Book Review: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Book Lovers
Author: Emily Henry
Publication: Berkley (May 3, 2022)

Description: One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming...

Nora Stephens' life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

My Thoughts: Nora Stephens is a high-power literary agent who will do anything for her younger sister Libby. When Libby asks Nora to spend a month in bucolic Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, Nora agrees to leave her beloved New York City to go along.

Libby, who is five months pregnant with her third child, has a checklist of things that the two of them should do while in Sunshine Falls. Most of them are well outside of Nora's comfort zone and most of them are from literary tropes. 

It is hard to check off the boxes when Nora keeps running into Charlie Lastra who is book editor she has worked with in the City. Sunshine Falls is Charlie's hometown - one he was very glad to leave when he turned eighteen - but he's back to help his parents and feeling pressured to stay.

Nora is hoping that their time together will bring back the closeness she feels she is losing with Libby who is keeping lots of secrets. 

This was an intensely emotional story filled with trying to hold on to the past while making baby steps into a new future. I loved Nora and her growing relationship with Charlie. I also loved that they were all book lovers and readers. 

Favorite Quote:

I chance another glance in Charlie's direction. "They might not need our help." Or want it.

She snorts. "I saw a copy of Everyone Poops shelved right next to a 1001 Chocolate Desserts cookbook."

"Traumatizing," I agree with a shudder.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.