How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop by Poppy Alexander is a charming contemporary romance that blends a seaside bookshop, friends-to-lovers romance, slow-burn chemistry, literary references, second chances, friendship, and finding your way back to something you once loved. Following literary agent Petra and novelist Ross as they unexpectedly find themselves together in a small coastal town, the novel takes its time developing both its characters and their relationship. Life meant that it took me nearly a month to finish this one, but once I finally had the opportunity to fully engage with the story, I was completely hooked.

Petra has fallen out of love with books after her career as a literary agent implodes following a social media mistake. She escapes London to spend six months looking after a small seaside bookshop, only to discover Ross McCloud hiding among the secondhand books. Ross was once the literary world's rising star, but five years after his award-winning debut, his highly anticipated second novel has disappeared along with him. As Petra begins rebuilding the bookshop community through recommendations, a book club, writing groups, author events, and a literary festival, she and Ross develop an unexpected friendship that gradually becomes something more.

Overall, I loved How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop. This book came into my life during an unusually busy stretch that included international travel, surgeries, and general life, so it took me almost a month to read. That had nothing to do with the story itself. Once I finally had the time and mental space to really sit down with it, I was hooked. I especially appreciated that Poppy Alexander didn't rush Petra and Ross into a romance. She allowed their friendship, trust, and feelings for one another to develop naturally, which made their eventual relationship much more satisfying.

A Slow-Burn Romance Made for Book Lovers

One of my favorite parts of How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop was the way Alexander built the relationship between Petra and Ross. Their romance isn't based on instant attraction followed by a rush toward happily ever after. Instead, we get to watch them spend time together, become friends, understand one another, and gradually recognize that their relationship has become something more.

That slower development worked especially well because both characters are dealing with complicated relationships with the literary world. Petra's career has fallen apart, while Ross is struggling with the expectations surrounding his writing. Books are connected to some of the most difficult parts of their lives, but they also become part of how they find their way forward.

I also loved how Alexander incorporated other books and literature throughout the novel. The literary references felt naturally connected to the characters and their world rather than simply being included because the story happens to take place in a bookshop. I especially loved the use of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Those connections added another layer to the reading experience and made this feel like a romance written specifically for people who genuinely love books.

The bookshop itself also becomes much more than a backdrop. As Petra begins recommending books, building the Beach Reads Book Club, leading writing groups, organizing author events, and helping with the Portneath Literary Festival, you see her relationship with books slowly changing. That made her personal journey just as important to me as the romance.

Where to Purchase How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop

You can purchase How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop by Poppy Alexander through the link below:

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Themes: Books, Romance, and Finding Your Way Back

At its core, How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop explores:

• Friends to lovers

• Slow-burn romance

• Books and reading

• Friendship

• Second chances

• Career setbacks

• Starting over

• Community

• Creativity

• Finding confidence

• Small-town life

• Personal growth

• Love after disappointment

• Rediscovering something you once loved

Who Should Read How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop

This novel is best suited for readers who enjoy:

• Contemporary romance

• Friends-to-lovers romance

• Slow-burn romance

• Grumpy x grumpy

• Small-town romance

• Bookshop settings

• Books about books

• Literary references

• Coastal settings

• Stories about starting over

If you love romances set around books and bookstores, How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop is an easy one to add to your list. The slow-burn relationship between Petra and Ross gives the romance room to develop, while the bookshop, literary festival, book clubs, writers, and references to classic literature create a story that feels particularly suited to readers who love the literary world.

Final Thoughts

How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop ended up being exactly the kind of book I needed once I finally had the opportunity to give it my full attention. Life stretched my reading experience across almost a month, but when I was able to sit down and really become immersed in Petra and Ross's story, I was hooked. I loved that Poppy Alexander took her time developing their relationship rather than rushing the romance, and the literary references, especially The Tempest, made the story even more enjoyable for me. Between the seaside bookshop, the book-loving community, and a romance that was allowed to grow naturally, this became a wonderful five-star read.

Rating: ★★★★★

Advanced Reader Copy received via NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager.

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