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.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the arc of Bookishly ever after by Mia Page.

My first Mia Page book, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I did however struggle to get into it at first, but I persevered and I’m glad I did. It was such a beautiful read, with a bit of tension thrown in. Recommended.

I'm a sucker for bookish books. Reading stories that have a bookish storyline will always pull me in.
Lexi Austen inherited her grandmother's bookstore in DC. As a bookworm, obviously she takes on the ownership of the bookstore. While managing the store, she's also trying to live life, find love.
Dating apps continuously fail her.
On top of that, the rival bookstore just up the corner was bought out a few years back and the store owner is just awful. Lexi watched him as he changed his store into some soulless chain-like box store. She decides to take a page from Jane Austen's work and makes a plan to charm him in hopes to knock him off his game, and save her shop.
This is a hilarious, enemies to lovers, bookish book that I truly enjoyed. There are also little to do lists, and a dog. Those are important!
I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC, and everything I've said above is my honest opinion. I cannot wait to add this book to my collection of "bookish" books.

3.5🌟
I enjoyed this book and the enemies to lovers vibe but towards the later stages their relationship becomes a bit like a yo-yo and you don't know what's coming next. I didn't really enjoy reading that aspect of it very much as it felt entirely predictable and a little toxic at times too with very little communication.

That being said, this book centres around books, book shops and booksellers so if that's something you like to lose yourself in then it's ideal!

In a way, it also represents the issue that a lot of independent bookshops, and shops generally, have had since the COVID pandemic.

A reasonably cute romance with some amusing parts and lots of hard times too.

As soon as I saw that it had so many Jane Austen references, I knew I needed to read this! It was set up for a very good plot, very You Got Mail-esque if you’re a fan of that movie.

However, I could not figure out if this book was meant to fully be in third person or first person as it switched from time to time. I didn’t believe the love story between Lexi and Sam as I don’t find that it was developed well. They are very much back and forth. While the tension is fun, it made me scratch my head a bit.

I was also confused with the timeline. There was no real fluidity between it and the chapters as well. It just ended very abruptly.

Again, it is a very fun book. The competition between the shops and what happens is a good time. Just wish there was more fluidity.

Thank you so much Avon Books UK and Mia Page for the ARC!

Bookshop owner Lexi Austen’s problems are stacking up. Her dating life is a mess and Sam Dickens – devastatingly handsome, arrogant, and fiercely competitive rival bookshop owner – is hellbent on stealing all of her customers.

Frustrated, Lexi turns to her shelves for answers. And what have the classics taught her? That when lovers start as enemies, there’s no distraction quite like love…
Lexi plots to charm Sam: she invites him to a ball (well, a party), drags him to a dance class (does it matter if it’s not a quadrille?) and swoons into his arms while taking a turn in the park (note: next time, make sure he isn’t holding a hot drink).
As their rivalry reaches scorching levels, it’s not just Lexi’s beloved bookshop at stake, but her heart too…
This is a cozy quick read...a fun read. Curl up in a comfy chair with a warm afghan, a cup of steaming tea, a delicious scone and enjoy...

An interesting read. I did struggle with the first half but it got better. Set in America. A story of two books shops who are in competition with each other . Lots of references to Jane Austin, romance, being British in America. Two strong owners who like each other. A nice read . A neat ending which I liked.