02 Jul Book Review of Battle of the Bookstores
Book Review: Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
Hey, friends! Today, I wanted to chat about a delightful gem that landed in my inbox—Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady. First off, a huge thank you to Tyler at Berkley Publishing for sending this my way! Often, a book catches your eye, and the concept behind this one certainly did. Who doesn’t love a playful literary rivalry, particularly when it revolves around indie bookstores? But I have to admit—I wasn’t completely sold in the beginning.
From the outset, the writing felt a tad disjointed for me. I encountered acronyms and phrases that just didn’t sit right. It was almost enough to make me put the book down, but I decided to persevere to see if it would turn around. Oh, how happy I am that I did! By the end, I was left feeling all misty-eyed and utterly charmed.
The story centers around Josie and Ryan, two passionate booksellers whose rival independent bookstores face off under the ruthless corporate eye of their employer, the unlikable Xander. The stakes? Whichever store rakes in the most sales in a quarter gets to stay open, while the other faces closure. The tension builds, but it’s the spark between our main characters that truly shines.
What I loved most about this book was the vibrant characters. Josie is incredibly relatable. As the older sister who had to step up due to her tumultuous upbringing, she embodies a deep sense of care and responsibility. The shadows of childhood trauma tangling with her romantic insecurities create a compelling backdrop for her character’s development. Watching her navigate trust issues while trying to open up to Ryan had me completely invested.
Ryan, on the other hand? Total sweetheart! At first, I struggled to grasp his character—he’s described as tall, broad-shouldered, and a bit of a romantic, which made him hard to pin down. I mean, a guy whose passion for romance novels rivals mine? My first instinct was to think it a tad unconventional, but my fear quickly morphed into adoration as he blossomed on the page. His sincerity, thoughtfulness, and that way with words really swept me off my feet.
The pacing of the story was well-timed, balancing the rom-com sweetness with moments of heartfelt introspection. Ali Brady skillfully tackled themes of insecurity and emotional baggage while wrapping them in humor and warmth. I appreciated how the side characters added layers to the story, reminding us how community shapes our lives. However, I must admit, naming a side character “Cinderella” felt a bit off for me—like, really? A human named after a fairy tale princess? But I digress!
Filled with laugh-out-loud moments (seriously, I need to dig through my Kindle for gems to quote), Battle of the Bookstores rekindled my love for cozy rom-coms. It channels those sweet “You’ve Got Mail” vibes, complete with charming online banter that made me laugh and swoon all at once. I enjoyed watching Josie and Ryan’s dynamic evolve into a delightful slow burn, complete with classic tropes like “enemies to lovers” and even a “one bed” scenario that had me giddy.
In conclusion, if you’re on the lookout for an epistolary romance that’s both cozy and poignant, I highly recommend Battle of the Bookstores upon its release on June 3, 2025. This lovely read has a piece of my heart and makes me eager to dive into more of Ali Brady’s charming storytelling. Booklovers, gather around—this one’s for you! 💖
Wishing you all happy reading, and if you’ve read it or plan to, let’s chat in the comments! 📚✨
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