This is a tough one for me to rate because there were aspects of Unromance that I really loved and it'll be a book I recommend but it didn't have the "can't put it down" feeling I was hoping for. Sawyer is an unlucky in love romance author who doesn't actually believe in romance. She meets Mason, a TV actor and hopeless romantic who is trying to break his pattern of falling too fast. They enter into a fake dating relationship in which Sawyer will try to ruin the classic romance tropes for Mason. It's meant to help Sawyer's writer's block and rehab Mason's unrealistic ideals of romance. This whole premise didn't really make sense to me but I got over it. The series of dates they planned centered around the classic romance tropes were really cute and cliche in all the right ways. My biggest issues were the pacing and the main characters. It was a slower read for me and Mason was just too sweet and nice. Sawyer was fine but showing some depth or growth in her character would have really helped. I wish this book was published a few months sooner because it takes place in December and January and would have been a fun read right before the holidays.

posted review to goodreads

5 STARS!

I absolutely LOVED "Unromance" by Erin Connor. This book is SO freaking good. I devoured every single chapter, sentence, word. From the very first chapter, I knew I was going to be ruined. Is it too soon to say that this book will likely be on my "best of 2025" list? Because I'm thinking it might be! I am utterly obsessed with Sawyer and Mason and their insane chemistry with one another. Their meet cute! Their banter! Their list! Their baggage! The tension! The yearning! The trust! The understanding! The protectiveness! I thought this had the perfect pacing, and the story as a whole doesn't overstay its welcome. All of the secondary characters feel necessary. Nothing about this book feels excessive. It's seriously perfect. Erin Connor knocked it out of the park with this debut novel. If you love romantic comedies, you're going to LOVE "Unromance." You're going to laugn and cry and swoon your way to the book store for this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Erin Connor, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I really debated between 4 and 5 ⭐️ because that argument near the end was really stupid and it just pissed me off the way it was handled but at least it was resolved quickly.
That aside, this was really cute and a fantastic debut! Really felt like a love letter to romcoms and I was giggling and kicking my feet as early as chapter 3.
Loved the way the roles were reversed and here the MMC was the cinnamon roll hopeless romantic where the FMC was the sour cynic who was all sharp edges.

I'd heard some comments that this is a holiday read because a lot of the plot takes place in December around Christmas and NYE and though it does I can't say it really focuses on that and that I'd promote it as a holiday romance. At least it didn't really read that way to me.

All in all, this was great and the ending was what I hoped it'd be. Can't wait to read more by Erin Connor

eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the

I FUCKING LOVE THIS. I love these idiots so much. The banter? Exquisite. The romcom references? Perfection. The tights? Phewww. The easy queerness of the whole damn thing? Immaculate.

So many romance tropes with Sawyer and Mason!

Best-selling romance writer Sawyer Greene was dealing with a serious case of writers block since she had broken up with her girlfriend but having a meet cute with a gorgeous stranger on an elevator might wasn’t in her plans after their night together. But she kept running into Mason West in random places leading to trying to them trying to ruin romance for Mason. What Sawyer didn’t know that Mason was actually Mason West the actor who was known for relationship with his costars and he wanted to stay single for a while?

You will laugh out loud how the author tries to ruin so many tropes for Mason and fails!!!I loved how Sawyer was all ready to help Mason (un)romance his life so he wouldn’t fall in love easily.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 stars

I need more Erin Connor books ASAP. I was about 1/4 of the way through when I had to stop reading and double check that this is Erin's debut because this book is phenomenal. I could not believe how great this book is, or that I was lucky enough to get a 5 star read this early in the year.

Mason has set the bar for he falls first MMCs in romance books for me. This man wants Sawyer so badly. The chemistry between these two is absolutely sizzling from the start. Along those lines, for a book where the characters hook up for the first time within the first few chapters, Erin Connor somehow then creates the most delicious slow burn I've read in a long time, maybe ever. Delicious. I don't know how else to describe this book.

The premise for this story could've easily gone bad: opposites attract, Sawyer needs inspiration for writing her next romance and Mason needs to stop falling in love with every woman he meets; they decide to do all sorts of romance movie/tropey activities together so that Sawyer can ruin romance for Mason and Mason can inspire Sawyer. I've read books with a loosely similar premise and it just didn't work. That is NOT a problem with Unromance. Erin Connor is truly an incredible writer. I loved every moment of this book. I would read three more books full of Mason and Sawyer.

As is true of most great romance books, in addition to the romance being swoony and spicy, the individual growth of the characters in this story is touching and adds so much to the emotional depth of this story and the development of the relationship between the characters.

VERY grateful to have received an ARC of this book. Cannot WAIT for more from Erin Connor. Need more now.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Sawyer, a writer and Mason, an actor are very briefly trapped in an elevator. They coincidentally meet up later that evening and have a one night stand. After they meet again, chronic romantic Mason and dubious romance writer Sawyer decide to “unromance” some famous romantic tropes from their favourite movies. I enjoyed this book. It follows the normal arc of a romance novel, but the characters are fun, they have good banter and the supporting characters in their corner are solid. The writing is consistent and Connor gives both characters room to grow emotionally. I like that both characters are flawed and Connor didn’t fall into the “she needs him and he saves the day” or “he messes up and has to make a grand gesture” that is more typical of romance novels. She balances out their faults. It’s refreshing.
3.5 stars, rounded up.

This was an enjoyable debut novel. I always enjoy reading books that feature authors as characters, and Sawyer’s writer’s block led to a very interesting premise! Mason felt like her perfect match…they just each had to get out of their own way and let go of their past ideas about romance!

A romance author with writer's block and a Hollywood heartthrob trying to keep a low profile following his breakup, agree to help each other with their professional problems. Mason, the hopeless romantic, promises inspiration for Sawyer, while she sets out to ruin romance for him - one trope at a time.

I knew early on I was going to fall hard for this book. The elevator meet-cute was fun, flirty, and filled with great banter. Not only was I instantly hooked by this tale, but I was instantly hooked on this couple.

Both had baggage from previous relationships and their pasts. Sawyer was still struggling the loss of her college girlfriend. Because of this breakup, she intentionally kept people at arm's length, never allowing herself to form a deep relationship or fall in love. This behavior was taking its toll on her personal and professional life.

Mason was always being left by his partners though he never understood why. He loved hard and wore his heart on his sleeve, but his relationships were failures. I won't lie. I adored Mason. He was so sweet and had this HUGE heart, but his career presented many challenges to him. Though he fell hard for his partners, he still had to keep this barrier up to protect his private life from his public life.

Together, Mason and Sawyer were able to be themselves. There was a comfort they enjoyed in each others presence, and I loved that they could be real with one another. As much I adored them both, I found myself connecting more with Mason. He said this one thing that really resonated with me and even had me shedding some tears, but I am going to keep that to myself.

I would say there was more laughter than tears as I read. Part of the unromance plan was going on these rom-com type outings. They were so much fun, and I loved how Connor leaned into the romance tropes. It was a delight to see pieces of famous rom-coms play out, but mostly, it was wonderful to see the bond between Sawyer and Mason grow, to see Sawyer find her spark again, and to watch them both embracing positive changes in their lives.

I previously mentioned that I knew this was going to be a hit for me. As I read, I kept thinking 4.5 stars, but then the last few chapters happened. OMG! My heart exploded and my face cracked in half from my HUGE smile. It was rom-com perfection. I got teary-eyed and was filled with so much happiness and joy. It was a true treat.

I would love a chance to return to this world, but no matter what Connor has planned for the future, I know I will be reading whatever she writes.

Sawyer is a romance reader, writer and disbeliever. While she loves all that love in fiction, she doesn’t think it’s realistic. It’s making it incredibly hard to power through her writers block, and she’s well overdue on her next romance book

Mason is an actor. He’s freshly dumped, but still an incurable romantic. No matter how many times his heart is crushed, he can’t stop believing in the next time.

If you are a sucker for romance tropes, this one’s for you. They run through a pile of them, her trying to convince him they’re unrealistic, fun but ultimately nonsense. Him trying to inspire her to believe, even if it’s just enough to inspire her next book

Each chapter is started with the name and description of the relevant trope, and I looked forward to seeing how they played out

The third act breakup was not my favorite - I think she massively overreacted to what was in effect just an offer she was in no way being made to accept - but I tend to not be a fan of third act breakups in general, so…ymmv?

Anyway - overall I loved this book, would happily read it again and totally recommend it especially if you’re also a fan of banter and trope exploration!

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the arc

OH MY GOODNESS - I’m SHOCKED this is a debut 😍
this was freakin’ phenomenal, I couldn’t put this one down!

⭐️: ♾️
🌶️: open door, a few scenes

💭 overall thoughts:
I loved everything about this, it gave me all the feels 🤭😍🥰😭🥹

Sawyer is an uninspired romance writer, and Mason is a hopeless romantic (and also a famous actor).

After their elevator meet-cute (and a “one night stand”), they create a plan for Sawyer to gain inspiration, with Mason showing her romantic moments, and for him to lose the “hopeless” & show how each trope is just a cliché.

Having the MCs meet in chapter 1 had me IMMEDIATELY invested. The chapter intros lightly mocking each trope were so cute!

Sawyer & Mason were both such loveable characters, with her quick wit that had me laughing out loud, and his cinnamon roll gooeyness 🥹
And please - let’s take a moment for THIS COVER - literally the reason I grabbed this arc and just so perfectly fitting for this story 😍

Last thing - I’m going to stop saying “I can’t connect with third person writing” because I DEFINITELY DID with this one!

read if you love:
1️⃣ one night stand
💛 friends to lovers
🌟 bi romance author + famous actor/hopeless romantic
🛗 elevator meet cute
🌦 grumpy sunshine
💙 he falls first
💞 dual 3rd person pov

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) & NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Romance author Sawyer and gets stuck in an elevator with a handsome stranger which leads to a one night stand before she finds out her mystery man is Mason, a semi-well-known actor. To help Sayer get past her writer’s block the two embark on an adventure of breaking all the romance cliche’s while decidedly not falling in love with each other, though they can’t keep their hands off one another and their new friendship is definitely turning into real feelings.

I found Unromance to be a very enjoyable read. I was first drawn in by the cover (yes it’s still a drawing but it isn’t a flat cartoon) and found myself absolutely loving the characters. Sawyer is a disaster bisexual and Mason is a wonderful cinnamon roll. I greatly appreciated the heat level of this book and that it was a true romance focusing on the pair and their relationship. I was impressed that it was a debut book and look forward to reading Erin’s next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars!

What a debut! I cannot wait to see more from this author because this was absolutely fantastic. I've read a few romances that are full of all the tropes or reference a ton of romcom movies but I think this is the best one I have seen. What I found best was each trope was the typical but also not? It was fake dating but not? And dating lessons but almost opposite? All without making fun of the tropes too which is impressive. Mason being such a romantic was precious and you could tell Sawyer was too and just trying to hide it. Calling it now, best debut romance of 2025!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!!

Sawyer is a jaded romance writer who doesn’t believe in happily ever after; Mason an actor who is a hopeless romantic. However, these two idiots just might figure out how to fall in love.

After a meet cute in a stalled elevator and a one night stand that turns into a sleepover, the two embark on a quest: she will ruin all of the romantic tropes he holds near and dear and he will help break her out of the writer’s block that’s plaguing her.

Just friends, no (more) sex, no feelings. Let me know how that works out for you.

Here are the two most lovable dummies who are too afraid to do anything about the big feelings bursting out of them. Both are struggling with messy past relationships, professional obstacles, and familial baggage - and they are so damn relatable.

The banter in this one is charming and snarky, the spice is spicy, and the yearning is frenetic. But I think what I liked most about Sawyer and Mason is that their love language is laughter and every interaction they share is laced with humor and sideways glances and smirks and joy. They just love being together and it rubs off on you!

Sawyer hides her pain behind sharp retorts as she shys away from commitment so as not to get hurt. And Mason leans so far in to love and romance and all its trappings that he leaves his partner no breathing room.

It’s cathartic to watch these two think and bumble and talk and respect one another as they find their way toward love.

And if you followed my stories this week, you know the chapter headings are hilarious, tongue in cheek jokes about the tropes we love to hate. Just genius.

Lastly, in and of itself, this unromance is an actual love letter to romance and all of the romcom movies we love. From the boombox of Say Anything to IKEA in 500 Days of Summer, it hits ‘em all.

Do not sleep on this one. Immediately get yourself a trophy copy and expect to do a reread every holiday season!

Synopsis: When a romance writer who doesn’t believe in love and a hopeless romantic make a pact to ruin as many romance tropes for each other as possible, what could go wrong?

Thoughts: So this is basically the perfect rom com. Sawyer is a jaded romance writer with a serious case of writer’s block, and Mason is a famous actor who has just been dumped and realizes he falls in love too hard and too fast. They end up trying to help each other by testing out every romance trope they can think it - to inspire Sawyer’s writing and to cure Mason of being a hopeless romantic. With that fun of a premise and some really impressive writing for a debut author, this book is a delight. I genuinely loved both main characters, and their banter and chemistry is great. Go pick up this funny, spicy, swoony romance next Tuesday!

Read this if you like:
🍟 rom coms
🍟 romance tropes
🍟 cinnamon roll mmc/grumpy fmc
🍟 one night stand to friends to lovers
🍟 banter

I loved this book, if you romance that feels very "Harry Met Sally" this is the book for you. The sarcastic undertones are fun.

3.75 stars rounded up.

There were things I really liked about this book and other things that just didn't appeal to me, causing me to question is it me? LOL.

Described as a grumpy meets sunshine trope by some reviewers I think it's more a love cynic meets a cinnamon roll. Sawyer is the cynical romance writer, burned by romance and Hollywood's spin on her book turned movie and Mason is the cinnamon roll actor who repeatedly falls in love but can't ever make them stay. When they meet in their own stuck elevator "meet cute" and go on to have a one night stand, neither thinks they'll see the other again. However, another chance meeting at a Christmas market has them making a deal; Sawyer will ruin romance for Mason making him not find romance in the simplest of things so he won't keep falling in love and Mason can serve as her muse so Sawyer can get another book written. The rules are simple. No more sex, no falling in love/catching feelings as Sawyer isn't interested in a relationship and Mason is moving to LA to focus on the next chapter of his career, producing. What could possibly go wrong?

The chapter headings are super cute, each with a common romance trope that Sawyer then tries to ruin for Mason. Of course, with their chemistry they end up having fun regardless of Sawyer's cynical spin. Try as they might they can't seem to keep each other in the friend zone and this is where the conflict lies. It's giving a Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally vibe that I approve of.

While I loved the concept of the story, I had some trouble with the character development. Sawyer was hard for me to connect with, mostly because she never seemed to resolve her feelings from her previous breakup...even though it's been 3 years. She's bisexual, estranged from her family (which undoubtedly doesn't help her relationship issues,) intent on being this isolated writer but yet she exudes this chaotic, I'm really an extrovert energy that seems not in tune with the rest of her character. She kind of stressed me out and while her sense of humor made me laugh at times, other times it was just too much, like she was trying too hard.

Mason was almost too perfect. He's understanding, patient, supportive, a good lay (lol) and yet he always gets dumped. The explanation given by one of his exes makes sense, but it was hard not to love him more than Sawyer because he comes off as perfection.

Overall, I think this was a great debut novel. I hope the author incorporates more meaningful dialogue and less internal monologue filler in her future stories as I feel like more dialogue could have taken this from good to outstanding! I'm excited to see where the author goes next.

I loved this book so much! Literally hooked from the beginning! The tension and the banter was everything! I can’t wait to read more from Erin!

Unromance by Erin Connor is perfect for lovers of 90s/00s rom coms and anyone who enjoys romance novels that offer something fresh and just a little bit different. This book pays beautiful homage to How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days, as well as other beloved romantic comedies that we’ve all seen over and over again, whilst still being something unique and new.

These characters! Firstly, I am always a complete sucker for a bisexual main character. I also happen to be a sucker for a main character who is down on their knees deeply in love. Don’t even get me started on what happens to my brain when you take those characters (who are so much more than these surface level descriptions) and make them both best friends and lovers. We have Sawyer, whom I entirely adore and see much of myself in. It’s like a funhouse mirror - the reflection looks a little different but all the same parts are there. The way she is both wounded and warm is one of my many favourite things about her character. We also have Mason, whom is exceptionally and unfairly perfect. Truly written by a woman, crafted by a Hozier song, forged from materials handed down by gods.

This character cast was also very healthy and fully formed. Across the board there was a level of maturity and self-awareness that I don’t feel is often represented in romance books. Because of this, there were very view points of conflict. Yes, this is one of those romance novels that features miscommunication. However, I want to point out that there is not a blatant lack of communication (I feel this is so popular in the genre right now). If anything it was simply due to difficulty finding effective ways to express oneself, which made the characters feel even more real and, for some like myself, relatable. At no point in this book did we see a character compromising their authentic self or sacrificing something that was important to them.

Let’s discuss the spice/smut in this novel - yes it does get its own paragraph. I so appreciate a romance novel that includes snapshots of intimacy while demonstrating that the author knows where to draw the line in terms of frequency, language, and overall content. Erin Connor does not depend on explicit scenes to hold the reader’s attention, instead creating a well balanced story with tasteful snapshots of intimacy that add to our view of the character’s relationship and attraction to one another. I wouldn’t necessarily say that this aspect is done conservatively (definitely not the novel for anyone who prefers “closed door”), I simply believe it is well executed and integrated. Honourable mention to the tights scene that dripped perfection.

All in all, Unromance is the result of an interesting and refreshing concept that was so well executed. It even ended just how I hoped it would - probably better honestly.

A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First off, thank you for the arc in exchange for my honest review! I think this one had great potential but missed the mark for me. The concept of going on cheesy dates to ruin romance didn't really make sense, especially if one of the characters is prone to fall in love easily. There were cute moments, but I found myself not paying close attention or having that consuming feeling when reading a book. I did enjoy the focus on romance tropes that set the tone for each chapter though, but something was missing for me overall.