Reviews

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

raeofpurple's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing sad 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

meghanhines's review against another edition

4.5

couldnt put this down (read it in 36 hours, so, clearly!) it was so fun but also emotionally intense ! i loved charlie and dev and their mental health rep was so well done and important. i LOVED the setting for this. it makes me wanna check out more romances set against reality tv. it was just perfectly cringey and awkward and awful and i ate every bit of it up. i got nervous once they kissed so early in the book (early for my typical preference anyway) but actually cochrun still made their relationship so complex and i was just so intrigued and nervous all the way thru til the end. absolutely adored the scene between dev and the other producers at the end… might have shed a tear ! the actual finale felt kinda rushed and i wish there was a bit more there but eh it’s fine. lovedddd this book !!

reneeml'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

4.5

sdevs12's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

ehoots's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

mcfaddinm1's review against another edition

5.0

First of Charlie is ADORABLE and I loved him as soon as he was introduced. I love how this book covers so many important topics such as love (all kinds) and mental health. I loved the ending and I was so proud of charlie every step of his journey.

joe_tharp's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

As a very casual fan of the Bachelor, I loved reading this fresh and inventive take on the series that I wish could happen in real life. I enjoyed reading the frank and honest discussions on mental health and how different characters grew in their identities. 👑🧼🏳️‍🌈

w_r's review against another edition

3.5

This is a contemporary romance, so the story itself is pretty formulaic and predictable which keeps me from giving it a 4. I did really like the characters though - Charlie is an anxious little cinnamon roll and I love him. Some of the mental health discussions were surprisingly good and (as someone who has had their own struggles with anxiety and depression) accurate. 

I wish there had been more of Dev's culture - as it was, it just felt like lip service that didn't really add much to the story. I appreciate what she was trying to do, just think it could have been done better.

All this said, I did fly through this book, and when I wasn't reading it, I wanted to, to finish out these characters' story! And LOTS of good queer rep, across the spectrum (even ace and NB!)

alycatisalive'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

4.25

robmyers's review against another edition

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

5.0