A Novel Love Story is based in the town of Eloraton which is a made up place by the main character Elsy's favourite author. There is a Narnia element that meets Ground Hog Day with a lovely noval twist to it. I totally love a small town romance and it really plays into this. 

Elsy is at a point in her life where everything in her life seems to be passing her by. Whilst everyone else is getting engaged or has a milestones moment, she feels lost and left behind. She's unable to find the same happiness and move forward because her past keeps holding her back. The old shoulda woulda coulda that I think everyone feels from time to time. Exploring this theme with Elsy is very raw and I felt I could relate to her anguish.

A Novel Love Story is very self aware and discusses some interesting points about love stories. When there's a HEA what is actually next? Is it smooth sailing? What of someone has goals but settle for their lives goals? I liked exploring this and it's was like looking behind the curtain.

I really enjoyed the male love interest, Anders. Anders is a grumpy bookshop owner who doesn't also seem to fit with Eloraton either. I found him funny and loved how impressed he was by Elsy's antics. I did enjoy the relationship evolution of emenies to lovers. Ashley writes relationships that feel authentic. His little reveal at the end was not what I expected and we executed really well. I hadn't guess his story.

How Ashley ends her books has always been something I applaud her on. Leaving the reader with message- for me I think this hope. Hope for happiness, whether it be finding love or healing from grief. I feel her writing does heal the soul in this aspect.

I would highly recommend A Novel Love Story and I'm sure it will not disappoint the Ashley Poston lovers out there.

This book was a slow burner for me but once I got into it I loved it! It's almost a dream situation, ending up in the location of your favourite book series. This is so well written, it's funny and heartfelt and just felt like someone giving you a huge cuddle - well done!

📖: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5/5
🥵: 🌶️/5

A Novel Love Story is about Eileen (Elsy) Merriweather, as she finds herself stuck inside the small town setting of her favourite unfinished romance series. As she meets in real life the characters she has known so well on the pages of her books, she finds herself directionless and wanting to stay forever.

I loved this story so much. It really brought to the forefront the idea of a 'happily ever after' Vs 'happy for now' as Elsy interacts with characters whose own stories were finished. Anders, the MMC, is the only other person who seems aware of the fact this is a fictional town and is also the only unknown character to Elsy. She assumes that he was supposed to be the MMC of the 5th and final story, and therefore tries to resist her growing feelings for him.

There was so much heartache in this story: Elsy feeling lost in her own life, left behind by her friends, heartbroken over her broken engagement, and of course Anders' own heartache. It brought so many different aspects of these feelings, and I sobbed for a lot of the end of the story!

I was initially unsure about the appearance of Bea, another element of heartache in this story, but ultimately I understood why it happened. I loved that Anders and Elsy found their way back to themselves first, and without the promise of the other person waiting. They did it for themselves and because of that, they were able to find each other again.

Overall, a brilliant and emotional read. I will definitely be reading more by Ashley Poston.

A very different idea for a book, I really enjoyed it.

Elsy loves to get lost in romance books, and belongs to a book club that has an annual retreat to read their favourite books on repeat. When the rest of the club members are unable to go for the week, Elsy decides to go alone. After a car issue, she finds herself in the small town of Eloraton - the setting if her favourite novels. The story progresses as she meets local Anders, who doesn't feature in the books. Can Elsy work out what is happening to her and why, and who Anders is?

The book is packed full of fabulous characters, and a cosy setting. I really enjoyed trying to work out what was happening alongside Elsy. There was however one section just before the end that I didn't like, but overall a fun read.

I couldn’t wait to read this. I loved the whole idea of a book within a book. This gave me exact same feels like the seven year slip, with the magical realism. I absolutely love the imagery in AP’s books. Some parts of this book were quite slow and it dragged in some chapters BUT I ended up actually enjoying this cozy read.

I loved the MC’s Elsy and Anders. When things got going they were good. There could’ve been more pining with them but overall it was nice. There was even a few giggly moments and some humour. The tour was magical and it was the best part for me. The little details that were added to this chapter was pure bliss. You know when you’re just so happy for the characters and you can’t stop smiling. This was it.

As a delusional romantic this was a really cute rom com story. I did not expect that twist! I had fun reading this and I’m sure others will too 🩷

Previously, I have quite enjoyed Ashley Poston’s novels - Seven Year Slip was one of my favourite reads from last year. However, there is something about the plot of A Novel Love Story that didn’t work for me. I can understand what the author was trying to do with this book, but I don’t think the execution landed well for me.

I did enjoy the twist at the end explaining why Ander’s was in the town - up until a point near the end of the book. I won’t spoil it, but it felt like an unnecessary addition so close to the end of the book. It was just a bit of a downer.

Thank you to Netgalley & Berkley for a copy of this ARC.

This book is absolutely genius! Sheer perfection! The best rom com book I've read this year. It just makes so much sense to a romance reader it is like living the dream. 1 million percent recommend

Absolutely amazing! The perfect book for a romance reader and anyone who is recovering from a broken heart and needs to reminded to believe in love again! Ashley Poston can do no wrong! She just keeps getting better and better, I also need her to write the Rachel Flowers books! I need them to exist! Highly recommend 4.75 stars!

A Novel Love Story is the brand new book by Ashley Poston (aka one of my favorite romcom authors) and is coming out on June 25th!!!
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Elsy loves to get lost in romance books because they all have happily-ever-after’s and the men don’t leave you at the altar. She looks forward to her annual book retreat, she needs the getaway and the cheap wine and grand romantic gestures.
When her car unexpectedly breaks down on the highway, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels a little familiar, and like it’s straight out of novel... because it is.
Eloraton isn’t real, it’s the town of her all-time favorite romance series and it’s perfectly frozen in time, trapped in the late author’s unfinished story.
Elsy feels like she knows everyone in town, everyone except the grumpy bookstore owner with mint-green eyes, an irritatingly sexy mouth and impeccable taste in novels. And he does not want her finishing this book.
Which is a problem because Elsy is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.
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When I tell you I love Ashley Poston’s novels I’m NOT kidding! Each of his books is heartwarming and perfect. Even A Novel Love Story didn’t disappoint me and that’s all I was looking for! A super cute small town romance enemies to lovers and grumpy x sunshine, a charming and hot bookstore owner, a story about books and lots of laughter!
The author has managed to write a real ode to romance readers and for all those who get lost between the pages of the books and seek comfort in their favorite stories and series!
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Thanks to the author, Netgalley and HQstories for providing me with this ARC!

Three stars for this unusual and unique romance read.
Eileen has been standing still in her life since her heart was broken, years ago. Everyone she loves is moving on to bigger and better things and her only comfort is her favourite series of romance novels. Determined to escape, she heads out on a solo road trip only for her car to break down somewhere so familiar that it’s almost as if she has stumbled into the setting for her favourite books….but surely that can’t happen can it?

What this book does really well is the bookish escapism - what bookworm hasn’t imagined what it would be like to wander round the setting of their favourite book? (If you need me, I will be in Velaris. Please don’t need me 🤣). I loved geeking out along side Elsy as she meets her favourite characters and hangs out in the diner she has read about so often.

For me to be blown away by a romance novel, I have to be so emotionally invested in the novel that I live it along side the main characters. Much as I enjoyed the book, I didn’t get that experience.

I also liked trying to solve the mystery of how Elsy came to be in this alternate universe. I had a theory and I was so far off the mark. It was good to be wrong and to have that surprise.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Magical, beautiful - I absolutely loved it. I’ve enjoyed all of Ashley Poston’s books - she really is the queen of high-concept romance.

I loved the sound of this book because who wouldn’t want to get lost in their favourite bookish town?
I think Ashley Poston is a great writer but I didn’t love this book. Maybe I expected something different and that’s ok. It just felt very slow and I personally found it a little dragged out and didn’t enjoy the plot twists.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Romance with a dash of magical realism, A Novel Love Story follows Eileen Merriweather who unexpectedly finds herself in Eloraton, the fictonal town of her favourite romance series; frozen in time from the late author’s last novel. Alongside grumpy bookstore owner Anderson, Eileen starts to untangle the painful emotional mess that brought her to town in the first place and come to realise that the end to her own story is more linked to Eloraton’s than she expected…

I loved reading this; the setting and the premise felt so real, like I could truly drive into Eloraton myself. This is definitely a romance for the bookish girls who fall so deeply love with the worlds we read about. It’s also a love letter to the author-reader relationship; Eileen is our narrator but the fictional author of Eloraton’s many live stories still bears on the story. I think it was a nice look into how a story can change when it leaves the cradle of its author and steps out into the world; how each if us mould the world we discover slightly differently.

Eileen and Anderson’s dynamic throughout the book was so cute and also — most importantly— believable. They had just the right amount if grumpy and sunshine that made their falling in live so sweet but also realistic.

Also I NEED the Quixotic Falls series to be real!

This was cute and fun and I LOVED feeling like had been transported into a romance novel. Yet another great read from Ashley Poston and I’d recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this arc in exhange for an honest review
*spoilers ahead*

A novel love story follows an English professor who gets lost in a rainstorm, and accidentally ends up in the fictional town of her favourite novel series. Eileen discovers that the town in frozen in time, thanks to the author never finishing the story. However there is one character she doesn’t remember, the bookshop owner, who doesn’t want her help to finish the book and unfreeze the town.


It took me a little bit to get into this book and once I did I didn’t put it down! I loved the way she described his eyes as mint green, I’ve never heard that before and I love it so much!

This book was just wholesome and all around cute! I felt that the plot was well thoughout out and paced really nicely. I didn’t find any flaws or holes - all in all, it was a top read for me. This might be my new favourite Ashley book, I’m definitely buying the paperback when it releases!

It was my first time reading an Ashley Poston and, honestly, it was a beautiful surprise! My expectations were high but fortunately they were met. I found this story to be so dreamy, cute and intense at the same time. What I liked most were definitely the main characters, especially Eileen. Her journey was incredible and I really appreciate all the development we got to see, I think she's a very relatable character.
The premise just draws you in right away because it's basically a book about books and who doesn't love that? I was afraid it wasn't gonna be done well, but it really was. Even though it's not a realistic situation, the feelings felt absolutely real.
I'm making a mess of explaining my thoughts and feelings, but overall, just read this book! so so good. I didn't even get to talk about the romance because I think it's best to go in blind but just know that I was, in fact, giggling and kicking my feet.
Not a five stars just because I felt like I wanted a little bit more of the story itself, but I can't really pinpoint what was missing.

*Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers for the ARC*

Ashley Poston is one of my all-time favourite authors, and I squealed when I got accepted for this ARC; I absolutely adored both The Dead Romantics and The Seven Year Slip; the latter having become one of my favourite books ever.

I can't lie, though, I wasn't wholly sold on this one at first. The first 40% I was just waiting for it to hit - IT being the unequivocal love that comes with reading Poston's writing. I didn't feel as instantly drawn in by the characters; the plotline was nice, but I thought I could already see where it was going (spoiler alert: I was wrong).

But then, as I got further into the world of Eloraton, I just fell in love. Everyone started coming together, the romance started romancing, and it was utter bliss.

AND THEN, the twist happened, and I was like, "Oh my God, how could I have been so stupid to not think this was going to be AMAZING," at which point I flew through the last 100 pages in an hour.

Elsy wasn't my favourite FMC I've ever read, but she had incredible character development, and I'm also really jealous of her (yes, of a fictional character), because she got to live in her favourite fictional town. That'd be like me taking a wrong turn and ending up in Chestnut Springs, I'd literally die dead.

Anders, though - book boyfriend written as the ultimate cliche book boyfriend, and I love love loved him. The right amount of grumpy but secretly a sweetheart for someone he cares about. Gorgeous, brooding, and he owned a bookshop. Perfect. I eventually adored his entire character arc, but he was absolutely full of surprises.

There's also just something so incredible about books about books and book lovers - they're my absolute favourite.

I was really excited to read this book, the premise of the story is unique- and I know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but can we take a moment to appreciate the cover design!!!

However, sadly this book fell kind of flat for me. The idea of being transported to the setting of your favourite books is amazing in theory but I felt no interest for the secondary characters in the book and couldn’t connect with their stories. I felt there was zero chemistry between the main characters so it actually felt pretty random when they got together? I recently read The Seven Year Slip and had the same issue. There was no pining, no build up, just you’ve met this guy and are in love with him within the space of a couple days??? The love interest was supposed to be stoic but instead I found him stale. Also the repetitive descriptions of his ‘minty eyes’ were driving me insane.

I am sad to give this book three stars- despite the repetition, the writing was enjoyable and Ashley Poston has some intriguing and unique ideas but the execution just wasn’t there for me. If you’ve enjoyed her other work and enjoy magical realism, I do think you should give it a go!

I was so excited to read this book and rightly so. I could not put it down! I thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed this and even my husband knew it was going to be a 5 star read before I finished it just from my reactions and the way I spoke about the story as I went along. I hadn’t read any of Ashley’s books prior to this (even though I have The Dead Romantics and The Seven Year Slip both sat on my tbr shelf, oops) but definitely will be devouring them next. This book had everything for me and more and the twists and turns and ‘a-ha!’ moments just made me want to keep going but also stop because I didn’t want to finish it! I am so so grateful for the opportunity to read this early, thank you so much Ashley, HQ Stories and NetGalley for access to the eARC! 💜✨

DNF at 31%. I really tried but this was so boring my brain felt numb every time was reading it.

I was looking forward to this so so much, I adore the concept but not the execution. From the blurb I was hoping it would be like the song Fictional by Khloe Rose and the introduction was off to a great start, it was very nice and atmospheric but the rest fell flat. I didn't think about the book once when I wasn't reading it and even that was just trying not to skim because I was so bored. The entire thing just felt very surface level especially the characters.

I love the idea of escaping from reality and being transported to your favourite book and the atmosphere that brought to the story was gorgeous but that just wasn't enough for me. The magical element, the transportation, didn't make much sense and it was really weird how it wasn't questioned at all by the main character.

There was absolutely no chemistry between the main characters and, look, for me to say that is truly saying something. Eileen's inner monologue was honestly painful and Anders was completely uninteresting. I was promised Darcy and it was not delivered.
I did not care about any of the side characters one bit. I get that Eileen knows about them but there was no meaningful connection made between the reader and the characters it was like she was handing out flashcards about each of them. A lot of telling and not showing so I just had no interest in them.
And Prudence (Eileens "friend") sucks? And at one point I half expected her to end up being the former love interest the way Eileen droned on about her.

This also seriously needed an editor if it didn't have one or at least a word count. There are apps out there for word counting please use them and that is coming from someone who doesn't usually notice repetition.

Overall this was just a huge let down, I was so looking forward to it and I really really tried to enjoy it but just no it didn't deliver at all.