Book People by Jackie Ashenden

I can so relate to the two main characters, spending time with books is my favorite thing. And libraries and bookstores were a part of my childhood. So for all those kids who escaped into books, hello!

At its core this book is about finding yourself. Sebastian thought all his life he didn't need anyone. All it took was one person to call him out and the carefully maintained facade starting to crack.
Kathryn is starting over with her dream. She's still working through her past choices and finding her roots in the small town of her birth is more than she every hoped. And she deserves to be happy, with more than a book.

2.5 stars. If you are the kind of reader who likes to read how the two romantic leads in a book can't stop thinking about each other CONSTANTLY--like for 90% of the book, then this is the book for you. I liked the premise of two book shop owners working out a relationship--business and personal--and the back story of their ancestor's love story. For me it gets in the way of a good story when there is so much lusting. The relationship stuff was too descriptive for me to read too--lots of pages skipped!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Headlinebooks for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

Thank you to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC of Book People in exchange for an honest review.

Book People is an adorable read based in an English small town village setting and explores a romance between two rival booksellers. Our FMC, Kate, is fresh from London after leaving a four year emotionally abusive relationship. She’s inherited a building that is prime for creating the bookstore of her dreams and she’ll stop at nothing to make it a huge success. The only problem: the high brow bookstore immediately across the street owned by the annoyingly handsome and grumpy Sebastian. When Kate learns that Sebastian is throwing a literary festival and has zero plans to include her, she forces herself into the picture whether he wants her to or not. Now the question becomes, can they hate each other long enough to mask the fact that they may actually be perfect for each other?

This love story transcends time in the most unexpected way possible and I love the history between Kate and Sebastian’s families. Kate’s journey of self discovery is so empowering, especially for women who may be experiencing the same level of gas lighting in their own relationship today. While Sebastian may be some people’s idea of a handsome grump, there were some points in the book where his level of indecision and self doubt was annoying and rather unattractive. The author may have played into the “woe is me” theme a bit too much and his preconceived assumptions of why he couldn’t handle a relationship. At many points I felt as if Kate was actually too strong of a woman for Sebastian. Why be with someone who isn’t 100% committed to the relationship? You don’t always want to be convincing them why the relationship is worth it or that you’re worth fighting for. My fear was that Sebastian could be that type of person and that was a bit of a turn off. However, the unique historical plot twist the book has almost makes up for Sebastian’s less than stellar qualities.

Overall, this was a pretty effortless love story mixed with a tinge of mystery and I really enjoyed getting lost in it. Makes me want to spend the afternoon lost in the perfect bookstore!

I won't lie, at first, I was ready to hate this book, and wrote down a list of things I did not like:

Dislikes: the enemies trope was taken a bit too far — no two professional thirty-something year old adults attracted to one another would possibly exhibit this much extreme hatred towards one another. + The ex bf was also constantly brought up (are we going to get a backstory here?)

HOWEVER, its central mystery lured me in, and as I continued on with the story, everything began to unfold and make sense. Generational trauma. Abandonment. Feelings of unworthiness. Fear. These themes play such a big part and have severely handicapped our main characters Sebastian and Kate. Their growth and love story was beautiful as was the slow reveal of the mysterious letters. From about 50% on, I was unable to put down the book, reading it well past midnight.

While I was initially annoyed with Sebastian's behavior, I swooned over literary references, handwritten letters and historical fiction type vibes, as well as the mystery. I came to relate to and love these characters. Easy 4 stars, would recommend!!

Story moved into quick love and f**** too fast. I couldn’t find myself to get into the characters and I usually love an enemies to lovers romance story but I think my standards have become high

Book People was a solid read, loved the enemies-to-lovers and grumpy/sunshine tropes. Was definitely a cute rom-com with a small touch of mystery twisted in.

Kate, seeking a new start, decides to use the property left to her to open a book store. This was a dream of hers since she was a little girl, unbeknownst to her, until she got to the property, the store across the street was also a bookstore. Sebastian, the owner of this bookstore thinks Kate is a threat to his livelihood. However, neither one can ignore the instant attraction and chemistry they have with each other.

Add in the quirky small town, financial struggles, anonymous letters from ancestors and an upcoming festival they are hoping to draw enough attention to help with their financial troubles and Book People was a good read. I did feel like it was a little long and dragging in some areas of the book but would recommend.

This book follows Sebastian and Kate, two rival book shop owners who end up falling in love. It’s a simple story, but had some quirks.

I enjoyed the subplot regarding the letters, and thought it added to the story- though I must admit I did figure out who the mystery C was long before it was found out by the characters!

I had a few problems with the book itself- I found the MMC to be jarring at times. His whole I hate her because she’s just too gorgeous thing just didn’t really do it for me. Their dynamic I think could’ve been improved if he just wasn’t quite so grumpy- I think there’s grumpy x sunshine and then there’s sort of going a bit over the top with it, and I think this did fall victim to that.

The setting was nice, I liked the small town vibe and I loved the bookshops! I just thought the characters needed a bit more dimension to them if I am completely honest.

But it was an easy read, and I’m sure others will really enjoy it- I think I just have too high standards when it comes to romance novels as I’ve read so many!

Jackie Ashenden’s Book People is a sweet, heartwarming romance that’s perfect for book lovers. It’s a story about two people who find each other through their shared love of books, and the connection they form is so relatable and genuine. The romance is slow-building, but it never feels forced, and you can really feel the chemistry between the characters. The supporting characters are also a nice touch, giving the book even more depth. The pacing is just right, and Ashenden’s writing is witty and full of charm. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with lots of heart and a bit of humor, this one’s a must-read. thank you for this arc copy

I'm a shoe-in for a book set in a bookshop and there was quite a lot of bookshop and book festival detail (as well as celebrations of the power of reading) in this enemies-to-lovers novel, although it's a trope of course to have rival shops and their owners setting up opposite one another. Kate is feminine and sparkly and has opened a genre bookshop in the village she didn't really know she came from. Sebastian runs the literary bookshop that's been there for generations, as of course has he. Will they join forces or continue their (admittedly very amusing) window display wars? The problem here was that the two of them were too damaged, and while it's good to have coercive control highlighted in a book for a popular audience, it's not great Kate rushes from that into the arms of a man who literally holds her down. It was a bit ruder than I like, too. There were some funny village characters and as I say, I liked the bookshop detail; the mystery from the past was well-plotted and worked out with the reader feeling clever for working some of it out before the characters.

My blog review: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/01/15/three-netgalley-reviews-by-ashenden-trevaldwyn-and-su/

How could I not love this small town, rival bookstore owners, grumpy x sunshine forced proximity romance? The cover was fab, the characters had great chemistry and the romance had the emotional depth I always look for. Recommended for fans of authors like Ali Brady and Emily Henry and a new fav by a new to me author. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

first of all thank you netgalley for sending me this e-arc. unfortunately i had to give this 1☆ and dnf this one. i was really excited to read this book. from the cover and description it looked exactly like the type of book i'd enjoy but the pacing was so slow i just couldn't finish the book. i want to belive it gets better but i'm almost 40% through and nothing happens. i'm really sad about it but even tho the characters were growing on me, the pacing just made it too difficultfor me to continue it :(

Sebastian and Kate were everything I wanted in book form, they made me want to keep reading. I really struggled to put this down. I love a grumpy x sunshine one and this did not disappoint.

this review will contain spoilers.

As I was driving home last night, the song, I miss me by Kelsea Ballerini came on and I realized how much that song fit this book. In the song, she talks about how she gave up her lipstick because he didn't like it, couldn't wear high heel shoes, and ended up losing all of her friends and the sense of who she was. Kate in the book definitely fit this same idea with her ex. She had accepted all of his comments about who she should be, what she should drink, and he had even deleted all of her friends from her contact list.

Now, fast forward to where Kate has left and started over. She has inherited a building in a small town and has made it into her home and a bookshop. The guy across the road also has a bookshop with lots of history and passion for that legacy. They fight, but the sexual tension is always there. They both have to heal from the past and be in touch with their own feelings to move forward.

I plan to share this title on my instagram on Monday, Jan 27th at www.instagram.com/robinashleyreads

A feel good small town enemies to lovers romance.
When Kate inherits a property in a small town from a Nan she didn’t know, she decides to follow her passion and open a bookshop. However this bookshop is right across the road from Sebastian’s bookshop (a family legacy in the town). Kates fun fictional reads and brightly coloured outfits are the complete opposite to Sebastian’s high brow educational reads and grumpy persona. When Sebastian relaunches the literary festival to bring in business, nothing is going to stop Kate from ensuring her place and with the added mystery of some old love letters can they succeed and get along to make this work.
This book was such a fun quick read with humour, romance and a bit of spice.

Main tropes
⭐️ Enemies to lovers
⭐️ Rival bookshop owners
⭐️ Small town
⭐️ Grumpy sunshine

If you enjoyed books like Book Lovers or films such as Letters to Juliet you will enjoy this book.

I really wanted to love this book—how could I not, with a story about rival bookshop owners? The whole setup sounded perfect: Kate and Sebastian, two people who run competing bookstores in a cozy little town. Add some tension and romance, and I was ready to dive in. But honestly? It just wasn’t for me.

Everything moved way too fast. Kate and Sebastian went from hating each other to hooking up in what felt like five seconds. Whiplash…. Right?!?!?
I love a good rivals-to-lovers romance, but there was no build-up, no emotional connection—just pure lust.

The writing was also a bit all over the place, and some of the drama felt totally unnecessary. And why was Sebastian embarrassed to be seen reading a non-literary book? Dude, you own a bookstore. Chill with the book snobbery.

There were some cute moments, and the setting was really cozy, so I can see why other people might enjoy it. But for me, it just didn’t hit the mark.

Thanks to NetGalley & Headline for the ARC!

After inheriting property in a small English village, Kate has left London and her job in publishing to pursue her dream of owning a bookstore. But now everyone is as excited about her new adventure. Kate’s shop just so happens to be directly across the street from the village’s long standing local bookstore and its broody owner, Sebastian. Which means they are now rivals in the small village-Kate’s popular, fun genre fiction and Sebastian’s high brow literary offerings. When the pair find themselves working together on the town's literary festival, their growing attraction becomes harder and harder to ignore. Professional rivalry aside, just one steamy kiss can't mean anything, can it?

I really enjoyed the first half and was surprised at the amount of open, honest communication between the main characters. But the second half really dragged on. It was too much self absorbed I love him but I can’t love him because my emotional scars have caused me to swear off men forever and I’ve loved her since the moment I saw her but my family is cursed at love, she’s better off without me because I can’t be the man she needs. It’s as if the characters suddenly became emotionally stunted and obtuse.
Rating: Just OK

I loved the setting and the competing bookshops. This is a grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers romance that has some good moments. The small village community is lovely and all the bookshop events sound like a blast. The ex, Jasper, comes up far too often and Sebastian’s stubbornness is taken to unnecessary lengths. A fun, light romance overall. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

As someone who loves all things that have to do with bookstores and book lovers I was hoping this would be a really good rom-com read.

Sadly that was not the case. Plot did seem like a good deal - two bookstore owners on across from each other and you have a good recipe for enemies to lovers. However... This was so insta-love, well, no scratch that, insta-smut that I found myself rolling my eyes way too fast. I dislike insta-love in general, and insta-smut is even worse for me.

And I disliked Sebastian - he has some lines in this that - no. Sorry, but just no.

I’ve always loved books about books and this one was so good! Two bookstores, lots of book talk, a literary festival and a sweet romance, the best combination!

Book People is a super fun and spicy rom com! I loved it all. Sebastian and Kate are rival bookstore owners in a small town. Their banter is so great and their characters were so entertaining.

Although Sebastian is so grumpy I admired how straight up and honest he was. Although sometimes he could be so so frustrating! Kate is full of sunshine and instantly makes you happy!

I also thought Dan was a hit, what a fabulous best friend! “You’re about as emotionally open as a potato” was a favourite line of mine!

I really enjoyed the side story mystery of their past generations as well, but I won’t say too much about that.

Everyone has a story, everyone has had a difficult relationship in some way, giving your heart to someone is scary, feeling and caring hurts, emotional abuse hurts too. I love how much this book made me feel! It will be a favourite of 2025!

I highly recommend this bookstore rom com! Ebook available in Australia on 28 January as well!

Thank you so much @headlineeternal and @netgalley for sending me this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

As a book lover, I love books about bookstores and book people. Book People is the perfect title for this story set at a bookstore. Such a fun setting and back and forth of enemies to lovers.