Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle is an entertaining romcom all about falling in love. Featuring a radio host who must learn to take his own romantic advice, two realistic main characters, and heavier themes that bring even more depth to the adorable romance, this one checks many boxes for me. Fans of authors like Nicola Yoon will enjoy this sweet and thoughtful contemporary.
Title: Love RadioAuthor: Ebony LaDelle
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: May 31, 2022
Rating:
Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this witty and romantic teen novel about a self-professed teen love doctor with a popular radio segment who believes he can get a girl who hates all things romance to fall in love with him in only three dates.
Prince Jones is the guy with all the answers—or so it seems. After all, at seventeen, he has his own segment on Detroit’s popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, where he dishes out advice to the brokenhearted.
Prince has always dreamed of becoming a DJ and falling in love. But being the main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his little brother means his dreams will stay just that and the only romances in his life are the ones he hears about from his listeners.
Until he meets Dani Ford.
Dani isn’t checking for anybody. She’s focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and move to New York City to become a famous author. But her college essay keeps tripping her up and acknowledging what’s blocking her means dealing with what happened at that party a few months ago.
And that’s one thing Dani can’t do.
When the romantic DJ meets the ambitious writer, sparks fly. Prince is smitten, but Dani’s not looking to get derailed. She gives Prince just three dates to convince her that he’s worth falling for.
Three dates for the love expert to take his own advice, and just maybe change two lives forever.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle
Prince Jones is a self-professed love doctor who hosts a radio segment offering romantic advice to his listeners. However, while he spends his days talking about love, Prince has yet to experience a happily ever after of his own. When he meets Dani, a romance-averse writer who Prince is instantly attracted to, Prince proposes that she give him three dates to prove himself as someone she can fall for. As the two spend more time together on the most adorable dates, they learn more about each other and themselves along the way.
❀ Strong Main Characters
Dani and Prince are both strong main characters, and I loved how developed they are. Prince balances school and his radio segment with being a caretaker for his mother who has MS, and I loved the way he maintains a positive attitude and never complains about this. He’s such a sweet main character, and it was heartwarming to see such support within his family. Dani provides an interesting balance to Prince’s passion for love as an incident after a party has left her traumatized and questioning who she can trust. She undergoes a lot of healing throughout the book, and I loved the way both Prince and Dani make each other stronger and grow together.
❀ Balance of Heavy and Lighthearted Moments
What I especially enjoyed about this book is the way it balances heavier topics with more lighthearted moments. Throughout the book, the main characters face their own personal struggles, but while these moments are written with the care and the attention they deserve, this isn’t a story of struggle but one of joy. This book also contains sweet dates and all the joy of falling in love, and I enjoyed the way these moments–the humour and the adorable romance–are more prominent than the pain.
❀ An Uplifting Story
Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle is an uplifting story of healing, family, and falling in love. I loved the idea of a teen “love doctor,” and the way the main characters support each other is so heartwarming. While the book touches on many serious themes, it remains entertaining, making this a great read for those who enjoy cute contemporaries with important social themes.
About Ebony LaDelle
Ebony LaDelle is a marketing pusher by day, storyteller by night. Born in Michigan, awoken at Howard University, and cultivated in Brooklyn, Ebony can usually be found searching for her next live concert, scouting out the latest food craze to try, or being the undisputed Mom Friend of any group. She cohosted Why Not YA?, a @Belletrist and @EpicReads monthly video series where she interviewed authors in the young adult space.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
A 17-year-old “love doctor” is a bit of a stretch, lol, but I like the mix of light and heavy topics, makes for a well-rounded read!
Angela recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Accomplished
True! lol 🙂
Great review, Olivia! I love it when a story has a good heavy vs light balance. So great to hear that this book has that.
It really makes for an enjoyable read! 🙂
Great review! This sounds so good. I love that it was well balanced and uplifting.
It has some wonderful moments! 🙂
sounds intriguing
This sounds like a terrific read.
Thanks for the great review. This book sounds like a fun read. Great cover!
I really enjoyed this one as well. Can’t wait to add it to my school library where I work! Great review!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…ARC Review: Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow
It will be a perfect book for a library collection! 🙂
Adorable cover
I agree! 🙂
Great review!
this sounds pretty good. unique too
thanks for your review. I love how they learn a lot about each other as well as themselves