The Spirit of Love by Lauren Kate
Publication Date: July 1st 2025 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★½
My
Thoughts:
Fenny travels to Catalina Island to prepare for her
directorial debut on Zombie Hospital, the show she’s been writing for the last ten
years, where she meets Sam as he rescues her in a storm. Instead of brainstorming
alone, Fenny spends a passionate weekend with Sam while embarking on adventure
after adventure.
Coming back to Hollywood Fenny’s blindsided when she finds
out that instead of directing like she was promised, they’ve brought in a
famous director Jude DeSilva, a man who resembles Sam in an uncanny way. She’s
livid, at her network boss and Jude, and I was enraged for her, but Jude wasn’t
the bad guy here and they began to form a connection as they work together.
I’ve seen a few reviews that recommend not reading the book
description before reading, but I’m glad I did because it would’ve soured the
romance for me if I didn’t have an idea of what was going on. I absolutely
loved this romance! It was witty and fun but also explored deeper topics.
The setting was fun and featured places I love in Southern
California, like the Huntington Library, Museum and Gardens. Despite having
lived in SoCal for years, I didn’t know that there are really canals in Venice,
California!
I would’ve loved an epilogue but was thrilled with how it
all worked out!
4.5 Stars
Book Description:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate comes a magical time-slip love triangle about a man split into two—one version young and carefree, the other suave but jaded—and one woman’s quest to reunite his broken pieces.
Two loves. One soul. One choice.
Fenny’s got that boss glow. Not only did she just have the best sex of her life, but she’s finally about to direct the TV show she’s been a screenwriter on for ten years. Only one thing could floor her—finding out she’s been replaced by a hotshot director named Jude. Wait, no. Two things. Jude looks exactly like the guy who just turned her bones to jelly. Same dimples, same eyes, but he looks older and has a sadness Fenny wants to fix.
Last weekend, Fenny met Sam when he movie-style rescued her from a storm on Catalina Island. Here he is again, just…different. Can Sam and Jude be the same man? And if they are, will Fenny’s love be enough to put him back together?
I don't think I've ever come across a story with a time-slip love triangle in it. I'm very curious about this one, especially because you liked it so much.
ReplyDeleteIt was different and in a good way! I think you'd enjoy it, Lark! :)
DeleteI love when I recognize settings and have visited. I did like this book and found the magical touch quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun! It was. I would've loved a little more in the end.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Interesting premise.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
It was a really good romance!
DeleteYeah, I'm with you on needing to know something like that to enjoy this one. I read a book last year that was really vague in the blurb not sharing there was a magical bit in the middle of a straight-up contemporary and it floored me.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great. My senior class did our trip to Catalina. And, I have read in a romance from several years ago that Venice beach has canals.
I'm glad this was a good one for you.
ReplyDeleteI have read a couple of time-slip romances and enjoyed them. I think I would really like this one as well. Great review, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteWell, now you have me curious. This sounds unique!
ReplyDeleteOh this one is new to me, nice :D
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, an epilogue would have been nice for sure! I enjoyed this one as well. Great review!
ReplyDeletehttps://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/08/12/book-blitz-with-giveaway-mr-not-your-savior-the-seattle-svenssons-2-by-alina-jacobs/