This is hands down the best queer romcom I’ve read this year. I love the nuanced representations in this book - neurodivergent character, characters on the asexual spectrum, characters who struggle with anxiety and depression, LGBTQIA+ characters, and more! Each character was written so well. This book acknowledges the heteronormative content that most popular reality dating shows broadcast, alienates and shames so many people. I felt this love story in my bones, in my soul. I have never rooted for two characters to be together more than Charlie and Dev.

I really loved this book. I was enjoying it so much (I devoured it in just a few hours) that I kept thinking it was going to turn on me and something horrible was going to happen. Thankfully, this didn't happen and I enjoyed it all the way through.

It gave me goosebumps to read every time Charlie made an observation about Dev. There were moments where I *actually* swooned. I loved how the author made this romance follow roughly the same path as the show. There was something so special about this particular fairy tale story that made me feel so full in ways I can't even describe. My favorite thing about Charlie is how he didn't leave anything unsaid although he did say something that I thought was very shitty and I wished he'd left that unsaid (about not being able to be with someone who isn't healthy, which - to me - sounded like an unfair ultimatum). I was so happy for both Charlie and Dev I wanted to start the book over from the beginning).

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

this was a very cute story that I didn't want to put down. While the premise seems to just be about fake reality tv, it goes much deeper into mental health issues, the toxicity of all the reality dating shows, the toxicity of Hollywood, and how even if people love you they still may not be good for you. Charlie and Dev meet on the set of a reality dating show called Ever After where Charlie is the new 'Prince Charming" and Dev is his handler/producer. They have immediate chemistry, but while their relationship moves fast it doesn't feel like insta love. They have their issues, one of which is both of them finding out that Charlie is not straight. One of the things that is discussed is how the behind the scenes people working on Ever After are very varied and representative of different races, genders, and sexualities, the people that are on the show are very white and heteronormative. Overall I enjoyed this book as both a cute romance and a book that dealt with deeper issues like mental health, being true to yourself, how sometimes we put up with toxic people that we shouldn't, and the toxicity but still hope that reality dating shows can give us.

An absolutely delightful spin on The Bachelor reality show trope. The characters are a delightful crew of misfits who you end up loving with your whole heart by the end. A wonderful title that will have a huge following with our library patrons.

If you’re looking for a romance that’ll give you the same shot of serotonin as reading one of Casey McQuiston’s novels, you should look no further than The Charm Offensive.

Set on a Bachelor-esque reality show, it follows Charlie, who’s on the show to rehabilitate his image after being blacklisted by his company’s co-founder, and Dev, whose job it is to mind him. And, of course, it’s them who end up falling in love. It’s the kind of book you can devour in only a few hours, because you want to know exactly what happens with them.

And the reason it’s so good in that respect is in its characters. Each one jumps off the page, fully realised, as if they’re right there next to you. Even the side characters are distinctive and fully fleshed-out. In fact, there are plenty of them that you want their own story for. Of course, you fall for the main characters first and foremost, but the background cast hold their own.

It’s also a romance that’ll tug at your heart in the best way possible. I said it was like McQuiston’s up top, and I think that’s primarily from the sense of community you get from it (I’m happy to say there are no straight characters). It’s like being wrapped in a warm hug.

So, if you’re stuck in September, wondering what to read, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a shot.

Cochrun has spun the fairy tale romance that readers wish a reality television show could encompass. Charles is the latest "prince" on a royalty-themed dating show. Dev has been a producer on this series for years, guiding wayward "princesses" through the gauntlet of challenges and pageantry. Through a series of mercifully short events, Dev and Charles are forced to team up to survive the filming of the series and find out how to survive life when the cameras aren't rolling.

There is quite a satirical eye towards the stereotypes of shows like this and enough of a critical lens for the reader to really consider what you would do on a show like this. That adds a welcome perspective to the piece, as well as the fact that the leads are not necessarily the most charming or cloyingly cutesy. Cochrun really attempts to give them an interior life that's another welcome breath of fresh air in this genre. There is a supporting cast of characters that each get a chance to shine, It's a fun read that actually leaves enough open that you want to know what happens next season.

This was my favorite book in some time; I recommended it to three people before even I even finished it. This is a cross between Red White and Royal Blue and One to Watch. Great chemistry between the characters, a fun behind the scenes look at the Bachelor, and some clever and interesting insights into the waya of the human heart.

Ugh, YES. Just what I needed.

Probably longer review to come. Queer cuteness YES please & THANK YOU!!! Indian MC and bffs SO welcome and wanted. Ups and downs and actual character chemistry romantic and platonic, sincere friendships navigating life, extensive pieces of the story about mental health (OCD, anxiety, depression) and beautiful depictions of love& care (self, and supporting love from others for the person struggling). Oh and also, it’s fun.

Finally, the afterward/author note really got me- so beautiful to know and care more for yourself through your art.. and necessary art at that. And late bloomer queer rep YES. All of it, Hooray what a win. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. I also have to add that teachers are the best. And the last note to her students was the icing on the cake. Hope all my past present and future students feel that from me too.

Can’t wait to share this book with others.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

No Spoilers. Content warning: None that I can think of.
CONFIRMED ROM-COM!
Heat level: Sweet but explicitly open door
Rep: Indian MC, Queer, LGBTQAP+ (I hope I got it right), Mental health

I confess I have grown to distrust (or is it mistrust) rom-com labels so I only take recs. This was no different and it did not disappoint. This is going on my confirmed Rom-Com shelf. But this is SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

I laughed in the first chapter out loud. Her editor's not does say in 20 pages if she doesn't laugh she won't accept a sub and the book delivered. It is not a hysteric comedy mind you, but it makes you so many spurts of real-life relatable laughter I loved it. The slow pull between the Dev and Charlie was like a fuzzy cotton candy cloud. The backdrop of the television reality show was perfect to bring Charlie out of his shell and make him meet the perfect prince Dev. the imaginative dates they keep pulling for the 'practice' is ADORABLE.

I love the supporting characters too. By the end, I was in love with Ryan, Jules, and Skylar, really and Parisa. but it reminded me of my friends who would (and at 1 point in my life did) tie me down for my own good lol.

Most of all, it did not pull me down. many times the hardships of love stories especially LGBTQAPI+ depress me (in a frustrating way that why it happens). I feel helpless about our society. this was such a hopeful book, and it makes you believe things can happen in the right way and everyone is going to have their happy ending! Isn't that what true romance is supposed to bring to the world? This book definitely pulled my heartstrings.
AND IT HAD A BOLLYWOOD ENDING. What can I say. I am too much of a fan to let it slide :)

Highly recommend it as a thru and thru entertainment package.

This was a great lgbt book! It reminded me a lot of red white and royal blue and I think that is what drew me in. I couldn’t put this book down!

Utterly delightful. Exactly the kind of fluffy, inclusive, romantic comedy I needed. I would love a sequel that follows the next season of Ever After!

Um, I mean, I wrote it. And I requested it so I could see what the ebook looked like, and now I don't want my curiosity to destroy my reviewing percentage, so here we are.

But I think it's pretty good. I did my best.

This books does a great job of showing people dealing with their mental health and sexuality in an environment that really would rather they do none of those things. It show people making a lot of mistakes but then learning and growing from them. Both main characters are super cute and sweet and it is just a delightful read.
If only the Bachelor franchise would give us these types of story lines.

This was such an enjoyable read! On top of the trope-y goodness of the premise, the romance is extremely satisfying and the handling of mental health issues is well-done and well-integrated with the main theme of the story--which is that even though so many of us fear that we'll be rejected if anyone ever gets to know the real us, everyone deserves to be seen and loved for who they truly are. Also, now I'm dying for the sequel about Daphne's season of Ever After... (And if anyone from the publisher is reading this, I would buy that book in a heartbeat, although let's be honest I'll be buying whatever Alison Cochrun writes next anyway. But in the meantime, thank you so much for approving me for this fantastic book!)

THE CHARM OFFENSIVE is so good! I love Dev and Charlie so much! I'm not a fan of The Bachelor and the book tackles the absurdities and problematic issues with the show with its fictional version, Ever After. Charlie reluctantly joins the show as the Charming Prince to salvage his career and Dev, a hopeless romantic, serves as Charlie's handler/producer. Together, they unpack their mental health and the hang-ups on love. The way they are there for each other is so swoony. I adore them so much. Of course, with the backdrop of the show, they travel to exciting locales and drama ensues. I could not stop smiling while I read this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

This book was fantastic. Dev is the producer on Ever After, a reality dating show. When the latest bachelor, a tech genius, agrees to do the show less to find love and more to rehabilitate his reputation, filming gets off to a rocky start and Dev is reassigned to be the main handler for the new bachelor, Charlie, As the show goes on, Charlie and Dev develop a strong relationship -- leading to big questions for each of them and the show about what it all means.

I very much enjoyed this book -- the premise is very creative, the characters are all engaging, and the writing is strong. If you are looking for a great read with lots of heart, you've come to the right place. Very highly recommended!

I am blown away! Alison Cochrun has given us exactly what we wish was really on television. After 36 seasons a Bachelor-esque reality show, Ever After, is back at is again with tired tropes and worn-out heteronormativity. Dev, a seasoned producer on the show, is charged with handling the new male lead, Charlie. Charlie isn't like the men that came before him. He is sensitive, shy, and dealing with a host of mental health issues that have ruined his career in tech. Another thing about Charlie....Dev has caught his eye in a way none of the beautiful women on the show could. Is Ever After ready for love, no matter who wears the crown?

So excited to have been approved! Thanks NG, Publisher and Author!

What a great book!. I really enjoyed this one! What I enjoyed most was how different it is!

I think I found one of my favourite books of the year!

I'm a huge fan of romances, and MM romances are some of my favourites to read. I'm always in search of these amazing stories that show that love is for everyone and just give you all the good feelings inside. So when I got accepted to read the earc of this book, I was jumping for joy for a good 20 minutes! Then I started reading and falling in love with everything this book is and everything is represents.

There's a letter from the editor at the beginning of this book saying how much this book means to them and a very sweet and personal note by the author about how much of themselves they poured into this book and I genuinely want to say that this book is everything you can want in an MM romance and in a debut novel.

There are amazing subjects that the story touches on such as mental health, OCD and depression throughout the story, how it's ok not to be ok sometimes, how we all want to have that person that makes us just a bit more ok everyday. It talks about identity and how we see ourselves, how much we're willing to show the real us to the world, how important it is to be our true selves to the people around us, and how we aren't expected to be perfect, but the best version of ourselves.

It's really hard to find a story that really makes you think of such things and to have an amazing love story built into it that you're constantly rooting for the main characters because of how much you've grown to love them and all that they represent. I am so beyond excited to see what Alison Cochrun will write nest, and I congratulate her on an amazing debut!

We need more stories like this in the world, stories that give hope, love and provide understanding. I will be recommending this book to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the earc in return for an honest review.