This is a really cute story surrounded by books and letters/ghosts from the past. The male lead is a very frustrating, grumpy man because of whom I almost stopped reading several times but the female lead brought me back. She is real, strong and confident woman who balanced it out, I guess that is the whole fun behind the the grumpy-sunshine trope.

Books plus romance = catnip. A very cute and easy read. Decent chemistry between Kate and Sebastian made for an enjoyable read.3 🌟

I tried it, I didn't like it much. The enemies to lovers trope moved too fast and honestly, I didn't like the main character. It wasn't enough for me to keep going as I have a TBR list taller than Mt. Everest.

This book had so many points where the reader is able to really connect with the characters. You get a good plot, relatable characters, some spice and an ending that makes you love books like this.

I wanted to like Book People, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me. The characters felt a bit over-the-top and hard to connect with, and the complications in the plot often seemed far-fetched rather than adding depth to the story. It made it tough to fully invest in the romance.

While I’m sure this book will appeal to some readers who enjoy more dramatic, larger-than-life scenarios, it didn’t really hit the mark for me personally.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This is a sweet book for book lovers and anyone who has ever wanted to move to a small town and open up a book shop. I enjoy a good enemies to lovers trope. I also liked the mystery elements in this book.

Book People is a charming romance about Kate, a passionate bookseller, and her dream of opening a shop dedicated to the fun and popular genre fiction she loves. Her plans hit a snag when Sebastian, the rigid owner of a highbrow bookstore across the street, disapproves of her approach to literature. As their professional rivalry heats up, the two are forced to work together on the town’s literary festival, and sparks fly—both good and bad. Their growing attraction is undeniable, but can they overcome their differences?

Sebastian is stubborn to a fault, and Kate has her share of issues, but their dynamic is fun to read. They challenge and complement each other in ways that feel genuine, making their budding relationship both frustrating and sweet. Their witty banter and the tension between them kept me hooked throughout the story.

One of the highlights of the book is the subplot involving long-lost love letters, which adds a heartwarming layer to the story. It tied in beautifully with the literary theme and gave the romance an extra touch of charm. Book People is perfect for readers who adore stories about books and love. It’s a cozy and delightful read that celebrates the joy of reading and the magic of unexpected connections.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this copy! I really enjoyed the writing style and found myself very interested in how the characters were constructed. I think it'll be perfect for my genre fiction book club who often have arguments / struggles with things being "guilty pleasure" versus being "worth it" and I think this book is a great example of worth it and yet still fun!

This charming romance follows Kate and Sebastian, rival bookstore owners in a small town, whose opposite personalities and literary preferences spark an unlikely love story. With themes of community, bookish passion, and personal baggage, the novel blends humor and heartfelt moments. The subplot of historical letters adds a sweet touch, though unresolved family drama and loose story threads leave the ending feeling incomplete. Despite occasional repetition, witty banter, engaging side characters, and the cozy small-town setting make this a delightful read for fans of bookshop-themed romances.

I really wanted to like this book, but I must say that it left a lot to be desired. The premise was interesting but the way it was executed was not the best, it seems as if you have all the pieces of the puzzle, but somehow they don't fit. I feel that the relationship of the main characters was a bit forced; In my opinion, the author tried to get them to have experiences in common so that they could get closer, but that connection was simply not felt. As for the characters, I understand that they both have their struggles and flaws, but there were times when I honestly couldn't stand their inner-thoughts sometimes. The subplot of Kate and Sebastian's ancestors was creative and emotional; The mystery of the love letters was something that I loved, and I am encouraged to continue reading. There are times when I liked it when the characters make references to books or describe their love for reading, but there was a point that became annoying and unpleasing. I have a love-hate relationship with the last chapters, since there were some that were repetitive and tedious as well as some that were good. Although I liked the final moment between Kate and Sebastian, I was disappointed that this book didn't have an epilogue. Despite all that, the book also leaves an emotional message of how you decide how you want the direction of your life to be and fight for it. Overall, this book is for someone looking to read a romance with a bit of mystery and an immense love for books.


Thanks Netgalley for this ARC

1.5 ⭐️
This was gonna be a 1 but the last like 20 pages made this deserve a higher rating. This book sounded right up my alley but I just couldn’t get into it. I didn’t feel any connection to the characters and felt like they didn’t stand out to me. I didn’t see them as being a good couple either. Sebastian’s character really wasn’t for me, I can see that the author was trying to go for the dark, brooding MMC, but he just came across as arrogant and rude. Kate was a bit better, I enjoyed her character much more but still wasn’t a huge fan. If Sebastian said “We Blackwood men are cursed with women” one more time I was gonna lose it. The story was very slow paced and I felt like it kept moving in circles and no progress was even made in the story until almost 70% in. I was tempted to dnf but didn’t because I wanted to see how the story was gonna keep playing out and the plot concept was good, but I just don’t think it was executed well.

Thank you Netgalley for this E-ARC for my honest review

Jackie Ashenden’s Book People is a delightful romantic comedy centered on two rival booksellers, Kate and Sebastian, who couldn’t be more different. Kate’s enthusiasm for accessible, genre fiction clashes with Sebastian’s preference for highbrow classics, leading to constant friction as they work together on a town literary festival. But beneath the rivalry lies undeniable chemistry, turning their sharp banter into something far more intimate.

Set in a lively small town with quirky residents, the story weaves humor, romance, and heartfelt moments. Ashenden masterfully contrasts Kate’s sunny, free-spirited nature with Sebastian’s reserved demeanor, making their journey from adversaries to lovers feel both refreshing and genuine. For fans of romantic comedies and stories about the power of books, Book People is an irresistible read that charms from beginning to end.

if you want and are in the need for some cozy and bookish vibes just go for it because this story’s waiting for welcoming you in its world and capturing you with its beauty and warmth!

thank you to headline, the author and netgalley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!

As a librarian and self-proclaimed book lover, Book People by Jackie Ashenden felt like it was written just for me! The small-town setting is brimming with charm, quirky characters, and a literary vibe that I couldn’t resist. Throw in a rivalry between two very different booksellers, and you’ve got a recipe for a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance that had me giggling like a schoolgirl and swooning over every witty exchange.

Kate and Sebastian are polar opposites in the best way. Kate’s approach to bookselling is fun and accessible—she champions popular fiction and wants her shop to feel welcoming to everyone. Meanwhile, Sebastian is all about the classics, curating a “serious” literary collection that mirrors his buttoned-up personality. Their differences set the stage for some of the sharpest banter and most hilarious sparring matches I’ve read in a while. Watching these two go from reluctant collaborators on the town’s literary festival to something so much more was pure magic.

The “grumpy-sunshine” dynamic here is absolute perfection. Kate’s lively, free-spirited energy is the perfect foil for Sebastian’s reserved and slightly elitist tendencies. Their chemistry leaps off the page, building from stolen glances and snarky comments to a slow burn that had me cheering when they finally gave in to their feelings. The buildup to their first kiss was chef’s kiss—so worth it!

Beyond the romance, Ashenden captures something so special about the way books connect people. I loved how the story celebrates all types of readers and challenges the idea that certain books are more valuable than others. Kate’s mission to make her shop a haven for all readers, regardless of what they love, deeply resonated with me. And Sebastian’s journey of letting go of his rigid ideas about literature and life was just as satisfying.

This book is everything I want in a rom-com: humor, heart, and just enough spice to keep things interesting. If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine vibes, or just adore books about books, Book People is a must-read. It’s a cozy, romantic, and utterly charming story that reminds us that love, like a good book, can surprise us in the best ways.

I really enjoyed this one! The whole grumpy x sunshine rival book shop owners was just so fun and the small town setting was perfect. I liked that there was a mystery element to the book too. I thought the main storyline of the book festival was a great way to force Kate and Sebastian to work together and made for a tonne of fun scenes. It was just so sweet watching them open up to eachother.

The main characters were fully fleshed out and believable which added a lot to the story. Kate's relationship history touched on some dark areas and I think it was handled really well! The characters were definitely a stand out part of the book for me but I did really enjoy the plot too.

I'd definitely recommend picking this up if you're in the mood for a bookish romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
In Book People by Jackie Ashenden, we’re introduced to two very different bookshop owners who end up caught in a charming love story. Kate is all about cozy, feel-good fiction and runs a bookshop with cozy windows that practically invite you to curl up and read. Across the street is Sebastian, a more serious literary type with a bit of a snobby attitude toward genre books. The two of them couldn’t be more different, both in their personalities and their shops. But despite their differences, they’re bound to cross paths, and sparks fly as they go from enemies to lovers.

This book is a sweet, lighthearted romance with plenty of tension, laughs, and moments that make you smile. If you’re in the mood for a quick, easy read with a bit of humor and romance, this one is definitely worth picking up. It’s a perfect choice for fans of enemies-to-lovers stories, and it’s one I’d highly recommend for a cozy reading session.
3.95 Stars!

Thank you NetGalley & Headline for the ARC of
Book People by Jackie Ashenden in exchange for my honest review!

If I see a book about book lovers, I’m 99.9% of the time going to read it. I’m a sucker for these kinds of stories. A woman attempting to escape her past and an abusive relationship by moving to a new to her (old to her family) town, opening a bookstore in a shop passed down through generations and starting over. A rival bookstore owner across the street hardened by the men’s choices in his family. Sign me up!

To be honest, I almost DNF’d this immediately because the writing at the beginning was not my favorite. It started really fast and I was a little confused at first. The MMC was insufferable most of the time, which drove me nuts, but I eventually softened to his personality.

This was a take it or leave it for me but you’re looking for a cute, fun love story centered around books, I would recommend picking this one up!

Great premises that fell quite short. I didn't feel any connections to the characters. They didn't feel any connections to each other. Sebastian comes off a bit too obnoxious and stubborn to be the dark brooding MMC that the author was tying to pass.

The positive thing that I read it in a day

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, all opinions are my own

Jackie Ashenden’s Book People is a charming, enemies-to-lovers rom-com set in a cosy small town.

Kate, a bubbly new bookseller, opens a genre-focused shop that clashes with Sebastian’s highbrow bookstore across the street. Their rivalry is as entertaining as it is heated, with Kate’s optimism colliding hilariously with Sebastian’s grumpy rule-following.

When forced to work together on the town’s literary festival, sparks fly, and their witty banter gives way to undeniable chemistry. Ashenden balances humour, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of steam, making their journey from rivals to lovers irresistible.

With a delightful small-town vibe, quirky characters, and a swoon-worthy romance, Book People is a must-read for fans of grumpy-sunshine and enemies-to-lovers tropes.

I had high hopes for this book but the story wasn't really for me. I thought it was well-written and the premise was good. I think this is a book for people more inclined to read cutesy emenies to lovers romance but I found the MMC annoying and rude mostly.