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So...I read a romance novel - Book Lovers by Emily Henry - Review
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- čas přidán 10. 04. 2023
- A review of Books lovers by Emily Henry.
Nora Stephens’ life is books-she’s read them all-and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.
Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away-with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.
If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again-in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow-what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.
First off, I love it that you review books from a variety of genres.
My favorite romance is The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. It’s not deep, but I feel like it’s a step ahead of fluff. It’s so sweet and cozy that it just makes you feel good.
As far as Emily Henry goes, I think Beach Read is her best book by far.
And sometimes, with the world being in the shitter that it is, I just need a little fluff. :)
I thought you made a fair review and there’s a reason why certain genres have certain audiences. The thing I’d argue though is, I’ve never felt Emily Henry’s books were just “fluff”. I read mostly romance and I’ve read some real fluff and her books rarely fit that genre. I think they do an amazing job (usually) of taking a deeper dive into her two main characters and talking about the vulnerabilities of someone. There is emotional depth, but maybe you don’t relate to it?
“Those were the endings I found solace in. The ones that said, Yes, you have lost something, but maybe, someday, you’ll find something too.”
“I can see all of the shades of him at once. Quiet, unfocused boy. Precocious, resentful preteen. Broody high schooler desperate to get out. Sharp-edged man trying to fit himself back into a place he never belonged to begin with.
That’s the thing about being an adult standing beside your childhood race car bed. Time collapses, and instead of the version of you you’ve built from scratch, you’re all the hackneyed drafts that came before, all at once.”
Love that you’re willing to read other genres though. It’s something I’m trying to do more of!
thank you for reading a book for which you are probably not the target audience and being open-minded about it!. However, I have to disagree with your description of the book being "fluff". I think that the emotions portrayed in this book might not have resonated as much with you because you might be different from the main character, Nora. Here are some lines I highlighted that resonated for me. "After losing Mom, those were the endings I found solace in. The ones that said, Yes, you have lost something, but maybe, someday, you’ll find something too." or "Somehow, it never occurred to me that this was an option: that two people, in the same hug, could both be allowed to fall apart. That maybe it’s neither of our jobs to keep a steel spine." I would encourage you to read Beach Read by Emily Henry. This book has a discussion of the perception of the romance genre being "fluff" and not high brow or thought-provoking.
Imo romance has two purposes: 1) to enjoy exciting romance tropes that would be unacceptable irl, and 2) to dive deep into character development and what kind of character development is needed to function properly in a relationship (the joy of analysing people). I think this book did the second one successfully for Nora, but agree that I didn’t connect or relate to her specific journey, I felt more objective about her
I love Beth O’Leary!! I would recommend The Switch, it’s my favorite of hers. It has a quirky premise, like most rom coms, with some heart.
I’ve also heard great things about Mhairi McFarlane’s work ☺️
I love your stoic attitude😂! I don't like romances either and understand where you're coming from...
Third times a charm How could I forget - for a heavier hitter- Love In The Time Of Cholera Gabriel Garcia Marquez ( also a good film)
Eclectic reading is the best!
I don’t read much contemporary romance, because I often find it a little too simple and cheesy for my taste. However, my favorite book in this genre is The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun, even though it’s as cheesy (and American) as any rom-com. I doubt you’ll rate it any more than 3 stars😊
That being said, I love a good romance incorporated into other genres. I adore Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart, and I like Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell as well (a sci-fi with romance). I’ve also got a soft spot for historical fantasy with romance in it, like Natasha Pulley’s or Bridget Collins’ books. The Binding by Bridget Collins is one of my all-time favourite books.
I'm also really excited to read Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake, which is a more literary romance book.
I'm about 90% into Book Lovers, but I don't really care how it ends. I don't remember there being any boats like on your cover, lol. I feel like hot new books are a scam, and it's the older books that last that would be good.
AH!! I can't wait to get to this one! Yeah, I know... I'm so behind...lol!
I wasn't a huge fan of this book either, yet I still pre-ordered her next RomCom. I'm currently not a huge romance reader and there is a wide variety in the romance market. If you are looking for a more literary romance, there is You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akweke Emezi (although I had a couple of issues with that one). Back when I was reading romance novels, I did enjoy those by Jasmine Guillory.
Hey! thanks for the recommendations, ill give them a google. what are you reading at the moment?
Sorry… ** amendment ** I was thinking of “meet me in another life by Catherine Silvey not the mike Chen book ( which is a time travel book focused on his love for his daughter ) . Happy reading !! Desiree michaels
That's a difficult question -- but I think Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez falls into that category.
Ooo! I've seen this one mentioned before. I think Aubrey Plaza is going to play the lead in the tv (could be movie) adaptation. Thanks for watching and commenting!
The best romance I read was Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. It’s also kind of a folk tale/ old fairytale sort of setting though. Most contemporary romance I’ve read are fluff. Sometimes fluff is fine but most of the time it’s tooth rotting and mind numbing. Fine for the background while you decorate the tree (thank you Hallmark channel) but not a super engaging read that will change my life. In fact all my favorite romance novels are in a fantasy setting. Romance is the usually the main plot and then there’s the cool world building, fantasy lore and some political intrigue dancing around in the background.
Emma is a classic one that could be fun! Also, have you thought about reading short story collections? lots of variety there usually in literary fic
Never considered reading a short story romance collection before. Can you recommend any good ones?
@@rororeads don't read much of romance so not really sure but some short story collections that touched on it were- Men without women (Murakami), The Mayfly and other stories (Ben Rogers) , Someone who will love you in all your damaged glory (Raphael Bob-Waksberg). Hope you enjoy!
Isn’t it strange how Jane Austen wrote absolute romance master pieces, and nobody ever managed to come remotely close in the genre afterwards?
Only romance book in the last decade or so that I thoroughly enjoyed was One Day
I don't even watch Rom-Coms, with the exception of one recently by accident. However, this book does look enticing enough to try. Your channel and its eclectic nature has inspired me to read more contemporary fiction. I've read "Less" by Andrew Sean Greer a couple years back and I enjoyed it. I even picked up "A Tale for the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki that I intend to read by the end of the year. All that being said, if I'm going to get into any sort of romance novels, I think this one will be a good starter.
Hey! i'm so glad the channel has inspired you to branch out a little bit. Made my day! If I remember correctly your main genre is fantasy. So please let me know of any recommendations you have in the fantasy genre?
@@rororeads I absolutely love fantasy, but I haven't technically completed one yet. However I have read mostly sci-fi dystopian novels, with my all time favorite and highest recommendation being the Red Rising saga by Pierce Brown. I will admit, usually the first book is people's least favorite as the books get better with each sequel (in my opinion). But I also really like the first book. I think its definitely worth a read!
The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler is quite good and is the closest thing that I have read to a contemporary romance novel. It is much better than the movie.
I have heard the adaption of the Accidental tourist was pretty awful. Haven't read so I'll check it out.
Great book
This book is one of the WORST rom-com I've ever read
What’s one of the best i should read? :)
The last letter From Your Lover JoJo moves ( ❤ed it even though it featured infidelity- usually a hard pass for me/ fit the plot)- message in a Bottle Nicolas Sparks, The Love Letter Rachael Hack, In Five Years Rebecca Serle & Here Now And Then - Mike Chen - The last two refs begging more LOVE than Romance ///maybe romance .05/ a little tricky Ha but good reds none the less. Also I have The Time Travelers Wife on my shelf to read ( did not live the film but others say the book is a very good romance) love & Best Wishes!
As an avid romance reader, I would classify this author as leaning more towards women's fiction. I think she is popular because she is more accessible to a more general audience. I loved Book Lovers though. I just feel like we never learn too much about the hero in this book, causing him to not have his own character journey. He comes off as too perfect. I find that less interesting than a dual POV romance novel where the hero and heroine each have B plots besides the main romance.
Btw, recent subscriber. Love your channel. Love that you cover such different books.
Thank you! Got any top romance recommendations?
@@rororeads For black historical romance I would recommend Rebel by Beverly Jenkins. It takes place after the American civil war in New Orleans. Definitely heavier subject matter than Emily Henry. For comedy I would suggest the contemporary Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams. Chloe Liese's Bergmann Brothers series has some fantastic representation of disability. All these recs are open-door romances though, so not sure if you're comfortable with that.