reading tiktok romance books instead of working on my thesis (reading vlog)

this is the sage of me finishing up my final thesis, while keeping my head cool and destressing with some fun romance books! of course i had to give tiktok's favourite romance author Emily Henry a try so in this reading vlog im reviewing Beach Read, You and Me on Vacation (or People we meet on vacation in US) and Book Lovers!
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Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 24 year old girl who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave). I live in the Netherlands and go to university, but make booktube videos in my spare time :)
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[@Lokster71]

I really want someone to write a book that about a man and a woman having a life long friendship. Maybe one that starts looking like a romance but the two people realise they'd be better friends than lovers and the rest of the book is just them being support for each other through various things.

[@tabeafranke3549]

Just kids by Patti Smith kinda has that going for it

[@lovemexicanfood]

@@tabeafranke3549 yeah, that's a good recommendation

[@bertagalindo1392]

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow is literally that and it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year!!!!!

[@luiiiandmovieee]

I think of radio silence by Alice Oseman

[@Zivilin]

Yeah, I wish there was more books with just platonic relationships. Especially fantasy books. Not every fantasy book need a romance sub plot.

[@user-qu8zs7vs1x]

I love how descriptive you are when you explain why you like or dislike certain parts of a book. It makes me understand what that book is about so much better than if you just said it's fantastic. Some booktubers tend to describe books just by their plot or by how much they liked them, but you talk about patterns, sub plots, pacing, etc. which is not that common. One of my favourite booktubers !

[@venuso6260]

"the idea of being really close platonic friends with someone on to then find out that the other person had like an ulterior motive and was in love with you the whole time, I just don't find that very romantic I just really don't like that" 17:35 totally agree!! though I don't think I have as strong feelings with this, I've noticed I much prefer it when, if it's friends to lovers, it be a slowburn where BOTH characters end up developing feelings towards each other around the same pace. I really dislike the trope of friends to lovers where one character has actually been in love with the other the whole entire time.

[@meggiep.2848]

absolutely same!!! when a friendship develops mutually into more I find that adorable, but when it's just one of them who has been in love with the other and the other wasn't/isn't (and maybe even expressed that) it gives me a major ick (doesn't help that I've been the one without romantic feelings in a situation like this before, and my friend was ..... kinda creepy about it. We're not friends anymore 😅)

[@krystinay]

THANK YOU I've had this happen to me a couple times and it's heartbreaking when you find out that that's all they want from you and the moment they find out you're not interested that way, it's done

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

The idea of reading instead of working is very relatable to me 😅

[@alhamdullilah95]

Things i love about this video : the editing, the book talk, Leonie waving that knife like it's nothing, the discussion about the romance genre, the anxiety i felt when Leonie talked about doing her presentation, the explanation on the board.

[@vanessamiranda8391]

I'm currently reading Book Lovers and one thing that I'm really enjoying about it is the dialogue. The banter between the characters is so much fun, always puts a smile on my face.

[@BRhymesss]

Emily Henry does banter so well!

[@siewitnessnews]

@@BRhymesss Came here to say this, her banter is top tier.

[@Solip_i]

I used to love « ennemies to lovers » trope when I was a teen but now that I’m in my late 20s (28) I feel that it’s just so toxic everytime… And so unrelatable too like seriously… who fall in love with his/her enemy IRL ? Don’t know anyone… it’s just not healthy in my opinion and of course books are books but I just realized now that I’m older that I fancy reading more about healthy relationships (when I’m reading romance obviously). That’s why friends to lovers appeal me more… even tho I agree with you that friendship btw men and women shouldn’t end up or don’t have always to end up in romantic relationship. I only read « books lovers » from Emily Henry and I don’t know, I almost DNF It.. it wasn’t bad but I wasn’t into it that much unfortunately..

[@chelsey8737]

I have never ever enjoyed hate to lovers or enemies to lovers books and no matter how many times people tell me "this is the book that will make you fall in love with it" I hate it every single time. It's just not my thing and I hate that I can't find very many book influencers that also don't read that because I find that every person that I watch recommends enemies to lovers. Please give me something new 😭 rivals to lovers is usually fine but I cant stand when it gets mean or toxic

[@renad-ne3mm]

I'm 19 and i totally agree with you. Enemies to lover just seems to me so toxic and most of the time is not done well and crosses HUGE red flags

[@Solip_i]

@@renad-ne3mm so good that you re already thinking that way at 19 ! 👊🏻

[@renad-ne3mm]

@@Solip_i that's so nice, thank you.

[@isaa1782]

Not necessarily an enemies to lovers fan but more rivals to lovers. I think in certain cases it can be done well, especially if it's more competing with each other and having prejudices that are proven wrong slowly. Or if just circumstances surrounding them make them "enemies" without them choosing it themselves and they overcome what their environment (for whatever reason) told them to think/feel. But I feel like toxic relationships are a big problem, not just with this trope but within romance in general

[@SabinesBookNook]

3:23 tell me you’re Dutch without telling me you’re Dutch… BROODJE PINDAKAAS

[@Firefly07]

I just like it when two characters are really close and get each other and then slowly at the same time sort of stumble haphazardly into falling in love with each other. I don’t know if that sounds bad but sometimes you just realize, “holy shit, I love this person” all of a sudden and I think it’s sweet

[@clairiglesias9903]

I NEED MORE BOOKS OF THIS PLZ!!

[@livnatkafka9017]

Your friends to lovers guide is perfect IMO I'm totally not biased by the fact that's how my partner and I started dating 😅 if any one has recommendation on books that follow this structure I would love to hear it

[@lindieriksen1968]

I’m a Emily Henry stan, and while I liked People We Meet on Vacation, it wasn’t a new favorite and is my least favorite Henry book. I realized friends to lovers rarely works for me because one of my favorite aspects of a romance is seeing the two characters falling in love. It’s so intoxicating, and this is rarely the forefront of this trope!

[@subaitatasnim]

Leonie simping for Gus and wondering what went wrong is the most relatable thing ever😂

[@blackanne]

Why do you think there has to be an ulterior motive to a friends to lovers? Can't they just both be platonic friends and both at some point develop feelings towards each other for example due to some bonding event?

[@Diana-gf1cm]

In the Friends-to-Lovers guide, you basically just described Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating! 😂

[@lyrasinghh]

ohmygod this is exactly what i was thinking!

[@lovemexicanfood]

As someone who reads a lot of sad "serious" books, I can attest that happy feel good books are important

[@vasilianna405]

I love how you are experimenting with the editing, especially the hand drawn theater is stunning !! This was very entertaining thank youu

[@orsettomorbido]

First thing first, CONGRATULATIONS! I applauded when you sent it for the last time. YAY! Yeah, it's such a draining process that the positive emotions will start to present themselves a bit later down the line XD Hope that Rome helped with that! -- Oh gosh, as a demisexual/romantic person i have to chime in on the idea at 17:34. Yes. Sometimes people are shitty and never disclose their romantic interest so every time that comes out, the majority of people feel tricked. I would hate that too, I suppose. But THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE! I would also argue that's not "friends to lovers" but "liar to omg, I have to accept that i got tricked and date this person". F that, it's horrible. Confess ASAP, accept the rejection and MOVE ON. Mainly in the case of us demi people (but also sometimes this works for allosexual/romantic people! Love is not something that works only within one predetermined script structure), that's not what happens. The friendship is genuine. We just happen (SOMETIMES, not always!) to develop a crush after knowing the other person well. Being seen as a trickster just because the majority of people are assholes and liars hurts so bad. 27:45 I really, physically and mentally, can't understand the idea of DATING someone that you don't know just because the one-three times you saw them you found them physically attractive and MAYBE interesting/funny. Without a crush that's based on MORE than what you can learn about them in such a short period of time.

[@car5522]

I also generally don't prefer Friends to Lovers, but I find that it is more interesting and palatable to me when the friends to lovers is used in a gay romance. Like you mentioned, with straight romance and this trope, it goes with the idea that close opposite gender friendship ends up in romance. But then a gay romance is kinda flipped.

[@ollieb.9731]

The only friends to lovers books I've liked is childhood friends who lost touch then remeet as adults and fall for each other. Love that 💛💛 Also loved your analysis of the trope!!

[@randombibliophile3686]

Omg! Book lovers is my most favourite romance read so far . ❤️ And yes i LOVE the grumpy- grumpy character trope. 🥰

[@ranaabuzeid2831]

your guide to friends to lovers really made me think of Josh and Hazels guide to not dating !! maybe you will actually like that one. match makers, initial attractions, very strong prejudice against why they cant be together, dual pov.

[@SnorriSnibble]

"The only thing I can get myself to do now in my free time is to re-watch B99 for the 10024th time" I have never felt more called out 💀

[@MirlieTheCat]

Oh my God, the tab closing. Truely, hitting submit was one thing, but finally just closing all. Those. Bloody. Tabs 😂🤣 Congrats on finishing the thesis 🙌

[@mahnoorathar]

The friends to lovers presentation is so fun 😄... I don't hate you and me on vacation but it is definitely my least favourite Emily Henry book

[@AExplorer888]

Sometimes that is one of the reasons to read a book. The life of character is harder than mine.

[@Justteenager]

OMG, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU ARE DUTCH! I am too! So happy to find out my favorite youtuber lives somewhere near me!

[@binarytrash]

This was literally me 6 months ago. Now I want to avoid work and keep reading but I can’t cause they’re paying me :)

[@EmilyKathrynH]

Lol “it’s done I guess” is exactly how I reacted when I submitted my thesis a few weeks ago. Congrats!!!

[@laurenalexander5667]

You're one of my favorite book-tubers cause of shit like this, I 100% would read all of Emily Henry's books before finishing my thesis

[@plantemor]

Your friends too lovers list is basically a generalization of how my boyfriend and I ended up together, lol. Very nice and chill video. :D May your future be bright!

[@pendragon2012]

Yay, the video is early this week! I agree that it sucks that "realistic fiction" seems to only mean the bad parts of reality. I've been putting off work too but sadly I must report to the school to prep for the new year of teaching starting tomorrow! Thanks for taking us along, Leonie! Congrats on being almost done!

[@bellamcleod9046]

As soon as you mentioned loving the matchmakers aspect of friends to lovers I though of Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating! If you haven’t read it already you definitely should as I think it’s an AMAZING friends to lovers story and I absolutely flew through it!

[@sarajesus744]

Congratulations in finished your thesis. I am in the ending of my thesis too. I think that I will relax with romance books too.

[@julietijerina8176]

I literally LOL'd when you said, "the main character is one of those high-strung, workaholic type characters...and I really like that for some reason?" Congrats on finishing your thesis!

[@pranayajajoo5550]

The best friends to lovers book I've read is where rainbows end (or love Rosie) by Cecelia Ahern. I think it fits all the points Leonie made in the chart (I read it a few years ago tho so I could be wrong)

[@Emily-zx8ld]

I ranked her books the exact same way! I enjoyed all of them so much, but Book Lovers stood out to me the most. Sometimes you just want a cheesy, feel-good romance to make the worries go away. I don't care if people look down on romance books, they make me and so many others happy when we need it most :)

[@bookswithlau]

i think i love almost everything Leoni doesn't like about friends to lovers 😂 But my perfect relationship is between two best friends who also happen to be attracted to each other, so it kinda makes sense

[@camilasantos8157]

i am literally right now proscatinanting instead of finishing my master thesis and i am currently reading "book lovers" so this is the level i relate to this video...

[@neliaaa]

Girl same 🥲 except I'm not reading anything 🥺

[@camilasantos8157]

@@neliaaa hope you finish soon!!!!

[@hollycormack5385]

I'm watching this while procrastinating on writing my masters thesis, so it really feels full circle

[@abcdefgigklmnop5526]

I've learnt that the only friendsto-lovers I enjoy is when it's gay. When one (or both) are too scared to confess because it might ruin their friendship and they'd rather long for them and have them in their lives than not have them otherwise. Cliché but I eat it up every time.

[@nadineschurink9502]

Leonie, I love the way you make your videos! It always puts a smile on my face and most of the time I laugh out loud making my parents confused as to why I'm laughing.😂

[@LuckyYogi]

Where did you get your colorful, light changing, mood lamp? Apologies in advance if it's mentioned in another video or has been asked before. New subscriber and I'm binging your videos. They're awesome!

[@elisazouza]

i appericate that you actually talk about the books :") i was obessed with book lovers, i got so hooked!

[@allypotter4404]

This is so freaking relatable, I've literally also been using Emily Henry's books to distract myself from doing my Master of Architecture assignments lol

[@luiiiandmovieee]

As a writer I love your Friends To Lovers guideline. It's very helpful. Also, congratulations on finishing your thesis!

[@rene9736]

emily henry is one of the only romance authors that just does it for me. book lovers is my favorite by her, top tier romance book.

[@chey.n_n5567]

Congratulations on finishing your thesis!! 🥳🥳 in June I had that exact same moment of "I feel no different" after hitting that final submit button. I hope you've been able to decompress and let it sink in that you did the thing!!

[@cecilie...]

Congratulations!!! As someone currently working, rather procrastinating, on my bachelor's thesis I'm so proud!

[@Anna-wh2bn]

i feel like a friends to lovers book that'd fit the points that you mentioned is Josh and Hazel's guide to not dating, it has the matchmaker trope as well, they set each other up w/people they know and go on double dates together!! It is cute, fun and wholesome, has the initial attraction part and also tells u why they're not dating, i'm still in the middle of reading it but def recommend!! also congrats on finishing your thesis!!❤

[@emilymoran9152]

Congratulations on finishing the thesis! I saw someone complain that 'You and me on vacation' felt like the author enjoyed some gay romance or fanfics and tried to do a similar thing with a straight couple without understanding why the dynamic is inherently going to be different. Haven't read it myself, so I can't say if I'd agree, but I think a friends-to-lovers plotline (esp. with a twist where them having a moment leads to conflict) WOULD work better with same-gender characters. As you say, people kinda expect M/F friends to get together anyway, so if they do turn out to be into each other...what's the problem, exactly? The subversive thing is if they really are just friends! By contrast, because queer people are a smaller proportion of the populations, the odds that your same-gender friend is going to like you back is lower, plus there is a bigger risk of a very negative reaction either from them or society at large - which makes for some good, juicy angst in a story (which is more enjoyable because you're reading a romance and therefore know it is going to turn out OK eventually). In the straight friends-to-lovers stories I've seen work is if they were childhood friends and are still fairly young (so maybe they are just kinda growing into their feelings) or, if they are older, there was some kind of misunderstanding about whether they could be into each other or a physical separation that makes them write off the possibility. I don't care for the "already in a relationship with someone else" version, since that often gets into emotional infidelity territory.

[@evilmarc]

Randomly switching between my native language and English in notes was so recognisable to me, it really made me laugh!

[@skthereader5981]

Congratulations on finishing your Masters! Will you be doing a PHD?

[@Samthe1stbob]

I like beach read and Gus is amazing..but I was wondering why I'd didn't love all the dramatic crying she would do. The declarations on the beach seemed a bit too much. It took me from the moment a lot. But it was a good read. I love the critique on the literary environment and romance novels.

[@goodbooksarethejoyofmylife4430]

Ur friends to lovers list reminds me of josh and hazel’s guide to not dating (not sure about #7 though its been a while since i read it). Not my favorite, but the stody centers around #3 so i think it would fulfill what PWMOV lacks to you:D

[@aliA-jz5ms]

I like you because you are a cat mom :D

[@KristinaMarie96]

I like her books. Sometimes you just need happy books sometimes. Also how do you have all those pretty purple looking lights in your rooms?

[@chokofilter]

Friends the lovers trope is the best when it is queer in my opinion, especially if they are at the point of discovering themselves, the pining on both sides, the fear of losing the friendship is sooo good, or when they are strangers to friends to lovers slow romance

[@carolk2832]

If you havent read it, you definetly should give "You Deserve Each Other" a try!

[@soleirisse]

Congratulations on finishing your thesis. and because of watching this video, i suddenly want to binge read Emily Henry's books. 😊

[@chilupuriharshitha7261]

31:25 try reading cheat sheet it's literally all the things you've mentioned and liked in your board

[@rashelahmed2659]

It's quite comfortable 😌 to watch your videos!

[@venuso6260]

for a friends to lovers rec that would fit the guide is a book I'm currently reading the arc for, A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan!! I'm not at all done reading the book so I still don't know the way they become together but everything else fits so perfectly with what you're looking for in a friends to lovers romance book!! also the story itself is pretty sweet and feelgood, you follow the main character who has just opened her own business that specializes in salads!! I've still got a way to go with finishing this book but nonetheless, I would highly recommend it!!!! it's expected to release in January of 2023 but completely worth the wait if you can't/don't want to get your hands on an arc :]

[@SabinesBookNook]

So glad you enjoyed (most of) Emily Henry(‘s work) 🥰 and I’m SO proud of you for handing in your thesis!! 🫶🏻

[@Okapeep]

I'm watching this while procrastinating putting my presentation together for my own thesis. It's not helping 😅

[@atieh410]

I think you might like Josh and Hazel's Guide to not Dating!

[@karybooks]

Well, isn't this faith? I just recently discovered this channel, and right now (I do mean, right now!) I am in the middle of finishing the first draft of my nursing phd study protocol that is to be sent to my supervisors tomorrow. And two books are staring at me on my desk: Beach Read and Book Lovers. Can't wait to read them over the Christmas Holiday! But now, I need to get back to work... I am watching this video in small chunks during my breaktimes :)

[@jacsYT]

Lol, the friends to lovers guide was perfection!!

[@quetzalcoaetl]

I'm studying in Groningen and starting on my master's thesis in a week, so I really needed this academic support video haha. Congrats on finishing!! I hope you're relaxing, taking a very well deserved break, and reading nice books :)

[@moralopez3213]

this is such a beautiful video! i love your reading vlogs so much like they make me so happy!!!!!!

[@claryy8]

Your videos are always so comforting, I love your content! :)

[@badfaith4u]

I read Beach Read, You and Me on Vacation (or People We Meet on Vacation) and Book Lovers and loved them. I can't wait for Emily Henry's next book. Please read the bonus chapter on Emily's website; it includes all three couples and it very wonderful. Also, the cat was adorable.

[@leo8467]

we are literally on sync for the first time in years lol. I'm currently reading beach read to distress from my upcoming uni exams, even though romcom is not a typical genre for me! love your content and the fact that we share some common thoughts towards some specific topics which makes our taste pretty similar! also we share a name heh

[@maanya__742]

Yay I was waiting for this video... I am so excited to see what you think of these books, maybe I will pick up one of these

[@gabrielecizinobaraldi]

loved this video sm Leonie!!! Thanks for this kind of content, it always makes my Sundays better. Hope you're doing great, congrats on finishing your thesis!! ❤️

[@viktoriabazyk8193]

this video is rude and disrespectful to people still procrastinating on their thesis. (me. i'm people.)

[@AlexiaM]

Emily Henry is one of my fave romance authors. Granted I’ve only read a select few romances but hers are the least cringy and build upon emotions rather than physical desire only.

[@itsjinelle]

ive had book lovers on my tbr for so long, i really need to get around to reading it...

[@ginnieliebherr4245]

You’re the Queen of perfect edits. Love your videos. Some people I put on in the background but You I know I have to watch cause It’s always so beautiful 😍

[@banaa9463]

I enjoyed You and Me on Vacation (I think it's a better title than People We Meet on Vacation) and it's the only Emily Henry I've read. I'm looking forward to reading her 2 other books since you ranked them higher.

[@callielafleur4673]

Rarely have I felt the joy I experienced as when Leonie started walking us through the white board.

[@luisatoresan4145]

i'm so happy for you for finishing your thesis!! even for me, that don't know you at all, it seems like a cicle closing hahahah

[@sanjanapadhi]

U and I share the exact same feelings abt People we meet on Vacation and Book Lovers Best friends to lovers is also not that much my cup of tea. As for Beach Read, I liked it more than u but I do have to agree abt what u said. My final rankings:- 1. Book lovers (the BANTER ooh la la la) 2. Beach Read (good times) 3. PWMOV (meh)

[@nicky_bee]

I also had issues physically letting go of my (printed) MA thesis 😅

[@anavalentinagamarra4008]

Heartstopper it's a wonderful friends to lovers story ❤️ it's the only one that I like haha

[@noelkempster]

Have you ever read Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren? I thought of it because you said you like match making in friends to lovers. It’s not a perfect book by any means but it’s fun

[@mahnoorathar]

Hands down my favourite author

[@M4t_P4tGT]

Now I want a lovers to enemies story

[@helenamarie5152]

What should i do right now...sleep...why am I avoiding sleep...because I avoid my term paper...so I can relate...Happy I found your video! Read beach read and book lovers a few weeks ago and people we meet on vacation a few months ago...so I throughly enjoy emily Henry's books! But right now I'm in a reading and writing block...so yeah working on that(not really) but good luck with your thesis! Probably will finish the video tomorrow

[@jasminu4971]

I just read Book Lovers while on holiday and I loved it so much! Glad you liked it too! It was my first Emily Henry

[@josephines523]

Congratulations on finishing your thesis! I personally love these types of cozy vlogs and can't wait for more to come (especially fall cozy reading vlogs). Also, the editing was just so delightful on this video. Have a great Rome vacay :)

[@sunandinighosh6037]

oh my god u also watch b99?😭

[@matthewschwoebel8247]

Amazing longsword earrings!

[@nadiapintos5024]

Waking up and seeing a new video from you really makes my day💜

[@m.e.a.9407]

Congrats on your master's Leoni 🎊😁🎉

[@SerinaPenrod]

My favorite "Friend's to Lover's" story is "When Harry Met Sally." It matches so much of what you talked about, so now I know why I love it so much!

[@skyhideaway]

That criticism people have about romance books about being shallow is very similar to how they regard children's books / shows. If it's something with deep themes and such, people say it's "more than a kid's book / show" and if it's just a fun, feel-good piece of media, people think it's immature and only kids can enjoy it. Personally, i very much enjoy children's books and animated shows, and I'm turning 21 soon.

[@marlozoe]

this video is just superior! the editing was soo good and I really loved your friends to lovers analysis :‘)

[@rom.na005]

Wow I needed this so much!🥲 I'm proud of you Leo💜

[@MyPinkZebras]

I think a lot of the hate towards romance books as comes from sexism. People think that they’re less valuable because they tend to be associated with femininity. Definitely something that should change

[@nightcreature5863]

Now I want to read book lovers