ARC Review: The Love Square by Jessica Calla

I have to admit that I don't really know where to start with this review. The Love Square is my first book my Jessica Calla and it won't be my last. I went into this one not really knowing what to expect, and yet the blurb sounded really interesting. I can tell you that this book will not be for everyone. As the title implies, this is way more than a love triangle and there are many players here. If you don't like angst, drama or complicated love triangles/squares this definitely isn't the book for you. That being said, I couldn't put it down! I love torturing myself occasionally with these types of stories, so while there were things here that didn't exactly work for me I really did enjoy this one.

Having taken a job as a bookstore manager in LA, Clare begins to fear that leaving her life in Nebraska behind was a mistake. She hates California and doesn't know that leaving behind her fiance and family was her best decision. But when she meets model/actor Dylan Barnes, he offers to show her around and help her see how great California can be. The two strike up a friendship and the more time they spend together the more their feelings grow. Meanwhile in NY, Dylan's childhood friend Alex Popovich a minor league baseball player hoping to go pro meets a beautiful ballroom dancer named Jenna Stecco. The two become fast friends and while both of them want to be more, it isn't until Jenna makes her feelings known that Alex makes the mistake of telling her they can't be together. But when Dylan visits NY and meets Jenna, everything shifts as Jenna and Dylan spend the weekend together and decide to pursue a long distance relationship. Though Jenna and Dylan are together, they are both still in love with their friends. Just as it appears that everyone is figuring things out, Jenna shocks everyone with a secret that will change everything once again. 

I liked these characters a lot, though I will admit that they were frustrating. The biggest thing that drove me nuts with them was the fact that none of them communicated well at all here. I realize that was part of how everything got so messed up, but it got a bit crazy at times, especially considering how close Alex and Jenna and Dylan and Clare were supposed to be. I absolutely loved Dylan and Clare together. They were perfect for one another and had an easy friendship and connection right from the start, which was amazing considering how they first met! Same goes for Jenna and Alex. They were great for one another and the bond they shared was so obvious. I really enjoyed seeing how everything played out for all of them, and while at first it was a bit confusing who everyone was and what was going on, this story flowed well and was easy to follow after a bit of explanation. I really loved that we got to see the POVs for the four main characters, and I think that helped to really understand and feel invested here.  

The one thing I will say is that this story is a bit far fetched and unrealistic. While a bit unbelievable, this story was really good and that didn't matter to me. I took it for what it was and didn't let that bother me. There were times that I would wish characters would speak up and actually talk about things with one another, it was clear to see just how much each of them felt for one another and why they didn't make their feelings known. Each of them had their own insecurities and issues or assumptions that kept them from really being able to go in the direction that they wanted to. As much as my heart hurt for the characters throughout the mess they went through, I hoped that they would all wind up where they were meant to and I think that Jessica Calla did them justice. The ending was very satisfying and while unconventional, it felt genuine. I will look for more from Jessica Calla in the future and I recommend this one if you are open to a different and unique love story.

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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