I loved The Dead Romantics and The Seven Year Slip so this was a highly anticipated release for me.. sadly I was very disappointed.

It took me weeks to read, in the end I’ve had to sit and force myself to get through it. I found it boring and repetitive- mostly the amount of times the name Liam was mentioned and the constant mention of Anders “minty” eyes (I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with minty eyes by the way).

I did like the premise of the book but I didn’t care for the characters, the plot or the romance.. it didn’t even feel like an Ashley Poston book if I’m being honest.

Ultimately this one just didn’t work for me but I will read her next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely charming and written with Ashley Poston’s usual wit and warmth. I loved the small town vibes and visiting all the Eloraton locations alongside Elsy. What a sweet love letter to romance novels.

This was my first Ashley Poston read and I have to say she’s carved her niche really well. A warm, comforting blend of romance and fantasy which manages to stay on the right side of cutesy, this is the perfect book to escape to when when the world feels too much. And, coincidentally, it’s literally about escaping into your favourite book – complete with the town’s most eligible bachelor. 4/5.

I love that Poston always errs on the side of slight fantasy in her romance. There's something so fun and sweet about how she writes!

honestly, i think overall, my main problem with this book is simply that it felt too quirky/twee for me. i could just FEEL how hard this book was trying. this was one of my most-anticipated releases of the year, and while i will definitely still continue to read from ashley poston in the future, i was not a fan of this one

Dnf at 50% this was fine but I fell into a slump and never returned to it. The vibes were interesting and liked the magical side to it but not sure if I will return to read the rest

This book perfectly captures what it is to be a book lover through and through. It's written for the people that wish they could escape into their favorite fictional world when life gets to be too much, for the people that find comfort in books.

While this was personally a. little too whimsical for me - it was a plesant bit of escapism as long as you don't take it too seriously. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'getting lost in a book' and a plesant change from more serious genres.

I love Ashley's books so much though I don't love books ABOUT books, but this is an exception. Ashley's writing is so warm and fun, and I love the magical realism touches she puts into her stories. This was such a fun read and I can't wait until she publishes her shopping lists or her next book, all of which I will read!

A great novel love story!!

Small town romance, with brilliant quirky characters. Also has a great plot.

This author is a go to for me!

I'm a HUGE Ashley Poston fan and I loved The Seven Year Slip, but this felt like a totally different author who had just put Ashley's name on the front cover.

The sheer volume of how many times we hear Anders has minty green eyes (is that even an eye colour) was exhausting. To have it repeated page after page after page was way too much.

I found it such a kick in the teeth, and so discredible, that Elsy (how that became a nickname for Eileen I will never know) took Anders back, for doing the same thing her ex fiancé had done to her. Girl have some self respect.

Hopefully Ashley Poston finds the magic again in her next book, because I didn't find it here.

I couldn't get into this at all, and actually DNF'd at 30% :(

It felt like I had read this before, that it was a mish mash of authors trying to convey one singular book, and it just didn't feel like Ashley Poston at all as I love the 7 year slip.

Although I am not Ashley Poston's typical reader, I have been a lover of her previous two books (both were 5 stars). Sadly, I didn't love this as much. The 'magic' system and what makes Ashley's books unique were missing for me this time and I wasn't a fan of how the love interest tied in to the story :/

I do think this is a love letter to the romance girlies and would still recommend it!

This really does what it says on the tin - a genuinely fascinating novel love story. And what a lovely one too! Quirky and fun, teeming with characters you’d love to be stuck in a small town with, not to mention some fabulous plot twists. Utterly loved this!

Spectacular! Ashley Poston is a contemporary fantasy genius.

I adored The Dead Romantics, its uniqueness in a time where nothing was really flourishing in contemporary paranormal romance/fantasy was undeniably refreshing. It was faultless, honestly. Then The Seven Year Slip came along and the nerves began rising - can it be as good? It ended up somehow better? Then A Novel Love Story was announced and I’m thinking “can Ashley Poston really blow us away a third time and it be just as good?” The answer’s yes. Always yes if it’s Ashley Poston!

I truly hope she never stops writing these kinds of books.

I loved the concept of this book. It felt cosy and romantic and so whimsical. I love that Ashley Poston writes books that are not the typical tropes and storylines, but yet still give you all the feels of a great romance novel. Another book I really enjoyed

Eileen (Elsy) is off on a solo holiday when none of her friends can make it. She stumbles on the town where her favorite series of books is based, a place she thought was fictional. As she gets to know the familiar characters, she meets some new ones too, but will any of them get a HEA? A great read.

I was thoroughly captivated by this book. The writing is exceptional, drawing me into a world where the boundaries of reality and fantasy blend seamlessly. The author's use of magical realism, though unfamiliar to me, was handled with such skill that it felt both refreshing and enchanting.

The story’s exploration of romance and deep sadness was profoundly moving. The emotional depth and complexity of the characters created a narrative that resonated with me on an unexpected level. The way the author navigates these themes is both delicate and powerful, offering a portrayal of love and loss that is both raw and beautiful.

Furthermore, the dual timelines in the story are interwoven with remarkable finesse. This narrative technique adds layers of intrigue and complexity, enriching the overall reading experience. The transitions between past and present are smooth and enhance the depth of the story.

Overall, this book offers an immersive and deeply engaging experience. It’s a testament to the author’s talent and creativity, and I eagerly look forward to reading more of their work.

a super fun concept and a cozy time. it just didn't give like the way it could have, didn't feel connected to the characters or romance, which was nearly non existent, and i think the magic should have been explained even a little bit.
i haven't absolutely loved any of ashley postons books, this may be the end of the road for us :(

A Novel Love Story is a brilliant concept. It follows Eileen Merriweather- a college lecturer who loves romance novels- the happily ever after kind where she feels safe and nothing bad happens.

On the way to a book retreat her car breaks down and she is trapped in a cozy town and people that feels oh so familiar- like her favorite book series. Soon she is caught up with helping the town move on, working through her own grief and falling into her own love story- whether or not the grumpy book store owner wishes it.

When I first heard the concept it sounded amazing and Ashley is a go-to author for me as The Dead Romantics is brilliant (and I loved the nod to this within the story but no spoilers). However this book did fall a little flat for me- the romance was a bit too slow and a lot of descriptions of “minty green eyes” which felt a bit overkill. Time would have been better spent on developing the character a bit more.

Overall it was a fun read ticked a lot of boxes, cosy small town romance, a bit quirky, fun characters and magical realism.

Thank you so much Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.