Scan barcode
readbymads's review
5.0
i loved this book!! it was so much fun to read. a great romance, valerie gomez found the perfect balance between heartwarming and real. this book was incredibly sweet while also depicting mental health problems and real life issues affecting the characters.
speaking of the characters, i really liked both of them! aj and dax both had their own messy lives and i loved that their characters were developed outside of the context of each other.
overall, the pacing was really nice (which i always look for in romance books) and i enjoyed the plot. it was a great read and i’d absolutely recommend it!
thank you so much again to valerie gomez for sending me an eARC and so many adorable stickers!! i’m incredibly grateful
speaking of the characters, i really liked both of them! aj and dax both had their own messy lives and i loved that their characters were developed outside of the context of each other.
overall, the pacing was really nice (which i always look for in romance books) and i enjoyed the plot. it was a great read and i’d absolutely recommend it!
thank you so much again to valerie gomez for sending me an eARC and so many adorable stickers!! i’m incredibly grateful
jrangel1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
danskireads's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a pretty straightforward romantic plot with the tension created mostly through the mental health experiences of the main characters, including anxiety and panic attacks (so trigger warnings, etc).
It’s very much a slow burn. This isn’t some fast-paced romp. But it’s very enjoyable for it. I enjoyed taking the time to get to know Dax and AJ and to live in their world for a bit. As a former standup who struggled with anxiety, I really related to Dax. And as someone who worked in newspapers and magazines throughout his career, I also related to AJ.
You’ll find yourself rooting for these boys throughout.
Cover Story is a great read from Valerie Gomez. An excellent debut. I look forward to more from this author!
It’s very much a slow burn. This isn’t some fast-paced romp. But it’s very enjoyable for it. I enjoyed taking the time to get to know Dax and AJ and to live in their world for a bit. As a former standup who struggled with anxiety, I really related to Dax. And as someone who worked in newspapers and magazines throughout his career, I also related to AJ.
You’ll find yourself rooting for these boys throughout.
Cover Story is a great read from Valerie Gomez. An excellent debut. I look forward to more from this author!
emilyredwood's review
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
soozn's review
emotional
funny
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
orlandoreads's review
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
4.0
elliott_roi's review
4.5
I think if you enjoyed The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun, then you will love Cover Story by Valerie Gomez! (Or even if you didn't, I'd still recommend giving it a try!)
The romance was swoony with excellent communication between the characters and electric chemistry. Dax and AJ were both complex and loveable characters on their own and worked so well together!
Mental health was a major theme in this book and it was so beautifully handled. The challenges of anxiety and panic attacks was accurately portrayed without feeling overwhelming or like Dax's entire personality. This book had me crying, laughing, and feeling all the feels.
Thank you to the author for contacting me about receiving an ARC. All thoughts are my own!
jacksons_books_and_music's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
I received an ebook ARC from the author. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Cover Story was sweet and emotionally touching. It was easy to root for Dax and AJ to get together!
Dax’s love for his mom, sister, and stepdad was wonderful to see. AJ becoming a part of their family was heartwarming.
The side characters were really fun. I especially loved Sam, Cami, and Hannah.
Dax’s anxiety and AJ’s insecurities were well written.
I felt the different personalities in the entertainment industry were shown accurately, especially in regards to the Whitneys vs the Hannahs and Darios. Whitney’s casual racism and overt ableism were especially frustrating (as they were supposed to be) because I have heard people in the industry say things like that. I appreciate how this book calls them out and challenges them.
Overall, Cover Story was an enjoyable read! I look forward to reading more by Valerie Gomez in future.
Cover Story was sweet and emotionally touching. It was easy to root for Dax and AJ to get together!
Dax’s love for his mom, sister, and stepdad was wonderful to see. AJ becoming a part of their family was heartwarming.
The side characters were really fun. I especially loved Sam, Cami, and Hannah.
Dax’s anxiety and AJ’s insecurities were well written.
I felt the different personalities in the entertainment industry were shown accurately, especially in regards to the Whitneys vs the Hannahs and Darios. Whitney’s casual racism and overt ableism were especially frustrating (as they were supposed to be) because I have heard people in the industry say things like that. I appreciate how this book calls them out and challenges them.
Overall, Cover Story was an enjoyable read! I look forward to reading more by Valerie Gomez in future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Biphobia and Racism