Thank you netgalley for an arc of this book, I absolutely demolished it in one sitting.

Witty, funny, romantic while bringing the hot topic of romance novels, booktok and the snobbery in publishing/ readers against romance genre to the forefront. Full of pop culture references which could date it unfortunately however since I got them all I enjoyed them.

Loved the millennial vs gen z sister dynamic the writing of that and how scary gen z are… accurate and perfection.

I can totally see this being a hot summer beach read this year. I was surprised given the context of being set around a smut author that there wasn’t really smut in it and it was fade to black and I feel like that might be a tricky element for marketing without confusing people or them feeling mislead. However I liked the romance and wasn’t actually expecting smut, so that was good.

As it is an arc I didn’t mind there was a few spelling or proof errors. The main ref flag error that did stick out for me as a reference which I felt was wrong and didn’t work was dancing with the stars. It was that the scene where the fmc says should have does I’m a celeb, great reference, but the gen z sister charlotte says you do Dancing with the stars or nothing. As a british person this didn’t feel right. Dancing with the stars is the american version of Strictly come dancing and didn’t feel true that Charlotte would say that as a british gen z person. Apart from that everything else felt real and authentic.

I love a good Lindsey book but this one had some spice and I'm not mad about it!

Joe and Sophie had amazing chemistry. I loved the premise of the story, the pop culture references, the strong romance novel theme throughout. It's great! This is a read for romance readers for sure.

Thank you for my earc of this book. I love a Lindsey Kelk book so was excited for this to land on my kindle!
It didn’t disappoint . I love books about books and this ticked all the boxes!

‘Love Story’ by Lindsey Kelk tells the story of schoolteacher Sophie Taylor, the daughter of two renowned figures in the publishing world who secretly moonlights as a romance author… and not just any romance author, but the writer of bestselling, TikTok trending, Austin Butler-in-talks-for-the-movie, super spicy hit novel ‘Butterflies’! Keeping her alter-ego Este Cox becomes more difficult when her father’s OTT birthday party thrusts her into the path of her literary-snobbish parents, BookTok obsessed sister, awful ex and a handsome recent acquaintance Joe who has piqued her attention. The story has plenty of laughs and a solid love story while also focusing on family dynamics and social pressure.

I adored how this was a book-lovers book from start to finish - from the publishing world setting, to passionate book club discussions in defence of smut, to the list of wonderful authors cited as ‘Este’s’ inspiration! There was also a healthy helping of TayTay references scattered throughout, which made this Swiftie very happy.

The characters in this novel were FABULOUS, especially the women:
- Sophie was likeable, relatable and super talented - her personality quirks were well rooted in her experiences and she grew beautifully throughout the novel
- Sarah was the perfect best-friend figure for Sophie, full of sage advice and always ready to provide coffee and a croissant from her café
- I want Sophie’s sister Charlotte to be MY best friend - she was fierce, determined and funny, AND owned a YA/romance-centric bookshop
The male lead Joe wasn’t half bad either - sensitive, generous and (mostly) communicative about what he wanted… and super hot!

Overall, this is an easy five star read for me - if you loved ‘Beach Read’ or ‘Only And Forever’, you will ADORE this.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Harper Collins UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I always know I will enjoy the story when I pick up a Lindsey Kelk book.
This is no exception. The whole snobbery of looking down on chick lit, family dynamics and expectations. Throw in a new love interest and an self grandoise ex.
It made me laugh and angry at certain characters but I cheered a lot through this book.
It will make you smile and just like a good book you will identify with the characters and feel their emotions.

I think this is a me problem? Considering the fact that people in the review section seemed to give this 4⭐️

Don’t get me wrong, I find the premise really interesting as well as the book content here. I also enjoyed some parts of the banter as well as Sophie and Sophie's family.

I just think that the pacing and the writing didn't seem to be fit for the book? It wasn't also that compelling and engaging for me. There's also some parts that confused me.

The romance was okay for me. Again, I enjoyed the banter, but it didn't really stick to me that much.

Overall, I think it's okay. I just wish the writing did fit and was more engaging.


— Thank you, netgalley, and the publisher for the e-arc opportunity —

Great book, love the story, love the parents even though they reminded me slightly of the my family parents, they were slightly kooky and eccentric. I liked Sophie and Joe and there friendship. I wanted to slap her little sister lots though and her husband x!
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I want to say I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun easy read and something you could easily read in one sitting.

I liked Sophie and Joes relationship (always weirds me out when the main character has the same name as me!). I wouldn’t say it’s really enemies to lovers like the cover suggests as it felt more like one person disliking that they liked the other person for other reasons and not because they were “enemies”. I liked Joe as a love interest, and I also liked their connection. I’m not one for insta-love which this sometimes bordered on, but it was still a cute relationship.

I hated Charlotte. I hated her. I don’t usually hate people in books but I really did her. I didn’t like the blackmail part and I also didn’t like that no one ever seemed to address the fact that she was going to blackmail someone into revealing their identity. I didn’t like that most of the characters didn’t seem to like this Este Cox hiding her identity (for completely valid reasons). She had literally no character growth and was just kind of awful.

I liked most of the other characters. It was very much a character driven book.

I liked that it did take time to talk about the romance genre and a lot of the criticism it gets.

Overall, I’d give this a 3.75 ⭐️. It was easy and fun to read. I’d recommend to anyone who just wants a cute short romance book set in a fairly small town.

Can’t wait for this to be released on July 4th!!

As a long-standing fan of Lindsey Kelk, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read her latest work before its release day. I've enjoyed every book of hers, but this one is exceptional. *Chef's Kiss*

The bookshop scene will eternally resonate with me, especially the quote:

"I want to be consumed," he said, his voice a soft growl as he leaned closer. "I want the thought of her to ignite me. I want to surrender to the flames and burn until nothing remains but my love."

I found myself exclaiming, "Don't we all, Joe?! DON'T WE ALL!!!"

My thanks go to Lindsey, her publishing team, and Netgalley.

My first read from Lindsey Kelk, I adored the cover art for this book it was what led me to request the ARC.


Pros
☀️ character definition, I enjoyed all the character and felt like I knew them all
☀️ I loved the concept being about someone with a viral book (inception?)
☀️ tense steamy moments between Joe & Sophie

Cons
☔️ I struggled through the middle of this book but glad I persevered
☔️ charlottes character did annoy me and that her parents allowed her behavior, but maybe that's the mum in me!

I enjoyed reading and look forward to reading more Lindsey Kelk in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Collins UK publishing for approving me for the ARC 🩷

Just brilliant. Perfect summer read Jess invested in the characters. Another brilliant book by this author I’d highly recommend.

Thank you so much for letting me read love story early.
Sophie has always wanted to be a writer, however with a family in publishing, and parents disapproving of romance novels, Sophie kept it a secret that she published a book under a different name. That book became a became a best seller.
I loved the twists in the book, with the party and the disappointingly ex. Not forgetting the love story in the both books

A nice enemies to lovers summertime read. Funny and clever, one to try if you like a romance. You may also recognise some of the titles and authors mentioned in it! Would have liked to see a bit more between Sophie and Joe but overall I enjoyed it

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for giving me an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed Lindsey Kelk’s books from back in the day when she first released them, e.g. I Heart London, About A Girl, but it’s been a long time since I’ve read anything of hers.

Sophie is a schoolteacher who has written a bestselling debut romance novel under a secret pen name, and the world is trying to discover her secret identity. Joe is the creative director at her publisher and has no idea who she is. I thought the opening between them was odd. Two strangers who dislike one another who decide to get drunk and spend the next few hours together. It just didn’t make sense to me or sounded plausible. Why would you spend time with someone you didn’t like? What’s the point in getting drunk with them?

I liked Sophie and I loved her family. Each of their own personalities shone through and I loved seeing Sophie’s dynamic with them. Charlotte is a privileged selfish brat but harmless. Her character was a fun read. Sarah, her best friend, was also a riot. Kelk’s side characters are so well-written.

I did love the obsession with the special edition of Sophie’s book, Butterflies. It really reminded me of all this FOMO culture over book boxes and special releases of books, which I’m guilty of. The love of books is really shown throughout this book and it felt really relatable.

Over time, Sophie and Joe’s dynamic grew on me. I did like their banter even though she could be unnecessary prickly and it definitely annoyed Joe. I could feel their sexual tension, and the ending was sweet (but not amazing). I didn’t love Joe though - I never felt he fully redeemed himself from the annoying arrogant man at the start - so that makes me feel a bit meh about the book. However, I did love Sophie and really rooted for her.

I did find the book annoyingly too trendy. It talks about TikTok, Taylor Swift, current popular books and authors like Iron Flame and Emily Henry, nostalgic mentions of Twilight and Hunger Games. It’s not something I would re-read 5 years or even 2 years down the line.

It’s been a long time since I have read any of Kelk’s books and this didn’t impress me. However I will continue to read her books in future and am looking forward to her YA romantasy, The Bell Witches, releasing later this year.

This book, however, gets 2.5 stars from me, rounded up.

I LOVED this book. It was so fun reading about Joe and Sophie! I really enjoyed the plot, the characters and the setting. I liked the pacing of the story, even if the majority of the book is set during ta weekend it didn't felt rushed. I appreciated that it talked about books and how books can be our escapism. I 100% will read more by this author. The perfect summer rom-com!

The squeal I let out when I saw I'd been approved for the newest Kelk book was probably loud enough to be heard from space.

I loved Love Story. It had all of trademark Kelk-isms and its romance felt much more realised than in her past few books - this felt more like original Kelk. I loved Joe, I loved Sophie and Joe's easy banter, I adored all the book references and I wished for an epilogue.

On occasion I wished that Sophie had been more able to stand up for herself and I did not like the scene with Joe and Aunt Carole and I felt if the roles had been reversed and this was a scene with a woman and a much older man it would have been considered assault and not used for humour. It didn't sit right with me. That and the large ish amount of typos are the only part of the book that took me out of Sophie and Joe's story.

When I first picked up “Love Story” by Lindsey Kelk, I was immediately drawn in by its setting in the book publishing world—a personal favorite backdrop of mine. The novel revolves around Sophie Taylor, a small-town schoolteacher with a big secret: she’s actually the mysterious and wildly popular romance author Este Cox. With a plot that intertwines humour, romance, and the intricacies of leading a double life, Kelk delivers a delightful read from start to finish.

Sophie’s life takes a dramatic turn when she loses her laptop containing the sequel to her sensational romance novel. Enter Joe Walsh,(I kept thinking of Joe Walsh of Eagles fame), a hotshot marketing director who’s as infuriatingly confident as he is handsome. What starts as mutual disdain quickly evolves into something more when circumstances force them into close quarters—sharing a one-bed cottage, no less.

The dynamic between Sophie and Joe is electric. Joe is convinced he has Sophie all figured out, and his confidence only grows when he discovers her secret identity. But Sophie isn’t one to back down easily, and their banter is both hilarious and heartfelt. Kelk’s exceptional knack for crafting witty dialogue shines throughout the novel, making the chemistry between Sophie and Joe both believable and enjoyable.

One of the standout aspects of “Love Story” is the rich cast of supporting characters, particularly Sophie’s family. Her father’s 60th birthday extravaganza is a comedic goldmine, with each family member contributing to the chaos in their own unique way. These interactions add depth to the story and provide plenty of laughs, underscoring Kelk’s talent for creating relatable, lovable characters.

Beyond the humour and romance, the novel also touches on the stigma surrounding the romance genre. Sophie’s journey from hiding her true self to embracing her identity as a romance author is inspiring and resonates with anyone who’s ever felt the need to hide their passions. The book champions the romance genre, showcasing its ability to connect with readers and convey meaningful stories.

Final Thoughts:

“Love Story” is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies. Lindsey Kelk has once again proven her ability to craft a story that is both funny and touching. With a perfect blend of humour, romance, and a message that celebrates the romance genre, this book is sure to charm its readers. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Kelk or new to her work, “Love Story” is a delightful escape into the world of love, laughter, and literature.

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5).

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I really enjoyed this, I wasn't sure to begin with as I didnt feel I was connecting to anybody but I definitely feel this changed for 34 percent. the plot twist had my jaw on the floor! The only thing I noticed is a few spelling mistakes that does not impact my rating.

I am slightly conflicted, because the first half of this book was absolutely fantastic. Dramatic, a little ridiculous in all the best ways, hilarious, cute, I absolutely loved it.

I loved the discussion and opinions about romance books, it was incredibly relatable and very well done.

The humour and banter were fabulous, but I feel like it was taken slightly too far in a couple of instances, particularly one scene where the MMC is sexually harassed, but this is just laughed off and glossed over. This was very inappropriate.

Then there was this intense passion and chemistry between Sophie and Joe, I was so looking forward to some spice, and whilst there are explicit scenes, they were also vague and not complete. I just think if you're going to make the main character a spicy romance writer, have her experience attraction to a sexy man, hint at spice, then end a hot scene at penetration... What's the point? I dislike these sorts of books, where they're not closed door, but not spicy either, and this book in particular would have really benefited from some scorching scenes.

There was a pointless third act break up, and I didn't like the ending either, I actually couldn't believe the entire plot took place over only a weekend, and thought the love declaration came way too early. Also, Joe's confession was ludicrous, considering the time and place.

I'm a little disappointed, because I was initially convinced this would be an easy 5 star read due to the strong start, but ultimately it was a let down overall. I wouldn't mind reading this author's other work though, as I did like the writing style and humour.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

This book was a funny easy read. I was so close to giving it 4 stars but some parts of the book fell a bit short, I just wished we saw more between Sophie and Joe because they had some cute comments but I can't see where the love came from and the moments we did get were so far and few between I wanted more. William, Sophie and Charlotte's siblings banter was hilarious and any book that can make me laugh is a good book in my eyes.


Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for
the eARC of Love Story via Netgalley