This novel is a love letter to friendship…and I loved it. Not only did I enjoy the main characters and the plot, I also enjoyed the author’s exploration of aging, women’s issues, societal pressure, and emotional growth. An amazing read.

Love by the Book is a platonic romance. While I've never heard of a platonic romance before, I can easily say I love the genre (is it a genre?). If you're new to it like me: Love by the Book is a book about female friendship. No romantic subplot. Just friends and how deeply they can love one another and their stories can follow a romantic arc.

Remy is a young woman in London; the successful author of a debut novel that is loosely based on her best friend group--4 women that could not be closer. Until, suddenly, they're not. Lin has moved to NYC for her career, Melissa has moved to the suburbs to have a baby and a yard, and Nova is tied up with her boyfriend. Remy is so lonely. She's got writer's block. She's moved back in with her mother. Mildly depressed, certainly anxious, and insecure, Remy takes a chance by offering to grab dinner with a woman she runs into at a book event: Simone.

Simone is reserved, reluctant, fine by herself. Well, at least that is how she wants to be and portrays herself. Simone is also lonely. Her sister was her best friend and they had a drastic falling out. When Remy approaches Simone, it's a meet-cute. Simone spills wine on Remy. She is also both taken and annoyed by Remy. Simone says no to dinner... and yet, Remy shows back up.

This book is an absolute delight. The characters are so easy to love. The friendships are palpable. Remy is someone we all want as our best friend (her thoughtfulness, the way she files away facts about what you like and uses it for gifts, everything!). And it's so easy to root for everyone to stay friends, figure it out, love each other. This is the kind of book where I'll miss the characters a little now that it's over.

Side note - I appreciate how sex work is portrayed, as a healthy professional choice. And that unplanned pregnancy has three options.

Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely exquisite! This is a novel about love. It explores many types of love, friendship, family, romantic, filial, and physical. George has written a totally compelling novel, centered around 2 women, Remy and Simone. She explores all their relationships, including that between the two of them.

I was really so enthralled by these characters that I couldn’t put the book down.

Remy is an author in search of a plot for her second novel. Simone is a primary school teacher, isolated from the family she adores when secrets are revealed. Remy’s life and first successful novel revolve around her friends who have scattered. Of course, this novel centers around their growing love, friendship and collaboration.

I highly recommend this standout novel about women and love. I loved all the women in this novel and I recognized the evolution of relationships between women.

Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful novel!