“SOMETIMES, A BOOK CAN change your life. It’s hard to explain that to someone who doesn’t read, or who has never felt their heart bend so strongly toward a story that it might just snap in two. Some books are a comfort, some a reprieve, others a vacation, a lesson, a heartbreak. I’d met countless stories by the time I read a book that changed my life.”
A novel love story is my first Ashley Poston book, and I’m surprised I haven’t read her before. I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on her incredible storytelling. I went in with no expectations and was completely blown away. The FMC crashing her car into the love interest in the rain and finding herself in her favorite book world was a fantastic twist.
Summary of A novel love story by Ashley Poston
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 to 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.
Review of A novel love story by Ashley Poston
Going into A novel love story, all I knew was that it featured magical realism and a girl stepping into her favorite fictional world—if that doesn’t grab your attention, I’m not sure what will! As someone who doesn’t often read magical realism, I wasn’t entirely certain if the “whys and hows” were fully explained, but even though I felt a bit lost at times, I was completely hooked and drawn deeply into the story.
Plot Analysis of A novel love story by Ashley Poston
Thirty-two-year-old English professor Elsy Merriweather’s life has hit a rough patch—her fiancé left her, and her best friend has ditched their annual Super Smutty Book Club trip to New York for a romantic getaway in Iceland. Determined to make the best of things, Elsy decides to honor the 10th anniversary of her favorite late author’s book, Daffodil Dreams, by embarking on the trip alone. But when her trusty Ford Pinto breaks down in a mysterious small town, she realizes she’s somehow stumbled into Eloraton, New York—the very setting of her favorite novels. Living among characters she’s adored for years, she meets Anders, a grumpy bookstore owner who wasn’t part of the original story. As Elsy navigates this surreal experience, she discovers that just because a story has been written, doesn’t mean it’s finished—and her presence is changing everything in ways no one expected.
Characters of A novel love story by Ashley Poston
Eileen Merriweather : I absolutely loved Elsy and found her incredibly relatable. A heroine who works with books and has created a bookish community is such an inspiring figure. While I don’t live in a constant bookish world, it was fun to step into Elsy’s life and experience that dream. The concept of an online book club with occasional wine-filled meetups instantly appealed to me.
Anderson Sinclair : He is grumpy, but I think it was mostly because he was sad and lonely. His story was heartbreaking. He’s a lovely and kind person, and I loved how he reminded Eileen of her strength, importance, and worth. In turn, she reminded him that he was loved and that moving on doesn’t mean letting go of that love. Love always stays.
Eileen & Anders : The romance is full of angst, and the chemistry between the characters is amazing. I really appreciated how they took their time developing emotional intimacy, striking a great balance with their physical attraction. Their moments together had me swooning, and the intimate scenes were tasteful and perfectly timed. That said, I do wish Eileen had handled her emotions better in one particular scene where she slapped Anders after he said something hurtful. Thankfully, they discuss it and resolve the conflict.
Pacing & writing style
The writing in A novel love story was a bit repetitive for me. The author mentioned Anders’s minty green eyes at least 30 times, and his white-blonde hair and the scent of cedarwood, black tea, and old books were mentioned frequently. I don’t think we needed so much repetition to remember his details.
I felt the pacing was a bit slow, and we didn’t need 160 pages just to set up the Eloraton story and start the romance between our main characters. Honestly, I didn’t care that much about the characters from her favorite books. I understand they’re a big part of the story, but I was more interested in Eileen’s story and felt a bit let down. While I enjoyed the overall premise and the characters’ chemistry, the pacing and repetition detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Tropes of A novel love story by Ashley Poston
Tropes : Dislike to love | Magical realism | Small town | Grumpy x sunshine | Forced proximity | Bookish themes | Slow Burn.
Trigger warning of A novel love story by Ashley Poston :
- Death & grief
- Depression
Some quotes I enjoyed
“If she isn’t mine in the end, I’ll still be hers.”
“I’m a smart man, Juliet,” he whispers, his gaze dropping to my lips. “Only a fool would let you go once they had you where they wanted you.”
“Falling in love with me didn’t mean she fell out of love with him. It meant she loved us both. I want her to love me more.”
“Baby, you beat out every woman everywhere, even in your sleep.”
“Nothing, and I mean nothing, forces a man to face his feelings for a woman… than the interest of another man.”
“That was part of the beauty of us. Her pain was mine as mine was hers. We never needed words to know the other was hurting… but she doesn’t remember that.”
“Loss forces you to recognize who you can’t live without, who you refuse to lose. Loss makes you reckless because loss? It sets you free.”
Final Thought
A novel love story was truly a tribute to readers. Rather than focusing solely on the love story between the main characters, it celebrated the heroine’s profound connection to fictional worlds, characters, and the joy of reading romance.
Her deep attachment to a particular series and its characters was central to her life, and I found that incredibly relatable. Her passion for them mirrored the way so many of us fall in love with the stories we read.
I loved every moment she spent talking about romances, bookish clichés, grand gestures, and swoon-worthy book boyfriends. It felt like reading the thoughts of someone who truly understands the magic of books. I couldn’t resist highlighting quote after quote—it was that relatable!
I absolutely loved this book! It’s the most relatable reading experience I’ve had. The story was whimsical, cozy, and magical, perfectly capturing the essence of true romance. It beautifully explored the complexities of love and figuring out what it truly looks like. However, I did crave more romantic moments between the two main characters. While their interactions were enchanting, I longed for more scenes that delved deeper into their relationship and allowed their love to grow further. It’s worth noting that there were some repetitive descriptions that were a bit distracting. But overall, the idea and premise of this book are extraordinary and definitely worth reading.
About the author
Ashley Poston is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of The Dead Romantics, The Seven Year Slip, and A Novel Love Story. She has also written over half a dozen young adult novels.
After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a BA in English, she pursued a career in the publishing industry where she helped design and implement marketing strategies for novels. Now, she writes full-time from her little grey house, and spoils her three cats. When not writing, she bides her time between South Carolina and New York, and all the bookstores between.
Practical Information for Readers
A novel love story by Ashley Poston Book Formats
A novel love story is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:
- Paperback / Hardcover : Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
- eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
- Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
- PDF A novel love story by Ashley Poston : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.
Where to find A novel love story by Ashley Poston PDF
- Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
- Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
- Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.
A novel love story by Ashley Poston Age Rating
A novel love story by Ashley Poston is generally recommended for mature readers, typically 16 and older, due to its themes of romance, emotional intensity, explicit content, and mature language. The book deals with topics such as relationships, heartbreak, and personal growth and grief which may not be suitable for younger readers.
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