So cozy and nice and amazing to picture this book tour. I love the banter between them, and really loved that they both knew each other before truly meeting. I think it was a perfect book: the drama wasn't too much drama, and I thought the ending would be different. Couldn't put it down!

Thank you Headline Books and NetGalley for the e-arc of Love on a Bookshelf by Kiah Thomas!

In Love on a BookShelf, we are following Clarrie Brooks who's life is a bit of a mess. She's running a failing bookshop, she's just been dumped and her apartment is falling to pieces. The story kicks off with Clarrie having a bad day in her bookshop and in comes Declan Archer who is a local author looking to sign stock. They start off on the wrong foot.. resulting in Declan telling Clarrie to invest in better lighting for her shop and Clarrie telling Declan to write a better book. Fast forward two years, Declan has written a best seller and he's dedicated his book to the book seller who told him to write a better book...

It took a while to get into the story however around the 30% mark was when I became hooked. I will always opt for a book with an undertone of bookish themes and this was the perfect mix of that with the romance.

I will say I felt the romance was slightly surface level and would have wanted a bit more background information on Clarrie's breakup which there was big emphasis on at the start and then barely mentioned again.

Overall 3 stars- a fun read for the summer!

A great read, the story view Clarrie and Declan. Some surprises along the way too, and some great side characters.

Love on a Bookshelf by Kiah Thomas follows Clarrie Brooks, a small independent bookstore owner, and Declan Archer, an author. Clarrie Brooks is having a horrible day as she is freshly dumped, having leaks in her apartment, and power outages in the store, and to top it all off, new author Declan Archer walks in and asks to sign stock of his book. Declan suggests that Clarrie should invest in better lighting, and Clarrie suggests that he write a better book. Two years later, Declan Archer has a new book that is quickly becoming famous, and he’s dedicated it to the bookseller who told him to write a better book. In a twist of fate, their paths cross again and Declan and Clarrie find themselves growing closer together.

My personal thoughts: So I’m 30% of the way in, and it doesn’t really feel like a romance (besides the fact that the MMC is described as hot and side characters ship the two MCs together). There just hasn’t been much of a spark or really any sort of tension, but I’m holding out hope. I do enjoy this book outside of it being a romance though; I like the bookseller and author combo of characters, and the plot of saving a family bookstore. This book is overall delightful, and by the end of the book I came to love both Clarrie and Declan. I will say though, if you go into this expecting it to be a typical romance, you’ll likely be disappointed. The romance in this book is in the small moments, interspersed throughout the book. I loved the cast of supporting characters, and I truly enjoyed this book. Describing it is a bit hard for me, but it made me cry, it made me smile, it made me relate with Clarrie’s struggles.

Thank you so very much to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this e-arc.

‘Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone is its own kind of wilderness’

A super sweet romance with a very relatable fmc, a swoon worthy mmc and lots of bookish talk that made my bookworm heart very happy.

Love on a Bookshelf sees both our main characters push boundaries, chase dreams and find their way to each other despite their fears. I adored Declan the more we got to know him and really related to Clarrie. She pushes herself to keep her dream alive in spite of outside opinion. Her grandmother being in a care home really resonated with me as I’m going through something similar, it was handled beautifully and I did need to sit back and just absorb it for a while before continuing reading.

Overall a gorgeous book, I’m so happy I got the chance to read it.

Thank you to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC!

I am always drawn to books that are about books so was quite interested in reading this novel. It was delightful.

Clarrie is trying her best to keep her grandmother's bookshop open although it has not been easy. On one of her more difficult days, in walks author Declan. They snipe at each other a bit.

Fast forward to when Declan has a very successful novel out, and there are questions about who was the one to whom he dedicated it. It is a bit of a mystery.

But, the bigger mystery is the workings of love. Fans of the enemies to lovers trope will, I think, very much enjoy this one. Relax with this romance this summer, see how it goes, and brighten your day a bit.

This is Thomas's first book for adults. I look forward to seeing what she writes next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Be careful spoilers may be present in this review!
Before one reads a book there’s usually dedication. Anyone that has been on social media or even more specifically BookTok knows about how a dedication pulls people in. That is exactly what happens in the book Talking to Trees, which was written obviously by the writer, but with a snide comment about a certain bookseller.

The bookseller was given her bookshop, Brooks' Books, via her Gran, prior to her Gran being diagnosed with dementia and moving into an assisted living. Clarence “Clarrie” Brooks is a young woman who is struggling to maintain the business and understand who she is as one does. Clarrie gets along really well with her best friend Yumi, but with her mother it’s a whole other story. Clarrie lacks confidence in herself and her future. She only agrees to the Book Tour because she needs the money.
The writer does the Tour because that’s what a writer does to promote his book. Declan Archer is very reserved and hardly speaks. He’s the type of guy who gives off brooding vibes, but is quite sweet once one really gets to know him. Declan has walls up that slowly come down thanks to Clarrie’s awkwardness and kindness.
Both characters go through changes. Clarrie gains confidence in herself while Declan learns to let people in. The story’s pace is good as well as the descriptions of nature on the tour. One particular idea of the sense of community in small/local bookstore is what makes it special is one idea that I love and totally rings true. My local bookstore is my favorite because of its sense of community. You cannot get that from a certain big manufacturer of products readily available to send to your doorstep. 😉
Overall I really enjoyed this book. The characters are warm and dynamic. The love story is center to the story, but Clarrie’s growth is more important and present. I definitely recommend this book. It is written really well. Be sure to grab it from your local bookstore or library.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The lead character Clarrie is trying to keep her grandparent’s bookshop alive. The only way to rescue it is to team up with the author she loathes - or at least she thinks she does. Lighthearted, but with life lessons to teach, this really is a great book.

Clarrie and Declan have a chance encounter in her bookshop where she tells him to write a better book and surprisingly, he did.

Declan’s latest book is an instant hit and he becomes the new author everyone obsesses over, but they’re even more obsessed with the person who he dedicated his book too. The person who told him to write a better book. But who was this person and why would he dedicate his book to them?

Turns out, it’s bookshop owner Clarrie who knows about the book dedication and is mortified but pleased that no one knows the dedication is about her. That is until one day the news turns up at her bookshop to ask about the dedication and who she is to Declan.

With this new-found fame, Clarrie is thrust into joining Declan and his team on a book tour. But how will these two work with one another when they can’t seem to stand one another?

Here comes the forced proximity, enemies to lovers tropes that I ADORE! I really enjoyed reading this and finished it in a day! The ending was predictable but oh well I was kicking my feet for Clarrie and Declan.

If you’re looking for a romance with little spice, the common (but loveable) tropes, this is a read for you, it’s so easy to get through!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book, I’m so glad I got to read this!

Review upcoming on my social media page ✨

This is admittedly a bit of a slow read with a slow burn enemies to lovers romance. However, it had lovely interesting characters and a great storyline

I really enjoyed this book and the authors work. I think it was perfect especially if you are looking for something sweet with rivals to lovers then this is a great read! It’s a quick read and a great book for the summer! Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

Thank you NetGalley & Headline Accent for sending me an ARC of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review. 💕

Love on a Bookshelf is a cute slow burn romance between your local bookstore owner and the hit author of the moment. The grumpy sunshine vibes and banter that this book held, from 30% I knew I would be getting a physical copy for my shelfs. It honestly shocked me when I saw that the author usually writes children's books and this was her FIRST romances, stooooooop. As someone that loves a slow burn, write more Ms. Thomas, cause I am here for them.

Honorable mentions: I loooooove a side character that I want to see all the time, if not more then the main characters, and this is what Yumi is. I ateeeee her up, and was so excited to see her pop up. And the cute twist at the end, iykyk (:

This was an enjoyable romance read about Clarrie and Declan, a bookstore owner and writer who meet and eventually fall in love. The literal title is on NetGalley is a bit misleading, as it mentions a cosy bookshop being the setting, so naturally I thought the book would be centered actually in the bookstore. It was not. So my initial interest in the book wavered, when I realized that it wouldn't take place where I had thought it would. Overall it was a fine read, nothing earth shattering, but amusing to read on a rainy weekend. Just be aware, if it is important to you, that the majority of the setting is not actually in a bookshop.

If you’re looking for a sweet and cozy romance, this might be a title for you! A bit of an enemies to lovers with sweet characters who have such nice chemistry, this book has potential to make readers swoon. The book was nice if not a little slow in some parts, but is worth it in the end. Thank you NetGalley and Headline publishing for the ARC :)

Love on a Bookshelf is pure cozy romance comfort. Set in a charming bookshop (yes please), this story gives us a delightful enemies-to-lovers slow burn with just the right mix of banter, warmth, and emotional pull.

The chemistry between the leads is believable and sweetly frustrating in that classic “will-they-just-kiss-already” way. The bookshop setting adds a cozy, escapist layer that makes this a perfect rainy day or weekend read. You’ll definitely want to light a candle and curl up with this one.

Docking a star only because there were a few pacing spots that felt a bit too slow—but honestly, I was too charmed to care much. If you love bookish romances with heart and humor, this is one to add to your TBR.

Love on a Bookshelf by Kiah Thomas is one of those cozy, slow-burn romances that feels like curling up in a familiar armchair, surrounded by books and a warm cup of tea. Set in Clarrie’s grandmother’s charming but slightly chaotic bookshop, the story is filled with warmth, humour, and the kind of atmosphere book lovers dream of. The romance between Clarrie and Declan builds slowly—starting with clashing personalities and gradually blooming into something sweet and sincere. Declan’s quiet, brooding nature paired with Clarrie’s awkward but loveable presence makes for some truly tender moments. The side characters, especially the quirky knitting group and Clarrie’s close-knit circle of friends, bring the story to life and add so much heart.

That said, the romance does take a while to fully develop—it doesn’t really ignite until about 70% into the book, so if you love a good slow burn with al the angst, this one is for you. I also found myself wishing we got more depth into the mysterious book that Declan wrote—it plays such a central role but didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Still, the story shines in its quiet, comforting way. It’s not trying to be dramatic or flashy—it’s a gentle reminder that love often grows in quiet corners and unexpected moments. If you enjoy Emily Henry-style stories or soft romances set in bookish worlds, this one will definitely charm you. I'd give it a warm 3.75 to 4 stars—it left me smiling, and I’d happily read more from Kiah Thomas in the future.

Clarrie was having a very rough day when an up-an-coming author, Declan, comes into her bookstore, offering to sign her stock of his books. When Declan tells her that her lighting needs some work, Clarrie decides to tell him to write a better book. Fast forward a few years, Declan has released a new book that is flying off the shelves with a dedication page written to her advice from a few years earlier. With her bills piling up while she struggles to keep her bookstore open, Clarrie takes up Declan's publisher's offer to follow them on a book tour so they can promote the book together and both can walk away financially better off. But can the two stand to work together long enough?

This was a super cute rivals to lovers romance. I love how the story opens with Clarrie's cozy family bookstore and her challenges of dealing with a senile grandmother and an overbearing mother. My heart also went out to Declan who's trying to honor his father's memory but shy about his writing talents. Their adventures on the book tour were super sweet and reflective. Good for a summer read!

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

I really was enjoying this story, but I found it difficult to navigate due to the formatting error, and how I have vision issues, it felt impossible for me to finish! so unfortunately I'm going to have to DNF.

Thank you to Netgalley & the author for the ARC, this was more of a personal limitation than anything to do with the author and the book!

Love on a Bookshelf by Kiah Thomas is a light, heartwarming read that blends romance, family bonds, and the charm of preserving something meaningful. Set against the cozy backdrop of a small, struggling bookshop, the story unfolds with a comforting pace, making it a perfect pick for readers who enjoy low-stakes, feel-good fiction.

At its core, this is a cute love story with a gentle emotional thread—one that also honors the importance of legacy and family ties. The romance is sweet without being overly dramatic, and the connection between the main characters feels genuine, if a bit predictable at times. What stands out, however, is the strong thread of familial love and the touching portrayal of preserving a family business not just out of obligation, but out of love and respect for what it represents.

Thomas’ writing style is simple and accessible, making it an easy read—ideal for a weekend unwind. While it may not leave a lasting mark or break new ground in the genre, it delivers exactly what it promises: a comforting story about love, memory, and the quiet power of keeping cherished traditions alive.

Perfect for fans of small-town romance and stories that celebrate family heritage with a touch of whimsy.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy - all thoughts and opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for access to “Love on a Bookshelf” by Kiah Thomas. I can honestly say that this book had me hooked so early. I could not get over Clarrie’s brash “why don’t you write a better book”. I blast laughed, and I am happy to say that the book kept me cheesing throughout. Small-town romance with a road trip flourish and so much quality dialogue the whole time, I absolutely loved it all. I am not usually a sucker for this level of a slow burn, but the humor and heart in this book kept me enamored till the last page!