New Publication Review: Nobody Puts Romcoms In The Corner by Kathryn Freeman

The perfect pick me up romcom for fans of Beth O’Leary, Sophie Kinsella and Sophie Ranald!
Sally is a classic romantic and Harry is a classic cynic, but when a drunken bet leads the new flatmates to (badly) recreate ‘the lift’ from Dirty Dancing, and the video goes viral (#EpicRomcomReenactmentFailure), they both realise there’s potential financial benefit in blundering their way through the romcom lexicon for their suddenly vast social media following.

Now, as Harry and Sally bring major romcom moments to new life – including recreating that classic diner scene – their faking it turns to making…out and suddenly they’re living a real life romcom of their own! But like all the greatest love stories, the road to happily ever after is paved with unexpected challenges for this hero and heroine…

AMAZON US          AMAZON UK

For lovers of Romantic Comedy films, "Nobody Puts Romcoms in the Corner" is the perfect book. Sally, the heroine, and her friends are also huge fans of romcoms and frequently reference them. Sally, a coffee shop owner, needs a room-mate to help pay her bills, and Harry, who is dealing with an ex-girlfriend who refuses to leave his house, needs a place to stay. When they meet, Harry thinks Sally is a little strange, but he agrees to live with her on a short-term basis.

The book is filled with humorous romantic comedy scene re-enactments, as well as a grumpy man who doesn't believe in love living with a woman who wants the whole package of love, marriage, and family. The story is entertaining and full of hilarious dialogue and heat. However, it is not all light and fluffy as there are some heavy moments.

The author develops Sally's character well, and we learn that she has had to grow up quickly after her parents passed away. Her friends are always there for her, but her sister is a bit of a spoiled brat. Sally believes in love and romantic relationships, which is why she loves romcoms so much. Harry, on the other hand, has never experienced true love and frustrates Sally and the reader in equal measures!

As the story progresses, Sally convinces Harry to re-enact more romcom scenes in hopes of earning some cash, and they become closer. However, there is tension between them because Harry told Sally he didn't believe in love, and Sally wants the whole #swept off her feet” package. When things turn for the worst, Sally walks away, and their relationship becomes more complicated.

Overall, a laugh aloud, engaging, sexy novel between two fun protagonists with combustible chemistry.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher One More Chapter via NetGalley***

New Publication Spotlight: How to Keep a Husband for 10 Days by Jessica Hatch

Pretending to be married to the man you were married to… How hard can it be?!

When Lina’s oldest friends unexpectedly announce they’re coming to stay, she has to think fast. No one knows she and her husband Brown are breaking up, and so she persuades him to act as if they aren’t… After all, how hard can it be to pretend to be married for ten days?

Turns out, a lot harder than she thought. On day one, she strikes so many couple poses that she throws her back out. On day two, she gets muscle spasms from smiling too hard at her husband’s jokes. On day three, she almost has a heart attack when she puts her hand far too high up his thigh at the dinner table. And on day four, when she accidentally grazes Brown’s lips when aiming for his cheek, she almost passes out in the middle of the restaurant.

By day five, Lina is starting to realise there’s a thin line between love and hate. And while she can try to fool her friends, she can’t fool her heart. Was she too hasty calling time on her marriage? Is this more than make believe? And does she even have enough time to find out if Brown feels the same?

This absolutely hilarious and totally addictive romcom is perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis, Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners, and Emily Henry.

AMAZON UK           AMAZON US

A housing complex, a community of friends, and the burden of pretending to be something you are not. It's a dilemma for Lina, as she and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Brown act like the ever-loving couple everyone thinks they are. but ultimately, are they deceiving their friends or themselves?

Set in Jacksonville, Florida, the author makes the reader aware of the setting and culture of the area, as we become acquainted with the protagonists and the many secondary characters. The timeline jumped back and forth, from the past and present, delving into the relationships the characters have with the protagonists and how their reunion is taking shape. As Lina and Brown constantly try to fool their friends, the narrative is therefore littered with their mishaps, as they fake their togetherness, all in the name of a worthy cause.

Additionally, there's a strong sense of community spirit and how a group of people living in the same budget apartment building forged believable friendships. This aspect surprised me, as I expected to read a rom-com focusing mostly on Lina and Brown. Yes, there is a satisfying, happy ending despite the narrative not panning out how I expected.

Overall, I love the idea of this novel. The author has written a pleasant, enjoyable, and solid book. Yet somehow, it lacks a certain, je ne sais quoi for me.

***arc generously received courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley***