The Book Swap

Both a gorgeous romance between two broken people, and a love letter to books and reading. If you loved The Flatshare you will love this heartfelt debut from Tessa Bickers about two people with tragic pasts, brought together through notes scribbled in the margins of their favourite reads. This debut is catnip for any book geek. I just loved it * Cesca Major *A gorgeous debut from tremendous Tessa Bickers. It’s ahhh but it’s also hahahahaha. I loved it. Can’t wait for the movie * Sally Phillips *It’s You’ve Got Mail, but make it (even more) bookish. A really heartfelt love story about the power of friendship, family, and the written word. Bookworms everywhere will adore this * Niamh Hargan *If you love books and love love, you are going to adore The Book Swap - a gorgeous novel about a couple falling in love and finding themselves in the notes they scribble for each other in beloved books. It’s heartwarming and hopeful and a testament to the power of a good read * Julie Cohen *Moving and romantic. Tessa Bickers writes with a fresh and warm-hearted voice, and what a romantic concept! * Lia Louis *A soul-warming tale, perfectly balanced. I cried not once but several times. It’s Sophie Kinsella meets Beth O’Leary via Emily James and I loved it … it deserves to be a smash * Freya Berry *Funny, heartbreaking and achingly romantic. Relatable, multi-layered characters with complicated back stories - highly recommend * Lorraine Brown *It’s a love story and a love letter to reading, and it shows you just how powerful books are … What a gorgeous, life-affirming, bookishly beautiful novel this is! * Cressida McLaughlin *Poignant … simply a beautiful story about love, friendship and the restorative power of forgiveness * Jessica George *Bickers charms in her depiction of how James and Erin bond through literature, and how literature changes their lives. This will have bookworms swooning * Publishers Weekly *Sensitively written, deeply moving and yet still an accessible, uplifting and enormously enjoyable read … a tale that stays with the reader long after it is finished * My Weekly *Heartwarming * Bella *A lovely read * Closer *An exploration of friendship, love, loss, this is a book lover’s dream romcom * Heat *This gorgeous story is both a romance and a literary love letter * Fabulous *Celebrating the power of love and literature, this swoon-worthy story is perfect for book-lovers and hopeless romantics alike * Woman’s Own *

Tessa Bickers studied journalism at Bournemouth university and went on to co-present a breakfast radio show in the South West. Moving into celebrity news, she interviewed some of the biggest names in show business, including Leonardo DiCaprio and the cast of Sex and the City.

Tessa started her creative career as a singer-songwriter and, after a few failed X Factor auditions, she went on to perform at Glastonbury Festival and Secret Garden Party with her band Tess and the Tellers. These days she has replaced her guitar with a keyboard and songs for books.

THE BOOK SWAP is her debut novel, publishing in 2024.