Love and the Library

by Lauren Connolly

Hannah Smalls made an important discovery. In the whole of the university library, one spot reigns supreme. The Chair provides comfort while encouraging productivity. It is everything Hannah could ever want from a study space, which is why she has decided to spend the majority of sophomore year nestled in its cushiony embrace. There's only one problem ...

A messy-haired, sleepy-eyed, cocky junior has the same exact plan.

Nathan Cooper's roommate has made studying in his apartment impossible. Luckily, he found The Spot, an optimal place in the library to get work done without any distraction. Well, other than the cute girl who beats him there half the time. He shouldn't let her fierce glares throw him off his game, but Nathan finds himself enjoying their daily competition.

Despite lost battles for the coveted library territory, both students are determined to win the war ... by any means necessary.

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, College, Slow Burn, Contemporary, New Adult, Novella

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2018

About the author

Lauren Connolly is an award-winning author of contemporary and magical romance stories. She’s lived among mountains, next to lakes, and in imaginary worlds. Lauren can never seem to stay in one place for too long, but trust that wherever she’s residing there is a dog who thinks he’s a troll, twin cats hiding in the couch, and bookshelves bursting with stories written by the authors she loves.

Reviews

[RLbooks (in and out) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got Love and the Library as a freebie for signing up for the author’s newsletter and this was so light, cute, and fun. It hit the spot perfectly with lots of humor and sweetness and just a tiny bit of steam. The h and H are adversaries over a spot in their college’s library. Their competition over this spot cracked me up. The h is a bit intense and the H is a bit golden retriever. Their competition mellows to friendship and romantic interest though in a progressed (if shortened timeframe) way. Date moments, light bonding, and general feel-goodness abound. I smiled a lot. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (though H has a moment of jealousy) and neither are virgins (no history given on H I can recall and h had one bf who gave good sex but criticized her).

While this is overall low angst, the h is torn over whether she belongs at their college because she hasn’t found her tribe while there, other than the H, and she wouldn’t stay for a guy. I admired that, even as I was anxious for the author to resolve it, which was done in a fitting way for the rest of the story. The ending is HFN with just a few months in the future but the ending scene was another fitting moment for their romance and I was happy. This is just a lovely palette cleanser of a quick read.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Connolly's short story in the Only One Bed anthology was by far my favourite in the collection, so I knew I had to look up more of her work. I was drawn in by the plot immediately because I love a quirky meet cute and it kind of reminded me of that one episode of Gilmore Girls where Rory finds the study tree.

Nathan and Hannah had incredible chemistry. I loved the playful hate to love vibe of their romance and the progression of their relationship from 'enemies' to friends to dating. I also really liked the inclusion of Hannah feeling isolated at university. It's a very real thing but rarely talked about in NA romance.

The pacing was also pretty much perfect. The author didn't try to fit too much into a 150 page novella but at the same time kept things interesting enough for me to read the entire thing in one sitting. I'm so, so happy that I have found this author and will 100% be supporting all her new releases from now on!

[Deborah G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wasn't expecting much from this one but it was such an uplifting, humorous delight to read. Many novellas give a hint of what a full story could look like leaving the reader with the dreaded sense of feeling incomplete. Here, the author has a full grasp on her characters, plotline & has a definite flair for storytelling. The ending left me feeling satisfied knowing the two MC's were exactly where I'd hoped they would be. A great story & I will be keeping a close eye on this author.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going off to college can be daunting when there are no friends or family nearby. For those who are used to having their family close by and can go for a visit at any time, trying to make new friends can be very rough. Hannah Smalls is this type of person and she's just sticking out the best she can. With no real friends yet, she focuses on school work and prizes a special place in the library to do her homework.

To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Hannah and Nathan, the lead characters are in an everyday battle royale for the best spot to study in the college library. But, as they duke it out, they start to find they actually like each other, and then more than like each other. But, other than Nathan, Hannah hasn’t met anyone she connects with and she’s thinking about transferring elsewhere for next year…

This novella is dual POV, well written, and has an adorable meet cute and awesome banter. I really liked the relationship development and, particularly, the acknowledgement that a romantic relationship is not all one needs to thrive.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Ann Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts off so cute! Hannah and Nathan compete for use of a particular chair in the library and it is somewhat humorous. As the story progresses we get to know both of them. As their relationship develops, we learn they are both reasonably mature college students.
It’s not a long book and I finished it in one sitting. Great read for a rainy afternoon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable enemies to lovers novella

Rarely has a book description spoken to me like this one. A battle over the perfect study spot in the college library? Yes, this sounds like what I wish college had been like -- study hard, fight a cute guy for the comfiest chair in the world, fall in love with said cute guy and find your place in the community. This quick read was adorable and I loved it in all its nerdy glory.

[Esmee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik heb er van genoten. Schattig en vlot. Geen onnodige drama. Vond het ook goed van haar dat ze realistisch was. Ze wilde naar NY waar haar ouders waren en ze meer mensen kenden. Hij alleen, was niet genoeg om te blijven. Ze had verder de eerste 2 jaar geen vrienden.
Het was een schattig en leuk verhaal

[Stasi Apple (The Reads of an Apple) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute and fun novella. Started with two students fighting over the "best spot" to study at the library and turned into a great connection. I also loved how becoming friends and then more with Nathan led to her opening up herself to finding friends too. It hit everything I could want in novella!

[Demogarose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a Contemporary Romance reader, but between the facts that I'm a big fan of Connolly's Urban Fantasy series Folk Haven, the book being free for joining her newsletter, and the title, I decided to give it a shot and boy am I exceedingly glad I did.

[Nebll_Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why this book and why now?Because it looks like a light,short,funny read and that's just what I needed.Plus,it's about 2 teenagers and a library.😂

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likeable characters and a charming story. I love how often libraries and books feature in this author’s books.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has me laughing out loud almost all the way through.

[Lane Brejwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’M SO FUCKING MAD I WAITED SO LONG TO READ THIS BOOK!! I’m in love!!! I need more!

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!
👨‍🍳😘😍🔥

[Oscen · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the pairing, though it felt too short and a little bit unfinished, but a very nice lecture to unwind

[Jen W · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun! I love a weird intense FMC & a guy who can handle her.

[Kate R · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a cute, quick new adult romance. i felt like you got enough closure out of it even with it being so short. I'd recommend it.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the Fandom references and the girlfriends. Love from one assbutt to another ❤️

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ This is a super cute, new adult, spicy novella set in Virginia, and I really enjoyed it.

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was funny, and I really felt the chemistry between Hannah and Nathan. It was a sweet story.

[Lauren Connolly]

This story is a light-hearted enemies to lovers, and a quick read meant to make you smile!