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A review by kapaiai
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
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
4.0
That was so good!
Is this a unique concept? The whole reality TV dating show premise, I mean. I don’t know. But I was intrigued by it + the fact that this was a queer romance novel made it all the more alluring.
This was brilliantly written in a way that I found both engaging and charming. There were moments where I laughed out loud, and the ending did make me tear up a little.
I haven't read a lot of these modern setting novels before, so it was a new experience to see all these mentions of modern day real world technology, but that’s the world these characters live in.
It's a production set for TV, which I know very little about, but there wasn't any technical lingo, so I wasn't lost in any way.
But like, the real stars were the characters and the way they were portrayed.
I enjoyed the way we got to see things from the perspective of both main characters. It lessened the chances of reader misunderstanding, and I love love love hearing how head-over-heels in love the characters are with each other, but they’re like soooo dumb and oblivious about it.
I’m holding my head, saying “stfu stop being stupid” every time either Dev or Charlie are like “oh there's no way they're into me”.
Speaking of which: I LOVE Charlie. He’s SOOO good.
Like a big golden retriever. I think Dev also referred to him as such, maybe? But that's what he is.
I also found it refreshing to read how Charlie is just now discovering himself. Like, in this day and age where people are so readily willing to let people know who and what they are, it does sometimes make one feel a bit self-conscious to not really know or care.
He also, when faced with a wide array of label options to choose from, just kinda goes "idk man" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Dev was also great, but I related to him less. Not that that’s a problem. It just means he and I deal with a different concoction of issues.
I personally did NOT like the way he was so mean to himself and close-minded about therapy. Like, I'm not gonna say everyone needs to go to therapy, but the way he was just just spitting on the very idea of it was very upsetting.
Sometimes he just said terrible things too. Like, if he wasn’t hugely instrumental in helping Charlie learn to accept himself, I don’t know if I would’ve supported their relationship. How can you be so empathetic to another person but neglect yourself so much. You’re making me cry Dev
As Charlie said, the level of codependency they had for each other was not healthy for them. But he does eventually come around and open his eyes. Character development all around.
I also loved the other characters! The staff member friends, Charlie’s BFF, Daphne&Angie…. Honestly I’m disappointed Daphne and Angie didn’t end up getting together. (Or maybe they did…?!) Also, I went in thinking I would HATE Ryan Parker, but he’s actually a great guy? He’s just a shit boyfriend, but a good person.
One thing that I also greatly enjoyed about this novel is how… classy the sex scenes were?
Maybe classy is the wrong word. But, to clarify, nothing felt DIRTY (it may have to do with Dev’s general consideration to Charlie’s aversion to germs). Consent was constantly asked for, and that's veryyy hot. They were so respectful to each other, but they’re still really horny and the sexual tension is palpable.
Sex was used to show CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. And I’m here for it.
I literally bum rushed through this novel to get to the end.
Is this a unique concept? The whole reality TV dating show premise, I mean. I don’t know. But I was intrigued by it + the fact that this was a queer romance novel made it all the more alluring.
This was brilliantly written in a way that I found both engaging and charming. There were moments where I laughed out loud, and the ending did make me tear up a little.
I haven't read a lot of these modern setting novels before, so it was a new experience to see all these mentions of modern day real world technology, but that’s the world these characters live in.
It's a production set for TV, which I know very little about, but there wasn't any technical lingo, so I wasn't lost in any way.
But like, the real stars were the characters and the way they were portrayed.
I enjoyed the way we got to see things from the perspective of both main characters. It lessened the chances of reader misunderstanding, and I love love love hearing how head-over-heels in love the characters are with each other, but they’re like soooo dumb and oblivious about it.
I’m holding my head, saying “stfu stop being stupid” every time either Dev or Charlie are like “oh there's no way they're into me”.
Speaking of which: I LOVE Charlie. He’s SOOO good.
Like a big golden retriever. I think Dev also referred to him as such, maybe? But that's what he is.
He also, when faced with a wide array of label options to choose from, just kinda goes "idk man" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Dev was also great, but I related to him less. Not that that’s a problem. It just means he and I deal with a different concoction of issues.
Sometimes he just said terrible things too. Like, if he wasn’t hugely instrumental in helping Charlie learn to accept himself, I don’t know if I would’ve supported their relationship. How can you be so empathetic to another person but neglect yourself so much. You’re making me cry Dev
As Charlie said, the level of codependency they had for each other was not healthy for them. But he does eventually come around and open his eyes. Character development all around.
I also loved the other characters! The staff member friends, Charlie’s BFF, Daphne&Angie….
One thing that I also greatly enjoyed about this novel is how… classy the sex scenes were?
Maybe classy is the wrong word. But, to clarify, nothing felt DIRTY (it may have to do with Dev’s general consideration to Charlie’s aversion to germs). Consent was constantly asked for, and that's veryyy hot. They were so respectful to each other, but they’re still really horny and the sexual tension is palpable.
Sex was used to show CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. And I’m here for it.
I literally bum rushed through this novel to get to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment