Alison Cochrun's debut novel, The Charm Offensive, is the kind of sweepingly romantic book that will make even the most seasoned romance reader melt. Charlie is trying to prove to the world that he's employable after being ousted from the tech company he cofounded because of his severe anxiety and OCD. He agrees to appear on The Bachelor-like TV show Ever After, where Dev is a producer.
As far as princes go, Charlie is a disaster. Upon meeting the first of the potential princesses, he stress-vomits all over Dev, his newly assigned "handler." Even more inconvenient is the way the two men fall for each other as Dev helps Charlie through production, attempting to mitigate the damage to the show--and to Charlie. Dev could have simply been the fairytale-obsessed sunshine to Charlie's anxious gray sky, but Cochrun gives him an emotional character arc, allowing readers a chance to see both men sort through their respective identities.
The diverse cast of The Charm Offensive features characters who provide not only comic relief, but support and thoughtful commentary on the ways society views mental illness, queerness and the idea of a Happily Ever After. Friends teach Charlie about their own experiences on the asexual spectrum and help Dev come to terms with his occasional bouts of depression, all without heavy-handed prose from the author.
Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Cat Sebastian, The Charm Offensive is replete with passages worthy of rereading and a romance that's validating, filled with banter and achingly beautiful. --Suzanne Krohn, editor, Love in Panels