The last few weeks I have been so fortunate to share publication news with you. 

This week I am sharing a bit from my most recent read — Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee.

Booked on a Feeling is not just a delightful rom-com. It’s a delightful rom-com which also takes place in an independent bookshop. Our main character, Lizzy, is a book lover, with a special affinity for romance novels. 

“Then she wandered to the romance section to read the back covers of all the new releases. There were at least three that she was dying to read, but she promised herself not to buy any more books until she put a dent in her to-be-read pile. She didn’t have much time to read for fun, but when she did, she always turned to her favorite genre — romance. Sure, it was a nice escape, but it was more than that. Those stories healed something inside her and made her feel less alone.” 

“Her mind flitted back to the bookshelves in her condo, overflowing with romance novels. It all made so much sense. The deep human connection inherent in all romance novels was the antithesis to the life she was living. How was this the first time she’d made this connection? ‘And who doesn’t love happily ever afters?’ ”
“The cold bitter people with shriveled raisins for hearts who disparage romance for being formulaic. That’s who.” 
“ ‘Yeah. They suck.’ Lizzy’s response was immediate and heartfelt.”
“Shannon burst out laughing. ‘There’s no bond stronger than the one forged over bashing romance haters.’ ”

“Lizzy loved independent bookstores. Each one had a distinct personality, showcasing the hopes and dreams of their owners. A bookstore was never just a business. They had souls filled with love, passion, and vulnerability. It broke her heart to hear that Sparrow wasn’t thriving.”

Now I should point out that Booked On a Feeling isn’t entirely about independent bookstores and romance novels. But I loved that Ms. Lee included these passages — lovely tributes to bookstores and romance novels. 

Readers, if you enjoy romantic comedies, what is the most recent rom-com you read? Feel free to leave it in the comments.

Please note: I am including a link to buy the book that I’m highlighting this week. If you use my link, I do make a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. I am working with Bookshop.org which also sends a portion of the profit to support local, independent bookstores.