By: Lisa Brown Roberts
Romance enthusiast Amy McIntyre is a quiet introvert, in the background while her best friend and co-book blogger Vivian Galdi stars in their videos and social media. With Vivian distracted by her new boyfriend Dallas, Amy is forced to enter the limelight if she hopes to win a publisher sponsored contest for a chance to interview her favorite romance novelist. Worried about her ability to win the contest on her own, Amy enlists the help of Toff Nichols, surf champion, incorrigible flirt, and Vivian’s soon-to-be stepbrother. If anyone knows how to win, she thinks, it’s Toff. Of course, she’ll need to ignore her pesky, long-standing crush.
Toff is drawn to the fiery, bookish redhead and is intrigued by her ask. He knows nothing about the world of romance books, ships, and OTPs, but he does understand competition and, when an injury and upheaval in his personal life leave him on the sidelines, he finds himself pleasantly distracted by Amy and the contest.
Amy and Toff’s obvious attraction and quick banter will quickly hook readers, who will stay for Amy’s passion, Toff’s sometimes misguided, but stalwart support of our heroine, and her adorably pesky little brother.
Romance readers, especially those immersed in fandoms and the online book community, will love Roberts’ frequent references to classic and pop culture romance and identify deeply with Amy’s love for the genre and community. There is a certain comfort in reading a romance by an author that truly knows and understands her readers’ needs. And who writes books about bookish leads meeting supportive, swoony, and plausible love interests, no doubt bringing to life many a reader daydream.
Readers can easily start with The Bookworm Crush but should note that Vivian and her boyfriend Dallas’s equally fun story is told in The Replacement Crush.