Love by the book is the second in the Magnolia Cave Magic series. I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as Whisked Away. Found some parts repetitive in the first half and felt the story only picked up at around 60% for me. The characters Rhianna and Eli were sweet enough I just felt the passion and magic weren’t there as much as it could’ve been.

Quite a slow read with a HEA ending

Looking forward to the third in the series

Thank you for the opportunity to read an early ARC

Thanks for the ARC!

This standalone by Noel Bailey was a sweet, closed-door romance. I liked the sweetness of the relationship and connection and that both partners were able to find a way to connect without losing themselves. I did not like the insta-love vibe and overuse of the miscommunication trope. I prefer for the tension to arise from outside sources rather than miscommunication but there are definintely readers out there who do enjoy that trope.

Rhianna works in the local library and after her boyfriend left her 4 years ago when she was greiving the loss of her grandmother she has sworn off men for good.
Eli has come to work at the library to restore some old books and has vowed he is going to start doing things differantley from now on.
Starting on the first day by joining a dating agency that the library has started.
He finds comunicating with women hard but for some reason when he meets rhianna he finds her easy to talk to.

An absaloutly lovley book to read
will be lookin for more books by this auther
Absaloutly magical

Amazing book loved the characters abd plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. Ii loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

Love by the Book by Noel Bailey is the second book in the Magnolia Cove Magic series. Rihanna decides to start a matchmaking service in addition to her work as a librarian, while counting down the days until she has earned enough money to take an adventure around the world. Eli is taking a serious look at his life after the death of a friend, leading him to move to Magnolia Cove and seek the help of a matchmaker. While I enjoyed the first book in this series, I thought this follow-up novel was seven better! The author did a fantastic job of creating such a sweet and magical storyline and relationship between the main characters. It was fun how the characters from book 1 were involved in this novel, allowing us to know how the story continues. I can't wait for book 3 to be released!!

Thank you Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love by the book is a great story, Rhianna and Eli are just so beautiful together, opposites attract in the best way. This book is full of love and emotion, Noel really has a way of writing emotion that you can feel in your heart. The love between Rhianna and Eli is amazing and they deal with their obstacles in a great way by the end. I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to more in the Magnolia Cove Magic Series.

Well this was just the cutest book ever.

A perfect cute cozy magical small town romance.

These two characters written together were complete perfection! The dynamic between them, it was great. All the side characters added that much needed banter between the pages and I loved it! The little town (island) of Magnolia Cove was written perfectly, it allowed you feel like you were right there in the pages with the characters.

The third act breakup sucked but it pulled the entire read together and gave us our HEA.

There is no spice, just a cute romantic read with great characters. I’d very much recommend!

Synopsis: In magical Magnolia Cove, Librarian Rhianna Wilder is sparkles and spontaneity while newcomer Professor Eli Lancaster is meticulous and measured. They're complete opposites, but they can't deny the magic spark between them. With Rhianna fearful of being betrayed again in love, and Eli only visiting for a six month research project, they agree to keep things casual. As their feelings grow, what are they willing to sacrifice to take the next step?

Review: A fun but predictable instalove romance that was a little too long, moved too fast, and felt overly convenient. I liked how both were changed by the relationship and neither had to give up on their passions or dreams.

With thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute and fun little quick read. I loved this book as much as I enjoyed the first one. It’s a magical romance that every bookworm would enjoy. Would definitely read again ❤️

This was a sweet and emotional romance with a dynamic that had definite potential, even if it didn’t fully land for me. Eli’s journey grew on me, his vulnerability by the end was moving, even though I wasn’t sold on him at the start. The miscommunication trope played a major role, and while it brought tension, it also occasionally felt more frustrating than necessary. The romance had closed-door intimacy, so while there was connection, the heat stayed pretty low. I do think reading the first book might have helped me connect more, but as a standalone, it still held up. Overall, it was a heartfelt story with genuine moments; I just wish I felt a bit more of that spark.

Love by the Book by Noel Bailey🔮🥹📖 - These are my personal reviews!

Rating 4/5🥲 : THEY MEANT IT WHEN THEY SAID SWOON-WORTHY!!! I cannot voice how heartwarming the dynamic is between the main characters. Miscommunication always gets in the way though!!!!

Spice 2/5 🌶️🌶️: Intimacy is present but the door is closed and you aren’t invited in. 🤣

Overall Review: Eli was so perfect. “But I have, I lived.” UGHHHH I SOBBED. Honestly, at first I didn’t like him. By the end, he won me over. Who isn’t afraid to fall in love? It’s so realistic and raw in a way that gives you hope. I wish I had read the first installment before this one, but that’s okay! Noel really knocked this out of the ballpark. How often do you roll your eyes into the back of your head because the characters are just really getting under your skin? Now, that’s power!

Love by the Book releases on August 1st! If you want an easy read with a touch of navigating grief, grab this when it comes out. 💜

Thank you to Noel Bailey, Victory Editing, and Net Galley for this ARC!

⭐️- Personal Preference.
I’m currently sitting here, stunned. I am not a romance reader in the slightest. I picked up this book, thinking the premise was interesting, and that it was finally time I gave romance a real shot, and I am so thankful I did. As well as this, I’ve never read a “cozy” book before, and am now finding that I really enjoy it! This cozy magical town was the perfect atmosphere for my first true romance read! I’ve tried romance in the past before, and often found that I can’t appreciate either love interest, the plot is too cliche, or the romance is the only part of the book and everything else lacks. This, was everything I could’ve hoped for.

⭐️- World Building
The magic system is absolutely phenomenal! I love the idea of magical pocket towns sprinkled all over that you can visit. I would love to hear more about this and what it means for this who are magic who don’t live in these towns. I really loved Rhianna’s power, and would love to see more of the different types of magic in this town. The way her power was described was just as beautiful. I also wished that there was more of a pay off with the Head Warlock, Dean. He felt like a foreboding presence who slightly haunted the narrative, but there was never a pay off with him. I would have loved if he had a conversation or heart to heart with Eli, especially given their similar interests. I also really liked the idea of magic-infused foods! Every bit of this world felt thought out, I just wish we could’ve had even more of it!

⭐️- Plot
I was very pleasantly surprised that there was more than just romance in this book. These characters had wants, real obstacles, and people who they could connect to who were also dealing with their own stories, which was so wonderful. The way mythology was intricately woven into the story made my heart soar (the proper respect and correct usage of mythology is a direct way to my heart), the pacing was just as it needed to be. Was the story a bit cliche in its romantic beats near the end? Yes, but Bailey found ways to reinvent the wheel that felt so natural for the characters, and still unique for an audience! While I don’t normally love a miscommunication trope, this one felt more human and natural given the characters and their behavior, that I didn’t mind it as much as I would have.

⭐️- Character Development
I liked that this book took the classic Hallmark theme of a big city girl going back to her hometown and falling for the small town old friend, and almost reverted it on its head. While they hand’t previously known each other before and only one of them had ever lived in the town, it still felt like a refreshing lip to see the put together by-the-book man, fall for the quirky, humorous and intelligent small town girl. Eli is also the classic “man written by a woman”, but truly is in the best way. Often times a man written by a woman, doesn’t mean a man is written for a woman. This is the first time I’ve seen a man in a romance book written without the possessiveness and without the toxicity. I also appreciated that I felt like I could really relate and connect to both Rhianna and Eli, feeling like I’ve been ini both of their shoes in different experiences. Really, there were moments I felt myself putting down the book to smile or tear up over it. The only thing I didn’t appreciate was the sudden references to Elvis. I think cutting anything to do with Elvis out would also save anyone from relating Elvis’ problematic nature and history with the book (so slight point off for that).

⭐️- Writing
Normally, I really dislike first person. I have to admit, this book is necessary for a first person narrative, and works well in it. I certainly didn’t mind it this time around! I also appreciated the author’s voice and how beautifully illustrative and full of sensory imaging I found her descriptions, especially of magic. It made the entire story come more alive. This entire experience has made me want to read Bailey’s other books.

Thank you again for such a wonderful first real romance read! I’m honored to give this book high marks, and eager to say that this is one of my favorite books of the year, and is the best romance book I’ve read!