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The Sidekick
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Expected 20 Apr 27Win a free print copy of this book!
22 days and 02:15:30
15 copies available
U.S. only
What happens when the sidekick from a rom-com screenplay stumbles into the real world? From the author of One-Star Romance and screenwriter of the Netflix film Don’t Say Good Luck comes a magical love story about a supporting player ready to step into the spotlight.
Lou and Cassidy are characters in a romantic comedy screenplay, living in a glossy New York where grand gestures always work and happy endings are guaranteed. Cassidy is the star, destined for true love. Lou is the loyal best friend, written to deliver pep talks and chase taxis in designer heels.
But when their creator dies before finishing the script, Lou falls into the real world—alone. This New York is louder, harsher, and not to be rude, but are all the people 30 percent less attractive? Then she meets Tom, a grieving widower who has no idea why a woman claiming to be from his late wife’s screenplay is standing in his apartment.
It’s clear that Tom needs a sidekick to help him get back out there. If Lou uses all her skills to find him true love, surely she’ll be sent home. (And when she gets back, she’s going to adopt a cat. She deserves it!)
But then she starts getting to know Tom. And, for the first time, she starts getting to know herself, in all her messy, unscripted glory.
Now Lou faces an impossible choice. She can help the man she’s falling for find love with someone else, and return to a tidy happy ending. Or she can stay in the real world, risking a life and love with no guarantees.
Lou and Cassidy are characters in a romantic comedy screenplay, living in a glossy New York where grand gestures always work and happy endings are guaranteed. Cassidy is the star, destined for true love. Lou is the loyal best friend, written to deliver pep talks and chase taxis in designer heels.
But when their creator dies before finishing the script, Lou falls into the real world—alone. This New York is louder, harsher, and not to be rude, but are all the people 30 percent less attractive? Then she meets Tom, a grieving widower who has no idea why a woman claiming to be from his late wife’s screenplay is standing in his apartment.
It’s clear that Tom needs a sidekick to help him get back out there. If Lou uses all her skills to find him true love, surely she’ll be sent home. (And when she gets back, she’s going to adopt a cat. She deserves it!)
But then she starts getting to know Tom. And, for the first time, she starts getting to know herself, in all her messy, unscripted glory.
Now Lou faces an impossible choice. She can help the man she’s falling for find love with someone else, and return to a tidy happy ending. Or she can stay in the real world, risking a life and love with no guarantees.
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 20, 2027
About the author
Laura Hankin
8 books1,148 followersLaura Hankin is the author of several novels, including One-Star Romance and Happy & You Know It. Her writing projects for film and TV include the Netflix movie Don’t Say Good Luck. She lives with her family in Washington, DC, where she once fell off a treadmill twice in one day.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for letting me get an e-ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.
4/5 — stars
The perfect book for when you sometimes don’t feel like the main character. The Sidekick follows a side character in a rom-com as she enters real life and gets her own rom-com (of course, she doesn’t know it)
Was it a bit predictable? Yes. It reminded me a little of a movie I can’t remember the name of, where a princess suddenly finds herself in real life. I used to love that movie when I was younger, so I loved this.
Overall, it’s a fun, swoony rom-com, perfect for anyone looking for a quick, enjoyable read that also has some twists and a lot more to offer.
Spice 🌶️/5
4/5 — stars
The perfect book for when you sometimes don’t feel like the main character. The Sidekick follows a side character in a rom-com as she enters real life and gets her own rom-com (of course, she doesn’t know it)
Was it a bit predictable? Yes. It reminded me a little of a movie I can’t remember the name of, where a princess suddenly finds herself in real life. I used to love that movie when I was younger, so I loved this.
Overall, it’s a fun, swoony rom-com, perfect for anyone looking for a quick, enjoyable read that also has some twists and a lot more to offer.
Spice 🌶️/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Sidekick was a fun and refreshing read. The idea of taking the "best friend" character from a perfect romance world and throwing her into a messy reality was great. Watching her deal with real life stuff that romance books always ignore was entertaining.
Lou and Tom were super easy to root for, and their chemistry felt genuinely earned. The book starts off a bit slow while setting everything up, but once it gets going in the second half, it really takes off with some twists I didn’t see coming.
There were some plot holes that I just tried to ignore. But overall, it’s a cute and quick read. Perfect if you love romance but want something that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this advanced copy.
Lou and Tom were super easy to root for, and their chemistry felt genuinely earned. The book starts off a bit slow while setting everything up, but once it gets going in the second half, it really takes off with some twists I didn’t see coming.
There were some plot holes that I just tried to ignore. But overall, it’s a cute and quick read. Perfect if you love romance but want something that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
tl/dr: if you have wished there was more space in life for you to be a main character & not a sidekick, this is for you!
Well, I finished this book in 2 days & I absolutely adored it!! Louisa (aka Lou) is the best sidekick in a screenplay focusing on her best friend Cassidy, until something goes horribly wrong & she walks off the page into real life - only to be met with Tom, the grieving and slightly apprehensive widower of the writer of her screenplay. And I'll leave it at that.
There is so much I could say about this one, but it was so fun expericing it all as it unfolded. Lou acclimating to life not inside a perfect romcom, Tom working through his grief & wondering if he could ever love again & just so many adorable & heartwarming moments together. Let's just say, it kept me turning pages til late in the night to find out what happens & I was so pleasantly surprised with each turn the book took! I have never read any Laura Hankin books, but this one was so much fun & I can't wait to read more!! Lou & Tom have my heart & I can't wait for others to read this sweet, hilarious & heartwarming book.
If you have read & enjoyed Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood, this one reminded me of it as well, but with a lot less cowboy & an astrologer instead haha
tw/cw: grief, death of a loved one (off page, but talked about)
1 moderately detailed open door scene - easily skippable if you'd like
Rating: 4.5 stars
Huge thanks to Netgalley & Berkeley for this one!! I adored it so much!!!
Well, I finished this book in 2 days & I absolutely adored it!! Louisa (aka Lou) is the best sidekick in a screenplay focusing on her best friend Cassidy, until something goes horribly wrong & she walks off the page into real life - only to be met with Tom, the grieving and slightly apprehensive widower of the writer of her screenplay. And I'll leave it at that.
There is so much I could say about this one, but it was so fun expericing it all as it unfolded. Lou acclimating to life not inside a perfect romcom, Tom working through his grief & wondering if he could ever love again & just so many adorable & heartwarming moments together. Let's just say, it kept me turning pages til late in the night to find out what happens & I was so pleasantly surprised with each turn the book took! I have never read any Laura Hankin books, but this one was so much fun & I can't wait to read more!! Lou & Tom have my heart & I can't wait for others to read this sweet, hilarious & heartwarming book.
If you have read & enjoyed Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood, this one reminded me of it as well, but with a lot less cowboy & an astrologer instead haha
tw/cw: grief, death of a loved one (off page, but talked about)
1 moderately detailed open door scene - easily skippable if you'd like
Rating: 4.5 stars
Huge thanks to Netgalley & Berkeley for this one!! I adored it so much!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I first started this book, I thought, I could probably go ahead and write this review right now. It would say, was this book predictable? Yes. Was it still fun? Also yes. Then I got to about 60% in and the twists started coming and I stayed up way too late to finish the rest in one night.
So now that I’ve read it, was it predictable? Not for me! But was it fun? Yes, a lot of fun!
There were so many things to like about this book. I loved the humor and the way the character was from a rom-com world, where nothing truly bad ever happens. I liked how the real world was pretty true to the actual real world, where the people aren’t super hot and everything doesn’t always come up roses. But mostly I loved how it went from cheesy and funny, to so heartfelt that I was highlighting dialogue and tearing up.
I don’t love reading books about grief, and grief over a spouse is especially hard for me to read, because in no way do I want to put myself in their shoes. So that was a tough storyline for me to read. But the only real downsides to this story were that it dragged a bit at the beginning, and I got a little bogged down by the inner monologuing sometimes. But overall, still a cute story that manages to also be surprisingly deep, at times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this book!
So now that I’ve read it, was it predictable? Not for me! But was it fun? Yes, a lot of fun!
There were so many things to like about this book. I loved the humor and the way the character was from a rom-com world, where nothing truly bad ever happens. I liked how the real world was pretty true to the actual real world, where the people aren’t super hot and everything doesn’t always come up roses. But mostly I loved how it went from cheesy and funny, to so heartfelt that I was highlighting dialogue and tearing up.
I don’t love reading books about grief, and grief over a spouse is especially hard for me to read, because in no way do I want to put myself in their shoes. So that was a tough storyline for me to read. But the only real downsides to this story were that it dragged a bit at the beginning, and I got a little bogged down by the inner monologuing sometimes. But overall, still a cute story that manages to also be surprisingly deep, at times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My toxic book trait might be that I'm unduly swayed by the cover art. I don't love this one, but the premise sounded so interesting and I'm SO glad I picked this book up! Right from the start, it's a funny, unique intro and a clever way to introduce characters. It's paced well, so you don't languish while waiting for the characters to realize and accept what has happened.
The best part by far is the writing; it's charming, funny (not Au Bon Pain catching strays), and incredibly thoughtful. It gradually builds the love story between Lou and Tom from the beginning, so that it feels organic. It finds so many details to tease out and emphasize how much being a sidekick to everyone else's love stories have shaped Lou. She's been profoundly safe if swept to the side, always providing perfect verbal support and facing no risk because she wasn't meant for the big amazing things the main characters got. But now, she could say the wrong thing, could experience great happiness but with the possibility of devastation. Whether surface-level (she can wear comfortable clothes now?!) or deeper dives (where the story really shone, imo), Laura Hankin explored the possibilities of this story so well. I'm checking out her backlist now!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The best part by far is the writing; it's charming, funny (not Au Bon Pain catching strays), and incredibly thoughtful. It gradually builds the love story between Lou and Tom from the beginning, so that it feels organic. It finds so many details to tease out and emphasize how much being a sidekick to everyone else's love stories have shaped Lou. She's been profoundly safe if swept to the side, always providing perfect verbal support and facing no risk because she wasn't meant for the big amazing things the main characters got. But now, she could say the wrong thing, could experience great happiness but with the possibility of devastation. Whether surface-level (she can wear comfortable clothes now?!) or deeper dives (where the story really shone, imo), Laura Hankin explored the possibilities of this story so well. I'm checking out her backlist now!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 30, 2026
This was fun and cute, for sure. I really enjoyed it. The premise is fresh and very meta in the rom-com space.
There definitely has to be some suspension of belief still because how, in the end, does Louisa get by in life without real identification? But that’s a nitpick.
If you ever thought romance books were just too perfect, pick this up. Rom-com World, like Barbie world, is perfection and real life hits the characters hard. The UTI sequence was hilarious to me because I’ve always been annoyed that no one ever gets one or has to worry about proper post-coital hygiene.
At first I was annoyed that Cassidy appeared in the Real World. She took away Lou’s shine, but they worked it out in a semi-realistic way. The grand gesture was funny as well.
I’m very glad the author didn’t put too much focus on Dana’s death. Spoiler alert: it was some vaguely described kidney issue and she died of a stroke. I came in worried that it would be a focus and be triggering for me, but it was not.
This is definitely a good choice for someone looking for more comedy in their romance or for a meta view of contemporary romance itself.
There definitely has to be some suspension of belief still because how, in the end, does Louisa get by in life without real identification? But that’s a nitpick.
If you ever thought romance books were just too perfect, pick this up. Rom-com World, like Barbie world, is perfection and real life hits the characters hard. The UTI sequence was hilarious to me because I’ve always been annoyed that no one ever gets one or has to worry about proper post-coital hygiene.
At first I was annoyed that Cassidy appeared in the Real World. She took away Lou’s shine, but they worked it out in a semi-realistic way. The grand gesture was funny as well.
I’m very glad the author didn’t put too much focus on Dana’s death. Spoiler alert: it was some vaguely described kidney issue and she died of a stroke. I came in worried that it would be a focus and be triggering for me, but it was not.
This is definitely a good choice for someone looking for more comedy in their romance or for a meta view of contemporary romance itself.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What an absolutely adorable romp through the rom-com heyday with a perfect speculative twist. Reminiscent of Kirsty Greenwood’s Romantic Hero, in The Sidekick, a character from a rom-com screenplay flies through a portal to find herself inexplicably in the real world of gritty New York City.
Lou has always been happy as the side character to Cassidy, her screenplay BFF. But now, she’s in the dirty, noisy real world in which people live in tiny studio apartments and scrimp to pay the bills, and true love isn’t as easy to find as the movies indicate. She meets Tom, a grieving young widower, and determines that helping him find true love again will be the magic bullet to send her back to her glossy, perfect world.
But will she discover that the real world holds much more joy? And perhaps find that she doesn’t have to live forever as the sidekick?
For anyone who adored 13 Going on 30, this is a perfectly delightful rom-com that not only offers a glorious love story, but also the perfectly imperfect journey of learning to know and love yourself. Thank you to the author for writing this! And to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!
Lou has always been happy as the side character to Cassidy, her screenplay BFF. But now, she’s in the dirty, noisy real world in which people live in tiny studio apartments and scrimp to pay the bills, and true love isn’t as easy to find as the movies indicate. She meets Tom, a grieving young widower, and determines that helping him find true love again will be the magic bullet to send her back to her glossy, perfect world.
But will she discover that the real world holds much more joy? And perhaps find that she doesn’t have to live forever as the sidekick?
For anyone who adored 13 Going on 30, this is a perfectly delightful rom-com that not only offers a glorious love story, but also the perfectly imperfect journey of learning to know and love yourself. Thank you to the author for writing this! And to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A charming, joyful celebration of rom-coms, and finding a balance between hoping for a tidy Happily Ever After and embracing the complexities that come with real life. This one feels like it’s purposely written for avid rom-com fans, from the many sprinkled tributes to classic films, to the warm, loving satire of popular genre tropes, to the triumph of the titular sidekick as she becomes the main character in her own story. There’s also a love story to New York City woven into the pages, a smile-inducing cross-generational friendship, fun musical theatre references, a hint of steam, and a thoughtful secondary storyline about the hero’s previous marriage, and how he and his wife fell in love and worked through some unexpected challenges together. In turns buoyantly cheerful and sweetly reflective, readers who’ve been rooting for the Best Friend characters in their favourite films will cheer their way through this one, and I’ll be delighted if Hankin announces she’s adapting it for the screen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
💕 Book Review: The Sidekick by Laura Hankin
The Sidekick is such a cute, lighthearted rom-com that reminds us that even the supporting characters deserve their own love story. I loved the idea that the people who are often standing in the background of someone else’s story deserve their own chance to be the main character.
This book is fun, charming, and full of heart. It had me rooting for all the characters and hoping each of them would find their own version of a happy ending. Sometimes we get so caught up in the idea of who the main character is that we forget everyone has their own story, struggles, and dreams.
A sweet, feel-good read for anyone who loves romance, friendship, and the reminder that everyone deserves to be someone’s first choice. 💗
The Sidekick is such a cute, lighthearted rom-com that reminds us that even the supporting characters deserve their own love story. I loved the idea that the people who are often standing in the background of someone else’s story deserve their own chance to be the main character.
This book is fun, charming, and full of heart. It had me rooting for all the characters and hoping each of them would find their own version of a happy ending. Sometimes we get so caught up in the idea of who the main character is that we forget everyone has their own story, struggles, and dreams.
A sweet, feel-good read for anyone who loves romance, friendship, and the reminder that everyone deserves to be someone’s first choice. 💗
November 4, 2026
I really enjoy Laura’s writing. Everything I read by her is seamless.
Howeevrrrrr, I don’t usually enjoy reading alternate reality type of plots, especially when they aren’t like a real multiverse situation but like truly fictional alternate realities. But this was the best version I’ve ever read in that type of genre? Trope? Literary device? Whatever it is.
Watching Lou and Tom fall in love while still holding respect and space for his grief and prior relationship was really beautiful and I thought it was extremely well done. And I loved Lou’s character. And I liked the idea of her being a sidekick in her whole life story and learning to become the main character and how to take up that space.
Thanks to netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review
Howeevrrrrr, I don’t usually enjoy reading alternate reality type of plots, especially when they aren’t like a real multiverse situation but like truly fictional alternate realities. But this was the best version I’ve ever read in that type of genre? Trope? Literary device? Whatever it is.
Watching Lou and Tom fall in love while still holding respect and space for his grief and prior relationship was really beautiful and I thought it was extremely well done. And I loved Lou’s character. And I liked the idea of her being a sidekick in her whole life story and learning to become the main character and how to take up that space.
Thanks to netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When you read a Laura Hankin book you know you're in the best hands - that you're going to laugh, cry and learn something about life because Laura can take a "fun and fizzy" (her words) premise and give it so many layers, meaning and depth. Lou stumbles into the real world from her romcom world where she has been the dedicated "sidekick"- taking a backseat role as the best friend.
The Sidekick has lighthearted moments and has lots of signature Laura banter, wit and in-jokes ( so many great romcom jokes) and a tender romance between widower Tom and Lou that builds beautifully.
Read if you loved A Novel Love Story and Romantic Hero but don't underestimate the wonderful Laura Hankin who takes an overdone "Enchanted" plot and gives it her own original, literary twist and her lovely observations on life that I find so moving.
The Sidekick has lighthearted moments and has lots of signature Laura banter, wit and in-jokes ( so many great romcom jokes) and a tender romance between widower Tom and Lou that builds beautifully.
Read if you loved A Novel Love Story and Romantic Hero but don't underestimate the wonderful Laura Hankin who takes an overdone "Enchanted" plot and gives it her own original, literary twist and her lovely observations on life that I find so moving.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THIS was what a girl who loves Rom-Coms needs to pick up and read. The premise of the female main character being a side character in a rom-com suddenly finding her way to real life and growing into the main lead? I adored every second of this. The romance was swoony, and the humor had me giggling.Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this release in exchange for my honest review of the work!
October 19, 2026
This was a fun read that kept me on my toes which I hadn’t expected. Lou and Tom are well written characters and they work well together as the story builds.
The first half of the book drags alittle but not even to lose my attention and the back half has twists that were surprising to me. It’s definitely a book I would reread.
Thanks NetGallery and the publisher for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
The first half of the book drags alittle but not even to lose my attention and the back half has twists that were surprising to me. It’s definitely a book I would reread.
Thanks NetGallery and the publisher for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a lovely book. It was kind and full of positivity, very uplifting. Both main characters were amazing. You cannot but root for Lou and Tom. The dialog was witty and fun. The story was moving along in perfect speed. I have never smiled so much while reading.
Honestly, this book put me in such a great mood! I feel like I’m floating!
Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing, for the arc. It has been a great honor to read this book early!
Honestly, this book put me in such a great mood! I feel like I’m floating!
Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing, for the arc. It has been a great honor to read this book early!
October 22, 2026
I absolutely love a good rom com and this did not disappoint!!! Tom was longing for her and she was kind of oblivious but this was definitely one of the cutest romcoms I’ve read in a whileeee. Thank u netgalley and berkley for the e-arc !
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October 23, 20264 stars; review to come April 2027
October 31, 2026
The Sidekick was a fun, heartwarming and beautiful rom-com! I loved seeing Lou enter the real world and I loved seeing it from her perspective. It was hilarious and set us up for a fun story! I love how Lou and Tom found each other and started working together to figure out how to get Lou back into her fictional world.
Lou's journey from being a sidekick to becoming a main character in her own story was fun and beautiful and I loved seeing her and Tom's relationship grow and develop. There were so many honest moments that were relatable and beautiful.
I loved this book from beginning to end, it was hilarious, beautiful and romantic! I need to read more from Laura Hankin ASAP!
*Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Laura Hankin for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lou's journey from being a sidekick to becoming a main character in her own story was fun and beautiful and I loved seeing her and Tom's relationship grow and develop. There were so many honest moments that were relatable and beautiful.
I loved this book from beginning to end, it was hilarious, beautiful and romantic! I need to read more from Laura Hankin ASAP!
*Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Laura Hankin for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews