No Skim Zone

A review of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

Summary

Nina Hill is a trivia powerhouse who thrives on structure, predictability, and the comfort of books. Her carefully curated life is thrown off balance when she discovers that the wealthy father she never knew has included her in his will, and when she unexpectedly meets a guy she might actually like. What follows is a romantic dramedy full of laughter, heart, and the messy beauty of letting new people into your world.

Rating

Front Row Shelf Excellent: charming, funny, heartfelt, and anchored by a main character you can’t help but root for.

Initial Reaction

I’ve always been envious of trivia nerds—what a flex to have a mind full of random facts about literally anything. After reading this book, I want that skill even more. It hooked me immediately with its humor, relatability, and Nina’s wonderfully structured chaos.

3 Things I Liked

1. Nina herself  I saw so much of myself in her need for control and her fear of letting new things in. Few books make me feel seen the way Nina did.
2. The ending is perfect  No spoilers, but it wraps everything up in a way that feels both earned and deeply satisfying.
3. That one quote “Being with you is as good as being alone.” Within the context of this story, it’s stunning. I won’t explain further because it would absolutely spoil the moment, but it hit hard.

3 Things I Didn’t Like

1. Not enough Tom  We dip into his world here and there, but since he’s the total opposite of Nina, I wanted more insight into how he felt especially during their painfully awkward run-ins.
2. His perspective could have added emotional depth Getting more of his thoughts would have balanced Nina’s internal world in a really satisfying way.
3. Some moments felt like missed opportunities  Particularly where Tom’s reactions or motivations could have heightened the emotional beats. The story still works, but it could have been even stronger.

Who Should Read This?

Book lovers, romance fans, trivia nerds, and anyone who enjoys pop culture references sprinkled through a heartfelt story. If you love a quirky, lovable heroine, this is your book.

Who Should Skip It?

Readers who prefer dual-POV romances or want the love interest to get equal narrative weight. If you don’t enjoy character-driven stories about personal growth, this may feel too soft for you.

Final Thoughts

This was such a fun read not just because of Nina’s charm, but also because of the nonstop references and humor. It’s warm, relatable, and genuinely entertaining. If you’re a book nerd in need of a good romance, I highly recommend picking this one up.