What an adorable love story! Now, i'm not a fan of The Bachelor/ette or any sort of reality dating series, but I still enjoyed the "behind the scenes" look at a popular TV show (and getting to follow along with Charlie and Dev's story, of course!)

Charlie is just about the sweetest character i've encountered so far in a romance. He's shy and awkward and uncomfortable, but you can't help but love him (and you learn why he's so closed off). Dev is a cookie-eating, boisterous firecracker of a human, but he has issues of his own (on a silly note: cargo shorts? Come on, Dev!)

The Charm Offensive is packed with lovable, memorable characters (and the female friendships, of course, are the best part).

Thank you Atria for sending me an ARC of The Charm Offensive.

It’s romance! It’s reality television! It’s stellar mental health representation! It’s queer…. And it’s almost here!

Before last year I was never a reality tv person. The most I had ever interacted with The Bachelor franchise was overhearing random, out of context one-liners overheard while my freshman year roommate watched the show during our study sessions.

However, last year I found myself drawn to the simultaneously engrossing and yet mind-numbing qualities of reality tv. My favorite discoveries have been Are You the One?, which combines my love of logic puzzles & tangled love decagons, and The Bridge, where the object of the show is literally just for random strangers to… build a bridge.

Naturally, I was intrigued by the premise of Alison Cochrun’s debut novel, THE CHARM OFFENSIVE. Dev Deshpande works behind the scenes at Ever After, a reality tv dating show. He loves his job, really. The idealized romances, the grand gestures. But this season, it’s not just the show’s ratings that are in danger of falling. The new “Prince”, Charlie Winshaw, is a tech genius whose aloof demeanor hides a sweet, sensitive charm that Dev is immediately taken with.

I won’t spoil anything more, because this book unfolded in such a genuine and heartfelt way, that I want readers to experience it for the first time without knowing too much! But the queer rep was so beautiful and natural, and included a lot of important conversations regarding sexuality labels, coming out, and the asexuality spectrum, which are conversations that happen so often in my life, but are rarely represented in the books I read!

I cannot recommend this book more highly for a sweet romance that will have you both cursing this season of the Bachelor and singing Alison Cochrun’s praises! THE CHARM OFFENSIVE will be released on 9/7, so there’s still time to preorder your own copy, or request it from your local library! Please support this wonderful debut author! (And as if this wasn’t exciting enough, her next book has already been announced and it’s a sapphic holiday romance! I can not WAIT!)

Additionally, a quick thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC copy!

Wow, this book. I read it in under 24 hours because I just couldn’t put it down (okay, I put it down to sleep, but that’s about it), it was that good.
I have read a lot of queer romcoms this year and this one just completely stands out above the others. I loved all of the characters, I loved the diversity of the characters, I loved all of the different queer identity rep, I loved the real discussions on mental health, and how consent was written, and and and…!
Honestly, this book makes me realize how meh some of the other books I’ve read this year have been. I don’t know that I can say enough good things about this book.

4.5 Stars

In a play to rehabilitate his image, tech mogul Charles Winshaw let himself get talked into being the bachelor on a reality TV dating show. But before the show can even wrap filming, let alone air, Charlie finds himself running into a few issues. For one, he’s finding it hard to date multiple women at once when his real-life dating experience is non-existent. For another, his anxiety and OCD is off the charts, and the show’s expectations are only making it worse. Oh, and Charlie is definitely way more attracted to his handler, Dev Deshpande, than to any of the women on the show. During a competition to find their fairy-tale romance, Charlie and Dev will end up finding each other as well as their true, authentic selves.

The Charm Offensive is that rare blend of romance that manages to be laugh-out-loud funny and witty, while also discussing some very serious subjects like mental disorders, sexual awakenings, and what it means to be in a healthy relationship. Both Charlie and Dev were wonderfully imperfect characters, and readers will be cheering for their happily-ever-after from the first chapter. Cochrun, in my opinion, did a fantastic job of realistically representing disorders such as anxiety, depression, and OCD. Her characters were vulnerable without being weak; they were real without being portrayed as either too perfect or too broken. I honestly can’t say which character’s story I liked more; both Charlie and Dev had parallel, yet vastly different, journeys to go on. Charlie’s journey in The Charm Offensive was all about self-discovery. He was finding his true self throughout the entire story, both in terms of his sexuality and his career. Dev, on the other hand, knew he had depression and his journey throughout the story revolved around him getting the help he needed so he could get off his self-destructive cycle. I particularly loved that both main characters easily accepted the other’s issues, no questions asked, and immediately wanted to help. Dev and Charlie became the other’s lifeline when the rest of the world ignored them or made fun of them.

Almost every character in The Charm Offensive was funny and/or witty. It’s been a while since I’ve read a romance that made me laugh on almost every page. Between intentional jokes and dry humor, even the secondary characters had bright personalities that made them stand out.

But, all humor aside, Cochrun managed to pack some very real conversations in between the sarcasm and jokes. As a M/M romance, obviously both Charlie and Dev’s sexualities were going to play a major part in the romance but figuring out who you truly are is rarely so plain and simple and that is very much true for both the main characters. Often funny and surprisingly heartfelt, Cochrun managed to bring the romance while also addressing some serious topics.

Well written, witty, and sincere, The Charm Offensive is a delight to read while also bringing light to some very serious internal and external issues that people face everyday.

What a delightful rom-com! I couldn’t put it down and was rooting for Dev and Charlie from chapter one. The pacing was great, and the ending satisfying. I could see this as a Hallmark movie now that they’re working to be more diverse. But it would be even better as an indie flick. Such a great debut from a talented author.
The romance gets very steamy but not graphic, which I appreciated.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

Are you kidding me !! I need everyone to go and read this book I’m actually crying from joy and crying because I have one million emotions and please please tell me there is going to be a book 2….I need this lesbian ever after story !! I love this book clearly and I honestly wouldn’t change a thing, it captures my attention right away I loved seeing the two different POV I loved the side characters I love the representation and the mental health aspect and it’s incredible !

3-3.5 stars

Okay, if I'm being 100% honest (which I always strive to be when reviewing books) I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. It took me 8 days to finish it and that's honestly an eternity for this length of a book for me.

The first 50% was soooo slow, like man, I really contemplated DNF-ing at about 30% because I was just bored. The romance is a slow burn, but getting to the heart of these characters quirks and their diagnoses as far as mental illness goes was also slow. You know Charlie is suffering from some things right off the bat based on his interactions and behavior and I'm not saying a person is their label so just tell me what your label is, but I wasn't sure why the author wrote it in a way to drag out the reveal as to what plagues him. I just didn't enjoy the way the first half of the book was written.

There is a lot to unpack between the scope of LGBTQIA content and mental illness content. At one point I thought maybe the storyline was going to be more "gay for you" but I think Charlie was just sexually repressed enough that he had never given attraction a thought until meeting Dev...which was interesting considering the setting, a reality love show!

I've seen some reviews about how disappointed people are that more wasn't done with Dev's culture and background and I agree. Dev could have easily been any color/culture/nationality in this story and it wouldn't have made much difference to the storyline so I agree that this was a missed opportunity to rep Indian culture with a MC.

I enjoyed Charlie and Dev's connection as they do have a very special relationship that was quite sweet and adorable. I enjoyed the side characters, especially the last half of the book. I seriously could cut this book in half and give the first 50% a 2 or 2.5 and the last 50% a 4-4.5 so I'm sticking it in the middle and calling it a 3.

Thank you Atria Books for my ARC! All thoughts are my own.

Oh this book! I had seen early buzz surrounding The Charm Offensive and I have to say, it totally lived up to the hype for me. I had such a fun time reading it and once I got through the first 30%, I FLEW through the rest. If you enjoyed One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London, you’ll like this one even more. It’s perfect for fans of The Bachelor franchise who have been wanting the show to do better in regards to diversity and inclusivity for years.

It’s also a book that taught me so much about the layers of sexual identity, much like Felix Ever After did. I’m so grateful for this fictional stories and how they continue to widen my vocabulary so that I can understand myself and other more.

Synopsis:

“Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise’s history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star.Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off.As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.” —Amazon

What I Liked:

The Characters—Is there any way I could have loved Dev more? No. No, there is not. I loved all the characters (except Maureen) in this book. I loved their dynamics and friendships, the banter…it’s all just SO good.

The Structure—I loved how at the end of each episode, there was transcripts of the dialogue the crew captured to showcase how manipulated reality TV is. I wish I could tell my teenage self that when I was obsessed with Laguna Beach.

The Plot—I loved how the plot unfolded, especially the surprise ending!

What Didn’t Work:

Chapter Length—This is SUCH a personal thing but when I see on my e-reader a chapter is 50+ minutes, I panic 😅

Content Warnings:

Mental illness (Depression), Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, Ableism

Character Authenticity: 5/5 Steam Rating: .05/5 Overall Rating: 4.75/5

I absolutely loved this book! It was the right balance of funny and tender, dealing with some heavy topics yet with a light hand. I really loved and rooted for the characters and their romance, and felt hopeful for myself.

I freaking loved this book! You know when you're busting a gut laughing in the first 10 pages it's gonna be a good one. The Charm Offensive reminds me of everything The Bachelor is and everything I wish it could be. The story follows Charlie, the "prince" of Ever After, a reality dating show and his handler/producer Dev. Without giving too much away, Charlie navigates the world of fake dating as someone struggling with OCD and anxiety, and his sexuality. The relationship that develops between Charlie and Dev is filled with both sadness and hilarity. And just when you think that they will get their "Ever After", your heart is ripped out and you find yourself wondering just how these two will find their way back to each other.
This book is a romance yes, but it also deals with the seriousness of mental health and discovering just who you are. Watching not just Charlie and Dev, but also the secondary characters come into their own led to the most satsifying conclusion. I rooted so hard for all these characters and this book left me filled with joy and happiness. I highly recommend.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Loved this book. Loved the setting and absolutely fell for ALL the characters!
The Charm Offensive is witty, awkward, heartwarming, and funny AND deals with some very serious topics including mental health and queerness. Plus, the author does this with such care and does it seamlessly. How can this be her debut book?! THIS will definitely be a book I will be recommending for the rest of the year.

Charlie has been picked to be the next Prince on a reality dating show. But he's kind of awkward and he may have some issues that he doesn't want to share with the world, nor the women he will be "dating". Enter Dev, his handler for the show. He is all hearts and flowers and has always believed in Love and the "Happily Ever After". He grew up watching the show he currently works on and he just loves LOVE. These two couldn't be more different, but Dev is determined to help Charlie find his Princess and will get him to loosen up throughout the show AND on his dates.

Throughout this story, I enjoyed seeing both our main characters figure out who they were and their journey to find happiness and health...and possibly love. It just took both of them time.
Alison Cochran created a world that is very now and gives us characters that you can't help but love. They are relatable, flawed and are dealing with figuring out who they are all while being in the reality dating world. THAT definitely made for some great comedy. Ms Cochrun was able to poke fun at the setting and introduce some very strong and diverse characters that gave us a truly amazing reading experience.

With all that said, this is a book that is entertaining, but also makes you feel good and makes you feel like you are part of this messed up family. You grow with them, you discover with them, you travel and drink with them, and you love with them. You get to experience some highs and lows and you will completely and totally fall in love with both Dev and Charlie and their journeys to happiness.
This book is for all you reality dating show fans (or the closeted ones 😂) or the ones who like to poke fun at them. You just can't help but laugh at all the shows antics.

I can't wait for more from Alison Cochran!

'Your story f*cking matters. Only you can tell it.'

Oh, I can't wait to recommend this to everyone I know when it's out. Because so many people are going to love it! Dev and Charlie are wonderful protagonists, and their romance is one you root for right from their first meeting. There are plenty of both serious and lighthearted moments, and both kinds are handled beautifully, from discussions of mental health to over-the-top reality-dating-show mishaps. I flew through this, and can definitely see myself rereading it in the future.

CW: anxiety, depression, OCD, ableism, homophobia, racism

Omg this book has my whole heart ❤️

We follow Dev and Charlie on the set of the reality show Ever After (think the bachelor). Dev is a producer and Charlie’s handler, and Charlie is the star of the show.

There is some great representation in this book. This book deals heavily with mental illness, with a trigger warning for panic attacks. There is also a cast of queer characters, including non binary, pansexual, and bisexual side characters. Dev is gay, and Charlie is discovering his sexuality. Dev deals with depression and Charlie has OCD, panic disorder and generalized anxiety. Dev is also Indian American and he wants to write screenplays about queer Indian characters.

Charlie was so uncomfortable coming onto the show, he’s not comfortable with physical touch, and Dev immediately respected that and tried to give him was he needs. The way these characters interacted was so sweet. Charlie has been made to feel like something is wrong with him his whole life, and when he has a panic attack in front of Dev, he’s worried Dev will start treating him differently and is so surprised when he doesn’t. 😭

They slowly fall for each other and respect each other’s needs and boundaries, and I just loved every moment of them interacting. The side characters were also fantastic. I loved the contestants Daphne and Angie, as well as Parisa (Charlie’s PR person and best friend), and the rest of the cast of the show including Jules and Skylar.

This book was EVERYTHING. I read it within 24 hours and did not want to put it down. It will definitely be a favourite of the year and a new all time favourite romance. I cannot wait to see what Alison Cochrun writes next!!

The Charm Offensive is sure to be one of the best romances of the year. It’s diverse, it has gay, ace and more LGBTQIA+ representation, it handles mental health so well and it’s incredibly wholesome. Alison Cochrun brought us everything fans and haters of the Bachelor franchise could want.

Dev has been working on Ever After for 6 years trying to bring the princes and princesses their happy ever after. Charlie comes on the show as the lead to fix his image and build his persona, not to find love. Dev is convinced that he can change his mind and find Charlie his match, despite Charlie’s anxiety in front of the cameras, but they find themselves falling for each other instead.

I truly can’t say enough good things about this book! It’s nothing like other romances I’ve read and as someone with mixed feelings about the Bachelor franchise, I loved all the digs and the comments about it. Dev and Charlie were both so well developed, their character arcs were meaningful and many will see themselves in the characters. The focus around mental health was also really important, Alison Cochrun shows readers how important it is to take care of yourself first and foremost. I will be back for anything she writes.

Really enjoyed this book! Loved the concept and execution, as well as the diverse range of (realistic) characters. The only thing stopping me from five stars is the overuse of physical descriptions, which I just thought was a bit overboard.

I would definitely pick up another novel by Ms. Cochrun!

Dev, a producer on the dating competition reality show Ever After, whole-heartedly believes in love--for everyone but himself. When he becomes the handler for Charlie, the absurdly handsome new "prince" of the series, Dev must come to terms with his own mental health journey on the way to finding love for both of them. This rom com about self acceptance, queer joy, and forging your own path will appeal to fans of queer rom coms and reality tv junkies.

This book was always a joy to pick up, and I truly enjoyed reading it. I especially related to Dev, and enjoyed the diverse representation of Ever After's behind-the-camera family. I wish the focus had been slightly more on the reality show itself, as I felt like the women contestants could have been more vibrant and important characters. However, this book was a lot of fun (while also raising important issues about mental health)--sort of a perfect September read!

I really enjoyed The Charm Offensive! There is Charlie, who is living with OCD and a severe panic disorder and Dev, who is in a little bit of denial about his depression and getting out of a 6 year relationship.

The twist is that Charlie is the new "Prince" on a show that is supposed to be the Bachelor and Dev is his producer/handler.

I absolutely loved how Alison Cochrun showed us how OCD (the real kind, not the 'have to be neat/organized' kind) can be life changing and how people deal with this every single day. I loved that Dev was so patient with Charlie and really listened to him and understood him and made him feel like it was okay to be himself at all times. In turn, we saw Charlie turn a new leaf and comfort Dev when he needed it the most.

This novel was so sweet and straight forward with its love story and its representation of race/sexuality/mental health. It felt comforting to read these characters because they were my friends, my family, the people I surround myself with. Finally, more characters with flaws. That's what makes me feel good!

Highly recommend this read!

This book made my heart SO freaking happy!!! Both Dev and Charlie’s characters were so sweet and lovable and I just wanted to hug them both so badly. I loved that the book was set in a reality dating show similar to The Bachelor. It gave the story an interesting background, since that environment can seem pretty toxic at times. I smiled so much, I laughed, I teared up and just genuinely smiled throughout the whole thing. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the ARC.

I loved this book and totally devoured it. The characters were great and the story pulled me in. My only critique is that it’s not completely Own Voices. It’s done well, and I know the authors states she is gay and neurodiverse in the acknowledgements, but as much as I love reading a gay male romance with an Indian-American lead and two neurodiverse characters, a part of me wishes it were written by someone whose full life experience this is. Still, that’s more a social commentary on the publishing industry than this particular book, and I do have to say I’m glad diverse romance exists, I just wish we had more Own Voices. Even with that said, I’d still highly recommend this book.

The above review posted on Goodreads. I will also be reviewing it for my School for Writers podcast.

wow that was a hurting kind of journey. so many ups and downs and so many feels. I would highly recommend. I can’t wait to read figure books from this author!