Member Reviews
I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.
This was a cute story. I liked the advice column angle and I liked the characters. I thought the story flowed really well. I would read another book from this author.
I thought this was a fun, entertaining read and I really liked the FMC, Lucy. I do not envy her position in that she has to witness her love interest get cozy with someone else. Additionally Lucy has to bear witness to a not so fun situation with her sister that takes some real contemplation as to what to do. I think Lucy ended up handling things well and I am happy with the outcome. I like the title of this book but for some reason I wish it would have been titled "Ask Adam".nOverall, I enjoyed this romcom
Totally easily bingeable book! I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down! Lucy sworn off men but why all the time that happens the perfect one comes along! Now fighting this new office crush & her sister is now newly in love she has some serious FOMO going on! It’s super fast paced, fun and cringey in the best way! I love how the author doesn’t shy away from those challenging subjects! An easy summer read that you’re going to fall in love with!
I really enjoyed this book! It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish. The story was well-paced, and the characters felt real and engaging. I’m grateful to the publisher for providing an early copy—it was a pleasure to read!
I didn’t love this one. It was almost a DNF for me, something just didn’t connect so it was tough to engage.
I received a copy of this book and couldn’t wait to get started. I devoured the book from start to finish.
I loved the main characters Lucy and Ross and found the storyline lighthearted but very engaging. The characters were well written and I really enjoyed the chemistry building between them.
On top of the romance between Lucy and Ross, we watched Lucy’s trusting relationship with her sister come into force, resulting in a spur of the moment trip to New York!
Supporting characters were great, all played a part in the story.
The sign of a good author is one who can make you feel the characters emotions. The sign of a brilliant author is one who can give you second hand embarrassment on behalf of a character. The latter is how I felt reading the Katz’s Deli scene. I could feel the cringe so badly - such good writing!
I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommended.
Thank you author and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚
This was very lackluster and there was absolutely no chemistry. I definitely can only read books that have a strong romance plot. This was set up to have the potential for that, but it felt completely flat and felt very immature.
This book just didn’t do it for me. It started off ok in the beginning but at about 70% it just got really cringy to me. The scene in the restaurant gave me second hand embarrassment. The characters were ok but not all that likable and overall I feel like the story lost momentum. Also I am having a hard time figuring out how Ross and Lucy actually ended up getting together because their story was very awkward. Oh well, you win some you lose some!
I enjoyed this book, and it was a quick and easy read. I did like FMC, Lucy, but struggled with the overall story. It was focused too much on her past and didn't give as much attention her present or future with Ross, However, I do hope to read more from the author in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
Not really my cup of tea. It was okay, but This book I must say wasn't for me. Hate to say this but only 2.5 stars
This one spent way too much time in the past with past relationships vs. focusing on the present story. I would say that this one is a take it or leave it.
The Love Hack is a fun and entertaining story that I would recommend to anyone who loves slow paced love stories with fun side storylines! Lucy’s job as an advice columnist was intriguing from the start and I loved the little snippets of columns we got throughout the book! I also enjoyed the storyline of Lucy‘s sister, who is probably the most relatable side character I‘ve encountered in a while!
However, something about the pacing felt off. It takes a while to actually connect to the MCs (especially the MMC) and the love story aspect also takes off very late in the game. It’s almost as if the first half of the book is very a lot and uneventful, whereas in the second half everything happens all at once.
What makes up for that is the great banter and the lovely ending, which also are the reasons I will probably come back and pick up the authors future work!
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing this e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.
I almost couldn't finish this one. The pacing was incredibly slow, and by nearly halfway through, there was still no real conflict or development in the romance. The love interest barely appears, and I found myself more invested in the side characters than the main story.
Lucie’s character felt unrealistic, falling for a coworker she barely knows and then getting jealous without ever expressing interest. Her immaturity and delusional behavior made it hard to connect with her, and the only thing I enjoyed was her relationship with her cat, Astro.
Overall, it was a disappointing read.
I was drawn to this book by its adorable cover and the promise of a forbidden, steamy office romance filled with humor. But while the premise had potential, the execution didn’t quite hit the mark.
The story leans heavily into Lucy's (the main character) past, often pulling focus away from her budding romance with Ross. Instead of a tantalizing slow burn, their relationship never fully ignites, leaving the chemistry feeling lukewarm.
Though the side characters and subplots added some flavor, the overall narrative felt a bit disjointed. There were definitely moments I enjoyed, and I liked it enough to finish, but in the end, I was left craving more depth and connection between the characters.
If you're in the mood for a light read with a few bright spots, it’s worth a try, but don't expect the sparks to fly as high as you'd hope.
#TheLoveHack #NetGalley
I am literally the WORST secret keeper.
I get way too excited and just can’t help myself, I need to share my news. Even if it’s not my news (per se) I still can’t hold it in or I’ll just about burst.
So, when I see the little reminders that tell me I’m not allowed to post until 30 days before, I nearly lose control of my bladder.
Well, I tried my best and I made it! This little blabber mouth, did not ruin the surprise for all of you. I did so well that I actually missed the big “pub day” celebratory post (🥹)
I fell head over heels in love with Lucy and Ross! The humor and silly banter that lays within these characters characters will have you rooting for them the entire way. I wouldn’t call them flawed but more or less multi layered. Getting to know these two opened my eyes to a whole new world and I enjoyed every bit of it.
This book is out today and you don’t want to miss it! Here’s a little teaser:
She’s a rookie advice columnist. He’s her office crush. It’s about to get complicated…
Landing a new job as online agony uncle “Ask Adam” Lucy dishes out relationship tips to men. But when it comes to her own love life, she’d rather spend Friday nights curled up on her sofa with Netflix and her cat, Astro.
That is, until she meets Ross, her new co-worker who makes her snort with laughter at his silly jokes and sets off butterflies in her stomach when his hazel eyes meet hers over his laptop.
After her last work boyfriend broke her heart, Lucy swore she’d never fall for someone in the office again. And she’s just about to have two more good reasons not to.
An email has just landed in the “Ask Adam” inbox and Lucy is convinced it’s from Ross.
He’s most definitely not single.
As her advice column goes viral and her inbox overflows with problems, Lucy turns to her AI assistant for help decoding romantic troubles, including her own. Can her state-of-the-art cupid really help her navigate her feelings for Ross? Or will the truth behind “Ask Adam” turn her non-existent love life into a hot mess?
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.
Poignant, with cleanly composed dialogue, The Love Hack was a fun and easy read! I'm a sucker for office banter, and as a writer myself, I loved that this was an element that was so easy to relate to. The romance didn't happen until later on in the book, and I would have loved for this to have blossomed a little earlier. However, I am a BIG fan of books that incorporate the real-life aspect into them, meaning that the MMC/FMC does not take up their entire lives. This book checked that box for me as well.
This was my first book by this author, and while sometimes I get stuck in the habit of reading authors that I know and trust, I’m sure glad I stepped out of my habitual reader shoes and tried someone new!
Sophie Ranald, I’ll be back. 😉🥰
3.50/5.00
I received an ARC of this book. Thank you to Sophie Ranald, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing, in exchange for my honest review.
*The Love Hack* by Sophie Ranald is a delightful and contemporary rom-com that strikes the perfect balance between humor, love, and the complexities of modern dating. If you're a fan of witty dialogue, relatable heroines, and a lighthearted yet heartfelt exploration of relationships, this book will be right up your alley.
The story follows Serena, a social media manager whose love life feels as chaotic as the algorithm changes she grapples with at work. Faced with a string of dating disappointments and a career crossroads, Serena decides to take matters into her own hands, hacking her love life and career with the same determination she brings to her job. Cue hilarious misunderstandings, unexpected twists, and a few tender moments as Serena navigates dating apps, workplace drama, and the question of what she truly wants from life.
Ranald’s writing is sharp and funny, full of clever observations about the perils of dating in the digital age. What really shines in *The Love Hack* is Serena’s character development. She’s quirky, smart, and completely relatable. As readers follow her journey of self-discovery, it’s easy to root for her through her ups and downs. While the romantic elements are charming, this book is just as much about self-empowerment and personal growth.
That said, the plot can feel somewhat predictable at times, and the love interest, while endearing, doesn’t always leap off the page. However, the story’s humor and heart make up for these minor shortcomings.
Overall, *The Love Hack* is a breezy, feel-good read that will leave you smiling. It's perfect for anyone looking for a charming romantic comedy with a strong, relatable heroine at its core. If you love Sophie Ranald’s previous work or enjoy authors like Sophie Kinsella or Lindsey Kelk, this book will be a great addition to your bookshelf!
I struggled to finish this book. It wasn’t for me unfortunately! I would still be interested in reading more from this author in the future. I just couldn’t get into it I think due to the fact I found it hard to relate to the female main character and didn’t find her very likeable.
I did initially think however that the premise of the book was good as I enjoy a good office romance.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley. I really appreciate the opportunity to have been provided with this ARC.
This is a difficult one to review. It wasn’t a bad book, but I wouldn’t say it was great either. It felt very bland and exactly like others I’ve read before. Some moments of second hand embarrassment were so cringe worthy I had to skip it all together. I don’t know, I’d read other books by the author to see but I’m not sure I would recommend this one.