- Date Read: April 20, 2022
- Publication Date: July 26, 2022
- Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
- Format: Digital Book
- Page Count: 304
- Listening Time: N/A
- Print Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
- Audio Publisher: N/A
This book was just about perfect for anyone looking for a charming friends to romance story. I adored the characters, the plot line, the way the romance developed… everything. The story centers on Lizzy and Jack who have been best friends since childhood but live in different cities. When Lizzy’s career as a corporate attorney causes a panic attack, she takes a three week break from work and rents a place in Jack’s small town. To add to the charm, the apartment she rents is above a bookstore and she gets to live out her childhood dream of helping to revamp it in her spare time. While Lizzy is in town, there is a slow and flirtatious build where they are both nervously realizing the depth of their feelings. The reader gets to see both of their perspectives which adds to the cuteness.
The romance itself was written so well I could picture their facial expressions and the town they lived in (please make this a movie). Their families and friends were lovable side characters (please, please make a book for each sibling) and the bookstore setting was just too much for this book lover – I was smitten. I sincerely hope that there is more to come for these characters.
I read an interview with the author, Jayci Lee, and she’s a semi-retired litigator and mom who has published numerous books with Korean-American characters. Two quotes from her interview stood out to me and I’m definitely going to read more of her books.
“I want my romance novels to be the antithesis of what the patriarchal society is feeding women about femininity, their role as women, and sexuality. “
“There was a demand for Asian-Americans to be heard, and I wanted to be part of that voice. I wrote specifically about Korean-American characters because of my own upbringing and heritage, to offer the most authentic #OwnVoices story.”
Booked on a Feeling is available on July 26 and definitely worth adding to your TBR. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my review – it is a gem!
Content warnings: panic attacks, sexual content (moderate)