I adored this book. The characters were realistic and the representation for LGBTG, BIPOC, and mental health was very well done. The plot was heartwarming and this was a wonderful book to get lost in. One of my favorite books this year!

This was a great book all around. The diversity alone is a great reason to dive into this. This is definitely a great book for anyone who enjoys the bachelor or Red, White, and Royal Blue.

This rom-com has been on lots of fall reading lists, and rightfully so. I loved this terrific story of two men who don’t believe they will find love falling for each other.

The catalyst for Charlie and Dev meeting is Charlie’s starring role in a Bachelor-style reality show, Ever After. Dev fell in love with love watching Ever After when he was just a kid. Even working on the show as a handler, Dev still believes that it’s possible to find true love through the formula of reality TV, and he’s thrilled to be a part of the process. In contrast, Charlie doesn’t believe in finding love on a TV show, but he’s not on Ever After for that, anyway. Charlie just wants to rehabilitate his image so that he can get a job in the tech field after being booted from his old company.

Dev’s and Charlie’s attitudes about reality TV-inspired love may be very different, but it turns out that their beliefs about love on a personal level are similar—neither Charlie nor Dev actually believe that they will find someone who will love them. Charlie’s been conditioned to hold himself apart from others because he thinks his severe anxiety and OCD make him unlovable. Dev longs for his own happily ever after, but in his heart of hearts, he thinks no one will be able to accept the lows caused by his depression. In their own way, each of them has given up on the idea of romantic love for himself.

Reading their romance unfold through the story was an absolute delight for me. Charlie has the looks of a Prince Charming, but he’s a social disaster. He is also an utter sweetheart, and his flailing is awkwardly adorable, but it takes a while for Dev to truly appreciate him. Being on the asexuality spectrum, Charlie has never experienced attraction before, and he has to work through those new feelings. Once he does, though, he’s all in for a relationship with Dev, but Dev’s insecurity—and the formulaic machinations of the show—get in the way before Dev and Charlie find their own happy ending.

It's a great read, and I’d recommend it for anyone who loves a good rom-com.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

The Charm Offensive is absolutely a charming, addicting, and slightly over-the-top book…kind of how I expect the reality drama show in the book would be.

The two main characters, Dev and Charlie, are obviously going to get together in the end but that doesn’t ruin the book for me at all because, again similar to reality tv shows, it’s mostly about how we get there and the journey rather then the actual ending.

The author also tackles a lot of major issues such as LGBTQA+ representation, racism, asexuality, mental health and therapy. But the way she handles these issues is almost really casual but still incredibly telling and inspiring? I love how they were issues that affected the characters but it didn’t feel too preachy. It just was.

The diversity in the cast is incredible, but I kept forgetting that Dev is supposed to be Indian. I felt like in real life this is something that would have come up more, especially considering how talked about the rest of the issues are. Some characters are just the way they are and it’s accepted but others are still learning their truths which feels accurate of the real world. And it was nice to read about someone coming out and everyone just being like okay cool. Also, did anyone else keep forgetting Dev was supposed to be taller than Charlie?!

This book is romantic, funny, inspiring, dramatic and an incredible joy to read. If you love those trashy (in the best way) romantic TV shows then you 100% have to give this book a shot. There’s nothing to hate about it!

Thank you to #atriabooks and #netgalley for this ARC! What an incredible read! This book comes out tomorrow. RUN. DON’T WALK to buy it!

I am gobsmacked at how much I needed this book in my life and didn’t know it.When people say a book is honest, open, loving, funny, and touching, they are describing The Charm Offensive.I can’t really form proper sentences I loved everything, from the obvious foreshadowing to the loveliest most supportive friends and parents. The conversations felt more intimate than the sex.The sex was very hot. The small touches made me cry in the black moment. (Important note, I don’t cry - ever)This was just so wholly sweet and meaningful. Gentle in its acceptance of everyone as they are, not as they should be.Every person deserves a happily ever after in whatever form that is for them, and this book delicately hands permission to every person to accept that about themselves.Immediately cancel your plans and read this one. Everyone falls in love on a boat. -Sky

—————————————————————————

Everyone does fall in love on a boat. Being in Bali doesn’t suck, either.

Dev produces a Bachelor-esque show called, Ever After. Charlie is the prince who agrees to go on it to rep his image. Charlie is supposed to be dating the female contestants but finds himself enjoying his practice dates with Dev more.

This book is so beautiful with its disregard for labels, ALL THE ACE REP, the found family, everything.

This book was almost perfect. My one complaint: no PA flies first class and has top-floor hotel rooms. That’s just not real.

Charm Offensive = Red, White, and Royal Blue + (Unreal - epic drama). This is a MUST READ of 2021 for me!

CW: depression, anxiety

Every year there are a few standout releases that really set the book world on fire with all the buzz and excitement they generate. The Charm Offensive, a debut pitched as Red, White, & Royal Blue (one of my all-time FAVORITE novels) meets One to Watch, was one of those releases. When I received a review copy, it was all I could do not to ignore the world and dive into one of my most anticipated books of the year. …but when the time came to read it? I absolutely DID ignore the world to dive in.

Dev Deshpande has been a lifelong fan of the reality dating show Ever After. So much so, that after college he managed to score a job working as a producer for the show and for the past six years has made it his job to create fairytale romances for the lucky couples. His own love life, however, it about as far away from a fairytale as a person could get: he recently broke up with his boyfriend, also a crewmember, and the new season of Ever After will bring them face-to-face for the first time since they separated.

Charlie Winshaw is a tech wunderkind, a millionaire several times over, and movie-star gorgeous. It’s no wonder he was brought on as the newest Prince Charming. Behind closed doors, however, Charlie is an anxious disaster, overly awkward, emotionally distant toward the women with whom he’s meant to find True Love, and clearly doesn’t want anything to do with Ever After. With his job – and the show’s future – on the line, Dev is on a mission to help Charlie build a connection to the women, any of the women. The more time they spend together however, it becomes clear that it’s Dev who has more chemistry with Charlie than any of the female contestants.

Calling it right now: The Charm Offensive is a Top Read of 2021 for me. I absolutely loved everything about this one, the story, the characters, the fact that Ever After remained a part of the novel throughout the entire book. Inclusion and diversity is off the charts. I giggled, I swooned, I teared up. In the opening of this post I mentioned I originally wanted to immerse myself fully into this book and avoid the real world – and I did. I planned on savoring it over a long, holiday weekend. In reality, I inhaled this book in a single sitting.

Don’t sleep on this one or wave it away because everyone and their brother is reading it. Believe the hype. Give in to the hype. You won’t be disappointed. And this is a debut, y’all – I am beyond excited to see what Alison does next!

Yay for a super diverse cast of characters in The Charm Offensive! This take on The Bachelor was sweet, vulnerable, and emotional. A must-read romance for 2020.

This was such a great story about being open to love and the wonder of the fairytale experience… with a twist!

Dev has been all about the idea of true love and the fairytale romance since he was a kid and now, in his adult life, while he still lives for the idea of love, he is having trouble finding it for himself. Working for a tv show like The Bachelor, but all about Prince Charming finding his princess, he is a contestant handler and darn good at his job. But he recently went through a bad breakup and he is still healing. It doesn’t help that his ex, Ryan, works on the set with him…

Charlie is the newest Prince Charming on this show, but he is terrified! He is a tech genius who made it big at an early age. But the dazzling smile and gorgeous body he has honed to perfection hide the troubled parts of him within. He is only here on this show to reboot his career, but it’s not starting off well. Especially when he cannot stand being touched and 100% doesn’t believe in the “magic” of this show.

On a production switch up, Dev is assigned to be Charlie’s handler instead of the female contestants who is used to coaching. And he immediate recognizes some mental health attributes in Charlie. And he begins to try to get on Charlie’s level and help him ease into being comfortable with the female contestants and the show in general. What neither of them expect is to grow a friendship that starts to bloom into something MORE!

I thought this book was so dreamy and so real at the same time. Alison Cochrun has done a wonderful job bringing such a sense of reality to books that surround shows like this. While I have never and probably will never watch any of these shows like Bachelor or Bachelorette and the like, I do enjoy the books that are based on them and the behind the scenes. And this one felt so different. The attention on mental health like anxiety, depression, ocd and just demonstrating the necessity for basic consent was just perfection!

There are plenty of “love” themed reality shows on television, and even if you’ve never watched a single episode of the most popular and long-running program in the genre, I’m sure you have some sort of vague familiarity with the format.

So, having a book where “Prince Charming” falls in love with his handler/producer instead of one of the contestants, is a delightful subversion of the classic trope. Not only does it challenge the heteronormative aspect of the format, but it also questions the validity of these “love matches” as well as the authenticity of the romance themed reality television.

And the best thing is that Cochrun achieves this goal is the most charming way possible: I will never get over Dev and Charlie dating and kissing etc. “for practice” to help Charlie adjust to the idea of doing those things on the show.

“For practice”—Sure, Jan.

Having the show set during the filming of a reality show was a fun twist. The show is filmed in several different locations around the world, and not just the “hometown visits” of the final contestants. Some of the contestants fall nicely into the role of secondary character, and so it’s interesting to see them interacting with Charlie.

Fun and games aside, this book provides an honest and unflinching look at neurodivergence, OCD, and depression, and it’s so refreshing to not only see protagonists dealing with these issues, but also that love does not cure either man. Their mutual empathy for each other is heartwarming though, and a lovely example of a supportive relationship.

On that note, it was also pleasant to see representation regarding asexuality and demisexuality. This was especially notable as Charlie tried to sort out his confused feelings of feeling attracted to Dev rather than any of the women on the show.

I would absolutely recommend The Charm Offensive. This book was a delight from start to finish: it made me laugh and it broke my heart and then it wrapped everything up with one of the most spectacular HEAs I’ve ever encountered. This is an amazing debut novel, and I can’t wait to read more from Cochrun in the future.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Atria Books/NetGalley.

Representation matters in reading! There was a lot of hype surrounding this book and let me tell you, the hype was and still is legit! I enjoy a good story set in a reality dating tv show setting and the chemistry between Charlie and Dev was perfect. I wish stories like this one was published during my high schools days because it's a great learning tool for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC allies. The one take away everyone will understand after reading this one is: Love is love. It's as simple as that. I really enjoyed this one and I look forward to reading more by Alison Cochrun.

A clever and timely BIPOC/LBGTQ romance about an endearing reality show producer named Dev falling for the charming and awkward contestant Charlie Winshaw. Witty and brimming with tender chemistry, this is a romance I want to hug and reread! A brilliant and heartwarming debut!

Dev is a hopeless romantic and has been working on the reality dating show “Ever After” for years. So when Dev becomes the new handler for Prince Charming Charlie Winshaw, he can’t help but fall for the computer genius who sees the real Dev. The only problem is Dev is forbidden to start a relationship with one of their contestants, and to top it off, everyone thinks Charlie is straight.

A mix between “Red, White, and Royal Blue” and the “One to Watch,” this is a book that is the perfect mix of angst and comical. It probably helps that I’m already a huge reality television fan, but Dev and Charlie make this book lovable and compulsively readable. With all the longing looks and sweet overtures, I found myself completely falling in love with this couple. Fun from start to finish, a romance that will most likely be in my top ten of the year!

I absolutely loved Dev and Charlie! Their banter and sexual chemistry between each other was so fun to read. Both characters had great character development and I enjoyed reading about each of their growths.
I absolutely loved the conversation around the importance of mental health. This book has wonderful representation with a lead queer BIPOC character, a neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ lead, as well as lots of LGBTQIA+ side characters and conversations amongst the community. This book is a great opportunity to diversify your reads and I highly recommend it for fans of romance.
I don’t watch shows like The Bachelor (nothing against them, just never have) so the whole reality dating show was a new concept to me. It was a unique take on the book, at times it felt a little redundant, but that could be my inexperience with reality dating shows.

This is a debut novel from an American high school teacher. It is a romantic comedy featuring a gay couple. Dev works in reality television on a show that resembles 'The Bachelor'. He is given the job of handling the new star, Charlie, who is a disgraced high tech mogul that has OCD and suffers from panic attacks. Things get complicated when they find themselves attracted to each other. This is a sweet and funny story and a wonderful recommendation for fans of the genre. I loved it.

Okay. I absolutely loved, LOVED this book! It has romance, diverse characters, LGBTQ+ romance, mental health awareness, and just great writing!

I want to talk about the mental health a little bit. This book has both main character struggling with different mental health situations, and both of them try to keep it from people. I really appreciated the focus on this throughout the story. Mental health is so important to me. Making it the forefront of this story was wonderful. I loved the acceptance and growth that the characters have as the story goes on!

The romance was wonderful. I was so connected to these two characters and I loved watching their relationship bloom! There are some absolutely wonderful supporting characters that I fell in love with too.

All I can say is that this book has 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 me and if you love rom-coms you should read this!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

This book is absolutely making my top ten list of the year. I don’t think I could have loved it more.

Think Bachelor and the UnREAL TV show combined…but better. The drama is there, both on and off ‘screen’, it’s a search for a happy ever after, but the characters are so much more loveable and real and amazing than any actual humans I’ve seen on a reality tv show.

Dev has been working on the reality dating show Ever After for years, and he’s in love with the idea of that happily ever after…even though it’s often produced on the show. But this season he’s just broken up with his long-term boyfriend (who also works on the show) and his mental health has been sorely neglected lately.

Charlie is this season’s Prince Charming on the show, and is there to revive his image rather than find love. Plus he doesn’t actually like any of the women on the show very much, at least not ‘like that’. Does he even like women at all? He’s never really stopped to ask himself that question until Dev walks into his life.

I really don’t want to give too much away because you absolutely, positively need to read this book if you haven’t already. It’s just so SO good! It honestly had me laughing and crying in equal measure, and even though I’ve already read it, I’m downloading the audiobook today so I can experience it all over again in a different format.

I LOVED The Charm Offensive. Like truly adored this novel A LOT. It’s like if Red, White and Royal Blue and One to Watch (two of my favorite romance novels) were put together into one perfect, heartwarming book. I love The Bachelor, so I really loved this “behind the scenes” style novel. The author does a fantastic job at tackling mental health, discovering ones sexuality and so much more. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

The story follows along with Charlie, who is selected to be the next Prince Charming (equivalent to the next Bachelor)… Charlie goes into the role, not expecting to find love, but hoping it will help his image and restake his claim at his former tech job.

Then we have Dev, who has been a producer on Ever After for years and is a sucker for helping the lead find their true happy ending. Dev and Charlie strike up an unlikely friendship and together they help each other overcome personal obstacles. As Dev and Charlie grow closer, it becomes apparent there is a spark that just cannot be ignored. But with Charlie the lead of the show Dev is supposed to be helping produce…things will get messy. But they will get messy in the best possible way. If you read ONE book this year, make it this one!

Being a Bachelor/Bachelorette fan, I knew I would like this book. What I didn't know was that it was a book I needed. The discussions around mental health, anxiety, OCD, and depression as well as sexuality are things that I wish we would see and hear when watching Bachelor franchise shows.

Alison Cochrun did a phenomenal job of giving life to not only the main characters, Dev and Charlie, but also all the supporting characters. Every thought, feeling, and emotion, I was right there feeling it with them.

Bachelor fan or not, this is a FIVE STAR, must read for all!

// Pub Day Book Review //

The Charm Offensive
Alison Cochrun
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

|| Synopsis:
The Charm Offensive gives the reader insight on so many things. You meet Dev, the producer who dreams of being a screen writer, then you meet Charlie who is your not so average Prince Charming and the newest reality TV Star. Through ups and down, Dev and Charlie work to find out who they are and what they truly want out of life.

|| You’ll enjoy this if you:
◽️Enjoy LGBTQ romances, you’ll find a very diverse cast here.
◽️Mental health representation with: OCD, Depression, Anxiety
◽️Reality TV Shows and Drama
◽️Heart warming romances that also focus a lot on the emotional relationship not just physical

|| What I Enjoyed:
This is truly my first read with a MM romance, so it’s out of my norm, but I’ve heard such amazing things and the book truly lived up the hype. Charlie and Dev were just so heartwarming and I felt I saw a little of myself in both characters, which often I usually only resonate with one character not both love interests. I also really enjoyed sort of the “behind the scenes” look at a Bachelor-esque type show. You’ll also grow to love quite a few of the side characters. Everyone is so uplifting and supportive in this books and while it’s romance it also focuses on a lot beyond that which I enjoy in any book! I highly recommend to anyone to give this book a try! I read it in 24 hours so you know I really liked it!

Thank you to @atriabooks @netgalley and @alisoncochrun for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! And thanks to @lovearctually for the buddy read!

Thank you so much for the ARC !!
This book has potential to be in the top 5 favorites of 2021.

Excellent.

I’m going to attempt again to put my intense feelings about this book into words, but nothing I can say will do it justice imo. The Charm Offensive has been on my radar for the past several months. My arc-reading book club decided early on that it was a must-read for the summer for us. I knew--I just knew--that this book was going to hit every mark for me, so I kind of put it on a precious pedestal until I felt truly called to crack it open. When I finally did, it did NOT disappoint.

Dev Deshpande is a long-time producer of reality dating show Ever After. He’s a firm believer in fairy tales, but can’t seem to make his own HEA stick. Tech rockstar Charlie Winshaw has recently been cast out of the company he helped found, and has been convinced a stint on Ever After can solidify his spot back in the tech world. Charlie’s a “non-believer” of fairy tales, and his mental health struggles on and off-camera are proving to be one more barrier in his grand plans. Dev is determined to get Charlie to the altar, no matter what it takes.

The vulnerability with which Alison Cochrun writes every single one of her characters is mind-blowing. We get to know every single layer of both Dev and Charlie by watching them open up about their depression (Dev) and anxiety and OCD (Charlie). Cochrun invites us in on conversations about the entire spectrum of sexuality and romantic/non-romantic love. She authentically flips the script on (most) reality tv shows, toxic work environments, normalizing therapy, and so much more. Each and every character is well-developed and Cochrun really drives home that EVERYONE is worthy and deserving of a HEA.

Charlie, from his first pages, made me feel so incredibly seen. TBH, my OCD has been so ingrained in every fiber of my life for about the last 30-odd years, I think I sometimes forget just how “present” it always is. It’s there in numbers. In digital clock faces. In my prayers. In left shoes that try to encroach upon a line only meant for right shoes. In my nighttime routine of kissing my kids to sleep (and my dog). Anytime I have control of the volume. Snacking--(again with the numbers.) All just part of the daily routine. All part of what keeps my anxiety in check (for now.) I don’t think I’ve ever felt an author did more justice to conversations about mental health.

Thank you SO much to Atria Books for a review copy of The Charm Offensive, which is easily one of my VERY favorite books of 2021. I’ll be reading this one again and again.