This book was absolutely adorable. Atria books offered me a copy and I am so glad they did. I likely wouldn’t have picked it out for myself, but I really enjoyed it. As like most of America I have seen many episodes of The Bachelorette/ Bachelor, so the book taking place around “Ever After” sucked me in. The characters are so real in this book. Everyone has flaws and it’s what makes this book so homey. I love all the topics that it covers. And I love Charlie! How often do we feel that our true self isn’t enough? And how many Josh/ Maureen do we know. Ugh. Overall, the book was completely charming, quirky, inclusive and plays to your heart strings. Highly recommend this read

Reality TV? Not my jam really. I get anxious with all the drama!

But - I loved the show UnReal that was on Lifetime a few years ago. It showed how these shows are produced behind-the-scenes and all the in-and-outs of production, casting, "scripting", and how the drama behind the curtains might just be way more crazy than what we even get to see on TV.

When awkward tech genius Charlie needs to revamp his public image, he becomes the “prince” on the hit dating show Ever After. But as his producer Dev tries to coach him to be more romantic and likable on TV… they start to find each other much more likable than any of the female contestants.

THIS BOOK. It's all of the fun behind-the-scenes scripted faux drama of a Bachelor-type dating show, with an unexpected and delightfully, swoony romance.

There are so many fantastic conversations about mental health and an incredible amount of diverse, queer representation. I loved how inclusive the characters were and storyline was - and how important topics were interwoven throughout, without being heavy handed or forceful. Alison made discussions natural and real, when so much going on in the story wasn't!

This was such an entertaining and heartwarming read with an adorably hopeful love story and a wonderful message that loving yourself above everything else, may be the greatest happily-ever-after there is.

All the stars and and love for this book wow!! I basically read this book in one day and did NOT want to put it down! I love bachelor/bachelorette and reality tv shows, and this was such a fun story with a similar show, Ever After. But with a super fun twist of Charlie, cast as the Prince Charming of the show, falling in love with Dev, the producer of the franchise! This m/m romance was sweet and funny and dove into some really deep conditions like depression, anxiety, and OCD! It made me laugh and cry and also made me think of Red, White, and Royal Blue! This was just such a feel good story with lots of depth!!

Charlie Winshaw agrees to appears on Ever After, a bachelor type reality show to find love and save his professional image. Dev Deshpande is his production handler tasked to coach him through the next nine weeks, ensuring he bonds with the contestants and succeeds in finding his true love. When Charlie falls instead for Dev it makes the process easier and more difficult. He realizes his only Happily Ever After includes Dev instead of a woman, but how can that happen without breaking his contract and Dev losing his dream job?

The Charm offensive gave me all the feels. Written with amazingly developed characters, who are broken, strong and resilient, this rom-com was so unexpected. The realistic storyline faces difficult, current social issues with ease. Charlie & Dev are fantastic together with off the charts chemistry. It has to be one of my favorites this year!

This is the purest love story I've read in a long time and I adored every second of it!

Dev Deshpande has been the biggest believer in the HEA, fairytale kind of love since he was a kid. Now, working as a producer on Ever After, a reality dating show, he's determined to help other people get their happily ever after's. 

When tech-billionaire, Charlie Winshaw gets cast as the newest prince, things take a turn. He's unlike anyone who's ever been on the show before. He thinks the whole thing is fake, and doesn't believe that one can just find forever love in two months. But the more time he spends with Dev, the more he starts to think that he's just been looking in the wrong direction so far and that his happily ever after just might not be with any of the women on the show.

The characters in this book are so endearing and precious I just wanted to cry. Charlie is too pure for this world and I just wanted to wrap him up and protect him from everyone who's ever invalidated his feelings before. Watching him come to life with Dev and be accepted for who he was, was absolutely amazing and I just wanted them to be happy.

This book had a heavy focus on mental illnesses, specifically depression and anxiety. It was such an integral part of the story that it wouldn't have worked otherwise. And the LGBTQ+  representation in this book was unbelievably good. Those were just as important as the romance and it was amazing to actually see it all together in this book.

Reading this felt like i was on an emotional rollercoaster. I'd be smiling one second and have tears in my eyes the next. It brought me to tears over and over again and I'm not even sad about it cause it made me feel so much that it had to spill over somehow.

TCO reminded me so much of Red, White and Royal Blue. It's writing, it's perspective, it's pacing, and just everything else about it reminded me of RWRB, and considering that it's my favorite book, I couldn't not love this too!
The ending was definitely a little idealistic, but it was exactly the kind of ending this book deserved. It was sappy  and strong, and so, so, romantic. 

This story was messy and real and lovely. It was about two people who never thought they were worthy of being loved, finding it with one another in the most unlikeliest of ways. It's one book you that you do not want to miss!

This book was so so good!! It has been getting a lot of buzz recently for a very good reason. This book is about Charlie who becomes the star of reality dating show so that he can fix his image and get another job in tech. He thinks he will never find love, but then he finds love with his producer Dev.

I really liked this story and I loved these characters so much. I loved hearing the behind the scenes of the TV show and I loved all the different side characters. The mental health representation in this book is really great and was talked about in great detail which I appreciated and I think will really speak to a lot of readers. I really loved this book and would highly highly recommend!

Delightful! Charlie is probably the absolute wrong man to be on the reality dating show Ever After. He's got social anxiety and, even more important, well he's not really into women. Or anyone for that matter. So why do it? He needs to rehabilitate himself publicly and boost his tech company. Dev, the producer of the show, has recently broken with his long time love. He takes Charlie in hand at first because he needs his work to work and the show to entice viewers. It quickly becomes apparent, to Dev if not to Charlie, what should happen. This has a wonderful cast of diverse characters, a great sense of humor and a happy ending. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a very good light read about learning to love yourself.

If you’ve been around my page for a minute, you know I love The Bachelor and all things Bachelor adjacent - especially Bachelor inspired books. When I was offered a copy of The Charm Offensive, I was thrilled - it was a new kind of Bachelor inspired book - an LGBTQ+ story focusing on the lead of the show falling for his producer.

I loved, loved, loved the dual POV in this book - having both Dev and Charlie’s POV really helped to inform the state of their love story. Where Dev was a confidently out gay man, a lot of the book followed Charlie questioning his identity and slowly coming to terms with it. I think without his POV, it would have been more difficult to understand his emotional journey and his side of their love story. With that being said, Charlie’s journey to figuring out and accepting his identity felt like one of the most honest and realistic coming out stories I’ve ever read. I loved that the awkward and the questioning moments weren’t omitted - they helped fully realize the story.

Charlie and Dev together were the cutest couple - even before they started falling for each other and they were just star and producer, they were cute. When they slowly started getting interested in each other (despite their own individual hesitations), it took no time for their sparks to start flying. I also appreciated that they started from a deep sense of friendship - they connected deeply on an emotional level long before they connected on a physical level.

I also really appreciated the discussion of LGBTQ+ folks in Hollywood - specifically that Hollywood big wigs are willing to profit off the ideas and labor of queer people but not willing to tell their stories. This line of discourse was fascinating and very, very relevant in today's climate. I also appreciated the honest discussions about mental health - Dev’s depression wasn’t rug swept - though his journey to taking his own mental health seriously was a long one.

The Charm Offensive was definitely one of my favorite romance reads of the summer - and definitely one of my favorite Bachelor inspired books. Between the excellent coming out story, the story about the treatment and abuse of LGBTQ+ in Hollywood, and the super cute romance, this book has it all. What an excellent debut by Alison Cochrun - I can’t wait to read more of her books in the future! 5/5

This might be the perfect book. Honestly. I laughed out loud, fell in love, felt my heart ache, wanted to throw the book across the room and immediately pick it back up to pet the spine and whisper apologies...it was everything. From page one I was hooked - the characters leap off the page and are so dynamic and real, and the immediate action into this plot that is already such a wonderful set up...it hit the gas running and never let up. It was zany and interesting with a sprinkle of travel and a dash of the greatest, most ridiculous best friends, and I felt like I was on set with them taping every episode. It's so impressive how distinct each character is and how each one makes you feel so much - even the ones who are meant to be the villains, or even those who only have a handful of lines. Somehow, each one evokes something in the reader and is relatable in some way.

Most importantly though, the way this book portrays mental illness, gender identity, and sexual identity in so many forms was brilliant and seamless. It somehow found that perfect line of representation without feeling gimmicky or overdone. It felt like a real world, where all kinds of people and humans exist and struggle and experience life.

Read this book. Read it to know what reality TV is like, read it to know love in all its forms, read it to witness discovering self and identity and how it can be acceptable and morphing all at once.

Thank you to the publisher @atriabooks for my gifted copy!

This is an absolutely adorable, quick, fun, light hearted read that I devoured in a few days (very unlike me!) This is a queer romance that definitely is an amazingly well written book with adorably likable characters!

For fans of the bachelor/bachelorette-this is definitely for you as it is about a single bachelor, Charlie, who goes on a reality dating show, Ever After, much like the bachelor, to find the love of his life. Except-he doesn’t make connections with any of the ladies, but ends up falling for someone behind the scenes—-this someone being Dev, his set assistant!

Charlie struggles internally with the realization that he is gay, is scared to admit it to himself as well as anyone else, but his feelings for Dev are undeniable-and everyone can see that! I absolutely fell in love with Charlie & Dev and the connection they built and the chemistry between them!

I think the author did an amazing job with developing the bachelor-like show-definitely nailed it here. The plot and the characters are all so well developed and really grab your attention from the get-go. Another thing that I really liked that the author did was intertwine mental health throughout the book. Both the main characters struggle with mental issues such as depression and anxiety, and it was really refreshing to see this played out throughout the book and the author bringing awareness to such an important issue. I really liked that the characters are all so open, honest, and accepting of sexual identity and mental health issues.

I was really looking forward to reading this one and was so thrilled when I was emailed an eARC from the publisher! Thank you so much this is one I will definitely keep recommending to everyone for all the reasons listed above!

I adored this book so much! A solid 4 stars! Dev is a producer for a show that sounds a lot like the Bachelor. Charlie is the latest contestant. The only thing is instead of finding true love on the show Charlie falls for Dev!

This is such a sweet romance. Your heart would have to be made of stone to dislike this story. The representation is amazing. And the discussions about mental health really were handled so well. It tackles so many things while still being a feel good romance. I loved how goofy Dev was and how innocent Charlie was about life in general. It was hard to put down this story and I finished it in a few hours of reading.

If you love a good romance with lovable characters be sure to check out The Charm Offensive. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

This is such a charming and heartfelt novel! There is so much wrapped up in this package that I'm almost at a loss of where to start. Dev and Charlie have wonderful depth and character creativity that has you rooting for their ship hardcore. The mentions of different aspects of mental health, OCD, coming out, workplace discrimination and different sexual representations fit so well together.

My favorite part of the whole novel is the underlying message of healing yourself and that love will not heal someone fighting a personal battle. Self acceptance of mental health issues and seeking out assistance and healthy resolutions to ease the internal storm. It truly makes you think about how much you put before yourself - work, school, relationships, etc. Cochrun truly put soul into this novel and you feel it shinning through the characters.

Though this is listed as a romcom I found myself getting misty-eyed more than lauging out loud. Not necessarily a bad thing considering the depth Cochrun put into this. However, I was hoping for more on the humorous side overall. Slightly longer than I expected and the pace does slow in a lot of areas. Overall though, I was hands-down smitten with Charlie and Dev. I adored this novel.

I would recommend this to readers looking for a wonderful LGBTQ love story that brings mental health awareness to the table and tugs at your heart strings in the best way possible. Thank you Atria Books and Simon & Schuster for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Calling all fans of The Bachelor and romance—The Charm Offensive is the book for you! This book takes place on a fictional dating show called Ever After. Our two main characters are the Prince (the Bachelor character) and one of the show’s producers!

Charlie, the lead for Ever After, is the most precious cinnamon roll. I fell for him as soon as he appeared on the page. To the outside world, Charlie seems extremely intelligent and standoffish. But, in actuality, he’s shy and anxious.

Dev, one of the producers on Ever After, is a hopeless romantic. He believes in the show’s mission of people finding true love-- even though no one else on the staff shares that belief. When Dev meets Charlie, he’s determined to help Charlie fall in love.

Little do they know, Charlie does find love...with Dev.

Read this book if you like:

Friends to lovers
Books that make you laugh out loud
Cinnamon roll characters
The sweetest romance
Amazing representation and conversations discussing the importance of representation in the media

The Charm Offensive is an endearing tale of giving yourself permission to be loved. I absolutely enjoyed Dev and Charlies blossoming affections throughout the pages. Two men, both making a name for themselves in their careers, will steal your heart with one chance meeting where sparks fly.

This book does not shy away from exploring mental health, OCD, depression and the LGBTQA community. It is packed with so much depth and emotion while still being funny and lovable. The Charm Offensive, all in all, is a fantastic entry in LGBTQA+ romance novels.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the complimentary copy.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun is a romance novel about Dev Deshpande, who works on the reality dating show Ever After. Charlie Winshaw is the newest bachelor for the new season of Ever After, He is not sure that there is such a thing as true love, and he has anxiety about many things. Dev's job is to coach Charlie through all his "dates" for the show, and they end up becoming very close. This book was an absolute joy to read as the story and characters were very well done, and the author covered some important issues in a sensitive and positive manner. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

For fans of a dating show storyline, look no further! It reads just like a script from a show and it was a really enjoyable read. Filled with some steam and some true laugh out loud moments. I found that all the characters felt like real people and it definitely got me hooked even more. Charlie is so precious and gave me all the heart eyes. It explores staying true to one’s self and mental health.

If you liked Red, White, & Royal Blue and One to Watch definitely check this one out!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Atria for allowing me an opportunity to understand the beauty that is this book.

This is the prime example of a ‘hug book.’ (Some if you may know what I mean.) I just want to sit and hug this book for a few hours, and then read it all over again.

I want my own Charlie. I want to hug him (with permission, for three seconds) and thank him for being him. I want to sit and tell him he’s not alone, and he is perfect just the way he is. Dev is also wonderful, with his devotion to true love, fairytales, and seeing the best in people.

The secondary characters in this story also helped to bring this book to the top! Parisa, Jules, Angie, Daphne- I would personally read any spin off of any of these characters.

I have already recommended this book to countless friends and family members, and imagine gifting it to many others!

The title and cover don’t do this book justice. I loved this story from start to finish and wish that The Bachelor were more like Ever After. I am so happy to have characters like Dev and Charlie to root for and for most of the “angst” to be so real. The discussions of mental health and homophobia were done well. I wish there were more romances like this.

Thank you so much to Atria for my advance copy of The Charm Offensive! I can't express how much I loved this book. I melted into a puddle of emotional goo. I read it along with my book club and we were so fortunate to be able to have a Zoom chat with Alison Cochrun! I was blown away when she told us that she wrote the first draft of the book in SIX days! 

I am not a huge Bachelor fan, but I definitely appreciated that part of the story line. Charlie becomes the next Prince on Ever After, a popular dating television show. He is not the ideal person for this position, but he has his reasons for leaping out of his comfort zone. When filming starts, he realizes he may not be able to pull this off after all. Dev has devoted himself to the production of the show for the last six years and after a turn of events, finds himself taking over the role of Charlie's handler/coach. What comes next is a story full of great banter, flirtation, discovery, and the best mental health representation that I have ever read in a book. I applaud the rawness and openness on the topics of depression, anxiety, and OCD. 

I flew through the chapters... I had so many emotions in the short time that it took me to read the book. My heart broke and swelled for Charlie and for Dev. I could not get enough. I was swept up in this not-so-fairytale story of two perfectly imperfect people. I felt like I had a front row seat to this show and the characters were so real. And that includes all the side characters!

I would definitely recommend this book for fans of the Bachelor looking for a fun beach read. Cute rom-com with likeable characters.