Pam

DNF at page 96. This was more of a character study than a story. In the first 96 pages, the main character stressed about moving, and then spent two chapters cleaning.

While this is a bit darker and moodier than I normally read in mysteries, it was a fantastic read! The characters are all flawed, some more so than others. My biggest issue was the sexualization of women. Most of the time, the size of their bust or bottom (or even both) was used to describe them. This was done not only in conversations between the police officers but also in the narrator's thoughts. I'm still looking forward to reading more in the series.

DNF at page 95. I found I did not care about who was behind the murder.

I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Love by the Book. All opinions presented here are solely mine.

4.75 stars rounded up to 5

I added Love by the Book to my TBR as soon as I learned about it. Why? Because I read Jessica George’s debut novel, Maame, and loved it. I am so glad that I did, because I loved this book! It was so hard to put down. When I wasn’t reading about it, I was thinking about Remy and all of her friends.

Remy is asexual and is ok with not having a long-term romantic relationship with anyone. She loves her friends and family fiercely, and she is more than happy with those relationships. As the group begins to change, Remy finds herself feeling lost. She feels left out of the group and believes her friends are leaving her behind.

Simone has never really had friends; she had her sister and was more than happy with that. As an introvert and a very private person, she was content to have only her sister as a friend. Until something separates them, and she finds herself alone.

Remy and Simone are similar people, but so very different. And it turns out maybe they are just what the other needs!

My biggest issue with the book is the last couple of chapters. While we get the conclusion we expect, it still feels a tad too perfect. Sure, there’s the break-up and the reconciliation, but it’s some of the other bits in those last few chapters that feel too “perfect.” Maybe that’s just me?

I feel as though this book is a great look at friendships–how they start, how they grow, how they evolve. Who should read Love by the Book? Anyone wanting to read a romance that’s about platonic love friendships.

Slow start, but it gets better as the story goes on.