Talk Bookish to Me
by Kate Bromley
Publisher: Graydon House
Release Date: May 25, 2021
Reviewed by PJ
Kara Sullivan’s life is full of love—albeit fictional. As a bestselling romance novelist and influential bookstagrammer, she’s fine with getting her happily-ever-after fix between the covers of a book.
But right now? Not only is Kara’s best friend getting married next week—which means big wedding stress—but the deadline for her next novel is looming, and she hasn’t written a single word. The last thing she needs is for her infuriating first love, Ryan Thompson, to suddenly appear in the wedding party. But Ryan’s unexpected arrival sparks a creative awakening in Kara that inspires the steamy historical romance she desperately needs to deliver.
With her wedding duties intensifying, her deadline getting closer by the second and her bills not paying themselves, Kara knows there’s only one way for her to finish her book and to give her characters the ever-after they deserve. But can she embrace the unlikely, ruggedly handsome muse—who pushes every one of her buttons—to save the wedding, her career and, just maybe, write her own happy ending?
PJ's Thoughts:
I was already predisposed to like this book after reading the summary but all it took was the first chapter for me to realize I may as well go ahead and toss my to-do list for the day. These characters reeled me in hook, line, and sinker and I knew I wouldn't be putting the book down until I reached the conclusion of their story. And what an entertaining, satisfying, and surprisingly twisty story it turned out to be.
I loved that the author made these characters so flawed and real. There wasn't anything easy about their second chance at a relationship. The end of their college romance had been messy and hurtful, leaving residual feelings simmering in both Ryan and Kara. Hurtful words were spoken that couldn't be taken back. When they meet again ten years later, animosity is front and center but deeper feelings are still churning beneath the anger. All that messiness was still present, keeping them - and me - off balance. I wasn't at all sure I even wanted them to be together and then just when I decided they could only be happy with each other...well, you'll have to read the book to find out what comes next.
I really enjoyed all the twists and turns woven into this story. Bromley kept it real (really real - there were times I wanted to string Ryan up by his manly bits for his behavior) and kept me guessing about what would ultimately happen right up until the end. She filled the story with humor, desire, snappy banter, and self-reflection. She gave both Ryan and Kara the necessary time to confront their feelings, grow emotionally, heal from past hurts (not all of which were related to their relationship), find forgiveness, and reach a place where they were each able to move forward as whole, emotionally healthy, individuals...after a grand gesture and suitably appropriate amount of groveling on Ryan's part, of course. ;-)
I could not put this book down. I had to know what would happen next and, let me tell you, what happened next was almost always a surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed Talk Bookish to Me and recommend it for your summer reading list. I'll be keeping my eyes open for more from this debut author.
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