Name: Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia's review of Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Item: Book Lovers
Rating: 5
Author: Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia

Emily Henry

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.

Book Lovers

Mateja

That's what made me fall in love with reading: the instant floating sensation, the dissolution of real-world problems, every worry suddenly safely on the other side of some metaphysical surface.

Sometimes, even when you start with the last page and you think you know everything, a book finds a way to surprise you.

Maybe love shouldn’t be built on a foundation of compromises, but maybe it can’t exist without them either.

Not the kind that forces two people into shapes they don’t fit in, but the kind that loosens their grip, always leaves room to grow.

Compromises that say, there will be a you-shaped space in my heart, and if your shape changes, I will adapt.

Just because not everyone gets you doesn’t mean you’re wrong.

Nora is a cut-throat literary agent at the top of her game. Her whole life is books.

Charlie is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. And he's Nora's work nemesis.

Nora has been through enough break-ups to know she's the one men date before finding their happy-ever-after. To prevent another dating dud, Nora's sister has persuaded her to swap her city desk for a month's holiday in Sunshine Falls.

It's a small town straight out of a romance novel, but instead of meeting sexy lumberjacks, handsome doctors or cute bartenders, Nora keeps bumping into...Charlie.

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

“Of course I love you, Nora. If I loved you any less, I’d be trying to convince you that you could be happy here. You have no idea how badly I wish I could be enough.”

Jean Catolico

Is there anything worse than a man who thinks he’s above the laws of the social contract just because he was born with a decent face and a fat wallet?

That’s the thing about women. There’s no good way to be one. Wear your emotions on your sleeve and you’re hysterical. Keep them tucked away where your boyfriend doesn’t have to tend to them and you’re a heartless bitch.

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. 

Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia

Maureen

"Maybe I just say the right thing for you."

***

That's it. I'm calling Book Lovers as the BEST contemporary romance novel I've ever come across. My fave bookstagrammer, @ellereadsomebooks, wasn't kidding when she said this was her all-time favorite too. Not once have her reviews disappointed me and it's primarily why I was so ecstatic to read Emily Henry's latest novel in the first place.

For YA, my all-time would have to be Rowell's Fangirl. So I'm glad I finally found a fave book for this genre.

I've always been a hopeless romantic, and this book, I think, is perfect for readers like me lol. I really love the way Henry characterizes her leads. 

First, Nora. Truly, a strong and independent woman—something that isn't an uncommon archetype nowadays given our increasingly socially aware society. But what sets Nora Stephens apart is that she doesn't fold. Not for her lover, not for anyone— that is, except for her sister. Now this is a breath of fresh air! As someone who has a tight-knit relationship with her older sister, I really think Henry did an accurate job of portraying what it feels like to view your sister as your literal 'other half.' And I love her so much for it. 

Next, Charlie. Boy, is he the perfect male lead to me. Having also read Emily Henry's other novel, Beach Read, this novel just reinforced my love for the way she writes her male characters, i.e, their masculinity never feels forced (unlike in other books). Sometimes, I feel readers tend to overlook seemingly red flags from the male lead just because, overall, "he's a great guy." But Henry's male leads never overstep the boundary—you get the sense they're true men without them ever resorting to the need to trample on the women (even if in a joking way) just to prove how "manly" they are. Essentially, I love how her men don't settle for the bare minimum. Because isn't this what all women deserve in a relationship?

As always, I live for the top-tier banter in her novels. Similar to Beach Read, the back and forth exchange between Nora and Charlie doesn't disappoint. The best I've come across in writing! So witty yet perfectly natural that, in effect, the buildup of their relationship comes off as plausible. Charlie and Nora's chemistry. That's it.

Emily Henry's Book Lovers is definitely another meet-cute story—except it's packed with so so much more. Looking forward to reading her future works!

Linking my fave bookstagrammer's review on this book bc she explains things a thousand times better than I ever could. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cda0xbivV...

haewon

Morana 

DAMN! I SKIPPED LUNCH TO FINISH THIS BOOK AND I DON'T REGRET IT!!!

Enjoyable read but not the best Emily Henry book that I've read. I liked the main characters and their dynamic but the side characters were very annoying. For example Libby was acting like a 8 year old girl and not a grown woman.

The ending was a bit cheesy but nevertheless sweet.

Yega

Enjoyable read but not the best Emily Henry book that I've read. I liked the main characters and their dynamic but the side characters were very annoying. For example Libby was acting like a 8 year old girl and not a grown woman.

The ending was a bit cheesy but nevertheless sweet.

Mira <3

i liked nora and charlie a lot actually. i wasn't sold on their chemistry 100% but they had cute moments. i can relate a lot with nora, and her issues esp with the weird relationship w her sister that's fine to have when she's young but not a grown woman so like it was a good plot turmoil. the specific book talk annoyed, libby and her drama with her husband (?) annoyed me and i'd thought i'd laugh more if it was a romcom 🥱 like don't get me wrong there was some good banter if emily henry can do anything she can write good dialogue and the book itself was well written to be honest i won't lie, which i expect bc she has a good few books out that are doing well. i don't care about dusty and how nora needs to coddle her - they could've just talked about their jobs and w distance like i enjoyed all their job talk and then dusty 😞😞😞😞 and that stupid book they keep talking about like i do NOT care i feel like libby thinking her sister is lowkey an overbearing loser is enough to make nora wanna rethink everything. they could've dug into why she's a control freak a bit more and cause more friction between the sisters bc she seemed pretty laid back to me? overall enjoyable and i like that they both go back to nyc (the thought of staying in a town like that made physically ill, esp considering charlie knew that business was going down under) but not entirely memorable

Jennifer Gosnell

I LOVED this book. Could not put it down. The characters all felt so real and charming. Emily Henry is the master of chemistry writing and I have loved everything I’ve read from her. Loved it.

Aiko van de gaer 

bawled my eyes out while reading the last 50 pages

Emily McMeans

my second emily henry book after three years. — a friend told me “this would be very relatable if you’re the eldest daughter.” i am.

book lovers is an ode to those who were forced to grow up too quickly because of the hand life dealt them with. treated as another parent by a parent and not as a child. i hold nora very close to my heart, maybe it’s because i see myself in her.

emily henry writes love so beautifully so it’s only natural that i love the love in this book.

between nora and her job, you can sense her passion from a mile away; never giving up on the best deal for her clients.

between nora and libby, always forgiving, understanding, and going the extra mile for each other.

between nora and her nieces, doing everything she can to provide them with a comfortable life.

between nora and charlie, who both found a way to make their love work despite, despite, despite.

this might be my favourite book of the year yet. i’m glad i picked this up.

my second emily henry book after three years. — a friend told me “this would be very relatable if you’re the eldest daughter.” i am.

book lovers is an ode to those who were forced to grow up too quickly because of the hand life dealt them with. treated as another parent by a parent and not as a child. i hold nora very close to my heart, maybe it’s because i see myself in her.

emily henry writes love so beautifully so it’s only natural that i love the love in this book.

between nora and her job, you can sense her passion from a mile away; never giving up on the best deal for her clients.

between nora and libby, always forgiving, understanding, and going the extra mile for each other.

between nora and her nieces, doing everything she can to provide them with a comfortable life.

between nora and charlie, who both found a way to make their love work despite, despite, despite.

this might be my favourite book of the year yet. i’m glad i picked this up.

Ainsley Jeffery

everyone already knows that I’m a sucker for all of Henry’s books and that the female protagonists hit too close to home. loved it more the second read through

I LOOOOOOVED LOVED LOVEEEED everything about charlie and nora. individually, they’re relatable!! especially nora, who had to steel herself while dealing with grief and rebuild her life with her sister. while charlie felt lost and didn’t know where he belonged. as a couple, i finally get what people meant when they say they’re truly twin flames—BECAUSE THEY ARE! and usually that would lead to a lot of unhealthy clashes, but it was refreshing to see them SEE and understand each other better than anyone else. Opposites wouldn’t work with them.

There were times I was irritated with Libby, though. As a younger sibling, I felt she could have been more expressive and HONEST. both of them, actually, could have been more honest with each other. i’m glad nora was with charlie though. they truly read each other like books. I love them so much. I love their wits, banter, support for each other, fantasies, and realities they have realized. 

As for the plot, it was really comforting. I didn’t expect this to be a small-town romance, essentially. The scene descriptions TRULY FELT LIKE THEY CAME OUT OF A 2000s ROMCOM MOVIE. They were funny, romantic, and vulnerable with each other. That includes nora and charlie, and nora with libby.

I LOOOOOOVED LOVED LOVEEEED everything about charlie and nora. individually, they’re relatable!! especially nora, who had to steel herself while dealing with grief and rebuild her life with her sister. while charlie felt lost and didn’t know where he belonged. as a couple, i finally get what people meant when they say they’re truly twin flames—BECAUSE THEY ARE! and usually that would lead to a lot of unhealthy clashes, but it was refreshing to see them SEE and understand each other better than anyone else. Opposites wouldn’t work with them.

There were times I was irritated with Libby, though. As a younger sibling, I felt she could have been more expressive and HONEST. both of them, actually, could have been more honest with each other. i’m glad nora was with charlie though. they truly read each other like books. I love them so much. I love their wits, banter, support for each other, fantasies, and realities they have realized. 

As for the plot, it was really comforting. I didn’t expect this to be a small-town romance, essentially. The scene descriptions TRULY FELT LIKE THEY CAME OUT OF A 2000s ROMCOM MOVIE. They were funny, romantic, and vulnerable with each other. That includes nora and charlie, and nora with libby.

I adore this book SO much. It’s got so much depth not js a cutesy romance. I love the way it wasn’t JUST focused on Charlie and Nora and we got to see quite a lot of Nora and Libby and their perspectives. I think Nora realising that she’s a sister not a mother is so so so AHHHH genuinely that part healed a piece of me

Sohini Roy

exceeded my expectations. also, first book of 2023!

Sweet! One of the better light romances I’ve read 

Maria Fernanda Arnay

Tsamarah

The book is a bit underwhelming for me, it really didn’t surpass any of her previous work though it is still VERY beautiful. I love the relationship dynamics and how Emily Henry always manage to put a good character depth for us to like each character enough to root for them. She always knows how to make our heart flutters and lean towards a lot more healthier relationship development. 

The book itself did not show any improvements and always seem to derived from the same source material from what she had before. It wasn’t at all very groundbreaking or whatnot but it is definitely a good romance book.

Minahil Fatima 

not my favorite emily henry but she still ate down 

anna haskins 

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.

4.75 rounded down

I think this might be a perfect book. Why does it have 4.75 then? Well, when I compare it to the last contemporary romance I read this one while very enjoyable and it did steal a couple tears from me failed to make me... feel. As strongly. 

And that's crazy because in the last contemp romance I read there are more things I would change about than I would in Book Lovers but I can't control how I feel!

I will say both Nora and Charlie are so relatable though.

My first Emily Henry book and it’s a winner

Danielle Blandina

wow wow wow (except for the c*ho recommendation at the end)

arwen

Emily Wisnesky

I WOULD DIE FOR CHARLIE AND NORA OMG I LOVE THEM SO MUCH 😭 

(you can see how much I was obsessed with this book as I finished it in less than 24 hours) EMILY HENRY YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS

Hanna Rybchynska

Yup! Now it is my favourite romance book!

Chloé

4/5 would've been 5 if Libby didn't completely suck.
I feel like at this point Emily Henry is a automatic buy, I love her writing.

Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia &
Book Lovers by Emily Henry

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Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia &Book Lovers by Emily Henry

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Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia &
Book Lovers by Emily Henry