One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin was a fun and entertaining read. I thought it had a unique plot and overall, enjoyed the time it took me to read it. I found the first part of the book to be a little too slow but it does start to pick up halfway through the book. The funny thing is that I don't think I found the romance to be five stars. I mean, it definitely wasn't a one-star but it was about a three-star. I really wasn't rooting for them to get together. It seems like a lot of what they originally liked about each other was based on their first interaction because every time they met up afterwards seems to have fallen in the 'don't like' category. Overall, it was a fun read but it was not memorable and I don't think it'll stick with me.

highly recommend. this is such an interesting story with polar-opposites attract and a strangers to rivals to lovers. the story is fun to see their relationship form and grow over the years

This is Laura Hankin’s first foray into romantic comedies and I have to say - she nails it. It’s not a cliche story where everything is sunshine and then rain or meet cutes and miscommunications. It’s real and it feels relatable. Both MCs are full of life and flaws and real problems that make them feel like people we could know.

Sometimes it’s just the wrong time for the right person and knowing that some people are worth waiting for.

Thank you to @Berkleypub and @BerkleyRomance as well as Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.

This book had plenty of funny moments that just left me laughing out loud from the hilarity of them. I was really entertained when I was reading it. I felt that the writing was done really well, not only did it make me laugh, but it also made me feel all sorts of other emotions as well.

I loved how we got to experience so much of the characters’ lives by time traveling through key moments in their life. I think that this got to experience the full breadth of the relationship and what it was built on, and we were only able to do so because we were able to skip ahead. To me this was the ultimate way to experience the character’s and truly get to know them.

This is very slow burn romance, that kept me waiting almost too long, and it is closed door. I enjoyed the characters, though the main characters felt a little over the top at times. I love how in the beginning you don’t imagine them getting together, but by the end of the book I was rooting for them to just hook up already. This book was definitely a deep dive into the characters’ lives. The side characters were a lot of fun, and I enjoyed getting to know them all. While this book was most definitely a romance, it was also a tale of love between friends and how those relationships grow and evolve over time.

This book is perfect for beach side reading. It is pretty light though it does touch on some heavier topics such as the pandemic and cancer.

This will be posted on my blog closer to publication time.

5 stars for this OUTSTANDING romantic comedy! I hope this is the first of MANY rom coms Laura Hankin writes. This is my first book I’ve read by her, but it will absolutely not be the last.

I received an early copy of this book through Netgalley, just because I was clicking through recommendations in my favorite genre. While contemporary romance is my favorite, I have high standards and expectations. Having never heard of Laura Hankin, I’ll be honest; I thought this may be another Hallmarkish plot with naive, shallow characters. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Hankin has mastered the challenge of keeping the HPA and romcom tropes alive but in a refreshing way. What sets amazing contemporary romance authors apart from the average, in my opinion, is good writing, authentic, complex characters, true comedy, and realistic, relatable issues. One Star Romance checks all these boxes, and I proudly put her on my pedestal of favorites with Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, Carly Fortune, and Annabel Monaghan. I devoured and enjoyed this book so much, and I will be screaming for it to be added to everyone’s summer reading lists (my fellow millennial friends AND my high school readers, as it is closed door).

The book spans over 10 years, following Natalie and Rob through life’s trials with careers, families, relationships, and being there for their best friends. I love that equal to the romantic relationship between these two are additional relationship portrayals of friends, parents, and self love. All this together makes this book truly beautiful. And add vulnerability, hilarity, banter, and conflict, and we have a masterpiece.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

A struggling writer has to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding with a man that gave her first novel a scathing review in this new romcom. Natalie and Rob are opposites, but the chemistry is immediate. However, a bad review prevents anything from happening between them and they must endure years of being forced together during milestone events. Will they ever truly reconnect?

This was a very fun character-driven romance. I am so impressed by how many times Hankin has switched genres and how she nails it every time. One Star Romance had a leeeeetle slow of a start, but once I was in, I was invested. Natalie and Rob are both very flawed, but you couldn’t help but root for them throughout. Overall, an impressive first foray into romcoms from Hankin.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic! I've read everything that Laura Hankin has written and while all of them are completely unique and different from one another they are all 5 star reads! She's going to be the author that I come back to with every single release!

For a rom-com this story was surprisingly profound, and I had tears in my eyes more than once! I've never read this author, but I could not stop reading this book! I loved the plot line of the two leads seeing each other again and again after time apart (a bit When Harry Met Sally-esque), and the supporting characters were so well developed and engaging. There are no villains in this story - just a bunch of real people trying to navigate through adulthood, at all stages! I must say that I appreciated that the author gave a good bit of story line to the parents navigating their own tricky paths through the later stages of life. It was really a beautiful read!

Thanks so much to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you Berkley for the review copy of Laura Hankin's new book One-Star Romance. I adored this book and it might be my favorite from this author... and I have loved all of her earlier books!

Hankin always has a way of getting at the heart, and complexity, of characters regardless of the plot focus (she made privileged mom's funny and edgy, women leaders as nuanced with friendship and intelligence and drive, and added to the needed story of early 2000s pop idols and how cultural expectations were unfair...). Here we get a move into romcoms, a genre exploding with creative voices and rich entries (see Romantic Comedy from Curtis Sittenfeld) and Hankin's voice and style resonates! I loved the set up with a best friend's wedding (and not liking the groom....), an attractive best man who turns out to be an unexpected enemy... and then a dive into the constant meet ups between the main character and her enemy over and over again as they come together to celebrate milestone's in their respective best friend's marriage. It's funny, filled with banter, and also honors what it feels like to have to navigate growing up in your 20s, moving into adulthood with more a sense of permanence while accepting the chaos and uncertainty of adulthood, and of figuring out what love and life are really offering.

This is one of those romcoms that I will be thinking about. I love a romance read that is more than just the romance, a book that gives the characters realistic depth and ways to connect a reader outside of spice/steam, and that lets characters be relatable and likable, flaws and all.

If you are obsessed with YOU, AGAIN by Kate Goldbeck like I am, this is a great read-alike. It has a very similar feel and style, in addition to a lot of tangible similarities like messy imperfect characters who have a lot of “wrong timing,” who think the other person isn’t right for them, and who encounter each other in different scenarios over several years at different points in their lives. I absolutely love the writing style and the plot line of this story which both make me feel like I’m reading about real people, not characters in a romance novel.

It is a rarity for me to find a Rom-Com that sticks with me well beyond finishing the final page. One-Star Romance did just that. I've read every book Laura Hankin has released and each one always leaves me wanting to know more about the characters, the plot, everything. This one rivals those, if not extends beyond what I thought was possible. If I could read 1,000 more pages about this world, and these characters - I would.

Natalie and Rob are truly some of the best and most complex characters I have read in a Rom-Com. I connected to both of them, being in academia and disliking it like Rob, and being unsure of yourself, insecure, and messy as you bring your life together like Natalie. The fierce love they have for their best friends is truly beautiful to see, and to have it grow over the years is even better. Add in the character of Gabby, someone who reminds me insanely of my best friend and I am forever going to love this. Of course, we cannot forget Angus - who if I am honest is the star of this book. He resulted in so many laugh-out-loud moments as well as heartwarming monologues that I want to be his Rob.

The plot, taking place over 8 years was brilliant. We were given little snippets into what each character was up to while also diving into the complex emotions related to growing out of your twenties and into your thirties. It had me rooting for the characters even more when I could really feel what they were feeling, Laura did a fantastic job of giving each of these characters their own unique voice.

And so, my only critique of One-Star Romance is that there was not enough, because this Romance is indeed a 5 Star .

Books about books are always my favorite and you can get into and be pulled in without noticing thanks for letting me read this

I love books about books and this romance gave me all the feels I wanted from it and more than I thought it would.

Loved the will they/won't they back and forth on this charming and bittersweet love story. It's almost painfully realistic to watch both of them flail and stagnate and struggle in their lives while resisting love, but gosh is it satisfying when it happens.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for my copy of One Star Romance! All thoughts are my own.

Picture this: your best friend is marrying a guy you don’t think is good enough for her, leading her to move out and leave you behind. Then the best man gives your novel a one star review on Goodreads. You know he did it but you can’t ruin your best friend’s wedding…because you based the book off of her future husband. One Star Romance by Laura Hankin captures the feeling of being in your twenties, a decade of immense change, perfectly.

I LOVED this book. I knew I would, since I’ve loved all of Laura Hankin’s books, but I loved her foray into rom coms. Rom coms are just the best and Laura brought a fresh spin to the genre. Not only are we falling in love with a couple, but we’re seeing their lives and other relationships unfold. It’s not a traditional rom com but it still gives you all the feels you’re looking for, with a sprinkle of fiction and a dash of angst. Perfect for fans of Kate Goldbecks, You, Again.

Synopsis:

What I Liked:

The Set Up—Walking down the aisle with a dude who gave your book one star? Juicy. I was so excited to dive in on this knowledge alone!

The Balance Between Friendship and Romantic Love—I’ve been reading romance for a long time and it’s my favorite genre. But it’s always nice when the story feels so full and reminiscent of real life, amidst all the wonderful tropes. I loved how we equally got to know Natalie and Rob through their relationships with friends and family.

The Fresh and Familiar Feeling—This book felt fresh in the sense that it felt like “more” than a romance but still had a delightful grumpy/sunshine and enemies to lovers vibe.

What Didn’t Work:

First Act Felt a Little Slow—I wish the first act had started a little quicker, there was a lot of backstory that did end up being important but I think we could have seen it later on in flashbacks or described in a different way.

Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 5/5

Content Warnings:

dementia, cancer

I am so glad I read this. It was a little slow for me at the beginning but very quickly grasped my attention. I devoured this in about 5 hours lol.

If you are a fan of time jumps (!!!), Emily Henry, and romantic stories that go beyond romance AND are in need of a book that will make you feel okay about being Lost In Life™️ then boy do I have a recommendation for you.

You know the feeling when you start a book and immediately find yourself smiling? One, because the dialogue is ridiculously funny and two—because you know it’s going to be good. One Star Romance felt like that for me. Going in the first few chapters, I had the sense that I wouldn’t be able to put it down. (So much so that I ruined my sleep schedule to read a bulk of it last night. Worth it.)

We have an enemies to lovers story that feels strangely realistic, because the “hatred” fluctuates and spans several years—and manifests instead on their TENSION. Which Laura Hankin is so GOOD at penning. Add to that this really insightful look on what it means to be lost in your twenties, a major feature on friendships (!!), and the BEST character development in the world. You have yourself the makings of a romance novel/women’s fiction that everyone is sure to love.

I imagined this as a movie in my head, and now I can’t imagine anyone but Sam Claflin playing Rob so there you have it. If you don’t fall in love with Angus after this book, we can’t be friends.

I've read and loved all of Laura Hankin's books for different reasons. As we discuss writers willing to try new things, this summer's genre surprise is that Hankin is delivering her first romance novel. As I've followed her writing adventures from satire (Happy & You Know It & A Special Place for Women) to her 2000s TV reunion (The Daydreams), I couldn't wait to dig into this next installment for our Summer Reading Guide. Friends, it is impeccable.

In this closed-door enemies-to-lovers romance, Natalie and Rob are assigned the duties of maid-of-honor and best man in their best friends' wedding. At first, the two have undeniable chemistry. Natalie is a down-on-her-luck writer navigating imposter syndrome, while Rob is a practical guy who plans every detail of his day down to the number of coffee beans he brews daily. Admittedly, these friends couldn't be more opposite, but who can argue with their attraction to one another on that first night?

Despite Emily's numerous financial hurdles, she was thrilled when her debut literary fiction novel enjoyed a warm reception on GoodReads for her book. The fact that most of these reviews are from friends and family is inconsequential. But one day, she discovers that her rating has suddenly tanked, and it is a detail that she can't help but fixate on.

As the two gather for the wedding ceremony, where everything goes comically wrong, Natalie discovers that Rob, a man she must see at every friend gathering for the rest of her life, is the one who left the one-star review on her book on GoodReads.

As Rob is known for his honesty in the review space, he can't compromise on why he stands behind his judgment. Natalie also discovers that her best friend stalled on reading the novel in a world where she is her biggest support person.

To share more will rob you of some surprises, but these reasons are well-developed, as are the occasions that bring Rob & Natalie back together, much to their awkward dismay. We follow them as they vacation together, celebrate the birth of their friend's child, attend a housewarming party, and witness other pivotal moments in this friend's marriage. These are beautifully spaced into seven parts over the years.

If I wrote the book blurb for this novel, it would be Happy Place meets When Harry Met Sally. This cozy rom-com delivers witty banter and will satisfy Katherine Center or Emily Henry fans! I had a goofy grin through this book and finished it in a single day. Hankin proves she can write anything!

cw- ends during the pandemic, dementia, and cancer diagnosis

Natalie is finally a published author, but when she has to walk down the aisle at her best friends wedding with the best man that gave her book a single star review…she begins to question herself. She is hoping to never have to see him again once the wedding ends, but as the couples two besties, their paths continue to cross…

Oh no, I am totally fine…just sitting here crying after finishing this one. Really though…totally fine! Laura Hankin is one of those authors that you never know what you are going to get….minus an insanely well written book. Each of her books is fantastic, but each very much its own unique story. I don’t know if I am explaining that well…but you know how some authors you know exactly what you are going to get with their book In all seriousness, that is what I love about Lauras books! They are all so good, but so different from each other! This one pulled me in immediately and had me sobbing by the end. I loved that even the characters that seemed like they had their shit together, were still struggling through life and their decisions. It was a very realistic look at life…we all see each others highlight reels, meanwhile everyone is struggling in their own way. I just loved every second of this book and highly recommend preordering it so you get an surprise gift for yourself on June 18th!

Oh, I loved One-Star Romance! Laura Hankin's new novel is the kind of story you'll want to clear your calendar and ignore the world to read. Believable characters you'll root for and a story that grabs you on page one, combined with Hankin's wit -- add this one to the TBR pile ASAP!