Book Lovers by Emily Henry - 3/5

This TikTok-famous romance novel exceeded my expectations, thanks to its refreshingly self-aware narrative. Instead of the usual trope where a man leaves his "ice queen" girlfriend for a small-town girl, Book Lovers flips the script by giving the "ice queen" her own story. Nora, the protagonist, has been dumped countless times for more "provincial" women, but this time, she gets to shine. The book smartly deconstructs classic romance formulas, pairing Nora with someone who mirrors her rather than the cliché of opposites attracting.

I especially related to Nora's unapologetic high maintenance, she knows what she wants and refuses to settle. The book’s tension was perfectly paced, though Nora's sister, Libby, felt frustratingly immature. Despite this, I was pleasantly surprised by the novel's cleverness and heart, making the predictable yet satisfying ending all the more enjoyable.