Review: Love Me Do

Title: Love Me Do

Author: Lindsey Kelk

Publisher: 23rd November 2023 by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

Pages: 384 pages

Genre: Entertainment | General Fiction (Adult) | Romance

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

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?

A feelgood, sunshine-filled, friends-to-lovers romcom, Love Me Do is a dreamy summer love story, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry.

My Thoughts

Lindsey Kelk strikes again! This is just plain ol’ romcom at its best! I loved her ‘On a Night Like This’ and hoped this book would bring the same feelings. Well, I am happy to report I think it does and perhaps even surpasses the ‘LOL’ and life journey moments. I am here for it. I am happy to say that Lindsey is quickly moving to my instant read author list. 

‘Last time I checked, there wasn’t a regulatory committee that agrees on one single, official definition.’ ‘I think you’ll find there is,’ I scoffed. ‘It’s called the internet and it convenes daily.’

Phoebe visits her sister in LA for a couple of weeks, trying to keep her mind off her ex and his upcoming wedding. Phoebe is such a relatable character with concerns and anxieties that I am sure many of us can relate to. These may be serious concerns or simply riotous in nature but gosh! It makes for enjoyable reading. 

‘All words had power; the ones we read, the ones we spoke and the ones we listened to. I understood that now. We had to be careful which ones we let in.’

I love that it is not all about the romance - there is a lot more to Lindsey’s books I am discovering. This is just as much a journey of self discovery with the romantic element not the main focus. Delightfully this is more about being true to yourself, not changing to please others in an effort to live your best life. 

‘No one knew what went on behind closed doors. How many other women spent their evenings uploading smiling photos while tears streamed down their faces? How many other women thought putting pictures of the good times out in the world would bring them back around again? Was it manifestation or self-delusion?’

I loved all the characters in this book whether it be in isolation, as pairs or in a group - quite an accomplishment when you think about it. Shout out to Myrna especially for bringing all the iconic status. Also, this book is a nod to Los Angeles and I loved the inviting descriptions of attractions that were not the natural go-to’s.

‘A smile carved faint lines around his mouth. ‘LA is whatever you want it to be,’ he replied. ‘You get out what you put in. Most people don’t see what you saw, they stick to the shiny surface, but if you dig a little deeper that’s where the good stuff is.’

Love Me Do is pure escapist fun - light and bright. A delightful story that will make you laugh, it will make you cry (in laughter more than likely) and it will take you on an amazing journey with fun characters to visit parts of LA that were really enjoyable. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.