The Spirit of Love by Lauren Kate was a quick and fun read that kept me engaged from start to finish. I was eager to see how the story would unfold, with just the right mix of heart and intrigue to keep the pages turning. Fans of Ashley Poston will likely enjoy this one. It has that same whimsical, romantic charm.

Thank you to Penguin Group for the ARC!

-A woman falls for two men with eery similarities in this cute but bizarre romance

I’m not sure what to make of this one. Parts I really enjoyed and parts were…dumb. BUT if you’re looking for a light palate cleanser I would recommend!
Thanks NetGalley! Out in June.

4.5 Stars!

It's been a hot minute since I've read something by Lauren Kate, and I'm so glad this is the book I ended up reading. I absolutley adored this book! I mean, magical realism, a parallel timeline, and a sweet love story...how could you go wrong? This story delivered with a unique storyline, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and characters you can't help but root for. The Spirit of Love is a fun read with an entertaining meet-cute that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. I easily devoured this story in just a few short hours and had the best time getting swept up in Fenny and Jude's story.

3.5!! Fenny gives herself a self care weekend on the picturesque Catalina Island before her big directorial debut at work. While camping out on the beach, a torrential storm hits her campsite and a mysterious Search & Rescuer, Sam, rescues her from her solitude and the storm. Fenny and Sam have a magical, romantic weekend exploring the island Sam calls home. When Fenny returns home and on her first day of her big debut, she is unceremoniously replaced as director by Jude de Silva, who happens to look exactly like Sam.

I really enjoyed the magical realism elements of this book and the little bit of mystery over what was happening! I loved how Jude and Fenny’s work relationship developed over the course of the book. I felt the ending was wrapped up too quickly though, especially since there isn’t an epilogue. I still have questions and part of it felt unresolved!

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and perfect for fans of Seven Year Slip and The Dead Romantics.

🛶 Magical realism
🛶 Work rivals to lovers
🛶 Fade to black
🛶 Catalina Island/Hollywood setting

This story was nothing like I expected it to be and I absolutely loved it. I devoured it in one day and am excited to read more by this author!

Fenny is getting ready to film her first episode of a show as a director but first she went away to Catalina island to reset her mindset. During this R&R, she met Sam at the island had an unforgettable couple of days with him. She felt like her and Sam had chemistry. When she arrived on set to direct her first episode, she was told that she has to wait to direct because Jude, a big shot director, is coming to direct instead. When Fenny met Jude, Jude looks a lot like Sam but somehow doesn’t know Fenny at all….


I was so excited to Read another story by Lauren Kate! I was a big fan of the Fallen series when I was in highschool. However, this was a letdown for me. I wanted to love this but I just didnt feel any chemistry for the characters and to me it just felt forced. The ending was pretty anticlimactic for me as well. It wasn’t horrible to me it was just predictable and I wanted more.

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam Books for this ARC ❤️

*THE SPIRIT OF LOVE*
3/5 ⭐
I got to read this one courtesy of the publisher, Lauren Kate and @netgalley. Now, I will preface by saying if I had understood this was a timeslip, I probably would not have requested it. I am not a huge fan of books/movies with time travel and whatnot, BUT I did enjoy this read more than I thought I would. I liked the progression of Fennys character as she realizes life is so much more than just her job and her work and we love her super supportive friend group even though if my friend came to me in this situation I would probably think she had lost her mind. Ultimately, I did enjoy this more than I thought I would!

2.75⭐

LIKED:
- There are really good bones to this story. Without giving too much away (it’s not that it’s terribly unpredictable), the light mystery of what ties everything together in this story is charming. The only thing with it is that I wish there had been more connectivity with Sam that really added more depth to the emotionality.
- I liked Fenny. I understood her motivations and what she wanted out of life for herself, and I understood why she would like these two men. I felt for in her ups and downs and I wanted the best for her. I just…do not understand why her name was Fenny. Especially not Fenny Fein.
- ‘Zombie Hospital’ as a show concept is so ridiculous and I appreciate that.
- I like this cover for its simplicity, it’s sweet. I wish it was a bit more tied to the actual book besides just the Catalina bits, but that’s fine.

LAMENTED:
- Jude is frustrating. He’s lacks really any flaw that would make him endearing. He’s just nice all the time, which, yes, nice is good and all, but it makes for a real lack of any sort of tension within their building relationship. This is especially noticeable when Sam is so charming.
- The aforementioned mystery of this book is not hard to discern, nor do I think it’s meant to be. However, it drags on for way too long. It all comes to a head way too late in the book that causes the middle of the book to crawl. There are so many scenes that feel insubstantial to the greater good of the overall book.
- The book just…ends?? The climax happens and then the book is over. No epilogue, no actual discussion between the two characters. Just the acknowledgements. It’s wild and definitely to the detriment of the story.
- This is a personal thing, but I found the spirituality of this book to be a bit hamfisted. This book can be spiritual in nature, that’s fine, but the way it’s handled feels odd. The discussions never actual tie to anything with the plot well enough to have deeper meaning. I think what I mean is that they feel kind of like excuses (whether by the characters or the author) rather than meaningful conversations.
The title of this book is a fine title, but also…not really what this book is about slash spoils the book?

LONGED FOR:
- Jude to have some depth.
- The book’s third act to feel more polished.
- More time with Sam, honestly.


Will I read the next one? : Maybe. I think this author has really sollid ideas but I’m not super sold that she can execute on them just yet.

I was excited for this book even though I definitely went into it blind. I did not know the genre and did not read the description prior to completing the book. That being said, after reading the book description and the genre, I think it gives away too much. The FMC is tolerable but nothing about this book really drew me in. I was a bit confused due to my lack of information about the book going in, but other than that, it was easy to follow and I didn't dislike the characters. An easy read but not one I had any attachment to finishing (although I did).

The Spirit of Love is a mind-bending, magical romance that took me on an unforgettable ride. Fenny, the fun and fearless main character, was such a joy to follow, and her love interests were genuinely captivating—each one adding something unique to the emotional and fantastical journey.

From the dreamy beaches of Catalina Island to zombie-filled desert scenes, the settings were as surprising as they were vivid. The blend of romance, magic, and a touch of the supernatural kept me flipping pages at lightning speed. I honestly didn’t want it to end—I adored being in Fenny’s world and would happily return to it again.

This book is a wild, romantic escape with just the right mix of heart and magic.

A vacation fling, a workplace rival, two very different love connections. The Spirit of Love is a new novel by Lauren Kate that will have you leaning forward in your seat as the tale unfolds.

After a whirlwind weekend fling before beginning work as director for the first time on the show she loves, Fenny is blindsided when she returns to real life. Turns out the director gig was given to a stranger with a flawless reputation at the last minute instead. As much as she tries to dislike him, they start to connect on a deeper level, but she can't forget about the man she met in the forest.

This is a perfect example of why I do not read book summaries before I begin. With this one? The entire plot would have been ruined if I had, so if you haven't done that yet, save yourself the great feeling of discovering a story for yourself and don't read it. Whyyy do publishers do that?

Beyond that gripe, I really enjoyed the story. I had fun piecing things together for myself, though I had another theory bumping around in my brain for a big chunk of it so (if you didn't read the back) I wouldn't say the ending isn't very predictable.

The romance between Fenny and Sam at the beginning of the book was interesting and refreshing and just enough swoony without being too much. The development of the new relationship with Jude (not dating, but you get what I mean) felt genuine and not forced, which is important for the integrity of a story like this with two love interests.

Magical Realism tends to usually stretch a thread too far for me, and that was honestly the case with this story. It all makes sense and was set up incredibly well, but I wasn't filled with a feeling of 100% satisfaction by the time it was all said and done. Honestly I think that's just a me thing though. If you're a fan of magical realism in general, this is probably an ideal romance for you!

As always I am honored when I am able to read a book early, and The Spirit of Love was a really nice escape with an interesting story.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of Spirit of Love! Lauren Kate serves up a whimsical, time-bending romance with a premise that had me instantly intrigued: one man, split in two by magic and heartbreak, and one woman stuck in the middle—trying to glue his soul (and her love life) back together.

Fenny is a firecracker. She’s fresh off the best night of her life and finally stepping into the director’s chair on the show she’s been writing for a decade. Life is good—until it isn’t. Enter Jude, the hotshot new director who just so happens to be the older, moodier doppelgänger of Sam, the dreamy stranger who saved her during a weekend storm. Is she hallucinating? Is it fate? Or is she about to star in her own very confusing rom-com?

The setup is golden—imagine The Time Traveler’s Wife meets Sliding Doors with a side of steamy banter. But while the story is wildly original, it sometimes got tangled in its own timeline. I spent a lot of the book trying to keep track of which version of the man Fenny was falling for, and the emotional beats didn’t always land as hard as I hoped. The pacing wobbled, especially in the middle, where the magical realism started to feel more like magical whiplash.

Still, Lauren Kate’s writing has an airy charm, and there are some genuinely moving reflections on healing, identity, and whether love can bridge the gap between who we were and who we become. I didn’t fall head-over-heels, but I definitely appreciated the ambition and the heart behind this one.

A dreamy, if dizzying, romantic puzzle. Recommended for fans of genre-bending love stories and second-chance soulmates—with a side of time travel chaos.

There’s a lot going on here that’s fresh and really different. All that to say, I wish the “twist” hit a little sooner because it felt very confusing for awhile which direction this book wanted to go. I generally liked the characters but overall this felt a bit half baked/not like a final draft. I like the direction it took, but I still wanted more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the perfect summer romance for anyone who is a fan of Ashley Poston and Emily Henry. The Spirit of Love is a Romcom with a little splash of fantasy and is just my style. The book opens with Fenny, the writer-almost-director of a CW style show, meeting the man who stole her job. It’s a fun enemies to friends to lovers take on a workplace romance. I would say don’t read the synopsis as it ruins the mystery, but I loved the romance, banter, and characters for this book. I can’t wait to read whatever is next for Lauren Kate, and I’ll be recommending this to all my friends in July.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I loved it!

Such a cute quick read- first book of hers I’ve read. It’s different and slightly mysterious. Definitely a must read- not your average rom com!

This was magical realism at its finest. Fenny has a romantic weekend fling with Sam just before embarking on the biggest moment of her career. After the whirlwind trip to Catalina, she arrives at her big day only to discover she’s been demoted and replaced by a new director—Jude. Except Jude is an older, more jaded version of Sam.
Living in a state of confusion, Fenny must continue with her job and her budding relationship, all while trying to untangle the mystery of Sam/Jude.
I had zero expectations going in, and I really liked it. I loved that the magic was just that—magic. There was no big quest to understand it or explain it away. I also appreciated that her friends didn’t treat her like a complete nutcase. They were supportive and helpful, and didn’t just assume she was crazy.
The banter between Jude and Fenny was fantastic, especially with all the old Hollywood references. I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I’ll definitely be checking out their other titles.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the advanced copy

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

Lauren Kate's writing is just magical, it's beautiful and I just love her magical realism - I squealed over the cameo for past characters of hers to make an appearance (from What's in a Kiss!) and just loved the story dearly. Sam is dreamy, he's worth way more than what he gets with the quick leaving of Fenny - but she has to get back to her dreams. Only it's a disaster and she messes up and is immediately replaced as the director of her show, and the guy is weird and looks a bit like Sam - so Fenny just goes off the rails a bit. The set is pure turmoil, she's a mess, and just it became a mess with a quick turnaround as she realized she deserves the job AND the guy and went running after her happily ever after. It was just so much fun and is the perfect read as we head into the summer months!

I might have to read this one again once it's published and I can lay on a beach!

The premise is intriguing and the opening chapters are strong—Fenny is confident, sharp, and the romantic tension is immediate. But the pacing quickly stalls. Much of the book is spent circling the same questions, even after the answers feel obvious, which makes the plot feel repetitive.

The chemistry between characters is there, and the Catalina Island scenes are rich and cinematic, but those strengths get buried beneath too much internal monologue and not enough forward motion. The middle of the book drags, and by the time the story picks up again, it feels too little too late.

There are glimmers of charm and emotion throughout, but overall, the story didn’t fully land for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced copy of this unique and creative romance. The book is a fun form of magical realism.
It's hard to fully describe the book without giving away spoilers. I would recommend going into the book without knowing too much.
The main character, Fenny, is funny, smart, and determined. There is great romantic chemistry between Fenny, Sam, and Jude. The island of Catalina, where some of the book tales place has vivid and lovely descriptions. Those parts make you want to go camping or explore a new scenic area. The book has adventurous moments. It's a book that will make you feel inspired to go after your dreams, live in the moment, and stop playing it safe.
I think the plot was clever, and I enjoyed the romance. I only wish there was a little more to the ending. It felt a bit rushed for me. Otherwise, it was a relaxing and enjoyable book, and I can't wait to read more by the author.

This is half of a cute romance, but overall didn't really work for me. The twist - the magic - felt unnecessary and nonsensical, and I wasn't enamoured by the romance at all. One part felt rushed, the other felt lackluster. Overall not the book for me!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review