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The Rom Con
A modern battle of the sexes about a journalist who hatches an elaborate plan to take down her industry adversary, from the author of Meet You in the Middle.
After a particularly brutal breakup, Cassidy Sutton has had it with dating. So when her grandmother gives her a 1950’s dating guide entitled 125 Tips to Hook a Husband, she decides to turn the retro advice into an ironic “What not to do” article for Siren, the popular online women’s publication she writes for. And who better to secretly test the old-fashioned tips on than Jack Bradford, chauvinistic creator of rival men’s site Brawler? She’ll write an article that will entertain female readers everywhere and embarrass their sexist nemesis at the same time. Two birds, one stone.
But her perfect plan soon proves to be anything but. Those vintage courtship tips Cassidy was so quick to poke fun at? They actually seem to work, calling her most closely-held beliefs into question. Even worse? Jack isn’t falling for any of her tricks—and it’s not long before their ‘fake’ relationship starts to feel like the realest one of her life. As her cat and mouse game starts to spiral out of control, Cassidy has to decide if she’s playing to win, or if she’s willing to lose it all for love.
After a particularly brutal breakup, Cassidy Sutton has had it with dating. So when her grandmother gives her a 1950’s dating guide entitled 125 Tips to Hook a Husband, she decides to turn the retro advice into an ironic “What not to do” article for Siren, the popular online women’s publication she writes for. And who better to secretly test the old-fashioned tips on than Jack Bradford, chauvinistic creator of rival men’s site Brawler? She’ll write an article that will entertain female readers everywhere and embarrass their sexist nemesis at the same time. Two birds, one stone.
But her perfect plan soon proves to be anything but. Those vintage courtship tips Cassidy was so quick to poke fun at? They actually seem to work, calling her most closely-held beliefs into question. Even worse? Jack isn’t falling for any of her tricks—and it’s not long before their ‘fake’ relationship starts to feel like the realest one of her life. As her cat and mouse game starts to spiral out of control, Cassidy has to decide if she’s playing to win, or if she’s willing to lose it all for love.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2023
240 people are currently reading
24462 people want to read
About the author
Devon Daniels
4 books630 followersDevon Daniels is a born-and-bred California girl whose own love story found her transplanted to the Maryland shores of the Chesapeake. She loves writing contemporary rom-coms with all the witty banter & slow-burn tension readers can handle. Her debut novel Meet You in the Middle was chosen as one of the Best Books of 2021 by USA Today. When she's not writing, you'll find her clinging to her sanity as mom, chef, chauffeur, and referee to four children, or sneaking off with her husband for date nights. instagram.com/devondanielsauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,325 reviews
August 31, 2023
I'm rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 for this book's powerful references to pop culture and its "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days" inspired plotline with the rivals-to-lovers trope! However, I can honestly say that even though the writing is smart, witty, and entertaining, and the supporting character, the super grandmother, stole the scenes she was in, I expected a little bit more.
The girl on the cover also reminds me a lot of New Girl's Jess, which drew me into this book without even reading its blurb. Unfortunately, though I connected with the main characters to some extent, I couldn't get as invested as I hoped. Additionally, I found the dramatic tension a bit forced, which gives a slightly wrong message to readers, showing women's perspective in a somewhat biased light while portraying the hero as a sweet gentleman, not the womanizer douche they initially believed him to be, even though he's the owner of a magazine that tarnishes women's reputation.
I mostly focused on the entertaining parts and the well-established structure of the book. However, I can honestly say that the romance part of the story didn't make me as giddy as some of the recent books I've devoured. Maybe a two POV narration could have solved this issue for me. Only seeing things from Cassidy's perspective made me wonder about the hero, whom I didn't learn much about, except for his role as the adversary for the first half of the book.
Now, let's delve into the plot: Just like Hudson and McConaughey's sweet rivalry (the chemistry between an Aries woman and a Scorpio man sets any plotline ablaze), Cassidy Sutton recently breaks up with her boyfriend, who rejects the idea of attending her grandmother's birthday to spend time with his own boyfriend. This special time is inspired by the chauvinist magazine Brawler, which is also the biggest rival of Siren, the women's magazine Cassidy works for.
Her grandmother notices her struggle with intimate relationships and hands her a guidebook titled "125 Tips to Hook A Husband," based on 1950s gender dynamics, with many insightful suggestions, such as asking your significant other's mother for a recipe and finding out about girls he hasn't married while avoiding their mistakes. Or even "Point out to him that the death rate of single men is twice that of married men."
Cassidy wants to scream and run as her grandmother reads each suggestion, but when a popular athlete's cologne reception results in a vengeance project, she accidentally meets the owner of their rival magazine: the charismatic yet cocky and highly confident Jack Bradford. The interesting part is that Jack dares to ask her out on a date, and she sees his offer as a business opportunity. She decides to stick to her '50s tips to outwit this man who represents a misogynistic publishing entity in his own game. This means she has to play the obedient, submissive role of a Betty Draper-esque girl next door meets Stepford Wife to tame the "beast" and win the game, all while publishing her experiences and tarnishing her biggest enemy's reputation. This venture also presents a chance for her to pitch her experience as a bestseller book idea.
However, what if the man she sees as her biggest enemy is actually a genuinely sweet guy she could easily fall in love with? This complication threatens to upend everything she's worked for, including her fragile heart.
Overall, the ideas and execution are really well done. I wish I could have related more to the characters so I could give it five stars, but it's still an entertaining and good romance read that I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading other books by the author in the near future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The girl on the cover also reminds me a lot of New Girl's Jess, which drew me into this book without even reading its blurb. Unfortunately, though I connected with the main characters to some extent, I couldn't get as invested as I hoped. Additionally, I found the dramatic tension a bit forced, which gives a slightly wrong message to readers, showing women's perspective in a somewhat biased light while portraying the hero as a sweet gentleman, not the womanizer douche they initially believed him to be, even though he's the owner of a magazine that tarnishes women's reputation.
I mostly focused on the entertaining parts and the well-established structure of the book. However, I can honestly say that the romance part of the story didn't make me as giddy as some of the recent books I've devoured. Maybe a two POV narration could have solved this issue for me. Only seeing things from Cassidy's perspective made me wonder about the hero, whom I didn't learn much about, except for his role as the adversary for the first half of the book.
Now, let's delve into the plot: Just like Hudson and McConaughey's sweet rivalry (the chemistry between an Aries woman and a Scorpio man sets any plotline ablaze), Cassidy Sutton recently breaks up with her boyfriend, who rejects the idea of attending her grandmother's birthday to spend time with his own boyfriend. This special time is inspired by the chauvinist magazine Brawler, which is also the biggest rival of Siren, the women's magazine Cassidy works for.
Her grandmother notices her struggle with intimate relationships and hands her a guidebook titled "125 Tips to Hook A Husband," based on 1950s gender dynamics, with many insightful suggestions, such as asking your significant other's mother for a recipe and finding out about girls he hasn't married while avoiding their mistakes. Or even "Point out to him that the death rate of single men is twice that of married men."
Cassidy wants to scream and run as her grandmother reads each suggestion, but when a popular athlete's cologne reception results in a vengeance project, she accidentally meets the owner of their rival magazine: the charismatic yet cocky and highly confident Jack Bradford. The interesting part is that Jack dares to ask her out on a date, and she sees his offer as a business opportunity. She decides to stick to her '50s tips to outwit this man who represents a misogynistic publishing entity in his own game. This means she has to play the obedient, submissive role of a Betty Draper-esque girl next door meets Stepford Wife to tame the "beast" and win the game, all while publishing her experiences and tarnishing her biggest enemy's reputation. This venture also presents a chance for her to pitch her experience as a bestseller book idea.
However, what if the man she sees as her biggest enemy is actually a genuinely sweet guy she could easily fall in love with? This complication threatens to upend everything she's worked for, including her fragile heart.
Overall, the ideas and execution are really well done. I wish I could have related more to the characters so I could give it five stars, but it's still an entertaining and good romance read that I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading other books by the author in the near future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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September 22, 2023Dear readers,
The Rom Con is my sophomore novel, and it feels like a long time coming! I started writing it in 2020, and I’m so thrilled it’s finally making its way into your hands. I like to say this book is How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets Down With Love meets The Ugly Truth meets Pillow Talk (did you catch all that?) My goal was to marry the feeling of a classic 1950s Doris Day-Rock Hudson rom-com with a modern perspective for a contemporary love story that would resonate with every generation—mothers, daughters, and grandmothers alike. I had so much fun writing this book, and I hope it makes you laugh and swoon your tails off.
A bit of housekeeping:
• I’ve partnered with Park Books, a local Maryland bookstore, to offer signed copies of The Rom Con (and yes, personalization is available). I’ll also sign any copies of Meet You in the Middle ordered through Park Books, so if you’ve been wanting one of those, now’s your chance! parkbooksmd.com/lists/Lr0cmG0iks5A
• Pre-order at all other retailers here: bit.ly/3WzdcxO
• Anyone who provides proof of pre-order will gain access to previously unreleased bonus material from Meet You in the Middle! This bonus content will include at least two (2) full deleted chapters, as well as additional scene snippets and an extended version of the epilogue from Ben's perspective (my #1 reader request!) To access the bonus content, upload a screenshot of your purchase from any retailer (Amazon, B&N, Park Books, Target, etc.) in any form (paperback, ebook, or audio) to this link by Nov. 6: bit.ly/3t4MdQ2. I’ll be sending out a link to the bonus content to everyone who’s registered the week of November 13.
Remember, pre-ordering is the #1 thing you can do to support authors, it helps bookstores, and it’s a gift to yourself too (the elusive win-win-win 😉).
• Much of the vintage magazine articles and retro dating resources I reference in the book are real, and I wanted a place where readers could easily access them. I’ve posted all the original source material (including the “129 Ways to Get a Husband” article from 1958 that started it all) on my website, and trust me, it’s worth the click. devondanielsauthor.com/behind-the-sce...
• Finally, music plays a pivotal role in certain scenes in The Rom Con. While it’s not mandatory, I created an oldies-themed Spotify playlist that will greatly enhance your reading experience if you listen before or while you’re reading. open.spotify.com/playlist/21yTi7aBDjB...
Thank you for your support! I hope you enjoy reading Cassidy & Jack’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. 💕
The Rom Con is my sophomore novel, and it feels like a long time coming! I started writing it in 2020, and I’m so thrilled it’s finally making its way into your hands. I like to say this book is How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets Down With Love meets The Ugly Truth meets Pillow Talk (did you catch all that?) My goal was to marry the feeling of a classic 1950s Doris Day-Rock Hudson rom-com with a modern perspective for a contemporary love story that would resonate with every generation—mothers, daughters, and grandmothers alike. I had so much fun writing this book, and I hope it makes you laugh and swoon your tails off.
A bit of housekeeping:
• I’ve partnered with Park Books, a local Maryland bookstore, to offer signed copies of The Rom Con (and yes, personalization is available). I’ll also sign any copies of Meet You in the Middle ordered through Park Books, so if you’ve been wanting one of those, now’s your chance! parkbooksmd.com/lists/Lr0cmG0iks5A
• Pre-order at all other retailers here: bit.ly/3WzdcxO
• Anyone who provides proof of pre-order will gain access to previously unreleased bonus material from Meet You in the Middle! This bonus content will include at least two (2) full deleted chapters, as well as additional scene snippets and an extended version of the epilogue from Ben's perspective (my #1 reader request!) To access the bonus content, upload a screenshot of your purchase from any retailer (Amazon, B&N, Park Books, Target, etc.) in any form (paperback, ebook, or audio) to this link by Nov. 6: bit.ly/3t4MdQ2. I’ll be sending out a link to the bonus content to everyone who’s registered the week of November 13.
Remember, pre-ordering is the #1 thing you can do to support authors, it helps bookstores, and it’s a gift to yourself too (the elusive win-win-win 😉).
• Much of the vintage magazine articles and retro dating resources I reference in the book are real, and I wanted a place where readers could easily access them. I’ve posted all the original source material (including the “129 Ways to Get a Husband” article from 1958 that started it all) on my website, and trust me, it’s worth the click. devondanielsauthor.com/behind-the-sce...
• Finally, music plays a pivotal role in certain scenes in The Rom Con. While it’s not mandatory, I created an oldies-themed Spotify playlist that will greatly enhance your reading experience if you listen before or while you’re reading. open.spotify.com/playlist/21yTi7aBDjB...
Thank you for your support! I hope you enjoy reading Cassidy & Jack’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. 💕
June 19, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
before this i hadn’t seen how to lose a guy in 10 days (for shame i KNOW) so this was original to me and she was cute!!!! (we’ve since remedied that folks, kinda didn’t like to 🫣) i think the 50s are incredibly problematic in their own right, but this handled it with finesse and i thought the hijinks they got up to were very amusing
now…the third act conflict…killed me? everyone and their great uncle hughie saw it coming a mile away but it was not the greatest in all the land 😃 at all 😃😃 they had such good stuff going on, but the way it played out, brother eughhhh
but lemme not spoil, she’s a cute cookie cutter palette cleanser pick me up and i *also* loved her debut, “meet you in the middle” so i recommend that one as well!!!
before this i hadn’t seen how to lose a guy in 10 days (for shame i KNOW) so this was original to me and she was cute!!!! (we’ve since remedied that folks, kinda didn’t like to 🫣) i think the 50s are incredibly problematic in their own right, but this handled it with finesse and i thought the hijinks they got up to were very amusing
now…the third act conflict…killed me? everyone and their great uncle hughie saw it coming a mile away but it was not the greatest in all the land 😃 at all 😃😃 they had such good stuff going on, but the way it played out, brother eughhhh
but lemme not spoil, she’s a cute cookie cutter palette cleanser pick me up and i *also* loved her debut, “meet you in the middle” so i recommend that one as well!!!
November 29, 2023
When online writer Cassidy Sutton stumbles upon her beloved grandma’s seemingly arcahic 1950’s dating handbook on tips to “hook a husband” she decides to spin it into a series on “what not to do” a la the film “How to Lose a Guy in 10 days”. When she finally meets rival publication owner Jack Bradford, she picks him as her mark…with hilarious repercussions.
Loved it. It’s a must read. That’s it, end of review.
In all seriousness, I have struggled a bit lately finding really standout romances, and when friends told me to try this one, I jumped at the chance. Not only was it exactly the witty, whip smart rom-com I needed in my life right now, it also sent those much needed endorphins through the roof - I mean, I must have had a silly smile on my face the entire time I was reading this one.
What I loved most, aside from the absolutely fabulous pop culture references from the 1950s on that are sprinkled throughout, is that this book has a little in it for just about everyone. Do you love found family and strong grandmother/granddaughter relationships? It’s in here. Looking for a little bit of family drama? It’s here. Are you a fan of swoony, emotional romances? Look no further. Is it the steam you are after? Oh it’s here too.
And then there is Devon Daniels’ impeccable writing. Each character shines so brilliantly on their own, but it is the relatiosnships that are so standout. It was very easy to connect with them and feel the emotions assaociated with each, whether familial, friendly or romantic in nature. The pacing was perfection, with the right ration of plot to character development, and never felt slow or repetititive. And the banter - that was chef’s kiss from start to finish.
I listened to this primarily on audio and Brittany Pressley nailed it as usual. While some rom-coms can feel cheesy and over the top, Daniels’ writing combined with Pressley’s narration felt anything but. I highly recommend listening to this one on audio and/or doing an immersive read with the audiobook and print, in order to experience the way she brings these already fantastic characters to life.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
•a battle of the sexes
•alpha cinnamon roll
•rivals to lovers
•NYC setting
•grandmother sidekick
•fun pop culture references
•How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for my gifted copies.
Loved it. It’s a must read. That’s it, end of review.
In all seriousness, I have struggled a bit lately finding really standout romances, and when friends told me to try this one, I jumped at the chance. Not only was it exactly the witty, whip smart rom-com I needed in my life right now, it also sent those much needed endorphins through the roof - I mean, I must have had a silly smile on my face the entire time I was reading this one.
What I loved most, aside from the absolutely fabulous pop culture references from the 1950s on that are sprinkled throughout, is that this book has a little in it for just about everyone. Do you love found family and strong grandmother/granddaughter relationships? It’s in here. Looking for a little bit of family drama? It’s here. Are you a fan of swoony, emotional romances? Look no further. Is it the steam you are after? Oh it’s here too.
And then there is Devon Daniels’ impeccable writing. Each character shines so brilliantly on their own, but it is the relatiosnships that are so standout. It was very easy to connect with them and feel the emotions assaociated with each, whether familial, friendly or romantic in nature. The pacing was perfection, with the right ration of plot to character development, and never felt slow or repetititive. And the banter - that was chef’s kiss from start to finish.
I listened to this primarily on audio and Brittany Pressley nailed it as usual. While some rom-coms can feel cheesy and over the top, Daniels’ writing combined with Pressley’s narration felt anything but. I highly recommend listening to this one on audio and/or doing an immersive read with the audiobook and print, in order to experience the way she brings these already fantastic characters to life.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
•a battle of the sexes
•alpha cinnamon roll
•rivals to lovers
•NYC setting
•grandmother sidekick
•fun pop culture references
•How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for my gifted copies.
June 17, 2023
rounded up from 2.5 ⭐️
at first, reading this was like watching a train wreck: you just can’t look away as much as it pains you. the author’s interpretation of today’s feminist mentality definitely is stuck in a gilmore girls talking about that damn donna reed, it felt like she read “the feminist mystique” and figured feminism hadn’t really evolved much from there! this isn’t necessarily “bad”, but it is incredibly short sighted and aids in the bigger picture of feminism’s misinterpretations. it was obvious that this author is a millennial (the 10 pages dedicated purely to friends trivia kinda tips you off), and i think the entire conceit of this novel can be attributed to that fact. this author has now written two politically charged rom coms, i have not read the first (and likely never will bc as i’m kind of dancing around here i think being a republican/conservative in any way is an instant red flag for many gen z women), but i feel like she misses the mark. the rounding up is due to the many swoon worthy moments the MMC provides, but i just could never get over his profession. the author ofc ties up this snag, but unfortunately it was not to my satisfaction—he never really apologizes for the things his online publication published nor did he ever really acknowledge the stereotypes EVEN WORSE he makes a “not all men” kind of comment that i think we are supposed to find endearing but had my hackles rising. i doubt i will read anything else from this author unless i can be sure there won’t be a weird political undertone to it (don’t take this to mean i don’t like feminist romances, i just don’t like her brand of feminism), but i managed to finish this book and enjoy parts of it along the way
at first, reading this was like watching a train wreck: you just can’t look away as much as it pains you. the author’s interpretation of today’s feminist mentality definitely is stuck in a gilmore girls talking about that damn donna reed, it felt like she read “the feminist mystique” and figured feminism hadn’t really evolved much from there! this isn’t necessarily “bad”, but it is incredibly short sighted and aids in the bigger picture of feminism’s misinterpretations. it was obvious that this author is a millennial (the 10 pages dedicated purely to friends trivia kinda tips you off), and i think the entire conceit of this novel can be attributed to that fact. this author has now written two politically charged rom coms, i have not read the first (and likely never will bc as i’m kind of dancing around here i think being a republican/conservative in any way is an instant red flag for many gen z women), but i feel like she misses the mark. the rounding up is due to the many swoon worthy moments the MMC provides, but i just could never get over his profession. the author ofc ties up this snag, but unfortunately it was not to my satisfaction—he never really apologizes for the things his online publication published nor did he ever really acknowledge the stereotypes EVEN WORSE he makes a “not all men” kind of comment that i think we are supposed to find endearing but had my hackles rising. i doubt i will read anything else from this author unless i can be sure there won’t be a weird political undertone to it (don’t take this to mean i don’t like feminist romances, i just don’t like her brand of feminism), but i managed to finish this book and enjoy parts of it along the way
May 9, 2024
I LOVE How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days and since the plot was very similar, it was kind of hard for this one to miss. The main thing that didn’t land for me was the amount of time it took for them to get back together in the end following the 3rd act break up. I’m honestly not sure I would have taken him back at that point. The cynic in me says this couple won’t make it based on his over the top reaction, but hey, it’s fiction. 🤷🏼♀️ Overall I’d say this was cute and worth the read. 3.5 stars.
____________________________________________
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days in book form? Say less.
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How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days in book form? Say less.
March 3, 2024
4 US Open Ticket Stub Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️/5
I am not sure how this book got on my radar...I know I saw someone read it and love it - BUT I CANNOT REMEMBER WHERE I SAW THIS...
ANYWAY, It's no lie that one of my all-time favourite movies is How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I can quote the movie by heart and have unashamedly watched it at least 30 times. So when I started reading this and realised that this was a book version of my favourite movie with its unique little spin on things, I might have squealed out loud and created a high set of expectations - because it takes a lot to meet up to Andy and Ben.
This follows Cassidy in a single POV where she works as an editor for Siren Magazine. After having just broken up with the guy who values "Bro Saturday" as more important than her grandmother's 91st birthday, you could call her a little unlucky in love. Finding an article about 1950's tips for securing a husband when she spends time with her grandmother - she agrees to follow some of the antiquated advice. However, while attempting to hook her unsuspecting catch Jack Bradford throws a spanner in the works. Jack is co-owner of Siren's Rival magazine, Brawler. Eager to prove that he is exactly like his magazine, chauvinistic, misogynistic and anti-woman - she decides to make Jack her target. Only he very quickly proves that he is everything opposite to his perception and things get complicated.
Cassidy has the biggest heart. She cares and she cares a lot, and she's willing to stand up for her convictions. She is also scared to follow her dreams. Jack? Jack is everything that her heart desires and makes her better while also having her make him the best version of himself. I loved their chemistry - and while Jack is often a man of few words - when he does speak he does so with purpose and says exactly what he means with little room to interpret anything else.
Ultimately, this turned out to be a sweet little amalgamation of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Down with Love. Bringing in the 1960's old movie nostalgia vibes juxtaposed with many pop culture references, some of which I didn't get but most being the definition of my personality.
What I did like it that the story didn't seem to take itself too seriously and I appreciate that it didn't ignore the comparison to my favourite movie and is pretty woke - calling attention to the similarities in the story and making me smile at the "You're so Vain" reference...
The Trope Summary:
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Enemies Rivals to Lovers
▶ How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days x Down with Love Vibes
▶ New York City
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Vintage Dating Tips that seem to work!
Ultimately, if you like me, you adore that movie or just any romcom and want something with the same vibes that will make you swoon over two people falling in love, I highly recommend you pick this up.
Spicy Level: 🌶️/5
I am not sure how this book got on my radar...I know I saw someone read it and love it - BUT I CANNOT REMEMBER WHERE I SAW THIS...
ANYWAY, It's no lie that one of my all-time favourite movies is How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I can quote the movie by heart and have unashamedly watched it at least 30 times. So when I started reading this and realised that this was a book version of my favourite movie with its unique little spin on things, I might have squealed out loud and created a high set of expectations - because it takes a lot to meet up to Andy and Ben.
This follows Cassidy in a single POV where she works as an editor for Siren Magazine. After having just broken up with the guy who values "Bro Saturday" as more important than her grandmother's 91st birthday, you could call her a little unlucky in love. Finding an article about 1950's tips for securing a husband when she spends time with her grandmother - she agrees to follow some of the antiquated advice. However, while attempting to hook her unsuspecting catch Jack Bradford throws a spanner in the works. Jack is co-owner of Siren's Rival magazine, Brawler. Eager to prove that he is exactly like his magazine, chauvinistic, misogynistic and anti-woman - she decides to make Jack her target. Only he very quickly proves that he is everything opposite to his perception and things get complicated.
Cassidy has the biggest heart. She cares and she cares a lot, and she's willing to stand up for her convictions. She is also scared to follow her dreams. Jack? Jack is everything that her heart desires and makes her better while also having her make him the best version of himself. I loved their chemistry - and while Jack is often a man of few words - when he does speak he does so with purpose and says exactly what he means with little room to interpret anything else.
Ultimately, this turned out to be a sweet little amalgamation of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Down with Love. Bringing in the 1960's old movie nostalgia vibes juxtaposed with many pop culture references, some of which I didn't get but most being the definition of my personality.
What I did like it that the story didn't seem to take itself too seriously and I appreciate that it didn't ignore the comparison to my favourite movie and is pretty woke - calling attention to the similarities in the story and making me smile at the "You're so Vain" reference...
The Trope Summary:
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ Enemies Rivals to Lovers
▶ How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days x Down with Love Vibes
▶ New York City
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Vintage Dating Tips that seem to work!
Ultimately, if you like me, you adore that movie or just any romcom and want something with the same vibes that will make you swoon over two people falling in love, I highly recommend you pick this up.
May 15, 2024
don't ever compare this book to my children how to lose a guy in 10 days and the bold type again
November 9, 2023
Reminiscent of the TV show The Bold Type and the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Rom Con made me laugh so much but it also has a surprising amount of depth.
The story opens with Cassidy spending time with her grandma and showcasing their relationship. Any book that can remind me of my special bond I had with my grandmother has me immediately sold. From there, she decides to use the book her grandma gave her about dating in the 1950s to conduct an experiment of sorts and write about it for the online site, Siren, that she works for.
She finds the perfect mark in Jack, the co-founder of Brawler, a brash men’s site and the antithesis of what Siren stands for. However, as Cassidy puts her plan in play, Jack surprises her at every turn and she begins to question the morality of the piece. She also finds herself wondering if some of the outdated dating advice may have some validity to them.
Cassidy was a funny, independent woman who had her share of insecurities but still managed to be a spitfire and confident woman who knew her worth. She felt very real and I related to her a lot. The bond with her family was especially heartwarming. And the hijinks she gets into while trying to fit the mold of a 1950s prim and proper girl were hilarious.
I absolutely loved Jack. As Cassidy puts it, he’s “a guy with serious alpha male energy but none of the ego that typically comes with it.” He is sweet and thoughtful, respectful of women’s boundaries, but still very much the strong, driven alpha that makes so many women swoon. I loved how open he was in communicating. I also like that he had flaws that reared their heads and a vulnerability that was a nice contrast to his confidence.
The chemistry between Cassidy and Jack was off the charts, but I loved their honest and unguarded conversations as much as their banter. Cassidy abandons her article a few dates into her time with Jack, but with all good romance novels, I knew the fallout was coming. It was epic and uncomfortable and I couldn’t wait for it to be over, yet it also led to growth in the characters and a great ending.
I think the only thing I didn’t love about this book was the epilogue. It was a great way to see how everything ended, but I felt it could have not been in there and the story would have stayed the same.
I often use romance novels, especially rom coms, as palate cleansers and quick reads that will make me laugh and swoon, but will forget in a few days time. However, I feel like this one will stay with me a while.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
The story opens with Cassidy spending time with her grandma and showcasing their relationship. Any book that can remind me of my special bond I had with my grandmother has me immediately sold. From there, she decides to use the book her grandma gave her about dating in the 1950s to conduct an experiment of sorts and write about it for the online site, Siren, that she works for.
She finds the perfect mark in Jack, the co-founder of Brawler, a brash men’s site and the antithesis of what Siren stands for. However, as Cassidy puts her plan in play, Jack surprises her at every turn and she begins to question the morality of the piece. She also finds herself wondering if some of the outdated dating advice may have some validity to them.
Cassidy was a funny, independent woman who had her share of insecurities but still managed to be a spitfire and confident woman who knew her worth. She felt very real and I related to her a lot. The bond with her family was especially heartwarming. And the hijinks she gets into while trying to fit the mold of a 1950s prim and proper girl were hilarious.
I absolutely loved Jack. As Cassidy puts it, he’s “a guy with serious alpha male energy but none of the ego that typically comes with it.” He is sweet and thoughtful, respectful of women’s boundaries, but still very much the strong, driven alpha that makes so many women swoon. I loved how open he was in communicating. I also like that he had flaws that reared their heads and a vulnerability that was a nice contrast to his confidence.
The chemistry between Cassidy and Jack was off the charts, but I loved their honest and unguarded conversations as much as their banter. Cassidy abandons her article a few dates into her time with Jack, but with all good romance novels, I knew the fallout was coming. It was epic and uncomfortable and I couldn’t wait for it to be over, yet it also led to growth in the characters and a great ending.
I think the only thing I didn’t love about this book was the epilogue. It was a great way to see how everything ended, but I felt it could have not been in there and the story would have stayed the same.
I often use romance novels, especially rom coms, as palate cleansers and quick reads that will make me laugh and swoon, but will forget in a few days time. However, I feel like this one will stay with me a while.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
May 7, 2024
Spoilers below, but I feel like readers should know what they're in for with this book.
The message in a nutshell: All feminists need is a douchebag millionaire to calm them down. If your kink is Democrats getting with Republicans, I guess this book is for you.
This review is honestly just gonna be a random list of things that made my head explode.
1) The heroine has a successful job at a magazine in NYC. She gets positive feedback from the love interest, her parents, her coworkers, and her boss, yet the book tries hard to convince me that this is a dead-end job. Just finding any career writing articles is tough, so I don't really get how she hasn't already "made it". I couldn't understand her desire to become a novelist, and the character journey did not make any sense to me.
2) This quote: "Once you find your last, you'd wish he was your only." 🤢 The idea that your virginity is a "gift" to give to a man is such a turn-off.
3) I can not begin to summarize what a trainwreck this book turns into. The hero goes to the heroine's work event. He makes everyone there uncomfortable and embarrasses himself by shouting awful stuff. They then have makeup sex. Afterwards he explodes at her AGAIN, smashes his phone, and gaslights her. Obviously this incident at work would be publicized, yet he has some ludicrous idea that she staged the whole thing to expose him. This makes no kind of sense. Absolutely none. He blames her for his actions and invents conspiracy theories to shirk any responsibility. Destroying objects is also an early warning sign for domestic abuse. She comments on his drastic mood swings, being understandably shocked by him, to which he then responds that she is putting words in his mouth. Classic manipulation. He almost gets her fired at this work function, then tells her that his career is on the line, making it clear that his work is more important than her little life. And remember, this dude is a millionaire. He's gonna be fine. The repercussions will be very different for her. In this confrontation he is yelling at her and continues raising his voice. My jaw was on the floor. I literally could not believe I was reading this in a romance novel, and that I was supposed to root for these two to get together. Girl, run.
4) The book has a very limited view of history. It describes the 50s as a time when feminism was a speck in the distance. This completely ignores the work of Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells and countless other activists. There was also a simplification of this time that did not look at the full breadth of experiences non-white women were having.
5) The hero owns a magazine that spreads misogynistic content, yet this is never really addressed. I guess incels are consumers too, so lets make money off of this market. Cool. His sexist business partner turns out to be such a sweetheart after all so it's all good. Happy end. I find this rhetoric dangerous and harmful. I'm not into excusing toxic macho behaviour.
The message in a nutshell: All feminists need is a douchebag millionaire to calm them down. If your kink is Democrats getting with Republicans, I guess this book is for you.
This review is honestly just gonna be a random list of things that made my head explode.
1) The heroine has a successful job at a magazine in NYC. She gets positive feedback from the love interest, her parents, her coworkers, and her boss, yet the book tries hard to convince me that this is a dead-end job. Just finding any career writing articles is tough, so I don't really get how she hasn't already "made it". I couldn't understand her desire to become a novelist, and the character journey did not make any sense to me.
2) This quote: "Once you find your last, you'd wish he was your only." 🤢 The idea that your virginity is a "gift" to give to a man is such a turn-off.
3) I can not begin to summarize what a trainwreck this book turns into. The hero goes to the heroine's work event. He makes everyone there uncomfortable and embarrasses himself by shouting awful stuff. They then have makeup sex. Afterwards he explodes at her AGAIN, smashes his phone, and gaslights her. Obviously this incident at work would be publicized, yet he has some ludicrous idea that she staged the whole thing to expose him. This makes no kind of sense. Absolutely none. He blames her for his actions and invents conspiracy theories to shirk any responsibility. Destroying objects is also an early warning sign for domestic abuse. She comments on his drastic mood swings, being understandably shocked by him, to which he then responds that she is putting words in his mouth. Classic manipulation. He almost gets her fired at this work function, then tells her that his career is on the line, making it clear that his work is more important than her little life. And remember, this dude is a millionaire. He's gonna be fine. The repercussions will be very different for her. In this confrontation he is yelling at her and continues raising his voice. My jaw was on the floor. I literally could not believe I was reading this in a romance novel, and that I was supposed to root for these two to get together. Girl, run.
4) The book has a very limited view of history. It describes the 50s as a time when feminism was a speck in the distance. This completely ignores the work of Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells and countless other activists. There was also a simplification of this time that did not look at the full breadth of experiences non-white women were having.
5) The hero owns a magazine that spreads misogynistic content, yet this is never really addressed. I guess incels are consumers too, so lets make money off of this market. Cool. His sexist business partner turns out to be such a sweetheart after all so it's all good. Happy end. I find this rhetoric dangerous and harmful. I'm not into excusing toxic macho behaviour.
November 13, 2023
3*** stars
audio: 5 stars
Honestly, I thought dismissing the topic of safe sex completely would make me drop this from a solid 4-star read but in the end it was the third-act breakup and everything after that it ended up being only 3 stars for me anyway. *shrug
Also, the many many references to movies, actors and other famous shit got a bit annoying over time.
The story about Cassidy, who’s writing for an online women’s magazine, and Jack, the owner of a very successful (and mainly misogynistic) men’s magazine, was, as many said before, very How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days in its bones.
I still had quite the fun and was well entertained with this story although it wasn’t as funny as I’d hoped for for a rom-com. And I think I enjoyed it even more so because I mainly went for this book because I love Brittany Presley as a narrator so much. (And ofc, whenever I listen to her I hear Hardy Cates in the mmc *lol)
To close this review I’d very much like to add that I loved the author’s note at the end explaining what sparked the idea for this book (‘cause it was not said movie) and what she found during her further research.
audio: 5 stars
Honestly, I thought dismissing the topic of safe sex completely would make me drop this from a solid 4-star read but in the end it was the third-act breakup and everything after that it ended up being only 3 stars for me anyway. *shrug
Also, the many many references to movies, actors and other famous shit got a bit annoying over time.
The story about Cassidy, who’s writing for an online women’s magazine, and Jack, the owner of a very successful (and mainly misogynistic) men’s magazine, was, as many said before, very How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days in its bones.
I still had quite the fun and was well entertained with this story although it wasn’t as funny as I’d hoped for for a rom-com. And I think I enjoyed it even more so because I mainly went for this book because I love Brittany Presley as a narrator so much. (And ofc, whenever I listen to her I hear Hardy Cates in the mmc *lol)
To close this review I’d very much like to add that I loved the author’s note at the end explaining what sparked the idea for this book (‘cause it was not said movie) and what she found during her further research.
November 9, 2023
One of my favorite romcoms of the year! So so good!🩷
July 12, 2023
On paper, this book is right up my alley. Battle of the sexes ? Rivals to lovers? Count me in. Well, I count me right out I didn’t really find the romance that exciting. The whole thing had millennium writing vibes. In the this book's very easy to read and some parts were nice.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2024
🌟4.5/5 *rounded up
❤️🩹4/5
🥰4/5
🌶️3/5
🔎0/5
😰3/5
🎭😂3/5
🎭😭1/5
👻0/5
🔬0/5
🔫0/5
🏥0/5
✍🏼5/5
🥱0/5
🏃🏻♀️5/5
🌎5/5
💁🏻♀️5/5
🙅🏻♀️
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Pregnancy
Misrepresentation
Sexual Content
Medical Content
Medical Trauma
Misogyny
Sexism
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
A modern battle of the sexes about a journalist who hatches an elaborate plan to take down her professional rival, in a rom-com perfect for fans of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
After a particularly brutal breakup, Cassidy Sutton has had it with dating. So when her grandmother gives her a 1950’s dating guide entitled 125 Tips to Hook a Husband, she decides to turn the retro advice into an ironic “What not to do” article for Siren, the popular online women’s publication she writes for. And who better to secretly test the old-fashioned tips on than Jack Bradford, chauvinistic creator of rival men’s site Brawler? She’ll write an article that will entertain female readers everywhere and embarrass their sexist nemesis at the same time. Two birds, one stone.
But her perfect plan soon proves to be anything but. Those vintage courtship tips Cassidy was so quick to poke fun at? They actually seem to work, calling her most closely-held beliefs into question. Even worse? Jack isn’t falling for any of her tricks—and it’s not long before their ‘fake’ relationship starts to feel like the realest one of her life. As her cat and mouse game starts to spiral out of control, Cassidy has to decide if she’s playing to win, or if she’s willing to lose it all for love.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
There is no data at this time on StoryGraph. Amazon is rating it 4.2⭐️ and Goodreads shows it currently at 3.8⭐️ from a little over 5k reviews.
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book! It had a little bit of everything. There was enemies to lovers, angst, romance, a little bit of spice that was very well written and not over the top or too much. There was drama, tragedy and comedy. I fell in love with Cassidy and Jack. Even there break up was handled with a bit of maturity that you just don’t see in real life or even in books. This will definitely be a book I will read again just for the feel good moments. Gran is a character but I loved Cassidy’s sister and husband too. The world building was on point and believable. I could easily picture any of the scenes. The pacing was great, at no time did I think “gees this is boring and long winded”. This book is a keeper and I’m giving it a solid 4.5⭐️. It’s just a shame all the best men are fictional 😭.
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬 Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
🏥 Medical Content -based on the amount and the accuracy of any medical content or if the book is supposed to be a medical style thriller.
✍🏼 Writing Style -based on if I enjoyed the writing style or not and how the author portrayed the world, characters, concept, plot etc.
🥱 Boredom -based on if I was bored if it held my interest or if I’d rather be doing something else 😴.
🏃🏻♀️ Book Pacing -Based on how quickly I thought the book moved.
🌎 World Development -Based on how well I liked the world development of the story.
💁🏻♀️ Character Development -Based on how well the characters were fleshed out and if I hated or loved with a passion.
🙅🏻♀️ DNF -based on if the book is just stupid, boring, childish, overly ridiculous etc.
❤️🩹4/5
🥰4/5
🌶️3/5
🔎0/5
😰3/5
🎭😂3/5
🎭😭1/5
👻0/5
🔬0/5
🔫0/5
🏥0/5
✍🏼5/5
🥱0/5
🏃🏻♀️5/5
🌎5/5
💁🏻♀️5/5
🙅🏻♀️
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Pregnancy
Misrepresentation
Sexual Content
Medical Content
Medical Trauma
Misogyny
Sexism
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
A modern battle of the sexes about a journalist who hatches an elaborate plan to take down her professional rival, in a rom-com perfect for fans of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
After a particularly brutal breakup, Cassidy Sutton has had it with dating. So when her grandmother gives her a 1950’s dating guide entitled 125 Tips to Hook a Husband, she decides to turn the retro advice into an ironic “What not to do” article for Siren, the popular online women’s publication she writes for. And who better to secretly test the old-fashioned tips on than Jack Bradford, chauvinistic creator of rival men’s site Brawler? She’ll write an article that will entertain female readers everywhere and embarrass their sexist nemesis at the same time. Two birds, one stone.
But her perfect plan soon proves to be anything but. Those vintage courtship tips Cassidy was so quick to poke fun at? They actually seem to work, calling her most closely-held beliefs into question. Even worse? Jack isn’t falling for any of her tricks—and it’s not long before their ‘fake’ relationship starts to feel like the realest one of her life. As her cat and mouse game starts to spiral out of control, Cassidy has to decide if she’s playing to win, or if she’s willing to lose it all for love.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
There is no data at this time on StoryGraph. Amazon is rating it 4.2⭐️ and Goodreads shows it currently at 3.8⭐️ from a little over 5k reviews.
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book! It had a little bit of everything. There was enemies to lovers, angst, romance, a little bit of spice that was very well written and not over the top or too much. There was drama, tragedy and comedy. I fell in love with Cassidy and Jack. Even there break up was handled with a bit of maturity that you just don’t see in real life or even in books. This will definitely be a book I will read again just for the feel good moments. Gran is a character but I loved Cassidy’s sister and husband too. The world building was on point and believable. I could easily picture any of the scenes. The pacing was great, at no time did I think “gees this is boring and long winded”. This book is a keeper and I’m giving it a solid 4.5⭐️. It’s just a shame all the best men are fictional 😭.
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬 Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
🏥 Medical Content -based on the amount and the accuracy of any medical content or if the book is supposed to be a medical style thriller.
✍🏼 Writing Style -based on if I enjoyed the writing style or not and how the author portrayed the world, characters, concept, plot etc.
🥱 Boredom -based on if I was bored if it held my interest or if I’d rather be doing something else 😴.
🏃🏻♀️ Book Pacing -Based on how quickly I thought the book moved.
🌎 World Development -Based on how well I liked the world development of the story.
💁🏻♀️ Character Development -Based on how well the characters were fleshed out and if I hated or loved with a passion.
🙅🏻♀️ DNF -based on if the book is just stupid, boring, childish, overly ridiculous etc.
December 7, 2023
2 stars.
The vibes:
- Sweetest Gran ever
- Generational divide
- Rivals to lovers
My thoughts:
First- I want to say I highly recommend anyone and everyone read Meet You in the Middle. I loved it and I highly recommend it.
I went into this one expecting something similar. And I definitely felt like the concept was similar which is why I was so intrigued.The idea of a misjudged misogynist being with a self proclaimed feminist sounded super interesting. Unfortunately - I struggled through most of this book.
I want to start with the fact that I loved Gran!!! She was so sassy and lovely. And I wish that Gran was in every chapter of this book because I loved her so much.
In the beginning- Jack gave me major Ryan Gosling vibes from Crazy Stupid Love. Which was a major win for me. I love a confident, flirty man (in books - I’d probably run in real life 😂🙈).
But unfortunately even Jack had his downfall for me. For most of the book- the area I mostly struggled is with Cassidy. It is probably personal preference but I struggled to like her. She was so extreme that it made my brain hurt sometimes. Can we just be kind to another human (yes even a man) without it being anti feminist???. I have a specific hot take I will get into at the very end - but I mostly just wish she could have been feminist without coming across as a jerk. But Jack also came with a lot of problems also. So many red flags. This isn’t just on Cassidy.
At the end of the day- I feel like Jack and Cassidy did more harm to eachother than good. They started as a lie. And for a small moment they seemed really sweet together. And then it was a disaster. I’m talking monumental disaster. These two were explosive together- sure in the good ways- but also in the bad ways.. I’m not sure I was rooting for them. The conflict and the resolution were so difficult for me to move past.
***final random thought. It bothered me that Cassidy came across as very small minded with zero voice of reason or alternative view being presented. This may be an unpopular opinion and im ok with that, but I want to put it out in the universe to be the alternative POV I suppose.
At one point- Cassidy is trying to be as anti feminist as she can be for the sake of her project and her go-to is to say she wants to be a stay at home mom. Because of how anti feminist and misogynistic this concept is. She goes on and on how she wants to be passionate about her future kids and how it’s her dream life. And it’s all supposed to be some jab at women who choose to stay at home to raise their kids and also a jab to men who support women who choose to stay home to raise their kids. Jack is shocked that she would want to give up her career and questions why she ever would want to do that and why would she ever sacrifice her career for that. Cassidy was impressed and pleased that he didn’t like the concept of a stay at home mom- and she feels that based on this, he wasn’t a misogynist after all. She said she wanted him to “agree with the nonsense I was spewing” to prove that he was not a decent guy.
Excuse me, what?
Color me offended- but I was a little annoyed with this entire conversation. Can we not be women supporting women who make different choices than we do? It’s 2023. It just felt like an entire mockery of stay at home moms (and their husbands)- and there’s actually a lot of us out here who are strong, independent, smart as hell, and yes- even ambitious. Ok ok- this became a total Ted Talk, and I’m little bit sorry about that but mostly I’m sorry that there wasn’t one character in the book to give an alternative opinion on it.
The vibes:
- Sweetest Gran ever
- Generational divide
- Rivals to lovers
My thoughts:
First- I want to say I highly recommend anyone and everyone read Meet You in the Middle. I loved it and I highly recommend it.
I went into this one expecting something similar. And I definitely felt like the concept was similar which is why I was so intrigued.The idea of a misjudged misogynist being with a self proclaimed feminist sounded super interesting. Unfortunately - I struggled through most of this book.
I want to start with the fact that I loved Gran!!! She was so sassy and lovely. And I wish that Gran was in every chapter of this book because I loved her so much.
In the beginning- Jack gave me major Ryan Gosling vibes from Crazy Stupid Love. Which was a major win for me. I love a confident, flirty man (in books - I’d probably run in real life 😂🙈).
But unfortunately even Jack had his downfall for me. For most of the book- the area I mostly struggled is with Cassidy. It is probably personal preference but I struggled to like her. She was so extreme that it made my brain hurt sometimes. Can we just be kind to another human (yes even a man) without it being anti feminist???. I have a specific hot take I will get into at the very end - but I mostly just wish she could have been feminist without coming across as a jerk. But Jack also came with a lot of problems also. So many red flags. This isn’t just on Cassidy.
At the end of the day- I feel like Jack and Cassidy did more harm to eachother than good. They started as a lie. And for a small moment they seemed really sweet together. And then it was a disaster. I’m talking monumental disaster. These two were explosive together- sure in the good ways- but also in the bad ways.. I’m not sure I was rooting for them. The conflict and the resolution were so difficult for me to move past.
***final random thought. It bothered me that Cassidy came across as very small minded with zero voice of reason or alternative view being presented. This may be an unpopular opinion and im ok with that, but I want to put it out in the universe to be the alternative POV I suppose.
At one point- Cassidy is trying to be as anti feminist as she can be for the sake of her project and her go-to is to say she wants to be a stay at home mom. Because of how anti feminist and misogynistic this concept is. She goes on and on how she wants to be passionate about her future kids and how it’s her dream life. And it’s all supposed to be some jab at women who choose to stay at home to raise their kids and also a jab to men who support women who choose to stay home to raise their kids. Jack is shocked that she would want to give up her career and questions why she ever would want to do that and why would she ever sacrifice her career for that. Cassidy was impressed and pleased that he didn’t like the concept of a stay at home mom- and she feels that based on this, he wasn’t a misogynist after all. She said she wanted him to “agree with the nonsense I was spewing” to prove that he was not a decent guy.
Excuse me, what?
Color me offended- but I was a little annoyed with this entire conversation. Can we not be women supporting women who make different choices than we do? It’s 2023. It just felt like an entire mockery of stay at home moms (and their husbands)- and there’s actually a lot of us out here who are strong, independent, smart as hell, and yes- even ambitious. Ok ok- this became a total Ted Talk, and I’m little bit sorry about that but mostly I’m sorry that there wasn’t one character in the book to give an alternative opinion on it.
March 13, 2024
The third act breakup gave me so much anxiety, I was gonna stop reading but then it hit so I had to finish it to see the resolution...and that was how I stayed up till 1am again. Whoops.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by this book and how much I liked it. The characters had a lot of chemistry and I loved seeing them get together. I also didn't mind the fake dating trope, it was done well.
I wasn't expecting Jack to be likable either, but I'm glad he was. Classidy was cute, and I love how she embraced vintage fashion.
It really felt like a 2000s romcom movie which probably made me like it even more. The banter was top notch and had me smiling a lot. Also, it's funny how I knew EXACTLY which 50s/60s tips would be used, down to the T. It's because that one list seemed so silly the first time I saw it, I knew it had to be included in a book at some point, and voilà.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by this book and how much I liked it. The characters had a lot of chemistry and I loved seeing them get together. I also didn't mind the fake dating trope, it was done well.
I wasn't expecting Jack to be likable either, but I'm glad he was. Classidy was cute, and I love how she embraced vintage fashion.
It really felt like a 2000s romcom movie which probably made me like it even more. The banter was top notch and had me smiling a lot. Also, it's funny how I knew EXACTLY which 50s/60s tips would be used, down to the T. It's because that one list seemed so silly the first time I saw it, I knew it had to be included in a book at some point, and voilà.
December 8, 2023
This gave me those classic 90s / 00s romantic comedy vibes! Inspired by a guide from the 1950s titled "125 Ways to Hook a Husband", journalist Cassidy Sutton sets out to sneakily test its success on Jack Brawler, rival and CEO of a popular magazine for men.
This had a good balance of poking fun at the hilarious advice given to women in the past while also acknowledging that perhaps modern dating could learn a thing or two. Despite being on edge the entire time waiting for this ruse to inevitably blow up in her face, I was so entertained by Cassidy and her alter ego, Betty.
Jack was amazing. A board game enthusiast, incredibly charming, genuinely kind—I could go on. Not without flaws, but he was the whole package, really. With him tied to a seemingly brash, chauvinistic company, I was super eager for the story to reveal all the misconceptions Cassidy had about him. And I loved his honesty along the way.
Based on everything that happens, I do think the grovelling felt too one-sided, but overall I liked this one a lot. In a sea of romantic comedies, it's a memorable one!
(heat level: one open-door scene, explicit details)
This had a good balance of poking fun at the hilarious advice given to women in the past while also acknowledging that perhaps modern dating could learn a thing or two. Despite being on edge the entire time waiting for this ruse to inevitably blow up in her face, I was so entertained by Cassidy and her alter ego, Betty.
Jack was amazing. A board game enthusiast, incredibly charming, genuinely kind—I could go on. Not without flaws, but he was the whole package, really. With him tied to a seemingly brash, chauvinistic company, I was super eager for the story to reveal all the misconceptions Cassidy had about him. And I loved his honesty along the way.
Based on everything that happens, I do think the grovelling felt too one-sided, but overall I liked this one a lot. In a sea of romantic comedies, it's a memorable one!
(heat level: one open-door scene, explicit details)
November 6, 2023
(really all the stars)
To say I have been waiting with bated breath for this book is the understatement of the year. I fell in love with Daniels’s writing style after binging her debut novel Meet You in The Middle back in 2021 - I’m pretty sure I read it in one sitting.
I then reread MYITM countless times to fill the void, and then when The Rom Con dropped on my kindle one night (many thanks to Devon 😘) I about fell off of my bed. Then of course I proceeded to read it in one sitting because I simply couldn’t hold out - this story demanded to be devoured. And trust me, I left zero crumbs.
The first time I read it I felt like I was in a fever dream. The second time I read it though, I really took my time. You know all that serotonin that floods your system when you watch your favorite 2000s romcom? Ya, this one has that in spades! Rivals to lovers, trying out 1950s dating tips, one sided fake dating, Friends references, an epic love confession, a dog?! Byeee, rip to me 🫠
Daniels is probably one of the sharpest authors I have ever read. She’s able to subtly comment on the times of the day in a way that feels like a breath of fresh air. Daniels weaves in the most amazing pop culture references and sarcasm throughout her novels that make the story that much more compelling. The pacing is perfect, the dialogue is smart, the descriptions are written in a way that I feel like I’m actually there. This book made me feel seen in a way I haven’t before and even made me tear up in a couple spots.
Daniels’s writing is so descriptive that I can so clearly picture the story playing out in my mind that I have no doubt any of her novels would make the next best romcom - and I’m actually begging for them to be adapted!! (I’m literally on my knees)
The way Nora Ephron is synonymous with all of our favorite romcom movies, Devon Daniels should be synonymous with romcoms of the literary variety. Her writing is sharp, witty, poignant, and timeless in a way that enables you to slip back into her stories over and over again - no matter how many times you’ve read them before.
Trust me you NEED a copy of this one on your shelves - preferably multiple copies! Many many thanks to Devon for writing the rom com of my dreams and letting me be an early reader - forever grateful for you and your stories 🫶🏻
Read if you like:
🩷 rivals to lovers
🤞🏻 one sided fake dating
🐶 golden retriever MMC
🥊 battle of the sexes
🔥 slow burnnn
🗽 NYC in the fall
✨ FRIENDS references
👵🏼 grandma energy
👗 vintage fashion + dating tips
🎥 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
☝🏻 single pov
To say I have been waiting with bated breath for this book is the understatement of the year. I fell in love with Daniels’s writing style after binging her debut novel Meet You in The Middle back in 2021 - I’m pretty sure I read it in one sitting.
I then reread MYITM countless times to fill the void, and then when The Rom Con dropped on my kindle one night (many thanks to Devon 😘) I about fell off of my bed. Then of course I proceeded to read it in one sitting because I simply couldn’t hold out - this story demanded to be devoured. And trust me, I left zero crumbs.
The first time I read it I felt like I was in a fever dream. The second time I read it though, I really took my time. You know all that serotonin that floods your system when you watch your favorite 2000s romcom? Ya, this one has that in spades! Rivals to lovers, trying out 1950s dating tips, one sided fake dating, Friends references, an epic love confession, a dog?! Byeee, rip to me 🫠
Daniels is probably one of the sharpest authors I have ever read. She’s able to subtly comment on the times of the day in a way that feels like a breath of fresh air. Daniels weaves in the most amazing pop culture references and sarcasm throughout her novels that make the story that much more compelling. The pacing is perfect, the dialogue is smart, the descriptions are written in a way that I feel like I’m actually there. This book made me feel seen in a way I haven’t before and even made me tear up in a couple spots.
Daniels’s writing is so descriptive that I can so clearly picture the story playing out in my mind that I have no doubt any of her novels would make the next best romcom - and I’m actually begging for them to be adapted!! (I’m literally on my knees)
The way Nora Ephron is synonymous with all of our favorite romcom movies, Devon Daniels should be synonymous with romcoms of the literary variety. Her writing is sharp, witty, poignant, and timeless in a way that enables you to slip back into her stories over and over again - no matter how many times you’ve read them before.
Trust me you NEED a copy of this one on your shelves - preferably multiple copies! Many many thanks to Devon for writing the rom com of my dreams and letting me be an early reader - forever grateful for you and your stories 🫶🏻
Read if you like:
🩷 rivals to lovers
🤞🏻 one sided fake dating
🐶 golden retriever MMC
🥊 battle of the sexes
🔥 slow burnnn
🗽 NYC in the fall
✨ FRIENDS references
👵🏼 grandma energy
👗 vintage fashion + dating tips
🎥 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
☝🏻 single pov
April 23, 2024
3.25✨
1.5🌶️
The mix of a classic contemporary rivals-to-lovers romance underscored by the old school charm of bygone dating makes The Rom Con engaging right from the start; throw in a snarky and loveable grandma character and you'll usually win some goodwill from me.
However, a too-long page count, some weird character behaviors, and way too many modern pop culture or media references kept this from truly shining all the way through, despite the encouraging start.
I wish The Rom Con focused more on its play on How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, and its unique twist on that. Having that singular overarching theme places more significance on the story as a whole, versus a pop culture quip nearly every other page. There was a stretch towards the middle-end where the pop culture references kind of stopped and I was getting more invested, but then they started up again and I had to adjust my '[#] Pages Without a Pop Culture Reference' board, sadly.
I also didn't care for how the third-act conflict played out. I'm not mad there WAS a third-act conflict, because with this inherent plot there was always going to be and as a reader you know that, but there was just so much MORE that could've been done with it. It ended up feeling too simple, in a lot of ways, or on the flip side, some character actions felt too large and outlandish.
The writing wasn't bad overall, and I would read a book by this author again.
Honestly, for this book, removing 90% of pop culture references here, which would probably drop the page count by a good 50 pages or so haha, would've probably pushed this into low 4-star territory for me.
1.5🌶️
The mix of a classic contemporary rivals-to-lovers romance underscored by the old school charm of bygone dating makes The Rom Con engaging right from the start; throw in a snarky and loveable grandma character and you'll usually win some goodwill from me.
However, a too-long page count, some weird character behaviors, and way too many modern pop culture or media references kept this from truly shining all the way through, despite the encouraging start.
I wish The Rom Con focused more on its play on How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, and its unique twist on that. Having that singular overarching theme places more significance on the story as a whole, versus a pop culture quip nearly every other page. There was a stretch towards the middle-end where the pop culture references kind of stopped and I was getting more invested, but then they started up again and I had to adjust my '[#] Pages Without a Pop Culture Reference' board, sadly.
I also didn't care for how the third-act conflict played out. I'm not mad there WAS a third-act conflict, because with this inherent plot there was always going to be and as a reader you know that, but there was just so much MORE that could've been done with it. It ended up feeling too simple, in a lot of ways, or on the flip side, some character actions felt too large and outlandish.
The writing wasn't bad overall, and I would read a book by this author again.
Honestly, for this book, removing 90% of pop culture references here, which would probably drop the page count by a good 50 pages or so haha, would've probably pushed this into low 4-star territory for me.
November 9, 2023
This was a really great contemporary read. I love how the heroine weaves in some old school beliefs about dating and relationships. The grandma in this book is dishing out the great advice and I was here for it. “Let men be men” is a big deal to me and I loved that narrative in this book. LOVED IT! Let’s work with men not punish them.
There’s a fake dating aspect of this book and brings a lot of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days energy. I honestly didn’t love that, I felt so bad and cringe for what Cassidy was trying to do but she very quickly realized her diabolical plan was a bad one but of course Jack got hurt along the way anyway. The resolution in this book gets 10/10 stars from me because I love mature adults acting like mature adults and sometimes the epic grovel and apology is overrated and unnecessary. Yes, apologize, but no need to throw yourself over the coals. The ending needs to solidify the life long HEA for me and this one really sold it to me.
And also there are hugs in this book that are just 🥹✨ They meant more to me than the love scenes and now I need a good hug.
There’s a fake dating aspect of this book and brings a lot of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days energy. I honestly didn’t love that, I felt so bad and cringe for what Cassidy was trying to do but she very quickly realized her diabolical plan was a bad one but of course Jack got hurt along the way anyway. The resolution in this book gets 10/10 stars from me because I love mature adults acting like mature adults and sometimes the epic grovel and apology is overrated and unnecessary. Yes, apologize, but no need to throw yourself over the coals. The ending needs to solidify the life long HEA for me and this one really sold it to me.
And also there are hugs in this book that are just 🥹✨ They meant more to me than the love scenes and now I need a good hug.
November 15, 2023
Not the self aware feminist slay it wants to be. Way too many pop culture references — don’t need someone looking out a window to be followed by “like Mufasa.”
The relationship is hard to root for and I genuinely didn’t think they’d wind up together LOL. Somehow both trad wife promo (despite claiming it’s not) and unbearable yt millennial feminism
The relationship is hard to root for and I genuinely didn’t think they’d wind up together LOL. Somehow both trad wife promo (despite claiming it’s not) and unbearable yt millennial feminism
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2023
Super fun romcom on audiobook! Liked it!!
*language and one spicy sex scene
*language and one spicy sex scene
December 13, 2023
From the author of the trump-propaganda romance, “Not All Men: A love story”
Anyway, should’ve checked “other books by author” before reading.
Anyway, should’ve checked “other books by author” before reading.
November 24, 2025
if the “1830s but without all the racists” lyric was a book.
January 11, 2024
This is my second read by this author, her first book “meet me in the middle” I gave ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I felt the FMC sacrificed more than the MMC career wise. Although, I enjoyed their banter.
Fast forward, I saw this book cover (yes I choose books by their covers) and instantly placed on TBR. “How to lose a guy in 10 days” was one of my favorite movies of all time, I did not realize it was the same author until I was almost finished with this book. At that point, I wanted to see how the author would finish the book and I was deeply disappointed.
1. Initially, the FMC best friend makes a comment that men who date Taylor Swift know what they are getting by dating her. Once they break up, she’ll write a scathing song about them. Which COME ON that is such a tired narrative.
2. MMC co-founded and owned a website that rated women’s breast and spewed misogynistic dribble but he was this amazing chivalrous man.
3. He jeopardized her job to get back at her and when he runs after her instead of discussing that she tells him she’s in love with him. This man faced no repercussions for how awful he treated her. He left her and didn’t return for 6 weeks, he said horrid things to her about her career and she just accepted the apology and then HEA.
4. I got the ick when MMC mentions he thought she was a virg*n because they had waited so long and then she asked him if he was disappointed she wasn’t. Then there’s an inner monologue about how she wished she was because she wanted to give him that.
This is the second time I’ve noticed that the FMC in this author’s books kind of just roll over for the man. The MMC is just forgiven like the FMC was just waiting for their return.
Fast forward, I saw this book cover (yes I choose books by their covers) and instantly placed on TBR. “How to lose a guy in 10 days” was one of my favorite movies of all time, I did not realize it was the same author until I was almost finished with this book. At that point, I wanted to see how the author would finish the book and I was deeply disappointed.
1. Initially, the FMC best friend makes a comment that men who date Taylor Swift know what they are getting by dating her. Once they break up, she’ll write a scathing song about them. Which COME ON that is such a tired narrative.
2. MMC co-founded and owned a website that rated women’s breast and spewed misogynistic dribble but he was this amazing chivalrous man.
3. He jeopardized her job to get back at her and when he runs after her instead of discussing that she tells him she’s in love with him. This man faced no repercussions for how awful he treated her. He left her and didn’t return for 6 weeks, he said horrid things to her about her career and she just accepted the apology and then HEA.
4. I got the ick when MMC mentions he thought she was a virg*n because they had waited so long and then she asked him if he was disappointed she wasn’t. Then there’s an inner monologue about how she wished she was because she wanted to give him that.
This is the second time I’ve noticed that the FMC in this author’s books kind of just roll over for the man. The MMC is just forgiven like the FMC was just waiting for their return.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2023
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
Not all books are for all readers, and this one wasn't for me. I don't think this was the author's intention, but in some ways this book felt like it was a little too embracing of a return to 1950s style dating and relationship rules in a way that felt icky. I might be a grouch, but I also don't think I would have been able to look past the MMC's career, regardless of how much he's "not a part" of the gross rhetoric his site spews.
Not all books are for all readers, and this one wasn't for me. I don't think this was the author's intention, but in some ways this book felt like it was a little too embracing of a return to 1950s style dating and relationship rules in a way that felt icky. I might be a grouch, but I also don't think I would have been able to look past the MMC's career, regardless of how much he's "not a part" of the gross rhetoric his site spews.
Want to read
July 12, 2023I need safety info 🙋♀️🙋♀️🙋♀️
January 6, 2024
Starting the year off strong with a dud. I think this author is a republican.
November 25, 2024
Es un libro que me gustó.
La verdad que andaba un poco critica a la hora de comenzar el libro porque según la sinopsis, seguía este estilo de "Cómo perder a un hombre en 10 dias" (mi película favorita de todos los tiempos, cabe destacar); entonces, por obvias razones iba a desmenuzarlo y tragarlo con ansias, pero con cierto escepticismo. Pese a esto, cumplió con las expectativas.
Es muy lindo de leer y, sobre todo, como Cassie se va dando cuenta de que lo que hace es un completo error y que está cayendo perdidamente enamorada del perfecto (o semiperfecto) Jack.
Fue inspirador y reflexivo en términos generacionales y en las distintas perspectivas en cuanto al amor que se han ido tragiversando a lo largo de los años, así como también los progresos que hemos logrado como sociedad.
Ahora, si bien tiene parecidos con la película que mencioné, no es igual y eso me agradó. No quería que fuera una replica exacta y creo que eso se logró muy bien.
Definitivamente está entre mis mejores lecturas de este año.
La verdad que andaba un poco critica a la hora de comenzar el libro porque según la sinopsis, seguía este estilo de "Cómo perder a un hombre en 10 dias" (mi película favorita de todos los tiempos, cabe destacar); entonces, por obvias razones iba a desmenuzarlo y tragarlo con ansias, pero con cierto escepticismo. Pese a esto, cumplió con las expectativas.
Es muy lindo de leer y, sobre todo, como Cassie se va dando cuenta de que lo que hace es un completo error y que está cayendo perdidamente enamorada del perfecto (o semiperfecto) Jack.
Fue inspirador y reflexivo en términos generacionales y en las distintas perspectivas en cuanto al amor que se han ido tragiversando a lo largo de los años, así como también los progresos que hemos logrado como sociedad.
Ahora, si bien tiene parecidos con la película que mencioné, no es igual y eso me agradó. No quería que fuera una replica exacta y creo que eso se logró muy bien.
Definitivamente está entre mis mejores lecturas de este año.
January 28, 2024
3.5 Stars
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