Book Lovers Paperback – May 3, 2022

"Maybe love shouldn't be built on a foundation of compromises, but maybe it can't exist without them either.Not the kind that forces two people into shapes they don't fit in, but the kind that loosens their grips, always leaves room to grow.Compromises that say, there will be a you-shaped space in my heart, and if your shape changes, I will adaptNo matter where we go, our love will stretch out to hold us, and that makes me feel like...like everything will be okay"I don't even know where to start with this book! but let me just say two things-1)I bow to the queen of witty and captivating contemporary romance books, I will read your grocery list, your 3yr old to-do list or a detailed recipe on how to broil Asparagus to perfection.I will read anything and everything you shall write.2)Emily Henry's books are truly soul food, they penetrate deep inside your skin and settle down in your soulALL THE STARS IN THE SKY!_________________________________Book Lovers is one of my most anticipated releases this year, after being moved by Beach Read and how PWMOV spoke to me, I thought I am ready for her new book, ehh naah I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught-she blew it out of the park once again with this charming blue book which is filled with larger than life emotions. Emily Henry has the knack to cater a book for a wide set of audience but somehow can make it personal to each and everyone of her readers, I believe everyone has something or the other within themselves that they can relate to her books with.Book Lovers felt like a witty, heartfelt love letter to life filled with hard to talk about emotions, day to day relationship struggles, familial bonds and deeply rooted anxiety that can stem out of loss and grief. There were moments I laughed so much that my insides were in stitches and then there were endearing moments that made me heart ache with joy, this once again is a very quotable book like her other books.It follows Nora, a literary agent who is a city girl through and through and holds life by it reigns trying to have everything under control. Nora's character is a personification of a strong woman who wants everything and has the capability to take it,but what lies under that brave facade goes deeper than she could ever anticipate, her life revolves around her younger sister Libby to whom she is more of a mother than a sister. Nora's fear of losing makes her overprotective at times so when Libby and Nora feel like they are drifting apart, they decide to go on a vacation to spend time together, a lot of things boils to the surface during their time in a small quaint town in North Carolina, which Nora will have to tackle head on. Nora's character will be quite relatable to people who have hard time sorting their emotions and talking about them, I absolutely adored her character growthNora and Libby's struggles and sibling rivalry is true to real life and complex because of the way they grew up and varying perspectives they have on life, I love how their relationship wasn't turned into something hurtful or ugly. It was authentic and refreshing how their characters develop and how their love for each other changes them into better people, if you have a sister yourself I dare you not to cry while you read their beautiful relationshipThe unexpected twist Nora's doesn't anticipate while going on this "trip of a lifetime" is having to see the ever charming albeit snarky Charlie Lastra, her work nemesis which later ensues a fiery banter and sizzling chemistry between these two true enemies.Nora and Charlie's banter is a chef's kiss, they have so many witty word volley's that will make you guffaw and make you forget that you are reading, my heart is so full while I read the precious moments between them.I also had to say this is probably the "spiciest" of all Emily Henry books could go on spice level with few open door scenes. Here is one of my favorite quote-"Be my shark Stephens". "Already was",I say. "Always have been"."I love you", he says again."I love you too". I don't have to force it past a knot or through the vise of a tight throat.Its simply the truth, and it breathes out of me, a wisp of smoke, a sigh, another floating blossom on a current carrying billions of them."I know",he says. "I can read you like a book".What to expect-Heartfelt belly laughs as a result of witty/hilarious writing-A story of two siblings that tugs at your heart strings-A strong woman's love letter to life in NYC- Endearing moments that will make your soul content-A beautiful love story between two characters who can be easily misunderstood- Deep discussions on big foot erotica ;)Do yourself a favor and get lost in this book!PS- That epilogue tho…TW- Anxiety, Death of a parent, grief

I’ve yet to meet an Emily Henry book I didn’t like, and while this one wasn’t my absolute favorite of hers, I still really enjoyed it! I love that Emily Henry writes about couples in their 30’s and makes the relationships believable.This was ultimately a really cute book that took on a lot of the hallmark-esq movie tropes. The small town setting was very cute, and I also loved reading all the descriptions of New York; I’m now torn between wanting to move to a small cutesy town, or moving to NYC.Charlie and Nora’s banter was very fun. I liked that we got to kinda explore what happens to the big city, workaholic character from hallmark movies and see them have their happy ending. While Charlie and Nora were a cute couple, I found myself being more investing in Nora and Libby’s relationship as sisters. Their sister relationship reminded me of my sister and I, and I just wanted to go give my sister a hug after reading this one.All in all, another enjoyable read from Emily Henry, and I would recommend this one, especially if you love small town romance and hallmark movie tropes.

500/5 stars! I loved this book SO much. I went in expecting a fun enemies to lovers rom-com, but knowing it was an Emily Henry novel, I should have known it would be so much more than that. It’s a story about love and loss, and the way those things can shape who you are and who you choose to become. I laughed a lot, and I also cried. It really pulled out a lot of emotions for me!I don’t want to give away much about the plot because it’s so poignant and nuances that I don’t think I could do it justice. What I will say is that I laughed out loud SEVERAL times! The banter between Nora and Charlie was so perfect, and was totally my sense of humor. The tension between them lit up the page, and I was dying for them to let down their walls and really SEE each other. When it finally happened? Perfection.Book Lovers is also set in the book industry, which I loved. Nora is a literary agent, and Charlie is an editor, so reading the discussions they had about publishing, editing, references to tropes, and working on books was really cool.I really enjoyed the fact that Nora was portrayed as a career woman who focused on her career to the detriment of her personal relationships. It’s not something you usually see in romance books - these women are often made out to be the villain. It was an interesting change of pace and we really got to learn who Nora was at her core as the story progressed.Last but not least, I loved that we really got to see Charlie and Nora’s feeling for each other change. I’m so many romance books the discussions about life and about getting to know each other are skipped in favor of spicy scenes (which I have no problem with) but while they do a great job at displaying the chemistry between characters, the reader doesn’t always see what ELSE drives the relationship. We are often told how connected they are, but those conversations take place off page so frequently that it was really nice to read so many actual conversations about real life things between them. It made their relationship feel believable and realistic.All in all, I recommend this book to pretty much anyone. While it is a romance, as I mentioned before, it’s so much more. It deals with grief, family, feelings of loneliness and not belonging, and how people cope with those things, in addition to being a love story. Definitely a new favorite for me!

This was not at all what I expected in the best way possible. I loved these characters so much. It honestly all unfolded beautifully and artfully. The witty and hilarious banter between Nora and Charlie was so fun. The complicated sister relationship was relatable and honest. The way the author writes about grief and almost-lives and wants and needs. Ugh it really wrenched my heart out of my chest like in a weird Alien-way that is as cool as it is gory. No notes.