A review by somethingarosie
The Love Square by Laura Jane Williams

2.0

Laura Jane Williams' ‘The Love Square’ takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the tangled web of relationships, but unfortunately, it's a ride with its fair share of bumps.

The story revolves around Penny Bridge, whose romantic life becomes a whirlwind when she finds herself entangled with three men: Francesco, Priyesh, and Thomas. While the premise promises intrigue, the execution falls short in several aspects. All of the love interests have their own red flags and it was all thoroughly disappointing.

The mens’ outrage after discovering Penny is involved with the three of them was so unreasonable because Thomas and Priyesh had vocalised their wish to be non-monogamous. Talk about double standards! Additionally, Francesco and Penny weren’t even together at that point. He kissed her once & expected her to drop everything and run into his arms…no sir! Of all the men, Francesco is the one I liked the most. That was until he lashed out at Penn and said she was ‘broken’ & ‘selfish’ for dating other people, despite the fact he had also been dating other people! Not a single cell of emotional intelligence to be found between these men!

One of the main issues lies in the character dynamics, particularly Thomas' supposed relationship with Lizzo. Yes, as in, - I just took a DNA test- Lizzo! His relationship with Lizzo feels uncomfortably forced, akin to something out of fanfiction rather than a believable subplot. Additionally, some of the dialogue throughout the novel comes across as cheesy and even downright cringeworthy, detracting from the overall immersion.

Despite these drawbacks, "The Love Square" does have its redeeming qualities. Williams adeptly navigates sensitive topics such as cancer, grief, and IVF, adding depth to the narrative. The discussions surrounding autonomy and solo parenting were wonderful to see! However, these poignant moments are overshadowed by the lack of consistency and believability in the character interactions.

In summary, ‘The Love Square’ offers a mindless and fun escape into the world of romance, but falls short of leaving a lasting impression. While it may provide moments of enjoyment, the overall quality and memorability are lacking. Readers seeking emotionally intelligent characters and believable relationships may find themselves disappointed by the unrealistic portrayals presented in this novel.

2⭐️