Read our Preview reviews of Bronwyn Sell’s Lovestruck
A clever, heartfelt romantic comedy about a charming family who live in the most romantic place on earth but can’t catch a break when it comes to love. For fans of Marian Keyes, Star-Crossed and Offspring.
Lovestruck is one of those books I wish I could reread again for the first time. It’s fun and full of those characters that you love (and sometimes love to hate). This romcom in novel form makes me appreciate how normal my own life is in comparison. This book is slightly predictable but in a way I found comforting. Sometimes all I want to read is a book where I think I know how it’s going to end because it’s the journey I want not necessary a twist ending. And Lovestruck is that kind of book. It’s the perfect lazy day summer read with romance and family dysfunction – and Amy’s family definitely put the fun in dysfunction. I loved the resort setting and found the guests amusing with their crazy antics. The little trip reviews scattered throughout the book were adorable and added to the resort holiday feeling of the book. Cute story with fun characters and a warm romantic vibe. – Kate, QLD, 4 stars
I loved this book from beginning to end! For a 500 page book I got through it in no time! Once I started I couldn’t get enough. This is a heartfelt book about true love and “the pull”. Finding that one person meant for you. Throughout the book we follow the journeys of multiple characters and their love lives through the ups and downs until the end! Amazing style of writing that keeps you hooked word for word until the end. – Amy, ACT, 4 stars
Lovestruck is the perfect holiday read! I fell in love with the family and island life, particularly Amy and Harry, unlucky in love with Nan determined to marry everyone off. I love the way Nan randomly appears throughout like a ninja love-god. I found Lovestruck to be fun, funny and a very enjoyable read, I will be recommending it to my friends. – Rachel, QLD, 4 stars
Thanks to Better Reading I was able to enjoy this escapist, light Summer romantic read set in a resort on an island in the Whitsundays. Amy, struggling with her body image and frequently falling into the “friends-with-benefits” zone, arrives to attend the wedding of her gay dad. She immediately feels a pull towards Josh, a guy who’s wary of relationships because he is concerned he will repeat his parents’ mistakes but thrilled to acquire an instant family. Sophia has arrived at the resort on a honeymoon-for-one after her fiancé jilted her trying to commence Operation Get Your Life Together. Meanwhile nice guy Harry has been resisting his grandmother’s match-making endeavours. Following the wedding of Geoff and Sanjay the story continues to be told largely via text messaging as characters leave the resort. Personally I didn’t find the mildly humorous “bad” reviews of the resort that peppered the book added much value but, aside from this minor point, I can certainly recommend this rom-com-ish book which has some realistic, snappy and funny dialogue between the various relations. – Pamela, VIC, 4 stars
This was the perfect book for the summer holidays! Perfectly intertwined stories and made me want to go back to the Whitsundays immediately! – Emma, VIC, 4 stars
Amy and her extended family are a bit of a handful. So I guess it’s a good job that most of them live on an island… Only child Josh is looking forward to finally having (step) siblings, but he and Amy seem to like each other a little too much! It’s an interesting story with emphasis on Amy and her “good bloke” cousin, Harry; both of who have interfering sisters (and other assorted relations). The two grooms (ie dads) are quite sweet with their wedding bliss, but it’s the rest of Amys’ family who provide the most entertainment, especially her eccentric, matchmaking grandmother. I also had a soft spot for Sophia (once she started getting her act together), so although it’s a bit ambiguous, I’m hoping she continues to make regular returns to the island… I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag in regards to Amy and Josh, but it’s basically all happy families for the extended clan by the close of the book. Well written and witty, it’d make a marvellous Rom Com movie – Ayesha, NSW, 4 stars
Perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon, Lovestruck is a fun read. Complete with a tropical island, family drama and lots of laughs, I found this easy to read- a perfect palette cleanser book. – Erin, QLD, 3 stars
A really easy, enjoyable read with laugh-out-loud moments! – Cassandra, NSW, 4 stars
Lovestruck is a very modern book, covering gay marriage and the impossible relationships between step-siblings that just may be possible. Set on a secluded island where the main character Amy is related to everyone and has had very bad luck in relationships, she is constantly put in the friend zone and not really seen as girlfriend material. The book does not give everyone a happy ever after and makes the reader wonder what happens next in their lives. – Sandra, NSW, 3 stars
A traditional rom-com, with modern twists and Australian setting. I enjoyed reading this book, it was light and fun, but still had some emotional impact and intelligence. The combination of two love stories linked by a central family component made it enjoyable and flow well. The modern twists in the family structure gave it some edge that it needed, and probably a bit more relevance to the modern world. I would’ve like to have heard a little more from the view of other family members, particularly from Nan. I think her opinion mixed in to the story would’ve been so interesting! Overall, I was excited to go to bed and read this each night. I’ll definitely recommend it to friends for a great summer read. – Grace, SA, 4 stars
I quite enjoy the romantic comedy genre however I do have one pet hate, anguish and Lovestruck was full to the brim with it. I found it hard to connect with the characters which made this a very slow book to read. I love the concept of an island owned by the family and a domineering but sweet grandmother matriarch. I’m sure a lot of women will love this book; its funny and endearing. – Veronica, NSW, 3 stars
I really enjoyed this book – it was light-hearted, funny and sweet. I found myself attached to the characters, hoping things would go the way love wanted them to. A great holiday read. – Janelle, NSW, 4 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Love Struck. The characters were written in a way that made me want to keep reading to find out more. The style of the novel was easy to read with terminology used etc. I found it hard to put the novel down. – Kristy, WA, 4 stars
Talk about a book giving you holiday envy! I wanted to throw my bathers in a bag and jump on a plane to the Whitsundays! A fun, yet well written novel, Lovestruck is a fantastic holiday read that really draws you in and propels you forward as you furiously turn the pages to find out will they or wont they! I especially loved the family dynamic that was at the centre of the story, it showed another type of ‘love story’ within this romantic novel. The little resort reviews that came before each new chapter gave me a great laugh too – while utterly ridiculous, having worked in hospitality for many years, I know these would probably be real complaints! – Angela, VIC, 4 stars
Bronwyn Sell has created a gorgeous piece of romantic fiction in Lovestruck. This lighthearted narrative is all about finding love in the most unlikeliest of places and features a sprinkle of humour for good measure. There are plenty of relatable characters and the familiar family dynamics will instantly transport you to memories of your own family functions. An easy yet enjoyable and satisfying read. Thank you Better Reading for the advanced preview! – Sarah, VIC, 5 stars
Curlew Bay ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Would definitely recommend. It was great to read about the characters from there own point of view and a great read when sitting in the summer heat, imagining the water sports and sand between your toes, but without the clean up. – Elley, VIC, 4 stars
“Love Struck” is a fun read, perfect for a lazy weekend at the beach or a wet Sunday afternoon. While a little light on a plot, it has enough to keep the pages turning to find out what comes next. Not too much to have to think about, once you get sorted out in your head just who is who, the mix of characters is quite delightful and endearing. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the scattering of Trip Reviews at the beginning of most chapters – they were totally irrelevant to the actual story and quite distracting. – Jane, NSW, 4 stars
This is a wonderful, lighthearted book. I couldn’t get enough of it. The characters leapt off the page and I really enjoyed following each separate tale, all of which are engaging in their own right. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a funny, entertaining and fulfilling read. An excellent debut novel. I can’t wait to read more from this author. – Laura, SA, 4 stars
Lovestruck was a fun romantic summer read about family and relationships. The location of this story is an island paradise in the breathtaking tropical Whitsundays known as Curlew Bay. Amy travels from Melbourne to her family owned island resort to attend her father’s wedding to Sanjay. Amy is always unlucky in love and tends to fall in the friends-with-benefits zone with men. Her whole family has a reputation of being romantically challenged and their grandmother is eager to marry off all the grandchildren, sometimes trying to match-make her grandchildren with her guests. Amy feels ‘The Pull’ (you’ll have to read the book) when she catches sight of Sanjay’s son Josh for the first time not realising he will soon become her step-brother. Josh is weary of relationships but cannot wait to be part of a big family once his dad marries Geoff. Sophia is a jilted bride staying at the resort for her honeymoon all alone. Sophia becomes friendly with Amy’s cousin Harry after he tries cheer her up after she goes on a drinking binge trying to drown her sorrows. Harry resides on the island and is a marine biologist who is also unlucky in love. There is a lot of emphasis and detail on the wedding of the father’s and the preparations involved including some dirty dancing techniques. I love how the beginning of each chapter has a funny short review of the resort, this is a fun, heartfelt romantic read with a touch of comedy – Gloria, SA, 3 stars
Lovestruck had such a fun, summery love story setting in the Whitsunday Islands. As i was reading this book my mind wandered to sunny days and sandy beaches and the authors multi-character storytelling had me turning the pages and not wanting to miss a single moment! If you enjoy a fun lighthearted love story i definitely recommend this book. – Tamara, QLD, 5 stars
Lovestruck is the perfect book to read on your Summer holiday – which is what I did! It’s a light-hearted, relaxing read about a family who all gather together in the Whitsundays to celebrate a wedding. There are few characters to keep track of, but I enjoyed getting to know them with Amy “unlucky in love” being one of my favourites. For example, she meets handsome Josh with whom she feels a connection (or as she calls it “The Pull”), only to discover he’s her soon to be stepbrother. This is a family drama but also so much more – a romantic comedy with lots of feel good moments, but also some hilarious parts which will have you laughing out loud. I found this book easy to read and so refreshing, especially after reading some heavier books it’s a nice change, just put your feet up with this book and enjoy. A wonderful first novel by this author and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. Thank you Better Reading and Harlequin Australia for my advanced copy to read and review. – Kim, VIC, 4 stars
Lovestruck is a fun, romantic comedy that is perfect for a holiday read or when you want to relax and be entertained with a light read. Loved the nods to social media, the tropical setting, the humour and laugh out loud moments, which made Lovestruck hard to put down. – M Manelo, NSW, 4 stars
I loved love struck, I so wanted to pack my bags and move to Curlew bay and have this crazy family adopt me as one of their own. – Deanne, VIC, 5 stars
Lovestruck is a light hearted entertaining book set on a family run island resort where the inhabitants are searching for love in the midst of a madcap wedding. The blatant matchmaking attempts by the family lead to a few laugh out loud moments, although the occasional use of crass language is slightly off-putting. A fun & easy read nonetheless. – Sam, NSW, 3 stars
Lovestruck’s back cover says it’s for ‘fans of Marian Keyes … and Offspring’ and it definitely lives up to that claim. Set in the Whitsundays, the story is a romp through the chaotic love lives of an extended family. There’s a gay couple, a jilted bride, an interfering granny and many other quirky characters. Bronwyn Sell paints an appealing picture of life on the Great Barrier Reef. I particularly enjoyed the tongue in cheek reviews of the resort the family operates. I think a cocktail on a sun lounge at a tropical paradise would be the perfect accompaniment for this book as it’s a real escape. – Penny, VIC, 4 stars
I am a sucker for a light, fun romance novel that is family centric. This book ticked all the boxes for me. I got some laughs, some romance, it was an easy book to read and get drawn into and the characters are relatable. I liked the seperate narratives and the reviews of the resort sprinkled throughout the book. Great read. Thanks you to Better Reading for an advance hard copy of this book – Lisa, TAS, 4 stars
Love a good romance and bonus it was in an Australian setting I could relate to. – Sally, VIC, 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! I found the characters were written so well that it made them leap off the page and settings were beautifully described. – Jessie, VIC, 5 stars
Lovestruck by Bronwyn Sell Review by Samantha Tait Hilarious, fun easy reading for the holidays! If you love rom-com movies like I do, you’ll definitely enjoy this book. I had lots of laugh out loud moments as you can relate to the comments the characters say to each other as family – very relatable. The story takes place on a Whitsunday island, four different characters and their amusing and interesting love lives – or lack of! My favourite character was Amy (the stuck in the friend zone lady!) as I could relate to her attitude and situation at times. She returns to her home town on an island for her father’s wedding where there is a new step brother who she is dreamy about, and the rest of her family (including a jilted bride) who have their own lust, love story and mini dramas! I enjoyed the theme of family and the reminder that sometimes in life you just never know what’s going to happen next! All round a feel good read. – Samantha, QLD, 3 stars
Unfortunately I can’t say that I enjoyed this book. I found it difficult to get through and didn’t find it to be a ‘comedy’ as was written on the cover. The storyline didn’t draw me in as I thought it might being set in the familiar Whitsundays. – Amanda, QLD, 2 stars
This was a great read from start to finish. I really enjoyed the different, but intertwining, stories. Josh and Amy were my favourite couple and I loved the rapport between these two characters. I would definitely recommend this book. 4 1/2 stars – Susan, NSW, 4 stars
Love struck by Bronwyn Sell has proven to be a fabulous summer holidays read. I’m not usually a “romance” reader but I really enjoyed the pace and comedy of this book. The story revolves around poor Amy Lowery’s love life, or lack of really, as she heads to the family’s Island resort in the Whitsunday Islands. There are 4 stories revolving around each other and it’s easy to keep up with each. A great easy, fun, happy read. – Leigh, VIC, 5 stars
Love Struck by Bronwyn Sell was a fun summer read – light and easy. There is a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep track of. The story takes place on a Whitsundays Island, owned by Amy’s family. Amy, from Melbourne is on the island with her family for her fathers wedding to Sanjay. She is unlucky in love and has sworn off men – until she meets Josh – and then she realises that he is her new step brother. There is also Sophia, a rich woman on her honeymoon – minus her husband who never made it to the church. She is determined to drink as much as possible to forget it all. I enjoyed this book but I did not love it. Some of the characters were just annoying and hard to warm up to. Thanks to Harlequin Books and Better Reading for my advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased – Mandy, NSW, 3 stars
“Lovestruck” was perfect for reading at the beach! – Kelly, QLD, 3 stars
This was a fun, easy and funny read with plenty of quirky characters and their quirky relationship dilemmas. Lena and Harry would have to be my favourites! Many a relationship drama, against the backdrop of a beautiful island resort. The reviews of the resort at the end of each chapter were pure gold! – Hanadi, NSW, 5 stars
Light, enjoyable, easy read for lazy days by the pool. Everything and everyone is beautiful, and the writing style is fresh and breezy, and at times, quite witty. Escapist fare perfectly matched with a sarong and umbrella cocktail in the sun – Juanita, NSW, 3 stars
The next best thing to actually holidaying on a tropical island is escaping to one in the pages of a great book. Lovestruck is the perfect novel for feeling as though you have been transported to a tropical island getaway. Lovestruck is set in an island resort owned and managed by the members of a large extended family. The family matriarch, Nan, runs the resort but appears to be more concerned with matchmaking her children and grandchildren with other visitors to the island. Fortunately for Nan, plenty of people have gathered on the island to celebrate the wedding of her ex-son-in-law Graham to Sanjay. The story primarily follows the forbidden romances of two couples. Amy and Josh, who will become step-siblings when their fathers marry, feel an instant and strong romantic attraction to one another. Amy’s cousin Harry similarly finds himself attracted to jilted bride Sophia, who is honeymooning solo at the resort after being left at the altar by her fiancé. Lovestruck is a super fun and entertaining read, with a great cast of witty, strong, smart characters. It is the perfect summer beach read! – Amanda, QLD, 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! The perfect romantic-comedy with such loveable characters. Such a good beach read too! Quite sad I’ve finished it to be honest. Thanks so much! – Jennifer, WA, 5 stars
A book about relationships and family circumstances in the modern world. The characters have their insecurities and worries, and the book explores how the characters deal with each other. A book about life, family, and individual journeys. Easy reading with the addition of humour. – Danielle, VIC, 3 stars
Such a fun, summertime, romantic comedy of a read! I loved it!! What’s not to love about a rom com set on a tropical island with characters well formed and 3 dimensional! A book that could only have been written today, full of emojis, 2020 humour and dirty dancing! Loved it – Anna, NSW, 4 stars
Amy longs for a man who doesn’t treat her as a friend (with benefits); jilted Sophia just needs to get her life back on track; Harry’s passion is marine biology, but for damaged souls, he has plenty of compassion; Josh is just pleased his dad is marrying into the big family he’s never had. Put them all together at a gay wedding on a tropical island, add in a grandmother intent on marrying off her descendants, give the characters snappy, funny dialogue, occasional words of wisdom and amusing inner monologues and you have a brilliantly entertaining, feel-good read. – Marianne, NSW, 5 stars
A hilarious reminder that whatever the outward appearance, every family has a little bit of crazy. Enjoy the witty dialogue, ridiculously awkward (and unfortunately plausible) scenarios and an inner-yearning for everything to work out well for the oh so likeable characters. A great book to read while your toes are dangling in the pool this Summer – expect to be sprung laughing out loud. – K, SA, 4 stars
LOVESTRUCK – Just what I needed for a great holiday read. Light entertaining funny enjoyable – Treat yourself to a page turner that will lift your heart and have you laughing along and wanting to be a part of this wonderful story. – Debbie, VIC, 4 stars
Love Struck, by Bronwyn Sell, was the perfect summer read! Romance and a touch of drama, made this an easy, feel good read. Highly recommend! – Rebecca, TAS, 4 stars
Set in the beautiful tropics a romantic intriguing secret love that has you spellbound on hoping for a happy ending, thoroughly enjoyable. – Laraine, QLD, 5 stars
Lovestruck is the perfect antidote to reading too many detective novels – a sweet tropical breath of fresh air! – Imogen, VIC, 5 stars
Lovestruck was just what I needed after a crazy busy few weeks – an engaging book with characters that came to life. I loved the fast paced story with cousins interfering in each other’s love lives. When the book finished I wanted to continue reading to find out what happens with the rest of the family. Well worth reading! – Karen, ACT, 4 stars
A light romantic holiday read. Amy looking for love is attending her father’s wedding to Sanjay. Her mum and her sister who are both single would love to find that special one too. Amy feels ‘the pull’ when a hot stranger walks into the bar in the island holiday resort her family owns. Only problem is the hot stranger, Josh, is actually her soon to be step brother. Josh is over the moon that his dad is marrying Amy’s dad and that he has an extended new family as he is an only child. There is a lot of family relationships to deal with but Lovestruck is a pleasant light read. There is humour , adventure and real life characters. Really enjoyed this new author. – Karyn, ACT, 4 stars
A delicious novel that I enjoyed from beginning to end. The perfect holiday read. So many great characters and made me feel like I wanted to be part of the Lowery family warts and all! – Justine, NSW, 4 stars
Lovestruck by Bronwyn Sell is a very enjoyable story that would be a perfect choice for holiday reading. The book could be classified as a “rom com” because it is funny and primarily about the up ands downs of the love lives of the members of an interesting and unconventional family. An island in the Whitsundays provides the backdrop for the modern day family situations and misunderstandings. The character descriptions make them easy to imagine and totally believable, they appear to be a family of attractive high achievers that appear to have it all except for love. Lovestruck is 500 pages long but is very easy and fun to read and you may find yourself wanting to stay on this fictional island in order to meet this crazy chaotic family. – Janelle, NSW, 4 stars
There’s no such thing as a smooth ride, particularly when it comes to relationships. Just when things seem right, the wind changes. On a small island, each character finds themselves in the midst of change. Amy’s father prepares to marry a man; Amy meets her new step brother, Josh; Josh finally has a ‘family’; Sophia’s to-be husband changes his mind; Harry steps into Sophia’s life; What more could happen? This light, comical read sheds a new light on the complexities of relationships. – Chloe, VIC, 3 stars
The perfect summer read. A light happy story which although has a predictable ending is enjoyable from start to finish. Grab your towel, hat, sunscreen and this book and you’ve got a great day on the beach! – Kay, QLD, 5 stars
This novel was quite good, two nice love stories though a bit drawn out and a little long. I thought the author could have focused on one ie that of Amy and Josh and maybe made another novel on that of Harry and Sophia. I did enjoy the author’s style of writing and it is a nice, inviting and easy read. I liked the character of easygoing and down to earth Amy, I found Josh to be a bit troubled due to his upbringing, Amy’s cousin Harry to be an all round good guy and Sophia a bit forthright but I think they all genuinely meant well including the meddlesome family but all with good intentions. The novel concluded nicely too. Thank you for allowing me to review this book. – Danielle, VIC, 3 stars
I was absolutely side-swiped by this story – I loved it, and devoured the book in practically one sitting! I fell in love with the whole dysfunctional Lowery family, especially Amy, and also enjoyed the setting, in the beautiful Whitsundays. The story is evocative, wry, funny, poignant and honest, and I really hope there is a sequel! – Alanna, QLD, 5 stars
Lovestruck is a delightful novel. A perfect read for days at the beach or laying by the pool. The characters as instantly endearing and you find yourself cheering them on as the story progresses. This story reminds us that love is by always easy and sometimes we need to give up a little of ourselves to be with the one we love. – Dianne, SA, 5 stars
A fun Australian love storey that would be great made into a movie! – Rachel, QLD, 5 stars
“Lovestruck” is a charming romantic comedy. It hews to most of the tropes of the genre, and is predictable to a certain degree. But not everything ends where I expected, and most importantly it’s a lot of fun to read. There’s a big cast in this novel. Sell is good with characters, and each is sharply defined and distinct. They’re a pretty good bunch, and readers will like most of them. The humor is also well judged, witty and genuine but never trying too hard. I found much of the dialogue, in particular, very amusing while still entirely believable. The humor is one of the strengths of “Lovestruck”. There are multiple storylines. Most are relatively predictable , but with one in particular I thought I could see the ending a mile away… only to have Sell swerve, and take it somewhere else. Although not a stunning twist, it was still refreshing to have a minor storyline that surprised me. This was a really enjoyable novel to read. It didn’t demand too much of me, but it was fun and had some interesting things to say about relationships. Both romance fans and people looking for an amusing diversion should enjoy “Lovestruck”. – Lorraine, ACT, 5 stars
I am a duchess for romance stories and this didn’t disappoint . A great read – Sally, VIC, 5 stars
There was absolutely nothing in this book that excited me. I struggled to read it from the start as i felt like I had read this type of story before just in a new location and new characters. – Kristie, WA, 1 star
I enjoyed Lovestruck, although I found it slightly predictable. It is a feel good romantic comedy, showing love and family in all its different forms. Filled with relatable and quirky characters, I think most readers will enjoy this story. A great holiday read – I wish I was on the island right now. – Alice, NSW, 3 stars
A very cute love story, love the perspectives from each of the characters. Totally love the funny complaints section- they could be totally true as I used to live and work on a tropical island! Easy and relaxing read 🙂 – Heidi, NSW, 3 stars
I just loved this! It was such a fresh and candid read. I felt like I was reading my way through a Rom-Com. It had adventure, humour and tension, everything a story needs to keep you entertained and eager to keep reading. It was so easy to read and very relate-able in parts. The characters were so human it felt as if I knew them. Finishing this book was much like finishing a wonderful tropical holiday… I didn’t want it to end! I also just adored the cover. I know covers are subject to change and you really shouldn’t judge a book by one but this one was pure gold to me! There was just so much to love about this book. – Belinda, VIC, 5 stars
Absolutely loved this book. The characters are so interesting and captivating. It’s hard not to feel like you’re part of their lives and get invested. The twists and turns of their relationships had me on highs and then lows wanting to snap them out of it. Very well written. I enjoyed that the chapters each focused on a character and the book was able to show a depth to each persons perspective. I enjoyed the humour in the book and the family dynamics at play. Very enjoyable lighthearted read. – Stacie, NSW, 5 stars
Omg I just adored Lovestruck by Bronwyn Sell. Her characters are awesome and I fell In love with Amy, Harry and Josh. Just beautifully written and I did t want it to end. Thank you – Elizabeth, NSW, 5 stars
Trip Review: Curlew Bay, Curiosity Island, The Whitsundays, Queensland Rating❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Review: You can’t push away from The Pull! A remote paradise island eco-resort run by a family unlucky in love despite the matchmaking efforts of the silent and stealthy Nan. She has 3 daughters and 8 grown grandchildren to marry off and even though she hires staff on their potential marriage prospects the family curse is yet to be broken. However, the wedding of Geoff and Sanjay will stir things up like a cocktail shaker. Carmen and Amy are Geoff’s daughters, one planning the week-long matrimonial festivities with military precision, the other stuck in the friend zone. Amy is witty, cool and sarcastic, a dream of a little sister for Sanjay’s son Josh who’s excited to be gaining a family and siblings. Her crush on gorgeous fireman Josh will require lashings of self-control especially with their Dirty Dancing sexy lift sequence to be performed as a wedding surprise. She’s choreographing familarity to breed contempt, but when her mother’s love life requires the swapping of room mates The Pull of attraction is magnetic. Jilted bride Sophia, a guest in the honeymoon villa, is attempting Operation Get Your Shit Together but it’s degraded into a boozy pity party for one. Cunning Nan delegates Harry the environmental ranger to check on Sophia, and her participation in his preservation and conservation projects provide joyful distractions from her ‘nup’-tials. Marriage and children were the plan, not a holiday fling, but she’s gone from unflappable corporate lawyer to cavewoman on this fantasy island. Bronwyn Sell’s ‘Love Struck’ will make an excellent summer holiday read, or indeed serve the purpose of a literal happy holiday. The characters are relatable, playful and amusing and I challenge the reader not to fall in love with the idea of Harry. – Anita, QLD, 5 stars
When Amy attends her father’s wedding on her family’s Whitsunday resort, she never expected to have a crush on her new stepbrother. This book is a perfect summer read. – Bec, QLD, 3 stars
Bronwyn Sell’s Lovestruck is such a great feel good entertaining read, perfect for lying on the beach this summer. A vibrant and eclectic cast of characters in a stunningly beautiful location with humour, sexual tension, a bit of family drama and plenty of romance. Loved it! – Imogen, VIC, 5 stars
I really enjoyed this story that was part romance, part reflection and a whole lot of fun. It would be the perfect story to read while relaxing on a day bed whilst on a tropical holiday, relaxing away the afternoon. The characters were believable, the location exotic and the relationships fraught with issues which kept the story rolling. The one thing that I didn’t like about the book were the little ‘customer reviews’ at the end of each chapter. While they were at times funny, and showed the resort to be idyllic, they were also a little pointless. I’d have preferred the reviews to be made by characters in the story so that parts of the story could be referenced eg. A wedding guest or visiting family member. – Jodie, WA, 5 stars
I think this my favourite book I have read this year. I loved all the characters and the author has made the interactions between characters so flawless it feels like you are their friends. The story kept a gentle pace the whole way through, every chapter kept you wanting to read more. After this book I am looking forward to reading more of her books. – Kylie, QLD, 5 stars
At 500 pages for the review copy, this is a much longer book than I normally read but I did enjoy the fun, light romance incorporating extremely complicated extended family dynamics with a satisfyingly predictable ending. Love a good Aussie read in a setting I have been to or can readily picture from the author’s description. – Jan, SA, 4 stars
Great summer beach read. Light and easy with likeable characters. Would be a great gift! – Amy, VIC, 3 stars
Thankyou for the opportunity to review ‘Love Struck’ by Bronwyn Sell. The setting for this book is Curlew Bay an Island Eco Resort off Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays. Curlew Bay is a family affair, the matriarch Nan, mother to three daughters with nine grandchildren is eager to have all the family married off and isn’t succeeding! The family are gathered at the Island (although most reside there) for the wedding of Geof (father to Amy and Carmen) and Sanjay who has a son Josh. Geof and Sanjay’s ex wives are at the wedding as well. Harry is Amy and Carmen’s cousin, and has had a painful split from his girlfriend, they are close to him. Because it is a resort they have many visitors and a recent arrival is Sophia who had her honeymoon booked and decided to take the vacation anyway despite the fact that her fiance got cold feet at the last minute. ‘Love struck was funny, clever and light hearted. I really thought the star ratings and remarks prior to some of the chapters were so good! This book was so enjoyable, light reading, interesting and really refreshing. – Gillian, QLD, 4 stars
Love love loved this book! A family who owns an island resort have a family wedding to plan and a honeymooner minus the husband. Told through the eyes of different members of the family and the broken-hearted fiancé, this is a great summer read. Perfect for this time of year when you want to read some light yet clever. Loved the humor and the comparison in which it was written! – Katarzyna, VIC, 5 stars
I didn’t want this book to end loved from start to finish , Set on Curiosity Island which the family have owned for generations a family wedding is happening ( no spoilers ) This book is full of fun characters and such a wonderful family – Deborah, NSW, 5 stars
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