This was a perfect summer read…love, growth, personal development and friendships…what’s not to love?

Lindsey Kelk has such a fun and fresh voice that I really adore and appreciate. Pick this up when you want a sunny book set in SoCal that has some real depth to it!

Phoebe is going on holiday in LA to see her sister. When she arrives, she meets an extremely good looking neighbor/bird watcher named Ren and they form a fast connection. Phoebe quickly puts him in the friend zone when she discovers her new friend Bel has a crush on Ren. She becomes a matchmaker for the two, despite her own growing feelings for Ren.

I read Lindsey Kelk’s book The Christmas Wish last year, and so I was excited to have the opportunity to read another of her books. This one didn’t disappoint! She has the best sense of humor in her writing that makes me smile and laugh out loud throughout the whole book. I enjoyed Phoebe’s personality and her sweet relationship with her frankly former starlet neighbor. This book definitely gave me vibes from The Holiday. If you enjoy sweet rom coms with humor and closed door romance, this would be an excellent choice for you!

Thank you to Lindsey Kelk, Harper Collins, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Love Me Do" is a fun, quirky friends-to-lovers, slow-burn, summer romantic comedy with a Cyrano-esque plot. Lindsey Kelk's newest novel follows a Brit visiting her older sister in L.A., where she quickly hits it off with neighbor and carpenter Ren. After the two bond, she resolves to find him the perfect girlfriend -- her sister's trainer, Bel, who has a massive crush. It's really cute with a long, slow burn romance.

CW: Abusive relationship

"Love Me Do" was a sweet, fun romance that I really enjoyed! Written by Lindsey Kelk, this book centers around Phoebe, who was has left Britain to visit her sister in sunny LA. Phoebe's workaholic sister quickly has to leave for a business trip, leaving Phoebe to get to know her neighbors and community. One of the most special neighbors is Ren, a quiet but sweet carpenter who lives next door. While Phoebe is trying to help a new friend get to know Ren, she realizes that she has feelings for him as well. But will she be willing to step up and tell him how she's feeling?

I enjoyed the sweet chemistry between Ren and Phoebe, and thought they were well-suited. I also really loved Phoebe's older neighbor, 82-year-old Myrna, who has lived a big life of her own and is very straightforward about what she thinks. She provided a lot of comedy in this romantic novel. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more books by Kelk. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Book : Love Me Do
Author : Lindsey Kelk
Pub Date : 05 Sep 2023

Thank you NetGalley, Harper 360, HarperCollins, & the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Do you need a super cute holiday LA centered insta-love rom-com book in your life? One that gives you the feels—make you laugh out loud, smirk, yell, shout and just fall in love with the plot and characters? This book is for YOU!

I love the characters and how well developed they are. They each have something different and bring something special to the table. I felt like I could related to one or more of the characters. I wanted to live in this story forever! I loved following and watching everything play out and that end was so perfect!!

I will continue to read more books from this author, I love the writing style and they are always just so fun! Absolutely an easy 4 stars and will be telling my book friends about this one!!!!

Reading this book was like watching a romantic comedy. I could see the scenes so vividly in my mind. And it was laugh out loud funny with a wonderfully quirky cast of characters. This was the perfect escape from reality and very hard to put down.

I wanted to rate it 4 stars but landed at 3.5 and rounded down to 3 because I felt like the emotions were missing. I love romantic comedies in both book and movie form. One of the advantages of rom com books is that we get a chance peek behind the curtain and see what's going on inside the characters' heads. But I felt like that was lacking a bit in this book. I would have liked to see just a little bit more and felt like some opportunities were lost in an attempt to keep the story moving forward at a fast pace.

Even so, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to someone looking for a vacation book (beach read or something for the airport).

Phoebe has escaped her life in the UK to visit her sister in L.A, but Suzanne has to leave town on a business trip. While she's gone, Phoebe befriends Bel, Ren, and old movie star Myrna. Even though she has a massive crush on Ren, she plays Roxanne for Bel. An annoying trope, but thankfully that's not all the book is about. And Myrna is a hoot.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC.

This one is cute but predictable.
We know from the beginning that she will end up with Ren. The attraction between them is definitely there, but I wanted him to make more of an effort.
I loved Myrna, she was an amazing character with great stories and great encouragement.
I can see why Kelk has such a presence in the romance world, the book flows well and keeps you reading and rooting for these characters.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I just didn't vibe with this. Second time I've read anything by this author and it was incredibly lackluster. The romance was fine, the sparks were okay, but nothing felt interesting or swoony enough. The plot didn't offer me much either.

This was my first Lindsey Kelk book and it certainly won’t be my last. I’m about to make my way through her whole backlist!

Honestly, this book was so damn cute and adorable I loved every second of reading it. There’s a lot of laugh out loud moments that actually had my husband telling me to shut up and then asked to read what was so funny. The romance was sweet. I loved the love letter aspect of the story and the LA setting was perfect for it. The friendships in this book was amazing. I loved all the side characters so much! But the star of the show was definitely Myrna. That woman was batshit crazy and I freakin loved her!

If you love a good friends to lovers with slow burn and love letters then I highly recommend picking this one up on September 5th!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the e-arc!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-book advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first book by Lindsey Kelk but it will certainly not be my last. The writing was fabulous and the humor in this book was so great.

We meet Phoebe, a girl from England that has come to LA to visit her sister in an attempt to keep her mind occupied during a week when her toxic ex is going to marry someone else. Plans are altered when she learns her sister has to go on an emergency business trip, leaving her completely alone in her sprawling LA villa. Reading, TV watching, eating all the snacks and a sparkly pool in a house that rivals the swankiest Beverly Hills hotels, what more does a girl need?

Enter a cast of characters that Phoebe was never expecting, including a hot bird watching next door neighbor, a sweet and energetic new friend that is her sister's personal trainer, and a mysterious ex actress from Hollywood's Golden Era. Even the city of LA becomes a character which Phoebe quickly grows to love. The dynamics of each of these relationships was real and relatable and I really loved the growth of the relationship with her sister once she gets back from her business trip.

This Rom/Com is perfect as a beach or vacation read and was giving "The Holiday" movie vibes which I loved! It was a sweet and very funny read. The humor in this book was some of the best I have read and had me laughing out loud constantly. I can't wait to read more from this author.

This book follows someone who has been through an emotional and mentally abusive relationship, who has now put walls up that are very hard to break down. After visiting her sister, meeting a new friend, meeting her sisters neighbor things take a wild turn. She tries to play matchmaker between her new friend and her sisters hot neighbor. She put other peoples feelings before hers, and with the help of Myrna Moore, she was able to realize it was time to put her wants and needs first.

Enjoying a book is one thing, but falling in love with a book is a whole different sensation. This is a book that opens doors to topics that sometimes are looked past when it comes to writing a good book. As someone who has experienced many things that take place in this book, it is amazing to have representation. It gave me a love for the book that I never would have thought been possible. I was able to annotate without being forced to think about things, it all just came naturally. The writing style provides vivid detail, detail that puts a reader in the middle of the story, as if it were real life. That is something that I find not many authors will do, but Lindsey Kelp blew this one out of the water, or hit this one out of the park ;) Not only does this book involve love, but it involves hurt, raw emotions, and many other feelings not only for the main character, but for all of the characters around her. I believe that this bit of perspective into the other characters feelings is what really keeps the book calling you back for more.

While I did give this read 5 starts, I hope to everything in existence that in a. future book we can have an insight of what happens to Phoebe and Ren in their future together. Thanks Lindsey...

I am a loyal Lindsey Kelk reader and this book did not disappoint!

We follow Phoebe on her whirlwind two week vacation to see her sister who lives in LA. However, the day she lands, her sister announces she must go to Seattle for a work emergency for a "few days" leaving Phoebe alone. She quickly encounters Bel, her sister's personal trainer, and Ren, her sister's dashing neighbour, and Myrna, an old hollywood star, who all help her see beyond the glitz and superficial facade of LA.

All characters were charming in their own way and I wish I could have been on vacation in LA with them all. Lindsey gives each character in her books such personality and there is always some great British humour built in! This book has a little less banter than others but still easily devourable and entertaining. Readers will enjoy the sprinkle of Twilight references, Real Housewives , Taylor Swift and Disneyland moments too!

I appreciated how Lindsey wrote a lighthearted romcom book but also managed to interweave serious topics. Prepare for some instalove, holiday romance and other tropes that make you squee but also some moments the discuss grief, domestic abuse and toxic past relationships.

Plot -- Phoebe goes to LA for a two week vacation from the UK to visit her sister. Her sister ends up having to go away for work. Phoebe finds herself playing matchmaker for her sister’s friend Belle and her neighbor Ren. Early on Belle is smitten with Ren. What she doesn’t expect is to find herself falling in love with Ren during the process of trying to set him and Belle up.

I had a hard time getting into this story, it was a pretty slow start. Slow burn.

I didn't resignate with the characters very well and I feel like Belles character was run short even though she is a "main character" in the story.

The romance was just okay for me, nothing stood out really.

Thank you for the chance to read this novel. Overall I'd rate it a 3.5 star.

Who doesn’t love a modern day take on Cyrano? Love Me Do is a delight rom-com take on the famous French romantic where Cyrano is replaced by British greeting card writer, Phoebe Chapman. We follow Phoebe on her vacation in Los Angeles where she makes new friends, discovers new strengths in herself, and maybe even finds love.

Although the pacing in the first half of the book could use a bit of finessing, the story picks up and captures your heart with a strong middle and finish. The character of Myrna Moore, a now elderly Hollywood starlet is gold, and honestly who we would all love to be when finding ourselves in our 80’s. Definitely a highlight of the story.

Synopsis: When Phoebe goes to LA for a two week vacation, she finds herself playing matchmaker for her sister’s friend Belle and her attractive now next door neighbor Ren. What she doesn’t expect is to find herself falling in love with Ren during the process… not until she’s in too deep.

What I liked:
-Kelk, like always, did a great job adding humor into her writing. I loved all the modern day jokes and references
-Phoebe was a likable main character who saw the best in others
-The LA setting and adventures set there were fun to read about, especially from the POV of a British main character
-The love triangle trope was done well with minimal miscommunication
-The ending was super sweet

What wasn’t for me:
-The story didn’t feel original
-I didn’t love Belle’s character and she played such a big role in the book for a side character
-I needed more than the last 10% of the book with Phoebe and Ren together!

Thank you Harper360 for the ARC! Pub 9/5

“On the other hand, what a way to go.” This author just got a new fan! I’m completely obsessed🔥!!!

First, this book is so hilarious!!!😂😂 On page 21, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. By the end of the book I laughed my ass off so much!! Everyone needs a Myrna Moore in their life! Favorite character.

“You gotta know your freeways if you’re going to make it in LA.”

I really like how it explains different areas in LA. For example, the mention of the 101 freeway is one of my favorite drives! The descriptions were so amazing as well. I could picture everything so vividly.

Phoebe makes a trip from England to visit her sister Suzanne in LA. While Phoebe left a horrible relationship two years ago, she’s not expecting to like someone on her trip.

Suzanne, the hard-working sister ends up flying to Seattle for business leaving her sister to discover the city with Bel, her trainer.

Bel was really funny to me. So much enthusiasm and positive vibes but the guy department just didn’t seem like her thing.

“I’m here. If you fall, I’ll catch you.”🤤

Let’s talk Ren! I enjoyed how simple, down-to-earth and romantic he is. But he for sure needed to open his eyes up. Some things were so obvious that he should have noticed.

“Myrna Moore never, ever missed a trick.”
That lady is absolutely amazing! She had me laughing the majority of the time and her character really stood out to me. I’m actually going to miss reading about her! She was the perfect friend that Phoebe needed. What she did at the end of the book, made my heart so happy.

I could go on and on about all the things I loved about this book. Again, this author has a new fan and I’m definitely checking out her other books!

Thank you, NetGalley for the EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram (@Alexandriavwilliams_) shortly

I felt this book was very back and forth for me. I did not love the pacing and the ending felt disjointed.

Lindsey Kelk has been a bit hit and miss for me in the past. I loved The Christmas Wish so much, and I was very excited about this book. That cover is adorable! There were some strong elements here, but some parts of the book didn't come together for me.

The premise is kind of odd here. There's a matchmaking situation, some found family, but ultimately it's about Phoebe getting over past trauma and moving on with her life.

My problem with the book began with the slow start. It took a good 45% for me to get into the rhythm of it. That's a long time for a summer rom-com. I didn't care for the matchmaking situation at all. It took too long to set up and felt icky with the mistaken identity. It seemed like a plan concocted by 14 year olds instead of people in their late 20s. I'm definitely not a fan of the hero of the book kissing other women while the MC's relationship develops. Speaking of relationship development, I wish we would have had more time with them. It felt like a side story.

There were some high points of this book. The humor was very cute, and I laughed out loud a few times. Kelk is a witty writer, and her takes on some current events/trends was very funny. I loved the found family aspect. Myrna was the best character in this book. She sparkled every time she was on the page. I really liked Phoebe and her British way of living. She grew a lot throughout this book, and I was glad to see her transformation. I also liked the tour of LA, especially visiting Disneyland!

I will continue to read the next books from Lindsey Kelk. Some of her books are bigger hits for me, but I'm usually promised an entertaining time!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately not my cup of tea! Very sad that this book just didn't work for me, I failed to connect to any of the characters or develop anything more than a passing engagement in the story.

I do think it's a great book for fans of Christina Lauren though! But that should've been my first hint that while it is good it just isn't for me.