A love letter to romance readers. This was my favourite read of the month. Ashley Poston can do no wrong. I sobbed, I laughed, I smiled the whole way through.

4.75 stars ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the early e-arc of this book. I love Ashley Poston's books and this was one of my anticipated books of this year and it didn't disappoint at all! I loved how it was set in a small town and the main location was a bookstore too. I will definitely be reading this again!

I have loved this authors earlier books and I thought the premise for this one sounded great, and then I started reading it. Unfortunately for me, it just completely missed the mark. I didn’t care for the characters, and I kind of found it to be annoying as opposed to engaging.

This book truly is a love letter addressed to those who find comfort in stories during those times when life got too hard, and those who find pieces of themselves in their favorite characters. I am proud to admit that I am one of those people. Reading this reminds me of all of my favorite books, the stories who have helped me pushed through some of the hardest moments of my life. I am grateful that somehow, these stories helped put my feelings and thoughts into words.

This story and the characters, "fictional" or not, will stay with me for a long time and will definitely be another comfort read I find myself going back to in the future because it feels like a warm and comforting hug. This is my favorite Ashley Poston book so far!!

I loved the premise of this book - avid romance reader takes a wrong turn during a rainstorm and ends up in the fictional small town in which her favourite books are set. But I'm very much not a fan of insta-love, and also not crazy about enemies-to-lovers, and this has both of these in spades. The insta-love was a particular problem for me, as there doesn't seem to be anything that might attract Elsy to Anders or, indeed, vice versa. The ending was shaping up to be really strong and genre-defying, as Elsy left Anders in the smalltown and returned home to make positive changes to her life on her own. Sadly (and spoiler alert), the inevitable happened and they lived happily ever after, which I felt was really a shame, as the book could have done something interesting critiquing said insta-love by showing that it doesn't necessarily play out into long-term happiness.

Thank you NetGalley and Ashley Poston for the opportunity of reading an arc copy of A Novel Love Story

This book, this story was so unique compared to other books I have read, the concept was so fun. This story is set around Eileen, living in her favourite Romance book - I mean I’ve often dreamt of being the main character in my favourite romance book many of time. I adored Eileen’s fangirling reactions to all the characters was so funny.

The romance between Eileen and Anders liked it but didn’t love it, there was something missing and I’m yet to figure out what it is…, I couldn’t connect with them.

However, what I absolutely adored about this story and what captured my thoughts and feelings was how much Eileen’s background resinated with me the most , you have your world planned out and then suddenly you are left living in the unknown, not knowing what you want in life.

Ashley Poston continues to write compelling characters who face emotional challenges brilliantly. However that being said nothing compares to the seven year slip that book just hugged my heart and still hasn’t let it go.


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Thankyou so much to Ashley Poston and Netgalley for the ARC.

Ashley Poston broke my heart, warmed my soul and had me kicking my feet. Her stories will forever live rent free in my head, just like

My first book by this author, although I do have another book of hers waiting to be read. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I did like the sound of it and I loved the cover! We meet Eileen Merriweather who is going on a book club retreat. She's supposed to be going with her friend, but she has let her down, so she's going on her own. However, her car breaks down on the way and she finds herself stranded in a small town which seems strangely familiar. After spending the night there, she realises the town is Eloraton, the town in her favourite series of books, and everything is just the same as in the books!

I enjoyed the beginning of this book and liked Eileen's character. I did feel sorry for her though being let down for her book retreat. I also liked Anders's character, although it felt like it took ages for him to reveal what was going on and how he felt. It took me a little time to understand the concept of the book and how it was written, but I liked the idea of it even if it felt like it didn't work as well as I thought it would. It did feel, however, that things were repeated a lot and I did find myself losing interest in the story.

Whilst I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped, I will still read the other book I have as I've heard too many good things about this author to give up with one book!

3.75 ☆ I’ve previously read two of Ashley’s books and loved them both however, this was a very slow start for me and it wasn’t until around the 40% mark, I actually started to enjoy it. the writing was wonderful and so descriptive, I could picture everything. I really liked the story, it was unique and interesting, I mean who wouldn’t want to end up in the town of their favourite book series with all the main characters? I enjoyed all the characters too, they were fun. I adored the focus on books, how your favourite book can come along at any time and be so unexpected but then change your life, then how book characters can make you feel so seen and special. reading is just a beautiful thing to be able to experience.

unfortunately compared to her other books, I just wasn’t fully connected with elsy and anders as a couple, I thought they lacked chemistry and although there is a romance aspect, it read more like women’s fiction. so even though this wasn’t my favourite It was still an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend.

tropes:
- fictional small town
- magical realism
- cosy vibes

thank you NetGalley for the arc.

A Novel Story by Ashley Poston
I give this book 4.75 stars.

Eileen Merriweather is so excited for her annual book club retreat – instead, when her car breaks down en route, Eileen finds herself in Eloraton. A town where every meet is cute, except for the grumpy bookshop owner with mint-green eyes, and an irritatingly sexy mouth.

I went into this blind and enjoyed if far more!
I was drawn immediately into this captivating book by Elsy who loves reading and talking about books, what a perfect main character!
This author always creates a unique read to transport you into each of her books and I got totally lost in this one. A small town setting and a grumpy handsome bookstore owner called Anders,another big tick from me. As you may have guessed I absolutely loved the concept,the main characters and all of the town’s inhabitants.I don’t usually highlight but there were so many quotes in this book that resonated.Beautifully written with a touch of magic this, book was wholesome,charming and fun. I highly recommend.
With thanks to Netgalley,Ashley Postin and HQ for my chance to read and review this book

This is such a poetic book. It is caught between Eileen’s imagination and the author of a book that she has stumbled into. It is a little bit mad, but the romance. And the whimsy makes this book just beautiful. Life doesn’t always work out, people die, people don’t do what we want to make the plot of our own lives work out, and this plot explores all of that. A great read with a good dose of serendipity running through it.

3.75 ⭐️

This book is for romance readers and for everyone who believes their favourite book characters exist.
I feel like so many romance readers will see themselves at least a little bit in our FMC because of the way she talks about books and the comfort they bring. This book honestly feels like so much more than just a romance. It’s about self-discovery and self-worth, and that magical feeling when you pick up a perfect book and feel at home.
 
I have to say that the first half of the book did feel slow. I felt like there needed to be more plot points or issues for the FMC to encounter, which would have just made it slightly more fast-paced and made me care a bit more about the characters. The romance was very grumpy x sunny, so I understand the MMC wasn’t going to be over-the-top complementary, but the tension could have definitely been built up more. It went from the MMC just helping out the FMC and honestly not showing any romantic interest in her to them kissing suddenly. I also felt the repetition of how green the MMC eyes are and how he smelled felt slightly overkill.
 
However, in the last 40% of the book, it really made up for it. The romance really improved, and you could actually tell they both liked each other; there was more of a bigger plot going on and the start of a build-up to something being revealed. Some of the quotes were really beautiful and amazingly written. I loved how all the little pieces came together at the end. The pain I felt just before the end had me close to tears and made it almost seem like it wasn’t going to be a happily ever after, which was breaking my heart. The cameos in some of her other books had me so excited, especially as the seven year slip is an absolute favourite of mine.
So overall, the first half wasn’t the most enticing, but the second half completely made up for it. It’s a really cute, fun, magical book, and I would definitely recommend it.

I love how Poyton always writes very unique stories, the magical realism always quite ‘out there’ but different to your average romance! Unfortunately I think the chemistry between the two characters was missing and that made it difficult to enjoy the story as it was intended. The FMC’s love of books was a lovely nod to us readers though!

Eileen has put her life on hold since a devastating break-up. When she sees pictures of her ex's wedding, she heads off for a week in a remote cabin. On the way, however, she gets lost in a storm and finds herself in a town she recognises, full of people she feels she knows. Somehow, she has stumbled into the world of her favourite author who left the series hanging due to her untimely death. There's just one local she can't place. Should the the next book have been the story of his romance? After a rocky start Elsy and Anders become aware that they are falling in love - but should they act on their feelings or will that jeopardise the lives of the unwitting players?

Part romance, part fantasy, part time-slip, part philosophical discussion of what love really is, this is an interesting book that I was happy to invest time in. I could wish it hadn't been quite so long and that the ending wasn't so rushed, but I'd happily recommend it.

This book deserves such a long in depth review for being one of the most creative things I’ve read in a long time. But I simply cannot find the right words to describe it, without spoiling it for anyone. What I can say is, I loved this book. It was sweet, and funny, a little spicy and little bit mindblowing too. An all around wholesome and fun read. I am absolutely jealous of everybody who will get to read this for the first time in June.

This author has a knack for writing small town romances and I loved this little world she created, literally. All the characters were fun, especially Anders, who is definitely one of my favorite book boyfriends in a hot minute. All the grumpy x sunshine vibes promised, was delivered upon and the romance was just out of this world. It truly had me sobbing like a baby.

This just might be my favorite book from this author so far.

I will ALWAYS read everything Ashley writes.
Her words are poetic and magic all rolled into one. Once again, she has written a book I adored.

It took me alittle longer to get into this one than with her two previous books, but once I did, I was swept away in another romantic, swoon worthy story.

I loved the small town setting and the attention to detail. And there's no doubt about it, Ashley can hold her audiences attention.

I think alot of people are going to fall in love with this book this year! And I really enjoyed it.

The premise really intrigued me, it sounded interesting and unique. The Seven Year Slip was a 5 star read so I had high hopes however this fell a bit short for me.
Elsy finds herself on a solo road-trip to the cabin her friends hire yearly to enjoy their love for a book series based in the fictional town of Eloraton. On the way she finds herself stranded in a small town, this is not just any town, she soon discovers she has somehow stumbled into the setting of her favourite book series.
I found myself struggling to connect with Elsy in the first half of the book however not knowing how she ended up there (dream, accident etc) did keep me intrigued. Also why was Anders the only person who she didn’t recognise.
The last half of the book was lovely and the romance really started to develop. I guessed correctly who Anders was, it was at this point where the whole storyline came together.
Ashley did deliver one of my favourite book quotes…..
“Some books are a comfort, some are a reprieve, others a vacation, a lesson, a heartbreak. I’d met countless stories by the time I read a book that changed my life”
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC

Ashley Poston has an amazing talent for storytelling, specially within storytelling itself. Once again she gives us a cute, heart breaking story with amazing characters and a premise that any reader has dreamt about.

A book about a book is always a good idea, especially when there is a great amount of romance in it.

When I first requested this book I had no idea what it was about and I had so much fun reading and figuring the plot out, which is why I highly recommend to just read it! I completely loved it!

But if you need a hint, here it is!

What is every readers dream? To visit the town and meet the characters of their favourite book series, imagine if you could actually speak to your favourite couples and live with them in said town, while actually exploring everything you had already read about!

For Eileen this is her reality, she somehow got lost and found herself inside a fictional world. She can see and experience everything she read about in the books. The one thing she can't place is the grumpy bookshop owner that she keeps bumping into.

As in every book by Ashley Poston you can expect some magic, humor and of course a wonderful, wonderful romance!

I was swept away in this book and couldn't get enough of it, the plot is unique but also very familiar in a lovely way. It is a difficult book to review without spoiling it so just read it and then come talk to me about it!


* I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stumble into a town straight from a fairytale? Or even better, from your favourite romance novel series? Ah, I know you have (I speak now, dear reader, directly to you), and know you’ll love this book.

A Novel Love Story follows Eileen, a literature professor, on her annual leave and on her way to a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere to read and relax. Until she starts having car trouble and tries to find the nearest mechanic, only to stumble upon Eloraton - the town in all her favourite books. But the town is in limbo, as Rachel Flowers died while writing her final manuscript. Eileen is stuck in Eloraton until her car is fixed, and decides she can bring about the happy ending in this unfinished work. But there is one character, a grumpy bookshop owner, who she can’t quite place. Who keeps getting in her way - he doesn’t want this book finished. Which is a problem because Eileen is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.

This book was sweeter than the sugar taffy described in its pages. I loved the setting of the quintessential perfect small town, and loved getting to know the side characters and their backstories Eileen knew from memory through reading the books. However, it was maybe a bit too sickly sweet? And that’s coming from me. Idk. Perhaps being harsh, but it was very sweet and a bit too insta-lovey for me. But that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it! I definitely did. Poston’s work feels like a warm hug, but so far The Dead Romantics is my reigning favourite of hers. But can’t wait to read more by Poston!