Ooh I loved this one so much!! I have literally no idea why this isn’t on everyone’s fall/autumnal reading lists as it brings ALL THE VIBES…
We’ve got
- Ireland in the Autumn/Winter
- Rainy misty cold days
- a cozy cottage with a warm fire
- a bookstore setting
- a cozy cafe

I mean, could we get more cozy autumn/fall vibes than that! This is honestly such a heartwarming read.
If you saw my last post you’ll have seen that I don’t like any kinda sadness/illness in books and it’s definitely nodded at in this but it’s done in a really - important for the story way- if that makes sense and I found it actually very comforting and beautiful the way that story line plays out.

I absolutely adored the two (three technically) main characters, the bookstore setting was just a dream, Ireland was just the most perfect and stunning backdrop and the whole story just felt really really beautiful.

I read @mckinlayjenn first book in this series and really loved that too, this main character appears in that one but the books are definitely standalone and you don’t have to read them in order.

If you are looking for a book with a really gentle and slower pace to keep you company on these Autumnal days and nights then I couldn’t recommend this heartwarming read more!

“The beginning
Emily Allen has always been an introvert - but never afraid of adventure. When her favourite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in her bookstore, she moves to Ireland without a second thought.

The middle
Helping Siobhan overcome writer’s block and finish the final book in her acclaimed series is a dream come true for Em. If only she didn’t have to deal with Kieran – the grouchy manager of Siobhan’s bookstore who clearly doesn’t want her around.

The plot twist
Em falls deeply in love with the new life she’s built – and, unexpectedly, with Kieran. But when she discovers the reason for his initial resistance, she finds herself torn between helping Siobhan find closure and what could be a new chapter in her own love story…”

ARC from Netgalley ❤️

This was a just a great read. I was just all in the story.
Loved the MCs. Lovely written book. i enjoyed more than I expected I would

DNF at 40%

This one just wasn’t for me I’m afraid. I didn’t massively like the writing style and although the setting in a little Irish bookshop really made me want to read it, I just didn’t feel the chemistry at all between the two leads. And that’s such a big part of a romantic story so I had to just not finish it.

Emily escapes a home situation that is making her ill by flying to Ireland to take up a post as assistant to her favourite author. Then Steps in Kieran Murphy, said author's son, and Romance perfumes the air. In the normal run of Romance books love runs anything but smoothly. Complicated by Emily's working for the hero's mother . It is quite a difficult book to describe because there is a lot more going on than meets the eye and detailing this would spoil the unwinding of the narrative. However it is a really good flowing narrative, with more than a sprinkle of schmaltz and a lovely setting. I enjoyed it

"Love At First Book" by Jenn McKinlay is a charming and heartwarming romantic comedy that celebrates the magic of books and the unexpected joy of finding love in the most literary of places. McKinlay’s writing is witty and full of warmth, making this novel a delightful escape for anyone who adores stories about romance, books, and the serendipity of life.

The story follows a protagonist who, perhaps feeling a bit lost or disillusioned with their current life, stumbles upon a mysterious or captivating bookshop—or perhaps a book itself—that changes everything. As they dive into the world of books, they also find themselves entangled in a romance that is as surprising as it is enchanting. The journey is filled with moments of humor, tender emotion, and a deep appreciation for the power of stories to transform lives.

McKinlay excels at creating relatable characters who are easy to root for, and the chemistry between the romantic leads is palpable and engaging. The setting, often cozy and inviting, adds to the overall charm of the novel, making it feel like a warm embrace for book lovers. The plot is light yet deeply satisfying, offering a perfect balance of romance, self-discovery, and the sheer pleasure of getting lost in a good book.

"Love At First Book" is an ideal read for fans of contemporary romance who have a soft spot for books and bookstores. Jenn McKinlay has crafted a novel that not only tells a beautiful love story but also serves as a love letter to the literary world itself. It’s a must-read for anyone who believes in the magic of books and the possibility of finding love when you least expect it.

Love At First Book you made me smile and sob. What a beautifully written story. I loved everything about this book. The characters had me fully emersed and feeling all the emotions they felt. The setting and relationships between Siobhan and Emily and Keir were just perfect. Easy 5 stars

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.

This was a gorgeous heart-warming stuff that really tugged at my heart strings and had me shedding a few tears by the end. I adored the small-town and the charming Irish lore, it had you feeling like you were right there within the pages. The characters were all so endearing and I especially loved the relationship between our leading female Em and author, Siobhan Riordan. The story of Em will resonate with many readers on a very personal level, having her leave a mark on your heart from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the back and fourth between Em and Kier too, it was a delicious slow burn and a love story to remember.

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay is a delightful choice for fans of heartwarming and optimistic romances. This enchanting novel celebrates the power of community, book enthusiasts, and the irresistible allure of small-town charm. Set in a charming Irish backdrop, readers will be captivated by the endearing characters and the tender emergence of love within the pages of a beloved author's last book. A solid 4-star read!

A heart warming story about starting over mid adulthood, with the atmosphere of a little town and its friendly neighborhood that revolves around topics about books. At the same time, this book gives me a feeling that is both heartwarming and emotional in some parts. I definitely recommend this to everyone; it's really a good and fun read.

A lovely book-lovers rom-com! Em is an American librarian who gets the chance to work with her childhood favourite author in Ireland. While there she works in a book-shop owned by the slightly brooding Keir/Murphy, who isn’t a fan of Em.

I loved the relationships in this novel, the focus on writing and books (especially the quotations!) and even the setting. It was very obviously written by an American, and while this was mostly fine as it’s Em‘s narrative voice, I found some sections a little jarring.

I also wanted more backstory/development of a few characters, however overall it was a really enjoyable read with some surprising depth.
3.5*

Emily is trying to start fresh and get away from her current life, she thinks she is going to help her favorite author, but ends up being with her son far more. This book was such a ride and I loved every moment. I adore an enemies to lovers and Kier did not disappoint,

This book is an unexpected romance book. Em (Red) moves over to Ireland to be an assistant for her favourite childhood author. She is greeted by Kier is the son of her favourite childhood author and the owner of the book store. This will the won’t they is a rollercoaster of emotions. The book deals with tough subject in a respectful way. It’s a heart warming story.

Emily and Kieran's ‘enemies-to-lovers’ dynamic felt so contrived. Em immediately thought Kieran was hot, and he immediately hated her. You don’t find out until MUCH later the reason behind Kieran's behaviour. There was little in the way of development to transition them from enemies to lovers. Their romance just felt forced, like it was purely to fulfil a trope.

Kieran’s characterisation was confusing. I couldn’t work out whether he was meant to be snobby or not. Either way, he wasn't very decent, Kieran was instantly cold and cruel to Em - a person he had never met before and had no solid reason to dislike. This meant I did not find him charming at all. And of course, Em was ‘not like other girls’.

I wasn't a big fan of the writing style. The attempts at humour didn’t land. The whole surprise final act drama was undermined by its implausibility. The characters' actions didn't pair up with either what they had done in the past or just simple logic.

OVERALL: Beyond the novel’s cosy setting, I unfortunately didn’t find much to be enamoured by. The romance felt contrived, lacking chemistry and believability, and I didn’t appreciate the third act drama.

Would I recommend?... No... particularly if you're hoping for a well developed enemies to lovers romance.

After reading and loving this authors last book I was super excited to go into this one and blimey I wasn't expecting it to be so emotional. CW for cancer.
Emily moves to Ireland and away from her toxic and controlling mother, to work as an assistant to her favourite author and to help out in the bookshop her son runs. Kier the authors son, isn't entirely happy with her turning up, but sparks soon fly.
I loved this story for Emily, she really came out of herself after being so timid in book 1 as the side character. This was such a great read for a book lover, but keep your tissues handy, because it really packs a punch.
The only thing I wanted that was missing was a proper showdown between her and her mother.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. Em and Keir’s blossoming relationship was so joyous to read but I equally enjoyed the more heart wrenching scenes as they were just so well written.

This book is an unexpected romance book. Em (Red) moves over to Ireland to be an assistant for her favourite childhood author. She is greeted by Kier is the son of her favourite childhood author and the owner of the book store. This will the won’t they is a rollercoaster of emotions. The book deals with tough subject in a respectful way. It’s a heart warming story.
For full disclosure I was given this book as an arc so thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read this.

This was just far heavier than it was advertised to be and it just didn’t work for me. I tired to finish this but I knew exactly what was going to happen and that I wouldn’t enjoy it.

The writing felt quite juvenile at times, the inner monologue of the main character could be quite cringy. So this writing style just didn’t match the type of story trying to be told especially as it starts to get into more serious topics. The town didn’t feel vibrant enough for a small town setting and didn’t really feel Irish.

I’d still be willing to try other books by the author I just think this story was much more “chick lit” (🙄 can’t think of a better term) than I was expecting and it didn’t suit her writing style.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this book!
this book was a cute heart warm read, however i felt the build up of the two main characters relationship wasn’t really there. over all i enjoyed this book

Emily moves from the US to Ireland to become an authors assistant and to work in a book shop only to find that the authors grumpy son Kieran really doesn't want her there.

This was not just a light and fluffy romance story, it gave so much more and was meaningful and emotional and I also enjoyed the aspect that dealt with her mother and what she went through, I really thought it was dealt with really well.

A lovely story and set in Ireland which makes it even better!