Madeline Moore has her life all worked out. She is going to go to college (because the aunt that raised her says she has to), but then return home and run their family book store – Books & Moore. Perfect!

Except… a new bookstore has opened, right across the street. Called Prologue, it’s bigger, flashier and in Madeline’s eyes – a complete fake. No-one loves books more than she does. Her best friend also works in the store along with other staff, and although not quite as dedicated as she is, they are a great team. She’s not quite sure what to do about Prologue until a cute guy walks in.

His name is Jasper and there is something about him Madeline really likes, at least until she learns the truth. His family owns Prologue!

Now it’s war!

Jasper and Madeline try to outdo each other with pranks and rules set between them. The tension goes up a thousand fold as Madeline learns that Books and Moore‘s future is seriously under threat. She lays the blame squarely on Jasper and Prologue‘s steps. When a prank goes seriously wrong, apologies are mumbled as limbs are bandaged and a cut stitched. Vowing no more stunts between stores, Madeline begins to thaw a little. Jasper is cute after all.

She’s still determined to save the store, trying to forgive her wannabe actress mother for appearing out of nowhere, and definitely NOT falling for Jasper. Well…maybe just a little.

I really enjoyed this romantic comedy, and comedy it is. There’s a great cast of characters, including a flaky mum finally trying to be there for once, a best friend/youtuber, an aunt tired of running a failing business, and a cute guy who just wants Madeline to like him – regardless of the bookstore war between them.

Madeline is a sassy, fun but often sharp-tongued character. I laughed out loud at her intensity and outrage and often spoke her words out loud before she did as I knew exactly how she was thinking. The romance component is very wary and slow as Madeline is about to leave for College and does she really want to start something now?

The love of books and of a particular series rang true to me as a booklover/bookseller/reader and I completely understand her shock at meeting her favourite author. It’s brilliantly written without being too dorky.

Fun romcom read with sexual content which pushes up the age / reading level.

Author – Kelsey Rodkey

Age – 16+

(2022, Romance, Humour, Funny, Crush, Books, Competition, Pranks, Tricks, Rivalry, Author Event, Family, Absent mother, Mum, Aunt, Half brother, Blended family, College, Guilt, Attraction, Sewing, Design, Cosplay, Romcom, Revenge, Accident)