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.

The main character Lucy was getting fired from a column at the women’s magazine she was writing, so with the advice and guidance of her sister (who after two weeks refused to help he) , she pitched to write an advice column for men and their relationship problems.
She writes advice to men with a man's name because men have fragile ego and cannot handle advice from women. Lucy doesn't understand men, she makes sure you know this by mentioning it every 2 minute.
This isn’t much of a love story between Lucy and Ross. It was mostly about Lucy, her issues, her insecurities, the relationship with her sister, her new job, her relationship with her ex, her cat and just a bit about Ross.

"The Love Hack" by Sophie Ranald is a delightful slow-burn office rom-com that’s just too adorable! Meet Lucy, who finds herself out of a job at a magazine and now has to write as the male “Ask Adam” columnist. Talk about a twist! She’s got a major crush on her new co-worker, Ross, but after a past heartbreak with a colleague, she’s totally sworn off office romance. Oh, and did I mention Ross is dating her sister’s friend? Yup, major awkward vibes!

Things get even messier when Lucy gets a shocking email from a reader thinking about cheating on his wife. And guess what? Lucy is pretty sure it’s her sister’s husband who just moved to New York with her sister, Amelie. So, what does Lucy do? She hops on a plane to New York with a plan to catch him in the act and spill the beans to her sister. Spoiler alert: things don’t go as smoothly as she hopes!

This book is packed with so much drama, and while Lucy and Ross’s romance is the main event, there are plenty of side stories that make it even more enjoyable. It’s layered with themes of standing up for yourself, accepting who you are, and dealing with the past. Plus, the sisterhood angle is super heartwarming! Trust me, you won’t want to miss this fun read!

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was expecting an office romance and didn't get that in the least.

I feel like this can't even go in the "romance" genre because we barely got to see Lucy and Ross falling in love, most of the time it was just them blushing and not saying anything to each other.

It also went a lot over Lucy's last situationship, to the point where we literally got the whole story and not just s glimpse which in my opinion is irrelevant to the current story.

Lucy complained a lot and was delusional most of the time, it was annoying to read her inner monologue and don't even get me started on the drama with her sister and husband.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I did not finish this book. I know I’m in the minority but I couldn’t connect with the characters and story line felt really slow moving. I do like this author though so I will definitely try another book from her in the future.

3.5/5 Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing, below is my honest review.

THE LOVE HACK follows Lucy, a quirky, tech-savvy woman who lands a job as an anonymous advice columnist and finds herself developing feelings for her coworker, Ross. As she gives romantic advice to others, Lucy grapples with her own budding romance and personal challenges. This modern office rom-com promises a fun, lighthearted story with relatable moments and humor, and I had a great time reading it.

Compared to recent releases like HAPPY PLACE by Emily Henry, THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS and LOVE, THEORETICALLY both by Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hack offers a breezier, less emotionally intense read. Whilst The Love Hypothesis and Love, Theoretically feature more intellectual, STEM-centered heroines and slightly steamier romances, The Love Hack keeps its romantic elements subtle and mild, with fewer in-depth explorations of relationships. It’s lighter in tone, favoring humour over heavy emotions, which might not appeal as strongly to those who love the deeper romantic and emotional arcs of Henry’s work. Sometimes I found the plot a little bit slow, but the humour and charm made up for it.

For readers who enjoy the quirky yet heartfelt vibe of Emily Henry’s books (which I personally love!), The Love Hack is a charming addition to the genre. It’s a great pick for readers looking for a feel-good story with plenty of laughs, and the workplace setting adds a modern touch. Whilst the romance isn’t as developed as it could be, the book is an enjoyable, light read for those who prefer minimal steam in their stories, offering just the right amount of easygoing and lighthearted romance.

The premise of this book was super sweet: Lucie, 29, a solo monogamous since a failed workplace relationship years ago, lands a job giving relationship advice in a column under the ruse of a man. She struggles a bit and leans an AI program for help with the questions she receives. In the meantime, her new coworker Ross catches her eye. I really enjoyed the way the chapters started with letters from men asking questions to the column and how Lucie reacts to them, but the overall plot lagged a bit. I found myself liking the last quarter of the book much more than the first three-quarters. I missed a bit of the romance part of Lucie and Ross’s relationship.

This was a very well written book.
The main characters fell a little flat for me though. The MFC just felt a bit “stalkerish” in my opinion. I don’t know… felt like high school romance where you both like each other but are too scared to say anything and these are grown adults.
Throw in her sisters problems and it all just felt a little off for me personally.

I decided that I want to read this book in the end, and I'm sorry to say that I really liked the cat, and not so much more.

I wanted to bang my head against a wall every time Lucy said that "she doesn't understand men". Well I did not understand you, Lucy. Or this book.

The biggest problem of this book:
Why is it classified as a romance book when the romance was barely there? everything was about the relationship between her and her sister/cat. Ross was just there, in the background. Chemistry who?

Another thing I like to add and with this, I'm done, is that I understand that the FMC must be different or stand out among others but it feels like in this she only whines and like I said above "doesn't understand men".

I really hoped to like this, but in the end... NO.

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

"The Love Hack" by Sophie Ranald is a fun and contemporary romantic comedy that taps into the modern world of dating, technology, and the quest for love in the digital age. Ranald’s writing is fresh, witty, and full of heart, making this novel a delightful read for anyone who enjoys stories about love, self-discovery, and the occasional mishap in the world of online romance.

The story centers around a protagonist who, possibly frustrated with their love life, turns to technology—whether through dating apps, social media, or even a quirky matchmaking algorithm—to find the perfect match. However, as they navigate the often unpredictable world of digital dating, they quickly discover that love is far more complicated than any app can predict. Through a series of humorous, awkward, and heartfelt encounters, the protagonist learns that the true "hack" to love might be more about understanding oneself and others than relying on technology.

Ranald creates a cast of relatable and endearing characters, each with their own quirks and challenges in the dating world. The romantic plot is filled with charming moments, witty banter, and the kind of twists that keep readers hooked until the very end. The novel also touches on themes of friendship, self-worth, and the importance of authenticity in a world where it's easy to present a filtered version of oneself.

"The Love Hack" is perfect for fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedies, especially those who appreciate a modern twist on the classic love story. Sophie Ranald has crafted a novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for anyone who’s ever navigated the highs and lows of finding love in the digital age. With its blend of humor, romance, and a touch of tech, this book is sure to leave readers smiling and perhaps rethinking their own approach to love.

Like many others and their reviews, I was also really hoping for more of the romance to come through and maybe ultimately what brings me to the rating I gave it. However, for others, they might find that a nonissue. Quick and easy read!

Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now, a proper review will follow
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine