I really enjoyed certain aspects of this book. Obviously, as a reader, the fact the two main characters, Erin and James, are swapping books and sharing their thoughts and feelings on them is so fun. Seeing some classics and popular quotes was great, especially with the way the author then moved the story along with these books. The fact they also help each other through some life-changing decisions and reigniting their true passions through books gave me all the feels.

I wish there had been a lot more of the book swaps and going into depth a bit more at times as that was such a clever idea and made for some wonderful moments between the two characters even when they hadn't yet met each other. Their relationship was already developing on such a deep level through their love of books and being truly honest in what they were dealing with in life. This was really special and kept me interested in the story as it progressed. However, as we got further into the book, you'd just get a title and then very random conversations outside of the books themselves.

So, as the book swaps got less detailed and more side stories with side characters began happening, I started to lose a bit of interest. I understand the author threw in some heavy situations with the sub-characters to help make a point of how so many of us struggle alone and don't confide in each other. How there are many different types of grief, loss and disappointment. This was certainly powerful and tear-jerking, however it seemed to clash with the initial funny moments of the book swap. It also made the book very heavy very quickly which is not what I was expecting and seemed to clash with the storyline at times.

The last maybe 50 pages of the book was also very rushed with the climax as well as threw in some very heavy revelations. Some of the revelations also made me dislike Erin, as she suddenly became very self-centered and made me rethink a lot of her situations in the book. We get a 6 month time jump to "fix" things, but it felt very abrupt and as if things were brushed aside. I also feel like Erin should have redeemed herself due to some of the things she did, but she barely did anything. Even though she was in the wrong, she never explicitly apologized to James.

I saw such potential with this book and especially with the author's writing style. I am excited to see what else she writes as with some more experience, and I bit more editing, I believe another book could be great.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.

4.5 stars!

First, thank you to net galley and harlequin trade publishing for an arc of the book swap by tessa bickers in exchange for my honest review.

I love books so much, that reading a book about books was an automatic hit for me! This story followed Erin and James, and dealt with topics ranging from love, friendship, terminal illness, grief, and self growth/journeys!

The slow burn definitely is a slow burn, but felt accurately paced given the life journeys happening in the background.

Favorite quote: “I promise to change into something colorful for you.”

CW/TW: cancer, death, abandonment, bullying, suicidal thoughts, divorce, and mental illness

This story was a delightfully fun surprise. I went into this thinking it was a light romcom but boy was I wrong. This book made me feel a lot of kind of ways and I’m here for it.

"A story of second chances and new beginnings, this is a love letter to books—and a love letter to life."

What on the surface sounded like just a lighthearted romcom, turned out to be so much more. The MCs, Erin and James, both find their second chance at love ("second chance" because they don't realize who the other person is, and that they have a shared past) as well as find healing in their own lives through being pen pals via the margins of their favorite books.

In her debut novel, Bickers portrays the complexities of life throughout this love story. The plot is very character driven as we see both main characters deal with issues such as loss, grief, difficult family & friend dynamics, second chances, healing, and personal growth throughout the book. I enjoyed that the conflicts were not just limited to the MCs, but extended to their relationships with the supporting characters as well. I feel it added some layers to the plot and gave you a well rounded view of their lives.

However, there were many parts in the book that seemed to drag on a bit, and the ending seemed a bit too much of a quick and easy HEA given the conflicts that presented themselves in the last 3/4 of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Graydon House, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Tessa Bickers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers follows 2 old friends, estranged since high school. who are reconnecting in the margins of various books in a little free library. The kicker is, they don't know they're talking to one another.

I really appreciated how grief was handled in this book (and as a very specific side-bar, that therapy was represented well and no one slept with their therapist). I think the author did a nice job of highlighting realistic, problematic core beliefs that were impacting her characters, without hitting you over the head with them. I also really enjoyed the literary refences throughout the book.

Thank you to Tessa Bickers and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of The Book Swap in exchange for an honest review.

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is a poignant tale of healing and rediscovery through the magic of books. Erin Connolly, grappling with grief, accidentally donates her cherished annotated copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" only to find it returned with new notes and an invitation from a mysterious pen pal. As they exchange thoughts in the margins of beloved classics like "Great Expectations," a transformative friendship blossoms, revealing shared histories and unexpected connections. Bickers skillfully weaves literary references into a narrative that explores forgiveness, second chances, and the profound impact of literature on our lives. This novel is a heartfelt ode to the power of books to guide us through life's challenges and to connect us with others in meaningful ways.

Was not my personal favorite, but classic literature lovers will enjoy pointing out the references! I love the idea of traveling annotated books!

Thank you for Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early. As a few of the other reviews mention this book has a lot more depth than you may think when initally reading the synopsis. When i first discovered Book Swap I was expecting a light romance read. While the book has romantic tropes it also dives into the issues of mental health (through multiple characters) and bullying. While i enjoyed the book having more substance than just being a surface level romance I struggled to get through some parts at ths beginning where it felt like the main characters were complaining about trivial things. I think once you become invested in the main characters it becomes easier to sympathize with the struggles they’ve experienced it just took me longer than I would normally want. I would still recommend reading if you enjoy romance with deeper character development and of course if you are a lover of characters who have their own love story for books. A great debut novel. I will continue to look out for books by Tessa Bickers in the future!

5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Graydon House for my ARC.

This was a really beautiful, heartwarming and heartbreaking novel. It’s built around a romance shared between notes in the margins of exchanged books, but it’s so much more than a love story — or better put, about all kinds of love (romantic, familial, friendship). This book is complex and unique, and is sure to make you tear up. I loved the personal journeys each of the main characters went through and was so satisfied with the ending. What a great story!

TW: Mental illness, suicide, cancer, among many others

Author: Tessa Bickers
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Literary Fiction

WOW!!! I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of "The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers through NetGalley. (Thank you)

Our MC: Erin Connolly's story, starts with the accidental donation of her favorite book to a #LFL.
The novel captures the charm of little free libraries and the serendipity they can bring into our lives.

Bickers skillfully blends references to classic literature with a contemporary storyline, making the book a treasure trove for literature lovers. The interactions in the margins of books like "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Great Expectations" add depth and a sense of intimacy to the narrative that allowed you to really see into their relationship.

The novel also handles themes of grief, forgiveness, and personal growth with sensitivity.
Erin's journey from tragedy to finding new connections and confronting her past is compelling and relatable. The mystery element surrounding her pen pal adds an intriguing layer to the plot, keeping readers engaged till the very end, even though we know who he is the whole time!

Overall, "The Book Swap" is a heartfelt, enchanting read that celebrates the power of books to connect and heal. If you love little free libraries and stories that intertwine literature with personal journeys, this book is a must-read.

This is a sweet and surprising novel that deals with far more than just the typical romance tropes. Journey through the classics with Erin as she uses books with notes written in the margins from a "mystery man" in response to hers. This book deals with grief and the complexities surrounding it, mental health, bullying, loss, forgiveness, and the ultimate goal to live life on your terms. While at times Erin can be unlikable, as someone who also suffers abandonment issues, I know I can be as well. This is a great debut, and I could barely put it down once I started it. Thank you for this ARC Harlequin, Tessa Bickers, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

If you're a book lover and a fan of You've Got Mail, you'll really enjoy this book! It kept me interested from the time I picked up the book until the very end. While I definitely think the characters could have worked out their issues if they were just honest and spoke to each other for 20 minutes as adults, it does showcase that we aren't always ready to hear what we need to hear. However, I loved that these characters were able to fall in love (again) through just their written words and love of the classics.

“The Book Swap” by Tessa Bickers is a gem for book lovers. It’s a tale that will linger in your heart long after you've turned the last page. Tessa Bickers has crafted a beautiful ode to literature, reminding us that sometimes, the best stories are the ones we write together, one margin note at a time. Bickers' writing style is reminiscent of Jojo Moyes and Alice Hoffman, making this novel a must-read for fans of heartwarming contemporary fiction.

Meet Erin Connolly. She is still reeling from a recent tragedy, but knows she needs to start living again. But how? When she accidentally donates her heavily annotated copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” It’s a book containing a memento she can't bear to part with, and it’s sent to a local community library. She's devastated. Yet, fate intervenes. The book reappears a week later, complete with fresh notes in the margins and an invitation from a newfound pen pal hidden within a copy of *Great Expectations*. Thus begins a life-changing conversation, written only in the margins of beloved classic books, between Erin and her Mystery Man. As they follow each other through the pages of their favourite novels, they open up, forging a friendship that might just become something more.

From the very first page, I was drawn into Erin's world: a place where grief and hope collide. Bickers masterfully weaves together the magic of classic literature with the raw emotions of her characters. Erin's connection with her Mystery Man, forged through the margins of beloved books, is both heartwarming and poignant. Their exchanges are like whispered secrets shared across time and space, and I found myself rooting for them with every turned page.

The concept of a book exchange as a catalyst for connection is utterly charming. As Erin and her pen pal delve into the worlds of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, “Great Expectations”, and other literary gems, they reveal their vulnerabilities, fears, and dreams. Bickers captures the essence of what it means to be a book lover, from the way stories shape us, heal us, to the way it connect us to others.

The pacing is spot-on, with just the right blend of romance, mystery, and nostalgia. The backdrop of the community library, where books come alive through handwritten notes, adds an enchanting layer to the narrative. And the shared history between Erin and her pen pal, a secret they both unknowingly carry, adds depth and tension.

Bickers' prose is elegant and evocative. She paints scenes with vivid strokes, making the fictional town and its inhabitants feel real. Whether it's the scent of old books, the rustle of pages, or the quiet moments spent reading under a tree, every detail resonates. Her love for literature shines through, and I found myself reaching for my own dog-eared copies of classics, wondering what secrets they held in their margins.

“The Book Swap” is more than a romance; it's a celebration of resilience, forgiveness, and the transformative power of storytelling. It reminds us that books are not just ink on paper—they're vessels of connection, solace, and hope. As Erin and her Mystery Man navigate their shared past and uncertain future, we're reminded that sometimes the most profound conversations happen in the margins, where hearts intersect.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Graydon House for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me, thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Erin is still in mourning for her best friend Bonnie; to the point where Bonnie “exists” in her room so Erin can vent to her about how her life is going wrong.

James lives two lives; half the time he has a successful career in London, but the other half is spent in his home town of Frome helping his father care for his mentally ill mother.

Erin and James (and Bonnie) were friends in school, but an ugly event has torn them apart. This wouldn't sound like a good start for a romance, but weirdly it is. What starts out as a heartbreaking/unique take on “you've got mail” with Erin and James anonymously communicating via notes written in the margins of books they borrow from a little free library, becomes a journey to forgiveness and self discovery.

I loved the twists and turns in this book that kept me guessing to the end. I was a little put out by the huge margins in the book, until I realized it was on purpose (given the mode of communication between the main characters). I also loved the secondary characters (and hope this is the start to a series of novels…Cassie and Joel next, please)

I liked this book, wish i could say live but i liked it could have loved but aomethings just didnt do it for me. It was a very slow burn the ending was great but it took along time to get there and I didn't get enough after (i know it may not make sense but i hate spoilers) the characters were good and I loved the youve got mail like premise-I'm a sucker.for a good classic rom.com, plu ls little libraries are my favorite, ao its a fun one to pick your favorite and visualize it while sitting on the bench nearby and watching people pick out books, could it happen, love by little free library
Overall, an okay read. Good characters, with a good story but I wish it had a more fulfilling end!

So I picked this up thinking it would be a cutsy rom com, and boy was I surprised. This story covers south in terms of death, chronic illness, bullying, mental health and forgiveness. I feel like the beginning of this story was really slow off to start and honestly I haven’t read most of the classics these characters were so attached to but I had a really good time reading it, I think the look we get at Erin and James in forgiving and understanding others and even themselves is really well written and it’s really nice to see it portrayed in a way that feels realistic, it doesn’t just happen overnight it takes a lot of trial and error and it’s hard. I’m not gonna lie Erin wasn’t my fav MFC in the world but honestly I think that fits in for the story? The way she was dealing with things wasn’t healthy the grudges she was holding against her family and her friends wasn’t good for her, she was kinda being a crappy person but you can’t have growth if your already great. I love that we got to see her have the conversation with her mom and see that yes I’m trying but it’s not instantly better. This book made me feel a lot more things than I was ever imagining, as for the romance part of it, it really does feel like a sub-plot but I don’t think the impact would have been the same if it was this instalove everything’s better now connection, it’s a slow burn for sure and I would count it as a second chance romance. I’m so excited for this to debut and can’t wait to see what else Tessa writes

I liked the overall concept of this story more than I enjoyed reading it.

I liked James and reading his side of things way more than I liked Erin. Once we found out what their big fight was about, I lost any interest. I thought the moment she found out it was him she'd been swapping notes with was a rushed moment. She went from 0 to fuming so quickly then they were gone.

I thought there were too many side characters and in a way it seemed like the two main characters hardly interacted with each other at all. There was only like one flashback to the good part of their friendship, the vague notes in the books, and they were ready to talk about being in love?

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was drawn to this title for its theme of grief, and I was certainly able to relate to Erin on a very personal level. While some of her thoughts felt incredibly intimate and comforting to me, I did struggle to engage with her and with the MMC, James. I found the start of the book to be rather slow, and I kept wanting to put the book down. It wasn't my cup of tea, but I think it's great for a reader looking for a slow burn romance with some emotional depth.

Very calm, very cute. This book was a really good just romance where I can just feel the love and root for the couple.