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A Bookish Story
Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26A female ghostwriter is recruited to be the face of the bestselling novel in the country, secretly written by a man.
Luci Santana believes in love, especially when it comes to books. Since being forced to give up her apartment, she’d love to get out of her over-involved family’s backyard she-shed and resuscitate her life. She’s given a chance to supercharge her career when she’s recruited to be the face of the country’s bestselling novel.
The romance book secretly written by a man.
Years before he wrote the book that changed his life, literary author Ryan Brady was caught shaming the romance genre in a video. When his book is chosen by a celebrity morning show, a face to face interview is required. Suddenly his secret
pen name desperately needs a woman’s face.
Enter Luci.
Luci hates the book everyone else raves about but it becomes her job to defend the book, the genre, and try not to get caught falling in love with the enemy.
A secret identity, enemies to lovers, workplace romance
Luci Santana believes in love, especially when it comes to books. Since being forced to give up her apartment, she’d love to get out of her over-involved family’s backyard she-shed and resuscitate her life. She’s given a chance to supercharge her career when she’s recruited to be the face of the country’s bestselling novel.
The romance book secretly written by a man.
Years before he wrote the book that changed his life, literary author Ryan Brady was caught shaming the romance genre in a video. When his book is chosen by a celebrity morning show, a face to face interview is required. Suddenly his secret
pen name desperately needs a woman’s face.
Enter Luci.
Luci hates the book everyone else raves about but it becomes her job to defend the book, the genre, and try not to get caught falling in love with the enemy.
A secret identity, enemies to lovers, workplace romance
- GenresRomance
215 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 10, 2026
4 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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December 8, 2025Early praise:
I'm in love with Luci and Ryan! The unique premise of A Bookish Story hooked me from the get-go, and even the need for sleep couldn't pry it out of my hands. This is the most fun I've had reading a romcom in forever. Luci and her family will steal your heart and Ryan is to die for, the cinnamon roll hero we've been craving for a long time. Do NOT miss this one! ~ Darynda Jones, NY Times bestselling author
I'm in love with Luci and Ryan! The unique premise of A Bookish Story hooked me from the get-go, and even the need for sleep couldn't pry it out of my hands. This is the most fun I've had reading a romcom in forever. Luci and her family will steal your heart and Ryan is to die for, the cinnamon roll hero we've been craving for a long time. Do NOT miss this one! ~ Darynda Jones, NY Times bestselling author
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Apologies in advance, this is gonna be a long one.
Okay, I'm going to be completely honest: this book was much different than I expected. It was much less of a romance, and more focused on romance as a genre, if that makes any sense. Both of the main characters are authors, and it was interesting to learn about their writing processes and the publishing world. I also previously had no idea that ghostwriting was a thing. It was a unique insight and definitely gives me more respect for authors who use pennames. Also makes me question how much the gender of an author matters to me. Food for thought for sure.
As some of the other reviews have said, this book was kind of low stakes for me. It was just interesting enough that it held my attention, but the pace was slow, and it didn't really feel like much was happening. The writing style was also more telling, less showing. All this being true, there really was some sweet little gems hidden inside. I found myself highlighting sentences often.
Some include:
"Love can simply be the effort of standing still and having the sense to recognize it when it rotates around you like the sun."
"'Why? Are you dying?' She laughs. 'A little bit every day, mi amor, but that's life. We are all getting older. Best to enjoy every day and stop making happiness so hard. It's everywhere if you look. Look at those two. Your papi is smiling down from heaven with love.'"
"My mother. Damn, I've missed her. I love her. This love has a way of chasing you, of burrowing inside of you to find shelter, of never letting go. It's the kind of love I feel for my mother. The type of love that is simply...inevitable. I never made the choice to love her. Loving her is uncomfortable. Imperfect. But it is undoubtedly the most real thing in my life."
Oof. See what I mean? Some real gems, especially where I wasn't expecting it.
I appreciate the significance of the main character to the story. This book wasn't just about the love interest and their relationship, but it was about her family, friends, and dreams. Her own career, and her own life. There was a wonderful storyline with her uncle and mother's relationship, and I found myself enjoying it more than I thought I would. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting going into the book, but her mother's character arc was so sweet, and it really pulled on my heartstrings.
Another aspect that I found interesting about this book was the parallels of the characters lives to the stories that they were writing. It was a wonderful reflection of an artist in their art, and the reasons why they make it. Even though I'm not an author at all, this book inspired me to write.
One of the reasons why I only gave this book two stars is because the romance didn't connect with me as much as I wanted it to. The love interest was sweet, but he felt a little one-dimensional to me. Or maybe a little too romanticized. He feels real enough, but I feel like I didn't really get to know him as much as I should have.
Like I said before, the main character has a wonderful personal story, but I would have enjoyed a little more push and pull in their relationship. I think it falls a little flat because it was so unrealistic. It was sweet, but there wasn't much build up. The characters say that they love each other, but I had a hard time believing it. Maybe because of the writing style with the telling, not showing.
I also would have enjoyed a little bit more embellishment on the whole acting/ghostwriting/
pretending to be the author thing. It sounded fun and entertaining, but it wasn't really explored very much in the book. It was a good hook, but it was a little lacking in my opinion. Also, the tags describing this book are entirely inaccurate. It most definitely IS NOT enemies to lovers. Also not really a workplace romance. I mean, she is his research assistant but it is very informal and takes place in his house. With no one else around. So. Do with that what you will.
On the whole, this book was a little flat but there were some sweet gems. Not super romantic, but surprisingly heavy on the familial love. Good entertainment if you need a break from books you have to think about.
Big thank you to NetGalley, NetGalley Co-Op, and Heatherly Bell for sharing this ARC. Much love!
Okay, I'm going to be completely honest: this book was much different than I expected. It was much less of a romance, and more focused on romance as a genre, if that makes any sense. Both of the main characters are authors, and it was interesting to learn about their writing processes and the publishing world. I also previously had no idea that ghostwriting was a thing. It was a unique insight and definitely gives me more respect for authors who use pennames. Also makes me question how much the gender of an author matters to me. Food for thought for sure.
As some of the other reviews have said, this book was kind of low stakes for me. It was just interesting enough that it held my attention, but the pace was slow, and it didn't really feel like much was happening. The writing style was also more telling, less showing. All this being true, there really was some sweet little gems hidden inside. I found myself highlighting sentences often.
Some include:
"Love can simply be the effort of standing still and having the sense to recognize it when it rotates around you like the sun."
"'Why? Are you dying?' She laughs. 'A little bit every day, mi amor, but that's life. We are all getting older. Best to enjoy every day and stop making happiness so hard. It's everywhere if you look. Look at those two. Your papi is smiling down from heaven with love.'"
"My mother. Damn, I've missed her. I love her. This love has a way of chasing you, of burrowing inside of you to find shelter, of never letting go. It's the kind of love I feel for my mother. The type of love that is simply...inevitable. I never made the choice to love her. Loving her is uncomfortable. Imperfect. But it is undoubtedly the most real thing in my life."
Oof. See what I mean? Some real gems, especially where I wasn't expecting it.
I appreciate the significance of the main character to the story. This book wasn't just about the love interest and their relationship, but it was about her family, friends, and dreams. Her own career, and her own life. There was a wonderful storyline with her uncle and mother's relationship, and I found myself enjoying it more than I thought I would. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting going into the book, but her mother's character arc was so sweet, and it really pulled on my heartstrings.
Another aspect that I found interesting about this book was the parallels of the characters lives to the stories that they were writing. It was a wonderful reflection of an artist in their art, and the reasons why they make it. Even though I'm not an author at all, this book inspired me to write.
One of the reasons why I only gave this book two stars is because the romance didn't connect with me as much as I wanted it to. The love interest was sweet, but he felt a little one-dimensional to me. Or maybe a little too romanticized. He feels real enough, but I feel like I didn't really get to know him as much as I should have.
Like I said before, the main character has a wonderful personal story, but I would have enjoyed a little more push and pull in their relationship. I think it falls a little flat because it was so unrealistic. It was sweet, but there wasn't much build up. The characters say that they love each other, but I had a hard time believing it. Maybe because of the writing style with the telling, not showing.
I also would have enjoyed a little bit more embellishment on the whole acting/ghostwriting/
pretending to be the author thing. It sounded fun and entertaining, but it wasn't really explored very much in the book. It was a good hook, but it was a little lacking in my opinion. Also, the tags describing this book are entirely inaccurate. It most definitely IS NOT enemies to lovers. Also not really a workplace romance. I mean, she is his research assistant but it is very informal and takes place in his house. With no one else around. So. Do with that what you will.
On the whole, this book was a little flat but there were some sweet gems. Not super romantic, but surprisingly heavy on the familial love. Good entertainment if you need a break from books you have to think about.
Big thank you to NetGalley, NetGalley Co-Op, and Heatherly Bell for sharing this ARC. Much love!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Luci is a successful ghostwriter, who is trying to sell her first book under her own name. Ryan has written a hugely successful romance novel (even though that is not his usual genre), and now he has a problem: He published his romance using a female pen name, so when the book takes off, he needs someone to play the author for a morning show TV appearance. You can probably tell where this is going to go... Luci ends up being his "reverse-ghostwriter".
I love rom-coms, especially bookish ones. So, I should've loved this one. I can't say why I didn't. I didn't dislike any of it. The plot was good, the characters were fine. I liked it well enough. But I didn't love it. When Luci is querying her book, the feedback she gets from some agents is that it's great, but they'll pass because they didn't connect to her characters on a deep enough level. That's how I felt about this book. Picking it back up never felt like a chore, but putting it down in between was easier than I would've hoped. Still, if the premise sounds interesting to you, I do recommend giving it a chance. You might have more luck connecting to Luci and Ryan than I did.
Thank you to Heatherly Bell and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing a review copy via NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.
I love rom-coms, especially bookish ones. So, I should've loved this one. I can't say why I didn't. I didn't dislike any of it. The plot was good, the characters were fine. I liked it well enough. But I didn't love it. When Luci is querying her book, the feedback she gets from some agents is that it's great, but they'll pass because they didn't connect to her characters on a deep enough level. That's how I felt about this book. Picking it back up never felt like a chore, but putting it down in between was easier than I would've hoped. Still, if the premise sounds interesting to you, I do recommend giving it a chance. You might have more luck connecting to Luci and Ryan than I did.
Thank you to Heatherly Bell and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing a review copy via NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.
December 20, 2025
First and foremost, I want to thank NetGalley, publishers, and author for the ARC.
This book was not my cup of tea. I was very intrigued by the summary— a ghostwriter standing in as a ghostwriter for another author. How cute!
I found the writing to be extremely challenging to read in the sense that it was entirely first person monologue and internal monologue. There was so much word vomit. It was just run on sentences after run on sentences with really awkward dialogue and very strange wording. And if it wasn’t a run on, it was a short and choppy sentence with a mixture of perspectives. I’m not going to quote something from the book but I’ll write a sentence that’s representative of the writing in this book-
“I will stop liking him! I am not ready, if you know what I mean. Just like the last time..”
I couldn’t connect with the characters at all due to the writing style. It’s not easy to write a book so I commend the author for writing so many. However, this style of writing was just not for me.
This book was not my cup of tea. I was very intrigued by the summary— a ghostwriter standing in as a ghostwriter for another author. How cute!
I found the writing to be extremely challenging to read in the sense that it was entirely first person monologue and internal monologue. There was so much word vomit. It was just run on sentences after run on sentences with really awkward dialogue and very strange wording. And if it wasn’t a run on, it was a short and choppy sentence with a mixture of perspectives. I’m not going to quote something from the book but I’ll write a sentence that’s representative of the writing in this book-
“I will stop liking him! I am not ready, if you know what I mean. Just like the last time..”
I couldn’t connect with the characters at all due to the writing style. It’s not easy to write a book so I commend the author for writing so many. However, this style of writing was just not for me.
December 23, 2025
Thank you Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC
3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A Bookish Story was a cute, cozy read that will definitely appeal to book lovers, especially those who enjoy stories centered around bookstores, reading, and literary vibes. The premise itself is charming and felt like a warm hug for anyone who loves getting lost in books.
That said, while I enjoyed the overall concept, the story didn’t fully pull me in the way I hoped it would. Some parts felt a bit predictable, and I found myself wanting more depth either in the characters, the romance, or the emotional stakes. It was enjoyable, just not especially memorable.
Overall, this was a pleasant, light read and a nice palate cleanser between heavier books. While it didn’t quite hit five star territory for me, it’s still worth checking out if you’re in the mood for something bookish, sweet, and low stress.
3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A Bookish Story was a cute, cozy read that will definitely appeal to book lovers, especially those who enjoy stories centered around bookstores, reading, and literary vibes. The premise itself is charming and felt like a warm hug for anyone who loves getting lost in books.
That said, while I enjoyed the overall concept, the story didn’t fully pull me in the way I hoped it would. Some parts felt a bit predictable, and I found myself wanting more depth either in the characters, the romance, or the emotional stakes. It was enjoyable, just not especially memorable.
Overall, this was a pleasant, light read and a nice palate cleanser between heavier books. While it didn’t quite hit five star territory for me, it’s still worth checking out if you’re in the mood for something bookish, sweet, and low stress.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This felt less like a romance and more like a book about the world of book publishing.
There is an additional secondary romance plot line which I actually quite liked.
I think the book is mislabeled as an enemies-to-lovers romance, when in reality, there are like a maximum of 30 min where the main character Luci is mad at the love interest, Ryan, but they are never enemies.
Luci has an interesting family that plays a big part in her life and that she declares as the ultimate love of her life.
My favorite character was Luci's mother, Mami.
She is rather unlikable in the beginning, but turns out to be the most developed and multi-layered character, that goes through significant character development throughout the story.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC
There is an additional secondary romance plot line which I actually quite liked.
I think the book is mislabeled as an enemies-to-lovers romance, when in reality, there are like a maximum of 30 min where the main character Luci is mad at the love interest, Ryan, but they are never enemies.
Luci has an interesting family that plays a big part in her life and that she declares as the ultimate love of her life.
My favorite character was Luci's mother, Mami.
She is rather unlikable in the beginning, but turns out to be the most developed and multi-layered character, that goes through significant character development throughout the story.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this book and it just made me happy to read it! Both the main characters were well written and likeable. I liked the fact that the focus wasn't solely on the relationship aspect. Luci's family added an interesting dynamic! Luci and Ryan were the epitome of slow burn and they definitely had the chemistry. I only wish that we would have gotten just a little bit more of them together!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 21, 2025
A Bookish Story is a character-driven, slow-burn romance with a well-balanced grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Luci and Ryan navigate grief, secret identities, and workplace boundaries as their connection develops with emotional intention.
The dialogue blends witty banter with heartfelt moments, and the grumpy/sunshine pairing feels grounded and authentic. While the pacing may be slower than some prefer, it ultimately enhances the emotional payoff and left me wanting more.
A strong pick for readers who enjoy emotionally authentic romances focused on growth and vulnerability.
The dialogue blends witty banter with heartfelt moments, and the grumpy/sunshine pairing feels grounded and authentic. While the pacing may be slower than some prefer, it ultimately enhances the emotional payoff and left me wanting more.
A strong pick for readers who enjoy emotionally authentic romances focused on growth and vulnerability.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op and Heatherly Bell for sharing this amazing ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
A Bookish Story is amazingly wonderful. I fell in love with Ryan and Luci. Ryan is the perfect cinnamon roll MMC we've been dreaming of and wanting since forever. I couldn't put this book down, I devoured it in one sitting. The character development and world building is phenomenal.
I truly recommend this book to all y'all.
A Bookish Story is amazingly wonderful. I fell in love with Ryan and Luci. Ryan is the perfect cinnamon roll MMC we've been dreaming of and wanting since forever. I couldn't put this book down, I devoured it in one sitting. The character development and world building is phenomenal.
I truly recommend this book to all y'all.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks @Netgalley and @HeatherlyBell for this early arc. This was a cute story about two writers. The MM C is an established writer that’s seek out help with his image and his latest novel. The FMC is a ghostwriter who agrees to help by posing as the female writer to his new romance. Thought the characters are good and the relationship between the two and her family was great. I would definitely read more from this author.
December 19, 2025
Books with a literary setting are always my favourite ; this one is no exception. The story had juste the right amount of romance, realistic characters and literary stuff.
The plot is imaginative and well researched, I love that it gave me the same feeling as an Emily Henry book, but with its own specialness and originality.
I secretly wished I was also part of Luci’s family, they were perfectly imperfect.
4 ⭐️
Also, a huge thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this ARC.
The plot is imaginative and well researched, I love that it gave me the same feeling as an Emily Henry book, but with its own specialness and originality.
I secretly wished I was also part of Luci’s family, they were perfectly imperfect.
4 ⭐️
Also, a huge thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
This book was overall entertaining but I don't think it'll leave a lasting impression on me. There were some parts I wasn't a fan of and I had trouble connecting to the characters. I do look forward to reading more from this author.
This book was overall entertaining but I don't think it'll leave a lasting impression on me. There were some parts I wasn't a fan of and I had trouble connecting to the characters. I do look forward to reading more from this author.
December 24, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, both of the main characters were well written and also very likable. The story has just the right amount of romance and realistic characters. I also enjoyed that some of the side characters actually helped make an impact on the main storyline.
December 21, 2025
Such a cute fun read. I was able to finish this one really quickly. I was glad there was a epilogue because if not I would of felt like the FMC in the book (IYKYK).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cute concept and characters. Easy to get into a read, but overall was missing a little something. Definitely entertaining and worth a read, it just wasn’t a standout for me.
Cute concept and characters. Easy to get into a read, but overall was missing a little something. Definitely entertaining and worth a read, it just wasn’t a standout for me.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews