This was a cute story. I could relate to Clarrie and Declan was Declan. It started out slow but did pick up, and overall a cute read.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Den Einstieg in den Liebesroman fand ich faszinierend. Nach den ersten Seiten war ich wirklich gespannt auf den Rest der Geschichte und davon überzeugt, dass mich das Buch insgesamt sehr gut unterhalten würde. Ganz so ist es allerdings nicht gekommen.

Ja, ich fand die Idee der Geschichte frisch und die Charaktere waren mir zudem sympathisch. Doch leider konnte ich mit dem Teil im Buch, in dem die beiden Hauptcharaktere gemeinsam auf eine Werbetour für das Buch des Helden gehen, wenig anfangen.

Auch konnte mich die Liebesgeschichte im Buch leider nicht so tief berühren wie erhofft. Ich fand sie ganz nett, aber für mehr hat es leider nicht gereicht. Ganz nett ist rückblickend auch mein Eindruck von der Heldin und dem Helden. Ich konnte sie mir eher schlecht als echte Personen vorstellen, was immer ein Zeichen dafür ist, dass ein Liebesroman für mich nicht perfekt ist.

Ich fand es zudem etwas verwirrend, dass die Heldin in Bezug auf ihren Buchladen so wenig Initiative gezeigt hat und Neuerungen im Laden ausschließlich von anderen kamen. Ich hätte es gerne gesehen, dass sie aktiv an neuen Ideen für ihr Geschäft arbeitet und man ihre Leidenschaft für ihren Laden besser spüren kann. Beides war in meinen Augen leider nicht der Fall.

Ich denke, dass "Love on a bookshelf" eines dieser romance Bücher ist, das mir als Kurzgeschichte besser gefallen hätte.

Meine Bewertung wird davon gerettet, dass ich vieles im Buch ganz nett fand.

🖤🖤🖤 1/2 (mit Tendenz nach unten)

Für wen?

Wer angenehm geschriebene Liebesromane mit Büchern im Fokus mag und gerne gefällige, kurzweilige Geschichten liest, für den könnte das Buch eine schöne Sache sein.

I am not vibing with the FMC, so I had to DNF at 17%

I’m also not getting the dynamic — there’s the suggestion of chemistry with barely any interactions & I’m almost a quarter of the way through

Perhaps I will pick this back up, and if I do then I will complete this review with my final thoughts

I had no expectations with this book cause I gotta admit im not such a fan of second chances stories, but this one surprised me in the best way possible.

The chemistry of the main characters is just chefs kiss, great. I think I needed to read something funny, easy going and light and this was a perfect book for that. This is a slow burn romance, so nothing felt rushed but not too slow, and also I loved that every character felt real and relatable in some ways.

Now, I know I just said that Declan and Clarrie had good chemistry, but that doesn’t mean romantically talking, I meant more ¨friends¨ kind of chemistry?
Anyway, it was a good book and I enjoyed it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is a bookish romance book which is a cute, fun read. This book is based on Clarrie who has recently taken over her Grans bookshop due to her becoming ill, while running the store she meets author Declan, lets just say they didn’t have the best first meeting… after his recently book comes out with a dedication made towards Clarrie, they are back in the same room about to head onto a tour to sell his book…..
I really enjoyed this boo and found it relatable which drew me in even more, this is a perfect summer read if you love a good romance book with a slow burn build up, grumpy/sunshine, one bed.
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC ahead of publication for an honest review.

I put off reading this one for ages and I’m not quite sure why, because it turned out to be a really enjoyable read. A cute, cosy romance with plenty of heart and humour, set in the kind of slightly chaotic bookshop you can’t help but fall in love with.

Clarrie Brooks is having a rough time. Her flat is falling to pieces (it’s literally raining inside), the bookshop she’s trying to keep afloat is struggling, and her boyfriend has just dumped her. Things only get worse when the power cuts out yet again, just as author Declan Archer turns up. He tells her to sort out the lighting. She tells him to write a better book. Not exactly a dream first meeting.

Fast forward two years, and Declan’s new novel is on the verge of cult status. He’s dedicated it to the mystery bookseller who gave him that brutal but honest push. As speculation swirls, Clarrie is dragged into the spotlight — and maybe into her own new love story.

I really liked both main characters. The romance is a proper slow burn, which I always enjoy, and their back-and-forth had just the right amount of spark. The tone stays light throughout, with lots of warmth and a lovely little twist near the end that tied things together beautifully.

This was such a fun, easy read — perfect for summer. I flew through it in a day and smiled the whole way through.

I’d give it 3.75 stars. A charming story with heart, humour and a hint of bookish magic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. It was heartfelt, cute and cosy. The chemistry between the two characters was great. I love second chance romances and anything to do with bookshops. Carrie was very relatable and it was nice to read a slow burn romance.

It's not often that a book makes me cry, but this one hit me right in the feels. Clarence and Declan's story is so cute, it's slow burn, yearning, not quite enemies to lovers, with a sweet background story. Thank you to netgally for giving me the chance to read this story before it comes out. I already know it will be a hit.

A fantastic romance which all begins with a snarky first meeting in a charming bookshop, creating tension between Declan and Clarrie that is delightful to witness in forced proximity. Their very first conversation might have sparked it all, but these two are funny and it made their story not only really fun to read but really built the chemistry between them. You won't find any spicy scenes, but I didn't miss them at all. The way Clarrie and Declan's relationship developed, from enemies to friends to something more, was really well crafted and I enjoyed falling into not only their banter but also the push and pull when they were trying fighting their battles verbally early on. At times the plot was a little slow, but overall the characters (including Jed, Bri, Yumi, and the Knit, Stitch and Yarn gang) were really fantastic so I was happy getting to know them at the same time.

Kiah Thomas is really great at weaving humour into her dialogue and plot and it's a really difficult thing to do, so hats off to her and I'm really excited to see what she writes next.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Love on a bookshelf was a cute cozy read. I loved the characters of Yumi, Bri, and Jed and hope that if the series continues they get their own storylines. The problem is that I was more interested in Yumi, Bri, and Jed than I was the main characters, and I felt like they were a bit immature to hold on to the level of angst they had after one bad interaction. The book was cute but also just kind of meh.

This feel-good romance follows Clarrie, a struggling bookshop owner, and Declan, a bestselling author she meets when she's having a really bad time when Declan stops by the shop and offers unsolicited advice, it’s the last thing she needed, and she doesn’t hold back.

Fast forward two years, Declan’s new novel is a hit but is dedicated to the “bookseller who told him to write a better one”. Clarrie, still battling to keep the shop afloat, suddenly finds herself thrown back together with him this time on a book tour.

The story touches on grief, burnout, and starting over, but never gets too heavy. The side characters add warmth and help bring the whole thing to life.

I especially enjoyed the cozy bookshop setting and the slow-burn between Clarrie and Declan. The ending was sweet, and overall, a really cozy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

3.5 stars - Love on a Bookshelf is a fun time rom-com between a bookseller and an author who fall for each other on a book tour. Clarrie is a goofy character who has a few awkward moments that were rough at first, but grew to add a lot of comedy to the story. The side characters, particularly Bri and Jed, are really well done and endear themselves to the reader. Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a light-hearted romance between two book nerds! Thank you to NetGalley, Kiah Thomas, and Headline for this ARC!

When local author, Declan Archer, walks into Clarrie Brooks inherited bookshop, he unknowingly finds her on her worst day ever. While the reader can recognize his gentle teasing as flirting, Clarrie has had it, and on the way out, mutters that for his next novel, he should try writing a better book. And 18-months later, he does! Declan's novel, now a cult hit and raging success, has fans wondering: who is the mysterious bookshop owner he mentions on his dedication page?

This is a cute, cozy romance for any fan of a true slowwwww burn. There were several charming moments throughout and a lot of independent emotional depth, but I would have it enjoyed it more if their relationship had more chemistry or tension along the way. It felt really rushed to have it blossom at the 70% mark.

Many thanks to Headline, NetGalley, and Kiah Thomas for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I liked this. A cute slow-burn romance with some really sweet moments. I especially liked that there was something deeper at the root of the story, and not just a sappy love story.

I adored following Clarrie’s journey from rock bottom to girl boss! I also appreciated the deep love for books and the people who keep them alive. I especially loved that the romance took its time because it allowed Clarrie to grow on her own terms.

It’s witty, emotional, and just quirky enough to feel fresh. A love letter to bookshops, booksellers, and the unexpected ways stories (and people) find their way back to each other. Thank you for letting me read this!

I flew through this book, and I really enjoyed it.
Clarrie was so relatable, just loved her.
Declan was interesting. Bestselling author.
One POV - Clarrie.
Clarrie is trying to keep her Grandmother's bookstore open. One day, Declan comes into the store.
Clarrie is pile of stress, so when Declan suggests that Clarrie invest in better lighting, she immediately goes off and tells Declan to write a better book.
Moving on to several years later, Declan has a massively successful book and dedicates it to "the bookseller who told him to write a better one".
So we have an enemies-to-lovers and a slow-burning romance. The banter is fantastic and witty.
Clarrie is trying to learn to trust again. Declan starts to soften to Clarrie. They have a definite connection.
The minor characters are cute - they are also rooting for Declan and Clarrie.
I smiled so much reading this. I normally can't stand a very slow burn, but I really enjoyed reading this story; it just worked.
The plot is well structured. The pace is a bit slow burn. No insta-love here.
The characters are developed. Again, Clarrie was very easy to connect with throughout the plot.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

If you’re a fan of bookish romances, then Love on a Bookshelf is a must-read. This is Kiah Thomas’s first adult novel, and it’s absolutely heartwarming.

The story follows Clarrie, who takes over her grandmother’s beloved bookstore—a cozy little haven filled with charm and nostalgia. Enter Declan, a grumpy, brooding author who shakes things up in the best way.

But this book is more than just a romance—it’s a beautiful journey of self-discovery. I loved watching Clarrie grow into herself, learning to trust her instincts and embrace what she truly wants from life.

One of my favorite parts of this story was Clarrie’s relationship with her grandmother. Their bond warmed my heart and even brought a few tears to my eyes. It reminded me so much of my own grandma and the love and wisdom she’s always shared with me.

This is the kind of story that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and never leave the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy—I adored every minute of it. Perfect for fans of heartfelt, bookish romance

I was able to get this as an ARC through NetGalley.

If you are looking for a good, cozy, heartwarming book; this is it! I was drawn to this book because of the fact that it took place around a bookstore. The story itself was AMAZING.

The story between Clarrie and Declan got me hooked from the first hilarious meeting. As it continued through the book their relationship grows and blossoms into something one can only wish for. Especially adding in the book tour that has many funny and heartfelt moments.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading more books by Kiah Thomas.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC copy of Love on a Bookshelf, due to be published on June 5th.
Loved this book, it was so cute and a perfect light read. Books about books and bookshops are one of my favourite genres so I knew I had to read this as soon as I saw it.
Definitely recommend this book if you want a sweet romance.

Clarence has just been dumped, her gran (who she runs a bookshop with) has dementia and has just gone into a care home. Her life is not great. In walks Declan Archer, handsome author of a not so great book. With his cocky attitude and unnecessary comments, in to sign copies of his book (which were already returned to the publisher as they didn’t sell). She didn’t mean to be rude about his book. It was meant to be just a thought. Fast forward 18 months and Archer’s new novel is a hit. But there’s intrigue around his dedication. A dedication about a rude book seller.

This was a sweet romance between book shop owner and author. I wasn’t sure of his motives for a large chunk of the book, but I still found myself interested in the story. The characters were pleasant enough. The dementia and family relationships were handled nicely.