Book Lovers by Emily Henry Review

 

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

You might love Book Lovers, written by the incredible Emily Henry, but I love it more. Joking. Sort of. 

 "You do have me, Nora. I never stood a chance"

!Please be aware that this review contains spoilers!

I genuinely don't think any other book has stuck with me this much. I read this book in May 2022, just as it was released - I have read previous Emily Henry books (Beach Read and People We Meet On Vacation) and it felt like she scratched a part of my brain in the way that only her love stories can do. So, if we go back in time a bit, I did initially run to Netgalley to request an ARC (got rejected and did NOT cry. Not once!). After that, all I could do was wait. And wait some more. And wait again. Finally, it was time to get my hands on this brand-new & shiny book and fall into the world of literary agents, small towns, and "unlikable" characters. And so I did.

We start the journey by meeting our main characters - Nora and Charlie. Both are described as cold, and both are considered sharks in the literary business. Despite their annoyance with each other and quite an awkward/weird first meeting, their paths collide. 

I loved Nora. I loved how I related to her & how much of myself I saw in our "unlikable" heroine.

Another praise goes to Charlie who might be one of the most amazing fictional men I've read about. Always ready to listen, to be there for Nora. Just like she was for him. Their relationship is beautiful, full of pushing and pulling, of witty comments, and warmth that made them both feel complete.

And I loved how in order to do what they wanted, they were willing to let each other go. I think it's such a powerful thing to do, such a hard and heartbreaking turn of events but ultimately it proves that the love they shared, and the connection they felt was strong.

Their connection made me tear up, about how he was the person she felt most comfortable with. And in earlier pages, when she didn't, he never pushed her. Perfect for each other in every way, Nora and Charlie prove that it's okay to be scared and anxious and that it doesn't mean you are unlovable. 

But this book is not just a love story between Nora and Charlie. It's a love story between two sisters, Nora and Libby. This story is about two women who were traumatized by the death of their mother, and who found different ways of coping. This is about finding comfort in family, in that person who will always be in your corner no matter what. It's about putting yourself first and hoping that everything will work out. I went in expecting a rom-com and came out feeling like a part of their family. Like Nora and Libby are my sisters and I can always rely on them.

Another mention goes to the writing and the following brilliant phrases:

"Shepherd catches me looking away, a sunflower finding its light source"

"We're caught in a feedback loop of vague bad feelings"

"It's a self-fulfilling prophecy, keeping us locked in an invisible, unspoken argument, wherein we both pretend nothing's wrong"

Listen to the following songs if you want to feel the world through Nora and Charlie's eyes (or ears?):

1. If The World Was Ending by JP Saxe and Julia Michaels 
2. This Love (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift
3. Apocalypse - Cigarettes After Sex
4. Labyrinth - Taylor Swift 

This book is so special and I think it solidified my love for Emily Henry forever and always. 

The new book by Emily Henry, Happy Place, comes out on April 25th, 2023, and I love everything about it already. Publisher: Berkley