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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
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Thanks to Atria Books for the free advance copy of this book.
- QUEER SCREAMING HELP I LOVE IT SO MUCH!
- Like, I cannot even cram all the things I loved about this book into an Instagram caption. A Bachelor-type show! A hopeless romantic! Queer love! Discussions of asexuality as a spectrum! Depictions of anxiety, depression, panic disorders and OCD that feel real! Pansexual, bisexual, lesbian, and nonbinary secondary characters! Banter! Two leads falling in love with each other through actually talking and getting to know and support each other! Repeated emphasis on the idea that you deserve to be loved for your whole self and not in spite of your mental illnesses!
- On a personal level, THE CHARM OFFENSIVE is the only book I've ever read where I saw my own queer experience written on the page. Confusion about why no sexual orientation label ever seemed correct to you? Check. Someone else pointing out that you might be asexual? Check. Just so much about Charlie. He has my whole heart. Omg, I'm gonna cry again just thinking about it. Thank you for this book, Alison Cochrun.
- QUEER SCREAMING HELP I LOVE IT SO MUCH!
- Like, I cannot even cram all the things I loved about this book into an Instagram caption. A Bachelor-type show! A hopeless romantic! Queer love! Discussions of asexuality as a spectrum! Depictions of anxiety, depression, panic disorders and OCD that feel real! Pansexual, bisexual, lesbian, and nonbinary secondary characters! Banter! Two leads falling in love with each other through actually talking and getting to know and support each other! Repeated emphasis on the idea that you deserve to be loved for your whole self and not in spite of your mental illnesses!
- On a personal level, THE CHARM OFFENSIVE is the only book I've ever read where I saw my own queer experience written on the page. Confusion about why no sexual orientation label ever seemed correct to you? Check. Someone else pointing out that you might be asexual? Check. Just so much about Charlie. He has my whole heart. Omg, I'm gonna cry again just thinking about it. Thank you for this book, Alison Cochrun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
sapphicread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
As soon as I read the description, I knew it was a story I had to read, and boy oh boy, it did not disappoint. I am absolutely in love with everything about this book.
The Charm Offensive is a heartwarming, queer love story that follows Dev and Charlie as they attempt to navigate a supremely heterosexual environment, while being unapologetically in love with each other.
I don’t think I’ve ever connected with characters as much as I have with them. Charlie is neurodivergent, and Dev struggles with depression. The book captures their struggle with mental health as Charlie learns to accept that there’s nothing wrong with him, and Dev learns that it’s okay to trust others and accept help when he needs it. Their love for each other was so pure, and I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time.
This is a must-read! I will be recommending this book to everyone until they get sick of me. I’ve already preordered it. Seriously, I don’t have the vocabulary to explain the euphoria I have after finishing it. It’s just that good.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with this ARC.
Final Rating: 5 ⭐️
CW:
major: mental health issues, depression, OCD, anxiety, depressive episode
moderate: sexual content
minor: homophobia, biphobia, racist comments
Rep:
- Dev: Indian, Gay
- Charlie: Unconfirmed, mlm relationship
- Other: lesbian, bisexual, biromantic, asexual, nonbinary, pansexual
The Charm Offensive is a heartwarming, queer love story that follows Dev and Charlie as they attempt to navigate a supremely heterosexual environment, while being unapologetically in love with each other.
I don’t think I’ve ever connected with characters as much as I have with them. Charlie is neurodivergent, and Dev struggles with depression. The book captures their struggle with mental health as Charlie learns to accept that there’s nothing wrong with him, and Dev learns that it’s okay to trust others and accept help when he needs it. Their love for each other was so pure, and I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time.
This is a must-read! I will be recommending this book to everyone until they get sick of me. I’ve already preordered it. Seriously, I don’t have the vocabulary to explain the euphoria I have after finishing it. It’s just that good.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with this ARC.
Final Rating: 5 ⭐️
CW:
major: mental health issues, depression, OCD, anxiety, depressive episode
moderate: sexual content
minor: homophobia, biphobia, racist comments
Rep:
- Dev: Indian, Gay
- Charlie: Unconfirmed, mlm relationship
- Other: lesbian, bisexual, biromantic, asexual, nonbinary, pansexual
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual content