Book Lovers ~ Emily Henry (17 of 24)

 Emily Henry is a series of 7 books written by 2 authors. 

The Love That Split the World - Emily Henry

A Million Junes - Emily Henry

Hello Girls - Brittany Cavallaro

When the Sky Fell on Splendor - Emily Henry

Beach Read - Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation - Emily Henry

Book Lovers - Emily Henry

Emily Henry's books, particularly those in her adult romance genre, can be read in the order of publication or independently as each book stands on its own. Some readers love to track an author's progression and see how their stories evolve, so reading Emily Henry's books in order might enhance that experience. Emily Henry's books are renowned for their heartwarming romance and relatable characters. The author artfully blends love and humor with a touch of drama, creating stories that are perfect for a vacation read or just a cozy day at the beach. Many of her novels explore the complexities of love, navigating through personal growth, and finding happiness in unexpected places. Emily Henry's storytelling can transport readers into a world where love is often challenged but ultimately prevails. 

The novels by Emily Henry often center around romance, especially her adult romance books which are filled with love and emotional journeys that many readers adore. She has a great knack for combining wit with deeply felt emotions, making her books a beloved choice for fans of the romance genre. However, they also weave in elements of personal growth, life choices, and the beauty of the world around us, offering a rich and fulfilling reading experience beyond just love stories.

Readers who love hilarious banter and fiction filled with tropes will love all Emily Henry‘s romance books. But they’ll fall especially hard for her 2022 novel, Book Lovers, which leans more toward the rom-com end of the scale. Nora Stephens is a take-no-crap literary agent living in New York City who agrees to a vacation with her younger sister in the small town of Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. When she bumps into brooding book editor Charlie Lastra—the very editor who dissed her client’s last book—the two end up growing closer as Nora attempts to be the heroine of her own story.

A heartfelt and hilarious read about books, sisters, and writing your own love story. Nora Stephens knows she isn't anything like the heroines in small-town love stories. As a badass, hardworking city gal, Nora has been left by multiple past boyfriends for wholesome country women who bake and dutifully pop out kids. She's the b*tch in this trope; career-driven, ambitious, and particular about the shoes she wears, obviously not the kind of woman someone wants to be with in the long term. Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

One of the most powerful elements of Book Lovers is the relationship between Nora and Libby. These two sisters, as they go off to Sunshine Falls, have a great girls’ trip, but also unpack a lot of trauma from when they were growing up. Their mother died, and Nora stepped up to be a mother figure to Libby at a young age. The novel shows this tension of wanting to be a fun older sister but having the opinions of someone who had to be a parental figure. For example, the reason Libby wanted to visit Sunshine Falls is misunderstood by Nora because of her mother-like nature. It is later revealed that Nora was wrong in her assumptions about Libby. This further shows the complicated nature of Nora’s roles as both a sister and a motherly figure. I felt the sisters’ relationship was very relatable and believable, and when things weren’t tense, it was very enjoyable to read. Libby is an infectious character, and whenever she was in a scene, it made the story a lot brighter. 

Even with the more serious topics in this novel, there is a lot of fun and humour in it. There is situational comedy, but also funny awkwardness when Charlie and Nora’s relationship starts to bloom. Texts between the two are very funny and playful, just like you would expect in a relationship that started on a bit of a rivalry. Having Libby integrated in this love story also creates a lot of great humour when she knows Nora has a thing for Charlie. Book Lovers has these expected tropes and silly moments, but it’s this type of humour that makes it a perfect balance with the more hard-hitting topics that pop up such as childlessness, career advancement, and the death of a parent, to name a few. 

I love how this book doesn't change Nora or punish her for being ambitious and hardworking. It's so true that men are allowed to be obsessed with their work, whereas women who do the same are too often treated as if they have an illness. I'm glad that's not the case here. I always hated to see powerful women tamed.

"'i already told you, nora,' he murmurs. 'i'd go anywhere with you.'"

It will make you laugh, cry, and think about the importance of family.