And yes, “the romance gods” would be proud!!!

5 stars for a wonderful romantic story where once again the “Opposing magnets are the ones that draw together.” and make for the most interesting stories when written well. And this one certainly delivered.

I confess to feeling disappointed in the first 100 pages wondering what all the fuss and hype was about. Then the book moved up several gears in just a few pages, and I found myself another one of those ‘Book Lovers’ that loved the ‘Book Lovers’. I will go as far as to say this is probably my favourite RomCom novel this year. Here are the reasons why

1. We had some serious themes without being too heavy, which gave the book depth and purpose. The themes blended perfectly with the storyline and the characters. Sister relationships, parentification, loss, grief, ambition with broken and strained relationship at the heart of the story.

2. A solid romance that builds slowly as two people get to know each other, coming from being arch-rivals. Same old troupe? It did not feel like it. The story brought the perfect blend of love, sexual tension, and the theatre without any of it overplayed or sentimental

3. The characterisation was excellent with all characters likeable but imperfect but not with the same old flawed characteristics we read about too often. They felt real and believable

4. The build-up in the story inspired a hungry turn of pages and I found myself captivated and absorbed in storyline. Nothing felt rushed not even the two lovers getting between the sheets which all added to the intrigue.

A brief summary of the plot.

There are many shades to Charlie, the arch nemesis of Nora. Small town boy who seeks a better life in the big city. The book starts with Charlie this once quiet, unfocused boy, precocious, and resentful boy returning as the sharp-edged man trying to fit back into his childhood home and environment. A place he never belonged to begin with.

Now take Nora who returns to North Carolina with her pregnant sister Libby, who appears to be having relationship problems of her own. The relationship building between the two sisters was a bonus side line to the story that could easily have been just about Charlie and Nora. Adding more detail to the storyline would only spoil the surprise, needless to say Charlie's and Nora's paths cross, clash and unite as we see the future unravelling for true soulmates.

A final thought.

“The tropes, the archetypes, the common plot twists all start to organize themselves into a catalogue inside your brain, divided by category and genre”, until a story comes along like Book Lovers, that adds more meaning and depth with real themes that accompanied that all important feel good factor. Positives that compensated for the very neat and convenient ending where everything slots perfectly into place.

Thoroughly enjoyable, perfectly written and highly recommended, to keep the romance God's proud!!!