All it takes is the right book to turn a Book Hater into a Book Lover…
That was Elliott’s belief and the reason why he started The Book Haters’ Book Club—a newsletter of reading recommendations for the self-proclaimed “nonreader.” As the beloved co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookstore, Elliott’s passion and gift was recommending books to customers. Now, after his sudden death, his grief-ridden business partner, Irma, has agreed to sell Over the Rainbow to a developer who will turn the cozy bookstore into high-rise condos.
But others won’t give up the bookstore without a fight. When Irma breaks the news to her daughters, Bree and Laney, and Elliott’s romantic partner, Thom, they are aghast. Over the Rainbow has been Bree and Laney’s sanctuary since childhood, and Thom would do anything to preserve Elliott’s legacy. Together, Thom, Bree and Laney conspire to save the bookstore, even if it takes some snooping, gossip and minor sabotage.
Filled with humor, family hijinks and actual reading recommendations, The Book Haters’ Book Club is the ideal feel-good read. It’s a celebration of found family and a love letter to the everyday heroes who run bookstores.
Title : The Book Hater’s Book Club
Author : Gretchen Anthony
Format : ARC
Page Count : 352
Genre : contemporary
Publisher : Park Row
Release Date : September 13, 2022
Reviewer : Hollis
Rating : ★ ★
Hollis’ 2 star review
I think if, like me, you are drawn to this book because of it’s title.. you might be in for a bit of a shock. Because this isn’t actually a quirky story about book haters banding together at all. And while the argument could be made it is perhaps still quirky, instead it’s just full of messy characters and waiting for the payoff of long-drawn out secrets that refuse to be told.
While there’s nothing particularly unfortunate in the telling, I’ll admit I didn’t love the writing, nor the characters, and thus this mid-three hundred page book felt twice as long. Though it was nice to see the small-community-joins-together-to-support-the-indies-against-big-corp, that was really as good as it got for me. The various romances, one new and budding, another ending, and yet another already over, were all varieties of typical or uninspiring and for one of them — the one that had ended — I actually found a particular narrative inclusion to instead muddle and confuse the whole thing. Which I know is vague and confusing but thus that is also how I was left feeling, too.
But if you’re into some messy dynamics, which apparently is translated into found family by way of the pitch, you might like this one. Though this did pass the time — too much time, as mentioned — I won’t likely remember it in a month because nothing really stands out. And I didn’t enjoy the writing voice enough to consider picking up the author again. So, sadly, this isn’t quite a recommendation but nonetheless you still might like it if you’re into contemporary fiction and enjoy books based around books.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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