A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

I've been on an Ashley Poston kick lately, as seen by my previous post on The Seven Year Slip. I've also been reading the Once Upon a Con series - I read Geekerella back in 2016, but wanted to re-read it and then finish the series. I also have a post on The Dead Romantics coming soon.

But I think A Novel Love Story kind of ruined me. In the best way! This book sucked me in immediately, probably because I love escaping into fiction, and that literally happens in this story. Plus there are some books and shows I love so much that I'd kill to "live" in that town for a few days. (I kept thinking of the Gilmore Girls tours and Friends experiences as I read this book.) I started reading this book one evening and couldn't put it down - I even dreamed about it that night! I woke up excited to finish it, and did finish it that day, though I wanted it to stretch on forever.

I think what struck me most about this book was that Poston wasn't just writing the story she wanted to write, but also created this back story of another author and her series! It was really engaging and, as a writer myself, I can just imagine all the ideas and characters she was juggling and how they tangled together.

I love how the story came together, though the resolution kind of bothered me a bit. Soft spoilers...

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

A friend recommended this book when I said the most “fantasy” I really read was parallel universes and time travel. This book was perfect for me!

I loved the magical apartment and how it pulled Clementine and Iwan together. I love that the threads of how they encountered each other were clear right from the beginning because it really helped up the tension of what would happen between them in the end.

The writing was so descriptive that it totally pulled me from reality - one of my favorite things about reading fiction, but not every author can pull it off. I also really loved how Poston wrote about the foods Iwan prepared and what they meant to him and Clementine. I think she really nailed the friendships you develop with coworkers, too.

Soft spoiler potential ahead...

The only thing... just to be nitpicky... is that I wish there was some hint of what Clementine was going to do next. Not everyone is defined by their career but it was so important to her throughout the book that I wish she'd even thought of an option or two isntead of making it seem like she was just going to be with Iwan and travel. Although, maybe there will be a sequel and I'll get my answer.

I read Geekerella years ago and will definitely be reading more Poston soon!