This was such a cute and entertaining read! I loved the character development and writing style the author used. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you, NetGalley, Graydon House, and HarperCollins, for this ARC!

Unfortunately, this novel felt disjointed to me. I struggled to keep track of whose perspective I was in and what was happening due to time jumps and changes in perspective. I loved the idea of the book swap; however, it felt repetitive as the novel went on and fell flat for me, especially towards the end. I didn't care for the characters and didn't see them having the possibility of anything romantic.

I loved this book! Erin and James’ relationship was so beautifully developed and I loved seeing their journey. This book was unexpected but in a great way. I would recommend to any book lover!

I was really enjoying at first. But about half through the book I was at standstill and didn’t want to pick up the book again. So unfortunately I dnf it!

The Book Swap follows Erin Connolly who is starting over in her life. In the process she accidentally donates her favorite book, To Kill a Mocking Bird at her LFL. A week later the book turns up up at the local library with notes in the margin along with notes of her pen pal. Erin and the mystery man have shared a history that neither of them guessed. She soon finds herself at a cross roads.

Unfortunately the writing style was not for me. The concept of the story line was very interesting but did not really captive me. I had a difficult time finishing the book.

I DNFed this book. Which is a shame since I really wanted to like it. I couldn’t stand the main characters especially the male main character. I was sad he was bullied but the whole story get like adults that couldn’t leave high school. The story would have maybe fit better in a high school setting and could have been written in a YA style. Characters were just really mean and immature

The premise is good and it had potential.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy for review.

Cute and quick read. I really enjoyed the characters and the references to books that we many of us all love and know. I did struggle with the overall writing style of this one and it felt very slow in some parts but then rushed in others. I think all the elements are there but the way it was presented caused me to not love it as much as I wanted to.

When I started reading this book, I was ready for a light rom-com. Instead, I got a deep dive into grief, loss, and healing. Erin's journey starts with the accidental donation of her annotated To Kill a Mockingbird and a chance discovery of a new pen pal through book margins. The connection they build, full of heart and mystery, had me hooked. The story is a touching blend of friendship and love, with a twist of shared history that brings up past hurts and second chances. It’s a heartwarming yet heartbreaking read that made me feel all the feels. 3⭐

“Something that is loved is never Lost.”

“There isn’t a disconnection in the world that can’t be healed by Forgiveness.”

📌About the Book:
When Erin’s best friend Bonnie dies, she is wrecked with grief and her life halts. Floundering in her job, lacking a social life and having zero romantic relationships, Erin finds her solace in books, particularly her copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. The margins are all marked with her notes & she returns to it again and again. But when she drops it in a LFL accidentally, someone picks it up and is enthralled with her markings. He returns the book with a note to “meet in Great Expectations?” and thus begins a communication between Erin and this Mystery Man.

Erin wants to meet this Mystery Man, but when she discovers who he is, it brings the past crashing back and the waves threaten to drown her again.

💭My Thoughts:

Oh my goshhhhh, this book needs to be read more and have more time here on the ‘gram. It’s absolutely beautiful!! I read this book in a day! I couldn’t put it down and every time I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The Book Swap is a love letter to literature, books, friendship and love. It’s Beautiful. Take my word for it. It’ll make your heart swell in all the best ways!🤍

I liked this books focus on literature and reading but I felt that the characters could have been more developed.

Look, as a reader I feel like we've all said or heard it a million times but there is something so freaking special about books about books. Maybe it's because of the extraordinary relatability or that the feelings we have for books are so beautifully described. The Book Swap is a story all about how two strangers grow closer by swapping books in a little free library, while annotating and writing questions back and forth to each other. It's a swoon worthy connection and meet cute story.

However, these characters have a shared history and while this really intrigued me, I really hate the miscommunication trope and this honestly just went full no communication at all trope and drove me bonkers. Erin, babe, I say this with love but please go to a therapist. SO much pain could've been prevented by yourself just for doing a bit of inner work. Alright back to the goods, readers get the happily ever after and with a dozen references to well known classics and literacy paired with a beloved little free library it is still a read that I heavily enjoyed and will be recommending.

I went in thinking this would be a fun, lighthearted book. But it deals with some weighty issues related to shame, loss, illness, and other things. I enjoyed the love story that unfolded in the margins of the books and liked the subplot between James and Joel, where they explore why men often struggle to share their feelings in friendships and how they can hold each other accountable to do better.

This was just okay for me. A bit boring and slow, with unlikable characters. I liked the premise but found the execution to be lacking.

This book wasn't what I expected. I was expecting a sweet rom com but it was much heavier. I didn't like the characters. Unfortunately this book wasn't for me.

3/5 stars.

This was just okay for me. Thought it was going to be a cute and cozy read which it had some but was way more than what the cover portrays. I guess don't judge a book by its cover. It gave me "you got mail" vibes bit with books instead of emails. It started out a bit all over the place, jumping between timelines which could get confusing at times. It did start to get a bit overwhelming from time to time. I did like that they referenced a lot of classic books that they passed to one another unknowingly.It was a good book, just not one I would probably pick up again.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade publishing for the e-ARC.

A second chance romance that involves books and annotating. What more could you want? I loved the quotes that were sprinkled throughout the book and the way the backstory was introduced was done well. This book had no spice but it does have language.

The Book Swap is a good read, but I would hesitate to call it a true romance novel. It's more of a fiction novel that's heavily rooted in overcoming trauma and grief with some romantic overtones included.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
Rating: ★★★★☆

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers is a delightful debut novel that will appeal to any book lover. The premise alone—a library of swapped books where messages are left in the margins—will instantly capture your heart. It’s the kind of setting that rekindles forgotten quotes and introduces new titles, making it a nostalgic trip for readers while also offering fresh discoveries. As the characters, Erin and James, begin to reflect on their pasts through these book exchanges, we’re reminded of our own memories, and it’s utterly glorious.

The structure of the story, framed by the messages in the books and the memorials to Bonnie, is a brilliant touch. It creates a narrative that feels both intimate and satisfying, wrapping everything up in a way that leaves you with a deep sense of closure. The book has an emotional pull that is hard to resist—only the hardest-hearted readers will finish without needing a tissue or two.

Erin and James are beautifully realized characters, full of depth and authenticity. Seen through the lens of Bonnie’s memory, they feel real, flawed, and relatable. Both characters are stubborn, self-centered, and sometimes caught in their own way of thinking, but they also have the capacity to love, to change, and to teach us something important about ourselves along the way. The dynamics of their relationship are raw and compelling, making their journey not just about reconciling with each other but with themselves as well.

What I truly appreciated was how The Book Swap handles deeper themes like mental health, family dynamics, guilt, blame, and the healing power of forgiveness. Bickers doesn’t shy away from portraying these issues with honesty and nuance, showing that not all conflicts are neatly resolved, but that’s part of what makes the story feel authentic. The book also explores the idea that what’s ideal for one person may not be perfect for another, teaching readers the importance of understanding and accepting different perspectives.

While the story is overall heartwarming and emotionally satisfying, its themes resonate because they feel genuine and grounded in reality. The narrative does a fantastic job of blending the fictional lives of Erin and James with universal truths about love, relationships, and personal growth.

In the end, The Book Swap is a beautiful, emotional read that will stay with you long after the final page. It’s a book about second chances, the impact of literature on our lives, and the ways in which we connect with others. For anyone who enjoys stories that explore human relationships with authenticity and emotional depth, this is a solid 4-star read.

The story follows two women, Esme and Maggie, whose lives intersect in a quirky bookshop where they take part in a community book swap event. As they exchange books and stories, they begin to open up about their own lives, uncovering secrets, regrets, and unspoken desires. Through their shared love of literature, Esme and Maggie form an unlikely but deep friendship that helps them navigate personal challenges and rediscover their own paths.

Bickers’ writing is warm and inviting, filled with rich, relatable characters and a strong sense of community. The novel touches on themes of self-discovery, healing, and the importance of human connection, all wrapped up in the cozy backdrop of a bookshop. The sense of nostalgia and the joy of reading are woven throughout the narrative, making it a perfect read for book lovers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is like a literary hug! If you love literature and you treasure the experience of reading and connecting with other readers, this book is for you!

This story hooked me in immediately. There is so much to connect to in this book. The ideas around high school trauma, bullying, friendship, complex family dynamics, grief, adulthood, finding your passion and so much more are handled in a beautifully real way.

This is a must read!! It gave me “13 going on 30” and “you’ve got mail” vibes!