Book Review: Love on the Shelf by Sheila Roberts

 

If you relish the enemies-to-lovers romance trope, you need to grab a copy of Love on the Shelf by Sheila Roberts. 

It's a battle of the sexes when romance bookstore co-owner Alice Willoughby matches wits with romance-bashing shock jock Parker Black. Turned off from love and happily-ever-after stories by his romance novelist ex-girlfriend, he takes aim at the entire genre. Spirited debates and bookstore protests follow, but clearly the sparks are flying between Parker and Alice, making her wonder if her favorite enemies-to-lovers trope is playing out in real life. 

I think I have a new favorite novel by romance mastermind Sheila Roberts. I'm not even the biggest fan of enemies-to-lovers stories, but this one is so well done, so entertaining, and so real that I enjoyed every minute of it. From Chapter 1 to the Epilogue, I didn't want Alice and Parker's story to end. 

In addition to Alice and Parker, Roberts created an entire cast of memorable characters that live within the world of HEA Books and station KWOW: Nola, Bettina, Lina, Scarlet and her husband Mark, Jenny Riddle, Jeremy Riddle, and Jay Barker leave you yearning for more of these characters. It's amazing when an author creates so many characters you love in one story, but Roberts pulls it off magnificently. If I could, I would go back and read Love on the Shelf all over again.

Fans of rom-coms, enemies-to-lovers stories, and second chances will want to dive right into Love on the Shelf. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ MIRA
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 26, 2026
• Edition ‏ : ‎ Original
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0778305821
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0778305828

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - June 15

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. 

Happy Monday, everyone! I am back, kinda, sorta. Life is probably going to kick my behind until we leave for North Carolina at the end of the month, but I will do my best to stay connected to all of you, whom I truly treasure. 

In the time since I've been away, I've co-taught my first real estate class, moved most of the Lil' Princess' things to her new apartment, and listed six properties with three more on the way. I have six pending sales, too, which is why my blogging time is so limited. I thank you for sticking with me as I caught up visiting your blogs and leaving comments. 

Here are a few photos:

Old Orchard Beach Inn

A Free Little Library down the street from the Inn

Moving day

The Lil' Diva's dance recital on June 13

Sunday with the zoo

In my reading world, I have two reviews that I need to write. I have an hour left of the audiobook, Digital Detox for Remote Workers: Reclaim Your Focus, Productivity, and Work-Life Balance in the Digital Age by Dr. Guenter H. Schamel. It's great, but it can be hard to follow some of the exercises and examples while driving. 

I didn't finish The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller in time, but I was able to download it again. Hopefully, I can finish it this time. 

I need to finish The Ledger by Steven Manchester, a companion to his novel The Menu. 

I didn't pick up The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles, but it will come on vacation with us.

I started Love on the Shelf by Sheila Roberts, which came out in May. This will come on vacation with us. 

Staged by Caitlin Rother, which is the sequel to Hooked. Wanted to have it finished this month. Not likely, but will definitely keep reading. 

These are next:

The Ghost and the Key is the first book in Bill Cusano's The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club series. I am reading this series this summer. 

The second book of The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club is The Widow Murderess. 

Book three is The Sparrow and the Crow. All of these are July reviews. 

Massawa by Pam Weber is a book that I will take on vacation with me in July. 

Joyce McCullough sent me a copy of Max and Her Stacks and Look for the Pink Ribbons to review. 

Photo credit: Freepik

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

Nothing new! I am trying to behave. Not sure what will happen once I am in North Carolina. We tend to visit bookstores. 

Upcoming Events

The Ledger by Steven Manchester - June (Review)

Staged by Caitlin Rother - June (Review)

The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Ghost and the Key by Bill Cusano - July 1 (Review)

The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Widow Murderess by Bill Cusano - July 8 (Review)

The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Sparrow and the Crow by Bill Cusano - July 10 (Review)

Massawa by Pam Weber - July (Review)

Love on the Shelf by Sheila Roberts - (Review)

Christmas Year Round

Last week's Journey through Christmases Past was about Christmas 2020. You can find it here.

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

 Nothing new this week, but will be reviewing Joyce's books soon.

Laura's Little Houses

Nothing new this week. Likely won't be until vacation time in July. 

That's it for me. I will do my best to check out your blogs later this evening. I have inspections at a property an hour away, so not sure how quickly I will be back at my desk. Enjoy your day!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - May 25

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. 

Welcome back to Monday. Hope you enjoyed your week.

We are expecting a wet Memorial Day. At least I don't have to water the garden. Our son also turns 39 today. Not sure how that happened since I am only 25. LOL! Crazy how quickly time flies. 

Not many pictures from last week because I was working my tail off. I have numerous listings coming, plus two closings in early June. 

Something caught Theo's eye on our walk.

The phlox is coming in nicely this year.

You will find Travis wherever there is an empty box.

As far as reading goes, I finished Scrap: Salvaging a Family by Luann Castle last week. You can see my review here. 

I also finished Co-Created: The Cultural Strategy That Redefined Pacsun by Brieane Olson. You can read my review here. 

I continued The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller. I am quickly running out of NetGalley time. 

Need to write a review of Hi Honey, I'm Homo: Sitcoms, Specials, and the Queering of American Culture by Matt Baume. 

I will pick up The Ledger by Steven Manchester, a companion to his novel The Menu, this week. 

I started The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles.

These are next:

Staged by Caitlin Rother, which is the sequel to Hooked

Love on the Shelf by Sheila Roberts comes out later this month. 

The Ghost and the Key is the first book in Bill Cusano's The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club series. I am reading this series this summer. 

The second book of The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club is The Widow Murderess. 

Book three is The Sparrow and the Crow. All of these are July reviews. 

Massawa by Pam Weber is a book that I will take on vacation with me in July. 

Photo credit: Freepik

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

Do you know what happens when you agree to be on a launch team and then your work schedule gets out of control? This is my life right now. 

The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles arrived on Friday. I am two chapters in and loving it. 

I visited the library on Wednesday and saw The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson. Not that I will have any time to read it, but I might at least skim it before I need to bring it back to the library.

Joyce McCullough sent me a copy of Max and Her Stacks to review. 

Upcoming Events

The Ledger by Steven Manchester - May (Review)

Fighter Pilot's Daughter by Mary Lawlor - June 10 (Guest Post)

Staged by Cailtin Rother - June (Review)

The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Ghost and the Key by Bill Cusano - July 1 (Review)

The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Widow Murderess by Bill Cusano - July 8 (Review)

The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club: The Sparrow and the Crow by Bill Cusano - July 10 (Review)

Massawa by Pam Weber - July (Review)

Love on the Shelf by Sheila Roberts - (Review)

Christmas Year Round

This week's Journey through Christmases Past is all about the red, white, and blue at Christmastime. You can read it here.

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

 Nothing new this week, but I have that new children's book to read. 

Laura's Little Houses

Nothing new this week. 

That is it from me. Hope you enjoy your day!