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Summer Reading #2
Love at First Book
9 hours, 49 minutes
When a librarian moves to a quaint Irish village where her favorite novelist lives, the last thing she expects is to fall for the author’s prickly son… until their story becomes one for the books, from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading
Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.
Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy. He manages Siobhan’s bookstore, and the grouchy bookworm clearly doesn’t want Em around.
When Siobhan’s health takes a bad turn, she’s more determined than ever to finish her novel, while Kieran tries every trick in the book to get his mother to rest. Thrown into the role of peacemaker, Emily begins to see that Kieran's heart is in the right place. Torn between helping Siobhan find closure with her series and her own growing feelings for the mercurial Irishman, Emily will have to decide if she’s truly ready to turn a new page and figure out what lies in the next chapter.
When a librarian moves to a quaint Irish village where her favorite novelist lives, the last thing she expects is to fall for the author’s prickly son… until their story becomes one for the books, from the New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading
Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.
Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy. He manages Siobhan’s bookstore, and the grouchy bookworm clearly doesn’t want Em around.
When Siobhan’s health takes a bad turn, she’s more determined than ever to finish her novel, while Kieran tries every trick in the book to get his mother to rest. Thrown into the role of peacemaker, Emily begins to see that Kieran's heart is in the right place. Torn between helping Siobhan find closure with her series and her own growing feelings for the mercurial Irishman, Emily will have to decide if she’s truly ready to turn a new page and figure out what lies in the next chapter.
Audiobook
First published May 14, 2024
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About the author
Jenn McKinlay
70 books5,277 followersJenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,903 reviews
July 4, 2025
Romance goddesses might have sent me this book to mend my broken heart, and let me tell you, it's amazing! Anyone who reads "Love at First Book" might find themselves wishing to be transported to the fictional town of Finn’s Hollow, with its picturesque views, genuine and caring folks, fairy-tale atmosphere surrounded by historical castles, and did somebody say Irish Whisky Short Bread? I can almost taste the buttery crumbles slowly diminishing in my mouth! Yes, I need this town to be real, and I'm thankful to Jenn McKinlay for creating a portal in my mind and bringing this place to life.
There are numerous reasons why I'd give this book more than five stars, and it's not just because I fell in love with the main location where the events take place. The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance between Emily "Em-Red" Allen and Kieran "Kier" Murphy was adorable from the beginning. It was pure lust at first sight. I found myself guffawing loudly at their witty banter. Their palpable, fiery chemistry captures you, and, of course, the perfect supporting characters of the townies steal your heart. You'll want to spend days at the bookshop, taste pastries, and drink gallons of tea (even though I hate tea) just to widen your smile while flipping pages.
Emily Allen appears to be an introverted librarian who has been psychologically abused by her narcissistic mother for years, trapped on a small-town island, and suffering from hypochondria due to dysfunctional family issues. She's suffocating, and the only thing that has helped her is Siobhan Riordan’s Tig McMorrow series. She was only nine when she started the first book of the series, and the books healed her broken soul until she reached 18. She still wonders why the author didn't publish a book for ten years and left her favorite character in purgatory. But now she's lucky enough to ask in person, as she has landed a job as an assistant to her favorite author, which is a dream come true. However, she didn't count on also working with the author's brooding, grumpy, and reminiscent-of-Fitzwilliam-Darcy son, Kieran Murphy, who treats her like the bane of his existence, calling her "Red" and doing everything in his power to make her leave without looking back.
Kieran absolutely brings out the feisty, impulsive parts of Emily because she has no intention of giving up, even though Kieran gives her the impossible task of working on the inventory of the store with the most ancient stocking system and a computer that may have been transported from the early ages. But what if there is a good reason for Kieran to be so protective around his mother? Even he cannot resist the charm of Emily. Could they have more common ground instead of hurling insults at each other? What if they are meant to be against all odds?
This book is a charming love song to my soul that deserves more than five stars! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming, inspiring, and genuine romance story. This might be my favorite book by the author!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this wonderful book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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There are numerous reasons why I'd give this book more than five stars, and it's not just because I fell in love with the main location where the events take place. The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance between Emily "Em-Red" Allen and Kieran "Kier" Murphy was adorable from the beginning. It was pure lust at first sight. I found myself guffawing loudly at their witty banter. Their palpable, fiery chemistry captures you, and, of course, the perfect supporting characters of the townies steal your heart. You'll want to spend days at the bookshop, taste pastries, and drink gallons of tea (even though I hate tea) just to widen your smile while flipping pages.
Emily Allen appears to be an introverted librarian who has been psychologically abused by her narcissistic mother for years, trapped on a small-town island, and suffering from hypochondria due to dysfunctional family issues. She's suffocating, and the only thing that has helped her is Siobhan Riordan’s Tig McMorrow series. She was only nine when she started the first book of the series, and the books healed her broken soul until she reached 18. She still wonders why the author didn't publish a book for ten years and left her favorite character in purgatory. But now she's lucky enough to ask in person, as she has landed a job as an assistant to her favorite author, which is a dream come true. However, she didn't count on also working with the author's brooding, grumpy, and reminiscent-of-Fitzwilliam-Darcy son, Kieran Murphy, who treats her like the bane of his existence, calling her "Red" and doing everything in his power to make her leave without looking back.
Kieran absolutely brings out the feisty, impulsive parts of Emily because she has no intention of giving up, even though Kieran gives her the impossible task of working on the inventory of the store with the most ancient stocking system and a computer that may have been transported from the early ages. But what if there is a good reason for Kieran to be so protective around his mother? Even he cannot resist the charm of Emily. Could they have more common ground instead of hurling insults at each other? What if they are meant to be against all odds?
This book is a charming love song to my soul that deserves more than five stars! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartwarming, inspiring, and genuine romance story. This might be my favorite book by the author!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this wonderful book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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May 15, 2024
✨Read this if you want to go to Ireland and cry 🫵✨
I’ve tried to come back to this review several times and I simply can’t think of anything more to say than if you want to go to Ireland and cry, this book is for you. You can want to cry in Ireland, specifically, or just want to cry in general. Although I do recommend crying in Ireland because there seems to be a lot of dramatic rainstorms that will maximize your cry potential.
At the surface, it’s a very classic Hallmarky plot—a favorite of mine, no less. Of course, the heroine flees her life and moves too a small Irish village, of which she quickly becomes a beloved member. Of course, her new boss—and owner of the local bookstore—immediately dislikes her and has an obvious chip on his shoulder only for her. Of course, he’s just shy of scruffy-looking nerfherder—big, brunette, bearded—with a sexy accent and a brilliant sweater collection and a fear of change. Of course, he immediately gives her a nickname (and when he uses her real name, of course, it’s devastating). Of course, he can take her to the best local restaurants or just as easily whip her up dinner because he worked at restaurants in Dublin. Of course, he’s always sneaking glances at her when she’s not looking and OF COURSE the entire village reminds her of this daily. Of course I’m going to love this book!!
BUT—and it’s a caps lock but!!—the subplot of Emily working as an assistant for the local author is where the EMOTIONS are really at. It’s woven in with the romance because she’s normally also with Kier while working as the assistant (hello drama! he’s her SON), so while romance remained the main focus, it was a plot I was heavily invested in. The author, Siobhan, was suffering from a decade-long writer’s block and had a deadline to meet for the last book in her super successful children’s fantasy series. By the end they all have to work together to finish this book and good lord it was so intense and emotional for so many reasons.
(Make sure to check the CWs below because while they are spoilers, I think most people will want it spoiled as it’s a common trigger.)
I also loved how her toxic mother was handled!! Not gonna lie, I was so scared because I knew that was going to be a part of the book, and it’s a trope I really don’t like. What was so wonderful is that she’d already been (and still went to) therapy and was in a space where she could set boundaries with her mother during the book. Her mother didn’t follow them per se, but the heroine really put up with no shit and basically cut her off by the end. It was very refreshing to have her heavy therapy lifting done before the book began. She could flex her skills, but it didn’t cause many issues.
Love at First Book is one of those books that you just can’t stop reading. I really enjoyed Summer Reading, and this was an anticipated release, but I definitely underestimated it. It’s a FANTASTIC book. It elevates everything I love about Hallmark movies and destination romances. I would easily recommend this to anyone in a book club. I cried a lot at the end, so be warned, but it was a good, cathartic Irish rainstorm type of cry.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️.75*/5
*There’s at least one open-door scene and a few extra bits and bobs. A little more explicit than Summer Reading I think.
CWs: Toxic relationship with parent, hypochondria (researching illnesses, spiraling, etc), death (off-page but it’s happening throughout the book), breast cancer relapse (ends in his mother dying at the end of the book)
I received an eARC from Berkley Romance. All opinions are honest and my own.
I’ve tried to come back to this review several times and I simply can’t think of anything more to say than if you want to go to Ireland and cry, this book is for you. You can want to cry in Ireland, specifically, or just want to cry in general. Although I do recommend crying in Ireland because there seems to be a lot of dramatic rainstorms that will maximize your cry potential.
At the surface, it’s a very classic Hallmarky plot—a favorite of mine, no less. Of course, the heroine flees her life and moves too a small Irish village, of which she quickly becomes a beloved member. Of course, her new boss—and owner of the local bookstore—immediately dislikes her and has an obvious chip on his shoulder only for her. Of course, he’s just shy of scruffy-looking nerfherder—big, brunette, bearded—with a sexy accent and a brilliant sweater collection and a fear of change. Of course, he immediately gives her a nickname (and when he uses her real name, of course, it’s devastating). Of course, he can take her to the best local restaurants or just as easily whip her up dinner because he worked at restaurants in Dublin. Of course, he’s always sneaking glances at her when she’s not looking and OF COURSE the entire village reminds her of this daily. Of course I’m going to love this book!!
BUT—and it’s a caps lock but!!—the subplot of Emily working as an assistant for the local author is where the EMOTIONS are really at. It’s woven in with the romance because she’s normally also with Kier while working as the assistant (hello drama! he’s her SON), so while romance remained the main focus, it was a plot I was heavily invested in. The author, Siobhan, was suffering from a decade-long writer’s block and had a deadline to meet for the last book in her super successful children’s fantasy series. By the end they all have to work together to finish this book and good lord it was so intense and emotional for so many reasons.
(Make sure to check the CWs below because while they are spoilers, I think most people will want it spoiled as it’s a common trigger.)
I also loved how her toxic mother was handled!! Not gonna lie, I was so scared because I knew that was going to be a part of the book, and it’s a trope I really don’t like. What was so wonderful is that she’d already been (and still went to) therapy and was in a space where she could set boundaries with her mother during the book. Her mother didn’t follow them per se, but the heroine really put up with no shit and basically cut her off by the end. It was very refreshing to have her heavy therapy lifting done before the book began. She could flex her skills, but it didn’t cause many issues.
Love at First Book is one of those books that you just can’t stop reading. I really enjoyed Summer Reading, and this was an anticipated release, but I definitely underestimated it. It’s a FANTASTIC book. It elevates everything I love about Hallmark movies and destination romances. I would easily recommend this to anyone in a book club. I cried a lot at the end, so be warned, but it was a good, cathartic Irish rainstorm type of cry.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️.75*/5
*There’s at least one open-door scene and a few extra bits and bobs. A little more explicit than Summer Reading I think.
CWs: Toxic relationship with parent, hypochondria (researching illnesses, spiraling, etc), death (off-page but it’s happening throughout the book), breast cancer relapse (ends in his mother dying at the end of the book)
I received an eARC from Berkley Romance. All opinions are honest and my own.
January 13, 2025
✩ 4.35 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Contemporary Romance
➼ Found Family
➼ Small Town in Ireland
➼ Workplace Romance
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Grumpy x Sunshine
➼ Book About Books
➼ Librarian x Book Store Owner
➼ An Emotional Read
➼ 3rd Act Break Up (but this one made sense)
➼ First Person POV
Can you imagine how frustrating it would feel if J.K. Rowling had never written an ending to the Harry Potter series?! Or even worse, if HBO had written it? 🤪
The FMC (Em’s) favorite fantasy series has been left unresolved and hanging on a cliffhanger for the last 10 years. Feeling discontent with her life, Em decides it is time to make some major changes. In the hope of starting fresh somewhere new, she casts a wide net and stumbles upon a job posting at a small book store in Ireland. Much to her surprise, it was posted by none other than her favorite author (because or course it was 😂). On a whim, she writes the author a heartfelt letter and to her shock, she is offered both the job and the opportunity to help the author write her final book. Not only will she finally get an ending to her favorite series, but she will also get to play a part in writing it. AND she will get to work at a book store in Ireland?! A book lovers dream!!
This book was clearly written with book people in mind, so obviously I loved it! In the story, the author has a tendency to lose herself in her work and the MMC (her son Kier) worries that her writing will take a toll on her health. He does his best to scare the FMC away and is initially very gruff and grumpy towards her, but Em is not deterred. He is of course super hot and a fellow book lover that runs the book shop which gives readers a delicious blend of the grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity tropes (two of my favs). Em gives as good as she gets and over time Kier begins to soften to her as they both begin to open up and let the other in.
There was definitely attraction from the start, but I appreciated that we got to see these two really get to know each other before they jumped into bed together. With so many insta love romances out there, this was a nice change of pace. This was slow burn done right especially because their romance also had that forbidden quality since he was her boss. All this plus the bookstore itself and the quaint Irish setting…🧑🏼🍳💋
Based on the cover, I was expecting a cute rom-com but this ended up being a highly emotional read with a lot of depth. There was a third act break up, but it made sense to me because of the circumstances so I wasn’t too bothered by it this time. There was a lot happening and the characters were doing their best to process their feelings through it all so their responses felt very human and realistic to me. This has been one of my favorite romance releases so far this year! I definitely recommend reading this, but make sure you have tissues handy for this one! I doubt you will make it through without shedding at least a few tears! 🥺🤧
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: 3 reviews behind… 🙃
So obviously I’m starting a new book instead of writing one. 😂
What to Expect:
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Contemporary Romance
➼ Found Family
➼ Small Town in Ireland
➼ Workplace Romance
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Grumpy x Sunshine
➼ Book About Books
➼ Librarian x Book Store Owner
➼ An Emotional Read
➼ 3rd Act Break Up (but this one made sense)
➼ First Person POV
Can you imagine how frustrating it would feel if J.K. Rowling had never written an ending to the Harry Potter series?! Or even worse, if HBO had written it? 🤪
The FMC (Em’s) favorite fantasy series has been left unresolved and hanging on a cliffhanger for the last 10 years. Feeling discontent with her life, Em decides it is time to make some major changes. In the hope of starting fresh somewhere new, she casts a wide net and stumbles upon a job posting at a small book store in Ireland. Much to her surprise, it was posted by none other than her favorite author (because or course it was 😂). On a whim, she writes the author a heartfelt letter and to her shock, she is offered both the job and the opportunity to help the author write her final book. Not only will she finally get an ending to her favorite series, but she will also get to play a part in writing it. AND she will get to work at a book store in Ireland?! A book lovers dream!!
This book was clearly written with book people in mind, so obviously I loved it! In the story, the author has a tendency to lose herself in her work and the MMC (her son Kier) worries that her writing will take a toll on her health. He does his best to scare the FMC away and is initially very gruff and grumpy towards her, but Em is not deterred. He is of course super hot and a fellow book lover that runs the book shop which gives readers a delicious blend of the grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity tropes (two of my favs). Em gives as good as she gets and over time Kier begins to soften to her as they both begin to open up and let the other in.
There was definitely attraction from the start, but I appreciated that we got to see these two really get to know each other before they jumped into bed together. With so many insta love romances out there, this was a nice change of pace. This was slow burn done right especially because their romance also had that forbidden quality since he was her boss. All this plus the bookstore itself and the quaint Irish setting…🧑🏼🍳💋
Based on the cover, I was expecting a cute rom-com but this ended up being a highly emotional read with a lot of depth. There was a third act break up, but it made sense to me because of the circumstances so I wasn’t too bothered by it this time. There was a lot happening and the characters were doing their best to process their feelings through it all so their responses felt very human and realistic to me. This has been one of my favorite romance releases so far this year! I definitely recommend reading this, but make sure you have tissues handy for this one! I doubt you will make it through without shedding at least a few tears! 🥺🤧
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: 3 reviews behind… 🙃
So obviously I’m starting a new book instead of writing one. 😂
June 3, 2024
Nothing I write will do justice because this book is perfection. I randomly picked it up in Waterstones without much thought but was immediately hooked on this slow-burn, grumpy sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance. With brilliant witty banter and sparks flying between the main characters, I was desperate to turn pages. Set in a bookshop in Ireland, Em (“Red”) becomes the assistant to her favourite author Siobhan, to help finish the last book in a series she grew up loving. It’s got a bit of everything and I loved it beyond words. I’m warning you now, you’re going to need tissues! I truly sobbed. This was my first book by Jenn McKinlay, and I adored her writing; I could even hear the Irish accents in my head, which never happens for me! One of my favourite reads of the year so far.
March 4, 2025
This book will give you all the feels.
It will make you laugh, fall in love, and definitely make you cry. One reviewer said that it wrecked her in the best possible way and I couldn't agree more. She absolutely hit the nail on the head with that single comment.
When Emily Allen moves to Ireland to escape her manipulative, abusive, narcissist of a mother and work with the author of her favorite books of all time, she gets way more than she dreamed of and quite possibly a life worth living. But, as in any good romance, there is heartache involved... just not quite the way you would normally expect. Jenn McKinlay has created a work with the best possible characters, a perfect location and people dealing with real life and all the emotions that go with it.
If you don't read this book, you are missing out on a truly captivating read that will stay with you for a very long time! -Jennifer K.
It will make you laugh, fall in love, and definitely make you cry. One reviewer said that it wrecked her in the best possible way and I couldn't agree more. She absolutely hit the nail on the head with that single comment.
When Emily Allen moves to Ireland to escape her manipulative, abusive, narcissist of a mother and work with the author of her favorite books of all time, she gets way more than she dreamed of and quite possibly a life worth living. But, as in any good romance, there is heartache involved... just not quite the way you would normally expect. Jenn McKinlay has created a work with the best possible characters, a perfect location and people dealing with real life and all the emotions that go with it.
If you don't read this book, you are missing out on a truly captivating read that will stay with you for a very long time! -Jennifer K.
April 8, 2024
I've been a fan of Jenn McKinlay's since I began reading her cozy mysteries nearly a decade ago. I preferred one or two of her series over the others, but then I noticed she was writing romance books too. I had way too many novels on my TBR, so I held out... caught up on her series and then added this one just in case I wanted to sample it. NetGalley granted my wish, and well... it hit my queue this week. All I can say is... droolworthy, in a good way. Kier is my new fantasy, and I am moving to Ireland. Okay, that can't happen but seriously, why don't things like this happen in real life? Loved the setup. Loved the characters. Cried at a death. Imagine a writer loosely based on someone with the success of the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, and toss in some imaginary family and connections, and this pulled at every emotion I have. I will definitely go back to read her earlier romance novels now too.
May 7, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
DNF 60%
I have been pushing myself since I started this to keep picking it back up. Really disappointing because I was really excited about the premise of this book (who doesn't want a romance set in Ireland? In a bookstore?). But there are so many things not working for me.
The writing is not as engaging as I'd like it to be, almost seems a little juvenile. I was not connecting to either MC's and as a result wasn't feeling their relationship at all. And the cherry on top was the FMC getting hit with information about the author she's working with (the MMC's mother) and being told that she can't tell him. This is already an annoying trope for me personally but then almost right after she learns this information, she's sucking his face. Jesus, absolutely no shame, and I don't enjoy FMC'S who can't seem to control themselves even when the situation is extremely complicated.
So I just couldn't get behind this one with the issues that I was seeing, especially since I kept coming across new ones the more I read.
There were definitely some cute and funny moments, but this was a no for me dawg.
DNF 60%
I have been pushing myself since I started this to keep picking it back up. Really disappointing because I was really excited about the premise of this book (who doesn't want a romance set in Ireland? In a bookstore?). But there are so many things not working for me.
The writing is not as engaging as I'd like it to be, almost seems a little juvenile. I was not connecting to either MC's and as a result wasn't feeling their relationship at all. And the cherry on top was the FMC getting hit with information about the author she's working with (the MMC's mother) and being told that she can't tell him. This is already an annoying trope for me personally but then almost right after she learns this information, she's sucking his face. Jesus, absolutely no shame, and I don't enjoy FMC'S who can't seem to control themselves even when the situation is extremely complicated.
So I just couldn't get behind this one with the issues that I was seeing, especially since I kept coming across new ones the more I read.
There were definitely some cute and funny moments, but this was a no for me dawg.
February 25, 2025
This feels like a cross between Stephen King's Misery and the Harry Potter series mashed together to make a romance.
Meet Emily, who in her own words is as dopey as a potato. She has ditched her job as a librarian in the US to go to Ireland and help her favourite author write the last book of her favourite childhood series.
Once in Ireland, Emily quickly meets the son of her favourite author, and his bulging arms and deep eyes have her in full on giddy mode.
And so, the romance begins.
I'm past this kind of romance that centres silly girls that can't see what's going on in front of their own eyes. There are so many authors now writing romances with strong, smart, logical female leads that I don't see the value in these thick girl romances anymore.
Two stars - the literacy references were fun.
Meet Emily, who in her own words is as dopey as a potato. She has ditched her job as a librarian in the US to go to Ireland and help her favourite author write the last book of her favourite childhood series.
Once in Ireland, Emily quickly meets the son of her favourite author, and his bulging arms and deep eyes have her in full on giddy mode.
And so, the romance begins.
I'm past this kind of romance that centres silly girls that can't see what's going on in front of their own eyes. There are so many authors now writing romances with strong, smart, logical female leads that I don't see the value in these thick girl romances anymore.
Two stars - the literacy references were fun.
May 6, 2024
Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay is a new contemporary romance novel with some humor but also some heartbreak. The story is one of a grumpy/sunshine or enemies to lovers romance set in the Emerald Isle, Ireland.
Emily Allen is feeling a bit stuck in her life where she works as a librarian in Martha’s Vineyard and decides to finally make a change. Answering an ad for a job as an assistant and part time book shop work Emily finds the one placing the ad is one of her favorite authors, Siobhan Riordan, so of course Emily jumps at the opportunity.
After arriving in Ireland though Emily gets a bit panicky about her big move and matters don’t get any better when she finds she’ll actually be working a lot of the time with Siobhan’s testy son. Determined to make the most of it though Emily settles in and does whatever is asked of her by both mother and son.
Starting off Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay I really thought this was going to be a run of the mill rom com but boy was I wrong. The story gets much deeper with cancer being at the center of one of the characters motivation so it really really pulled at my heart strings having just dealt with my own family member cancer scare. There was a good balance of the light and darker topics in the book and while i may have passed this by knowing the deeper topic was to come I’m certainly not sorry I read it and got to know and enjoy these characters and their stories.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Emily Allen is feeling a bit stuck in her life where she works as a librarian in Martha’s Vineyard and decides to finally make a change. Answering an ad for a job as an assistant and part time book shop work Emily finds the one placing the ad is one of her favorite authors, Siobhan Riordan, so of course Emily jumps at the opportunity.
After arriving in Ireland though Emily gets a bit panicky about her big move and matters don’t get any better when she finds she’ll actually be working a lot of the time with Siobhan’s testy son. Determined to make the most of it though Emily settles in and does whatever is asked of her by both mother and son.
Starting off Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay I really thought this was going to be a run of the mill rom com but boy was I wrong. The story gets much deeper with cancer being at the center of one of the characters motivation so it really really pulled at my heart strings having just dealt with my own family member cancer scare. There was a good balance of the light and darker topics in the book and while i may have passed this by knowing the deeper topic was to come I’m certainly not sorry I read it and got to know and enjoy these characters and their stories.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
January 12, 2025
refreshing and irish, i loved it
May 11, 2024
LOVE AT FIRST BOOK is without a doubt one of my top emotional books I’ve read in 2024 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. My heart broke for Em and Kier. Slow burn, enemies to lovers always wins me over, time and time again! Em and Kier are sunshine and grumpy and kept me giggling throughout this wonderful story! Jenn McKinlay really knows how to write cozy mysteries but she sure can hook the reader with her romance! I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart-tugging author. I have many of her older books to read and that brings me so much joy and happiness to know they are waiting for me!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Fresh Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
You can read my full review at:
https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Fresh Fiction. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
You can read my full review at:
https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...
October 26, 2024
Who wouldn’t want to go work in a bookstore in Ireland and meet the LOYL?! Hello, the accent alone 💕
May 18, 2024
Honestly I didn’t really like this. It was corny in a way that I didn’t enjoy, and it felt like it had a lot of pointless details floating around in a word doc for an otherwise non related plot.
This is yet another book masquerading as a romance when it’s really chick lit mixed with women’s fiction. And like, yeah sure those things can come together sometimes but MOST of this book has nothing to do with the romance…and by that I mean quite literally 90-95% of the story is about something other than the couple.
- Emily quits her stable job as a librarian to be a writers assistant even though she has no discernible credits to her name. Why is she qualified to be an editor? Because she likes to read ?
- Emily has an abusive mother that serves 0 purpose other than to give the character an abusive mother. Like? Why was this detail put into the story when it added nothing in terms of character development? OR PLOT
- As I said above, 90-95% of this story is about Emily helping Siobhan write her book …which fine. But why is it marketed as a romance? The romance between her and Kieran is so bone dry that really you have to wonder why it was even put in the story at all. They had negative chemistry. He “hates” her from the beginning and then??? To make the romance work he doesn’t? She cares more about the damn book she’s “helping” to write than him but bc she HAD to have someone to bone, she remember he exists.
- To that affect, the bookshop angle also meant nothing to the plot besides giving Emily a random place to “work” in Ireland
- Kieran having a random background side plot …WHY? It was like so many things were just tossed in her to make you think the characters had depth but it just made me ask more questions
-
There is a market for this type of wholesome (I guess) “cozy” vibe book but I’m not it, and had I known that beforehand I wouldn’t have read it. There needs to be some sort of stakes and CHEMISTRY in a romance book!
Idk why so many books are being pushed as romance when really they’re just books that have a romance in them when these 2 things are not the same!
This is yet another book masquerading as a romance when it’s really chick lit mixed with women’s fiction. And like, yeah sure those things can come together sometimes but MOST of this book has nothing to do with the romance…and by that I mean quite literally 90-95% of the story is about something other than the couple.
- Emily quits her stable job as a librarian to be a writers assistant even though she has no discernible credits to her name. Why is she qualified to be an editor? Because she likes to read ?
- Emily has an abusive mother that serves 0 purpose other than to give the character an abusive mother. Like? Why was this detail put into the story when it added nothing in terms of character development? OR PLOT
- As I said above, 90-95% of this story is about Emily helping Siobhan write her book …which fine. But why is it marketed as a romance? The romance between her and Kieran is so bone dry that really you have to wonder why it was even put in the story at all. They had negative chemistry. He “hates” her from the beginning and then??? To make the romance work he doesn’t? She cares more about the damn book she’s “helping” to write than him but bc she HAD to have someone to bone, she remember he exists.
- To that affect, the bookshop angle also meant nothing to the plot besides giving Emily a random place to “work” in Ireland
- Kieran having a random background side plot …WHY? It was like so many things were just tossed in her to make you think the characters had depth but it just made me ask more questions
-
There is a market for this type of wholesome (I guess) “cozy” vibe book but I’m not it, and had I known that beforehand I wouldn’t have read it. There needs to be some sort of stakes and CHEMISTRY in a romance book!
Idk why so many books are being pushed as romance when really they’re just books that have a romance in them when these 2 things are not the same!
May 14, 2024
"I'm always quiet," I protested
He looked at me in suprise. "You're never quiet, Red."
"Only with you," I countered.
"So, what you're saying is, I bring out the best in you," he teased. "Or the worst, could go either way."
Kieran & Emily were very cute. Since the beginning itself, I liked their banter. But the plot was dull and sometimes I felt like skimming through some parts tbh. It wasn't boring but wasn't exciting either. I liked the settings and the characters but the execution and dialogues fell short tbh. Overall, it was an average read. It was sweet, adorable and light-hearted but it was nothing worth remembering.
He looked at me in suprise. "You're never quiet, Red."
"Only with you," I countered.
"So, what you're saying is, I bring out the best in you," he teased. "Or the worst, could go either way."
Kieran & Emily were very cute. Since the beginning itself, I liked their banter. But the plot was dull and sometimes I felt like skimming through some parts tbh. It wasn't boring but wasn't exciting either. I liked the settings and the characters but the execution and dialogues fell short tbh. Overall, it was an average read. It was sweet, adorable and light-hearted but it was nothing worth remembering.
May 7, 2024
Book with plot around books?! Yes please, sign me in! From the beginning, I was drawn in by the plot's premise and the incredibly likable characters, and I was quickly captivated in the story itself.
The main character, Emily Allen, feels like representation of every bookworm. Dreaming of travel and adventure while cozying up with her favorite books? Ugh, I relate to this so much!! And then, she gets this once-in-a-lifetime chance to work with her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, in Ireland! I swear, personally I have at least a few or more names of authors I would like to work like that! It’s truly bookworm dream!
But obviously, not everything is working as Emily wanted to. Disturbance in her bookworm dream is Kieran Murphy, the brooding bookshop owner who's not exactly thrilled about Emily crashing their literary party. The way he called Emily "Red" was kind of adorable too, even if she didn’t like that at first. And OMG, the banter between these two had me grinning like a maniac!
But apart from the romance part of the story, there's some real depth too issues like toxic relationship with parent and dealing with the anxiety. And I loved Emily's growth and journey to finding her independence and helping Siobhan find closure with her series.
"Love at First Book" is a must-read for any book lover who's ever dreamed of meeting their favorite author. It's heartfelt, it's touching, and it's filled with so much love and charm. And the Irish settings are so perfect that you will just wish to be there with all those characters! Highly recommended for fans of enemies to lovers and sunshine and grumpy tropes!
The main character, Emily Allen, feels like representation of every bookworm. Dreaming of travel and adventure while cozying up with her favorite books? Ugh, I relate to this so much!! And then, she gets this once-in-a-lifetime chance to work with her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, in Ireland! I swear, personally I have at least a few or more names of authors I would like to work like that! It’s truly bookworm dream!
But obviously, not everything is working as Emily wanted to. Disturbance in her bookworm dream is Kieran Murphy, the brooding bookshop owner who's not exactly thrilled about Emily crashing their literary party. The way he called Emily "Red" was kind of adorable too, even if she didn’t like that at first. And OMG, the banter between these two had me grinning like a maniac!
But apart from the romance part of the story, there's some real depth too issues like toxic relationship with parent and dealing with the anxiety. And I loved Emily's growth and journey to finding her independence and helping Siobhan find closure with her series.
"Love at First Book" is a must-read for any book lover who's ever dreamed of meeting their favorite author. It's heartfelt, it's touching, and it's filled with so much love and charm. And the Irish settings are so perfect that you will just wish to be there with all those characters! Highly recommended for fans of enemies to lovers and sunshine and grumpy tropes!
November 14, 2024
Huh. Okay. That was…meh. I try to make my reviews spoiler free but there were two things that troubled me about this one.
First and foremost, cancer as a plot point requires a lot of nuance and empathy for those who have been through it. I watched my mother go through breast cancer and I have also had cancer myself (a way less scary scenario, but still traumatic and required months of recovery). I don’t say any of the for pity points but to emphasize I’ve been through it and this book troubled me with the handling of medical diagnoses and trauma. I don’t expect to see my specific experience reflected in every cancer story, but it’s disheartening to see cancer used as a plot device - a tragic and dramatic plot point to drive a wedge between our main character and her love interest. It made me feel icky, like someone (in this case, the author) was trying to represent cancer as a romantic way to pass, with all the hallmarks of a Victorian era maiden slowly but beautifully fading away from consumption.
Second point - what happened to Em’s mother?? Our evil villain disappears not even halfway through the book, never to return. Em’s mother is abusive and I thought she’d get more time in the story as Em comes to terms with their relationship, eventually breaking free. And she does, because after one bad blow up, mommy dearest is never mentioned again. Em never thinks of her, never gets calls or texts like before, it’s as if her mother has fallen off the planet. Maybe she was pushed aside to give cancer the center stage? I don’t know but it didn’t make sense and felt like such a confusion thing to begin with and never finish.
I could say more about why this book really didn’t work for me, but those two things were big enough to ruin it all and I honestly just don’t want to give this book anymore of my time. Suffice to say, I’m disgruntled.
First and foremost, cancer as a plot point requires a lot of nuance and empathy for those who have been through it. I watched my mother go through breast cancer and I have also had cancer myself (a way less scary scenario, but still traumatic and required months of recovery). I don’t say any of the for pity points but to emphasize I’ve been through it and this book troubled me with the handling of medical diagnoses and trauma. I don’t expect to see my specific experience reflected in every cancer story, but it’s disheartening to see cancer used as a plot device - a tragic and dramatic plot point to drive a wedge between our main character and her love interest. It made me feel icky, like someone (in this case, the author) was trying to represent cancer as a romantic way to pass, with all the hallmarks of a Victorian era maiden slowly but beautifully fading away from consumption.
Second point - what happened to Em’s mother?? Our evil villain disappears not even halfway through the book, never to return. Em’s mother is abusive and I thought she’d get more time in the story as Em comes to terms with their relationship, eventually breaking free. And she does, because after one bad blow up, mommy dearest is never mentioned again. Em never thinks of her, never gets calls or texts like before, it’s as if her mother has fallen off the planet. Maybe she was pushed aside to give cancer the center stage? I don’t know but it didn’t make sense and felt like such a confusion thing to begin with and never finish.
I could say more about why this book really didn’t work for me, but those two things were big enough to ruin it all and I honestly just don’t want to give this book anymore of my time. Suffice to say, I’m disgruntled.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
Love at First Book by Jenn Mckinlay is a sweet contemporary -Sunshine/Grumpy romance.
Emily is a librarian who has always dreamed of a life filled with travel and adventure. Therefore, when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in Ireland, Emily is excited and accepts the opportunity. However, she never expected to fall in love with the author's bookstore owner's grumpy son, and What follows is a delightful, cozy story filled with the love of all things Ireland, books, friendship, and romance. Loved books' covers and stories about books.
The story is heartwarming, with great banter, humor, silliness, and lots of emotions.
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC.
Emily is a librarian who has always dreamed of a life filled with travel and adventure. Therefore, when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in Ireland, Emily is excited and accepts the opportunity. However, she never expected to fall in love with the author's bookstore owner's grumpy son, and What follows is a delightful, cozy story filled with the love of all things Ireland, books, friendship, and romance. Loved books' covers and stories about books.
The story is heartwarming, with great banter, humor, silliness, and lots of emotions.
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC.
June 10, 2025
This book had me in a chokehold! Emily quits her librarian job on Martha’s Vineyard and moves to a charming little town in Ireland. She ends up working at a cozy bookshop (major goals BTW) and helping her favorite author finish her last novel. Oh, and the bookshop just happens to be owned by the author’s son, Kieran.
Emily and Kieran’s romance is a slow burn, but it’s perfectly paced, and never drags. Their banter has just the right amount of push and pull, and it never gets too mean or dramatic. Plus, Kieran isn’t your typical over-the-top alpha male. He’s sweet, respectful, and genuinely swoony, which immediately made me love him more.
Emily’s growth was SO satisfying. She stands up for herself, breaks free from her toxic mom, and really shines. The story had me giggling, swooning, and yup.. tearing up. It got me right in the feels but also still keeps things light and cozy.
Basically, if you’re a romance reader with a soft spot for books about books, this one’s gonna hit you right in the feels. Love at first book, truly!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Workplace Romance
❤️🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers
❤️🔥 Found Family
Emily and Kieran’s romance is a slow burn, but it’s perfectly paced, and never drags. Their banter has just the right amount of push and pull, and it never gets too mean or dramatic. Plus, Kieran isn’t your typical over-the-top alpha male. He’s sweet, respectful, and genuinely swoony, which immediately made me love him more.
Emily’s growth was SO satisfying. She stands up for herself, breaks free from her toxic mom, and really shines. The story had me giggling, swooning, and yup.. tearing up. It got me right in the feels but also still keeps things light and cozy.
Basically, if you’re a romance reader with a soft spot for books about books, this one’s gonna hit you right in the feels. Love at first book, truly!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Workplace Romance
❤️🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
❤️🔥 Enemies to Lovers
❤️🔥 Found Family
February 25, 2024
A heart warming story about starting over mid adulthood. This story follows Emily moving to Ireland to work for her favorite author and help her with writers block, but she also had to deal with the broody authors son.
While the chemistry and banter between Kieran and Emily was amazing. My favorite part of the story was Emily finding the best version of herself. When we first meet Emily she’s this shy introverted girl, but we see her become who she’s always wanted to be. This book handles difficult topics like loss, grief, childhood trauma and mental illnesses incredibly well.
While the chemistry and banter between Kieran and Emily was amazing. My favorite part of the story was Emily finding the best version of herself. When we first meet Emily she’s this shy introverted girl, but we see her become who she’s always wanted to be. This book handles difficult topics like loss, grief, childhood trauma and mental illnesses incredibly well.
May 12, 2024
So good and i cried LMAO
December 4, 2024
Deducted a point for ‘fitting his lips to mine and plundering his tongue into my mouth’ 😃
April 26, 2025
it’s totally fine why am i crying?
May 14, 2024
Emily left her job as a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard after she is invited to spend the next year in Ireland helping assist one of her favorite authors and work at a local bookstore. There she meets Kieran, the authors grumpy son, and what follows is a story about starting over and finding love.
McKinley did a great job capturing the beauty and history of Ireland from the picturesque landscape to the caring and kind townspeople to all the castles and whiskey. I felt transported to the small fictional town. With regards to the love story, I totally fell for Emily and Kieran. The pacing felt realistic as the two had to slowly accept each other and come to terms with how they feel. There was also a good amount of side plots that added depth to the story. As expected, Brittany Presley crushed it on audio.
Read if you like:
-Books about books
-Enemies to lovers
-Grumpy/ sunshine
-Anxiety rep
-Smalltown Ireland setting
McKinley did a great job capturing the beauty and history of Ireland from the picturesque landscape to the caring and kind townspeople to all the castles and whiskey. I felt transported to the small fictional town. With regards to the love story, I totally fell for Emily and Kieran. The pacing felt realistic as the two had to slowly accept each other and come to terms with how they feel. There was also a good amount of side plots that added depth to the story. As expected, Brittany Presley crushed it on audio.
Read if you like:
-Books about books
-Enemies to lovers
-Grumpy/ sunshine
-Anxiety rep
-Smalltown Ireland setting
May 23, 2024
Emily Allen (Em for short) needs a restart to her life. With an absent father, emotionally abusive mother and a job that just lacks the spark she yearns for, Em writes a letter to the world-renowned author who inspires her. What she never anticipates, however, is an invitation to visit the author in Ireland with the possibility of helping as an assistant while working at a local bookstore. For the first time in life, Emily takes a chance, flies to Ireland and shows up at that small bookstore.What follows is an absolutely delightful, cozy story filled with the love of all things Ireland, books, friendship, and romance - lost and found.
The focus of the story is as much on Ireland as it is on the overall story-line, as the author deftly and lovingly imbues the beauty and spirit of the emerald isles, both of it's people and with its lifestyle. The romance develops at a very believable pace and the characters are realistic and likable. Although the story is obviously formulaic and one can pretty much guess what happens next throughout the book, the rich emotion and depth that Ms. McKinlay so eloquently infuses keeps the reader loving every minute! There are giggles and tears, sighs and, ultimately, happy smiles when that final page turns.
The focus of the story is as much on Ireland as it is on the overall story-line, as the author deftly and lovingly imbues the beauty and spirit of the emerald isles, both of it's people and with its lifestyle. The romance develops at a very believable pace and the characters are realistic and likable. Although the story is obviously formulaic and one can pretty much guess what happens next throughout the book, the rich emotion and depth that Ms. McKinlay so eloquently infuses keeps the reader loving every minute! There are giggles and tears, sighs and, ultimately, happy smiles when that final page turns.
September 4, 2024
Love at First Book is more like travelling guide instead of romance. Miss McKinlay is doing more on the premesis instead of the character.
Kier has no strong presence on the story. It is makibv me harder to enjoy the romance aspect.
2 stars
Kier has no strong presence on the story. It is makibv me harder to enjoy the romance aspect.
2 stars
November 16, 2024
A balance of romance, laughter, and heartbreak that ultimately fell flat.
If Emily were real, I know we would be bookish besties. She literally travelled to Ireland to help her favourite author write the final book in her favourite childhood series.
Thing is, her prickly son who owns the bookstore seems to want Emily gone. But Kieran and Em are too kind at heart to have any lingering grudges and obviously they are drawn together.
With two bookworms as romantic interests, there are lots of bookish quotes and references as each try to outdo each other over random bookish questions.
"I'm always quiet," I protested
He looked at me in suprise. "You're never quiet, Red."
"Only with you," I countered.
"So, what you're saying is, I bring out the best in you," he teased. "Or the worst, could go either way."
Sadly, this just fell flat for me. I didn’t feel gripped by the characters or the romance, didn’t feel a spark, and the plot felt too slow. It was predictable and pretty hallmark cheesy.
Emily’s single perspective also got stale and I would have loved to see things from Kieran’s view, especially considering the reveals later with his mother.
I HATED Emily’s mum. She was toxic, self-centred, and definitely the need for much therapy. However, she seems like a main plot point but then just fizzles out after 40% and is never really brought up again which I felt should have been explored way more.
Emily’s best friend from home was great and was very involved at the start via texts and calls, but, again, disappears after the halfway mark.
The end tugged on my heartstrings, and I liked the last paragraph - cathartic and full circle!
High two stars! Potential!
Bookstagram
If Emily were real, I know we would be bookish besties. She literally travelled to Ireland to help her favourite author write the final book in her favourite childhood series.
Thing is, her prickly son who owns the bookstore seems to want Emily gone. But Kieran and Em are too kind at heart to have any lingering grudges and obviously they are drawn together.
With two bookworms as romantic interests, there are lots of bookish quotes and references as each try to outdo each other over random bookish questions.
"I'm always quiet," I protested
He looked at me in suprise. "You're never quiet, Red."
"Only with you," I countered.
"So, what you're saying is, I bring out the best in you," he teased. "Or the worst, could go either way."
Sadly, this just fell flat for me. I didn’t feel gripped by the characters or the romance, didn’t feel a spark, and the plot felt too slow. It was predictable and pretty hallmark cheesy.
Emily’s single perspective also got stale and I would have loved to see things from Kieran’s view, especially considering the reveals later with his mother.
I HATED Emily’s mum. She was toxic, self-centred, and definitely the need for much therapy. However, she seems like a main plot point but then just fizzles out after 40% and is never really brought up again which I felt should have been explored way more.
Emily’s best friend from home was great and was very involved at the start via texts and calls, but, again, disappears after the halfway mark.
The end tugged on my heartstrings, and I liked the last paragraph - cathartic and full circle!
High two stars! Potential!
Bookstagram
April 22, 2024
I just want to be a librarian, move to Ireland, fall I love with a bookstore owner, and work with my favorite author. She’s living the dream 🥰
Full review once it’s near publication date! Huge thanks to PRH international for granting me an eARC!
Full review once it’s near publication date! Huge thanks to PRH international for granting me an eARC!
May 14, 2024
Not this book making me tear up at the end. 😭
This was such a cute, fun, romance completely surrounded by books in Ireland. Classic grumpy x sunshine.
This was such a cute, fun, romance completely surrounded by books in Ireland. Classic grumpy x sunshine.
July 9, 2024
This one made me ugly cry. 😭😭
May 2, 2025
this was fine. mostly.
i didn't read book 1 and didn't feel like i was missing out on anything while reading this one, so that's a point in its favor.
the characters were okay, emily more so than kier, and the way he spoke to her when they first met and around the 80% mark was just unnecessary. the romance was mid and i genuinely couldn't see what they saw in each other, but i'll give it some credit and assume part of it was because em challenged kier and it helped him grow (not that it was her responsibility).
the writing is where it came crashing down. it felt repetitive at times and the excessive thesaurus usage was a bit grating. you can say a lot without using complicated words. there were some other issues, like too-long paragraphs that could've been edited down or used full stops instead of commas, and i felt like that dragged down the flow of the narrative.
overall, this was okay. not groundbreaking, but okay.
also this was published in 2024. it should go without saying that we don't need h*rry p*tter references in books anymore.
i didn't read book 1 and didn't feel like i was missing out on anything while reading this one, so that's a point in its favor.
the characters were okay, emily more so than kier, and the way he spoke to her when they first met and around the 80% mark was just unnecessary. the romance was mid and i genuinely couldn't see what they saw in each other, but i'll give it some credit and assume part of it was because em challenged kier and it helped him grow (not that it was her responsibility).
the writing is where it came crashing down. it felt repetitive at times and the excessive thesaurus usage was a bit grating. you can say a lot without using complicated words. there were some other issues, like too-long paragraphs that could've been edited down or used full stops instead of commas, and i felt like that dragged down the flow of the narrative.
overall, this was okay. not groundbreaking, but okay.
also this was published in 2024. it should go without saying that we don't need h*rry p*tter references in books anymore.
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