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bookobsessedmommy's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, and Alcoholism
plumsickle's review against another edition
- 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
I could really relate to a LOT of Charlie, and his story was extremely satisfying. I'm on the aroace spectrum just like him, and I will gleefully gobble any story with a aro/demi/ace/etc protagonist.
The challenges of the two main characters didn't stem from Miscommunication or jealousy or anything like that. Instead the challenges were real, and realistically unhealthy. Having them work together and independently through issues brought up in the book was great. Did it sometimes feel like the narrative was breaking the 4th wall to say "Hey kids, this is X mental illness or X sexuality and the characteristics. And we do NOT tolerate putting people down because of these characteristics"? Yes. But I give it a pass. Exploring those concepts, especially if you may be introducing those to a readership, is tough.
Anyways. This is my first 5 stars of the year. I'd read it again.
Graphic: Vomit, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia and Biphobia
Minor: Alcoholism
alouette's review against another edition
- 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
It doesn't need some catastrophic tragedy to turn the chemicals of his brain against him. Tiny tragedies are more than enough.
Dev and Charlie were so adorable within just the first chapter that i was grinning like a fool for most of the novel. the angst made me want to scream, which was an unexpectedly visceral reaction for me and showed just how invested i had gotten in these characters. the audiobook narrators were notably so amazing! every voice crack and "oh, love" and even the correct pronunciation of Dev's name throughout hit me right in the heart.
'Forever is never a guarantee. I don't know if I'm going to love them for the rest of my life, but I know right now, I can't imagine a future where I don't love them. And for me, that's enough.'
overall i'm just so happy that their privilege was acknowledged (including by themselves) but their feelings were never treated like less because of this. choose happy endings, my friends!
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
gem114's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Vomit, Cursing, and Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism and Sexual assault
a_sleepy_berry's review
- 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
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism and Acephobia/Arophobia
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Author: Alison Cochrun
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: September 7, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Delightful • Heartfelt • Witty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales and happily ever after. His job on the hit show Ever After allows him to write the perfect love story time and time again. However, his own love life is exactly the opposite.
The latest season casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as Prince Charming. Charlie is far from a romantic and only agreed to do the show in order to salvage his own image. Dev is tasked with being Charlie's handler, and must help him connect with the women. As they begin to spend more time together, they open up to one another.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The Charm Offensive was one of my 12 recommendation from 12 friends for 2022, and it didn't not disappoint! Alison Cochrun has delivered a heartwarming rom-com with so much depth.
What I like:
- Charlie and Dev. Individually - they were both flawed and realistic. And together - their supportive relationship was a breath of fresh air.
- the mental health representation. I felt seen in a variety of ways, and for that alone I appreciate what the author has done.
- the queer representation. The conversation on sexuality is everything. It is open, it is honest, it is inclusive.
- wit. The banter between not only the main characters but the secondary ones as well had me laughing out loud at various points.
- character growth. I am here for rom-coms with depth, and this one has it's fair share and then some.
What I didn't like:
- the reality show backdrop. I definitely could have done without it, but understand the appeal.
- the chapter length. In my opinion, the chapters could have easily been shorter.
The open conversations on mental health and sexuality are what make this book a pure gem. The theme of embracing who we are is one I don't find often enough in my reading life. Sometimes there are stories that are a hug in book form, and this was certainly one of those. Highly recommend this one, and I cannot wait to read Alison Cochrun's upcoming release Kiss Her Once For Me
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of The Bachelor/Bachelorette
• readers looking for queer and/or mental health representation
• anyone who likes rom-coms with Disney vibes
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Sexuality isn't always a straight line from closeted to out-of-the-closet. You can take time to explore and evolve and figure out exactly what kind of queer you are, if that even matters to you."
"Labels can be nice sometimes. They can give us a language to understand ourselves and our hearts better."
"He doesn't often try to explain his mind to other people. On the rare occasions he does, other people don't tend to listen."
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Ableism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Bullying, Vomit, and Biphobia
Minor: Racism, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Cursing, and Gaslighting
anxiety, depression, OCDcateemma's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Ableism, Alcohol, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism and Addiction
Minor: Bullying and Child abuse
yelloweyedbeta's review
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
“you don’t love me” “don’t tell me how i feel”
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, and Ableism
headachesince03's review
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Biphobia, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Outing, Alcoholism, Classism, Racism, Abandonment, Child abuse, Cursing, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
bialves's review
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content