24 September 2025
Book Lovers
Romance - 2022
Character
Nora is an apparently cold-hearted New York literary agent. Charlie is an apparently emotionless New York editor.
Setting
A seemingly idyllic town in the southern US
Plot
Nora and Charlie try to deal with family while editing a book and trying to get back to New York.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book Lovers by Emily Henry turns the trope of small town romance on its head, with characters who aren't what they appear from the outside and situations that are more complicated than they seem. Frankly, that sounds depressing, but this story is as much about healing and laughter as it is about romance, plus it makes editing seem so very sexy.
There seems to be a trend recently of writing romances about people working in the publishing industry. Of course, as readers, we generally love books, so it makes sense that we would be interested in publishing. It also helps give us a connection to the characters, as they also love books.
And what characters we have! Nearly everyone from the main characters right on down has some interesting detail that breaks them out of whatever stereotype they are stuck in. The same is true for the setting. It appears to be one thing, then changes and changes again. The relationships aren't what they seem. There are just so many layers.
Of course, I'm not saying that it is the most intellectual book you'll ever read. No. It is not. However, it makes a real effort with what it has.
I think one of the other high points in this novel was the banter. The love interests are both smart and saucy. Their text messages are great! Their email messages are great! Their flirting is so great!
As you can probably tell, I love this book, especially the male love interest. This was my second read-though, and honestly, thinking about it enough to write a review makes me want to read it again.
While the story is written about people who love New York, I think the story is plenty enjoyable for most readers, so long as they aren't offended by characters who don't love small town life. (I think the writer, though, shows both the big city and small towns as having good people and being of value.) It will be especially enjoyable for people who have read enough romance novels to recognize the tropes and for those who really love books.
I haven't read any other books yet by Emily Henry, but I have some on my list.
There seems to be a trend recently of writing romances about people working in the publishing industry. Of course, as readers, we generally love books, so it makes sense that we would be interested in publishing. It also helps give us a connection to the characters, as they also love books.
And what characters we have! Nearly everyone from the main characters right on down has some interesting detail that breaks them out of whatever stereotype they are stuck in. The same is true for the setting. It appears to be one thing, then changes and changes again. The relationships aren't what they seem. There are just so many layers.
Of course, I'm not saying that it is the most intellectual book you'll ever read. No. It is not. However, it makes a real effort with what it has.
I think one of the other high points in this novel was the banter. The love interests are both smart and saucy. Their text messages are great! Their email messages are great! Their flirting is so great!
As you can probably tell, I love this book, especially the male love interest. This was my second read-though, and honestly, thinking about it enough to write a review makes me want to read it again.
While the story is written about people who love New York, I think the story is plenty enjoyable for most readers, so long as they aren't offended by characters who don't love small town life. (I think the writer, though, shows both the big city and small towns as having good people and being of value.) It will be especially enjoyable for people who have read enough romance novels to recognize the tropes and for those who really love books.
I haven't read any other books yet by Emily Henry, but I have some on my list.
Fiction: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Berkley Books, 2022-05-03
9780593334836
377 pages
Berkley Books, 2022-05-03
9780593334836
377 pages