, how wrong I was! Tessa Bickers weaves a tale that delves deep into the human experience, tackling themes of grief, loss, and the journey to healing with a deft hand. This book made me feel so many different emotions, it's simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking.

The blossoming relationship between Erin and her Mystery Man, fostered through the annotated pages of beloved classics, captured my heart. It was a slow burn, yes, but oh-so-rewarding! And let's not forget the dynamic between Erin and her sister Bonnie—so authentic and touching, it resonated deeply with me. And as a lover of classic literature myself, I relished the nods to timeless literary works scattered throughout the story. It added a layer of depth and resonance that I truly appreciated.

My only tiny gripe? I yearned for an epilogue, a glimpse into Erin and James' happily ever after. But perhaps that's just the hopeless romantic in me wishing for a little more closure.

"The Book Swap" is a great tale that will tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh, and leave you contemplating life's many mysteries. A must-read for anyone who treasures the power of books and the magic they hold within their pages.

I thought this was a nice book! I wasn’t expecting it to be so emotional and deep, but I thought the author did a good job working through the main characters feelings and they both had a good amount of growth. At times I was definitely frustrated with the main female character, but I’m glad there was some redemption in the end. I just felt the main female character, Erin, was extremely selfish at times. The only other thing I wish was a little bit different would be a little bit more romance between the two main characters.