Reviews

Lean in to Love by Catherine Lane

paycence's review

funny medium-paced

4.5

reader_reebs's review

3.0

I enjoyed this book and thought it was a cute concept, but I don't see myself reaching for this book again in the future. I really enjoyed Catherine's writing style, but the story ended up falling a little flat to me.

This book was a cute and quick read. I liked the dynamic between Rory and Ellis, but I personally don't think their relationship warranted an enemies-to-lovers title. I liked reading about their little moments together, but honestly, I wish we had more. I felt like this story was way too heavy on Maya and London. Their relationship overpowered the main couple's.

Thank you NetGalley and and Bold Strokes for providing me an arc copy of the book in return for my honest review.

marym2215's review

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

Rory Hatten, a behind-the-scenes cook on a tv cooking show, is just trying to stay out of the limelight and find a way to make a living in Hollywood while pursuing her passion of baking. But, when her roommate Maya literally walks out on her job one night upon meeting the gorgeous and talented up-and-coming actress London, Rory’s life is quickly turned upside-down. Now, Rory somehow finds herself entangled in Maya and London’s very quickly and very passionately budding romance while butting heads upon first meeting London’s talent agent, Ellis Turner. But, as London and Maya become more and more public with their romance, not all might be as it seems. With questions about Maya’s true motives for being with London, Rory and Ellis find themselves working together to get to the bottom of what seems like an insta-love story. While their first encounter may have left much to be desired, Rory and Ellis slowly start to realize that they each might have more to offer each other than they first believed. 

There were many things I liked about this book. I really enjoyed reading about Rory and Ellis’ relationship and watching it develop throughout the story. I also really loved seeing how each of them grew individually by the end of the book and supported one another in that growth. But, I felt like the London and Maya storyline was a bit over the top. I realize that without the their storyline we wouldn’t really be able to have Rory and Ellis’ journey, but I just felt like it took away from the actual sweet, slow growth of Rory and Ellis’ relationship. I also found it a bit ridiculous that London would walk into a bar and within thirty seconds of meeting Maya basically say she wants to take her home AND that Maya would literally just walk out of her job with that offer, essentially allowing herself to be fired (no spoiler here as this happens in the first chapter). I’ve never really understood the insta-love storyline so I think that might be why Maya and London’s relationship was so hard for me not to raise my eyebrows at. I honestly think that if London and Maya’s initial meeting had been handled just a little differently (like London staying at the bar talking to Maya until closing and then asking Maya home with her) I would have found it more believable. But in the end, their antics gave me Rory and Ellis, so I am overall happy about that.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of Lean in to Love in return for my honest review. 

poppymonster's review

4.0

ARC review via NetGalley
Rory and Ellis were both well developed complex characters. Rory was overly blunt and Ellis was a consummate people pleaser. They were able to balance each other’s tendencies a bit.
The plot was decent, with solid pacing. The overall vibe was very cozy and low stakes with positive messaging. I also appreciated the chronic illness rep.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: sex tape (side character), cheating (not between or by MCs), emotional manipulation

thebookfellow's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

 

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and this is a voluntary review.
 

The premise of this book really interested me as it was set in the Hollywood hills and included two lesbian couples - what’s not to like?

I think it’s clear to see how much research the author put into fleshing out her characters and giving realistic detail to their jobs and hobbies like working on a TV set, pottery and being a pastry chef. Although the relationship between the two main characters was touted as enemies-to-lovers, I don’t think there was enough ‘enemies’ in there to really fit this trope. Despite this, I found their relationship quite sweet, once they both got out of their own way and ‘Leaned In To Love’. 

I do feel like the other relationship, between bartender/ aspiring actress Maya and megastar London did pull focus from the main romance quite a lot. I found both of these women to be unlikeable, and their motives were confusing. Even after finishing the book, I’m still not totally sure what Maya’s intentions were for that relationship and if she ever had feelings for London. I also thought that their timeline was on hyperspeed. Obviously, we’ve all heard of U-Haul lesbians but this really took it to another level. 

Overall, it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea and I think it could benefit from some streamlining of the plot, but it was fun, fluffy and easy to read.