A Novel Love Story

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ∙ A professor of literature finds herself caught up in a work of fiction . . . literally, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Year Slip and The Dead Romantics.
Eileen Merriweather loves to get lost in a good happily-ever-after. The fictional kind, anyway. Because at least imaginary men don’t leave you at the altar. She feels safe in a book. At home. Which might be why she’s so set on going her annual book club retreat this year—she needs good friends, cheap wine, and grand romantic gestures—no matter what.
But when her car unexpectedly breaks down on the way, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels like it’s right out of a novel . . .
Because it is.
This place can’t be real, and yet… she’s here, in Eloraton, the town of her favorite romance series, where the candy store’s honey taffy is always sweet, the local bar’s burgers are always a little burnt, and rain always comes in the afternoon. It feels like home. It’s perfect—and perfectly frozen, trapped in the late author’s last unfinished story.
Elsy is sure that’s why she must be here: to help bring the town to its storybook ending.
Except there is a character in Eloraton that she can’t place—a grumpy bookstore owner with mint-green eyes, an irritatingly sexy mouth and impeccable taste in novels. And he does not want her finishing this book.
Which is a problem because Elsy is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.
Eileen Merriweather loves to get lost in a good happily-ever-after. The fictional kind, anyway. Because at least imaginary men don’t leave you at the altar. She feels safe in a book. At home. Which might be why she’s so set on going her annual book club retreat this year—she needs good friends, cheap wine, and grand romantic gestures—no matter what.
But when her car unexpectedly breaks down on the way, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels like it’s right out of a novel . . .
Because it is.
This place can’t be real, and yet… she’s here, in Eloraton, the town of her favorite romance series, where the candy store’s honey taffy is always sweet, the local bar’s burgers are always a little burnt, and rain always comes in the afternoon. It feels like home. It’s perfect—and perfectly frozen, trapped in the late author’s last unfinished story.
Elsy is sure that’s why she must be here: to help bring the town to its storybook ending.
Except there is a character in Eloraton that she can’t place—a grumpy bookstore owner with mint-green eyes, an irritatingly sexy mouth and impeccable taste in novels. And he does not want her finishing this book.
Which is a problem because Elsy is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.
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Community Reviews
I am obsessed with this book and Ashley Poston! I think I need to pick up every one of her books at this point because I love the way her brain works and the writing style she provides. She takes the formula of a typical romance novel and twists it to be something so unique and so special it really is a thrill to read. This book gives us a story within a story and I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to experience something similar. Elsy is a relatable character and I feel I would be the same way if I found myself within the pages of one of my favorite books. So much of this story displays how much a book can mean to a reader and someone who doesn’t read will never understand that. I adored Anders and was taken through so many different emotions for their relationship. One of my other favorite parts was that it wasn’t a typical “happily ever after.” It didn’t feel like a given fact which was nice to not have everything be so predictable. I cannot say enough good things so all I can say is, read the book!
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Meh this one wasnât it. Like itâs missing something and I canât put my finger on it. Just not sure what to make of it.
Meh this one wasnât it. Like itâs missing something and I canât put my finger on it. Just not sure what to make of it.
Yikes! Ok. I lovedddd this book all the way up until about chapter 35ish then I got really really mad. Like I was truly not understanding how this book could be considered a romance for a bit there. Then by chapter 38/39 aka the ending it was good again, but because of that ridiculous moment in chapter 35 I can’t consciously give it 5 stars.
4.25
This is a fun concept for someone who reads a lot of contemporary romances. I never got quite as sucked into the story as I hoped I would, and I'm not sure why. I thought the characters were fun, loved seeing a cameo of the characters from The Dead Romantics. I think I found myself more invested in the friendships the main character had than the romance, and I almost wish the book had ended without the love interest coming back. This being a book about romance books though, I can see why it kind of had to end that way.
Content Warnings:
Moderate: Alcohol, Vomit, and Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Car accident, and Death
This is a fun concept for someone who reads a lot of contemporary romances. I never got quite as sucked into the story as I hoped I would, and I'm not sure why. I thought the characters were fun, loved seeing a cameo of the characters from The Dead Romantics. I think I found myself more invested in the friendships the main character had than the romance, and I almost wish the book had ended without the love interest coming back. This being a book about romance books though, I can see why it kind of had to end that way.
Content Warnings:
Moderate: Alcohol, Vomit, and Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Car accident, and Death
I went into this with high hopes, AP is one of my favorite authors. The town was dreamy and I could feel all the descriptions, but the story was lacking. I was ready to throw my kindle across the room as it was ending. My stomach was in knots but it actually turned out how I hoped. Overall not fantastic, but still a fun romance. Book #98 in 2024
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