I had never read anything by Allie Brady. This was an absolute delight from beginning to finish. I enjoyed all of the characters, banter and boastfulness between the two bookstore owners battle to see who was the best five stars.!

It you loved You've Got Mail and rival bookstore vibes, this is your perfect read. It's swoony bookish fun!

The characters a well written and kept me coming back for me.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

I did not finish this book due to inappropriate content and do not feel comfortable reading this. I did not even make it through the second chapter due to language. I can not recommend this book because I did not feel comfortable reading it.

I enjoyed every minute of this book! Having worked in a bookstore for several years I enjoyed the technical aspect of the story but the interactions of the characters are just a joy to behold!
Two bookstores located on the same street but polar opposites in their books and clientele. Josie Klein is the proud manager of a store selling fine literature and Ryan Lawson is the manager for a romance only store. Neither one is fond of the other but they can usually ignore each other until the owner brings them together with bad news. They will be having a contest to see who has the greater sales during a set period of time and the winner gets both stores and the loser gets fired.
Devastated by the news Josie sets her organized and precise mind on how to beat the pants off Ryan and his silly romance store. Plans are made and due to a few mishaps might not go exactly as planned for Josie but she doesn’t give up.
Ryan is also disturbed by the ultimatum from the owner and worries what will happen if he loses the store and his unusual staff members.
Everybody needs a happy ever after and constant remodeling of the two stores and the coffee shop between them doesn’t help anybody’s plans but the two managers might be learning a few things about each other during the contest. Neither of them were the bad buys in this contest and they have their own reasons for their personalities and for running their stores the way they do. A little understanding can go a long way in a war, especially one not of their own making and as the two travel this journey they come to realize it is better to be together than apart.
I loved this book from beginning to end and I believe you will too.
Join the Battle of the Bookstores and let the fun begin!

This book was a little lengthy. It felt like the same thoughts were mentioned in every chapter. And she wasn't even frustrated when he told her he knew who she was.... I was a little jealous that they owned bookstores, though.

#BattleoftheBookstores #NetGalley

Wow I loved this!! I mean, you can’t really go wrong with two bookshop managers competing to be the better one. It had rivals to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, plenty of indie bookstore/author love, and inclusive themes. This romance actually had me giggling and tearing up from sentence to the next.

Okay, this book had so many things I usually love but with a twist that didn't quite work for me. I'm giving this a 2.5 (but rounded up to a 3 because I do feel like others will enjoy so much more).

The plot gave all of the rivals-to-lovers, You’ve Got Mail vibes set in a cozy little bookstore. Books about books, I'm typically in, but I think in this case there were so many reversals of the usual tropes and political commentary that it felt like it was trying to do too much, and I kept getting pulled out of the storyline.

First up, he’s the one who owns the romance bookstore (which in theory is cute but see below), and she’s the 'grumpy' in a reverse grumpy x sunshine pairing. I was so ready to be obsessed… but it didn’t totally work for me.

The FMC was just a little too closed off for my taste - like, not even knowing the MMC’s name even though they work right next door? I get keeping your guard up, but that felt a little unbelievable and unprofessional TBH. And while the MMC was super sweet (maybe a little too sweet for me?), I just didn’t totally connect with him either. Their back-and-forth felt more awkward than flirty at times, and I couldn’t always buy into the tension.

It did get better once they started actually talking and working together, and I liked how the whole anonymous connection reveal played out.

Overall, this just wasn’t a perfect fit for me, but I think a lot of readers are going to enjoy it. I can see the appeal; I’m just probably not the right person for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

.. ' . This novel started out strong. Jules and . Roman ( yes a direct reference to Shakespeare) both return to their hometown. Unfortunately he opens a new shiny bookstore across the street from Julie’s 100-year-old store. Yes, their families have a history. Just like Romeo and Juliet.

Somewhere around the 30% mstk the storyjust got draggy. . And I'm sorry to say I jumped ver the bulkof the rest of thestory a dread the conclusion.

Overall a sweet story that pulled me in- funny, super steamy, fun take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. Political commentary was a bit heavy and detracted from the story. Glad I pushed through it as I did enjoy the book overall.

There is just something about a man who loves books — especially when they are romance stories 😏

“Battle of the Bookstore” is a sweet, cozy rom-com made for book lovers, full of witty banter, bookstore nostalgia, and endearing emotional arcs.

If you’re in the mood for an enemies‑to‑lovers story wrapped in the charm of independent bookshops, it’s a delightful read that lands with warmth for the romance book lover in all of us.

This book is a book lovers dream. I loved the book talk and chats between the two main characters. I loved the mention of authors, books, and tropes. This book has You’ve Got Mail vibes.

Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson are managers of bookstores on the same street in Boston. One bookstore called Happy Endings sells romance books. The other store called Tabula Inscripta sells literary fiction. The owner of the bookstores and the coffee shop in between them wants to turn the two bookstores into one store with the coffee shop in the middle. Whoever shows the biggest profit over the summer will be the manager of the new bookstore. The other will be out of a job. For Josie and Ryan the gloves come off. Both are determined to win. They want to defeat the other who they seem to hate. Or do they?

“It’s not about the happy ending - it’s about believing that you’re worthy of one.”

Ali Brady’s latest rom-com is a charming ode to independent bookstores, literary snobbery, and the unexpected ways love can bloom between rivals. With its clever premise and heartfelt execution, Battle of the Bookstores delivers more than just romantic sparks—it’s a celebration of the communities built around books and the people who fight to keep them alive.

Here's a bit of the synopsis: Josie Klein manages Tabula Inscripta, a literary-focused bookstore in Boston’s Davis Square. Ryan Lawson runs Happy Endings, a romance-only shop next door. When their new landlord announces plans to merge the two stores and keep only one manager, Josie and Ryan are forced into a summer-long competition to prove who can generate more profit.

Unbeknownst to them, they’ve also been anonymously bonding on a book forum called BookFriends—Josie as BookshopGirl and Ryan as RJ.Reads. As their real-world rivalry intensifies, their online friendship deepens, setting the stage for a delightful collision of identities and emotions.

I;ve always been a fan of anything Ali Brady writes and this book is just as witty, heartfelt, and accessible as any of her others. The alternating POVs offer insight into both protagonists’ emotional landscapes, while the online forum exchanges add a layer of dramatic irony that’s both playful and poignant.

First of all thank you to Berkley Publishing & NetGalley for the approval of this ebook. I simply adored this book & literally read it from beginning to end in one sitting. I loved the plot, the characters & the way the authors wrote this incredibly sweet story had me in a choke hold. I actually bought the physical copy to have as a book shelf trophy. Loved it.

My second book by Ali Brady and I'm a fan! What a nice, entertaining, light-hearted romance. So cute! Two bookstore managers, Josie and Ryan, work at Bookstores on the same street in Boston. Their stores are completely different. Hers sells serious literature and his sells romance. But the new owner wants to combine the two stores. But only one of them can be the manager. So there is a competition with who can turn over the most profits. Things heat up not only on the chaos at the Bookstores but also between them. Such a great summer book to escape into. I loved this swoony romance. I loved the characters, the plot, the setting. It was just an overall enjoyable read!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

One of my favourite romcoms of all time is You've got Mail so of course I had to read this book!! Everything about this was AMAZING!!! I loved it all. I loved the main characters Josie and Ryan and how it's Ryan and not Josie that owns the romance bookstore. Like how cute ?!??! I'm glad there was a happy ending!

I had so much fun reading this! I'm a big fan of the secret online friends trope, and this book absolutely delivered.

Josie and Ryan couldn't be more different. She's pretty uptight and devotes her work to literary fiction. He's way more laidback and loves romance novels. They get stuck competing for the same promotion, which gets really chaotic. But what they don't realize is that they're venting to each other about each other online, and it is so entertaining! Watching them fall for each other twice, online and then in person, was beautiful.

Their banter and slow buildup kept me completely captivated. They're both hilarious, but their serious moments hit just as well, and they learn a lot from each other in really meaningful ways. The book also does a wonderful job showing how all kinds of books matter. If you like enemies-to-lovers or secret identity stories, you have to read this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

What’s better than a book about bookstores??? How about a one with a very tall, dark and nerdy manager filled with lots of romantic moments and a bit of spice 🔥

In BATTLE OF THE BOOKSTORES, Ryan and Josie are told that their two bookstores must merge into one. Only one manger will be left standing sooo they have the choice to work together or work against each other. That’s when the story gets really good!

This book had all the feels - including more than just butterflies! It was full of fun, witty banter and such poignant thoughts. It was perfect! The book touched on all the typical romance troupes including my favorites - fake dating and enemies to lovers!

Thanks to @alibradybooks for sharing an ARC with us. It has been loved on by 15 of us in 9 different states. ✈️ I was sooo excited to see that the new bookstore was named Beyond the Pages and even more excited to see my name in the acknowledgements. Thank you @thishammer and @bradeighgodfrey for my birthday message last month AND for the fun message in my copy of the book 😍. You are the best!

Favorite lines (besides the pins and bookmarks). IYKYK

“I am the product of every book I’ve ever read, and every experience I’ve ever had, each heartbreak and failure, every moment of sadness and joy. The people I’ve met in the characters I’ve encountered, the events that challenged me and the narratives that have stretched me - all of this inscribed on my soul”

“It’s not about the happy ending - It’s about believing you’re worthy of one”

“Falling in love is something that happens to you, sometimes even against your will like being struck by lightning or catching the flu. But staying in love? That’s a choice”.

“ … there’s a book for every reader and a reader for every book”

#falling.beautiful.endgame #HEA #happilyeverafter #btptravelingarc #btpbookclub #aileenonbookz #bookpeoplearethebestpeople #toomanybooksnotenoughtime

Battle of the Bookstores is a super cute, rivals-to-lovers romance that I adored! Josie and Ryan manage two totally different bookstores. Hers is all serious literature, his is romance only. When they’re suddenly forced to share a space and compete for one manager position, sparks fly. She’s uptight and organized, he’s chaotic and charming, and their banter is top-tier. Add in the fact that they’ve unknowingly been chatting anonymously in an online book forum? Chef’s kiss.

This one has all the cozy, feel-good vibes of a classic rom-com but with a fresh, bookish twist. The competition leads to some seriously fun sabotage (and a little flirting), and their chemistry builds in a way that feels sweet but also super satisfying. It’s the perfect read if you love stories about opposites attracting, bookstores, and falling for someone when you least expect it.

Josie is the stoic cynic who loves literary fiction because of how the books make you work for the enjoyment of them. Ryan is the hopeless romantic who loves a romance novel for the hope and growth and happy ever after. They both run bookstores, sharing a single neighbor - the coffee shop between them. All three businesses are owned by Xander, who decides to combine the three to make a bookstore with a coffee shop inside. And whichever bookseller has the highest sales by the end of the summer gets to be the sole manager of the whole thing.

This is an enemies-to-lovers, with a pit-stop at friendship first. The characters also meet online through a book lovers forum, which leads to a You've Got Mail situation as well. They even steal a line almost directly from the movie.

The romance is sweet and yes, kind of predictable. But I appreciate the way the identity reveal happens. Honestly, the way Josie's character is, I expected more fireworks than the book actually gave. In other words, she acted like an actual adult.

There was a point that I forgot to mention about this book that I really liked. Most romance novels have a "third act breakup" section, where the couple breaks up because some secret gets out, or one character feels like they're getting too close and needs to step back. This book calls that out, and Ryan said that he likes to think of that part of the book as the "decision point," and I LOVE that. The third act breakup drives me nuts, but thinking of it as a point at which one of the characters (or both) has to make a decision is a great way to see it.

That said. I got another book through NetGalley that is titled VERY similarly to this one, which I find hilarious, since they're coming out within a few months of each other. I've finished that one now too, and frankly, I liked this one better. I like the dynamics of this couple better, and while I liked the other outcome better, I like the character development here better as well.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬
𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐲
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

•𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
•𝑅𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠
•𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠
•𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑙𝑠

Shout out to for the ALC of this one! So much to love here- a light, fun book about books 😍 So many references, quotables, banter…but also aspects of unbelievability in a MMC 😂

Dual narration kept me quite entertained, with moments of endearing qualities and relatable inner feelings. A fun modern spin on You’ve Got Mail for sure 💌