I just love Rachael Johns’ writing, and this was the perfect feel-good romcom.

I also loved all of the literary references in this, I felt like Captain America from that one scene when I recognised one!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

I originally was drawn to this book because of the title, as I had never read this author, but I was pleasantly surprised at what a great story it was. The Other Bridget by Rachael Johns is a feel- good romantic comedy about a librarian and her craptacular luck with love. One failed relationship after another, she finds herself ready to give up. Two men enter her life around the same time. One lovely and one a disaster! We get to follow along and see the relationships develop between Bridget and a handsome batista and Bridget and her grumpy neighbor. The humor and hilarious antics in this book are everything. They kept me giggling throughout the book.
Be forewarned there is a very emotional and devastating element to this book. 💔 There is way more feel- good than sad, but be prepared to shed a few tears. I'll definitely be adding other books to my TBR from this author.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bloodhound Books, for an advanced copy of The Other Bridget. I loved it!

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a cute rom-com with likable characters and lots of literary references. The references really made the book fun. It was a long read for a book without much plot, but it was sweet and easy to read. It's a decent palate cleanser kind of book.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Rachel Johns has created a romance novel that has something for literally everyone! Younger and older readers alike will feel right at home in this heartwarming story.

Rachael John’s can do no wrong! I’ve been a fan of her writing for quite some time, whether it’s her outback romances or woman’s fiction. This books premise was fresh and exciting, especially for a Bridget’s Jones fan from way back! And who doesn’t love a book where the main character is a bookish librarian! While this is a romance there is deeper undercurrents. (Cancer, bereavement and others) but they are handled well and not in a gratuitous way. Thanks netgalley and the publisher and Rachael for the entertaining read.

The Other Bridget follows Bridget Jones, who was named after the book, she loves to read and works in a library. Her talent is being able to get non readers to become readers by helping them find a book. She hasn't failed yet until she meets her grumpy neighbor Sully who becomes her number 1 enemy.
Bee's crush on her barista, Fabio, evolves and soon their romance becomes her "meet-cute" that she's always wished for.
I loved this book! It was everything I expected it to be and I can’t wait to read more by this author!

As a lover of Bridget Jones, all things books and films, I enjoyed everything about this. I loved all of the fun characters and the importance of friendship that was developed throughout. This was really just a fun, loveable read. I did not expect the ending though, the tears were real :(

This Bridget Bee to her friends is as unlucky in love as her namesake. She works in a library and it seems a fun place to be.
She finds her new neighbour really annoying and is trying to find ways to annoy him back.
It was a bit silly in bits but it was a fun quick read.
I liked Xavier and Fred also Jb was sweet. Her colleagues were supportive and real friends Fred, Xavier, Persephone and Janine were there for her.
There are subjects some may find upsetting cancer, eating disorders and bereavement.
I loved the book references throughout the book.
Enjoyable read.
Thanks to publisher and Netgalley.

"The Other Bridget" is a delightful romantic comedy that captures the charm of a bookish heroine navigating love and life. Bridget Jones, a librarian and devoted bookaholic, finds herself torn between the captivating Italian barista Fabio and her cantankerous neighbor Sully, who seems determined to complicate her life. Rachael Johns skillfully blends humor and heart, creating a vibrant cast of characters that support Bridget on her journey to find love. With its whimsical plot and relatable themes, this uplifting story is perfect for fans of feel-good romances. A fun read that celebrates the magic of books and the unpredictability of love!

Really enjoyed this fun romcom. Great humor and it was nice to see such a good friend group. There’s a cute side story with a book group for seniors. Would love to read more about them. Bee and her antics were twee but not annoying. Very cute to read about a lead who genuinely cares about people.

A fun and heartwarming story about a book-loving librarian who struggles with romance. Bridget, who grew up reading romance novels, finds real-life love much harder. She’s drawn to Fabio, a handsome Italian barista, but her grumpy neighbour Sully keeps making things difficult. With the help of her friends, Bridget decides to see if love can be as perfect as the stories she loves. It’s a light and enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun book. I enjoyed it a lot!

This was a light hearted read that I would recommend. The characters were fun, if a little predictable and this was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. stupid pull-in with naming an original character after a massively popular already existing fictional character. i did think the story was well written and thoughtfully done to make it a perfect lighthearted read

4.5 stars

I didn’t think it was possible for my heart to be simultaneously full to the brim and shattered into a million tiny pieces.

This is definitely one of the most unconventional romances I have ever read. Bridget Jones, like her namesake, is pretty unlucky in love. (Yes, eye roll, the Bridget Jones ‘bit’ was probably my biggest gripe with the book, but it was minor and only really cropped up when ‘Bee’ met new characters). Then all of a sudden her luck turns around when her dreamy Italian barista asks her out and they spark up a romance that seems too good to be true.

It feels pretty obvious by romance standards that Sig Fabio is not endgame. It’s the amount of time we spend with Bee and Fabio’s relationship that feels like such a departure from the classic formula. We see a relationship develop between them, knowing full well (as a romance reader), that the grumpy-sunshine ‘bad first impression’ to ‘maybe he’s not so bad’ relationship with the neighbour is really the one to watch.

This unusual pace builds an excellent level of suspense as you’re constantly waiting for the script to be flipped, and the twist is WILD when it lands. I recognise for some that it could be considered a little too ‘out there’, but I found it hilarious. The hints along the way had me leaving notes like ‘this is batshit -in a good way’. I will say though, while I appreciated the build up to the switch, it could have come a little sooner and still hit. If ~50 pages were cut from Bee’s combined single+Fabio era, it would’ve been 5 stars from me.

The plot isn’t the only way this book carries it’s humour though; it’s abundant in the writing too. I laughed out loud at multiple points, and found myself grinning at my e-reader at least once a chapter. The book references and inside jokes so obviously aimed at ‘readers’ were often the trigger points for my smirks. Bee’s ’superpower’ is her ability to recommend books to people. A character mentions they liked gaming as a kid? - have a guess at what she recs and I challenge you not to ‘hehe’ to yourself when you flip the page and see you got it right. Again, this could be annoying for some, but I found it incredibly fun. I cried through the whole epilogue and still managed to chuckle between sobs at a Fourth Wing reference.

Yes, this book made my cry as well as laugh. It really did it all because it has heart. The characters are funny (if a *little* cringey in the odd line of dialogue here and there) but they’re also warm. Its conflicts are dramatic and over the top at times, then the next they are gut wrenching and real. I’ll be buying myself a copy of this, because I need it on my shelf and I’ll almost certainly reread when I want all the feels.

I received an eARC of this book for free, and am voluntarily sharing my own opinions in this review.

I want to start by thanking the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. This book was good, but it was predictable.

This book is captivating. It has everything - book talk, romance for all ages, women's friendships, and the mentorship of young girls by older women. It also delves into the writing process, tropes, mental health, and other serious themes.
The main character, Bridget, is like Bridget Jones. Bridget is often confused with the famous movie character she's named after, but she's given up on correcting people. Depending on the situation, she's quirky, sensitive, strong, outspoken, and reserved. She enjoys interacting with people, especially her library patrons, and is empathetic and a great listener. She's always on the lookout for a great romance, whether in real life or literature.
It is a feel-good read with something for everyone. The author's sunny outlook shines through effortlessly, and I found myself shedding tears, which is unusual for me. Reading this book made me cherish those around me even more. Rachael Johns has truly hit the mark with this book I was captivated from start to finish. It's uplifting and left me with a smile. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm eagerly anticipating the author's next work. I highly recommend it.

This book was everything. Bridget Jones is a librarian and a hopeless romantic. Yes you guessed it, she absolutely loves romance novels. You’ll find lots of book references in this tale and it is the perfect rom-com. What more could you want with a grumpy nextdoor neighbour called Sully and an attractive barista named Fabio? Bridget and Fabio start a whirlwind romance and he starts coming to her elderly bookclub to spend time with her. The banter between Bridgett and Sully was next level. I found myself laughing a lot in this book especially with what they come up with to annoy each other.

I loved all the book references, the library workers that are friends and the “nonnas” who are part of a book club at the library. I would absolutely recommend reading this one if you enjoy rom-coms. The short chapters had me flying through this one. I also enjoyed Bridget’s special knack of matching books to people.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

This book had me hooked from the start—relatable, heartfelt, and full of those “OMG, I’ve been there” moments. Bridget’s journey of navigating life, love, and a little identity crisis is refreshingly real.

What I loved most? The balance of humor and emotional depth. It wasn’t all laughs, but it also didn’t get too heavy. And the romance? Super cute without being over the top. If you’re looking for a cozy, feel-good read, this one is a solid choice!

This story follows Bridget, a librarian and hopeless romantic who grew up surrounded by romance novels on a remote cattle station. Her passion for reading and romance shapes her life in Fremantle, where she runs a book club at the library. When Fabio, a charming Italian barista, moves from casual flirting to joining her book club, Bridget worries that her so-called "romance curse" might ruin her chances with him. However, she finds herself unexpectedly attracted to her grumpy neighbor, Sully. Torn between the two, Bridget devises a plan to test both men by selecting books tailored to their personalities, leading to unexpected and heartwarming outcomes.

The novel highlights the connection between romance and literature, with well-developed supporting characters who add depth to the narrative. It’s a beautiful exploration of love, self-discovery, and the power of books to influence our lives.