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.-

Review

I think this might be one of my favorite books of the year. It’s definitely my favorite book like Emily Henry. There was something raw, romantic, and emotional about Book Lovers. I had planned to space this read out; however, I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.

Nora Stephens described herself as the woman who the male lead in a book leaves in favor of the small town girl they met while away on business. She’s the hard-working woman in the city. The “shark”. The person who succeeds at getting her authors the best. One day, her exhausted younger sister suggests a girl trips to a small town in North Carolina, and they create a checklist to complete. While there Nora runs into Charlie, an editor who rudely passed on a book she had pitched two years earlier.

This story felt oddly familiar. It’s set in a small town. With sort of a dislike to lover’s vibes. There’s hilarious moments and witty banter, and small town antics. But it’s so different. It’s not a Hallmark movie. This story is about Nora’s journey. Her journey as she navigates through the different roles, she believes that she plays within the lives of people who are in her life and who were in her life. The romantic aspect of the story just so happens to be a part of Nora’s arc—weaved along as she discovers who she is.

Charlie is perfect. He might have seemed like a jerk at first; however, as Nora spends more time with him and finds out who he really is. She learns that he’s witty, and caring. And the perfect match for Nora. In a way, they both are so similar. Both are ambitious and competitive, and harness such a believable love story.

I really enjoyed her relationship with Libby and Nora. They lost their mother at such a young age, and that caused Nora to step up and be the mother figure in her life. There was a moment at the end of the book, and I couldn’t help but sob. The conversation with Nora and Libby and the feelings between their upbringing was just so emotional. I think it’s something relatable to so many older siblings, especially older sisters, in the world.

Final Thoughts

Book Lovers was an incredible story about Nora Stephens as she discovers self-acceptance, finds love, bonds with her sister, and comes to terms with what she wants.

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