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.

As someone in my twenties, I really resonated with Erin’s journey of self-discovery and grief, especially through the unique exchange of annotated books. The story unfolds slowly but meaningfully, making it an emotional and thoughtful experience. While the writing style can feel a bit disjointed at times, the heartfelt themes and literary appreciation kept me engaged. It’s a great read for anyone who loves books about books and the way stories bring people together.

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
🌶️ (0/5)

• 📚 Book Lovers
• 💌 Anonymous Pen Pals
• 🎭 Hidden Identity
• 💔 Healing from Trauma
• 🤝 Found Family
• 🦋 Personal Growth Journey

Don't let the charming premise of a little free library meet-cute fool you - The Book Swap is less about romance and more about healing. Through margin notes in classic literature, Erin and James begin an anonymous correspondence that forces them both to confront their pasts. While their potential romance intrigues, the real heart of this story lies in its exploration of grief, friendship, and redefining success. Both characters start off prickly but grow on you as they learn to face their demons and embrace new beginnings.

This isn't the cozy romance you might expect, but rather a touching exploration of how books can bridge the gap between broken people. Perfect for readers who prefer their stories with more emotional depth than romance.

Here’s the updated review for The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers:

As a high school teacher, I found The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers to be a truly captivating and meaningful read. Bickers has a sharp eye for the intricacies of high school life, bringing the challenges, triumphs, and emotional rollercoasters of teenage years vividly to life. Her writing style is equal parts witty and heartfelt, making the novel both entertaining and deeply relatable.

What I loved most about Bickers’s work is how she uses the book swap as a central metaphor for growth and connection. Through her vivid, multidimensional characters, she explores themes of identity, empathy, and the transformative power of stories. Each character’s journey is thoughtfully developed, and their interactions feel genuine, capturing the complexity of high school relationships.

This book is not only enjoyable but also an excellent tool for classroom discussions. It invites readers to think critically about how sharing books—and by extension, our own experiences—can foster understanding and build bridges. Bickers’s accessible yet insightful prose ensures that students of all levels can engage with the story’s themes.

I found this book to be quite slow and I had difficulty finishing it. I wouldn’t classify this as a “rom-com”, it was much darker than I was expecting it to be. I think the cute cover and description wasn’t accurate. I think if you’re a fan of classics, a very VERY slow-burn affectionate romance, and tackling heavy themes such as grief and sorrow, you may enjoy this. I just couldn’t get into it due to the pacing and the fact it was so slow.

2 stars

This book was entirely too heavy for what it was marketed as, and that made it very difficult to get through. This is truly not a romance. I wouldn't even call this a slow burn, but just a long road to very anticlimactic ending. I did appreciate the emotional development for both Erin and James, but that was the focus point - not the romance, not their connection, but two people grieving and dealing with hardship and using this (not romantic) back-and-forth as a lifeline. This one was unfortunately not for me. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was expecting a super cute cozy romance and that is not what this was. This wasn’t even a romance novel in my opinion. Super hard to get through and I wish I would’ve DNFed.

This book was not for me. I DNFed at page 99/33%. I felt like there were too many extra things happening that took away from the main storyline. I also was upset there were no trigger warnings at the beginning, as serious topics are talked about.