This was definitely a beach read or even just a vacation read!

The banter between the main characters was wholesome & quirky. The setting, the writing, everything was enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love Story is a fun, witty, and swoony read perfect for lovers of rom coms.

In fact the central thread of the story is very much an unapologetic ode to romance books. I loved the peppering of jokes, name dropping and references to female romance authors throughout. Sophie and Joe have great chemistry and their relationship development felt perfectly paced. Sophie’s quirky and self focussed family made for hilarious interactions, and I loved their character development.

I loved this so much I read it both as an ebook and audiobook. Kristin Atherton’s narration was animated and immersive, and really brought Sophie and Joe’s bickering and banter to life. I also really enjoyed her characterisation of Charlotte.

I picked this up after reading (and loving) Love Me Do last year, and can’t wait to delve into Lindsey Kelk’s other books.

Thank you HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I will always love a Lindsey Kelk book, mainly because she has so many references to my childhood/teenage days peppered throughout her novels. She also writes a mean Love Story and turns the genre on its head. We shouldn’t be ashamed to read a romance novel and wtf is ‘Women’s Fiction’, do men have fiction? Loved what this made me think about the genre and I was cheering on Sophie and Joe all the way! Thank you @netgalley and Lindsey for the eARC of this endearing book.

Love Story is the perfect embodiment of a noughties rom com. My heart was warmed, broken and pounding with anxiety and anticipation with every page. Even while reading this book, I preordered the book before its official release because I loved it that much. It has shot up to one of my top three books read this year, and I cannot wait to read more of Lindsey Kelk’s phenomenal work!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC, and to Lindsey Kelk for what I know will be the book of the summer!

Sophie Taylor, a primary school teacher, has published a spicy romance novel under a pseudonym. Her debut is a huge hit, but with an ex who's an award-winning literary author and parents who are indifferent to the romance genre, she's keeping her success strictly confidential. That is until the one person she doesn't want to know figures it out.

What a treat this was from the first page! Only her brother and publisher knew. When the creative director of the publishing house, Joe Walsh, found out her secret, she wasn't elated of course.

I loved that even though Joe initially dismissed her work, he came around to it and worked to make her see she was talented and worthy of all the accolades. Their chemistry was off the charts though it took them a while to give in to the feelings and I loved the slow burn. There were shocking twists here and there that kept the story exciting as well.

This was an ode to romance book readers and authors. I loved that we don't need to explain why we read romance as opposed to other genres of fiction. I also loved that Kelk mentioned other current authors as the story unfolded.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the narration and found myself getting busy just to continue listening.

Another fantastic book from the wonderful Lindsey Kelk. This one was a pure delight to read, it offers a little more spice than her previous books, the enemies to lovers trope is explored really well and there are many other themes running along side like maternal relationships, friendships, misogyny. All in all - a cracker of a book.

This is a cute romance novel and I actually enjoyed reading this novel.

Sophie is a school teacher and she has a secret--she is a famous author known as Este and writes mainly spicy romance. Joe meanwhile is a hot handsome publisher. So when Sophie loses her laptop where her sequel to the bestselling novel is written and she needs Joe's help. Sophie and Joe doesn't get along but then things changed when Sophie needs Joe's help and the two had to work together.

I like the banter between Sophie and Joe--their constant banter between each other is actually really funny. Plus, I really like Sophie's relationship with her parents and also the banter between Sophie and her family. Sophie is a very likable character but then I found all the characters really likable in my opinion. The whole plot line, to me was interesting and intriguing and there were some funny parts in the story that will make you laugh out loud. The ending was what I actually liked about the book but then, everything will be happily ever after afterwards! I also really rooted for Joe and Sophie, despite their hatred towards each other.

Overall this book worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

I don't know how she does it but ever year her stories get better and better! Sophie and Joe are so much fun to read about and to follow their story. This story was about Sophie who is an author of a spicy book but because of who her parents are the fact she is a school teacher and snobbery in the publishing world she writes under a pen name and keeps her identity secret. Joe works at the publishing house and is a part of her team, he has no idea who she is. Sophie spends a day in London drinking and doing karaoke with Joe and ends up losing her laptop and her manuscript of the next book in her series! She needs to get it back asap but is Joe the right person to help?


Nobody writes a rom com like Lindsey Kelk and to me she is the one author i will read over and over. Fantastic read, I say it every year but this might be my favourite Lindsey Kelk book to date!

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Enjoyable as always but need an epilogue!

Sophie Taylor is a small-town elementary school teacher with popular figures as parents. Not just that, she is the mysterious Este Cox, the author of Butterflies, a book flying off the shelves faster than it can be printed.
Joe Walsh is arrogant, annoying, overconfident, and way too handsome to be a good man. However, sparks fly between the two and intensify when they meet again.
Sophie needs help when her bag with her laptop and the latest manuscript is lost. But is Joe the man to help her or will take advantage of her situation? Let’s find out!
The story comes in Sophie’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I was excited when I got a widget for the author’s latest book. While I have a few teeny issues with some aspects, no denying that I enjoy her works. And look at that cover. Isn’t it pretty?
NGL, I was a bit surprised when the MMC entered the story right in the first chapter. I also forgot the premise and spent a while wondering if he was the one or not, lol. A quick look at the blurb cleared things up.
As you can guess from the premise, this is an enemies-to-lovers trope with insta-love thrown into the mix. There’s no pretense about it, though. It starts as insta-lust which makes sense given how handsome the guy is. *swoon*
The book deftly deals with the bias against romance (never mind that it is one of the bestselling genres). The conversations are scattered throughout the book and raise many points I cheered for. I came across this post on Facebook, which aligns with what the book discusses.
Considering the FMC’s family background, many authors get a mention. It can be a wee excessive for some readers. The names can get too many at times.
The writing has a lot of humor, something the author does with ease. It is fun reading and chuckling at the banter between different characters.
The side characters are distinct and do their bit to keep the story flowing. Charlotte is what we call a chota packet bada dhamaka (small in size but a huge impact). She brings a lot of drama and laughter to the plot.
There’s one scene that is uncomfortable but is presented with a humorous touch. Just saying that if the roles were reversed, it would never be funny. At least, there’s an acknowledgment that it is not supposed to be funny, so that’s something.
There is a dreaded third-act breakup, which did leave me with mixed feelings. I’m not a fan of this trope and feel it could have been better with an epilogue. This brings me to the next point – why is there no epilogue?
When the book advocates the importance of romance reads, it makes sense to have an epilogue and provide readers with the full satisfaction of seeing the characters get their HEA. And if the author hates epilogues, why not extend the last scene to another page and let the happiness sink in. Some of us are fast readers. It doesn’t work well if the book ends before we fully feel the lead couple getting back together. Give us a little something to enjoy and then end the book. Ugh!
The book has some spice but not as much as I expected. Somehow, the main scenes fade out despite it being (or supposed to be) an open door. So, I’d put it around steam level 2.

To summarize, Love Story is an enjoyable read with many lighthearted moments and some emotional ones. It makes a strong case for the romance genre without shoving the theme into the readers’ faces. Naturally, I’m ready for the next book by the author.
Thank you, Vicky Joss, NetGalley, and HarperCollins, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Lindsey Kelk is an automatic buy for me…Every one of her books have some kind of magic, with absolutely hilarious one liners and situations.

The book centres around Sophie, who is a school teacher, hiding a big secret - She is the biggest selling romance author of Butterflies. Sophie is also the daughter of two very reverent literally giants and feels like she can’t tell anyone her secret, but the whole world wants to uncover who the writer is.

Whilst having a meeting with her publisher, Sophie meets Joe and well she wishes she never has to see him again, but Sophie has to endure a weekend celebrating her Dad’s birthday. Joe surprisingly pops up and with the absolute hell of having to deal with a dull ex boyfriend (‘CJ’) - what ensues is what I can only call absolute chaos…Now this may not sound like a situation that will cause you to absolute snort with laughter, but I promise you that it will.

The books pulls together a dysfunctional family dynamic, hilarious moments, strong friendships and romance. Alongside the actual love story, it also celebrates Sophie’s journey of learning to love and embrace the part of herself as a romance author. Sophie is extremely relatable and reminds us that we should never hide what makes our hearts happy - it’s what makes us, us.

Throughout, the book explores the judgment romance readers receive, that the genre is seen as something that should be ridiculed and means we are missing something from life if we enjoy these types of books. I loved that romance books were championed and showed that they can be meaningful stories which resonate with most people.

I absolutely loved Sophie and Joe’s story, sometimes it was somewhat frustrating, but all in all it was the perfect escapism.

Thank you for the arc, I am truly grateful 💕

Yet again Lindsey writes another amazing read. I've loved her work ever since I read I Heart New York.

I loved this story I couldn't put it down. Sophie and Joe were perfect!!!

Absolutely adored this book.

Years and years ago I read the ‘I heart’ series when I was still in school. Roll forward ten + years and I discover Lindsey Kelk has a new book out. I was slightly sceptical whether I’d enjoy reading an author who I used to read when I was young. But I was pleasantly surprised how much I still love her writing and even with age it doesn’t get old.

The story follows primary school teacher/secret best selling romance author Sophie Taylor. It takes place over the course of her dad’s 50th birthday weekend, where she is surrounded by people from the book industry. She has to manoeuvre family, her ex, her new love interest whilst also keeping her big secret under wraps.

This was such an easy read, I finished it one sitting. I did enjoy the story and seeing Sophie’s growth. Some things did annoy me e.g. her sister in the first half of the book, and the overall pacing. 85% of the book is during the birthday weekend but then there’s a weird time jump. It feels as if it was spent too long and drawn out on the first part and then when it should have ended there was another conflict in the last 5% which came out of nowhere. Other than that I did enjoy it and I would definitely read more of Lindsey Kelk’s book.

Easy 3.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟 💫

A classic slapstick rom com with all the modern twists!!
Sophie has a huge secret from her family and the romance fans who have taken her first published book under the pseudonym of Este Cox, to stratospheric levels. Her day job is as a teacher in the Home Counties. When she has a clandestine lunch with her uncle and publisher, her secret is nearly uncovered!!
Great story, although a little predictable in places and frustrating!! Enjoyed the main characters but her sister is a brat…….. has no one got the bottle to say NO! It’s a fun light hearted read, not to be taken seriously in any way!
Made me squirm uncomfortably more than laugh……and for me a bit annoying in places…..
Not my favourite Lindsey Kelk book, she’s written way better. This one is a little formulaic and I felt a bit lost in places like the book didn’t know where it was going. However……….this is a fab fun holiday read, great if you love a silly rom com!
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the early read, much appreciated.

💖 Enemies to lovers
💖 Just one bed
💖 Small town romance
💖 Forced proximity

(Thanks to Harper Collins for letting me read an e-arc in exchange for an honest review)

Enemies to lovers and just one bed are some of my favourite tropes so I knew I would enjoy this one, plus I read everything Lindsey Kelk writes! Sophie Taylor, a small-town schoolteacher, and Joe Walsh, a confident marketing director, clash from the start. Joe suspects Sophie is hiding something big and he’s right. Sophie is actually Este Cox, a mysterious and popular romance author. When Sophie loses her laptop and manuscript for her latest book, she reluctantly turns to Joe for help. They end up in her hometown, where they end up sharing a one-bed cottage. As tensions rise, Sophie must decide if she can trust Joe with her secret and reveal her true self.

This books acts as a commentary on a genre Kelk has been a part of for at least 15 years (I heart New York came out 15 years ago and if you haven’t read it, you definitely should). It acknowledges what people think when they judge both romance authors and romance readers. To be honest when I started reading more romance, I didn’t really want to tell people who weren’t readers what I was reading for this exact reason.

It is both a love letter to the genre and an explanation and argument for why so many people love romance books and why it should be taken as seriously as any other genre, especially since the genre has blown up partly due to TikTok and sells so many copies daily but there are “plenty of snobs around to judge them”.

Sophie embodies so many people that are worried about how other people view them in a world where loving something so unconditionally is a radical act and I loved following her character arc and her and Joe’s relationship.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date: 4th July 2024

Love Story by Lindsey Kelk

"Love Story" by Lindsey Kelk is a great romantic comedy that had me hooked from the start. Sophie Taylor, a primary school teacher with a secret identity as bestselling romance author Este Cox, is a character full of charm and relatability.
Her witty banter and evolving romance with the confident Joe Walsh make for an engaging read. The story's backdrop—a weekend getaway filled with chaos and hilarious moments—adds to its appeal.
The book beautifully explores themes of literary snobbishness and the stigma around the romance genre, with clever nods to "Bridget Jones' Diary"
While the romance is sweet and occasionally steamy, it's the humor and charm of the story that shine brightest.
Overall, "Love Story" is a fun, light-hearted read perfect for a summer escape.

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the early e-arc of this book. I loved every minute of this book. Oh god, I loved the characters and I laughed my head off reading this book. I smiled so much when I saw the email saying I was allowed to read this book early as I love Lindsey Kelk's books.

I really enjoyed the premise of this novel. I love stories about romance writers; especially when they are experiencing their own romance!

The characters and the setting of this novel were brilliant, I really felt like I was there experiencing it all. I enjoyed the blossoming romance between our two main characters- the sparks were flying!!

A brilliant novel, great to enjoy on holiday!


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this novel in exchange for and honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book.

Sophie has a secret, one which she doesn’t want anyone to know.

But, Joe, someone who she’s never liked find it out, and now they have to do whatever it takes so that no one else knows.

I loved some of the characters who were lovely, having their own personality, but, some, not so much,

I highly recommend this book.

I heart the author's 'I Heart' series and enjoyed this almost as much. Set mostly over one eventful weekend this fulfils all the cliches such as insta-love, enemies to lovers, etc. But it does them well and unapologetically - and I for one loved the love/hate chemistry between Sophie and Joe. As expected it was funny too with witty banter, comedic situations and fun cultural references throughout. One that springs to mind is somebody's aftershave being "more potent than a Lush store". I also really enjoyed the insights into the life of a writer and work involved in publishing a book. So, in summary a really great, light, relatable and fun read.

This was a super fun, easy read romance that will make you laugh and fly through the pages.
I loved that the FMC was a romance writer, and the references to other romance authors was really fun, as I’ve read quite a few of their books.
I wasn’t a massive fan of the ‘insta love’ between Sophie & Joe, it isn’t really a trope that I find that appealing, and really I was more interested in reading about how Sophie was going to tell her family that she was the bestselling author of the book that everyone was talking about.

I’d rate this a 3.75 and would recommend it to the romance readers for a fun, easy read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.