Preview
  • Book Lovers

  • By: Emily Henry
  • Narrated by: Julia Whelan
  • Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (16,661 ratings)

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Book Lovers

By: Emily Henry
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
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Publisher's summary

“One of my favorite authors.”—Colleen Hoover

An insightful, delightful, instant #1 New York Times bestseller from the author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Oprah Daily ∙ Today ∙ ParadeMarie Claire ∙ Bustle ∙ PopSugar ∙ Katie Couric Media ∙ Book Bub ∙ SheReads ∙ Medium ∙ The Washington Post ∙ and more!

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming...

Nora Stephens' life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

©2022 Emily Henry (P)2022 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance
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Critic reviews

"[Book Lovers] is multilayered and the characters' familial challenges are complex. By both playing to and overtly subverting romance tropes and archetypes like the high-powered big city woman who neglects her family and the life-affirming power of small-town life, this novel delivers an insightful comedic meditation on love, family and going your own way."—NPR

“If Emily Henry makes herself laugh at the character's dialogue in her own books, it's understandable. She is a master at witty repartee….It's a safe bet that viewers would enjoy seeing Henry's characters come to life on screen."—Associated Press

“It is humanly impossible for Emily Henry to write a bad book. Her particular blend of grief and messy relationships is a heady cocktail of intoxicating yearning…Whatever Henry decides to spear, be it literary posturing or vacation rom-com, she subverts her subjects in the most delicious ways."—Entertainment Weekly

Interview: Emily Henry and Julia Whelan on Finding That Magnetic, Impossible Chemistry

'Movies and books have set up an expectation that obstacles have to be massive.'
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  • Book Lovers
  • 'Movies and books have set up an expectation that obstacles have to be massive.'

Editorial Review

My favorite listen so far this year
This book. THIS BOOK. This book is a love letter to people who love stories—the people who write them, who sell them, who edit them, who read them, who listen to them, who escape into them. But Book Lovers by Emily Henry is also a story about sisterhood and grief and belonging and, yes, true love. Julia Whelan is flawless in her performance as Nora Stephens, an uptight New York literary agent who is on vacation with her sister in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina—a city that, on its surface, seems to be her very antithesis. While there she runs into her nemesis Charlie Lastra—a book editor who is in town for his own hidden reasons. This audiobook felt like it was tailor-made for me—I loved every moment of it, and I think so many listeners will feel that same sense of warmth and joy. — Katie O.

What listeners say about Book Lovers

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✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

I wasn't planning to listen to this book but it was chosen for book club and let me tell you how glad I am that I did! I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There were a few things I didn't love in the story line but these characters really made up for that in spades. I loved how witty and smart the banter in this books is. The humor is dry in a way that you can't help but laugh out loud EVERY TIME! There is very little actual drama and mainly it's not relationship drama which is a huge plus for me. I want more characters like these two!

Julia Whelan was EXPECTIONAL in this book. Her narration for Charlie was what made me love him so much. You could here in his voice that he was not smiling when he through out his witty comments which made this all the more amusing for me.

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20 people found this helpful

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Literally Couldn’t Stop Reading This Book!

Well, I picked up this book about 15 hours ago, and literally couldn’t stop reading. I fell asleep somewhere in the middle, but just started right back up. I love the humor of the characters. Things felt a little predictable then flipped and twisted. And I think it holds an important representation for women, who feel like the main character does about becoming a parent. I wish I could have given this book 15 stars not just 5.

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8 people found this helpful

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Everything I wanted and more

I should preface that I absolutely love Emily Henry’s other books (I prefer “Beach Read” over “People We Meet On Vacation”- but both are great) so I had very high expectations leading up to this book release. It was PERFECT! Witty banter back and forth that had me laughing out loud, 10/10 with spice if you know what I mean ;) and no annoying super simple and stupid miscommunication trope that has you rolling your eyes and screaming “JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!!” It had adult communication and an amazing sister relationship that did a great job of leading me into thinking it was going one way… only for me to be wrong. Which was a pleasant surprise and I loved it!
Above all else though, what I think makes me love her books SOOOO much, is the absolutely incredible narrator. Her “male” voice is absolutely amazing, you can always tell exactly what character is talking and I would be happy if she narrated every book I read for the rest of my life. She deserves a raise, and a firm pat on the back with a “good job kid” from some respecting adult in her life who she’s always wanted approval from.
Overall it was a great book I will be suggesting to every friend until the end of time and will be re-reading for years to come!

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LOL

I laughed out loud a lot!
Loved the characters and the whole story. Great twist, did not expect that!
Now I just need to see Charlie in real life.
Thanks, that was fun...and I did not want it to end!!!!

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Unique and feel-good story - it will wrap you up!

I loved this book. It is grief, joy, heartache, love and hilarity all wrapped up in one. One of my favorite rom-coms yet. Please listen.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great beach read

It was great from start to finish. Great storyline. Loved the characters. Awesome narration. Finished it in 2days. Highly recommend.

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Loved

I throughly enjoyed the sense of humor, witticism and personalities of the characters. I recommend!

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Emily Henry does it again!

If you love romance and books, click the buy button because this is for you! Emily Henry, THANK YOU! This book is just what I needed. Only problem is, I’m sad I went thru it so fast.

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Another rom-com masterpiece

Emily Henry has such a way with words, and her stories are always interesting, heart-warming, and hot. Oh, and Julia Whelan’s perfect narration is the icing on the cake. Bravo.

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Such a lovely story!

I loved this book and of course Julia Whelan! I could listen to her read anything! The story is precious! The characters are EXTREMELY likable! I loved the back setting of books! Really good!

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