This book is very cute and perfect for fans of Notting Hill or You’ve Got Mail. If you’re looking for a cute romance filled with character development for both the main characters along with a fun setting and cast of supporting characters, then this is the book for you.

Love Walked In is a cozy, feel-good romance that blends grumpy/sunshine chemistry, a charming London bookshop, and heartfelt emotional growth. Mari is the perfect burst of optimism, determined to revive a failing bookstore and maybe its guarded owner, Leo, in the process. Their slow-burn relationship unfolds with witty banter and quiet tenderness, making their connection feel earned and authentic. With its warm prose, bookish setting, and a romance that blooms naturally over time, this story is both comforting and emotionally rewarding—an ideal pick for fans of character-driven, bookish love stories.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Worth reading! Overall, a good story of a woman who finds love when she came from an entirely unloving background. The bookstore setting was charming and I loved the way the shop added character to this book. Traveling to England is an added plus! Who doesn’t love an English bookshop?
My only complaint is the lesbianism that’s thrown into the story. It feels more like a political statement than something that is actually contributing and necessary.
A satisfying ending for a contemporary romance, and I think readers who love bookshops and light-hearted love stories will enjoy this. It has more emotional depth than other books in this genre, which is great!

Off the bat, Leo grabbed Mari hard in anger their first day working together. Red flag. It was rough for me to come back from that. I was always waiting for another show of violence. Some things stretched believability. The first person POV led to a lot of long inner monologues over explaining everything. Readers aren’t stupid. I wanted to be shown some things not told every over analyzed feeling.

And then the third act breakup was really a %90 breakup with a rushed resolution. All that introspection the entire book and after they break up, we don’t see them thinking about what they want to do better? Their HEA felt unearned for me.

Good tropes, emotional depth, and a charming setting couldn’t quite make me love this one.

I'm working on this title but I can provide a totally unbiased review when I say that this is truly such a lovely, warm romance. The world needs more romance books set in bookstores and this hits the spot for all the romance loving bibliophiles. I loved Mari and Leo's journey and how Sarah made these totally different people fall in love.

This heartwarming novel is a love letter to bookstores, second chances, and the unexpected magic of finding connection where you least expect it. Mari and Leo’s slow-burn romance is the perfect blend of grumpy and sunshine, perfectly cozy in execution. With charming prose and rich emotional depths, this story is both uplifting and deeply satisfying. A must-read for anyone who believes in the power of books and love to change lives.

so cute and happy! loved this also deals with books and saving the shops. I thought american and british characters was cute

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this contemporary, barely enemies to lovers romance a lot!

the beginning was lovely—I literally gasped aloud at one point, shocked by just how biting the banter was between Mari and Leo. Ross & Co. sounded magical from the get go and the publishing professional in me absolutely adored Mari's manifesto about the brilliance of indie bookstores. I really enjoyed how Mari needled her way into run of things, pushing Leo's buttons at every turn and ultimately making changes for the better. I liked Catriona and Graham but felt like we didn't see enough of them. Same with Judith, though she was a driving force for some plot advancement. while convenient as hell, I did enjoy the whole thing with Jamie and how it sent Mari for a loop. I loved just how steadfast and true to his own feelings and desires Leo became over the course of the story.

I'll be honest, for this being a two-protagonist story, I felt like Leo was was the only one who experienced real character growth. even at 80-90% Mari was still running from her own emotions and self-sabotaging her own happiness, which felt frustrating. admittedly, though, I do have a particular disdain for third act conflicts that involve distance (like leaving the country, moving to a new city, etc.), so that may have colored my reception a bit. even if that was the case though, I felt like there was a major disconnect between who Mari was in the last chapter vs. the epilogue 2 years later. I know a lot of healing can be done in that amount of time, but it felt almost too good to be true. I wholeheartedly believe <spoiler> that Mari would have been wayyy more hesitant to marry Leo even though she came to love him completely</spoiler>. I know, everyone's trauma is different and romances are mostly HEAs anyways, so I'll suspend my disbelief.

overall, I'd give this a solid 4-4.25 out of 5 ⭐️s, and if you love books about books, I definitely recommend!

This was a good whimsically contemporary novel. It made me feel lighthearted, hopeful, emotional and reflective. I also found parts of this book to be very cozy. One of my favorite things in this book is that the setting was in a bookshop. The setting came with vivid imagery, which I absolutely loved. This is a medium paced read that comes with a grumpy and sunshine trope. It had lovable characters and a clear thesis. I did feel a connection with the character Mari. What surprised me about the book is that it contained strong emotional depth. It’s not just about love and happiness, it is also about trust and healing. I love that this came with dual points of views, it gave me more insight into what the characters were thinking and feeling. However, I did want to feel more chemistry between them. I did in fact enjoy the entire storyline and ending. Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars rating!

“Love Walked In” centers around two main characters, whose names are Mari and Leo. Leo is a male British owner of a bookshop, that is ultimately going downhill. Mari is an American woman who has a dream job of bringing indie bookshops back to life. Leo and Mari end up working closely together and feelings between them begins to develop. As the story unravels, we learn more about Mari and Leo and if there really is a happily ever after ending.

I think fans of enemies to lovers who are forced to work in a bookshop together, would really enjoy reading this! Content warnings include death of a parent, abandonment, an eating disorder, infidelity and emotional abuse.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Sarah Chamberlain and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on September 2, 2025!

I’m a fan of more poetic prose, and some of the sentences in this felt more whimsical than I expected from what I thought would be a quick beach read. However, other parts were somewhat crude and filled with what can only be described as "California" culture/slang—Airbnb references, food and lifestyle choices, “P-V,” ideology, etc. I was also not a fan of the type and level of his “grump.”

As for the setting—the bookshop, the architecture, and the overall descriptions—they felt indulgent in the best way. I loved the vivid depictions of the scenes and locations, but I couldn’t relate to or fall for the characters. <spoiler> The missing family plot piece was a bit out of left field, and I didn't buy into the conclusion, but I am glad it was resolved.<spoiler>

Favorite moment: Leo’s description of the love he had for Alexander was the highlight of the read; it felt like a stronger connection than the one between Leo and Mari. I also think this book should be tagged under “bisexuality” or “gender-fluid characters.” Even if those identities aren’t explicitly stated on the page, they clearly influence the characters’ interactions and perceptions.

Thank you for providing an ARC for me to read and review.

Mari is a bookshop whisperer, arriving in London to revive Ross Books, a century-old shop still reeling from the loss of its beloved patriarch. As she brings fresh life to the store, she also shakes up the Ross family — especially Leo, the reluctant heir caught between family obligation and personal ambition.

Love Walked In is a charming and contemplative read, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of a beloved bookstore and the people bound to it. I especially appreciated the exploration of inherited legacy versus personal fulfillment, as well as how the story thoughtfully handled themes of trauma, family baggage, and emotional growth in both main characters.

That said, a few elements veered into the overly fantastical — moments that felt too neatly resolved or unearned in the broader context of the story. While those pieces didn’t quite work for me, they didn’t overshadow the warmth and insight the book provides.

A cozy, reflective read that many book lovers will enjoy — especially those drawn to stories about second chances and the quiet magic of bookstores.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Did not finish but it is mainly because I know I'm mot going to enjoy a contemporary romance novel. It doesn’t make sense to force it but I do think many people can enjoy this because I might pick it back up in the future

The story centers on two main characters: Cornelia Brown, a café manager in Philadelphia, and Clare Hobbs, an 11-year-old girl on a quest to find her estranged father. Their paths cross when Clare’s journey brings her to Cornelia’s café, where she encounters Martin Grace—a charismatic and sophisticated man who quickly captures Cornelia’s interest. As Cornelia becomes entangled in a new romance and Clare faces the emotional fallout of her mother’s mental health struggles and sudden disappearance, the novel delves into themes of love, loss, family, and the pursuit of happiness.

more like 2.5 rounded to 3

I enjoyed the first part of this book, but I will say, when it started getting steamy...it started getting cringy for me. I also felt like the book dragged some. There was a lot of over explaining inner monologue happening for both characters. And some stretched believability with some of the things that happen throughout the book, I wont detail as to not spoil if you plan to read. Overall it passed the time fine, but I can promise I will forget this book in a month or so and have a hard time recalling anything about it.

Bottom Line: Passes the time fine, fun London setting, forgettable overall.

**I received a copy from Netgalley and am writing this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own. **

Mari Cole is an American girl with a can do personality that is in London to bring back to life a bookstore that is failing under the eye of its latest manager, Leo Ross.
Where Mari sees a world of possibility given the upcoming 100th anniversary of the place, Leo only sees the oppressing inheritance he’s supposed to keep afloat for the grandfather he idolized. Incapable of letting go or allowing changes due his crippling grief, he finds himself fighting Mari’s ideas every step of the way until things start shifting between them and he starts seeing change from her POV.
Both Leo and Mari, bring heavy baggage to their relationship which gives more substance to the plot and there are a few nice twists, but those could be seen a mile away.
In all, this was a story I wanted to love, but that fell into a bland delivery for my taste and, though it’s a nice read, didn’t impress me. I expect it might be very good for other readers, but it didn’t do it for me.

There’s just something special about a book set in a cozy, struggling bookshop, especially when it comes with a reluctant grump and a relentless ray of sunshine. Love Walked In is a great contemporary romance with charm, wit, and a fantastic love story.

Mari and Leo’s dynamic is everything I love about the grumpy-sunshine trope. She’s warm, chatty, and knows exactly how to breathe life into a struggling bookstore, and her enthusiasm, creativity, and big ideas are exactly what Leo and his flailing bookstore need. Leo, on the other hand, is guarded, serious, trying to hold everything together on his own, and very skeptical of Mari's interference. Described as "the man who made Eeyore look like a cockeyed optimist," Leo is very different from the bubbly sunshine that is Mari. But underneath is someone thoughtful, sensitive, and deeply loyal. The banter between the two is sharp and fun, their chemistry is fantastic, and I like how their initially tense relationship develops into something more. My word, some of the things Leo says to Mari once he lets his guard down are absolutely swoon-tastic!

The bookshop setting was such a strong element, and at its heart, the book is clearly an homage to bookstores. Watching Mari work her magic and Leo slowly start to trust her (and himself) in a bookstore was fabulous. There are many conversations about books, reading, changes in the community, and what bookstores mean to people, which I loved. The dual POV also worked well here, giving insight into both Mari and Leo's emotional journeys. Both have been through a lot in their lives, and both face so much uncertainty in their personal and professional lives. They both have a lot of insecurities and life-changing decisions to make. Getting both of their perspectives on things, especially their blossoming relationship, added depth to both characters.

Overall, Love Walked In is a charming bookshop romance with charm, humor, and emotional depth. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by the author. Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I loved The Slowest Burn so when I saw this was available-I had to jump on it.

This was such a cute read. A book about books…& love. Perfect! I absolutely loved the blossoming love. I loved Mari & Leo’s characters & the way we got to know them & see their relationship grow.

Indie bookstores are my favorite! This book is such a good reminder to shop indie bookstores first!!! I loved Sarah’s sophomore book & look forward to her next one!

This was utterly, achingly lovely. The writing has that quiet tenderness I adore; subtle, yearning, laced with humor and the setting is pure catnip for book lovers. But what really got me was how gently it explored healing, trust, and choosing love even when it terrifies you. I laughed. I sighed. I wanted to move into the damn shop. This romance felt like coming home. I couldn’t put it down.

This author is new to me, but I will be keeping an eye out for anything else they publish. I loved the story and the characters. The pacing of the story was great and the characters were relatable.

What a lovely read! This book was such a joy to read and featured so much of what I have already come to love about Sarah's writing. There was this amazing appreciation for books and stories built in, and that gave a very connected feeling between the reader and FMC. Sarah also creates this really visceral sensory experience with the descriptive and cozy narrative style, and it is just a wonderful time.

This is a dual POV novel, which works SO well due to the characters' distinct voices. Mari and Leo play off of one another so well and have a great natural chemistry and tension, and their unique perspectives and voices complement one another very well. Leo is so incredibly awkward, and it's so endearing, and the way the two care for one another is very sweet. There is something very grounded and authentic about them both, and the book itself has such a rich tenderness about it.

Sarah also has such a beautiful way of writing. Her use of metaphor and imagery paints these really rich pictures and settings. This book is one that makes you want to curl up with tea and a blanket, but it also makes you really bitter that you do not have a kind and awkward British man to curl up with you! I loved getting to spend some time with these delightful characters and their story.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review this ARC!