While I appreciate the opportunity to read the advanced copy of “It’s me they follow”, this one wasn't for me. I struggled to connect with the story from the very beginning. The main character felt one-dimensional and, at times, even a bit cartoony, which made it hard to engage with her journey. Additionally, the writing style just didn't align with my personal taste.

I do believe this book will find its audience, but I simply wasn't the right fit. Thank you again for the chance to read it. I would be grateful to be considered for future ARCs that may better align with my reading preferences.

magical and gorgeous book. the characters are wonderful and work quite well, the writing style is lyrical and elegant, and the plotting kept me hooked. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Set in a dreamy, bookshop-shaped love letter to Philadelphia, this story follows a Shopkeeper with a gift for matching others through the magic of literature, but struggles to find her own ending. I loved the Philly flavor, the references, the vibe. The writing feels like walking through a poem: rich, smooth, and soaked in yearning.

But at times, I felt like I was wandering through the streets without a map, so much was happening, and yet nothing at all. A story within a story within a story (which I usually love, so not a negative in my book), but somewhere in the nesting, I lost a bit of the heart-beat pacing I craved.

Still, for book lovers, romantic dreamers, and those who enjoy symbolism, atmospheric tales, this one is more than worth stepping into. 💫📚🧡

I really wanted to fall in love with this book, especially because the themes are ones that usually pull me in fast. And while Jeannine A. Cook’s writing is rich and poetic, I found myself feeling a bit adrift. The structure felt more like scattered reflections than a cohesive story, and by 29%, I was still waiting for it to anchor me emotionally.

I loved the letters between the sisters, there were beautiful lines that made me pause and I even highlighted a couple that made me think “DEEP” (lol I loved when the MMC said this).

Overall, it just wasn’t the right book for me right now. I might revisit it someday when the timing is better, but for now, I’m setting it aside. I am still grateful I was able to read this e-ARC off the ‘Read Now’ section on NetGalley!

This book really caught me off guard…. I went in thinking it might be a sweet, slightly quirky love story with a bit of magical realism… and what I got was something so much more tender, emotional, and unexpected.

It’s not your typical romance. It’s quiet, thoughtful, and full of layers. The main character — known only as The Shopkeeper — runs a bookstore in Philly and has this beautiful way of matching people with books and soulmates, even though she’s never experienced that kind of connection herself. She’s never even been kissed, and she lives with a deep fear of being touched. And then someone walks into her life who seems just as untouchable… and maybe just as magical.

The writing is unlike anything I’ve read before — lyrical, a little surreal at times, and completely original. It felt like stepping into someone’s inner world, where books, love, grief, and hope all swirl together.

I honestly don’t even know how to fully describe this one — it’s soft and strange and brave and just different…. It made me feel a little bit more open, a little more tender toward the world.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Amistad for the ARC. I’m really glad this book found me when it did.

I have never read anything quite like this book. I absolutely loved it! It is described as a blend of romance and magical realism, which it is, but this is not a typical love story. I loved the uniqueness of both the story and the writing. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Jeannine A. Cook is a magical being in the book world, and she has created a magical story for lovers of all the bookish things.

In a story that falls somewhere between fairytale and modern fable, It's Me They Follow feels like it was written for exactly the moment we're in right now, where literature and human connection are both under attack. Family drama, dreams deferred, and sweet romance are all combined for a compelling and quirky read that will be sure to delight book nerds, and bookstore lovers in search of meaning in this crazy world.

The romance in this book isn’t your typical love story; it’s more about the slow realization of what truly matters and the connection between two souls. The way the themes of fate, human connection, and the power of storytelling are explored really hit home. It’s a book that made me reflect on my own experiences with love and the stories I hold dear.