What do you get when you drop a sunshiney American bookshop savior into a grumpy Brit’s failing London bookstore? Apparently chaotic flirting, slow-burn tension, and enough literary references to make my nerdy little heart swoooooonnnnn🤌✨

Mari and Leo was the absolute cutest. This is probably one of the coziest most adorable reads I’ve read in forever. It felt like a love letter.

Do Mari and Leo get off on the wrong foot? Absolutely. Did I yell "Just kiss already!" period drama because of the agonizing slow burn? Also yes. This is a classic opposites-attract romance, complete with forced proximity, emotional walls, and healing through the power of shared book recommendations. And the bookstore itself? Basically the best part and every book nerds dream. Also…yall the mmc has GLASSES. I don’t about yall but that’s enough to say that this man already had my heart for that very reason.

Why 4 stars? A smidge slow in the middle, and I wanted for them to honestly just kiss,,more scene of Leo fully losing his emotionally-repressed British mind. But it’s still a charming, cute and absolutely worth the read✨✨

I loved it, I loved it, I loved it!!

This book was SO cozy!! I also may have fallen in love a bit with Leo, because oh my goodness he is the most precious thing ever!

Both Mari and Leo have had some pretty big things happen throughout their life that have brought them to who we meet at the beginning of the story. Both of them realizing their flaws and working on their healing is absolutely beautiful.

"Darling" is my new favorite pet name and no one is going to be able to change my mind on this. Especially when Leo says it.

Picture this book is the written version of sitting by the fire with a cup of coffee, with fuzzy socks on. I felt like the book was giving me a hug the entire time I was reading it, even when we were going through tough times.

I wish I could read this book again for the first time.

overall: highly recommend
spice: open door

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Bookshop romance done right!

Lately, there's been an overabundance of romance novels set in bookstores or featuring fictional characters in the book industry. The joy of reading is little more than a backdrop. There's a number of authors that come to mind that the public blindly gravitates to simply attracted by the author's name rather than the quality of the story.

That's not the case here. The FMC's love of books shines thru from the keepsake of a tattered childhood book that accompanies her across the ocean. For the lifelong reader, this action resonates.

Then there's the FMC tackling the reality of bookselling ie. from making tough decisions as to what will be on coveted shelf space to creating safe spaces for local communities through outreach of authors and readers, alike.

This is my second read by this author and, candidly, did not make the connection as chose this due to the cover art and description. Just like her other book, stumbled upon it by chance. Her debut was wonderful and this novel clearly shows that the first book was no anomaly. She is definitely an ATF "author to follow".


This ARC was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This gave me all the cozy vibes! I loved the British atmosphere and dialect. The build up of tension and longing was very swoon worthy and kept me on my toes! Such a sweet fluffy read and the perfect cozy read to add to your collection.

Cozy and heartwarming read.

This is the perfect book to cozy up with on a rainy day. Leo and Mari will steal readers' hearts. Both feel very real and are well developed characters. They both have a good amount of growth throughout the story. I also enjoyed their romance too. Definitely for fans of opposites attract.

The setting is perfect for booklovers since most of it is a indie bookstore. Chamberlain does a great job of writing an atmosphere that feels lived in and comforting. Also it's British vibes, you doesn't enjoy a British accent am I right? haha.

A heartwarming and delightfully cozy romance. Would recommend.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance reader copy of Love Walked In by Sarah Chamberlain.

Mari travels to London for an assignment to assist a bookstore, Ross and Co. in reviving their business. Mari’s first contact is with Leo Ross, one of the owners of the family bookstore, and it is not a good first impression. Mari and Leo must work together in order to revive the once prestigious independent bookstore.

I adored this book!! I loved the premise of the book and I was enchanted by the story from the beginning. I enjoyed reading as Mari and Leo grow closer through forced proximity. Some of favorite moments are when these two start to spend more voluntary time together. I thought Mari and Leo’s pasts, and their journeys for what’s next in life were done so well. Their relationship is so well developed and I was drawn into how well these two fit together. The ending of this book was the sweetest!!

I really enjoyed this next book by Sarah Chamberlain. If you like a forced proximity, opposites attract romance, this is one to check out!

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! all thoughts and opinions are my own ✨

this was cute! love walked in follows mari and leo, two booksellers who are forced to work together in order to save leo's family-owned shop. though the pair get off to a rocky start, they soon realise that there's a lot more to the other person than meets the eye. cue the endless yearning, mutual pining, stolen glances, flushed cheeks, etc.

the best thing about this novel is that it's essentially a love letter to indie bookstores. at one point in the story, mari calls these bookstores a "refuge", and i think that's a perfect description for it. there's nothing quite like walking into a shop and seeing rows upon rows of books lining the walls, knowing you're free to browse until your knees give out. i can't help it—i love reading about characters who love books just as much as i do.

unfortunately, i wasn't totally buying the romance between leo and mari. it felt like they shifted from animosity to friendship far too quickly—i would have liked to see a more gradual progression of their relationship in that regard. also, there was a dash of insta-lust thrown in there if you squint, and that's never been my cup of tea.

another aspect i didn't like was how the characters' inner monologues left absolutely nothing to the imagination. what i mean by that is: there was a lot of telling, and very little showing. they kept analyzing and dissecting every single one of their own emotions, and it didn't allow any room for me as the reader to interpret these feelings on my own. i don't know, i'm just tired of authors overexplaining everything and writing as if their readers are stupid. i know we're in the middle of a media literacy drought right now, but i promise that we don't need every little detail spelled out for us.

aside from those critiques, this book was fine. it was kind of forgettable, and i doubt i'll remember much about it in a few months' time, but it was satisfying enough to get the job done.

Books and a love story? Yes, please! I enjoyed this cozy story that was well written and entertaining. It flowed well, and it was easy to get lost in the banter between the main characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Sarah Chamberlain has done it again!

This book was so adorable I can’t even fully describe it. We start with Leo, a bookshop owner in London who’s struggling to make ends meet. He wants to keep his family’s legacy alive but can’t really figure out how to do it. Then comes Mari, someone’s who job is literally to help failing bookstores come back to life, and things really start falling into place.

I loved the chemistry with the main characters first of all. The stolen glances from across the store were 👌🏻 chefs kiss. It’s a slowburn which I love, and especially love with Chamberlains books, and I felt that it really added to the story overall. It wasn’t rushed like some tend to be.

I think the only complaint I have is why doesn’t Leo exist in real life 😭

A charming plot. While I liked the author’s debut something about this story didn’t click with me. I didn’t sense any chemistry between Mari and Leo and the events throughout all seemed too convenient. I think readers who enjoy romances set in bookshops, opposites attract storylines, and dual points of view may enjoy this.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

The best thing about having tropes that you enjoy reading is the spin that the author can place on the story. This particular one captured the struggles of Indie bookstores that don’t have a niche or don’t change with the times.

I love the English vibe, and the detailed descriptions became so real. You can almost feel the ice and cold. You can visualize the bookstore as it once was. You can feel the sadness and apathy. The reader has an urge to curl up and absorb the atmosphere with a warm blanket and soft music.

Chamberlin crafted a cozy story that is strong on character development and a blossoming love. Her characters are unique and have their struggles. But they also have a light in their eye when thinking about the future, even if you have to dig a little deeply.

The two lead characters bonded early and developed a great connection that was fostered and steadily grew throughout the book. The ending was an unexpected but brings a wonderful twist, allowing you the chance to find oneself, love life, and the person you’re with.

An enveloping story for those who love this trope. Love Walked In is definitely one to enjoy as you sink into the depths of these two lost souls who found themselves

3.5 stars. This book was a bit slow for me. It had a cute story and felt cozy but it was just ok. I liked both characters but I think their love story could have had some more depth to it.

Sarah Chamberlain latest rescued and revitalized this readers love of indie bookstores.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

A struggling family-run bookstore in London?? SIGN. ME. UP. 📚✨ I was already halfway in love before Leo or Mari even said a word. There’s something about a love story nestled between shelves of dusty hardcovers and that just hits so right. And this book didn’t just toss that setting in for vibes—it honored it.

Now let’s talk about our leads: Leo and Mari.

Leo, sweet bookstore boy with a heart full of quiet longing and a life he never really chose. Mari, a woman with walls built high and scars from her past but still with so much warmth inside. 👑 These two had the bad first impression > mutual understanding > emotional pining pipeline down to a SCIENCE. I was living for their awkward beginnings, their slow slide into comfort, and the way their connection simmered instead of bursting all at once.

And when I tell you the chemistry was CHEMISTRY-ING?! 😮‍💨 Those pining looks across the bookstore, the tiny gestures of care, the soft understanding when one of them needed space?? I WAS ON THE FLOOR. ON. THE. FLOOR. Slow burn stans, gather around!!! The journey Leo and Mari go on—both individually and together—is so satisfying. It’s not insta-love. It’s not a rush. It’s a slow, meaningful walk to a happy ending that felt well-earned and totally worth the wait. They grow, they stumble, they talk (imagine that!! actual healthy communication!!), and by the end, you’re rooting for them so hard.


I don’t even have any major complaints. Like?? Who even am I?! 😂 If I had to nitpick, maybe I would've loved just a teeny tiny bit more angst or pinning, but even without that, it worked beautifully. This was just one of those stories that felt good to read—comforting, romantic, and satisfyingly real.

Cozy, British romance with a bookstore backdrop. Main characters who both have past romantic and familial relationship issues they need to work through. Great secondary characters. A really enjoyable storyline!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Love Walked In to come out September 2, 2025.

It was an okay read, but nothing more for me. The pacing was utterly slow, I never found myself wanting to pick it up. I managed to get through it, the romance was cute overall, but nothing that I will be raving about unfortunately on my end.

I liked the premise a lot - basically a love letter to small bookstores. Mari goes to London to help revive a local bookstore that has 100years of history. While there, she doesn’t just fall in love with one of the bookstore owners, but she builds a life for herself - exploring London, building a new-to-her family, and living a life she hasn’t allowed herself to in California.

However, the writing fell flat for me. It was a bit too direct with a lot of ‘just in time’ details, making it unrealistic (e.g., the conversations with Becca and Leo’s dad). The writing style also led to Mari and Leo feeling more like tropes than fully thought through characters (e.g., Mari is the stereotypical American - brash, direct, too worried about her own issues to think of how her actions impact others).

Thank you to Sarah Chamberlain, St Martin Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5, rounded up to 4

Marli Cole has traveled to London from California to help out a friend of her boss, bookstore owner, Suzanne. Marli brings with her a record of success at helping independent bookstores flourish despite competition from chains and online sellers. Her goal during her three months in London is to figure out how to bring Ross & Co., a prestigious 100-year-old bookseller, back to life after the death of its charismatic, second-generation owner, Alexander Ross.

The current owners are Alex’s widow, Judith; his son, David; and his grandson, Leo. With David uninterested in the store, the future of Ross & Co. rest most heavily on Leo’s shoulders. Leo has been groomed since childhood to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, even though his true interests lay elsewhere. Devasted by the loss of his grandfather following on the heels of the end of his marriage to his best friend, Rebecca, Leo has kept the store running but is unable to come up with a plan to restore it to profitability. He reluctantly agreed with Judith’s suggestion to bring Marli in as a consultant.

Marli ends up working primarily with Leo, who at first clings stubbornly to the idea that everything should remain the same as his grandfather left it. But forced to face the reality that the store is no longer attracting sufficient customers, he eventually agrees with Marli’s suggestion to use a 100th anniversary event to start to rebuild the business.

Although on the surface, Marli seems more positive and extroverted than Leo, a difficult childhood has left her with an aversion to letting people in, and a lack of faith in long-term relationships. She and Leo get closer as they work on the anniversary event, letting down their walls and learning to trust again.

“Love Walked In” is a solid example of an opposites attract, friends-to-lovers story. The dual viewpoint allows the reader to understand the factors that are affecting Leo and Marli as they work to envision a future together that will make each of them happy.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the ARC.

Love Walked In is a warm and wonderful love letter to romance readers and book lovers alike. From its dreamy London setting to the charming indie bookstore backdrop, this story swept me up like the perfect cozy read on a rainy day.

Mari has my dream job where she revives struggling indie bookstores and her latest assignment brings her across the pond to save a historic shop in London. But there’s a catch: she has to work alongside Leo, the grumpy and resistant British manager who wants nothing to do with her help. Cue the delicious tension, snappy banter, and a whole lot of mutual pining.

This book shines with some of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, and a dual POV that gives readers insight into both Mari’s guarded optimism and Leo’s emotional walls. The slow burn here is intentional and satisfying, building real chemistry that feels earned. I especially loved the little moments, like when Mari gets sick and Leo steps in to care for her, or when their shared love for books softens their edges.

The London setting was the cherry on top. Sarah Chamberlain painted the city with so much charm and coziness, I was tempted to book a flight and hunt down my own Ross & Co. to get lost in. The supporting cast of booksellers added heart and humor, building a believable found family around the romance. It felt like a Hallmark romance and I really enjoyed that.

This one hit all the right notes. It was so sweet, swoony, and a little steamy, with just enough emotional depth to make it stick with you. Highly recommend to fans of Emily Henry, Evie Dunmore, or anyone who believes the best love stories are found between the pages of a good book.

Read this if you love:

Enemies to lovers
Close proximity
Grumpy x Sunshine
Dual POV
Bookish romances
A cozy HEA

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Chamberlain, and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book.