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emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Finished reading: November 14th 2024
“Sometimes, that’s how it happens. Sometimes your favorite book just hits you out of the blue like a bolt of lightning.”
Right... I definitely didn't expect this to happen. I mean, I was a bit worried when I saw the lower rating and mixed reviews, but I usually love Ashley Poston's writing so I had hopes this story would still work for me. And it did, for the most part... Until the last 20% or so rolled in and completely ruined the story for me. Seriously, what was the author thinking?! I do hope this won't become a regular thing, because I might just have to give up on her books. This might just be a personal pet peeve as I'm never a fan of third-act breakups, but the way this one was written simply felt all kinds of wrong. I can't properly explain it as I'm already giving away too much as it is, but it was both extremely enfuriating and not credible at all. Not to mention that the story ended with the saddest and most half-baked HEA ever... But then again I was never convinced by the romance itself in the first place, which was both basically insta-love and lacked chemistry. The latter probably has to do with the fact that especially Anders lacked fleshing out beyond some of his physical and character traits being repeated over and over again. I also wasn't a fan of how Elsy consistently thought less of herself... In fact, I think I liked the secondary characters a lot better. This all seems to sound quite negative, so why still give it three stars then? This has 100% to do with the premise and the idea of the main character being transported to the fictional town of her favorite book series. Who wouldn't want to experience something similar? I loved this aspect so much more than the actual romance, and I kind of wish there would have been more focus on the magical realism aspect of it all. A Novel Love Story had SO much potential and I can't deny that I enjoyed the first 80% or so despite the insta-love and sexy scenes, but the last part was just a big fat NO for me. If you aren't bothered with the whole third-act breakup trope and certain events that happen after, this story will probably work better for you though. That said, this is without doubt my least favorite Ashley Poston story by far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Car accident, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Death, Car accident
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
“Sometimes, a book can change your life. It’s hard to explain that to someone who doesn’t read, or who has never felt their heart bend so strongly toward a story that it might just snap in two. Some books are a comfort, some a reprieve, others a vacation, a lesson, a heartbreak.”
➽ How did a book with such a great, bookish premise go so wrong? I usually love Ashley Poston's Romances with a magical twist, The Dead Romantics and The Seven-Year Slip were amazing, so I was shocked and disappointed that I ended up hating her newest book. A Novel Love Story should have been everything I love: the main character Eileen ends up getting trapped in the world of her favorite Romance series - Eloraton. I loved that premise and the fact that Elsy is part of a book club but feels left behind by her friends who are becoming committed to their relationships. Books have always been an escape for her, so she decides to go to their annual book club retreat, even if no one else can make it. This could have been a wonderful story about books, but Ashley Poston sadly fumbled this one and didn't excel at her usual brand of slightly magical Romance. I'm a bit nervous about her upcoming books now, as I never expected to dislike one of her books this much.
➽ Let's start with the positives: I really liked Elsy and her passion for books. There are many lovely quotes in this book about reading and Elsy is a huge Romance lover. Escaping into the world her favorite author has created always helped her and when it becomes a reality, she's excited to fix things. Sadly, her favorite author passed away and left the series unfinished. She gained popularity only after her death, but Elsy loved her stories even when she barely had any fans. I really felt for her insecurities about being left behind. Her last relationship ended with her being abandoned before her wedding. While her friend Pru is supportive and they're close, Elsy feels like she's moving ahead with her partner and leaving her alone. I have to admit though that Elsy feels the least developed out of all of Ashley Poston's Romance heroines. Her love for books felt forced at times like the author was trying so hard to make her likable and relatable to the reader.
“Sometimes, that’s how it happens. Sometimes your favorite book just hits you out of the blue like a bolt of lightning.”
➽ There wasn't much else that I liked about this book though. I'm mad that I waited 10 weeks for my audiobook hold to come in and to be honest, I listened to this on higher speed than I usually do, because I was so ready for this to be over. A Novel Love Story has many problems: the plot is boring and barely anything happens, so I wasn't invested in the story. I was also disappointed that Eloraton, the world Elsy gets transported in, was so bland. This wasn't the exciting town full of vibrant characters and nostalgia the author wanted it to be. The characters were shallow and the town lacked character. Elsy also got over her wonder of being in the setting of her favorite Romances way too soon. I feel like the author didn't fully utilise her setting. I can't believe the portal Fantasy aspect of the story was so underwhelming.
➽ Worst of all was the love interest Anders and the romance. Elsy and him didn't have any chemistry and I didn't understand why they were drawn to each other. Anders is Eloraton's bookshop owner and immediately doesn't get on with Elsy after she almost runs him over. Their initial 'Meet Ugly' didn't work for me and I don't know why they were suddenly meant to be Enemies Anders isn't interesting in the slightest and I can't believe they connected this much in such a short time when there was no spark between them. I just couldn't get behind this couple.
➽ The third-act conflict and ending made me so mad, what was the author thinking? The twist left a bad taste in my mouth and Anders was acting like a complete tool and lost all my respect. Elsy deserved so much better than to be treated like this again! I don't think they'll last beyond the end of the book and the author's attempts to be 'different' than other Romance novels completely backfired.
➽I'm of course talking about Anders lying about being the dead author's fiance. He was clearly still grieving and not ready to be in another relationship. When the book character based on her comes to town, he literally leaves Elsy behind because he can't let go of her. After promising they'll leave together, Anders doesn't even have the guts to tell Elsy he changed his mind. SHE has to tell him it's okay and let him go, which felt so out of character. The author tries to convince us it's different from her last relationship, but it's EXACTLY the same. Elsy's once again left behind without a backward glance. She deserved SO much better than having to cater to Anders's feelings. She isn't allowed to feel anger or heartbreak and is just fine after she leaves Eloraton. When Anders comes back to the real world, she just takes him back without Anders providing an apology or explanation. I hated how this was framed as 'they needed to grow as individual people and then come back together' when that wasn't the issue. I have zero faith that Anders won't get hung up on someone else, as he clearly hasn't finished processing his grief.
➽ There wasn't much else that I liked about this book though. I'm mad that I waited 10 weeks for my audiobook hold to come in and to be honest, I listened to this on higher speed than I usually do, because I was so ready for this to be over. A Novel Love Story has many problems: the plot is boring and barely anything happens, so I wasn't invested in the story. I was also disappointed that Eloraton, the world Elsy gets transported in, was so bland. This wasn't the exciting town full of vibrant characters and nostalgia the author wanted it to be. The characters were shallow and the town lacked character. Elsy also got over her wonder of being in the setting of her favorite Romances way too soon. I feel like the author didn't fully utilise her setting. I can't believe the portal Fantasy aspect of the story was so underwhelming.
➽ Worst of all was the love interest Anders and the romance. Elsy and him didn't have any chemistry and I didn't understand why they were drawn to each other. Anders is Eloraton's bookshop owner and immediately doesn't get on with Elsy after she almost runs him over. Their initial 'Meet Ugly' didn't work for me and I don't know why they were suddenly meant to be Enemies Anders isn't interesting in the slightest and I can't believe they connected this much in such a short time when there was no spark between them. I just couldn't get behind this couple.
➽ The third-act conflict and ending made me so mad, what was the author thinking? The twist left a bad taste in my mouth and Anders was acting like a complete tool and lost all my respect. Elsy deserved so much better than to be treated like this again! I don't think they'll last beyond the end of the book and the author's attempts to be 'different' than other Romance novels completely backfired.
➽
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Death, Car accident
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, Alcohol
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“If I was a poet, I could liken love to your eyes. If I was a gardener, I could plant a kiss on all the places you despise on yourself. If I was a writer, I could write epics to your lovely lips. If I was a painter, I could explore every bend and curve so when my eyes failed me, I would paint you by memory.”
Ashley Poston, you shady lady!! You did it again!!
I read this book in the span of 5 hours because I just couldn’t put it down. I have never felt so, at peace? after finishing a book, but this was just exactly what I needed. I find it funny that I ended up reading this book now out of all times, mostly because I was really able to relate to both Eileen’s story, the way she was hurting. And at the end, having to let go (that love eventually came back to her, and I can’t help but wonder if that love will come back to me, too, someday). That’s maybe why I can’t give this book a solid 5 stars, because I’m jealous things worked out for her? I don’t think they will for me, but I think I’m starting to get somewhere. Delightful book, and I really need to read everyone’s backstory (or love story?) like ASAP!!
Ashley Poston, you shady lady!! You did it again!!
I read this book in the span of 5 hours because I just couldn’t put it down. I have never felt so, at peace? after finishing a book, but this was just exactly what I needed. I find it funny that I ended up reading this book now out of all times, mostly because I was really able to relate to both Eileen’s story, the way she was hurting. And at the end, having to let go (that love eventually came back to her, and I can’t help but wonder if that love will come back to me, too, someday). That’s maybe why I can’t give this book a solid 5 stars, because I’m jealous things worked out for her? I don’t think they will for me, but I think I’m starting to get somewhere. Delightful book, and I really need to read everyone’s backstory (or love story?) like ASAP!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked this book! It was not something I’m used to reading but turned out to be so good! I really liked the characters and the way the story was set up to make you feel like you were in the main characters favorite book series. It felt like I could relate to Eileen, because if I was in my favorite book series I’d be freaking out too. I also loved the plot twist when you found out how Anders tied into the story. And the ending, was also nice. Overall what a cozy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, Alcohol
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Vomit, Car accident
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love a book about books and this one truly captures what it is like to use books as an escape.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Vomit, Car accident
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very cute and intriguing idea, I loved the main two characters and the side characters were also sweet and did add to the story, which is always nice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this is the first time I'm rating an Ashley Poston book less than 5 stars. It was good, don't get me wrong. It just took me longer to get into this one than the others I think because of how meta it was. A woman finds herself in the fictional town of her favorite romance series, and it's a book about her in a book? It broke my brain a little. Though, I will say I absolutely LOVE Anders and Mr. Butterscotch (his cat).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Death, Vomit, Car accident