Read Me Like a Book

A very unbookish woman stumbles on secret doorway in a bookshop that thrusts her into the world of Pride and Prejudice in this sparkling adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Anna James.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that if you’ve just been fired, had your heart broken, and are still sharing a bedroom with your little sister, you’ll take any job going.

So, when Marianne Buxton applies to work at an eccentric, struggling bookshop, she doesn’t expect to fit in. She hasn’t read a book in years, and while her new manager Jude may be handsome, he’s also a literary snob.

But Wildflower Books is a place that draws in the people who need it. And what Marianne finds, as she explores the back rooms and stacks of books, is a magical doorway into the world of Pride and Prejudice.

While Marianne is only too happy to escape her real-life chaos and venture back into what she hopes will be a gentler time to watch Lizzy and Darcy’s love story unfold, she’s unaware of the danger that lurks within all the best Austen novels – that of the charming, untrustworthy rogue.

Caught between the scandalously seductive Mr Wickham and the Darcy-esque Jude, Marianne must distinguish fact from fiction and friend from foe before things go wildly awry…

Fall most ardently for Marianne and Wildflower Books in Anna James' brand-new, hilarious and irresistibly romantic bookish adventure, perfect for fans of Bridget Jones' Diary and Bridgerton!

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Praise for Anna James:

‘A true delight’ The Telegraph

'Enchanting' Independent

‘A delight from first page to last’ Mail on Sunday

'I loved loved LOVED this! Any book lover who appreciates the magic and wonder of books would' Reader Review ★★★★★

'Perfect. Who doesn't love a book about books that's set in a bookshop?' Reader Review ★★★★★

'Hilarious. One of the best books I've ever read' Reader Review ★★★★★

Reviews

Praise for Anna James

‘A true delight’ The Telegraph

'Enchanting' Independent

‘A delight from first page to last’ Mail on Sunday

About the author

Anna James is a writer and journalist from Northumberland. She is the author of the internationally bestselling children’s fantasy series Pages & Co, #1 New York Times bestselling series the Chronicles of Whetherwhy and Alice With a Why, the Blackwells Children's Book of the Year in 2025 and Waterstones Children's Book of the Month in May 2026. Formerly a school librarian and literary scout, Anna is also an arts journalist. She was previously Literary Editor for ELLE UK and now covers books and theatre on a freelance basis. Anna hosts the Bookwandering podcast, and currently lives in north London with her husband. You can find her @acaseforbooks across social media.