Published By: Sphere
Pages: 336
Released On: 10/03/2026
Ciara Sheridan‘s father has left her with three things: a sprawling and distinctly ramshackle estate on the Irish coast, the outline for the finale to his bestselling epic fantasy series that he wanted her to finish – and writer’s block.
Enter Sam Avery: Frank-Sheridan-fanboy and hotshot editor, sent from the New York publishing house direct to her doorstep – against Ciara’s wishes and red pen at the ready.
With the deadline looming, Ciara and Sam have just a few weeks to stop bickering, write this novel and secure Frank’s legacy.
But as the summer heats up, so too does the tension between them. Will their own love story be the plot twist neither of them see coming?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Sphere for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
This sounded all bookish and loving and romantic, the perfect rea for a cold winter evening.
I’ve only read one of Catherine’s books before – The Rebound – and whilst not perfect, I recall enjoying it very much so I was looking forward to reading this.
I loved it instantly. It was so easy to read. The sentence structure was perfect, the dialogue so real and natural, it was funny but not OTT, there was mystery, and a spark that I was hoping would turn into romance. Just everything about it was fun and comforting.
I loved Sam. He’s a bit grumpy at times but he’s such a fanboy. He’s such a bookish nerd which instantly made me fall in love with him. And Ciara. I felt for her. She’s taken on this, almost insurmountable, task that is now frightening her, and she’s stuck, and that’s where Sam comes in. They’re both fabulous characters individually and together.
I just loved everything about it. It was so easy to read I sped through it. I wish I’d slowed down actually so I could stay in this world for longer but I couldn’t resist. It was another book that I started one evening and then couldn’t go to bed without finishing it.
One observation I had – and this isn’t anything to affect the overall rating of the book – concerns the title. I do understand why she’s chosen it because there are elements of a love story in it, but for me, the title and the overall story felt a bit at odds with each other in my view. And it was same with The Rebound that I read, the title didn’t seem to match.
But it was so weird because I finished it, and then I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days after; it was like I kept thinking these were my friends and I could go back to them whenever I wanted to.
I really do need to read more of her books, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.
Books By Your Bedside 