The idea of this book stuck out to me because it sounded like something I would really enjoy. However, the book as a whole and the dialogue at times seemed off and didn't really flow. I did find myself getting a bit overwhelmed at times with the inner monologue of the main characters. I did enjoy the chemistry between the main characters was there and I loved the pop culture references. Overall, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.

2.5*

It was an okay read. There were some themes I liked (Austen v Dickens, rivals to lovers, etc.) but overall the characters, particularly the FMC felt quite childish. While I could relate in some ways, there were others where I felt we were worlds apart. I also wasn't a huge fan of the third-person narrative. However, that's not to say everyone would feel the same, so I'd say give it a go.

An enjoyable story, with likeable characters and a fun premise! I'm not very keen on 3rd-person-present, if I'm honest, so the narrative style wasn't quite to my taste - I find it a bit intrusive and distancing at the same time. And I wanted a bit more depth in the characterisation of Sam, in particular - it's never clear why opening a bookshop was his 'dream', and it was weird that Lexi never actually asked. That said, as a bookseller, I loved the setting - Pemberley Books was absolutely somewhere I could see myself working! - and the struggles Lexi had as someone not wholly 'of' her birth country, and slightly adrift as her DC support network grow up and ostensibly leave her behind, make her a very sympathetic protagonist. A fun read which is likely to appeal to Austen fans and book lovers who enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for allowing me to read this ARC.

Lexi Austen and Sam Dickens own rival bookstores in Washington DC, and in this book, we see them battle it out for the top spot on Capitol Hill.

Filled with delicious moments of cheekiness, flirtatious banter, and chemistry, this novel is sure to find immense popularity and success.

Bookishly Ever After is enriched by the consistent references to other romance books, such as The Hating Game, and Persuasion. The author's enthusiasm for the genre is obvious not only through these references, but also through her brilliant execution of an enemies to lovers romance.

really enjoyed this book, the characters were intriguing and the story was engaging. I'll look out for more by this author.

This story started promisingly, with an enemies-to-lovers, rival bookshop owners’ plot: And I do usually love books about books. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fathom the outlandish plan Lexi came up with to get ‘back’ at Sam for trying to make his business a success - it felt a little childish and unnecessarily manipulative; especially when he was quite nice to her initially. Unfortunately, the situation merely represents the issue that the majority of independent bookshops, and shops in general, are facing today. I didn’t particularly like Lexi at all, I couldn’t relate to her and so unfortunately this book was a miss for me. Thanks anyway to NetGallery and Avon books for allowing me to get an early copy of this book, which is out on 6th June 2024.

This isn't my usual type of book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the characters and the setting - bookshops ate my regular haunt and I'd love to own one so this book really resonated with me. More please Mia.

Title: Bookishly Ever After by Mia Page
Release Date: June, 6th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

Bookshop owner Lexi Austen finds herself facing multiple challenges, including a messy dating life and fierce competition from Sam Dickens, a rival bookstore owner determined to steal her customers. Drawing inspiration from classic literature, Lexi hatches a plan to turn their rivalry into romance. She invites Sam to a ball, takes him to a dance class, and finds herself falling for him despite their ongoing competition. As their relationship heats up, Lexi must navigate the complexities of both her beloved bookshop and her own heart.


The story starts slow, taking some time for me to engage. The protagonists, Lexi and Sam, come off as somewhat immature at times, and Lexi's motivations for her actions remain unclear. The narrative also suffers from occasional issues such as disjointed conversations and unclear narration style, switching between first and third person. The timeline feels inconsistent, lacking fluidity between chapters, and the ending feels abrupt.

Despite these drawbacks, the book offers some enjoyable elements and incorporates appealing tropes, making it a fun read overall.

Tropes:

Rivals to Lovers
Miscommunication
Slow Burn Romance
Bookish

Thank you to the publisher Avon Books UK | Avon,The Author Mia Page & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Bookishly Ever After is a sweet, heartfelt romance about two bookshop owners, Sam and Lexi, who are slightly bitter rivals but of course they’re attracted to each other.

I loved the set up for the book, and I had a great time relating to Lexi’s thoughts about how everyone else talks very differently from British people, especially the banter. She was very relatable. Sadly, the book wasn’t quite for me. Part of it is that it’s written in third Person which I don’t rent do like in romances. That’s of course a totally personal preference and really does not reflect the book itself; it’s just a note because it would be rated much higher if i had different preferences. I also wasn’t quite happy with the conflicts in this book. Both of them reacted in very childish ways and the way they don’t really communicate but just break up irked me. I’m not a big fan of miscommunication/too little communication. Overall though, this is a super sweet book about book people falling in love, and who doesn’t enjoy that.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Unfortunately this was not for me. I found it quite repetitive and the ending felt a bit too quickly wrapped up. I did love the idea of Austen vs Dickens.

I'm a sucker for a book about books and the premise of the story won me over. Enemies to lovers and rival Bookshop owners what more could I ask for.

After a slow start the story does pick up pace and I'm glad I perservered as it was quite a fun and enjoyable read. I also found the relationship between Lexi and Sam and bit boring in the end as I think there was just a little much too-ing and Fro-ing. Honestly I just never knew was too expect next and thought I really couldn't relate in anyway.

Writing wise I wasn't sure if it was meant to be in 1st or 3rd person as found it switched quite often. 🤔

Despite all of this like I said it was a fun read and other people who enjoy bookish books and familiar tropes might enjoy it.

I had really high hopes going into this book but unfortunately this was a DNF at around the 20% mark.

It felt really immature and I just could not get past the Austen and Dickens last name, I found it quite cringe.

I usually don't mind a 3rd person book, but in this case, it just didn't flow very well and I just couldn't get into the story at all.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

I wish I could say I was a fan of Bookishly Ever After, but I was not. The story was just a little too cutsie for me and the main characters were immature. Phrases used like "what the dickens" are what I mean by too cutesie. Many characters in books are immature, but for some reason, it was all I "saw" when I read about each of them. Whether it was personal decision making about her life, or professional, Lexi's responses made her reactions seem that of a high schooler. (at least to me). I had a hard time getting through it. The story stretched out unnecessarily for too long.

A cute, uncomplicated read, but ultimately not quite my thing.

My biggest issue with this book is that I am not a fan of third person, present tense narration. It almost always takes me out of the book and makes me think too much about the actual mechanics of the writing. It rarely flows well. I wish I could give a more thorough review, but the writing style detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

Aside from that there were little issues here and there. Both the protagonists seemed fairly immature at times. Lexi’s motivations for her initial interactions with Sam are still murky, and she never comes clean about the full extent of her plan. There was a conversation that jumped from one subject to another, like a few lines were missing.

There were a couple of bright spots: Sam and Lexi do have good chemistry, and I loved al the bookish/pop culture references.

Thanks so much, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Bookishly Ever After” is a fun enemies to lover rom-com. The story is set in the Capital Hill neighborhood of District of Columbia. Being a Washingtonian since birth, author Mia Page, did a wonderful job capturing the neighborhood and vibe of Capitol Hill area. I just adored this element. Also loved the story revolving around bookstores. The main character Lexi has
Inherited her grandmother’s book story and her love of Jane Austin. Rival bookstore owner, Sam, starts to poach some of Lexi’s customers with new marketing ideas. But yet there’s a spark between the two of them. Great, easy read to get lost in. Thank you to Net Galley and Avon publishing for this ARC. Put this on your list to read. Coming out June 6th 2024

I really loved the idea of this story, but the book and writing felt like it was a YA trying soooo hard to be adult. It felt repetitive at times, with Lexi saying the same thing over and over. Some scenes felt like they were cut short, abruptly changing to a different setting and time even though the previous conversation didn't feel finished. The sex scenes were a little lacklustre, as if the author was too afraid to go into detail- it just came across as awkward.

But the story overall was pleasant and entertaining, if you ignore that the writing feels a bit amateurish

It's cute. It's cheesy. It's an enemies to lovers rom-com. Bookishly Ever After starts off with an interesting premise, quirky bookshop owner Lexi Austen is after a love connection, but is being picky about it. Quite rightly, she doesn't want to settle for anything less than the best. Sam Dickens, the rival bookshop owner with a gorgeous bottom is a pain in the bottom and so to get her own back at him, she decides to make him fall in love with her.

I've got to admit, this is where I stopped reading. I just couldn't understand the main character's logic or motivation to follow this plan through. It seems unecessarily cruel and manipulative- especially when the target's only faults that I've read so far are that he's running a rival buisness, and when you take into consideration that the poor guy's just had a messy breakup.

Bookishly Ever After sounded like it would be up my alley, but unfortunately the pacing was a bit on the slow side and didn't hook me the way I hoped it would

Lexi and Sam are rival bookshop owners who, due to the economic impact of the pandemic and rising inflation, struggle to keep their businesses afloat. In order to beat Sam, Lexi plans to seduce him - and who better to turn to, than Jane Austen for that matter? So Lexi plans to give a piano recital (but she must learn to play first), take him out dancing (but salsa, not quadrille), and swoon into his arms.

The outlandish premise sounded like a fun ride at first, but I have to admit that it quickly got tiresome. There was something off with both the flow of the book and the dialogue that felt unnatural and forced. And the sheer amount of mental gymnastics with Sam and Lexi’s thoughts and feelings really annoyed me. Still, this was a quick and easy read, so people who love lighthearted bookish books and Jane Austen sprinkled in might enjoy it.

Many thanks to publishers and NetGalley UK for this ARC.

I love a good enemies to lovers, but there were points where this book gave me whiplash. Which are we, again? It was a constant back and forth. I loved Tessa as a character, and the commentary on DC as a city was pretty authentic and funny. Sam was…. Fine. I think he could have used more of a backbone and better communication skills, but that’s just me. Ultimately it was fun to watch them fight and fun to watch them get along, which is really most of what I was looking for. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc. Round up to 3.5.