I tried really hard to like this book, but I think this author is just not for me. Despite the hype surrounding it, I found myself deeply disappointed with the experience. Promising a charming tale of literary love and life’s complexities, it fell short on multiple fronts, leaving me questioning its popularity.

I understand the appeal of this book. It’s well-written, immersive, and rich in detail. I particularly enjoyed the abundance of pop culture references and the cozy atmosphere of the seaside town, although I wish there had been more exploration of that setting. I also enjoyed the sister dynamic between Nora and Libby. 

However, there were several aspects that didn’t sit well with me. Firstly, I found the excessive use of foul and vulgar language quite off-putting. In my opinion, such language isn’t necessary in romance novels. Additionally, as someone who prefers clean, closed-door romances, I didn’t care for the explicit content, which I would consider R-rated. Furthermore, there were progressive and feminist comments that I personally don’t prefer to encounter in my reading material.

I found the plot to be incredibly dull and boring. Although I enjoyed the audiobook narrator, who is one of my favorites, I ended up speeding through it just to reach the lackluster and predictable ending. It felt like nothing significant happened throughout the entire length of the book. In my opinion, the story could have been much shorter given its content.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Charlie and Nora fell flat for me. Their supposed “rivalry” didn’t seem substantial enough to justify labeling them as enemies. Additionally, the slow burn romance aspect left me feeling bored over time. I was craving more build-up and tension between them, as it felt too much like insta-love, a romance trope that I personally dislike. Their feelings for each other developed too quickly and effortlessly, which didn’t resonate with me.

While I understand that Emily Henry is praised for her witty banter, which many readers love, I did enjoy the quick, clever dialogue up to a certain extent. However, it eventually started to feel overdone and became repetitive and tiresome. The banter began to seem unrealistic because people don’t constantly exchange witty remarks around the clock. It lost its charm when it felt like every interaction was forced into being clever rather than natural.

I found the main characters, Nora and Charlie, unappealing. They came across as cold, cynical, overly guarded, and emotionally closed off. I was hoping for more mature conversations between them to deepen their connection and make their journey to becoming a couple more enjoyable. However, there were too few meaningful conversations that allowed them to truly understand each other and develop genuine intimacy.

I realize I’m in the minority regarding this author, but her stories just don’t resonate with me. After this experience, I don’t think I’ll be picking up any more of her books. I wouldn’t recommend them. There are plenty of other romance books out there that I find much more compelling.