Based on a Love Story: A Novel

by Suzanne Rindell

From the author of Summer Fridays, a swoony second-chance love story following a struggling author whose fresh start in a new city is interrupted when she’s reunited with the ex who inspired her bestselling novel

Jonah Kelly’s debut novel is a hit love story. The problem is, she might have been thinking about a certain someone from her past, and the time they crossed paths backpacking in Europe, when she wrote it.

Now, Jonah’s in a rut—living in New York but avoiding all the publishing parties (really avoiding someone at those parties) and feeling stuck on her next book. When her best friend invites her to move to San Francisco, Jonah decides to go. At first, it seems like Jonah’s new chapter is coming together new city, new love interest, words finally filling the page. But when a big-time magazine asks to do a feature on her, the reporter they send to interview her is none other than Jake, the ghost from her past.

As part of the interview, Jonah must spend three days visiting the most romantic spots in San Francisco, while being flooded by memories of a long-ago summer in Oxford, Paris, and Greece. Adding to that tension is the fact that Jake clearly suspects he’s the inspiration for her great love story—and is on a mission to get Jonah to admit it. She’s tempted to let her guard down . . . but what if her feelings are not only in the past but in the present?

Genres: Romance, Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 30, 2027

About the author

Upcoming novel:

BASED ON A LOVE STORY
***March 30, 2027!!!***


From the author of Summer Fridays, a swoony second chance love story following a struggling author whose fresh start in a new city is interrupted when she's forced to reunite with the ex who inspired her bestselling novel.


Jonah Kelly's debut novel is a bestselling love story. The problem is, she might have been thinking about someone from her past and the time they crossed paths while backpacking in Europe when she wrote it...

Now, Jonah's in a rut—living in New York but avoiding all the publishing parties (really avoiding someone at those parties…) and feeling uninspired to write her next book. When her best friend Kenny invites her to move to San Francisco for a fresh start, Jonah decides to take him up on his offer. At first, it seems like Jonah's new chapter is taking nicely: a new city, a new love interest, words finally filling the page, and her best friend at her side. But when a big-time magazine wants to do a feature on her, Jonah's history comes crashing onto her doorstep. The reporter they send to interview her is none other than Jake, a ghost from her past.

As part of the interview, Jonah must spend three days visiting the most romantic spots in San Francisco, being flooded by memories of a long-ago summer. Adding to the tension is the fact that Jake clearly suspects he is the inspiration for her great love story, and he's on a mission to get Jonah to admit it. She's tempted to let her guard down and admit her love—past and present. But what's at stake?

-------------------

Suzanne Rindell is the author of five previous novels: The Other Typist, which has been translated into 20 languages, Three-Martini Lunch, Eagle & Crane, The Two Mrs. Carlyles, and Summer Fridays.


As a reader, I sporadically but passionately/sincerely use Goodreads, NetGalley, and Instagram to talk about books I'd like to recommend to others. :)

Reviews

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub)]

Slow as molasses but better than Summer Fridays.

[Lisa (NY)]

[2.5] This was a mostly enjoyable, light read, but it felt more like an enemies-to-lovers story than a second-chance romance. I especially liked the travel to Paris and Greece, as well as the San Francisco setting. My main problem was my dislike of Jake. He was unbearably smug and smirky until the very end of the novel. At times, I wasn’t sure whether he was gaslighting Jonah or simply incredibly immature and emotionally disconnected.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random for the advance galley.

[Hannah]

My poor heart!! Oh my gosh this was incredible! This was so incredibly romantic! The writing is incredible I couldn’t put it down I read it in one sitting! I loved Jonah so much! I loved getting to follow her as she traveled all over Europe and as she moves from New York to San Francisco!

Jonah and Jake had such incredible banter and I was here for it! They were so fun and I loved seeing how their love story turned out. I really enjoyed the dual timeline aspect of this story. I feel like that really made this book! You go through the whole book wondering what happened and you get there it’s like !!!!

Overall, this is such a treat and a dreamy book! If you love second chance romance and books revolving around travel with incredible backdrops definitely pick this up!

Read if you like:
Dual timeline
Second chance romance
Book about books/writers
Slow burn
Travel
Amazing banter

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dutton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Kayne Spooner]

This is a second-chance romance between two authors who traveled through Europe together during their school year at Oxford. I loved getting to experience their travels along with them.

Jonah is struggling with her second romance novel when she moves to San Francisco. Her first book was a bestseller, inspired by her time with Jake. When a popular magazine wants to interview her, of course it’s Jake that shows up! We get to watch them as they reminisce about their past and visit special places in the city together. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened in the past that caused them to split up.

This has a dual timeline where we see them ten years earlier in Oxford, Paris and Athens, and then back to 2011 in San Francisco. My favorite parts are when they are in Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower, going down into the catacombs and enjoying all the smells coming from the sidewalk cafes. I felt like I was there with them.

This is a slow burn and my only quibble was Jake running hot and cold. He was so excited to show Jonah his favorite places but held back when it came to sharing his feelings.

I recommend this to readers who love a good travel romance. Thanks to the author, Dutton and NetGalley for this ARC. My full review will be at Spoonerreads.com closer to the review date, March 30th.

[Meagan Rossi]

Thank you to Dutton, NetGalley, and Suzanne Rindell for the ARC and chance to read this ahead of its release in exchange for my review!

This was an excellent dual-timeline, second chance romance. I felt like I was in the different scenes in the book - they were so descriptive and immersive. I was rooting for the two main characters the whole time, and wouldn't be mad at a sequel about the best friend.

This was the first book I've read from this author, but I'm going to be reading more!

[Alexandra Perkins]

Based on a Love Story follows Jonah, a debut author whose first novel was inspired by her own love story with Jake, a guy she traveled through Europe with during a study abroad experience. The story alternates between 2001–2002, as Jonah and Jake travel across Europe, and 2011 in San Francisco, where Jonah is struggling to find her writing voice again.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the imagery. The descriptions were so vivid and atmospheric that I really felt like I could picture every place Jonah visited. At times, though, it almost felt like I was reading a travel guide because the book was extremely descriptive. There were also so many moments of “I have one more place to take you” or “I have something I want to show you” that it started to feel repetitive after a while.

I also really liked Jonah’s friendship with Kenny at first. Their relationship was one of the more interesting parts of the present-day timeline for me, although I was surprised by how hostile he became midway through the book.

And then there is Jake 🤨 I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt for a while, but WOW this man sucks. For most of the book, he gave Jonah absolutely nothing besides grunts, passive aggressive comments, and the occasional nice gesture. By the time I got close to the end, I genuinely could not stand him. His reasons for treating Jonah the way he did not feel justified at all, and I had a hard time understanding why I was supposed to be invested in their relationship.

[Lindsey Reeder]

This is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5, but I really liked it!

The premise grabbed me right away: a girl writes a romance novel about a guy from her past… and then that guy unexpectedly reappears. Cue the longing, the unresolved feelings, and all the romantic potential.

My biggest issue was that it took way too long to actually get to the romance. Like… 65% of the book. I liked both Julian and Jake, but I swear Jake was saying “I want to take you somewhere” or “Can I show you something?” on every other page. At a certain point, I was like, okay Jake, just SHOW HER ALREADY. 😂

That said, the descriptions of England, Greece, San Francisco and Alcatraz were fantastic and added such a fun sense of place to the story. It felt like a little travel adventure woven into the romance, which I really enjoyed.

Overall, a slow-burn that was perhaps a little too slow for me, but still a really enjoyable read. 💕

[Jodi Schulz]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. A second chance love story, about a woman who writes a novel about a former lover and then he re-enters her life, this book is also about friendship, I really loved this author’s other book Summer Fridays and I loved this one as well. This author has a way of writing characters that draws you right in.

[Jenni]

If you love armchair travel books, you cannot miss out on this delightful romance! Based on a Love Story features debut author Jonah, who based her novel on her own love story from her college year abroad with Jake, a fellow writer. It alternates between 2002 Europe and 2011 San Francisco, so even the later timeline has that tinge of nostalgia.

Where Rindell truly excels for me is her way of incorporating stunning, lesser-known spots that actually exist into the book, similar to Summer Fridays except expanded so much further with the travels across England, France and Greece in the earlier timeline and San Francisco, a stunning setting, in the later timeline. I loved looking up the places online as I went so that I could see them and experience them alongside the characters, it's such a special way to immerse in a book! And of course now I want to start writing my travel itinerary based on this book. Too bad I can't do it back in 2002 lol. That was the other special thing for me, is that I am the same age as Jonah, so I experienced those two years in the same stage of life.

The romance was almost a back burner to the personal growth in Jonah's journey as she navigates very mixed signals while enjoying incredible, unforgettable experiences with college student Jake on a shoestring budget in Europe, and then stunning, surprising California coastline hidden gems with journalist Jake staying at a swank place with her gay best friend Kenny, the best support system a girl could ask for. I was left with definite mixed emotions about Jake - he was definitely my favorite kind of book boyfriend, the one that pays attention and does incredibly thoughtful gestures that will sweep a girl off her feet. But I also got frustrated with him at times, especially as we neared the third-act conflict, and his complete lack of communication. But overall loved the characters, the story, and getting to learn so much about beautiful places in the world and dreaming of going there!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Dutton Publishing for sending a DRC for consideration - I will definitely be picking up a copy when this officially hits shelves next year!

[Suzanne Delle]

If you want to travel to some of the most beautiful spots in the world, all while sitting on your couch at home then this is the book for you. From Oxford, England, to San Francisco, California to Athens and Crete in Greece, our young main characters, travel the world and fall in love.

Jonah‘s first novel is a hit, but the fictionalized version of her college romance only tells part of the story. When a magazine sends a reporter 10 years later to do a feature on her, it should be no surprise to IRL readers of romance novels that it is her former love Jake. He is the man who got away, but between the truth and fiction of their summer travels we, just like her current group of friends, are slow to find out what happened to end their romance. This book has a lot of fun romance tropes like friends-to-lovers, summer romance, and second chance romance. But Rindell keeps us invested by waiting to reveal what caused the split at the end of the summer back in college.

In fact, one of my few quibbles with the book is that there didn’t seem to be enough difference in how the characters behaved between the college sections in 2002 and the present day suctions in 2011. Their conversations while traveling made me feel like they were already fully formed adults and not 20-year-old kids from poorer backgrounds seeing the world together. Well, there were silly moments like Jonah trying oysters for the first time or getting caught in a convertible in the rain. These moments still felt like they were being experienced by adults and not young people just out of their teens.

The descriptions of places, weather and food, however, moved the plot forward while allowing us to experience the uniqueness of each destination. This novel felt like part romance, part travel guide. I certainly wanted to experience San Francisco or Crete by following the paths of our main characters. If you enjoy romance novels and dream of escaping to somewhere new, then you’ll certainly enjoy “Based on a Love Story.”

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Linz]

received an advanced copy from NetGalley

Based on a Love Story by Suzanne Rindell 3.75/5
A delightful second-chance romance. Jonah has written a bestselling debut novel based on her first love—only, she wrote the happy ending they never got. When that same ex shows up as the journalist assigned to interview her about the book, Jonah has to decide if she’s ready to rewrite their real ending.

The YEARNING. The TENSION. I thought the dual-timeline structure worked really well, and I loved seeing how their initial relationship unfolded alongside their reunion in the present. The characters connect on such a deep level over their aspirations and passion for writing, and they feel like genuine partners who cheer each other on. My only wish was that we got to hear the FMC verbalize her feelings more. At multiple pivotal moments, she “blinks in surprise” or “takes that in” rather than externalizing her emotions or offering a verbal response to the MMC. I also would’ve devoured a longer epilogue, since it felt like the book ended quickly after the leads got together.

As a San Franciscan, I delighted in Rindell’s understanding of what makes the city so great. The book captures not only its physical beauty, but also its culture of acceptance and free-spiritedness, along with the distinct character of each neighborhood. Rindell mentioned a few spots I haven’t been to before, and I’ve already made plans to go see them IRL 😚

Fans of the globetrotting friends-to-lovers romance in People We Meet on Vacation, the university crush turned something more in One Day, and the angst of the “you dropped my hand” scene in the All Too Well Taylor’s Version music video will love this read.

[Jessica's Book Review]

Based on a Love Story by Suzanne Rindell is a sweet second chance romance novel with a past and present timeline set in the early 2000’s.

The book starts off in “present day” which is 2011 with the new big romance book being released written by Jonah. Jonah wrote her big novel based off a relationship from college with Jake. Jake and Jonah spent a summer in Europe and fell in love even if those words were never said.

Now, Jonah is living in San Francisco and a journalist is going to spend a few days with her to write an article about this big time romance writer. Much to her surprise the journalist is Jake.

Throughout the book there are chapters of the past and how Jake & Jonah’s relationship started and ended…. So much miscommunication between these two and no one saying how they truly felt.

There were times I just wish the author had kept the last scenes all together so I could truly understand the whole history of Jake & Jonah. It was hard to feel a connection towards them only getting small glimpses throughout the book. I did feel the romance aspect was lacking and maybe that was because I was wanting more of a connection between these two.

Overall. The story was well written. I just did not like the constant back and forth timeline without truly understanding the characters and their feelings toward each other. The book did hold me captive and I read it in a day.

I give Based on a Love Story by Suzanne Rindell 3 stars


ARC provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Brendi Zapata | bookishbrendiboo]

The premise of this book was right up my alley and it was sent to me because I love Katherine Center so I had high hopes for this one.

This ARC was sent to me because I loved Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan, who called this “the ultimate second chance romance. Based on that and the premise, I thought this one would've been a 5-star for me.

Let's start with the good:
- The premise sounds so cute! An aspiring author experiences a whirlwind romance that doesn't end well, but she writes a novel that becomes a bestseller based on that whirlwind romance and gives it the happily ever after that she wishes she had? Yes please!
- The descriptions of the places and landscapes were absolutely amazing. Greece is one my favorite countries that I've visited, and this book really transported me back.
- Jonah's friendship with Kenny. Every girl needs a Kenny!

The not-so-good:
- Jake, the MMC. I genuinely hate him. There was never any moment in the book where I was rooting for him, even in the rare moments when he was being nice to Jonah instead of smug, rude, and dare I say manipulative? I felt like I rolled my eyes every time he was on the page.
- I loved Kenny, but what the hell, dude. No good friend would encourage Jonah to give Jake ANOTHER chance, come on.
- Jonah had no character development/growth whatsoever. Pining for a man for a decade who did you wrong is not the move.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for this ARC, releasing March 30, 2027!

Review: ⭐⭐💫 (2.5/5)
Genre: contemporary romance
Tropes: second chance romance, right person/wrong time, one bed

[Brendan Jones]

Full disclosure: Suzanne is a friend, and I read this one early. But I promise that's not why I loved it!

Based on a Love Story has the kind of premise that sounds simple on the page and turns out to be anything but: a novelist built her breakout book on an old romance, and now the ex who inspired it shows up to make her answer for it.

Rindell has always been sharp about the stories we tell to survive our own pasts — she did it with reinvention in The Other Typist, and here she turns that same eye on the particular vanity and vulnerability of being a writer (gulp), of using a real person as raw material and hoping they never notice, or never mind.

What I did NOT expect was how funny it is. The tension between Jonah and Jake crackles, but Rindell keeps cutting it with genuine wit, so the book never tips into melodrama even as it's asking real questions about ownership — who gets to tell a shared story? What do you owe to the people/person that was there, that lived it with you? Anything?

If you've ever wondered whether the people in your life recognize themselves in your writing, this one will get under your skin in the best way. Swoony, smart, and a little haunted — exactly the combination Rindell does better than just about any writer I've ever encountered, alive or dead. Pick this one up - you won't put it down until it's over.

[Castille]

A scenario many of us creatively-inclined folks have fantasized: running into an ex who inspired the work that launched us to superstardom in our field of choice.
While I did enjoy this read, I had higher hopes. The author sets this book in the world of the literati-- Oxford, New York City, Paris, San Francisco, and it specifically deals with the publishing and journalism industries-- so I expected the writing itself to be more sophisticated. I thought there would be more thoughtful consideration of writing itself, the intersection of fiction and real life. The beginning sets us up with its philosophizing about how fiction springs from the lived emotional experiences of an author, but then that idea is abandoned. We are told about the book Jonah has written, but we never see how her lived experience translated to what she wrote in the book. As such, Rindell's novel read more as elevated YA than the kind of slightly-literary contemporary fiction I find most appealing. At points, I nearly DNF'ed it-- and not because it's *bad*, but because there are just so many books in the world and not enough time, and this isn't one that will stick with me. But that's all just my personal taste. If you devour romance novels and just want something that is romantic without being spicy or too controversial, this could be a real winner for you.

[Catie]

Thank you Dutton and PenguinRandomHouse for the ARC and chance to read a proof of the novel Based on a Love Story by Suzanne Rindell. This delightful romance dropped into my inbox or perhaps I requested it based on the chance to experience the travel adventure I didn't know I needed. I have not read any other books by Ms. Rindell but | look forward to doing so if they match the clever 'love tropes' so clearly explained in the story.
The main character is a writer who has just written a successful romance that may or may not be based on events in her past. What keeps this story fresh are the likable characters and their ability to relive their own pasts, review their mistakes and learn from them. What was most enjoyable and what helped me continue reading were the various backdrops of scenery: —colleges in Oxford, Greece, Paris and San Francisco. This was so much more than a travel romance book, though. This was the “we were all twenty once and had adventures and loves”. It was also so much more than that. It is a well crafted “he said, she said” from a writer’s perspective and that might explain why Based on a Love Story will hold its own in the saturated romance market. It has something for everyone.

[Mia :)]

Thank you to Suzanne Rindell and her team for this ARC!

I was so intrigued by the premise of this book from the moment I read the blurb: an author FMC who has written a love story inspired by her own past, only to then have to interact with the man himself. I was immediately sold!

The story spans several years of Jonah’s life, from her university days to the present, but it was easy to follow, and I loved how each chapter revealed more about our two main characters and their history.

Jonah Kelly is a likeable FMC. She’s flawed, a little worried, wonderfully human, and has a slightly clumsy personality that makes her even more endearing. Jake, our MMC, is introduced as a little grumpy and distant, and I have to admit I was not too impressed with his behaviour at certain points...But in the end, I could also see the love there between them

The book is filled with gorgeous imagery of their travels together, plenty of yearning, humour, and, of course, a whole lot of romance. I loved watching their relationship unfold across the years and seeing how their past and present intertwined.

[Kenny Fragas]

Such an enjoyable read! While the romance totally reeled me in, the real MVP of the story was Jonah's friendship with Kenny. (Full disclosure: I am legally obligated to love anyone named Kenny, but their bond was genuinely top-tier). Their dynamic was the kind of ride-or-die friendship that makes you want to text your own bestie and yell, "Why aren't we saving each other from bad decisions in Greece right now?!"

Let's be completely real, though—I would have followed Jonah through a grocery store parking lot, but getting to jet-set across Oxford, Paris, Greece, and San Francisco? Absolute luxury. It’s the closest I’m going to get to a European vacation without having to deal with airport security or baggage fees.

If your reading kryptonite includes second-chance romance, witty banter that belongs in a hall of fame, and gorgeous travel backdrops, this is your ultimate one-way ticket to sleep deprivation. Grab this book immediately—unless you hate joy, wanderlust, and fictional characters making better travel itineraries than you ever will.

[bren]

this was a fun one!! i loved all of the gorgeous descriptions of the fmc jonah’s study abroad year. her friendship with kenny was so endearing and precious. sometimes dual timelines can get really confusing, but the blending of the past and present was done really well here. the mmc jake, was not my favorite. he was very standoffish and rude in the beginning of the book. we come to find out his reasons, but i still do not think his guardedness was necessary at some points. all of his problems could have been dealt with by just having simple conversations. i took a star away because i am not a fan of the miscommunication trope. jonah and jake could have been having these conversations early on, and they would have avoided all of the problems that followed. overall, i enjoyed this book and i would recommend it to those who are a fan of second-chance romance!

a big thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

[BHK]

Some books are basically the literary version of running into your ex while looking your absolute worst… and somehow they’re impossible to put down. That was how I felt reading Based on a Love Story by Suzanne Rindell! I had so much fun with this one. It’s romantic, nostalgic, a and full of life’s “what if?” moments. I loved following Jonah as she trades New York for San Francisco hoping for a fresh start. Of course, life has other plans when she’s assigned an interviewer who just happens to be the man who may have inspired the love story that made her famous. Cue all the awkward tension, old memories, and emotions! I also loved the dual timelines because every glimpse into their shared past added another layer to their complicated present. If you love second chance romance, slow burning chemistry, and books about writers this one is worth adding to your TBR!

[Cecilia Romano]

Based on a Love Story by Suzanne Rindell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m always intrigued by a story about a love that never quite got its ending, and this one definitely pulled me in.

I loved the idea of a novelist writing a bestselling love story inspired by someone from her past only to have that person show up again years later. From Jonah’s new life in San Francisco to the memories of her time traveling through Europe, the story has that lovely feeling of looking backward while trying to figure out what you actually want moving forward.

It made me think about how differently we can remember a relationship with time, and how sometimes the story we tell ourselves about the past isn’t necessarily the whole story.

A sweet, thoughtful second-chance romance with a fun setup and plenty of romantic tension. 🤍

[Peg]

Special thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book. This was my first Suzanne Rindell book.

There are so many things I loved about this book... but I also struggled with parts.
The descriptions that Suzanne Rindell provides throughout then novel are absolutely amazing. You feel like you are right there in the book with the characters! The detail and time spent to truly bring the reader into the place with the characters was exceptional.

I struggled most with wanting to love the characters and rooting for them, and this was hard. Every time I thought I was getting there, something happened that made me lose faith! I feel like the story moved slowly in parts and there was so much left for the reader to attempt to interpret until the very end which was difficult to keep the reader engaged.

[Meghan]

I loved *Based on a Love Story*. The way the author weaves together the past and present is so beautifully done, giving the story so much depth without ever feeling confusing or disjointed, but keeping you on the edge of your seat for each part of the story.

The descriptions of each location were one of my favorite parts. They were so vivid and atmospheric that I felt like I was right there alongside the characters, experiencing each place, and the food, with them.

And the characters completely won me over. I absolutely adored Jonah and Jake, and Kenny was such a wonderful friend. I loved the relationships between them and the heart they brought to the story.

Beautifully written, immersive, and full of characters I genuinely cared about. This book was like cozying up in front of the fire, wrapped up in the kind of atmosphere you wish you could linger in a little bit longer. 

[Debbie]

This is a sweet love story about second chances. The author dissects all the feelings and emotions of the two main characters Jonah and Jake. The author tells the story from their first meeting and all those unexpected encounters in the following years. She uses flashbacks to slowly reveal their feelings and how each interpreted them. Some other love stories as well play an important part of this novel. The author does a good job of examining love from all sides.
Thank you to Net Galley and Dutton for an eGalley of this book. All opinions are truly my own.
#BasedOnALoveStory #SuzanneRindell #NetGalley

[Alex Lynch]

Thanks to Dutton Books for the ARC of this one! I had the pleasure of reading this one while I was on a trip to San Francisco, which really brought the story to life! I read almost this entire book in my hotel room in one night because I just could not put it down! The story follows a novelist named Jonah on the heels of publishing her first hit romance that was inspired by a European backpacking romance she just can't forget. When she decides to start fresh in life and move to live with her best friend in San Francisco, she is quickly hit with a ghost from her past. Her novel has received rave reviews and a popular magazine wants to do a piece on her. They send no other than Jake, the same guy the book is inspired by. The piece involves the two of them hitting all of the most romantic spots in SF. Jonah is not thrilled but is quickly pulled back into his orbit. The chemistry is electric, the love story is swoony and complex and the book as a whole was absolutely fabulous. If you like second chance romance, you are not going to want to miss this one!

[Britt K]

3.5 ⭐️ with a round-up

The imagery and traveling within this book was epic. I loved the descriptions of all the wonderful places that Jonah & Jake visited. The story starts off a little slow but warms into an endearing love story. I had some tears at the end. There were a few things I kept wanting - more character development, more banter, more dialogue. There was so much lovely detail about the travel, but the people themselves were lacking. Despite those extremely picky critiques, it's obvious the author is very talented.

Thank you for the ARC e-read. I will be adding this author to my must read list.

[Kari Bunce (Books With Herb)]

4/5 Stars (4 Bones!)

Based on a Love Story by Suzanne Rindell is an absolute love letter to travel! 🌍✈️

The story follows Jonah and Jake across more than ten years, but the real joy is the vivid, immersive worlds it opens up. Getting to join them in Oxford, Crete, Athens, NYC, and San Francisco makes it clear that Ms. Rindell really knows her stuff—this book could easily double as both a travel guide and a guide to finding love.

The romance was compelling, wonderfully angsty, and deeply moving at times. After running all over the world after each other, Jonah and Jake finally find the love they’ve been searching for.

4 bones from Herb and me—we really enjoyed it!

[Angela Olson]

3.5 ⭐️ Suzanne Rindell did a beautiful job taking the reader backpacking through Europe with her detailed descriptions in “Based on a Love Story.” I felt like I was in Oxford, Paris, and Greece, and finally San Francisco, right alongside Jonah and Jake. I will say at one point I thought this might be a five star rating, so there were definitely parts of the storyline that I loved and had me hooked. In the end, I would have liked more communication, more butterflies, and a longer ending.

Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Allison Koerner]

Jumped at the opportunity to read this as an ARC after loving “Summer Fridays” and was not disappointed. I loved the way this author can describe scenes of places and textures and tastes of foods to really immerse the reader into the story. I loved the dual timeline and playing back Jake and Jonah’s history and falling in love while traveling. Their chemistry and emotion was palpable on the page and I was rooting for them the whole time. Considering I devoured it in 24 hours, I think it’s safe to say I may have found another favorite author.

[KDRBCK]

Based on a Love Story by new to me author Suzanne Rindell is a stand alone published by St. Martin's Press.
Jonah is a successful author . Her first book was a success, but now she's suffering from writer's block. Invited to visit San Francisco, she drives down there and meets Jack. Both share a past, but Jonah is reluctant to open her heart.
A second chances story, swoony, sweet, a great story, 4 stars.