A woman working for a feminist online magazine finds dating tips from the 1950s amongst her grandmother's things. Her Gran convinces her to try some of the tips (such as, have a drink ready for him at the end of the day/wear heels to make your legs look longer/ask him to order for you in a restaurant). Thinking this is the way to prove how antiquated those ideas are Cassidy is shocked when they seem to be working on the guy she's been feuding with. Jack works for a male magazine that's all about the bros/rating women.

It's supposed to be a comment on feminine/feminist, the value of older generations, and how many glass ceiling the women that came before us managed to shatter. Entertaining enough but I cringed every time she put on a frilly apron.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As I sit down to type this, I just realized that I’ve read two contemporary romances in a row that began with a breakup and have an enemies to lovers subplot. The Rom Con by Devon Daniels opens with Cassidy inviting her boyfriend Brett to her grandmother’s 90th birthday party on Saturday. He declines because Saturdays are for the guys per the website Brawler which he is devoted to. So, she dumps him. What ensues is basically Cassidy trying to do buzzfeed type things in real life for her job. This contemporary romance was super cute and fluffy!

At her grandmother’s birthday, Cassidy explains all about her breakup and how tough the modern dating scene is. So, her grandmother whips out an article she’s been holding onto since the 1950s – 126 tips to hook a man. Cassidy thinks the article is ridiculous, however, she is game to give the tips a shot. She pitches an article at her job for Siren, that she’s going to test the tips out. The perfect place to try is at the fragrance launch for a Yankee’s new cologne line. There she comes across a man who intrigues her, they share banter and he helps her get access to the Yankee to ask a question about his whirlwind engagement.

Only, after all is said and done, she realizes that he’s one of the owners and founders of Brawler which is her enemy. Then Cassidy has an awful, brilliant idea. She’s going to channel the 1950s and use the tips on Jack while trying to get him to say something incriminating that will lead to Brawler’s downfall. She’s going to con him. Cassidy doesn’t exactly expect Jack to be a perfect gentleman and not a chauvinist, so she’s surprised that they have real chemistry and that he starts to fall for her even though she’s doing all the 1950s things.

The Rom Con is only told through Cassidy’s perspective. Overall, I like her. I liked meeting her sister Christine and her grandmother. She has good boundaries and doesn’t take any crap from men. Cassidy is smart and her job is interesting. However, the book frequently talks about how she is not a big risk taker and kind of stagnating. I could appreciate that piece and how she eventually gets past that. As for Jack, he’s a sweet MMC, however, there are moments where he is a real jerk and that just turns me off. I also did find it interesting that there’s so much talk and almost idealization of the 1950s, but no interrogation beyond the is this feminist or liberated. It doesn’t really get into the fact that when we idealize the 1950s we ignore the fact that Jim Crow and Segregation were law and that it wasn’t an ideal time for everyone. Granted, this is a very fluffy book, but I’ve seen books that are romance that can balance the serious quite well. I am curious about the other couple alluded to in this book – the Yankee and his hometown sweetheart – that it seems to hint there may be another book coming about them. I’d be interested in that, and overall, this wasn’t a bad read at all.

Really enjoyed this. My first book by Devon and I will go back and read her previous book as well! The banter kept me laughing and I felt the romance part of the plot was done really well!

This book was super fun! The only reason I took a star off was honestly because the miscommunication trope didn't just happen once, it happened twice, and that is just too much for me. Otherwise we did see decent character development from Cassidy, which was nice. Jack was the perfect guy that she didn't believe was who he was presenting to be, and tried to trick him into proving that he was the guy she thought he was. It was just the double miscommunication troupe that I did not enjoy.

This book was as heartfelt as it was funny. With main and side characters to adore, there was no way I wasn't going to have a good time. I appreciated the moments with Cassidys grandmother that provided not only humor but larger bits of wisdom. I also really found the sibling interactions to be charming and endearing. This book also did a good job when it came to mixing up gender roles in a really natural and power affirming way. If you like those early 90's/2000s rom com vibes this would be a great option. I found both main characters to be strong and relatable with just enough flaws to make them so. A solid story I would recommend to most romance readers.

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for a free download of the audiobook.

A Charming Rom-Com with a Vintage Twist

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets Down with Love in this delightful romantic comedy. The Rom Con is a charming and witty story that follows Cassidy, a determined young woman who sets out to prove she can conquer the heart of the arrogant Jack Bradford.

The author skillfully blends classic romantic comedy tropes with modern sensibilities. The banter between Cassidy and Jack is sharp and witty, and their slow-burn romance is both heartwarming and frustratingly slow. The supporting characters add depth and humor to the story, creating a vibrant and engaging world.

While the plot may be predictable at times, the execution is flawless. The author's engaging writing style and well-developed characters make the story a joy to read.

Brittany Pressley's narration brings The Rom Con to life, perfectly capturing the essence of the characters and their witty banter. Her performance elevates the listening experience, making it a delightful audio journey. If you're considering listening to the audiobook, it's highly recommended to do so for a truly immersive experience.

If you're a fan of romantic comedies, particularly those with a vintage flair, The Rom Con is a must-read.

4 stars

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This was a fun, cute, and relaxing read that read like the best screwball movie. In equal turns this felt modern like the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and classic like I Love Lucy and that dichotomy really drew me in and held me. I loved how this book used an ironic twist of using a 1950's Dating Guide as the crux of the In Joke the reader was in on. This was a good read with banter and passion, personal reflection and a discussion of gender perspectives that will resonate with readers who enjoy a Battle of Sexes vibe.

One Sentence Review: With strong banter and a fun twist on a classic theme, The Rom Com was a quest weekend read!

Three and A Half Stars rounded up to four.

In The Rom Con by Devon Daniels, Cassidy Sutton turns an outdated 1950s dating guide into an ironic experiment for her popular online publication, intending to poke fun at its old-fashioned advice. However, as she secretly tests these retro tips on her professional rival, Jack Bradford, she discovers that the tactics unexpectedly start to resonate with her own beliefs about love. This romantic comedy offers a delightful mix of humor, romance, and modern reflections on gender dynamics, reminiscent of classics like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. With engaging characters and a compelling narrative, The Rom Con is a charming exploration of love, rivalry, and the quirks of courtship.

This book was AMAZING! It's a romantic comedy about antagonists becoming lovers and how deception may lead to true love! There is a rough third act breakup, but it finished perfectly, and the epilogue was fantastic!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Rom Con by Devon Daniels had well-developed characters and a plot that was engaging. This book was a great read. I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.**

I started this and it just felt very juvenile and immature. I wanted to like the concept but couldn't get into it...

I loved this book and definitely want more! I couldn't put this down and finished it in one sitting. Predictable, yet funny and charming.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

While it was as predictable as expected, it was also as delightful as I had hoped. Sweet, funny, a wee bit steamy, and full of lovely moments.

This book was adorable! Devon Daniels never misses, and I can’t wait to see what she has next! The burn was soooo slow and I was so excited when these enemies became lovers! All the stars!

How many times have you heard your grandmother give dating advice only to roll your eyes and think she is so outdated? Well, this story puts the old fashioned theories of dating to the test. The Rom Con was a quick fun read that drew me in with humor and relatable characters. I listened to the book on Spotify and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you for the advanced copy.

I absolutely loved this book! I was so thankful to receive the ARC as Daniels’ debut was one of my favorite romance reads last year. The Rom Con gave me allllll the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes and I’m here for it! Also, I loved seeing mention of the Virginia Tech Hokies being a Hokie myself. I love when I can relate to authors on a personal level like that. I will read every book you write, Devon!

First let me say this - the book overall wasn't bad. It's just it felt like something I have read before and I didn't want to read again. It didn't feel original.

That being said, the writer isn't a bad writer. They are good. But I just couldn't get hooked.

I ended up really enjoying this book and it made me miss the early stages of dating when romance ruled! Cassidy is an editor for a women’s website who decides to fake date the owner of a rival men’s website. Fueled by feminism and wrath for their “Saturdays are for the bros” mantra, she decides to employ dating tactics from the 1960s to drive him away. At first I thought it would be a How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days ripoff, but the author (and character) acknowledges the similarities, and it takes a different turn. It took a while to get into the story and the character, but once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down! Fun read for those who enjoy romantic comedies!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🔥🔥

Quick Breakdown

Rivals to Lovers
Stern Brunch Daddy
NYC Setting
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Single POV
Open Door - Mild Details

Thank you to @berkleyromance for the eARC & gifted finished copy & @prhaudio for the gifted ALC #berkleypartner

After being let down by another man, Cassie is encouraged by her grandmother to turn to the dating advice from her generation with the help of an article from the 1950’s promising 125 tips to landing a husband. As an editor / editor for Siren, a female run online publication, she takes the idea of using these thought-to-be-archaic dating tips to find a man & turns it into a story. And who better to test these strategies out on than Jack, head of Brawler & Siren’s nemesis.

I’m really torn over this one & I couldn’t be more distraught over it. Let’s start with the good: I enjoyed the writing, it was worth the wait for new words written by Devon. Also, I will always be here for strong female relationships & I loved the advice & support Cassie had in her grandmother & best friend. I also was a big fan of Jack. He was the perfect mix of an alpha personality but such a cinnamon roll for her. I enjoyed watching Cassie realizing Jack wasn’t really at all the man she thought he was. I went back & forth between the reading & listening & it must be noted the narration by Brittany Pressley is sublime.

While I loved the premise from the outset, I quickly realized I didn’t do well with the intended manipulation of Jack. So much so, that I struggled to pick this one up. It took me three weeks to finish, which is like forever to me. It felt like a classic “it’s not you, it’s me” situation. Maybe it was a mood thing, maybe I shouldn’t have forced it when I wasn’t feeling it. Idk 🤷🏻‍♀️
I still encourage everyone to give this one a go. It’s got all the potential to be a winner for you!