Abstract: The invention is directed to an adhesive composition comprising a water based component including a film-forming polymer and a particulate thermoplastic component selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic resins, hot melt adhesive compositions, and mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic component has a mean particle size of from about 10 microns to about 1,500 microns. The adhesive composition is useful as a one-shot bookbinding adhesive, a primer composition as well as a second-shot adhesive for two-shot bookbinding method. The invention is also directed to the bookbinding methods using the adhesive composition.