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.

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 was everything I wanted and more. As someone who has been depressed for years about the lack of representation in the dating shows, this book is everything I have wanted in these shows.

I think this also resonated with me because of the mental health mentions. It isn’t often that romance books shed light on these issues, and this read is extremely important.

I loved the pansexual PR rep and the figuring out of sexuality. This is an important read for the LGBTQ+ community and I can’t wait to read more.

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!