Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC! Happy release day to this absolutely adorable book!

So first I would like to say I was torn on whether or not to rate this four or five stars. I had such a hard time at first getting past all the references to “booktok” and name dropping other authors, butttt when you realize the setting this book is taking place in it really does make sense and I actually really like how relevant it is.

As a romance reader people constantly make snide remarks about my reading choices and how I just read fluff, but romance (and smut) as a genre is so much more than that. I really appreciate the way this book approached that topic.

Also, this book had heart and was laugh out loud funny multiple times. The banter between Sophie and Joe is absolutely top tier. And the writing was so cozy. I felt like I was best friends with Sophie and we were just hanging out during this whole book.

Thank you again for the opportunity to read this book and I will be recommend it to everyone forever. I’m going to go read every other book by Lindsey Kelk now.

***4.5 STARS***

“Do you believe that exists? The all-consuming, overwhelming romance novel love?”

What does exist is another spectacular romcom by Lindsey Kelk who writes with such wit, depth and passion. Her newest novel Love Story will make you laugh out loud, swoon hard and fall further in love with the romance genre.

Sophie Taylor has written a bestselling romance novel under a non de plume. As a teacher and a daughter of parents who are big in the publishing industry, writing anonymously seemed like the best idea. Joe Walsh is a creative director for the same publisher that handles Sophie’s book and he inadvertently discovers her secret. He’s willing to help Sophie even though they have gotten off on the wrong foot.

A birthday celebration for Sophie’s dad turns into mayhem and hilarity as chemistry is burning, secrets are threatened and trust is crumbling. Sophie will learn that keeping secrets is lonely and isolating and that secrets kept from her are even more difficult to handle.

This book is a love letter to romance novels—I adored the shout outs to many favorite authors, the many pop culture nods and the wonderful mix of very entertaining characters. This is a fun, sexy and heartfelt novel, a must read for the devoted romance reader.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The bad: I think that the instalove storyline wasn't as believable as the author wanted. We didn't have enough chemistry building or real progression to believe that they were just about instantly from hate to love.

The good: I love the dynamics of exploring the relationship between a child feeling like they never impress or enough for their parents and what the reality might be, because I think we all are our own worst critics and may be at times projecting it a bit.

Overall: I did really enjoy the storyline in the end but there were some moments where I just couldn't fall into the story the way I wanted to. I'd still recommend the book - it's a fun read overall - but you have to stick with it to get to that point.

I'd rate it 3.7/5 if I could do partial stars.- I'm rounding up to 4.

I found this book to be utterly delightful! The characters are engaging and well-developed - Sophie is just adorable and completely relatable - and I really appreciated all the pop culture drops. It's funny, it's charming, and the third-act breakup is tense but not overwhelmingly so. Even in its most predictable moments - which, let's be honest, all romance novels have - the story feels fresh and exciting.

Overall, “Love Story” is a must-read for anyone looking for a feel-good romantic comedy.

I offer this honest review in exchange for an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC of Love Story by Lindsey Kelk.

Yet another author I’m experiencing for the first time and again falling in love with her stories. Now proceed with finding all her other books and devour them. Seriously though, I requested this one thinking it would be similar to all the other romcom type books and in short words it is. But it is also all romcom troupes tossed in there, plus make your main character Sophie a romance writer herself, it’s just delightful. I loved how Sophie’s books were spicier than this book so it was like a medium spicy level to it. Almost like a layered bit of spicy. And then the main male, Joe Walsh, the man you just want to love but you can’t help but hate and you really aren’t sure why…probably because he’s that type of guy! Just loved Lindsey Kelk’s way of writing about the very type of book she was writing. Fun and enjoyable read.

Love Story is an absolutely stunning story & the best book from Lindsey Kelk thus far! The story of Sophie & Joe is full of twists, turns & secrets to keep the reader turning the page. The book is filled with many laugh out loud moments & plenty of banter back and forth between all the characters. Sophie & her siblings are especially funny when together; they have some of the best comebacks for each other when together (I am a particular fan of William & his commentary!). Kelk focuses on a number of popular tropes but the enemies to lovers has to be the best. There is so much attraction between Sophie and Joe yet they constantly go back & forth on fighting the attraction to the other and hiding their true selves from each other. Kelk hits on points that are relatable to all readers while keeping it light and entertaining from the first chapter to the end of the book. And since this is a rom-com, the best is the happily ever after of the book. The romance is just perfect. This is a definite for all TBR lists!

Love Story by Lindsey Kelk is about Sophie Collins who is hiding a gigantic secret, she is the author of the most popular romance book of her time but is hiding it due to her literary snob of a family and wanting to keep her job as a teacher. Joe Walsh is the creative director behind behind Sophie or Este Cox's book and he figures out her secret. They immediately both dislike and like each other at the same time. Together they are both working hard to keep this secret during a big birthday bash weekend for Sophie's dad.

Let's start with what I didn't like, I deducted a star because the book wants us to think they are enemies but they were rivals at best at the start but like each other so quickly that the rivals plot is a little weak in my opinion. I also thought the book was trying to be really clever by inserting trope references and so many contemporary references that it will feel dated quickly. While those things bother me, it is still a 4 star read for me.

What did I like? I liked Joe a lot and even if her parents are true snobs, I thought they were charming. Now what I really did like was the third act, I thought that was excellent so you have to really stick with it. My favorite part of the book was the last 21% which took it from a 3 star read to a 4 star read for me. To be fair, I love it when the story just implodes and we have to figure everything out, I judge my books by how they recover and the recovery was great.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the following tropes: rivals to lovers, slow burn, and miscommunication. I would also recommend it to people who don't mind contemporary references. While I love T.S and Britney, I think others might not love the amount of references. However, if you just like a nice fun, pop-filled read then this is totally for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper 360, HarperCollins, and Lindsey Kelk for giving me the opportunity to read this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars!! Never before has a book so closely captured the feeling of the climax of Crazy Stupid Love, and yet here we are!!!!

Sophie Taylor has a secret- she’s secretly an international bestselling romance author, and only her publisher and agent know. She loves the romance genre, but having grown up in a family of literary giants (and giant snobs) has pushed her into keeping this a secret from them. On a fateful weekend celebrating her dad’s birthday, secrets are made, kept, and broken; confusing love runs rampant; and everything culminates at the bouncy castle. (Enjoy that as a chekovs gun)

Sophie is an inspiring, intelligent, empathetic, tough, and sweet main character. She knows who she is, understands the people around her and works to keep the peace with all the competing big personalities, and has a gentle romantic spirit. Being able to go with her on this journey to accepting how others feel about her, losing her fear of being perceived, and letting her heart take over a bit was such a fun adventure! She’s also absolutely hilarious, both in her internal musings and her banter with literary designer Joe (who just so happens to sneak an invite to this big shindig)! She is a bit of a pushover with her little sister, but her relationship with her brother was almost my favorite relationship in the book!! The two of them could drag anyone and I would laugh (and pray I wasn’t next)!

Thank you so much to Lindsey Kelly, HarperCollins (MullinsParker??), and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review! Lindsey’s writing is always great and this was an extra special one!!

There’s so much to love in Love Story.

What sucked me into the book was how Lindsey writes family dynamics, honestly. The complicated dynamics felt real, from her parents to her siblings. The minute her brother picked her up to take her to their father’s party, that’s when I couldn’t put the book down. Maybe it’s because I can relate to the dynamics with my older brothers, but something about how you always become an annoying sibling when that ONE sibling is around at your parents house, despite how professional and adult you are… yeah. I loved that. The side characters in this book are lovely to read about. I just want to know more!

Now onto the actual Love Story of it all… this was SO cute. The pop culture references might get one some readers nerves but I loved them. The dialogue and banter felt seamless. The romance between Sophie and Joe starts as enemies to lovers but the chemistry and attraction was always there from the start (we love to see it). The only thing that knocked this down from 5 stars for me was how the ending felt a bit rushed. Couple that with the miscommunication? I usually don’t knock books down for the third act break up since it’s almost expected in romance, but the reasoning for it felt silly.

Overall, 4.5⭐️ still a cute book and I love Lindsey’s writing!

I’m so glad I picked this one up because I was in such a reading slump and it pulled me right out! Starts off fun with a big secret and an awkward interaction, and goes from there! I loved the characters! Also can we talk about how cute the cover is?!

This was so cute! I requested this ARC after seeing that Lindsey was doing an event with Ali Hazelwood at one of my favorite book shops. Sadly the event sold out before I could get a ticket, but bright side is I got the ARC! I’m so happy I did. I loved it.

The story line of Sophie being the author of an international best selling romance novel but no one knowing it was her was so real. Growing up in a family full of publishing gurus for literature, she knew her parents wouldn’t accept her as an author of “smut book”. Watching her navigate keeping this secret and also coming to terms with her success was perfect.

Sophie was hilarious and I loved her from the first page. Her snarky, quick wit was so funny but she was also so vulnerable when she needed to be. Her standing up to CJ was probably the funniest part of the book. He was such a baby 😂

Joe… Joe, Joe, Joe. He matched Sophie’s energy and sassiness perfectly and it made for some great banter. I loved how he got Sophie to be vulnerable and see her success for what it truly was. The secret was not what I was expecting and now I also just need an epilogue!

The other side characters, especially Sophie’s family were just the cherry on top. I enjoyed this whole book. Devoured it.

Love Story was a heartfelt, enjoyable rom com and my first from Lindsey Kelk. Sophie Taylor is a teacher by day, but is also hiding behind the secret identity of Este Cox, a best selling romance author. She is introduced to Joe Walsh who accidentally discovers her true identity. There is initial attraction as well as animosity between the two and they later find out they will both be staying in Sophie’s parents cottage for the weekend for her father’s birthday celebration. The banter between the main characters was quite comical and the entire premise of the book and plot was unique. There was a bit of an insta love trope, which is not my favorite trope, but it was so well done here! The tension between the two main characters was palpable and the way it was written still gave a bit of slow burn vibe. I loved the various family dynamics we got to see play out during Sophie’s father’s birthday celebration. We also got so many pop culture and millennial references thrown in, which I ALWAYS enjoy. I mean a flashback to our days of having pen pals and writing on groovy chick stationary with gel pens? Yes, please! The ending did feel a bit rushed, and I wish we got a bit more when the two reunite.

Will publish on IG in the next few weeks @therunaway.readera

•Title: Love Story
•Author: Lindsey Kelk
•Genre: Romance
•Format: physical book/eARC
•Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•Premise: Sophie is schoolteacher but a secret romance/smut author on the side. She has a best selling book that is taking over the Bookish community, but no one knows it’s her, they think it’s the mysterious “Este Cox.” She has a run-in with playboy/hotshot, Joe Walsh, the creative director for her book - and the two can’t stand each other. They find themselves in a “one bed” situation on a trip to the countryside and have a surprising, eventful weekend.

•Thoughts: This is a true, classic, brilliant *ROMCOM* It’s for all of the romcom lovers and bookish people, and I absolutely LOVED this story! I laughed so many times…I’m not going to be able to see large amounts of chicken or circus items without chuckling & thinking about this book 😂. And I LOVE Sophie’s family, their dynamic & banter was hilarious. Honestly all of the characters, good or bad, were perfect.
I gotta say, I’m not an “insta love” lover. I often find it’s unbelievable and cheesy. But it looks like if Lindsey Kelk writes insta love…then I’m all in.
Sophie and Joe gave such a quirky, funny take on enemies to lovers, and it was sooo easy to root for them! *swoon*

This is a must read if you are a romance reader, or if you are looking for a funny, light read. 💖

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper 360 for an advanced copy to read and review. All opinions and thoughts are my own!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (mildly descriptive fade to black, discussions of moderate open door scenes)

Sophie Taylor is a teacher with a secret. She's really Este Cox, the best-selling author of the smutty romance book Butterflies. Because of the stigma surrounding romance novels, as well as the judgment she would certainly incur from her parents, Sophie is determined never to reveal her secret. When she meets Joe Walsh, the man who helped design her newest book cover, she soon realizes that her secret is at risk. Not only that, but Joe is exactly the kind of man she needs to avoid: smug, charming, and handsome. Will one weekend together ruin both her career and her love life?

This was another fun novel from Lindsey Kelk. I liked how Sophie's story was all about books and how literary critics, agents, publishers, authors, and fans can have vastly different opinions. It also pointed out the way some people view romance books as trashy or mindless entertainment. Sophie was so scared of her family or friends thinking less of her, even though her book was beloved by readers everywhere. I thought the discussions about the intimate scenes in her book were hilarious, especially since Sophie had to listen to her family members talking about them! There were quite a few name drops and pop culture references, so readers who don’t always like that might want to keep that in mind ahead of time. I didn't feel too bothered by it, luckily. The romance between Sophie and Joe did have a bit of an insta-love vibe, considering the book takes place over one weekend, but I thought their banter was really playful and full of tension. I wasn't quite sure how the third act breakup would be resolved, but I thought things were explained well even though they were resolved rather quickly. Overall, this was a fun read for romance lovers who want a book that examines the industry in a fun and playful way.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper 360 for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC

Lindsey Kelk was one of the first romance authors I read back in my youth lol 
I picked up the I heart series and ran from there 
Love Story reminded me of that time. It was a nice, quick, read.



A couple of my issues was the dynamic with the family, I really wish Sophie ( the main FMC) had more of a back bone, don’t get me wrong in what I’m starting too see is typical behavior she had no problem casting judgement on Joe ( The Main MMC) but her family it’s cool for them to walk all over her I could not connect with that type of behavior.


Are you looking to a quick mind numbing none serious read? this is it.

There were so many things I loved about this book! Was it the most well-written literary masterpiece? Nah…so if that’s what you’re looking for then look elsewhere. BUT, was it laugh-out-loud funny, filled with popular references, snarky to the brim, and a book with a few great life lessons? ABSOLUTELY!!! So if that’s what you need, look no further than “Love Story” by Lindsey Kelk (not to be confused with the popular Taylor Swift song)!

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for an advanced copy of Love Story.

Sophie has loved romance books her whole life and she longed to be a writer. But having her parents being well known in the publishing world for “serious “ books she opted to go the teaching route. But she has a secret that only a few people know-she is the famed writer Este Cox! When she meets Joe she is hesitant to trust him but she cannot deny her attraction to him. Will her life turn into one of her romance books?

I really wanted to like this book but I could not stand Sophie’s character. She came off as unrelatable and annoying. Some parts in the book were a little too cheesy for me.

I am landing somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars for this rom-com! I loved the quirky, quippy, quintessential British humor and dialogue. The premise was really interesting, featuring Sophie, who is a teacher by day and anonymous romance author on the side. From a family big in the publishing world, she embarks on a weekend at home for her father’s birthday party but finds herself desperately trying to keep her secret with the help of a man she absolutely does not trust, Joe.

This book was written as a defense of the romance genre and while I certainly appreciated the messaging (and the shout-outs to so many beloved romance authors), the portrayed negativity towards romance was a bit heavy handed at times. It kind of bummed me out at times to be honest and is my biggest complaint.

I liked the romance, it’s a little bit insta-love but still kind of a slow burn? We don’t get to know the MMC all that well but I think that was intentional. I would have loved to see some kind of epilogue to finalize their HEA. Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an arc to read and review.

Lindsey Kelk is always great at adding romance and comedy together. Her books are so cute and impossible to put down. Love Story is a great book!

I loved Sophie, Joe, and all the wacky characters in this book. That is another thing that Lindsey Kelk does. She brings so much life to every character. Sophie was so worried about her secret that she didn't see that her family would support her no matter what and they show that.

My only issue with the book is the 3rd act breakup that was kind of just shoved in there though it did explain a bit of the mystery that is Joe.

Thank you to Netgalley, Lindsey Kelk, and Harper360 for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.

I love books with characters in the writing/publishing biz. Sophie (w/ other character support) remind the reader why romance novels are impactful and meaningful. Lots of screen-adaptable scenes. This book gives all the feels & is an enjoyable read.