“Why aren’t you quiet with me, Red?” he pressed. He took a step toward me and then another.
“I… don’t…” I stammered. The words were just above a whisper and he had to lean down to hear me, putting him solidly in my personal space, which was a very bad thing because the urge to grab him by the lapels and kiss him was like the call of the void, that bizarre urge to jump when standing on the edge of a high place. I shoved my hands into my cost pockets, thwarting the impulse.
Love at First Book is a swoonastic bookstore romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet.
Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.
Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy. He manages Siobhan’s bookstore, and the grouchy bookworm clearly doesn’t want Em around.
Emily persists, and spending her days bantering with the annoyingly handsome mercurial Irishman only makes her fall more deeply in love with the new life she’s built – and for the man who seems to soften toward her with every quip she throws at him. But when she discovers the reason for Kieran’s initial resistance, Em finds herself torn between helping Siobhan find closure with her series and her now undeniable feelings for Kier. As Siobhan’s novel progresses, Emily will have to decide if she’s truly ready to turn a new page and figure out what lies in the next chapter.
I’m a sucker for a rom-com that takes place in a bookstore. There is just something so magical about two characters falling in love while being surrounded by books. This book takes place in the same world as Jenn’s previous book, Summer Reading. In this story, we follow Emily (also known as Em or Red), whom we met in Summer Reading; she is Sam’s best friend. The opening pages start with Em having a mild panic attack because she has travelled across the ocean to start a new job in a small town in Ireland. A move this shy bookworm would never have imagined she would be brave enough to do. Em is going to be working with her favourite author, as well as working in the local bookshop. I really liked this book and its characters. Things move along at a great pace, so my attention never drifted off. I loved the location in which this book takes place. Who wouldn’t love to spend time in a small, charming Irish town? Jenn perfectly captured the essence of that small-town charm and quirkiness. It was delightful learning different Irish sayings and traditions.
The overall story, was perfection. There is this great balance of romance, laughter, and heartbreak. You really cannot help but connect with the story that is unfolding on these pages. I loved Em; if she were real, I know we would be bookish kindred spirits. She has travelled to Ireland to help her favourite author, Siobhan, write the final book in the Tig McMorrow series. Anyone who was a bookworm when they were young will understand Em’s passion for the Tig McMorrow book series Siobhan has created. Just think of those children’s book series that often have that big impact on kids (Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables, The Golden Compass, The Lighting Thief, etc.). Now imagine that series never being finished. The horror! Reading Tig McMorrow as a child helped Em in so many ways growing up. She found comfort and love in the words Siobhan wrote. I understand Em’s passion and her longing to know how this series will end. Her reasons for being so passionate about the Tig McMorrow series is something many bookworms, young and old, will be able to connect with. The relationship between Em and Siobhan was so sweet and heartwarming. I loved every moment these two were together. Em is also learning to spread her wings for the first time. Em’s life has been dictated by her mother’s needs and wants for most of her life. Em had been living her life not for herself but for her mom. I also love watching a character blossom, and Em’s journey really was heartwarming.
The romance in this book is perfect for those bookworms who love good enemies to lovers, forced proximity, work-place, and vacation love story. I adored these two characters because there is nothing better than watching two bookworms fall in love. The dialogue and banter between these two were fabulous. There are so many wonderful bookish quotes and references. I loved watching these two try and stump each other over random bookish questions. Besides all the bookish-themed banter, there is also that sharp banter that often exists in an enemy-to-lovers relationship. I don’t know what it is about that sharp and prickly banter, but it sure is pure catnip for this bookworm’s soul. The relationship between Em and Kier is not smooth sailing, which is pretty typical for an enemies-to-lovers relationship. Mistrust and misunderstandings are the main sources of conflict between these two.
Love at First Book is such a satisfying rom-com that I would read it again and again.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
