Back when I read a lot of fan fiction, the bookstore trope was one of my absolute favorites. I don’t see it as often in print books, so I was really excited when I found and was approved for this one on NetGalley. This is also a rare find in that the main character of this romcom is overweight.

Bobby loves helping people make grand gestures to show their love for someone, straight out of a romcom. Will he ever get to experience that love?

He also has a knack for getting to know people and being able to recommend just the right book that they didn’t know they needed in that moment.

When his grand gesture to the guy he likes becomes a disaster that is shared online, Bobby has to pick up the pieces and salvage what he can. In the process, he meets Luke, who continually has him questioning himself about who Luke is.

This was a fantastic, funny read! It was a nice change from the types of guys usually represented in MM romcoms. Bobby could make you cringe at times, but you can’t help but root for him and hope he gets a happy ending.

It’s got a while before it comes out, but I think this one is going to receive a lot of love when it does!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.

Brimming with sincerity, goodwill, and an almost tangible sunshine, Recommended Reading is a joyous YA romcom about learning from your mistakes, second chances, and the power of a good book.

Plus size powerhouse Bobby has been rejected by his crush - mortifyingly publicly so - and after a mishap must work in his surrogate uncle's bookshop for the summer, derailing his planned Summer of Bobby. Fortunately for him, this leads him to new opportunities, including a sparky, snarky meet-cute with sensitive frat boy Luke and a chance to help rally his community to save the bookshop.

Ostensibly a body positive spin on Jane Austen's Emma, Recommended Reading is the definition of a big-hearted, breezy summer romance that is, for lack of a better turn, adorable, and a book that will no doubt find itself on many recommended reading lists come release.

This was a lovely queer love story and I couldn’t put down. Funny and sweet vibes throughout the entire book. I absolutely loved it.

As soon as you open this book you are sucked right in to Bobby’s world.

Booby and Luke are very likeable characters and you can’t help but want to cheer them on

I love bobby is a book worm and all the book references were spot on

It’s a hilarious story and I’d recommend it to anyone

I selected this book due to my personal challenge for June to read queer based fiction for Pride month and I am so glad I did!
After my first choice which was a long awaited release that didn’t live up to my liking, I was nervous. So I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love the MMC Bobby and his approach to life! All the references to books and his quick whit make this a fast page turned that I read in 2 sittings.

The beginning of the book draws you right in in a “can’t look away from a train wreck “ type of way and the story is off!
I highly suggest it for my RomCom loving friends. It’s a such a fun story with realistic characters.
I have a feeling I’ll be reading this again just because of the warm fuzzy feeling it gives!

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

As soon as this book started with Bobby’s mortifying failed grand gesture, I was hooked.

I thought Bobby and Luke were such great characters. Bobby was such a fun, lovable character who you just wanted to root for. All the side characters were also all amazing in their own right, but my favourite was definitely Gladys. I would love to see a book about the Gladys’ relationship or even more about the Baroness.

I loved this book and will be looking forward to seeing what the author does next!