Quick and easy. Loved the tropes and absolutely adored the mcs. great palette cleanser read. It gave huge Romeo and Juliette vibes without all the sad stuff

To be honest, I didn’t like this one. It marketed at a romance but it’s more a contemporary fiction. Theres way more focus on the book shop and her great aunt than their relationship. They barely interact in the first 50% of the book and then they are all of a sudden in love and ready for marriage just throwing the family rivalry to the wayside. It was just not my cup of tea. The setting was fun though.

This is a cozy, English seaside story primarily about Jules Capelthorne and Roman Montbeau. They are from families that have been in conflict for hundreds of years. Tensions rise when Roman and his family open a new bookshop across the street from the quaint bookshop Jules' family has operated for years.

I love books and I love bookshops. I was excited about this one when I saw it on NetGalley and read the description. While I was reading it, I couldn't put my finger on the things about it that didn't land for me. After reading several reviews by other readers, I had more clarity because I agreed with the statements so many of them were making. The overall structure of this book didn't land for me. I was primarily from Jules' POV, but occasionally there would be a paragraph of two in Roman's POV. I liked Roman's character, and I would have loved to have more of his perspective. When his POV was included, it felt out of place and rushed. There was also a lot of things happening throughout the book that made it feel scattered for me. A couple of the side characters had storylines that were sprinkled throughout, but it was not deep enough (and a little too random) for me to feel bought into their stories.

Overall, this book didn't land for me. I'd rate it 2.5 stars out of 5. If a book is under 3 stars, it is not a book I am likely to recommend to others.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three and a half stars rounded up to four. Jules has returned from London to help her Great-Aunt Flo run the family bookshop. To her dismay, the business is almost bankrupt. And to make matters worse, Roman, who is part of the family Jules' family has been feuding with for hundreds of years, has opened a bookshop directly across the street.
This is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. I enjoyed it, but the ending felt rushed.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

A book about bookshops. A book about bookshops loosely based on one of my favorite movies, You’ve Got Mail. There’s really no way this could go wrong. Big chain bookstore comes to town, little homegrown bookstore sees the end is near. And when you add in a touch of Romeo and Juliet, well, I loved it!

Julia comes home to help Aunt Flo after she fell down and broke a leg (and an arm?). She grew up in the bookstore, she grew up helping in the bookstore, so it’s natural that she come home and run it until her aunt can be up and around again. It was fun to see her view of the publishing industry in the UK. So much was similar to what I experienced here in the United States in my 40+ years working in publishing, it felt so familiar.

But Roman comes home at the same time, on the same train. She hasn’t seen him since the most embarrassing night of her life, prom night. And since the Hatfields and the McCoys really don’t get along, as don’t the Montegues and the Capulets… well, no matter how cute he is and how attracted she is to him, there’s no way Jules is going to have any kind of a relationship with Roman.

Well, not until later in the book… This was fun, quirky, the characters were fun to get to know. #HighlyRecommend.

Really enjoyed this one! The beginning gives You've Got Mail vibes with a lovely British twist. Characters are very likable and well developed, family issues are relatable, and then the addition of some really great historical timeliness are sprinkled in. Some of the friendships felt pretty one sided, which makes them seem not necessary to the story. Other than that, really cozy and fun read!

The Battle of the Bookshops sets up as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, centered around rival bookstores and a budding romance. The concept had potential, especially for fans of cozy, small-town settings and light, Hallmark-style stories. It’s a quick, easy read and might appeal to readers looking for something simple and sweet.

However, for me, the execution didn’t land. The romance felt rushed and implausible, and I struggled to connect with the characters, who came across as a bit flat. At times, the Shakespeare-inspired elements felt more like fan fiction than fresh homage.

Overall, while it wasn’t what I’d hoped for, it could still work for readers in the mood for something light and charming, as long as expectations are managed.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

It is a battle between two high school “enemies”. One has a family bookstore that is nearing its 100th anniversary and the other just so happens to open a rival bookstore just across the street. If you are getting You’ve Got Mail vibes, you are correct. The story is also based on Romeo and Juliet, with Jules being the female protagonist and Roman being the male protagonist. Their families are Capelthornes and Montbeaus and have been warring for many years. It’s a cute and cozy love story to read during a summer afternoon.

Very surface level and I felt like the main characters had no depth. It was insta-love at the jump! Not her best work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc.

This was a very cute, lighthearted read. I funnily enough did not realize it was a Romeo and Juliet "retelling" until I got into it and I flipping loved the little places this story paid tribute to the original. Definitely be on the lookout for little nuggets here and there if you're into that kind of thing.

This was a quick, fun read. I really liked Jules and her dedication to the legacy of the bookshop and staying true to its roots. I especially loved the little plot line about the history of the bookshop itself and some of the outright treasures that are uncovered within in it. Not to mention, Charlie was a perfect side character for pacing. As for Roman, I liked him, but he definitely had some rough edges. I get it that he's disgruntled by his attraction to Jules, but I wish his POV would have showed me "more" of him throughout the story. I knew he was pining for Jules, but it seemed a little brash when he accepted he loved her. I think seeing more of his POV might have helped but to be fair, I LOVE a dual PoV, so it might just be me being needy. :)

All of that said, I would definitely recommend this to someone looking for a cozy read that likes rivals to lovers. It was something nice to turn to in the evening when I'm just wanting to "escape" like so many of us do!

Summary:
“The Battle of the Bookshops” follows Jules, a determined young woman who fights to save her great‑aunt’s beloved, independent bookshop from being edged out by a flashy new competitor. Along the way, she rediscovers the magic of literary community and the enduring power of small‑town charm.

What I Liked:
- This book had a cozy, serene feel to it and was overall a cute read.
- The characters were likable and the side stories were done well.

Other Thoughts:
- Things felt rushed for me at times while at the same time, some of the big wedges between two romantic interests didn’t feel like they were that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
- For most of the novel I felt like Jules was just letting things happen to her rather than taking true initiative and action which wasn’t a personal favorite of mine.

While this story premise was inviting, there are several issues that won't let me rate this any higher than 3 stars, First, I really did not care particularly for either main character, they felt very shallow and cliche. Second, many of the chapter transitions seemed choppy and disconnected, with the ending feeling abrupt. Seems to me the better title for this book might have been The Battle of the Bookshop Owners. What I did enjoy was the homage to Romeo and Juliet and several of the supporting characters, especially Aunt Flo. She seemed a loving and genuine person, who cared deeply about Jules. I got a complete kick out of Charlie and would love to see a book about him and his adventures.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book! Modern day Romeo and Juliet but add in books lol. I enjoyed the characters’ back and forth banter and their chemistry. Usually I don’t like too many side characters but in this book I didn’t mind the ones that were introduced, they added to the story but didn’t take the focus. All the nods to Shakespeare were cute.
There’s even a bit of action that goes on and shakes things up a bit, glad it wasn’t all tragic like the true Romeo and Juliet though. Overall I thought it was a good, quick read and I do recommend it.

3.5* A charming literary-themed novel about a young woman determined to save her great-aunt’s beloved bookshop from extinction by the shiny new competition—which also happens to be run by the handsome son of her family’s rivals.
Cute little enemies to lovers with the setting in a charming, dusty bookstore, but across the road is a gleaming new shiny bookstore. With Jules taking over her Aunt Flo's bookstore, she hopes for
recovery to keep it open although it is near bankruptcy. To keep it in the family, she will need to dig deep for some clever footwork and new ideas. Her tormentor during her childhood is the charming Roman whose family owns most of the town. Gentrification is taking place with Capelthorne's Bookstore losing ground unless Jules can recreate the small town charm.
A heartwarming love story with plenty of back and forth between the two and a lot of second guessing their premises.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I was not able to finish this book. I was stunned at the use of a genocide as a simile. It was insensitive. I kept reading, but the story was so much like the movie You've Got Mail. I just watched that movie two weeks ago. From the discord between the two main characters to the big, bad, huge bookstore surrounded by boards, everything was screaming You've Got Mail. I already know that storyline so I knew the two main characters would end up together.

Intriguing story. Although this book had a slow start, and I struggled to even like Roman, it picked up midway, and I ended up having a great time. I do wish there had been more time spent on the romance between Jules and Roman, as once they were together, all their highlights felt like an afterthought. I think it would have reinforced their love story more. Perhaps it is just me, and I wanted more of the love story. Despite that, the story was a fun small town adventure with fun characters. This was a first for me from this author, but I am sure I will look for more as she weaves a fun story with interesting characters. This was a good, quick read and perfect for summer. Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

Nearly half way and the two main characters have had maybe 4 brief interactions where the main male character was insufferable. This is clearly supposed to be a Romeo and Juliet meets you’ve got mail but all the charm is stripped from it. It’s more a how to horribly and slowly save a bookstore. Very clearly part of interconnected standalone but I have no desire to read them. I think if you love hallmark movies you would love this but it’s a pass for me.

Thank you to Avon and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for review.
The cover of the book and the fact that it was about books drew me in. I really wanted to like the book.
I am stopping at 53% because I have lots more to read. Cute plot for a book, family enemies have bookstores across from each other and hate each other. Then all of a sudden they are dating!? I might pick up again, but moving on for now.

Thank you NetGalley and Poppy for the copy!

This is a cute, easy read. Perfect for summer.

Soft enemies to lovers premise. I did not love the multiple references to Romeo & Juliet. Easy to understand just from the last name situation; it didn't need to be pointed out.

The story overall is a fun read and I love Aunt Flo. The supporting characters were fun.

This charming, contemporary novel explores themes of family legacy, rivalry and personal growth.
After living in London for nine years, Jules Capelthorne returns to her charming, seaside hometown of Portneath to help the aunt who mostly raised her. Aunt Flo, on crutches, could use some help managing the nearly one hundred-year-old family business, Capelthorne’s Books. Jules is surprised to see the somewhat rundown condition of the store and to learn the store is nearly bankrupt, and by the end of the year, the lease on the property where the store is located is up for renewal. The six-figure amount owed is completely unattainable. The owner of the property is the Montbeau family. There has been a feud between the Montbeau family and the Capelthorne family dating back one-hundred years. Nobody even remembers what caused it.
Jules is determined to work hard, get the store back in shape when she notices just across the street is a new, modern, beautiful plate-glass window showcasing a large selection of books. She is shocked to see there is another bookstore in their small town, and right across the street. The store is owned and operated by Roman Montbeau, of the prominent, wealthy Montbeau family. Roman and Jules knew each other in high school, however, were not exactly friends. Jules often found him annoying.
The battle of the bookshops has begun, with each of them determined to win. Along the way, occasionally, it seemed perhaps Jules and Roman might actually become friends. This is a fast-paced, fun story that has a few surprises along the way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.