Book Review: “Only Lovers in the Building” by Nadine Gonzalez

“Only Lovers in the Building” by Nadine Gonzalez (2025)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

Page Length: 347 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

After her legal career comes to a sudden and humiliating end, Liliane Lyon books a restorative summer rental at The Icon, a quintessential Art Deco building in Miami Beach, where her only plan is to bask in the sun, read, and sip cocktails. But soon she’s enchanted by the colorful community, including university professor Benedicto Romero—resident tortured poet, whose sole intention for sabbatical is to indulge in brooding introspection.

When they discover a shared passion for romance novels, Lily and Ben are soon spending hours reading together by the pool, the spark between them unwittingly giving the other residents the impression that they’re experts in matters of the heart…no matter that IRL their disastrous love lives bear little resemblance to the stories they’re reading.

But while Ben and Lily can pinpoint a trope a mile away and give excellent advice to others, they can’t make sense of the sizzling chemistry between them, and the suggestion of a professional podcast suddenly forces them to consider the long-term. So what if it means working even closer together! So what if their banter makes Lily’s head spin! It’s the summer of taking chances, but a word to the Miami isn’t the place for growth and rebirth. It’s the place to get messy. 

Review:

Only Lovers in the Building is a whimsical and fun romance novel that is an ode to romance novels and their stories. The two main characters, Ben and Lily, are both avid readers who spark up a connection through books and the attraction is instant. Two have very different viewpoints on romance on the pages and in real life (Lily is a Romantic and Ben is not). Rather than coming off an an enemies-to-lovers trope in the novel their story is one of understanding, growth, and healing from the past. But will their new budding connection fizzle under the heat of Miami’s temps?

I loved the setting of The Icon building in this story with the backdrop of Miami which makes it a great summertime read or something to warm you up in the colder months. Being as that I traveled to Miami earlier this year, it took me back to the sights and sounds of the city through Gonzalez’s vivid descriptions. It will transport any reader to the beauty of the city from its art deco architecture to the waterfronts on the beaches. I think the premise of a fleeting possible summer romance between Lily and Ben along with the other members of their the building’s book club keeps the reader engaged in the plot. We get introduced to all these entertaining personalities and how their views of romance novels also affects their love lives.

Granted the relationships within this novel are a bit messy at times, but I felt like it worked well with the overall plot. The novel’s message of how time is fleeting, spurs the characters into making big decisions but also reminding us as readers to take chances in life. The novel is lively, the banter is too enjoyable (makes me smile from ear to ear), and promises an overall light-hearted read.

Final Verdict:

FTC Disclaimer: I received this novel from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.