m4rtt4's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Finally a contemporary romance novel that actually had me rooting for the main couple, dying even... I feel like my identity as a romance-hater is being threatened, but perhaps not in a bad way? There definitely were so many cliché tropes in this book, some of which melted me *cough* the moonlight swimming scene *cough* and some others that were predictable and boring. Also both of the sisters were really insufferable at times, I didn't really like all their interactions very much, but I also have to praise the "mandatory" third act conflict
I'm still doubtful of whether a romance book worthy of MY five stars even exists, and while this one was not perfect either, it was still so very enjoyable that I binge-read like 75% of it in one sitting. No regrets <3
Spoiler
for it not having been between Charlie and Nora — first of all I'm glad they didn't have serious drama and secondly, the conflict made me like the sisters more. It was also a necessary element for character growth and overall gave more depth to the story.I'm still doubtful of whether a romance book worthy of MY five stars even exists, and while this one was not perfect either, it was still so very enjoyable that I binge-read like 75% of it in one sitting. No regrets <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Medical content and Vomit
eligru's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Alcohol, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Bullying
ellelockley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Nora and Charlie are work nemesis. Nora has gone through enough break-ups to know she's the woman men date before their true love. Her sister takes her on a trip to a small town for a month, issue is, she keeps running into Charlie. This was your classic "I can't date you because I love you" but i did still really enjoy reading it. Both characters had personalities outside their romantic relationship, and I just adored Nora and Libby's relationship. Platonic love is also important to highlight. I am giving it a three only because I have read books very similar, and this did not have a standout quality. I would recommend it to a romance book lover.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content
sarahkarine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Truly spectacular. I loved the secondary relationship between Nora and Libby. The small town setting. The big sister grief struggle. All of it was lovely.
I didn’t give 5 stars out of personal dislike for some of the writing. If I had to hear about the dudes eyebrows one more time I was gonna lose it 😂
I didn’t give 5 stars out of personal dislike for some of the writing. If I had to hear about the dudes eyebrows one more time I was gonna lose it 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment and Medical content
my_weird_bookish_heart's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, and Pregnancy
samreadssometimes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i did not think i would like this book (i don't seem like it's primary audience), but i LOVED it. it was funny and sweet and made me cry and it was SO GOOD. i would recommend this to everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Death of parent, Medical trauma, and Medical content
nbreezy17's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Medical content
horizonous's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Apart from some small little nitpicky things I had a really good time with this 😊
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Bullying, Vomit, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Chronic illness, and Misogyny
◦ Chronic illness: Strokereadwithria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Book Lovers is 100% worth the hype.
Prior to reading Book Lovers, I had a somewhat split opinion about Emily Henry. I loved People We Meet on Vacation, but didn't love Beach Read. Now that I've finished Book Lovers I can say with confidence that I'm on the Emily Henry hype train.
Book Lovers is so much more than a romcom. It turns tropes on their heads. It's full of so many different kinds of love. It made me laugh out loud, and also made me tear up a couple of times. I cannot sing this book enough praise.
Things I loved
- The banter! It was so funny, and the dry wit was exactly my kind of humor
- Nora and Charlie are so great for each other! As they learn about each other it opens them up to the reader as well. They are so compelling, and their motivations feel very grounded in reality
- Nora and Libby's sibling relationship was amazing! Seeing how they interact makes me want to hang out with my own sister more, and their trials and tribulations were so relatable even in the most extreme cases (yes, I have kept dumb secrets from my sister for no reason. no, I don't think that's weird at all)
- The depiction of people who don't want kids of their own, but still like kids! Nora's nieces are adorable, and I want to be that cool aunt when I grow up. I love how Nora didn't change her mind for a man, how she loved her nieces, and how she had a very reasonable reason for not wanting her own kids. A+, I feel very seen
- The book talk! Some of it was a little meta, and I could tell Emily Henry was poking fun at some accusations made about her not visiting the places she has written about, which I personally found hilarious. There were also some structural things about the book-within-a-book that reflected back onto Book Lovers itself, and I found that quite intriguing! It definitely made me want to think more about plot structure in a very nerdy way
Things I didn't love
- Libby calls Nora "Sissy" and it was a little weird, but it didn't bother me enough to detract from the reading experience
The characters were amazing, the writing was both hilarious and heartfelt, and the story kept me reading for hours on end. 5 stars.
Prior to reading Book Lovers, I had a somewhat split opinion about Emily Henry. I loved People We Meet on Vacation, but didn't love Beach Read. Now that I've finished Book Lovers I can say with confidence that I'm on the Emily Henry hype train.
Book Lovers is so much more than a romcom. It turns tropes on their heads. It's full of so many different kinds of love. It made me laugh out loud, and also made me tear up a couple of times. I cannot sing this book enough praise.
Things I loved
- The banter! It was so funny, and the dry wit was exactly my kind of humor
- Nora and Charlie are so great for each other! As they learn about each other it opens them up to the reader as well. They are so compelling, and their motivations feel very grounded in reality
- Nora and Libby's sibling relationship was amazing! Seeing how they interact makes me want to hang out with my own sister more, and their trials and tribulations were so relatable even in the most extreme cases (yes, I have kept dumb secrets from my sister for no reason. no, I don't think that's weird at all)
- The depiction of people who don't want kids of their own, but still like kids! Nora's nieces are adorable, and I want to be that cool aunt when I grow up. I love how Nora didn't change her mind for a man, how she loved her nieces, and how she had a very reasonable reason for not wanting her own kids. A+, I feel very seen
- The book talk! Some of it was a little meta, and I could tell Emily Henry was poking fun at some accusations made about her not visiting the places she has written about, which I personally found hilarious. There were also some structural things about the book-within-a-book that reflected back onto Book Lovers itself, and I found that quite intriguing! It definitely made me want to think more about plot structure in a very nerdy way
Things I didn't love
- Libby calls Nora "Sissy" and it was a little weird, but it didn't bother me enough to detract from the reading experience
The characters were amazing, the writing was both hilarious and heartfelt, and the story kept me reading for hours on end. 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Medical content
Minor: Vomit
kathyovalle01's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Chefs kiss
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content