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yelloweyedbeta's review against another edition
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: Ableism, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Vomit, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
headachesince03's review against another edition
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: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Child abuse, Cursing, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Acephobia/Arophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
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, Panic attacks/disorders, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Racism
random19379's review against another edition
cool concept but didn’t think it was done super well. kinda drags on and the character felt flat. also not a fan of cheesy romance and don’t feel like these types of books handle health well but it’s not a bad book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Racism
brokenbodybitch's review against another edition
I don’t have the mental capacity to go any further then this right now….after the producer or whatever said all that….im good I don’t need to listen to that right now even if the rest of the book is good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Biphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
natpa1ge's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Racism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
yovgto's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Racism
Moderate: Toxic relationship
harmonique's review against another edition
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: Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, and Vomit
skudiklier's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Okay so I just read this book in one sitting (ebook--my phone is at 3%) and I couldn't put it down. I had so many other things I planned to do and I'm about to go to bed late but arg I just haven't been pulled into a story like this in too long.
Even the parts of romance novels I usually don't like (i.e., the part where they always leave each other over some stupid miscommunication) were better in this one than they usually. The problems seemed real and not forced, and the characters tried their best to say how they really felt, pretty much all the time. I loved this book and I love all the queer representation too. I relate to it in so many ways, and it made my heart ache.
Even the parts of romance novels I usually don't like (i.e., the part where they always leave each other over some stupid miscommunication) were better in this one than they usually. The problems seemed real and not forced, and the characters tried their best to say how they really felt, pretty much all the time. I loved this book and I love all the queer representation too. I relate to it in so many ways, and it made my heart ache.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Gun violence and Sexual assault
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
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: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Racism