Listen, this one is on me. As usual. But even knowing I had likely outgrown Armstrong as an author (despite her being what is probably my most-read and [once upon a time pre-unhauls] my most-owned) I thought.. a romcom? Sure, why not. And I blame this purely on the Read Now option on NetGalley. You got me. You got me. And now here we are.

This was overwhelmingly just mostly fine. But it was also annoying in a variety of low-level ways. Sure, the reality of female authors being automatically labeled YA, being paid less (even sometimes despite previous success), facing more rejections, receiving less funding for marketing, and, well, you get the point, that's the obvious annoyance. So watching an author circumvent those issues by creating a pseudonym, and a male one at that, wasn't the bad part. Nor was said author hiring someone to handle the interviews not only to maintain the charade but also deal with the social interactions required to be known and in public to support the book itself. It could've been a fun concept.

But. I didn't like the characters. I felt a lot of things just weren't well fleshed out or felt kind of.. dumb. And in addition to the bouts of miscommunication that we dodged around a few times, I just felt this suffered from the recent issue of being too.. nice. Too over-explainy. Too considerate. Which isn't to say I don't want some of this or, rather, I don't want to feel these things happening in romances. But there's a way to do it that doesn't feel.. obvious.

Also, this suffered badly in the romance areas. These characters were daydreaming of relationships and logistics for said relationships before they'd even kissed. And then we went from, like, one kiss, and then fast forward like 40% to.. randomly shoehorned in graphic-ness. It was kind of a mess.

And don't even get me started on the "villain"-esque element.

I may decide to one day revisit my old paranormal favourites but I don't think I'll be venturing into anything new by this author anymore. The last few results have proven to be the rule and not the exception and I'm finally throwing in the towel. So, yeah, I should've known better. This was on me. And, as always, your mileage may vary.

3 1/2

After sending her manuscript to various literary agents, Daphne McFadden is met with rejection after rejection. She just knows that if she were a man, her manuscript would find a home. To test that theory, Daphne sends her manuscript out under the pseudonym, Zane Remington, and guess what? It sells. So the next thing she needs is a photo for the back cover, thus the title, Finding Mr. Write, the man who will embody Zane Remington. It just so happens that her best friend, lawyer Nia knows exactly the right (write heh) man for the job, Chris Stanton, an accountant whose partner stole and left their company in dire straits (not the rock group). After a meeting that leaves Daphne fuming and Chris needing to smooth feathers, Chris begins to melt some of Daphne’s ice; his homemade brownies don’t hurt. But Daphne still hurts from a previous relationship in which her boyfriend deserted her when she needed him most, so she is less than willing to take her attraction for Chris to any level other than business in Kelley Armstrong’s rom-com Finding Mr. Write.

So, years ago Kelley Armstrong wrote a series, which may be my favorite, the Nadia Stafford trilogy (which also included a couple of novellas) about a woman who takes vengeance into her own hands and becomes a hitwoman under the mentorship of a mysterious man named Jack. Why am I brining this up in the middle of a review? Because to me Nadia and Jack’s relationship became something sexy without the sex (and, yes, I know a lot of readers think that combination is impossible but if you’ve ever seen the scene between Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis in Witness in which they share a dance to Sam Cooke’s Wonderful World but mostly smoldering gazes at the beginning, then you know sexy doesn’t need touching or even anything obviously “sexy”). Nadia and Jack are one of my favorite couples in Armstrong’s very large canon, and hot without trying.

And, unfortunately, Daphne and Chris are not. The one very essential ingredient, chemistry, isn’t there. They make a pleasant couple albeit with major communications issues, but hot they are not. They are nice. They are charming. There are grand gestures and affection and some steam but no combustion (imho).

However. HOWEVER. Finding Mr. Write made me laugh. With Armstrong’s typical strong writing and sense of detail and place, it’s a good read. Not her best because of logic flaws that just are not typical of Armstrong, like: why didn’t Daphne just use initials instead of a man’s name? Why did Daphne hire someone to be Zane? There are authors who don’t do publicity but still sell books. But, of course, if she did any of those things, Chris Stanton would not have appeared in Daphne’s life and there would have been no romance. And no book.

Many of the points Armstrong makes about how publishing works and how books are marketed are on the mark. And some about book bloggers too, but hopefully not this particular book blogger. 😬

And, if by reading this review, you come away thinking that I think Finding Mr. Write is a less than average rom-com, nothing could be further from the truth. My expectations of Kelley Armstrong, however, do feed into that perception. As a debut rom-com, it’s strong and I know that if she keeps writing in the genre, readers will receive a treat and I hope she does, because I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy.

"Finding Mr. Write" by Kelley Armstrong is a romantic comedy set in the Yukon, Canada. The story follows Daphne, a female author who faces challenges in getting her book published, so she decides to use a male pen name. The plot unfolds as she hires an actor to pretend to be the male author, leading to unexpected romantic entanglements.

As a fan of romance novels, I was excited to see Kelley Armstrong explore the genre for the first time. While I enjoyed the relatable characters and their chemistry, I found the overall pacing of the story a bit slow. If you're a fan of romantic comedies, you'll enjoy this book. It's a cute, feel-good read.

Thank you to Kelley Armstrong, NetGalley, and Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read this novel. It will be on sale on June 25, 2024.

I really wanted to love this, but I just couldn’t. If I’m being honest, it took me forever to read this because of my lack in enthusiasm towards the book, and I just found it dull and stringy.

This was not it for me. Like I got super turn off with the first sentence of the book, which is in fact transphobic. Saying "I need a penis" when you actually need a man, the penis has nothing to do with it, is Transphobic. I'm not saying the author is transphobic, who knows maybe she is. Just starting the book with "I need *insert genitalia here*" is icky. It could've been "I need a man" and it would've had the same impact.

The rest of the book for me was boring. I didn't like the dynamics between them and I was just disappointed. This book was nothing like what I was expecting. Also then mentioning a lot of other thriller/horror authors.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kelley Armstrong takes a delightful detour into romantic comedy with this novel. While I wasn't sure how she'd fare outside her usual genre, Armstrong delivers a charming story with a sharp wit. The opening line grabs you immediately ("I need a penis"), but Daphne's situation is more than just a provocative one-liner. A struggling writer tired of rejection, she takes a gamble by publishing under a male pseudonym, achieving the recognition her work deserves. Now, she needs a man to embody her fictional author, Zane.

Enter Chris, an accountant facing financial difficulties. Playing Zane becomes a chance to escape his troubles. We see Daphne, a woman who's overcome hardship and bad relationships, take a bold step. Chris too is relatable, trying to rebuild after a mistake. Their journeys intertwine as they navigate their personas and discover their true selves. This witty romance tackles interesting themes like the publishing industry's double standards, all set against the backdrop of Armstrong's signature evocative settings. With clear communication at its core (a rarity!), this is a well-written story with a touch of social commentary. Fans of Armstrong and anyone who enjoys a good romantic comedy will find plenty to love here.

Finding Mr. Write is a cute rom-com. Chris and Daphne fall for each other when he pretends to be her so her book is better received. I enjoyed the wild setting at the beginning, the lake and the mountains, perfection, throw in a little bit of fake dating and slow burn, a creepy neighbor and a bear encounter. Overall this was an ok read, there was nothing wrong with the writing or characters, it just wasn't for me. If you're looking for something quick and cute, that's closed door, this one may be for you.

Finding Mr. Write is a delightful romantic comedy set partly in the Yukon. The story follows Daphne, a female author who submits her book to publishers under a male pseudonym and hires someone to play the role of Zane Remington.

This book captivated me from the very beginning. It's funny and romantic, and I genuinely loved every aspect of it.

I especially enjoyed the glimpse into the publication process. The premise was fantastic, and it's hard to believe this is the author's first rom-com. This book is a joyful read that will leave you feeling happy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for allowing me to read this book.

I loved this book. The characters are fleshed out and they have great chemistry right away. I was rooting for them. Daphne is smart and down-to-earth and sweet, and Chris is an MMC to die for, screw-ups and all. I appreciate that they have a mature adult relationship and aren't bogged down by minor communication issues (only major ones HA). I liked the slow burn as well. The plot was a little predictable, but I chalk that up to the format of the romantic comedy rather than any fatal flaw on the author's part.

Finding Mr. Write opened with the premise that most women in a male dominated field will relate to. Daphne was such a strong, relatable main character and Chris was the perfect counterpart. The romance was believable and spicy but it didn’t take anything away from the beautiful plot. There were unexpected twists that felt natural and made me genuinely concerned how they would be resolved - I was hooked from the start to the finish. What a fun read!

An entertaining look at the world of publishing. This could be a fun Hallmark movie. Just as I skip over the intimate scenes, they would eliminate them entirely. Works for me! Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is a lighthearted romcom set in the book publishing world. Had it been from a debut author, I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much, but Kelley Armstrong has been writing in multiple genres and age groups for decades. Her perspective on the bookworld was interesting and worth reading. This is her first contemporary romance novel and I think she told an interesting story.

I love Kelley Armstrong and I am so happy she chose to dive into romcoms, this was truly such a fun and light read. I had a really good time reading this one and I hope she continues to write more.

I really enjoyed Finding Mr. Write.

The story follows Daphne who, after struggling to get her debut YA novel published, assumes a male pseudonym and - probably to no woman's surprise - immediately gets multiple publishing offers. This in turn leads to her having to hire a male actor to represent the book to the outside world. Enter Chris, who has some secrets of his own. Chaos, hilarity, miscommunication, and budding attraction ensue.

Finding Mr. Write is Kelley Armstrong's first foray in to the world of romantic comedy - but hopefully not her last. It is a funny, light-hearted rom-com that also gives insight into the (male dominated) world of publishing and makes for an ideal summer read.

Daphne, a writer based in the Yukon, has grown disillusioned with the publishing industry. Her mother, who recently passed away from cancer, always encouraged her to pursue writing alongside her career as an architect. After a breakup, her mother's death, and receiving no interest in her manuscript, Daphne decides to send out her novel under the pseudonym Zane Remington. When her plan succeeds beyond her expectations, Daphne must hire a man to pose as the author. Enter Chris Stanton, who adopts the stage name Chris Ainsworth. In need of cash after a bad business decision, he takes the job. Together, Daphne and Chris navigate the challenges of promoting the book and maintaining their deception with the publisher, Hollywood, their neighbors, and readers alike.

I absolutely loved this rom-com. I’ve been a Kelley Armstrong fan since high school and this book did not disappoint. I loved the banter between the MMC and FMC.

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book. I chose to review it and this in no way impacts my opinion of it.

As a huge romance lover, I was ecstatic to learn that my favourite author, Kelley Armstrong, was releasing her first ever romance novel. I was so excited to love this novel, however for some reason, this novel fell a little bit flat for me.

The novel opens with Daphne McFadden telling her best friend that she sold her debut novel, but there's a catch. After receiving rejection and rejection, she slapped a male name on the cover and it sold. In an effort to keep her secret under wraps, she decides to hire an actor to play Zane Remington, the name she gave her fake author. Enter Chris Stanton, the hottest accountant you'll ever meet.

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel and found them to be fun and relatable. Their chemistry almost felt like it was going to burn me through my kindle but I found the novel as a whole to be a little lacklustre for me. The story almost felt as if it was dragging along instead of steaming full speed ahead.

While I love romance novels and was really hoping for another 5 star read from Armstrong, this one just missed the mark for me. But if you love rom-coms and want to fall in love with a sexy accountant, this one is for you!

I devoured this book and I loved every single second of it. This book is funny, romantic, easy-to-read, and the story is intriguing. Who doesn't love reading about authors? I loved getting to read about the publication process, the book tours, and watching their romance unfold.

The pacing was extremely well done and I never felt like the story was lacking or boring. The dual POVs worked well for me too but I do think it would've been easier to follow if they had a more designated chapter.

Read this if you like
- Rom-coms
- Stories about books/authors
- dealing with topics like misogyny but in an easy way to read
- banter
- cute dogs
- golden retriever boyfriend

I definitely recommend this book and I think it is a very enjoyable quick rom-com.

Thank you to Forever Publishing & NetGalley for an ARC for my honest review.

Finding Mr. Write was a story about author Daphne trying to gain success for her book in anyway she could. Turns out putting a man’s name on it helped with the success real quick (typical!). But through this journey Daphne hires Chris to act as the hot male author and participate in all of the public events on the book tour. I will say, it was difficult for me to relate to the characters in this story, which sometimes took me out of it. I thought the overall plot was well written and told an interesting story and there were many parts I thoroughly enjoyed! But these two characters just weren’t ones I could connect to. Their romance was fun, the story was entertaining, and I’d say it’s worth the read!

I have read a lot of Kelley Armstrong books over the years and was deeply curious about what her take on a straight romantic comedy would be, with no magic or supernatural elements to flesh out the world building. And I had a good time! If I had to do the reading experience over, I wouldn't have paused while out on vacation, but that was a me problem. The final problem in the book was well done because the hero was a bit too perfect in not overstepping his role as a hired actor, so to have him be the one who caused the problem and had to make the grand gesture was the right choice.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC of this book. all opinions are my own.

I wish I could put into words how much I enjoyed this. What a great book. Highly recommend.