Talk Bookish to Me: A Novel

by Kate Bromley

Overview

A USA Today Best Book of 2021!

"Bromley does a deft job at keeping the twists and turns of this reunion realistic and utterly romantic.” —USA Today

Inspiration can come from the most unlikely—and inconvenient—sources.

Kara Sullivan’s life is full of love—albeit fictional. As a bestselling romance novelist and influential bookstagrammer, she’s fine with getting her happily-ever-after fix between the covers of a book.

But right now? Not only is Kara’s best friend getting married next week—which means big wedding stress—but the deadline for her next novel is looming, and she hasn’t written a single word. The last thing she needs is for her infuriating first love, Ryan Thompson, to suddenly appear in the wedding party. But Ryan’s unexpected arrival sparks a creative awakening in Kara that inspires the steamy historical romance she desperately needs to deliver.

With her wedding duties intensifying, her deadline getting closer by the second and her bills not paying themselves, Kara knows there’s only one way for her to finish her book and to give her characters the ever-after they deserve. But can she embrace the unlikely, ruggedly handsome muse—who pushes every one of her buttons—to save the wedding, her career and, just maybe, write her own happy ending?

"A fun and sexy romp, with chemistry that gave me all the feels!" —Jennifer Probst, New York Times bestselling author of Our Italian Summer

"Add this book to your TBR list immediately!" —Sarah Smith, author of Faker

Don't miss Kate Bromley's new delightful rom-com, Here for the Drama, and stay tuned for Ciao for Now—coming June 2023!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525806438
Publisher:	Graydon House Books
Publication date:	05/25/2021
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	234,905
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

KATE BROMLEY writes romantic comedies and contemporary romance. She lives in New York City with her husband, son, and her somewhat excessive collection of romance novels. (It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?) She was a preschool teacher for several years and now focuses full-time on combining her two great passions—writing swoon-worthy love stories and making people laugh. She is also the author of Talk Bookish to Me and Here for the Drama.

Editorial Reviews

03/22/2021

Bromley’s appealing debut sees a New York City romance novelist thrown back together with a hated ex. Kara Sullivan has writer’s block in the face of an urgent book deadline, but as maid of honor for her friend’s upcoming wedding, she has no time to focus on writing anyway. Then Ryan Thompson, the man who broke her heart in college, turns up as a groomsman. After sparring with the infuriating but charming Ryan at a pre-wedding party, Kara’s suddenly able to work on her historical romance again. Surely she’s not tempting fate by succumbing to his charm a few more times in the interest of finishing her book on time. When circumstances leave Ryan and his dog without a place to stay in the city, Kara invites them to crash with her—all in the interest of her overdue manuscript, of course. But as their old flame reignites, they both wonder if a fresh start is possible. Excerpts of Kara’s historical romance often interrupt the story, a cute conceit that grows tedious, and the conflict turns on fidelity issues which may disappoint some readers. Still, Bromley’s take on the enemies-to-lovers trope is fun, and Ryan’s lovable pup adds heart. The result is a pleasant if imperfect rom-com. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"Bromley's dialogue is breathtaking in this rom-com gem with witty repartee a laKatharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy… Bromley does a deft job at keeping the twists and turns of this reunion realistic and utterly romantic."—USA Today

"A fun and sexy romp, with chemistry that gave me all the feels!" Jennifer Probst, New York Times bestselling author of Our Italian Summer


"An engaging romp of a story about what happens when a romance writer uses her novel’s checkpoints to win back her first love and her life becomes stranger and better than fiction." —Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Imagine Summer

"A sweet look at what it really takes to get to happily-ever-after."—Kirkus

"I fell head over heels for the premise of Kate Bromley's debut Talk Bookish to Me...the perfect blend of emotional and sexy. Kate Bromley's witty, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud writing will slingshot this book to your favorites list, guaranteed." —EW


"A fabulous debut; it had me laughing, it had me shouting, it had me from the get-go. Bromley has a knack for banter, creating a smart, sassy and sexy read—Kara and Ryan’s story is a blast."—Pernille Hughes, author of Probably the Best Kiss in the World


"TALK BOOKISH TO ME is a sexy, funny, and emotional second-chance love story with a killer premise: romance author Kara is fighting a wicked case of writer's block and the only cure is hooking up with her ex Ryan. Kate Bromley's writing is as sharp as it is heartfelt. Add this book to your TBR list immediately!" —Sarah Smith, author of Faker and Simmer Down


"TALK BOOKISH TO ME is your new favorite comfort read! More than a romance novel, it's an ode to the genre itself. With loveable characters, charming banter, and sizzling sexual tension, TALK BOOKISH TO ME is an adorable escapist romp that's sure to put a smile on your face."—Kristin Rockaway, author of She's Faking It


"Chemistry that will captivate readers from the very first encounter!" —Sajni Patel, author of The Trouble with Hating You


"An ode to romance novels and the people who write them."—PopSugar

“[An] appealing debut… Bromley’s take on the enemies-to-lovers trope is fun, and Ryan’s lovable pup adds heart.”—Publishers Weekly


“Romance aficionados will be delighted… adding to the delight of this thoroughly enjoyable tale is a somewhat neurotic bulldog named Duke and snippets of the historical romance Kara is writing. Some read-alikes include Beach Read (2020) by Emily Henry, Meet Cute (2019) by Helena Hunting, and Ghosting (2020) by Tash Skilton.”—Booklist, starred review


"A must-read romance novel, this enemies to lovers contemporary romance has enough tension and sizzle to satisfy any romance reader. Bonus, the lead character is a romance writer...for readers who loved Much Ado About You and The Invitation."—ShelfAwareness

"Will suit readers who enjoy romances like Emily Henry’s Beach Read." –Library Journal


"A fun read for the bookish kind."—Brit + Co.

"A fast-paced, enjoyable tale… Bromley does a nice job building a clever, quirky, second-chance romance layered with plenty of emotional baggage to unpack and resolve, as well as an abundance of heart and humor."—Washington Independent Review of Books

From the Publisher

04/01/2021

Romance novelist Kara Sullivan has to serve as her best friend's maid of honor and finish writing her next manuscript before she can head off on a six-month dream trip to Italy. Struggling to find inspiration for her writing, Kara suddenly learns that her maid-of-honor duties include hosting her ex-boyfriend (and former love of her life) Ryan and his high-maintenance bulldog at her apartment. Kara soon finds that her old feelings for Ryan are resurfacing in both her fictional characters' love lives and her own. VERDICT The inclusion of the "book within a book" plot device, where the historical romance that Kara is writing mirrors her own relationship, took time away from the central romance. Meanwhile, a sudden third-act surprise reveal and a location change, from New York City to Italy, may leave some readers struggling to believe in Ryan and Kara's happily-ever-after. This novel will suit readers who enjoy romances like Emily Henry's Beach Read that focus on personal growth and change.—Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee P.L.

Library Journal

2021-02-10
A romance author’s personal life is suddenly as turbulent as those of her characters when her first love reappears.

Kara Sullivan is surrounded by love. She’s a novelist who has written five super successful historical romances (and two less-successful contemporaries). Her sister, Jen, is pregnant with her first child, and her best friend, Cristina, is days away from getting married to her fiance, Jason. Sure, Kara has recently broken up with her boyfriend, and she hasn’t been inspired to write much of the new novel that's due to her publisher any day now, just before she leaves on a six-month trip to Italy. But she’s content to watch love in her peripheral vision for now. That is, until she's surprised to see Ryan Thompson at a party Cristina throws a week before her wedding. Ryan was her first love, and their tumultuous relationship ended in heartbreak so shattering that she hasn’t seen or spoken to him once in the 10 years since. Now it turns out that Ryan is one of Jason's groomsmen. After she lets Cristina talk her into a double date, Kara finds that the pattern of fighting and flirting she and Ryan fall into isn’t only confusing—it’s finally inspiring her to write. Though it’s hard to believe Kara can’t write a single word without being near Ryan—especially considering that she’s published seven novels in the decade since they broke up—she invites him to stay with her when he and his dog, Duke, are kicked out of their hotel. As they spend quality time in close quarters, secrets past and present come to light, and soon their relationship is more complicated than ever. In her debut novel, Bromley takes time to dive deeply into the complexities of Kara and Ryan’s story, building a believable foundation for a rekindled romance.

A sweet look at what it really takes to get to happily-ever-after.

Kirkus Reviews