This book was a fun, witty, love letter to Los Angeles and finding oneself. I really enjoyed the UK meets US banter. Plus, who doesn’t love an old school love letter? A quick and fun read!

I don't read a ton of "women's fiction" because I prefer straight up romance, but Lindsey Kelk is always an exception for me because her characters are relatable, her writing is great, and the plots are always a nice mix of funny and touching. This was no exception - Phoebe Chapman is a greeting card copywriter from England who heads to sunny LA for a holiday to visit her sister, who seems to work for some unnamed tech company. Almost immediately upon picking Phoebe up from LAX, her sister, Suzanne, is called away on a work emergency and spends most of the two weeks that Phoebe is visiting away. Phoebe quickly meets a few quirky characters to keep her entertained. There's Ren, the super hot next door neighbor who is obsessed with bird watching; Bel, Suzanne's perky trainer (who is also a model/actress/kids' birthday party mermaid/dog walker) who quickly befriends Phoebe; and Myrna, Golden Age Hollywood royalty who hasn't acted in 60 years but is still incredibly dramatic. Phoebe is recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship and has been branded crazy for trying to warn her ex-boyfriend's current fiancé about how terrible he is during her hen party, so she's mostly just happy to be away from home for a while. Bel is in lust/"love" with Ren and Phoebe, who loves meddling and matchmaking, gets involved in a whole Cyrano de Bergerac subplot that was probably my least favorite part of the book. I did love her friendships with Ren, Bel, and Myrna, and was happy with the sister bonding parts of the plot. This was funny and charming, but with some darkness (definitely a content warning for Phoebe's emotionally abusive past relationship) that made it feel more realistic (and it's unfortunate how realistic that was). An all around solid read, and very on brand for Lindsey Kelk.

This was a fun one! If you like the movie, the Holiday with Kate Winslet, Jude Law, etc you’ll enjoy this. There isn’t a storyline in England, but the MC is a Brit living temporarily in LA. Interesting characters, although several of them had some seriously frustrating moments, The storyline was engaging.
Thank you #HarperCollinsPublishers and #NetGalley for the arc e-book

Honestly, it’s difficult for me to rate this book. On one hand, the beginning was really slow and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to finish it because I wasn’t connecting with the characters, but I really liked how it ended. The sisterhood and friendship and romance at the end made me really happy, and it was nice to see everything end up the way that it did. I even ended up enjoying Myrna’s contribution to the story when I was afraid it was going to be awkward or not fit as I began reading. It is a little predictable how everything occurs at the end, but this is a feel good, romance book so it’s not a problem. The romance wasn’t something I’d typically read as it was two old souls trapped in young bodies connecting over their bond with their grandparents. I will say one thing that was done really well was the emotional maturity of Bel when she realized Phoebe’s feelings for Ken were real rather than having it being a huge miscommunication that ruined their friendship. Overall, it’s a solid romance book but a little too slow and hard to get into for my personal preference.

What fun summer read! First of all I love the cover design. This was my first read from Kelk but definitely won’t be my last.

I absolutely loved watching the FMC (Phoebe) experience LA for the first time. And I loved watching the friendships grow between characters and the sisterly banter between Phoebe and Suzanne. While I liked the flirtation between Ren and Phoebe throughout the book, I do wish we could’ve seen more of them together. But maybe Kelk will write another in the series and we can see them again!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC! I devoured it!

4 - Lindsey Kelk knows how to nail a quirky, chaotic rom com! Phoebe is visitng her sister, Suzanne, in LA when Suzanne admits she has to head out on an unexpected work trip. Alone in her sister's extravagent LA home, Phoebe befriends the gorgeous boy next door, her sister's chaotic trainer ,and a reclusive retired actress in the neighborhood. This comedic cast of characters makes for a heartful story about getting over heartbreak and unexpected friendships. You do have to suspend disbelief at times as some of the plot lines were a bit over the top, but that's what Kelk does best!

Love Me Do is a sweet and funny beach read take on Cyrano de Bergerac, where Phoebe Chapman - a Brit recently out of a very bad relationship visiting her sister Suzanne in LA - helps trainer Bel make a love connection with Suzanne’s hot neighbor Ren.

If you’re familiar with the many versions of Cyrano de Bergerac, you’ll see the plot “twists” coming. But it’s still a heartwarming & romantic book about taking a chance on yourself. And the characters are more than just typical tropes, so the depth adds substance to the familiar story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC.

This was a very cute book! I loved phoebe’s personality, as well as the meet cute with Ren. It’s light and breezy, and perfect for a summer read!

This book was amazing. It was sweet, funny, and it made me cry a time or two.

Phoebe is more invested in the love lives of the people aroud her than her own. She even goes as far as writing a love letter for her friend to the man she is unknowingly falling for.

I loved getting to see Phoebe finally accept that she deserves to experience the kind of love she has only read about it romance novels.

While the romance does take center stage, Phoebe’s relationship with Ren isn’t the only relationship this book highlights. Phoebe befriends Myrna Moore, a reclusive elderly movie star. I absolutely LOVED Myrna’s character. She served as Phoebe’s conscience in a way. She never held back how she truly felt about the drama taking over Phoebe’s life.

I can’t wait to see more from Lindsey Kelk!

I want to extend a huge thank you to Harper Collins, Lindsey Kelk, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk is my favortie read of 2023! Absolute gem that deserves all the stars in the sky! This delightful romantic comedy has feelings of The Holiday movie, but completely fresh and swoonworthy.

A heartwarming tale filled with delightful surprises, witty banter, and enough romantic tension to make your heart skip a beat. Kelk's skillful storytelling transports readers to a world where film stars, golden beaches, and secret waterfalls are not just fantasies found on the silver screen. But what truly sets Love Me Do apart is the irresistible chemistry between Phoebe and Ren. As their friendship blossoms into something more, the sparks between them fly off the pages. Kelk masterfully captures the excitement and trepidation of falling in love, leaving readers cheering for this adorable couple.

If you're in the mood for a feel-good read that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile on your face, Love Me Do is the book for you.

This story follows thirty-four year old Phoebe Chapman as she arrives in Los Angelos on holiday to stay with her sister Suzanne. While Suzanne thinks that Phoebe is hoping for a much needed break, the reality is: her ex is getting married in a few days. When her sister is whacked away on an emergency work trip Phoebe is left to start her holiday alone. Until she meets her sister's handsome neighbor, Ren, and personal trainer, Bel. Bel is set on the fact that Ren is the love of her life, but there is one problem; she can't string a sentence together when talking to him. With the help of Phoebe's poetic writing skills she plays matchmaker for the two, all while pushing her own growing feelings for Ren aside.

I rated this book 4 stars!

I am so grateful to have received an arc for this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins. I fell in love with this book and Phoebe so quickly. She is one of the most relatable characters I have ever read. She was able to get under my skin in the best way. The concept of the book was so interesting and I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to play out but I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are really what sold me on the book. Bel was just the absolute sweetest girl with the best intentions. There were some points where I was like “girl get a grip” but are they really a good character is you don't ask that question? And Ren, oh Ren. The most adorable man ever with a heart of gold. But can we please take a minute to talk about Myrna Moore? I LOVED her. She was the perfect old women who doesn't like many people but when she does, she cares deeply (maybe even harshly when it comes to telling the truth). She is by far one of my favorite characters ever.

Lindsey Kelk really has the ability to draw you in with her writing. I was invested from the beginning and could not put it down. I felt so many emotions when reading this book. I was laughing one minute and then almost brought to tears the next for Phoebe. I can relate to Phoebe a lot in the sense that she felt unworthy of some of the things that she wanted, which is why she pushed Ren and Bel together. I truly felt for her in those moments. When the book came to the end I feel that it was wrapped up very quickly. I feel there could have a little more to tie it all together (I also wished Ren fought a little more for at the end, personally).

Overall, I loved this book and I really hope we have the chance to see the other characters stories in a future book. I wish we were able to learn more about Suzanne because I think was the perfect example of a big sister, tough and loving in they own way. This book truly was not what I expected and I love it all the more for it. I can't wait to read more from Lindsey Kelk!

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.