Reviews with content warning for Drug use - Book Lovers

I think this book suffers from its own marketing. The blurb calls Charlie Nora's "work nemesis" but in reality their "rivalry" consisted of him saying he didn't like her client's book which later did well, and her muttering "I told you so" at his office door for three years.

The interesting part of the book was how the author took on the admirable task of exposing the misogyny inherent in the "city-slick ex-girlfriend" trope in small-town romance stories and exploring that character trope in its fullness. Unfortunately, the actual romance in Book Lovers was dull in its inevitability. Despite their so-called rivalry, Charlie and Nora get on like a house on fire every time they talk (even at that disastrous first lunch) and there was no "will they–won't they" so much as "when will they" the whole way through. I'm not even sure why Nora's colleagues even call her "the Shark" – she seems lovely to everyone (apart from Charlie) the whole way through, which kind of breaks that trope apart.

The last hundred pages were much more interesting as the real meat of the characters' troubles came to light, and we finally escaped the endless banter and descriptions of Nora's body reacting every time Charlie opens his mouth to speak. This book isn't really a romance; the story's main focus is Nora's relationship with her sister (whom I sadly found very annoying as a character, so it was hard to care about this relationship) and Nora's grief for her mother. Overall, it was an easy and relaxing read, and if you have the patience to get through the first half the second half is quite good.

If you can understand the US-centric culture references used to describe everything and want to read about two according-to-the-cover rivals sharing banter while the author bludgeons you with the sexual tension in case you missed it, this might be the book for you. Just, don't go in expecting a rivals-to-lovers romance and be prepared for family drama and grief.

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alina5556's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.25

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tiredtori's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

3.75

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bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

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hopeful 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

5.0

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readwithkel's review against another edition

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emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is my favorite Emily Henry book to date.

I loved every page of this book. The character development felt so organic and true throughout.

I am SO glad that this book took a twist on the small town romance trope. I loved that Nora’s ending felt so true to who she was. I can’t wait to reread this.

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kbs1871's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

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lazybooklover's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

I adored this book! It was emotional, funny, steamy, and heartwarming. I loved the main characters, and I'm sad that it's over. This is my favorite Emily Henry book so far! It's definitely on my re-read list!!

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whatjasread's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

this did have a rough start but let me tell you... once it got going it got GOING. I adored the characters in this so much. Do I wish there was more of the enemies to lovers? yes. Am I mad about how things actually ended up? not one bit. the relationship between sisters? phenomenal. and i just loved loved loved the ending. i knew it was happening but emily henry's writing is just so insanely beautiful that i couldn't help but feel so many emotions throughout it all. i love this book, i really do. whether i love it more than YAMOV or not, I don't currently know. but it gets 5 stars from me.

TWs: absent father, death of mother (before book), alcohol consumption, ref to recreational drug use, nightmares, anemia, hospitalisation, pregnancy

Tropes/rep/themes: light enemies to lovers, small town romance, found family

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