This was my first Lindsey Kelk book but it certainly won’t be my last. This book was the perfect combination of (and I mean this in the best way possible) my dork diaries phase and my current romance obsession. Although I normally read more spicy books, it didn’t feel like this book was missing anything, and I appreciate that the romance was more tension than physical attraction.

This book didn’t feel like it was dragging on at any point and was predictable to the point where everything makes sense in hindsight. More than this, I LOVE when characters are put into new situations because you get to experience it with them, so you don’t feel clueless as a reader. That is exactly what happened in this book with Phoebe going to LA. It was more than just a romance. It was a book about Phoebe finding herself in new friends, young and old, and in a place that didn’t hold as much baggage as her home in the UK. I went into this thinking it would be just about a girl and a boy, but I’m so glad that it was more than a fluffy rom-com!

ps. thank you harper360 for the arc!

I just read Love Me Do by @lindseykelk which was like a love letter to Los Angeles. It was the story of a British woman who comes to LA for a couple of weeks to visit her sister and ends up in a Cyrano del Bergerac situation by helping her sister’s trainer make some moves on a hunky neighbor. Oh, was this book just adorable. Obviously we all know how it will turn out but the road to get there was full of eccentric and quirky characters including a neighbor who was a famous Hollywood star years ago, witty banter, a hilarious glimpse at life here and our overpriced smoothies and Harry Styles references. Absolute perfection. I didn’t want it to end.

This was such a fun, cute summer read. I loved the characters and the writing was engaging. I was especially drawn to Myrna Moore. She is who I aspire to be when I grow up. This is a beautiful story of friendship, and being willing to put others wants and needs above your own and reconnecting with family when they are all you have left. It’s also a beautiful story about old school romance and how we can lose sight of that in today’s world. I loved this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Colins for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this one! It was a fun end-of-summer book before I move into cozier reads this fall. This book was funny and heartwarming, and I loved the blend of British and LA sensibilities (two places I'm very familiar with). The characters were delightful and easy to invest in.

I'd recommend this to rom-com lovers who loved The Holiday. Looking forward to the author's next book!

Although I still don’t understand how the title coincides with the story the graphic is beautiful and captures the essence of Phoebe and her adventures in LA! Phoebe travels from London to visit her sister in the city that gives as much as it is given. When her sister has to head out of town for work she decides to face LA on her own and quickly stumbles into friendships. Her sisters trainer, neighbor, and the mysterious woman down the road. She can’t stop herself from meddling and gets herself involved in all their lives. Mostly for the better but the path to that outcome is filled with self discovery and ultimately self love. This book discusses verbal abuse and highlights the strength that is needed to reframe your own thoughts and truly flourish post traumatic relationships!

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Phoebe leaves England and goes on vacation to visit her sister in California for two weeks. She hopes to have a fun time and forget about the fact that while she’s away her ex will be getting married but as soon as she arrives, her sister has to leave town for work so Phoebe’s plans soon get changed as she is facing being in LA by herself. That is until Bel, her sister, Suzannes’s personal trainer comes barging into her home and therefore into Phoebe’s life since Suzanne is out of town and they quickly become friends. Phoebe also meets Ren, her sisters hunky birdwatching neighbor, and instantly develops a crush on him before she finds out that Bel has been crushing on him for ages and needs Phoebe’s help to finally make a connection. So phoebe agrees a la cyrano de Bergerac and mixups ensue. Then Phoebe meets an old time movie star Myrna after delivering some mail to her that was accidentally delivered to their house and they strike up an unexpected friendship because Myrna is a formidable figure and decided it was to be. I think she was my favorite character.
This was a cute, easy read that didn’t take itself too seriously even when tackling more serious issues.
Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I postponed picking up this book because, based on the summary, the idea of a Cyrano or Shop Around the Corner redo was not motivating. Thankfully, this story didn't follow those ideas much... and I mean it's just a slight Cyrano thing (no Shop Around the Corner).

It was charming and timely -- meaning, some of those snarky pop culture bits may be dated in a few years -- but it felt like a love letter to LA that included a rom-com. I didn't know I needed it in my endless summer vacation rotation, but it was such a fun read that I felt like I was living a 'Party in the USA' as soon as our main character hopped off her own plane at LAX.

By the end of the e-arc received from NetGalley, I hadn't realized I actually read and enjoyed a previous Lindsey Kelk book until I saw her other writing credits. Like this one, On a Night Like This, featured a Brit and American romance set in a slightly different yet no less magical opulent party that made me want to be transported. Looking forward to more from this author.

Phoebe is from England and writes greeting cards, and her sister Suzanne lives in LA and makes a lot of money working for a popular app company. Phoebe flies in to see her, but Suzanne is going out of town for the first part of her stay. As someone who lives in LA I love Phoebe’s thoughts after she arrives…

“The light was different in LA. Even though I knew it was the exact same sun in the exact same sky, everything was more magical here.”

Phoebe decides she’s going to spend time at the pool, but is distracted by the sight of a man Michelangelo might have created as he’s birdwatching from the yard below Suzanne’s house. After she meets the guy, named Ren, she finds out that Suzanne’s trainer, Bel, has a crush on him and she sets them up. But who is Ren really interested in?

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are memorable and I loved watching Phoebe discover the real LA, so different than the stereotypes. 4.5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

I did enjoy the plot but the characters were too boring in my opinion. There were some strange characters and gave unrealistic personalities, characters, etc. I was dragging along in this book but I had high hopes it would be a good book but for me it didn't appeal to me. I do recommend this book to those who want a care free happy go lucky book!

This was such a fun book to read! I loved the Hollywood setting and that it ventured outside of the stereotypical California scene. The unique cast of characters added depth and humor to the story and I loved that it touched on recovering from emotional abuse and beginning to believe in yourself again. Excellent story!

📚 Just finished "Love Me Do" by Lindsey Kelk, and it's a solid 5/5 stars! 💫 Imagine a feel-good romcom with a twist on Cyrano DeBergerac, set in sunny LA. ☀️ Phoebe, the greeting card copywriter turned Cupid, is an absolute gem. 💌 Her matchmaking adventures for her hunky neighbor Ren had me in stitches. 😂 And can we talk about how "Love Me Do" by The Beatles played in my head the whole time? 🎶 It's like reading a heartwarming holiday movie! 🍿☕️ If you're into cozy and heartwarming summer reads, this one's a winner. 🏖️💕 #LoveMeDo #BookReview #RomComReads #NetGalley

Phoebe is visiting her sister in LA. She meets her sister’s handsome neighbor Ren and sparks fly. Can Phoebe find long lasting love in LA?

This book fell a little flat for me. It was just fine. Phoebe goes through a life change when meeting new friends and new people and I just felt some of the characters weren’t working for me.

I did think it was funny at points. I would rate it a solid 3 stars. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

dnf 17% I cannot get into this book. It somehow feels very surface level and like every single teeny tiny detail is being described in full. There have been several instances where a single paragraph took the entire page of my kindle. I don't like the characters enough to continue. I usually really like Lindsey's books, so I may return to this one in the future, but for now I'm done.

I almost DNF’d but I’m glad I didn’t. The first half of the book revolved around quintessential LA descriptions of people and things. Every one is so beautiful, Strong Adonis man who is the most beautiful person on earth (eye roll) Everything is having a moment or is on trend. Every place she visits is AMAZING and every food she tries is the best thing ever: Boring.
But I’m glad I stuck it out. I loved Myrna (honestly she had to be my favorite character) and how after meeting her, Phoebe opened up more with everyone around her. Phoebe was wonderfully complex with a great backstory that was hidden for part of the book. I felt like i would’ve benefited from her stories about her ex and her poetry earlier in the book. Myrna was a force to be reckoned with. I love an older women who has zero tolerance for bull crap. I also liked Suzanne even though we don’t see her for half the book. She felt so realistic compared to the other characters. I did feel like Ren and Bel was an awkward pairing and lasted much longer than was necessary. The ending felt rushed and out of character for Phoebe. I still enjoyed the book as a whole though.

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk was a sweet, sunny, friends-to-lovers rom-com!
Phoebe and Ren were amazing characters. I adored their chemistry and relationship.
I thought they fit together so well.
This book sucked me in from the very first page and kept me interested the whole way through!
Gorgeously written, with two magnetic leads and a warmth that radiates from every page.
This story was exciting, exhilarating, romantic, and fun.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and HarperCollins for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I will start by saying that I am a solid Kelk fan, however, this one wasn't my favorite of hers. Phoebe has traveled to the States to visit her sister for two weeks. Unfortunately, Samantha has a last-minute work trip that she must take leaving Phoebe alone in LA. While there, she gets to know Samantha's neighbor, Ren, her trainer, Bel, and another neighbor Myrna.

This book has a classic Kelk feel to it with lovable characters and witty banter that had me laughing out loud. I loved Phoebe and how she puts herself out there and is always willing to help others, despite being hurt in the past. Myrna, a retired Hollywood actress of the 60s, was also a delight. She is sharp and witty and had me falling in love with her from day one. The relationship she formed with Phoebe had solid "The Holiday" vibes. The part where the book lost me a bit was the way that Phoebe tries to help Bel connect with Ren. While it worked well in "Cyrano" I'm not sure it translates well for me to the modern day without having some cringey vibes. I did love Ren and the way in which he connected with Phoebe. The baseball scene in particular was great for this massive fan of the sport.

All in all, this is still a Kelk book which means you are in for a good time with lots of laughs. I enjoyed it despite some of my misgivings about the plot. I could read about Myrna all day every day. I recommend this for when you are looking for a lighter book for an afternoon read.

A rom-com set in LA has so much going for it already. The sun, the beach, the mountains, the Hollywood sign, the birds, and the beautiful neighbors. There was a little bit of everything in this new Lindsey Kelk and I quite enjoyed hanging out with Phoebe as she spends two weeks in her sister's gorgeous home in the Hollywood Hills.

Here are four of my favorite bits:
🌟Lindsey Kelk's sense of humor casts a golden light on the narrative.
🌟Phoebe's letters are beautiful. Ren's response was swoon-worthy.
🌟Myrna Moore -- a surprise in every encounter.
🌟Gentle, but effective exploration of abuse in relationships.

A couple of not so great things:
👎Bel was all over the place. Too much for me.
👎Susanne, the sister, was also not my favorite supporting character.

This title is coming out soon! If you are a Lindsey Kelk fan, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

LOVE ME DO - LINDSEY KELK

3.5⭐

PLOT - Phoebe Chapman visits her sister in LA where she can't resist playing cupid matchmaker for her handsome neighbour, carpenter Ren. But as they mingle Phoebes own feelings come to surface . Can Phoebe find her own true love in LA LA Land

MY THOUGHTS -
There was a bit of love triangle but it wasn't awkward as such. Phoebe wants to help her new friend and neighbour to fall in love but somewhere she starts developing feelings.
I really enjoyed the side characters of Myrna a faded Hollywood actress her relationship with Phoebe more. There is a subtle issue of gaslighting also mixed in the story
Overall a cute one time read

LOVE ME DO – Lindsey Kelk
Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0008619640
September 5, 2023
Romantic Comedy

Los Angeles, California – Present Day

Greetings card copywriter Phoebe Chapman arrives in Los Angeles for a two-week vacation with her sister Suzanne, only to learn that her sister is about to leave for Seattle for a business trip and will be gone “a few days.” Rather than cancel her vacation and return home where her ex is about to marry, Phoebe decides to stay at Suzanne’s house and entertain herself. Phoebe soon encounters the next-door neighbor, Ren Garcia, who is a carpenter and bird watcher. Oh, and he is drool-worthy sexy. They share a few minutes discussing birds, but Phoebe isn’t looking for a guy after her bad experience with her ex. Besides, she will be returning to England in two weeks.

The next morning, Phoebe is rudely awakened by a yoga instructor friend of Suzanne’s by the name of Bel. Bel is a little kooky and she is attracted to Ren. Phoebe decides to play matchmaker for the two of them by penning a love letter to Ren and signing Bel’s name to it. Turns out it works, and now she gets to watch the two fall in love. Unfortunately, Phoebe soon discovers that she likes Ren too. To distract herself, she explores the area on foot and runs into an elderly retired movie star, Myrna Moore. The woman is a bit eccentric, but she intrigues Phoebe. Meanwhile, Ren and Bel’s romance is rocky, and it is Phoebe to the rescue. But is her matchmaking going to end with her heart broken?

All Phoebe wanted to do was to have a nice visit and vacation with her sister in LOVE ME DO but nothing went according to her plan. Suzanne has a Type One personality, and she has to fix the issues in the Seattle office because no one else can. Phoebe’s ex is a controlling person and she got out before he emotionally hurt her further. She tried to warn his fiancée about his personality by crashing the hen (bachelorette) party, but she got labeled jealous by those who knew her. Knowing no one else in Los Angeles, Phoebe ends up becoming friends with Ren, Bel, and even crotchety old Myrna. In LOVE ME DO, there are plenty of chuckles and laughs with this odd assortment of characters. Phoebe wants to enjoy her vacation and forget the fact that her ex is getting married. What she experiences in Los Angeles is something that she will never forget.

LOVE ME DO is cute and funny, with the characters colorful and entertaining. Being in a strange country might intimidate some people but Phoebe is not afraid to experience new things, even if her body ends up exhausted afterwards. Her love notes to Ren on behalf of Bel are coming from inside her. She doesn’t realize it at first, but readers will sense it. Phoebe and Ren are perfect together as they laugh and enjoy each other’s company. But hanging over them is the fact that Phoebe doesn’t want to admit it for two reasons. One is that she considers Bel a friend and she wouldn’t betray a friend. Then there is the fact that she is leaving to return to England. How can they even think about love when she is only there for two weeks?

Prepare to chuckle and smile at the antics of Phoebe and the people around her. By the end of LOVE ME DO, you’ll be rooting for everyone to end up happy.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Adorable rom-com. I loved the side characters so much, I would read any spin offs about them. This gender flipped Cyrano inspired story also felt a bit like The Holiday and I was here for it.