It Started with a Book by Camilla Isley - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 05th July 2024

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/startedbooksocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209203155-it-started-with-a-book

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Magic Realism (ofsorts)

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Go with the flow and enjoy!

Book Blurb:

Loseyourself in Lakeville Hills in this gorgeous new romance from bestsellingauthor Camilla Isley...

When she’sghosted by yet another Tinder match, Leighton swears off dating for life. Whoneeds apps and blind dates when she has the perfect-in-every-way (apart frombeing fictional) heroes of her beloved romance novels?

That night Leighfinds a second-hand book on her TBR pile, which transports her to thesmall-town of Lakeville Hills, where the heroines wear shorty-shorts and the mendrink bourbon. And as Leigh drifts off to sleep, she dreams of billionairecowboy Killian St Clair, who could win a gold medal for smouldering and bicepflexing.

For a while,Leigh finds it easier to stomach misogynistic supervisors, newly coupled friends,and extravagant bridesmaid duties knowing she can return to Lakeville Hillseach evening. Until one day, she wakes up to find she’s brought a bit ofLakeville Hills back with her: the impossible sexy and entirely implausibleKillian St Clair is in her apartment.

Now Leigh musthelp Killian navigate the real world. But as she gets to know the man behindthe trope, can she keep her heart safe, or does she risk falling in love withher book boyfriend in real life?

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My Thoughts:

The story comes in Leigh’s first-person POV.

This is the kind of book where you have to go withthe flow and forget logic. Its premise makes it clear. I was willing, and quiteenjoyed the ride.

Humor is seamlessly woven into the narrative, makingthis a light-hearted read even when the scenes deal with misogyny, etc. Thecouples' wisdom quotes are hilarious.

Not sure if it is a new trend, but many romcoms seemto be ‘talking’ about the tropes in the plot.  Love Story and The Love ofMy Afterlife had the same. This book also has the characters discussing andjokes about the tropes in their lives. It makes sense given the character arcs,so it was fun.

The book is sexy but not that steamy. When it comesto the scenes, it goes fade to black. Since it has quite a few dream sequences,we get enough time to see the main characters connect and know more about eachother.

Though we get only Leigh’s POV, it is easy to seeKillian’s side. He is open about his feelings most of the time. Though he isthe alpha male, he is also a cinnamon roll. A nice package by all means!

The beginning is slow (until about 30%) but it picksup a steady pace afterward. There really isn’t a third-act breakup, thoughthere is a small fight and a patch-up real soon.

Given the premise, there are a few missing (logical)details. But answering those would be risky and could mess up the whole plot,so things are left the way they are. In short, this needs the suspension ofbelief.

To summarize, It Started with a Book is a light andfunny read about dreams coming true and book boyfriends becoming real. Well, Isure wouldn’t mind this happening (are you listening, guardian angels).

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources andBoldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honestopinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

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About the Author – Camilla Isley

Camilla is an engineer who left science behind to enter the whimsicalrealm of romantic fiction.

She writes contemporary rom-coms. Her characters have big hearts, mightbe a little stubborn at times, and love to banter with each other. Every storyshe pens has a guaranteed HEA that will make your heart beat faster. Unlessyou're a vampire, of course.

Camilla is a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing,she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to themovies—popcorn, please. She's a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveller,Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn't want tostarve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live withoutthem.

Follow the Author –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camillaisley

Twitter: https://twitter.com/camillaisley

Instagram: CamillaIsley (@camillaisley) • Instagram photos and videos

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/CamillaIsleyNews

Bookbub Profile: CamillaIsley Books - BookBub

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This has been a stop on the #ItStartedWithABook blogtour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources)Thanks for stopping by!