Williams is really cementing herself as a staple of the romance genre. This new addition to her catalogue was just as good as previous works. The romance was sweet, the romance adorable. What more could you need

This is a nice sliding doors/alternate timeline romcom from LJW. I enjoyed the crossovers between the two different realities and the premise but I struggled to really care about Becca as a protagonist. Not my favourite set of characters but I always like LJWs writing style.

The two stories following on from one action or non action. Both plausible but which is the real path.
A fantastic story which shows both paths and the ways that they change the whole reality or do they?
I really enjoyed following Becca and her friends journey.
I hope you do too

An Okay Read 🤔

Not my favourite book from LJW, whilst an easy read, I didn’t feel it was a book I didn’t want to put down. Following Becca’s life and her path to try and find love. Quite early on it starts changing from if she answered an Exes text, to how her life would be if she didn’t. Chapters shifting between these times going forward to the end of the book. I’ve read books set in more than one time/time traveler, feel this one may have been a bit better if it was set over two parts, focusing on ‘Did’ then the ‘Didn’t’.

Moved this next one, 'Lovestruck' by Laura Jane Williams, up the TBR list ahead of it's release next month and is one I've been looking forward to reading for a while.

Becca Calloway has had enough of waiting for Mr Right, he seems to be passing her by so at a manifestation ceremony she wishes for him. Five minutes later she receives a text from her ex, is this a sign? Should she reply and reignite the romance with her ex-flame Mike or should she delete and block him and move on with a new beau? One choice but two different paths, which one works out for Becca?

This is a really cleverly written story, the two different options alternating through the chapters, and the characters are really relatable too, you end up routing for everyone to get their happy ending. Although you may think you can predict how this will end, you may well be in for a surprise. Becca isn't your usual rom-com heroine, she is a strong independent woman who yes, is looking for Mr Right, but not just because she needs a man, she just wants her happy ending. Mixed in with strong friendships, their importance a big part of the book, this is a lovely cosy summer read that you can't help but enjoy.

Laura Jane Williams is fast becomming one of my favourite authors. you know when you pick up a book of hers that its not going to be a dissapointment. this was another epic adventure, I really loved Becca as a main character, she was fun and relatable and ended up feeling like someone I knew. if you love rom-coms then definitely grab this, its going to be a huge summer hit.

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Lovestruck
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Laura Jane Williams
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romance
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 8th June 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 8th May 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5

“He’s just a man, and she’s just a woman, but together they are still, after all this time, more than the sum of their parts.”

Becca Calloway hosts a manifestation ceremony and wants one thing: her happily ever after, complete with a man and a family. Five minutes after this wish, she received a text from her ex, the one that got away, and from there the story diverges into two timeline; one where she doesn’t text back, and one where she does.

I found this a super refreshing love story and for multiple reasons. Reading one book and getting two love stories is my idea of a good time but Lovestruck is also so much more than its plot.

I really liked the writing because it was poignant rather than shallow but also still light. There’s a lot of humour to contend with and dynamics that definitely lighten any intensity the main character suffers.

I also loved the main character and I don’t often get to say this about a main character in a romance novel but I simply adored her maturity! Sometimes I find that main characters in romance novels are so similar that I get bored. But Becca Calloway really struck me as a character. Simply by using her past experiences to model how best to make future choices and be the best person she can be was definitely the sort of thing more romance needs.

Overall, Lovestruck was a delight. Fun, easy to read, yet still had depth.

—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚‍♀️✨

Lovestruck is a fun and engaging read that will appeal to readers who enjoy romantic comedies and stories about love and relationships in the digital age. It is recommended for fans of authors such as Sophie Kinsella, Helen Fielding, and Marian Keyes.

Williams' writing is witty, heartfelt, and relatable, capturing the highs and lows of modern romance with humor and insight. The novel also explores themes such as self-discovery, personal growth, and the importance of communication and honesty in relationships.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

Okay I loved this book!
Laura Jane Williams is one of my favourite authors ( I even took her writing course which helped me finish my own novel) and this book just became one of my new favourites.
I had read the blurb when the book was first announced so I couldn't really remember the premise of this book all I knew is if Laura Jane Williams wrote it I'd read it. So I was pleasantly surprised when the book turned into a parallel story line and I loved every minute of it.
The references were on point, I loved every character and the character progression everything about this book is perfect!
I can't wait until it's published so I can by a physical copy to read it again!

I love a story based on the concept of making a choice and what happens if you choose that or what would have happened if you took the alternative path. This is a well written and beautifully comic romance based in that scenario and features really interesting and likeable characters who the reader can quickly invest in.

Becca Callaway is a beautiful woman who part owns a hairdressing business and is keen to find “the one”. The night she receives a text from her ex starts a series of events where her life takes two different paths, one where she texts back and the other where she does not.

From the start there is a “will she won’t she” and “what if she did” that aspect to the book which was good fun and there were tears and laughter along the way at her choices and the lives of her friends and family.

A hugely enjoyable read that I will be recommending to others who love a good rom com.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would, which was surprising. The layout was a little confusing with the whole story following two possibilities, but once I got used to it, it was an interesting way to read. The fmc was a little annoying at times, especially with the way she treated some of her friends (ahem...) and to be honest, I felt like she didn't really deserve her ending. But then again, we're all flawed and she was no different which made it a lot more interesting.

Overall, if you want a feel-good romance with a sprinkling of spice and a little bit of heartbreak (but with glue provided), its definitely a good book for you.

Ah I loved this book! Lovestruck is a Sliding Doors-esque story following two different paths that Becca’s love life can take…. I won’t give anything away but we’ll worth a read with lovable characters and friendships- chick lit at its best.

I DNF'ed this at around 20% due to two main reasons:
1. I had just read Taylor Jenkins Reid's "Maybe in another life" which has the exact same pitch (one decision with the power to alter your life, and then follows the two possible paths in alternating chapters).
2. I just didn't like the writing style, and I couldn't stop comparing it to Reid's (not that I'm a huge Reid fan, but this author felt much less polished).

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Unfortunately this wasnt for me, usually i love a book with multiple timelines and whatnot but i just couldnt enjoy this. I found the writing really difficult to get into and found the book overall lacked any depth. Ended up skimming through the chapters just to finish the book

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone, Penguin and Laura Jane Williams for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is one of my favourite books by Laura, its absolutely wonderful.
The characters are likeable and the plot is great.
It is predictable but lovely. Throughly enjoyed.

I loved this “Sliding Doors” - esque romance. Getting two different love stories for the price of one. One love story where Becca replies to a text from her ex Mike and one where she doesn’t. Both stories were equally brilliant and I was invested in Becca’s desperate search for Mr Right from the very start of the book.

I thought I might find the two story lines confusing. But I didn’t. Laura Jane Williams separates them well and defines each as its own story. With a few cheeky crossovers.

I didn’t see the ending coming and in many romances I can spot the ending from a mile away. Instead, I was left wondering how the story was going to resolve itself.

I loved Becca. But I loved her best friends Carlos and Jia Li the most. They made me laugh and each had a significant role to play.

My favourite Laura Jane Williams romance.

I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this author but honestly I think this is my favourite of theirs!!! I thought the two timelines worked really well together and loved the way they became almost intertwined at the end. The characters were sweet and relatable and found myself rooting for the two that ended up together!

The concept of this book was like a romantic Midnight Library on a smaller scale and I was interested to see how the dual timelines would play out. Imagine if you could see how one text could change your path? Not that Becca knows about these two different worlds we see her living. I wanted to love this but I found it a bit too confusing keeping track of the different timelines and it was difficult to connect to any of the characters. It was especially hard working out what had happened in which timeline where Becca’s family and friends were concerned, without the backdrop of Mike or Noah to create a distinction. Whilst I liked the characters, and found Becca to be sweet and fun, although trapped by her need for marriage and children, they didn’t draw me into the story. I was also missing the chemistry in the romantic relationships. However, it was interesting to see how one decision could change so much of Becca’s life and how, ultimately, you end up where you’re meant to be. This book did reinforce the message that you’re not always ready for what you’re meant for but the time will come. They also had a sweet little community in Kings Heath and Birmingham forever has a place in my heart so top marks for the setting.

Wow! Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for granting me access to this ARC!

I really loved reading this book! It was my first book by LJW, but I can't wait to read more.
I loved the two alternating timelines (reminded me of 'Sliding Doors') and the journey the FMC took in both. The characters were complex and hilarious and I absolutely wish this book was a series!

We see how Becca's life plays out in two different ways due to her response to receiving a message from her ex-boyfriend. Becca's friends were a delight and often had me giggling out loud. I was so invested in each of the characters and the storyline that I finished this book in two days! I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to see what else LJW produces.

Congrats to Lauren on this wonderful book, and thank you for the reminder that the smallest things can change our lives, but we will eventually end up where we are supposed to be.

Sadly this didn't work for me. I found myself bored throughout. The jumping between two realities made it hard for me to be invested in either relationship.
Then adding in who she ends up with I just didn't care.
By the end I felt she just wanted married life regardless of who it was with. No real growth as a character for her. To learn to love herself alone instead of forcing a relationship.