Book Lovers

CW: past death of a parent, anxiety, nightmares, pregnancy

I read the author's Beach Read when it released and found it to be very enjoyable. But as I wasn't reading much contemporaries, I didn't checkout the next one by her. But this book was an instant addition to my tbr because how can I resist that title, cover and two main characters working in the publishing industry.

The writing was so so easy to get captivated by and once I started, I got lost in it. The banter is first class and there's just so much casual humor in every conversation that you'll have a smile on your face for a good part of the book. But the book is also quite serious in parts, especially regarding the handling of grief, how that pain of losing a parent never goes away and how it can manifest as panic/anxiety at the idea of losing other family members. The idea of belonging, not being able to feel like home where we are supposed to, finding the place where we feel like we can be our true selves - all these themes are explored and while I've not had any American small town experience, I could relate to it a lot because I'm a city girl through and through as well. And frankly, I'm glad the author subverted the usual tropes of small town romance because it's not my favorite sub genre. The pacing is pretty fast too, because most of the book takes place in just a month and while a romance in that short of a time can feel like instalove, the author does a great job convincing us of the connection between the two main characters.

While this maybe marketed as a romance, it did feel more like the story of two sisters with a romantic subplot. Nora is an older sister, very organized and excellent at her job, with no interest in romance because she has been burned before. She is almost like a mother figure to Libby, taking care of everything for her since their mother died, and is wracked with anxiety that if she doesn't do everything perfectly, she might not be available when her sister needs her. Which just means that she is always there for everyone except herself. This story is about her realizing what she needs to be happy, opening up her heart for romance, and learning to be a sister instead of a mother.

Charlie is in all ways perfect for her. They are both dedicated to their jobs, are meticulous in everything they do, are very competitive and love how the pace of New York suits their attitude in life. Charlie is someone who has always looked for belonging and while he has found it in New York, he also wants to be a dedicated son who takes care of his parents. While this was an issue that needed to be resolved, I loved how Charlie and Nora's relationship developed in the meantime. They just understand each other in many ways, find comfort in working together without the need to talk all the time, their love for books was absolute and I related so hard to that, and they try to encourage each other to do what's best for themselves. It felt like a very comfortable relationship and I like that a lot.

There are quite a few interesting side characters too though no one was a particular favorite of mine. Nora's sister Libby was a major presence throughout but I also don't know if I understood her well. She definitely did feel like someone who needed a break and was also trying to prove something to herself. Shepherd, Charlie's cousin was a typical small town former quarterback turned lumberjack, a very good guy who'll be someone's special person, but not suited for Nora. Charlie's mom Sally was a former artist who had been disillusioned by fame and decided to settle down, but her free spirit and artistic ways couldn't be fully tamed. We also have other typical small town quirky characters, stores, and events which all make for a very lived in experience of Sunshine Falls.

Overall, this was a mostly heartwarming book with a great group of characters, an inevitable love story, the exploration of grief and loss and all the messy aftermath, and the unbreakable bond between sisters. It's funny and angsty and everything in between, giving us a very emotional experience and I loved how both laughing and crying went together for me. I hope the author will continue to subvert the small town romance tropes in her future novels too and give us more exciting stories.

this was everything i wanted and more out of a small town romance

i get that this isn't everyone's cup of tea because i have a very specific cup of tea that i like to be brewed, and it looks like emily henry got the recipe right perfectly. i loved the setting of sunshine falls, the relationship between the sisters and the spitfire between charlie and nora. it was starting to feel a little gilmore girls-y in a good way, like if they'd written lorelai to be a little less eclectic and more business-y (if that makes sense)

also does anyone else want to read frigid or is that just me?

It was enjoyable at parts, but it was also an incredible drag. The characters didn't feel right, their personalities felt like they were told feather than showed. The characters also felt like they were copies from Emily Henry's previous books. Overall, the writing style is definitely not for me and I felt like the romance wasn't even the main plot, which would be fine if this weren't marketed as a rom-com.

Also they weren't even rivals,, like at all??

I really enjoyed the way this book played with all the tropes of small-town romances. I feel like two of the main concepts of this story, though, that Nora is a cold, big-city woman, and that Charlie is her nemesis, were stated but not really earned. Maybe it was because Nora was the first-person narrator, but she seemed like a very likeable heroine from the start. And I also thought the first interactions with Charlie were flirtatious and not true conflict. Still, I enjoyed the book overall and am definitely on the Emily Henry bandwagon. The best part of this story was really the relationship between the sisters and how this trip affects that.

Not normally a big romance guy but wow this book was good.

Fascinating character depth which at first seems just like ‘hotshot New Yorker goes to small town' but actively distances itself from the trope. Nora's high-flying publishing career gets put on hold for her summer vacation with her sister. The novel charts the development of her sibling relationship and deals with her love life in a way which at no points seems unrealistic or ‘too magical'.

I read it in one sitting as every character mentioned is intriguing and almost reads as a mystery as you await to uncover new details. At every point the reader feels a sense of discovery, leaving no sense of a wasted page or paragraph.

I will be waxing lyrical about this book to my reading friends trying to seem niche and interesting about a book which was voted the best romance book on GoodReads, but for bloody good reason too!

I've been in a really bad reading slump the past 2 months or so but Book Lovers yanked me out of that within the first chapter, I can't remember the last time I consumed a book within one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down.

I found both of the main characters to be hilarious with great one liners, I think they both bounced off each other really well. It's very rare for me that I find humour in books genuinely funny but Henry did a great job.

The chemistry between Nora and Charlie enveloped me from very early on, I was blushing almost every time they interacted, Charlie was very smooth with his words and actions. I absolutely adored him, I loved the way he treated Nora, he was so incredibly observant with her and knew how to handle her, and not once did he disappoint me!

I really liked Nora also, I think she's probably one of my favourite characters ever. I really appreciated the way she resolved issues with Charlie like an adult instead of beating around the bush. I loved the way she spoke about her mother and her childhood, and I loved her relationship with her sister.

I was dreading finishing the book only because I didn't want it to end, I do wish we got to see a little more of Nora and Charlie's relationship, I would've loved to have seen them being all domestic.

For three summers in a row, I've read an Emily Henry book, and they are perfect summer reading! This story had me laughing out loud more than once, and there is a lot of wit in the conversations between the characters. The relationship between Nora and Charlie starts out as one would expect, with them really disliking one another, and over time they realize they really like each other, but the author kept the story realistic, with people dealing with all of their ‘stuff' and everything not being all perfectly tied up in a bow right away. Really enjoyed it!

I usually read romance with fantasy or sci-fi elements so I'm kinda new to the contemporary romance genre. This book was such a delightful vacation read: small town, people who love books, people who worn in the publishing industry, and an unconventional romance storyline. It turns upside down some normal romance tropes, and I was surprised by the ending.??

I went in without expecting much, since I did not really enjoy [b:People We Meet on Vacation 54985743 People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618913179l/54985743.SX50.jpg 67832306]. Boy, was I in for a surprise!I actually enjoyed the book, actually savored it word by word and actually took some time to think and digest all the bits and pieces of both the backstories of the main characters. Truth be told, I had an inkling that I would hate Nora Stephens, and that Charlie Lastra will be just another run-of-the-mill grumpy, outrageously good looking male character. But that was in the beginning. As the story went on, I found myself intrigued. And I found myself liking Nora. And Charlie, of course.These are 2 characters that came from different background, that had had not so favorable past. And their loyalty and commitment to their family is admirable, especially Nora's. Her unconditional (and suffocating) love, loyalty and support toward her baby sister is something I thought to be amazing. This, I think, what it is to dream, and I finally understand why Mom could never give it up, why my authors can't give it up, and I'm happy for them, because this wanting, it feels good, like a bruise you need to press on, a reminder that there are things in life so valuable that you must risk the pain of losing them for the joy of briefly having them.This book pulled at the heartstring at parts, where I went back to reread the particular part and felt the same pain, the same grief as Nora. There's a part where Nora dreamt of her mother – the emotion hit me raw, and I just kinda had a little cry.All in all, I would have to say I like the way this 2023 starts, reading-wise.

why is henry so GOATED WITH THE SAUCE?! in spite of that ending that i saw coming a mile away and libby being an extremely unlikable character (to me), the leads just had so much chemistry and good banter that i couldn't help but love it. and the pace!!!! henry could teach a masterclass on great pace. i'm so happy to have read another fantastic romance from her.

Book Lovers
Emily Henry

OH MY FREAKING GOSH!!!!!!! Why did I wait so long to read this book? I adore everything about this book!!

I wanted to be there with Nora and Libby, while they visited the small town. Emily Henry just painted the picture so well.

Then there is Charlie, him and Nora had great chemistry. Their banter was off the charts.

I laughed and cried my way through this book. Definitely on the top of my list for 2023.

Absolutely LOVED this!
I've read all Emily's books and this one, her third, is her best.
Nora and Charlie are the classic enemies to lovers but so much more...
Nora's a literary agent, Charlie's an editor, and I loved a book revolving around the publishing industry (which is such a huge part of my life!)
Loved seeing the relationship between Nora and her sister Libby unfold too.

I'm a big banter fan and this book has it in spades! Loved the snappy sparring between Nora and Charlie so much.
5 stars!

Predicatable-ish Romance, that's not a bad thing though.

I lean towards romantic books like this when I want something comforting, easy to read and enjoyable. It distracts me from my day to day life and that's why I enjoy them so much. I think from the outset it's easy to imagine the ending, I did however really enjoy the journey to that ending and would definitely enjoy reading more of Emily Henry

Would recommend it for people that want an enjoyable, comforting read with a little

Spent the last 20% of this book fighting off tears while grinning. I now have a headache appropriate of a proper book hangover.

A love story about what it means to be loved and belong simply by being exactly who you are.

“Maybe it's possible to belong in a hundred different ways to a hundred different people and places”