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athenian_frog's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
I really enjoyed the discussions of sexuality and the ace spectrum, I think it’s good to touch on the fact that you don’t have to instantly know what to label yourself, or to even label yourself at all. Some of the discussions of love and feeling like you don’t deserve love really hit me in the gut.
Also another thing this book did that I don’t see very much: Dev seems very considerate of Charlie’s physical boundaries, and he asks permission a lot when it comes to contact. He also makes an effort to clean his hands/be extra sanitary around Charlie bc he’s aware it sth that bothers him. The affectionate little touches and the sleeping in the same bed without it necessarily being sexual, just intimate…I ADORED this aspect of their relationship.
The dates were also very personalized to each character, and focused on them opening up, which I thought was really cool. That sounds like a “duh” kind of thing to have in a romance but I can’t recall the last time I kicked my feet up for a single date like that…
Another plus: Diverse cast in general, but also the women who were in the show were pretty solid. I really liked watching their dynamic and I wish I saw more of them TBH.
I think the main things that bugged me were:
- the amount of vomiting/mentions of vomiting that happened (it gets better in the latter half but the start feels p noticeable).
- Maureen felt a little flat and kind of like an obvious evil figure 😭 wanted a little more depth to her.
- I wanted some more out of Dev and Charlie’s families, they felt pretty glued to the background of everything.
NOTE: if you’re looking for something steamy and explicit, this doesn’t have a lot in that department. There’s plenty of kissing and making out but the sex is fairly vague. I didn’t really care kissing and cuddling is my shit but just as a heads up!!
Even with these issues in mind I still had a blast reading this. Kudos to Ms. Cocheron!
Also another thing this book did that I don’t see very much: Dev seems very considerate of Charlie’s physical boundaries, and he asks permission a lot when it comes to contact. He also makes an effort to clean his hands/be extra sanitary around Charlie bc he’s aware it sth that bothers him. The affectionate little touches and the sleeping in the same bed without it necessarily being sexual, just intimate…I ADORED this aspect of their relationship.
The dates were also very personalized to each character, and focused on them opening up, which I thought was really cool. That sounds like a “duh” kind of thing to have in a romance but I can’t recall the last time I kicked my feet up for a single date like that…
Another plus: Diverse cast in general, but also the women who were in the show were pretty solid. I really liked watching their dynamic and I wish I saw more of them TBH.
I think the main things that bugged me were:
- the amount of vomiting/mentions of vomiting that happened (it gets better in the latter half but the start feels p noticeable).
- Maureen felt a little flat and kind of like an obvious evil figure 😭 wanted a little more depth to her.
- I wanted some more out of Dev and Charlie’s families, they felt pretty glued to the background of everything.
NOTE: if you’re looking for something steamy and explicit, this doesn’t have a lot in that department. There’s plenty of kissing and making out but the sex is fairly vague. I didn’t really care kissing and cuddling is my shit but just as a heads up!!
Even with these issues in mind I still had a blast reading this. Kudos to Ms. Cocheron!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse
Some mentions of biphobia and homophobia from one of the lead producers. This is not at all supported, it is actively condemned by the story and its characters. Several descriptions/mentions of dry heaving or vomiting. One of the main characters suffers from an anxiety disorder and OCD. There are (what I personally found to be) respectful discussions about living with these conditions. One of the main characters has a form of depression. There are discussions around this topic (that also seemed respectful)yasidiaz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Dev Deshpande lives in fairy tales. Charlie Winshaw does not. So what happens when Charlie becomes the reality dating show Ever After latest star? What happens when Dev has to help him fall in love with the contestants and instead finds himself falling for him?
At this point, everyone must know how much I love a good romance and this is no exception. I fell for Dev in the first page, I fell for Charlie from the second we saw him. I don’t think no story will be able to beat my OTP (do people still say OTP, I feel old), but fuck do they get close. I yelled so much for these two idiots and I just love them so much.
Honestly, if finishing a book leaves screaming, hugging the book, and having to process everything for 10 minutes then it is a sign of a good book.
There are both too many and not enough words to describe the experience this book gave me. Seeing the two of them not only fall for each other but grow into better people because the other people made me sob several times. However, I also loved the book's emphasis on platonic love and that romantic hetero love is not the one out there, or the only one we should all strive for. Not only did we see Charlie and Dev fall in love, but we saw new and old friends love each other in such beautiful ways.
In advance, I apologize if this review feels like a rant. It’s almost 6 am, but I had to write this for my babies. I just had to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Ableism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia and Sexual harassment
Minor: Toxic friendship
toofondofbooks_'s review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcoholism, Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Acephobia/Arophobia
mabellene's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Ableism
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Bullying
Minor: Vomit
mel_j's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic friendship, Body shaming, and Sexual harassment
lovelymisanthrope's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
4.5
I have heard AMAZING things about this romance and have been waiting for the perfect time to pick it up.
"The Charm Offensive" follows Dev and Charlie. Charlie is a super sweet, kind of awkward guy that needs some good publicity. So, his team gets him to be the new Prince Charming on the latest season of the tv show "Ever After". Dev is a producer on "Ever After" and absolutely believes in true love and happily ever afters. He has spent his entire career working on this show because he wants everyone to see real love come to life. Dev is tasked with working with Charlie to get him camera ready during the duration of the show, and he quickly develops a crush on the gorgeous Charlie.
Not only does this story have an amazing, queer love story, but it has some of the best anxiety representation I have seen in a long time. Charlie suffers with crippling anxiety, along with OCD, and it really hinders all aspects of his life. Dev suffers with depression that sometimes makes it difficult for him to get out of bed. Despite these two fighting different battles, they are able to support each other and know what the other needs when they are really going through it. I loved seeing characters that did not question mental illness, and just silently picked up on the clues so they knew how to make the other fell more comfortable in the moment.
Charlie and Dev are both so pure hearted and I loved them together. They have so much in common, but they have a lot of differences. Where one is weak, the other is strong, and this makes them a force to be reckoned with when they stand together. Their love story was 100% believable from page one because they have amazing chemistry.
One thing I really appreciated about this story was it was not an easy love story for the characters. They faced real challenges (not strange made-up scenarios used for a plot point). They had to work at their love story, but it was not because they did not want it.
I 1000% recommend this story, and I look forward to reading more from Alison Cochrun in the future.
"The Charm Offensive" follows Dev and Charlie. Charlie is a super sweet, kind of awkward guy that needs some good publicity. So, his team gets him to be the new Prince Charming on the latest season of the tv show "Ever After". Dev is a producer on "Ever After" and absolutely believes in true love and happily ever afters. He has spent his entire career working on this show because he wants everyone to see real love come to life. Dev is tasked with working with Charlie to get him camera ready during the duration of the show, and he quickly develops a crush on the gorgeous Charlie.
Not only does this story have an amazing, queer love story, but it has some of the best anxiety representation I have seen in a long time. Charlie suffers with crippling anxiety, along with OCD, and it really hinders all aspects of his life. Dev suffers with depression that sometimes makes it difficult for him to get out of bed. Despite these two fighting different battles, they are able to support each other and know what the other needs when they are really going through it. I loved seeing characters that did not question mental illness, and just silently picked up on the clues so they knew how to make the other fell more comfortable in the moment.
Charlie and Dev are both so pure hearted and I loved them together. They have so much in common, but they have a lot of differences. Where one is weak, the other is strong, and this makes them a force to be reckoned with when they stand together. Their love story was 100% believable from page one because they have amazing chemistry.
One thing I really appreciated about this story was it was not an easy love story for the characters. They faced real challenges (not strange made-up scenarios used for a plot point). They had to work at their love story, but it was not because they did not want it.
I 1000% recommend this story, and I look forward to reading more from Alison Cochrun in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content
celestialg'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
A queer love story with a side of mental health challenges is something that can be so personal??? 😭
This book is seriously so near and dear to my heart. There were moments of dialogue that could have been written by me because of how much they rang true.
My favorite read in a long time.
Content warning: It’s a queer romance, but it also isn’t an uber spicy book, but then again isn’t a closed door romance. In my opinion, the love scenes are mature content, but not explicit. I would still consider it smut, however. Hope that helps lol
This book is seriously so near and dear to my heart. There were moments of dialogue that could have been written by me because of how much they rang true.
My favorite read in a long time.
Content warning: It’s a queer romance, but it also isn’t an uber spicy book, but then again isn’t a closed door romance. In my opinion, the love scenes are mature content, but not explicit. I would still consider it smut, however. Hope that helps lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Ableism, Mental illness, and Outing
Moderate: Bullying and Domestic abuse
bruhbruh's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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: Abandonment, Biphobia, Hate crime, Ableism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Racism and Toxic friendship
alouette'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? Yes
5.0
such a charmingly sappy and also emotionally devastating novel!! it started out with the most lovely romantic comedy vibes and quickly built up into a heartbreakingly honest portrayal of mental illness. it's very clear that love won't solve all the hardships these characters are going through, but the characters (especially Dev and Charlie!) are able to lean on each other for support.
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual content
Minor: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
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, OCD