Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! This was such an easy read, I finished it in a day.

Erin recently lost her best friend, quit her job of 7 years, and is going through it. In an effort to overhaul her life, she purges her room and accidentally donates her beloved copy of To Kill a Mocking Bird to a little free library. After checking day after day, it returns and a mystery man has added his thoughts to the margins along hers. What follows is a story about loss, grief, love, and forgiveness.

Overall, this was an enjoyable story! I liked the premise, falling in love in the margins of the story, the family conflict they processed through, and the grieving process we got to see. Both Erin and James fight through a lot of their personal issues and end up realizing the importance of family and that they can't do it alone.

One thing I didn't love was the lack of background information. I wish that we had more foundation of Erin and Bonnie's relationship, it was hard to buy into the fact that they were BFF's when we didn't have a ton of proof of that. We did find out more about James and Erin's conflicts but it came out disjointed and I wish we had a clear picture from the beginning.

There were some cringy parts that I just didn't love and felt like the love story was rushed. Erin was often extremely rude and stuck in her ways which bothered me as well. It didn't feel like she was willing to move on her opinions and thoughts when she very clearly just needed to listen to others...

But truly, this was easy to read, understand, and I can see why this would appeal to may readers!

The book takes you through the lives of Erin and James old College (HS in America) friends who had a falling out; also through their love of books and the death of their friend Bonnie. It shows that the universe / God will always bring two people back together when they are truly meant to be no matter the odds. I loved the pen pal theme via the Little Community Library. The only thing is that it would probably only work in fiction, even though Erin says the community library is never busy, there would always be a chance that someone else would pick the books before them, lucky the one time it did almost happen God intervened and made it a great meeting for Erin and her future.

I did very much like this book. A great first book for this debut author. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing- Graydon House for this eARC for my honest review. I’m looking forward to seeing how Tessa Bickers next books are.

Language: R (18+ swears, 12+ "f" + British swears); Mature Content: PG13+; Violence: G+
The beginning was slow, but the reasons I stopped reading were for frequent use of the f-word and for hints that there is probably sexual content later in the book that I don't want to read. It was a preemptive choice and not a reflection on the story itself being good or bad.
The mature content rating is for alcohol use, partial nudity, innuendo, and mentions of sex.

I really enjoyed this book!! I loved the premise and the setting for this book, it felt so fresh and different from anything I’ve read recently. I always enjoy a book that discusses mental health and personal struggles. Erin really was at a low point within herself and trying to process her grief and how to move on with her life after losing her best friend was a journey I enjoyed reading. I also liked James and his journey with overcoming his past and his family struggles.

The little free library and passing books back and forth was perfect. I loved that part so so much.

I’m also a sucker for a happy ending and this ending was amazing. What a fantastic debut book!

Calling this book a romance feels misleading. If it was instead called general fiction, I think I would have had a better mindset and expectations. Unfortunately, I expected a romance, yet I found myself not wanting the main characters to get together since they both need a lot of self growth before I can see them in a healthy relationship.

Erin remains self centered throughout the entire book. Yes, she has some growth in terms of figuring out what she wants to do with her life and starting to forgive people from her past. However, even in the end at Bonnie’s memorial, she makes James’ news about her.

James’s character, though equally flawed for most of the book, does seem to let go of his judgement while also learning to chase his own dreams

I did appreciated the tie-in to other great literature. Exchanging reading notes then getting to know each other through notes is normally a romance trope I like. But again, the flaws in both Janes and Erin made me rooting for their love story.

I received a free copy of this book; I wasn’t paid for this review.

I want to take a moment to think NetGalley as well as the publishing company for sending me an arc copy of this book and exchange my honest review.

I was beyond excited to get my hands on this book! However, with that being said, I really struggled in the beginning to get into the book. It felt almost like a chore to read this book and that really broke my heart. I want so desperately to love this book, but it just was not for me. I do recommend that you give this book a try because you may find it more enjoyable than I did.

This book has me feeling very conflicted. I genuinely dislike the protagonist, Erin, but her character development was very strong. She came across as one dimensional and I wasn’t a particular fan of her.

My biggest gripe with the book is that there are way too many coincidental events. One or two in a book is fine, but this story had over half a dozen which threw me off entirely. Being at the same place at the same time could happen here or there, but it was happening in every other chapter.

I did enjoy the parts about love and loss, and I think the author handled the theme well. However, I think the depiction of bipolar disorder was lacking and unrealistic.

I loved the premise of falling in love through little free libraries, and the references to The Perks of Being a Wallflower were great. It’s one of my favourite books, so I loved seeing it incorporated in this story.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I think it could use another round of editing.

This book was not for me. When novels name drop clothing brands and fashion accessories, which I do not understand and feel like I should look up to understand the relevance, it turns me off. I know that is a small thing, but when I am reading a romance or women’s fiction novel it a small thing that makes a novel a little less enjoyable.

Character wise, I am really concerned about Erin and her constant visions of her best friend. Even when she’s looking to see if she is still there when diving into bed with her roommate that she casually hooks up with, especially when one of them comes home drunk. Great relationship there and doesn’t make me feel Erin has any self worth. When she finally does stand her ground to Collum, it’s not surprising his reaction. James, is not really any better with Helena, you sleep with her regularly, then freak out when she starts to hope there is something more going on? Guys leading girls on and girls leading guys on. Overall, I enjoy James’ character and storyline more than Erin’s.

In the end, I will probably not be suggesting this to book club as it was a stretch for me to try and finish it. I liked the premise, but I didn’t feel like I got much of the margin interaction outside the first book or two, after that it just became questions.

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is a charming and heartwarming novel that celebrates the magic of books and the connections they foster. The story centers on two strangers, Emily and James, who unwittingly exchange books through a mysterious book swap service. As they delve into each other's chosen titles, they uncover hidden aspects of their own lives and form an unexpected bond.

Bickers' writing is engaging and evocative, bringing the characters to life with vivid detail and emotional depth. Emily and James are wonderfully relatable, each grappling with personal struggles that make their journey of self-discovery all the more poignant.

The plot is well-paced, with a perfect blend of humor, romance, and introspection. The author's ability to interweave the characters' stories through the books they read is both clever and touching, highlighting the transformative power of literature.

Overall, "The Book Swap" is a delightful read that will resonate with book lovers and romantics alike. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, the right book can change your life. I would give it a glowing 4.5 out of 5 stars for its heartfelt narrative and memorable characters.

Tessa Bickers' "The Book Swap" was a surprise hit for me. At first, I thought it was just another romantic comedy, but it turned out to be so much more. The story dives into deep themes like grief, loss, and healing, all while being centered around the main character, Erin Connolly.

Erin’s life is a bit of a mess after losing her best friend and quitting her job. She tries to move on by donating books to a little community library, including her favorite copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird." She soon realizes her mistake when she finds out it has been taken, but later, it reappears with notes scribbled in the margins by a mystery person.

Enter James, the mystery note-writer. He’s back home from London to care for his mom, who has some serious health issues. James and Erin’s connection grows through their shared love of books, particularly through the notes they leave each other. The way their relationship develops slowly but surely is really heartwarming, and their bond over literature is super relatable for any book lover.

The story isn’t just about romance, though. It deals with tough topics like bullying, family problems, and figuring out what you want to do with your life. Erin’s relationship with her sister Bonnie feels very real and touching, which adds another layer to the story.

However, the slow pace of the romance might not be for everyone. Plus, if you're not into classic literature, some of the references might go over your head. Also, some of the side characters can be pretty mean, which might be off-putting for some readers.

Despite these small issues, "The Book Swap" is a book that makes you feel a lot of different emotions. The writing is really good, making you laugh and cry in equal measure. Even though I wished for a bit more closure at the end, the story is still very satisfying and leaves you thinking about the power of books and human connections.

Overall, "The Book Swap" is a heartfelt story that will make you appreciate the magic of books and the bonds they create. It's definitely worth a read if you love literature and stories about personal growth.

A book about second chances and books?? Yes please! Pick up The Book Swap. You will not regret it. It was a great read!

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is a charming and heartwarming novel that celebrates the magic of books and the connections they create. The story revolves around two strangers, Emily and James, who unknowingly exchange books through a mysterious book swap service. As they read each other's chosen titles, they begin to uncover hidden aspects of their own lives and form an unexpected bond.

Bickers' writing is both engaging and evocative, bringing the characters to life with vivid detail and emotional depth. Emily and James are wonderfully relatable, each grappling with personal struggles that make their journey of self-discovery all the more poignant.

The plot is well-paced, with just the right mix of humor, romance, and introspection. The way the author weaves together the characters' stories through the books they read is both clever and touching, highlighting the transformative power of literature.

Overall, "The Book Swap" is a delightful read that will resonate with book lovers and romantics alike. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, the right book can change your life. I'd give it a glowing 4.5 out of 5 stars for its heartfelt narrative and memorable characters.

Erin is mourning the loss of her best friend and avoiding dealing with her emotions from that time in her life. She's suddenly quit her job that she hates but has no plan on what to do next.

James was terribly bullied as a kid and can't come to terms with his dad's decision to be a family man instead of a pop star. He has a successful career and makes good money (which is important to him) but is starting to question if it's how he wants to spend his life.

This book is written from Erin and James' perspectives. You move back and forth between the present day with the book swap and their shared past as kids.

There is so much history, miscommunication, friendship, love, and anger between Erin and James that it keeps you reading. I enjoyed the evolution of both characters through the book. I couldn't stop reading until I knew how it ended.

There is little to no spice in this book, so it is great for people who like their romance on the lighter side.

Thank you to @htpbooks @graydonhousebooks @harpercollins and #talkingtomybookstravelingarc for letting me be a part of this traveling ARC experience. I also received a digital ARC from the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my own.

For some reason, I've read a lot of books about grief in the past year, without trying to. When I first started The Book Swap and realized it was very much about grief, I was hesitant. I'm so glad I kept reading because along with a beautiful love story about connection and forgiveness, this story is about healing a broken heart after losing a best friend.
I lost my best friend to Ovarian Cancer in 2020. It devastated me to see her suffering through treatment and the horrible disease, especially since we had to limit our exposure to her during COVID. There were so many moments in this book where I understood the pain, guilt, and questioning that Erin was going through. Her relationship with her best friend was very special. This story shows how we all try to overcome tragedy in different ways.
To balance the heaviness of that part of the story, there is also a Little Free Library romance that happens when Erin accidentally donates her favorite annotated book. Her and a mystery man begin writing in the margins to each other, similar to love letters to a secret pen pal. It's fun to read as the two main characters discuss their favorite books and characters and also get to know each other. It's obvious that Tessa Bickers is a #booklover. I really enjoyed this book and had lots of tabs to add to our group tabs.

I thought the cover of The Book Swap was precious and the premise was intriguing, and went in thinking this was going to be a lighthearted romance. I was wrong lol. I was utterly unprepared for how heavy this was. Plus there's little to no romance, it's one of those extreme slow burns, and I'm not really a fan of those, and would have loved to see more of Erin and James's established relationship.

Overall wasn't bad, just not what I was expecting.

This book was definitely heavier than the description or cover let on. It’s not a light-hearted rom-com and there actually is very little romance. That said it was still enjoyable to read. I would characterize this as a slow burn with complex characters.

Rating: 3.5/5

I was honestly very surprised by this book. I definitely enjoyed it and had a good time reading it. I will say that based on the cover and initial description of the plot, it seems it will be a lighthearted rom-com, but boy was i wrong. This book is an emotional ride from start to finish and mentions struggles of grief/loss, life experiences, and so much more. It was constantly pulling at my heartstrings but also breaking it at the same time? But I somehow kind of loved it lol.

My only issues were that I do not always vibe with the slow slow slow burns and that's what this book represented unfortunately. And once there was finally a cute ending and coming together of their relationship, that was it. It just ended. I really would have preferred any sort of glimpse into their relationship a little more in depth. I also found it a little hard to connect to the classic literature representation presented/mentioned throughout the book. But, that could be my own fault due to me not reading many classics, so the references would fall flat for me.

Overall, I would recommend this book to others!

I so wanted to really love this, but it's a slow burn and it dragged too much for me. I was close to DNF but since it was an arc I felt I should finished. With that being said, there wasn't enough to keep me interested.

Thank you Net Galley for the arc.

I received an ARC of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

The Book Swap is a second chance romance about two people who are struggling to navigate life in their 30s. I was lucky to have read some of the early reviews for this book before starting The marketing (bookcover etc.) for The Book Swap is slightly misleading. The marketing gives the impression that this is going to be a frothy rom-com. However, this is more a romantic drama and tackles a lot of heavy topics like growing up with a bipolar parent, intense grief, bullying, etc. combined with a very slow burn romance that centers around forgiveness.

The Book Swap has good bones. I thought that the plot was interesting as were the characters. They both had their own demons and growth arcs throughout the story. But the writing, from a technical aspect, really detracts from the reading experience. There are many times where the writing lacks clarity or the author uses the wrong prepositions. It felt like a promising first draft that needed to go through a couple more rounds of editing rather than a finished novel. It's disappointing because I can see the great potentially that lies at the heart of this book. I hope that since I read an early ARC, the final published version of this book has received a few more rounds of editing. Because I really do believe in the story Bickers is trying to tell.

I rate The Book Swap 3 out of 5 stars.

I'm a sucker for books about books. After a shaky start (was confused by Bonnie's presence) I was able to settle in and enjoy this easy but heartfelt read. Thank you NetGalley for the advance ecopy