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!

Aspiring twenty-something writer Natalie is presented as insecure, shallow, selfish, and immature. Some is her age, some is her upbringing--her mother unhappily settled in not one, but two marriages, and outright tells Natalie that she (Mom) is not special enough to attract a high-caliber man so she must settle for someone inferior who will put her on a pedestal, instead, and so must her daughter face the same fate. So, Natalie remains unfulfilled, working odd jobs (none with benefits) while dating sufferable and pretentious young artists and writers and working on her own Great American Novel. Her best friend and roommate Gabby's surprise engagement to Angus, the goofy and exuberant heir to a futon empire, throws Natalie for a loop. At Gabby's twenty-fifth birthday party where the proposal dominates, Natalie wallows and spends most of the evening getting to know Rob, Angus's best friend. Her and Rob's immediate rapport is a mild balm to her jealousy that she won't be number one in Gabby's life anymore, and the suspicion that Gabby is settling. Rob is cute and smart and their banter is solid, but Natalie's on the East Coast and Rob on the West, and Natalie hears he's not a one-night stand type of guy, so any romantic prospect seems unlikely.

When Natalie and Rob meet again for the wedding, he's aloof, and finally reveals it's because she's written a character presented in an unfavorable light that closely resembles Angus. Rob's loyalty results in a vengeful 1-star review, which opens a floodgate of other dissenters and, down the road, results in Natalie not being able to secure a home for her second manuscript. Their animosity is realistically established, but they still need to work together on wedding planning, and eventually, god-parenting, and Rob does stand up admirably in every other way.

The commentary on writing and the publishing industry of the 20teens is honest (men's fiction is just fiction, while women's stories are "women's fiction" at best, and "chick lit" at worst); it's honest but comes off bitter. Natalie does finally publish, but only friends and family are giving her 4- and 5-star reviews (and at her request); Gabby is too busy with wedding planning to even read it.

The author relies greatly on exposition rather than action to tell most of the story, presented in year-and-half intervals. The first ten chapters are solely Natalie's point of view, with an abrupt switch to Rob's point of view, then subsequent chapters are are more omniscient and even bring in Angus's point of view at one point, and then switches to Rob's fiancée Zuri in a chapter flashing back to her choices that led to their breakup. The lack of clear consist voice, structure and timeline is frustrating and distracting and doesn't serve the growth of the main characters. Also disappointing is the failure to add any Jewish details or identity at all: Natalie's surname is an ancient Ashkenazi Jewish name, as Hankin can be, as well. Gabby and Angus's home explodes with Christmas at their holiday housewarming, which annoys Rob, but Natalie neither embraces or shares any religious/cultural background beyond enjoying the lights--odd when the New York setting is fairly Jewish.

One-Star Romance had some vivid and humorous scenes, like Gabby and Angus's wedding, and some poignant ones, when Rob comes to his father's rescue during an episode of dementia. Both Rob and Natalie have other romantic relationships and struggle with their relationships with their parents. While I do understand some of the unlikability of the characters was to show how people in their twenties can be and to establish a touchstone for character's growth, it ultimately took a long time to become invested the characters, the slow-pace of their anticipated romance, or the styling of the narrative. The second half of the book was MUCH better than the first half, and ultimately I'm glad I stuck with it, but I was tempted to ditch it and leave a 2-star review less than 20% through. One-Star Romance struggles to achieve what writers like Emily Henry and Ashley Poston seem to do effortlessly, weaving a construct that makes the conflicts and issues feel more integrated. It was difficult not to read Natalie's literary aspirations as the author's, even though Natalie is accused (rightfully!) of writing too close to home. I also got a sense that the novel wanted to be better than just a rom-com, which feels dismissive to the romance novel industry and it's fans. This is all either brilliantly meta, or just beyond me; I didn't think it worked strongly either as literary fiction or as a romance novel.

I received a free advance reader's review copy of #One-StarRomance via #NetGalley, courtesy of Berkley.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review!

Okay! I don't think that I'm exaggerating whatsoever when I say that this is, quite literally, a perfect romance novel. I love a romantic comedy! I love a slow burn! I love an "it was always you"! I love rivals to lovers! Lovable characters and people you want to root for who actually feel fleshed out. A story that feels rich and full. I laughed! I cried! Laura Hankin, you are now an autobuy author for me from now until forever. WHAT A BOOK!

While this is indeed a romance, it's really a story about Natalie figuring out live in her mid to late twenties. It's about navigating how friendships shift and change, what to do when the path we thought we were on isn't what plays out, and managing the expectations set by others. Natalie's story is told over a series of encounters with Rob. Their first encounter comes when they are in their best friends' wedding party. The title comes from Rob giving Natalie's book a one-star review on Goodreads (and also, it's an odd experience to then leave a review of a book with this plot point on Goodreads!), and Natalie feeling a certain kind of way about that. I did really like that this centered Natalie and Rob's quests to figure out where they belonged and what they wanted to be doing in life. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the look at this June 2024 release!

Were it up to me, I'd probably change the title to something with a little more...punch? But. That's literally my only complaint about this often touching always witty story that had more to do with friendship and the bonds therein than romantic relationships.

Spent a delightful weekend in the company of this book. The writing was absorbing, smart but not show-offy, and empathetic to its characters. Loved this book, which is as much about growing up and negotiating friendship as you do as it is about romance. Five stars.

This book was super cute, and I had a lot of fun reading it! I absolutely loved the premise. Right before her best friend's wedding, romance author Natalie learns the best man to her maid of honor is none other than Rob, a man who wrote a one-star review of her new book on Goodreads. Talk about uncomfortable.

The story follows this opposites-attract pair through the years as they run into each other at different events. I really enjoyed the structure of the novel and watching these characters and their relationship develop over time.

I hadn't read any of Laura Hankin's books before, but I'll definitely be checking out more of her work in the future.

Thank you to Berkley for the ARC, which was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In the realm of contemporary romance, Laura Hankin's "One-Star Romance" emerges as a refreshing and poignant tale that delves into the complexities of love, friendship, and the transformative power of second chances. Natalie, a free-spirited artist, and Rob, a meticulous academic, find themselves thrown together as maid of honor and best man in their best friends' wedding. Despite their starkly contrasting personalities, an undeniable chemistry ignites between them. However, their budding connection is abruptly severed when Natalie discovers that Rob has written a scathing one-star review of her debut novel. The revelation sends shockwaves through Natalie's confidence, leaving her questioning her artistic abilities. Rob, grappling with the consequences of his impulsive act, realizes the depth of his feelings for Natalie and sets out to make amends. As they navigate the tumultuous waters of their evolving relationship, Natalie and Rob encounter a series of life-changing events that test their resilience and force them to confront their own vulnerabilities. Through heartwarming moments of shared laughter and poignant instances of emotional turmoil, Hankin skillfully weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and the enduring bonds of friendship. The characters' growth and development are meticulously crafted, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and root for their eventual happiness. Hankin's writing is both insightful and witty, capturing the nuances of human interaction with remarkable accuracy. "One-Star Romance" is a delightful and thought-provoking read that explores the complexities of modern relationships and the transformative power of love. Laura Hankin's ability to blend humor, drama, and emotional depth makes this novel a standout in the genre. Readers will find themselves captivated by the journey of Natalie and Rob as they navigate the ups and downs of life, ultimately discovering that even the most imperfect love stories can be rewritten into beautiful masterpieces.