Book Summary: 

Two loves. One soul. One choice.

Fenny’s got that boss glow. Not only did she just have the best sex of her life, but she’s finally about to direct the TV show she’s been a screenwriter on for ten years. Only one thing could floor her—finding out she’s been replaced by a hotshot director named Jude. Wait, no. Two things. Jude looks exactly like the guy who just turned her bones to jelly. Same dimples, same eyes, but he looks older and has a sadness Fenny wants to fix.

Last weekend, Fenny met Sam when he movie-style rescued her from a storm on Catalina Island. Here he is again, just … different. Can Sam and Jude be the same man? And if they are, will Fenny’s love be enough to put him back together?

My Review:

Lauren Kate first stole my heart with the unforgettable story of Lanie and Noah in By Any Other Name. So when I had the chance to dive into another of her books, I jumped at it. Unfortunately, the same magic that drew me in before was missing from The Spirit of Love. Don’t get me wrong – the connection between the characters, their development, and the overall adoration for Sam and Jude are all present. But the plot itself didn’t pull me in as strongly, largely because the outcome is more or less revealed in the book synopsis. Honestly, this could have been a solid four-star read if the summary hadn’t spoiled the big twist. So, here’s my advice for anyone interested: first, stop reading this review now, because there are spoilers ahead; and second, absolutely do not read the synopsis. You’ll have a completely different – and much better – experience if you go in blind.

Fenny can’t believe her dreams are finally within reach. After a weekend away, she’ll begin her new life as a director, having spent years writing for the hit show Zombie Hospital. But first, she just needs to get into the right frame of mind, courtesy of a secluded weekend in Catalina. Her plans take a sharp turn when a terrible storm rolls in on the campsite, and she’s unwillingly rescued by Sam. Determined to send her mysterious hero – who responded to a flare she didn’t send – on his way, she soon learns just how dire her situation really was. Sam saves her life not once but twice as they make it to safety. What should have been a brief encounter between strangers quickly turns into a passionate weekend, but it dissolves into a fling when Sam sidesteps her attempts to stay connected and Fenny is pulled back to reality. Convinced she’ll never see him again, Fenny is stunned when Sam walks into her producer’s office – except now he’s ten years older, goes by Jude, and is taking her director job! Fenny has no idea what’s going on, but the more time she spends with Jude, the more convinced she is that something bigger is at play – and that she’s the key.

To be honest, I’m not really sure what the intended takeaway from this story is. Both Fenny and Jude felt lost and searching, drifting through what some would call an existential crisis. Jude constantly feels like something is missing, while Fenny believes she knows what will make her whole – only to discover that achieving her dream still leaves her feeling incomplete.

Curiosity kept me turning the pages, but there wasn’t a clear sense of direction. The novel unfolds almost like a “day in the life” of Fenny: we follow her at work, with friends and family, and through her complicated relationship with Jude, which moves from enemies to friends to infatuation. As things progress, I couldn’t shake the feeling of “what’s the point of all this?” Even at 80%, starting Part Three, I still didn’t know where the story was going. Part One focuses on Fenny’s connection with Sam; Part Two shifts to Jude. And, thanks to the book summary, we already know that Jude and Sam are the same person.

With only 9% left, I found myself asking, “Where is this going?” I was worried everything would be rushed at the end after so much buildup – and that’s exactly what happened. After twenty-five chapters of setup, everything is resolved in the final two, and then the story just ends. So many questions remain unanswered: Was Sam a ghost? Did Fenny imagine it all? If Sam was real, what happened to him? Why could she see the cabin from ten years ago? Did Sam and Jude become one person again? Did the ritual work? Jude spends most of the book feeling lost and detached, then suddenly he’s fine just because Fenny accepts him?! 

In the end, I felt like there was so much untapped potential. I wanted more clarity, more meaning, and more of the special magic that Lauren Kate is so capable of delivering. With that being said, I understand this book dabbles in the realm of fantasy and magic, which often require a certain willingness to “just go with it.” Maybe that’s where I asked for more than the book intended to deliver – perhaps the mystic elements are meant to satisfy the unexplainable. If that is the case, this book is perfect for someone who just wants a “feel good read” with an HEA.