Unfortunately I couldn’t get into this book and the characters felt very flat to me. DNF’d at around 10%.

3.5 Stars*
I received a copy of this book through Net Galley.
"Bookishly Ever After" follows two rival bookstore owners: Lexi and Sam. Lexi loves the classics, especially Jane Austen, and she loves her little bookstore that she inherited from her grandmother. She lived a quiet life in her bookstore until Sam showed up and started stealing her customers. In a business that is already difficult, having extra competition just down the street could mean financial ruin, so Lexi devises a plan. Lexi is going to make Sam fall in love with her, just like the fair maidens of her beloved classics. However, Lexi never anticipated that she might actually fall for Sam too.
This was a such a wholesome and sweet romance. Lexi and Sam, though both quirky in their own way, are just all-around cute characters to follow. I think any book lover will find comfort in reading this story. For those that like more explicit smut on the page, this story might be a bit of a letdown, but I think this book did exactly what it set out to do. I also think it is a great suggestion for people who like more innocent romances.
This novel definitely relies heavily on bookish cliches, which some people might find off-putting because they are not original ideas or done in a fresh way. Both main characters run a bookstore, Lexi is a quiet woman who just wants to be able to have time to read more, there is a bookstore cat, and Lexi wants nothing more than to have a whirlwind romance straight out of a Jane Austen novel, just to name a few.
Lexi is your stereotypical main character who gets herself in trouble with the other main character. She has the idea to try to seduce Sam, which ends up failing because she falls in love with him too, and when he finds out that she was using him as part of a game, he is obviously upset, and the relationship swiftly ends. She is also a little too into her books. Lexi is an endearing character if you have not read a ton of books with a similar protagonist.
Sam is the picturesque guy, straight out of a romance novel. He is kind, even when Lexi does not deserve it. He goes out of his way to make her day or make her life easier. He also is always rooting for her success, even if they are fighting. I think he was a great stereotypical romance man, and a beautiful match for Lexi's sometimes chaotic energy.
The inevitable third act break up scene because Sam finds out Lexi started their relationship motivated by trying to distract him happened a little sooner than I would have liked. I felt like the story was just heating up, they broke up, and then it took a while for them to get back on track. I wish there was a little more build up.
This novel is not an original idea, but it is a fun time, and a sweet romance between two broken people who love books.

Whilst I did initially think this book was going to be a bit annoying (and it was in some places), I felt that overall it was a pleasant read. Predictable at times, sure but most books can be. I felt the book could have been maybe a quarter shorter than it was if we didn’t spend so much time reading about the bookstore needing to be saved and what it meant - this was very clearly identified in the first third of the book. I think it was a nice read, despite the above.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
5 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the stories in this book. Loved every single second reading it.

Well it's been a long time since I've disliked a book as much as this one. Dreadful writing, awful characters and really repetitive. It got to the point where I thought I might burn my kindle if I had to read about how the FMC had inherited the bookshop. It also really annoyed me that the FMC was always apologising to the MMC when often he was in the wrong! Almost didn't bother finishing this one.

DNF @33% - I think this book had a lot of potential, but it just needs lots of editing down. I couldn’t keep reading. The fmc is not super likeable (for example, it mentioning her not liking to share the spotlight and feeling “neutral” about dogs). I think the idea of rival bookshop owners sounds fun and I was honestly curious to find out how the mmc felt about the fmc, but there was just so much extra exposition, I couldn’t make myself pick it backup.
I liked the cute cover, but she describes herself as a “curvy” girl and the cover really doesn’t give that.

The main female character is so insufferable like I had to put the book down. I was really excited for the novel as the opening feels like a "You've got mail" premise and I really enjoyed that movie. But the characters and writing are so bad it was hard to want to keep reading.

I was every excited on starting this book . A Bookshop and Jane Austen. it sounded like the perfect combination. What could go wrong. Unfortunately it went wrong with the outlandish plot which bordered on the ridiculous at times which was a pity as the idea of a Jane Austen fan owing a bookshop is a great one. There are a lot better books of this genre out there.

to be completely honest, I really didn't enjoy this.

I thought it would be really fun but it was slow, could have been better hashed out and really not for me.

I liked the setting and really want to visit the bookstores but that's where it stops for me, sorry!

This book is just fantastic, I absolutely adored our main characters and their enemies to lovers storyline full of plot twists.
As someone about to open an indie bookshop this whole story had so many bits I was highlighting and chuckling about.
The author has created a whole believable storyline, so much so I'm convinced both shops exist and if I jump on a plane I could go and visit.
Definitely recommending this one to anyone who loves books, bookshops, cute love story's and frustrating MCs!

A nice little, simple to follow story, was a little slow to follow at times and i didn't really adhere to the characters. But, never one to be defeated I stuck with it until the end and thought all in all it was ok.

A bookshop themed slow burn rom com that has all the addictive features of a genre classic (although they are not always executed successfully).

Bookishly Ever After was a slow-burn, addicting, romcom. It took me a bit to jump in to the story, but then I couldn't put it down. There were times that there were time jumps that weren't well defined, but that is my only critique! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this free advanced readers copy. All opinion shared in here are my own.

I am greatly appreciated that netgalley approved of me to get this arc. The premise was interesting but , I couldnt get into the story. I wasn't a huge fan of the femal character .

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an advance copy of this book.

Unfortunately for me, after chapter 19 I am having to give up on this book and mark it as a DNF. I can't relate to Lexi at all and the repetitiveness is not something I wish to continue at this moment in time. I may come back to this book at a later date, but for now it's not for me.

The concept is amazing and I was really looking forward to this book, however I think fans of a more 'Austen-esque' (yes I've made up a word) vibe will thoroughly enjoy this chick lit romance.

I do agree though that everyone needs a bit of Hugh Grant and Colin Firth at times, they are my guilty pleasures too!

This book wasn't for me. Usually bookstore settings always do the trick for me!! But unfortunately, the characters and the writing fell a bit flat for me :((

thank you to netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review 🫶

When I saw the title of the book I knew that I had to read it. The story was ok and easy to follow but a little slow in places. Once I got past those places, it picked up a bit. I did feel that the characters were a little flat. Overall, an ok read that other readers may enjoy.
💖 Thank you to Avon books, netgalley and the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't do it. The FMC was absolutely insufferable. This book put me in a reading slump and I ended up missing the download window for a book I actually wanted. I can't recommend it at all.

This was very cute!! I really enjoyed reading and will so reread it again soon, I really liked it

The dialogue was witty and cute, the romance, the characters was so cuteeee

This was a cute enemy to lovers about two rival bookshop owners. It was kind of slow at first but picked up about half way through. Lexi is trying to save her bookshop that she inherited from her beloved grandmother and Sam is her biggest competitor.