קרב חנויות הספרים

by Ali Brady, אלי בריידי (Author's Hebrew Name), שירלי כהן (Translator)

התכוננו לקרב הכי חם בעולם חנויות הספרים של בוסטון!

ג'וזי קליין היא המנהלת המושלמת – מסודרת, יעילה, ובקיאה בספרי עיון ובספרות יפה. ריאן לוסון? ההפך המוחלט – כאוטי, ספונטני, ומכור לספרי הרומנטיקה שתופסים כל מדף בחנות שהוא מנהל. כשמתקבלת ההחלטה לאחד את שתי חנויות הספרים שלהם תחת מנהל אחד, הם נקלעים למרוץ קיצי לוהט על התפקיד הנחשק.

בין ויכוחים סוערים ומזימות מצחיקות מתפתחת תחרות פרועה בין השניים. אבל מה שהם לא יודעים, הוא שבזמן שהם נלחמים פנים אל פנים, הם מתחברים בצורה עמוקה ונוגעת ללב בפורום אנונימי באינטרנט. כשהחומות בין החנויות שלהם מתמוטטות, ג'וזי וראיין מבינים שלא הכול הוגן באהבה ומלחמה, אבל אולי, אם יתמזל מזלם, גם הם יקבלו את הסוף הטוב שלהם.

קרב חנויות הספרים הוא רומן רומנטי מבריק, משעשע ומלא קסם, שמוכיח שלפעמים הדרך הטובה ביותר למצוא אהבה היא להפסיק להילחם בה. ספר זה הוא חובת קריאה לכל מי שאי־פעם התאהב בריח של ספר חדש, בתחושת הדפים מתחת לאצבעותיו, או בעולמות שנפתחים בין שורות טקסט.

אלי בריידי הוא שם העט המשותף של הסופרות אליסון האמר ובריידיי גודפרי, שספריהן הגיעו לרשימת רבי־ המכר של USA TODAY, זכו לשבחים והומלצו כ"ספרי הקיץ הטובים ביותר" על ידי העיתונים המובילים בארה"ב, כולל וושינגטון פוסט, וול סטריט ג'ורנל ועוד.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Books About Books, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers

390 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2025

About the author

Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. They are the USA TODAY Bestselling authors of romantic, heartwarming, funny novels including The Beach Trap, The Comeback Summer, Until Next Summer, and Battle of the Bookstores. Their books have been “best of summer” picks by The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Parade, and Katie Couric Media. Alison lives in Chicago and works as an advertising creative director. She’s also the Founder and Co-President of The Artists Against Antisemitism, and the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives in Utah with her husband, four children, and two dogs. She works as a doctor and is the author of psychological thrillers Imposter and The Followers.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AliBradyBooks/

Reviews

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (Semi-Hiatus-attempting return) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you so much to Tyler at Berkley Publishing for always dropping amazing titles into my inbox!

I'll be totally honest, this one had a bit of a rough start for me. I wasn't sure how I felt about the writing, in the beginning there's acronyms and just certain phrases used that just really turned me off...but I skimmed over that and kept going to see if I could get to the 'good parts'.... and oh man I'm so glad I kept going!

This book had me all misty eyed and grabbing my heart by the end. I just loved it.

We follow our FMC, Josie and our MMC, Ryan who are both booksellers on the same block. Both of their small indie bookstores are owned by scummy business man Xander or Xavier and he's trying to save some coin and in order to do this one store and staff must go. Whoever has the most sales in the quarter will be deemed the winner and the other flat out on their ass...

Who will prevail?

Besties! This was the cutest! It makes me want to go back to every cutsie rom-com I've trashed and reread them bc maybe I was wrong!


Anyway, this was everything I wanted and didn't expect it. It gave all the sweet You've Got Mail vibes with the cutest online conversations between these two. I burst out laughing on multiple occasions lol I have to go through my kindle for quotes in just a little bit.

I found myself pining for these two to get together and hoping that it would all work out. Josie was such a relatable character. She's the older sibling, and her mother wasn't the best growing up so Josie really stepped up and basically raised her younger sister. She's so caring and giving.

Growing up that way did caused Josie to close off a bit, she's always struggled with trusting people intimately and in general - which makes all the sense because of the way her mother was with her revolving door of relationships growing up. She never really felt like she had anyone she could wholeheartedly count on.

Ryan is the absolute sweetest! I wasn't really sure how I felt about him to begin with. The way the author describes his character is a little all over the place and I had a hard time nailing down wtf he actually looked like physically - extremely basketball player tall, broad shoulders, always wearing cardigans? Romance reader? Clark Kent/Superman vibes? LOL. I couldn't place this guy. For a while I really felt he was a little too feminine for my tastes - not trying to offend anyone, it's just very rare to find a man as obsessed with romance novels as this one was lol.

But he really ended up winning me over. Omg he might be one of my favorites in a while. He's the freaking sweetest and the most caring and he's a man who's on top of all the other goodies, he's very well spoken and good with his words. Our FMC isn't the only one you can win over with words lol. Loved him.

I wasn't a fan of a side character being named Cinderella.. and not a pet.. like a person. That was a bit cringe but I started to just ignore that that was her name at some point lol.

The pacing was really good, I found that the story both touched on some sensitive and relatable topics such as insecurity, childhood trauma, relationship trauma... just some real good stuff in here with positive messages on top of all the sweet goodness of the romance.

I absolutely adored this journey with Josie and Ryan and now I look forward to picking up some of the other cute covered romances I've seen from Ali Brady.

Highly recommend for all my bookish besties that love a good epistolary romance with laugh out loud moments that warm your heart!

💖Enemies to Lovers
💌You've Got Mail Vibes
💖Dual POV
📚Sweet & Spicy
💖Slow Burn
📚Cozy & Bookish
💖Only One Bed
🐈Bookstore Cats

Expected Release Date - 06/03/25

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the complementary advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own.

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

"People may come and go from your life, but books? Books are forever."

Between Josie's Tabula Inscripta and Ryan's Happy Endings is world of frustration, bitter rivalry and a steamy attraction. (Well, technically there's a coffee shop between the two bookstores but you get the point).

"Reading wasn’t just an escape; it was a lifeline."

Both bookstore managers have done their absolute best to sell stories to their clientele but the building owner has decided to merge both stores with the coffee shop and have one giant business.

And one giant bookstore means...one manager. And thus the competition begins.

"It’s a constant tight rope act running a business as a woman wanting to be respected for my abilities, but knowing that no one will take me seriously unless I’m nice."

Whew. So, this one was a cute story but probably not one I'd reread again.

I did rather like all the bookish quotes and references throughout - lots of fun easter eggs for the reader to find!

"For better or worse, my library has always grown faster than my social circle."

And the romance was alright, but it did toe the line for me with regards to the enemies-to-lovers trope. It almost leaned too heavily on the enemies aspect but luckily things pulled back in time.

The characters definitely felt like they were characters in a book rather than three-dimensional people to me (if that makes sense?). They were almost there a few times, but then they'd pull back and feel more like they were part of the story.

The ending didn't quite go the way I expected but I was also quite pleased with it.

Overall, this was a quick, fun read and if you are in the mood for something bookish, this might scratch that itch.

P.s. I know this is nitpicky of me...but according to the book, the businesses go: Bookstore - Coffee Shop - Bookstore. But the cover just shows Bookstore - Bookstore. It's a small detail, but I was annoyed nonetheless. And now you get to be so as well.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have two things in common - they love books and each manage a bookstore. When the owner decides to merge both and threatens to keep only the highest performing manager, the gloves come off. But as things heat up in this high pressure competition, each turns to their online BookFriends forum and their newfound anonymous friendship for comfort. Little do they know...

A love letter to the reader in all of us, this incredibly sweet and swoony take on You’ve Got Mail is an instant love.

While this is quite different then Ali Brady’s other books that lean more into the women’s fiction element, it still features all that they are best at. This includes the most lovable characters, settings to get lost in, and romances to obsess over.

Josie and Ryan somehow manage to top Meg and Ryan here. Josie is a wholly realistic and relatable character, struggling with the weight of the world on her shoulders, but desperate to let her hair down and be loved for who she is. Ryan is, well he’s the dream book boyfriend, literally. Seeing him process the development of their relationship, as each new experience shifts and challenges his thinking, was not only entertaining but emotionally satisfying as well. I also love the way dyslexia is incorporated into his story in a way that is realistic, but doesn’t become a label.

There are moments that this story is a little bit cutesy, but honestly, I enjoyed those scenes as much as those with more emotional depth, and loved the balance ultimately struck between the two. And the spice….fire. if you are a fan of steamy open door romance, this book features a few doors-off-the-hinges scenes, but in a really tasteful, non gratuitous way.

My favorite aspect though, is that it tells the ultimate love story between book and reader. Every mention of a review, a blurb, an ARC, etc. had me in my feels. This book is very, very meta but in the best way. And being able to recognize all the books and the authors mentioned was the cherry on top. The books and the dueling bookstores definitely tried to steal the show, but alas, our hero and heroine still won the day.

So how do you know if I ultimately really loved a book? Well the answer to that lies in the question of whether or not I will reread as soon as it releases on audio. And the answer to that, my friends, is most certainly yes.

Read if you like:
▪️books about books
▪️enemies to friends to lovers
▪️dyslexia rep
▪️forced proximity
▪️one bed
▪️epistolary format
▪️open door
▪️You’ve Got Mail


Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥

Thank you Berkley Romance for the advanced copy. And thank you to the Alis for the buddy read.

[sabrina (books.with.sabrina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was EVERYTHING TO ME 😭 Was the MMC totally unrealistic? Absolutely but I dont even care 🙂‍↔️


Two book stores and only one will remain. The managers, Josie and Ryan, are forced to compete and draw in the most sales. Whoever succeeds gets to be the manager of the book store.

The banter is fantastic, this is truly a rivals to friends to lovers book, and Ryan, the MMC, was the sweetest man ever. He's a romance book lover through and through and he's the real life book boyfriend we would all want 🥹 The relationship progression was so raw, real and mature. I love a book with some emotional depth. It was a bit of a slow burn which I loved and the epilogue at the end made me SWOON. Ryan's big declaration had me giggling and kicking my feet. His love language is acts of service and romantic gestures and whewwww🤭

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the arc!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[aira · Rating 1 out of 5]

'twas a battle for sure 🤡 I lost it when he tried to compare their situation to Josh and Lucinda from The Hating Game because that's a game I never want to see again.

[aeryn rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

Well, this was something alright. There were a few good moments in this, but as a whole this book really disappointed me and I hate to say that.

One of the issues I had with this book was the FMC. There is a fine line difference between being grumpy and being a straight up bitch. Josie really didn’t have many redeeming qualities about her. She was beyond rude and petty and she truly acted more like a teenager throwing a fit rather than a thirty year old woman handling things in a more mature way. She did sorta have her redemption are towards the end of the book, but I don’t think it was handled all that well. She seemed to go from 0 to 100 in the snap of your fingers rather than this slow, easing buildup.

Ryan was actually a really sweet character!! He had a lot of redeeming qualities and he gave off a lot of golden retriever boyfriend vibes; I liked it! He seemed to be the only one in this book who was hell bent on communicating since nobody in this book could talk to each other like an adult. I didn’t love him, but he wasn’t all that bad.

Now the actual plot of this book: the idea was heavenly and it COULD HAVE been amazing, but unfortunately the execution was soooo off the mark. I liked the idea of two battling bookstores competing over ownership of a merger, but this severely lacked. While I did find it mildly entertaining, I think this could have been so much better. It started off pretty slow as well, and the writing and story progression was clunky and left more to be desired.

One of the things I just couldn’t get with is the fact that this is extremely Gen Z coded for an adult romance novel. We had real life pop cultures references, other real book characters/authors, and actual abbreviations such as LOL, FML, and TBH actually SPOKEN out loud….that’s kinda really weird. Look, I’m only 23 and that still seemed to get under my skin. This book all around just didn’t feel that real or realistic. Yes, yes I know it’s a piece of fiction, but if you’re going to make so many of these references, at least do it well and make it believable.

Overall, this book kept me entertained to an extent and I was able to finish this in about 12 hours so there’s that. I do think this could be for a more fitted audience that I’m just not apart of, so if you think this would sound good for you and my review got your interest, give it a shot! I wasn’t the biggest fan of the reverse grumpy x sunshine, as I think the FMC was just straight up unlikeable. This is one of those books that are just all around BAD but they’re fun to actually read and the vibes are there if you want something a bit more on the lighter side of brain activity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭:

I’ve been reading so much fantasy recently that I need a fluffy romance to break things up!
Also ignore the side eye that my TBR shelf is giving me for picking the newest purchase rather than the 170+ I’ve had sitting there for years 😳

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a romance, enemies to lovers, book about (you guessed it) books! What made this book different for me was when the betrayal was revealed, and it played out way different than usually expected. Definitely one I really liked!

[kimberly ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was cute but point .25 off because of a taylor swift reference

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the front cover of this book, one of my favorite authors, Abby Jimenez, writes:

“A funny, modern twist on You’ve Got Mail.”

Since You’ve Got Mail is one of my all-time favorite movies, I was immediately on board. An enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance—unfolding without either character realizing it—embraces the kind of dramatic irony that gives this trope, its irresistible charm.

There is so much to appreciate about Josie Klein’s character. She is, a bookseller with big dreams who sees herself as “a bookish little introvert” with ideas and opinions to share. She doesn’t just want to sell books—she wants to be someone readers trust for recommendations. And, a somebody whose voice matters.

As book reviewers, isn’t that what many of us quietly hope for too? That our voice matters? That someone might pick up—or pass on—a book because they trust our perspective?

Josie’s story is also shaped by her complicated relationship with her mother, which adds an emotional layer I didn’t expect but truly appreciated. It speaks to the lasting impact of parental expectations, the longing for approval, and how those unresolved dynamics can quietly influence who we believe ourselves to be. That thread gave Josie depth and made her feel achingly real.

This book is sprinkled with delightful, book-loving quotes, including one that perfectly captures the magic of independent bookstores and the people who work in them:

“I switch gears and do what I do best: match readers with stories to help them realize they deserve the kind of love people write books about.”

Who doesn’t love a hometown bookstore staffed by people who genuinely care about our reading lives?

The central conflict adds just enough tension: two longtime, non-competing bookshop managers are suddenly forced into direct competition when their shared owner decides to downsize—leaving only one management position available. How will our mains get through it?

Meanwhile, both are active in a private online book lovers’ group where everyone remains anonymous. A connection forms. Feelings deepen. And of course, neither realizes who the other really is. Yet.

Yes, this is a familiar romantic setup—we’ve definitely been-here-before. But anyone who loves You’ve Got Mail knows just how fun and comforting this trope can be when done well, especially for readers seeking a happily-ever-after. (No spoilers from me. 📚💛)

A small personal note: the romance leaned a bit spicier than I typically prefer, which is why, this one lands at 4 stars rather than 5 for me. That said, fans of contemporary romance with heat will likely enjoy that aspect far more than I did.

Overall, this was a warm, bookish, emotionally grounded read that celebrates bookstores, readers, and the courage it takes to claim one’s voice.

[chan ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was really charming! i loved the premise of competing bookstores and loved it doubly for making the hero the one that runs the romance bookstore.

i think what i appreciated the most about this book though was the pacing. i'm really tired of picking up books with hookups in the first few chapters or even at the 50% mark of the book. or confessions of love after... literally nothing happens lmao.

the heroine is reluctant to fall in love. and the hero is dying to fall in love but also has firm boundaries around how he wants to get there. we get to know each of the characters as they correct the misconceptions they have about each other. and BOOKS. i don't normally like books about books but i liked it here.

[lauren‎♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧ (ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25💫

"Growing up, countless well-meaning adults urged me to get my "nose out of that book" and go outside to "experience real life." But from what I've seen, reality is vastly overrated."

the perfect modern twist to this story!! I enjoyed how she didn't completely copy the story of You've Got Mail and give a retelling in paper form. She added a bunch of original, unique ideas to help the story move along and seem like something we haven't seen before.

I though our characters were cheesy and the most perfect book nerds. There were some moments that made me cringe, but overall I enjoyed reading this story and getting to know these characters. ryan was the romance and happy ending lover in this one, and it was refreshing to read a story about the guy being a romantic instead of it always being the girl.

There were so many cute bookish moments in here and quotes that made me feel seen as a reader, and I appreciated how both characters were able to give insight on the impact of books in their lives. This was just such a fun, cheesy read that is perfect for every book lover!!

I also enjoyed how there wasn't a third act breakup but instead were just faced with conflict and overcame it together. these people understand the importance of good communication!!!

"For better or worse, my library has always grown faster than my social circle. Managing a bookstore has forced me out of my shell, helping me grow from a shy bookworm into someone who can confidently navigate conversations and recommendations--at least, in the safety of these shelves. Out in the world, I may be quiet and reserved, but here, I've found my voice."

"Chatting with Rd feels almost like reading a good book, the kind you can't wait to get back to--but
even better because we're writing it together as we go. There's no pressure, no awkward pauses; I can take my time with my replies and savor every word of his. We're characters in a story of our own making, with no real-world complications to muddy the waters. It's comfortable and exciting all at once- and unlike anything I've felt in my life."

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Setting ~ Massachusetts
Publication date ~ June 3, 2025
Publisher ~ Berkley
Est Page Count ~ 431 (31 chapters + one year later)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 32 minutes
Narrators ~ Karissa Vacker, Brandon Francis
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ work rivals, reverse grumpy/sunshine, enemies to friends to lovers, slow burn, minimal steamage

Ryan & Josie (30) are rival next door bookshop managers. Hers specializes in literary fiction, while his is romance (love that it was opposite of what one would assume the norm should be). When the owner wants to merge them, but leaving only one manager in the end, the competition is on.

Turns out these two have been anonymously online chatting for a while and their interactions were cute. Will it cause an issue when one figures out who the other is before they meet?

Ryan was so sweet! and tall. Gotta mention the height since it was sooo many times in the book. I got a tall hub myself fyi. Liked him a way more than Josie, our grump. She was really mean most of the time, except when she was using her online persona. While I can appreciate she's very protective of her sister due to their upbringing, it was just a little much for me at times. Child abandonment was a big focus.

As expected there are a bunch of book and author references and name dropping, almost too much for me, but again it's expected with this plot so I'll let it slide.

Took me a month to read it, but overall it was cute. The grand gesture was super adorable.

Cover notes ~ I totally pictured the bookshops opposite than what's on the cover. Also, there's a coffee shop between them that's frequented daily, so I would have liked that to be shown on the cover even if just a sliver of it. Love that the cats are on there, and the characters seem true to how they were described.

Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the above info for reference. No doubt Karissa knocked it out of the park, though.

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✩ 3 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Rivals-to-Lovers
➼ You’ve Got Mail Inspired
➼ Opposites Attract
➼ Close Proximity
➼ Epistolary
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
➼ Anonymous Online Connection
➼ Dyslexia Rep
➼ HEA
➼ Dual Narration
➼ Dual First Person POV

This book featured some role reversals and while I did find that kind of refreshing, they didn’t quite work for me here. The first was the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope. I think this could have worked for me if the FMC had been written better, but I found her to be pretty unbearable. She blew past grumpy and landed straight on cold and mean. I’m a big believer in the importance of names and making people feel known, so the FMC’s continued insistence that she didn’t even remember the MMC’s name just kind of pissed me off. Sure, they would be natural rivals, but they weren’t always pitted against each other and they work in adjoining buildings. Not reaching out to at least meet and have a cordial relationship with someone in that close proximity to you who’s in such a similar role is just bizarre. Yes, she thought he had said some unkind things about her, but what’s his excuse? Heck, they probably park in the same parking lot daily and obviously frequent the same coffee shop since it’s between their two shops. Them not knowing each other at least on a surface level just makes no sense.

The second role reversal was that the romance bookstore was owned by the male lead rather than the female. I love the idea of a man reading romance books casually for enjoyment or reading specific books because their partner loves them, but actually owning a romance bookstore was a little too far for me. I feel like I should have been attracted to this idea, but I just wasn’t at all. 🤷🏼‍♀️ The MMC felt pretty unrealistic, but he was very nice to her even when she didn’t deserve it so he was still the better character of the two.

The FMC was so mean to him but then she’d get all hot and bothered over him next to a bookshelf. I know the author was trying to create tension, but the shifts felt a little too extreme to me. I found myself getting second hand embarrassment more than once hearing their thoughts based on how they were acting towards each other.

I enjoyed this book more in the second half when they started working together and being kinder to each other. He learns of their anonymous connection much earlier than she does so I was worried there would be a big 3rd act break up coming, but they actually handled those revelations surprising well. I’m sad I didn’t like the FMC more or feel more attracted to the MMC’s character, but if you stick this one out, I think most people will find it enjoyable. It was a fun premise and it’s definitely one for the book lovers since it contains lots of current literary references that only the true book girlies will understand. Plus, we all secretly want to own a bookstore, right? 💁🏼‍♀️ I might still recommend this one, but I think it won’t be for everyone.

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: Feeling stressed about the six reviews I need to write, so obviously I’m starting another book instead of writing one. 😆

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

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[Rachel L · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The romance between two bookstore managers, Josie who runs a serious literature store and Ryan who runs a romance store. When the owner of their businesses decides he wants to combine the two stores into one and keep only one manager, the two find themselves in a competition to see which store makes more of a profit to save their jobs.

This book has been likened to You've Got Mail, and while that is a newer reference that will reach a wider audience, I think this book is much more similar to the film YGM is based on called The Shop Around the Corner (1940). This was a fun enemies to friends to lovers story, I thought the authors did a good job of showing the growth in the relationship between the two characters. I thought the stakes in this book were very well done and the third act drama fit the story. Some of it was too cutesy, and I think some of the resolution at the end was rushed, but it was a good time listening to this book.

[kitkat (vacation era ♡︎)]

dnf ⛈️

i really wanted to enjoy this one. i absolutely loved the premise for this book, but the execution just wasn’t there in my opinion. there were multiple mentions of other popular books, which makes sense because they’re bookstore owners, but some of the references felt a bit spoilery. for example, there was a scene where they mention violet from fourth wing’s signet, which is potentially a spoiler if you haven’t read it (luckily, i have). a few other authors mentioned i can think of off the top of my mind are lucy score, ali hazelwood, and sally thorne. i think i would be okay if this type of thing happened once or twice, but it happened multiple times, so i ended up DNFing.

i’m sure this book will definitely find its audience, but that audience unfortunately wasn’t me <3

————

a last minute arc!

>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc <3

[cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Of all the books I’ve ever read and all the fantasies I’ve ever had, none of them hold a candle to the reality of being with you. You are what I’ve been waiting for.”

(Just now realizing I never finished the review for this... better late than never right??)

This book was SO ridiculously charming in a way that completely snuck up on me. I went in expecting a fun rivals-to-lovers bookstore romance, but what I got was a story that genuinely felt like a love letter to romance readers, indie bookstores, and the kinds of people who use books as armor without even realizing it.

One of my favorite things about this was how much it celebrated a male love interest who openly adores romance novels. Ryan being loud and unapologetic about loving happily-ever-afters made this feel so refreshing, and somehow it made every emotional moment hit even harder because he understood love stories so deeply while actively living inside one without realizing it ughhhhh 🥹🫶🏼

“I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want Josie.”

What I really loved though was how their conflict never felt shallow. So much of their tension came from simply not understanding each other yet. Josie sees Ryan as chaotic and unserious, Ryan sees Josie as uptight and impossible to read, and meanwhile they’re both standing there completely missing how similar they actually are. Watching them slowly realize they could learn from each other instead of fighting each other was genuinely one of the strongest parts of the book for me. I especially loved how Josie slowly learned she didn’t have to carry everything alone all the time, and how Ryan showed that being softer and more easygoing doesn’t mean being careless.

And the ONLINE MESSAGES!!!!!!!!!! I am forever weak for anonymous texting/online friendships/etc. There is just something painfully addictive about watching two people emotionally connect without realizing they’re already tangled up in each other’s real lives. Their back-and-forths were honestly some of my favorite scenes because they felt so natural and funny and vulnerable at the same time.

I also thought the commentary on romance books and relationship structure was surprisingly thoughtful at times. This quote especially genuinely made me stop and stare at the page for a second:

“Maybe don’t think of it as a third-act breakup,” she says. “Think of it as a decision point. Will the lovers allow themselves to be torn apart by outside circumstances or their internal fears? Or will they fight for each other?” She smiles. “That’s a decision anyone in any relationship will have to make, over and over again.”

I LOVED this perspective so much because it reframed relationship conflict in a way that felt weirdly mature while still staying deeply romantic.

And Ryan… the way he took a total 180 from his initial view on Josie 😭 he was gone BADDDD

“I’m falling for you, Josie. Hard. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met, we have the best conversations, and you’re so beautiful I could look at you for hours and never get tired of the view.”

SOMEONE SEDATE ME.

There was also so much fun packed into this book beyond the romance itself. The references to well-known authors/books were super cute without feeling overdone, and the indie bookstore rep made the whole atmosphere feel warm and lived in. You could tell this was written by someone who really understands book people.

Now for me personally, there were a couple themes/choices throughout the story that didn’t fully work for me on a personal preference level, so I couldn’t quite give it the full five. But honestly, the writing itself was still incredibly engaging and easy to fly through.

And the emotional yearning absolutely delivered because lines like:

“I’ll give her anything. Even if it’s killing me. Even if I’m starting to worry that this whole thing is going to end with my heart shattered, that I’ve gone and done it again, letting myself fall for someone who doesn’t feel the same way.”

…did in fact make me kick my feet a little.

Also the EPILOGUE????????? PERFECT. Actually perfect. The kind that leaves you sitting there smiling at the pages like an idiot after finishing the last page. 🤣😭

things to know about the book ↓

📚 sunshine boy x ice queen
📚 rivals → lovers
📚 enemies → friends → lovers
📚 he falls first
📚 opposites attract
📚 bookstore romance
📚 slowwwww burn
📚 hidden identity vibes
📚 indie bookstore rep
📚 book lover romance
📚 dyslexia rep

swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Leslie Hearn · Rating 1 out of 5]

the woke agenda push was too much for me

[Alylally⛰️⛺️⛈️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, that wasn't what I was expecting.

These characters are very 2D. I couldn't connect to either. The story pacing was fine and so was the plot, there was just odd things thrown in there throughout. I liked the messaging on the app together and the bookshops though.

I, also, was confused at times to what the author was trying to tell me? The way she words her thoughts was very strange. The writing felt... sneaky(?) with its mannerisms and breadcrumbs. Almost like.. a riddle that refuses to be solved.

I was really hoping for a cute fun, bookshop rivalry and I got a very bleak, almost juvenile, story. It felt deaf and oblivious.

[Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playful banter, enemies to lovers, a cozy setting, swoon worthy tension- everything I could possibly want in a romance.

Add this to your immediate summer TBR! This is the perfect read for sitting by the pool, you won’t want to put it down. I read this pretty much in one sitting and would definitely recommend the read.

Thank you to the authors for the gifted ARC (yes, only the authors, cuz Berkley doesn’t like me very much and gave me the NetGalley decline on this one. Like usual. Hey Berkley, if you’re reading, I have over 30k followers and average over 3 million views consistently. I beg of you to reconsider my approval rating for your books cuz as you can see, I love them)

[anne ⭑.ᐟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

౿ ׂ ִ 🥡 pre-read 🩰 ⁀ ˳ ⊹⠀⏱ —
⤷ ꒰ ★ ꒱ i am so excited to read this because look at that GORGEOUS COVER guys. also the mmc is a romance fan?!?!?! wish me luck guys cause i haven't had a good streak with the romance genre this year.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t give out a ton of 5-star ratings but I absolutely loved this book! It’s a romance, certainly. It’s also a love letter to bookstores, especially indie bookstores. The plot brought back memories of that terrific movie, You’ve Got Mail. Be prepared to fall in love with these characters.

Josie is the manager of a bookstore that focuses on literary fiction, Tabula Inscripta. Beans is the coffee shop next door, and beyond that is ANOTHER bookstore, this one featuring romance books, called Happy Endings, which is managed by Ryan. Their personalities are polar opposites and their stores reflect their personalities. Josie’s store is super-organized and neat. Ryan’s store is a bit more chaotic, but also organized, just in a different way. (I personally LOVED the way Ryan chose to organize his books, so creative and encouraging of making discoveries.) Anyway … Josie and Ryan don’t really have anything in common other than they love books, or so they think. Josie doesn’t even know Ryan’s name! The owner of their building decides he wants to merge the two stores and include Beans as an in-store cafe. So he pits the two of them against each other, both vying for the future single manager position.

As in You’ve Got Mail, the two of them actually have a relationship already but they don’t know it. They are online buddies in a bookstore-oriented app/website and they are ever so compatible there. Each of them, Josie and Ryan, have really interesting backstories; both have had very different childhood/family experiences.

The Battle of the Bookstores features a number of tropes: obviously an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story, but also opposites attract. I loved how diversity of all sorts was just matter-of-factly featured in the book: dyslexia, disability due to an accident, LGBTQ and Jewish rep, and more. Much is made of Ryan’s being particularly tall; it’s almost a running joke. Another thing I loved was the dual POV; some chapters were from Josie’s POV and some from Ryan’s. The side characters were all interesting and not cookie-cutter stereotypes. The authors (Ali Brady is a writing duo) dig deep into why romance books are so popular and their writing will make a convert out of many a skeptic.

Warning: there are a couple of very explicit scenes later in the story. Also there’s a history of abandonment trauma, so be advised.

Thank you to the authors, Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. (Normally I tend to read closer to the publication date but I just couldn’t wait on this one!) All opinions are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is what the kids call “woke”. The agenda was pushed hard here. It was all inclusive to make sure representation was given in regards to sexuality, religion, physical disabilities, dyslexia, stereotypes, reverse roles, bullying, and indie bookstores. All of that is fine, it’s just this felt pushed hard and over and over and over.

The FMC was unbearable- cold, mean, and stereotypical down to her pencil skirts, black coffee, hair in a tight bun and superiority complex that she read hardcover literature and looked down on everyone. She doesn’t have much growth or improve.

I liked Ryan, although I grew tired of hearing how tall and big he was.

[phideɭia · Rating 2 out of 5]

after all that, all I can say is....meh?



p.s. i want to live in a bookstore. like very desperately.

pre-read
my brain feels fried. so here we are, back to contemporary stuff. yay.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Battle of the Bookstores is a charming rivals-to-lovers romance with a delightful ‘You’ve Got Mail’ vibe. While the story starts off at a slower pace, it gradually draws you in with its heart and humor. By the end, I was completely won over. The heroine’s personal growth is especially satisfying, and the hero’s grand gesture is perfect. A sweet, feel-good read!

Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Karissa Vacker & Brandon Francis
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length:9h 32m

[Elodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, I was up all night reading this book because I didn't want to put it down for even a minute. I absolutely adored this book for so many reasons, all of which I will try to get down here.

For one, this book reads like a love story to books and Indie bookstores. There are so many references to different books and authors, ranging from popular and mainstream to the classics. You could tell both of the main characters love books and the joy of reading was so pronounced. I also appreciated the parts where the characters talked about how reading helps and heals them, even when there isn't a happy ending.

Josie and Ryan were characters I really enjoyed. I felt like they were complex and well developed. Both of the characters felt real, as they discussed their fears, their insecurities, and the challenges they faced in their childhood. Neither character was presented as perfect, but instead as flawed people that are still deserving of love and care.

Focusing more on Ryan, I loved the way the author made his character. He was so patient with Josie, always following her lead, respecting what she needs at any given time, and never pushing her. He allowed her to be herself and figure things out on her time, all while supporting and loving her the entire time. We don't always see that type of male main character in romances and I loved that we got that type of dynamic here.

I also felt like Josie and Ryan had really good chemistry. You could feel how much they disliked each other in the beginning, but you could feel how much things were changing as the book went on. That's not always easy to accomplish in a book, yet this author did it so incredibly well.

Without giving spoilers, I will say that my least favourite trope in romance is miscommunication. I absolutely cannot stand it and it easily ruins a book for me. In this book, while neither character was always fully open and honest about their feelings ( often because they weren't sure what they wanted or felt), there was a lot of healthy communication throughout the book, where both characters were able to be honest and emotionally vulnerable. They do come up against a challenge at the end of the book, but they work through it together and communicate the entire way through like mature adults. I love to see it!

I also want to give a shout out to the background characters, especially the ones that work with Ryan. Nora, a woman whose age is never given, but seems to be in her 70-80s, was so fun! She only came up a few times, but she brought such humor to the story. I honestly hope I'm as open and fun as she is when I'm her age!

There is a little spice in this book, but there's only a few short scenes and it's not super descriptive. So, if you don't love tons of spice, but are okay with some occasional spicy scenes, this book would be perfect for you!

One thing I will warn about is that, in the beginning, Josie doesn't have a lot of great things to say about the romance genre. Reading reviews, this clearly bothered some people. However, once you learn about Josie's backstory and how romance novels for into it, it starts making a lot more sense as to why she doesn't have a positive view of them. As the story goes on, she does start to explore romances and her view changes. To be fair as well, Ryan doesn't have great things to say about literacy fiction on the beginning either. So, overall, this element didn't bother me at all and actually played into some good character development and growth.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend anyone who loves books to check this out, even if romance isn't your typical genre. Hopefully you will love it as much as I do!

Book people are the best people and books about books are the best books

[Tanvi Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add this to your TBR immediately. I am begging you. When this book drops, I need you to stop everything and read it. Do you hear me?

I went in with zero expectations. No one I know is talking about this book, so let me be the one to change that.

Ryan and Josie each own rival bookstores, and when their boss decides to merge the two, things take a turn. To make it worse? They’re forced to compete for the highest profits—winner gets full ownership of the new store. Now throw in a secret pen-pal twist, and I was hooked. That trope gets me every time. This book delivers the perfect mix of banter, competition, and chemistry—it’s rivals-to-lovers and workplace romance at its absolute best.

And the ending? Easily my favorite part. I was bracing myself for a classic third-act breakup, but the author took a different, more honest route that made their relationship feel raw, real, and so satisfying. Also—the spice? Flawlessly done.

If you’re not into books that reference modern authors and titles, this might not be your vibe. But if you’re looking for a story with great representation and unique characters, this one absolutely delivers.

Tropes
📚 rivals to enemies
💌 you’ve got mail vibes
🐈 dual pov
💌 open door spice
📚 slow burn
🐈 childhood abandonment
📚 only one bed
🐈 bookstore cats
💌 dyslexia representation

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review✨

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit I love this story’s “You’ve Got Mail” vibe. First of all, a special discussion forum buddy with whom you can share pretty much anything is a great way to burn off your frustration with your new boss, who is pitting you against your rival!

This crazy plot seemed a bit far-fetched at first, but Brady develops this story with finesse and plausibility all over the pages. Her characters are unique and fun. The secondary characters are a riot and the spicy risqué book nights are so creative. Where is something like that where I live?

Ryan and Josie each carry a lot on their shoulders, and their growth from strangers to tolerable co-workers and finally more feels like a natural progression. I love their growth through work lessons and the love of books. The way the author brings in other authors, books, reviewer info, and the overall love of reading to bind them together is clever and sweet.

Battle of the Bookstores is a slow burn, opposites attract love story with the texting buddies amping up the confusion and awareness. But once reality hits, the hair comes down and the shoes come off quickly. This is a sweet'n spicy “he falls first” story that will delight readers of romance and women’s fiction all over!

~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/battle-of-th...

[Stacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried. But the main characters are terrible and the dialog is SO CRINGE. “I knew she was as tight as that tight bun on her head” NO 🤮 this is not the rip off of you’ve got mail that you’re looking for.

[lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay okay she’s really pushing the indie bookstore agenda with this one! rtc

thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!

[DianaRose]

sadly dnf at 21% for multiple reasons, but the main one being a woman looking down on romance novels and their readers (especially if the reader is a straight man, like, HELLO? we want men to read books written by women for women so they can catch on??? so they understand how they need to live up to the men that are written by women…)

i forgot our fmc’s name but she was so dismissive and pretentious towards the romance bookstore and their male manager (who was an avid romance reader) next door that it immediately turned me off from the book.

also, there were far too many pop culture references for my liking, i’m sorry, i know that seems like a minor thing but if there’s a reference or two, fine, but five or more? goodbye.

i’m sure this book will find its audience but it’s not me.