I really enjoyed this lovely book by @tessabickerswrites, UK release 5 Sep.

Erin and James knew each other as kids and were close until the awful day James betrayed her trust.

Years later Erin puts some books in local community library and James, unknowing, finds one filled with her anonymous notes. Delighted by her perception he replies to her comments and adds a book with his own notes. Over time, known in their heads only as “Mystery Man” and “Margins Girl”, they swap books, enchanting and inspiring each other with their observations and challenges. Their lives begin to change, and their mutual curiosity intensifies.

Bookish aside: I don’t generally enjoy thrillers as I find the characterisations and coincidences implausible, serving the delivery of a plot rather than a convincing reality, blighting any attempt to be impactful.  Light romances can be equally culpable, but when it’s done in the service of a story of love, kindness, and redemption I’m on board all the way.  I know what I’m here for, and I love to see it play out, and will accept any twists of fate which will get me through the obstacles if I feel safe in the writer’s hands. 

I enjoyed the way the characters were unfurled for us, good-hearted but presently defeated by their emotional baggage, uncertain how to move on, or where to hang their hopes.  The varied supporting also cast have their own, emotionally rich, lives which flesh out the world and help to give us an undiluted impression of James and Erin.

The exchange of notes in the books is charming and revealing, and I really got a sense of connection emerging, bonds growing, and the joy of something new. That kind of joy brought me to my own marriage, is still there, and any book which celebrates it make me glow with smiles.

This is a such a warm and winning book.

I’m a soppy old sod, who definitely did NOT cry at the end, despite what anyone says, and there isn’t a thing anyone can do about it.

Thanks to @netgalley and @hodderbooks for this review copy which I requested.

I loved this book. It’s “You’ve Got Mail” but make it even more bookish. Our main characters are Erin and James, who were best friends in school until a fight that meant they never spoke again. Both with tragedy in their past and difficult home lives, we see them as adults using a Little Free Library to pass books back and forth with annotations and thoughts and questions - without knowing who their secret pen pal is. The characters definitely had flaws, but who doesn’t, and the development in the book was really heartwarming. This is the perfect fall read and I couldn’t recommend it more. A wonderful debut.

Imagine the movie "You've Got Mail" but then add in a ton of reality and feelings and brains more plot: that's what The Book Swap gives you. I was in tears, just before the end. I don't remember the last book that made me cry.

Erin and James were best friends at school until THE FALLING OUT. It's now years later and they're both unhappy in their job and the rest of their lives. Independently, they each stumble across a little, free library and begin to write messages to one another, in the margins of the books. Neither knows to whom they are writing.....until one of them does.

There's self-awakening, family, friendships, life, love and sadness in here. It's all moving. It's all relatable. Five in, but bring your tissues!

This is definitely a love letter to books and reading, and also not a book to be judged by its cover *at all*. Sometimes this trend for cartoonish covers really doesn't hit the mark, because this is not a light-hearted rom-com about two people who connect through notes in the margins of classic novels. The slow-burning romance is the central point, but around it are themes of grief, bullying and mental health which are looked at unflinchingly. Not that it's overtly depressing, far from it: there's also wonderfully affirming friendships (I particularly enjoyed all of Georgia's appearances on the page) and the positivity of Erin and James both re-discovering each other and simultaneously working out what they really want from life. Both are complicated, realistically flawed characters, and Erin in particular frustrated me in a way that suggests she's very well written; her growth and the way she moves on from Bonnie is a highlight of the book. I was surprised that this is a first novel for the author, and I'm definitely interested to see what she comes up with next.

2 stars - I would have rated it higher but it confused me to start with.
The plot was exceptional, unique and fun but realistic enough to not feel over the top.
The writing style was alright. I very much appreciate this author's (pretty good) attempt to write a book but I needed more clarity. Less of the randomly switching timelines and imagining people but not stating to the reader it was an imagination while the character knew.
I just got confused but apart from that I enjoyed it in parts.
The links to all the literature was nice, watching both the main characters work out what they wanted to do was nice, the ending was nice but not much more than nice to be honest.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was featured in "24 more books we can't wait to read in 2024" on National Book Tokens Discover.

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers

The funny, heartwarming and romantic debut novel about two strangers who fall in love through the notes they write in the margins of their favourite books - perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me access to an ARC of The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers.

The Book Swap is a romantic comedy about James and Erin. It covers both of their perspectives in alternating chapters, and follows their lives through their difficult family lives, their aspirations, experiences with grief, and their interest in reading.

This was a charming story, with a lot of heartfelt and tender moments. It also covered some very emotional topics, which lent the book a unique quality in its depth and introspection.

A very moving story which focuses on different types of relationships and how people cope with difficult aspects of their lives. I thought that this was just going to be a fun bit of chick lit but there were definitely very heavy topics in there. A good book that has made me want to read some classics that I’ve not got round to yet.

Erin is struggling to deal with the death of her best friend Bonnie and quitting her job, when she accidentally donates her beloved copy of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to a local library. Meanwhile, James is struggling with the idea of success - he doesn't love his well-paid job, but he doesn't think he'll be able to follow his dreams, either. Plus he's estranged from his brother and he's struggling to support his parents re his mum's mental health. But then he picks a copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" from the local library bookswap box - and discovers notes from 'Margins Girl' which resonate with him. He adds notes of his own, and an invitation to meet him in 'Great Expectations'.

The book is a love letter to literature (and I *really* loved that side of it!). And 'Margins Girl' and 'Mystery Man' fall in love with each other through the notes, opening up to each other. Without realising it, they help each other come to terms with their pasts - until James accidentally discovers who 'Margins Girl' is - and he realises that their shared history means that they can never, ever connect in real life. (We don't find out what happened until much later.)

This book has a LOT of emotion in it - dealing with cancer, grief, bullying, lost dreams, and bipolar - and it's quite dark in places. The relationships are lovely - particularly with Erin's sister, Erin's friend Cassie, and James' friend Joel. James' and Erin's relationships with their families are complicated (and I didn't twig one particular relationship until right at the end, which made some of Erin's motivations so much clearer). I did find myself losing sympathy for Erin at times, but there's a definite redemptive arc - and the book really does have a positive spin despite the dark topics. It's about forgiveness, learning to move on, and the healing power of books.

Thank you to Hodder, the author and Netgalley for the arc.

4/5 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of this book.
As much as I enjoyed this title I’m going to get the obvious out of the way: this book NEEDS content warnings and numbers/links to various support helplines. It’s a lovely story but it is HEAVY and people need to be aware what they’re getting into. The depiction of bipolar disorder was done (in my experience with the illness) fairly well but I do feel like it was done to make the mum a bit of villain as we never really see her during her good times.

I did find Erin frustrating (at times), and the reason James was bullied very strange (but also left kinda vague?) BUT the story itself was very well done, and I enjoyed the flashbacks to their schooldays and the way the reason for their estrangement was revealed. It was also lovely to see some very healthy friendships, especially when it comes to James and Joel’s relationship.

All in all it was a lovely, hopeful read that made me want to create a community library in my neighbourhood.

Spoiler: what a lovely surprise this turned out to be!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into the story expecting a cute, light-hearted rom com. Oh, I was so wrong. There was romance, and an adorable one at that, but it was so much more than that. It was a deep dive into the challenges of being a human, into grief and loss and the impact of bullying. It was a story of healing, simultaneously heart-warming and heart-breaking.

Erin, the main character, was dealing with the grief of losing her best friend and quitting her job. She was so miserable and felt so lost, not knowing what she wanted to do or how to trust people.
James, the male protagonist, was struggling to accept the different ways people see success as. At the beginning, he thought is was just making money. But later on, he realised that every person had a different definition for it. For some it may be following their passion, for other it may be taking care of their family.

Their relationship grew through classic books annotated and left at a public library. The way they understood each other and got to know each other again through books absolutely captured my heart. After a complicated past, and cutting off all contact, it was adorable to see them slowly fall in love with each other without knowing who they were. It filled my heart with so much joy.

Another aspect I enjoyed was Erin's relationship with her sister. They were always there to pick each other up when needed, always a pain and full of love. Both Erin and James had such complicated dynamics with their families, but they grew closer as the book progressed. I enjoyed getting to see how their families impacted the protagonists, whether it was James projecting his lost ambitions on his father, or Erin hating her mother even when she longed for her love.

I would totally recommend this story to anyone who believes in the magic that books hold between their pages. It made me laugh and cry and completely warmed my heart.

This was such a fantastic and brilliant read. I had very mixed feelings for the main female character but in the end she redeems herself, I definitely preferred the main male character in this book which is so unlike me. I loved the concept of this story and how it all fell into place. I’m not a big fan of cringey romance and this wasn’t one of those. I loved how it ended too. I felt very sad finishing this book as I loved reading this book.I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this book and will be recommending it too everybody.

This book was a lot heavier than I had thought it would be from the cover. It was a nice read but was just a LOT at times, but I suppose that’s my own fault for having misconceptions. Overall it was a good book, but not necessarily my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC.

Erin, Bonnie and James were great friends in school until something happened that made Erin hate James. We get halfway through the book before we learn what he did and why.

Then Bonnie died from cancer three years ago and Erin has been inconsolable with grief ever since. One day she tidies up and mistakenly leaves her favourite, heavily annotated book in one of these small free libraries that aren't more than three shelves under a wooden roof, standing somewhere on the roadside. When she races back to get it, it's gone, but some weeks later it reappears, with someone having added fresh notes in the margins. So begins a You've Got Mail-style correspondence over several exchanged classics between apparent strangers. Erin calls him Mystery Man and James calls her Margins Girl. Before they realise who they are corresponding with, they forge a deep connection through the questions they ask each other and which reveals their traumas and what they really want to do in life.

Lovers of classic literature will adore this book. I liked it but for me there was a bit too much trauma and therapy speak in this book for my liking - it's all about doing what you love, following your dreams and living your life to the full. The actual romance seems to come second.

But it's a love letter to books, and as such it really works.

"Sometimes redemption isn’t just about saying sorry, it’s about how you recover from the mistakes you make. Bettering yourself is the best kind of apology you can make."

3.75 stars

Title: The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers

Release Date: September, 5th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Erin Connolly, still grappling with the aftermath of a recent tragedy, accidentally donates her cherished copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird" to a local library. Devastated by the loss, she's surprised when the book reappears with fresh notes and an invitation from a Mystery Man. Thus begins a life-changing exchange written in the margins of classic novels. As they navigate their shared love for literature, Erin and her pen pal forge a deep connection, unraveling secrets and facing painful memories from their pasts. As their bond deepens, Erin finds herself at a crossroads that could alter her life forever.

This book is like a hidden gem, offering unexpected depth as it dives into themes of grief, trauma, and personal growth, all wrapped up in a heartwarming romance.

While the pace might not be for everyone, the bond between Erin and James, forged through their shared love of literature, shines brightly.

"The Book Swap" is ultimately a celebration of the healing power of stories and the journey toward forgiveness. Recommend for anyone looking for a cute romance but with depth and realistic issues and growth.

Thank you to The Publisher Hodder & Stoughton ,The Author Tessa Bickers & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
Rating:3/5
Release Date: 5 September 2024

Still grappling with a recent tragedy, Erin Connolly realises she must start embracing life again, yet she's uncertain where to begin. When she accidentally donates her cherished, heavily annotated copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird"—containing a priceless memento—to a local community library, she's devastated. However, her despair turns to astonishment when the book reappears a week later, adorned with fresh notes in the margins and accompanied by an invitation, nestled within the pages of "Great Expectations," from her newfound pen pal.

Thus commences a life-altering exchange, conducted solely within the margins of beloved literary classics, between Erin and her Mystery Man. As they traverse the pages of their favourite novels in an ongoing book exchange, they gradually open up to each other, forming a profound friendship... and perhaps something more.

Yet, both Erin and her pen pal are unaware of their shared history, hidden beneath layers of time. Confronted by painful reminders of the past and the one person she vowed never to forgive, Erin finds herself standing at a pivotal juncture—one that could reshape her future forever.

Overall, the read was not a bad one, it just didn’t feel as if it aligned with my expectations. I found it somewhat unfocused and not as enjoyable as I had hoped. I anticipated a light-hearted rom-com read, but it delves into themes of grief, bullying, and mental illness, making it far from a light and happy story, and in turn, I found myself struggling with this book. While I was eager to delve into the book swaps and witness the progression of their relationship, there were numerous side plots that felt unnecessary to me. I found myself wishing for more focus on the central storyline.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and the author, Tessa Bickers, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.