I wasn't really sure what I was going to think of this one but ended up absolutely loving it. I am usually not a big romance fan but this one was absolutely adorable. Not only did it feature reality TV (one of my favorites) it featured a perfect match that had so many obstacles thrown in their way that you really began to doubt if they would end up together! This is a perfect feel-good read! Any fans of romance this one is for you!

The Charm Offensive was a very unexpected surprise in an amazing way as it is an excellent blend of heartwarming rom-com mixed with an exploration of more serious topics, such as, depression, OCD, and severe anxiety. Similar to One to Watch or If the Shoe Fits, the novel explores the behind the scenes action of a Bachelor-like show with the main characters being both involved behind the camera and in front as the star. I can see why it is also compared to Red, White & Blue with the secrets and connection that exists between the characters and those around them. The novel was very addictive as I could not stop reading about these two lovable characters and rooted for them to find a way to be together. It was an excellent introduction to this author and has become one of my favorites for the year.

Dev Deshpande provides one of the perspectives to the story. He is a 28-years-old producer of the reality dating show Ever After. Although I have never watched an episode of The Bachelor, I love the general concept of a dating show. This was a very fun look into the behind the scenes chaos. It was fun to not only focus on Dev’s situation, but the reader gets a look at: Maureen Scott, the showrunner, Skylar Jones, the lead director, Mark Davenport, the on-air host, Jules Lu, the personal production assistant, and Ryan Parker, the supervising producer. The first three are more in the background than the latter two as Jules is also Dev’s best friend and Ryan happens to be Dev’s ex-boyfriend. The story begins with the new season of Ever After getting ready to film and this will be the first time Dev sees Ryan again after they broke up their six-year relationship three months ago. Despite his romantic setbacks, Dev is a believer in true love and the magic of Ever After. When he becomes the handler for the new Prince Charming suitor, Dev realizes that he has his work cut out for him.

Charlie Winshaw is starting his nine week journey with 20 women vying for his heart for the new season. At 27 years-old (about to turn 28), he did not expect to be here, but he has his own reasons for signing up for the show and hopes it will be a way to restore his presence in the tech world. Charlie has OCD and severe anxiety, so being around a large group of people who expect touching is tougher than he imagined. Luckily, he has Dev around who tries to help him through the experience. Dev presents to Charlie the idea of going on “practice dates” to help Charlie become more comfortable interacting with others and to make it through filming. The more the two of them get to know each other, the more they start to wonder if there might be more than a friendship forming between them. Although Charlie initially identified as straight, he starts to question his orientation. I enjoyed the exploration of the spectrum and there is not always one label, if any, that works for every person.

The show goes all around the world, which was a fun addition to appeal in the traveler in me. It starts in Pasadena and moves through Munich Germany, New Orleans, Cape Town, South Africa, Amed, Bali, Indonesia, San Francisco, Macon, Georgia, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, CA. The different locations would have been nice if they were further explored, although some of them are, such as Table Mountain. This was a tiny part of the novel, but I still loved the trip around the world. Now where the novel shines is its inclusivity without feeling forced. The diversity in this novel was well done, as it did not feel forced. There are characters from different backgrounds including Dev, who is Indian, Skylar, who is Black, and Jules, who is Korean. There are characters that are straight, lesbian, gay, bi, and questioning. Additionally, there is a huge exploration into mental health and self-worth. This does not even cover everything that is included in the story and all of them were well done. At times, for me, I did wish there was a little more detail into culture, such as Dev’s Indian background.

Overall, this story has a lot of character growth packed into a joyous romance story in a chaotic reality show environment. Dev and Charlie have growing feelings for each other, but they have their personal obstacles plus the fact that Charlie is on a show to become engaged to a woman. The two of them were fantastic together as they worked with each other’s boundaries and tried their best to understand the other. Both characters have issues with self-worth, so there is their emotional journeys as a potential couple, as well as, their individual growth. The side characters were well done in this novel and easily many of them could have amazing spin-off stories of their own. I would love if this novel became part of a series with many of the side characters having stories of their own!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Atria Books, for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**

Omg I’m obsessed with this book. One of my favorite romances of the YEAR. I loved the way the author handled mental health - I felt so seen by it. I also loved the way sexuality was discussed. I loved that the characters were all so supportive and helpful with the discoveries they were making. I loved Dev and Charlie and I 100% believed in their connection. Plus, the setting of the reality show was so much fun!

This might be my favorite book of 2021. Following along on Dev and Charlie's journey together and separately was exactly what I needed right now. I loved the care put into representing groups of people in this book: people who know who they are and label it proudly, people who would prefer not to be put into any more boxes, neurodivergent people struggling, but also neurodivergent people learning to thrive. There was so much growth from the beginning of the book to the very last page, and it had me on the edge of my seat in a way most Bachelor/ette seasons don't manage to anymore.

Another thing I love is the way Cochrun writes an ensemble. Everyone in this book felt important in one way or another, from Charlie's would-be princesses, to the crew of Ever After, and Charlie's best friend, Parisa. I found myself rooting for all of them in one way or another, because it was clear they were all on journeys and had growing to do alongside our main characters.

Overall, a wonderful debut that I know I'll be coming back to whenever I need a book that feels like a warm hug.

I'm a big, BIG fan of romance books set on a reality TV shows, and this is the first one I've heard of with queer love interests. The show's romantic prospect was supposed to fall in love with and marry one of the women competing on the show, but instead falls for his manager. There were some scenes in the book that I didn't enjoy as much, and I was debating giving this book a 3-star rating, but the end redeemed it for me. And I felt like the conversation around mental health in the book was healthy and realistic—something a lot of romances don't get right. Overall a nice addition to my queer romance collection.

The Charm Offensive is a M/M romance about a man who goes on a reality TV show to find his princess and falls for his handler instead.

I’m afraid I will be gushing about this novel. It is unbelievably good. I laughed and cried and then sobbed for the final 10% of the book. It made me feel all the feelings. It’s a love story with a side of acceptance—for different brains, the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+, and for loving someone because of, not in spite of, their self-perceived faults.

I do not watch The Bachelor so this would seem to be outside of my interest area. It’s not. The first part is all about what a toxic waste dump reality TV makes of love competition shows. I don’t think there are people out there who would argue they are the most healthy option for anyone. In this story, a gay man works for a show that is only interested in telling the story of white Christian heterosexual couples “falling in love” while one half of the pair is dating twenty other people. TCO explores what it would be like for someone with an anxiety disorder to try to go on the show. It isn’t pretty. It also explores mental health issues more globally and how some people try to plot out emotional pain by diving into their (white collar) jobs.

Everyone who reads the book seems to be charmed by Charlie but I was more partial to Dev. Maybe I could relate more to him. He was a complicated character who let down his love with his refusal to stand up for himself or his LGBTQ community at work. I hated how he just peaced when the going got tough but I’ve also been in situations where it felt impossible to envision a culture ever changing.

I read One to Watch recently and loved it so much that I read a few other reality TV romance novels shortly after. This is a hard romance subject to land. Charm Offensive totally nails it.

Also don’t start reading this too late in the day if you have to go to sleep on time.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an arc of this book!

Content Warnings at end of review.

Dev is back for another season as a producer on Ever After, where he helps other people find the perfect fairy tale that he feels like he will never get. But the next Prince on the show, Charlie, is only here to help his image, and Dev is stuck working with someone who doesn't believe in the true love that means so much to him. But the two find common ground and end up turning the dating show on its head.

This book was absolutely everything that I needed and my heart is so incredibly full after finishing this. Heart eyes are popping out of my skull and I need more of these helpless idiots right now. I am in LOVE. I cried. I laughed (a lot). This book was EVERYTHING.

First of all, I relate to Charlie so hard! I don't have OCD like he does, but I do have an anxiety disorder. We are also both vegan, gluten-free, and demisexual! It's like this character was made for me and I love him so much. Dev is also an amazing character and he is going through so much with his break up and his depression and the struggles he is having with his job. I love this man. I love both of these men. I love their relationship and struggles and everything they go through.

All the side characters are also amazing. They work so hard and I just seriously and sincerely love them. I love the love they show to Dev and Charlie even if the MC's can't really recognize it at first. I love this little family they found on this show and I am so happy that it exists.

Cochrun's writing is also phenomenal. I was sucked into this book instantly and could not put it down. She made such an amazing little section of the world with this and this amazing cast of characters that I will never ever get over. I am so soft for this book.

Pub Date: September 7, 2021

Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Ableism
Moderate: Homophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Vomit

I absolutely loved this book!​ ​This follows Dev who is a producer on a reality tv dating show called Ever After. And Charlie, who is their prince and star who is looking for true love.

This is easily my favorite romance/rom com I've read in a long time and a top book of the year! Charlie and Dev have amazing chemistry together. Watching their relationship unfold was so special. This book is emotional, funny, heartwarming and so sweet.

It tackles big topics like mental illness, identity and acceptance. There is a diverse cast of characters with so much representation and I loved them all. Sometimes I feel like side characters are just there to move things along but they all had a purpose and personality and I loved when they were around.

I didn't want the book to end and may have gotten a little teary eyed at one part. ​​Even if you aren't a reality tv fan (which I'm not) you're going to love following Ever After and learning the behind the scenes of the show. And of course, you'll adore Charlie and Dev!

Thank you to Atria Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As the producer on the reality dating show, Ever After, Dev is assigned to be the main talent’s handler. Although Charlie may look like the perfect Prince Charming for the show, there is a lot of coaching that needs to happen in order for the show to move forward. With all the time the two have to spend together, Charlie and Dev begin to build a deep connection. Charlie never could have imagined that he could find love on the show, let alone with Dev, who is off limits.

THIS BOOK BLEW ME OUT OF THE WATER! I thought it was going to be a cute rom com set against a reality show backdrop, but it was so much more than that. This book focused on mental health and the ideas that we are all a work in progress. It’s ok to need and ask for support and for what you need to get through rough times. I liked that it emphasized the fact that the media and entertainment industry put a lot of shame on mental health struggles and how we need to shift this mindset to something more positive.

The other important focus of this book was how we need to do a lot more work on breaking out of heteronormative thinking. I was reminded that sexuality is not binary. It’s a spectrum and even then, putting labels on people aren’t always as appropriate or necessary.

I loved Dev and Charlie’s characters and their coupling. They were each easy to love in different ways. Dev was a charming and relatable guy who puts people at ease. Charlie is an accomplished but vulnerable man looking for direction in his life. When they two were together, they were PERFECTION. They had an intense chemistry that not only helped them connect on a deep level, but also brought the steam to the bedroom.

This book gave me all the feels. I found myself entertained, amused, gutted, and feeling warm and fuzzy. This is a must-read for 2021!

Steam level: 🔥🔥½
⚠️: homophobia, anxiety, depression

Review will be posted at Shelf Awareness at publication.
***
Alison Cochrun's debut novel, The Charm Offensive, is the kind of sweepingly romantic book that will make even the most seasoned romance reader melt. Charlie is a tech whiz trying to prove to the world that he's employable after being ousted from the company he cofounded because of his severe anxiety and OCD. Dev is a producer on Ever After, a fictionalized version of The Bachelor.
As far as Princes go, Charlie is a disaster. Upon meeting the first of the potential Princesses, he stress-vomits all over Dev, his newly assigned "handler." Even more inconvenient is the way the two men fall for each other as Dev helps Charlie through the show, mitigating the damage to the show--and to Charlie--as best he can. Dev could have been the sunshine to Charlie's anxious gray sky, but Cochrun gives him an emotional character arc, giving readers a chance to see both men sort through their respective identities.
The diverse cast of The Charm Offensive is full of characters who provide not only comic relief, but support and thoughtful commentary on the ways society views mental illness, queerness and the idea of a Happily Ever After. Friends teach Charlie about their own experiences on the asexual spectrum and help Dev come to terms with his depression, all without heavy handed prose from the author.
The Charm Offensive is full of passages worthy of rereading and a romance that's validating, full of banter and achingly beautiful.--Suzanne Krohn, editor, Love in Panels

Discover: Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Cat Sebastian, Alison Cochrun's The Charm Offensive is a funny, diverse, subversive romance that brings an unexpected happily ever after to a reality dating show.

Not quite as adorable as Date Me Bryson Keller, but much more inclusive and respectful of mental health, this rom com centers around a reality dating show and the unreal attraction the prince feels towards his producer.

The Charm Offensive is a funny rom-com about Dev a producer who works on the set of the reality show, Ever After. Ever After can best be summed up as a mock version of the Bachelor tv-series except for a fairy tale aspect twist. However, Dev has a difficult time being the new season’s contestant handler, as Charles Winston is anything but what the press says about him. All the while he’s struggling with his ex, Ryan, working on set after their tumultuous breakup.

Charlie is actually quieter and anxiety-ridden than what he is portrayed in the media. He knows that being on Ever After is his last shot of saving his image so he can find work again because he’s deemed being hard to work with. The more we get to know him along with Dev and they both open up with their struggles with mental health issues. The hijinks that ensue on the set crack me up! And it mirrors a lot of tropes from dating reality shows in such a funny way.

What I love about this book is that not only is it comical but announce that has it’s more serious mama’s that talk about mental health struggles, sexuality, along with feeling lost in your career. Charlie doesn’t like for people to see him struggle with his OCD and panic attacks order and Dev is there to comfort him and openly listens to him. Dev is the first person to really ask what he needs when pretty much everyone else on set he’s only worried about what looks good for the cameras. Dev’s first impression of Charlie is not the best because he’s anything but with his image projects but he learns that he’s actually a very sweet and kind person and also likes appreciates that Charlie is opening honest with him about his work and being pushed into the limelight.

Dev also becomes more vulnerable over the course of the story and shares his struggles with depression and how it affected him through his life. I liked how this novel also points out the damage that these shows can do behind the scenes too. While it’s comedic and humourous I appreciated the heavier conversation in the novel. It was a feel-good romance with a cast of fun characters and the romance was sweet with some steam moments too. Watching Charlie and Dev connect and then become something more was heartwarming. This is a romance novel that will make you laugh out loud but also feels like a cozy read. If you enjoy rom-coms you’ll like reading The Charm Offensive.

Dev is a producer on a The Bachelor-type reality show, where he has spent six years believing in true love even while manipulating drama for the cameras. Charlie is the new star looking for love in front of the cameras, but he's really only there to revamp his image in order to work in his beloved IT industry again. The real romance that develops is not between Charlie and one of the women contestants - it's between Charlie and Dev, who bond over mental health issues and past traumas. Their physical attraction doesn't hurt either!

I was a little slow to get in to this book and feel attached to the characters, but I am almost always like that with romance novels. By the time I was one third of the way in, I was sobbing, and I never stopped. I have never watched The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, or any of those dating "reality" shows, but it is completely unnecessary to watch and like those shows in order to love this book. Dev and Charlie's sweetness and understanding of each other is devastating (in the best way) to read. I could not stop turning the page. It was incredible to see so much representation in the characters and the storyline - gay, lesbian, bisexual, Black, Desi, characters, with OCD, anxiety, depression. The conversations around mental illness and the depictions of how Dev and Charlie support each other through their toughest times are so well done and so important for readers today. Thank you Alison Cochrun for writing this book!!

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun is a heartwarming romance that features a sexy but awkward tech guru named Charlie who is in serious need of an image revamp. He chooses to do this by playing the part of Prince Charming on Ever After, a popular reality TV dating show. It is there he meets the other star of this book, Dev Deshpande, a producer on the show who is tasked with making Charlie less painfully awkward and stiff when he’s on screen.

While the reality TV dating aspect of the show was a lot of fun and filled with plenty of hilarious antics, what really made this story shine for me was the bond that immediately forms between Charlie and Dev. Dev is so sensitive to Charlie’s OCD, anxiety and awkwardness and really does everything he can to put him at ease and keep him calm. Dev is also a romantic who believes in happily ever afters and that he can help Charlie find love. As the filming of the show progresses, however, it becomes clear that Charlie has forged more of a meaningful connection with Dev than he has with any of the women vying for his affections. What does this mean for Charlie and his image rehab and what does it mean for Dev and his job? He’s supposed to be helping Charlie find love, not fall in love with Charlie himself.

This was such an adorable romance. Both Charlie and Dev are sweethearts and it’s impossible not to root for them to just put themselves out there and go for their happily ever after. I also enjoyed that the story also had a nice balance of weightier topics to complement the romance: self-doubt, discovering one’s sexual identity, mental illness, rejection, and an exploration of the often toxic nature of reality TV, just to name a few.

The only real issue I had with this book was that the pacing was a bit slow for me in the first half. I think it’s mainly because once I became invested in Charlie and Dev, I just wanted them to get on with it already and so the reality TV filming just felt like it was distracting me from what I wanted. That’s just a me thing though because I get impatient sometimes when the romance is a slow burn. The ending of the story is so precious and so satisfying, however, that it totally made up for the slow-ish beginning.

Funny, heartwarming, and touching, The Charm Offensive is sure to please romance fans who enjoy books like Red, White, and Royal Blue and Boyfriend Material.

This book was just super great. Both fun and deeply emotional, with the strong queer and mental health representation, this was so much more than what I thought it would be, and I'm so glad for it.

Cute story with all of the feels!

I am not a huge fan of the bachelorette/bachelor franchise, but this story did the drama well! It was super cute and an easy, uplifting read!

Would recommend to those that like “game show/reality tv” elements in books!

“ The Charm Offensive” by Alison Cochrun is a sweet rom com that’s a book form of the bachelor if they took some risks…

Dev is a romantic that has worked for years on the set of a dating reality show “ Ever After. Charlie is this seasons prince who has OCD and struggling with being left go from his company for a breakdown. He goes on the show to help his image. Dev swoops in to help him find his love and keep his awkwardness in check. Slowly through practice and lots of time together Charlie is falling in love but it isn’t with any of the contestants. Dev is struggling with his own issues and now wondering if happily ever after is even real. Together will fate intervene and show them what true love is regardless of the image people think it should look like?

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#julesbookshelf #thecharmoffensive #netgalley #goodreads #romcombooks #bookstagram #arc #out9/7

This book was ok. I liked the plot idea and I really liked Charlie. The flow of the story was hard to get into sometimes. I usually like dual point of views to be different chapters.

The chapters were also a bit longer than I usually like.

It was a three star rating, definitely had potential. Thank you for allowing me the chance to read and review.

The Charm Offensive will be one of my favorite books of 2021, I know this already and It’s only August. This book hit me directly in the feels. I love everything about it.
Charlie and Dev are some of my favorite characters. Charlie goes onto a show called Ever After, which is basically the Bachelor, to fix his reputation and try to get his life back. He also has OCD and a panic disorder, and is the most precious little bean that I love and adore. He deserves the world.
Dev is a producer on the show Ever After and it’s his job to help Charlie find love. He’s a romantic at heart but his own love life isn’t doing so great. Charlie is supposed to go on this show and fall in love with one of the contestants, but things don’t always go the way their supposed to.
I absolutely loved everything about this book. The romance is so soft and sweet, and as someone who has previously watched and enjoyed the Bachelor franchise, this just hit different. It was so much fun to be behind the scenes in this kind of show, and the idea of a contestant falling for a producer sounds like such good television.
There is SUCH good conversation about mental health. Charlie is such a wonderful character – he has OCD and deals with severe anxiety and panic attacks. He doesn’t like to be touched, he doesn’t like being put into social situations and he has a hard time dealing with the entire Ever After production. Dev is there to help him every step of the way and is always so understanding and supportive of everything he does and says, it’s the absolute cutest and heart warming. Dev also deals with severe depression.
This book does such an amazing job showing that just because you suffer from mental illness doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be happy and are capable love. There is also a lot of great conversation about sexual identity and figuring out who you are, no matter what age. I went into his expecting a love story between two men on a reality TV show and instead got such a good book with deep and meaningful discussion about sexual identity and mental health – but the romance was still wonderful!
I highly recommend this book! Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. One of my favorite books of 2021!

4.75⭐
R for some hot romance after lots of yearning!

Honestly I just want to give a big bear hug to Dev and Charlie right now (with permission of course). This book created not only a story but two characters that I feel like I know and want to be friends with.

I will continue to eat these Bachelor-type stories like candy because there is so much heart in them. This book is a great example of a change that many have requested from the real life dating shows--more representation of a variety of types of people. In the Charm Offensive, Alison Cochran brings the perfect fairy tale made-for-TV romance of a man on the asexual spectrum with anxiety and OCD and an Indian queer man with depression.

This book is a love letter to anyone who has struggled to feel like movies and tv shows only tell one type of person they can be loved. I loved how much growth Dev and Charlie experienced thoughout this book and how they didn't just seek to fix each other by finding love--they also figured out their identities, sought helped they needed and made sure they were healthy. My only complaint was the extended cast of characters were not super developed and now I want a sequel!

This book was pretty much perfect and you need to read it if you love dating shows but get annoyed by the flaws in the system. Because the flaws in this book are what makes it perfect.