This was a really hard one to review. I enjoyed Charlie a lot, I thought he was so ridiculously sweet. There was great diversity amung the characters, and the mental health was really well addressed.

But...the first half of the book is SUCH a toxic environment that Dev and others enable. It was hard to read. I understand that Dev had a total blind spot toward the show, but it was much darker than I was expecting it to be. And I would have liked to see Maureen fall. She was such a villain, so much of the book was her being horrible, but we didn't get to see her downfall and cheer.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Alison Cochrun for the ARC of The Charm Offensive. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a very enjoyable read start to finish! The way Cochrun not only integrates many important and diverse character, but has them have critical and what felt like authentic conversations that only built on one another really impressed me!

This story put me on an emotional roller coaster in the best way. What contributed to this so well I found in contrast to other romances I’ve read is that their is no single, “third act conflicts,” but many throughout that made the romance that much more believable with the highs and lows. In addition, the setting of a reality TV was so fun and unique to read with great payoff!

Lastly, Charlie being a bachelor contestant with contamination OCD, PTSD, and an anxiety/panic disorder and the hurdles he would have to overcome in this spotlight was very unique, but felt well informed and researched to read. These identities are not one off mentions or aspects of his identity based on stereotypes to create a character either, but instead a fully fleshed our character which was amazing to read.

I think this is a debut, I could be wrong, and if so I am even more impressed with all that is accomplished and risks taken in this fun and enlightening text. I look forward to grabbing a physical copy of this book in September and reading more from Cochrun!

This is a m/m romance that was sent to me from the editor. This is a DARLING book and I enjoyed ever minute of reading it. I'm not sure if people who watch The Bachelor will like this because it might deflate their belief in the show after reading this book which is set mainly in the background of a similar fictional show (I personally dislike "reality" TV). Dev, a twenty-something man, is a producer who believes in happily ever after after seeing this show as a young boy. Even after working on the show for several years and a recent breakup with one of the other producers, Ryan, he vociferously defends HEA's. He's usually in charge of the women vying for the bachelor and he's got it down to an art, however, Dev's being promoted to the care of, and corralling of the new bachelor, Charlie. Charlie is a tech CEO with a number of issues - OCD, anxiety, and germ phobia. Dev is thrown in the deep end with Charlie, starting with Charlie vomiting on Dev's shoes. This story progresses with Dev and Charlie helping each other and becoming closer before a realization hits Charlie. I loved how naturally the changes they each went through evolved in this book and the other crew members that basically formed a tightknit friendship among them even if they all didn't realize it. The ending was amazing.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an impartial review.

I made the mistake of starting this book at 9:30PM. Thankfully, it was a Friday night, and sleep is for the weak, so we binged it in one sitting. I just really craved reading a reality television dating romance, and I had heard such good things about this one... it needed to happen.

And it didn't disappoint! I loved this book. Each character was so well-developed, and the romantic progression seemed so normal, and I love The Bachelor-esque elements, obviously. I mean, there's two great main characters. We have Charlie, our "Bachelor," who looks like a Ken doll but is neurodiverse and trying to hide it. And Dev, our Indian-American, out producer who wears heinous cargo shorts that I wish I could burn, but has a heart of gold and bouts of depression. This book just gave me all the feels and I want to read it again almost immediately.

Thanks to Atria for my eARC and my Goodreads giveaway win for a physical ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

More like 3.5 stars.
It was a little tough at first suspending disbelief about a reality dating show contestant this challenging--in an ideal Reality TV world, I don't think someone like this would've ever made the cut, regardless of fame (in this case, Charlie's a total tech company whiz. Think a gorgeous, Non-Robotic Zuckerberg). And I'm not sure why those around him who actually knew him would think this would be such a good idea. That being said, it is the contrivance that leads to a cute little romance.
Still--Dev felt like he was tossed in for diversity's sake, and not for true Indian/Indian-American representation. Everything was so focused on the show, that when we jumped out of the bubble to deal with things like Dev's depression or Charlie's dealing with his old business partner, it felt like it didn't quite fit, even if it was a tremendous part of who Charlie and Dev are.. I did like having another romance novel representing someone coming out later in life. I'd say give this book a chance and see what you think.

The Charm Offensive is feel good, cute and important. There is so much representation it hit all the right places.

Dev is a producer for Ever After, and has to deal with their prince, Charlie, who is a hot mess. He has anxiety, OCD and other stuff going on that honestly it's a miracle the show accepted him. He's not there to find love, but to put his reputation back together, and desperately needs Dev's help to get it done.

Everything about their relationship made me swoon. From their first meeting, to their first hookup. I also loved the awkwardness of it all, because real life is super awkward sometimes.

The supporting cast of characters were amazing, on their own, and their support of Dev and Charlie, as they're in a bit of a situation as Charlie is supposed to pick out and get engaged to a women on the show.

I absolutely loved the ending. You won't regret reading this one!

Thank you to Atria books and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I adored this book and was sad when it was over! The Charm Offensive is everything you’d want from any romantic comedy—witty, cute, and heartfelt. Set in the world of reality tv (aka The Bachelor), the plot follows the show’s season star and his producer. Where this book goes above and beyond, though, is through its incredibly diverse cast of characters (representation is at an all time high in this book) and the open discussions of mental health.
This book is perfect for fans of One to Watch and Red White & Royal Blue.

“You’re deserving of a relationship in whatever form you want it.”

The Charm Offensive is everything and has become one of my favorite reads in 2021. The intimacy in this book. The exploration. The acceptance. I read a lot of romance, but this is one of the first ones that genuinely made me feel like I could be in love. It was funny and also a great commentary on the heteronormativity of dating shows, the way society treats people with mental illness, and a culture that values overworking ourselves.

One of the best parts was how the Aspec rep made me feel so seen. It was like the author had copies of all the frantic texts I sent my friends in college trying to figure out myself. It was so heartwarming. I’m not a rereader, but I already want to read this again because now I understand what people mean by comfort books.

This is one of those books that I love so much but can’t write a long review for because I have no idea how to put all my big feelings into words. It’s also a book that’s better to read without knowing all the details before going in. Just let yourself be immersed in the sweet, sweet love story. I preordered a physical copy after reading this ARC, and I suggest you get a copy too.

I absolutely adored this book. Charlie and Dev were just <3 <3 <3. There were so many things I loved about this book: the humor. The "practice dates." The swoony romance. The well-written steam. The dialogue and every time Dev called Charlie "love" <3. The thoughtful representation and discussion of mental illness. Also just representation at large! The extremely intriguing backdrop of being set in a reality dating show and the incredible places they travelled around the world. The way Charlie and Dev bring out the best in each other but also support each other through their lowest times. The realism of their interactions and the way their minds process their growing connection, despite their fantastical, over-the-top setting. The whole supporting cast of characters and their relationships with Dev and Charlie. Minus Maureen. We don't like her.

This is one of my favorite romances I've read in a long time and my heart was so full when I put it down. This is the most magical of love stories, the kind of book that makes you believe in true love, even in our messy, imperfect world. In one word, this book was utterly charming.

Thank you to Atria & Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Dev and Charlie aren't your typical guys. They meet on a dating show as Chatlie is the contestant and Dev the producer. Through the crossing of many lines they come to realize they have feelings for each other. Plenty of obstacles in their way, mental health and sexuality is over come and written about in such an affirming way.

The Charm Offensive 🎥

Favorite quotes: “Guard your loins, ladies! Casanova is on the loose.”
“You’re too amazing to settle for Goonies T-shirts and a PS5.”

Thank you to @atriabooks for a gifted copy #partner
I absolutely ADORED this book. Thank you to @lovearctually for pushing me to get ahead of my massive TBR list!
If you loved books like Red White and Royal Blue and Boyfriend Material, you will ADORE this book.
It was whitty and deep and smooch worthy and huggable and just perfect.
It was inclusive and gave a well known show that is still not in the present times the kick in the butt it needed to be part of this century.
And the mental health aspect was done perfectly and made the characters even more relatable.
I fell in love with Charlie and his journey, I adored Dev and all of his quirks.

Thank you again @atriabooks!!

I devoured this book and just know it's going to be a favorite to reread. It absolutely lived up to the hype. Dev and Charlie were both so endearing and sweet, plus their chemistry sizzled! I'm not a big Bachelor fan at all, but this sucked me right in.

This book caught me by surprise in the best way possible. Like the reality show it’s based on, I started reading this novel “ironically,” with low expectations and little hope for entertainment - which is why I was so surprised when I was promptly called out by this book’s self-awareness, satire, and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. I started out skeptical, but was quickly and completely won over by Dev and Charlie’s “journey”, not only in their discovery of their love for each other, but in learning to accept and love themselves. (I know it sounds cheesy. It kind of is, except it totally isn’t.) I loved the cast of diverse characters, the conversation around mental health and sexuality, and the emphasis placed upon finding your happily ever after within yourself. This story teaches us that self-love conquers all, but it never hurts to find a little romance along the way.

As a dedicated viewer and critic of The Bachelor franchise, I was instantly drawn into this book. The characters, though, are what kept me around. Both Dev and Charlie are wonderfully complex and given such real depth to their struggles that their journey is so compelling. The humor brought a lot of joy to this book as well as the incredible cast of characters that filled out this world. I will be eagerly awaiting more books from Alison Cochrun!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 / 5

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 centers around a reality dating show called Ever After (think The Bachelor). But this book is about so much more than reality dating. It’s about being comfortable with who you are and finding people who accept you - unconditionally.

Charlie Winshaw is gorgeous, wealthy, and intelligent, but he’s also a little awkward, and this has caused problems at work. With his public image suffering, his PR agent (𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳) signs him up to be the Prince on this season of Ever After.

Dev Deshpande is an assistant producer for Ever After who always seems to have food on his face or crumbs on his shirt. He works hard every season to ensure the contestants get a “happily ever after,” even though his own relationship with Ryan didn’t last. When Dev gets assigned to be the Prince’s handler for the season, he wonders why Charlie came on the show. Charlie seems rigid and almost disinterested in these beautiful potential princesses.

Dev, determined to make this a happily ever after, gives his undivided attention to Charlie, and before they know it, they make a connection… but this is not in the script.

Alison Cochrun deeply explores sexuality and mental health in this rom-com; it’s not just a flyover. Both Charlie and Dev struggle and suffer in their own way. But they see and accept what the other is going through; they are patient and stand beside each other, even when it isn’t pretty.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 is charming, diverse, and a very important read. Thank you to @SimonandSchuster and @netgalley for an advanced copy.

charm of·fen·sive
/ˈCHärm ˈôˌfensiv/
noun
a campaign of flattery and friendliness designed to achieve the support or agreement of others.

Dev Deshpande is a producer on Ever After,  a reality show that helps the Prince find his Princess/Bride out of many contestants. He has loved The happily ever after since he was a boy. He wants to help everyone find their true love.

Charlie Winshaw is trying to makeover his reputation after a public falling out at his tech startup that caused him to get voted out. He has become a liability so his PR BFF thought this would be the perfect idea to get him on Ever After. Even though he has limited social skills, is a germaphobe and doesn't like to be touched, he's gorgeous with a hot body. Lol TV is all about the looks.

Dev has his work cut out for him as his handler as he tries to get Charlie comfortable by taking him on test dates. Charlie is more comfortable with Dev than he is with any of the contestants and he is learning a lot about himself.

The slowburn romance was so clumsy and real and authentic and slam you to the wall hot. I just loved all their little moments that added up to their love story.  OMG I loved it! I just melt all over these books!

This book takes a look behind the curtain of reality shows. As Dev realizes that the point of the show may not be love and may just be drama and he just had his rose colored glasses on.

It also talks about mental health and the stigma behind it. There is nothing wrong with needing help. There's something wrong with forcing neurotypical on people. I think it makes conditions worse and spiral when there is no down time and they are forced to mask continuously. Just because you don't feel these things doesn't mean they aren't real. We are all made perfectly and are all made differently.

I will say it again: I would watch a LGBTQ bachelor. Like there are so many different series branches c'mon!

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you atria books and net galley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve never cried over a book, and a romcom would not be one of the few books you’d think would bring me close to tears, but this was SO different from any other romance I’ve read!
Obviously the romance in this book was adorable, and I was rooting for Dev and Charlie the entire book, but the best part of reading this was the discussions of mental health. Charlie has OCD, severe anxiety, and panic disorder, while Dev has clinical depression. I saw myself so much in what the journey they had to go through to come to terms with their mental health and being comfortable enough to let people care for them and their wellbeing. PLEASE read this book when it comes out. You will not be disappointed by any part of it. (I’m going to preorder now)

This is really quite charming! I loved the behind the scenes look at reality TV (especially as a Bachelor/Bachelorette watcher). The mental health representation also felt fairly accurate, though I can only speak personally about the representation of anxiety. The two main characters had a strong, believable connection. I think that the setting, a reality TV show, probably made the romance feel very fast-paced, and I would have enjoyed a slower burn. But it was an enjoyable, entertaining romance.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun follows Dev, a producer on Ever After, a Bachelor-type dating show, and Charlie, the new "bachelor' for this season. Dev believes in true love and promises Charlie that he'll fall in love by the end of the season. Little do either of them know, they might end up falling for each other.

Firstly, I want to note that as a white person, I am not qualified to speak on the representation of Dev as an Indian character. I have seen some own-voices reviews that speak to that, and not all are positive. I encourage readers to seek those out.

I really enjoyed this book. First, the pacing is really well done, which makes it so dang readable. I found myself reaching for this book over another ARC I have that comes out sooner (oops!) but I just couldn't help it. I also think there's something about the Bachelor-esque approach just makes it feel like must-see TV (or reading, in this case). I don't even watch the shows, but I get why so many people do.

I really loved Dev and Charlie as characters and seeing their growth through the book. They have full, human arcs, which I think is another part of why this book works so well. They do grow as people, and it's nice to watch that happen. That said, they really do validate each other and see the good in each other right away, while encouraging each other to be the best they can. We love to see it!

My only real note is that I would've liked to see Dev in his home life a little more. There's a quick bit of it toward the end, but I think seeing him with his family would've been nice and given him a little more background.

On the whole, I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be looking out for more work by Alison Cochrun.

The first thing I want to say is that I absolutely fell head over heels in LOVE with this story. I am SO INTO this trend of using reality shows such as The Bachelor franchise to give us such emotive and vulnerable characters. I’ve recently become trash for the franchise so reading books with a similar premise has been fueling my soul!!

There was such an amazing mental health rep & LGBTQIA+ rep. It was so incredible. Dev and Charlie were such dynamic characters with so many layers. Charlie has OCD, anxiety, and a panic disorder and Dev has depression. The way the author weaves this into the story is so great because let's be honest, these issues are very real and part of the lives of so many. The very REAL discussions were pivotal and I know so many of us readers will relate to this journey but also to Charlie’s journey when it comes to his sexuality.

You seriously couldn’t help but root for Dev & Charlie. While you read this, you literally just want them to be happy and together and come to terms with who they are. They made my heart SO HAPPY! I swooned and melted into a puddle while reading it.

I already know this review won’t do any justice to this book so just pick it up when it releases!