Love by the Book by Jessica George

Friendship is the love story you can count on.

Remy is lucky. Her debut novel, based on her three best friends, became an instant bestseller when it was released, and her agent and publisher are clamoring for a follow-up. But just as Remy’s creative inspiration seems to leave her, so too do her friends: one moves to New York, one gets pregnant, and one gets back together with her (awful) boyfriend. After an ill-advised one-night stand complicates matters further, Remy is left deeply alone—and unable to find her next book idea.

Simone is successful. A Kindergarten teacher with a passion for kids, and a well-paying side hustle that affords her all the material comforts she desires, she doesn't have time for a robust social life. All Simone needs is her close-knit family—but after the true nature of her work is revealed, they cut her off, and she realizes for the first time just how isolated she is.

When Simone and Remy bump into each other (literally) in a bookstore, it isn’t exactly soulmates at first sight. Simone is guarded and prickly, Remy is insecure and heartbroken, and each woman is harboring a secret. And yet they might just be the missing piece the other has been searching for—if only they can let each other in.

Can Simone help Remy make one of the most important decisions of her life—and can Remy help Simone recover all that she’s lost? In Jessica George’s heartwarming, funny, and soulful second novel, she explores the restorative nature of female friendship and the life-changing power of platonic love.

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A heartfelt celebration of female friendship and platonic love, even if the pacing sometimes tests your patience.

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Pre-Reading Thoughts

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.

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Post-Reading

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.

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Vibe Check

• Colour palette: Soft pastels, warm light, cosy 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

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Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song: Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
🎶 Vibe Album: Lungs – Florence + The Machine
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Lucy Dacus

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Tarot Pull

🃏 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.

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For fans of

• 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)

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Final Thoughts

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.