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casey_sunshine'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, and Vomit
yvonne_cl's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism
guinofear's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
meganpbennett's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
The Charm Offensive is an interesting book. It's not at all what I expected, as it's not the lighthearted reality tv romance novel I thought it would be. Mental illness is a major part of the book, and the storyline is much more serious than it first seemed.
Charlie is trying to get his life back on track after something happened at his company, and Dev is the best handler Ever After has. So when Charlie doesn't respond to the usual handler, Dev is forced to step up, and live with Charlie until the show is filmed.
One of the reasons the book isn't as lighthearted as it originally appeared is because Dev and Charlie have to sneak around, which is not really fun, and not good for either of their mental health. There's also a subplot where it seems that someone is out to get Charlie and make him look bad, given how often he's scheduled for something that is explicitly in his contract as a no-go (the wool suit, a "date" that involves massages, etc).
Charlie is trying to get his life back on track after something happened at his company, and Dev is the best handler Ever After has. So when Charlie doesn't respond to the usual handler, Dev is forced to step up, and live with Charlie until the show is filmed.
One of the reasons the book isn't as lighthearted as it originally appeared is because Dev and Charlie have to sneak around, which is not really fun, and not good for either of their mental health. There's also a subplot where it seems that someone is out to get Charlie and make him look bad, given how often he's scheduled for something that is explicitly in his contract as a no-go (the wool suit, a "date" that involves massages, etc).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Vomit
oscarbilde's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
tanouska's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
You can tell from the way it was written that the author is personally familiar with the mental ilnesses that occur in the book. They hit home hard, which was both nice (seeing something you(ve) struggle(d) with mentioned, but it also kicked my brain into a 'ah yes, I know how to feel like that' funk, which was less nice :P
Overall I really liked the book, the format with the episodes and the scenes at the end, and how diverse and queer the characters all were. The ace rep was also very well done and nice to see!
Overall I really liked the book, the format with the episodes and the scenes at the end, and how diverse and queer the characters all were. The ace rep was also very well done and nice to see!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, and Racism
janaireadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Abandonment
queenbeemimi's review against another edition
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
4.75
This was so sweet and so personal and it really hit me precisely where I wanted it to. I laughed out loud many times and I rooted for the characters to find happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Acephobia/Arophobia
after_i_finish_this_chapter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Ableism
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an arc of this book!
Dev is back for another season as a producer on Ever After, where he helps other people find the perfect fairy tale that he feels like he will never get. But the next Prince on the show, Charlie, is only here to help his image, and Dev is stuck working with someone who doesn't believe in the true love that means so much to him. But the two find common ground and end up turning the dating show on its head.
This book was absolutely everything that I needed and my heart is so incredibly full after finishing this. Heart eyes are popping out of my skull and I need more of these helpless idiots right now. I am in LOVE. I cried. I laughed (a lot). This book was EVERYTHING.
First of all, I relate to Charlie so hard! I don't have OCD like he does, but I do have an anxiety disorder. We are also both vegan, gluten-free, and demisexual! It's like this character was made for me and I love him so much. Dev is also an amazing character and he is going through so much with his break up and his depression and the struggles he is having with his job. I love this man. I love both of these men. I love their relationship and struggles and everything they go through.
All the side characters are also amazing. They work so hard and I just seriously and sincerely love them. I love the love they show to Dev and Charlie even if the MC's can't really recognize it at first. I love this little family they found on this show and I am so happy that it exists.
Cochrun's writing is also phenomenal. I was sucked into this book instantly and could not put it down. She made such an amazing little section of the world with this and this amazing cast of characters that I will never ever get over. I am so soft for this book.
Pub Date: September 7, 2021
Dev is back for another season as a producer on Ever After, where he helps other people find the perfect fairy tale that he feels like he will never get. But the next Prince on the show, Charlie, is only here to help his image, and Dev is stuck working with someone who doesn't believe in the true love that means so much to him. But the two find common ground and end up turning the dating show on its head.
This book was absolutely everything that I needed and my heart is so incredibly full after finishing this. Heart eyes are popping out of my skull and I need more of these helpless idiots right now. I am in LOVE. I cried. I laughed (a lot). This book was EVERYTHING.
First of all, I relate to Charlie so hard! I don't have OCD like he does, but I do have an anxiety disorder. We are also both vegan, gluten-free, and demisexual! It's like this character was made for me and I love him so much. Dev is also an amazing character and he is going through so much with his break up and his depression and the struggles he is having with his job. I love this man. I love both of these men. I love their relationship and struggles and everything they go through.
All the side characters are also amazing. They work so hard and I just seriously and sincerely love them. I love the love they show to Dev and Charlie even if the MC's can't really recognize it at first. I love this little family they found on this show and I am so happy that it exists.
Cochrun's writing is also phenomenal. I was sucked into this book instantly and could not put it down. She made such an amazing little section of the world with this and this amazing cast of characters that I will never ever get over. I am so soft for this book.
Pub Date: September 7, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, and Acephobia/Arophobia