Book Details
In Battle of the Bookstores, despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer.
Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.
As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.
Book Review Battle of the Bookstores
If you’re in need of a fun beach read then may I point you in the direction of this adorably sweet rom-com that will have any romance reader melting into a puddle of warm and fuzzy goodness. Just read the premise and you’ll know what I mean.
Friends,
Battle of the Bookstores is about two managers of independent bookstores, one is a romance bookstore the other focuses mainly on literary fiction. And, yes, you guessed it, these two (look at the cover for hints) aren’t particular fans of each other, but when the boss man says he’s merging the storefronts into one bookstore and he only needs one manager, the competition begins and do these two go at it!
And sparks fly as Josie and Ryan compete to keep their jobs until they both realize, maybe they’d work better as a team than as rivals?!?!
There’s so many great tropes, here’s a few: rivals to friends to lovers, fake dating, anonymous online book friends, fun moments that readers will thoroughly appreciate, and two cats named Hades and Persephone! It’s a love letter to independent bookstores and the people who work there.
A book not to be missed.
Happy Reading ~ Cece
RATING: 
– Exceptionally Inked
About the Author
Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. The Beach Trap is their first book together. Alison lives in Chicago and works as a VP creative director at an advertising agency. She’s the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives with her family in Utah, where she works as a physician. She’s the author of the psychological thriller, Impostor.
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publication details
| Pub Date | ISBN | Page Count | Publisher | Age Group | Source & Format | Review Posted Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Jun-25 | 978-0593640845 | 480 | Berkley | Adult | NetGalley, Digital ARC | April 20, 2025 |
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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
Let’s Be Friends
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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