I liked this one. Brady takes some of the most popular romance tropes and looks at them with fresh eyes. What is our hyper fixation with really tall men about? When we think about characters who want the romance, the family and the picket fence, why do we tend to picture the female lead with those dreams? I enjoyed that the romance bookstore owner, the drinker of sweet, whipped cream laden drinks, the chaotic one was the male character. It was refreshing to break out of the typical and read something a little different. It was still very lighthearted and fun. A solid choice for your next read.
4 stars.

First a thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It would be easy to say that this book is You've Got Mail updated with 2020s lingo, interest in books, and spiciness in terms of sex. And I wouldn't be wrong in saying that. But there is also a sweetness that you find between Josie (Bookshop Girl) and Ryan (RJ Reads) and their relationship. Of course it is the enemies to friends to lovers trope. Of course it feels just as easily resolved when the truth is revealed (which I'm sorry, I'm not putting spoiler alert. I feel everyone remembers that Tom Hanks finds out first that his nemesis is also his online crush Meg Ryan and then we have the whole "I wanted it to be you so badly" line.)

Well, if that type of book is your cup of tea, then you will love Battle of the Bookstores. I really appreciated that the author was truly aware of the genre both with "literary fiction" and romance. If one is remotely familiar with either, you will see authors and book titles mentioned. Perhaps a bit too much but again, I like the understanding of the world in which she was crafting a story.

I loved the premise of two rival bookstore managers competing, but I felt that the characters did not act or sound like real life people who would be knowledgeable in literary focused professions. Especially the male protagonist, who felt like a very misrepresented man who enjoys romance novels would sound and act. The chemistry was non existent for the two main characters, and the tension felt very forced. I believe the bones of the book were strong but the execution of the plot missed the mark completely.

Josie and Ryan are the managers of bookstores that are forced to compete in sales in order to keep their job. Josie and Ryan find themselves in a rivalry blended with an attraction to each other they cannot shake off. I find it hilarious that one of the main characters doesn’t know the other main character’s name (but thinks she does) and he can never get a word in to correct her. Although in real life they are enemies, online they have been messaging for months, knowing each other only as usernames on a bookseller forum. They chat regularly, sharing their deep feelings that they don’t share with anyone in person. As they are forced to work closer and closer together, their attraction grows, and they begin to soften towards each other. I really enjoy the banter and animosity between the two characters, and the way that they both are clearly attracted to the other but are attempting to fight it. This book kind of makes fun of itself by referring to romance novel tropes that are actively occurring within the book, the tropes transition smoothly, and they move the storyline along in a natural way. The book reads like a classic rom-com. Josie’s walls crumble with Ryan, and Ryan begins to trust he can find love again, with Josie, and together they find a way to make their bookstores better together. I struggle with the writing style of the author, the first person narrative does not feel as smooth as it could be and can sometimes feel like it gets in the way of connecting with the story at times.

“Of all the books I’ve ever read and all the fantasies I’ve ever had, none of them hold a candle to the reality of being with you. You are what I’ve been waiting for.”

I was so excited to read this book! The cover was so cute, and the premise of competing book store managers was really interesting. I really liked gaining perspective on the different viewpoints of literary vs romance books. The chemistry and tension between Josie and Ryan was perfect! I loved the banter, and they were so cute when they finally got together in the end!! The dates Ryan had planned 🫠🫠🫠 Also, it was beautiful to see the growth Josie went through as she opened up to Ryan. And the spice was gooddddd!! One thing I didn't like was the booktok references, but it was only a few in the beginning. Overall, this was a cute book, and I really enjoyed reading it!

Thank you Netgalley, Ali Brady and Literary Media Tours for this Arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

"I think I fell in love with love stories because I knew one day, they would lead me to you--a woman who thought my name was Brian."

A very cute premise with writing that missed the mark for me.

I was excited to pick this one up. Two bookstore managers competing for one available spot where the MMC is the romance store manager?? So good.

But my biggest issue with this one was that it read MUCH younger that I was expecting. These characters are around 30 and the way it read to my was more YA, maybe 17. And this lead to some disappointment and a lot of frustration with both the main characters and some of the side characters. Everything just seemed immature to me.

But there were some definite positives here. The character development was really good and there was some great messaging here, so I really think most people will enjoy this one 🩷

I loved this book! I think it will appeal to readers who love bookish romance, enemies to lovers, and bookstore setting. Out June 3!

Well well well, if it isn't a battle between the battle-of-the-book-selling-establishment books this year. As soon as I noticed both Berkley and Avon were coming out with books with a similar title in 2025, I knew I had to read them both - especially because those titles include the word Battle. I mean, come on! They're asking for it, right?

Berkley is up first, with Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady releasing June 3rd. The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander (Avon) will be coming out August 19th. Keep your eyes peeled for that one too if you like a bookish romance!

Battle of the Bookstores seems to be loosely based around the plot of the Nora Ephron classic 90s film You've Got Mail. Josie and Ryan are both running bookstores right next to one another (with a coffee bar just between). The big corporate a**hole isn't our male romantic lead though, it's the guy who owns the whole strip of shops, and he's consolidating. Who needs two bookstores when one, with a coffee bar inside, makes way more sense? One bookstore only needs one general manager, so Josie and Ryan are pitted against one another, competing for the job as construction begins and their two stores become one. There is also an online relationship element to the story reminiscent of the movie.

You may wonder how in the world two bookstores ended up literally next door to one another. I wonder the same thing. Both have long histories, though, and they are focused on different clientele. Ryan's bookshop is focused on romance, while Josie's is more literary fiction/high-brow literature. I guess that's enough explanation for how this situation is possible at all? Maybe I'm forgetting a passage that explained that to a more satisfying degree, but I was left with the feeling that the whole premise was a bit of a stretch, and I hate that feeling.

Unfortunately, I have more gripes than just that, and maybe it was timing and the books I read before and after this (though I don't think so), but this ended up as a two-point-five-star read for me. I'm just tired of the convenient set-up, instant inexplicable attraction, misunderstandings that take far too long to clear up for the sake of pacing and conflict...I could just see right through to the mechanics of this one, and I didn't like it. I have one more spoiler-y but major complaint I will leave at the end of the review for those interested.

Now, the things I did like.

The characters. I thought Ali Brady did a great job with the two lead characters. Both of them have great backstories about how and why reading is so important to them and how they ended up where they are, and why they want to keep their jobs so badly. Besides the insta-attraction that bugged me, they have a lot of interactions that become meaningful and build a genuine connection between them, even though they're rivals. They honestly didn't need the hot and steamy thoughts while they actually didn't like each other. There was plenty of opportunity for those to develop naturally. Sigh.

The writing itself was clear, enjoyable, and engaging. I'd love to read more books from Ali Brady, this one just felt too by-the-book and convenient. If you have a rec for me, please leave a comment so I know where (or if) I should start!

Now for the spoiler::
The last thing that rubbed me the wrong way was the online thing. At first, neither Ryan or Josie knows it is the other behind their bookish online friendship, but Ryan figures it out pretty quickly. Then he uses the online platform to find out more about Josie and...I don't know...lead her on? Either way they're forging this special emotional bond and she thinks it's a whole ass other person but he knows it's not. It was just wrong, and kind of creepy. If their roles were reversed and Josie was the one who knew and Ryan was basically pursuing a relationship with both Josie in-real-life and some online friend who had a genuine emotional connection - for the whole book - I think we'd all be uncomfortable.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Battle of the Bookstores is a charming enemies-to-lovers romance with a strong found family feel and a setting that felt tailor-made for New England book lovers like me. Josie and Ryan might run very different kinds of bookstores in Boston, hers focused on literary fiction, his is a haven for romance, but their chemistry was undeniable from the start.

The story is told from both Ryan and Josie's perspectives, and I really liked the dual points of view. Ryan was easy to root for from the beginning. His backstory, his genuine love of the genre he sells, and the way he cares deeply even when he doubts himself made him so lovable. I also adored how he treated his employees and the reasons for hiring each of them. The found family vibes are strong in his store, that's for sure! Josie took me a bit longer to warm up to, but as she softened and opened up, I grew to really like her. I think as I learned more about her life and past, I connected with and understood her character more. She's an intelligent, responsible, and good woman who has had some difficult times in her life.

Their competition to keep their jobs after their shops are forced into a summer-long sales battle brought so much entertaining tension to the story. I loved the contrast between Josie’s hyper-organized, tightly wound nature and Ryan’s relaxed, heartfelt approach. They have an opposites attract, rivals to lovers romance that starts off very rocky and turns into something quite profound. Watching them challenge each other, then gradually start to appreciate and even rely on one another, was fantastic. The online chats Ryan and Josie unknowingly have with each other added a sweet layer to their love story and show how deep their connection is. It definitely had You've Got Mail vibes, and the bookish discussions in those chats, as well as the flirtatious banter, made their romance even better. Personally, I thought they said way too many mean things to each other, and I would have a hard time getting past that if I were them. And Josie is rude to some of his employees, too, which was cringeworthy. However, Ryan more than makes up for it with some of his swoon-worthy comments and an absolutely wonderful and touching gesture at the end.

I also got a real kick out of the setting. The references to Rhode Island were such a fun surprise and definitely a little thrill since I live there too! The Boston vibes, especially around Davis Square, were spot on and added so much atmosphere. I actually went to Boston last week, visited a bookstore during my visit, and thought of Josie and Ryan. So fun!

This book is a love letter to bookstores, to all types of readers, and to the idea that sometimes your biggest rival might just be your perfect match. The love of reading was woven into every part of this story, and there were so many thoughtful moments about what stories mean to people, how different genres offer different kinds of comfort or escape, and why every kind of reader is of value.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

This is enemies to lover but a true homage to all book lovers! The characters are so cute and the fact that the male lead is the owner of the romance book store is honestly the best twist/set up!

Battle of the Bookstores is a rivals-to-lovers romance about two indie bookstore managers who are competing for the same job. Josie manages a literary fiction-focused store, while Ryan runs a romance bookstore. The owner of their building plans to combine both bookstores with the coffee shop between them and tells them that he only intends to keep one manager. This leads to a fierce competition between Ryan and Josie to prove who should stay. However, unbeknownst to them, they've been anonymously messaging each other for months through a bookseller platform and developing a connection over their shared love of reading.

I really enjoyed the homage to You've Got Mail and chemistry and tension that builds between the main characters as they fight for their stores. I enjoy literary fiction, but I've also been reading a lot more romance recently, so it was fun to see references to both genres. It did drive me crazy that the stores were open during major renovations (especially since the merchandise and coffee would be covered in dust), but I was willing to overlook that because the story was very cute and sweet. Without giving anything away, there was one main aspect about the conclusion that differed from a lot of other romance novels that I really appreciated.

I had a great time reading this. I loved Josie’s and Ryan’s characters and I personally am a sucker for a misunderstood FMC/MMC. It was nice how we slowly saw them realize and learn who the other was and that maybe they didn’t need to be against each other

I also LIVE for an anonymous texting/messaging troupe and I thought this one was executed so well

Overall I really enjoyed this and loved the care that was put into the story. It’s a book lovers dream and it’s so clear how much the author loves stories with this one

This was a super cute read, and I'm so happy I got to read it early!!! Love the enemies to lovers feel of this bookstore battle, and I wish we could get a little novella for these characters so I don't have to say goodbye to them!

ummmmm no
the description of the book had me intrigued and excited and tbh that description should be deleted from the back because this book barely had the plot that is described.
i loved the idea of two rival bookstore managers competing and that plot was barely there to nonexistent
everything was about the fmcs family trauma and every conversation was related to something sexual (don’t get me wrong i love me some spice but this wasn’t that at all)
and can we please stop putting references to booktok in books please!?!?
there were 2 things i liked which were the message threads and the references to actual books ive read

thank you netgalley and berkeley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.75 ⭐️ This was a cute romcom story! This is a rivals to friends to lovers romance that puts you in your feels a bit. The premise is fun for book lovers and I was really excited for it: Josie and Ryan’s landlord decides he wants to merge the bookstores they are managers at, obligating them to compete for a single manager position.

The thing is I felt like the story only picked up after the 30-40% mark. There’s a lot of bookish and social media references, which I don’t dislike necessarily but annoys me a bit when it’s too much. There was not much going on and not enough to hold my attention and want to read more during these 30-40%, but I persisted and I’m glad I did because the rest of the story was cute and a little emotional.

I liked the twist where Josie the FMC is the literary fiction reader and Ryan, the MMC, the romance lover. I felt like they were both somewhat realistic characters with their life struggles. Josie dealing with the weight of being on her own and the responsible one since she was young, caring for her younger sister and inevitably becoming a more serious person over the years, having a hard time opening up to people. Ryan always having to deal with being the “least successful” in his family and thinking he was not enough. Besides that, he has dyslexia, which I think was dealt in such a great way, showing that it was something that was a challenge at some point but didn’t stop him in any way from doing his best and pursuing something he loved to do.

The way they both learn with each other and evolve was fun and cute. Her learning to be less uptight and more open to things and him learning to have a bit more structure in his life. They complimented each other so well and I enjoyed how their connection grew and their romance started, in between a book chat and real life.

From the middle to the end I loved how they explained their love for books and the book world, making each other understand that you can like different genres and still relate and feel extremely deep things, have reflections about life, learn and grow from there. It’s all about about willing to be vulnerable, face your fears, embrace your story and become the best version of yourself. There are so many of the books we love mentioned along with some of their beautiful quotes as well.

I think this will be fun as a summer/beach read!

What to expect:
• 𝙍𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
• 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙮
• 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙙
• 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
• 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙥
• 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
• 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙡 𝙫𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨
• 2.5/5 🌶️

Thank you NegGalley and Berkley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Get ready for a charming, light-hearted romcom rooted in the beloved enemies-to-lovers trope. This story is absolutely adorable—and with its setting in cozy bookstores and ties to an online book forum, it's a delight for any book lover.

The author makes a refreshing attempt to challenge stereotypes, especially by making Ryan a fan of romance novels. Overall, this is a sweet and heartwarming ode to readers everywhere.

Perfect as a breezy summer pick—grab it for a feel-good, bookish escape!

Battle of the Bookstores is a dual POV enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance. Josie and Ryan both manage independent bookstores, hers catering to literary fiction and his catering to romance. When the owner of both stores announces that he will be combining them, and only keeping one on to manage the new store, he pits them against one another. Slowly Josie and Ryan come to a tentative truce to try and find a way to save both their jobs. But secrets and past hurts threaten to derail their hopeful future

I definitely enjoyed this book. Josie and Ryan were both relatable and their love of books was palpable. I loved the way they learned to come together, and how passionate they both were about their stores and customers!


Read dates: 05/03/2025- 05/04/2025
Goodreads review: 05/04/2025
Instagram review: 05/05/2025
Blog review: 06/03/2025

YES! I loved this! The characters were so good and I loved their dynamic and the relationship that blossomed. I was hoping certain things wouldn’t happen and they didn’t…THANK YOU! This was such a great take on You’ve Got Mail and I can’t wait for more from these authors!

Battle of the Bookstores is a fun and entertaining read that you can easily finish in a single sitting. This book is essentially a love letter to readers. As managers of two completely different bookstores, Ryan and Josie are essentially living the book lovers dream. But, when the owners of the stores decides to consolidate stores, the battle for store manager begins.

Overall, I thought this book was an enjoyable read. I loved the enemies to lovers vibe and modern take on You've Got Mail. Battle of the Bookstores is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. I enjoyed the banter and book club hijinks. And even though I figured out RJ's identity right away, I still enjoyed the way the story unraveled.

If you're a fan of You've Got Mail, you will love and appreciate this read.

An insightful and sexy take on “You’ve Got Mail”…set in 2 very different Boston bookstores. One is an only romance genre books and the other stocks only literary fiction. Ryan is the 6’7” manager of Happy Endings and Josie runs Tabula Inscripta. Not only at the book stock polar opposites but so are the managers. They both have baggage and a quick to find fault with the other. Their prickly relationship is made more adversarial when the “bottom line” business man who owns both stores decides that he can make more money if he merges both stores and only keeps one manager. He pits Josie and Ryan against each other is a profits competition to determine who stays and who goes. Ryan and Josie also have online names in an Indy bookstore website and they’ve been DMing for a while and their texts are the best part of each other’s day. The DM relationship becomes complex when Ryan realizes that snobby, hostile Josie is the witty and charming woman he shares daily banter with. Does he tell Josie? Can he reconcile the 2 different personalities she seems to have? Will enemies become lovers and work together to save the bookstores?