Title: Love at First Book
By: Jenn McKinlay
ISBN: 9780593545744 (ISBN10: 0593545745)
Website: https://www.jennmckinlay.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.
Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy. He manages Siobhan’s bookstore, and the grouchy bookworm clearly doesn’t want Em around.
When Siobhan’s health takes a bad turn, she’s more determined than ever to finish her novel, while Kieran tries every trick in the book to get his mother to rest. Thrown into the role of peacemaker, Emily begins to see that Kieran’s heart is in the right place. Torn between helping Siobhan find closure with her series and her own growing feelings for the mercurial Irishman, Emily will have to decide if she’s truly ready to turn a new page and figure out what lies in the next chapter. (Goodreads)
Review:
Jenn McKinlay does it again… another book which totally captured my attention from the very beginning until the last word. A fun filled, chuckle worthy (at times), sad (again – at times) engaging story of a woman moving out from under her mother’s control and adventuring to a foreign country to become an assistant to her favourite author.
Emily Allen (Em) is a librarian who had dreams of travel and adventure. Being a librarian meant she has an inherent love of books and when by chance she is given the opportunity to work with her favourite author (Siobhan Riordan) to finish the author’s most renowned series, Em jumps at the chance! But moving to a new country all on her own, leaving everything she is familiar with is not an easy feat. Especially when she will also work part-time at a bookstore with the author’s son (Kieran Murphy) as her boss. But what unfolds is a delightful story where we see Em grow as an individual now that she is away from her mother’s control.
As the reader, I really enjoyed being able to explore the Irish countryside along with Em. Who wouldn’t want to live in Finn’s Hollow? Sounds very serene. I truly wished I was there! And lest we forget – the romance. It was a slow (‘ish) burn, and the journey was fun and frankly, not unexpected. Though it can be tricky falling for one’s boss (and the other boss’s son ☺).
We, as the reader, also get to see how Em navigates her long time coming emancipation from the toxic relationship with her mother. It takes courage and grit to stand up to a parent and indicate that their parent must stand on their own and not take bad life events out on their child. After all, Em did not have anything to do with how her parents treated each other. Though I do take issue with Em’s father for leaving his little girl in such a toxic environment. I was very happy about the way Em stood up to her mom (even if she had to do it from halfway across the globe).
There were a few surprises along the way, but that just made the read more engaging. I also want to say – I so want to enjoy a pint in the local bar – it sounds so fun! And my wish to explore Ireland has now moved to the top of my travel wish list 🙂.
If I had to name one “bad” thing about this book – it would be the title. Not overly fond of it since the book that Siobhan is trying to complete is the last book of her series! And there are many books in the bookstore that Em is working in so the title of the book just did not sit right with me. However, it in no way diminished my enjoyment of the book.
Love at First Book would make a perfectly wonderful Hallmark movie! And given the number of Hallmark movies I have watched over the years – I should know 😊.
If you are a romantic at heart, or just love reading books about books and authors…or exploring new lands with a hint of romance (okay – maybe a bit more than a “hint”), I would recommend reading Love at First Book. As with all of Jenn McKinlay’s books that I have read – it is worth the time. You will be taken away to Em’s world – and what an enjoyable world it is.
