I had a difficult time connecting with the characters in the beginning of this story. Mari was VERY little Miss Sunshine and Leo was definitely Mr Grumpy. I found it difficult to justify any romantic connection between them. When their mutual unhappy family history was revealed, that was when they became relateable. I also found the pacing quite slow. I did like the ambiance of the London street scape and book shop scenes.

This was a cute, cozy read. It's the perfect book to read on a cold rainy afternoon when you just want something about 2 people falling in love at an old bookshop.

I loved Sarah’s first book The Slowest Burn last year and this one did not disappoint either! Her great writing style with really amazing and emotional characters as well as a great story and independent bookstore trope really made this book a delight. I loved the whole read and couldn’t put it down.

As I said the characters brought the story to life for me. Mari is hurt from her difficult and unloving childhood and some former relationships gone wrong. She doesn’t want to connect to anyone and finds it difficult to be in crowded places. She loves her bookstore work though and thrives bringing small and independent bookstores back to life. Leo is grieving his grandfather Alexander and struggles with the expectations and responsibilities he has concerning the ailing bookstore that meant so much to his grandfather. As if that wasn’t enough, he is also struggling with an eating disorder. And last but not least Graham who is Leo’s friend and employee at the bookstore. He and Mari become really good friends very fast. It is as if they had known each other since kindergarten.

If I had to pick something I thought could have been better, it’s the cover. The book is so good in my view and I don’t feel the cover does it justice.

But if you’re into enemies to lovers tropes or anything indie bookstore related you’ll probably love this one as much as I did. Great book and I hope Sara keeps writing more!

Had a great time reading this book about two people working in a bookstore with some slight enemies to lovers and grumpy versus sunshine tropes. Loved that it took place in England and the British charm shines through. The author does a good job balancing the heavy topics with the romance. Some of the heavy topics are definitely felt. Thank you to St Martins and Netgalley for the chance to read and review.

Quoting from this book
“And finally Tommy’s face softened, “It’s the clever and bloody-minded ones that get you in the end. When thru let you in, it’s better than getting a Nobel Prize”

This story was a love letter to independent bookstores as is mentioned by the author in her acknowledgement but I saw a greater love letter to the broken hearted in all of us. Mari is sent to the London based book store that has been in the Ross family for 100 years. The Patriarch of the family has died but passed it down to his grandson. The bookstore is a shell of its earlier days. Mari has been entrusted to bring life back into the store. Leo and Mari start off rocky but soon they gravitate towards each other.

There’s painful experiences in both of their pasts that they need to work through and I felt how deeply they had to do the work to process those emotions. Duel POV which I really enjoyed seeing how they were both feeling. He fell hard for her first. I adored their dynamic. Beautiful love story.

A warm and cosy read, with a strong sense of place. The bookshop felt so real to me, and I loved the emphasis on setting throughout.

What makes it feel special? It’s a love letter to bookshops and London. The ‘84 Charing Cross Road’ epigraph was a fitting, and charming, choice.

The genius of this book is undoubtedly how the author NAILS the Californian and British dialogue. I know that sounds small but it’s so rarely done well. Having done a reverse of Mari’s move, I really appreciated this authenticity. The dual POV format really tested this too.

What stopped it from being a five star read for me? I didn’t find myself reaching for this book enough. It is a romance book and I wasn’t invested in the characters exploration of that (I just didn’t feel any chemistry there) and I found the family subplot an unnecessary add-in.
That being said, it was enjoyable overall and I would recommend it to others. I was really invested in the bookshop storyline and the employee relationships, so if that sounds intriguing, pick up a copy and see for yourself.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

This was to independent bookstores as The Slowest Burn was to cookbooks. I loved Chamberlain's first book and loved this one possibly even more. This is a grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, workplace romance - it may sound like too many tropes but it all worked for me. Female main character Mari is something of an indie bookstore whisperer who travels from Northern California to London, where she has been hired by her boss/mentor's old friend to help revitalize a struggling family-owned bookstore. Unfortunately the manager, grumpy (and frankly, very depressed) Leo Ross, is not at all happy to have her there. They butt heads as she tries to help but slowly form a tenuous friendship that turns into more. Both Mari and Leo have some unresolved trauma - Mari from both childhood and her last serious relationship and Leo mostly from a failed marriage and from losing his beloved grandfather (the late patriarch of the bookstore business). There was one element of the story that was just a touch too unbelievable for me that related to Mari's childhood trauma, but other than that, this was a really excellent contemporary romance. Recommended for fans of Chamberlain's first book and for anyone who loves books and bookstores!

I really enjoyed this Grumpy x Sunshine slow burn romance set in London. here are also good subplots and side characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a grumpy-sunshine, enemies to lovers story for book lovers. It has a lot of depth with complex issues that need to be worked through. While that added to character development and growth, there were a few too many so they didn’t all feel fully resolved.

The eating issue with Leo seemed a bit random and I’m not sure why it was included. Then there was the plot line involving Mari’s family. That coincidence was way too unlikely to believe. I thought that we would find that Suzanne somehow knew and set this whole thing in motion. This would have made it far more believable and would have added to the story. Truly a missed opportunity.

There were also some pacing issues and the second half was far more entertaining.

Overall, it was an okay read for me. I was entertained, but not fully invested because of all of the sub plots.

I rated Love Walked In by Sarah Chamberlain 4.5⭐️

I enjoyed Love Walked In very much. This is a cozy grumpy-sunshine romance with a bit of a slow burn and just the right amount of spice. But what really stood out to me was how layered and heartfelt the story was — it’s not just about romance but also about healing, identity, and learning to trust again.

The story follows Mari, a bookseller from California, who's sent to London for three months to help revive a 100-year-old family bookstore on the verge of closing. The store belongs to Leo’s family, and the two are thrown together to work closely and save the struggling business. Leo is recently divorced, quietly battling an eating disorder, and weighed down by family obligations that have kept him from chasing his real passions. He’s emotionally closed off but trying to find his footing again.

Mari, on the other hand, is carrying deep wounds of her own. While in London, she uncovers shocking truths about her past — including finding her long-lost father and extended family. Her mother had lied to her about her birth father, and her step dad essentially abandoned her, leaving Mary with a shaky sense of trust and a fear of emotional attachment. She’s always believed love wasn’t for her — keeping things casual and guarded was safer.

But through their time together in the bookshop, something begins to change. The more time Mary and Leo spend with each other, the more their walls start to come down. They begin to face their fears, unpack their trauma, and slowly let someone else in. Their connection feels genuine and earned, and the way they help each other heal was really touching to read.

If you're in the mood for a romance that’s tender, emotionally rich, and filled with character growth (plus a charming London bookshop setting), Love Walked In is a lovely pick. It's warm, a little angsty, and ultimately very hopeful.

Many thanks to @NetGalley, @SarahChamberlain, and @StMartinsPress for the ARC.

In Love Walked In, Leo is the owner of a failing family bookshop that hires Mari, an American woman with a knack for bringing bookstores back to life. Chamberlain nails the bookshop setting down to the quirky booksellers who feel more like found family. The British setting was so vivid. I could imagine piles of books everywhere and the occasional local wandering in. She perfectly captures the struggle of indie bookstores that don’t want to change with the times. Leo gives off black cat vibes, but Mari has her own struggles, too. Leo has to work hard to earn Mari’s trust, and I like that it wasn’t easy. Their love story never seemed like a shoo-in and there were quite a few surprising plot twists that kept me engaged throughout the book. I was glad that both characters were given an opportunity to find themselves and have a second chance at love together.

Set in London in winter, Mari has come as a consultant to help set a family-run bookstore back to rights. Leo hasn't touched anything since he lost his grandfather the prior year.

A novel about the importance of a third place (gathering spot in a community), this bookish romance is full of a wonderful cast of characters (except one, who was not a supportive friend imo). Mari and Leo struggle with grief, family complexities, and finding their way.

As their romance grew, I appreciated how they set boundaries and communicated (even with the third act). I loved the setting and themes explored, though I struggled with the slow pace at times. I really enjoyed the epilogue and seeing how they found their way together!

📚 Enemies to lovers
📚 Forced proximity
📚 Grumpy x Sunshine
📚 Dual POV
📚 Bookstore setting
📚 He takes care of her
📚 London bookstore owner vs Northern California book whisperer in their early thirties
📚 Grief over a family member with complicated relationship

Open Door / Spicy

3.5 / 5 stars

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC!

This heartwarming novel celebrates bookstores, second chances, and the surprise of finding connection in unexpected places. Mari and Leo’s slow-building romance—between a grump and a ray of sunshine—is cozy and sweet. With charming writing and deep emotions, the story is both uplifting and satisfying. Perfect for anyone who believes books and love can change lives.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Love Walked in is a cute, cozy read. I love that the story centers around a bookstore and you can feel the passion that the FMC has for reading. I enjoyed seeing the relationships develop between Mari and the rest of the characters. Each relationship was a bit different, but still valuable to her overall growth. There is some open door romance so if spice isn't your thing, you may have some parts you'll want to skip past. I don't want to drop any spoilers, but there was one part of the story that was just a little far fetched for me and it knocked the rating down just a tad. Overall though, an easy enjoyable read and I definitely recommend :)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A struggling indie bookstore desperately needs the help of a bookstore whisperer. This charming contemporary romance is a heartfelt love letter to all indie bookstores and their significance in the community.

Contrary to the cover, she’s not your typical nerdy bookstore whisperer. She has a feisty personality and definitely has steamy scenes.

After a big fantasy read, this book was exactly what I needed—a perfect palate cleanser. I loved how cozy it was, how he took care of her, and how patient he was. It’s a slow-burn romance, and who doesn’t love a book about bookstores?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: September 2, 2025

This is an open door grumpy/sunshine indie bookstore romance set in London. The cozy vibes and banter made this an enjoyable read!

I loved the setting in an indie bookstore. It was perfect for the plot, but also brought awareness to the importance of small bookstores for the reader community. I would categorize this as a cozy romance where the author was able to create authentic characters that fell in love. I thought the ending was a twist, but a welcome one. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

I really enjoyed this Grumpy x Sunshine slow burn romance set in London. Mari is the sunshine American who speaks what she means. She's got a colorful wardrobe and this outgoing personality that slowly gets under Leo's skin. Leo comes off like a mega asshole - he's withdrawn, scrawny and of course he wears all black.

But this story has some teeth to it, they both have a past to overcome. Mari thinks if she doesn't need anyone they'll never hurt her when they eventually leave. Leo is dealing with grief from a failed marriage and losing his grandfather. But as they spend more time with each other, they begin to slowly and even reluctantly realize that letting someone in can be a beautiful thing.

And what a fun twist that Mari is the more experienced lover. Leo is so precious but his secret alpha side comes out with a little coaching from Mari. And I'm always a sucker for a man that says "darling." Everytime i read that it just gave Vessel vibes from Ascensionism.

There are also good subplots and side characters. Spice: open door but still sexy

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review. This one was a bit uneven and lacked swoon and banter for me. It was a fine read, but I wanted more. I didn't fall in love with either character so it was hard to root for them.

This book had all the right ingredients: a cozy London bookshop, a broody British bookseller, and a chaotic American set on saving the store. Mari and Leo’s dynamic brought plenty of banter and slow-burn tension, and I especially loved Leo’s quiet vulnerability under all that gruffness.

But while the setup hooked me, the execution felt a bit uneven. The pacing dragged in spots, and a surprise subplot about Mari’s long-lost family felt like it came out of nowhere. And when things got steamy, the tone took a cringy turn that didn’t quite match the rest of the book.

Still, it’s a sweet read for fans of grumpy-sunshine romance and bookshop settings. I just wish Mari’s emotional arc had felt as earned as Leo’s—and that the plot had stayed a little more focused on what it did best.

Thank you St. Martin’s for the early digital copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own!