An enjoyable read about a non-book lover who inherits her grandmother’s beloved bookshop, and a romance author seeking inspiration for his next novel in the beauty of Colorado.

Although there wasn’t as much romance as I was initially expecting, I did appreciate the mix of different relationships that were explored (romantic, platonic, self, familial) and overall Drew’s journey as she undertakes ownership of The Book Nook.

To be honest, I found ‘dreamy author’ Jasper Williams a little underwhelming; there was a stark contrast between how developed Drew’s character was in comparison to Jasper. I couldn’t actually tell you what he looked like or anything about his past, just that he writes romance books.

I thought the romance was sweet but nothing outstanding, which made it a nice easy read. I will say it’s not all lighthearted and fun however, as we see Drew grappling with the grief of her Grandmother’s passing and her self-exploration into what her future holds.

Overall, an average read for me - 3 stars.

If you like


Romance
Bookstore
Nature walks
Cute guy


This book HAD IT ALL

Chef’s kiss.

Another good read
Perfect book to curl up with and to get lost in
Will have you hooked from the first page
Thanks NetGalley

In 'Better Than Fiction' by Alexa Martin, love takes centre stage in a delightful tale that combines the enchantment of a bookshop, the magic of romance, and the joy of unexpected connections. Martin weaves a heart-warming narrative that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and a renewed belief in the power of love.

What sets this book apart is the delightful meddling of a group of mischievous old ladies who form the Book Nook's resident book club. They decide to play matchmakers, adding a dose of humour and mischief to the story. Their antics create the perfect backdrop for a budding romance.

'Better Than Fiction' is a story that reminds us that sometimes, real-life love stories are better than fiction. Alexa Martin's writing is infused with charm and wit, making it a delightful and heart-warming read. The book explores the theme that love can be found in unexpected places, and that it doesn't always follow the script we imagine.

As Drew and Jasper's relationship unfolds, readers will find themselves rooting for this unlikely pair and eagerly turning the pages to see where their journey leads. 'Better Than Fiction' is a captivating and enjoyable tale that celebrates the magic of books, the power of love, and the joy of finding the unexpected in life. Alexa Martin has crafted a delightful story that is sure to warm the hearts of readers.

I couldn't get on with the characters - which is a me problem, not the writing. 3 stars because i couldn't get into it.

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!

A book-hating bookshop owner and a hopeless romantic author discover that love isn't always by the book in this charming bookish, opposites-attract romantic comedy, I’m so sad it's over. I could have read another sixty chapters . . . A fantastic read!

I have to admit I didn't finish the book - I read until ~80% and then I decided I suffered enough and dnf Better Than Fiction.
But I also think the reason I dnf it was a me problem. I just couldn't stand the main character and I wasn't feeling the romance at all. The premise sounded so cute and I love the cover but I was really struggling to feel sympathetic towards our main character, mostly because she was always whining about what a mess her life was, when it was actually pretty okay if you ask me? Like, yes it sucks that her grandmother died, obviously. And that she felt like she had to keep the bookstore running like her grandmother wanted it but apart from that, her life wasn't that messy? The relationship with her sister was getting better, she had a good support system with the bookstore, a nice best friend. Where is that messy? And also just her inability to talk to the love interest about anything regarding their relationship. I just hated some scenes and decided near the end I just didn't care enough to finish it. Because even though I liked the love interest better than the main character, I also disliked how she described him as this super good looking guy all the time that every woman was fawning over. And yet, I just didn't feel the chemistry between the characters.
Overall I'm a bit disappointed I didn't love Better Than Fiction because the synopsis sounded so promising and cute, I love books about books(tores) and authors but this one just fell flat for me.

This was a fun and cheesy romance that offered a lovely palette cleanser between books. While at times, predictable, this read still offered a charming tale featuring some fun side characters that offered humour and wit. One thing that stood out, was the pacing felt off. The beginning dragged in parts, but the ending felt rushed and moments that could have offered character development were rushed over.

My Review: Drew and jasper are a vibe. They are so beautifully written characters. The chemistry is good for most of the part but sometimes it feels forced. The sister and the friend both are well fitting in the story. It is slow paced at the beginning but the ending feels rushed as to how it works between the FMC & MMC. It's sweet and cute , best suited for the holidays. All the sweet rom-com fans will love this book.

My Recommendations: Hallmark fans will love this sugary sweet romance.

My Rating: 3/5

What a cute read, I loved the idea of someone who isn’t a big reader inheriting a bookshop and then having a romance with an author! Although a little cliche at times, this book was a fun, easy read and I was definitely rooting for Drew and Jasper’s HEA!

Thank you to the @headline for a review copy of this book via NetGalley!

I really tried with this book, I wanted it to be a cute little romance about a bookshop owner who discovers the true meaning of love. Unfortunately it didn't hit that spot at all. The characters didn't work for me and I found the early stages of the book dragged so much I couldn't finish it.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read but felt it was lacking in some areas. I absolutely loved the meddling old ladies, they were witty and sassy and everything I wanted the other characters to embrace. Setting a book in a bookshop is always a delight, I just wish Drew had grown to love the bookshop as much as I hoped she would.

I wanted this book to be a cute, wholesome, bookish romance but it lacked the charm to keep me interested. I was not a fan of the immature writing style and I thought there were too many pop culture references peppered in. Moreover, the plot often jumped forward in time without warning, skipping over moments that could have helped develop the characters.

I had major issues with the heroine, Drew, who only got progressively more annoying. I wished she had shown some sort of personal growth over the novel, but she finished it pretty much the same as the way she started.

I was not enamoured by the romance. It felt underdeveloped and rushed. My main gripe was that I couldn’t understand why Drew thought that her relationship with Jasper was doomed from the start. Moreover, the couple's chemistry wasn’t palpable. In fact, I found Jasper to be quite a bland character. His attractiveness was repeatedly commented on, as was his writing talent, but he lacked personality.

I liked many of the side characters, particularly Drew’s supportive best friend Elsie (the novel’s MVP) and sister Daisy. However, I felt like Drew’s relationships with those in her orbit weren’t fleshed out enough. Specifically, her grandma’s group of friends, the ‘Dirty Birds’, were definitely underutilised. They added warmth and unexpected energy to the scenes they were in but those moments were few and far between.

There wasn’t a true source of drama within the plot until Drew decided to make problems for herself, especially during the third act. I couldn’t really get behind Drew and wasn’t rooting for the love story.

OVERALL: Unfortunately, this novel lacked the charm and wit to get me invested in its romance. I didn’t find myself sympathising with the heroine who seemed to keep making drama for herself.

Scheming old ladies, a stubborn heroine, and a lovestruck hero... What could go wrong? Set in the most delightful bookstore that I would kill to work in, this is a story about a woman who doesn't think she loves books, and a man who will work hard to help her find the love. I loved secondary plots, the family dynamic that was as entertaining as it could be painful. An absolutely lovely novel that is for everyone who has ever loved a book and a bookstore.

A charming bookish love story, equally romantic and funny. Drew inherited her grandmother’s bookshop and the quirky book club that has been coming there for years, despite the fact that she doesn’t read and believes the “movie was better”. Jasper is a famous romance novelist and is stuck in a rut while writing his newest novel. ⁠
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They meet during a reading Jasper is doing at the bookstore and come to an agreement; Drew will read one book off Jasper’s list of recommendations for every undiscovered Colorado sight she takes Jasper to so that he can learn more about the area as the setting for his next novel. ⁠
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I loved the banter between them, even as they moved on to divulging their tragic backstories pretty early on. I loved Daisy, Drew’s half-sister, their dad’s favourite, and her best friend Elsie, who’s wrangling 4 small children while trying to be a good friend. I also loved the book club of Drew’s grandma’s meddling friends, the Dirty Birds, they were so refreshingly funny and definitely a group that would be infinitely beneficial to have in your life while also increasingly annoying. ⁠
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The main characters have really great chemistry, their worldviews are contrasting but complementary, like puzzle pieces. Where one has an opinion, the other can fill in any missing gaps and they work well as a team. This couple is endgame for me, I would love to follow their story forever.⁠
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I highly recommend this to all bookish rom-com lovers and this should go to the top of your TBR and you should put it on your Christmas lists. Plus, just look at that cover!

This was such a fun little read. Alexa Martin has taken the ultimate bibliophile cliché (finding love in a bookshop) and added her own stamp, choosing to have her (slightly frustrating) female protagonist be the owner of bookshop who, drumroll please... hates reading!

Enter a best-selling romance writer who just happens to be rather good-looking and well... you can guess where this story is going! Although, at times, a little bit predictable, I still really enjoyed myself. There was plenty of chemistry, some outrageous flirting and some real laugh out loud moments! A great and easy read for anyone hoping to find love between the pages. 📖💕

This was such a lovely romance story. I loved the setting of the bookstore, owned by a non-reader. I could have a whole other book just about the old ladies bookclub. They were something else.
I do wish the main character was a bit more likeable.

Show me, don't tell me!
What is the point of setting up a great scene, only to cut at the start of it to after the fact where we have to read about it. I want to experience what the character is experiencing. I want to see them fall in love not hear about it afterwards.

DNF at 45%.

I didn’t hate this book in the slightest, I tried to give it a chance I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters or the story.

The premise is great and I was really excited for it, they only started the whole deal at around 40% and Drew herself was just a bit bland for me. Jasper was just too perfect to be true. I didn’t particularly like the writing style and some of the phrases used really pulled me out of it. I don’t want to hate on this too much so I’ll leave it there.