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The Love Scribe
From the bestselling author of
The Bookshop of Yesterdays
comes a charming novel about a woman with a special gift—her stories help people fall in love.
When Alice’s best friend, Gabby, is reeling from a breakup, Alice writes her a heartfelt story to cheer her up. While reading it in a café, Gabby, as if by magic, meets the man of her dreams. Thinking the story might have some special power to it, Gabby shares it with her sister and other friends, who all find instant love. Word of mouth spreads, and Alice stumbles upon a new calling—to be a love scribe.
But not all the love stories she writes unfold as expected. And while Alice tries to harness her extraordinary gift, she is summoned to a mansion in the woods where she encounters the reclusive Madeline Alger and her mysterious library. As Alice struggles to write a story for Madeline, her most challenging assignment yet, she’s forced to confront her own guarded heart. Because maybe—just maybe—there’s a love story waiting to be written for her, too.
Emotional, deeply imaginative and brimming with valuable life lessons, The Love Scribe explores love, fate and the power of stories when we choose to believe in them.
When Alice’s best friend, Gabby, is reeling from a breakup, Alice writes her a heartfelt story to cheer her up. While reading it in a café, Gabby, as if by magic, meets the man of her dreams. Thinking the story might have some special power to it, Gabby shares it with her sister and other friends, who all find instant love. Word of mouth spreads, and Alice stumbles upon a new calling—to be a love scribe.
But not all the love stories she writes unfold as expected. And while Alice tries to harness her extraordinary gift, she is summoned to a mansion in the woods where she encounters the reclusive Madeline Alger and her mysterious library. As Alice struggles to write a story for Madeline, her most challenging assignment yet, she’s forced to confront her own guarded heart. Because maybe—just maybe—there’s a love story waiting to be written for her, too.
Emotional, deeply imaginative and brimming with valuable life lessons, The Love Scribe explores love, fate and the power of stories when we choose to believe in them.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2023
About the author
Amy Meyerson
3 books1,083 followersAmy Meyerson is the bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays and The Imperfects. Her books have been translated into eleven languages, and her short fiction has been published in numerous literary magazines. Amy teaches in the writing department at the University of Southern California, where she completed her master's degree in creative writing. Her third novel, The Love Scribe, will be published by Park Row Books in February 2023. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
February 7, 2023
This is a lovely book as a whole, but it does have some good and some not so good. I love magical realism and this novel does a great job with it for the most part.
Alice's best friend Gabby has gone through a terrible breakup. Alice wants to do something to help Gabby out of her deep depression, and from out of nowhere, Alice receives an image of a hummingbird. She feels compelled to write a story for Gabby featuring that hummingbird, and after Gabby reads the story, she meets Oliver and they fall in love. As the story gets passed from person to person, these people also fall in love almost immediately. Alice realizes that she has the gift to write a story for each person and they will fall in love, so she becomes a "Love Scribe." But is this a blessing, or is it a curse?
What I Liked:
The story overall is magical and fun. I love the idea and felt swept up in the various love stories.
When Alice finally realizes that her point of view is not always correct, and that her memories are fallible
The conclusion and the way the book ends is heartwarming and uplifting as well.
What I Didn't Like:
Alice. She's pretty strange throughout this book, and I didn't warm to her at all until the very end. She is messy (slovenly) without any real reason to be. She is so stuck in her beliefs about things that she absolutely refuses to look at another viewpoint. When some of the relationships she fosters don't work out, she gets angry and pouty and refuses to continue writing, I felt like her view was that she was "god" of these relationships and if they didn't work out exactly like she was envisioning, then it was all her fault. Get over yourself Alice.
The pacing is pretty uneven. There are long periods of description of the various relationships created from the stories. To the point where I was getting a little bored and wanted things to move forward. When things were actually moving, the story is engaging and intriguing, but there are many instances of wheels spinning and staying in one place too long.
I am not sure what to make of the whole Madeline storyline. I think I get it, but I'm not totally sure. It was definitely kind of "out there" and not very straightforward.
Overall, I enjoy this author's writing and feel like those who enjoy magical realism and fanciful stories will warm to this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Alice's best friend Gabby has gone through a terrible breakup. Alice wants to do something to help Gabby out of her deep depression, and from out of nowhere, Alice receives an image of a hummingbird. She feels compelled to write a story for Gabby featuring that hummingbird, and after Gabby reads the story, she meets Oliver and they fall in love. As the story gets passed from person to person, these people also fall in love almost immediately. Alice realizes that she has the gift to write a story for each person and they will fall in love, so she becomes a "Love Scribe." But is this a blessing, or is it a curse?
What I Liked:
The story overall is magical and fun. I love the idea and felt swept up in the various love stories.
When Alice finally realizes that her point of view is not always correct, and that her memories are fallible
The conclusion and the way the book ends is heartwarming and uplifting as well.
What I Didn't Like:
Alice. She's pretty strange throughout this book, and I didn't warm to her at all until the very end. She is messy (slovenly) without any real reason to be. She is so stuck in her beliefs about things that she absolutely refuses to look at another viewpoint. When some of the relationships she fosters don't work out, she gets angry and pouty and refuses to continue writing, I felt like her view was that she was "god" of these relationships and if they didn't work out exactly like she was envisioning, then it was all her fault. Get over yourself Alice.
The pacing is pretty uneven. There are long periods of description of the various relationships created from the stories. To the point where I was getting a little bored and wanted things to move forward. When things were actually moving, the story is engaging and intriguing, but there are many instances of wheels spinning and staying in one place too long.
I am not sure what to make of the whole Madeline storyline. I think I get it, but I'm not totally sure. It was definitely kind of "out there" and not very straightforward.
Overall, I enjoy this author's writing and feel like those who enjoy magical realism and fanciful stories will warm to this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
December 19, 2023
Had to think about what I wanted to rate this for a bit. It's more of a 4.5, but I rounded up because it deserves it. ❤️
February 27, 2023
Loved the premise and thought most of the story was fun, but found the twist of the Madeline storyline a disappointing let down.
Also, I just wasn't sold on Alice's love interest. Did he use her stories to get a lot of casual hook ups? Not a fan of that.
Also, I just wasn't sold on Alice's love interest. Did he use her stories to get a lot of casual hook ups? Not a fan of that.
April 20, 2023
The Love Scribe by Amy Meyerson is a unique story.
Alice, known as The Love Scribe, writes stories that match people to their true loves. Until she meets someone who she can't seem to write a story for.
A fun book full of surprises.
Alice, known as The Love Scribe, writes stories that match people to their true loves. Until she meets someone who she can't seem to write a story for.
A fun book full of surprises.
April 11, 2023
NOT my cup of tea. Or coffee. Or even vodka. In fact, it made me angry. Now, romance is not high on my list of genres to read - at all. I felt the book needed better editing, plug plot holes, and the ending was predictable so far ahead that it seemed senseless to finish the book. But, I did.
P.S. Oh, and reading this while I was eating my breakfast didn't help: "There’s no way I’m going near whatever that is.” She pointed to a bowl with a layer of cereal congealed to the bottom."
P.S. Oh, and reading this while I was eating my breakfast didn't help: "There’s no way I’m going near whatever that is.” She pointed to a bowl with a layer of cereal congealed to the bottom."
February 28, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a charming romance book that had a touch of magic mixed into it. I’m a lover of magic and the idea of someone being able to write person specific stories to read for themselves and once they do they are able to fall in love. Well I definitely would pay for those services.
It was a bit of a slow story though and it had zero spice.
The narration made the difference with Julia Whelen’s voice keeping me more interested than the story.
This was a charming romance book that had a touch of magic mixed into it. I’m a lover of magic and the idea of someone being able to write person specific stories to read for themselves and once they do they are able to fall in love. Well I definitely would pay for those services.
It was a bit of a slow story though and it had zero spice.
The narration made the difference with Julia Whelen’s voice keeping me more interested than the story.
February 12, 2023
Favorite Quotes:
There’s something about that story. I can’t explain it. It opened me up. Maria said the same thing. It was like being unfolded from the inside out, so the love could seep in.
“My gift? Gabby, the only thing I’m gifted at is quitting. I have a preternatural talent for giving up.” Gabby frowned. “All the more reason not to quit now. And for the record, I’ve never believed that about you. It’s just an excuse you’ve been telling yourself for years so you don’t have to pursue anything challenging.” She was a clever one, that Gabby. If Alice turned her down now, she’d be proving Gabby right.
Most people’s problems, Alice was beginning to discover, were pretty obvious. Everyone thinks they’re hiding their pain, their insecurities, their struggles. Really, most people are just so focused on their own issues that they aren’t particularly observant of others. If you stop for a second and look, really investigate someone, they unfold before you like a book. Most people, at least.
“Blame is its own form of grief.” Madeline scratched at the scar on her cheek. “It’s easier to feel guilty than to admit you’re helpless.
Do you always eat sandwiches like that?” … “Like you’re afraid of them. Like that—” he pointed to the piece she’d ripped off and was about to eat. “The entire point of a sandwich is that you can just take a bite.” He gnawed at his baguette like it was a turkey leg at a Renaissance fair.
He was tall and thin, with warm brown skin and a head so bald it shone. His chin was hidden by a neatly trimmed beard with a white patch shaped like a heart. When he caught Alice staring, he rubbed his palm against the spot. “Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves. I wear mine on my face.”
My Review:
Rereading the vast plethora of highlighted passages I saved during perusal reminded me of just how cleverly insightful and intricately nuanced this novel was. Amy Meyerson is such a nimble raconteur, I kept marveling at the creativity and vibrant details of the brain-snagging and mind-prickling scenes her words conjured. I was sucked into an oddly compelling vortex that kept me a bit on edge yet unable to look away for fear of missing a crumb. I felt on unsteady ground throughout the journey, and can’t remember the last time I enjoyed that peculiar unsettling feeling more.
There’s something about that story. I can’t explain it. It opened me up. Maria said the same thing. It was like being unfolded from the inside out, so the love could seep in.
“My gift? Gabby, the only thing I’m gifted at is quitting. I have a preternatural talent for giving up.” Gabby frowned. “All the more reason not to quit now. And for the record, I’ve never believed that about you. It’s just an excuse you’ve been telling yourself for years so you don’t have to pursue anything challenging.” She was a clever one, that Gabby. If Alice turned her down now, she’d be proving Gabby right.
Most people’s problems, Alice was beginning to discover, were pretty obvious. Everyone thinks they’re hiding their pain, their insecurities, their struggles. Really, most people are just so focused on their own issues that they aren’t particularly observant of others. If you stop for a second and look, really investigate someone, they unfold before you like a book. Most people, at least.
“Blame is its own form of grief.” Madeline scratched at the scar on her cheek. “It’s easier to feel guilty than to admit you’re helpless.
Do you always eat sandwiches like that?” … “Like you’re afraid of them. Like that—” he pointed to the piece she’d ripped off and was about to eat. “The entire point of a sandwich is that you can just take a bite.” He gnawed at his baguette like it was a turkey leg at a Renaissance fair.
He was tall and thin, with warm brown skin and a head so bald it shone. His chin was hidden by a neatly trimmed beard with a white patch shaped like a heart. When he caught Alice staring, he rubbed his palm against the spot. “Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves. I wear mine on my face.”
My Review:
Rereading the vast plethora of highlighted passages I saved during perusal reminded me of just how cleverly insightful and intricately nuanced this novel was. Amy Meyerson is such a nimble raconteur, I kept marveling at the creativity and vibrant details of the brain-snagging and mind-prickling scenes her words conjured. I was sucked into an oddly compelling vortex that kept me a bit on edge yet unable to look away for fear of missing a crumb. I felt on unsteady ground throughout the journey, and can’t remember the last time I enjoyed that peculiar unsettling feeling more.
January 6, 2023
I love a story that's nothing like one I've read before, and this was definitely one of those. The story focuses on Alice. After her friend Gabby's breakup, she writes a story to make her feel better. Then, in circumstances that are connected to this tale in real life, Gabby finds love. Alice writes another story, and it happens again and again and again. . . She is then commissioned to work with a reclusive woman, and this brings about all the questions and mystery. This one was so fascinating. I only wished there were more about the stories Alice was writing. I was so drawn into them, and I liked the twists and turns of these sub-stories within the greater story about Alice. All in all, this was a wonderful book to kick off my year of reading. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this February 2023 release!
March 19, 2023
I participate in a book retreat every year called Booktopia. It's put on by Northshire Bookstore in Vermont. Before attending, the booksellers announce the authors who are to be discussing their books. Amy Meyerson is one such author. I try to read all the books beforehand if possible. This is my first and quite frankly not my typical genre. Magical Realism (?) with romance added for good measure. To be honest, I was skeptical. But I was pleasantly surprised! I loved this book. The story was fun and mysterious. I definitely will be checking out this authors backlist.
April 11, 2023
* Габи вярваше, че болката от осъзнаването, че някой не е този, е по-сърцераздирателна от разочарованието от това, че някой не е успял да признае величието ти."
August 5, 2024
Not a fan.
April 4, 2023
Book 17 of 2023: 3.5 Stars Rounded Up
"A first line was like a first kiss. It embodied the promise of everything that could follow."
This entirely unique story is unlike any romance I've ever read. It's a medley of love -- in all its forms -- and a read that grows on you with each passing page.
The Love Scribe's action stars when our FMC, Alice, is suddenly struck one day with a powerful vision she can't get out of her head. Compelled to do something with this vivid imagery, she turns it into a short story for her heartbroken bestie, who after reading it, immediately falls in love. Convinced her newfound happiness is owed to the story, bestie passes it along to some of her other unlucky-in-love friends, and they end up with the exact same results:
"Five single people. Five readings of Alice's hummingbird tale. Five encounters. Five instant connections."
Soon, Alice has a long list of would-be clients ready to pay for her services. The problem? Alice doesn't believe in her "powers." Or even love for that matter. Well, at least where she's concerned. However, thanks to some coaxing from her love-fueled bestie, Alice eventually opens a business as a love scribe. Will she continue to help her readers fall in love? Will that love last forever? Is she responsible if it doesn't? And what about her happily ever after?
Brimming with beautiful mini stories sprinkled throughout the text and heavy elements of magical realism, The Love Scribe delivers a heartfelt yet haunting tale. The pacing wavers (at times) due to the delves into the many featured couple's romances, but I think it ties together well in the end.
I can't say much more without delving into spoilers, but I will say if you're looking for an engaging escape from the "rinse, wash, repeat" novels you've picked up in the past, give this lexical matchmaker a try.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Park Row for sending me an earc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"A first line was like a first kiss. It embodied the promise of everything that could follow."
This entirely unique story is unlike any romance I've ever read. It's a medley of love -- in all its forms -- and a read that grows on you with each passing page.
The Love Scribe's action stars when our FMC, Alice, is suddenly struck one day with a powerful vision she can't get out of her head. Compelled to do something with this vivid imagery, she turns it into a short story for her heartbroken bestie, who after reading it, immediately falls in love. Convinced her newfound happiness is owed to the story, bestie passes it along to some of her other unlucky-in-love friends, and they end up with the exact same results:
"Five single people. Five readings of Alice's hummingbird tale. Five encounters. Five instant connections."
Soon, Alice has a long list of would-be clients ready to pay for her services. The problem? Alice doesn't believe in her "powers." Or even love for that matter. Well, at least where she's concerned. However, thanks to some coaxing from her love-fueled bestie, Alice eventually opens a business as a love scribe. Will she continue to help her readers fall in love? Will that love last forever? Is she responsible if it doesn't? And what about her happily ever after?
Brimming with beautiful mini stories sprinkled throughout the text and heavy elements of magical realism, The Love Scribe delivers a heartfelt yet haunting tale. The pacing wavers (at times) due to the delves into the many featured couple's romances, but I think it ties together well in the end.
I can't say much more without delving into spoilers, but I will say if you're looking for an engaging escape from the "rinse, wash, repeat" novels you've picked up in the past, give this lexical matchmaker a try.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Park Row for sending me an earc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2023
what a strange ending. still processing this book + trying to figure it out. at times I was fully engrossed + other times, disinterested, waiting for it to be over. the book talked so much about Madeline but then when she was gone, breezed over it?? it took a genuinely confusing turn that I’m still trying to understand
Read
February 10, 2023
Title: The Love Scribe
Series: n/a
Author: Amy Meyerson
Release date: February 7, 2022
Cliffhanger: no
Genre: fantasy, magical realism
When I first read the synopsis for The Love Scribe, I was intrigued by the original sounding concept of a woman who could bring true love to people with her stories. This is something that I haven't come across before, so I was eager to give this one a shot. I didn't realize that there would be a magical, or sentient house involved. Coincidentally, the last book that I read just before this one also had a magical house. Reading this directly afterwards may have had a negative impact on my reaction to this story because The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone was a hard one to live up to. Maybe it had no affect at all. What I do know is that I didn't end up loving this as much as I hoped I would.
The main character, Alice is a commitment-phobe when it comes to dating, and her relationships with men are restricted to sexual only. She does everything in her power to maintain a safe distance from romantic feelings because of the loss of her father at a young age. Losing him hurt her deeply, and completely reshaped her world view. The fear of going through the heartache she and her mother experienced again as an adult actually terrifies her. So she picks men who want a simple physical release as she does, thinking she's keeping herself safe from harm.
Now, at thirty-two, Alice still believed in love—just for other people. Never for herself. Some people do not have the discipline to train to be a concert pianist. Others do not have the bravery to be a stunt person. Alice simply did not have the constitution for love.
I think the fact that she was so scared of meaningful, romantic relationships (to the point of pushing all thoughts of it out of her mind) made her sudden magical "love guru" persona less believable to me. How is it that someone so disconnected to the idea of love for herself going to aid others in their desperate search for it? It all just seemed to happen very suddenly-one minute she avoided it like the plague, the next she could read people's mistakes in love after a brief meeting/talk and write them something to bring love knocking on their door.
Everyone thinks they’re hiding their pain, their insecurities, their struggles. Really, most people are just so focused on their own issues that they aren’t particularly observant of others. If you stop for a second and look, really investigate someone, they unfold before you like a book.
This didn't have the most realistic edge to it. Granted, this is supposed to magical realism, so there is a level of fantasy to it. But the logistics need to make sense in order for me to be swept away in the story and believe. Also, she never seemed to derive much joy from the whole process. It was pushed on her by her best friend and mother who both begged her to help people with her gift. She was conflicted from the beginning, unsure of herself, and scared to embrace the gift so many potential clients were lining up for.
I found the pace of the story to be quite slow. I had to push myself to continue reading and often would skim through some of the many sections describing all of the different clients' love stories. I know that the author probably wanted these to be deep, profound stories that encapsulated love from many different perspectives. For me, it made the story have a rambling, scattered feel about all of these people's experiences that made the story drag.
I liked her love interest, Duncan, though he did not have a very prominent place in the story. He was seen very little, and mostly discussed when Alice would try to push her attraction to him out of her mind. She didn't really know much about him because they only hung out a couple of times. He seemed like a good man, however there wasn't enough time with him on the page to really get to know who he was as a character. When the big conflict with him happened later on in the book over his perceived betrayal, I couldn't help but feel that he was being treated a little unfairly. Alice literally did the same exact thing he did to Madeline in order to try to learn her secrets. She completely cut Duncan out of her life because of his actions, but Madeline didn't mind Alice's deception, so apparently that made it acceptable? Alice was quite sneaky and broke her promises as well so you would think that would have at least entered her mind when she was refusing to speak to him.
Madeline was mysterious, as was her house out in the woods. I didn't feel that the magic of the house was adequately explained by the end. I guess we can all take what we want from it, but personally I would have liked to have seen more of a backstory regarding the existence of the house and why it did what it did at the end.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. Not absolutely horrible, but I did find myself picking the story apart in my head and I ended it feeling unsatisfied in general. I did appreciate how unique the storyline was, it just wasn't executed in a way that I loved. I thought I was going to rate this three stars, but after writing my review I realize it's more in the 2 star range. It looks like I'm in the minority though, so don't dismiss it outright based on my own subjective take.
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August 2, 2024
Audiobooks are a rarity in the summer for me without having a commute.
The Love Scribe by Amy Meyerson was one of my rare listens. I started it one and then out of no where I found myself unable to stop listening.
In this magical contemporary world a woman realizes if she writes a love story about someone they find the love of their life. This makes her a love scribe for hire. A wealthy older woman asks her to meet and possibly write her a story. It may unravel everything she’s known about being a love scribe.
❤️Review❤️
I often rate based on feelings and experience. The fact I couldn’t put it down meant I couldn’t give it less than 4 stars because there clearly was something that had me entranced. However I don’t see this as being a book that will have a lasting impact one me. I don’t think I’ll be reflective or think about it again, but in the moment it was exactly what I needed from a book. Can’t complain about that. Magical and thoughtful about love and living a meaningful life.
4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Bookstagram #BookReview #ReadingBooks #BooksBooksBooks #MagicalRealism #ReadingBooks #Contemporary #AudioBooks #Hoopla #ContemporaryBooks #Fiction
The Love Scribe by Amy Meyerson was one of my rare listens. I started it one and then out of no where I found myself unable to stop listening.
In this magical contemporary world a woman realizes if she writes a love story about someone they find the love of their life. This makes her a love scribe for hire. A wealthy older woman asks her to meet and possibly write her a story. It may unravel everything she’s known about being a love scribe.
❤️Review❤️
I often rate based on feelings and experience. The fact I couldn’t put it down meant I couldn’t give it less than 4 stars because there clearly was something that had me entranced. However I don’t see this as being a book that will have a lasting impact one me. I don’t think I’ll be reflective or think about it again, but in the moment it was exactly what I needed from a book. Can’t complain about that. Magical and thoughtful about love and living a meaningful life.
4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Bookstagram #BookReview #ReadingBooks #BooksBooksBooks #MagicalRealism #ReadingBooks #Contemporary #AudioBooks #Hoopla #ContemporaryBooks #Fiction
April 18, 2024
A uniquely captivating, beautiful and different story. A New author read for me. Well done. I loved it and could not put it down!
March 21, 2023
I really enjoy a story about books, bookstores or authors and this one fit the bill. It is also very different from anything I have read before. Alice's best friend Gabby is devastated after a breakup. To cheer her up, Gabby writes her a story about meeting someone new. Once Gabby reads the story, she meets someone similar to the events in the story and she tells friends about Alice's magical talent. Alice begins to write stories for friends and family and they all find love. Through word of mouth, Alice stumbles upon a new calling—to be a love scribe. She begins to advertise and charge for her stories. When a reclusive woman, Madeline Alger, commissions a story, Alice is stumped. She doesn't know much about Madeline and she is unwilling to share. Alice snoops around and finds out that Madeline is also a Love Scribe, but her books are changing colour. Alice and Madeline begin an odyssey to find out what happened to the couples in Madeline's books that have changed colour. While this is all happening, Alice, who had no intention to find love, meets and falls for the book binder who binds her stories. Will Alice find her own happily ever after? What will happen to the couples that both Madeline and Alice have helped meet?
This was a very interesting story and very different from what I was expecting. I enjoyed both storylines, and was rooting for Alice to find her own love story. The magic was inferred as the stories Alice writes come true, or cause the reader/recipient to find love. As Alice begins to doubt her stories, I wanted Madeline to just go away and leave her alone. I was so drawn into the stories and would have liked more time to be spent on the ones that Alice wrote, perhaps some vignettes. As they investigated to find out what had happened to Madeline's couples, there was some mystery, twists and turns in the lives of the recipients of the stories. As the description says, The Love Scribe explores love, fate and the power of stories when we choose to believe in them. I enjoyed this book and will watch for more by Amy Meyerson. The narration of this audiobook was performed by Julia Whelan. As always, I enjoy the books she narrates and this one added to my enjoyment of the story. I was able to do a read/listen, but I definitely enjoyed the narration more. I recommend this book to those who enjoy some magical realism, love, books about authors and romance.
This was a very interesting story and very different from what I was expecting. I enjoyed both storylines, and was rooting for Alice to find her own love story. The magic was inferred as the stories Alice writes come true, or cause the reader/recipient to find love. As Alice begins to doubt her stories, I wanted Madeline to just go away and leave her alone. I was so drawn into the stories and would have liked more time to be spent on the ones that Alice wrote, perhaps some vignettes. As they investigated to find out what had happened to Madeline's couples, there was some mystery, twists and turns in the lives of the recipients of the stories. As the description says, The Love Scribe explores love, fate and the power of stories when we choose to believe in them. I enjoyed this book and will watch for more by Amy Meyerson. The narration of this audiobook was performed by Julia Whelan. As always, I enjoy the books she narrates and this one added to my enjoyment of the story. I was able to do a read/listen, but I definitely enjoyed the narration more. I recommend this book to those who enjoy some magical realism, love, books about authors and romance.
February 4, 2023
Love the title and cover of this one! Not your typical love story! Very original! Different that anything I have read due to the magical realism. Several sub-stories that tie into the bigger story. This book wasn't really for me but I think its well down and others will love it! Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy of this book!
February 5, 2023
Words are powerful and what if you had the ability to make people fall in love simply by writing a story.
Alice seems to be gifted with just that power. Stories she writes has people falling in love in a short turnaround time.
I liked,the concept of the book but I found Alice to be quite one dimensional. I thought the dialogue was a bit dry too.
I liked Gabby the best because she finally realized her own self worth and wasn’t relying on someone else to define her.
Thanks to Park Row and NetGalley for the advance read.
Alice seems to be gifted with just that power. Stories she writes has people falling in love in a short turnaround time.
I liked,the concept of the book but I found Alice to be quite one dimensional. I thought the dialogue was a bit dry too.
I liked Gabby the best because she finally realized her own self worth and wasn’t relying on someone else to define her.
Thanks to Park Row and NetGalley for the advance read.
July 26, 2023
It has been days since I have finished this book. And I still don't know how I truly felt about it. But what I do know - the ending totally caught me by surprise. Whatever it was that happened, it was not what I was expecting. And for an author to throw me so off balance - in a good way - it has to be some amazing writing. My suggestion is to read this not knowing much about it. It will be a fun ride.
September 21, 2024
Cute, lighthearted read.
April 14, 2023
I enjoyed this book, though it was not without flaws. The fantastical idea that drives the plot is certainly an original one, and I found it intriguing. The structure of the story was compelling—having a linear main plot and featuring little side quests to uncover the stories of lovers who have been inspired by scribes—so I found myself wanting to return to it regularly. And there was a certain eeriness that the author managed to cultivate, showing that Alice’s gift certainly has some dark elements to it, even with all the hope it engenders.
That said, while I enjoyed most of the characters, there were a couple that were not fleshed out fully. And some of Alice’s musings about love were more trite than profound.
Still I’m glad to have read it.
3.5 stars.
That said, while I enjoyed most of the characters, there were a couple that were not fleshed out fully. And some of Alice’s musings about love were more trite than profound.
Still I’m glad to have read it.
3.5 stars.
July 20, 2024
The Love Scribe by Amy Meyerson is not a book you binge read. It's a book you read and let yourself become enveloped by the story. It's truly magical. You want to pace yourself so that the story never ends and you miss no word. It's a story of not believing in love for yourself, but giving others a way to find theirs. Even if one specific thing doesn't lead the person directly to love, love will be found along the way. Whatever is meant to be, will be.
August 8, 2023
Amy has done it again! I have read all 3 of her books now and they are all fabulous. They keep you interested with all the twists and turns she puts in them. You can't go wrong with reading any of her books!! Highly recommend!!
March 10, 2023
Thank you to Edelweiss, Park Row, & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
Sometimes magical realism doesn't work, and sometimes it works AMAZINGLY.
...and then, sometimes, it works really well even though you're not sure what you just read (??) but you know that you'll think about it for years to come (!!) and there are parts you don't really know why you liked so much but you know that you did and the book left an indelible mark on you (!!) but if you were told to explain it to someone or face unimaginable consequences you would just be sitting there like (??) "Ok, so, well, um, this book was amazing and you should read it."
^ That's kind of like what reading this book was like.
I requested an advanced copy of this on a whim a couple days before publication date because I thought it would be fun to read right before Valentine's Day, and while I was definitely right, it wasn't in ways that I expected.
Honestly, it really and truly is hard to describe, but I know the following things: I loved the writing (a lot). I really liked the characters. I loved the way her books and writing process were described. I loved how much I didn't "understand," while also knowing in my bones that I fully GOT this book and this story. And for someone that doesn't typically love when books end the way that this one does ... I loved that too.
Q: Should you read it?
A: Totally.
Q: Why?
A: Um, well, because of all the things I said up there. ^ Don't make me try to explain this again because honestly it can only get more confusing if I keep going.
Content Warnings:
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
Sometimes magical realism doesn't work, and sometimes it works AMAZINGLY.
...and then, sometimes, it works really well even though you're not sure what you just read (??) but you know that you'll think about it for years to come (!!) and there are parts you don't really know why you liked so much but you know that you did and the book left an indelible mark on you (!!) but if you were told to explain it to someone or face unimaginable consequences you would just be sitting there like (??) "Ok, so, well, um, this book was amazing and you should read it."
^ That's kind of like what reading this book was like.
I requested an advanced copy of this on a whim a couple days before publication date because I thought it would be fun to read right before Valentine's Day, and while I was definitely right, it wasn't in ways that I expected.
Honestly, it really and truly is hard to describe, but I know the following things: I loved the writing (a lot). I really liked the characters. I loved the way her books and writing process were described. I loved how much I didn't "understand," while also knowing in my bones that I fully GOT this book and this story. And for someone that doesn't typically love when books end the way that this one does ... I loved that too.
Q: Should you read it?
A: Totally.
Q: Why?
A: Um, well, because of all the things I said up there. ^ Don't make me try to explain this again because honestly it can only get more confusing if I keep going.
Content Warnings:
May 25, 2024
I don't think Amy Meyerson (aka Alice Meadows let's be real) should be scribing about love.
August 4, 2024
Alice accidently discoveres she had a literary gift. When she writes a story for someone, the recipient quickly falls in love. Word gets out and Alice’s services are much sought after. She is a love scribe. However, not all of her marchs last. Some fizzle, others implode, still others are taken down by the green-eyed monster. This give Alice pause.
The Love Scribe is a philosophical treatise on love. What is it? Who deserves it? What makes it sucessful? How is one responsible for their own love story? Is love finite? Such a clever, imaginative and thought provoking story.
The Love Scribe is a philosophical treatise on love. What is it? Who deserves it? What makes it sucessful? How is one responsible for their own love story? Is love finite? Such a clever, imaginative and thought provoking story.
January 5, 2024
The Love Scribe was a pleasantly surprising read for me. FMC Alice is hit with a special gift very suddenly one day. She has a vision and must write it down and give it to the person destined to receive it and they will find instant love! But, not all love stories are ever lasting. This is something Alice and her recipients find out along the way.
This novel was wonderfully magical and explored all forms of love which at times was very emotional.
Alice was a great FMC, and the story of mysterious Madeline kept me guessing and intrigued throughout.
Will Alice, The Love Scribe, find love for herself along the way?
Thank-you to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia and Amy Meyerson for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This novel was wonderfully magical and explored all forms of love which at times was very emotional.
Alice was a great FMC, and the story of mysterious Madeline kept me guessing and intrigued throughout.
Will Alice, The Love Scribe, find love for herself along the way?
Thank-you to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia and Amy Meyerson for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2023
Where do I even start with this amazing magical realism book? When Alice's best friend has yet another horrible breakup, Alice wants to make her feel better by writing her a letter, the way she used to when they were young. Instead, she finds herself writing a story and as if by magic, Gabby meets the man of her dreams.
Soon, Alice is writing stories for everyone as her gift pours from her. When she is sent a letter that brings her to a mysterious mansion, she meets Madeline who wants to have a special story written for her. Alice is forced to deal with her own past in order to move forward. This is one of the contemporary fiction books for book clubs we have read and absolutely loved. It is perfect for Fiction Books about Writers and a perfect book for summer reads 2023.
Soon, Alice is writing stories for everyone as her gift pours from her. When she is sent a letter that brings her to a mysterious mansion, she meets Madeline who wants to have a special story written for her. Alice is forced to deal with her own past in order to move forward. This is one of the contemporary fiction books for book clubs we have read and absolutely loved. It is perfect for Fiction Books about Writers and a perfect book for summer reads 2023.
June 27, 2024
This book was so out of my comfort zone! I read it for a bookclub otherwise I likely wouldn’t have picked it up.
I think it may go down as one of the worst books I’ve ever read but it definitely made for an entertaining bookclub
The story has an interesting premise but it was so poorly executed and that ending was just a shocker! The relationships and friendships are toxic and there doesn’t seem to be one heathy relationship in the whole book!
I’d recommend if you’re looking for a laugh but I definitely wouldn’t pick this up if you’re looking for an enjoyable read.
I think it may go down as one of the worst books I’ve ever read but it definitely made for an entertaining bookclub
The story has an interesting premise but it was so poorly executed and that ending was just a shocker! The relationships and friendships are toxic and there doesn’t seem to be one heathy relationship in the whole book!
I’d recommend if you’re looking for a laugh but I definitely wouldn’t pick this up if you’re looking for an enjoyable read.
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