A review by coziebookclub
Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

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

“𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘙𝘦𝘥, 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨.”

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. Emily’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 Emily’s mother), but I’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 can’t wait to read more from McKinlay!