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Love Interest
Not yet published
Expected 5 Jan 27
From USA TODAY bestselling author, Chloe Liese, a loathe-to-love story about a kindhearted librarian who has spent life playing the supporting role yet finds her bold inner heroine when forced to work with an antagonistic, brooding writer, leading her to discover she's more than broken character—she's become the love interest.
Helen Holloway loves books, but she’s read enough to realize she’s the side character in her own life—the supportive best friend, the fun aunt, the reliable librarian with the perfect recommendation. Only when she escapes into her beloved stories does Helen get to be the bold, feisty heroine.
Then she meets Sam Cartwright.
From the arrogant thriller writer’s first infuriating email, Sam demonstrates he has no problem making demands of her library yet no interest in supporting it. As their bickering emails escalate, Helen breaks character and pledges Sam’s support to the library’s fundraiser. When Sam finds out, he demands repayment—he’ll support the fundraiser if Helen helps him work through writer’s block and plot his next bestseller.
The more time she spends with Sam, the more Helen discovers a tender man beneath his villainous persona and starts to question the supporting role she’s always played. For the first time in her life, Helen is the heroine of her own story. And she might even be the love interest…
Helen Holloway loves books, but she’s read enough to realize she’s the side character in her own life—the supportive best friend, the fun aunt, the reliable librarian with the perfect recommendation. Only when she escapes into her beloved stories does Helen get to be the bold, feisty heroine.
Then she meets Sam Cartwright.
From the arrogant thriller writer’s first infuriating email, Sam demonstrates he has no problem making demands of her library yet no interest in supporting it. As their bickering emails escalate, Helen breaks character and pledges Sam’s support to the library’s fundraiser. When Sam finds out, he demands repayment—he’ll support the fundraiser if Helen helps him work through writer’s block and plot his next bestseller.
The more time she spends with Sam, the more Helen discovers a tender man beneath his villainous persona and starts to question the supporting role she’s always played. For the first time in her life, Helen is the heroine of her own story. And she might even be the love interest…
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication January 5, 2027
About the author
Chloe Liese
23 books10.6k followersChloe is a USA Today bestselling author who writes romantic fiction reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. When not dreaming up her next novel, you'll find her reading, trying new recipes, savoring nature, and soaking up time with her big, beautiful family.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 16, 2026
thank you to netgalley for this arc!!
i am an absolutely MASSIVE chloe liese fan (i have given every book of hers 5 stars), but sadly this one missed the mark for me. almost from the get go, i feel like i didn’t believe in sam and helen’s love story, and it felt almost underdeveloped. characters felt a tad juvenile to me (especially helen’s best friend/sister in law, who i kind of hated?), and even at the climax of the romance, i felt almost disconnected.
i will say, i absolutely LOVED the emails we got between our lead characters, they felt packed full of character and wit, and i wish we actually saw that on page. they seemed to click so well within those sections, and i’d get my hopes up about the chemistry, just to feel a little let down again.
overall, this is a very sweet story that is very easy to fly through, but i feel like it was missing that romantic spark that gets you obsessed and locked in to the story. i would recommend, but it wasn’t my favourite chloe liese book.
i am an absolutely MASSIVE chloe liese fan (i have given every book of hers 5 stars), but sadly this one missed the mark for me. almost from the get go, i feel like i didn’t believe in sam and helen’s love story, and it felt almost underdeveloped. characters felt a tad juvenile to me (especially helen’s best friend/sister in law, who i kind of hated?), and even at the climax of the romance, i felt almost disconnected.
i will say, i absolutely LOVED the emails we got between our lead characters, they felt packed full of character and wit, and i wish we actually saw that on page. they seemed to click so well within those sections, and i’d get my hopes up about the chemistry, just to feel a little let down again.
overall, this is a very sweet story that is very easy to fly through, but i feel like it was missing that romantic spark that gets you obsessed and locked in to the story. i would recommend, but it wasn’t my favourite chloe liese book.
upcoming-release
July 6, 2026not to rush ya Chloe but I need this now <3
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I do love me a Chloe Liese book! Everything for You is in my top five books of all time, and while I will say this isn’t my favorite of hers, it still had all of the magic, rich prose, and beautiful storytelling that I love about her writing and she will forever be my favorite author no matter what she writes. I swear her writing reminds me so much of Emily Henry and this is a high compliment! They do women’s fiction and romance incredibly well. If you like that style, then this is definitely for you.
This felt much more like women’s fiction than romance to me, but I did love it just the same. I really, really resonated with Helen and her always taking care of everyone else with little to no recognition, while never really taking care of herself or having anyone there to take care of her. As an eldest daughter, this was very relatable and I definitely saw myself in her. I loved that she finally let someone in, accepts help, and realizes that she deserves to put herself first too.
I loved Helen and Sam’s relationship, especially all of the longing, yearning, tension, and banter between them. The emails were amazing and so good. Chloe does this so well! I will say that at times their relationship felt a little surface level and I wanted more depth between them. I also REALLY wish this had been dual POV because I desperately wanted to get inside Sam’s head. I think that was the one thing missing that could have pushed this into a five star read for me.
Everything about this was really witty, sharp, and whip smart in such a Chloe Liese way, and I really loved the enemies to lovers/loath to love dynamic between a bestselling author and a librarian. It really felt like a love letter to books, libraries, literature, and the people who love them, and I love how she wove in so many themes that end up coming full circle in the end.
I also loved the side characters and all of the little stories and relationships that developed throughout the book. I loved Helen’s niece Riley too!
I really enjoyed this book and feel so honored to be able to read a new book in advance from my favorite author. It may not be my favorite Chloe Liese book, but I will forever read anything she writes because I love the way she tells a story and she can do no wrong in my eyes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chloe Liese, and Gallery Books from the eARC of this book.
This felt much more like women’s fiction than romance to me, but I did love it just the same. I really, really resonated with Helen and her always taking care of everyone else with little to no recognition, while never really taking care of herself or having anyone there to take care of her. As an eldest daughter, this was very relatable and I definitely saw myself in her. I loved that she finally let someone in, accepts help, and realizes that she deserves to put herself first too.
I loved Helen and Sam’s relationship, especially all of the longing, yearning, tension, and banter between them. The emails were amazing and so good. Chloe does this so well! I will say that at times their relationship felt a little surface level and I wanted more depth between them. I also REALLY wish this had been dual POV because I desperately wanted to get inside Sam’s head. I think that was the one thing missing that could have pushed this into a five star read for me.
Everything about this was really witty, sharp, and whip smart in such a Chloe Liese way, and I really loved the enemies to lovers/loath to love dynamic between a bestselling author and a librarian. It really felt like a love letter to books, libraries, literature, and the people who love them, and I love how she wove in so many themes that end up coming full circle in the end.
I also loved the side characters and all of the little stories and relationships that developed throughout the book. I loved Helen’s niece Riley too!
I really enjoyed this book and feel so honored to be able to read a new book in advance from my favorite author. It may not be my favorite Chloe Liese book, but I will forever read anything she writes because I love the way she tells a story and she can do no wrong in my eyes.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chloe Liese, and Gallery Books from the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There are so many reasons why I loved this book. First and foremost, the protagonist, Helen, is so incredibly relatable. The eldest daughter, Helen has gotten used to the “I’m fine” mentality and doing things for others, even at the cost of her personal needs and wants. Even though I’m not technically an eldest daughter, Helen’s role in her family is one that resonates deeply with me: she is dependable, the side kick, the one who pours into others even when her cup is empty. Next, who doesn’t love a man who is well read, has a way with words, and also happens to be hot? Sam Cartwright is an author who has met his match in Helen and their witty banter-both in person and through their email correspondence-was an absolute delight. I couldn’t get enough of them!
In addition to being a story that touches on the importance of mental health and being honest with yourself and your loved ones when you’re struggling, this book is such a love letter to public libraries and the librarians who work tirelessly to serve their communities in such a vital way. As a high school English teacher, I absolutely loved the scenes with Helen and the teens in her library. It is a gift to be a trusted adult for kids as they work to navigate who they are, who they want to be, and what they want to achieve in life. It was awesome to see Helen be that person not only to her niece but also all the other kids. And their participation in the end was perfect. That end made my heart soar and I just loved it so much.
On a completely personal note, I loved the way the city of Pittsburgh was incorporated into the story. I went to college in Pittsburgh and so many references filled me with such nostalgia. I had many a walk at Point State Park where the three rivers meet, watching the fountain and contemplating where I fit in the world. Also, my college roommate worked at Gullifty’s when we lived there in the early 2000s, so for the record, I’m with Sam on his pie selection and he has every right to be devastated to learn that location is closed. Their pie was the best.
Thank you to Chloe Liese for writing such a wonderful book, and thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC.
In addition to being a story that touches on the importance of mental health and being honest with yourself and your loved ones when you’re struggling, this book is such a love letter to public libraries and the librarians who work tirelessly to serve their communities in such a vital way. As a high school English teacher, I absolutely loved the scenes with Helen and the teens in her library. It is a gift to be a trusted adult for kids as they work to navigate who they are, who they want to be, and what they want to achieve in life. It was awesome to see Helen be that person not only to her niece but also all the other kids. And their participation in the end was perfect. That end made my heart soar and I just loved it so much.
On a completely personal note, I loved the way the city of Pittsburgh was incorporated into the story. I went to college in Pittsburgh and so many references filled me with such nostalgia. I had many a walk at Point State Park where the three rivers meet, watching the fountain and contemplating where I fit in the world. Also, my college roommate worked at Gullifty’s when we lived there in the early 2000s, so for the record, I’m with Sam on his pie selection and he has every right to be devastated to learn that location is closed. Their pie was the best.
Thank you to Chloe Liese for writing such a wonderful book, and thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC.
August 8, 2026
Look, I usually love Chloe Liese’s books. She writes rich and emotional stories, and treats her characters with such compassion. Which makes it so hard to say that I didn’t love this one. I liked Helen and Sam, but I didn’t feel their love story. I’m also realizing that it’s hard for me as a librarian to enjoy books about librarians, because I’m always distracted by the vocational awe and the things that don’t ring true. (In one particularly horrifying moment, Helen gives a teen a bag of Takis to snack on and then has him go handle some library books?!? Imagine the greasy fluorescent fingerprints!) I assume this is the same for doctors or teachers or writers. We’re always romanticizing each other’s professions.
The plot is kind of jumbled and the emotional arcs are just not quite there. Characters upset each other and apologize, Sam and Helen are both grieving family losses, there are big goals like a book deadline and an important fundraiser, but there’s no tension in the plotlines. The emotional redemption and payoff don’t hit because we haven’t felt their feelings enough along the way. In one upsetting (to me) moment, Helen apologizes to someone who’s been mad at her, and it’s supposed to be a beautiful moment of friendship, but the situation was in no way Helen’s fault!! I was so indignant on her behalf. She’s supposedly been learning to be more assertive with her own emotions, but she just lets her friend make it her fault.
Hopefully it’s just me and others will enjoy this book more. I can highly recommend Liese’s other books, especially the Bergman series.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
The plot is kind of jumbled and the emotional arcs are just not quite there. Characters upset each other and apologize, Sam and Helen are both grieving family losses, there are big goals like a book deadline and an important fundraiser, but there’s no tension in the plotlines. The emotional redemption and payoff don’t hit because we haven’t felt their feelings enough along the way. In one upsetting (to me) moment, Helen apologizes to someone who’s been mad at her, and it’s supposed to be a beautiful moment of friendship, but the situation was in no way Helen’s fault!! I was so indignant on her behalf. She’s supposedly been learning to be more assertive with her own emotions, but she just lets her friend make it her fault.
Hopefully it’s just me and others will enjoy this book more. I can highly recommend Liese’s other books, especially the Bergman series.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you for NetGalley for the ARC!
Overall: thank goodness Helen started going to therapy.
Almost every chapter has another self-effacing spiral that touches on the overarching theme of being the sidekick but doesn’t directly tie back. It’s just issue after issue, questioning herself and then being stubborn about it.
There was barely any room left for her love story with Sam.
We spent too much time inside Helen’s head and not enough in her actual life. I found myself skimming a lot of the self-reflection paragraphs. It’s like Helen had a different reason to analyze everything about herself every three pages and it got to be a little much. It was also really wordy and sometimes confusing and I just didn't care enough to try to understand it.
I went into this book thinking it was a romance but it leans much more heavily into self-discovery and growth, which is fine, just not at all what I was expecting with the title "Love Interest."
I also thought the main plot drivers were relatively shallow - especially Sam and Helen "keeping things professional" as if the relationship they have has any professional boundaries.
The writing was good and relatively engaging, but it also seemed like it was trying to mimic Emily Henry and the banter just wasn't as creative or clever.
Overall: thank goodness Helen started going to therapy.
Almost every chapter has another self-effacing spiral that touches on the overarching theme of being the sidekick but doesn’t directly tie back. It’s just issue after issue, questioning herself and then being stubborn about it.
There was barely any room left for her love story with Sam.
We spent too much time inside Helen’s head and not enough in her actual life. I found myself skimming a lot of the self-reflection paragraphs. It’s like Helen had a different reason to analyze everything about herself every three pages and it got to be a little much. It was also really wordy and sometimes confusing and I just didn't care enough to try to understand it.
I went into this book thinking it was a romance but it leans much more heavily into self-discovery and growth, which is fine, just not at all what I was expecting with the title "Love Interest."
I also thought the main plot drivers were relatively shallow - especially Sam and Helen "keeping things professional" as if the relationship they have has any professional boundaries.
The writing was good and relatively engaging, but it also seemed like it was trying to mimic Emily Henry and the banter just wasn't as creative or clever.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a difficult one for me to rate. I really disliked the way Sam came off in the first few chapters. Like he was straight up bullying Helen for no reason other than to see how far he could take it. Which, WOAH thats fucking crazy for a 35 year old man lmao like yes let’s use this sweet librarian as an emotional punching bag. Truly what if that was her 13th reason. I can’t
Anyway, the next chunk of the book I really liked! I think they had great chemistry and decent banter. I loved Helen as a character and I felt for her. I adored her role in the community and the connection she had with all her library patrons. Sam was funny and I loved their emails to each other (once he stopped terrorizing her)
I do feel the romance/emotional intimacy was lacking. Both Helen and Sam are dealing with heavy issues, which they do talk about together in some detail on page. However, the “big” talk where they both really lay it out there, happens off page. It changed their dynamic quite a bit, so that made everything feel clunky and disconnected towards the end.
Overall this was a fun and sweet story!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Anyway, the next chunk of the book I really liked! I think they had great chemistry and decent banter. I loved Helen as a character and I felt for her. I adored her role in the community and the connection she had with all her library patrons. Sam was funny and I loved their emails to each other (once he stopped terrorizing her)
I do feel the romance/emotional intimacy was lacking. Both Helen and Sam are dealing with heavy issues, which they do talk about together in some detail on page. However, the “big” talk where they both really lay it out there, happens off page. It changed their dynamic quite a bit, so that made everything feel clunky and disconnected towards the end.
Overall this was a fun and sweet story!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2026
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
My only qualm with this book is that I don’t have more to read! I absolutely ADORED every minute of my 24 hour, can’t put it down, I’ll read while doing the dishes, binge.
Sam and Helen are absolutely adorable. I love their sarcastic banter, and as a big ol word nerd myself, their expansive vocabulary.
This book is not only bright and beautiful, but touches on some very real, very “lifey” topics in a safe and heartfelt way. It presses on some of my personal anxiety triggers, but is handled so lovely I had no issues reading as Sam and Helen tackle the same demons many of us often do. In fact, it was healing to read.
Absolute 5/5 stars. You will be left wanting to hop into these pages and happily become the side character in their story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!
My only qualm with this book is that I don’t have more to read! I absolutely ADORED every minute of my 24 hour, can’t put it down, I’ll read while doing the dishes, binge.
Sam and Helen are absolutely adorable. I love their sarcastic banter, and as a big ol word nerd myself, their expansive vocabulary.
This book is not only bright and beautiful, but touches on some very real, very “lifey” topics in a safe and heartfelt way. It presses on some of my personal anxiety triggers, but is handled so lovely I had no issues reading as Sam and Helen tackle the same demons many of us often do. In fact, it was healing to read.
Absolute 5/5 stars. You will be left wanting to hop into these pages and happily become the side character in their story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!
August 3, 2026
Wow. Where to start on a book that feels like it was written for me? That feeling of reading a book at exactly the moment you needed it.
Chloe Liese stole my journal long ago and STILL hasn’t given it back!!
If you love literature and books and witty banter this book will be perfect for you.
I love when characters feel like they jump out of the page and into your soul. And I love a meta book that references other books and tropes and media.
I loved these two main characters and how they talked about their emotions and brought out the best versions of each other.
Safe to say I love this book.
My only complaint is I wanted MORE time with them. I wanted more of their conversations and the consequences of their growth.
I just loved them too much to let them go.
4.5/5
Chloe Liese stole my journal long ago and STILL hasn’t given it back!!
If you love literature and books and witty banter this book will be perfect for you.
I love when characters feel like they jump out of the page and into your soul. And I love a meta book that references other books and tropes and media.
I loved these two main characters and how they talked about their emotions and brought out the best versions of each other.
Safe to say I love this book.
My only complaint is I wanted MORE time with them. I wanted more of their conversations and the consequences of their growth.
I just loved them too much to let them go.
4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
I was very excited for this one because I love the author and the representations she always includes/included in her books. BUT. I love a good bookish romance, but how many do we really need before it all starts feeling the same? I'm a bit disappointed because the author is one of my favourites, and I get that writing about books is probably a dream for an author, but as a reader, this particular version of the story just doesn't work for me anymore. I've read it too many times. So I would skip this one to be honest except if you love this story/trope.
I was very excited for this one because I love the author and the representations she always includes/included in her books. BUT. I love a good bookish romance, but how many do we really need before it all starts feeling the same? I'm a bit disappointed because the author is one of my favourites, and I get that writing about books is probably a dream for an author, but as a reader, this particular version of the story just doesn't work for me anymore. I've read it too many times. So I would skip this one to be honest except if you love this story/trope.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I rounded up to a 4, but it was hovering around a 3.75.
I love Chloe Liese so much. I'm a sucker for romance set around a public library setting, but I have read many, and the thing this one didn't hit the mark with me on was the romance. I didn't feel like I got to really know either of the main characters. When we got a glimpse of their struggles, the author only left us with a glimpse. I would of liked to have really gotten a few scenes of both characters talking about their issues with each other more in depth.
What did hit the mark for me was the representation Chloe always has in her books. That is why I will always pick up a book she writes.
I love Chloe Liese so much. I'm a sucker for romance set around a public library setting, but I have read many, and the thing this one didn't hit the mark with me on was the romance. I didn't feel like I got to really know either of the main characters. When we got a glimpse of their struggles, the author only left us with a glimpse. I would of liked to have really gotten a few scenes of both characters talking about their issues with each other more in depth.
What did hit the mark for me was the representation Chloe always has in her books. That is why I will always pick up a book she writes.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Love Interest is enemies-to-lovers with epistolary vibes. Helen Holloway has given up on her bigger dreams in order to stay near home to support her family and work at the local library. She is Helen the Helper and almost always it's to her detriment. Sam Cartwright escaped his family as quickly as he could and achieved career success on a grand scale. Obviously they hate each other. Obviously they're super attracted to one another at the same time. Sparks fly, it's great, you'll enjoy this read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advance copy review: It’s hard to imagine anything more enjoyable than Chloe Liese banter… until you’ve read the snarky, witty, over-the-top amazing email exchanges between MCs in “Love Interest” and you realize epistolary banter is a whole other level. The subject lines and sign offs of these emails alone are incredible, but it’s truly the depth, nuance and beauty of Chloe’s writing that makes this entire story sing and will leave you swooning for Sam and Helen… and eagerly counting down the days waiting for the next Chloe Liese release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this story! There are many reasons, but the one that hooked me first, was the mean banter between our two main characters. It was mean, teasing, sarcastic, romantic, and funny. This story not only dug deep in hard messy feelings, but gave us hope for happy endings, like any good romance should! The way our protagonist loves words and uses them to perfectly articulate her every feeling, will make you want to up your vocabulary game, so as to make the impact that she does.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC! Chloe Liese is always an automatic-read for me, and Love Interest did not disappoint. I loved the literary references, the eldest daughter/son dynamic, and the relationships and development of the supporting characters. The slow-burn romance and banter are so well done. I also love how Liese is not afraid to tackle tough topics like mental health and grief. I could not put this one down, and am sad it is over!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Love Interest is a romance between a librarian and an author, a grumpy and sunshine vibe and a lot of love for books. It was good, nothing extraordinary but it did the job.
I liked the mental health talk and the emails they exchange throughout the book.
Thank you Edelweiss+ and Gallery Books for the ARC.
I liked the mental health talk and the emails they exchange throughout the book.
Thank you Edelweiss+ and Gallery Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
***arc provided by edelweiss in exchange of an honest review ***
This was an unique storyline for me and the character growth for both MCs were well written. The chemistry was great and their banter was fun without being too corny.
This was an unique storyline for me and the character growth for both MCs were well written. The chemistry was great and their banter was fun without being too corny.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Love books about writers. The letter writing was a nice touch. Wish we had Sam’s perspective though.
August 2, 2026
chloe liese is officially back folks
August 3, 2026
4.5!! In classic Chloe Liese style this book was funny, heartfelt, and had me kicking my feet with joy
August 7, 2026
4.5, rounded to 5⭐️
[ARC review TBA]
[ARC review TBA]
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Light on the romance; a very character-driven story
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews