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Read Between the Lines
Romance might be closer than she thinks…The brand new escapist Oxford-set bookish romance from award-winning author, Emily Kerr
Kat Fisher wishes her parents had thought harder before they chose her name. A self-confessed romantic, she dreams of finding a guy who can live up to her book boyfriends,
Former police officer Leo Taylor is trying to decide his next step following his departure from the force. His habit of spreading his belongings around the library where she works has been niggling at Kat for days, and his joke about her name is the final straw.
Kat and Leo might not seem like the perfect match, but romance might be closer than they think. If only they could read between the lines…
Praise for Emily Kerr‘This was such a cute read and I love every minute of it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Just what I needed. A lighthearted comic romance with great characters and a fun storyline’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Lots of humour, fun, romance and very enjoyable.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This is a five-star read that doesn’t need any fixing up, unlike Oak tree cottage.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The setting is fabulous and the house is so funny to read about… highly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘One of my favourite books this year.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kat Fisher wishes her parents had thought harder before they chose her name. A self-confessed romantic, she dreams of finding a guy who can live up to her book boyfriends,
Former police officer Leo Taylor is trying to decide his next step following his departure from the force. His habit of spreading his belongings around the library where she works has been niggling at Kat for days, and his joke about her name is the final straw.
Kat and Leo might not seem like the perfect match, but romance might be closer than they think. If only they could read between the lines…
Praise for Emily Kerr‘This was such a cute read and I love every minute of it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Just what I needed. A lighthearted comic romance with great characters and a fun storyline’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Lots of humour, fun, romance and very enjoyable.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This is a five-star read that doesn’t need any fixing up, unlike Oak tree cottage.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The setting is fabulous and the house is so funny to read about… highly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘One of my favourite books this year.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2025
151 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
September 2, 2025
3+⭐
It was an enjoyable and cosy read. I was very intrigued by the premise and the mystery+romance mix is something I'm finding more and more I'm attracted towards 🩷
All that being said, I did expect more on the romance side 😔 It lacked a bit of spark and it was underwhelming in the latest chapters.
So, I wasn't totally impressed by this, but I might read more from the author in the future ✨
Ⓟⓡⓔ—Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ
I saw the gorgeous cover, read the blurb about a romance born between the books of a library and I simply had to add this to my TBR 🤓💗
// Thank you to Netgalley, Emily Kerr and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange of my honest opinion //
It was an enjoyable and cosy read. I was very intrigued by the premise and the mystery+romance mix is something I'm finding more and more I'm attracted towards 🩷
All that being said, I did expect more on the romance side 😔 It lacked a bit of spark and it was underwhelming in the latest chapters.
So, I wasn't totally impressed by this, but I might read more from the author in the future ✨
Ⓟⓡⓔ—Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ
I saw the gorgeous cover, read the blurb about a romance born between the books of a library and I simply had to add this to my TBR 🤓💗
// Thank you to Netgalley, Emily Kerr and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange of my honest opinion //
June 5, 2025
Read Between the Lines by Emily Kerr
ARC Read releasing mid June, thank you as always to NetGalley for the sneak peek!
Set in the UK, this story is about sunshine librarian Kat and ex-cop grump Leo. Kat is a romantic, head up in the clouds, falls way too quickly kind of girl. She is currently waiting to meet her online Prince Charming "Brian".
Having never met in person and only talked online for the past few months, Kat is still convinced he could be her happily ever after. Until Brian starts flagging all the red flags. And Kat realizes she might be getting tricked. Cue, meeting Leo and using his cop background to start their own investigation into Brian and the dating app itself.
It's all light and breezy, even with the investigative part it's not a heavy book which is nice. I felt it kind of lack chemistry between the main characters - missing some heat. The writing was good, and the characters were good also.
ARC Read releasing mid June, thank you as always to NetGalley for the sneak peek!
Set in the UK, this story is about sunshine librarian Kat and ex-cop grump Leo. Kat is a romantic, head up in the clouds, falls way too quickly kind of girl. She is currently waiting to meet her online Prince Charming "Brian".
Having never met in person and only talked online for the past few months, Kat is still convinced he could be her happily ever after. Until Brian starts flagging all the red flags. And Kat realizes she might be getting tricked. Cue, meeting Leo and using his cop background to start their own investigation into Brian and the dating app itself.
It's all light and breezy, even with the investigative part it's not a heavy book which is nice. I felt it kind of lack chemistry between the main characters - missing some heat. The writing was good, and the characters were good also.
June 12, 2025
I hate DNFing an ARC, but I could not get through this book. I am a sucker for any sort of bookish FMC, so a story with a librarian was right up my alley. Unfortunately, I could bring myself to care about her or the MMC. I was just too bored.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. DNF at 40%.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. DNF at 40%.
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May 31, 2025A charming setting and a dreamy cover—this book is made for cosy reading sessions! 📖 ❤️
Set against the warm, bookish backdrop of an Oxford Community Library, Read Between the Lines has plenty of romcom appeal. Kat, a hopeless romantic, and Leo, a gruff ex-cop, are thrown together by library squabbles, mismatched priorities—and, eventually, slow-burn sparks. 💖
I especially appreciated the Oxford setting, with many well-known places lovingly referenced. Familiar landmarks such as the Rad Cam, the Botanic Gardens, the Ashmolean Museum, and the Randolph Hotel were lovingly drawn, adding an authentic charm to the story. The cobbled lanes and cosy cafés brought the city vividly to life, and instantly transported me back to my university days. 🎓 It made the reading experience feel personal, nostalgic, and quietly magical—a true trip down memory lane!
There’s lots to enjoy here: the premise is delightful and the enemies-to-something-more dynamic has promise. While I enjoyed the premise and the soft, slice-of-life pacing, the romance lacked a little spark for me. I liked both leads individually but found myself wishing for more tension or emotional build-up between them. Still, there’s an endearing quality to the story’s quieter approach, and fans of gentle, feel-good reads with a literary twist will find much to enjoy here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A sweet, low-stakes romance that wears its heart on its sleeve. Perfect for fans of cosy contemporary love stories with a British twist ☕❤️
Set against the warm, bookish backdrop of an Oxford Community Library, Read Between the Lines has plenty of romcom appeal. Kat, a hopeless romantic, and Leo, a gruff ex-cop, are thrown together by library squabbles, mismatched priorities—and, eventually, slow-burn sparks. 💖
I especially appreciated the Oxford setting, with many well-known places lovingly referenced. Familiar landmarks such as the Rad Cam, the Botanic Gardens, the Ashmolean Museum, and the Randolph Hotel were lovingly drawn, adding an authentic charm to the story. The cobbled lanes and cosy cafés brought the city vividly to life, and instantly transported me back to my university days. 🎓 It made the reading experience feel personal, nostalgic, and quietly magical—a true trip down memory lane!
There’s lots to enjoy here: the premise is delightful and the enemies-to-something-more dynamic has promise. While I enjoyed the premise and the soft, slice-of-life pacing, the romance lacked a little spark for me. I liked both leads individually but found myself wishing for more tension or emotional build-up between them. Still, there’s an endearing quality to the story’s quieter approach, and fans of gentle, feel-good reads with a literary twist will find much to enjoy here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A sweet, low-stakes romance that wears its heart on its sleeve. Perfect for fans of cosy contemporary love stories with a British twist ☕❤️
June 11, 2025
Thank you so much to Netgalley, HaperCollins UK One More Chapter and the author for providing me with an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 ⭐
Read between the lines is a rom-com set in the charming setting of a library in Oxford, with a sprinkle of mistery. The story follows Kat, one of the librarians, and grumpy ex-detective Leo.
The Oxford setting was one of the things I enjoyed the most, I loved the atmosphere it added to the story. The story felt a little too slow for my liking, the mystery plot line probably slowed down things and I found it a little boring at times.
This a lighthearted read, easy and nice, perfect for a beach read.
3.5 ⭐
Read between the lines is a rom-com set in the charming setting of a library in Oxford, with a sprinkle of mistery. The story follows Kat, one of the librarians, and grumpy ex-detective Leo.
The Oxford setting was one of the things I enjoyed the most, I loved the atmosphere it added to the story. The story felt a little too slow for my liking, the mystery plot line probably slowed down things and I found it a little boring at times.
This a lighthearted read, easy and nice, perfect for a beach read.
July 27, 2025
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
I overall liked the characters and the ending (even though the ending isn't that memorable), but this book felt pretty slow paced and a bit boring at times. It just didn't work for me.
I overall liked the characters and the ending (even though the ending isn't that memorable), but this book felt pretty slow paced and a bit boring at times. It just didn't work for me.
June 6, 2025
Firstly thank you so much to Harper Collins UK for a copy of this eARC!
The premise for this book is what really caught my eye. A librarian and an ex police officer set in the UK were the perfect ingredients for a contemporary romance for me.
As Kat is a librarian, there are lots of great nods to classic literature that I really enjoyed.
The side characters (Doris and Moira) were my absolute favourites. With their witty remarks about young people and dating (especially when Kat goes through her bad experience at the start). Doris is also such a legend in her own right. An older lady reading spicy books with demons and has a successful bookstagram? She is who I want to be when I grow up!
Other than this, I’m gutted to say I found the book severely lacking.
Kat goes through a bad dating experience at the start of the book and decides to ask Leo, an ex police officer, for help. However, from the point of first meeting him up, she is incredibly rude and quite unprofessional. Despite this, she still has the audacity to ask him for help and then continues to be rude to him? I know you can read books where you don’t like the FMC but there was nothing I enjoyed about her that made me want to continue.
Leo is.. understandably, frustrated at the cards he’s been given in life. However his, what I can only describe as greasy flirtation attempts at the start of the book came across as creepy and cringe and then he went straight to cold attitude towards Kat. I felt like the author couldn’t decide how she wanted to write Leo and couldn’t settle on how his personality was to be.
The writing itself was okay but felt very… meta? Quotes like ‘I do love a bit of demon action’ in relation to fantasy books with spice, or mentions of bookstagram with 10k followers and advance copies and proofs, or ‘the holy grail of fits’ and my personal favourite ‘the ref flags are so big I’m amazed you’ve not been knocked over by the strength of them blowing in the breeze’ all just felt like the author was trying to be with the times and used language that was too conversational for a book.
I honestly wish I loved this book and could finish it but the writing and the characters were just not for me.
I’ve not read any of this author before so I’m unsure if this is just a style of writing or unique to this book but if you enjoyed this author’s work before I would be interested to know if I should give her other work a go.
I stopped reading this book at 23% therefore all my views are only on this part of the book.
The premise for this book is what really caught my eye. A librarian and an ex police officer set in the UK were the perfect ingredients for a contemporary romance for me.
As Kat is a librarian, there are lots of great nods to classic literature that I really enjoyed.
The side characters (Doris and Moira) were my absolute favourites. With their witty remarks about young people and dating (especially when Kat goes through her bad experience at the start). Doris is also such a legend in her own right. An older lady reading spicy books with demons and has a successful bookstagram? She is who I want to be when I grow up!
Other than this, I’m gutted to say I found the book severely lacking.
Kat goes through a bad dating experience at the start of the book and decides to ask Leo, an ex police officer, for help. However, from the point of first meeting him up, she is incredibly rude and quite unprofessional. Despite this, she still has the audacity to ask him for help and then continues to be rude to him? I know you can read books where you don’t like the FMC but there was nothing I enjoyed about her that made me want to continue.
Leo is.. understandably, frustrated at the cards he’s been given in life. However his, what I can only describe as greasy flirtation attempts at the start of the book came across as creepy and cringe and then he went straight to cold attitude towards Kat. I felt like the author couldn’t decide how she wanted to write Leo and couldn’t settle on how his personality was to be.
The writing itself was okay but felt very… meta? Quotes like ‘I do love a bit of demon action’ in relation to fantasy books with spice, or mentions of bookstagram with 10k followers and advance copies and proofs, or ‘the holy grail of fits’ and my personal favourite ‘the ref flags are so big I’m amazed you’ve not been knocked over by the strength of them blowing in the breeze’ all just felt like the author was trying to be with the times and used language that was too conversational for a book.
I honestly wish I loved this book and could finish it but the writing and the characters were just not for me.
I’ve not read any of this author before so I’m unsure if this is just a style of writing or unique to this book but if you enjoyed this author’s work before I would be interested to know if I should give her other work a go.
I stopped reading this book at 23% therefore all my views are only on this part of the book.
June 12, 2025
—— 3 ★
⤿〝 All I meant was that you look like sunshine, and I'm concerned that this might be an evening full of clouds. 〞
! Thank you NetGalley and ONE MORE CHAPTER for the copy of the book !
⤷ It has been a cute romance with a mystery plot that does not become so heavy throughout the book, in addition to the fact that apart from the romance of the book the mystery itself helps to be aware of how you can be deceived when talking to someone online and the combination of these two things make the book very good and entertaining. The only thing is that in certain parts it was very slow and some chapters were very long but anyway I recommend one hundred percent if you want a romance with mystery and books involved 🙂↕️
⤷ characters .ᐟ
⋆˙⟡ Kat Fisher
She is the representation of hopeless romantic readers, she represents us all, in addition to being a first-class sunshine with the best intentions in the world, she is one of the sweetest and most pleasant characters I have read in a long time. Plus, her love for books!? I LOVED THAT
❝ This time our kiss was for real,
and I was going to savour every moment of it. ❞
⋆˙⟡ Leo Taylor
I don't have much to say about him but he's a real grumpy who in the end falls in love with her very hard and no one can convince me otherwise, I want to tell you... how did he defend her every time he could??? Kicking my feet 🤭🤭
❝ 'You'll always be safe with me, babe,' he said ❞
⤿〝 All I meant was that you look like sunshine, and I'm concerned that this might be an evening full of clouds. 〞
! Thank you NetGalley and ONE MORE CHAPTER for the copy of the book !
⤷ It has been a cute romance with a mystery plot that does not become so heavy throughout the book, in addition to the fact that apart from the romance of the book the mystery itself helps to be aware of how you can be deceived when talking to someone online and the combination of these two things make the book very good and entertaining. The only thing is that in certain parts it was very slow and some chapters were very long but anyway I recommend one hundred percent if you want a romance with mystery and books involved 🙂↕️
⤷ characters .ᐟ
⋆˙⟡ Kat Fisher
She is the representation of hopeless romantic readers, she represents us all, in addition to being a first-class sunshine with the best intentions in the world, she is one of the sweetest and most pleasant characters I have read in a long time. Plus, her love for books!? I LOVED THAT
❝ This time our kiss was for real,
and I was going to savour every moment of it. ❞
⋆˙⟡ Leo Taylor
I don't have much to say about him but he's a real grumpy who in the end falls in love with her very hard and no one can convince me otherwise, I want to tell you... how did he defend her every time he could??? Kicking my feet 🤭🤭
❝ 'You'll always be safe with me, babe,' he said ❞
June 13, 2025
This book is the reason I’ve been getting so much sleep lately - every time I picked it up before bed, I’d be out cold in ten minutes. Ironically, I’m writing this review at 3am because I’ve now slept too well and can’t fall back asleep 😂
The premise had promise: Kat Fisher, a hopeless romantic with a name that sounds like it came from a YA character generator, works in a cosy Oxford library where she crosses paths with Leo, an ex-cop trying to figure out his next steps. There’s a catfishing subplot, a potential slow-burn romance, and one of my favourite settings - a bookish one.
Oxford - lovely. The fictional library - delighted me. But that’s where the joy ended.
The writing style was very literal - every thought and feeling carefully explained, rather than shown, which made everything feel flat. And since we’re stuck in Kat’s head the whole time, her rigid internal monologue didn’t help. The romance never quite sparked, and the mystery element was predictable, even for someone who regularly forgets the twist mid-thriller.
Despite all that, if you’re in the mood for something undemanding with a bookish backdrop, and you enjoy sweet, closed-door romances with a quirky small-town feel, it might land better for you. Bonus points if you're an Oxford-lover or a fan of tidy endings.
2.25/5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The premise had promise: Kat Fisher, a hopeless romantic with a name that sounds like it came from a YA character generator, works in a cosy Oxford library where she crosses paths with Leo, an ex-cop trying to figure out his next steps. There’s a catfishing subplot, a potential slow-burn romance, and one of my favourite settings - a bookish one.
Oxford - lovely. The fictional library - delighted me. But that’s where the joy ended.
The writing style was very literal - every thought and feeling carefully explained, rather than shown, which made everything feel flat. And since we’re stuck in Kat’s head the whole time, her rigid internal monologue didn’t help. The romance never quite sparked, and the mystery element was predictable, even for someone who regularly forgets the twist mid-thriller.
Despite all that, if you’re in the mood for something undemanding with a bookish backdrop, and you enjoy sweet, closed-door romances with a quirky small-town feel, it might land better for you. Bonus points if you're an Oxford-lover or a fan of tidy endings.
2.25/5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and One More Chapter (HC) for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5⭐️ I had a really enjoyable time with this book - we follow Kat who has been unlucky in love and joined a local dating site based in Oxford where she may have met the one! She has been messaging Brian for weeks and finally may be able to meet up after his busy schedule in the Army - but is he everything he seems? We also meet Leo, our grumpy MMC who is a former police officer trying to figure out his way after leaving the forces. Our two have to band together to solve the mystery of Brian and I just had a great time watching the pair sleuth around Oxford!
My few hot takes - there wasn’t enough time in the library, I would’ve loved to see them researching and investigating whilst she was working. I also wanted more on the page romance between them and seeing it blossom more - I felt like there wasn’t enough!
3.5⭐️ I had a really enjoyable time with this book - we follow Kat who has been unlucky in love and joined a local dating site based in Oxford where she may have met the one! She has been messaging Brian for weeks and finally may be able to meet up after his busy schedule in the Army - but is he everything he seems? We also meet Leo, our grumpy MMC who is a former police officer trying to figure out his way after leaving the forces. Our two have to band together to solve the mystery of Brian and I just had a great time watching the pair sleuth around Oxford!
My few hot takes - there wasn’t enough time in the library, I would’ve loved to see them researching and investigating whilst she was working. I also wanted more on the page romance between them and seeing it blossom more - I felt like there wasn’t enough!
June 7, 2025
3,25 ⭐
Read Between the Lines was such a fun read! I found the plot very orginal, didn't expect it at all! I really enjoyed following Kat and Leo during their quest. I didn't expect the plot to take such a big part of the book though and would have loved a bit more from Kat and Leo's relationship. I liked their dynamic and their chemistry in the second part of the book, but wished we had a bit more flirting (and have it earlier) in the book! I found myself a bit annoyed at all the "he's so far out of my league" and "I don't believe someone like him could like me" kind of comments from Kat and I thank her sister for shaking some sense into her. Overall cute and fun read!
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion 🫶🏽
Read Between the Lines was such a fun read! I found the plot very orginal, didn't expect it at all! I really enjoyed following Kat and Leo during their quest. I didn't expect the plot to take such a big part of the book though and would have loved a bit more from Kat and Leo's relationship. I liked their dynamic and their chemistry in the second part of the book, but wished we had a bit more flirting (and have it earlier) in the book! I found myself a bit annoyed at all the "he's so far out of my league" and "I don't believe someone like him could like me" kind of comments from Kat and I thank her sister for shaking some sense into her. Overall cute and fun read!
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion 🫶🏽
September 12, 2025
this was such a cutie read. sometimes i just scroll through libby and request whatever is available. most the times the books suck. but every once in a while there’s a hidden gem, and i think this was one of them. if you liked love of my afterlife, then you should defffffff give this one a read
June 14, 2025
Read Between The Lines is such a charming story. It follows Kat on her investigation to oust her romance fraudster with the help of former police detective, Leo. As these two opposites spend more time together, they slowly develop their own confidence and fall in love.
There were moments in the novel where the craft could be improved. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, information dumps and clunky dialogue, but overall they didn't detract from a really lovely story.
There were moments in the novel where the craft could be improved. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, information dumps and clunky dialogue, but overall they didn't detract from a really lovely story.
June 8, 2025
Kat, a librarian, suspects she has been duped by a user on a local dating app. She recruits Leo, a former police detective, to help her investigate and prevent the user from preying on others. Their attraction grows as the investigation takes several twists and turns. Ultimately I'm not sure I was the best audience for this book. I really liked the premise but the execution felt disjointed. It had kind of a slow start and the story took a while to grab my attention. There was a lot of focus on the justice aspect, which served as a forced proximity vehicle to further Kat and Leo's relationship. Kat seemed overly naïve and Leo too jaded, and there was the typical "why don't they just talk to each other" will-they-won't-they energy. The second half of the book was an improvement so I am glad I stuck with it, but I still didn't fully click with the story or the characters. I didn't feel like their dynamic was engaging for the reader. While there's banter, which normally I love, theirs felt a bit forced much of the time. The dialogue-to-action ratio was disproportionate, and the writing style is too chit-chatty for my taste. The premise of being cat-fished was engaging, as was Kat's desire for vigilante justice, but there didn't feel like a lot of nuance to the mystery of who and why. If you like forced proximity closed-door romances with strong-willed (but somewhat naïve) FMCs and emotionally distant and semi-mysterious MMCs, then this is the book for you. Publishes June 13, 2025. This review was based on a complimentary eARC of the book, all opinions are my own.
June 8, 2025
Another enjoyable Emily Kerr story!
Kat Fisher (yes, that is her real name) is a librarian. She feels she is stereotypical, a bit serious, not noticeable to anyone other than her regular library visitors, and unattractive to the opposite sex. So a chance match on a very specific, local dating app, SO OX develops into a relationship that shows promise... until it doesn't.
Leo Taylor, an ex-police officer, is minding his own business when he visits the library. However, he finds himself the recipient of her tongue, albeit in a hushed tone, as she chastises him for leaving his belongings everywhere, including his shoes, on the seat opposite.
Somehow, they become embroiled in a bit of a covert investigation, when Kat finds herself, well, kat-fished by a smooth-tongued suitor.
You know when you can feel the chemistry from the off? That is Kat and Leo, only they can't quite get their act together, even though everyone around them seems to sense the attraction!
There are some fantastic side characters, including a retired CEO, Doris, who now has a penchant for smutty books and even has a spicy bookstagram following!
I enjoyed this read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC
Kat Fisher (yes, that is her real name) is a librarian. She feels she is stereotypical, a bit serious, not noticeable to anyone other than her regular library visitors, and unattractive to the opposite sex. So a chance match on a very specific, local dating app, SO OX develops into a relationship that shows promise... until it doesn't.
Leo Taylor, an ex-police officer, is minding his own business when he visits the library. However, he finds himself the recipient of her tongue, albeit in a hushed tone, as she chastises him for leaving his belongings everywhere, including his shoes, on the seat opposite.
Somehow, they become embroiled in a bit of a covert investigation, when Kat finds herself, well, kat-fished by a smooth-tongued suitor.
You know when you can feel the chemistry from the off? That is Kat and Leo, only they can't quite get their act together, even though everyone around them seems to sense the attraction!
There are some fantastic side characters, including a retired CEO, Doris, who now has a penchant for smutty books and even has a spicy bookstagram following!
I enjoyed this read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC
June 6, 2025
⭐️ 3
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!
I was really excited for this book, but sadly, it didn’t meet my expectations. It took me longer than usual to finish because I struggled to stay invested. This is a very slow-burn romance with zero spice, which is perfect if that’s your thing, but it didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel much chemistry between Kat and Leo, and honestly, Leo came off as a bit moody, while Kat I just found annoying.
The plot focused heavily on the romance scam artist mystery rather than the actual romance.As i say for all books that are single POV i think this book would have really benefited from leo’s persepective.
Not sure if the authors is British, but as a British reader whith family who live in Cambridge (Very similar to Oxford, where this book is set), I found the dialogue overly posh and stereotypical—it felt more Victorian than modern oxford!
That said, I did enjoy the idea of an ex-cop and a librarian teaming up to catch a scammer. The mystery element was engaging, but the lack of romance made it feel more YA than adult fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!
I was really excited for this book, but sadly, it didn’t meet my expectations. It took me longer than usual to finish because I struggled to stay invested. This is a very slow-burn romance with zero spice, which is perfect if that’s your thing, but it didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel much chemistry between Kat and Leo, and honestly, Leo came off as a bit moody, while Kat I just found annoying.
The plot focused heavily on the romance scam artist mystery rather than the actual romance.As i say for all books that are single POV i think this book would have really benefited from leo’s persepective.
Not sure if the authors is British, but as a British reader whith family who live in Cambridge (Very similar to Oxford, where this book is set), I found the dialogue overly posh and stereotypical—it felt more Victorian than modern oxford!
That said, I did enjoy the idea of an ex-cop and a librarian teaming up to catch a scammer. The mystery element was engaging, but the lack of romance made it feel more YA than adult fiction.
July 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Cute Rom-Com
I am a sucker for a bookstore or library on a cover. I did enjoy this one, but it did take a bit for me to warm up to the characters. Side characters on point, but I wondered if it was more of a hate-story at the beginning than a love story.
Quick recap: Kat is a librarian trying to catch a predator on a dating app and enlists the help of an ex-detective patron, Leo. Enemies to Friends to Lovers.
What I loved:
The setting - Oxford was like another character in the book
Kat is a strong lead, and I loved her sense of justice
Final resolution was satisfying, almost predictable (but I enjoy the guessing!)
What I didn’t love:
I didn’t get the connection between the two until very late in the book, and I wished for more
Somehow, the writing was troublesome for me. I am no stranger to English-set fiction, but some of the lingo was out of my normal vocabulary.
Once I got into it, I wanted to find out what would happen and if you need a short little romance, this book might be for you!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
I am a sucker for a bookstore or library on a cover. I did enjoy this one, but it did take a bit for me to warm up to the characters. Side characters on point, but I wondered if it was more of a hate-story at the beginning than a love story.
Quick recap: Kat is a librarian trying to catch a predator on a dating app and enlists the help of an ex-detective patron, Leo. Enemies to Friends to Lovers.
What I loved:
The setting - Oxford was like another character in the book
Kat is a strong lead, and I loved her sense of justice
Final resolution was satisfying, almost predictable (but I enjoy the guessing!)
What I didn’t love:
I didn’t get the connection between the two until very late in the book, and I wished for more
Somehow, the writing was troublesome for me. I am no stranger to English-set fiction, but some of the lingo was out of my normal vocabulary.
Once I got into it, I wanted to find out what would happen and if you need a short little romance, this book might be for you!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
dnf
July 8, 2025I absolutely HATE to DNF a book but sadly I could NOT get through this one. I loved the cover of this book and am always down for a cozy mystery romance. I need to STOP requesting books based only on this. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC but I think that this had a lot of potential and would definitely be enjoyable to a large audience. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. I can fully acknowledge that I have personal reasons for really not wanting to read a scammer plot and this alone wouldn’t disqualify it from being a cute book. This COMBINED with the actual dialogue and interactions just pushed it over the line for me. It just leaned too far into being cheesy. A Law Enforcement Officer named Leo and a catfishing victim named Kat Fisher? I just had a lot of trouble getting into this one and it felt inauthentic to me. I can normally suspend disbelief and criticism but not in this case. :/
June 20, 2025
this was such a cosy, light read that had me excited at first (i mean… library squabbles + a sunshine librarian + a grumpy ex-cop?? sign me up! 💖📚). the premise sounded like the perfect blend of mystery & romance, and i LOVED the oxford setting! it gave me all the nostalgic vibes with its cobbled streets and cute cafés ☕️🏙️.
buuut… i found myself wanting more ✨spark✨ between kat and leo. the romance had promise (hello, slow burn potential! 👀) but it felt like it was missing that extra bit of tension and heat. i enjoyed the mix of slice-of-life moments and gentle investigation, but the chemistry between the leads just didn’t fully deliver to it’s potential for me 🫣.
that being said, it’s a sweet, low-stakes romance that’s perfect for when you want something soft and comforting. if you like cosy contemporary reads with a british twist you will def find something to enjoy here 🇬🇧❤️. i’d totally check out more from this author in the future ✨
buuut… i found myself wanting more ✨spark✨ between kat and leo. the romance had promise (hello, slow burn potential! 👀) but it felt like it was missing that extra bit of tension and heat. i enjoyed the mix of slice-of-life moments and gentle investigation, but the chemistry between the leads just didn’t fully deliver to it’s potential for me 🫣.
that being said, it’s a sweet, low-stakes romance that’s perfect for when you want something soft and comforting. if you like cosy contemporary reads with a british twist you will def find something to enjoy here 🇬🇧❤️. i’d totally check out more from this author in the future ✨
June 29, 2025
2.5/5
This was a cute romance between librarian Kat and ex-policeman Leo.
Kat finds herself on the wrong end of an online dating scam and is afraid that ‘Brian’ may be praying on other more vulnerable people too. After the dating app refuses to do anything to stop Brian, Kat enlists the help of Leo to try and track down the fraudster to ensure that he can’t hurt anyone else.
This slow-burn, no spice romance was filled with super cute moments where I wanted to throw my kindle across the room in a good way! I just wanted them to get together already!
The reason I had to rate this 2.5/5 was that the investigation into Brian felt very predictable. Without giving too much away I predicted the culprit very very quickly and I am used to being the last one to figure these things out. I felt that Leo as a former detective should have had a lot more to contribute as opposed to just going along as back up on Kat’s ideas.
Overall, I felt it had so much potential but unfortunately while I loved the chemistry between the couple the plot itself meant I didn’t feel the need to pick it back up and keep reading!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in return for a review.
This was a cute romance between librarian Kat and ex-policeman Leo.
Kat finds herself on the wrong end of an online dating scam and is afraid that ‘Brian’ may be praying on other more vulnerable people too. After the dating app refuses to do anything to stop Brian, Kat enlists the help of Leo to try and track down the fraudster to ensure that he can’t hurt anyone else.
This slow-burn, no spice romance was filled with super cute moments where I wanted to throw my kindle across the room in a good way! I just wanted them to get together already!
The reason I had to rate this 2.5/5 was that the investigation into Brian felt very predictable. Without giving too much away I predicted the culprit very very quickly and I am used to being the last one to figure these things out. I felt that Leo as a former detective should have had a lot more to contribute as opposed to just going along as back up on Kat’s ideas.
Overall, I felt it had so much potential but unfortunately while I loved the chemistry between the couple the plot itself meant I didn’t feel the need to pick it back up and keep reading!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in return for a review.
August 21, 2025
Kat is a librarian in a cozy Oxford community library, a lover of romance and dreams of happily ever after. Leo is a gruff ex-cop looking for what to do next. Every time he's at her library, he's leaving things lying around and just being annoying in general. They're total opposites, but somehow romance blossoms.
I liked the Oxford setting, the descriptions made me want to visit this small town cozy library myself. There was a little bit of mystery, slow burn closed door romance, and a HEA. But the story itself was underwhelming. I think maybe it was the writing style for me. Every feeling is explained rather than shown and from Kat's perspective, so to me it fell a bit flat. The slow burn just felt dragged on and a bit boring to me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own..
I liked the Oxford setting, the descriptions made me want to visit this small town cozy library myself. There was a little bit of mystery, slow burn closed door romance, and a HEA. But the story itself was underwhelming. I think maybe it was the writing style for me. Every feeling is explained rather than shown and from Kat's perspective, so to me it fell a bit flat. The slow burn just felt dragged on and a bit boring to me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own..
June 13, 2025
This was a really fun read, with some romance and an investigation along the way!
Librarian Kat is looking for love. Unable to find someone the traditional way, she signs up to a dating site, specifically for people in her home town of Oxford.
Leo is a former police officer, trying to decide what to do next, he visits Kat’s library almost daily to work on his future.
What follows is an exciting tale of them coming together on an intriguing adventure!
I really loved the dynamic between Leo and Kat. Their fun banter, their teasing, their cross words.
The characters are well developed and the scenes are set so well, I can envisage the library and all the places they go. Aside from our main characters there are some other great people, Moira, Doris and Gavin are all brilliant written and fit into the story so well.
All in all this book is a great one to pick up, it’s a fun read that will draw you in and keep you entertained, not wanting to put it down.
July 10, 2025
3.5🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the mix of mystery and romance in Read Between the Lines. It was such a cute, light read! That said, I was hoping for a bit more romance towards the end — it felt like the spark between the characters fizzled out slightly.
I did love both characters individually, and the writing style really worked for me — engaging, easy to read, and well-paced.
P.S. That cover is absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the mix of mystery and romance in Read Between the Lines. It was such a cute, light read! That said, I was hoping for a bit more romance towards the end — it felt like the spark between the characters fizzled out slightly.
I did love both characters individually, and the writing style really worked for me — engaging, easy to read, and well-paced.
P.S. That cover is absolutely gorgeous!
June 6, 2025
Read Between the Lines is a sweet, cozy romcom set in Oxford, where librarian Kat teams up with grumpy ex-cop Leo to track down a romance scammer. What starts as a reluctant partnership slowly turns into a gentle, slow-burn connection.
The romance is subtle think more soft smiles than sparks, but their banter and friendship are fun to watch grow. The mystery adds a light twist, and while it’s easy to guess, it keeps things moving. The charming Oxford setting and quirky library regulars add warmth and personality. It’s not a swoony romance, but it’s heartfelt, witty, and comforting.
The romance is subtle think more soft smiles than sparks, but their banter and friendship are fun to watch grow. The mystery adds a light twist, and while it’s easy to guess, it keeps things moving. The charming Oxford setting and quirky library regulars add warmth and personality. It’s not a swoony romance, but it’s heartfelt, witty, and comforting.
June 13, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for this E-ARC
I found this to be a very entertaining and funny read, the story and plot flowed and I found it to be overall very enjoyable, however what I will say is I struggled to find the chemistry between the two characters I didn’t really find them to be connected romantically. I will say that the writing was good and the characters overall were funny and I really liked them. A really entertaining story, just lacking in the romance department
I found this to be a very entertaining and funny read, the story and plot flowed and I found it to be overall very enjoyable, however what I will say is I struggled to find the chemistry between the two characters I didn’t really find them to be connected romantically. I will say that the writing was good and the characters overall were funny and I really liked them. A really entertaining story, just lacking in the romance department
June 17, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this eARC!
I thought this story and idea were so cute, given how the dating world works in 2025 (and the potential dangers)! However, the story moved extremely slowly, in my opinion, and I found the execution a little awkward. I did expect there to be more romance, too. I made it to the end of the book, then basically nothing happened. I would be open to potentially reading other titles from this author though!
I thought this story and idea were so cute, given how the dating world works in 2025 (and the potential dangers)! However, the story moved extremely slowly, in my opinion, and I found the execution a little awkward. I did expect there to be more romance, too. I made it to the end of the book, then basically nothing happened. I would be open to potentially reading other titles from this author though!
July 13, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️.5
Read Between the Lines had a concept I was really excited about — the premise was fun, and I could definitely see the potential for a heartwarming, charming story. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t quite land for me.
The first half of the book felt really slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. I found it hard to connect with the characters, and the pacing made it difficult to feel fully invested in what was happening. That said, the last 20% of the book flew by — it finally picked up some momentum, and I found myself more interested in how everything would wrap up.
Even so, I was left with a few unanswered questions, and the ending felt a little incomplete. I kept waiting for certain things to be explored or resolved, and when they weren’t, it left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.
I can definitely see how others might enjoy the lighthearted tone and quirky setup — the book had potential, and I really wanted to love it. But in the end, it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
Read Between the Lines had a concept I was really excited about — the premise was fun, and I could definitely see the potential for a heartwarming, charming story. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t quite land for me.
The first half of the book felt really slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. I found it hard to connect with the characters, and the pacing made it difficult to feel fully invested in what was happening. That said, the last 20% of the book flew by — it finally picked up some momentum, and I found myself more interested in how everything would wrap up.
Even so, I was left with a few unanswered questions, and the ending felt a little incomplete. I kept waiting for certain things to be explored or resolved, and when they weren’t, it left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.
I can definitely see how others might enjoy the lighthearted tone and quirky setup — the book had potential, and I really wanted to love it. But in the end, it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
June 23, 2025
Content warnings: catfishing, financial scam, homelessness
Unfortunately-named librarian Kat Fisher is excited for her first in-person date with Brian, a man she met and has been chatting with on a dating app. When the moment arrives, Brian hits a snag and asks for money. Kat is so angry that her perfect man is likely running an online scam, she asks a library patron (former police officer Leo Taylor) for help tracking him down.
Kat promises Leo help with a business plan in exchange for his help. They grow closer while attending singles events hosted by the app Kat used to meet Brian. As the story progresses, Kat starts to care more about Leo than the quest to find Brian.
Recommended for romance readers who like a bit of mystery.
I received an electronic ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately-named librarian Kat Fisher is excited for her first in-person date with Brian, a man she met and has been chatting with on a dating app. When the moment arrives, Brian hits a snag and asks for money. Kat is so angry that her perfect man is likely running an online scam, she asks a library patron (former police officer Leo Taylor) for help tracking him down.
Kat promises Leo help with a business plan in exchange for his help. They grow closer while attending singles events hosted by the app Kat used to meet Brian. As the story progresses, Kat starts to care more about Leo than the quest to find Brian.
Recommended for romance readers who like a bit of mystery.
I received an electronic ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2025
Thank you to Emily Kerr, Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. ♡
₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: hello a bookish romance????? DUH.
₊˚⊹⋆ final thoughts: okay yes i ate this one up. it was a nice flowing read and i genuinely couldn't get enough of kat and leo!!!! i quite frankly couldn't stop reading this book and finished it so quick which hasn't happened with an ebook lately. loved this one <3
₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: hello a bookish romance????? DUH.
₊˚⊹⋆ final thoughts: okay yes i ate this one up. it was a nice flowing read and i genuinely couldn't get enough of kat and leo!!!! i quite frankly couldn't stop reading this book and finished it so quick which hasn't happened with an ebook lately. loved this one <3
June 19, 2025
This book was a cosy, comforting read — the kind of book you want to curl up with on a rainy afternoon, preferably with a cup of tea and something sweet nearby.
Set in a charming UK village, the story follows Kat, a sunshiney librarian with a big heart, and Leo, a grumpy ex-cop who’s clearly been through it. I liked them both — Kat especially felt like someone you’d want as a friend — but I have to admit, I didn’t quite feel the zing between them. There were some nice moments, but the chemistry felt a bit muted for me.
The pacing was on the slower side too, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing — just depends what mood you’re in. For me, it was a gentle read, but not one that fully swept me off my feet. That said, I really enjoyed the warm community vibes, the love of books throughout, and the quiet message of second chances.
It didn’t blow me away, but it definitely left me with a soft smile. If you’re after a sweet, low-drama romance with a strong sense of place, this could be your next cosy escape.
Big thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the eARC — always grateful to get the chance to discover new reads!
Set in a charming UK village, the story follows Kat, a sunshiney librarian with a big heart, and Leo, a grumpy ex-cop who’s clearly been through it. I liked them both — Kat especially felt like someone you’d want as a friend — but I have to admit, I didn’t quite feel the zing between them. There were some nice moments, but the chemistry felt a bit muted for me.
The pacing was on the slower side too, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing — just depends what mood you’re in. For me, it was a gentle read, but not one that fully swept me off my feet. That said, I really enjoyed the warm community vibes, the love of books throughout, and the quiet message of second chances.
It didn’t blow me away, but it definitely left me with a soft smile. If you’re after a sweet, low-drama romance with a strong sense of place, this could be your next cosy escape.
Big thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the eARC — always grateful to get the chance to discover new reads!
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