Love by the Book

Love by the Book is a multi-faceted story that centers around the power of friendship and it's different layers and phases, but also delves into family dynamics and the choices people make for themselves (and how those choices can affect those around you), even if those around them don't accept or agree with them. Touching and relatable, this made me think quite a bit about my own friendships and how they have evolved.

Remy has always been part of a close friend group that have been together since they met in school, and she even wrote a best selling book based on their friendship. When the group starts to spread their wings though, Melissa moving an hour away with her husband and new baby, Lin all the way to New York to pursue her legal career, and Nova getting back together with her boyfriend and having no time for anyone else, Remy struggles with loneliness. A chance encounter with old classmate Simone in a bookstore results in what Remy hopes is a new friendship, but turns out to be more than they both bargained for.I really enjoyed Love by the Book, more so as the novel progressed. I will admit to being confused a bit in the beginning of the story, but once I figured out what was going on I was hooked. I thought the characters of both Remy and Simone were very interesting and compelling, and their relationship made me chuckle as well as cringe more than once. I found myself underlining many thoughts regarding female friendship to think about later, as well as ideas about loneliness vs being alone. This is a heartfelt novel about female friendship and I thought it was a good one.

▪️Read this if you like:▫️stories of female friendship▫️dual POV▫️well-written characters———After reading and loving Jessica George’s debut, Maame, I was excited to read this one. Turns out, I might’ve loved this one even more!I really enjoy reading about women’s friendships, and it was done so well here. There’s a handful of characters, but you get to know them quickly and easily, with each having their own distinct personality. The two main characters, Remy and Simone, were multifaceted, flawed, interesting, and felt like I was reading about real people. I felt equally invested in each of their storylines, and caught up in the messiness of their lives.Since this was a book about friendship, I liked that we got to see so many different versions of it here. We had Remy and her group of lifelong friends, navigating life changes and figuring out how to be close amongst it all. Then we also get Remy and Simone’s budding friendship, and seeing how two very different women meet and build that relationship as adults.I loved seeing both of these friendship dynamics throughout the book, and I think anyone could relate to these women. They also cover a slew of topics that women face in their lives, and I liked that there were multiple viewpoints to these things, and not just a “one size fits all” answer.I liked the idea that platonic love can be romantic in its own way, and these women show just how true that can be.Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy.

Jessica George does it again! It’s a gift to be able to write a story that resonates on so many levels, and it’s clear George has that gift in spades. Love by the Book is emotional, heartfelt, and so so relatable.I loved literally everything about Remy and Simone. Their entire friendship is a thing of envy - to have that one person who makes you feel whole, who is there for you without asking, and who sees and gets every piece of you; the ones you share and the ones you hide. I loved how this story centers platonic love, even while exploring the love between partners, between siblings, and between parents and children, and how that love can speak to your soul in a way that even romantic love does not.George’s stories are so uplifting, they’re hopeful and reflective, while still acknowledging the many struggles of day to day life. I cannot wait to read what she writes next!Thank you also to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc.

Somehow Jessica George just has a knack for writing books I love to read. Despite the fact that she and I have little in common ostensibly I enjoy her stories and perspective so much! Makes me almost feel young again to read about the lives of her characters!This is the story of four friends and how their lives and friendships evolve as they begin to transition out of young adulthood. The book includes the points of view primarily of Remy and Simone. Remy is struggling with the physical and emotional separation of her core group of friends, Simone is more of a loner struggling with her family and her career choices. Together it makes a remarkable story of love and resilience.For those who love character driven stories this is a must read. I believe the author has mastered this. Her characters seem so consistently real I feel I might meet them someday. Their lives and reactions are fascinating and the reader gets to sit in on it. Just when I felt like getting judgy about a character, more is revealed and I am reminded that living this life is not simple.Overall a totally uplifting and powerful experience. Expecting big things from this one!