After escaping a controlling relationship, former book editor Kate returns to the small town where her mother grew up to open a bookshop in the building she inherited, apparently her great grandmother ran a tea shop in the building. She and her single mother led a peripatetic life during her childhood but bookshops always represented comfort and an escape. Kate's bookshop embraces genres, manga, romance, sci-fi, cosy mysteries - you name it. The only fly in the ointment is Sebastian who owns the highbrow bookshop directly opposite Kate's. She's tried to be friendly, but he refuses to even speak to her, he's even petty enough to rearrange his window displays deliberately to outdo Kate's.

Sebastian keeps himself to himself, his family has had the bookshop for several generations but his father and his grandfather's addictions have left the family bookshop deep in debt, and Kate opening a rival bookshop opposite him has only exacerbated the problem. Sebastian's family is unlucky in love, both his great-grandmother and grandmother left their husbands, and his own mother died when he was still young, which is why Sebastian knows he is destined to be alone. Sebastian is trying to revive the town's literary festival to (hopefully) bring some much-needed revenue to his shop. But when disaster strikes and his keynote author pulls out a week before the festival only Kate can help him save the day.

Kate is on good terms with a popular author from her editing days, a woman whose bestseller appealed to both populist and highbrow readers, if they can find a lure to encourage her to attend their small festival it will make it a winner and Sebastian has just the thing, a bunch of love letters between his great grandfather and an unknown woman.

I really enjoyed this romance because well books! However, I felt the mystery was a bit obvious to the reader, and the ending felt a bit rushed (like I'm 95% through the book and they haven't made up yet), which is odd because I've complained about the last few books by Lucy Score where the couple seem to get together about 35% into the book and then there's a lot of filler until the inevitable 'misunderstanding'.

Other than that, I will definitely look out for more books By Jackie Ashenden.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Set in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business, Book People is about rival book shop owners Kate and Sebastian. Kate is returning to the town her family are from after leaving an abusive relationship and falling in love is definitely not on her agenda.

Book People is described as a love letter to book lovers - and while it definitely is I was also surprised to find there was a little mysterious element added in there. It's quite easy to see where this element was leading to but I still loved to see it unfold. I found it bittersweet and moving.

Sebastian's own self esteem being knocked by his history got a little annoying - he's the grumpy to Kate's sunshine. But I read the novel with that ache in my chest that I get from reading a good novel with the right amount of angst and tension.

Book People made my heart hurt in more ways than one - from feeling angst, to feeling wistful to feeling happy sad at the ending. I loved this!

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed the book! Loved the rival bookstore trope, and while it was predictable, it was very romantic fun in its own right. I loved the parallels between Kate and Bas… but again predictable yet cute.

The writing style was not my ideal — the dialogue for me fell flat, and the non dialogue portions seemed all internal thoughts, not exposition. Sebastian as a character pissed me off to no end, ALL THE WAY until the very end. But I loved Kate.

I also would have loved a little more closure (like a bonus scene or epilogue) regarding Kate and the editing, Kate and Sebastian, Sebastian’s dad, Lisa’s story and happy ending.

But still, enjoyed it!

Book Lovers is the incredibly sweet tale of two rival bookshop owners, Sebastian and Kathryn, in the English countryside. Sebastian is a fourth generation bookseller of serious fiction, while Kathryn recently opened her own genre fiction shop. The two come together when planning a local literary festival after they discover some hidden love letters.

Like any book lover, the setting of rival bookstores grabbed me right away. The book is a spirited defence of genre fiction, especially romance, and the joy and sense of community that it can build. The two leads have incredible chemistry and the book touches on themes such as what it means to craft your own narrative and ending. The book was lovely and I would recommend to friends.

A bookish book about book lovers? Gimme 20! 🤭

Every time I see a book about bookshop owners I run to read it and let me tell you, this one is really good 👍🏻

I just love books about books!! Book People was a great book that kept my attention the whole time!A must read!

cute story about competing book shop owners in a small town. Add in a historical mystery regarding the village’s past and this book really touched on a lot. While you know exactly what is going to happen, this book gives you the warm fuzzy feeling of enemies to lovers and happily ever after.

This was sweet and kind and a real homage to people's love of literature and bookshops in general. I've always got a soft spot for romance novels set in little English villages too!
I loved the threads of past and present with the letters of their late family members and the side characters in the literary festivals were lovely to follow along with.
I struggled with Sebastian's POVs because I found him a little too literal and closed-off, but Kate was a breath of fresh air!

📚Rival bookshop owners
📚Enemies-to-lovers
📚Small-town setting
📚Grumpy-sunshine
📚Forced proximity


UGH SIGN ME THE HELL UP!!!!
Late & Seb have the best love hate relationship and I knew from the start I would fall in love with them. I enjoyed this book a little too much. It made me giggle like a little school girl 😂

Source: Netgalley for my honest review

Book People are for the book readers who want to escape from reality. A love letter from Jackie Ashenden one of my top reads of this month. I was immediately sold by the description, I love the characters.

Favorite Quote

I always thought I loved Jasper and he loved me, but that’s not what love is, and I know that now. Because now I’ve fallen in love with Sebastian Blackwood and I know better. He builds me up, while Jasper only pulled me down. He gave me back the pieces of myself that Jasper took. He makes me glad to be the person I am, not afraid. Not ashamed or embarrassed or guilty.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance reading 📖

Book Review: Book People by Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden’s Book People is a lively, romantic romp that celebrates the joy of books and the chemistry between unlikely couples. Set in a charming small town, the story follows two rival booksellers whose initial animosity evolves into something much more steamy and complex. Kate is a newcomer to the book business, bringing a fresh, accessible approach to bookselling with her focus on popular genre fiction, while Sebastian runs a highbrow, traditional bookshop across the street. Their differences could hardly be starker: she’s all about fun and approachability, while he’s as refined and rule-bound as his curated selection of classic literature. But as they’re forced to collaborate on the town’s literary festival, sparks fly in ways neither of them anticipated.

Ashenden’s choice of a small-town setting is perfect for the story, imbuing it with a cozy charm and a cast of quirky side characters that add depth and humor. The town itself feels like a character, filled with book-loving residents who know each other’s business and who closely observe the rivalry brewing between Kate and Sebastian. The forced proximity of organizing the literary festival pushes them into constant interaction, creating endless opportunities for witty banter, lingering glances, and moments that toe the line between professional rivalry and undeniable attraction.

The central romance is a classic enemies-to-lovers trope with an irresistible “grumpy-sunshine” dynamic. Kate’s lively, free-spirited nature contrasts perfectly with Sebastian’s reserved and buttoned-up personality, and Ashenden skillfully uses their differences to build tension and humor. Kate’s mission to shake up the small town’s view on popular fiction irks Sebastian, who takes his literary standards very seriously. Their banter is full of energy, often evolving into laugh-out-loud sparring matches, as Kate challenges Sebastian’s more elitist views on literature, and he struggles to keep his growing attraction under wraps.

Beyond the banter and flirtation, Book People brings out the deeper motivations and vulnerabilities of its characters. Kate is a relatable, passionate character who wants her bookshop to be a welcoming space for all readers, not just a select few. Her love for genre fiction and her belief in the power of accessible stories give her character depth, and Ashenden reveals her insecurities and ambitions in a way that makes her easy to root for. On the other hand, Sebastian’s buttoned-up attitude is slowly peeled back to reveal a more complex man grappling with his own past and the expectations he’s set for himself.

Ashenden’s writing is witty and sharp, with plenty of chemistry and laugh-out-loud moments that will keep readers hooked. She brings a fresh approach to the enemies-to-lovers trope, layering it with emotional insight that makes the romance feel genuine and rewarding. The buildup to their first kiss is perfectly paced, mixing antagonism and longing that make the payoff all the more satisfying. And while their rivalry fuels much of the tension, there’s also a tender exploration of what it means to let go of old assumptions and open oneself up to new possibilities, both in love and in life.

Book People is also a love letter to books and readers. Ashenden celebrates the diverse range of genres and reading preferences, subtly challenging the idea of “highbrow” versus “popular” fiction and honoring the idea that all stories have value. This aspect of the novel makes it particularly appealing for book lovers, as it tackles the way books shape lives and create communities.

With its perfect blend of humor, romance, and a touch of spice, Book People is an utterly charming read for fans of enemies-to-lovers romances and bookish rom-coms. It’s a story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever fallen in love with a book—or found themselves unexpectedly drawn to the person who holds the opposite view on their favorite genre. Ashenden has crafted a delightful romance that reminds readers of the magic of books and the unpredictability of love, making it a must-read for romantics and book lovers alike.