As a book lover, I love to read a book about other book lovers. You know, feeling seen and all that jazz. Plus, they are living my dream owning bookstores! (One day I will too!!) This one also included some of my favorite tropes.

*Small Town
*Bookstore owners
*Enemies to Lovers?
*Grumpy/Sunshine

Our main MMC wasn't the most likeable to start, but you eventually get to see the sweet side of him. But that is one of my favorite things in a book is the misunderstood moody man. Deep down, was she every really his enemy though?

Overall, I enjoyed this cozy little, small town setting. This was a great palette cleanser between some of the more plot heavy books that I usually read.

Book People is an enemies/rivals to lovers, grumpy-sunshine romance.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this book at first. I almost DNF it because of the beginning.....Honestly, Kate annoyed me at first. She moves into the small village and opens up a bookstore right across the street from Sebastian's bookstore, which steals half his customers and she doesn't understand why he's annoyed/hates her. Then, he has an idea of having a book festival to help his now dying bookstore. Kate finds out about it and pretty much says he needs to include her shop or she's having a festival the same time as his and again is stealing half his customers. I would have been angry and not talking to her as well. But I'm glad I stuck with it and kept reading, because I did end up loving it at the end.

While I didn't love or get Sebastian's and Kate's chemistry in the beginning...because there wasn't any. If it wasn't for the dual POV, you would have never known they even liked each other....I did love them together towards the end. I loved the backstory of Sebastian's great grandfather writing secret love notes back a forth to a mystery woman. That's pretty much what kept me reading. To find out who the mystery woman was and by then I started to fall for Sebastian and Kate together also.

Overall, It's a super cute, cozy romance. Read if you like:
📚Rival bookshop owners
📚Enemies-to-lovers
📚Small-town setting
📚Grumpy-sunshine
📚Forced proximity
📚Dual POV

Thank you Netgalley and Headline publishing for this eArc in exchange for my honest review

I struggled to get into this one. I didnt really want to root for them to get together. She was bubbly and loved romance ooks, but was a little naive. He came across as one of those “romance aren’t serious literature” types, and even though he a lot of his actions wer due to stress and worrying about messing up a family legacy, I just couldn’t like him because of that.

I will say that I have never been a fan of Emily Henry books and this had the same kind for me feeling as them, so that might be why I struggled with it. I can’t really say that if you love Emily Henry you will like this but I feel like it would be a safe bet.

A charming story about two very different bookstore owners. You could say the bookstores reflect Kate and Sebastian’s personalities. Sebastian is far from thrilled about the new owner—everything about her irritates him, especially the attraction between them. An upcoming book event forces them to work together, and the sparks finally explode. But the past must be addressed before they can truly enjoy the present. Very engaging and enjoyable read.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

This book would have been a 5-star read for me had Sebastian's grumpiness spilled over into the bedroom but he went from being grumpy, standoffish and bossy in his daily life to fairly tame in bed and while the spicy scenes were there, they could have been so much better.

I thought both characters were great and I liked Kate's colour to Sebastian's black and white. I would have liked to have seen him start to work on himself and his "family curse" long before the last 5 mins of the book though. I think there was so much potential for him to learn something about himself and even reconnect with his father, especially after learning that Kate had no one left in her family to help her piece together her past.

I wanted to know why Kate's mother and grandmother stopped talking to one another but unfortunately that piece of the puzzle is never resolved which is a shame really. I think it would have been better to have had that explained rather than have the epilogue for the great-grandparents - though being a born and bred Kiwi, I loved that it was set in Piha.

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I feel the ex is not explored and the hate between the main characters isn't there.
And also the guy coming back was meh and the story felt like it had nowhere to go from half the book, it felt like the book was made just to have the tropes, sadly I didn't connect with them
I liked the parallel story but I could see the end from a mile away so it was a little disappointing.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this book

This book had such a promising premise, and while it didn’t fully hit the mark for me, I can still see its potential. The characters, especially Sebastian, had moments that showcased depth, though his behavior sometimes felt a bit off-putting—perhaps a bit too whiny or elitist at times. That being said, I think his character had room to grow, and I can see how others might connect with his complexity.

While the chemistry between the main characters didn’t quite come through as strongly as I’d hoped, I appreciate how the story tried to build their relationship. At times, their intimate moments felt like they moved a bit too quickly, without a deep connection fully established between them, but I understand the desire to propel the narrative forward.

Overall, the story was enjoyable and had its engaging moments. While it didn’t fully resonate with me, I think there’s something here for readers who enjoy historical romance with a bit of tension and character development. It may just not have been the perfect fit for my taste.

Book People was a sweet, quiet read with a charming small-town setting and a cozy book-loving vibe. I liked the themes of self-discovery and healing, but the pacing felt slow, and the romance didn’t fully click for me. It had heart, just not quite the emotional depth I hoped for. Still, it was a pleasant escape and worth a read if you’re in the mood for something gentle.

Book People by Jackie Ashenden was a wonderful rom=com with a charming, Hallmark-esque town. This felt like I was reading the most perfect romantic comedy. I'd love to see it made into a movie. The character development was good and it had just the right amount of spice. I fell in love with these characters and loved reading about their romance and journey. Thank you to the publisher, the author, and to NetGalley for the complimentary advanced reader's copy. All opinions are my own.

Something about this book just didn’t click with me. I loved the premise, a book about books but just found the main characters very two dimensional. I really didn’t like Sebastian and found Kate to be a bit of an airhead. I really enjoyed the small back story of the great grandparents but that wasn’t enough to save it for me.

This was the perfect cozy romance dedicated to us book lovers. Thank you to the pulishers for a copy!

I enjoyed this book, it was a interesting romance with a family connection mystery to solve. Also, I love the idea of moving to a village and opening a bookstore!

The premise of this book had me interested immediately and I really liked the first 20% or so. Kate is quirky and loveable, Sebastian seems Mr Darcyish and attractive. That is until he suddenly starts talking like a certain sparkling YA vampire who has trouble holding his urges in check. I know this would include a bit of spice but the broody yet flaming way Sebastian voices his thoughts was simply ridiculous and I admit I laughed out loud more than once. It’s a shame really because the story itself is very cute and the setting a book lover’s dream.

When I saw Book People on Netgalley, I instantly knew I was going to enjoy reading this entertaining rom-com set in the bookish-vibed small-town of Wychtree with a grumpy x sunshine romance between two rival bookshop owners who have polar opposite bookshops. It’s a battle of the bookshops between the charming, welcoming feel of Portable Magic vs. the refined and classic literary façade of Blackwood Books. I wanted to climb inside and visit these amazing-sounding bookshops; I’d get lost in Portable Magic, which is the perfect name for a bookshop.

The grumpy vs. sunshine personalities between the main characters were captured impeccably between Kate’s cheery, hopeful, and free-spirited energy in comparison to Sebastian’s grumpy, aloof, and broody nature. It’s mirrored delightfully in their bookshop ambiances, who felt like living and breathing characters in their own right.

Kate and Sebastian were hilarious to read as they wind each other up, exchanged snarky, bookish banter, and faced off in book display competitions. They are forced to work together to bring to life the Wychtree Literary Festival, which will bring benefits to secure the futures of both bookshops and uncover answers to some old mysteries that link Kate and Sebastian’s family. Working together lets them get under each other’s skin (and clothes) and exposes their insecurities and fears, which brings Kate and Sebastian closer and lets their sparking chemistry ignite.

Perfect for romance readers looking for a slice of bookish escapism with an entertaining writing style, a cozy love story with a good dollop of spicy sprinkles in a charming small town. Thank you to Headline and Jackie Ashenden for approving my Netgalley request for an eARC of the Book People.

Thanks to NetGalley,publishers and author for an ARC of Book People.
I'll start by saying romance books are not high on my TBR lists, it's few and far between I'd pick one up. Saying that, I'm so glad I picked this one, or actually it was picked for me!!
Enjoyable, readable book that made me smile, I loved the characters, and the historical story thrown in made it all the more enjoyable.
4.5 stars, highly recommend.

BOOK PEOPLE by Jackie Ashenden is an adult, stand alone, erotic romance story line focusing on competing book store owners Sebastian Blackwood and Kate Jones.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sebastian and Kate) BOOK PEOPLE follows the grumpy/ sunshine, enemies to lovers relationship between competing book store owners Sebastian Blackwood and Kate Jones. Sebastian Blackwood is the current owner of Blackwood Books in Wychtree UK, a family owned business for close to ten decades but the arrival of Kate Jones, pushes Sebastian to the edge of reason. In the wake of her mother’s death, Kate inherits some property in Wychtree, wherein she will embark on a new adventure as a bookstore own but Blackwood Books owner Sebastian Blackwood is determined to push our heroine aside until the discovery of a box of love letters in the attic of Sebastian’s shop pulls our couple together in the search for the truth.

The world building follows the acrimonious relationship, and sales competition between our story line couple. Sebastian’s business is struggling, and the arrival of Kate adds another level of both professional and private stress. As our couple find themselves immersed in the affairs of a pair of long lost lovers, a familiarity will begin to reveal a connection to the past. Each chapter begins with a short excerpt / sentence from the letters, once hidden in the attic.

The relationship between Sebastian and Kate is an enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine in which Sebastian refuses to accept our heroine in his life. Sebastian doesn’t do relationships in the face of a long line of Blackwoods having loved and lost. Kate is determined to uncover the truth as she delves deeper into the box of letters, letters that will reveal a heart breaking past. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include client and customers, readers and friends, and Sebastian’s father who sets the record straight, and reveals the truth about the love letters and the family history.

BOOK PEOPLE is a story of secrets and lies, love and misunderstanding, acceptance and moving forward. The premise is honest and revealing; the romance is fated and spicy; the characters are stubborn, determined and animated.



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If ever a title reached out to grab me it would be Book People, Jackie Ashenden’s newest release. This story follows Kate and Sebastian, rival bookshop owners directly across the street from each other in a small English village.

Kate Jones was living with a narcissistic boyfriend when a perfect opportunity presents itself and she moves from London to Wychtree. She inherited an empty shop that was previously owned by her grandmother and great grandmother. She decides there is no better time than now to open the bookshop she's always dreamed of. She knows the village is small to have 2 bookshops, but by carrying the genre’s her competition doesn’t, she thinks they could feed business off each other and both be successful. Which is what she has been trying to tell him for weeks, but he is extremely intense and keeps shunning her at every corner.

Sebastian Blackwood took over his family’s bookstore, Blackwood Books, from his father and before him, grandfather. Both previous having zero business sense and running the business into the ground. He prides himself on knowing his customers, getting more distinguished literary reads in stock and keeping customers happy and returning. When another bookstore opens across the street, he is far from happy, losing customers was not on his agenda. Even more not welcome is the sight of the store owner. A gorgeous woman who will undoubtedly cause problems for him.

When Kate finds out about a literary event happening in the next month, she is livid. Why didn’t he tell her. She sets off to plan her own event coinciding with his, that is until he relents and they decide to work together.

Kate and Sebastian come together to solve the mystery of old letters found in his great grandfather’s things. Together they navigate the story of lovers kept apart by circumstances out of their control. While realizing their feelings for each other border between contempt and love. This was a very intense read, bouncing back and forth between POV’s. I enjoyed the letter quotes atop each new section. It helped to follow along the story within the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this e-ARC!

I struggled with the dialogue of the book and was unable to finish it because I found the characters pretty childish.

If ever a title reached out to grab me it would be Book People, Jackie Ashenden’s newest release. This story follows Kate and Sebastian, rival bookshop owners directly across the street from each other in a small English village.

Kate Jones was living with a narcissistic boyfriend when a perfect opportunity presents itself and she moves from London to Wychtree. She inherited an empty shop that was previously owned by her grandmother and great grandmother. She decides there is no better time than now to open the bookshop she's always dreamed of. She knows the village is small to have 2 bookshops, but by carrying the genre’s her competition doesn’t, she thinks they could feed business off each other and both be successful. Which is what she has been trying to tell him for weeks, but he is extremely intense and keeps shunning her at every corner.

Sebastian Blackwood took over his family’s bookstore, Blackwood Books, from his father and before him, grandfather. Both previous having zero business sense and running the business into the ground. He prides himself on knowing his customers, getting more distinguished literary reads in stock and keeping customers happy and returning. When another bookstore opens across the street, he is far from happy, losing customers was not on his agenda. Even more not welcome is the sight of the store owner. A gorgeous woman who will undoubtedly cause problems for him.

When Kate finds out about a literary event happening in the next month, she is livid. Why didn’t he tell her. She sets off to plan her own event coinciding with his, that is until he relents and they decide to work together.

Kate and Sebastian come together to solve the mystery of old letters found in his great grandfather’s things. Together they navigate the story of lovers kept apart by circumstances out of their control. While realizing their feelings for each other border between contempt and love. This was a very intense read, bouncing back and forth between POV’s. I enjoyed the letter quotes atop each new section. It helped to follow along the story within the story.

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

What could be better than a book that takes place in a bookstore? A book that takes place in two bookstores! This cozy, delightful, small-town, enemies/business-rivals-to lovers book was wonderful!