Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

My favorite thing about this book: the laugh out loud moments and supporting characters. Least favorite: areas of boredom where I found myself skimming along to get through areas I found ‘boring’ or just not an important part of the text.

Overall cute read.

This was a great, unique story line and I truly enjoyed it! I loved that there were many different stories within, each character had their own journey throughout the book.

A cute little rom-com with “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “The Holiday” vibes. I loved how light and frothy this read was, it felt like the ideal summer book. I really liked the secondary characters so much and felt like they added a great deal to the story. I could totally envision this becoming a streaming hit film!

Thank you Harper 360, HarperCollins and NetGalley for granting me the e-ARC so that I could provide my opinions..

I enjoyed the funny moments in this romcom. there were some moments where I found myself skimming to get to the important parts as some parts felt it overdrawn and I was losing interest. I wish Ren and Phoebe had more moments because he is so sweet and just a character I enjoyed. I also loved watching Phoebe become friends with Bel. Overall a cute summer read!

The supporting cast was honestly my favorite part of the book. The humor was top-tier, with petty dramas and perfect pop culture references.
The story came along really well, and I was never really sure how it was going to play out. I was right there with Phoebe all throughout her story. I felt a lot of emotions on her behalf, and I identified with her character in many ways.
Ren radiated golden retriever energy to me, which I loved. He was so kind and genuine and refreshing. I wish there were more moments between Phoebe and him but the moments we had were so sweet. Their friendship progressed really well throughout the book and I loved their chemistry and tension.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review.
This book reminded me so much of The Holiday which is one of my favorite movies of all time. This was a love triangle trope that wasn’t cringy. I just wish there were more scenes with Ren and Phoebe!

Although there were definitely laugh out loud funny moments in this one, I found myself almost skimming to get to the next important bit. There was just a lot of overdrawn scenes, and I wish the pacing had been a bit smoother. Overall, though, a nice romcom!

I really enjoyed "Love Me Do" by Lindsey Kelk, whose work I have read & enjoyed before. This is a fun tale (and a possible re-telling of "Cyrano"??) as we meet sweet Phoebe who comes to L.A. for 2 weeks w her sister, after leaving an abusive ex. She falls in love with California, and her sister's quirky, crazy world & people. She meets the neighbor, Ren, a hottie and her sister's trainer, Bel, who asks her to help with her feelings for Ren, and complications ensue, of course. There's also eccentric Myrna, the aged actress, who really amps the fun up! Really enjoyed this title! My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the complimentary DRC - my pleasure to review it!

So cute! Loved the meet cute and that Kiss Cam scene! (Can we have more of those in romcoms please? 😍)

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @harpercollins360 for an early copy of Love Me Do by @lindseykelk. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Blurb:
Greeting 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?
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.

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Love Me Do is so frustratingly good and such a light and chill read. I loved all the characters, especially Myrna with her spunk – her comebacks are fun and such a delight! I half enjoyed, half hated how Phoebe and Ren’s relationship grew though. From the get-go, from their very first conversation, it was clear they were perfect for each other. As their friendship grew and as Phoebe was playing matchmaker for Bel and Ren, it was frustrating and heart wrenching to see her potential with Ren fall to waste. I did enjoy Phoebe coaching Bel though, it was somewhat both hilarious and embarrassing with how Bel’s conversations with Ren went😅

Another thing I really enjoyed was Phoebe’s character development. I can relate with her somehow as I prefer to do things on my own, stay indoors, and lessen social interactions, but her time in LA and mostly with Bel’s and Myrna’s influence, Phoebe was able to become more adventurous and appreciate her surroundings.

Rating Love Me Do ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5. Releases September 5th, 2023

Oh I loved this one so much! Perfect slow burn romance 💘. Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk features Phoebe from the UK who writes greeting cards for a living and hottie with a body (for watching birds), Ren. It is the cutest friends to lovers I’ve read yet! I loved the pop culture references and the way I felt like Phoebe was my friend. 4/5 ⭐️ thank you Harper 360, HarperCollins, Netgalley and Lindsey Kelk for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an eARC of Love Me Do.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the holiday setting in Los Angeles. I also loved seeing the relationship between the two sisters grow in addition to phoebes relationship with ren.

Myrna was also an amazing character. I loved learning about her life. I definitely recommend this book.

Just getting this out at the start - I don't usually read Rom-Com and give high ratings - there are just so many of them out there - how do you pick??? The bookstores are full of these colorful covers - they all start to look the same. With that being said - I was gifted the arc for this book through NetGalley and HarperCollins and decided to give it a try - cute title and loved the colors on the cover!!
Now to the actual story - British gal, Phoebe, travels to LA to spend a two week vacation with her sister Suzanne. Big Sis is pulled away right at the start of their reunion for her high- powered job and Phoebe is left alone to entertain herself until her return. Enter the hunky neighbor, Ren and the spunky and beautiful personal trainer/buddy Bel. Bel helps Phoebe explore LA and shares her secret infatuation with Ren. She is dying to met him but is terrified to make the first move. Phoebe, being a skilled greeting card writer, steps in and writes a love letter for Bel to give to Ren. But the words she pens are really her true feelings for Ren. What she calls a crush! But is it just a crush and can she really sit back and watch her new friend get cozy with her adorable bird-watching neighbor? Oh, and did I mention the hardcore diva Phoebe befriends who is an aging Hollywood icon who develops a soft spot for Phoebe and her crush?
I have seen several reviews for this novel and I feel like they are giving away the whole story - I won't do that to you - I will just tell you that the sister/sister relationship was well done, Bel was a hoot, the social references to things I could relate to added to my engagement and that Hollywood diva, Myrna Moore steals the show! For someone who doesn't usually read these little romances I quite enjoyed the flow of the story and was prepared for it to all tie up neatly with a bow in the end.
The book releases in September so get ready for a fun, quick read.

Lindsey Kelk is always exactly what I need. Her writing, her characters, her sense of community, always manage to pluck me up and out of my world and into hers. I loved Love Me Do so much that I want to hug it tightly to my chest. This was the perfect love story - and I am not a fan of romance, unless it’s from Ms Kelk. It was funny, witty, deep and multi-dimensional. All the stars.

Phoebe Chapman is a fantastic matchmaker. She finds herself at her sisters house in Hollywood Hills playing matchmaker and befriending an 82 year old film star. She ends up falling in love with Los Angeles and something or someone else…

This was a good light hearted read everyone needs for summer. I very much related to the story between the sisters and I love when two people really try to close the gap to become closer. A bit of a slow burn, most of the action comes towards the end but it didn’t take away from the story PLUS I love me a slow burn. This is my first book I’ve read by Lindsey Kelk and it will not be my last!

Thank you NetGalley, Harper 360, & HarperCollins for the ARC, and giving me the chance to read and review it honestly.

This book was giving me “‘The Holiday” vibes and I am not at all mad about it. Throw in a good One Direction, Friends, and Game of Thrones reference and you’ll always have me coming back for more.

Phoebe is in LA visiting her sister on holiday from England. Kelk paints a gorgeous picture of LA, one most outsiders would never know about, and it has me wanting to book a flight to find the hidden wonders she describes in this book.

Throughout her visit we see Phoebe form relationships with a very colorful group of people- all of which are amazing and add so much to the story. (Myrna is a hero and we all need one in our lives.)

This book had me giggling from the very start. The one-liners are gold and the dialouge is perfect.

The storyline can seem a bit childish at times but it’s all in good fun. There is a bit of miscommunication but it’s all due to the MCs trauma- which we find her battling throughout the book. Phoebe faces her demons in this wonderful, beautifully written story.

This story has a little bit of everything for everyone. It could totally be a movie and I’d be first in line to see it.

Read this one if you’re into:
Slow Burns
Friends to Lovers
Love Letters
RomComs

ARC Review: 3.5 stars!
The story follows Phoebe, the most very British Brit taking a vacation in LA to visit her very successful sister. Hoping to escape the upcoming nuptials of her abusive ex, Phoebe arrives in the City of Angels ready for a much-needed break. What follows is a workaholic sister leaving Phoebe with a mansion all to herself, a handsome “old soul” neighbor who has Phoebe’s heart fluttering (Ren), a personal trainer with the energy level of 50 toddlers hyped on sugar (Bel), and a reclusive film star that knows how to steal a show (Myrna).
Ready to say “yes!” to new experiences to distract herself from the life slump Phoebe finds herself in, Phoebe agrees to write love letters to Ren on Bel’s behalf, despite Phoebe’s own new feelings for the man. Meanwhile, Phoebe finds joy in falling in love with LA and her blossoming friendship with the sharp-tongued retired movie star next door.
What I loved:
• The book is very witty with many chuckle worthy moments. The banter between the sisters as well as between Phoebe and Myrna is phenomenal.
• Myrna absolutely 100% stole the show! I wish this had been the central plot of the book rather than the focus on Bel. Myrna earns this book an entire star on her own.
• The way Phoebe falls in love with the City of Los Angeles was so cute to read. LA has never been a place I’ve personally romanticized but the way the author describes it made me rethink my position.
What didn’t work for me:
First, if you don’t like miscommunication tropes, run for the Hollywood hills because that is the entirety of this book. Not just through one relationship either, Phoebe can’t communicate appropriately with any of the other characters. It lasts all the way through the very last chapter, so be warned.
The plot cooked up by Bel and Phoebe to mislead Ren into falling for Bel through Phoebe’s love letters was intolerable. These were FULLY grown adults acting like actual middle schoolers. Well-adjusted adults don’t pretend to be something they aren’t to make someone fall for them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, in exchange for honest feedback.

Love Me Do is a super light and fluffy romance. This book gave me major 'The Holiday' movie vibes, but was paired with Hollywood, Disney Land and a sighting of the Mom from Twilight! The main character, Phoebe had given up on love due to a difficult romantic backstory and things she was working through, but I appreciated that she wasn't struggling to live her life during this book. Because the book is based on Phoebe's 2 week holiday, and her trying to set the main love interest up with another women (Bel) the actual romance part of the book was quick at the end. I maybe would have liked more, but appreciated the build up of their relationship when they were just becoming friends during the first 3/4 of the book. I liked Phoebe's character, especially when she had the interaction with Samantha (her ex's new fiance). Ren was ok, not my cup of tea in the romance department, but I didn't dislike his character. HOWEVER, the real star of this book is the Old Hollywood actress, Myrna. By the end of the book, she had become the heroine IMO! 3 stars for a cute idea, but less than love-able supporting characters, and the fact that I just didn't totally love the book once finished.

When I grow up, I want to be Myrna. Unabashedly herself, bedecked with jewels and blatantly opinionated, she gives the reader life. I laughed out loud when she told the salesperson that Phoebe was her lover while Phoebe was trying on dresses. She also provided some lines that I myself found helpful. Why not me? If you aren't on your own team, why would anyone else like to join? Phoebe came to LA feeling lost and unwanted. Until Ren stated that she was more than enough did she start to believe it. She certainly has a way with words and her witty observations were spot on but she was very down on herself and continued to hide rather than act. However, Bel, Suzanne, Myrna and Ren helped her see who she was and what she deserved. The ending was exactly how it should be. I would read a sequel as well.

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.