A review by deedireads
Book Lovers, by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Book Lovers is a compulsively readable, super smart book that takes a common trope (small-town romance) and and subverts every single element. Reading it was very fun.
For you if: You prefer romance novels that have a little extra something to give them more substance.
FULL REVIEW:
I don’t read very many genre romance novels; I typically prefer my romance plots to live inside fantasy novels. That said, I do keep an eye out for the kinds of romance novels that have a little extra oomph; more literary characters or interesting experimentation or uncommon representation, something like that. Luckily, a friend who knows my reading tastes well flagged Book Lovers as a good one for me, and when my library hold came in during vacation, I knew it was the perfect time.
For me, what made this book so fun to read (aside from it having a strong plot and great characters and excellent steamy scenes) is the way it takes a common trope — small-town romance — and subverts it so completely. It 100% flips all the elements on their head in a way that is just smart and creative and enagaging. For that reason, I don’t want to tell you much about the plot, but suffice to say that the main character is the spiky-heeled, ambitious NYC woman that gets dumped and left behind when all the romance novel dudes take a trip to some small town and fall in love with the innkeeper’s daughter or whatever. So that’s the first subversion, and it only grows from there.
Another fun thing about this book: It’s a bit of inside baseball on the publishing industry, since the main character is a literary agent and the love interest, Charlie, is a sought-after editor at a big publishing house. (Hence the title.) Last thing I’ll say is that Julia Whelan reads the audiobook (I switched between ebook and audiobook), and I can’t imagine experiencing this story without her sultry rendition of Charlie’s voice. Just incredible stuff.
If you’re looking for a fast, fun, super readable book that plays with genre in a smart way, give this one a go. And yes, I count myself a proud new member of the Emily Henry fan club.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Book Lovers is a compulsively readable, super smart book that takes a common trope (small-town romance) and and subverts every single element. Reading it was very fun.
For you if: You prefer romance novels that have a little extra something to give them more substance.
FULL REVIEW:
I don’t read very many genre romance novels; I typically prefer my romance plots to live inside fantasy novels. That said, I do keep an eye out for the kinds of romance novels that have a little extra oomph; more literary characters or interesting experimentation or uncommon representation, something like that. Luckily, a friend who knows my reading tastes well flagged Book Lovers as a good one for me, and when my library hold came in during vacation, I knew it was the perfect time.
For me, what made this book so fun to read (aside from it having a strong plot and great characters and excellent steamy scenes) is the way it takes a common trope — small-town romance — and subverts it so completely. It 100% flips all the elements on their head in a way that is just smart and creative and enagaging. For that reason, I don’t want to tell you much about the plot, but suffice to say that the main character is the spiky-heeled, ambitious NYC woman that gets dumped and left behind when all the romance novel dudes take a trip to some small town and fall in love with the innkeeper’s daughter or whatever. So that’s the first subversion, and it only grows from there.
Another fun thing about this book: It’s a bit of inside baseball on the publishing industry, since the main character is a literary agent and the love interest, Charlie, is a sought-after editor at a big publishing house. (Hence the title.) Last thing I’ll say is that Julia Whelan reads the audiobook (I switched between ebook and audiobook), and I can’t imagine experiencing this story without her sultry rendition of Charlie’s voice. Just incredible stuff.
If you’re looking for a fast, fun, super readable book that plays with genre in a smart way, give this one a go. And yes, I count myself a proud new member of the Emily Henry fan club.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders