Love Handles Review

Love Handles by Gretchen Galway

Love Handles by Gretchen Galway (3/5 stars) is a quirky, heartfelt romance with plenty of emotional moments and a unique premise—but it also tested my patience more than once.

The chemistry between Liam and Bev had real potential, and I genuinely loved how much Liam cared for her. His devotion and willingness to show up, even when things got messy, were some of the strongest parts of the book. There’s something really compelling about a male lead who isn’t afraid to feel deeply and who clearly loves hard.

That said, the consistent miscommunication and misunderstandings between them drove me a little crazy. It felt like nearly every chapter included some new reason they were talking past each other instead of to each other. While I understand conflict is part of any romance plot, it became more frustrating than engaging after a while.

Still, there were sweet, thoughtful moments that stood out. A couple of quotes I liked:

“Sometimes love doesn’t show up wrapped in flowers and poetry—it arrives covered in sawdust, with a crooked smile.”

“You don’t have to be perfect to be loved. You just have to be real.”

Overall, Love Handles is a light, easy read with a sweet (if sometimes exasperating) romance and a fun cast of supporting characters. If you're looking for a slow-burn, small-town rom-com with a lovable hero and don’t mind a heavy dose of miscommunication, this might hit the mark for you.