Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

70 reviews

bootsmom3's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Ableism, Biphobia, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

Minor: Infidelity

carbs666's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It took me ages to finally read this book but it is SO GOOD. I loved it from page 1. Both Dev and Charlie have such strong voices that make the book a pleasure to read. I felt like Cochrun very smoothly managed transitions between their perspectives while still keeping each POV distinct. 

I am skeptical of rom coms because in my experience a lot of them are neither comedic nor romantic, but this book completely nails it. There's a strong opposites attract energy between Dev and Charlie that makes complete sense because they take the time and effort to try to understand and accommodate each other. There's a tenderness between them that rly draws a reader in. 

While I do think this book handles sensitive/serious topics of homophobia and stigma surrounding mental illness very well, I also felt that all I really know about Charlie's life is the "bad stuff" that's happened to him because of his diagnosis. 

That said, this is a lovely book that, at its core, is about to choosing yourself and doing the hard things to be a healthier version of you. This book tells readers to find and be themselves, and reinforces that we are all worthy of love. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cursing

cady_sass's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolute perfection. Chefs kiss. Change nothing. The representation?! Immaculate. Multiple types of neurodivergence across multiple characters, people across the entire spectrum of sexuality across multiple characters, racial diversity throughout and a mixed race couple at the forefront? Oh, and of course a heart melting queer romance to boot. This is unREAL (rest in peace 🙏🏼) if it was remotely heartwarming and had any happy storylines. I can’t ask for more. 1000 stars. 

I will actually fight someone over this book, don’t you dare come over here with your slander 🤣

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Alcohol, Biphobia, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Bullying, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Vomit

samixox's review

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Ableism

Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Biphobia

Minor: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Cursing

thecatconstellation's review

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is unbearably cute and very tender.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Alcohol, Vomit, and Sexual content

Moderate: Homophobia, Biphobia, and Cursing

jonezzzing's review

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Sexual content

katrinarose's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Super adorable romantic comedy with great LGBTQ+ and mental health representation! I loved their love from the beginning but from around halfway to the end I found Dev absolutely unbearable (and unrealistic with how dense he was about Charlie) which detracted from the romance a fair amount. It was 100% predictable but honestly rom coms usually are and that didn’t take away from my enjoyment because I don’t read a rom com for the plot twists. Overall recommend, I just wish Dev’s character had been worked on a bit more. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Vomit, Mental illness, Sexual content, Alcohol, Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia

Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, and Emotional abuse

criticalgayze's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

2022 was a lackluster reading year for me, so I knew I wanted to start my year with a reread, but I also wanted a book I could get through as a quick "win" to start my reading year. It felt like the perfect time to revisit Dev and Charlie.

Boy, was that a great decision.

These two are just absolutely beautiful humans surrounded by other absolutely beautiful humans, and the talk about mental health that Cochrun has them engage in is so crucial. Dev and I are also incredibly similar even if his type and mine are radically different.

If "joy" and "reality dating competition" are words that spark excitement for you, pick this one up.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Biphobia, Alcohol, Cursing, and Homophobia

Minor: Emotional abuse and Acephobia/Arophobia

gem114's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love Dev and Charlie and the queer and neurodivergent rep in this book. Sobbed for the last 20% of the story. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Vomit, Cursing, and Bullying

Minor: Alcoholism and Sexual assault

shoohoob's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I so desperately needed this book and I’m so glad I read it! I literally ate this book up in like 6 hours and I don’t regret it at all. 

I always cry at aspec rep, no matter what it’s in. Getting to see a part of me in a book like this is indescribable. 

The discussions of mental health in this book were so unexpected but so welcome! I loved seeing both sides of the coin with Dev and how it had affected his relationship with Ryan. I also love seeing the care and understanding with Charlie and Dev :’)

also I wanna say that I was screaming “HIS MIC IS ON” the whole time and I was so scared they were going to be outed!!! but i’m so happy this book subverted that and that Charlie got to come out on his own terms :’) AND ALSO that the footage of Dev and Charlie was used to change the season!!

Love love love this book and I can’t wait to read Alison Cochrun’s other book!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Biphobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual content

Minor: Religious bigotry