Love Me Do

by Lindsey Kelk

She’s written the perfect romance . . . for someone else

Greetings card copywriter Phoebe Chapman knows a good romantic line or two – and it makes her a fantastic Cupid.

So when she lands in the Hollywood Hills – a place that proves film stars, golden beaches and secret waterfalls don’t just exist in the movies – she can’t resist playing matchmaker for her handsome neighbour, carpenter Ren.

But you can’t hide from love in La La Land.

And isn’t there something a little bit hot about Ren, her own leading man next door?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Fiction, Chick Lit, Adult, Rom Com

375 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 20, 2023

About the author

Lindsey Kelk is the Sunday Times bestselling author of books including the I Heart series, On A Night Like This, The Christmas Wish, and One in a Million, along with the middle grade Cinders & Sparks series.

As well as writing books, Lindsey co-hosts the award-winning beauty podcast, Full Coverage, and Tight and Fights, a pro-wrestling podcast on the Maximum Fun network.

Born and raised in South Yorkshire, Lindsey lived in Nottingham, London and New York before settling in LA, where she lives with her husband and two very rude cats.

Reviews

[Lit with Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

HAPPY PUB DAY TO THIS HILARIOUS BOOK💖💖💖

Thank you Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

Writing: 5/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 4/5

SYNOPSIS

A two-week holiday in LA proves to be life-changing for mild-mannered and lovelorn Brit, Pheobe Chapman.

MY OPINION

When I received the approval email from NetGalley I STG I screamed in a pitch only dogs can hear. I absolutely loved The Christmas Wish and On a Night Like This so I was super pumped to see what Kelk whipped up next. There's always a bit of nervousness when you read your fave's newest book because it could be wildly trash like other new releases, but within 10% of Love Me Do, I knew that wasn't gonna be the case.

BTW FOLKS THIS IS INSTA-LOVE. Homegirl is on a two-week holiday and meets a guy. Flirts with said guy. And falls for said guy. You've been warned so I don't wanna hear it 😂 My only 'complaint' with this is there weren't enough scenes between Ren and Phoebe to warrant slanging around the l-word. Don't get me wrong, they definitely had chemistry, I would've just liked more one-on-one.

Out of the three books I've read from Kelk, this was the heaviest on the rom but the com was definitely the star of the show. From the jump I was kikiki-ing. Soooo many good jokes and lots of legit laugh-out-loud moments. I just love her sense of humour. I also liked how she touched on family issues, toxic relationships, and friendship. Reading a book by Kelk is like going to a restaurant that gives you two sides with your burger at no extra cost and doesn't charge you $4 for a Kraft Single slice of cheese. She's SERVING ok???

I enjoyed all the characters as well. Tbh Ren is my least fave 😂 Who needs him?? The dynamics between Phoebe and Bel, Phoebe and Suze, and Phoebe and Myrna can carry this book just fine. Each character is distinct and brings something to the table. Also... that Easter Egg!! Don't mind if I do!

Lastly, I would LOVE to see this as a movie. It really gives you the best of romcom and a chick flick. Instead of a Twilight TV series (and don't get me wrong, I'm a not-so-secret Twihard), let's get this one the big screen instead. Thank you Kelk for a totally bingeable summer read!

PROS AND CONS

Pros: legit funny, story flows nicely, great characters, good pace, serves up more than just romance

Cons: would've liked more scenes with Ren and Phoebe to really buy into the intensity of their feelings, I can't believe I'm saying this but.... I would've liked an epilogue 🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣

____________________________

For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time a new Kelk book is released I feel giddy with anticipation. I know instantly that I have hours of lovely entertainment ahead of me, and I was not disappointed by her latest work. The plot starts off with a crisis, a woman trying to discovering what she wants, getting involved with new people. I love it was set in LA, and that we got the chance to learn more about its hidden gems. There was an interesting cast of characters, and as usual I both laughed and almost cried. There was something vulnerable about the main character that tugged at my heartstrings. A perfect escape.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beatles' song kept playing in my head as background music during my reading of this sweet and heartfelt retelling of Cyrano DeBergerac with a gender-reverse twist, reminiscent of a heartwarming holiday movie. The main characters are easily relatable, and I cannot help but emphasize my praises for Myrna Moore, who portrays an absolutely adorable supporting character, stealing scenes and making you wish she were your real-life bestie.

While there may be some clichés and a touch of cheesiness in the story, it didn't stop me from being drawn into the execution and becoming attached to the plot. I found myself turning the pages faster with each delightful revelation, a smile spreading deeper across my face.

The plot centers around Phoebe, the main character, who bravely leaves her abusive ex behind to spend the summer in her sister's Hollywood Hills house. There, she befriends the lovely Bel, her sister's personal trainer, and the sweetest boy next door, Ren, who is both a real cinnamon bun and a meticulous carpenter. As the story unfolds, Phoebe realizes that Bel has feelings for Ren, but she can't express them. Being a professional writer of greeting cards, Phoebe decides to play matchmaker by writing love letters on Bel's behalf.

During her time in Hollywood, Phoebe also befriends an eighty-year-old Hollywood starlet, and together they enjoy quality time, hanging out by the poolside, picnicking in the cemetery (as can only be done in Hollywood), taking long hikes, and peacefully birdwatching. Phoebe finds herself falling for the city and, despite resisting to confess, she begins to fall in love with the man she's trying to matchmake with another woman. Oh, dear Phoebe, what have you done? After all you've been through, don't you deserve your own happy ending?
The author weaves a delightful and heartwarming narrative, skillfully blending romance, friendship, and self-discovery into a captivating tale. With every turn of the page, I found myself immersed in Phoebe's world, feeling her emotions, and cheering her on as she navigated the complexities of love and relationships.

Phoebe's journey of personal growth and healing is both empowering and relatable. Her decision to leave her abusive ex and embark on a summer adventure becomes a catalyst for positive change, allowing her to find strength within herself and redefine her own worth. As she bonds with Bel and Ren, the connection between the characters feels authentic and genuine, making their stories all the more engaging.

Myrna Moore's portrayal of an adorable and endearing supporting character adds a delightful touch to the narrative. Her interactions with Phoebe are heartwarming, providing moments of laughter and insight that further enrich the reading experience.

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you're looking for something extra sweet, motivational, and entertaining, making it a perfect summer read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360/Harper Collins for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable poolside read, full of golden retriever boyfriend energy, an idyllic sunny California setting, and rom-com/pithy one-liner energy!!

When Pheobe Chapman, a proper English miss, visits her sister in California.. her life isn't bad. Just so so - and she SO wants more than that. Deserves it, really, after all she's been through, right? After booking that much-needed getaway and literally crashing into her sister's sunny California dream house - things start to steam up in the form of a very hot neighbor. What ensues is a delightful portrayal of finding oneself again in platonic friendship, honest family relationships, and even taking chances on romantic love!!

NOTES:
- Would be a great audiobook! Easy storyline to follow and there aren't any tricky alternating to keep up with
🌶️- Slow burn
CWs: emotional abuse

**Thank you to Harper 360, HarperCollins & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

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[aeryn rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

1⭐️

Words cannot express...how much I hated this book. I'm gonna keep this short and straight to the point. I am going to be brutally honest. I had no fun whatsoever and this felt like a chore to get through. I found the plot boring, the characters were unfathomably awful, save one person (bless the 82 year old famous actress she was amazing).

The biggest problem I had were these characters. ONE CHARACTER IN PARTICULAR. Bel. If I got the chance to write a formal letter to Bel, this is how it would go: Ahem...
Dear Bel,

You were absolutely insufferable. You are probably the most shallow character I have ever gotten the chance to read and if it were up to me, you'd be completely discarded. You only care about yourself and had zero redeeming qualities. I would much rather watch paint dry than have to listen to one more word come out of your mouth. Do better.

Sincerely, Aeryn <3

Besides Bel absolutely ruining the light this book could have been, the rest of the book just didn't have many redeeming qualities to it. It felt bland and shallow and I reallyyyy struggled to pick this up. I felt zero attraction or chemistry between the two main characters. I know the author tried her best to give them thorough backgrounds and history...it just fell soooo flat.

It takes a lot for me to really dislike a book, but this just hit every mark for it. I do not recommend this. It's boring, shallow, EXTREMELY cringey, and just felt like it tried too hard. There are much better romance books out there, so I promise you you're not missing out on anything remotely amazing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Getting in my summer reads before its over 🥹
I hope I love this I'm tired of mediocre books 😭

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!

A perfect summer read.

Is it just me, or does the cover of this books gives VERY SIMILAR vibes as Palm Springs (movie).

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s written the perfect romance for somebody else.

Greetings card copywriter Phoebe Chapman knows a gromantic line or two and it makes her a fantastic Cupid.

So when she lands in the Hollywood hills a place that proves film stars, golden beaches and secret waterfalls don’t just exist in the movies she can’t resist playing matchmaker for her handsome neighbour, carpenter Ren.

But you can’t hide love from in La La Land.

And isn’t there something a little bit hot about Ren, her own leading man next door?

Chapter One part of page 2

‘You didn’t have to come and get me,’ I said, twisting against my seatbelt to get a proper look at Suzanne.

‘I could have got a taxi.’

Life in California suited my sister. She happy and healthy, her blonde hair was freshly cut and coloured, her skin was glowing and there was something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on, a kind of glossy sheen that she definitely didn’t have when she worked in Slough.

[Brogan Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great, feel-good, light-hearted, summer read! Perfect by the pool and guaranteed to make you laugh. The British humour and references are 10/10. Phoebe is a fantastic main character, but I actually loved them all (especially Myrna!) and could really feel myself in the LA hills amongst the friendships. I only knocked a star as I didn’t love the ending and it was a bit of a slow burn for me. I look forward to reading Lindsey’s next books!

[Laurens.Little.Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

ITS 1:30 AM AND I JUST WROTE A WHOLE ASS REVIEW ON MY PHONE AND THE APP CRASHED RIGHT AS I FINISHED THE LAST LINE.

GOODREADS YOU PIECE OF SHIT GET IT TOGETHER

*sigh*

It was such a detailed review too 😫

I’m not re-writing this right now. I need to sleep.

*grumbles about the richest parent company in the world not investing ANYTHING into this platform*

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars

"I have felt so worthless for so long but when Im with you, I feel like I´m enough."

This is a one POV book, told by the POV of Phoebe.

I liked Phoebe´s character because I related to her on some level. She is kind, a romantic at heart and always wants the best for the people around her even if that means sacrificing part of herself for it. She always tried to do right by everybody and I loved the way how she valued her friendships and was there for everybody. I liked Ren, he is like a shy cinnamon roll; not your typical overprotective and possessive book boyfriend but a total cutie and such a softie and romantic.

Regarding side characters I absolutely loved Myra, the older lady who lives near them. Her sarcasm and her dry humor really cracked me up to a point where I actually laughed at the book. I really liked her and her background story. I liked Suzanne and the sisterly love between her and Phoebe. You could tell that they care deeply for each other and I liked their background story together.

The vibes in this book are definitely very wholesome and cute. Here you get what you see on the cover. It´s cute, it´s vibrant, it´s summer-y, it´s soft. The romance itself was okay, although I had expected more angst and more tension. After all this is marketed as her playing matchmaker for a friend with the guy she is in love with... There just wasn´t enough of that torn feeling and the hurt and that confliction it causes you; like I said I just expected more angst. The pacing is really slow in the beginning, the slow burn is SO slow that she doesn´t even realize she has feelings for him until the middle of the book. That´s when things get slightly better and the romance is more "there". The pacing also feels a bit better but I have to say I am really against the cheating that happened in this book. There are no spice scenes in here, so don´t expect those. There is only one fade-to-black scene.

Overall it was an okay read that I just expected more from.

trigger warnings: toxic ex relationship, cheating

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 solid stars - pretty standard rom-com fare typical of Kelk's previous, but as a former, long-time Angeleno, I really adored the love-letter to L.A. that I found here. Cute & quirky

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely precious. Full of an adorable and endearing cast of characters, you won’t want to leave LA at the end of the book. Very much a “feel good”/ happy read.

4.5 stars.

[Babs | babs_reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit predictable and I wanted more from the end, but I didn't dislike it.

I thought Phoebe was so darn cute, the type that thrives by helping others thrive. The problem with that is at times she forgets she is worthy of happiness too.

Ren, his character was just okay, I feel like we were told why we should love him rather than seeing it played out. I wanted more scenes with him.

I absolutely loved Myrna, an old Hollywood actress, she really was a huge highlight of this one for me.

I think if you enjoy sweet and cozy romance with little drama, you'd enjoy this one.

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a summery delight. I've read plenty of books set in LA, but something about this escape into the Hollywood Hills felt different; more intimate and soft. I loved it.

It follows Phoebe Chapman during her brief visit from England to stay with her sister. But instead Phoebe finds herself alone in a beautiful home and roped into a matchmaking scheme between Bel, her sister's personal trainer, and the handsome bird-obsessed man next door, Ren.

And of course feelings get gloriously muddled in the process! I'd say the romance is more of a subplot, but it was super sweet while also bringing an opportunity for Phoebe to reflect on healing from a previous abusive relationship. Considering the timeline, their relationship develops fast, but I don't know—it worked for me! I loved their sentimental appreciation for love letters.

Ren was great, BUT the friendships were truly the star of this story for me! Not only between Phoebe and Bel, who was the epitome of sunshine and butterflies, but also between Phoebe and Myrna, a crotchety eighty-two-year-old former movie star. I could have read an entire story following only these three ladies. So many laughs!

(heat level: one open-door scene, mild details)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Tilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

I am gutted that this book didn't work for me because I loved Lindsey Kelk's book "The Christmas Wish". Sadly this one just wasn't for me.

Love Me Do is about Phoebe, a greetings card copywriter who is on holiday to see her sister in America. She is escaping the fact her abusive ex is getting married and in need of a break. She arrives in LA and while her sister is away working, Phoebe meets a rather gorgeous neighbour called Ren, her sisters bubbly fitness instructor Bel and an aging Hollywood Star Myrna. Adventure and Drama ensues whilst Phoebe acts matchmaker for the man she actually really likes.

For me, the story was very obvious and nothing new. Some aspects were right out of the film "The Holiday" but even more unbelievable and cheesy. There were definitely some good scenes which I enjoyed, mainly in the first quarter, but the book went downhill from there. There is also a big trope hate of mine involved which is where characters pretend to be someone they aren't and in this case outright lie to the male love interest. I just found it so uncomfortable and I didn't enjoy it at all.
The ending was extra ridiculous and I was going to rate it a 3 stars until that point but within 10 pages so much was resolved or uncovered to make everything nice and happy (and cheesy) for a rather abrupt unbelievable ending.

The characters were hit and miss for me. I liked the lead Phoebe. She was interesting and had substance and good humour, although in my opinion some of her actions were not okay. The lead male Ren was sweet and I loved that he was a bird watcher as I am too. However he was a very 2D character which let the romance down. In fact we get more information about (annoying) side character Bel than the lead male!

I really wanted to like this and was so hopeful at the start! But it was too unrealistic, shallow and cheesy for me. Sadly I don't recommend this book but do go read The Christmas Wish by this author!

Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh she's done it again! It's no secret that Lindsey Kelk is one of my absolute favourite authors, so when I got an early copy of Love Me Do (out in July) I was DELIGHTED! It's safe to say you're in for a treat this summer with this one.

Phoebe is visiting her sister in LA for a few weeks, whilst desperately trying to keep her mind of her ex and his upcoming wedding.

I warmed to Phoebe instantly- such a relatable character with genuine concerns and anxieties. She, and the book as a whole, was just laugh out loud funny throughout.

I loved every character in this book - the dynamics between Phoebe and each of them individually (and as a group, to be honest) was PERFECT and I loved seeing them all interact. I want Bel to come and pick *me* up to go out for breakfast. I loved that Phoebe's relationship with her sister was flawed, as because of this we got to see some beautiful bonding moments, and I was glad they were able to develop their relationship further.
Myrna was just a dream to read - what an absolute icon in every sense. I got big The Holiday vibes from her part of the story and it was so much fun to watch unfold.

Whilst this book is so much fun, there are also a few more serious topics in the book handled with such care and tact that I couldn't not mention as both were written about so brilliantly.

Overall, from delicious food to scenic heights to Disneyland, this book will make you fall in love with LA; it's definitely been added to my travel bucket list, anyway. If only I had all of these guys to show me around...

PS. I am SO here for the amount of Twilight references in this book.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and quick read but nothing special.

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[booktokandchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Just LOVED this book!
The old lady character was HILARIOUS and had me in stitches!

Super fun rom commy vibes.
No spice which it didnt need! Just cutesy fluffy feel good vibes. Had me SMILING so hard.

[Sophie Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows thirty-four year old Phoebe Chapman as she arrives in Los Angelos on holiday to stay with her sister Suzanne. While Suzanne thinks that Phoebe is hoping for a much needed break, the reality is: her ex is getting married in a few days. When her sister is whacked away on an emergency work trip Phoebe is left to start her holiday alone. Until she meets her sister's handsome neighbor, Ren, and personal trainer, Bel. Bel is set on the fact that Ren is the love of her life, but there is one problem; she can't string a sentence together when talking to him. With the help of Phoebe's poetic writing skills she plays matchmaker for the two, all while pushing her own growing feelings for Ren aside.

I am so grateful to have received an arc for this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins. I fell in love with this book and Phoebe so quickly. She is one of the most relatable characters I have ever read. She was able to get under my skin in the best way. The concept of the book was so interesting and I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to play out but I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are really what sold me on the book. Bel was just the absolute sweetest girl with the best intentions. There were some points where I was like “girl get a grip” but are they really a good character is you don't ask that question? And Ren, oh Ren. The most adorable man ever with a heart of gold. But can we please take a minute to talk about Myrna Moore? I LOVED her. She was the perfect old women who doesn't like many people but when she does, she cares deeply (maybe even harshly when it comes to telling the truth). She is by far one of my favorite characters ever.

Lindsey Kelk really has the ability to draw you in with her writing. I was invested from the beginning and could not put it down. I felt so many emotions when reading this book. I was laughing one minute and then almost brought to tears the next for Phoebe. I can relate to Phoebe a lot in the sense that she felt unworthy of some of the things that she wanted, which is why she pushed Ren and Bel together. I truly felt for her in those moments. When the book came to the end I feel that it was wrapped up very quickly. I feel there could have a little more to tie it all together (I also wished Ren fought a little more for at the end, personally).

Overall, I loved this book and I really hope we have the chance to see the other characters stories in a future book. I wish we were able to learn more about Suzanne because I think was the perfect example of a big sister, tough and loving in they own way. This book truly was not what I expected and I love it all the more for it. I can't wait to read more from Lindsey Kelk!

[Kaci · Rating 4 out of 5]

One hundred and twelve- That’s the number of highlights I made while reading Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk. This book is hilarious, endearing, and, if you haven’t gathered by that triple digit number, so relatable. I could not stop laughing and smiling all throughout reading this story.

The characters were all incredibly lovable and their friendships were natural and genuine. I didn’t enjoy the romance as much as I had hoped, but I loved the friendships enough to make up for that. Phoebe’s friendship with Myrna, a reclusive and grumpy 82- year-old retired film star, outshone all of the other relationships.

I just wish the ending had been a little less rushed. So much happened at the end, and I think some of these events deserved a little more development- especially with the romance. Even though the romance wasn’t the main focus of the story, I was still hoping for a more passionate declaration of feelings. But if you’re looking for a story that’s more focused on friendships and self-growth, you may not mind that.

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Love Me Do comes out September 5, 2023. Make sure to add this to your TBR if you want a great end-of-summer read.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right up there among my favorite by this author! This was a fun vacation romance that sees Phoebe Chapman coming to visit her sister in LA in an attempt to be away while her ex gets married. Unfortunately for Phoebe her sister has to leave immediately and she is left to explore the city with her sister's personal trainer Bel and Ren, the hot guy next door.

A greeting card writer, Phoebe somehow finds herself in a Cyrano situation where she writes a letter to Ren pretending to be Bel only to fall for Ren too. Full of heart, found family, a quirky cast of side characters and a swoony romance. This also gave me tons of The Holiday movie vibes with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.

Great on audio with an awesome author's note/Q&A session included at the end in the audiobook. Highly recommended if you want a light, entertaining story with a surprising amount of depth and the important message about not devaluing oneself when it comes to life and love. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!

CW: intimate partner emotional abuse

[ohmynameiskaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Umm…did I just discover a new favorite author to fill the void that is my lack of a romantic life?

Let me tell you, I was SO beyond excited to read this one after seeing the one and only Emily Henry endorsed it. Not only did I fall head over heels in love with Ren and Phoebe, but everyone in between. Needless to say, Love Me Do exceeded my every expectation.

Myrna, people, Myrna. Probably my favorite character outside of our female protagonist, Phoebe. Usually the old wise one trope is hit or miss for me, but this one absolutely served. Not only is our dear Ms. Moore a former actress, but she’s got the witty commentary and sarcastic nature I long for. She knows her self worth and she’s going to make sure you know yours too. I also just love rich people.

Don’t even get me started on my girl Bel. I didn’t think she was going to play an active role in the story, but boy was I wrong and I’ve never been more proud to be. She brings so much light and playfulness to the story.

I am also surprised at how much I didn’t mind Ren’s lack of page time. It seemed to be a story that revolved more around self-discovery and womanhood than romance.

For all of my girlies that prefer a closed-door romance though, this one is for you. The only steamy scene took place toward the very end of the book and truthfully, you could blink and miss it. Now, as an avid smut lover, I was pleased with the book’s pacing. There was just enough of everything to keep a critic like me thoroughly satisfied.

While there are a couple of cliches that may make some roll their eyes, pointing out their lack of believability, I think it also goes to serve the point that sometimes, life isn’t as complicated as we make it.

Lindsey Kelk’s writing is perfect for all of my girlies looking to cure their Emily Henry hangover. May I also add, she’s a Swiftie and there are references to prove it!

Thank you to HarperCollins and Lindsey Kelk for providing me with this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by early access to this title.

[Valerie Lapointe · Rating 3 out of 5]

pas mauvais, pas super bon non plus. C'était long pour finalement pas dire grand chose. La romance j'y ais pas cru, en tou cas pas du côté de Ren, mais j'ai bien aimé l'humour et le cheminement de Phoebe.

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: This book was so much fun from start to finish. If you know me you’ll know that I will read anything Lindsey Kelk writes and will recommend her books until the cows come home but this was a great standalone with all the feels and a great way to travel to LA without having to endure that hellishly long flight! I loved getting to meet Phoebe because she is a character who is easy to relate to. She has her flaws and she has a past btu she has come to LA for a break from her life and it was great sharing her adventure. Her sister is a fun character too and I enjoyed the ying and yang of their relationship and then her sister’s neighbour Ren is a great addition to the character line-up. They have a wonderful meet cute and you just know from their meeting that Ren is going to add quite the intrigue to the novel.
My favourite character though has to be Bel. If you love the I heart series and you love the way Jenny and Angela meet and she sorts Angela out with the food and the shopping, this is the same but on the west coast. Bel is a personal trainer with every side hustle under the sun going on because of course she is an actress too and so you just know that she and Phoebe are going to get up to no good. The fact that she takes Phoebe out to one of the author's favourite restaurants to begin with really sets the tone for their relationship. Then we have glamorous retired actress Myrna. She is really something else. To begin with she gave me Sunset Boulevard vibes but then she also has a little bit of Elizabeth Taylor meets Moira Rose about her. Her meet cute with phoebe also includes fences like Ren’s does so there’s a definite theme going on here.
I loved all the locations I got to travel to with phoebe and her new friends, it really was a great experience to be had through the pages of the book. Some of the locations I could picture because I have been there and others I felt like I had because they are described so vividly through Phoebe’s eyes-it was a lot of fun. And then we have the perfect balance of humour and romance that Lindsey Kelk always seems to manage to capture in her books. She never fails to make me laugh out loud with her funny one liners and the situations she puts her characters in. I mean “and do you know they don’t sell Birds Eye potato waffles in America? No wonder there’s so much political unrest.” How could you not laugh at that? I loved this book. You will laugh, you will go to Disneyland, you will be willing some of these characters to get it on already-what more do you want?

[Linna • linnareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and there was real potential there, but it was lacking for me. This is 100% chick lit and not romance. Maybe 10% of the book was romance, and that’s being generous. Now I did like our main character Phoebe and she had some fun moments with all the other characters. I wish we could have gotten more moments with her and Ren because from the little bit we got there was some good chemistry between them. I really wanted more of Ren too. I felt like he was barely in the book.

I didn’t love reading about the love interest kissing someone else halfway through the book… it made me not root for the romance between Phoebe and Ren. It was a fun idea of her writing these love letters to help her friend, but I don’t know… I’d rather not read nearly the entire book with them together and then finally have Phoebe and Ren get together in the last 10% and then not get an epilogue.

No trope listing on this one cause I don’t really feel like there were any!

single POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
0.5/5 spice level 🌶️

[Love Fool · Rating 5 out of 5]

She may have given up on love – but she can still play Cupid for somebody else . . .
Lovelorn Brit Phoebe Chapman has barely set foot in her sister’s house in the Hollywood Hills when she’s swept up by lovable Bel, her sister’s personal trainer, and handsome Ren, the sweet and sensitive carpenter next door.

Bel has a head-over-heels crush on Ren but Ren has no idea Bel even exists. Certain that the two of them are meant to be together, Phoebe offers to play matchmaker.

Caught up with writing love letters and an unexpected friendship with a reclusive 82-year-old film star, Phoebe finds herself falling for the real Los Angeles – but is that all she’s falling for?

Lindsey Kelk did it again... a funny, easy read, chick lit book that is perfect to read by the beach or pool or on airplane or on a train or on your couch. It's a good feeling book that has hilarious character and makes you wish you were part of the story. I HATE LA and even I wanted to go there and live with the characters.

Lindsey Kelk is so insanely talented which is why she is one of my favorite writers. She makes you want to not only read her books but want to be friends with her.

And, lets be real, we all want the elderly rich neighbor to become friends with and listen to their colorful past. Highly recommend this book.

[Jennifer (Jaye) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*A Fabulous Read*

**4.5 stars**

After coming out of a rough relationship Phoebe decides to go off to LA to spend time with her successful big sister Susanne. Her ex is about to marry someone else. So adding distance is just the ticket. Sadly her sister has a job that means she will be elsewhere for a few days, so Phoebe must entertain herself.

Well, she bumps into Ren a gorgeous neighbour who is working on the his family home. As her ex did a number on her she feels he is out of her league. They soon get talking and get on famously. As Ren is gorgeous and it is a holiday she resigns herself that friendship should be enough

Then in strolls her sister’s personal trainer Bel who is stunning. Bel has a million jobs and has a sunny outlook on life. Phoebe and Bel strike up a friendship and when they bump into Ren it soon becomes clear that Bel is more than interested in him, especially as she can barely say a word to him when they are introduced lol 😂

As Phoebe is a copywriter she suggests sending Ren a letter, she hardly needs prompting as she is good with words… how will that work out?….

Lots of silly fun and a fabulous faded film star in her 80’s who is hilarious. I listened to the audiobook and adored it, ideal summer book.

*There is also a Q&A with the author Lindsey Kelk at the end of the audiobook*

[Danielle (Life of a Literary Nerd) · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 27%

This was not holding my attention, it wasnt bad, just a lot of characters and little actual relationship development so far, just a bunch of sise plot points. We're introduced to Phoebe, whose planned vacation to visit her sister in LA is turned upside down when her sister has to leave for a work emergency. But Phoebe quickly bonds with her sisters personal trainer Bel, who just so happens to be hopelessly in love with her hot neighbor Ren. But as Phoebe tries to help hype up her new friend, she grows closer to Ren. This is a tangled web story with lots of back and forth and it just isn't working for me.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoebe leaves England and goes on vacation to visit her sister in California for two weeks. She hopes to have a fun time and forget about the fact that while she’s away her ex will be getting married but as soon as she arrives, her sister has to leave town for work so Phoebe’s plans soon get changed as she is facing being in LA by herself. That is until Bel, her sister, Suzannes’s personal trainer comes barging into her home and therefore into Phoebe’s life since Suzanne is out of town and they quickly become friends. Phoebe also meets Ren, her sisters hunky birdwatching neighbor, and instantly develops a crush on him before she finds out that Bel has been crushing on him for ages and needs Phoebe’s help to finally make a connection. So phoebe agrees a la cyrano de Bergerac and mixups ensue. Then Phoebe meets an old time movie star Myrna after delivering some mail to her that was accidentally delivered to their house and they strike up an unexpected friendship because Myrna is a formidable figure and decided it was to be. I think she was my favorite character.
This was a cute, easy read that didn’t take itself too seriously even when tackling more serious issues.
Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love a Lynsey Kelk! Who doesn't?
Phoebe Chapman is another typical hapless character Kelk has brought to us, filled with the woes of a life that isn't going anywhere, a failed romance, and a job that used to ignite passion, but is now just bringing feelings of... meh.
She goes on holiday to visit her hight-flying sister, in Hollywood Hills, is left to her own devices for a few days as her sister has to work, and ends up getting an eyeful from a possible pervert next-door neighbour, who turns out to be much the opposite, as well as rather hot!
Then the whirlwind that is Bel arrives, forging an instant friendship, and declaring her undying love for the abovementioned neighbour.
Oh, talking of neighbours; Myrna Moore. She's a reclusive octegenarian 'faded' filmstar who is a total character and a half, bringing all manner of different joys into Phoebe's previously sheltered life!
But that other neighbour... Ren. Now he is hot, in oh, so many ways. Physically attractive, but also a genuinely nice guy. Caring, sympathetic, and not fake.
What a great match he would be for Bel.
Unless someone else finds themselves falling for someone they shouldn't.
I won't give anything more away, but it is a fantastic read. Definitely one for the beach hols, this summer!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, UK for an ARC.