THE BOOK SWAP – Tessa Bickers
Graydon House
ISBN: 978-1525836701
September 3, 2024
Contemporary Fiction

London, England – Present Day

A few years ago, Erin Connolly lost her best friend Bonnie to cancer and her death still haunts her. Every so often Bonnie shows up in Erin’s visions. Why? Because Erin felt guilty about not seeing Bonnie much while she had dealt with chemo. At the funeral, Erin ran into their former high school friend James Parr. She and Bonnie had broken off the friendship with James years ago, but apparently, he had been there for Bonnie while Erin had been absent.

In the present day, Erin is struggling to survive—between hating her job and life, as well as her guilt about Bonnie. After dramatically quitting her job, she decides to clear out her cache of books but accidentally gives away to a book swap depository a book that holds a dear memory of Bonnie. It even has Erin’s notes in the margins. After realizing her error, she goes back to see if the book is there, and it isn’t there for a few days. It eventually does show up but with additional notes from someone who then suggests a new book for her to read. This goes back and forth. They are literally writing questions and answers back and forth in the margins of the books. Yet, they haven’t met. Who is Erin’s mystery man? I suspect you already know the answer.

It turns out that THE BOOK SWAP is the debut book by Tessa Bickers and it’s an emotional read that keeps readers engrossed. Erin is affected by several things, from her best friend’s death to her tenuous relationship with her family. She is living in London, sharing a flat with a guy who sometimes uses her for sex. Unsatisfied with her job, she quits. But she has to pay the rent, so she looks for employment, yet she still feels unsatisfied. Deep down, readers will sense that she is looking for guidance from above as to what to do next. Meanwhile, Erin is enjoying the little flirtation she has going on with her mystery man. Halfway through THE BOOK SWAP, James realizes it is Erin, and he is stunned. All he has ever wanted from her was for her to understand what happened—and for her to forgive him. He wants their friendship back. But does he want more?

James is going through his own upheaval. His mother has manic episodes every so often, which means he needs to take time from his job to help his father take care of her. He doesn’t really like his job, except it pays the bills. James would rather be a writer and partway through, he finally starts in earnest the novel that has been percolating in his head for years. He was bullied as a teen, and it was Erin and Bonnie who befriended him. That is until they thought he had lied and betrayed Erin. Will he get the opportunity in THE BOOK SWAP to explain and get forgiveness from Erin?

THE BOOK SWAP is told from both Erin’s and James’s points of view, so readers learn early on about what is happening with the book swapping. They take their time working their way back to each other, but it isn’t an easy road. Erin and James have issues to figure out, and big in their agenda will be making explanations to each other. Don’t miss the drama and emotion waiting for readers in THE BOOK SWAP.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Overall, I thought this was a very cute book. It was emotional and gut wrenching at times, but also very sweet.

I wasn't fully invested until about 20% through when we got to the actual book swapping. Until that point, I wasn't in love with it. But the notes that James and Erin left for each other in the margins as Margin Girl and Mystery Man was the cutest. It was almost like a pen pal or a diary where they could be themselves and get out their deepest secrets. The individual back stories for James and Erin were nice because it gave insight into their motives for where they ended up in life.

I will say, that Erin was a bit annoying in my opinion just because of her harsh judgement and refusing to listen to James. But also holding on to everything in the past. As much as I understand it, you have to get over it at some point. James was similar, but less in the sense of holding a grudge, and more just trying to be the best person for his family and friends and trying to fulfill their goals for him.

I started this book in June, but because I felt it was a bit slow in the beginning and because I always read a bunch of books at once, it took me a while to finish. However, the last 40% made it so worth it. As soon as James realizes who he was exchanging books with, I was HOOKED! I finished the last 40% in one day. My heart hurt for the both the FMC and MMC. There is so much hurt in their story and the lack of communication was infuriating, but I am glad they get their HEA. I also loved all the literary references. I think I need to read “Th Perks of Being a Wallflower” now.

Woooooo, boy. This was a heavy book - extreme childhood bullying, (undiagnosed) depression, cheating, bipolar disorder, death... despite that, it had a happy ending. The characters were so easy to love, and the plot was interesting and fresh.

I really enjoyed reading The Book Swap, but it did feel like some things were left unfinished, and the ending felt very sudden. I also wish yhe author was more clear about how much time had passed over the course of the book - the formatting was a little wonky on my Kindle, but unless I'm mistaken, the only time there is a clear indication is the last chapter with "six months later". Like, clearly at least nine months pass in some part of the book!

Overall, this is a romance, but it focuses more heavily on how the characters deal with their issues than on the romance. I'd highly recommend to someone who wants a book that's light on romance but dives deep into characters overcoming their past and current struggles.

3.5 stars. This book was very different from what I was expecting. It’s definitely not a lighthearted romance novel based around books and note passing. There are heavy themes of loss, mental illness, and familial struggle in large part fueled by both of those throughout. It did end on a hopeful note, but getting there was a challenge for me. I hope that if others go in with a better idea of what to expect, they may have a more satisfying reading experience than I did.

Erin was a difficult character for me. I don’t want to say she was unlikable because she was very human and that’s normal, but she had a “woe is me, everyone else is to blame” chip on her shoulder for most of the book. She was very quick to judge and very resistant to accepting any kind of explanation or apologies when she felt wronged. I don’t want to speak on things I’m not educated or trained in, but it seemed as though she had undiagnosed mental health issues and with that sense, I found more empathy for her than I otherwise would have. I did appreciate her journey toward finding her career path, and she did come around to therapy which I think would ultimately be an immense help for her. She was showing a lot of positive progress by the end of the book.

James was a much easier character to feel sympathy and empathy for. His hardships in life were put upon him, not stemming from his own choices. He was far from perfect, but he had faced a great deal of trauma in his school days and witnessing and caring for his mom’s mental illness. He had his own one-track-mind perceptions about how life needed to be in order to see it as a success, and I was grateful to see his views change as the book progressed to a more understanding place of others choices.

As far as the romance between Erin and James went, it was really very minimal. Without saying too much about their history and in-person interactions, there is very little connection that plays out between them outside of their margin notes in the books they exchange. Again, like everything else, it does come to a welcome point in the end, but the book is really more about their individual journeys. Their book swap does play a role in motivating the changes they each begin to make in their lives, more so for James than Erin, but it was difficult for me to feel invested in the two of them coming together. That said, if the point was that I was *meant* to be more invested in the two of them sorting out their own lives before figuring out their relationship, the book achieved its goal.

QUICK GLANCE-
My format- ebook
Other Lengths- Physical (336 pages)/ Audio (9 hrs 10 min)
Spice: 🌶️ / Just kissing
Language: Moderate 🤐🤐
TW: mental illness, cancer, loss of a friend, suicidal thoughts

MY THOUGHTS-
The Book Swap was a sweet surprise and my favorite ARC I have read so far this year. This is Tessa Bicker’s debut novel, so I assumed it was a fluffy rom-com. I was soon corrected as she immersed us in grief, loss, and the struggles of trying to heal. The connections between Erin and James were really powerful and I loved all of the character development that took place. The Book Swap is such a beautiful story and so well written. I was truly invested in the characters’ lives and how they were woven together so neatly. Perfect, deeply moving, and a beautiful ending to wrap it all up!

🖊️ Mystery Pen Pals
💗 Heartfelt
😘Enemies to lovers
💔Second chances
📚 Books about books
💌You’ve Got Mail vibes
👥Dual POV (Erin and James)

Thank You to @netgalley, @tessabickerswrites, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for granting me access to an e-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

What a deep, great written work about grief and love. It was emotional and beautiful the whole way through. I will say this book does touch some heavier topics so if you’re going in for a light-hearted read, I would hold off. Great book overall!

While this book was hard to stick with at times, I did enjoy Erin and James’ story. Not every love story is rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes you have to get through the hard stuff to get to the good.

A second chance novel with a bit of romance. Erin's shocked when her copy of Mockingbird is back the little library and even more so that it's been annotated. Turns out James, who took and then returned it, is someone she knew as a younger person. Now, she's trying to cope with grief and change and he's dealing with his mother and her mental health issues. But they bond in the most unusual way- through notes in classics they exchange in the library. Know that this doesn't rely on those novels to propel the story but also that this is a good prompt to read any or all of those you might have missed. Both Erin and James (and Bonnie) are well drawn and realistic characters. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's not as light as you might expect from the cover but it's a good thoughtful read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Book Swap was, in many ways, so different from what I was expecting that I had to give myself time before writing my review, because I truly couldn't gather my thoughts.
When I saw the cover and read the synopsis, I anticipated a fun contemporary romance that was for the book lover in all of us, and while it was that in many ways, it was a deep exploration of two broken people finding love and hope in each other. I will say, however, that there are a few heavy, potentially triggering topics in the book that could have done with a proper trigger warning. For example, the MMC's mother is bipolar, and there are a few moments that depict her in times of mania, where she has suicidal ideation and verbally/emotionally abuses the MMC. In addition, there are multiple mentions of cancer, death of a loved one, chemo, parents cheating on each other... Just a lot of heavy things that I was not expecting when I picked it up and would have appreciated a little bit of a heads up.

Aside from that, I truly did love how it felt like a love letter to books and the written word. Both the MCs, a pair who were once close friends, find themselves, through a shabby free library, beginning an exchange with one another that leads to shared notes, dreams, hopes, and fears. In the margins, they write their every thought and feeling, allowing each other to learn who the other is through underlined quotes and anonymity.

However, as with romance books, the road to their reunion is not simple. nor was it perfect, but it was honest, and I that is what I found myself loving. Because that is what it is to give your all to another- it is messy, but there is beauty in the mess.

There was a lot about this book that I personally resonated with, which makes this review feel too personal to keep going.
I'll end it with- I sobbed my way through the last 10% with a mixture of happy/sad tears and was grateful I chose not to wear any eye makeup today because that would have been all over my face.

“The Book Swap” by Tessa Bickers is an enchanting debut romance novel which is great for book lovers and lovers of second chances involving following one’s dreams and heart. Set around a Little Library in London which two book lovers exchanging messages through margin notes in classic novels, this is an uplighting and heartwarming book with very believable characters. I appreciated the realistic portrayals of mental health challenges, bullying and difficulties of caregiving for parents. I only wish that the book had been extended a bit. Looking forward to more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC.

“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.”

The cover of this book seems like your traditional rom-com, but it is so much more. This book is finding your second chance at love and healing. As a reader, we find solace and inspiration in books. This story encaptures that feeling.

After Erin accidentally donates her favorite book, it comes back to her with some notes added, along with an invitation
Erin and James find a connection for their love of books. With their favorite books, they start an untraditional pen-pal relationship. They have deep and honest conversations that they write within the book. As they begin to open up to one another, feelings start to develop.

Unbeknownst to each other they have a shared history. Erin has to decide to face the past and move on while embracing her future.

Please be aware that this book includes topics of mental illness, bullying, and death.

Thank You To NetGalley, Tessa Bickers, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eArc of this book. All opinions are my own.

My goodness! This debut was nearly perfect! Heartbreakingly honest, romantic, sad, and hard to put down. These characters are dealing with tough challenges, grief, mental illness, complicated families, and painful histories but they manage to get through to the other side with the support of others and a love of literature. It was so moving and hard to believe this was Bickers‘ first novel. I can‘t wait for the next! Releases 9/3.

Thank you NetGalley, Tessa Bickers, and Graydon House Books for the advanced reader copy of this novel. I was very excited to jump into the story of Erin and James.

While I did enjoy the premise of this book, I felt like the chapter read very disjointed. I never found myself excited to jump back into their story, and I had a hard time following the storyline along. Erin was not a likeable FMc for me, but I did enjoy reading James POV.

Thank you again for the arc of this novel, out September 3rd!

“None of us know how to handle something we've never been through before. All we can do is learn from it. Use it to better ourselves.”

This book. THIS. BOOK.

I thought this was going to be a cutesy romcom. I didn’t know I was going to bawl my eyes out almost every chapter (and there are 34 of them)!

I want people to know this going in, as I do believe the blurb is misleading and can greatly impact the rating of the book:
While, yes, this is a romance novel, it is so much more. This book deals with grief. In various forms: loss, heartbreak, broken trust, mental illness, deterioration of friendships. It deals with healing. It deals with bullying and loneliness. It deals with career dissatisfaction. It deals with mending relationships. And all in a way that feels more like literary fiction than your standard romance.

What drew me into wanting to read the book:
✨romance through book annotations
✨Little Free Library representation
✨To Kill a Mockingbird listed as the FMC’s favorite book

What made me love the book:
❤️mental health representation
❤️dealing with grief in various forms
❤️The Perks of Being a Wallflower references
❤️heavily character driven

Other Items of Note:
📚dual POV
📚zero spice (in case that’s what you were looking for)
📚incredibly slow burn romance
📚single timeline with flashbacks

I do think this book would benefit from having a trigger warning list or at minimum including some elements in the blurb so readers have a better understanding of what to expect.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an eARC of this book and thank you to The Hive at Harlequin Trade Publishing for a physical ARC.

I loved this book! It discussed some pretty heavy topics. Like dealing with grief, suicide, and depression. I teared up but I also laughed! I personally love books about books. I found Erin’s character to be so relatable and really enjoyed of her character growth. The slow burn romance between Erin and James was honestly such a sweet story. They found each other again in a very difficult time in each other’s lives. This was their shot at a second chance. I read this book in 2 days because it was just that good. I was so engaged with the story. I originally thought this would be a lighthearted romance but was pleasantly surprised that it was centered around heavy topics. It was a very heartfelt and emotional read ❤️

I'd give this 3.5 stars more than 3! I thought it was very well written with very deep and complex characters, and the tie ins to the classic books was so fun. I also thought it did a great job at portraying mental health - especially with bipolar disorder and depression. It just felt very realistic and the way it was handled was very well done! And the way it handled grief also resonated with me, maybe not as much as other books l've read with that topic but I thought it made a lot of sense for Erin and her relationship with Bonnie.
The reason for 3.5 is I couldn't really connect with the main characters, and I thought their conflict wasn't super believable. Also I got kinda confused at times with everything going on.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the eARC!

I am a sucker for second chance romance and this one was done so well. As an avid reader of classics back in high school and college, I loved the premise of this story. Both Erin and James were not without their faults, but the growth we get to witness in the both of them was lovely. All of the little notes in the margins also enhanced the romance between the two MC’s. I think Tessa Bickers has a bright future in front of her.

Tessa Bickers' The Book Swap is a heartfelt tribute to the power of literature and human connection. Through the clever use of annotated classics, Bickers crafts a moving story of healing, second chances, and the unexpected friendships that can change our lives. A must-read for book lovers who believe in the magic of shared stories.

After a tragedy, Erin Connolly accidentally donates her treasured, annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird to a local library. When the book returns with new notes and an invitation to meet a secret pen pal through the pages of Great Expectations, Erin's life takes an unexpected turn. As they bond over classic books, Erin must confront her past and decide if she's ready for a new beginning. This story is a book lover's dream, with nods to beloved classics like To Kill a Mockingbird and Wuthering Heights.

When Erin finally quits her job it sends her down a rabbit hole of love notes in margins and a blast from the past.

I absolutely adored the little margin notes and the love story that developed through the books Erin and James swapped in their little library and could have taken a whole book focused on just the romance story. I also would’ve loved to delve deeper into Erin’s grief, past, and growing as a person. I almost feel like the two big focuses of the book could have been split into two separate books and gone deeper on each topic. I would’ve loved a story that started earlier and focused on Erin grieving her best friend.

While each of the characters developed and grows throughout the book, I felt like even close to the middle Erin was a bit too dramatic about the wrong things (don’t get me wrong, she totally has a reason to be dramatic about several things in her life).

Overall, I loved the romance and pen pal letters, and I loved watching Erin work through her grief and finally start living.