Bookmarked for Love
(Checking Out Love #3)
By Sarah Monzon
Contemporary Romance, Clean & Wholesome
Audiobook, Paperback & eBook, 320 Pages
July 21, 2026 by Bethany House Publishers
Summary
Can a jeopardized children's library program spark a partnership that saves their careers but costs them their hearts?
When children's librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library's children's programs, she's determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library's behalf. The bad news? She swore she'd never step foot in his office again.
Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family's publishing empire, and now he must prove he's ready to take the helm by turning around the company's languishing children's imprint. That wouldn't be a problem, except he doesn't know the first thing about children's literature. So when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can't refuse. He'll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a bestselling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they're forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line.
"With a uniquely heartfelt message, lovable characters, and laugh-out-loud moments, Sarah Monzon's novel is a delight!"--MELISSA FERGUSON, bestselling author on An Overdue Match
"This charming rom-com won me over from page one."--BECCA KINZER, award-winning author on Hearts in Circulation
In her charming rom-com style, Sarah Monzon delivers a bookish novel brimming with forced proximity, workplace romance, a curvy and plus-size heroine, the silver fox trope, and middle-age romance. For fans of Pepper Basham, Courtney Walsh, and Becky Wade.
(Affiliate links included.)
My Review
BOOKMARKED FOR LOVE is a sweet romance with characters who are not the usual generic mold. There are also a lot of book involvement. The heroine is a librarian and a complete book nerd and the hero is the almost-eventually CEO of a publishing house. There's also a author conference. So plenty here for book lovers to geek out over. It helps that the characters are also likable, for the most part, and that this is a delightful story of a woman possibly getting the man she's crushed on for a long time who finally sees her.
I enjoyed the previous books in this series as well as other books by this author. I loved the premise, (who doesn't love books and enjoy having a librarian for the heroine and a dashing publishing house executive who can make all her dreams come true in getting her books published. I also liked that the characters were flawed and that the author didn't tie up everything overly perfectly, making it feel more authentic. The romance was sweet with a bit of chemistry and a fun family upstairs downstairs dynamic.
I did have some issues here and there. Like the plausibility of some of the things that happened and the drastic behavior shift in Julien at some points. Felt a bit juvenile and not consistent with the characters.
In the end, was it what I wished for? this was an overall fun read with a sweet romance and lots of nods to books.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through JustRead Publicity Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Do you enjoy books where one or both of the characters works with books in some way? Do you have a favorite?
No comments
Post a Comment
I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.