I had high hopes for the Rom Con, after hearing it compared to How to Lose a Guy in 10 days and other romantic comedy films I enjoy. While I thought the novel was a great take on feminism, I couldn't quite connect to the characters and wanted more from the story itself.

This was a fun romance that kept me entertained the whole time.

After taking advice from her grandmother to try taking an older approach to dating, Cassidy Sutton finds herself faking a 1950s personality to get herself a man. It just turns out that the man she is trying this new persona out on is Jack Bradford, the co owner of Brawler a.k.a her company the Siren’s nemesis.
While dating Jack, she goes through a series of experiments in an attempt to get him to trip up and do something misogynistic in the hopes that she can expose him in the article she’s writing for Siren. But as she gets to know him more, she realizes that Jack is much more than what she originally thought and she might just be falling for the very man she sought to destroy…

I thought this book was very entertaining and it had me laughing and swooning. Jack is a great MC and I liked how he was always kind and respectful towards Cassidy. The antics that Cassidy got herself into while perusing her “Betty” persona were very funny as well. I thought the plot was unique and I found the story engaging.
However, I took some issue with the pacing toward the end. Without giving too much away, it seemed like things got resolved too quickly and the characters lacked some vital development in the last few chapters which made it feel like something was missing.
I still enjoyed the book a lot but I wish more time was spent on Cassidy and Jack’s relationship healing after the deception.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I rated it 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨

A really solid, adorable rom com read! I loved this book - the premise of two writers from rival publications set in NYC? A “con” of playing the 50s housewife role for story material?

SUCH a good setup, and I really loved Cassidy’s character and could relate to her major writer’s block. I also thought Jack’s character was SO dreamy and just had a lot of fun following their romance.

I tried reading the first chapter of this one but I couldn’t get into it. I don’t like how self deprivatating the lead female character is. I found her to be annoying and the plot seems unoriginal. I couldn’t finish this booo.

This novel is a delightful romantic comedy that successfully blends humor, romance, and self-discovery. The incorporation of the 1950s dating guide adds a unique and charming twist to the narrative. If you're looking for a light-hearted and entertaining read that will leave you with a smile, this book is the perfect pick.

I can’t deny the cover of this one caught my eye! For some reason it reminded of I Dream of Jeannie??

It does have some similar vibes as far as timeline, since the main character decides to try out a collection of rules from her grandmother’s era to snag a man. Cassidy is hoping her experiment, conducted on the owner of a rival, usually sexist site, will turn into a breaking story.

What she doesn’t expect is kind, thoughtful Jack who isn’t falling into any of her traps… I adored the collection of outrageous rules mixed with some excellent advice from her grandmother. Devon did an excellent job finding the best parts of that era and applying them to modern love!

REVIEW FOR THE ROM CON

4.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Romance/Berkley Publishing for the advanced digital copy!

I really loved this book. I thought it was a cute take on a 90's romcom set in current time NYC ( as all good rom coms are). I really enjoyed the MCs banter and their chemistry. There were a few aspects of the end that I didn't love, but overall I'd highly recommend this book!

I came in wanting a story that made me laugh and swoon, and Devon delivered! If you're looking for a romcom with major "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "27 Dresses" vibes/references, look no further. I loved the humor of the book, the slow burn build-up with Jack and Cassidy, the beautiful and loving relationship Cassidy had with her gran, and the overall concept of the story. It was certainly entertaining and kept me wanting more.

The big thing that bothered me about this book is that Jack continued to work for Brawler, even though it was blatantly obvious that it was a toxic, misogynistic publication. He argued that Siren did the same thing with some of their articles and he also said the Brawler articles weren't written for "guys like him", but that doesn't matter. You're still facilitating and benefiting from the garbage that's being thrown out into the world, and that goes for both publications putting things like that out.

Overall, it was a good time, and I can't wait to see what else Devon releases!

<SPOILER>

Even if he was biding his time until he could get out and do something else, he still proudly wore the title of Brawler exec, and that was just not okay with me. Things also lagged for me a bit after the third act breakup, but I was still pleased with how it all ended. It was also very man-childish of Jack to take SOOOO long getting in touch with Cassidy. Bro, you know you were wrong. Suck it up and go apologize!

At first I was a bit skeptical of this book. It seemed like it might seem very unrealistic. I was pleasantly surprised. The story was entertaining to read and the characters were fun. I do kind of feel like Jack was not that realistic, and I was curious to know more of him, but his dynamic with Cassidy was still fun to read about. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!

This was fine! The writing tried too hard to be funny or quippy at times. And it was a little weird that the story was self-aware enough to mention How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

But I think the biggest problem was I think the characters do some real damage to each other that seems too big to actually recover from. I just didn’t buy it.

But there were some really fun moments along the way.

Cassidy has had it with dating. Her most recent breakup (which came with a 3-strikes-your-out conversation) was with a man who put his holy sports/bro day before her. Cassidy’s grandma convinces her to try some “old fashioned” dating techniques. And when Cassidy’s first attempt manages to catch the eye of none other than one of the co-owners, Jack, of the rival magazine (who created the holy sports day idea), it’s GAME ON!

If you’ve read the author’s other book, Meet you in the Middle, you know that there’s this push and pull and differing viewpoints - in that particular book’s case, about politics. This one is very similar with the push and pull, but this time around feminist, women’s views, toxic males, housewives, etc. Jack’s website (which Cassidy believes is "toxic masculinity" embodied) is the arch rival of Cassidy’s employment (feminist all the way). Cassidy’s grandma has this differing view about men and relationships. I found myself uncomfortable with some of the views and getting frustrated with Cassidy’s one track mind. BUT I did like how she finally was able to see past this “one size fits all” idea. I liked how Cassie came to appreciate that being kind and wanting to take care of a partner doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up your own dreams, whatever those might be. Her grandma says toward the end:

“I think you’re still looking at this the wrong way, like anything you do for a man means you’re losing part of yourself. A big part of relationships is sacrifice of course, but it doesn’t have to diminish you…”

And earlier - “Let him know you’re thinking of him. Make him feel cherished. Never stop trying to win his heart.”

To me, that’s what relationships are. Valuing each other. Making the other person feel like they’re a treasure, your pride and joy. Worth it. We do that for children, pets, and should do it for partners, right?

Thanks to netgally for an eARC!

Content Warning:
Strong language
Open Door

This gave enemies to lovers, but misunderstood to completion of love. The relationship gave a whole other level to peeling back layers of discovering yourself through love. I laughed, I swooned, and was emotional ….it was a mixture of a perfect story. I throughly enjoyed this back and will need to get it in paperback to add to my collection.

I am a fan of Jack. Tom may deserve his own book next since he’s not how he’s perceived.

Miscommunication is overplayed and my most loathed trope to read about. However it worked in this story because of the journalism…and how he should have known when she stopped being weird Betty. She never should have had the idea but I sure did love reading about Jack. Cassidy’s gran was my favorite but her sister and brother in law were lovely too. She herself needed a reality check, but she was a well written character too. I have decided I need more Jack in my life though. Time for a follow up on the brown stone and the wedding and Gran and etc etc. I would definitely read more!

It took me a long time to get into this book. I wasn't a big fan of the main characters. I liked the idea of the premise - a take on How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. There's a lot of pop culture references, which were fun. But ultimately, this is not a book I really enjoyed or will recommend to a ton of people. I still gave it three stars because it's not a bad book - it's just not for me.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Ahhh this was so so cute! I loved it so much. Cassidy and Jack were such fantastically written characters. And the storyline was fresh and exciting. Cannot wait to read more from this author.

Even when it has little bit of “How to lose a guy in 10 days” I found the idea very original. I love grandma and her list of how to be a good wife, of course a lot of things are obsolete now, but the idea of be nice and attend your important one I think it doesn’t have to be against feminism and I enjoy that. I found this book super funny and enjoyable but a little bit to long, the second half almost lost me. But if you are into rom coms this will definitely give you the vibes of the 2000’s movies.

I loved this! The NYC fall vibes reminded me of You’ve Got Mail, as did our FMC Cassidy, who could have been written by Nora Ephron - except there was so much more depth on the page here. And our MMC is such a wonderful combination of alpha and unproblematic sweetness— it’s a purely healthy romance that made me such a believer, and I’ll totally admit that the slow burn only made this stronger! If you’re a fan of rivals to lovers and How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days— this is for you! It also has one of the coolest epilogues I’ve ever read — I’m an epilogue girly, so I was absolutely thrilled.

Devon Daniels is an author we should all keep on our radar for amazing romances — read this with a cozy cup of tea or coffee, and prepare for a romance you’ll want to read again.

3 stars!

This book mixed strong pop culture references, how to lose a guy in 10 days, and all your fav tropes together to create a Rom Com ;) that I KNOW others will love!!

I loved the tension between our two main characters and the rivalry between them. I wasn't as invested in the character though and I wish I felt stronger about their relationship.

I enjoyed the idea of diving into gender stereotypes and the looking at how we can view our own relationships. I appreciated the discussion on those topics.

What missed the park for me was the love confession and the third act breakup. I found the MMC inability to apologize or own up to his "mistakes" rather off putting and didn't give me the same feels that I assume the author hoped it would.

As a huge fan of RoComs and movies, I loved the idea of this book and the references throughout. However, the actual romance (besides the rivalry) did not end up leaving me satisfied.

Thanks you Berkley & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn’t love a rivals to lovers story? I for one am a huge fan of the rivals to lovers trope. Inspired by How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days meshed with an alpha MMC who is a secret cinnamon roll, and a headstrong FMC who gives him a run for his money. In this how not to romance you’re bound to fall in love with the strong yet witty writing, hilarious scenarios our rivals find themselves in, and a grandmother who steals every scene she’s in.

Rivals to lovers
Battle of the sexes
Pop culture references galore
Alpha MMC who is a secret cinnamon roll
How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days
Best grandmother sidekick