// 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.

This book is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't exactly expecting it to love it, to be honest, despite asking for the advanced copy.

First, it is situated around reality TV about dating. I'm NOT a fan of reality TV on dating or finding your love. No offense to the fans, that kind of concept is not for me.

Second, this book is also described as romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue ... another thing I HATE is a book that described like previously popular books. You know, like every other historical romance nowadays to be a reminder of Bridgerton. I prefer the books to be marketed as its own.

Anyway, then why did I request it? Because it features interracial couple, which I always welcome.

Color me surprised... this book has depth, grit, and serious conversations about mental health. I kind of disagreeing with the term "romantic comedy" now to describe this book, because I'm worried that it will be seen as light when it's really exactly that.

I loved how the author crammed this book with so many diverse casts and sexuality. For a reality dating TV show about heterosexual couple, you know the prince and princess, the producers and staffs behind the scene are amazingly queer. They SHOULD'VE produce a queer reality dating TV show by themselves 😅.

And I loved the way the author raised issue on the mental health. Dev Deshpande, one of the leads, actually suffered from depression. He will have days of being depressed. However, he never really wanted to talk to therapist. Dev thinks everything is fine - even if he ends up pushing people away. I liked that Dev was challenged about it, and he had to choose himself in order to get healthy.

Aside from that, this book also offers conversation related to asexuality spectrum. More often that not, as an a-spec myself, I'm not completely satisfied with how a-spec people are portrayed in romance. In this book, Charlie Winshaw, the chosen Prince for the Ever After this season, wonders about his sexuality before arriving to the conclusion that he may be in the a-spectrum. He has good discussion with his best friend about it.

I LOVED this statement about label in this book too...

"Labels can be nice sometimes. They can give us a language to understand ourselves and our hearts better. And they can help us find a community and develop a sense of belonging"


Which totally HAPPENED to me. Some people may not care about labels. But, when I can finally state that I'm part of the asexuality family, that I'm an ace/aro, I feel like everything in my life in terms of sexuality makes sense.

The romance between Charlie and Dev is wonderful - surrounded by those important issues about themselves. And the ending made me smile. It has a grand gesture, you see, and those gestures can uplift my spirit 😄.

There's an important note in the acknowledgments section from the author that makes me realize that this book may be important to her for a different reason. For that, I congratulate the author. This is a great book! And I hope many more people read it



The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

What a great, non-traditional love story! Loved the Bachelor spin. This was heavier than a typical rom-com but it really worked. Great characters & great side - characters. I loved this one!

THE CHARM OFFENSIVE is a dazzling m/m rom-com and a seriously impressive debut! The story follows the brilliant and awkward, Charlie, who is the new star of Ever After—a Bachelor-style dating show and Dev, producer of the show and a hopeless romantic. Dev has the impossible task of helping Charlie loosen up in front of the camera and connect with the contestants but the two end up falling for each other instead.

There is so much to love in this incredibly heartwarming book! It is laugh-out-loud funny and charming. It contains a wide cast of lovable, flawed, and well-drawn characters who feel like family. The two MC’s have chemistry that is off the charts and wholeheartedly encourage each other to take care of themselves. Cochrun also delves into some serious themes like OCD, depression and severe anxiety. I really appreciate the mental health rep and to see these things normalized in the romance genre. I highly recommend this one and I guarantee it’ll put a smile on your face!

The swoon, the representation, the pace, these characters!! AHHHH! I was so NOT disappointed, I think this will be a favorite for many this year.

I am so happy I was able to read this early, it's a romance that will touch your heart and mind.

The Charm Offensive is amazing! Grab it now!

Dev grew up watching and believing in the happily ever afters of the show Ever After. Now working as a handler for the show, he gets to see it played out every day.

Usually he works with the contestants, but with the quirks of the new bachelor he is reassigned. Trying to figure out how to keep the bachelor from being awkward on camera is a struggle.

Charlie is just trying to revamp his image so he can get back to working in tech, after being fired for being “a liability”. What Charlie hasn’t really told anyone is that he suffers from OCD, generalized anxiety and a panic disorder.

The more Dev spends with Charlie the more he sees him, working with him to make him comfortable, and not trying to change him.

It seems the more time they spend together the more Charlie questions why he connects more with Dev than anyone he’s ever dated, including the women on the show.

I loved how Charlie’s mental health was a big part of the show as well as Dev’s struggle with depression. There was also a wide range of LGBTQIA+ representation. Seeing their relationship grow, how they supported each other, and also Charlie’s struggle to understand and define his sexuality.

Such a beautiful, heartfelt story with a Bachelor reality show setting.

Run don’t walk. Place your library hold. Place a last minute pre-order. Go see if your nearest bookstore has already put this on the shelves. It’s out September 7!

It’s too early to call it, but I think this is going to be a top read if the year for me.

This book has some of the BEST mental health rep I have ever read. (Hello yes, I have diagnosed clinical depression and a generalized anxiety disorder. As a result, I’ve been to many therapists and I’ve been on various medications to help manage my health. Because it’s not just mental health — it’s my health, period, as my mental illnesses heavily impact my physical health.) But truly, I felt like Dev’s experience with depression mirrored my own so deeply, and it was so lovely to read something that felt like such an accurate and authentic experience portrayed on the page.

I feel like this book shows all the truly tender and passive moments that happen when you’re falling in love. It’s less grand gesture (though it is a romance so…), more “you remembered this obscure detail in my life that I mentioned in passing and I made sure to remember it.” I sound really sappy, but this book is just so wonderfully sweet and heartfelt. Basically, I’m trying to get all of you bitches to read it.

The TV elements were both fun and interesting to read about, especially as someone who has grown up watching the bachelor franchise. I thought it was cool to sort of see what could be going on behind the scenes, especially since I’ve seen so many contestants get certain edits.

Add Alison Cochrun to my autobuy author list!!!

Read if you like: Books with stellar mental health rep, Aspec rep, the Bachelor franchise

⚠️TWs: Mental illness (panic attacks & depressive episodes), mental illness stigma, aphobia, homophobia, biphhobia, racism, ableism, toxic relationships, vomit

The BEST queer love story I’ve ever read! This is a MUST read book about found family, mental health, sexual identity and finding the love everyone deserves no matter their differences!

I cannot recommend this book enough!! All the hype about this debut is so well deserved!! It’s almost blowing my mind this was a first book. The characters in this book were so well developed I felt like I got to know and love them intimately. The book alternates perspective between Charlie our socially awkward reality dating show prince and Dev, the ultimate romantic show handler who struggles with depression as they slowly bond and fall in love through Charlie's season on 'Ever After.'

I switched back and forth from the print to the audio versions and loved both formats. Excellent narration by a full cast including my favourite Cassandra Campbell. Much thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for my advance review copy. Run and grab this book for yourself today you will not be sorry! Especially recommended for fans of anything by Chloe Liese, The heart principle by Helen Hoang, or the upcoming books Love & other disasters by Anita Kelly and Weather girl by Rachel Lynn Soloman!!

CW: anxiety, OCD, depression, mental health, toxic masculinity

All love deserves a happily ever after, even if it's never been seen before on reality TV.

As someone who isn't a huge television watcher, I don't often delve into the dramatics and fandom that has been inspired by reality shows, but I absolutely ADORE reading about them! The settings that are able to be created, the vast cast of characters and how they react to one another behind the scenes and "on screen" make it so fun.

In The Charm Offensive Cochrun not only gives us the diverse cast that truly deserves and needs to be SEEN, but serves up the perfect amount of drama, love, self-discovery and page-turning romance that we cannot wait to see more of as readers. Dev and Charlie are unlike any other main characters I've read in a contemporary romance, and I could NOT have loved them more. Each of them not realizing how incredible they are on their own, each with their own struggles in finding love, wrapped up in a beautiful story that touches on mental health and depression.

Showing the characters (and quite honestly, us as the ones loving on shows/books that delve into the toxicity of what these types of shows do to entertain us) to be true to themselves instead of falling into just the surface level creation of a show or social media presence, giving a person more value in the real life than what is being made up. That life and relationships are so much more, giving us a story and characters that seem real and relatable like so many of even the side characters were in this book.

Alison has written a charming must read as her debut novel, and she is an absolute pleasure to hear talk about her book. I loved that this was one of our loveARCtually club titles and a #ARCtuallytraveling traveling ARC so that MORE readers were able to enjoy it. I highly recommend to any romcom lover, who would love the nod to reality tv, while being swept off their feet in a s

It’s been a while since I have devoured a physical book in one sitting, but once I started The Charm Offensive, I literally could not put it down until I finished. I do also want to say that I was incredibly apprehensive of this book going in because I can’t stand reality TV, BUT this book surprised me in the best possible way.

Dev Deshpande is the most successful producer on the reality TV show Ever After (think The Bachelor but make it the fairytale version). He truly believes in love and happily ever afters, which he ensures that his contestants always get…even at the expense of his own love and happiness.

Charlie Winshaw is unlike any Prince Charming that Ever After has ever had on the show. He’s awkward, emotionally distant, has a severe touch aversion, has a lot of anxiety, and wants nothing more to just be able to return to working in the tech world. If a fake engagement at the expense of his mental heath gets Charlie back to work then so be it.

After Dev starts spending time with Charlie, it quickly becomes clear that Charlie has severe social anxiety as well as other mental issues, which precludes him from being able to interact with any of the contestants. Dev decides to create ‘practice dates’ with him to get Charlie to become more comfortable and to open up. But what happens when the practice doesn’t feel like practice anymore?

First and foremost, my boys need to be protected at all costs, and I will lay down my life for Charlie and Dev. Both of them were incredible characters that I immediately fell in love with.

What I thought would be a witty, banter filled rom-com sprinkled with the drama of reality TV was so much more than that. There are so many incredible conversations surrounding mental health and its importance. Also, Charlie is not out as queer, so there’s an entire conversation surrounding questioning and labels, which is so important to see on page. I loved that for Charlie and the fact that Dev and Charlie’s PR manager and best friend Parisa never pushed anything onto him.

The representation in this book really is fantastic. You have a myriad of characters of color as well as queer characters with different labels as well as characters that aren’t using labels. I genuinely couldn’t help but falling in love with all (ok, everyone except Maureen because she’s trash) of them.

I could go on gushing about this one, but honestly, pick this one up. It is so freaking amazing.

Thank you to Atria Books for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

I don't like romance, at all. BUT I LOVED THIS BOOK! Wow. I am a big fan of the The Bachelor and the way this book pokes fun and builds on that empire/world is absolutely incredible. I was rooting so hard for some characters, and could not believe how much I cared about central romance. I think romance fans and non fans alike should read this!

Title: The Charm Offensive
Author: Alison Cochrun
Publisher: Atria Books
@atriabooks
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Many months ago an editor at Atria Books emailed me and asked me if I wanted to read a book that was very near and dear to her heart and the “next queer rom com obsession”. I was flattered and delighted; I graciously accepted. Thank you to @netgalley for providing that opportunity. @atriabooks also recently #gifted me a finished copy which is perfect because this is a book that I am going to want to read again and again. So rarely when you finish a book do you have the feeling that you immediately want to start it over, but that's how I felt with The Charm Offensive.

The early reviews have been spot on for this book; It has phenomenal LQBTQ+ and mental health representation. Though, I can only personally speak of the mental health portion as a 41 year old straight woman. Don’t let these things shy you away from reading this book. Also, don’t let the reality tv dating show ‘Ever After’ aka The Bachelor plot sway you either. I don’t personally watch The Bachelor or a lot of television and this plot was still very easy to connect with. It was funny and charming just like our main characters Dev and Charlie.

Dev is a producer on the reality tv show ‘Ever After’. He believes in what he does. He believes in love, fairy tales, and happy ever afters. He has been the most successful producer on the show, just not in his own love life. He’s going through an awful breakup.

Charlie in and anti-romantic genius. He does’n’t believe in true love. He’s only agreed to to come on ‘Ever After’ to rehab his image and get his job back at his big tech company. He’s stiff and anxious and has no idea how to date 20 woman for the cameras.

Somewhere along the way, as Dev keeps setting Charlie up with woman for the show; Something happens ans stirs in Charlie. Something that maybe was there all along.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book so freaking much. The characters were such a delight. I loved the way Dev handled Charlie with such care. I loved the way Charlie saw all of Dev and wanted too. Not just the fun side Dev usually showed people. I loved that their dating consisted of simple getting to know you. Remembering the little things the other person liked. It doesn’t always have to be grand gestures. Please, please, please put this one on your TBR!

Out today 9/7. Happy Pub Day!!!

Amazing presentation of mental health and sexuality as spectrums.
Delivered in a gentle, open way, the spectrums of both mental health and sexuality are offered as possibilities for everyone. It is also made very clear that no one at any time needs to (or usually does) have their own stuff all sorted out. We are all figuring it out as we go. I also loved how the author stated that sometimes you don’t need to figure out your own labels at all, but sometimes those labels can be supportive in your journey.

An adorable romcom in the best way!
It’s been “reported” that romantic comedies died years ago. But you know what – they may have faded from the big screen a bit, but there is a reason we still love You’ve Got Mail, Notting Hill, 10 Things I Hate About You, and all the rest – they are just good.

This book fits in with those stories in the absolutely best ways that rom coms exist. Throughout the story you find all the things you need:

Super cringey: where you are about to die of secondhand embarrassment for the character;
Fear: wait – they are going to get together, right? Right?!?
Yelling at the characters: No, they love YOU, you idiot! Don’t pay attention to this misunderstanding!
Heart exploding with love and happiness for fictional characters when they do get their happily ever after.

To top it all off, the characters – main and side – are written so well, I want to be friends with every single one of them (except the villain, of course – they can go to hell).

This book is SO good. Go read it!!

Stars 5
Would I Recommend? Yes!

I will never get over how much this book means to me and the way it made me feel. This book brought me so much joy while reading - there is just something so amazing about seeing yourself through the character of a book.

I'm going to break this down because there was just so much to love about this book.

1. This has some of the most real and raw mental health representation I've ever read and I could cry over how much I loved it. This book heavily discusses and depicts what it's like living with anxiety, depression, OCD, and panic disorders. It definitely can get heavy at times so practice self care and make sure you're in a place to handle those topics. But Alison Cochran handles everything expertly and balances out those more difficult moments with a swoony romance and laugh out loud comedy.

2. On top of that the queer rep is *chef's kiss*. But what really stood out to me was Ace-spec representation. It is something I so rarely see in queer stories and as an ace person myself, it was so wonderful to see it depicted in romance! I love how the entire spectrum was discussed and how not everyone fit into the same slot. It's like Chochrun wrote a love letter to the queer community.

3. Of course the romance was the shining star of this. It was so soft and sweet and swoony. I loved the slow burn of watching these 2 build from attraction to friendship to more. It felt so organic and I fell for them both as they fell for each other.

4. But the author also did a wonderful job of letting the side character shine as well. The friendships and platonic relationships were just as developed as the romance!

Overall I'm just blown away by the story. It has nestled it's way into my heart and easily became a new all-time favorite. I absolutely cannot wait to pick up anything and everything that Alison Cochrun writes next.

This book was really well done! I love books that have really deep and meaningful messages but are still an overall FUN read! This book definitely encompasses those aspects perfectly!

Dev is a handler for a Bachelor-esque type show. When Charles is selected as the next Prince, it’s quickly evident that the producers will have a lot of speed bumps as Charles is anything but your typical reality star. Humble, shy, awkward, anxious, and totally uninterested in being there, Charles immediately struggles with his new role. However, Dev is a hopeless romantic and he is determined to help Charles find happiness, he just doesn’t realize that in doing so, he may have to open up and let himself find happiness as well.

This novel tackles A LOT. Most characters seemed to be suffering from a mental or psychological condition (depression, OCD, anxiety, etc.) and faced discrimination or a personal struggle with their sexuality, race, and/or gender. It subtly used a variety of pronouns and highlighted sexual orientations rarely seen in contemporary fiction. Part of me wanted more focus on a couple of these facets rather than the whole kitchen sink, but I’m not sure that any one could have been easily cut. I think that speaks to how well Cochrun developed the characters and executed the plot.

There was just enough laughs, steam, and drama to keep me turning the pages without being overwhelming or too repetitive. I also really liked that though the book was generally predictable, the last 15% really did surprise me in the best way!

Now I want a sequel with Angie’s quest for love as the first bisexual Princess please!

If you’re looking for a fun, progressive, inclusive read, this is one that cannot be missed.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.

I loved this book! It What a fun story, who isn’t interested on what goes on behind the scenes at The Bachelor? The characters are so well done, I cared about all of them and their journeys. The book has an ending I did not see coming, which is one of my favorite things. 5 stars, the perfect summer read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Charm Offensive is a charming (ignore the pun!!) book about finding yourself and the perks of being "quirky"! This book deftly and softly explores identity and love in a heartwarming way, that left me smiling to myself too many times to count while I read. I loved the characters, and found pieces of myself in both Dev and Charlie, and feel like so many others will too. I will highly recommend this book to friends and family alike (and will be rereading it for a book club soon too!).

Awesome debut novel!

The Charm Offensive is a really fun, inclusive, emotional and heartwarming book. I loved that it tackles mental health issues in such a respectful and realistic way.
The characters were so loveable and relatable.


Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the advance copy