Book Lovers

Book Lovers is a must-read for fans of the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, though with a clever twist. The novel follows Nora Stephens, a sharp, career-driven literary agent determined to avoid all the clichés of romance novels -only to find herself living through them with ironic self-awareness. From longing gazes to steamy encounters, the story embraces every familiar beat of the genre, while simultaneously poking fun at its own conventions.

This is only my second Emily Henry novel, but I was pleased to see Nora stand out as a headstrong protagonist, which I didn’t feel was the case with the female lead in Funny Story. Nora is a determined city girl who finds herself in Sunshine Falls, a charming small town that feels like a nod to Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow. The quirky residents and amusing town events offer a lighthearted contrast to Nora’s often pragmatic personality. Observing the town through Nora’s eyes adds a layer of humour and simplicity to the town, which I found entertaining. Charlie, Nora’s business enemy come love interest, brings a sense of realism to the often-idealised portrayal of small-town life. His grounded perspective, paired with Nora’s sister Libby’s romanticised view, makes the town feel vibrant and multifaceted. Together, these elements create a charming setting that is thoughtfully developed, enjoyable and endearing.

Like Nora, however, Sunshine Falls didn't quite live up to my expectations. Despite its initial charm, many of the secondary storylines began to feel like filler as the book progressed, existing primarily to add mild tension and construct a semi-complicated relationship between the main characters, which can be a common trait in this genre. The relationship between the Stephens sisters, which initially seemed central to the narrative, fizzled out towards an unsatisfying conclusion. My main issue was that I struggled to connect with Libby, who came across as one-dimensional and, at times, self-centred. Additionally, I didn’t feel much warmth for the professional relationship between Nora and her client, Dusty. Although Nora’s workaholic tendencies and interactions with Dusty framed her connection with Charlie, they felt less like professional exchanges and more like Nora was 'mummy-ing' Dusty. On reflection, there are noticeable parallels between Nora’s relationship with both Libby and Dusty, which do help reinforce her protective, steely traits. However, this may also explain why both characters fell flat for me.

By comparison, I felt Book Lovers excelled in keeping me in anticipation of how Nora and Charlie's inevitable romance would play out in what was set from their first meeting to be intense and electric. Both characters felt complex and nuanced and being able to see them grow to understand one another was a delight. The chemistry between the two also leapt off the page and the teenage girl in me was left blushing and giggling as the attraction between the characters was palpable yet grounded by a sarcastic and teasing banter that is proving to me a signature of Henry's. As we drew nearer a conclusion I was still unconvinced as to the decisions Charlie and Nora would make. While their indecision and back-and-forth could have been frustrating, it instead created a strong sense of longing. I was rooting for these highly rational characters to finally throw caution to the wind, even as they grappled with their internal conflicts and the awareness that their love story seemed to be 'book-like' and defy their usual logic.

Although the book fell short of its potential in creating a fully immersive world, I appreciated the cozy, light-hearted setting. It provided a fitting backdrop for what makes the book so beloved: the romantic relationship at its core. While I understand the hype, I couldn’t help but feel that the novel didn’t completely hook me. It could have been about 20% shorter, re-framing some of the rocky family dynamics and instead focusing on heightening the conflict and tensions between Charlie and Nora before their heartwarming conclusion. Nonetheless, it was a sweet and enjoyable read.