Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Call Ava romantic, but she thinks love should be found in the real world, not on apps that filter men by height, job, or astrological sign. She believes in feelings, not algorithms. So after a recent breakup and dating app debacle, she decides to put love on hold and escapes to a remote writers' retreat in coastal Italy. She's determined to finish writing the novel she's been fantasizing about, even though it means leaving her close-knit group of friends and her precious dog, Harold, behind.

At the retreat, she's not allowed to use her real name or reveal any personal information. When the neighboring martial arts retreat is canceled and a few of its attendees join their small writing community, Ava, now going by "Aria," meets "Dutch," a man who seems too good to be true. The two embark on a baggage-free, whirlwind love affair, cliff-jumping into gem-colored Mediterranean waters and exploring the splendor of the Italian coast. Things seem to be perfect for Aria and Dutch.

But then their real identities--Ava and Matt--must return to London. As their fantasy starts to fade, they discover just how different their personal worlds are. From food choices to annoying habits to sauna etiquette . . . are they compatible in anything? And then there's the prickly situation with Matt's ex-girlfriend, who isn't too eager to let him go. As one mishap follows another, it seems while they love each other, they just can't love each other's lives. Can they reconcile their differences to find one life together?  

Review:

When I want to read a fun, upbeat romance, Sophie Kinsella has become one of my go-to authors.  Love Your Life, her latest novel, is about what it takes to make a relationship work.  After a whirlwind holiday romance, Ava and Matt must figure out how to continue their relationship.  This book has romance, hilarious situations, and an endearing group of characters.  It would be a wonderful read while you're cooped up in your home.

What I Liked:

Romance:

At first, I didn't quite buy how quickly Ava and Matt hook up during a writing retreat in Italy.  While the romance was idyllic, I was put off a bit by how quickly the couple declared their undying love for each other.  But, this is the set up for the rest of the book.  How can they really be in love when they hardly know each other?  

But, as they learn to navigate each other like they were visiting exotic countries, they find out if they can really love each other.  I think this is a major thing for most couples to figure out.  Can sexual chemistry be the only thing to sustain a couple?  How much do you need to have in common?

Hilarious Situations:

As Ava tries to learn more about Matt, she must entered the mine-field that is his family, his unusual roommates, and an array of exes.  This leads to many really fun situations.  Ever the optimist, Ava tries to find the best in each situation.  This can't be easy as his mother is still enamored with perfect Genevieve, the Instagram-ready ex who has ingratiated herself into Matt's family.  I really loved the Harriet's House convention where Ava finally comes to understand just how much Matt's family business has become a cultural phenomenon.  And Ava's meet up with Matt's aunt (in a sauna) has got to be one of the funniest things I've read in a while.

Friends:

Both Ava and Matt have friends that are a big part of their lives. Ava's friends are supportive and fill the gap where Ava's parents should be.  There's Maud, who is always asking for a favor, Sarika, who is addicted to dating apps, and Nell, who is strong, but does need help with managing her chronic illness.  They are loud, funny, and opinionated.  Matt's friends seem to be exact opposites of Ava's besties.  Topher is a tech guru who is obsessed with robots, and the internet, and Nahil, who, besides being very kind, doesn't like people.  Matt and his roommate's flat is a total man-cave, complete with strange art and a color scheme that could best be described as modern gothic.  I loved how Ava and Matt learns to appreciate each group, and each group interacts with the other.

Rating: 

Release Date:  October 27th, 2020

Author:  Sophie Kinsella

Publisher:  Dial Press

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Page Length:  432 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: A fun, romantic book that would be a perfect escape from all our current issues.