Absolutely fantastic!!! I am in love with this book!!! The characters were fun, entertaining, and I couldn’t stop feeling giddy about their relationships and the bonds that were formed!

The Charm Offensive is an amazing book! Everyone deserves a chance at a happily ever after, but Dev has worked so long planning out other people's happy endings that he's forgotten about his own. Convinced that nobody wants to see anything except for Fun Dev he puts on his happy face and gives the all for Ever After. When he becomes the talent handler for Charlie, an intelligent and attractive man, he begins to fall in love.

I loved this book so much and I loved the representation in it! It was definitely a heartwarming story and I recommend it highly to anyone who is suffering from a bit of a book hangover after reading RWARB. The depiction of mental illness in this story is some of the best I've read in a while. The relationship doesn't magically fix Dev's depression, it helps him recognize that there is more to life than only showing Fun Dev. People with mental illness deserve love and deserve to feel worthy of love.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is like a cross between Red, White and Royal Blue and the television show The Bachelor. Charlie is the sexy but awkward bachelor, looking to revitalize his reputation in the tech world. Dating women has never felt natural for him, but his handler Dev tries to coach him through it, until they realize they have feelings for each other. It’s a sweet love story with themes of LGBTQA and mental illness, told in a very sensitive and thoughtful way. I will read more by this author in the future!

***Thank You Net-galley for this arc***

This is one of my favorite books of the year. I can't wait to buy this when it comes out. I have never read a romance like this, which is based around a reality show. All characters in the book were done well, even the bad ones. You will know what I am talking about once you read it.
Dev Deshpande was a character I didn't expect. An Indian American gay character working on a Reality Tv show set with clinical depression and pure belief in fairy tales. Yes, that is all Dev and I loved him from page one.
Charlies was so endearing as Prince charming, the love interest with OCD and severe anxiety. And a badass agent to represent him.
The best part of this book was two characters with Mental Illness done well. They are not flawed because mental illness is not a flaw. They were just two boys who met under hilarious circumstances and found to love each other just the way they are.
I will not stop talking about this book until I get my hands on it and then talk more with spoilers.

Billing this rom-com as reminiscent of Red, White, and Royal Blue and One to Watch is the PERFECT way to describe it - I loved both of those books, and this book is basically like their love child. I'm a big fan of The Bachelor (watch it religiously), so any behind-the-scenes look at a show like it is perfect to me. It's particularly interesting to read this story and think about how everything was handled, now that a past Bachelor has come out as gay a few years after being on the show. It really made me think about what, if anything, was done about the real-life situation. I was very pleased with how the author handled Charlie's OCD - from his perspective, from Dev's perspective, and from the show's perspective. It felt very real to life and similar to how The Bachelor would (and probably has) handled such things.

As for the love story aspect of it? Perfect. Dev and Charlie are fantastic characters that both struggle with different mental health issues but have wonderful support systems. All of the side characters were equally fantastic. I can't recommend this story enough!

This book was an exceptional journey that brought hope and happiness to my jaded heart. I tend to steer clear of romance novels, but this one caught my eye and after reading it, it proved to be incredible. Dev is a producer on a reality tv dating show with a fairy tale theme. The setting is castle like and the main contestant is called a Prince. Dev loves that part of his job is making happily ever after happen, even if his own life is sorely lacking in romance or fairy tales. However this season, Dev and Charlie (the Prince for the season) seem to be getting closer than can be expected, and Dev doesn't know how to handle it.

This story is perfect for those of us who enjoyed Red, White, and Royal Blue. The settings were very well done, and this book was practically an armchair trip around the world. The characters are distinct and colorful, mental health is dealt with in a beautiful and understanding way, and the writing is so good. My jaded self absolutely cried during this beautiful novel.

As someone who has spent the past couple years watching recent seasons of the Bachelor/Bachelorette and wanting to finally see a queer romance blossom between two contestants (or even to have an openly queer lead)... this book is exactly the story I needed. I could not put this cute rom-com down. I needed to know what happened next, how things between Charlie and Dev grew deeper, and wanting desperately for them to achieve the Happily Ever After they deserved.

I haven't been this in love with a rom-com book since Red, White, and Royal Blue. It made me smile, it made me laugh, it made me want to reach into the book and shake the characters. I was absolutely invested in this story and these characters.

Also... after the ending with a certain character, I would love a sequel for her.

Oh my heart. I can’t remember that last time I read a book and was quite so invested in what happened. I devoured the whole thing in two days. This involved volunteering for midnight feeds with the baby because I was still awake reading. So if you think you're not the right audience for a gay rom com, you might be wrong.

This is (another) book about a fictional version of The Bachelor. But what would happen if the bachelor fell in love with one of the producers instead of a bachelorette? We get to know Dev, the out going producer and talent handler on a reality TV show, Ever After. He gets pulled into manage the newest prince, Charlie, who is an awkward, OCD, former high profile tech worker who is trying to repair his public image - and this whole thing was his best friend / agent’s idea. Not only do they have to figure out what this means for them but they need to figure out how - and if - they want to make this work.

I enjoy rom com books any but this one was particularly amazing. It lifts up queer voices, has really great, complex characters, and tackles the realities of mental health. And it’s just plain enduring.

Big thanks to the publisher, Alison Cochrun for writing this gem and #NetGalley for the ARC.

As soon as I read 'reality dating show' with LGBTQIAP+ rep, I NEEDED to read this book. I loved Alison's writing style, her message, and her acknowledgements at the end. I can't wait to read more from her.

The rep in this book is fantastic. I smiled and laughed so much and I adored the tropes and the relationship progression. Charlie and Dev are so stinkin cute and one of my new favorite couples.
I really wasn't sure how the end would go, it waffled back and forth a bit, but I'm glad it ended with the scene I was hoping for. There are a couple of side character decisions that don't really get explained, but I rolled with it for the growth of Dev and Charlie.

I think this book is so special, and I hope everyone reads it and that it gets the hype it deserves.

So, so, so, so good! I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel that’s made me laugh out loud, made me cry, and taught me all about LGBTQ+; asexual, pansexual, biromantic....I learned so much new stuff! All the feels from how she handled the mental health issues, showing that it’s totally normal and totally ok. Our author really covers a lot in such a short time, but she does it so well. I’ve already preorder this to give as gifts to so many people!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! LIKE SO MUCH!!!

First of all I related to the main characters struggles with severe anxiety and OCD SO MUCH. Like,, it was very well written. I absolutely loved the mental health rep in this story as a whole. I grew very attached to the main characters very quickly. They were super likable, and both very charismatic and charming in their own ways. The writing was witty, the storyline was a bit trope-y but still unpredictable, original, and fun to read.

I can definitely see this book get tons of hype on social media. I know I, for one, will be posting about it all the time. It's every aspect of a rom-com that we love, and overall just so *chefs kiss*

This was a lovely and original take on the reality dating show concept that had the two main characters having a real intimate connection that naturally progressed throughout the story. I was fully engaged while reading this story and read it in one sitting. I was enamored with both main characters and their relationship and loved how their bond was explored.

This was a story that touched on many important topics with grace and honesty that I completely appreciated because it elevated the story to a more real and personal tone that made it more realistic. I loved this story and loved how the author took chances that paid off.

I fully recommend this novel and cannot wait to read more from this author.

On the surface, the premise of The Charm Offensive is a fairly simple one: what happens when Dev, a producer on a Bachelor-like reality show Ever After, who buys into all the hype about romantic love, meets Charlie, the “Prince” of the current season, who is on the show looking to rehab his professional image, not find love. Cute, right?

I went into The Charm Offensive expecting on some level to be, well…charmed. And that was certainly true. And Alison’s writing is lovely, sure, and effortless, a true joy to read. What I loved more though was how this story unfurled, how we quickly realize that this trope at the center of the story is way more than that. We see how Dev and Charlie and the lovely, diverse cast of supporting characters navigate relationships, sexuality, and mental health. The discussions of mental health ring true and feel organic and right to the thrust of the narrative. We see real character development, and a relationship that you want to root for. Queerness is at the center here, as is striving to bring our healthiest, most authentic selves to relationships, even when we fail or take the circuitous route.

When I closed this book, I smiled. I was fully invested from start to finish. Yes, this is a romcom. Some parts are really funny. Some parts are steamy and romantic. I knew they would end up together at the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and fell in love with these wonderful, infuriating, perfectly imperfect characters.

Queer folks: we deserve these stories. Not just representation, but stories that present us in complicated, messy, hilarious, and true ways. Thank you, Alison, for giving us a romcom we all need.

Out of all the books I have seen pitched as “perfect for Red, White and Royal Blue fans,” The Charm Offensive was the first one I felt like actually delivered on that comparison. In all honesty, I just want to sob about how much I love this book and how much it meant to me and come September 7th, fling copies out of my window until everyone I know has read this phenomenal story. But before I do that, let me convince you why you need The Charm Offensive in your life.
Meet Dev Desphande, producer of the long-running reality dating show Ever After, who believes in true love conquering all. With each season more elaborate and emotional, Dev knows how to craft a good show. That is, until Ever After casts Charlie Winshaw, disgraced and awkward tech genius, as their prince and all of Dev’s plans go up in flame. Charlie is a stiff and anxious mess in front of the cameras. Ultimately, Dev is ordered to make Charlie loosen up – whatever it takes – and soon, the two of them find themselves attached at the hip, going on practice dates and sneaking the occasional practice kiss and maybe, accidentally, falling in love in the process?! But reality TV has a formula to follow that doesn’t include the prince falling for the producer…yet to find their happily ever after, Dev and Charlie might have to go off-script.
If that synopsis doesn’t convince you to pick this book up, here are more reasons:
For one, The Charm Offensive offers an outstandingly nuanced depiction of mental health and the stigma attached to mental illnesses. Dev lives with depression and though he has a handle on things most days, there are those where he can’t get himself out of bed and where his symptoms are just too overwhelming. Charlie notices when Dev suddenly disappears and everyone at the dating show seems to accept that Dev is “under the weather,” not bothering to look deeper into Dev’s disappearance. This was such a raw and explosive depiction of how mental illness is just glossed over, not only by the ones dealing with it because of the stigma, but also in workplace settings. There’s still so much stigma attached to living with a mental illness and glamorizing ‘the grind’ of overworking oneself instead of actively trying to change the narrative, and I loved how Cochrun exposed this in The Charm Offensive. Cochrun really showcases what a toll mental illnesses can take not only on individuals but everyone around them and also offers the readers ways to combat the stigma. Charlie and Dev’s discussions about their mental illnesses and what it means to take care of your body and your mind, their different coping mechanisms and their stance on therapy were fascinating to discover over the course of the book and made for fantastic food for thought.
Additionally, the way sexuality was discussed in this novel made my heart ache in the most delicious way. Cochrun takes such a delicate and careful approach to Charlie figuring out his feelings and I loved how this became part of the story instead of being rushed by slapping on a label that maybe wasn’t quite the right fit. Beyond showcasing the casual homo- and biphobia individuals have to deal with in a reality dating show setting (though we all know it’s a much farther-reaching issue), this book also included a relevant discussion of the asexual spectrum and how there is no ‘right’ way to be asexual. As someone who’s panromantic ace, I can’t really put into words just how much the exploration of Charlie figuring things out meant to me because usually when these kinds of things are included in books, it often includes casual acephobia or a disregard for the + in the LGBTQ+ acronym. Not so in The Charm Offensive: here, Charlie gets the chance to explore his identity without fear of judgement from his partner and I think everyone can learn something from those moments between Dev and Charlie.
The highlight of the book, of course, are the two main characters Dev and Charlie and their journey to finding love. Beyond a hilarious meet cute and undeniable chemistry, I was also hooked by the “opposites attract” trope. Give me a romantic cynic and a romantic at heart falling in love and I’m a goner. Watching Dev, who truly believes in the power of their dating show bringing people together while also being in the midst of his own post-breakup downward spiral, was incredibly relatable. Pair that with Charlie, who only goes on to the show to save his reputation in the tech world and promptly foregoes all the women competing only for him to fall in love with his producer and you have the forbidden romance of your dreams. Dev and Charlie’s romance arc was wonderfully paced and there were so many moments where I was just overwhelmed with feelings. Charlie and Dev help each other out in these grand ways, but they also do it in the tiny, everyday things, and above all: they stay. They listen. They try to be there for the other in whatever way they can. Rarely have I seen two flawed characters find their perfect match in such an intriguing way. I loved how we got to explore both Dev and Charlie’s past and present individually and then watched as their genuine support, funny banter and sizzling chemistry came to a head behind the scenes of the show. Both characters come with emotional baggage, but together, the load felt a bit lighter.
Despite the amount of important topics tackled in this story, the pacing never dragged, which is a testament to Cochrun’s writing. The dialogue and descriptions flowed incredibly well and thanks to a great, fleshed-out cast of secondary characters (that is super diverse), there was no dull moment to find in between these pages. All in all, I couldn’t put this book down. From moments of outright laughter to chapters that ripped my heart out and had me tearing up, The Charm Offensive certainly delivers all the feels.
With The Charm Offensive, Alison Cochrun delivers a pitch-perfect debut filled with a fantastically diverse cast, an intricate look behind the curtains of reality shows and a forbidden romance that will defy all obstacles. Tender, laugh-out-loud funny and masterfully woven, you won’t want to miss out on this one!

I really enjoyed this book! I have to admit, I am not a fan of dating reality shows, but for some reason the idea for this book seemed really cute. The tension was well built and the relationship felt organic. I do know a few fans of this genre so this will make a perfect gift! Looking forward to being able to share it!

THE CHARM OFFENSIVE - @alisoncochrun
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Heat level: 🔥
CW: OCD, anxiety, depression, homophobia
Release date: September 7th

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for providing this AMAZING ARC.

"Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales and spent his career crafting them on the reality dating show Ever After. Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess. Behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off.

As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants, 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."

All the feels about this incredible book. I knew the story revolved around two men finding love on a Bachelor-inspired show but what I didn't expect was the discussions around depression, anxiety, OCD and mostly asexuality. I LOVED how this subjects were treated in this book, the inclusion whether it's with the sexuality or with mental health issues. As you can see in the photo for this post, I too suffer from anxiety and have to take meds to help me every day. This book radiates so much positivity around mental health issues, and has a real discussion around it. It made my heart soar and I felt brave enough to share my own struggles too.

Onto the story: I really liked how @alisoncochrun crafted every character with such care, you will fall in love with Jules, Parisa, Ryan, Angie and so many more, so many sidekicks that actually shine.

And last but not least, Charlie and Dev's beautiful relationship. I loved Dev's endless romantic enthousiam and Charlie's fragility. I loved their chemistery, how they love each other, tending to each others needs, being the person in each other's life they never had. I loved their witty conversations, and the tenderness. I loved how real they felt. I whish I could turn on my TV tomorrow night, and watch Charlie's season unfold.

The Charm Offensive comes out Sept. 7th and if it's not already in your TBR list, what are you waiting for ? 🧡

Very cute book about a Bachelor Type program. The contestant Charlie is not your typical prince - he is anxious and uncomfortable and awkward. Dev is assigned to be his handler and finds himself attracted to Charlie.

I enjoyed it.

"Crippling is a bit much. I like to think I'm sort of dabbling in depression"

Dev Deshpande helps people get them happily ever after on a show called Ever After (Similar to the Bachelor). Charlie doesn't believe in true love but agrees to be the bachelor to rehabilitate his image. But things get complicated as Dev helps Charlie open up and get comfortable with the contestants and his idea of love.

This was such a fun, diverse, charming, and unique story. I enjoyed the pacing, writing and thought the plot was so fucking fun. Who doesn't want to see the bachelor realize he's actually gay?! I was hooked from beginning to ending. I'm so glad you get to see behind the scenes and the director's notes, it was added so much to the story. I felt like the author did such a good job at showing only the parts I cared about.

Dev and Charlie struggle with their mental health and I appreciated that it wasn't glamorized and was accurate. It was a joy was watching Dev and Charlie go from confused to in love. The romance is beautiful and focused a lot on growth and understanding the other person. The characters are unforgettable, complex, and show growth and development. I loved all of them! Jules, Parisa, Daphne and Angie are so great and I want more of them!!

It's so charming, hilarious, progressive, thrilling, romantic and I can't recommend this book enough! The only other books I can compare this to is Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch, and this is way way better. This book is releasing on September 7, 2021, so make sure to pick up your copy, you do not want to miss out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of those few books that I forced myself to finish even though I didn't really like it, but I ended up being SO GLAD I did, because the ending was all I wanted, and more! 😍


PROS :
• SO MUCH LGBTQ+ rep
• Neurodiversity
• Lots of mental health rep + therapy
• Normalizing not having sex
• Falling in love romantically and platonically
• Your career not being the measure of your worth
• Being in a relationship won't solve your problems aka it won't "fix" you

CONS :
• I wasn't connecting with the characters
• Homophobia and discrimination (it works with the narrative and those characters get what they deserve, but I still had a hard time putting up with them)
• I just felt like the story was dragging on
• Characters felt immature to me

I really loved the ending, how it's about being your true self and not what you think other people want to see.

Love love loved this book! I was invited to read it and was in a bit of a reading slump so I thought "why not?" And now I'm going to have a massive book hangover. This was so well written. Charlie is so perfect... handsome yet awkward and his struggles feel so real. And Dev is just so darn likeable. Set in a Bachelor-esque world, the setting and events change so much that the plot never bogs down and just keeps moving along. All I wanted was for Dev and Charlie to get their happy ending, but I cared about the many supporting characters too. There were times I couldn't pick this book up because it made my heart hurt in the best way; this book stayed with me even when I walked away from it. No faults with this book and it's cast of diverse characters except I want more.