Love by the Book by Jessica George: Book Review

Love by the Book is the sophomore novel from best-selling author Jessica George. Expected to be released on April 7, 2026, it looks at friendships and how they evolve. Remy is a best-selling author, and surrounded by three friends she’s known her whole life. Now she’s expected to write the next great novel, and her friends are all moving on. Simone seems to have it all: a job she loves and a side hustle to pay the bills. When her circle finds out what she does, she finds herself with no one around. After an accidental meeting, can these two women offer the support the other needs?

I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Love by the Book. All opinions presented here are solely mine.

Synopsis from Goodreads

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?

My Opinions

I added Love by the Book to my TBR as soon as I learned about it. Why? Because I read Jessica George’s debut novel, Maame, and loved it. I am so glad that I did, because I loved this book! It was so hard to put down. When I wasn’t reading about it, I was thinking about Remy and all of her friends.

Remy is asexual and is ok with not having a long-term romantic relationship with anyone. She loves her friends and family fiercely, and she is more than happy with those relationships. As the group begins to change, Remy finds herself feeling lost. She feels left out of the group and believes her friends are leaving her behind.

Simone has never really had friends; she had her sister and was more than happy with that. As an introvert and a very private person, she was content to have only her sister as a friend. Until something separates them, and she finds herself alone.

Remy and Simone are similar people, but so very different. And it turns out maybe they are just what the other needs!

My biggest issue with the book is the last couple of chapters. While we get the conclusion we expect, it still feels a tad too perfect. Sure, there’s the break-up and the reconciliation, but it’s some of the other bits in those last few chapters that feel too “perfect.” Maybe that’s just me?

I feel as though this book is a great look at friendships–how they start, how they grow, how they evolve. Who should read Love by the Book? Anyone wanting to read a romance that’s about platonic love friendships.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.