PLOT: 3/5
CHARACTERS: 3.5/5
WRITING: 3/5
ENTERTAINMENT: 3.5/5
There are books, there are bookshops, and then there are those magical books about bookshops—and honestly, they’re my personal kryptonite. I mean, show me a reader who doesn’t fantasize about owning their own cute little bookish haven.
So, the moment Poppy Alexander’s The Battle of the Bookshops waltzed into my recommendations, I didn’t hesitate for a second. Straight to the cart it went—no questions asked, no self-control applied.
What is the book all about?
The story sweeps us away to the adorable seaside town of Portneath—home to Capelthorne’s Books, a beloved little gem that’s been around for over a century. Sure, the place is a bit weathered and could definitely use a touch-up, but its charm? Untouched. Its magic? Still very much alive.
So, when our protagonist Jules returns to help her great aunt—who can no longer run the shop—she’s hit with a reality she did not see coming: the bookshop’s finances are a full-blown disaster. But Jules isn’t the type to back down from a challenge. Oh no.
With memories of her sweetest childhood days tucked between those very shelves, she rolls up her sleeves and decides she’s going to revive Capelthorne’s Books, one bold, brave step at a time.
Little does Jules know that someone is about to shake up her whole world. Enter Roman Montbeau—the handsome, insufferable heir of the family that practically owns half of Portneath. And when he opens a shiny, state-of-the-art bookshop right opposite the slowly crumbling Capelthorne’s Books, Jules is left absolutely fuming.
The Montbeaus are at it again—pushing Capelthorne’s to the brink of bankruptcy and keeping alive the centuries-old feud that has practically shaped Portneath’s history.
So, what will this battle of bookshops bring?
Will Jules actually manage to save her great aunt?
And will Capelthorne’s survive yet another financial fiasco so cunningly delivered by the Montbeaus?
The characters
In The Battle of Bookshops, all the characters are amazing. Jules is lovely and warm, every bit the simple, grounding personality who naturally charms everyone around her. Roman, on the other hand, is handsome and suave, with his perfect good looks and a devilishly insane amount of wealth—everyone in town knows he’s the ultimate catch. But as the pages turn, both of them prove to be far more nuanced and captivating than they first appear. Jules, the initially clumsy woman, slowly reveals her steel, and Roman shows us his many unexpected layers too.
I also adore the characters of Aunt Flo, Charlie, and of course, the mysterious and magnetic Bridget Capelthorne. Aunt Flo is the mother everyone wishes they had, Charlie is the perfect saviour in disguise, and Biddy—or Bridget—is the ancestor who definitely plays a fascinating role in the entire story.
The writing
The story is indeed interesting. I absolutely loved the setting of the book. Portneath is such a cute little town, practically a postcard-perfect place that deserves a spot on everyone’s travel bucket list. With its gorgeous seascapes and the ever-supportive, close-knit community, it feels like the kind of dreamy town anyone would want to call home. And honestly, with names like Storybook Cottage, who wouldn’t want to pack their bags and move there already?
I love the concept of The Battle of Bookshops. This premise holds so much promise. The whole setup of bookshop vs. bookshop is literally the selling point of the story. But dare I say, it doesn’t quite get the full justice it deserves. There was so much more that could have been explored, and the novel could easily have dug deeper into this angle. Instead, much to my dismay, it becomes just one of the many themes running parallel through the book.
I like the inclusion of the family’s and town’s history, especially how the story of the female ancestor is woven so seamlessly into the narrative. The centuries-old feud between the two noble families still shaping the present adds such a fun, dramatic edge. This blend of medieval and modern history brings a surprising amount of flavour to the book, and I genuinely enjoyed that touch.
There is love of every kind here—romantic, friendship, and familial. However, I do feel the romantic angle was a little underdone. It was mediocre and lukewarm at best, and it definitely could have used more passion and intensity. Even the relationship arc felt a bit unrealistic, and the reader in me was genuinely disappointed that it was given so little importance.
The characters went from hating each other, to doubting each other, to kind of liking each other, to suddenly declaring mad, undying love. All this happens without any of the fun, messy, adorable in-between moments that make a romance truly believable. It all felt so, so unrealistic. I wanted so much more from it, but sadly, it simply wasn’t there.
The pace, too, could have been better. The book was slow at best, and at times, there just wasn’t enough happening—no real tension to keep the story moving forward. While the setting, the bookshops, the family histories, and the romantic tension were all nicely done, I felt there were simply too many elements packed in to give each one the attention it deserved.
In the end, The Battle of Bookshops turned out to be an okay read. There was so much potential, but a lot of it remained unexplored. If you’re a lover of rivals-to-lovers fiction, books about bookshops, small-town romances, or those slightly Romeo–Juliet-esque tales of star-crossed lovers from rival families, then this one might just pique your interest.