Looking for a book that is well written but light-hearted? This rom-com fill fit that desire.
Written by an author that is out of her typical genre, the book doesn't stray from rom-com and delivers a cute and slightly sappy book (but aren't all rom-coms slightly sappy?).
I chose this book because I am a fan of the author, and she delivered. The main character is well developed with depth. The leading man also has depth and a backstory. All of the boxes are checked - strong lead female, affable leading man, understanding editor, sexist neighbor, sexist/old-school/outdated businessman - all of the requirements are there to set the scene for the book (which would also make a fantastic movie).
The two things that led to the four star rating were the repeated reminders of the romantic interest's repeated reminders of his job and the romantic rendezvous. The initial rendezvous stepped out of the simple rom-com (pg-13) to a most definite adult only (r or nc 17) rating.

I would recommend this to rom-com fans and fans of Ms. Armstrong. It is enjoyable and will put a smile on your face.

This was such a fun story to read. The characters are extremely believable, to the point where you want to cheer them on even as you're shaking your head at them. I love the premise behind the plot, that we still have a ways to go towards equality among the sexes, but I appreciate that it wasn't shoved in our face through the whole book. The struggles the main character went through were so relatable. Her feelings of insecurity and second guessing herself made her, not just relatable, but likeable too. The male lead was equally well written and I loved that he wasn't perfect. That he made some mistakes along the way and had many of his own, very relatable, cringe worthy moments too. Together it all wrapped up into a slow burn romance that was charming, full of hilarious antics, and the perfect weekend escape read. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a light yet engaging read.

ARC Review: Finding Mr. Write
Releases on June 25, 2024

This was the first book I’ve read by Kelley and I thought it was very enjoyable! Both characters were instantly likable, strong, and funny. I found myself giggling and wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next. I couldn't get enough! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun delightful romance!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #FindingMrWrite

Would you put a man's name on your work to have it published? It's been done in the past, but how would that play out in modern society?

I usually read Kelley Armstrong for her supernatural mysteries so when she announced a rom com coming out I had to check it out.
The beginning was slow to start with my favorite pieces being the texting conversations. For me the plot really picked up with the extended in person meeting of the main characters so the middle of the book was my favorite part not only for the setting being like home but it became more solid and real. The characters thought process mirrors my own if the events had happened to me, and I absolutely love that. I loved much of the humor throughout the book. This wasn't bad for one of my favorite authors first forays into this genre.

A cute romance tied in with great atmosphere and a strong female character who will do whatever it takes to get her job done. Daphne tries to find the perfect outdoorsy hunk of masculinity guy but she realizes it is hard to do then she thinks.

Interesting and different view of authorship. And how to get noticed and inadvertently not be known in the publishing business. “What a tangled web we weave…” Will true love prevail?

Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong is a delightful rom-com that packs a powerful punch. Daphne's decision to submit her novel under a male pseudonym exposes the pervasive gender bias in the publishing industry. Armstrong skillfully weaves this important social commentary into a fun and engaging story.

Set in the wilderness of the Yukon, the vivid descriptions transport you to the remote area. The book tour scenes are particularly steamy and add an exciting element to the story.

What I loved most about this book is its pace. The plot moves at a perfect clip, keeping you engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making you care about their journey. Daphne's transformation throughout the story is both empowering and inspiring.

Overall, Finding Mr. Write is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies. It's a feel-good book with a serious message that will leave you smiling.

I loved the romance in this book. I loved the setting. (I loved the dog!) The only thing I did not love was that the premise was so filmsy and easily fixed. Her submitting it with a male pen name could have easily been addressed as soon as they purchased her novel. That said, I was able to ignore how frustrating I found it and enjoy the rest of the story... which I did. Greatly. It's just such a fun, great read. It made me want to visit the Yukon.

A beautiful romance! I loved the characters. I laughed out loud, and rooted for the romance. A must for all rom com lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Forever Publishing for the ARC of Kelley Armstrong's Finding Mr. Write.

Kelley Armstrong is a must read, auto buy author for me. Havens Rock, A Stitch in Time, Rockton, Cursed Luck, Otherworld, Nadia Stafford, etc. - I really appreciate her work - they're always fun, though on a few occasions they can get a bit dark. This is her first romantic comedy book, so a different genre, though she does write a lot of romance in other spaces. She talks about how the movie The Lost City influenced this plot a bit - and I do see that resemblance, and I really enjoyed the movie so was happy to see a book with that vibe.

I think, and I did the same thing to Sarina Bowen's first thriller, The Five Year Lie, that if it's an author I autoread I might judge it a bit more sternly because I know the larger breadth of their work, vs giving exceptions to debuts or a first time trying a new author. I do want t applaud how many authors right now are trying out different genres and styles, romantasy being the major pivot. It's awesome they're taking risks and flexing their writing muscles, I think I just might get a bit bummed when I know the author could take a story really next level and it falls a little flat on their first attempt.

Finding Mr. Write is about Daphne, an author of a young adult book that she has written under a pen name, Zane Remington. When her publisher wants to meet her/set her up for her 6 figure payour and promo, Daphne's best friend finds her someone to "be" Zane" in her place so she does not lose her book deal. Chris Stanton knows Daphne's best friend (she's his lawyer, he's an accountant) and he volunteers for the role. But when the book debuts as #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List and the publisher wants more and more from "Zane", Daphne and Chris have to find a way through it, all while falling for each other.

Armstrong lives in the Yukon (I follow her on Instagram) and so the setting of this book she knows inside and out. I would have LOVED if the book was just a rom com in the woods because the first 40% or so of the book that takes place here is really vivid and strongly written.

Past that, the plot and the characters have some troubles.

Chris is very attractive and the publisher loves his look and wants to really emphasize how hot he is -- but this is a book for young adults, not new adults or adults, so it seemed a bit cringe to use a person in this way in 2024 to sell books to teenagers.

Chris also pretends to be an actor for the first 25% of the book, and this has no basis in anything besides Daphne saying 'I should hire an actor'. Why her best friend tries to be sneaky about this instead of just saying, "Hey, yeah, I know a guy" and why Chris then pretends to be an absolute douche the first several chapters -- to me it made him so unlikeable and extra. He could have just been like "Yeah, I'm going through a tough spot right now, what do you need from me as Zane?" and instead him taking parking spots from people, pretending he doesn't read books and sending shirtless pics to the publisher and stuff just seemed so over the top.

Having pen names is really common, and the young adult dystopian realm is pretty much owned by white woman authors, so Daphne's original plan was very JK Rowling circa 1996. This is not meant to disparage woman authors though - the discrepancies between pay are real and do still exist in 2024.

I don't want to go on because generally speaking I liked the book, and I was willing to overlook the parts I didn't, but I do wish the foundation of the plot and characters had been a bit different to make for a stronger story. I'd still read whatever Kelley has next in the pipeline.

2.5 stars rounded up.

This book had so much potential, but it just dragged on and was a bit over all the place. The premise is Daphne, an architect who dreams of being a writer, keeps getting her manuscript turned down by publishers. She decides to submit it under a male pseudonym and BAM! The deal comes through. Unfortunately her publisher is breathing down her neck to get an author photo for the book, and she hires and actor to play the role. He is handsome and outdoorsy and perfect to play a brooding new literary talent. Except Chris isn't really and actor, but was referred by Daphne's lawyer friend. He's really an accountant who likes to bake brownies, so he has to really lean into the alpha-male role.

When they meet, it's insta-love for him, and she just is really attracted to him. The book promotion takes off and they travel together under the guise that she is his assistant. Daphne is torn between feeling proud for making a book that people are loving, but not getting recognition for the book.

What really bogged down the book for me was all the scheduling logistics for the book tour...let's take a plane...wait for a hotel room check-in....it took away from the heart of the matter as far as gender/power in the publishing industry. As far as romance go, I did not feel swoony over the romance and really did not get a sense of who the two leads were.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. This was a fun book. Rom com is not the usual for this author as I've read some of her other things, but she pulls it off splendidly. I greatly enjoyed this book and I haven't enjoyed a rom com in a while to be honest. The story was fun, the characters were well developed, and I couldn't put the book down. I will be recommending this to all of my friends who read, and I will be buying this when it's officially out.

Thank you to NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong was such an entertaining read!

I know this is Armstrong’s first rom-com and I really think it was an excellent start in the genre for her! If you are already a fan of her books, I seriously recommend you give this a try! You’ll love her familiar writing style as it brings to life these characters and the scenery, even though this is a much lighter story than most of her other work! Armstrong has written some incredible couples over the years and has definitely got a wonderful sense of humor that’s been present in her previous books. So it wasn’t surprising to me how great a job she did here where she got to really focus on those aspects!

Finding Mr. Write was so sweet, so romantic, and so funny! This is the type of book that will remind you why you love rom-coms. I flew through this book because of how much I was rooting for our couple Daphne & Chris!

I loved the dual-pov, which I think was so necessary for the story. It was important to see both of their thoughts and feelings. I know not everyone loves dual-POV books, but I really think if you’re going to give one a shot this is a good pick. I definitely saw the value in having both Chris & Daphne’s perspectives, and I think others will agree it was the right way to tell this story! I was a little hesitant to see that the POV alternated often mid-chapter, but I really was won over by what insight we gained each time we switched.

Both Daphne and Chris are so lovable for different reasons! They’re solid characters who feel real as individuals, and I think that’s why their relationship is one I loved to see growing throughout the book! Their connection together feels so genuine because they felt so genuine individually, if that makes sense. Other minor characters were also so well-written! I really enjoyed Sakura which I didn’t quite expect, but that’s always a nice surprise!

The weakest part of the book for me was the very beginning. There’s a few chapters, really just chapters two and three, where a lot of it is messaging back and forth between Daphne & Chris. I do feel like it did work for establishing the premise of the book, where Daphne needs a man to become the male pen name she used to get her book published, and for getting us to where we needed to be to bring the two of them to the same location. I just didn’t love it. It’s a very small section of this story, but definitely my least favorite part.

That said, once I was past it I couldn’t put the book down. Everything worked for me after that. So I definitely would encourage anyone to keep going if you’re not loving that little section. I assume most people will be absolutely fine with it, I don’t have a real complaint beyond messaging in books not being my cup of tea and it was quite a bit of the first few chapters.

Overall, Finding Mr. Write is a fun rom-com I definitely recommend! I loved the slow-burn, loved the banter, loved the stakes, and I could just keep going! Anyone who likes those things and is looking for an easy lighthearted read should be looking for this book when it’s available!

The cover of this book & description totally intrigued me. Easy, fast ready - perfect for summer. I loved the characters in this book & their chemistry. There are several steamy love scenes- a definite plus. I am hoping Armstrong will continue writing in this genre- pick this one up!!

Thank you NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC copy of this book.

This was ridiculous and a little campy in the absolute best way. The constant interruptions, the unlikely-but-we’ll-roll-with-it moments sprinkled heavily throughout, the fact that neither Daphne or Chris could get a good read on the other despite them literally being around each other 24/7.

I loved the role reversal of Chris being a nerdy city boy and Daphne being an entirely self-sufficient lumberjack. I also loved how earnest Chris was and how alarmed that made Daphne 😂

Also, I want Daphne’s life honestly. Living out in the woods with my pet and getting to write all the time? Sign me up.

I loved that Daphne was awkward and fumbling socially but was also firm and straightforward and opinionated. I liked that she doubted herself even while she stood up for herself. She’s a very realistic and human character and I adored it. And then there’s Chris who is giving Chris Hemsworth’s character in Ghostbusters (jk but also… not jk).

I had a lovely time reading this!

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite fantasy/mystery writers and when I heard she was trying her hand at a rom-com, I was excited to give it a try. In Finding Mr. Write, fledgling author Daphne McFadden is struggling to find a home for her YA zombie apocalypse novel and, in a fit of pique and after several glasses of wine, she submits it under a pseudonym—a male pseudonym. To her surprise (and dismay), it’s picked up and published to commercial success. At the urging of her friend/lawyer, she hires Chris Stanton to act as her alter ego, Zane Remington—just for some author photos and a couple of interviews. But as the book gains more traction, so does charismatic (and hot) “Zane” and soon Daphne and Chris are navigating an entire book tour while trying to maintain their rouse and their distance from one another. What could possibly go wrong?

Overall, I thought this was light and fun read. As a fan of Armstrong’s Rockton series, I liked her continued use of the Canadian Yukon as a setting (here to much lighter effect) and it was fun to watch outdoorswoman Daphne help city boy Chris navigate his role as manly survivalist Zane. If I had one criticism it would be the added plot line of Chris pretending to be an actor/having an alter ego when he first meets Daphne. I was a little confused about what was happening (and what Chris’ personality was actually like) for the first few chapters and I don’t know that it added a whole lot to the story. I hope Armstrong will continue to explore new genres—it’s always a pleasure to read her stories! Finding Mr. Write is out June 25th.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the e-ARC; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks so much for Forever for making this book available to read and review through NetGalley.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and the premise sounded sort of cute, though I worried it might stray a little unbelievable (my small insight into publishing is that it’s WILDLY dominated by women, so I’m not buying the “poor me I can’t sell my zombie book because I’m a lady” shtick. Also why zombies still??).

And I’m just not connecting to the writing or the characters, so it’s a DNF for me. I’m just not the target audience for this book.

The biggest downside to this book is I am now majorly craving some brownies.

Daphne has written a novel. A brilliant novel, in her opinion. But apparently, not to the publishing world, who have rejected her book more times than she would care to think about. So, after she has some wine, Daphne says “Screw it” and sends her book under a cool man’s name, Zane Remington. To her shock (and presumably some rage for women kind), her book sells for five hundred thousand! But now that it’s receiving such a great response, Daphne has to find someone to pose as Zane Remington. Someone woodsy, mysterious, and arrogant – after all, that is how Daphne has pretended to be in her emails. A friend suggests she meet with Chris, an accountant whose business tanked due to a lying business partner. And while Chris is about as far as possible from Zane – other than being a handsome muscly man – he eagerly agrees. Throw in a little forced proximity, and a man who, for the most part, clearly communicates, and a woman who, for the most part, thinks rationally, and we’ve got a winner!

Thanks to NetGalley for this fun read!

Daphne and Chris's story is one to keep you captivated as you navigate the well-planned deception. Unfortunately, I think Daphne's plight is one that many authors face. Pitching the book to agent after agent and getting no response. Something as simple as changing her name and posing as the ultimate adventuresome bro gets her on the fast-track to publishing. It's a sad statement and truth that certain genres are dominated by one gender or the other, leaving very little wiggle room for new authors and ideas to infiltrate the market. But the author pulls off the tale of the ultimate deception. You find yourself feeling for Daphne and siding with her the whole time. I just wish Chris had felt more comfortable with showing Daphne his true self, because he was such a dear man. You can see their chemistry and are rooting for them the whole time to pull off the scheme and still fall in love. I would definitely read more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever publishing for early access to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I struggled to get into this book and then I struggled to finish it. It was only after I was already halfway through that I felt like the story was finally taking off, but then the conflict between the two main characters felt so forced and out of place. This is not to say the book wasn’t enjoyable at all, I just found myself struggling through more of it than I would prefer.