Overall: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing: 5/5

Oh, it's been a long time since a book warmed and melted my cold, dead heart like The Romcom Agenda did. This book is perfect for a cold winter evening with a steaming cup of hot chocolate buddled in a mountain of blankets. Leah is trying to save every precious penny so she can leave the small town of Willow Cove following the death of her foster mother. Leah was never one to establish roots. Having been in the foster system since she was young, Leah is hyper-independent and, unfortunately, alone. Eli is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and is quick to fall in love. But, as sweet as it sounds, it proves to be his downfall. When his girlfriend rejects his proposal and jets off to Rome on sabbatical, he is determined to win her back and will do anything it takes.

In typical rom-com fashion, Leah and Eli's paths cross; honestly, I gushed over every moment. I loved how raw and genuine Leah and Eli were; their personalities complemented each other, and their dynamic was adorable. Tropes in this novel include found family, rom-com makeover (Not gonna lie; I totally pictured Eli and the gang doing one of those music montages), and friends to lovers. I was quick to fall in love with Leah, and I was able to understand why she was so lonely. I've never been in the system, so I can't relate to what Leah must've gone through, but I see why she never really had friends or dated anybody. Denker's writing made it easy to empathize with and root for her throughout the novel. I can't begin to count how many times I wanted to literally reach into the pages of this book to hug her!

And Eli! Oh, I found myself swooning for this man. So sweet and sensitive! I'll admit there were times I wanted to smack him in the back of the head (thank you, Jenna, for doing it for me!), but in the end, he won me over and is now at the top of my list of best book boyfriends.

Overall, the plot was well-paced. I liked that there wasn't that cliched third-act breakup; it wasn't needed. Both characters had their fair share of flaws and issues that they needed to work out, precisely what Denker delivered. I didn't feel like the characters were immature, which I commonly see in other contemporary/NA romances. Instead, I saw them address and work out their issues by themselves and take the leap to overcome them instead of relying on the other to do it. "Maturity" is the word that comes to mind. I guess I'm so used to adults in romance acting like they're in high school, so Eli and Leah were a breath of fresh air. There were cheesy moments, but then again, cheesy is something I fall for every time! *I promise you'll love the cheesy moment too.

And, oh God, did I love the whole pining-for-each-other-but-one-of-them-is-too-dumb-to-notice (yeah, you can only guess who!). But, of course, I'm a sucker for the found family trope too, and I loved how Eli's sister and friends enveloped her into the group! And I can't forget about Jenna, Ben, Delia, Gillian, and Gray. I loved every single one of them! And I might be wrong… but I did pick up some hints of a potential sequel/spin-off with two members of this group👀 (Jayne, I'm begging you to make this happen!). I loved this book so much that I'm definitely going to pick up a physical copy when it comes out next year!

Jayne Denker's novel is a cozy, closed-door romance with all the fun and cute characteristics of the old romcoms we know and love. I can assure you that your heart will melt when you read Eli and Leah's story!

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Martin's Press, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Rom Com Agenda
By: Jayne Denker
Review Score: 3 1/2 Stars

Five Key Feels

-Leah is an incredible woman.

-I found Eli’s friends to be both weirdly supportive but also a bit overly obsessed with his makeover.

-Patrick is trash, and I was not prepared for the plot twist about the house.

-I loved how Eli realized he didn’t have feelings for Victoria anymore.

-I wish there had been an epilogue.

——

The Rom Com Agenda was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 1/10/23

This book really pulled at all of my heartstrings. Leah is such an incredibly strong person. She had a hard life, and cared for her foster mother as she fought cancer. She worked tirelessly to build a better life for herself. And then, she finds a group of friends who treat her like family, and that was something she didn’t expect at all.

I really enjoyed the evolution of Leah and Eli’s friendship, but I did feel like the entire “makeover” idea was a bit over the top. I know, Rom Com movies usually have a “makeover” scene of some kind, but it just felt like a bit too much, it went a bit too far for me. I know it was the driver of Leah and Eli’s friendship, but, it just felt a bit over the top.

I also wish there had been an epilogue. There were a few things mentioned in the book that I would have loved to know more about. Eli’s ideas for a new business? Leah’s schooling? Patrick and the house? I wish I had more answers on those topics.

Regardless, this was a fun and flirty book. I loved the characters, and the premise, and I really enjoyed it overall.


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This is the kind of book you would want to read on a winter day––it is a cute, somewhat fast-paced, friends-to-lovers story that takes place in the winter! Throw in some blizzards, small-town friendships, a found family, some movie references, and it feels like this story took place on the Gilmore Girls lot.

Friends-to-lovers is my second favorite trope and I think Leah and Eli had a cute friendship arc. They had a lot of chemistry when they were running from their feelings for each other, but I think their eventual relationship was a bit lackluster. I didn't find his quick switch from wanting to impress his ex, Victoria, to fully accepting he liked Leah very believable. His character lacked a lot of personal development and in turn, it felt like he kind of was substituting Leah for Victoria. It seemed like he was settling for whoever was around because he thought his time was up or something (hence why he proposed to Victoria after dating for FOUR months and subsequently refused to let go of her and his idea of her being "it" for him).

I enjoyed Leah's character, though, and I appreciated how she navigated her grief and her past. She had a lot more character growth than Eli did, and her feelings for him definitely felt more genuine. I know they end up together, but I couldn't help but feel bad for her. She deserved more; someone who spent more time pining after her––I mean, REALLY proving that he wanted her––than pining after the woman who rejected his marriage proposal on a pier to go off to Rome and leave him with her cat.

The supporting characters and their meddling shenanigans were fun, and I liked how they all came together to be the family Leah had always needed. They became a great support network for her and it was great to see her open up socially and become part of their group.

In short, I liked this book! Denker's writing style was easy and entertaining, and the setting of the story was cute. I did laugh out loud at the multiple jobs Leah had around town and the various names of the shops (Thousand Island Dressing was so funny to me). Again, I liked Leah and the supporting cast. I just wish there had been a bit more to Eli's character and that his and Leah's relationship had more to it––more natural spark and less built-on-his-inability-to-forget-his-ex vibes.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC!!

This book is somewhere between young adult fiction and adult fiction. It’s young adult fiction because the plot is juvenile and the writing style is simple; adult fiction because the characters are in their 30s, the novel is filled with millennial and Gen Y pop culture references, and the author peppers in discussion of some serious topics (such as caregiving for a terminally ill parent). This might be a better fit for an older teen or young 20-something reader.

Oh this book!!! My heart!!! I am so happy I was allowed to read an ARC of The Rom-Com Agenda because it was soooo good!!! It made my insides warm and happy and also a little bit sad but in a good way. I loved Leah so much and I am always a fan of a found family so the relationships that she gain with everyone just made me so happy to read about. I definitely recommend this book when it is released in January.

Thank you Jane Denker, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I thought the concept of this book was interesting so I was excited to read it. Unfortunately I found myself rather bored throughout. Leah’s backstory was really confusing at first and she seemed to be very melancholic and I kept finding myself confused about her pensive attitude. She clearly likes Eli from early on but won’t do anything about it.

Now Eli on the other hand is the biggest simp on the face of the earth. Willing to change his whole appearance for a girl that literally left the country after dumping him? Yes I know her trip was planned, but still, she clearly was not into it and he was willing to do anything to get her back. Now sometimes this trope is cute but not when the couple had only been dating for a few months.

Unfortunately I would not recommend this book. I’m sure others would like it, but it felt like a story that was trying to be realistic, but was just too out there for me.

As an avid rom-com reader I had high hopes for this book and I was not disappointed.

The story was set in the Thousand Islands area of New York and having just spent a week in Alexandria Bay I felt like I was right back there among all of the little shops and restaurants.

It was so much fun to travel down memory lane with all of the old movies referenced in the book as Eli was educated on all things love and romance. Leah's personal journey was beautiful and the ensemble of characters has me hoping for least one more story with them.

The Rom-Com Agenda definitely lived up to it's name and I highly recommend it to fellow fans of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this free e-book!

Not my favorite trope but it was cute and a quick read.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“The Rom-Com Agenda” is the perfect read for romance readers! I couldn’t put it down once I got started and loved every second of it! The book follows Leah and Eli as they fall in love…while trying to makeover Eli to win back his ex. There is a lot of great secondary characters in this book as well; it is very much a found family story! Leah has been relatively lonely for most of her life, especially after being put into foster care, so she doesn’t really know how to handle all of the friendliness from Eli’s sisters and friends at first but its so nice getting to watch her finally find her people. Eli is a perfect book boyfriend; he’s sensitive and loyal, and I loved that Leah showed him that he doesn’t have to change himself to find love. Overall, a really cute, quick read that I would definitely recommend to rom-com lovers!

The Rom-Com Agenda has all the feel and charm of the classic rom-coms that the two lovable main characters watch throughout the book. It tells the adorable story of Leah & Eli whose paths cross in a snowy small town in upstate New York. Leah is a former foster child who has never quite felt at home anywhere and Eli is a hopeless romantic with a large and lovable group of friends and family. I really loved how their romance developed in a very realistic way. The characters and their behavior felt very real and relatable. I also loved the wide cast of characters and watching their stories develop alongside the main plot. I usually complain when the main characters in books only have one friend or no friends, so I really appreciated that the friends were well developed and got their own stories in this book. Overall this was a perfect comfort read that wasn’t overly predictable- I would recommend to anyone looking for a cozy read this winter!

thank you so much @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this arc in exchange for an honest review!! be sure to watch out for when this comes out January 10th.

I was pretty much sold on this one from just the title and while I love a good friends to lovers I felt like this one was missing a spark and some sizzle. The makeover concept was cute but I had a hard time with the main characters Leah and Eli. They had some chemistry but I was left wanting more in terms character development and their connection with each other.

There are a lot of good things about this book,though! I especially loved the authors writing style! If you like a sweet and predictable romcom this might be the one for you.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Eli is the Eliza Doolittle in this my fair lady retelling with a win back the ex that got away plot. Leah the newish back to town and keeping to herself following a death in the family, is adopted into Eli's friend group when they run into her throughout town on one of her many jobs (When Eli quoted gilmore girls amidst the makeover montage. 🤣🥰🤣) as the unassuming bystander at the beginning of the makeover, Eli soon sees an ali in her level headedness that maybe he doesn't need to change.

As Eli's friends bring Leah in on the scheme to educate him in becoming his own romantic hero. But as the two start spending more intentional time together, both thrown together by plotting friends and family and intentionally, the chemistry is undeniable.

This story focused on some rom com heros of movies I hadn't seen so I clearly have my own work to do! This was a story where the friend group totally makes the plot (I wouldn't hate a follow up story on Delia and gray just saying), the characters overall showed a lot of growth, I wish we would have seen how the house turned out, and would have loved more of an epilogue - the ending felt a little rushed, but overall a cute light hearted read!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review!

The title has me hooked!

That cover did too!

I love a good romcom, and Eli was very cute right from the beginning. I'[m not the biggest fan of this trope, but I still thought it was a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the earc in return for an honest review.

(Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this E-book in exchange for an honest review.)

This was a cute and cozy (sorta?) rom-com: Jayne Denker’s writing style is light, whimsical, and very easy to read. It was squeaky clean in terms of content, yet while there wasn’t much in the way of profanity, it also didn’t feel like it was trying too hard to be overly wholesome either (something I appreciate). The small-town family vibes gave me major Gilmore Girls energy, which I always enjoy!

On the whole, though, this book was pretty generic; while the characters were enjoyable and somewhat diverse, they were mostly forgettable. I had trouble buying into the “makeover” plot; Eli was so outrageously clueless as to read like a caricature, and his family was a bit overbearing and weirdly obsessed with helping him strategize how to win back this woman they don’t even like (I get that the point is they love him and support him so much they’ll do literally anything for him, but still). I also didn’t see a ton of chemistry between Eli and Leah. They were cute together, but I didn’t get any sense of sexual tension between them. The rom-com references were heavy handed and occasionally cringeworthy. Also, call me whatever evil nickname you want, but I’m just plain not charmed by small children thrown into the mix for their “cute factor” in romance novels. Guys who are good with kids? Love ‘em. Sign me up. But I aggressively do not care how adorable children are when they’re playing around or offering bizarrely sage wisdom for their adults’ romantic woes.

On the flip side, Leah’s struggles with loneliness and with her past were well developed and I found her to be a sympathetic (again, if bland) protagonist.

Final verdict: though it was a bit vanilla and predictable for my taste, The Rom-Com Agenda is a lovely, cozy, non-holiday winter rom-com that will be easy to speed through when you’re snowed in for the weekend. Recommended for readers who enjoy small-town romances with little to no steam.

I’m a fan of friends to lovers, but this one was missing a spark. The book starts with Leah hearing Eli try to propose to another woman who turns him down flat and goes to Rome. Some time later, we see Eli being drug into one of the many places Leah works and she finds herself roped into helping make him over so he will be the perfect romantic hero for someone else. Most of the book is spent with Eli talking about his ex, Veronica, and how much he wants to be with her and only her. It felt flat and like the main characters had no
spark with each other.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was really underwhelming for me. I usually read romcoms within a day or two (because I can't put them down) but this one took me several days and only because I was rushing through so I could be done with it. I didn't really care about Eli or Leah all that much-they weren't really unique as characters-and I didn't think they had much sexual chemistry, to be honest. I was so relieved when the sex scene was a fade to black because I didn't even want to read it. For the first 50% of the book, most of the conversations between them were recaps of romcoms they'd watched together; not interesting to me if I hadn't seen the movies, and seriously boring if I had.

The "romcom agenda" of doing a makeover on Eli was a cute idea, but I didn't like how it was executed. At best, Eli's family is trying to make him miserable until he realizes the absurdity of what he's doing. Since their motives were never mentioned, I'm left with the less fun option that they're just making him miserable. The elements of his makeover, beyond haircut/new clothes, are pretty absurd as well. Knowing the different dinner forks? Who cares! In what way does that make him a better person?

Overall, I didn't care enough about the characters and the plot didn't keep me interested. I'm being pretty harsh here. The Rom-Com Agenda was a fine enough book, but not something I'd recommend to romcom-loving friends.

ARC REVIEW
The Rom Com Agenda by Jayne Denker
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Filled with small town charm, this book will melt your heart!

🍿Leah has been working her butt off trying to save money to move out of the small town that has never claimed her as their own. Eli is trying everything to get his ex-girlfriend back, including letting his sister and their friends give him a make over plan, which includes finding inspiration from various romcom movies. When the two come together, it’s like a storyline from the movies.

This was a great read! Here’s what I loved:

🍿 the movies! Not only do the characters look to famous movies for inspiration but they debate the merits of them! These were some of my favorite parts. I couldn’t help but want to join in (and completely agree as well. Andie and Duckie should have been end game in Pretty in Pink).

🍿 Found family. I love this trope and this one was so well done. This isn’t just a story about Leah and Eli falling for each other. It’s also about Leah finding a group of friends that finally help her find a place within the town. The friends (Jenna, Ben, Delia, Gray, and Gillian) were amazing side characters. They were each so well drawn out that it gave them all such a real feel.

🍿 Leah and Eli. They were an adorable couple. It was nice to see a MMC that wasn’t overly aggressive. Eli is a genuinely nice guy. I also really felt for Leah. She had been through so much and it made me overjoyed to see her finally happy.

🍿 the humor. This book was so funny at times. Between the one liners and hilarious conversations when the whole group is together, there is so much to find funny in here.

All in all, this was a great, funny, and heart wrenching read. I really hope Denker revisits these characters and Willow Cove in other books (Deliah and Gray need a second chance book! And Gillian needs a good love story). I will be first in line to read them.
🔥: all scenes are fade to black (but the story had me so enthralled that I didn’t miss the spice).

Release: 1/10

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC book in exchange for an honest review.

Leah has no reason to stay in Willow Cove. After her sick foster-mother passes away, it's just a matter of time before her foster-brother comes in and sells the house she's been living in. Better to move on before she gets too attached to one place.
Eli is trying to win back the love of his life through a serious makeover to make him more sophisticated for his ex-girlfriend. Since Leah is basically the Kirk from Gilmore Girls, working every job in town, the makeover brigade involves her on numerous fronts.
Eli and Leah strike a unique friendship, and Leah helps Eli watch some of the most iconic rom-coms to get a better understanding of what a romantic hero needs to do. But as they spend more time together, the lines blur into more of a friends-to-lovers as the chemistry builds.
But Eli is SO SURE that Victoria is the love of his life. But maybe he's been planning the wrong grand gesture all along....
**
First of all, LOVED the nod to Gilmore Girls in the quirky small-town feel and Leah being the Jill of All Trades. Also, the chemistry between Eli and Leah was clearly evident, which gets a thumbs-up from this romance fanatic.

But. And this is a huge but.

I DESPISED Eli.

Seems like a good enough dude, but this whole premise of reinventing himself was pathetic. I had no apathy for him. I couldn't root for him. His actions don't align in a typical 30-year old male in any shape or form. The whole point was to make him a romantic hero. Turns out he was a romantic zero.

The Rom-Com Agenda is a friends to lovers story. It's a fun, quick read. Leah helps Eli work on reconnecting with his ex-girlfriend. As she helps him she starts to fall for Eli and his friends and family.
This was a enjoyable book for anyone who is looking for a sweet book with winter vibes.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC of this book.

Friends to lovers is my favorite trope and this one was just so cute! Adorable book and really great development of the characters and the plot. Slow burn romance and fun side characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Jayne Denker!