We’ve all seen them: the beautiful setting, the witty banter between two characters we all KNOW will eventually get together, the grand gesture and declaration...yeah, that’s not for Chloe. Between working at the coffee shop, caring for her Dad with Alzheimer’s, finishing school, and baking all the pies, Chloe just doesn’t have time for love. But when her best friend Anna writes a romantic comedy movie about her and her boss Nick, who actually doesn’t seem to hate her, Chloe begins to question the real reasons why she doesn’t believe in that big romance from the movies. I liked the premise of the book, the writing style was clever and it touched on a lot of personal topics that all people approach at some point. But, sometimes I get so frustrated with characters in romance books at the parts where they resist, and this was one of those times because whenever she resisted I just wanted to shake her and say come on girl what are you doing?!? Anyway, that’s part of the fun right? To sum it up: romantic comedy, relatable characters, predictable ending, sure I’d recommend it, probably wouldn’t read it again, hipster vibes

Do you feel like someone wrote a book about your life because you can relate to the main character so much? That is what happened here. Hello, Kerry, have you been following me around? Maybe because of my love for coffee and being a barista, loving pie, baking when I am a mess in life, or the fact that I simply cannot ask for help because yes, IT IS HARD!
Most of the time I think the second book is usually not as good as the first. I feel in love with Waiting for Tom Hanks. I was on huge thriller books only binge and reading Waiting for Tom Hanks was completely different for me. I felt insanely happy afterward which is not a feeling that I usually get while reading. So let's just say, I was dying to get my hands over the second book. I needed to get that feeling again, especially during stay-at-home due to COVID.
Not Like the Movies was better in my opinion than Waiting for Tom Hanks. It gave me that happy feeling but also I could relate to Chloe in almost everything that she went through. I am the same age, working in a coffee shop, trying to get a degree, and really scared to go after my own dreams. And yes, baking also calms me down. By relating to Chloe it made me think about my own life, which is hard because who ever wants to evaluate their life and their life choices?
I love how unconventional Chloe and Nick's life is. It is not the typical, character wants to fall in love, gets married, has this beautiful life with beautiful children romance book. They are falling for each other while falling for themselves and their dreams again. And honestly, that is all I could ever want in a romance book. Kerry, can we please get more? Because you left me with this feeling once again.

Right now, as I write this review, we are all in the middle of a global pandemic. As someone who has struggles with anxiety, I love being able to escape into a story that wraps me up in a semi-realistic, but non-covid19 hug. Not Like the Movies was the perfect read for this. (It probably helps that I adored the first book in this series, Waiting For Tom Hanks.) I find myself reaching for rom-coms because this is the time for lighthearted cheesiness! Sign me up for the awkwardly hilarious situations, the elaborate grand gestures, and the sweetest emotional roller coaster ride with our heroine.

This book centers on Chloe Sanderson, the optimistic but realist best friend of Annie, emerging star screenwriter, whose big break is a movie based off Chloe and the indisputable attraction with her boss, Nick Velez. Unfortunately for Chloe, who constantly denies her life is anything like a rom-com, Annie failed to creatively change the names of her main characters. (Rick and Zoe!? Come on, Annie!!) With the highly-anticipated movie blowing up, Chloe and Nick find themselves under the microscope of the public eye - from starstruck movie fans to Buzzfeed articles explaining why Nick/Rick is the perfect guy. Everyone is convinced they should be together, but Chloe is exhausted from real life - she works hard to care for her father who suffers from early onset Alzheimer’s, along with trying to care for everyone else in her life. She isn’t remotely convinced her life can be the romantic and picture perfect ending Annie wrote in her movie, because this is real life, and life is not like the movies.

I really enjoyed this book. Waiting for Tom Hanks is a book I enjoy rereading, because it’s cheerful and cute and just a feel-good novel. Not Like the Movies is a strong follow-up to that book. If you’re looking for a feel-good, realistic romance- this book is for you. There are plenty of comedic moments, and some solid rom-com references. Not Like the Movies comes out July 7, 2020 and it is available for preorder now!

I love Kerry Winfrey’s writing, and look forward to whatever else she publishes.

(Also, if you’re reading this Ms. Winfrey — would love to second another review I saw asking for a novella about Don and Tyler, or Milo and Fred!! ❤️😂)

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!

<i>Not Like the Movies</i> picks up shortly after where we left off in <i>Waiting for Tom Hanks</i> and gives us more on Chloe, Annie's best friend, and Nick, Chloe's boss and coffee shop owner cutie. They are the couple that Annie has based her first rom-com on and we get to see their story unfold.

I loved that this was a continuation of Kerry Winfrey's first book and I loved getting to spend more time with these characters. In Winfrey's signature style, this one was full of witty comebacks and full of pop-culture references.

I liked this one a little less than <i>Waiting for Tom Hanks</i> but only because I think I connected with Annie's character a bit more. Chloe is much more outspoken, sarcastic, and stubborn and I had trouble connecting with her motives at times throughout the story. However, I still did find this extremely entertaining and loved how it ended.

Highly recommend reading this series by Kerry Winfrey, she infuses the perfect blend of romance and comedy into her work. Definitely a fan!

I had high hopes for this after Waiting for Tom Hanks, and it was enjoyable, but I didn't love it nearly as much. I can't quite put my finger on why.

I know that's a terrible review but hey, we're in the middle of a global pandemic and I'm not at my sharpest. If you enjoy romantic comedies, I'm sure you'll enjoy this too.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

A very sweet and very funny romantic comedy. I wish there had been a bit more drama in the relationship department--an issue to get past beyond the heroine's fear of a relationship--but it was still a charming book I enjoyed reading!

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was so fun to read, but still not my perfect cup of rom-com tea. I found that I enjoyed NOT LIKE THE MOVIES much more than WAITING FOR TOM HANKS, but that was because there weren’t so many references to Tom Hanks and rom-coms that still haven’t seen or haven’t seen in literal AGES.

This had some really lovely aspects:
•Chloe — I loved her. She was golden hearted, selfless, a baker, in-tune with her frustrations and adorations, and pretty oblivious at times. I think she’s a fantastic rom-com heroine. She was so freaking relatable. I loved her drive and overall nature.
•NICK! Wow! I wish I had more of Nick in my life. He is the introverted, coffee and chicken tortilla soup-loving hero that I need. He honestly reminded me so much of my fiancé and I’m so here for it. I loved that he primarily listened to sad, emotional music—because same! However, I did wish that his backstory had been fleshed out more! He is such a great character, but I want more about how he ticks!
•Annie’s flaws were addressed! She wasn’t my favorite in WAITING FOR TOM HANKS, but I’m glad that she wasn’t idolized and made into someone perfect. She still kind of annoys me.
•UNCLE DON & TYLER! I LOVE THEM!!!
•GARY! What a beautifully strange older man. He was eccentric and the comedic relief that I always will want in rom-coms.
•FRED! What a beautiful man and a great partner. He’s going to be so good for Milo.
• The humor!!! Ugh so many good lines:
(Taken from uncorrected eARC)
“Fred is an angel with a body that won’t quit, and I hope he never leaves you”
“Annie snort-laughs so hard that she spits Sprite all over her plate.”
“A person shouldn’t make you feel like they always have one foot out the door...”

This was a gem and I’m eager to see what else Kerry Winfrey does next. I need a novella from Don and Tyler’s POV && Fred and Milo’s — I need those now please.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book much more than the first book, Waiting for Tom Hanks. I loved the chemistry between Chloe & Nick and the whole coffee shop, pie baking??? What a dream.
The only downside I had to this book was the wishy, washy feelings of Chloe. I felt she toyed Nick along alot who was a saint in this book. I understand she had alot going on dealing with her dad, her brother and everything else but she kept stringing him along in her indecision.
Overall the conflict was resolved and Chloe came to see how much she loved Nick and how amazing he was and I so happy about it.
3/5 and overall enjoyed!

This book was just an ok read for me. Maybe it's just me but I can not find a omg great book! I just don't know?! Anyway this book flowed nicely it wasn't really my type of storyline? Idk I'm sure there's plenty of people that will like it , it's just not me . Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

Full disclosure: I have not yet read “Waiting for Tom Hanks” so I came into this fantastic contemporary romance as a Winfrey newbie. I devoured this book in one afternoon! Needless to say I am hooked on this author and will be reading the previous book while anxiously awaiting publication of more books.

The entire book is a treat. The adorable setting with quirky side characters, the vaguely “fourth-wall” style self- referential romantic comedy and the messy lives of some very complicated protagonists make this book an amazing read. With immense, and very smart, humor, Winfrey really nails what it is like to be a millennial woman dealing with the fallout of attempting to do it all. Woven into the sweet story of two selfless caregivers falling in love, is some pretty great commentary on finding a support system when you are the person who keeps it all together for the world around you. While everyone loves a happily ever after, seeing this community of relatable characters find it as a group makes this love story even better.

This one will surely top the summer’s “Must Read” list!

Usually sequels make me nervous but this was just as lovely as its predecessor!

It has the same lovely characters, charming town, will they won’t they energy all centered on a v unhealthy enneagram two (well I’m saying she is) named Chloe.⁣
⁣
I would give it a 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼- really liked it. While at some moments you want to shake Chloe, I think Winfrey does a really good job of showing you 𝘸𝘩𝘺 she is the way she is. ⁣
⁣
There’s something about Winfrey’s writing that’s just so...readable. Like you just keep reading and reading until you realize you are almost done. ⁣

Ever since I read Kerry Winfrey's rom-com Waiting for Tom Hanks, I have been so eager for more - more of her work AND more of her main character Annie story. Let's just say I was super-excited to get my hands on Not Like the Movies, her follow-up novel.!
Right up front, I have to admit that because my love for Annie from the first novel was so strong, it took me a little bit to adjust to having her BFF Chloe as the lead this time around. But ultimately I fell in love with Chloe and her quirky personality, just like I did with Annie.
Chloe is a charming, funny, hot-mess of a girl. She currently is working in a coffee shop and is (and has been) head over heels for her boss, Nick, while not quite being able to admit it to herself - even though her best friend wrote an entire movie based entirely on just that fact!
Chloe has a lot to navigate on her journey to discovering her path in life and love including an unreliable (and until recently not-present) twin, an ailing father, and pursing a degree, but the journey is completely charming and so relatable. This novel was a such a fun read, full of witty (and often hilarious) banter and I recommend it completely especially if you are in the need of a "pick me up!"

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#notlikethemovies
#netgalley

I enjoyed reading about Chloe and Nick. Chloe was a strong willed, independent, fierce, heroine. She had complex family dynamics that put a lot of responsibility and emotion on her shoulders. I related to this character in a very real way. Reading about Chloe's inability to ask for help and her "5 minute cry" theory was literately like reading the thoughts in my own head. It made me sensitive to her story and her biggest cheerleader.

Nick was also an interesting character to read. He was honest, caring, and truly wore his heart on his sleeve. He is a hero worthy of any great romcom.

The plot of Not Like the Movies is peak rom-com, which is probably why I loved it. The main characters, Chloe and Nick, work together at Nick's coffee shop in Ohio. Their lives are entirely normal until they aren't. When Chloe's best friend, Annie, writes a script (that's being made into a movie) about Chloe and Nick that romanticizes their friendship into the perfect romcom, it causes everyone, including Chloe, to wonder if there really is something more between them.

You may enjoy this if:
- You like romantic books that highlight other aspects like family dynamics
- You enjoy funny, witter banter
- You enjoy the "will-they-won't-they"

Overall Thoughts
I really enjoyed Not Like Movies. I only wish we got a bit more of everything. I wanted to see more moments between Chloe and Nick. I wanted to see more about Nick's life, dreams, plans in general. I wanted to see more interactions between Chloe and Annie. I wanted to see the story line with her mom fleshed out more. Just...more. However, I still really enjoyed this book and it's a very enjoyable and witty read. I give it a 3.5/4.

Post will go live on July 7th, publication date. I will post links here once the book goes live.

Le SWOON!!!

This book was a treat and gave me all the mushy feels. I devoured the whole thing in one day, staying up *way* too late to finish.

When Chloe's best friend writes a new Hollywood RomCom about her will-they-won't-they tension with her hot boss Nick, Chloe is seriously upset. Because now she can't stop realizing how attractive he is! She's got a lot on her plate between going back to school and caring for her dad with Alzheimer's and doesn't think she has it in her to take care of anyone else. Good thing Nick is an adult and doesn't need her to take care of him.

The descriptions of her yearning for Nick were seriously wonderful to read. And who doesn't love a curmudgeon who only lets one special lady under his skin? I thought the plot was fun, moved well, and had a lot of funny moments. There was definitely enough awww and squee! moments for me as well.

I did think she probably could have come to her realization a bit quicker... but that's a rom-com for you, gotta stick around for the grand gesture (of which I wish this one was BIGGER!)

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkely Publishing Group for my ARC.

Thanks to #netgalley and @berkley pub for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I loved Not Like the Movies even more than the first book, Waiting For Tom Hanks. This one is just like all of my favorites romcoms - funny, sweet, and features a brooding guy with a beard and a penchant for flannel. It also has one of my favorite romcom tropes - the bantering co-workers who don’t realize they are in love with each other. This trope is used in approximately 38% of Hallmark movies and I love it every single time.

Not Like the Movies references the Holy Trinity of Romcoms (You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally) multiple times and also gives a shoutout to the criminally underrated While You Sleeping (slightly problematic storyline, but it has Bill Pullman in flannel). So I give this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. If you liked The Honey Don’t List, Bromance Book Club, or The Friend Zone, read this one.

When Chloe’s best friend Annie writes a romcom that’s based on her life, it’s NBD, right? Nope. Chloe feels stuck. She doesn’t have time for relationships, she’s focused on taking care of her dad, working her butt off to make ends meet, and attend online business classes so that one day, she can achieve her dream of opening a bakery. Her life is definitely Not Like the Movies. And, there’s Nick—grumpy, but caring Nick, who Chloe wrestles with her heart to fight attraction. Is love in her cards after all? Does she get to have a happily ever after?

I was a huge fan of Waiting for Tom Hanks, so I obviously couldn’t wait to read this one. I loved the writing style, the pace, the cheesiness that fit in perfectly, and the classic romcom references.

This was more or less the same, except you have a romcom nonbeliever as the heroine and a grumpy hero with the heart of gold. I think I’ve found another book boyfriend and book bestie to add to my list! I adored Chloe’s positivity, her spin on spreading warmth and kindness through her bright clothes and baked goods. I may have been PMSing (though it’s probably not PMS), but I felt everything that Chloe was feeling. From her fear to control to not getting into bed wearing outside clothes (because that’s totally me!). My heart dropped, my stomach flipped (and craved pie), and my eyes cried. And Nick. How could you not like him? A quiet grump he was, but the sweet, loyal, and caring kind.

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. I've been waiting to read this after loving Waiting for Tom Hanks. This rom-com had all the elements I enjoy like a fantastic plot, a relationship to root for, and it was fast-paced. Such a fun sequel!

From reading Waiting for Tom Hanks, I knew BFF Chloe was funny, but after reading it's sequel Not Like the Movies, I know she's sweet, too.
Kerry Winfrey lets us into Annie's strong and sarcastic friend's world when she gets her own turn at romance.
Definitely not like the movies, since "real life is better," the book is rife with hilarious quips yet challenging circumstances, from codependency to relationship insecurities.
Chloe's nonchalant facade is relatable, and although I could have gotten more of Nick's story, he was an attractive love interest.
Winfrey creates a sexually tense couple, like Gilmore Girls' Lorelei and Luke, in this uplifting sequel to her first hit.

Thank you for this much anticipated ARC.

Cute, fun: the perfect book to get lost in! Kerry Winfrey writes these books so well that you easily slip into the characters shoes and live out their romance as if you are them. I love this because I can see everything unfolding and empathize with these characters on every level! This book is fun, quirky, and so adorable! I devoured it in one sitting! Now I need more!

3.5⭐️— super cute!! I enjoyed this rom-com more than the first one in the series, Waiting for Tom Hanks. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read it at a different time, but my reading is wonky right now and it is pretty cheesy. I’d love it in movie form, though.