As previously advised, I am unapologetically in my romance reads era (again) and so I was all over this one when it showed up.

Quick summary of Love Story to get you started:

Sophie Taylor, primary school teacher. Parents (one an editor of worthy tomes, the other a literary critic) reckon she’s wasting her potential a bit.
Sophie’s ex has written a worthy literary tome. Her dad loves him. Sophie has also written a bestselling book, but no one knows because she’s used a nom-de-plume. The book is a bit spicy.
Joe Walsh, publishing house creative director. Good hair. Aggravating. Over-endowed with confidence.

Sophie’s struggling with writing the sequel to her debut bestseller, and she can’t talk to anyone about it (secret, aye?). She can’t even spend the weekend tearing out her hair over the edits, because she has to return to her family home to attend her dad’s birthday celebrations. Her 18 year old sister is determined to be the centre of attention, and Very Important Bags are going missing.

This is such a well-crafted book. There’s a lot of knowing side-eye references to the tropes and criticisms of romance novels, but also an unashamed joy in the shared experience of reading and living a happy ending. The cast of characters is chefs’ kiss: from the parents to the best friend, the annoying ex to the unwitting fans of her book that Sophie meets - the voices feel authentic and there are several laugh out actual loud moments.

The tension is built and broken with just the right rhythm, the conventions hold (there’s only one bed! Someone will have to sleep on the armchair! - unless…), and the 🌶️ scenes are good if you like that kind of thing 🙃 The mirroring of the plot to Sophie’s own book is steered with a light touch; like all the themes in the book it doesn’t bludgeon the reader over the head. The representation of sibling relationships is the best I’ve read in some time.

Kristin Atherton narrates the audiobook, and she does an excellent job; with multiple female characters it might have been hard to differentiate the voices, but I was never once confused. Her timing is spot on, and her delivery of one-liners leaves no crumbs.

Whether or not you’re in a happy-ever-after place in your life just now, Love Story probably has something you’ll enjoy. The bouncy castle scene may satisfy those revenge fantasies, for instance - you’ll see what I mean. Get it got.