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Book People
When a fledgling bookseller opens a shop and café celebrating popular genre fiction across the street from a well-established upscale bookshop, she incurs the wrath and disdain of its highbrow owner, until a long-held family secret that connects their pasts comes to light during a literary festival . . .
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2025
312 people are currently reading
1707 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Ashenden
487 books976 followersJackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
February 3, 2025
Thank you to the publisher, Headline | Headline Eternal, for providing me with an E-ARC of this book.
📚Rival bookshop owners
📚Enemies-to-lovers
📚Small-town setting
📚Grumpy-sunshine
📚Forced proximity
Pub Date Jan 28, 2025.
This book is a charming, spicy, enemies-to-lovers rom-com. It was a fun read. However, I didn't love the "grumpy" portrayal of the MMC. He felt more whiny and immature than the typical attractive, morally gray, grumpy MMC we normally pine over. I did love the premise and how the story revolved around books. I would say this is more so average for the genre. It's a cute story but not a favorite. I may revisit, but for now, I am rounding down to 3 stars.
As always, all thoughts are my own. ✨🖤
📚Rival bookshop owners
📚Enemies-to-lovers
📚Small-town setting
📚Grumpy-sunshine
📚Forced proximity
Pub Date Jan 28, 2025.
This book is a charming, spicy, enemies-to-lovers rom-com. It was a fun read. However, I didn't love the "grumpy" portrayal of the MMC. He felt more whiny and immature than the typical attractive, morally gray, grumpy MMC we normally pine over. I did love the premise and how the story revolved around books. I would say this is more so average for the genre. It's a cute story but not a favorite. I may revisit, but for now, I am rounding down to 3 stars.
As always, all thoughts are my own. ✨🖤
December 16, 2024
2.5
I think all of us book obsessed people love books about books... that is why I was drawn to this book at first. Sadly, it wasn't for me. Hope all of you will enjoy it more.
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
I think all of us book obsessed people love books about books... that is why I was drawn to this book at first. Sadly, it wasn't for me. Hope all of you will enjoy it more.
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
May 25, 2025
4 ˖⁺‧✮
i am so exited to write a review for this book. for the longest time i was struggling with finding a good romance and here it is!
characters:
i want to emphasize how good kate and sebastian fit together. the grumpy and sunshine, dark and light, fiction and romance. i adored the tension and chemistry between main characters so much; their interactions and feeling never felt heavy or unfitting. it was interesting to see how they both were getting more confident with their feelings and feeling safe enough to open up to each other
plot and storyline
i’m so happy that the plot was written the way it was. the festival and the little competition between bookstores was the perfect fit for those characters. i was so invested in the book, that i finished it in 4 hours. the only disadvantage of the book was the last chapters/drama. it was so unnecessary and disappointing. i cannot believe that he wanted to confess feelings but as soon as she did he turned around? i can’t really understand the reason behind this moment. then, them getting together but he didn’t do anything to get her back? i was just confused and lost.
Thank you Netgalley and Headline | Headline Eternal for the arc.
i am so exited to write a review for this book. for the longest time i was struggling with finding a good romance and here it is!
characters:
i want to emphasize how good kate and sebastian fit together. the grumpy and sunshine, dark and light, fiction and romance. i adored the tension and chemistry between main characters so much; their interactions and feeling never felt heavy or unfitting. it was interesting to see how they both were getting more confident with their feelings and feeling safe enough to open up to each other
plot and storyline
i’m so happy that the plot was written the way it was. the festival and the little competition between bookstores was the perfect fit for those characters. i was so invested in the book, that i finished it in 4 hours. the only disadvantage of the book was the last chapters/drama. it was so unnecessary and disappointing. i cannot believe that he wanted to confess feelings but as soon as she did he turned around? i can’t really understand the reason behind this moment. then, them getting together but he didn’t do anything to get her back? i was just confused and lost.
Thank you Netgalley and Headline | Headline Eternal for the arc.
January 29, 2025
Happy Publication Day!
If like me you enjoyed You, with a View and Book Lovers, you need this book in your life.
Kate always wanted to have a bookstore and it’s finally happening. Her bookstore is a happy place, with book clubs and positive vibes. On the other side of the street there’s Blackwood Books owned by Sebastian, a fourth generation book seller. Sebastian is snobbish, rude and generally bad at peopling. He is not excited about another bookstore in the village, but the worst part, he is very inconveniently attracted to Kate.
I loved their dynamic. Sebastian was not very likable at the beginning, but when he finally gave in, he was so adorable!
Their pillow talks were the cutest, they were truly connecting and discovering how much they had in common. And he just couldn’t stop touching her. 😻
The long lost love letters mystery was very sweet and added to this book’s overall charm.
Both Kate and Sebastian had issues, so the third act conflict was not really a surprise. I didn’t enjoy it, because I never do, but it didn’t last long, so I’ll let it slide. The ending was too abrupt and there was no real epilogue, which was a little disappointing, but otherwise I really loved this book and I will definitely read more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——
I’m sensing Book Lovers vibes😌, thanks NetGalley and Headline for the arc❤️
If like me you enjoyed You, with a View and Book Lovers, you need this book in your life.
Kate always wanted to have a bookstore and it’s finally happening. Her bookstore is a happy place, with book clubs and positive vibes. On the other side of the street there’s Blackwood Books owned by Sebastian, a fourth generation book seller. Sebastian is snobbish, rude and generally bad at peopling. He is not excited about another bookstore in the village, but the worst part, he is very inconveniently attracted to Kate.
I loved their dynamic. Sebastian was not very likable at the beginning, but when he finally gave in, he was so adorable!
Their pillow talks were the cutest, they were truly connecting and discovering how much they had in common. And he just couldn’t stop touching her. 😻
The long lost love letters mystery was very sweet and added to this book’s overall charm.
Both Kate and Sebastian had issues, so the third act conflict was not really a surprise. I didn’t enjoy it, because I never do, but it didn’t last long, so I’ll let it slide. The ending was too abrupt and there was no real epilogue, which was a little disappointing, but otherwise I really loved this book and I will definitely read more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——
I’m sensing Book Lovers vibes😌, thanks NetGalley and Headline for the arc❤️
to-be-read-kindle-owned
January 29, 2025Pretead- What a lighthearted but fun read this will be.
November 27, 2024
I think this book had a great premise but sadly for me it fell a little flat. I immediately got the ick from the MMC Sebastian and I felt like he was whiny and elitist. I also didn't really feel the connection between these two and I felt like their intimate relationship moved really fast despite not having much of a relationship in between their intimate moments.
The story itself was fine but I just felt like there was something missing for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline | Headline Eternal for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story itself was fine but I just felt like there was something missing for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline | Headline Eternal for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2025
I hate that I wasted a perfectly good lunch break finishing this book. I also hate that I hated this book because it started out with such potential.
The plot is actually very good. But the main characters are insufferable. The FMC is a mess and the MMC is the most indecisive man baby I've ever read. He's actually described as "emotionally constipated" multiple times in this book and I would say that's about as accurate of a description as I could write.
I am so disappointed in the way these characters were written when the story itself had such potential. I'm giving it two stars because of that potential alone, but in reality, this should have been a DNF.
The plot is actually very good. But the main characters are insufferable. The FMC is a mess and the MMC is the most indecisive man baby I've ever read. He's actually described as "emotionally constipated" multiple times in this book and I would say that's about as accurate of a description as I could write.
I am so disappointed in the way these characters were written when the story itself had such potential. I'm giving it two stars because of that potential alone, but in reality, this should have been a DNF.
March 7, 2025
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ★★★☆☆ (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…
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…
November 8, 2024
Book People are for the book lovers who want to escape from reality. A love letter from Jackie Ashenden one of my top reads of this month. I was immediately sold by the description, I love the characters.
Favorite Quote
I always thought I loved Jasper and he loved me, but that’s not what love is, and I know that now. Because now I’ve fallen in love with Sebastian Blackwood and I know better. He builds me up, while Jasper only pulled me down. He gave me back the pieces of myself that Jasper took. He makes me glad to be the person I am, not afraid. Not ashamed or embarrassed or guilty.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance reading 📖
Favorite Quote
I always thought I loved Jasper and he loved me, but that’s not what love is, and I know that now. Because now I’ve fallen in love with Sebastian Blackwood and I know better. He builds me up, while Jasper only pulled me down. He gave me back the pieces of myself that Jasper took. He makes me glad to be the person I am, not afraid. Not ashamed or embarrassed or guilty.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance reading 📖
November 24, 2024
this book was a very delightful experience for a book lover like me you know with the cozy small town vibes and i mean look at the cover and the title of this book? book people? i was sold and it was such a pleasure to enter in this small town with sebastian and kate aka our bookstores and enemies to lovers but were they really enemies to lovers? i’m just asking because sebastian in the end always knew didn’t he?
this story in the end it wasn’t just about sebastian and kate but also about another couple that made this story even more special for them dare i say!
so 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!
this story in the end it wasn’t just about sebastian and kate but also about another couple that made this story even more special for them dare i say!
so 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!
January 5, 2025
ARC review | Thanks to NetGalley for providing me this copy.
I thought this was a super cute book and I really enjoyed it! I love romance books that are set in a bookish setting, especially combined with my love for small town romances.
I enjoyed Kate and Sebastian a lot together, especially at the beginning. For me personally I would’ve liked them to hold off on their feelings for a bit longer, but it worked out well. I just couldn’t get over how Sebastian hides behind the idea of the Blackwood men. It felt like a kind of dumb and cowardly reason to swear off relationships and feelings. Especially after his friend kept trying to reason with him.
The subplot of the letters was a really sweet addition. Not very surprising but still enjoyable to read and discover the story behind them.
I did however find the ending of the whole book a bit lacking. I wish we had gotten some more involvement of Lisa and closure about the book she writes and whether Kate got to help her with it or not. Sebastian’s family drama also seemed far from resolved. Also would love to know how they manage to keep two bookstores afloat in the same small village but I guess that’s just the reality of romantic dream worlds.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others who love small towns and book shop settings!
I thought this was a super cute book and I really enjoyed it! I love romance books that are set in a bookish setting, especially combined with my love for small town romances.
I enjoyed Kate and Sebastian a lot together, especially at the beginning. For me personally I would’ve liked them to hold off on their feelings for a bit longer, but it worked out well. I just couldn’t get over how Sebastian hides behind the idea of the Blackwood men. It felt like a kind of dumb and cowardly reason to swear off relationships and feelings. Especially after his friend kept trying to reason with him.
The subplot of the letters was a really sweet addition. Not very surprising but still enjoyable to read and discover the story behind them.
I did however find the ending of the whole book a bit lacking. I wish we had gotten some more involvement of Lisa and closure about the book she writes and whether Kate got to help her with it or not. Sebastian’s family drama also seemed far from resolved. Also would love to know how they manage to keep two bookstores afloat in the same small village but I guess that’s just the reality of romantic dream worlds.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others who love small towns and book shop settings!
November 26, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for giving me access to an eARC of this book.
This could’ve been so good but it sadly fell flat for me.
We have two, hot, rivaling bookstore owners who hates each other (or at least dislikes each other a little bit). Just there we have a recipe for a great love story. Instead we got smut. Which isn’t a bad thing but in this book it just feels like… eh…
The relationship between these two people move from hate to sex real fast. A bit too fast if you ask me. There’s nothing wrong with two consenting adults engaging in sexual activity because of lust. I just feel like their whole relationship is built upon that lust and nothing more.
And let me just write out how “alpha male” this male character is. Dude, this isn’t a werewolf romance book, you’re 30 years old please act like it. Stop being so creepily territorial of a woman you barely know. And when you’re at it please contact a psychiatrist, your friend obviously knows someone.
Overall it was a book I don’t regret reading but one that will not stay with me. I do think some of my friends would LOVE it. Because of the smut.
This could’ve been so good but it sadly fell flat for me.
We have two, hot, rivaling bookstore owners who hates each other (or at least dislikes each other a little bit). Just there we have a recipe for a great love story. Instead we got smut. Which isn’t a bad thing but in this book it just feels like… eh…
The relationship between these two people move from hate to sex real fast. A bit too fast if you ask me. There’s nothing wrong with two consenting adults engaging in sexual activity because of lust. I just feel like their whole relationship is built upon that lust and nothing more.
And let me just write out how “alpha male” this male character is. Dude, this isn’t a werewolf romance book, you’re 30 years old please act like it. Stop being so creepily territorial of a woman you barely know. And when you’re at it please contact a psychiatrist, your friend obviously knows someone.
Overall it was a book I don’t regret reading but one that will not stay with me. I do think some of my friends would LOVE it. Because of the smut.
November 26, 2024
Book People come in many different shapes, forms and convictions - in this cute romance we meet two of those from vastly different ends of the spectrum: Kate, the cosy fiction lover with themed bookshop windows and Sebastian, the literary lover with somewhat of an upturned nose against genre books - or so it seems. Both of these own bookshops that are as different from each other as their owners are but share the same road, as they are right across from each other. Cue a love story between two characters that should not get along.
I really enjoyed the bookish theme of this romance, as it sometimes feels like a bit of a meta read, but still is not too on the nose to verge on ridiculousness. Book People plays with the fact that even if two people love and live by books, there's still so much variety that they can be completely different at the same time. Both characters bring their baggage and own struggles so they have some stuff to get over but the way it is done in this book, especially with a backwards glance into the historic past of the town's shops is easily consumable and makes for a quick, cute and funny read.
At some point the baggage did get in the way of the story when the characters tripped over the same piece one too many times and it almost got to the point of being a little bit draggy, but the side characters and banter the main characters had made up for it in no time.
This is a book for book lovers who can't get enough of their love stories and books at the same time. I highly recommend!
Thank you to the author and publisher who provided me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.
I really enjoyed the bookish theme of this romance, as it sometimes feels like a bit of a meta read, but still is not too on the nose to verge on ridiculousness. Book People plays with the fact that even if two people love and live by books, there's still so much variety that they can be completely different at the same time. Both characters bring their baggage and own struggles so they have some stuff to get over but the way it is done in this book, especially with a backwards glance into the historic past of the town's shops is easily consumable and makes for a quick, cute and funny read.
At some point the baggage did get in the way of the story when the characters tripped over the same piece one too many times and it almost got to the point of being a little bit draggy, but the side characters and banter the main characters had made up for it in no time.
This is a book for book lovers who can't get enough of their love stories and books at the same time. I highly recommend!
Thank you to the author and publisher who provided me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.
February 2, 2025
⭐ 2.5
This one was interesting to me from the moment I saw it, and yes, it was, but it was lacking for me.
The story of Kate and Sebastian being "rivals" was entertaining but that's as far as it went, I feel like Sebastian was very mean and prejudiced from the beginning and that made me not like him very much which led me to even though I was entertained by the story I didn't like it beyond that. I feel that the story about his ancestors hiding was more entertaining than the main story.
The theme of the bookstores and the festival was what took all my attention since they both run bookstores that are completely different from the others (which is why they are rivals) and well, it reads fast, I was entertained but that's as far as it went.
📌 I received an e-arc through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
---
Este se me hizo interesante desde que lo vi y si, lo fue pero me faltó.
La historia de Kate y Sebastian siendo “rivales” fue entretenida pero hasta allí, siento que Sebastian fue muy malo y prejuicioso desde el principio y eso hizo que no me gustara mucho cosa que me llevó a que aunque me entretuviera la historia no me gustara más allá de eso. Siento que la historia que escondían sus antepasados fue más entretenida que la principal.
El tema de las librerías y el festival fue lo que se llevó toda mi atención, ya que los dos llevan librerías una completamente diferente de las otras razón por la que son rivales) y bueno, se lee rápido, me entretuve pero hasta allí.
This one was interesting to me from the moment I saw it, and yes, it was, but it was lacking for me.
The story of Kate and Sebastian being "rivals" was entertaining but that's as far as it went, I feel like Sebastian was very mean and prejudiced from the beginning and that made me not like him very much which led me to even though I was entertained by the story I didn't like it beyond that. I feel that the story about his ancestors hiding was more entertaining than the main story.
The theme of the bookstores and the festival was what took all my attention since they both run bookstores that are completely different from the others (which is why they are rivals) and well, it reads fast, I was entertained but that's as far as it went.
📌 I received an e-arc through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
---
Este se me hizo interesante desde que lo vi y si, lo fue pero me faltó.
La historia de Kate y Sebastian siendo “rivales” fue entretenida pero hasta allí, siento que Sebastian fue muy malo y prejuicioso desde el principio y eso hizo que no me gustara mucho cosa que me llevó a que aunque me entretuviera la historia no me gustara más allá de eso. Siento que la historia que escondían sus antepasados fue más entretenida que la principal.
El tema de las librerías y el festival fue lo que se llevó toda mi atención, ya que los dos llevan librerías una completamente diferente de las otras razón por la que son rivales) y bueno, se lee rápido, me entretuve pero hasta allí.
January 28, 2025
Ce roman avait tous les ingrédients pour me plaire : une petite ville, deux libraires rivaux ...
Pourtant, je n'ai pas du tout réussi à accrocher, j'ai pris en grippe le perso masculin dès le début, et après une semaine à être bloquée à 27%, je préfère abandonner, malheureusement. 😪
Pourtant, je n'ai pas du tout réussi à accrocher, j'ai pris en grippe le perso masculin dès le début, et après une semaine à être bloquée à 27%, je préfère abandonner, malheureusement. 😪
November 26, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by Headline | Headline Eternal via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A grumpy hero and a heroine with scars of her own trying to rediscover joy meet in “Book People”, by Jackie Ashenden, finding more affinities than the shared passion for books.
I loved the leads’ personalities and the clash between Sebastian’s grumpiness and apparent coldness and Kate’s optimism and openness.
They both have emotional wounds and react differently.
Jackie Ashenden’s talent at writing intense, fierce and deeply devoted heroes is shown through Sebastian’s character.
His intensity and honesty are fascinating.
The apparently fragile heroine turns out to be a strong individual fighting for her dreams after a period of loss and heartache.
I liked the balance, the dialogue between the two bookshops and the owners’ personalities in the small community, and how they cooperated in the end.
The secret love story in the past was intriguing and also very endearing.
A grumpy hero and a heroine with scars of her own trying to rediscover joy meet in “Book People”, by Jackie Ashenden, finding more affinities than the shared passion for books.
I loved the leads’ personalities and the clash between Sebastian’s grumpiness and apparent coldness and Kate’s optimism and openness.
They both have emotional wounds and react differently.
Jackie Ashenden’s talent at writing intense, fierce and deeply devoted heroes is shown through Sebastian’s character.
His intensity and honesty are fascinating.
The apparently fragile heroine turns out to be a strong individual fighting for her dreams after a period of loss and heartache.
I liked the balance, the dialogue between the two bookshops and the owners’ personalities in the small community, and how they cooperated in the end.
The secret love story in the past was intriguing and also very endearing.
November 17, 2024
I really loved the concept of this story and had to give it a try. I’m so glad that I did. I loved the setting, the conflict of competing book stores, the instant connection, the mystery behind their relatives. It was a fun read!
November 15, 2024
This was a super quick and cute read based on the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope set in a small town in the English countryside and is centered around our favorite thing, BOOKS! The characters steer heavily into tropes, but the story is well written and feels like a hallmark movie in all the best ways. If that is your vibe, then this is a book for you!
My rating: 3.5 stars
I’d like to thank NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this ARC.
**Spoiler warning**
The thing that grabbed me the most in this story was the parallel storyline about their great grandparents and their secret note passing affair. I would absolutely love to read a novella based on their story.
I loved Kate and Sebastian’s common ground of using books as a form of escapism and healing during tough times in their lives, since let’s be honest, all of us here are book nerds and have chosen to lose ourselves in a book. At times, their story felt a little lustful and less romantic in how their attraction was described. I wish Sebastian’s earlier point of view focused more on aspects of Kate’s warm charismatic personality rather than the ground shifting love at first sight vibes. Sebastian was also a little too alpha male, ‘Neanderthal-like’ for my tastes, but again that’s a trope that we see over and over again so it’s not to say it’s a bad thing it’s just not for me.
The story also at times felt a bit redundant and overly focused on the deep parallels between the storylines of the great grandparents, down to even their names, but hey sometimes this is exactly the type of vacation read we want.
My rating: 3.5 stars
I’d like to thank NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this ARC.
**Spoiler warning**
The thing that grabbed me the most in this story was the parallel storyline about their great grandparents and their secret note passing affair. I would absolutely love to read a novella based on their story.
I loved Kate and Sebastian’s common ground of using books as a form of escapism and healing during tough times in their lives, since let’s be honest, all of us here are book nerds and have chosen to lose ourselves in a book. At times, their story felt a little lustful and less romantic in how their attraction was described. I wish Sebastian’s earlier point of view focused more on aspects of Kate’s warm charismatic personality rather than the ground shifting love at first sight vibes. Sebastian was also a little too alpha male, ‘Neanderthal-like’ for my tastes, but again that’s a trope that we see over and over again so it’s not to say it’s a bad thing it’s just not for me.
The story also at times felt a bit redundant and overly focused on the deep parallels between the storylines of the great grandparents, down to even their names, but hey sometimes this is exactly the type of vacation read we want.
dnfed
April 9, 2025I 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.
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.
November 21, 2024
This book starts off with an intense enemies-to-lovers dynamic, where the protagonists’ animosity almost feels too extreme at times, but it’s this tension that fuels the slow-burn of their relationship. As the story progresses, deep emotions are explored in through the characters’ family ties, which add complexity and depth to the plot. This was an enjoyable read—thank you to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC!
January 9, 2025
3.5 stars - rounded to 4 for GoodReads
Book People by Jackie Ashenden is a cute and fluffy romance that offers a delightful escape into the charming world of battling bookshop owners. The concept of two rival bookshop owners, Kate and Sebastian, is wonderfully executed, providing a fun and engaging backdrop for the story.
The chemistry between Kate and Sebastian, while a bit slow to develop at the start, eventually blossoms into a compelling and heartwarming relationship. The initial interactions felt slightly off and hard to engage with, but as the story progressed, their connection deepened and became one of the highlights of the book.
Overall, Book People is a super cute and easy read, perfect for those who enjoy lighthearted romance with a literary twist. It's an enjoyable story that celebrates love, books, and the unexpected journeys life can take us on.
Book People by Jackie Ashenden is a cute and fluffy romance that offers a delightful escape into the charming world of battling bookshop owners. The concept of two rival bookshop owners, Kate and Sebastian, is wonderfully executed, providing a fun and engaging backdrop for the story.
The chemistry between Kate and Sebastian, while a bit slow to develop at the start, eventually blossoms into a compelling and heartwarming relationship. The initial interactions felt slightly off and hard to engage with, but as the story progressed, their connection deepened and became one of the highlights of the book.
Overall, Book People is a super cute and easy read, perfect for those who enjoy lighthearted romance with a literary twist. It's an enjoyable story that celebrates love, books, and the unexpected journeys life can take us on.
November 29, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! it was a fun read & I enjoyed Kate and Sebastian's banter plus the fact that Sebastian was down bad everytime lol... if u like a sunshine fmc and grumpy mmc then this one's for you!
August 22, 2025
5/5 🌟
I love it. 🥹
I love it. 🥹
October 31, 2025
Sorry.. dit was niet mijn boek 🥲
January 28, 2025
Not bad, especially because Bas is nice and intense as a male character, without trespassing on the alpha male, which is a pleasant novelty. The subplot is also particularly fascinating, and all together it completes a multifaceted contemporary romance, plus books.....
Non male, soprattutto perché Bas é bello intenso come personaggio maschile, senza per questo sconfinare nel maschio alfa, il che é una piacevole novitá. La sottotrama é anche particolarmente affascinante e tutto assieme completa un contemporary romance dalle molte sfaccettature ed in piú ci sono i libri....
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Non male, soprattutto perché Bas é bello intenso come personaggio maschile, senza per questo sconfinare nel maschio alfa, il che é una piacevole novitá. La sottotrama é anche particolarmente affascinante e tutto assieme completa un contemporary romance dalle molte sfaccettature ed in piú ci sono i libri....
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
December 4, 2024
4.7/5
The people was really close to "perfect; but I was missing that "it" factor for me. That BIG moments between the MCs.
She's incorrigible.
She's impossible.
I want to get up and walk away and never speak to her again.
I want to reach over the table, drag her into my lap, and kiss her senseless.
I enjoyed reading each other their POVs and seeing what they think about the other person. Sometimes when the book is single POV and it's from the female's. I, personally, don't always get enough of what the guy thinks of them.
Kate
The sunshine to the sometime dreary town. She's into the stuff that lets you escape from reality; romance, smut, sci-fi, thrillers, all of it. She wants a new start and find it in a bookstore. Kate is the happy one, but has been through some stuff and didn't let it hold her back. Very headstrong and determined, which you'll see with how she handles demanding situations.
Sebastian
The reserved, but "will talk when needed" man. He's into literature, the classics. He grew up in the town, it's all he's known, including the Bookstore. Sebastian has a hard shell, but slowly cracks when it comes to Kate. He knows what he wants, how he likes things and We get to see why he's the way he is, and what's important to him.
There's smut in the book, but it doesn't over power the romance between them, or the plot of the book. It's a good 4/5. Not too spicy.
The people was really close to "perfect; but I was missing that "it" factor for me. That BIG moments between the MCs.
She's incorrigible.
She's impossible.
I want to get up and walk away and never speak to her again.
I want to reach over the table, drag her into my lap, and kiss her senseless.
I enjoyed reading each other their POVs and seeing what they think about the other person. Sometimes when the book is single POV and it's from the female's. I, personally, don't always get enough of what the guy thinks of them.
Kate
The sunshine to the sometime dreary town. She's into the stuff that lets you escape from reality; romance, smut, sci-fi, thrillers, all of it. She wants a new start and find it in a bookstore. Kate is the happy one, but has been through some stuff and didn't let it hold her back. Very headstrong and determined, which you'll see with how she handles demanding situations.
Sebastian
The reserved, but "will talk when needed" man. He's into literature, the classics. He grew up in the town, it's all he's known, including the Bookstore. Sebastian has a hard shell, but slowly cracks when it comes to Kate. He knows what he wants, how he likes things and We get to see why he's the way he is, and what's important to him.
There's smut in the book, but it doesn't over power the romance between them, or the plot of the book. It's a good 4/5. Not too spicy.
December 23, 2024
2 stars
I absolutely hate to say it, but I didn’t really enjoy this one. The premise is super cool: Kate and Sebastian each own bookstores located opposite of each other in a small town. Sebastian’s store is legacy, while Kate only came to town recently. For reasons unbeknownst to her, he seems to despise her… because he’s super attracted to her. Yes, you read that right. He also said, “I never dip my pen in the company ink – or the village ink, to be precise.” Let that sink in. Pen means exactly what you think it means. It’s giving high school, sorry.
So, the plot is great, Sebastian maybe not so much, but I could relate to both his and Kate’s love for books and reading (I have a feeling most of us readers will), but then why didn’t I like this? Well, it was quite insta-lovey and the communication on Sebastian’s end was ass. They also went from 0 to 100% after one kiss and despite repeatedly saying they ‘shouldn’t do this’, they still went ahead—and I personally didn’t like how they went about it. In combination with sometimes ick-inducing writing, the book unfortunately didn’t work out for me as much as I’d hoped it would.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely hate to say it, but I didn’t really enjoy this one. The premise is super cool: Kate and Sebastian each own bookstores located opposite of each other in a small town. Sebastian’s store is legacy, while Kate only came to town recently. For reasons unbeknownst to her, he seems to despise her… because he’s super attracted to her. Yes, you read that right. He also said, “I never dip my pen in the company ink – or the village ink, to be precise.” Let that sink in. Pen means exactly what you think it means. It’s giving high school, sorry.
So, the plot is great, Sebastian maybe not so much, but I could relate to both his and Kate’s love for books and reading (I have a feeling most of us readers will), but then why didn’t I like this? Well, it was quite insta-lovey and the communication on Sebastian’s end was ass. They also went from 0 to 100% after one kiss and despite repeatedly saying they ‘shouldn’t do this’, they still went ahead—and I personally didn’t like how they went about it. In combination with sometimes ick-inducing writing, the book unfortunately didn’t work out for me as much as I’d hoped it would.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 15, 2024
Book people by Jackie Ashenden is a delightful romance set in a charming small-town, focusing on two very different booksellers with undeniable chemistry.
While book is marketed as an enemies-to-lovers story, it feels more like a gentle rivalry rather than actual enmity. Kate and Sebastian clearly like each other from the moment they meet, and their dynamic is more about navigating differences in personality and outlook than overcoming true animosity.
Sebastian, the male lead, was a bit insufferable at first. He came across as more frustrating than charming, but his character evolves nicely as the story progresses.
One of the most memorable elements of the book is the inclusion of secret love letters, which added depth to the narrative. These letters felt like love stories within the love story. They elevated the romance.
Though it doesn’t quite live up to its enemies-to-lovers billing, Book People is still an enjoyable and heartwarming read. All in all, it was a fun, easy read.
Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!
While book is marketed as an enemies-to-lovers story, it feels more like a gentle rivalry rather than actual enmity. Kate and Sebastian clearly like each other from the moment they meet, and their dynamic is more about navigating differences in personality and outlook than overcoming true animosity.
Sebastian, the male lead, was a bit insufferable at first. He came across as more frustrating than charming, but his character evolves nicely as the story progresses.
One of the most memorable elements of the book is the inclusion of secret love letters, which added depth to the narrative. These letters felt like love stories within the love story. They elevated the romance.
Though it doesn’t quite live up to its enemies-to-lovers billing, Book People is still an enjoyable and heartwarming read. All in all, it was a fun, easy read.
Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!
January 14, 2025
I really wanted to love this book—how could I not, with a story about rival bookshop owners? The whole setup sounded perfect: Kate and Sebastian, two people who run competing bookstores in a cozy little town. Add some tension and romance, and I was ready to dive in. But honestly? It just wasn’t for me.
Everything moved way too fast. Kate and Sebastian went from hating each other to hooking up in what felt like five seconds. Whiplash…. Right?!?!?
I love a good rivals-to-lovers romance, but there was no build-up, no emotional connection—just pure lust.
The writing was also a bit all over the place, and some of the drama felt totally unnecessary. And why was Sebastian embarrassed to be seen reading a non-literary book? Dude, you own a bookstore. Chill with the book snobbery.
There were some cute moments, and the setting was really cozy, so I can see why other people might enjoy it. But for me, it just didn’t hit the mark.
Thanks to NetGalley & Headline for the ARC!
Everything moved way too fast. Kate and Sebastian went from hating each other to hooking up in what felt like five seconds. Whiplash…. Right?!?!?
I love a good rivals-to-lovers romance, but there was no build-up, no emotional connection—just pure lust.
The writing was also a bit all over the place, and some of the drama felt totally unnecessary. And why was Sebastian embarrassed to be seen reading a non-literary book? Dude, you own a bookstore. Chill with the book snobbery.
There were some cute moments, and the setting was really cozy, so I can see why other people might enjoy it. But for me, it just didn’t hit the mark.
Thanks to NetGalley & Headline for the ARC!
August 24, 2025
4,5/5
J’ai a-do-ré !!
Il y a d’un côté Kate qui sort d’une relation où elle a été abusée mentalement : constamment rabaissée au point où elle n’avait plus du tout confiance en elle, où elle avait été esseulée, sans personne sur qui compter.
De l’autre on a Sebastian qui n’a jamais eu de bons modèles de relations saines. Ses parents, ses grands-parents, ses arrières-grands-parents : à chaque fois, la femme quittait son mari. Alors Sebastian pensait qu’ils étaient maudits. Que toutes les femmes que les Blackwoods aimaient finissaient par partir.
Alors Sebastian a enfermé ses sentiments et ne s’est jamais laissé les exprimer ni même les ressentir.
On a deux opposés qui se rencontrent, se percutent et viennent chambouler la vie de l’autre.
Il y en a un qui YEARN l’autre, qui l’aime pour qui elle est, qui l’écoute et worships the ground she walks on.
Et l’autre va lui donner tout son amour, l’aider à sauver ce qui compte le plus au monde pour lui (sa librairie), et lui montrer que ressentir des choses n’est pas une faiblesse, mais une force.
Quand je vous dis que j’ai pleuré, je ne mens pas. Les larmes ont COULÉ et je ressemblais à un panda une fois la dernière page tournée. Non pas que le livre soit triste, avec une fin triste. Non. La fin est magnifique, avec juste les bons mots pour mon petit cœur d’éternelle romantique.
En plus de suivre Kate et Sebastian dans leur quête de sauvetage de la librairie de Sebastian en organisant un festival de livres dans leur petite ville, on suit aussi une enquête de fond qu’ils font afin que Kate redécouvre son passé, son arrière-grand-mère ainsi que sa grand-mère, qu’elle n’a jamais eu la chance de connaître. Et on découvre des lettres que s’écrivent H et C.
Alors oui, il a été assez facile pour moi de deviner ce qu’il s’était passé entre H et C, de faire le lien avec les histoires racontées dans la ville de Wychtree, mais j’ai quand même adoré ce petit suspense de fond.
Et enfin, je ne peux pas finir cette revue sans mentionner Dan, le meilleur et seul ami de Sebastian. Ce mec est à mourir de rire. Dieu merci, il était là pour donner des claques à Sebastian.
Je cite : «'Sebastian, I knew you were a stupid bastard, but I didn't think you were that stupid. »
Et pour terminer, ma citation préférée du livre :
« Remember though. Your story isn’t over. And the only person who gets to write your happy ending is you. »
J’ai a-do-ré !!
Il y a d’un côté Kate qui sort d’une relation où elle a été abusée mentalement : constamment rabaissée au point où elle n’avait plus du tout confiance en elle, où elle avait été esseulée, sans personne sur qui compter.
De l’autre on a Sebastian qui n’a jamais eu de bons modèles de relations saines. Ses parents, ses grands-parents, ses arrières-grands-parents : à chaque fois, la femme quittait son mari. Alors Sebastian pensait qu’ils étaient maudits. Que toutes les femmes que les Blackwoods aimaient finissaient par partir.
Alors Sebastian a enfermé ses sentiments et ne s’est jamais laissé les exprimer ni même les ressentir.
On a deux opposés qui se rencontrent, se percutent et viennent chambouler la vie de l’autre.
Il y en a un qui YEARN l’autre, qui l’aime pour qui elle est, qui l’écoute et worships the ground she walks on.
Et l’autre va lui donner tout son amour, l’aider à sauver ce qui compte le plus au monde pour lui (sa librairie), et lui montrer que ressentir des choses n’est pas une faiblesse, mais une force.
Quand je vous dis que j’ai pleuré, je ne mens pas. Les larmes ont COULÉ et je ressemblais à un panda une fois la dernière page tournée. Non pas que le livre soit triste, avec une fin triste. Non. La fin est magnifique, avec juste les bons mots pour mon petit cœur d’éternelle romantique.
En plus de suivre Kate et Sebastian dans leur quête de sauvetage de la librairie de Sebastian en organisant un festival de livres dans leur petite ville, on suit aussi une enquête de fond qu’ils font afin que Kate redécouvre son passé, son arrière-grand-mère ainsi que sa grand-mère, qu’elle n’a jamais eu la chance de connaître. Et on découvre des lettres que s’écrivent H et C.
Alors oui, il a été assez facile pour moi de deviner ce qu’il s’était passé entre H et C, de faire le lien avec les histoires racontées dans la ville de Wychtree, mais j’ai quand même adoré ce petit suspense de fond.
Et enfin, je ne peux pas finir cette revue sans mentionner Dan, le meilleur et seul ami de Sebastian. Ce mec est à mourir de rire. Dieu merci, il était là pour donner des claques à Sebastian.
Je cite : «'Sebastian, I knew you were a stupid bastard, but I didn't think you were that stupid. »
Et pour terminer, ma citation préférée du livre :
« Remember though. Your story isn’t over. And the only person who gets to write your happy ending is you. »
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