Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine is a fairly enjoyable read, and one not to take it too seriously.

The protagonist, Clara, could be quite annoying at times. While the story eventually reveals the reasons for her behaviour, it's her sister, Jemma, who really steals the show. Jemma's character is much more grounded and relatable, making her a more likable presence in the book.

The novel touches on Clara's past, but the resolution to her personal crisis feels underdeveloped. Her former love interest enters and exits the story so quickly that it feels like a missed opportunity for more substantial plot development. The book could have benefited from a more thorough exploration of this storyline.

Despite these issues, the supporting male characters are a delight. Milo and Harry are both adorable in their own ways and really added to the feel good factor.

Overall, Book Boyfriend is a quick and entertaining read that works well as a piece of escapism. It's a fun ride, even if it leaves you wanting a bit more depth.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Took me a while to get going with the book due to work being hectic but I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Initially Clara seemed very one dimensional but then she started to grow on me. Loved the idea of the notes in the book.

Loved how the story had a running thread about the enjoyment of books (and biscuits). An enjoyable read.

I had high hopes for this book based on the blurb, but something just felt a little off to me when I finished it. The writing felt a little chaotic for me, and was off-putting in places; I think the random bursts of narration contributed significantly to this.

I did enjoy watching the two sisters explore a new adult dynamic in their relationship, though I will say I preferred Clara as a character to Gemma as she felt less judgey and stand-offish. Theirs was pretty much the only relationship I felt really invested in though - the romances in the rom-com weren't really doing it for me on either side.

It was a fun, light, easy read, but it's not one I'd come back to again, and it's probably not one that will stick with me for long.

Hilarious, sharp, and utterly relatable 📚😂. Book Boyfriend is a laugh-out-loud rom-com packed with wit, heart, and a celebration of bookish obsession. Lucy Vine crafts an irresistible story for anyone who’s ever wished their fictional crush could come to life. I adored the snarky humour, emotional moments, and loveable characters. A must-read for fans of clever, contemporary romance.

Ah I love a Lucy Vine, comedy and romance guaranteed! This book is no different, comedic moments all throughout the book that had me laughing out loud.

I adored this book and the fact that Jemma and Clara even though they were twins couldn't be more different if they tried. In the story we have a narrator as well who pops in and out and it adds a little mystery element to the story that i really loved.

The story surrounds Jemma who takes a book out of the library on a regular basis and after a while starts finding notes from another fan of the book, they start to write to one another and a friendship grows.

Clara has recently returned from the states and is very obviously hiding something big. To be honest Clara i found to be very unlikeable and quite a selfish and not great person. I did like how the sisters grew closer and the added story of their mum remarrying and finding happiness.

I just liked every thing about the story especially the mmc (who i won't name and ruin the fun!)

A must read!

This was a really fun summer read. I enjoyed the contrast between Clara and Jemma, and seeing how their relationship with each-other, and the rest of the characters grow. I am a fan of Lucy Vine's work and the definitely didn't disappoint!

‘ Book Boyfriend’ by Lucy Vine is everything I hoped it would be, a super cute very readable romcom with a group of amazing characters, all of whom I would love to hang out with, set against my perfect background of libraries and book lovers.

Jemma is one of these dedicated booklovers - she re-reads her favourite book ‘Too Good To Be True’, checking it out of the library almost weekly, especially now that someone has been leaving her anonymous hidden letters inside her favourite copy. Jemma’s everyday life is quite safe and stable: she goes to work, she reads books, she spends time with friends, she doesn’t want anything to rock the boat too much.

Everything is going swimmingly and peacefully until Jemma’s twin sister Clara turns up out of the blue. The two couldn’t be more different, Clara the life and soul of the party who moved to America on a whim, and Jemma the quiet, sensible one who never left her hometown. Jemma has always felt secondary to Clara; plainer, duller, quieter and finds Clara's exuberant outgoing personality too much to cope with.

When Clara arrives, she has to move in to Jemma’s apartment. She immediately wins over the other flatmates, Jemma's best friend Selma and Harry much to Jemma’s annoyance. Jemma herself is still so irritated by Clara's every move that she can't bear it.

The flatmates start watching 'Book Boyfriend', a televised version of Jemma's beloved book. Main actor Milo is gorgeous; Clara becomes obsessed with him, determined that he is her soulmate and that he would fall for her if they ever met. In the meantime, Jemma's obsession with her anonymous penfriend is growing - can she find the courage to move their conversation into real life?

Told from both sisters' perspectives and with some wonderful insights about sibling rivalry and relationships, 'Book Boyfriend' is such a lovely read to lose yourself in. I love Lucy's writing, her books are always guaranteed to put a smile on my face and 'Book Boyfriend' is up there with the best of them!

Jemma loves books and keeps finding notes in her favourite book at the library. She has a twin Clara who has suddenly reappeared from America and has to move in with Jemma and her flatmates. Didn't take to Clara very much

📚 Book Review 📚

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I want to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book and a special thank you to @simonschusteruk for sending me a physical copy too.

Jemma and Clara are twin sisters, who are each others opposites. Whilst Jemma is the academic and hides behind her books and mysterious penpal, Clara is energetic, bubbly and an entire whirlwind of chaos. Both these women have their flaws but at the centre they are both looking for one thing, acceptance.

Lucy Vines writing is so easy to consume, she entertains me and some of the scenes had me giggling. I really enjoyed getting to know the two sisters and the mysterious pen pal certainly kept me intrigued. I also have to give a shout out to my favourite secondary character, Harry. What he endured from Clara deserves a gold medal!

Fun, entertaining and full of love, this was a great buddy read with my fellow pal @wendyreadsbooks.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Oh this is such a fun read and what a perfect release week with all this sunshine!!!!
The book is as fun and bubbly as the author.
Holding a letter in hand on a plane, Jemma is wondering if she should read her book boyfriends note? It’s a special note and she doesn’t want her dream to end.
At home she comes face to face with her ‘estranged’ twin sister Clara, and the story is told from both perspectives. Clara is fun and carefree, Jemma is more structured and in control of a lot of her life. In short, they rub each other up the wrong way.
You also meet their mum and her fiancé, as well as some fun friends such as Salma and Harry. However, the judgy fitness tracker is a highlight.
The email trail with katies made me LOOOOOL so much.
Well, reader pals, this is a joyous summer read. A little bit sexy, flirty and fun in all the right places. Bubbly, enjoyable with a great cast of characters.
Now to find out who this book boyfriend is, you’ll have to dive in.

This story follows tins Jemma and Clara. In the beginning I found Clara to be very immature and selfish. As the story progressed and we got to know Clara I started to understand her more. I realised she puts on a big front. Jemma appears to be the serious twin while Clara appears to be the fun one. However things are not all they seem. These two sisters have a lot more in common than they think.

I loved all the secondary characters. Salma and Harry were such supportive friends to both Jemma and Clara. I loved that they tried to make Book Boyfriend a flat event every week. I used to do this at uni with X Factor and it was so fun watching it altogether.

This book is filled with lots of funny moments. It is light hearted but with some serious undertones. While there is romance in this book I do think the twins relationship is a big part of this book. The journey they go on both individually and together is very important to this story. I loved the book notes being passed between Jemma and her mystery man. It was really sweet. I also loved Clara's love interest which I won't say any more on.

If you are looking for a fun summer read then this is perfect.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Books and the City for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book.

This is a pure delight to read. It’s a love letter to friendship, acceptance, libraries, family relationships and everything inbetween. I loved the twins and their dynamic, the plot is very cleverly mapped out and the addition of the narrator was inspired.
Perfect read.

For anyone who has lived life in their novels, this one is for you. Jemma finds a note from a stranger in her favourite library book – and so begins a handwritten conversation about a love of books and of reading (this has got me already). Clara, meanwhile, is doing whatever she can to reinvent herself, even if that includes falling head over heels for someone she’s never met. Ahem, just like her sister Jemma. Always funny, always astute, this is another beauty from Lucy.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Jemma and Clara are twins, but they are so alike. Jemma is in a relationship with someone who leaves notes in a book which she constantly loans from the library.

Clara dreams of having a film star she sees on TV as her boyfriend and makes plans to make this happen.

The other characters, those that Jessie lives with, her Mum and those that she meets at the library added more drama to the story.

I recommend this book.

A fun romantic comedy, that still gives an important message of how much we need to keep using our libraries, before we lose them!

This was a sweet, entertaining read that had me smiling in quite a few places. I loved the concept—two sisters, opposites in many ways, navigating love, identity, and rebuilding their bond. The dynamic between Jemma and Clara was at the heart of the story, and watching them reconnect and grow closer was genuinely touching.

Jemma, the bookish twin who lives more in fiction than reality, begins to come out of her shell after finding a mysterious note tucked into a library book. The idea of falling for someone through anonymous letters was what initially drew me to this book, and those moments were lovely—gentle, romantic, and nostalgic in a way that really resonated.

Clara's storyline, on the other hand, leaned more into celebrity obsession and escapism, which offered a contrast in tone but added depth to her character as we gradually learn why she’s so desperate for distraction.

That said, I expected the romance through book-notes to be the main storyline, but it ended up feeling more like a subplot. The focus is definitely more on the sisters’ relationship than on the romantic elements, which wasn’t a bad thing—it just wasn’t quite what I thought I was signing up for.

Overall, it's a light, enjoyable read with sweet moments and a strong emotional core, especially for those who enjoy stories about sibling bonds and personal growth.

💭 #QOTD  what book can you read over and over or what's your favourite comfort genre?

Title: Book Boyfriend
Author: Lucy Vine
Pages: 384
Rating: 2.5/5 (rounded up to 3 where needed)
Spice/Romance level: 🩷🩷 FTB sex talk and relationships
#Arc eCopy ( #gifted ) - review left voluntarily
UK publish date - 19th June 2025

This was a fun fluffy laid back filler read, great for the poolside!
The plot is predictable and a sweet romance. The relationships and friendships were silly and funny. It is written with different perspectives and the immaturity of the characters offered a care free light read. The silly jokes and culture references made me laugh. "pivot" reminded me of 90s and early 00s RomCom movies with the narrator perspective and the colloquial comedic style of writing. Were the characters likable? Full of depth and did this book change my life? No. But, It is low stakes, low commitment care free chick lit book that offers some light entertainment escapism.

You'll love this book if you like
- romcom
- library book romances
- slow burn
- friends
- nostalgia jokes and memorabilia
- chick-lit

Will you be reading this? Let me know in the comments

Yayyyyy Lucy Vine is back and with another winner,I love her books but this one just edges it ( just) as my favourite so far

We meet twins, Jemma and Clara who couldn’t be more different,one of them is having a friendship via notes left back and forth in a library book,(she doesn’t however know who with) the other fantasises a current tv film star is to become her boyfriend,(and is intent on making it happen) both relationships are of course going to go nowhere……..probably!

We also meet flatmates,Mum’s and library staff,all brilliantly written and all adding a layer to the story,the occasional narrator ‘talking to us’ is a great addition

It is a romp of a read,funny,real,daring yet at times got to say yummy loved upee,but overidingly it is enjoyable,one of those books you feel you have met people and made friends,ironically as the title would suggest

If someone was to ask me why I love reading so much I would gift them this book and say this is why

Loved every page

This was a sweet read.

I’ll be honest - I really hated Clara. She was selfish, childish, a leech, obsessive bordering on stalking, and just really unlikeable. I know she had character development and so on, but I hated her immediately.

That being said, I liked all the other characters. The ensemble and their relationships with each other worked well. I loved the note format for the romance developing. Pacing was good.

3.75/5 rounded up

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC