Book Details
Look Up Handsome
Quinn wants to save his bookshop, the last thing he needs is to fall in love…
Hay-on-Wye’s only queer bookshop is always a hive of activity. So when it’s threatened with closure, its owner Quinn Oxford is determined to do whatever it takes to save his beloved shop.
That is until romantic novelist Noah Sage arrives in town. Gorgeous, brooding and clearly unhappy to be there, Noah is the distraction Quinn doesn’t need. Noah has a history with Hay and it’s one he’d rather not face. But when the snow leaves him stranded, he’s left with no choice.
Hay is a small town, meaning Quinn can’t help but bump into Noah wherever he goes. And as the two grow closer together, is it possible that Noah’s feelings towards Hay will thaw? Can Quinn have a real-life romance and save his beloved bookshop? Or will he need a Christmas miracle…
The perfect festive romcom for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall!
Hello Book friends!
Today I’m reviewing Look Up Handsome by Jack Strange. We follow Quinn Oxford, a sweet bookstore owner, whose bookshop is being threated to close, by his own stepfather (I know, right!?!?!).
His bookstore is the only queer bookshop around and is a thriving part of the community. With the help of his bestie, and a few local authors, and people in the community, Quinn is determined to keep his shop. What he doesn’t expect is the broody grumpy London based author, Noah Sage, to take an interest in saving the bookstore and the owner too.
Review of Look Up Handsome
What a wonderful celebration of books and Queerness!
As for the romance, you could definitely see the blooming chemistry between bookstore owner Quinn Oxford and author Noah Sage (which btw is such a cute romance plot: bookstore owner + author). Though, I did have a concern regarding the relationship. I’m personally not a fan of love triangles or cheating. And I felt the relationship that was being built between Quinn and Noah was heading into dangerous territory while Noah was still in a relationship with someone else. Noah does voice that he’s in a relationship, and we actually meet his boyfriend, because he’s staying with him while he’s in town, but still begins to pursue Owen romantically. Even in failed relationships, if a character is still in one, trying to engage a new romantic possibility, makes the foundation a slippery one.
This is where I was really rooting for Quinn.
During a pivotal moment in the book between Quinn and Noah, Quinn makes a really hard decision, but one that wouldn’t undermine his values and his own self-worth. It really endured his character to me that much more, not only his passion in keeping his beloved bookstore, but that he is just a genuinely good person.
Look Up, Handsome is a love letter to the magic of bookstores and how they can provide a safe space for readers of all ages. It’s a story filled with romance favorite tropes: small town romance, grumpy + sunshine, workplace-ish romance, and forced proximity. Fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall will get wrapped up in Quinn’s determination, sweet sunshine personality, and his willingness to do almost anything to keep his bookshop.
Happy Reading ~ Cece
RATING: 
– Satisfyingly Inked
About the Author
J. S. Strange lives in Wales surrounded by books, and his three cats. With an interest in the occult, the esoteric, and the paranormal, J. S. Strange often finds himself waiting for Halloween, or thinking how he can make his home more supernatural. Author of The Boyfriend Academy, J. S. Strange is also working on murder mysteries with gay male leads.
publication details
| Pub Date | ISBN | Page Count | Publisher | Age Group | Source & Format | Review Posted Online |
| 26-Sep-24 | 978-0008659578 | 384 | One More Chapter | Adult | NetGalley, Digital ARC | August 11, 2024 |
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Welcome Reader!
I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!
– C
ABOUT THE CREATOR
CECE BECKMAN
Cece holds a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach. She lives in California with her husband and children. When she’s not reading or writing reviews she can be found wandering book aisles at local bookshops, drinking iced cold lattes with cold cream foam, or passing the time with her cats.
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