This is such a cute story! I had a giant smile on my face throughout most of the story. My rating falls between 4 and 4.5 stars. I personally like my romance to have a bit more open-door romance, which is why I am not giving this a 5-star rating, but this is a book I highly recommend.

I own a few [author:Camilla Isley|14135080] books that I downloaded for Kindle because they were free, but I have yet to read them. If Camilla's style is similar to this book, I will definitely make it a priority to get to those TBRs ASAP.

I'm not going to lie; I was slightly confused about the story. It's not your straightforward love story. It has a bit of magic thrown in, and I was reminded of movies where the real world and movie land mix. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but I'll elaborate a bit from the book blurb.
So Leighton, a grad student studying computer science, specifically Artificial Intelligence, has a horrible track record of dating. Poor girl can't catch a break and always seems to end up choosing the sleaziest guys. Her few friends and people in her life are all starting to find their HEA with their soulmates and start offering her unsolicited dating advice. They mean well but single Leighton is fed up. She is a fanatic romance reader and has her own booktok (don't we all). Her grad work is to create AI software that can create romantic smut...think of ChatGPT for romance novels.

One Friday night, Leighton starts a tattered book she found on her shelf, only it's half-written. She starts to dream up additional chapters to fill the void from where the story left off, only it feels too real. Magically, every time she has a fantasy with the hero of the novel, the book magically fills it's self in with details of her dream.

These dreams are good. Sizzling hot, filled with lust and tension. It's a cowboy story, a trope I personally have never read but could possibly get into. What is hilarious is that every time the dream version of Leighton and the cowboy hero, Killian, are about to get it on, something happens, and Leighton is woken from her dream and left wanting more. However, one night, when Leighton wakes up with a splash, she brings Killian into the real world with her, and he is pulled out of the story. Imagine your perfect book boyfriend has come to life! You would be thrilled, right? Well, yes, Leighton is happy but also skeptical because, come on, this is the real world, and magic Jumanji or Harry Potter scenarios don't really happen. So Leighton thinks she is going bat-$hit crazy or that stress is finally making her crack. It is funny to watch as she tries to convince herself and Killian that what is happening is not real. Of course, Killian, is a fictional character come to life. In the books, he is perfect, and in real life...not so much. It's like watching Buzz Lightyear the toy realizes that he is not real Buzz Lightyear and he can't really fly. Don't get me wrong. The poor guy tries but his heroic, alpha male antics just fall short or completely backfire in the real world.

Killian has to create a real identity for himself, figure out who he really is beyond the book tropes, and prove to Leighton that he really loves her for her, not because his character was written to have feelings for her. Leighton needs to learn to trust and not be so skeptical of real feelings.

Because the book is written using romance novel tropes, it includes the meet-cute story and all your favorite parts of romance books: the fake dating, the overly protective, smoldering hot cowboy, sharing a single bed, the nicknames, the forehead kiss, him cooking and taking care of her, etc.

The book is adorable. It's a closed-door romance with a very slow burn, but you will be smiling throughout much of it.

I was provided with an ARC copy of this book on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity.

5 stars. This book made me so happy.

This book was sweet, funny, romantic, and a little absurd at times.

The main character Leigh is reading a strange book in which the main character Leigh (!) is constantly on a collision course with the cowboy Killian. Leigh begins to have dreams where the story of the book continues. She is a bit lost in the dream world, because half of the events go unnoticed by her - after all, she is awake sometimes and lives in the real world!

Until one day the parts change - Leigh wakes up to the fact that Killian has slipped into the real world. The romantic hero has some difficulties getting used to the real world, where literary clichés are not always quite appropriate models of action...

This was a lovely book about books, and about the tropes and clichés of romantic literature. I really enjoyed reading this book. Camilla Isley has wonderfully reached the clichés of romantic literature and makes them seem fresh and funny, when the point of view is how strange such ways of acting would seem in the real world.

I definitely recommend the book to all lovers of romantic literature. A really lovely story!

WHAT TO EXPECT:
* Alpha Hero
* Cowboy
* Enemies to lovers
* Fake dating
* Forced proximity
* Hea
* One bed
* Slowburn
* Third act: no actual break up

Tropes:
one bed
slow burn
HEA

What happens when your perfect book boyfriend/cowboy pops up in reality? Confusion and chaos.
I thought this was a really interesting plot! The book took a turn that I wasn't really expecting to. It had an otherworldly aspect to it, but this was placed on the backburner and kind of accepted as the story went on. I was surprised that Killian wasn't more freaked out than he was. But it was very cute to see how Killian and Leighton learned about each other in reality as their true selves. Killian was kind of a golden retriever MMC whose whole world revolved around Leighton and I kind of loved it. There were definitely some plot holes re: Killian and Leighton traveling between universes, but I decided to just go along with it and enjoy the book for what it was. This was a really cute book if you're just looking for something quick with a HEA.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It Started with a Book by Camilla Isley is a great idea, that I didn't enjoy as much as I wanted to, much to my dismay. I have 5 star loved (LOVED!) every other Camilla Isley book, but I just couldn't seem to get into this one. I put it down and came back to it a few times hoping that I would, but wasn't ever able to get the connection I wanted to the story or the characters.

The story follows Leighton, who after not being able to connect with a date - again - and bumming that her roommate moved out and is now in a terrific relationship, like all of their other friends, has decided to just read her romance novels, since real life isn't providing any.

While looking for her next book boyfriend, she finds a book in her to-be-read pile that she immediately is intrigued by. Once she starts reading she's immediately transported to the town of Lakeville Hills and meets the character of Killian. St. Clair, but as soon as she gets into the story, the pages are blank. What the heck? She decides to go to sleep and then dreams she's the character of the book and meets Killian in her dreams. When she wakes up, the dream she had is the next chapter, in place of those blank pages!

Leigh uses the book and her dreams to forget about misogynistic bosses, really bad blind dates, and not being able to say no to her old college roommate's request to being a bridesmaid and the crazy expensive bills that come with that.

The author lost me when Leigh woke up to find a live in the flesh Killian in her apartment (her bed) and she falls for him as he navigates being in the real world, not book world.

I just couldn't suspend even my vivid imagination and didn't enjoy the rest of the book.

I do appreciate NetGalley and the publisher giving me this ARC in lieu of my honest opinion. I do love the author and am sure that I'll adore the next book as I have all of her others.




Camilla Isley's "It Started With A Book" offers a refreshing, lighthearted take on romantic comedy. Its unique concept sets it apart from anything I've read before, and the witty banter consistently had me laughing.

It Started With A Book by Camilla Isley
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 5 July 2024

After being ignored once more by yet another Tinder date, Leighton decides she's done with dating forever. Who needs swiping and awkward setups when she has the flawless heroes of her cherished romance novels?

That evening, while browsing her TBR pile, Leigh discovers a second-hand book that transports her to the quaint town of Lakeville Hills, where women sport cutoff shorts and men sip bourbon. Drifting off to sleep, Leigh dreams of the dashing billionaire cowboy, Killian St Clair, whose smouldering gaze could earn him a medal.

For a time, escaping to Lakeville Hills makes dealing with chauvinistic bosses, newly coupled friends, and extravagant bridesmaid duties more bearable. But one morning, Leigh wakes up to find a surprising guest in her apartment: the impossibly attractive and entirely fictional Killian St Clair.
Now, Leigh must help Killian navigate the real world, blending the lines between fantasy and reality.


Camilla Isley's "It Started With A Book" offers a refreshing, lighthearted take on romantic comedy. Its unique concept sets it apart from anything I've read before, and the witty banter consistently had me laughing.

Leighton, the main character, is wonderfully realistic and a touch skeptical, making her perfect for this story. Watching her relationship with Killian develop alongside the narrative was an absolute delight.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and the author, Camilla Isley, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This was such a cute romantic comedy. It is minimal in spice, and you have to work for the spice that is there. I enjoyed this book a lot. Does it leave some things unexplained, yeah, but it's a "don't think so hard and enjoy it kind of book." ☆4.25

Leighton finds a cowboy romance book in her apartment with no name and starts to read it. When she falls asleep that night, she is in the book as the main character who is enemies to lovers with Killian. Each time she wakes up, another chapter is written in the book, just like her dreams. Having feelings for a fictional character is hard, but what's even more is waking up next to Killian in her bed, her real-life bed! No longer stuck in a book, cool as a cucumber, Killian is in deep feels for Lehighton, his 'sugar spoon' Leighton, on the other hand, does not want to fall for someone who might disappear at any second.

Thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for providing me with a copy to read and review

Love this and Camilla Isley. Such a sweet romance that incorporates the book-ish world so well. I do wish some of the scenes were a little more detailed so I felt closer to the FMC but it was a super quick and fun read. I love me a MMC that knows what he wants and never wavers. I would have loved a little more perspective from the MMC as his entire universe changed; maybe there’s opportunity for a re-telling from his side. With that being said I would read this over and over again. It left my heart happy.

Leighton is a huge book reader and finds a random book on her bookshelf missing half the story. She falls asleep reading it and has transported to the story. This goes on each night until one day Killian is in reality with her. I usually love Camilla Isley’s books, but this one was just okay. Quick read, though!

Title: It Started with a Book by Camilla Isley
Release Date: July, 5th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Leighton, disillusioned with dating after being ghosted once again, finds solace in the world of romance novels. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a second-hand book that transports her to the fictional town of Lakeville Hills.

There, she meets the swoon-worthy billionaire cowboy, Killian St Clair, whom she has only dreamed of. Initially, the fantasy provides an escape from her everyday struggles, but when Killian unexpectedly appears in her real-life apartment, Leigh is forced to confront her feelings. As she navigates the complexities of a relationship with her book boyfriend come to life, Leigh must decide whether to guard her heart or take a chance on love in the real world.

Camilla Isley's "It Started With A Book" is a delightful and innovative romantic comedy. Leighton, the main character, grounds the story with her relatable skepticism, while the witty banter and original concept kept me captivated from beginning to end. Although it took a bit of time to acclimate to the alternating realities, once I did, I found myself thoroughly immersed in the journey. Isley's clever incorporation of romantic tropes adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the narrative, making it a truly delightful read.


Thank you to The Publisher Boldwood Books, The Author Camilla Isley & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

In this tale, we follow Leigh, who's grappling with the challenges of pursuing her Master's degree while barely scraping by financially. To add to her woes, she's constantly being set up on disastrous blind dates or left hanging by disappearing suitors. My heart really went out to her! Then, into her life comes a magical book that sweeps Leigh away into a world where she encounters the irresistible Killian St. Claire in her dreams every night. sigh What a dreamboat! Anyway, after numerous dreamy encounters with Killian (with so many almost-kisses that had me on the edge!), Leigh wakes up one day to find him actually in her bed. Now, she's tasked with helping him adjust to being a real-life man (wink, wink), all the while he secretly pines for her and plays the role of her supportive "boyfriend."

There were so many delightful aspects to this story, from the charming side characters (like Ivy and Oliver!) to Killian's swoon-worthy heroics. He struck the perfect balance between being a sweetheart and a bit of a rogue.

I also appreciated Isley's clever approach in weaving in all the classic romance tropes you'd expect in a "girls' book." From enemies-to-lovers and fake dating to the guy falling head over heels first, it was all there, and it made me grin from ear to ear.

Camilla Isley, please never stop writing. Your books are simply fantastic. I honestly didn't think anything could surpass your last series (and if you haven't read the True Love series, you absolutely should!), but this one is right up there with them.

If you're in the mood for a book that will leave you smiling and maybe even fanning yourself a bit from the adorable moments, look no further—this one's for you.

*Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Perfectly pleasant and enjoyable story with a great premise - the “paperback hero who comes to life” and becomes the hero.

It was fantasy and utterly bizarre but I suspended disbelief and just enjoyed it.

Finished this book in a day! Like most of Camilla’s books, there was great chemistry between the main characters. Also similar to her other books, a very strong, capable FMC. The fantasy of it all was fun and light hearted but not even the main draw of the story. Definitely worth a read!!!

Do you ever wonder what it would be like if your book bf came to life? If so, this book is for you. I had a hard time putting it down when I started reading it.

Leighton has had a rough time dating and always falling in love a little too easy. After being ghosted she gave up on online dating. While trying to figure out what to do with her Friday evening, a book falls at her feet and she decides to read it. But, half of the book is missing. As she passes out, she gets swept away into a cowboy billionaire romance where she’s the main character every night. One night, she brings Killian St. James to the real world and they have to learn how to figure everything out.

Imagine if this happened in real life? I’d scream and cry tears of happiness cause book boyfriends are the best. Killian and Leigh seem like such a cute couple. I like how the author made them get to know each other in the real world before they started dating again since Leigh was a different person. I like how Killian never gave up on her even when she was being a pain in the arse about their relationship.

4/5 stars. Highly recommend

***ARC RECEIVED FOR FREE. MY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE MY OWN***

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Camilla Isley can’t go wrong and It Started with a Book is testament to that. This feels as thought Camilla wrote this wholly for her readers, giving book lovers a chance to play on the idea of a character in their favorite (steamy) read showing up in real life. As with most of her books this was a lot of fun and I tore through it.

Killian is the book character come to life for Leighton and he’s truly the perfect main character of a romance book - both a cinnamon role and beautiful bastard. While there isn’t a ton of conflict in this one, it’s not needed as the concept is enough to move it forward. I also loved the plays on common plot points and character types in books. If you love books, especially modern romance, then you’ll love this one for not only the concept, characters, and storylines but also the cheeky acknowledgement of tropes.

What a cute concept! It Started With A Book by Camilla Isley is a unique, light- hearted, and fun romantic comedy. I enjoyed the concept, as it was way different than anything I've read previously, and the witty banter kept me giggling. The main character, Leighton, is a realistic and a bit of a skeptic, which is perfect for this story. It was fun to watch her relationship with Killian unfold... along with the story.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books (I've had serveral great books from Boldwood, so thank you!) for a copy of It Started With a Book by Camilla Isley in an exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it and look forward to more Camilla Isley and Boldwood gems!

I usually love Isley's books, but I just couldn't get into this one. It was too...fantasy?...for my tastes. A dream guy who suddenly materializes and becomes real? I don't know. It just didn't work for me. I'm looking forward to something a little less sci-fi-y and more along the lines of previous books that I loved for her next one.

Camilla Isley is a genius! A genius I say! She wrote what every book girl wants to happen to them - our perfect book boyfriend comes to life.

I absolutely loved every minute of this novel. I will say it took me a couple chapters to get into the rhythm (you sort of bounce between real life and the book world for a while), but as soon as I adjusted I loved it.

In this story we follow Leigh who is struggling with getting her Masters degree, living penny to penny and is constantly either being setup on blind dates or getting ghosted. I felt so bad for her! Then enters in the magical book that kidnaps Leigh’s dreams so every night she has a new encounter with Killian St Claire. *sighs* I love this man. Annnyyhow… after many meetings with Killian (so many near kisses I could scream!) she wakes up one day and he is in her bed. Now she has to help him adjust to being a real man (he-he) all the while he pines for her and plays the role of supportive “boyfriend.”

There were so many things I loved from side characters (Ivy and Oliver!) to Killian’s heroic behavior. He was a combination of cinnamon bun and beautiful bas***d.

I also enjoyed Isley’s play on this being a book girls book so there must be all the typical tropes. You had enemies to lovers, fake dating, the guy falls first, and so many others. I thought this was so smart and made me smile.

Camilla Isley, please keep writing. Your books are amazing. I truly didn’t think anything could surpass your last series (if you haven’t read the True Love series DO IT!) but this is right up there along with those.

If you want a book that will have you smiling and fanning yourself from the cuteness, this one is for you.

*An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Leighton is sick of her real life and she is happy to immerse in her fictional world. She finds a magical book that transports her to a small town and she goes there nightly. Until one day, she brought Killian back into her real life accidentally.

Love the banter. The characters are terrific and fun. The romance is swoony. A terrific book.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Thank you netgalley and Camilla for the e-arc
I swoon over this book
the book is a sweet rom com that can make your heart bursts
it is so good and i can't get enough of it

I think I’m still swooning … I don’t know if I’m going to recover. There are great books and then there’s this. It’s like Camilla Isley took every dream and fantasy I ever had while reading a romance novel and somehow put them black on white on the page.

I knew I was going to love this book from the blurb, but I didn’t think I’d be so utterly and completely blown away by it.

This is a book for romance lovers, it’s an ode to us with so many tiny references to all the things we love.

And Killian, he is literally the incarnation of every book girlie’s fantasy. A beautiful bastard and a cinnamon roll twirled into an impossibly hot, kind, tender, smoldering package.

Leigh, I want her as my best friend. I loved her quiet humor. And also that she wasn’t too proud to accept Killian’s help but also stood up for herself.

With this story, I laughed—so hard sometimes I was glad not to be in public, i swooned, I fell in love, twice, I think, but always with Killian.

This is one of those great stories that trick you into dropping and forgetting everything about real life and responsibilities to read just one more chapter until you’re blinking and you’ve finished the book. And now I have a serious book hangover because I know anything I pick up next just won’t compare…

A shout-out also to Oliver who was my favorite secondary character…