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thosebookbesties_la's review
4.0
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada and Lindsey Klek for the advanced digital copy of this book. My thoughts are my own.
"Love Story" whisks you away on a rollercoaster of emotions over a single, wild weekend, giving new meaning to the term "insta-love." The story follows Sophie, the secret author of a bestselling smutty romance novel. She’s kept this juicy tidbit under wraps, especially from her highbrow, literature-snob parents who work in publishing. Sophie is absolutely delightful and so relatable—I totally got where she was coming from! Joe, however, was a bit of a mystery. I wasn’t sure if I could trust him, which was definitely part of the intrigue and all gets sorted out by the end.
The witty banter between Sophie and Joe, as well as her interactions with her family, is pure gold. Seriously, I laughed so hard I nearly cried. Their epic roast of Sophie’s ex is something I’ll cherish forever—absolutely hilarious!
Sophie’s adventure also opens up a wonderful dialogue about the (internalized) misogyny that romance writers and readers often face. It’s maddening how women get belittled for enjoying romance novels when they offer the same kind of escape as other genres like fantasy. I’ve had my moments of being a literary snob, but I’ve since embraced my love for romance, and Kelk’s story celebrates that shift. I also adored the shout-outs to other romance authors sprinkled throughout. It’s a fabulous, feel-good read!
somethingaboutbooks23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Sophie is a small-town school teacher who is hiding a very big secret, she is Este Cox, the mysterious romance writer that the entire world wants to unmask. Joe is a hotshot creative director, who is devilishly handsome, incredibly hot and far too sure of himself, together it is hate at first sight. When he discovers her secret she desperately needs his help &, when they are thrown together for a whole weekend, their relationship starts to take a whole new turn. Can Sophie trust Joe and be herself after all this time?
Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey, seriously you’ve knocked it out the park once again! The familiar Kelk writing style is warm, comical & friendly, in every one of her books I feel like the characters become your best friends and the bad guys (CJ - what a prat!!) rile you just as they would in real life. And oh the nostalgia (hello Groovy Chick notepaper!) and the relatable facts - seriously, has anyone ever not burnt their mouth on a McDonalds apple pie?? And of course the Taylor Swift references, well, with the title of Love Story there couldn’t not be could there?
In case you hadn’t guessed I LOVED this book, a beautifully written title that also encapsulates the importance of women in the world of publishing, I loved the insight and the clever references that the romance genre doesn’t deserve mockery but instead should be recognised for being that escape that readers need in their lives at times.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book? The fact I couldn’t put it down and therefore it was over so quickly! Thank you for bringing Sophie and Joe into our lives Lindsey, can’t wait for the next one!
“Because anything that lets you take a much needed step back from everything going on in the world today seems very fucking important to me”
Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey, seriously you’ve knocked it out the park once again! The familiar Kelk writing style is warm, comical & friendly, in every one of her books I feel like the characters become your best friends and the bad guys (CJ - what a prat!!) rile you just as they would in real life. And oh the nostalgia (hello Groovy Chick notepaper!) and the relatable facts - seriously, has anyone ever not burnt their mouth on a McDonalds apple pie?? And of course the Taylor Swift references, well, with the title of Love Story there couldn’t not be could there?
In case you hadn’t guessed I LOVED this book, a beautifully written title that also encapsulates the importance of women in the world of publishing, I loved the insight and the clever references that the romance genre doesn’t deserve mockery but instead should be recognised for being that escape that readers need in their lives at times.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book? The fact I couldn’t put it down and therefore it was over so quickly! Thank you for bringing Sophie and Joe into our lives Lindsey, can’t wait for the next one!
“Because anything that lets you take a much needed step back from everything going on in the world today seems very fucking important to me”
sophkean's review
5.0
I am a huge fan of Lindsey's writing and was extremely excited for this one (not just because the FMC is called Sophie) and it honestly did not disappoint. What a book. It had me laughing and crying in all the right places, and I completely fell in love with both Sophie and Joe, with their separate vulnerabilities but also their relationship together.
I also really enjoyed the take on romance as a genre, and also how people form opinions on things they don't like and then belittle others for them. This has firmly become my favourite Lindsey Kelk book!
A huge thank you to Lindsey Kelk, HarperCollins and NetGalley for this arc - I truly cannot wait to read it again!
I also really enjoyed the take on romance as a genre, and also how people form opinions on things they don't like and then belittle others for them. This has firmly become my favourite Lindsey Kelk book!
A huge thank you to Lindsey Kelk, HarperCollins and NetGalley for this arc - I truly cannot wait to read it again!
hb6wdy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
albafb's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sarinaslibrary's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I was looking forward to this book as I have seen it all over my socials and have heard good things about it.
Unfortunately it didn’t hit the mark.
All the cheaters, and yes I mean all are all annoying and bratty, there isn’t one character I even liked reading this. The MFC is a pushover, the MMC can’t take no for an answer and the MFC is an annoying BFF bratty teenager who gets what she wants and blackmails people and nobody stops her??
I’m sorry but all this book did for me was make me feel annoyed because the charades are poorly written and it wasn’t enjoyable to read.
Unfortunately it didn’t hit the mark.
All the cheaters, and yes I mean all are all annoying and bratty, there isn’t one character I even liked reading this. The MFC is a pushover, the MMC can’t take no for an answer and the MFC is an annoying BFF bratty teenager who gets what she wants and blackmails people and nobody stops her??
I’m sorry but all this book did for me was make me feel annoyed because the charades are poorly written and it wasn’t enjoyable to read.
litwithleigh's review
4.0
Writing: trademark Lindsey Kelk (punchy and conversational) | Plot: unique | Ending: again, I humbly ask for an epilogue (which I never do)
my opinion
People in China heard me scream when I opened my email to find a NetGalley widget for this absolutely stunning book. I am nothing but a Lindsey Kelk stan and once again, she did not disappoint. I can't wait to receive my pre-ordered copy to sleep with under my pillow because this cover is EVERYTHING!!!
This was different than her past books for 2 reasons. 1: Kelk catches a lot of flack for her lack of ding dongs, so horndogs rejoice, this is her horniest book yet. It's not completely open doors, but it's like not all the way closed until one of them realizes you're creepin on them and shuts it in your face. Lots of talk about ~moisture~ and ~tingling~ in this one. And by a lot, I mean for Kelk, not Elsie Silver levels. I wouldn't be surprised if this is her best rated book as there seems to be a direct correlation between spice levels and rating in the romance arena.
And 2: there was A LOT of romance for a Kelk book. I mean it was mostly horniness, but still, the MMC was fully in the frame. In some of her past books, the male love interest has less on-page time than the FMCs cat. I like how she addressed head-on that it was insta-love (everyone's least fave trope), instead of pretending they had some deep, meaningful connection they built over time like some other books ahem Heartless by Elsie Silver (sorry for the double drive-by).
I really enjoyed her take on the popular online discourse surrounding romance novels. Namely: are romance novels everything literature isn't supposed to be? Are they thinly disguised porno mags? Has the genre been boiled down to a bunch of tropes? Are they actually feeding the monster we call misogyny? She does it in a way that doesn't feel too Ted Talk-ish or navel-gazey, but her points are made. Given the topics covered in this book, I feel like it would make for a lot of great, potentially heated, discussions.
As always, I laughed and laughed and laughed. I won't lie, the middle was a bit slow for me, but it picked back up with some classic Kelk jokes. Warning: there's one scene involving the MMC and a horned-up old lady that is a bit... iffy... to say the least. Perhaps it got the chop as this is the uncorrected proof (several typos are afoot). Other than that, fun times were had.
pros & cons
pros: unique premise, funny as always, loved that it addressed the popular discourse about the romance genre without it feeling like a lecture, good bants between Joe and Sophie, side characters add colour to the story, the fight scene reminded me of that backyard scuffle in Crazy, Stupid, Love (a classic. Fight me)
cons: iffy scene between Joe and horned up old lazy, middle a bit slow for me
__
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my opinion
People in China heard me scream when I opened my email to find a NetGalley widget for this absolutely stunning book. I am nothing but a Lindsey Kelk stan and once again, she did not disappoint. I can't wait to receive my pre-ordered copy to sleep with under my pillow because this cover is EVERYTHING!!!
This was different than her past books for 2 reasons. 1: Kelk catches a lot of flack for her lack of ding dongs, so horndogs rejoice, this is her horniest book yet. It's not completely open doors, but it's like not all the way closed until one of them realizes you're creepin on them and shuts it in your face. Lots of talk about ~moisture~ and ~tingling~ in this one. And by a lot, I mean for Kelk, not Elsie Silver levels. I wouldn't be surprised if this is her best rated book as there seems to be a direct correlation between spice levels and rating in the romance arena.
And 2: there was A LOT of romance for a Kelk book. I mean it was mostly horniness, but still, the MMC was fully in the frame. In some of her past books, the male love interest has less on-page time than the FMCs cat. I like how she addressed head-on that it was insta-love (everyone's least fave trope), instead of pretending they had some deep, meaningful connection they built over time like some other books ahem Heartless by Elsie Silver (sorry for the double drive-by).
I really enjoyed her take on the popular online discourse surrounding romance novels. Namely: are romance novels everything literature isn't supposed to be? Are they thinly disguised porno mags? Has the genre been boiled down to a bunch of tropes? Are they actually feeding the monster we call misogyny? She does it in a way that doesn't feel too Ted Talk-ish or navel-gazey, but her points are made. Given the topics covered in this book, I feel like it would make for a lot of great, potentially heated, discussions.
As always, I laughed and laughed and laughed. I won't lie, the middle was a bit slow for me, but it picked back up with some classic Kelk jokes. Warning: there's one scene involving the MMC and a horned-up old lady that is a bit... iffy... to say the least. Perhaps it got the chop as this is the uncorrected proof (several typos are afoot). Other than that, fun times were had.
pros & cons
pros: unique premise, funny as always, loved that it addressed the popular discourse about the romance genre without it feeling like a lecture, good bants between Joe and Sophie, side characters add colour to the story, the fight scene reminded me of that backyard scuffle in Crazy, Stupid, Love (a classic. Fight me)
cons: iffy scene between Joe and horned up old lazy, middle a bit slow for me
__
Check out my YouTube
books_with_the_bumpkin's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
millerralice's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
beate251's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Sophie has written a romance book under an adopted name but no one must know because it's "smutty" and her family are big in the literary publishing and review world.
"It's not exactly Dickens. More like dick-ins, if you know what I mean."
A book about a book genre, how fun! It's about all books really and that no genre is better than another, we read what we love to read, and romance books have a huge following and do not deserve scorn in any way.
We're getting a lot of info about the literary world and romance tropes, which of course the book uses too. There is plenty of warmth here, it's funny and emotional and full of fun characters.
The action is mainly set over one chaotic long weekend at Sophie's parents' house, celebrating her Dad's 60th birthday. There's a big cast of friends, family and enemies, laughing, loving and fighting their way through, complete with circus tents, bouncy castles and mucked up sorting-hat cakes. People cry, lie, blackmail and chuck chicken legs into the mud. It's full-on entertainment with secrets getting exposed and truths being given to horrible people. It is predictable of course, and I didn't like the MMC being sexually harassed by an aunt. Just because he's a man doesn't make it ok and should have been more strongly condemned.
It's an easy fluffy read with hardly any content warnings, and it's a true celebration of romance novels and their fans.
"You don’t think books like this give women unrealistic expectations?" ... "Only if you don’t think you deserve love."
As an aside, the proof copy was so full of typos that it really distracted me. I hope this will get rectified before publication.
Sophie has written a romance book under an adopted name but no one must know because it's "smutty" and her family are big in the literary publishing and review world.
"It's not exactly Dickens. More like dick-ins, if you know what I mean."
A book about a book genre, how fun! It's about all books really and that no genre is better than another, we read what we love to read, and romance books have a huge following and do not deserve scorn in any way.
We're getting a lot of info about the literary world and romance tropes, which of course the book uses too. There is plenty of warmth here, it's funny and emotional and full of fun characters.
The action is mainly set over one chaotic long weekend at Sophie's parents' house, celebrating her Dad's 60th birthday. There's a big cast of friends, family and enemies, laughing, loving and fighting their way through, complete with circus tents, bouncy castles and mucked up sorting-hat cakes. People cry, lie, blackmail and chuck chicken legs into the mud. It's full-on entertainment with secrets getting exposed and truths being given to horrible people. It is predictable of course, and I didn't like the MMC being sexually harassed by an aunt. Just because he's a man doesn't make it ok and should have been more strongly condemned.
It's an easy fluffy read with hardly any content warnings, and it's a true celebration of romance novels and their fans.
"You don’t think books like this give women unrealistic expectations?" ... "Only if you don’t think you deserve love."
As an aside, the proof copy was so full of typos that it really distracted me. I hope this will get rectified before publication.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual content