I love being an EmHen girlie because mama keeps us fed. Not only does she drop a flawless romance novel every year — each one packed with iconic tropes, emotional growth, and some holiday-adjacent setting — but we are now officially entering her multimedia era.
We recently got a first look at the People We Meet on Vacation film, and the cast is actually insane: Tom Blyth as Alex, Emily Bader as Poppy, plus Jameela Jamil, Lukas Gage, Molly Shannon, and others. It’s set to drop on January 9, 2026.
But now? We’re getting an extra slice of romcom dessert — because casting rumors are swirling around Book Lovers. And not just any rumors. We’re talking from MOTHER HERSELF, EMILY HENRY.
Let’s break down everything we know so far, including who might be stepping into the role of our favorite emotionally constipated editor, Charlie Lastra.
What Is Book Lovers About?
Released in 2022, Book Lovers is the ultimate enemies-to-lovers story, plus big-city-girl-in-a-small-town energy, wrapped in a painfully self-aware meta bow.
Nora Stephens is a powerhouse literary agent who knows she’s not the soft, quirky, fall-in-love-in-a-pumpkin-patch type. But she’ll do anything for her little sister Libby, including agreeing to a month-long stay in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, the setting of their favorite romance novel. Libby’s goal: give Nora a real-life romcom arc. Nora’s goal: survive the small town, manage her NYC workload remotely, and not lose her damn mind.
Enter Charlie Lastra. Brooding editor. Professional buzzkill. Very much not a meet-cute — these two already know each other, and they have beef. But when they both end up in Sunshine Falls, things start to shift.
Nora’s no one’s heroine. Charlie’s no one’s hero. And yet… they’re writing their own story — as book lovers. Cue the screaming.
What We Know About The Book Lovers Adaptation
It’s still early days (read: we’re in “maybe I’ll see you next weekend” territory, not “meet my mom”), but here’s what’s confirmed:
- It’s being adapted into a feature film by Tango Entertainment
- The screenplay is being written by Sarah Heyward, who previously worked on Girls and Modern Love
- Emily Henry is attached as an executive producer
- No official casting or release date yet (everyone, remain calm!!!)
Who Could Play Charlie Lastra?
ALLEGEDLY. (Legal said I have to say that!!)
Okay, now that EmHen’s lawyers are off my back, let’s talk tea. Photos from a recent GQ shoot of David Corenswet hit the internet, and if you saw that knitted sweater, you know. The fancasts came flooding in — across every fandom imaginable — but the Book Lovers girlies locked in fast.
And then. AND THEN.
A fan straight-up asked Emily Henry what she thought about David as Charlie Lastra. Her response?
“Get him on board and I’m in 💯”
SHE THEN FOLLOWED HIM ON INSTAGRAM. I will bet all my future happiness that their teams are talking right now. David, if you’re reading this, PICK UP THE PHONE. No comment from David yet.
Now, full honesty: I personally see him more as Wyn from Happy Place, and others have said he’s giving Hayden from Great Big Beautiful Life. But no matter what character? I would bark for this man. David also played Superman in the latest DC film, so we’re talking certified leading man energy.
Who could play Nora Stephens?
Fan casting for our smart, savage, emotionally armored queen has been fierce. Frontrunners include:
- Suki Waterhouse (ethereal chaos)
- Sophie Turner (sharp and dry)
- Elle Fanning (smart with edge)
- Saoirse Ronan (a little posh, a lot intense)
But someone who’s gaining major momentum? Simone Ashley of Bridgerton fame. And honestly, yes. She has already proven herself in the Wild West of enemies-to-lovers and come out victorious.
The Book Lovers adaptation is still in early development, but with Emily Henry involved and fan momentum building (okay, foaming), it’s only a matter of time before we have our dream cast and a release date to obsess over.
Until then? Let’s all reread Book Lovers for the 50th time, create unhinged casting TikToks, and redownload Hinge only to delete it again tomorrow. You know, the usual.
