The Love Hack
Sophie Ranald

She’s a rookie advice columnist and he’s her office crush.

“Remember, Luce, the thing about men is they’re dicks. Hold that thought and nothing they do will surprise you. It might hurt you, but it won’t surprise you.”

This was a fun and light read. The perfect palette cleanser book and had some laugh out loud moments. It had heart and was just what I needed after a really busy week.

“Ross arse-planted in front of the new girl,” said Skinny.
“Most spectacular pratfall, like, ever,” said Handsome.

Lucy lands the gig of the online agony uncle, “Ask Adam”, a place to dish out love, sex, relationship and general advice. Except to Lucy, men are a total mystery! She is blissfully naive and rather innocent, not having had much relationship experience. Lucy still carry’s trauma from her last failed relationship but has made peace with a simple life, just her and her cat Astro.

That is, until she meets Ross, her new co-worker who seems nice and looks nice too. Only catch, he doesn’t seem to be single.

This gave me Sophie Kinsella vibes, and is a fun, heartwarming, feel good rom com that you can breeze through.

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and Sophie Ranald for this ARC.
The Love Hack is released 7th June 2024!

(POSTED 4th June 2024).

The Love Hack

This was cute but honestly kind of boring. I hate to say it, but I fell asleep several times while reading this book. There were also several British references I didn't understand as an American.

The characters were very relatable and it was almost like I was reading a story about real, normal people. Some interesting things happened but nothing that made me say I had to read it. I'm sad to say I wouldn't recommend this.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for a review.

This was cute!! I thought it was going to be a bit different than it was, but I still enjoyed it. I loved that Lucy was finding herself and was able to really go after what she wanted and that she did all of that to protect her sister. And I loved her relationship with Ross, but I wish there had been a little more to it, it felt rushed at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Storm publishing for my digital ARC!

I was somewhat apprehensive given the amount of low ratings this had when I started reading it. And I don’t know that it is necessarily bad, it was just very boring. I didn’t really care about the main character or feel invested in the relationship. I was semi interested in the sister storyline, but even that was just meh to me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

The love hack by sophie Ronald capture my attention almost the entire time. Lucy was very a very relatable character for me because of her background in technology. Lucy starts as a technology editor for a women’s magazine and for unforeseen circumstances she ends up writing a new column called ‘Ask Adam’ for the men’s side of her magazine. Ask Adam turns into a dating advice column written by men for men. Or so the readers think, little do they know that 29 year old lucy is writing the dating advice with one key theme in all her responses, don’t be a dick. The main love interest is named Ross and the two flirt throughout 90% of the book and don’t get together until the very end so for me that was just a bit slow I would’ve liked to see more of Lucy and Ross’s relationship. Overall it was a fast paced and fun read but could’ve had a bit more emphasis on the main romantic relationship.

I got about 15% into this book and decided it wasn’t for me. I felt like the flip from “Ross is evil because he got the job” to having romantic interest in him was sudden. The chemistry didn’t really pop out on page.

Lucy saves her job as journalist by selling an advice columnist to a men’s magazine, Ask Adam. Working among all men work place she experiences different work place than the all female one she is used to. She develops a crush on her Ross who sits near her. Could he be the person who wrote in a letter? Could he be married?

Sophie Ranald’s The Love Hack is a delightful romantic comedy that effortlessly blends humor, modern-day dilemmas, and the timeless quest for love. The story follows Lucy, a newly appointed advice columnist known as “Ask Adam,” who dishes out relationship tips to men while struggling with her own love life. Preferring quiet evenings with Netflix and her cat, Astro, Lucy's world is turned upside down when she meets Ross, a charming new co-worker whose jokes and hazel eyes make her reconsider her stance on office romances.

Ranald’s narrative is a refreshing take on contemporary romance, skillfully portraying the awkwardness and excitement of new attractions. Lucy’s internal conflict is relatable, especially her hesitation to date a colleague after a previous heartbreak. This adds a layer of depth to her character, making her more than just the typical romantic heroine. Her witty and self-deprecating voice endears her to the reader, creating a strong emotional connection.

Ross, the object of Lucy’s affections, is crafted with equal care. His easygoing nature and genuine kindness stand out, making him an appealing love interest. The chemistry between Lucy and Ross is palpable, their interactions filled with humor and understated tension. However, the plot thickens when Lucy suspects that a heartfelt email to “Ask Adam” might be from Ross, who is seemingly not single. This twist adds a compelling layer of intrigue, forcing Lucy to navigate her feelings with caution and uncertainty.

One of the novel’s highlights is its use of an AI assistant to help Lucy decode the romantic troubles flooding her inbox. This modern twist not only adds a unique element to the story but also provides comic relief as Lucy relies on state-of-the-art technology to solve matters of the heart. The AI's often unexpected and amusing suggestions underscore the complexity of human emotions that no algorithm can fully grasp.

The themes in The Love Hack are both timely and timeless. Ranald explores the challenges of finding love in a digital age, the complications of workplace relationships, and the courage it takes to open one’s heart after being hurt. These themes resonate deeply with readers who have navigated similar waters in their own lives.

Fans of romantic comedies will find much to love in this book. Ranald’s engaging writing style, combined with a plot that balances lighthearted moments with genuine emotional depth, makes for an enjoyable read. The novel’s humor, relatable characters, and modern-day twists ensure that it stands out in the crowded romance genre.

The Love Hack succeeds on many levels. Lucy is a protagonist who embodies both strength and vulnerability, making her journey compelling and relatable. The plot is intricate enough to keep readers hooked, with well-timed revelations and misunderstandings that add to the narrative’s charm. The modern-day setting, complete with AI assistants and viral advice columns, provides a fresh backdrop for this romantic tale.

Sophie Ranald has crafted a charming and insightful novel in The Love Hack, offering readers a story that is as heartwarming as it is humorous. The book’s ability to blend modern technology with the age-old pursuit of love makes it a standout in the romance genre, ensuring that readers will be both entertained and moved by Lucy’s journey to find happiness.

Unfortunately had to DNF this about 25% of the way through. The chemistry was really lacking and the MC was not very likable.

Dnfed at idk where I really couldn't be bothered. But hey, thanks NetGalley for the book.
I expected a love story. a girl writes advice for men pretending to be a man. but no. They only talked a few times and if you're thinking it must have been meaningful talks, lemme stop you there, he found her cat they talked about that and ABOUT TEA. and suddenly she was obsessed in love. Girl please.
I'm sorry but i didn't see a different way

DNF at 60%

I initially thought this was a romance novel featuring a cute love story between Lucy and Ross. However, I found myself searching for their story throughout the book. It felt more like a story about sisterhood, focusing on the bond between Lucy and her sister Amelie. Unfortunately, this book wasn't what I was looking for.

I really wanted to like The Love Hack but I found myself getting lost at every turn. I liked Ross but it felt like there was no real chemistry between him and Lucy. The book felt like it was more about Lucy's sister, Amelie, and her relationship with her. I finished the book but barely.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.

Thank you. I enjoyed " The Love Hack." It was such a cute story. I laughed and cried reading it. Thank you again.

3.5

This was such a quick and easy read, perfect for the summer. I don’t know if I would classify this as a rom com, but I enjoyed the story. I think the FMC was relatable with the self doubt that we often experience in our own minds but may never quite voice out loud. If I found myself frustrated with Lucy, I quickly realized it’s because many people in my life have experienced similar things and we now just know better. I thought it was interesting to see a FMC in such a vulnerable light when currently, strong and fearless FMC are the most popular. I think going in expecting it to be a rom com made it a little disappointing, but putting that aside I enjoyed the story. It was real and relatable, albeit not super romantic. Taking away “rom com” from the cover I think would make this more successful.

Thank you to NetGalley, Strom Publishing and Sophie Ranald for this eARC!

"The Love Hack" didn't quite meet my expectations, earning only 3 stars from me. The romance element was minimal, and the pace of the book was rather slow. While the intriguing premise and appealing cover initially drew me in, the story ultimately fell flat. I found the female main character, Lucy, somewhat annoying, though the male main character, Ross, had good banter and was likable. Overall, I hoped for more from this book. However, you might have a different experience, so I still recommend giving it a try. It just didn't work for me.

Thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think the premise of this book was great. I wanted to LOVE Lucy's character, but I honestly found it hard to. She was so full of self doubt, always so insecure, it's very hard for me to relate to that type of character. I found her very frustrating. I also felt she was pretty immature, considering she's supposed to be 29 in the book. I loved Ross' character, although felt he was so confident in the club and with others, but felt it was kinda weird for him to be so shy around Lucy. I also found the British language and terms confusing at times, and sort of off putting. I struggled through the first portion of this book but really got into the last 20% of it. I'd give it 3 stars.

Thank you for allowing me to read it and review it

Oh boy. I’m not quite sure I read what the higher rated reviews read.

I don’t think the author really knew what she wanted the main plot to be. Was it the sister relationship between Lucy and Amelie? Was it the marriage of Lucy’s sister? Was it her past with Kieran? Was it a romance with Ross? There was just way too much going on with little development. Nothing made sense.

And Lucy felt so whiney to me. I think it would have benefited for her to have spent time in those 4 years of her being single to work on herself because her feeling any sort of jealousy and sadness when Ross is with someone else makes her a bit clingy, not going to lie. And I still don’t see the chemistry between Ross and Lucy. They have one conversation and she’s head over heels for him. She had more chemistry with her cat.

Also the oddness of adding that September 11th “twist” to Ross’ background came out of nowhere.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly I went in Blind and was expecting a cute little office romance scenario because of the cover but you will hardly find romance in this book.
This is probably the fastest book I have ever read, I didn't skim through it but it was just so easy to read even after not having much romance, I found it very intriguing in the start but then the whole lucy and ross scene was so weird and there was no chemistry.

To be honest Author's writing style is good but the story line went down. Lucy being not able to understand men the whole time and finding all of them di*k ,surprisingly thinks ross is not one of them (Even though he was the worst because of what he did with her friend and continuously playing this push and pull game) Zack was an as*hole from the start till the end.

Although the Ask Adam thing was pretty interesting, probably that is the only thing which kept me going.
Also the blushing thing was way too repetitive and irritating.Why were they blushing this much?? It's not like they are teenagers.

In future I would love to read Amelia's book but with proper romance plot!!

Thank you netgalley for the ARC copy💌

If you're in the mood for a feel-good romantic comedy, "The Love Hack" is the perfect pick! Lucy is a rookie advice columnist dishing out relationship tips as "Ask Adam" while spending her Friday nights watching Netflix (relatable!). Things get interesting when her charming and funny co-worker, Ross, enters the picture and sparks fly—despite her vow to avoid office romances after her last heartbreak. Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Love Hack by Sophie Ranald is a first person-POV office romance set in London and New York. When Lucy’s job becomes obsolete, she offers to take on the position of an advice column for the male readership of the company’s other magazine, Max. As she gets more in touch with how to give advice, she also finds herself falling for her coworker, Ross, and growing concerned about her sister, Amelie.

While I personally am against AI in many ways due to having many artist friends who have detailed the issues with it, I understood Renald’s point of AI as a tool for Lucy to use until she no longer needed it and how that would be something Lucy would even seriously consider as someone interested in technology. There are ethical questions in Lucy using AI at all to help her write her advice and copy-pasting bits and pieces, but she ultimately used it more as a rubber duck to help her come to conclusions about what advice to give as her confidence grew. Lucy also used the AI to start thinking about the askers’ problems in a more fair, non judgemental way, particularly when she was frustrated with those asks.

One thing I really liked was the slowburn between Ross and Lucy and how Ross kept trying to subtly suggest to Lucy that he liked her. Early on, Ross does start to date Amelie’s friend, Bryony, who he met at Amelie’s bachelorette party, but his heart is not totally in it. Ross is never depicted as being cruel to Bryony or even as using her but more unsure of how to navigate a relationship where he’s the less interested party. While Ross doesn’t look great for doing it, it is a realistic situation that people do end up finding themselves in.

Content warning for mentions of 9/11 and depictions of cheating

I would recommend this to readers looking for an office romance where the FMC is into nerd culture, fans of romances that explore current topics, and those looking for a story that does some discussion on misogyny.