Book Review - Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson

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Title: Must Love Books

Author: Shauna Robinson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 16th February 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Meet Nora Hughes – the overworked, underpaid, last bookish assistant standing. At least for now.

When Nora landed an editorial assistant role at Parsons Press she thought it would be The Dream Job. But after five years of admin and taking lunch orders, Nora has come to the conclusion: Dream Jobs do not exist.

With her life spiralling and unable to afford her rent, Nora does the only thing she can think of and starts freelancing for a rival publisher.

But when Andrew Santos, a bestselling author (who also happens to be quite attractive), is thrown into Nora’s life, she must decide where her loyalties lie, and whether she’s ready to choose herself and her future over her job…

Your next book club read touching on mental health, happiness and the ups and downs of being a young woman trying to figure it all out.

What a powerful read, a mix between a story set in publishing, and also with a much bigger theme of mental health and trying to make ends meet when you are forced into a tricky position. 

Nora is just trying to get through life, but things aren't really turning out like she expected them to.  She is working in a job where frankly she is treated like a doormat,  and then she takes on a second job which leads to all manner of conflicts, confusion, guilt and angst. 

I really wouldn't want to be working for the publisher that Nora is working for, the books are really not my cup of tea at all, and Nora is starting to feel disillusioned too with the industry. 

But then she strikes up a friendship with Andrew, who is so central to so much and I really liked him, but also one of the things that is messing with Nora's mental state too. 

The characters are were relatable, and the portrayal of aspects of the industry certainly felt real to me.  It's an interesting story that caught my attention and that I rather enjoyed reading.   A great debut novel. 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.