Charlie Bishop Gets Checked Out: Sweet Contemporary Romance

by Sarah Vance-Tompkins

“I hate Valentine’s Day!”

Good Harbor librarian Charlie Bishop declares while decorating the lobby of the grand old library with all the reasons her book boyfriends are better than any IRL men. The truth is more complicated, only her besties know she wants to be somebody’s Valentine more than anything.

Construction worker Hank Carter is the hottie who lives right next door. Charlie has run into him on his way out on a late-night booty call too often to ever think that he might be boyfriend material. If she only knew that Hank’s after-hours action is all about keeping his father’s business afloat while putting his own dreams on hold.

When Charlie discovers her boss is conspiring to tear down the old library and move to a new location where fewer staff and books will be needed, she swings into action. As they collaborate to plan a Valentine’s Day Community Dance, Charlie realizes she might have seriously misjudged Hank, who dazzles her his hidden talents. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, will Hank finally find the courage to ask Charlie to be his?

Happy Valentine’s Day! Charlie Bishop Gets Checked Out is a sweet contemporary romance novella with a single bibliophile, strong female friendships, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!

Tropes

Friends to lovers

Forced Proximity

Slow Burn

Opposites attract

Scarred Hero

Genres: Novella, Adult, Contemporary, Romance

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Sarah Vance-Tompkins was born in a small town in northern Michigan. She spent every summer exploring the sugar sand beaches near Sleeping Bear National Park. She left her heart behind when she moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California. She received an MFA in Film Production and went on to work in feature film development in Hollywood. She has worked as a reporter for a weekly entertainment trade publication, and been paid to write obituaries, press releases, the directions for use on personal lubricant bottles, and breathless descriptions of engagement rings for an online jewelry store. She lives in a small town north of Los Angeles with her husband and three cats.

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I powered through this with a lot of skimming, but it really wasn't worth it. Lots of telling, not showing ("Hank is a nice guy," Charlie sighed. "But he's not for me." She didn't want to admit she was scared.) Lots of confusing motivations and characterizations (Hank is so hot that all the women in town have crushes on him, but he's too insecure to ask Charlie out, but then wait, he has asked her out, several times, and he keeps doing so? Charlie isn't interested in Hank, but she actually is, and wait, maybe she's not, but no, she is?). Also, the book just kind of ends, leaving lots of dangling plot threads. What about the bad boss? The alcoholic dad? The quest to save the library from being sold? The success of the Valentine's Day mixer? The ex-boyfriend who dumped her, got engaged to someone else, then wanted to get back together a few days later??? There's a germ of a good story here, but it could use an editor (also lots of typos).

[Seztwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author, good, cute story. Only thing is it probably needs another edit review/grammar check, there were some missing words and odd punctuation not heaps but consistent enough to notice. Otherwise a lovely quick read with a sweet storyline and loveable characters - 3 stars based on previously mentioned items. Throughly enjoyable.

[leirasreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Sparkling Swoony Romance 1.

Tropes:
- Friend's to lovers
- Small town romance
- Slow burn
- Opposites attract

The Vibes:
- Valentine's Day
- Our FMC is Charlie, a Librarian
- Our MMC is Hank, a Construction Worker/Glassblower
- Strong female friendships

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself was quite good but really needs good editing. The number of typos and errors is shocking.

[Kayleigh Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

The plot was cute and it's a quick read but in desperate need of editing.

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

typos, missing letters, this was just sloppy

[Bay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie and Hank, next door neighbours, miscommunication, Valentine’s Day, librarian.


Such a Cute story, left more to be desired but was a good plot overall.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of errors

Story was decent but there was no editing and sometimes missing words and such so you have to figure out what its trying to say.