Jules and Roman, have families that have feuding for years, and now have bookstores in the same small town. Obviously will be conflict. A Romeo and Juilet story, and was a fun and easy read. Would recommend.

2.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️. 5

I’ve got to admit I’ve read 3 books recently about rivals bookshops and lately they have all fallen flat. This story focuses on two rival families similar to Romeo and Juliet, who have a bookstore directly across from each other. Of course it is supposed to be an “enemies” to lovers story , but I never felt it between Roman and Jules. The Capelthorne’s and Montbeau family have a history, but me as the reader? I could hardly care.

The characters and storytelling fell flat for me. unfortunately. Merlin was the best part. Other than that, I really can’t add more to this review. I didn’t care for the characters or story. Of course, give it a fair shot, but I can’t recommend it to you to read.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Poppy Alexander, and NetGalley for this free e-copy for my honest review. #BattleOfTheBookshops #NetGalley #ARC

Cute quick palate cleanser with a Romeo and Juliet vibe but set in a bookstore setting. A little history and a little romance. Perfect blend of fun reading!

This is another retelling of Romeo and Juilet without the death. I took me a lot longer than it should have to read this because it was a bit boring and the main character to me was a bit annoying. She would cry and get emotional at thr drop of a hat. However, the character Aunt Flo was my favorite and I l9ve her ending of the story.

The Battle of the Bookshops
Published on Goodreads 12/12/2024
Rating: 😐/2.75
Review: Slow. Modern day Romeo & Juliet vibes. A book about books. This book was just way too long. Liked the characters and was curious enough to know how it would end for them that I skimmed to the end but definitely way too long and too many plot threads.
Format: 👩🏻‍💻
Source: #netgalley

I received this ARC from NetGalley to read and review, so thank you! This book was a sweet, clean read. I really enjoyed the romantic storyline. It was refreshing to find something without any overly dramatic or explicit scenes. It's definitely a feel-good story perfect for a relaxing evening. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a lighthearted romance.

The premise of the story is about a woman named Jules who is trying to save her great aunt's bookshop in a little town in Devon, UK. 🥰📖🇬🇧 She falls for the devastatingly handsome, Roman, who is also the new owner of a competing bookstore. 😍🔥📖

#TheBattleoftheBookshops #NetGalley

Romeo and Juliet retelling with bookshops and a HEA! Enemies to lovers with a dash of second chance!! It honestly took me 30% of the book to fully get into it, but it was worth sticking it out and finishing it. It was so cute! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!

Unable to paste from Goodreads so I have linked review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7074994684

Cute little romance! It was a slow start, but I enjoyed all of the characters. I wish the romance had been a bit more of a slow burn. It seemed to happen so fast and I would have loved a little bit more focus on the development of their relationship. I would have also liked more interactions between the rival families. The rival is mentioned, but upon Jules and Roman getting together the families are almost instantly happy. It seems that a rival lasting 100+ years would be a little more difficult to navigate. With that said, I loved the rival bookshop/families storyline that was inspired by Romeo and Juliet, which is even brought up and joked about by the characters. If you’re looking for an easy to read romance with a HEA, this book will do the trick. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
William Shakespeare

Good news for fans of star-crossed lovers! Poppy Alexander’s The Battle of the Bookshops has a better ending than The Bard’s original tale. And, while the story may revolve around Jules and Roman, Aunt Flo is absolute perfection as a supporting character.

Mark the August 19, 2025 publication date on your calendar immediately, then go find the rest of Poppy’s books and read them.

#PoppyAlexander
#TheBattleoftheBookshops
#NetGalleyARC
#RomeoandJuliet

This was a cute book!! A little too on the nose at times. It starts slow but the second half was much faster. A great beach read.

I love books with bookshops and this felt like a cup of hot tea on a cold day. This book does have very cute moments but Julia and Roman’s chemistry needed more time to blossom and this book definitely lags in the beginning. By the time we get to the meat of the story, the romance just isn’t sharp enough.

This fun summer romp was exactly what I needed to read on a cold and rainy day. I thought the banter between the two leads was excellent and I loved the character development. I’m excited to share with my audience when the book releases.

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time! Just absolutely darling. I love the storyline and just the realness of this book. It was adorable! Such a fun read. Highly suggest.

This was overall a cute read. However, I feel the plot would have benefited from a dual POV between Julia & Roman-- I wish Roman's character was given more descriptive sections that highlighted the person he was. I love the classic spin of Romeo & Juliet but I do wish the story was a bit more fast paced at times. Given the slow burn nature of their forbidden romance, I wish were were given more scenes. that showcased their tension and desire (but I do feel like this was a good execution of love at first sight & forbidden romance-- just not my style). I enjoyed the ending & all the characters we met along the way. I would love to see a possible sequel of their continued romance!

3.5 rounded up. If you are looking for a warm and cozy book, this would be a good choice. Though the nods to Romeo and Juliet became a bit on the nose, I still really appreciated the story.

Jules returns to her home town to work with and care for her Great Aunt Flo. She runs the bookshop in town. A wrench is thrown in when the feuding family’s son, Roman, opens his own bookstore across the street.

I wish there was a bit more time spent building out the MMC and FMC, and their relationship, but I enjoyed it overall.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars ⭐️
The first half of this book was slow and hard to get into. The second half of it made the whole book. The rivalry between Jules and Roman was fun to read. The Romeo and Juliet tie in to the story was cute but wanted more between Roman and Jules

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book. Very cozy and the authors descriptions really make you feel like you’re there with the characters. Would and will recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The enemies to lovers shift was really sudden and didn’t feel organic. The pacing was overall a little off and I didn’t believe that the main characters were as in love as they said they were. The side plot however was engaging and I did enjoy reading this book.

If you’re looking for a cozy, seaside, literary, comfort novel, look no further!! I fell in love with the scenery of this story, but also loved the bookshop element even more. This is a bookish girls perfect cozy read that will transport you to a small town for all the good vibes. Thank you so much for the chance to read this early copy!