"The Charm Offensive" by Alison Cochrun is a heartwarming gay demisexual contemporary romance that unfolds on a reality TV show akin to The Bachelor. The story follows Charlie, a tech millionaire cast as the show's Prince Charming, and Dev, his producer. As their emotional relationship deepens, Charlie experiences sexual attraction for the first time, leading to a sweet and thought-provoking exploration of love, mental health, and personal growth amid the backdrop of a heteronormative environment.
The book delves into the intimate journey of Charlie and Dev as they navigate their mental health struggles, find acceptance, and seek true love in unexpected places. Through accurate and respectful representation of queer love and neurodivergent mental illness, the author, Alison Cochrun, weaves a tale of connection, communication, and depth that resonates with readers seeking emotional intimacy and meaningful relationships.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers/content warnings include themes of anxiety, depression, OCD, and discussions of homophobia.
Has Romance?
Romance plays a central role in the narrative, with the main characters' relationship evolving deeply throughout the story.
From The Publisher:
A MOST ANTICIPATED ROM-COM SELECTED BY * BUZZFEED * LGBTQ READS * BUSTLE * THE NERD DAILY * ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT * FROLIC MEDIA * AND MORE! "The Charm Offensive will sweep you off your feet." -PopSugar In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy-reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch-an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer. Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it's no wonder then that he's spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise's history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star. Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn't believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he's a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he's cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off. As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they'll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.
Ratings (42)
Incredible (11) | |
Loved It (14) | |
Liked It (10) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (2) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (99):
Read It (46) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (37) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (14) |
What can you read after
The Charm Offensive?
About the Author:
Alison Cochrun is a high school English teacher living outside of Portland, Oregon. When she's not reading and writing queer love stories, you can find her torturing teenagers with Shakespeare, crafting perfect travel itineraries, hate-watching reality dating shows, and searching for the best happy hour nachos.
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