Reviews tagging 'Acephobia/Arophobia'

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

56 reviews

cozy_tea_reader's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-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

3.5

I really liked the idea of the book it being set around a hetero-normative reality dating show. I think at times it felt like I loved the idea of the book but often felt like the writing didn’t live up to the potential and that the representation of mental health often fed into stereotypes - especially the portrayal of OCD. 

While I was glad the characters got their happy ending it felt like as a reader we were robbed from seeing a proper conclusion to Dev and Charlie’s romance.

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toofondofbooks_'s review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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


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wallaru's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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 was really fun and low stakes! I took off half a star because the language characters used caught me off guard a few times (too clinical) but overall it was really fun

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frenchpants's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.5


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takarakei's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

4.5

  • MLM
  • dual POV
  • Reality tv (Bachelor-like) setting
  • amazing LGBTQIA+ rep
  • phenomenal mental health rep

THIS WAS SO STINKIN' CUTE!!! I'm honestly obsessed! Charlie and Dev have my heart forever. A MUST for anyone who watches reality tv shows it was such a fun take on that setting. (I don't watch them, and still loved this, so really it's for any queer romcom fans!). I really enjoyed both Dev and Charlie's journey through self-discovery, finding their identities and mental well-being.
Ok one caveat with the audiobook is that the narrator *kinda* makes it sounds like Dev's name is Dave (Dev is just pronounced D-ay-v) - so I just had to mentally picture 'Dev' every time.

3/5🌶️

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fsouthworth's review

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0


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samixox's review against another edition

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2.5


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plumsickle's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing 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

5.0

This book is so cathartic to read. 

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.

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grayb14's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0


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criticalgayze's review

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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.

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