Emily Henry

A by the book literary agent must decide if happily ever after is worth changing her whole life for in this insightful, delightful new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation. 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.

Book Lovers

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.

Taryn

“Please don’t apologise for letting me know you “ - Charlie 

‘You’re in books. Of course you don’t have a life. None of us do. There’s always something too good to read.” - Charlie

"Ah" I say. "The truth comes out. You wanted to be a writer." My brain flips straight to Jakob, like a book whose spine is creased to land on a favorite page. 

 "I thought I did," Charlie says. "In college, I realized I liked workshopping other people's stories more. I like the puzzle of it. Looking at all the pieces and figuring out what something's trying to be, and how to get it there." 

If Mom’s smile was springtime, Libby’s is full summer. 

At home, when I'm anxious, I cycle. When I need a boost of energy, I cycle. When I need to knock myself out, I cycle. When I can’t focus, I cycle. 

Once again hoping I come across as human, raised by other humans.

“You could sell snake oil to a snake oil salesman” 

Is there anything better than iced coffee and a bookstore on a sunny day? I mean, aside from hot coffee and a bookstore on a rainy day.

"Straight men love bangs," I say. "They make women approachable." 

"Nothing more intimidating than a forehead," he says. 

"So tell me about this place," I say. "What's interesting here?”

(Context: Nadine is a character that’s basically based on Nora lol)

"I’m not talking about you at all," he says. "I'm talking about Nadine Winters. My fictional crush." 

I’m in love with Charlie and it’s only page 78

“It’s not the phone so much as the sociopathic super-bitch who lives inside it.”

Charlie says, “most people just call her Siri.”

There’s a man out here too. When he sees me, he lifts a hand in greeting. I squint against the fierce light, my stomach rising as I place him as the coffee shop Adonis. The small-town leading man.

Instead I choose a fourth option: I trip over a root and go sprawling in the mud, my hand landing squarely in something that appears to be poop. A lot of it. Like, maybe a whole family of deer has specifically marked this spot as their shit place. 

The only two ways I've ever managed to get out of my head are through reading and rigorous exercise. With either, I can slip out of my mnind and drift in this bodiless dark.

I feel tears in my eyes. That should be the first sign that I'm dreaming - I never cry in real life - but I never notice this incongruity. 

That’s the thing that makes working on a book exciting: seeing its raw potential, knowing what it’s trying to become. 

How amazing it is to be a part of this, to get to share this place with all these people. 

Maybe it’s the New Yorker in me, or maybe it’s the woman, but I’m not about to announce that we don’t know anyone here. 

ulyazulfa

But I’m thinking about you way too much. And the more space I try to put between us, the worse it is.”

elly

I sip my ice-cold drink and bask in the double-barreled serotonin coursing through me. Is there anything better than iced coffee and a bookstore on a sunny day? I mean, aside from hot coffee and a book- store on a rainy day.

Mom's theory was that youthful skin would make a woman more money (true in both acting and waitressing), good underwear would make her more confident (so far, so true), and good books would make her happy (universal truth), and we've clearly both packed with this theory in mind

You don’t even know her! What’s her middle name, bitch?

Julia Rutgers

No one will ever convince me that time moves at a steady pace. Sure, your clock follows some invisible command, but it feels like it's randomly spouting off minutes at whatever intervals suit it

This, I think, is 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.

A story about a literary agent (Nora) and a book editor (Charlie). I love Charlie! This books has beautiful quotes, but also a lot of funny ones. At first I thought this book would be a five star for me. Sadly the second half wasn’t that interesting to me. I don’t like it when there’s a lot of repetition and we’re not really continuing the story, and that was what happened in the second part. Some things took too long to keep my interest. For example, the troubles Nora and Libby had in their relationship and also the ‘mystery’ around Libby’s behaviour. I just wanted the answer, to know what was going on, because it didn’t interest me anymore and I was bored. But, the rest of it was great! Emily Henry is still funny hahaha. 

I think I gave Beach Read 5 stars, but I think I might like Book Lovers more? I’m not sure. Maybe I rated Beach Read that high because it was my first Emily Henry book. I want to reread it someday to see what I think then. 

A story about a literary agent (Nora) and a book editor (Charlie). I love Charlie! This books has beautiful quotes, but also a lot of funny ones. At first I thought this book would be a five star for me. Sadly the second half wasn’t that interesting to me. I don’t like it when there’s a lot of repetition and we’re not really continuing the story, and that was what happened in the second part. Some things took too long to keep my interest. For example, the troubles Nora and Libby had in their relationship and also the ‘mystery’ around Libby’s behaviour. I just wanted the answer, to know what was going on, because it didn’t interest me anymore and I was bored. But, the rest of it was great! Emily Henry is still funny hahaha. 

I think I gave Beach Read 5 stars, but I think I might like Book Lovers more? I’m not sure. Maybe I rated Beach Read that high because it was my first Emily Henry book. I want to reread it someday to see what I think then. 

was honestly incredibly slow that the only reason i didn’t dnf it was because i’m too stubborn to dnf 95% of the time, but added .5 for the last 100 pages

🌙

Madeline Frank

kait

This story was really good. The book is set in this small town and it is definitely giving those vibes. It did read like a super cheesy romance movie and I kind of got tired of the two main characters. I was honestly enjoying the sisters and their dynamic so much more and I thought they were so much more interesting. I really loved how they were trying to mend their relationship and it was cool to try to figure out what was happening with Libby and her husband. I think I would have liked the main characters and their romance a lot more if I was even remotely into men but I am not. I only read this because I was in the mood for an Emily Henry book and I didn't want to miss out. Overall, a cute story and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Lauren Piper

this is my favorite romance book of all time! i don’t even know what comes second. i can never be one of the bitches who panics when they get asked what their favorite romance book because mine’s easily and obviously ‘book lovers.’ it’s the easiest question for me

I ATE THIS UPPP!! not only was the banter between Nora and Charlie TOP TIER but the way they just understand each other was everything! Two grumps but each other’s sunshine “a sunflower finding its light source”

also love the sisterly bond with libby and nora! 

"new romantics" and "you are in love" (taylor's version) by taylor swift

I ATE THIS UPPP!! not only was the banter between Nora and Charlie TOP TIER but the way they just understand each other was everything! Two grumps but each other’s sunshine “a sunflower finding its light source”

also love the sisterly bond with libby and nora! 

"nobody gets me" by sza

"new romantics" and "you are in love" (taylor's version) by taylor swift

Teresa Bonifácio

** spoiler alert **
           Emily Henry did it again! 

This book is like a Hallmark movie! But it’s not! Nora and Charlie’s chemistry is palpable throughout the book and there could be no other ending to this book than the one the book had! 
There’s also the relationship between Nora and Libby. Those two are the perfect sisters and Nora does everything she can for her little sister. Even if it means letting go of her dreams. 

It’s a warm book and one that is good for you to read when you’re feeling down!

aleksandra

3.5/5

Am I a Emily Henry girl? YES, I most certainly am. When I started reading it I was ready to give it a 5 stars rating. Nora and Charlie were really cute together, but when I finished this book, I didn't really felt like I could pick it up again. With the books „Beach Read" and "People we meet on vacation" I felt more connected with the main characters. Nora and Charlie had some cute moments, which some of them will for sure live rent free in my mind. I still very much like the story, but it won’t be my favorite Emily Henry book.

With this book and the enemies to lovers trop in it, I really wanted more pinning between the main characters, so I was confused when their first kiss was pretty quickly. Also, maybe small spoiler, but did they fall in love with each other after not even a month? Well, yes. 

I am not going to lie to you that Charlie Lastra has a place in my heart like every Emily Henry guy, but nobody can beat the original ✨✨Augustus Everett✨✨. I kinda was only reading this book for him tho. 


  
    “You do have me, Nora. I never stood a chance.”

"So if you’re the ‘wrong kind of woman,’ then I’m the wrong kind of man.”

"Not just because Charlie and I are so similar, but because he’s right: we belong. In a way I don’t understand, he’s mine, and I’m his. It doesn’t matter what the last page says."
  


Nora Stephens, our boss bitch of the story, which nickname was “Shark", turned out to be actually actually really nice and likable character. So I don't really know where the nickname came from.

In overall, I like the story because it's hard for me not to like Emily Henry's book.

Kendall Lobdell

Favorite romance book to date. The characters were original, complex, and not clichés. I LOVED Emily Henry’s writing style. I sort of knew where the book was going but it still had me guessing, at one point I thought the love interest was going to die. And the banter!!! SO GOOD

Liz Hunsaker

The love story, the sisterly relationship, the banter, the characters. Everything!

There isn’t a single bad thing about this book.

Charlie is THE ONLY MAN EVER. Nora is literally me. It made me laugh. It made me (almost) cry.

Kyra

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!!!!

The love story, the sisterly relationship, the banter, the characters. Everything!

There isn’t a single bad thing about this book.

Charlie is THE ONLY MAN EVER. Nora is literally me. It made me laugh. It made me (almost) cry.

Amazing.

kayla 

Isabella 

not my cup of tea didnt connect with the characters nor the story

I read it because I was curious what the hype was about…lol pls 

Mara

I read it because I was curious what the hype was about…lol pls 

Reminded me of a wattpad fanfic 

Sandrin

When you think about a book days after finishing it you know that shit slapped. 

The couple in this one had so much chemistry like you knew they were a perfect match for each other. Their banter was so funny, sexy, and a breath of fresh air honestly.

At the end, the story kinda dragged on a little(and the sister got extremely annoying), but I am gonna pretend that didnt happen, because Im biased.

Ana Luiza

Terceiro livro lido da Emily Henry, e os 3 foram 3 estrelas. Todos eles eu sai com o mesmo sentimento: um livro bom e bem escrito, mas um romance meh. Acho que começo as leituras dela de uma forma errada, porque sempre vou procurando romance e não encontro, não do jeito que quero. A autora escreve muito bem, os plots de cada personagem sao interessantes de acompanhar, os ápices da narrativa são super emocionantes. Mas o romance me falta muito. Em nenhum dos livros dela eu torci fervorosamente pelo casal, sofri com suas brigas, fiquei boba lendo os diálogos, nada disso aconteceu. Os personagens são fofos mas se eles não terminassem juntos eu nao me importaria muito, e esse é um ponto que eu nao curto quando estou lendo um livro de romance romântico. Nesse livro eu AMEI a relação de irmãs, se o livro fosse sobre isso, com o romance como plot secundário, seria um livro muito melhor na minha opinião, aprofundando ainda mais a relação delas. Mas enfim, não há duvidas que Emily escreve muito bem, cada personagem com personalidade tão diferente e detalhada que consigo imagina-los direitinho.

gabby

emily henry knows how to write cheesy rom com tropes. this is for the people

this is the first book in a long long time that made me actually sad when it was over. i did not want it to end. nora is one of my favorite characters, i love her and relate to her so much. this is going in my top 5 best books, as well as one of my favorite romance stories ever. 

emily henry also writes dialogue so well, the conversations between nora and charlie… the banter?! 10/10. this is my first emily henry read but now i need to go read all of her books. 

alice l

this is the first book in a long long time that made me actually sad when it was over. i did not want it to end. nora is one of my favorite characters, i love her and relate to her so much. this is going in my top 5 best books, as well as one of my favorite romance stories ever. 

emily henry also writes dialogue so well, the conversations between nora and charlie… the banter?! 10/10. this is my first emily henry read but now i need to go read all of her books. 

Catia

i really liked this book. it was so cute and for the first time i almost cried. i didnt get the epilogue. i enjoy her boon and her writting. 4⭐️

I enjoyed some parts and giggled at the bickering, but would I want to read more Emily Henry books based on her writing style? I don't know. Maybe I'll try more in the future, but not some that I am like. I must read every book by her. It was between okay and good, so it gets 2.5 stars from me

Angel 🖤

Saffana Nuraulia

Really lived up to the rom-com trope. Expected better though

Lili V Guba

Bethany s. 

Utter perfection. Every thread has a purpose, every sentence is meaningful. I loved the world built with so many carefully placed layers, the characters with such depth, the many different stories all coming together in an ending I didn’t see coming but is so beautiful and right it should have been obvious. I am obsessed with Emily Henry.

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