All Booked Up

I laughed out loud 3x in the first 3 pgs.
I smiled for the whole first chapter.

This was my first Emily Henry read. When a book is trending, I worry if it’s actually worth the hype. If that’s you, too, and what you’re searching for is a Gilmore Girls-esque feel-good read, then it’s absolutely deserving of it.

I could so clearly picture Book Lovers as a movie. I was caught smiling in public on countless occasions while reading because not only is it just downright delightful, but I imagined Jason Baldoni and Margot Robbie (two of my greatest celebrity crushes) as the leads. I didn’t force that. IT. JUST. FITS. Not to toot my own horn, but I need to be a casting agent because I nailed that. Cut, print, check the gate! I’ll take my salary in G2 pens, thank you!

Book Lover’s strength is definitely in its humor and light-heartedness, but I have to admit there was something about the main protagonist (Nora) that fell flat to me. Henry attempts to give Nora depth by exploring the effects of her mother’s death and how this plays into her protectiveness of Libby, her career drive, and her romantic relationships, but it still felt half-hearted. After some reflection, I think it’s because Nora’s mother’s death is such a key event in her character development that Henry teases throughout the book, but when it’s finally addressed, it’s incomplete. Details like how her mother died and what played out after it are glazed past in my opinion, and it felt like Henry should’ve elaborated more to do Nora justice. So while this book started off strong, I never felt connected to the main character like I hoped for.

FINAL VERDICT?

Recommend? Still yes! The laughter was absolutely worth it.

“A good bookstore is like an airport where you don’t have to take your shoes off.”

Charlie Lastra