Times New Romeo: A Neurotic Romance

by Georgie Cooper

Alexander Quinn has been in a rut for far too long. He hasn't had a girlfriend in years, he suffers from debilitating Acid Reflux, his first book was a total flop, and to make matters hopeless—he's a pervert harboring a secret fetish.

Spurred on by accidentally dropping his toothbrush in the toilet, routine-loving Alexander begins one semester by veering wildly off course from his usual ritual, beginning a chain reaction of events of absurd proportions.

The first absurdity? Handsome poet and ladies' man Jonathan Lynn Miller seems bizarrely insistent on becoming Alex's friend. The second? Graduate student Selena Sonner, both beautiful and talented, is Alex's biggest fan.

Ignited to change with the encouragement of Jonathan Lynn, Alex begins the harrowing journey to not only improve himself, but also win the affections of Selena, navigating the murky waters of the heart for the first time in his lonely life.

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2016

About the author

Georgie Cooper lives in Denver, Colorado and she welcomes messages from readers and non-readers alike!

Reviews

[kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly charming & hilarious & the amount of time you spend in alex quinn's head really allows you to feel sympathy for his character. The writing is very clever & there are tons of interesting quirky details ala ghost world. You should read it.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the description I expected Matthew Quick meets Larry Doyle--quick paced male POV banter and surprise situations at every turn, and I wasn't let down. You can't help but adore Alex Quinn and root for him from the very beginning. His quirks are endearing, and maybe I'm just speaking for myself, but grammar nerds turns me on. Even if it ended differently but Alex still took the same emotional journey, I'd still have loved it just as much.

I'm very much looking forward to a continuation if Georgie is up for it! But if she's not, I'll be first in line to buy her next book anyway!

[Kira Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so much love for this book--
I adored this story when I read the beginnings of it eight years ago, so I was horribly excited to see the finished version. (The cover, btw, is magnificent.)
The writing is still lovely, but I fell even harder for our hero and his self-depreciating ponderous inner voice as he makes his way through literary aspirations and love.
Times New Romeo is a Cinderella story, but in this case Alex Quinn, our hero, is transformed, not the woman--through diligence, embarrassment and the guidance of an unlikely stoner fairy godfriend--as he pursues Selena, the enigmatic heroine.
Oh, and bonus points for the giant jellyfish.

[Rosemary Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quirky, smart, and charming book. The awkward professor went through a dramatic transformation to win the heart of the alluring grad student. I enjoyed reading his thoughts and desires--specifically his fetish. I liked reading a literary love story where the hero goes through a metamorphosis in order to feel more self-confidence. Novels often depict a woman making the change and sacrificing her true self to find love. I also appreciated the hero's writer's block and finding his voice, albeit a new one. This was a great first book from the author and I wish her well.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romeo, oh, Romeo

Loved the title, and it couldn't be more apt - fits the character, the plot & the witty writing. Was totally captivated by the characters, especially protagonist Alex, the lovable loser. On one hand, the book seemed a little long - on the other, I didn't want it to end.

A fun, mindless read that won't kill brain cells because it also happens to be a bit clever, with some wonderful turns of phrase and funny twists. Recommended!

[Courtney Pankrat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the first chapter of the book and worried it would be only about a creepy guy. However, he turned out to be a really complicated and intriguing character. I liked the book a lot in the end.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as long as I didn’t think too much about how ridiculous it was.

[Chelsie Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would almost describe this as a romantic comedy with an 'ugly-duckling-turned-swan' plot (with the duckling being a dude instead of a woman), but that would be a disservice to the subtle complexities of the narrative. This is a story about learning to see yourself and everyone around you with clearer eyes. Protagonist Alexander Quinn relentlessly views himself as pathetic, a failed writer who is more a 'never-was' than a 'has-been.' When a smart and attractive graduate student turns out to be his biggest fan-girl, he must juggle his burgeoning attraction to her with his desperate worry that she's not seeing who he really is. What follows is an unconventional romance layered with black comedy, as Alex pushes himself out of his comfort zone in an effort not just to 'win the girl,' but to be a better man.

One of the most delightful things about this book is its ensemble of quirky, eccentric characters, and it's keen, minute observations of human behavior. Even a hobo on a bench, offering Alex unsolicited advice, is etched in my memory as both larger-than-life and hilariously real. Selena, the romantic interest, isn't just an object to be won, but a real, complex person with issues of her own. My favorite character of all, though, is Jonathan Lynn Miller, the poet who at first seems like a narcissistic douche-bro, but takes on the unexpected role of fairy-godmother, equipping Alex with the confidence and tools to better himself. The prose itself is as lively as the characters, and the occasional, colorful word choice adds authenticity to Alex's voice.

If you're a people-watcher with a taste for the slightly off-beat and unconventional, then you should be first in line to buy this book; it's a treasure.