Book Lovers

This is the third Emily Henry book I've read in the past month/six weeks, basically all of her adult fiction that's currently available, although HAPPY PLACE is coming out in the Spring of 2023 and I look forward to that.

I enjoy her storytelling. I especially like her insight into the characters' reasoning for feelings as well as her snappy, quirky dialogue. The reader gets a great view of why the character is acting as she does and what her motivations might be.

In BOOK LOVERS, Nora and Charlie are frenemies of the first order. Known to each other by reputation before they meet, their anti “cute meet” confirms what everyone has told them about each other. She's a shark. He's a cold fish. But outward appearances can be deceiving when characters' motivations are hidden.

While Nora is driven to protect what little family she has left, Charlie has the same burden, but by duty, not choice. As such, their feelings toward the commitment of helping family differ. While Nora is nearly pathological about controlling her remaining sibling's well-being, Charlie is more curmudgeonly about being trapped into helping his family through hard times.

Oddly enough, this paradox worked for me. The author gave substantial reasons why the characters acted the way they did toward family members. Nora's ill-fated family losses were revealed later in the book, but hints were dropped along the way.

The burden of extra family responsibility has led both characters to either shun personal relationships. or compartmentalize them in such a way that emotion stays on the back burner. The “been hurt before, not going through that again” reasoning is a viable philosophy to both. So, it's believable when both feel an attraction but immediately know their connection isn't going anywhere if they can help/stop it. Being colleagues in the publishing industry also presents its own barriers to romance.

What I love about this book was how it played out the story recognizing and obliterating all the tropes used in every Hallmark romance. It made it all laughable. Nora's sister's checklist for their small town vacation includes: saving a business, skinny-dipping, dating a handsome local guy, camping under the stars, going horseback riding, wearing a plaid shirt, etc. All attempts at fulfilling this checklist of course go horribly awry.

Overall, I recommend this book for those who enjoy their romance with spice, crisp & intelligent repartee, and a certain irreverence.