*Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this eARC; the review is my own.*

I had requested this book hoping it would be a little bit more <i>You've Got Mail </I>, a bit more lighthearted than it was. The book was much heavier than I'd anticipated, which isn't necessarily a negative thin on its own; however, I wanted . . . happy. And I don't really feel like I got much of it. While reading this book, I felt similarly to how I did when I read Emily Henry's <i>Happy Place</i>, which is my least favorite of her books. So much of the book is just depressing with the characters holding on to guilt and resentment, letting themselves coast along in lives that don't make them happy. I don't feel like the book contained nearly enough good to compensate.

I nearly DNF'd the book a few times (perhaps the publisher would prefer it if I had opted for that choice), not only because of the things I described above but also because of the characters. Let's start with Erin (30), who had a standing booty call with her slacker roommate, whom she didn't even have feelings for. She was unforgiving of anyone who did anything that hurt her, unwilling to receive explanations or apologizes, even over a decade later. And she constantly had conversations with her dead best friend. In addition to having his own booty-call-of-convenience (with someone who was essentially one of his school bullies), James was judgmental (yes, I recognize the irony that I'm pointing it out), assuming that other people's choices were not valid if they weren't what he thought they should have chosen. He spent his whole life being embarrassed that his dad was a one-hit wonder and thinking that he had given up that life too easily. He looked down on his brother for choosing to be a stay-at-home dad rather than getting a new job. Despite my annoyance, they were decent enough people that I kept reading. I liked the relationship between Erin and her sister, Georgia, and I appreciated how much James tried to help his parents.

So yeah, not my favorite book this year. But if you're looking for something with a lot of painful memories and resentment that eventually works its way towards forgiveness and healing, this book might be one you like. It just wasn't for me.

One thing I did like was the actual book swapping and notes in the margins. If you're looking for something a bit happier, try out [book:Meet Me in the Margins|58429255]. I loved that one.

Notes:
Language, including an uncountable number of f words. Emotionless fade-to-black sex.

“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 world make no sense without you.” I am speechless, this quote hit me so hard.

- Booklovers
- Penpals/ Hidden identity
- Strangers to friends to lovers
- Found family
- clean romance with tension

I read the blurb and I immediately wanted it almost as much as I needed air. The concept of writing notes in the margins of the books and leaving it in the free little library was so good and executed well. And did I mention they use classical books? that makes it more romantic. It had the perfect balance of lighthearted and dealing with more serious topics.

thank for an eArc, Grayson house and harlequin.

I am a huge lover of classics so it was so great to see all of the great ones referenced in this book! I think Tessa did a great job exploring deeper themes such as grief and loss and the journey of healing, but I will note that I did expect more of a lighthearted, fluffy rom com just based off the cover and book blurb.

I absolutely loved The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers. Such a heartfelt story about love and loss. This was a delightful premise for a book.

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is a heartfelt novel that intertwines themes of love, loss, and the healing power of literature. The story follows Erin Connolly, who, after a personal tragedy, inadvertently donates her cherished, annotated copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" to a local community library. When the book reappears with new notes in the margins, Erin embarks on a unique correspondence with a mysterious individual, leading to a profound connection. Lovvvvvvved it!

A cute little romance book of two people exchanging book, with notes written in the margins, thru a little free library after she accidentally puts in her book that her best friend had written in.

I thoroughly loved this book! It had “Sleepless in Seattle” vibes and I really enjoyed how the characters connected. I’ll be finding more books by Tessa Bickers in the future.

I was really excited when I got the chance to read this book because I always love books about books- but to be honest I couldn’t get into it.

I was looking forward to a cute romance, but this most definitely was not that. It touches on grief and mental illness and to be honest I was not prepared tomorrow find those topics in this book.

A different time I may have enjoyed this, but it just wasn’t for me.

This one really disappointed me. I didn't feel like the characters were very developed and I found myself not that invested in the story which is a huge bummer.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers!

This novel was less romance-focused than I had anticipated and carried a much heavier tone. It explores themes of grief, mental illness, verbal abuse, and the challenges of caring for a mentally ill family member.

I appreciated the unique concept of passing notes through books in a Little Free Library, but the execution felt somewhat disjointed. The frequent flashbacks lacked clear transitions, making it difficult to distinguish past from present.

The two main characters, Erin and James, exchange messages in the margins of classic novels, unaware that they share a deep connection through their late mutual friend, Bonnie, who passed away from cancer years earlier. While the novel suggests a long-standing romantic tension between them, their relationship often felt one-sided. Erin’s feelings, in particular, seemed inconsistent, only solidifying toward the end of the book.

Overall, while not a bad read, the novel’s debut status was evident in its structure and pacing.

I found this to be an engaging book that anyone who loves books would love to read. It was definitely more serious than I thought it would be. I was expecting a light hearted novel about two people who fall in love through their mutual love of books. It ended up being much more serious book about grief and mental illness. I’d like to thank the publisher and net galley for the chance to review this book.

I enjoyed reading this book! It was lighthearted, fun, and sweet! I wouldn’t use this in the classroom, but loved it for personal use!

Very delayed in reviewing this ARC but it was super cute and also poignant. It had a lot of tug on the heartstrings moments with the flashbacks to hard moments, the revelations about Bonnie, the realizations about your life and your family and friends, but also that holding a grudge and not hearing the other persons side can really steal time and effort from you! But I enjoyed this friends to enemies to secret then not lovers, the way books brought them together through annotating and messages back and forth and how hurt feelings and grief were able to be healed as well as letting go of guilt and writing wrong. Such a lovely love story.

Thank you for the eARC of this book! I loved the little free meet cute but I thought this book was going to be more rom-com.

Tessa Bickers’ The Book Swap is a heartfelt and charming story about healing, second chances, and the transformative power of books. Erin Connolly, still reeling from a recent tragedy, accidentally donates her most treasured possession—a heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird—to a local community library. When the book mysteriously returns with fresh notes in the margins, Erin is surprised to find herself drawn into a unique and life-changing correspondence with a stranger who shares her love for classic literature.

Through their exchanges, which span the pages of beloved books like Great Expectations, Erin and her pen pal form a connection that offers a glimmer of hope amidst her grief. As they share their thoughts and experiences in the margins of these novels, Erin begins to rediscover life, friendship, and possibly love. But just as their bond deepens, Erin uncovers a connection to her past that threatens to undo everything she’s worked through emotionally.

Bickers’ writing is tender and thoughtful, capturing the nuances of Erin’s journey of self-discovery and the comfort found in both literature and unexpected relationships. The book’s structure, with the exchange of handwritten notes within books, adds a lovely layer of intimacy and nostalgia. Fans of stories that celebrate the healing power of books and the beauty of new beginnings will find themselves immersed in this novel.

The Book Swap is a heartfelt tribute to the joy of reading and the unexpected ways in which life can surprise us with second chances. Bickers’ ability to weave a touching narrative about grief, forgiveness, and personal growth makes this a delightful read for book lovers and anyone looking for a story of redemption.

I did not expect to be gutted by this book, but it was wonderful.


The story centers around a Little Free Library and the most marvelous book club that forms when Erin accidentally leaves her treasured copy of To Kill a Mockingbird - complete with final postcard from her now deceased best friend and notes in the margins - in the library box and discovers it missing a few days later.
It's missing because James has found it - found it and is enthralled with the notes made by the mystery person who wrote in the margins. So he made his own and returns the book to the library.
So begins the epistolary book club between the two, as they learn more and more about each other. But never did the course of true love run smooth, as we the reader are privy to the backstory between these two characters, a backstory that includes love and heartbreak and hurt.

At first it felt almost like the book was out of order, hearing Erin's part of the story before Jame's sometimes when his came first in the timeline. But I came to appreciate what the author was doing, and it didn't bother me anymore.

In addition to the love story between the main characters, this book deals with past trauma, depression and mental health, following your dreams, grief, and forgiveness. Every single character is fully formed. And it's also a love letter to books, reading, and writing.

Definitely a book I will recommend to others, and one that will leave me thinking about it for a long, long time.

Thank you to Tessa Bickers, Grayson House, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

I enjoyed this very quick read, though it wasn’t exactly a romance. Both characters didn’t seem realistically in their early 30s— I understood that they were both “stuck” but many of their concerns felt young. I did really love the marginalia concept.

I couldn’t really get into this book because of all of the strong language. I don’t appreciate swearing and feel like other words could be used as a replacement. It was a fun premise though and I usually like books about books.

The Book Swap is a delightful, feel-good story that celebrates love, books, and the power of friendships. Bickers’ charming writing and relatable characters make this a cozy, uplifting read.