BOOK LOVERS

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐁𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: 𝟑𝟖𝟒 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 : 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐌𝐲 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

My excitement soared when I first saw the captivating cover of "Book Lovers" by Emily Henry, and I eagerly anticipated a literary journey that would immerse me in the world of bibliophiles. As I progressed through the pages, however, I became increasingly disenchanted with the story's slow pace and lack of appeal.

Nora is a ruthless and highly successful literary agent who lives and breathes books. Her entire world revolves around the written word. On the other hand, there's Charlie, an editor endowed with the extraordinary ability to craft bestselling novels. He happens to be Nora's professional rival, a thorn in her side. Nora, having experienced enough heartbreaks, has come to believe that she is the woman men date before they find they are happily ever after. In light of this, her sister convinces her to trade her city desk for a month-long vacation in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. It's a charming town straight out of a romance novel. However, instead of encountering the expected array of attractive lumberjacks, dashing doctors, or adorable bartenders, Nora finds herself continuously crossing paths with none other than...Charlie.

If only the book had solely centred around them. However, besides their story, the book also delves into Nora's intricate dynamics with her younger sister, Libby. While I acknowledge that the exploration of their relationship was well done, I personally found it difficult to invest in. The narrative dedicates a significant amount of attention to Nora's bond with Libby, overshadowing her romance with Charlie, which should have been at the heart of the story. As a result, the book lacks the desired balance, especially considering its marketing as a romance where Nora's connection with Charlie is not given nearly as much prominence as her relationship with Libby.

Our protagonist, Nora, wasn't an ice queen as portrayed. She was merely a dedicated workaholic. Despite this, everyone unjustly labelled her as cold-hearted. In reality, Nora was a practical individual and a competent agent. There was nothing inherently wrong with her approach. Frankly, she came across as a rather uninspiring character. The author incessantly emphasized her supposed coldness, but all I witnessed was a pragmatic person excelling at her job. How is that a flaw?
As for Charlie, he was fairly decent, but there isn't much else to say about him.
Libby, on the other hand, proved to be quite immature. She behaved more like an unruly ten-year-old brat. Despite her sister's affection, she continuously found reasons to complain. Did she not understand Nora's dedication to her work? Libby's pushiness and selfishness were glaring.
And let's not even begin discussing Dusty. Although she had minimal presence in the book, my strong dislike for her was palpable. Who writes a book about their agent without seeking permission? Moreover, the portrayal of the agent in a positive light, despite being talented and hardworking, reeks of unprofessionalism.

This story dragged its feet through mundane conversations and unnecessary details, resulting in sluggish pacing. Ultimately, "Book Lovers" did not live up to my expectations. While the cover art initially drew me in, the slow pacing and unremarkable writing style left me feeling uninspired. If you're looking for a book that truly captures the essence of bibliophilia, I recommend exploring other options first. A major drawback of this book was my lack of emotional connection to any aspect of it. When reading a romance novel, I expect to be emotionally engaged, whether it's a delightful and light-hearted affair or a tumultuous and gripping experience. 

My Rating:

2.5/5

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