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frantic_vampire's review
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Wow…. Just, wow. Holy crap did I love this book. I loved Dev and Charlie. I loved the blatant aspec rep, the queer rep, and the mental health rep. All of it was so good! Not to mention all the commentary on reality dating shows. I honestly don’t know what else to say about The Charm Offensive other than I really, really loved it. I want to dive back into it and start a reread. If it’s not already clear, this book is getting a solid five stars. And I’m just gonna go scream over this one in a corner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Bullying, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, Homophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Ableism, and Misogyny
ronniethereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, and Biphobia
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
rtaire's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Ableism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Vomit, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Misogyny
torikate7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
A really fun read - I wasn’t sure how I’d like the reality TV storyline, but it was done really well. Super diverse cast of characters, very lovable - captured my heart quickly and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia
cassielaj's review
emotional
funny
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
Okay, twist my arm, I loved this book. I still have happy tears in my eyes. The hilarious premise of a “reality” fairy tale dating show is bolstered by an incredible cast of characters, asexual and queer representation across numerous spectrums and identities, a tribute to platonic love, and a wonderfully honest portrayal of mental illness, mental health, and learning to love yourself. Read it right away, thank me later
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual content, Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Cursing
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
Title: The Charm Offensive
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."
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."
Content Warnings
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, OCDyelloweyedbeta's review
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
wasn’t my cup of tea. i am not saying that the characters weren’t loveable or relatable but the whole story and the drama, which a reality show related plot brings with it, was too much for me. it took me so long cause i just couldn’t get myself to keep going. team daphne
“you don’t love me” “don’t tell me how i feel”
“you don’t love me” “don’t tell me how i feel”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, and Ableism
magnoliophyta's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
headachesince03's review
emotional
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
2.5
Content Warnings
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
geno's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
“I don't love you despite those things. I love you because of those things.”
---
"The Charm Offensive" es una historia adorable que gira en torno a un reality show tipo "The Bachelor". Es simple y adorable.
El punto fuerte del libro, son los personajes principales: Charlie, el soltero del reality, que sufre de ansiedad y TOC, lo que le ha costado su trabajo y Dev, el productor, un romántico que quiere un final feliz para todos para cubrir su depresión. Ambos se sienten muy reales, tienen voz propia, motivaciones y fallas. Incluso los personajes secundarios están lo suficientemente desarrollados como para que podamos sentir que esta especie de familia disfuncional que forman para el programa, es real.
A nivel argumento, es romance contemporáneo típico, no hay sorpresas en ese frente. Debo decir que esperaba que la relación principal entre los protagonistas se alargara más antes de concretar, esperaba más idas y vueltas. Sin embargo, fue una sorpresa que la pelea del tercer acto girara más en torno a la salud mental.
Respecto a los temas de salud mental, están bien tratados, no son características para hacer al personaje más complejo de manera superficial y me pareció un acierto que se normalice que los personajes deban medicarse por sus enfermedades y no que "el amor va a salvarte".
El libro se esfuerza en demostrarnos que el amor no te arregla, pero que tener un grupo de contención ayuda, y es algo que en los romances suele dejarse de lado.
Sí debo mencionar que suelen promocionar la historia como un romance interracial y de cast diverso. Ambas cosas son ciertas, pero su impacto en la trama es tan pequeño, que tranquilamente podrían ser todos blancos. Entiendo el esfuerzo, pero siento que fue una manera de marcar el libro como "diverso" en lugar de hacer realmente algo con fundamento.
Personalmente, disfruté mucho el libro, es entretenido, tiene muy buenas intenciones y el romance es adorable. Los personajes son hermosos y eso hace que se distinga de otros romances. Sin dudas volvería a leer de esta autora.
CW: depresión, ataques de pánico, racismo, homofobia, ansiedad.
---
"The Charm Offensive" is a sweet romance about a reality dating show. The blur tells us pretty much all we need to know.
Plot-wise, this story is pretty formulaic, it follows the typical plot progression of a contemporary romance. However, the characters are the ones that made the difference. Dev and Charlie were both interesting and very well-developed, they are good people but they are not perfect, even the secondary characters are interesting, no one felt like it's there just to add drama.
I really appreciate the discussion of mental illness something that we normally wouldn't see in a romance book. Charlie, one of the MCs, deals with anxiety and OCD, while Dev suffers from clinical depression. I liked the idea of showing that love won't fix you but it would help you to heal and grow.
While everything sounds perfect in this book, I must mention the fact that it was pitched as a "diverse romance", which is true, but since race affects nothing to the plot, it felt like an afterthought to check the diversity box. It's not bad per se but... I would love to see a little more, the MC could be two white men and everything will be the same.
Overall, it's a funny and charming story with wonderful characters and good mental health representation.
CW: depression, panic attacks, racism, homophobia, severe anxiety.
---
"The Charm Offensive" es una historia adorable que gira en torno a un reality show tipo "The Bachelor". Es simple y adorable.
El punto fuerte del libro, son los personajes principales: Charlie, el soltero del reality, que sufre de ansiedad y TOC, lo que le ha costado su trabajo y Dev, el productor, un romántico que quiere un final feliz para todos para cubrir su depresión. Ambos se sienten muy reales, tienen voz propia, motivaciones y fallas. Incluso los personajes secundarios están lo suficientemente desarrollados como para que podamos sentir que esta especie de familia disfuncional que forman para el programa, es real.
A nivel argumento, es romance contemporáneo típico, no hay sorpresas en ese frente. Debo decir que esperaba que la relación principal entre los protagonistas se alargara más antes de concretar, esperaba más idas y vueltas. Sin embargo, fue una sorpresa que la pelea del tercer acto girara más en torno a la salud mental.
Respecto a los temas de salud mental, están bien tratados, no son características para hacer al personaje más complejo de manera superficial y me pareció un acierto que se normalice que los personajes deban medicarse por sus enfermedades y no que "el amor va a salvarte".
El libro se esfuerza en demostrarnos que el amor no te arregla, pero que tener un grupo de contención ayuda, y es algo que en los romances suele dejarse de lado.
Sí debo mencionar que suelen promocionar la historia como un romance interracial y de cast diverso. Ambas cosas son ciertas, pero su impacto en la trama es tan pequeño, que tranquilamente podrían ser todos blancos. Entiendo el esfuerzo, pero siento que fue una manera de marcar el libro como "diverso" en lugar de hacer realmente algo con fundamento.
Personalmente, disfruté mucho el libro, es entretenido, tiene muy buenas intenciones y el romance es adorable. Los personajes son hermosos y eso hace que se distinga de otros romances. Sin dudas volvería a leer de esta autora.
CW: depresión, ataques de pánico, racismo, homofobia, ansiedad.
---
"The Charm Offensive" is a sweet romance about a reality dating show. The blur tells us pretty much all we need to know.
Plot-wise, this story is pretty formulaic, it follows the typical plot progression of a contemporary romance. However, the characters are the ones that made the difference. Dev and Charlie were both interesting and very well-developed, they are good people but they are not perfect, even the secondary characters are interesting, no one felt like it's there just to add drama.
I really appreciate the discussion of mental illness something that we normally wouldn't see in a romance book. Charlie, one of the MCs, deals with anxiety and OCD, while Dev suffers from clinical depression. I liked the idea of showing that love won't fix you but it would help you to heal and grow.
While everything sounds perfect in this book, I must mention the fact that it was pitched as a "diverse romance", which is true, but since race affects nothing to the plot, it felt like an afterthought to check the diversity box. It's not bad per se but... I would love to see a little more, the MC could be two white men and everything will be the same.
Overall, it's a funny and charming story with wonderful characters and good mental health representation.
CW: depression, panic attacks, racism, homophobia, severe anxiety.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Lesbophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Racism