Book Review: Love, Literally

Reviewed by Jaylynn Korrell

A witty quarantine love story set in a mansion with a dashing British Lit professor

Author J.T. Tierney gathers two couples and two singles into one big house in a New England paradise in Love, Literally. And the results are nothing short of surprising. With humor and intellect, this romance demonstrates the true building blocks of loving relationships.

When Hallie is invited to stay at a mansion in Cape Cod, it doesn’t take her very long to accept. Recently broken up with, out of work, and abandoned by her roommate, she’s more than up for a change of scenery. 

Hallie, two other couples, and an alluring 6th wheel start their quarantine journey at a beautiful mansion in Cape Cod. Quinn, a 50-something British Professor, isn’t exactly looking for love, but when he meets the other single in the house neither can deny the magnetic attraction between them. As they build a relationship that feels impenetrable in their cozy compound, they soon realize that the outside world isn’t as simple as their quarantine oasis. Old love interests, new job prospects, and some unwelcoming family members pose as roadblocks for this new pair, as their affection attempts to stand the test of time. 

Don’t let the title fool you, Love, Literally isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. And that’s a good thing. Don’t expect an overwhelming amount of intimate scenes or cozy mornings in bed here. Love, Literally focuses more on the fundamental groundwork that goes into creating an unbreakable bond. It also dives into the realities of dating later in life and navigating the balance between personal and joint life goals. 

Hallie and Quinn’s relationship is built on intellectual banter, so lovers of words and literature will get a kick out of this romance. They feed off of each other’s intellect and their ability to bounce puns and references back and forth like a high-stakes tennis match. With such a natural chemistry, they’re able to confide in each other in a way that they never have with anyone else. Do things get steamy? Yes, occasionally. But readers will get a lot more of the building blocks in this love story, which makes it that much more intimate. 

Their age also plays a big part in this book, as both love interests are already well-established as individuals. Hallie is in her early 40s and Quinn in his 50s. We start with such strong people that are open to diving deeper into themselves and who are often unapologetic about the way they naturally are. 

Hallie has a quick-witted response for nearly everything, and while it is definitely funny at certain beats, at others, it can feel over the top. Her character reminds me of a more intense version of Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. She comes in hot as the story begins with a few crude and kind-of awkward jokes, but luckily, her love interest enjoys them. Quinn seems to hang on to every single response that Hallie spews and is clearly smitten with her from the get.

While the love story takes center stage, my favorite relationships in the book are among the women. Hallie and her best friend Maria are written perfectly as two great friends who have been through a lot together in their twenty-year relationship. I also enjoyed Maria’s individual chapters and her personal struggles. The ways she deals with the guilt of being wealthy while maintaining relationships with her rich friends is an eye-opening perspective. I also loved her relationship with her daughter Joli and the ride they get taken for in this book. For being a secondary character, Maria really jumps off the page as a relatable mother, friend, and woman.

There is a feeling of relaxation that accompanies this book. The serene Cape Cod setting is a wonderful fit for this funny romance. Rather than the standard summer environment that most people think of when imagining Cape Cod, this story takes place in the off-season, giving everything a slowed-down and intimate feeling. Tierney describes her settings seamlessly: from Chatham to Nantucket to Provincetown and Boston. I lived in the area briefly, and it made me feel happy to return to the authentic depictions.

Looking for realistic love in an ideal setting and characters who love books in your romance? Love, Literally is the one for you.

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