Reviews

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

readyourworriesaway's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

3.5

coziebookclub's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

โ€œ๐˜๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ, ๐˜™๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ, ๐˜โ€™๐˜ญ๐˜ญ ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜บ๐˜ต๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ต. ๐˜‘๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฉ ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ธ๐˜ฉ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ ๐˜ฃ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜จ.โ€

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this great ARC. This was such a cozy, swoon worthy rom-com! Emily and Kier the a perfect grumpy x sunshine duo. If you love a small town, cozy, charming bookstore romance this one is for you. Emilyโ€™s character was a breath of fresh air and I loved how unapologetic she was. Though Kiernan is overprotective of the bookstore and his mother, I enjoyed how he was warming up to Emily. 

The end of the book made me an absolute wreck, and I still loved it even through the tears. It hit close to home for me with Siobhan but it was a heartwarming ending. All the characters are lovable (except for Emilyโ€™s mother), but Iโ€™m glad Jenn McKinlay portrayed how toxic and dependent some mothers can be. I think she brought light to issues like anxiety and toxic family relationships properly. I really enjoyed this book and canโ€™t wait to read more from McKinlay! 

tales_of_a_bookbug's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This was such a sweet and heartwarming story!โ˜˜๏ธ I read Summer Reading last year and I really liked it, but this one was even better!๐Ÿ˜ โฃ
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Emily, a librarian on Martha's Vineyard has just moved to Finn's Hollow after getting the opportunity to work as an assistant for one of her favorite authors - Siobhan Riordan! Siobhan hasn't written anything in ten years but she has finally decided to write the final one in the Tig McMorrow series. And Emily will be helping her with that while working part-time at the bookstore that is managed by Siobhan's son - Kieran who doesn't seem too excited about Em's arrival. โฃ
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I loved the cozy vibes along with the wholesome characters and the romance too! Em has finally gotten a chance to get away from her narcissistic mom, so I loved watching her blossom and become the best version of herself while setting boundaries and responding to her mom in a clearheaded manner with the help of therapy(love good mental health rep!) And it's always amazing to have book lovers as the main characters! It was so cute watching Em and Kier quote lines at each other while identifying the books correctly ๐Ÿ˜‚ Kier doesn't seem to want her around at first(he's got a reason for his actions) but he slowly warms up to her and I loved their banter! Siobhan was also an amazing character and I loved the way she cared for Kieran and Em, and they loved her back equally. Though I saw some of the things coming I still ended up crying while reading the last few chapters ๐Ÿฅบ Also, there's a cute ๐Ÿถ called Shackleton in the story and many amazing coworkers too๐Ÿ˜† In the end, my favorite part was definitely the character growth and the relationships!โฃ
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Do check this one out if you're looking for a cozy contemporary read set in Ireland with some amazing characters, found family vibes and a touching story!โฃ๏ธโœจ

*I was provided with an ARC in exchange for a honest review*

_sarahelaine's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

savannah332's review against another edition

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5.0

When I started Love at First Book I expected a fun rom-com about an American librarian running away from life in the states right into the arms of the grumpy Irish bookstore owner. What I was not expecting was to be crying in my bathtub at midnight.

I devoured this book, it had everything I could want in a contemporary romance. The main characters were so real. Em and Kier had such emotional depth they could've been some of my closest friends. They both went through growth in the book, with each other, themselves, and the side characters. The relationship between Kier and his mother was especially touching, While Em moved across the world to learn how to set boundaries with her mother. I found my self laughing at their wicked banter and Quote competition.
The small Irish town of Finn's Hollow was filled with so much beautiful imagery. The side characters are so funny and welcoming, you'll want to book a flight to Ireland to find such wonderful hospitality. You'll want to spend days at the bookshop eating pastries and drinking lots of tea just to widen your smile.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming, inspiring, and genuine romance story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this wonderful book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions

zanzouneh3's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

waywordxwitch's review

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4.0

~ ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion ~
Of course I want to read about a librarian, who takes a job with her favorite author & works in a book store! Super cute, fast paced romantic comedy that had me cracking up. Of course it wouldnโ€™t be happily ever after without a meddling mama and a little drama. Love a good romance in between all the thrillers. ;) 

tigger25k's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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mandareads222's review

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emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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graciouswarriorprincess's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Another win for Jenn McKinlay! Love at First Book is a delightful romance. I loved Kier and Em. It explores authors, writing, and books set in a small Irish town with characters that will pull at your heart strings! I found myself loving these characters, laughing and crying tears with them. This story is so tender hearted and a perfect curl up in a favorite chair with a cozy blanket and a favorite drink book!

A tale of family, self discovery and love not to be missed!