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I adore this book! Just as great the second time reading, probably more so because I was able to slow down and appreciate all the lovely characters and their growth together 🥰
This is just a great story about accepting that you are deserving of love and asking for help when you need it
#littensloveromance @StayCurious

I have read the whole book in one sitting 🤦🏾‍♀️ I had a hair appointment and my kindle. 7 hours later, I was falling in love with Charlie & Dev. #buddyread happy to discuss this book further with the group!! This is a win. #pride #representationmatters #desi #lovewins #mlm

I think he would make a good Dev 🖤

Cute m/m romcom! The plot follows the blossoming love between the star of a reality dating show and a production assistant. One notable difference about this book is that it‘s much “cleaner” than other most of the other m/m romances I‘ve read in that there‘s no graphic sex scenes. There‘s only one brief, non-graphic sex scene, so TCO would be ideal for readers who yearn for romance between two guys with minimal smut. I really enjoyed this book!

Appropriate title, because the relationship between the two main characters is utterly charming. I was rooting for them throughout. Supportive and caring friends rounded out this great cast of characters. I appreciated the way the author dealt with mental health issues - realistic and non-judgmental. And the insights into “reality “ tv were interesting (and a bit disheartening, to be honest.)
#LittensLoveRomance Thanks for hosting, @StayCurious !

#LittensLoveRomance Section 11: It‘s the finale! And Charlie honestly thinks he‘ll never see Dev again - maybe because he‘s been ignoring him and everyone for three months…but Dev‘s there and he apologizes and they work things out and they both get the HEA they both definitely deserve. It‘s a great way to end the story.⬇️

This was a cute Rom Com. It cut to the heart, and i felt so many emotions for the characters in this book. A great choice for #LittensLoveRomanceReadathon with @StayCurious I found a bingo spot for #ISpyBingoMarch @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks #ReadAway24 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES and a bingo spot for #NSRC @Nessavamusic

#LittensLoveRomance Sec 10: I feel bad for Dev‘s friends-especially Jules. He not only left Charlie & the Show, he left them too. Yes, he felt he needed a clean break but that was harsh. I‘m so glad they forced him to watch the show. And what a show! Good for Charlie for standing up for himself & for the rest of the crew against Maureen. Now Dev needs to make a grand gesture-Charlie deserves it. And it‘ll also make great tv ironically enough.

#LittensLoveRomance Section 9: Man…Maureen is the worst. And I get that this type of toxicity exists in so many places right now, and it‘s so unfair. I wonder how Charlie will stand up for himself when no one is willing to stand by him. I can‘t believe Dev left him. He stood up for Charlie with Josh, but was unable to do the same when it came down to his beloved show. Sad. I‘m eager to see how things will work out.

#LittensLoveRomance Section 8: waiting for the other shoe to drop or the end of the show and the burst of their love bubble. It has my stomach in knots! I just know something big and bad is gonna happen. Is Maureen going to exploit poor Charlie and blast his and Dev‘s relationship to the tabloids? If she finds out she‘s going to try to use it for her show. She seems cold in that way. Or will Dev run away again? My anxiety can‘t take this!

#LittensLoveRomance Section 7: wow things are complicated and the feels are real! First, their relationship seems to move forward, emotionally and physically, then it takes giant leaps back. I do love how supportive Jules and Parisa are. They are good friends. I am not sure what‘s going to happen next on this emotional roller coaster!

#LittensLoveRomance Section 6: this was such a well-written and important chapter - for our characters but for the reader as well. I love that the author doesn‘t back away from the taboo topics. I love that Dev and Charlie can take care of each other. Why do I think the show and its show runners are going to try to ruin that?

A perfectly heartwarming queer rom-com that will inspire you to find your happily ever after, however that looks for you! I look forward to reading more from this author!

#littensloveromance

#LittensLoveRomance Section 5: Week Four: Talk about complicated feelings! It‘s never good when the first kiss happens while one or both parties is drunk - because then so many questions crop up. Was it intentional? What did it mean? Does he remember? That‘s a big one. And then when they finally acknowledge the elephant in the room - what can be done about it? Because it‘s against the rules! There‘s a lot to lose and risk. But also so much to gain

#LittensLoveRomance Section 4: A lot happened in this section and a lot of feelings were felt by Dev and Charlie. And by me! I feel so much for these characters and the journey they are on. I wish they could both quit that toxic show, though. I wonder how each man will handle the feelings they are starting to feel for each other. It won‘t be an easy road, that‘s for sure.

#LittensLoveRomance Section 3: Ryan is the worst. And it sounds as though most people in Charlie‘s past were the worst as well. It‘s clear that he and Dev are meant to help each other and lift each other up - even if it‘s not in a romantic way. I feel as though the discussions in this book are very important and I‘m glad that mainstream (and maybe not so mainstream) fiction is tackling these important topics now. I‘m invested in their journey.

#LittensLoveRomance Section 2: Week One: I feel as though this really shows television producers and show runners as mean and manipulative. I know it‘s probably true and that the behind the scenes of these shows can be nasty. I feel so bad for Charlie. He‘s been maneuvered into this show and there‘s no one really there to protect him. Dev will have to step up I think. And Charlie will have to learn to accept his help.

#LittensLoveRomance Section 1: I already feel a lot for Dev and Charlie - they‘re so real, even though the show they‘re making is most definitely not. I say this with a hint of sadness because I really like to think some of these shows are real haha. I‘m a believer!
So far I‘m hooked and I‘m looking forward to seeing how Dev and Charlie will grow closer. I hate Maureen and Ryan - ugh. They‘re going to cause a lot of trouble I can feel it.

Diving into this one today! #littensloveromance @StayCurious

#sundayfunday @BookmarkTavern

Yes… for sure I am going to read the tagged book since that is our #littensloveromance pick and am hoping to squeeze a few more in other than that!

Happy pride!!

repost for @StayCurious:

Our June read for #LittensLoveRomance has been chosen! Though it was a close vote. This book doesn‘t have chapters really, it‘s separated into sections. Some of them are longish so try to plan ahead (I need to remind myself of that!) We‘ll be starting mid June to allow time to find the book. Let me know if you want to be tagged in my daily posts!

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2739138

#BuddyRead

Our June read for #LittensLoveRomance has been chosen! Though it was a close vote. This book doesn‘t have chapters really, it‘s separated into sections. Some of them are longish so try to plan ahead (I need to remind myself of that!) We‘ll be starting mid June to allow time to find the book. Let me know if you want to be tagged in my daily posts!

@TheIntrovertedDodoBird here's the first special edition I bought from Dazzling. I follow the artist who designed the cover and she posted about it, which introduced me to the shop. My gateway book, if you will 🤣

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Perfectly enjoyable and not challenging romance novel that kept me company while I was not feeling well and lying low for the last couple of days.

Cute cute cute cute cute! Rom coms aren‘t usually my jam (I cannot handle cheese in my books) but this worked for me. My grinch heart needed a little sweetness; now it‘s back to my regular program 😏✌️

Wholesome, witty & unequivocally charming, not the mention wholly reminiscent of my favourite enemies-to-lovers romance Red, White & Royal Blue, I am once again impressed with my capacity to hold utter adoration towards rom-coms while being a self-confesssed sourpuss, but I'm an escapist at heart, apparently. A perfect balance of fun & fluffy while handling subjects embodying mental health & sexual identity with the utmost cognizance & care 🩷🌈.

I'm seriously loving this novel 🩷🌈👑.

#thecharmoffensive #ace #asexual #demisexual #greysexual #aspec #representation #LGBTQIAP #gay #alisoncochrun #romance #NA #mentalhealth #depression #OCD #anxiety #neurodivergence #happilyeverafter #fairytaletropes #quotes

Happening upon wholesome A-spec representation has been my favourite part about reading this book so far! This quote especially made my heart warm and happy 💜🤍🩶🖤.

#thecharmoffensive #ace #demisexual #greysexual #aspec #representation #LGBTQIAP #gay #alisoncochrun #romance #NA #mentalhealth #depression #OCD #anxiety #neurodivergence #happilyeverafter #fairytaletropes #quotes

Obsessed! I read this in 2 days, Charming is the only way to describe it. I loved Dev and Charlie and their romantic journey. Mental health was addressed so well. I don't watch dating reality shows because I am a pessimistic scrooge but I am over the moon for this book of behind the scenes reality show book.

Contestants:

Lauren L , 25, Dallas, professional cat cuddler

😻😂😂🤣😂😹😻

"'Nice to meet you [....] you are not where you are supposed to be right now.'
'Sorry.' He stares at her hand but doesn't take it. 'Uh, you.... also meet.'
'Does he think that was a sentence?' Jules asks Dev. 'God we're screwed.'

No one warned me this book is charmingly funny. I just caught myself giggling in public.

Excited for this!

@LiteraryinLawrence Thanks for the rec!! Really inspired by the multiple forms of representation in this book, and the steaminess was on point, too!

As the International bookfair in Turin has ended, these are all my new books. I can't wait to read them all ✨️

Not a huge fan of the reality TV storyline, but the book did a great job talking about mental health and sexual identity issues.

Utterly lovely

If The Bachelor had this much diversity I might actually watch it. A delightful queer romcom with accurate mental health representation. Definitely a pick for me.

I‘m not typically a romance reader and don‘t watch The Bachelor, but thought this queer romance would be fluffy and fun. It is, but it‘s also so much more. Like, I did not expect probs the best ace-spec rep I‘ve seen in a romance novel!?! And Dev‘s struggles with depression were so relatable. Well developed characters I couldn‘t help but root for. I‘ve seen some critiques about Dev‘s Indian heritage being portrayed too superficially, which is fair

“Charlie‘s heart is hot butter, seeping through his body, warming his chest, his stomach, his arms. In describing the ridiculous dates on this show, Dev once said it is impossible not to fall in love on a boat.
Charlie should have known better than to doubt him.”

“‘. . . Okay. Do you think you might be asexual?‘ She asks it so simply, without any judgement or pressure, and he can‘t believe in four years of friendship, they‘ve never had this conversation. He wonders how many times Parisa wanted to initiate it and was patiently waiting for him to open the door just a crack.”

As someone in the ace spectrum, this whole scene with Charlie and Parisa means so so so much to me.

“Dev tamps down all feelings associated with what happened in the bathroom until filming is over. Until the crew starts deconstructing the set. Until Dev can vanish to the hotel bar, order himself a whiskey neat, and forget about this entire night.”

“‘Shit,‘ is all Dev says. Because it *is* a good idea. And because Dev is the one who‘s supposed to charm him.”

My first book finished for #auldlangspine was a really excellent start. It‘s been on my TBR for a long time so really glad @xicanti had it on her list.

I loved this!! I was so wrapped up in Dev & Charlie‘s story I stayed up much too late reading & got up early this morning to finish it. I loved the queer representation here, the platonic relationships, the themes of reality tv & how “real” it is. If you haven‘t yet, definitely pick this one up.

I finally had a chance to run to the library today and picked up this stack of #auldlangspine titles. 🎉

I think I‘m going to start with the tagged title as it is my #doublespin this month. And it‘s one from my TBR I keep almost checking out and then passing on for a different title so I think it‘s time!

Another super adorable queer romance! This one takes place on a Bachelor-inspired reality show set (except the bachelor falls in love with his male producer rather than one of the 20 women he's "dating"). A little angsty, but a lot of heart! ❤️

PS: apparently I'm just gonna ride this romance wave of a mood I'm in, before my cynical side takes over. I'm also in denial that I have to work tomorrow and am not, in fact, a stay at home cat mom

Dev is a producer on the reality dating show, Ever After. Dev is a big believer in fairytale love. Charlie is the new, very awkward, hot, but beset with almost crippling OCD, contestant Dev is in charge of who will be choosing his princess from 20 contestants. What neither of them foresees is the way Dev is the first person who sees Charlie for all the wonderful he is and how it has Charlie wanting to choose Dev. This was lovely. Thank you👇🏼

I never got a chance to post but I did make my #bookspin list a few days ago. The past couple of weeks have been crazy with the holidays and traveling to see family both for Christmas and New Years. I‘m really glad things can get back to normal this week.

Anyway, most of this list (1-16) is #auldlangspine titles; planning to read as many as I can this month @xicanti @monalyisha

Bookspin is a #roll100 title
Doublespin is The Charm Offensive

#12BooksOf2022
I absolutely adored this book! A reality show romance where the bachelor and the producer fall in love. Great queer characters
@Andrew65

Thank you @kera_11 for this amazing recommendation! I loved it so much, and I hope she writes Daphnes story!

I am a sucker for books that take place in reality tv shows and this is by far the best book I read in that genre. It had a level of diversity I don‘t think I‘ve ever seen in a book before. And while yes, this is very much a romance book, it focused a lot on platonic love as well and how it‘s just as important as it‘s romantic counterpart. 5🌟

This lovely rom-com is on sale today for Kindle! If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.