Review: The Charm Offensive
Thank you to Atria Books for the eARC of The Charm Offensive, out now!
As someone obsessed with watching (and criticizing) reality dating shows like The Bachelor franchise, this book is actual perfection. Like I don’t even think I can fully express how much I loved this book!! I finished it two nights ago and I can’t stop thinking about how much I loved it. I read this with one of my favorite humans to gush about books with and I highly recommend The Charm Offensive for buddy reads! You will need someone you can text (in all caps) to squeal about how amazing this book is!
It goes without saying that the dating show in The Charm Offensive reminded me of The Bachelor, but I think it reminded me even more of watching Unreal (a less dark, more romantic version of Unreal) I loved how much this story talked about how crafted and scripted reality dating shows are, and I loved seeing what production was going through while filming Ever After.
This one is low on steam and high on kicking you in the feels. And I truly mean making you feel all the things. One of the few times I didn’t mind having super steamy scenes. I was too busy laughing, crying, and swooning over Dev and Charlie’s romance soft and tender romance. I adored both of their characters, and their friends are also incredibly well written (I need all of them to also get HEAs, please and thank you).
Reasons you need this book:
- Excellent queer representation
- Excellent anxiety and depression representation
- Reality style dating show
- Forced proximity/there’s only one bed
- Fake/practice dating
- Forbidden relationship
- Soft, tender characters that you just want to wrap up in a blanket and hug.
Cochrun’s writing style reminded me of Sarah Hogle, Emily Henry, and Cara Bastone in the best, best, best ways. This book cemented her in my auto-buy author list. The Charm Offensive is one of those soft, delightful, emotional romances I can’t get enough of.
Ten stars, will never stop raving about it. Do yourself a favor and read The Charm Offensive ASAP!
CW: on page anxiety attack and severe depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, biphobia