Love by the Book – Jessica George
Friendship is the love story you can count on.
I was drawn to this for one very specific reason: platonic love between women. That’s a theme too few novels embrace fully, and anything that foregrounds it is immediately intriguing. I expected warmth, humour, and a slow burn friendship story - and plenty of heart.
As I thought…
The writing is charming and accessible, and the characterisation is thoughtful. Remy and Simone are vividly drawn, and the ways they navigate friendship, life changes, and personal challenges are compelling. The story does what it promises: a nuanced, emotional exploration of female platonic love.
It surprised me by…
How much the pacing affected my engagement. The novel spends a long time setting up each character individually before they intersect, which could be perfect for some readers - but for me, it slowed the momentum and diluted my emotional investment early on. In a different mood, I might have savoured it more. Even so, the concept is wonderful, and the heart at the centre of the story shines through.
Colour palette: Soft pastels, warm light, cozy bookstore hues
Soundtrack: Light indie, acoustic pop, maybe a dash of retro 80s warmth
Season: Spring, blooming and gentle
Mood: Heartwarming, reflective, quietly hopeful
Scent: Freshly printed books, coffee, and a hint of vanilla
🎵 Featured Song: Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
🎶 Vibe Album: Lungs – Florence + The Machine
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Lucy Dacus
🃏 Two of Cups – Light Seer’s Tarot
A card of connection, friendship, and mutual support - exactly the emotional core of this story. It doesn’t speak to pacing or structure, just the warmth and reciprocity at the heart of platonic love.
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill – Abbi Waxman (for character-driven, friendship-focused stories)
Feminist Book Club vibes (YA-adjacent or contemporary fiction celebrating relationships between women)
Love by the Book is a novel with heart, humour, and a rare focus on female friendship as the main love story. It didn’t entirely click for me because of pacing, but the concept and execution make it a standout in contemporary fiction. I hope to see more books like this.