Book Review — Love Online by Penelope Ward

“I couldn’t really have her. I had accepted things would have to stay the way they were—until the day I found a clue that led me straight to her. So I took a chance. And that was when our love story really began…”

OMIGOSH!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

Okay so this was a totally unconventional romance. Like, it was absolutely not a normal way for the hero and heroine to meet (the blurb doesn’t reeeeeally tell you what the situation is and for good reason — I think it’s best to just dive into this book blind and let the story happen), it’s not a traditional manner for them to get to know each other either, and it’s certainly not the classic way that two people fall in love. But let’s be honest, that might have been why I loved this book so much. I loved that it was different and that it took a direction few other books do. It was so refreshing!

Another thing that really made this story work for me was how open, communicative, and mature both the hero and heroine were. They actually talked and, almost more importantly, they listened to each other! Both such welcome characteristics in stories. It’s just always so wonderful to read a book where the angst and drama is derived from the situation and *not* from character’s being stupid. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that there is no stupid in this whole book. There is angst for sure, and there are certainly some difficult situations but I loved that all of them were created by the situations themselves and not by the hero/heroine’s actions. This too was really refreshing!

I actually went into this book totally blind. At this point, I’ve read enough books by this author that I know I love her writing style and Itons of her books are on my favorites list so I have trust in her storytelling and it actually wasn’t until after I opened the first chapter of this book that I realized I hadn’t even read the blurb! But I’ll share it here so you can:

“We met in the least likely of places. It started out innocently enough. I was “ScreenGod” and she was “Montana,” but of course, those weren’t our actual names, just the virtual cloaks we hid behind.

Logging in at night and talking to her was my escape—my sanctuary.

Her real name was Eden, I’d soon come to find out.

From the first time we connected online, I found myself transfixed.

She was an addiction.

At first, we knew nothing about each other’s real identities…and she was adamant that we keep things that way. Anonymity had no effect on our unstoppable chemistry, though. If anything, it allowed us to open up even more in ways we may not have otherwise.

Eden was funny, intelligent, gorgeous—everything I’d ever wanted in a woman.

But I couldn’t really have her.

I had accepted things would have to stay the way they were—until the day I found a clue that led me straight to her.

So I took a chance.

And that was when our love story really began.”

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been very vague about the storyline here and barely spoken about it and I’ve done that on purpose. I think this is a story that almost any fan of the Romance genre will fall in love with BUT it’s a story that could definitely be ruined if you know too much of the details in advance so me — the reader who always wants to know everything in advance — is actually recommending that you go into this blind. I honestly don’t think this book has anything that warrants a warning so I’d strongly suggest to just dive right in and enjoy the ride!!

This book is sexy and romantic, but it’s also sweet and swoony. It has many heart-felt moments that’ll make you smile, but also has emotional depth that give the story weight. It’s well written and addictive, and is definitely going on my list of favorites for this year!

If you’re looking for an awesome new book to read and you’re also interested in reading a romance that’s different from the norm but still a beautiful love story that’ll give you all the feels, then definitely try this book!

Rating: 4.5 STARS! Contemporary Adult Romance Standalone.