Publication Date: 20 July 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming (but with a few bumps)
34-year-old Brit Phoebe Chapman visits her older sister Suzanne in LA. She is dazzled by her sister’s mansion and decides the makes the best of her two-week holiday. When Suzanne has to leave for Seattle to avert a crisis at work, Phoebe is left to her own devices in the city.
Soon, Phoebe meets a handsome next-door neighbor, Ren, and her sister’s physical trainer, Bel. She also meets an 82-year-old faded movie star and learns more about life and relationships.
When Bel confesses her crush on Ren, Phoebe decides to play matchmaker. After what had happened in her love life, she hopes to help others find happiness. However, matters of the heart are hardly straightforward.
What will Phoebe gain and lose in this short holiday?
The story comes from Phoebe’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I knew I had to request this when I saw the author’s name. I enjoy her writing style and how seamlessly she blends humor into the narrative. This one is no exception and has many lighthearted and funny moments alongside serious topics.
The city, Los Angeles, is another character in the book. It gets a lot of space, which adds to the local flavor. And no, this is not a tourist list despite the trip to Disneyland. The setting comes alive in its hidden beaches, unexplored natural ponds, and old-fashioned homes with more personality than some celebs.
The book has some strong side characters. We don’t have a female villain, either. There’s a bad dude, who thankfully stays in the past (and is passive throughout). The vibes are pretty much happy, introspective, and positive.
Myrna is the best character in the book. If you ever have to meet a faded movie star, make sure it’s someone like Myrna. You can’t settle for anything else! I’d have loved it if she had more space instead of Bel. While Bel is a bumbling dear girl, I don’t need so much of her.
The relationship between the sisters is realistic and relatable. You can see their love but also the distance they try to eliminate. Even with Suzanne being active only in the beginning and the last part of the book, she is there with her little sister Phoebe.
The main plot starts after 35%. From her previous works, I know this is how the author writes. I didn’t mind the slow start in those books. However, it feels stretched here. And with Bel being a constant presence, the scenes between Ren and Phoebe are not enough. I wanted more of their conversations.
Ren also doesn’t get enough chances to prove his true potential. Of course, I don’t really like that they think it’s okay to make decisions on his behalf, and he forgives a little too easily. At least there are no miscommunication or evil intentions to create unwanted complexities. Phoebe's natural talent to complicate things is more than enough for the plot.
The last 15% of the book has a lot of action. This should have come earlier and at a slower pace for their relationship to have a more natural arc. And there’s no epilogue, either! (Readers who don’t like it can skip it. Authors shouldn’t stop writing prologues and epilogues because some readers don’t like them. Some stories require one.)
The ending is sweet (and expected). I’ve debated a lot between 3 and 4 stars. I liked One Night Like This and The Christmas Wish a lot more. But this has its merits too. Phoebe’s growth feels realistic, and I like how she finds closure with her past. So, 4 stars it is!
To summarize, Love Me Do is a heartwarming and sweet read with some laugh-out-loud moments and introspective times. I wouldn’t call it one of the best, but it’s a good read.
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and HarperFiction, for the eARC.
#NetGalley
***
P.S: Many reviewers compared the book to the movie The Holiday. As usual, I haven’t seen it, so no idea about it.
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