Because this was comped with RWRB in the promotion materials I had high expectations, but I wasn't let down at all! Plot-wise it's really...nothing like RWRB, but the voices of both books were similar. It felt like hearing the story from a close, wise-cracking friend. I loved it in RWRB, and I loved it here too.

One of the best parts about The Charm Offensive is that it is just unapologetically queer. But what I loved about it the most is that it is unapologetically queer in a traditionally (and aggressively) white, heterosexual space: Reality TV. Cochrun does an excellent job of forcing her readers to open up, to see this love story for what it is despite where it is happening. And she tells us, over and over again, that this is realistic, that people of all types can and will fall in love wherever they are, and that it should be celebrated.

TCO also does a lot of work with being neurodivergent and having mental illnesses, which was great. There's a part where Jules, probably my favorite character, says something like "Everyone has a fucking therapist" when Dev is surprised that she has a therapist, which I found hysterical and just a perfect mirror to the millennial/gen z experience. We really do all have therapists (and for good reason, life fucks everyone up).

And of course, Dev and Charlie. I loved them. Their struggles were realistic. Their love was adorable. I received TCO through netgalley and devoured it in a night, because I just loved them. They're so good, and so messy. I don't think I've ever read a book that is this daring enough to really show their characters at their worst. And for it, when we see Dev and Charlie at their best, it's so, so special.

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! I was excited about an LGBTQIA+ themed forbidden romance set within the world of a heteronormative reality dating show, but worried about the relationship possibly being more secretive (shaming) than celebratory. However, Alison Cochrun has done a fantastic and sensitive job of creating a world in which pure love does exist.

The Charm Offensive is the story of reality TV producer, Dev, who is reassigned to be a "handler" for the male contestant, Charlie. Almost immediately, the two bond, but the show's expectations and their life experiences create a complex tension and steamy chemistry that drives this novel forward. I love so many of the characters in this book and want each of them to get their own versions of happily ever after!

I especially appreciate the way the author has included a diverse group of queer characters, including those on the asexual spectrum without it being forced or a negative stereotype. Mental health also plays a large role in the storyline, and neurodiversity, including OCD, depression, and anxiety disorder is handled with care. This book could have gone off the rails with the wrong author, but Alison Cochrun skillfully delivers a beautiful love story. I highly recommend it!

Reality TV... blech. And what was with all the puking?!?

Okay, beyond the things that weren't my usual, I really enjoyed the diversity of the characters in this. Yes, Charlie was blond and blue-eyed, but he was SUPER neuro-divergent and had mass amounts of anxiety. Dev was solid, but had serious struggles with depression on the page and gave POC representation beautifully, advocating for DEI in Hollywood. The toxic Hollywood behind-the-scenes felt accurate, as did the redemption arc for the Bachelor-style show. Fans of Pitch Perfect will love this!

This is an absolutely wonderful book with heavy Red White and Royal Blue vibes. It has a likable cast of characters that includes real-world levels of diversity in areas such as sexuality, ethnicity, mental health, and neurodivergance. Even thought the story felt fairly straightforward with few unexpected twists and turns, it was still a delight to read and I plowed through it in a few short days because I couldn't put it down. The two main characters are both likable and highly relatable and they are surrounded by a cast of equally likable supporting characters who I felt lucky to get to know. I recommend this book to adult readers who like romance, lgbtq+ stories, behind the scenes looks at the reality television industry, and honest talks about mental health and sexuality.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I saw Rachel Lynn Solomon raving about this one and immediately requested. She was so so very right about this book.

CW: obsessive-compulsive disorder, severe anxiety, depression, biphobia, queerphobia, misogyny, mocking of mental health, episode of severe depression

I would recommend this book if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-friends to lovers
-close-proximity
-forbidden relationship
-practice/fake dating and hookups
-only one bed
-a bachelor like dating show
-amazing secondary characters

I adored this book. The effortless representation. It was so reflective of the real world. The spectrum that sexuality is, neurodiversity, the importance of mental health and normalizing it, platonic love, and the importance of the right of everyone to find and be loved for exactly who they are. This book is a big hug and I want everyone to have it so they can be hugged.

The first half had me cackling as Dev and Charlie fell for each other, both of them not realizing it at first. It was so sweet how they both saw and just accepted the other immediately. There was no second-guessing just an immediate giving of what the other needed. I loved how the show was used as a timeline and also a countdown of sorts that they would have to go their separate ways. This book was so smart, so effortless, such a joy. Watching these two quietly fall in love. Every touch, ever acknowledgment. And consent, so much freaking consent. So much tenderness, and feelings, and acceptance. I loved both Dev and Charlie's best friends and fully support spin-offs where they get their happily ever afters.

But the second half. It ripped my heart out in the best way, the beating heart of this book. The social commentary on dating shows and just the heteronormative expectations that the media continues to perpetuate is subtle until it's not and this book faces it head-on. It was such a journey reading Dev and Charlie both learn that they deserve love and to accept it. My heart was pounding until the very end for these two. So much happens in this book but it was never overwhelmed by it, at its heart is a beautiful love story and it sucks you in.

Please just read this book it is so beautiful and one of the best I've read this year.

Rating: 5
Steam: 2 (vague terms/descriptions)

4.5 stars

This is such a sweet story about Charlie, a tech whiz who's trying to repair his reputation by going on Ever After, a reality TV dating show, and Dev, his handler/producer, who's trying to move past the ending of a 6-year relationship with Ryan, another member of the show's crew. Both men are so sweet and so vulnerable and they both need to be loved but neither is sure they deserve it. Then, there's also the unhelpful fact that they are contractually obligated to stay away from each other. Charlie is required to choose a "princess" and propose to her by the end of filming and must stay engaged for at least 6 months. Dev is supposed to remain professional and not get involved with the talent. But, they are drawn to each other like moths to a flame and can't stay away.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

While I really liked the two main characters, what made my reading experience even better was the frame of a reality TV show.

I loved it! I read it in about 24 hours. This may be the first book I've read with multiple adult ace characters. You'll like this if you liked We Are Totally Normal by Naomi Kanakia, State of Us by Sean David Hutchinson, or Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

What a CHARMING book. I received an ARC through NETGalley and I was in the mood for a nice queer rom com. I have never been a fan of reality tv or the bachelor but I really enjoyed this book. The book was a sold 4 stars ⭐️ and I always give an extra star for asexual representation bringing it up to a grand 5 stars ✨. The characters were great, the story was cute, and I chuckled out loud more than once. Most importantly I greatly enjoyed the queer diversity in the book. I normally have to actively seek out a book with asexual representation and this one landed in my lap. Not only representation but having more than one character as asexual and having these characters have very different experiences from each other was so nice to see! I am now going to go preorder a physical copy of this book as should you.

It is rare that I find a book where there is not a single flaw to be found within it, but that’s what we have here - THERE ARE NO FLAWS. This book was the epitome of perfection. I have not loved a queer romance like this since Red, White and Royal Blue, and dare I say I may even love this more.

If you are a sucker for the Bachelor like I am, you MUST own this book. Cochrun calls out the flaws within the franchise, particularly within the diversity and representation arenas, that fans have been screaming about for years. The behind-the-scenes orchestrated drama, the splicing, the frankenbiting - yeah, she covers that too. I’m no tv professional, but I have watched the show for 11 years and consider myself an expert redditor, so I’m pretty well-versed in this area, and can’t clap enough for the accuracies she’s written as well as problematic issues Cochrun called out.

Also, can we PLEASE talk about the mental health discussion?! WOW. Was not expecting the care and compassion at which the author approached mental health and the toll it takes on the individual as well as loved ones, but man - the message was here and it was lovingly handled. Y’all already know how much I love mental health representation in books.

Finally, the actual characters. I was obsessed. Dev and Charlie, y’all can live in my heart forever. Parisa, can you be my BFF? We know there are tv show producers like Maureen out there, and it’s frightening. You’ll see what I mean.

I couldn’t wait to post this review even though the book doesn’t come out until September 7. I’m going to need you to pre-order it NOW.

🌹 VERDICT: 5 PERFECT STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I flew through this book and loved it! It’s so funny, sweet and romantic. I laughed and cried. Dev and Charlie are such well rounded characters and written so well. I loved their relationship and how real they both are. It’s so refreshing to see a diverse characters that are all so real. A sweet romantic read for all!

Even with the predictable ending, this is a romantic comedy at it’s best! Charlie and Dev were super relatable. Even though there’s ALOT happening in terms of rep, it’s in that sweet spot of giving visibility without being too on the nose. So glad I got a chance to read this so I can hype it up to all my reader friends!

This book is pitched as "Red, White, & Royal Blue" meets "One to Watch" rom-com, and as a fan of both of those books, I was excited to see that juxtaposition come to life in this totally original romance novel. The story follows awkward tech wunderkind, Charlie, as he's set to become the next lead on a reality TV dating show, called "Ever After." Then, there's his handler, producer Dev, who wholeheartedly believes in fairy tales though hasn't had luck with his own. Charlie, who only agreed to go on the show to rehab his image to get a new job after the show airs, isn't the typical show lead and is very awkward and anxious. It's up to his producer Dev to jumpstart a massive "charm offensive" to get Charlie to open up, be a likable lead, and fall in love on the TV show. Along the way, Charlie starts opening up to Dev and vice versa and the two realize they have the most chemistry with one another. But, reality TV shows have scripts to follow and unfortunately, a queer love story with a show producer isn't what the executive producer had in mind for the season.

Told in dual perspectives of both Charlie and Dev, this book is broken down in a logical way by the weekly production and episode. Okay, as I read I really did love this book. It brought a similar narrative as "Red, White, & Royal Blue" if it were set in the world of "The Bachelor," and its language was so well-done. This language was engaging, funny, and enjoyable from the start that made it difficult to put this book down. It's so darn precious and cute, plus a quick, unputdownable read.

I love this book!

Alison Cochrun's THE CHARM OFFENSIVE follows Dev, a handler/producer on a Bachelor-like reality show, and Charlie, a tech guru who's been blacklisted from the industry because of his mental health issues. Their love story develops sweetly and slowly as they bond over "puzzing" (my new favorite word; it should definitely be a thing) and their mental health struggles. Cochrun's writing is beautiful (I love the phrase "within freckle-counting distance" and every time she describes the movement of anxiety through the body, I felt it) and she embodies both Dev's and Charlie's voices so smoothly. I love the behind-the-scenes look at the making of the dating show and the well-developed cast of side characters. This is such a fun, heartwarming read, and I can't wait to recommend it all over the place come September.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

NetGalley review- I loved this book for the two main characters! This author did a PHENOMENAL job of depicting two authentic characters who experience life through the lens of struggling with mental health. Charlie is a tech millionaire who is stripped of all control in his own business and is encouraged to participate in a reality dating show to prove he is better and can handle his responsibilities of the business. Dev is the “handler” aka producer of the reality show, Ever After, who knows he can make Charlie fall in love- implying one of the female contestants, but love doesn’t work quite the way he anticipated. Such a good book and definitely worth your time to read! You’ll laugh out loud at the dialogue!

I was a little unsure of this book going into just because I’m not a big fan of reality tv but I liked the premise and was excited to read it! Luckily I got the chance through NetGalley to read it early and I must say I loved this book! I loved how there was this connection between Charles and Dev even before it became something more. Alison Cochrun did a great job of not only staying true to the characters and their identities but also depicting the depth that comes with mental health. I saw so much of myself in the things that Charles was struggling with and as a result I was able to relate to him so much better! I know people who would be able to say the same for Dev! Add to that such a diverse and supporting group of characters and The Charm Offensive has everything you could hope for in a LGBTQ+ Contemporary Novel! I can’t wait add this one to my collection in September!

THE CHARM OFFENSIVE utterly charmed me. Cochrun expertly skews our perceptions of reality dating shows by taking us behind the scenes of the beast and asking: What happens if the star falls in love with his producer instead? The writing is brisk and lively, the characters are intricately drawn, and the heat level will have you swooning and melting in equal measure. Bolstered by awesome queer (A-Spec! Woot!) rep and mental health rep, this romcom deserves a crown (pun intended). Perfect for fans of BOYFRIEND MATERIAL and ONE TO WATCH.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

I didn't realize this book is exactly what I needed, but this book was exactly what I needed. It got me out of my reading slump! It is so fun and heartwarming, and it hits all the right notes for a spring/summer romance read. It certainly helps that the author incorporated so much of her own journey of self-discovery into the characters' arcs. If you liked Red, White, & Royal Blue, you *must* check this one out!

Okay, I *KNEW* I was going to love this, but I wasn't prepared for how much. Not only is the writing just incredibly lovely, interesting, and unique, but the story tackles so much deep stuff with grace, awareness, and sensitivity. It's steamy, sweet, and SUCH a good read. Loved loved loved it!

A huge thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. Pencil review to come to @longhandpencils closer to pub date.

I LOVED this book. Imagine the best possible fusing of the queer love story of Red, White, and Royal Blue , the neurodivergent representation of The Kiss Quotient , and the Bachelor style competition of One to Watch. The leads in this book each had their own quirks and imperfections, but they each accepted and loved that about the other person. I absolutely love sweet and adorable goofballs as my male lead, and this book has two! If you love books that make you laugh out loud on one page and then tug at your heartstrings on the next, this is the book for you. I can't recommend it enough.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC. It was well read.