A review by bookishvicky
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

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

4.75

“I was scared. I didn’t need love. But oh, oh, how I wanted it.”

I want to start this review off by saying that Ashely Poston has a magical ability to make me cry 30% through one of her books. Half of my comments consist of “love Poston’s humor,” “Ashley WHY,” and, most importantly, an embarrassing amount of notes screaming that we get another Benji cameo in one of her books. 

A Novel Love Story hit too hard– I saw myself in Elsy, in her love for romance novels, a safe way to experience love and happy endings without risking heartbreak. The chapter detailing her story with Liam did fully make me cry. I’ll admit it. Poston has a way of making her characters come to life, and I found myself sympathizing with Elsy, feeling her devastation and heartbreak, her desire to get lost in familiar pages. 

The concept of this book was so fun! I loved the details like the half thought-up menu, the graveyard of drafts, the repeating cycle of the days. My only complaint is I wish we knew more about HOW this fictional town came to life like it did– maybe it’s the fantasy fan in me, but I want all the details because it’s such a fascinating concept. 

“I couldn’t remember the last time someone kissed me this passionately— savored me, like I was the last sentence in his favorite book.”

Onto Anders. I thought he was a touch bland compared to some other love interests Poston has given us, but I did enjoy seeing him and Elsy grow close, even if I did see the “twist” coming. As usual, Poston gave us a beautiful love story without relying too heavily on “spice,” which I find a lot of contemporary romances relying on to show us the connection between the main couple. Sometimes love is sugary spaghetti and tweed jackets, and it’s enough to make me want to bawl my eyes out :)

Another amazing read from Poston, absolutely 100% reccomend, I wanna open a bookstore now.