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 struggled to get intp this. I didnt really want to root for them to get together. 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 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.



THE READING CAFÉ: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/book-people-by-jackie-ashenden-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7222366653


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/885338637


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book-people-jackie-ashenden/1146727741?ean=9781035418015&bvnotificationId=bd1aa84c-0734-11f0-b6b9-0affdcced0ab&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=hotmail.com#review/340672450

Ibooks (Sandy sch) posted

GOOGLE PLAY (Sandy Sch) posted

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!

I loved the setting of this book so much. I love the idea of two rivalling booksellers, and i think this plot was awesome. Obviously, as a reader, any romance about books is immediately an enjoyable read, but this one definitely captured my heart. Why 4 not 5 stars? Because something was written as really surprising but it was veryvery predictable. Nevertheless, very good read, and i for sure recommend.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, Headline, and the author for the chance to read this book.

This is a grumpy-sunshine and enemies to lovers storyline featuring two competing book store owners. There is some spice and humour along with a little mystery. It was a good story, and I enjoyed the pace and events.

📚Rival bookshop owners
📚Enemies-to-lovers
📚Small-town setting
📚Grumpy-sunshine
📚Forced proximity

Don't miss this utterly charming, spicy, enemies-to-lovers rom-com from

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ★★★☆☆ (2.75 ⭐️)

Thank you NetGalley and Headline publishers for the arc in exchange for a review.

A cozy rom-com with sizzling tension, banter and a touch of mystery. This book follows the love story of two rival bookstore owners who try to ignore the heat between them. Until it boils over and a scorching kiss makes things interesting…

📚 Enemies to Lovers
📖 Grumpy x Sunshine
📚 Rival Bookshop owners
📖 Small Town
📚 Suspense/Mystery

The story was ok but there were a lot of times when I felt like I wanted to pull my hair out. The back and forth POVs were good but sometimes it felt so annoying reading each of their sides. Kate for example, left a mentally abusive partner and then she said she’s gonna forget him and not think about him anymore, yet every few pages she’s thinking about him, comparing Sebastian to him as if all men were gonna be the same as her ex. Then there’s Sebastian and how he’s basically been in love with Kate the moment he saw her, yet it took him sooooo long for him to accept his feelings for Kate. It literally took his father coming back and telling him that he had their family’s story all wrong for him to expect it (which by then was 97% of the fricking book!)

Despite those little things that just had me smh, the story was enjoyable (to some extent ^^) I liked the whole idea of the book festival and the touch of mystery involved with Sebastian’s great-grandfather. However, it was predictable which made the lead up to the mystery being solved not as exciting.

I did also hoped there’d be more tension with the enemies to lovers trope, but Sebastian was already in love with her and didn’t want to act on him emotions, so it left his character feeling grumpy, moody and stiff (in the sense that he seems to always brooding, especially when he keeps repeating he wants to take her into his bed, but doesn’t at the same time: contradicting himself). The grumpy x Sunshine trope felt forced imo only because the tension of the “enemies to lovers” wasn’t enemy-ing enough. It did feel a little repetitive in some chapters too.

Overall, who doesn’t love a book involving more books! It was nice to see what other booksellers go through, although sex in the bookshop 🤣 bruh…

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Headline | Headline Eternal for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and could connect to the characters. I loved the idea of dueling book stores and the idea of coming together for the book festival. The family history they have in common and the letters between their great grandparents was so endearing. I think the only thing that drove me crazy was Sebastian's back and forth with is feelings for Kate. Cute read!

Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #BookPeople by Jackie Ashenden in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a little bit to get into this story and I didn't like Kate off and on throughout the book but I'm glad I kept reading because overall, I enjoyed the story. I found the book festival very interesting and wanted to find one in my area to go to and buy lots of books.

The dynamic between the "Sunshine" and "Grump" characters is both charming and entertaining. The rivalry between the two booksellers in the small town sets an intriguing stage, but what starts as a simple disagreement soon reveals deeper, more complex issues at play. The story's addictive nature lies in the interconnected, unsettling events that affect both Kate and Sebastian—not just personally, but within the context of their families’ history. Their undeniable chemistry and growing attraction add to the narrative’s intensity.

I particularly appreciated the author’s skillful portrayal of a brooding, damaged alpha male, with Sebastian’s emotional struggles providing a fascinating layer to the story. The mystery surrounding C and H and Sebastian’s quest for happiness kept me eagerly turning pages.

The book’s many twists and turns were thoroughly enjoyable, and I loved the satisfying, heartfelt conclusion. If you're looking for a compelling read with depth, mystery, and romance, I highly recommend this book.

I loved the setting for this book - a small village in the UK with two neighboring bookstores who don't get along. It had all the right components, but some parts of it just fell short for me.