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A review by carbs666
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
emotional
funny
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
It took me ages to finally read this book but it is SO GOOD. I loved it from page 1. Both Dev and Charlie have such strong voices that make the book a pleasure to read. I felt like Cochrun very smoothly managed transitions between their perspectives while still keeping each POV distinct.
I am skeptical of rom coms because in my experience a lot of them are neither comedic nor romantic, but this book completely nails it. There's a strong opposites attract energy between Dev and Charlie that makes complete sense because they take the time and effort to try to understand and accommodate each other. There's a tenderness between them that rly draws a reader in.
While I do think this book handles sensitive/serious topics of homophobia and stigma surrounding mental illness very well, I also felt that all I really know about Charlie's life is the "bad stuff" that's happened to him because of his diagnosis.
That said, this is a lovely book that, at its core, is about to choosing yourself and doing the hard things to be a healthier version of you. This book tells readers to find and be themselves, and reinforces that we are all worthy of love.
I am skeptical of rom coms because in my experience a lot of them are neither comedic nor romantic, but this book completely nails it. There's a strong opposites attract energy between Dev and Charlie that makes complete sense because they take the time and effort to try to understand and accommodate each other. There's a tenderness between them that rly draws a reader in.
While I do think this book handles sensitive/serious topics of homophobia and stigma surrounding mental illness very well, I also felt that all I really know about Charlie's life is the "bad stuff" that's happened to him because of his diagnosis.
That said, this is a lovely book that, at its core, is about to choosing yourself and doing the hard things to be a healthier version of you. This book tells readers to find and be themselves, and reinforces that we are all worthy of love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cursing