Laura Jane Williams’ Lovestruck is a contemporary romance novel that captures the spirit of modern love.
The story centers on Becca, a self-reliant woman who has carved out her independence by establishing a successful hair salon and purchasing her own home.
Despite her accomplishments, Becca harbours a deep-seated yearning to find true love and start a family. Now in her thirties, she feels the pressure of time and, in her urgency, commits a critical error: she falls in love with the idea of love itself.
Lovestruck weaves its narrative through a dual-path storyline: one where Becca responds to a pivotal text message, and another where she doesn’t.
Initially, this concept holds promise, suggesting a nuanced exploration of romantic fate. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes apparent that the novel is an anthology of toxic relationships. It seems the author intended to delineate the boundaries of what is acceptable in love, yet this attempt falls short.
Becca, portrayed as a modern and liberated protagonist, is ensnared by her obsession of finding love, leading her into a series of unhealthy relationships. The narrative presents two contrasting love stories, both of which depict Becca’s relentless pursuit of her ideal, even as she subconsciously acknowledges her own poor judgment.
The male characters are an array of flawed personalities—narcissistic, egotistical, and immature. Throughout, it is evident that Becca is unwittingly trapped in a cycle of love bombing and glorification of romance, while the narrative relies heavily on stereotypes to propel her relationships. And even if Becca finds her ‘happy ending’, the emotional resonance of the love story remains unconvincing.
Finishing Lovestruck was a challenge, driven by the hope for a redeeming conclusion—a hope that, regrettably, goes unfulfilled.
Lovestruck: A person who is so in love with someone that it is difficult for them to behave as usual or even think about anything other than their loved one.