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The Rom-Com Agenda
You know how the story's supposed to go... but love makes its own plans.
STEP 1: Find yourself
Leah Keegan is used to being alone, especially after taking care of her sick foster mother for the past year. But now there’s nothing keeping her in the sweet town of Willow Cove. It’s time to move on. Again.
STEP 2: Win back the one who got away
Eli Masterson thought he and Victoria were meant to be together until she decided to jet off to Rome for a year. Eli is determined to win her back. But how?
STEP 3: Become a romantic hero
Changing Eli’s physical appearance is easy, but to turn Eli into the sophisticated-yet-vulnerable ideal man, his girl pals force him to watch classic rom-coms. And take notes.
STEP 4: Fall in love?
Inadvertently drawn into the makeover scheme, Leah ends up being Eli’s guide through the wild world of meet-cutes and grand gestures. Even though she believes Eli doesn’t need to change a thing about himself. Even though she just might be falling for Eli . . . and Eli falling for her.
STEP 1: Find yourself
Leah Keegan is used to being alone, especially after taking care of her sick foster mother for the past year. But now there’s nothing keeping her in the sweet town of Willow Cove. It’s time to move on. Again.
STEP 2: Win back the one who got away
Eli Masterson thought he and Victoria were meant to be together until she decided to jet off to Rome for a year. Eli is determined to win her back. But how?
STEP 3: Become a romantic hero
Changing Eli’s physical appearance is easy, but to turn Eli into the sophisticated-yet-vulnerable ideal man, his girl pals force him to watch classic rom-coms. And take notes.
STEP 4: Fall in love?
Inadvertently drawn into the makeover scheme, Leah ends up being Eli’s guide through the wild world of meet-cutes and grand gestures. Even though she believes Eli doesn’t need to change a thing about himself. Even though she just might be falling for Eli . . . and Eli falling for her.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2023
145 people are currently reading
21888 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Denker
11 books255 followersJayne Denker is the author of closed-door, low-spice romantic comedies. When she's not hard at work on another novel (or, rather, when she should be hard at work on another novel), she can usually be found frittering away stupid amounts of time on social media. Check in with her on Facebook (“Jayne Denker Author”), Twitter (@JDenkerAuthor), Instagram (@JayneDenkerAuthor), or her blog, jaynedenker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,149 reviews
February 1, 2023
super cute concept but kind of lackluster execution. i think my main issue was with eli and his friends/family lol. leah, the heroine was really sweet and dealing with a lot. but so much emphasis was placed on helping eli get his ex back. i didn't understand why his friends/fam couldn't give him some tough love and say "hey dude, get over it."
i think it would have been cool if he was trying to do some work on himself just for the sake of being a good partner. rather than trying to win back an ex. would have made the transition of being intent on winning ex back to being head over heels for the heroine a little easier to accept.
not bad at all, just not perfect for me. would be interested to read more from this author in the future. i think she could write a really good emotional romance a la Abby Jimenez
i think it would have been cool if he was trying to do some work on himself just for the sake of being a good partner. rather than trying to win back an ex. would have made the transition of being intent on winning ex back to being head over heels for the heroine a little easier to accept.
not bad at all, just not perfect for me. would be interested to read more from this author in the future. i think she could write a really good emotional romance a la Abby Jimenez
January 7, 2023
4⭐for Leah ~ 2⭐ for Eli = 3⭐ total
Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, foster care, found family, slow burn, friends to lovers, no steamage
Leah & Eli
I really liked Leah as a person. She had a great heart, but I felt she invested way too much time waiting around for Eli.
Eli coulda went for a crack upside his noggin about the whole Victoria thing ~ how could he not see what was going on ~ get a clue, dude.
Foster brother, Patrick, was a tool too.
Overall, this was alright, but I would have liked it much better if Eli got his act together way sooner. I did enjoy all the references that brought me back to the good ole times in the 80's & 90's.
I was fortunate enough to have an audio and ebook to review, but preferred the ebook on this one.
It's narrated by Erika Schindele for 10 hours and 55 minutes. Although she did a fine job I really wish there was a male narrator, so that's why e-book was better.
*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press ~ Griffin, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, foster care, found family, slow burn, friends to lovers, no steamage
Leah & Eli
I really liked Leah as a person. She had a great heart, but I felt she invested way too much time waiting around for Eli.
Eli coulda went for a crack upside his noggin about the whole Victoria thing ~ how could he not see what was going on ~ get a clue, dude.
Foster brother, Patrick, was a tool too.
Overall, this was alright, but I would have liked it much better if Eli got his act together way sooner. I did enjoy all the references that brought me back to the good ole times in the 80's & 90's.
I was fortunate enough to have an audio and ebook to review, but preferred the ebook on this one.
It's narrated by Erika Schindele for 10 hours and 55 minutes. Although she did a fine job I really wish there was a male narrator, so that's why e-book was better.
*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press ~ Griffin, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
May 13, 2023
I absolutely LOVED Leah. Eli’s obsession with Victoria was sorta cringe like I get he’s upset and heartbroken but babe you gotta accept what happened at some point. Also Victoria is giving very much pick me ick energy. 3/4 stars are for my girl Leah. She really carried the book & I love her. Also some of the jokes in this book actually had me laughing, this was a true rom com book. I liked it! Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 5, 2022
This book has the found family and friends to lovers tropes. As a rom com lover, I knew that I had to read this book as soon as I read that the hero gets a rom com makeover. I really enjoyed the author’s writing, the many discussions about all of my favourite 80s and 90s rom coms, and the meddling side characters who stole the show.
What really didn’t work for me was the fact that the hero spent the majority of the book pining over his ex girlfriend. When we met Eli, the heroine, Leah, overheard his failed marriage proposal and subsequent breakup. After months of wallowing, Eli’s friends and family decide that Eli needs a makeover to win his ex back and Leah gets looped into helping. Leah and Eli were so clearly perfect for one another but Eli just couldn’t let his ex go and for me, that tainted their budding relationship.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I’m excited to read more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars
What really didn’t work for me was the fact that the hero spent the majority of the book pining over his ex girlfriend. When we met Eli, the heroine, Leah, overheard his failed marriage proposal and subsequent breakup. After months of wallowing, Eli’s friends and family decide that Eli needs a makeover to win his ex back and Leah gets looped into helping. Leah and Eli were so clearly perfect for one another but Eli just couldn’t let his ex go and for me, that tainted their budding relationship.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I’m excited to read more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars
January 4, 2023
I enjoyed this RomCom. I'm always up for a RomCom so when I saw this I knew I just had to check it out. Some bits in the beginning made me roll my eyes and somewhat dragged, but once i pushed on it got so much better. I enjoyed the author's writing style. This book had the all-time-favorite friends to loves trope. It also had great character development, funny moments and the aww factor that we all seek. I loved the ending! The narrator did an amazing job, kept me interested.
I received this ARC audiobook from the publishers and NetGalley, to listen to and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to the audiobook.
I received this ARC audiobook from the publishers and NetGalley, to listen to and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to the audiobook.
July 29, 2022
While I did find the premise of The Rom-Com Agenda to be a little bit cliche at times, the character writing was really strong and the book has the same nostalgic appeal as many beloved early 2000's romcoms. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, cute read.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC!
January 3, 2023
The premise is cute - friends to lovers & small town romance - what more could you want?
If you’re looking for an easy, clean romance, definitely check this out!
Unfortunately for me, the pacing was off, and a lot of details were glossed over. I felt like the shift from friends to lovers was a bit off? And the end was definitely rushed and ended with several big questions out there.
This would be a good palate cleanser for someone who doesn’t like spice!
If you’re looking for an easy, clean romance, definitely check this out!
Unfortunately for me, the pacing was off, and a lot of details were glossed over. I felt like the shift from friends to lovers was a bit off? And the end was definitely rushed and ended with several big questions out there.
This would be a good palate cleanser for someone who doesn’t like spice!
November 8, 2022
Review coming soon.
January 20, 2023
I have a lot to say and none of it is good 😅
Well, no, actually, positives first:
I did like the setting, I thought Leah was great and deserved better and I thought the grief journey was done well.
That’s why technically, I gave it 1,5 stars.
Sadly the negatives outweigh the positives by A LOT.
There will be some mild story spoilers but most of them are mentioned or foreshadowed in the synopsis.
First of all, in the first chapter, Eli, the MMC, proposes to his girlfriend of 4 months, Victoria, who is about to move to Rome for 10 months. She turns him down because she didn’t realize the relationship was this serious to him, and also because she felt like he was mostly proposing so she wouldn’t cheat on him and certainly come back.
Fair, right? They’re very different people, she doesn’t feel the same for him, and she’s moving away. Right choice, isn’t it?
Well, Eli doesn’t think so. 5 months later, he’s still hung up on her, and wants to win her back. Cause you know… we can’t just respect a woman’s decision, right? Nevermind the fact that they haven’t had much contact and she hasn’t responded much.
Now, what’s the sensible thing for a 31 y.o. man to do? Move on? Let her go? Accept that they weren’t meant for each other?
No, of course not! He is going to change his appearance and entire personality so that he’s her dream man and then they’ll get back together and get married and live a happy ever after 🥰
Now personally, if my friend told me this, I’d be like… wtf dude, let her go, if you need to change everything about yourself to be with this person, they’re not the one for you.
Not his friends though, they are all eager to help him get his makeover. They’re also trash talking the ex because how dare she turn down the proposal even though they clearly weren’t righ for each other????
It’s this bizarre situation where they all know that he should just leave it be, but still help him win her back because he’s sad???
They’re all in their 30s, this is not adult behavior!!!!
Anyway, the FMC ends up joining the makeover team, they get along really well and slowly end up falling in love. Meanwhile, they both “know” that he’ll end up with Victoria because well, that’s what they’re doing all of this for.
Spoilers ahead, but all this goes on forever, and ~70% into the book, he talks to Victoria and she tells him she’s with a new guy. And guess what, despite running after her for MONTHS, being completely blind to the truth and being so convinced they’d end up together, as soon as he learns that she’s with someone else, he’s like ‘oh, actually Victoria is kinda cold and not what I want, better let her go’. BECAUSE OF COURSE A NO MEANS NOTHING WHEN IT’S COMING FROM HER, BUT WHEN ANOTHER MAN IS INVOLVED, SUDDENLY SHE’S OFF LIMITS.
Seriously what the hell. And of course then he realizes that he’s in love with the FMC and runs to her and they’re happy bla bla bla.
Talk about anticlimactic, this was so bad 😭
Seriously, Leah deserved so much better than this douchebag who couldn’t appreciate her and their budding friendship and romance.
The FMC has been in foster care since she was 10 years old, because her mother has bipolar and couldn’t take care of herself. I’m sorry, why did the author think it was okay to make this the backstory of her foster care situation? Why do we need to feed into toxic and dangerous stereotypes of a mental disorder that is already being stigmatized so much? This is not okay and especially since it didn’t have much impact on the story just shouldn’t be there.
At one point the FMC also mentions that while her foster mom was kind of a cold person, it was still ‘better than dealing with her mom’, which is just very very icky.
Anyway, TL;DR: If you’d love to read a book where the MMC is obsessed with his ex for most of the book instead of being a decent person towards the FMC, this is the book for you.
I hated it and wouldn’t recommend to anyone.
Well, no, actually, positives first:
I did like the setting, I thought Leah was great and deserved better and I thought the grief journey was done well.
That’s why technically, I gave it 1,5 stars.
Sadly the negatives outweigh the positives by A LOT.
There will be some mild story spoilers but most of them are mentioned or foreshadowed in the synopsis.
First of all, in the first chapter, Eli, the MMC, proposes to his girlfriend of 4 months, Victoria, who is about to move to Rome for 10 months. She turns him down because she didn’t realize the relationship was this serious to him, and also because she felt like he was mostly proposing so she wouldn’t cheat on him and certainly come back.
Fair, right? They’re very different people, she doesn’t feel the same for him, and she’s moving away. Right choice, isn’t it?
Well, Eli doesn’t think so. 5 months later, he’s still hung up on her, and wants to win her back. Cause you know… we can’t just respect a woman’s decision, right? Nevermind the fact that they haven’t had much contact and she hasn’t responded much.
Now, what’s the sensible thing for a 31 y.o. man to do? Move on? Let her go? Accept that they weren’t meant for each other?
No, of course not! He is going to change his appearance and entire personality so that he’s her dream man and then they’ll get back together and get married and live a happy ever after 🥰
Now personally, if my friend told me this, I’d be like… wtf dude, let her go, if you need to change everything about yourself to be with this person, they’re not the one for you.
Not his friends though, they are all eager to help him get his makeover. They’re also trash talking the ex because how dare she turn down the proposal even though they clearly weren’t righ for each other????
It’s this bizarre situation where they all know that he should just leave it be, but still help him win her back because he’s sad???
They’re all in their 30s, this is not adult behavior!!!!
Anyway, the FMC ends up joining the makeover team, they get along really well and slowly end up falling in love. Meanwhile, they both “know” that he’ll end up with Victoria because well, that’s what they’re doing all of this for.
Spoilers ahead, but all this goes on forever, and ~70% into the book, he talks to Victoria and she tells him she’s with a new guy. And guess what, despite running after her for MONTHS, being completely blind to the truth and being so convinced they’d end up together, as soon as he learns that she’s with someone else, he’s like ‘oh, actually Victoria is kinda cold and not what I want, better let her go’. BECAUSE OF COURSE A NO MEANS NOTHING WHEN IT’S COMING FROM HER, BUT WHEN ANOTHER MAN IS INVOLVED, SUDDENLY SHE’S OFF LIMITS.
Seriously what the hell. And of course then he realizes that he’s in love with the FMC and runs to her and they’re happy bla bla bla.
Talk about anticlimactic, this was so bad 😭
Seriously, Leah deserved so much better than this douchebag who couldn’t appreciate her and their budding friendship and romance.
The FMC has been in foster care since she was 10 years old, because her mother has bipolar and couldn’t take care of herself. I’m sorry, why did the author think it was okay to make this the backstory of her foster care situation? Why do we need to feed into toxic and dangerous stereotypes of a mental disorder that is already being stigmatized so much? This is not okay and especially since it didn’t have much impact on the story just shouldn’t be there.
At one point the FMC also mentions that while her foster mom was kind of a cold person, it was still ‘better than dealing with her mom’, which is just very very icky.
Anyway, TL;DR: If you’d love to read a book where the MMC is obsessed with his ex for most of the book instead of being a decent person towards the FMC, this is the book for you.
I hated it and wouldn’t recommend to anyone.
January 5, 2023
This had a cute concept, I especially liked that Eli was the one getting a makeover and part of the process included him watching classic rom com movies from the 80s and 90s. Leah was a really likable character with an interesting backstory but Eli really annoyed me. He spent most of the book pining over his ex girlfriend and it was just too much for too long for me. But I did enjoy the themes of found family and friends to lovers even if it took waaayyyyy too long for Eli to stop being an idiot. I listened to this one and thought Erika Schindele was a fantastic narrator and probably helped my irritation with the hero come down a notch. I’m going with 3.25/5 here, I usually don’t do quarter stars but it’s what I’m feeling here.
July 13, 2022
3.5 stars
I love romcoms and I’m glad to report that this one was fun! Leah and Eli slow burn romance kept me rooting for them to get together sinvce beginning. I’d like to see this book turned to series or as a movie!
If you’re looking for a fun rom-com to make you smile — read this. This istotally engaging and so enjoyable. I easily devoured this in one sitting.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love romcoms and I’m glad to report that this one was fun! Leah and Eli slow burn romance kept me rooting for them to get together sinvce beginning. I’d like to see this book turned to series or as a movie!
If you’re looking for a fun rom-com to make you smile — read this. This istotally engaging and so enjoyable. I easily devoured this in one sitting.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2023
Uplifting, charming, and cute!
The Rom-Com Agenda is a heartwarming, comical tale that takes you to the idyllic town of Willow Cove, New York and into the life of the hardworking, kind Leah Keegan as she grieves the loss of her foster mom, struggles to make ends meet, continually plans for when she can finally afford to move away and start a new life, inadvertently befriends a group of locals who take her under their wing, and tries to hide a growing attraction for a man who, unfortunately, longs to marry another.
The writing is witty and light. The characters are sweet, friendly, and endearing. And the plot is an amusing blend of life, love, introspection, friendship, family, embarrassing moments, awkward situations, misunderstandings, undeniable attraction, and taking chances.
Overall, The Rom-Com Agenda is a humorous, charming, engaging read by Denker that pays homage to all the greatest rom-coms and does a lovely job of mixing some tender moments with some lighthearted fun.
Thank you to SMP Romance – St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Rom-Com Agenda is a heartwarming, comical tale that takes you to the idyllic town of Willow Cove, New York and into the life of the hardworking, kind Leah Keegan as she grieves the loss of her foster mom, struggles to make ends meet, continually plans for when she can finally afford to move away and start a new life, inadvertently befriends a group of locals who take her under their wing, and tries to hide a growing attraction for a man who, unfortunately, longs to marry another.
The writing is witty and light. The characters are sweet, friendly, and endearing. And the plot is an amusing blend of life, love, introspection, friendship, family, embarrassing moments, awkward situations, misunderstandings, undeniable attraction, and taking chances.
Overall, The Rom-Com Agenda is a humorous, charming, engaging read by Denker that pays homage to all the greatest rom-coms and does a lovely job of mixing some tender moments with some lighthearted fun.
Thank you to SMP Romance – St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2023
It's 2023, let's stop vilifying bipolar women pls + ty.
gave-up-on
July 29, 2022I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a chance at reading / attempting to read this book.
This book is absolutely cringe-inducing. These people are supposed to be in their 30's and they come across like they just got out of High School. I was willing to suspend belief of girls modeling a man off famous rom com films, giving him a makeover, and getting him to win back a lost love... but HIM?
I was getting intense creepy vibes from this guy. His girlfriend broke up with him after a couple months. On top of that, he becomes so heartbroken over this ending that he gains weight, stops caring about his image, and even seems to adapt depression. His friends then decide to prop him up and help him try to 'win her back'... why? He is a whiny, man-child who appears to be obsessed over her like this was his only girlfriend and he has never been dumped before.
Which makes the entire story of making him over and having him watch romantic comedies to win her back absolutely cringe inducing because after slogging through the 30% of the book I got through, I would not want them to hook up again. This guy needs a therapist and or a self-help coach to get over his emotional attachment to a girl he hardly knew and wanted to settle down with asap. She left you, let it go. But he mopes about it for a year. We know nothing about her or if she was a good person, he is also constantly messaging her and at one point his friends ask if she messages back - twice. Only twice, but he doesn't want to come off strong / dependent. Dude. You are. You are literally showing that by the countless texts.
Then, the friends aren't all that great. A 30 year old man should be looking towards his friends for advice (in which they would hopefully refer him to a therapist or a self-help coach), but no, they come up with this ridiculous idea of having him follow through the notion of watching all sorts of movies with romantic leads. (At one point, one of the movies on the list is Labyrinth! WHILE DAVID BOWIE IS HOT IN THE FILM, Jareth IS portrayed as a villain in the film and not to be idolized and or modeled after... )
Do you see? Why should adults, especially adults with lives in their 30's, do things like this which read off at a teenage level.
I couldn't bother to continue this book and will be DNF'ing it.
This book is absolutely cringe-inducing. These people are supposed to be in their 30's and they come across like they just got out of High School. I was willing to suspend belief of girls modeling a man off famous rom com films, giving him a makeover, and getting him to win back a lost love... but HIM?
I was getting intense creepy vibes from this guy. His girlfriend broke up with him after a couple months. On top of that, he becomes so heartbroken over this ending that he gains weight, stops caring about his image, and even seems to adapt depression. His friends then decide to prop him up and help him try to 'win her back'... why? He is a whiny, man-child who appears to be obsessed over her like this was his only girlfriend and he has never been dumped before.
Which makes the entire story of making him over and having him watch romantic comedies to win her back absolutely cringe inducing because after slogging through the 30% of the book I got through, I would not want them to hook up again. This guy needs a therapist and or a self-help coach to get over his emotional attachment to a girl he hardly knew and wanted to settle down with asap. She left you, let it go. But he mopes about it for a year. We know nothing about her or if she was a good person, he is also constantly messaging her and at one point his friends ask if she messages back - twice. Only twice, but he doesn't want to come off strong / dependent. Dude. You are. You are literally showing that by the countless texts.
Then, the friends aren't all that great. A 30 year old man should be looking towards his friends for advice (in which they would hopefully refer him to a therapist or a self-help coach), but no, they come up with this ridiculous idea of having him follow through the notion of watching all sorts of movies with romantic leads. (At one point, one of the movies on the list is Labyrinth! WHILE DAVID BOWIE IS HOT IN THE FILM, Jareth IS portrayed as a villain in the film and not to be idolized and or modeled after... )
Do you see? Why should adults, especially adults with lives in their 30's, do things like this which read off at a teenage level.
I couldn't bother to continue this book and will be DNF'ing it.
October 20, 2022
A friends to lovers, slow burn romcom with a cozy feel. I felt for Eli, cheered for him to come to his senses quickly, and enjoyed the banter among his sisters and best friend. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review. 3.5 stars rounded up
December 23, 2022
Three and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Denker is a charming romantic comedy with a friends-to-lovers trope.
Story Recap:
Leah Keegan has spent the past year nursing her foster mother with a terminal illness. Now that she’s passed, Leah is working several jobs to save up enough money in order to be able to leave town.
Eli Masterson always believed that Victoria is the woman for him. But, when she leaves to spend a year in Rome, he is determined to win her back. His sister and her friends enlist Leah to help them transform Eli into the man for Victoria. Leah thinks Eli is fine as he is but helps him anyway.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this sweet romance and all the rom-com movie references. I liked the Gilmore Girl references too. Eli nicknamed Leah, Kirk because she has so many jobs and seems to be everywhere at once, just like Kirk from The Gilmore Girls. I liked Eli’s sister and friends and how they rallied around him to help him, and how they pulled Leah into their group. And I liked Leah, she spent an entire year helping her foster mother, who wasn’t particularly good to her,
What didn’t work for me was Eli. His single-minded determination to win over Victoria’s heart was tiring. She made it clear that she wasn’t interested in him, but he still insisted they could work out as a couple. And his willingness to change himself in order to please her was just a bit too much for me.
I did like that Eli’s ex, Victoria wasn’t an awful person. I liked that she knew she wouldn’t fall in love with Eli and she tried to let him know that they were not meant to be. It was Eli, who couldn’t handle the rejection. Overall, this was a fun and light book that I enjoyed.
Recommendation:
I recommend The Rom-Com Agenda to anyone who likes romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Denker is a charming romantic comedy with a friends-to-lovers trope.
Story Recap:
Leah Keegan has spent the past year nursing her foster mother with a terminal illness. Now that she’s passed, Leah is working several jobs to save up enough money in order to be able to leave town.
Eli Masterson always believed that Victoria is the woman for him. But, when she leaves to spend a year in Rome, he is determined to win her back. His sister and her friends enlist Leah to help them transform Eli into the man for Victoria. Leah thinks Eli is fine as he is but helps him anyway.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this sweet romance and all the rom-com movie references. I liked the Gilmore Girl references too. Eli nicknamed Leah, Kirk because she has so many jobs and seems to be everywhere at once, just like Kirk from The Gilmore Girls. I liked Eli’s sister and friends and how they rallied around him to help him, and how they pulled Leah into their group. And I liked Leah, she spent an entire year helping her foster mother, who wasn’t particularly good to her,
What didn’t work for me was Eli. His single-minded determination to win over Victoria’s heart was tiring. She made it clear that she wasn’t interested in him, but he still insisted they could work out as a couple. And his willingness to change himself in order to please her was just a bit too much for me.
I did like that Eli’s ex, Victoria wasn’t an awful person. I liked that she knew she wouldn’t fall in love with Eli and she tried to let him know that they were not meant to be. It was Eli, who couldn’t handle the rejection. Overall, this was a fun and light book that I enjoyed.
Recommendation:
I recommend The Rom-Com Agenda to anyone who likes romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 2, 2023
The Rom-Com Agenda a great novel to end 2022 with. It was a cute and sweet rom-com. I liked all the characters (except one, of course) and loved how Eli's family and friends invited Leah into their circle. The town had a Schitt's Creek feel and the names of the stores were so clever. The descriptions really brought people and places to life. I could even feel the cold winter air.
There was a lot of humor, along with many sweet and romantic moments. I was expecting it to be predictable due to the nature of the genre, but there were some surprises too. I enjoyed all the movie references, of course. My only concern is that the ending felt anti-climactic and there wasn't much of a dramatic build-up to it either. That didn't detract from my overall enjoyment though.
This novel was fun, easygoing, and entertaining. I would love another story featuring other characters from this one, such as Delia and Gray, Jenna and Ben, or Gillian. It would even be interesting to read one about Victoria.
Movie casting suggestions:
There was a lot of humor, along with many sweet and romantic moments. I was expecting it to be predictable due to the nature of the genre, but there were some surprises too. I enjoyed all the movie references, of course. My only concern is that the ending felt anti-climactic and there wasn't much of a dramatic build-up to it either. That didn't detract from my overall enjoyment though.
This novel was fun, easygoing, and entertaining. I would love another story featuring other characters from this one, such as Delia and Gray, Jenna and Ben, or Gillian. It would even be interesting to read one about Victoria.
Movie casting suggestions:
Leah: Katie Stevens
Eli: David Corenswet
Jenna: Allison Williams
Ben: Kendrick Sampson
Gray: Dan Amboyer
Gillian: Tamsin Egerton
Delia: Olivia Luccardi
Victoria: Miranda Cosgrove
January 4, 2023
It was ok/cute.
I don’t mean this in a negative way, I only mean that it isn’t mind blowing. I really liked the characters and the premise was intriguing but as far as story goes, I feel like it fell a little flat.
Leah is such a likable character. She is kind, works hard, and has a different background having been raised in the foster system. While this is used in the story, I feel like there was a lot of potential that was left behind.
Eli is also easy alike, but you want shake for being stupid when it comes to what is in front of him. They work well together, and the chemistry is great, however, I feel like the end fell flat. There was nothing that pulls them apart or brings them back together, as you would expect. The end just… fizzles ok.
Made for a good audio book and I liked the narrator.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are mine alone.
I don’t mean this in a negative way, I only mean that it isn’t mind blowing. I really liked the characters and the premise was intriguing but as far as story goes, I feel like it fell a little flat.
Leah is such a likable character. She is kind, works hard, and has a different background having been raised in the foster system. While this is used in the story, I feel like there was a lot of potential that was left behind.
Eli is also easy alike, but you want shake for being stupid when it comes to what is in front of him. They work well together, and the chemistry is great, however, I feel like the end fell flat. There was nothing that pulls them apart or brings them back together, as you would expect. The end just… fizzles ok.
Made for a good audio book and I liked the narrator.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are mine alone.
February 2, 2024
*2.5 stars - In no world would I have waited as long as Leah did for Eli to get over his ex... did I mention he was only with her for 4 months?... and immediately jump into a relationship with him once he (after 300 loooong, wordyyyy pages) finally admitted he wasn't meant to be with her. I wanted so badly to like these characters, and I didn't hate them, but this was more frustrating than enjoyable at the end of the day. It was between an okay and a good book for me. If there would have been 150 less pages and more character development, I would have enjoyed it. I do appreciate that this is a closed door, low-spice romance. But the slow burn was slug slow and much was left to be desired.
August 7, 2022
thank you netgalley & st martin's for the eARC of this book!
2.5 stars, rounded down.
this read was definitely a very fun one, but that's kinda all that it was. while the premise is so cute and i love the whole idea of a book about a character following a rom com cliche, so much of it just fell flat to me.
the pacing wasn't very well done. i feel like the author tried to do some sort of slow burn but ended up retracting as she wrote and it resulted in this off-pace romance. the male mc spends literally 80% of a book hung up on a character you see for two chapters whilst also saying he finds the female mc beautiful and funny and to me it was just very weird. i didn't particular like the male mc, if we're being honest–he was written very weirdly to me and i just... nope
the sideplots were also very off to me–from his whole passion projects plot and her struggle with her foster family i feel like those things did not mesh the way that they should have and it just didn't work.
all in all this one was a swing and a miss. i loved the friends to lovers aspect and i think the side characters were fun (there were too many tbh–i honestly got confused between them constantly) but it all just fell flat. don't even get me started on the random woke buzz words integrated through the text that we're just supposed to believe people use during every day dialogue.
2.5 stars, rounded down.
this read was definitely a very fun one, but that's kinda all that it was. while the premise is so cute and i love the whole idea of a book about a character following a rom com cliche, so much of it just fell flat to me.
the pacing wasn't very well done. i feel like the author tried to do some sort of slow burn but ended up retracting as she wrote and it resulted in this off-pace romance. the male mc spends literally 80% of a book hung up on a character you see for two chapters whilst also saying he finds the female mc beautiful and funny and to me it was just very weird. i didn't particular like the male mc, if we're being honest–he was written very weirdly to me and i just... nope
the sideplots were also very off to me–from his whole passion projects plot and her struggle with her foster family i feel like those things did not mesh the way that they should have and it just didn't work.
all in all this one was a swing and a miss. i loved the friends to lovers aspect and i think the side characters were fun (there were too many tbh–i honestly got confused between them constantly) but it all just fell flat. don't even get me started on the random woke buzz words integrated through the text that we're just supposed to believe people use during every day dialogue.
September 10, 2023
V cute concept v lack lustre execution
February 13, 2023
After making my way through the Harry Potter books, I needed something different and figured The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Denker would give me exactly what I needed. It definitely did that and more, and there are so many things to love about this super sweet (as the name implies) rom-com. Not only did I love the humor and basically all of the characters, but I loved the substance as well and the fact that Leah was in the foster system. Although I was ultimately placed with my aunt and uncle, I also had a foster family and could understand to a certain extent how she felt. Eli was the most adorable love interest, and his family was the best. I loved the ongoing banter between all of the characters, and that it was in all of the relationships, not just the one blossoming between Leah and Eli.
Although there is a male and female viewpoint, the audiobook is narrated solely by Erika Schindele. I do wish they would have had a separate narrator for Eli, but I enjoyed listening to Schindele all the same. She was a pleasure to listen to and I thought she was perfect to be the voice of Leah. Her narration was smooth and emotive, and I would gladly listen to her again. I also appreciated that she didn't try to do a different tone of voice for the men because I feel like unless you are REALLY good at that, your own voice is always best. This one did get a little emotional and I was so happy that Denker didn't pull the miscommunication trope into the story. If you are a rom-com fan, The Rom-Com Agenda is the perfect book to grab for Valentine's Day!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Although there is a male and female viewpoint, the audiobook is narrated solely by Erika Schindele. I do wish they would have had a separate narrator for Eli, but I enjoyed listening to Schindele all the same. She was a pleasure to listen to and I thought she was perfect to be the voice of Leah. Her narration was smooth and emotive, and I would gladly listen to her again. I also appreciated that she didn't try to do a different tone of voice for the men because I feel like unless you are REALLY good at that, your own voice is always best. This one did get a little emotional and I was so happy that Denker didn't pull the miscommunication trope into the story. If you are a rom-com fan, The Rom-Com Agenda is the perfect book to grab for Valentine's Day!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 15, 2024
-4.25
this was such an expected fun and cute read !! it happens much to often that I buy or get sent a book, and then wait months to read it, and once I do it becomes a favourite, and this is just another book to add to the list. from the beginning, I knew this book would be interesting and I would need to 'trust the process' because it starts by the fmc seeing the mmc propose to his girlfriend and her say no. they then meet months later while he's in the midst of doing a full makeover to win back the same girl he proposed to and she just falls in with his friends seamlessly.
I enjoyed both of these character so much, they each had elements that was so relatable but also unique to them that they were so easy to root for. They strangers-to-friends-to-lovers is my favourite variation of the friends to lovers trope because I am not someone who loves slow burn, but fast-burn can sometimes not be very realistic, so the medium burn of this trope is just perfect for me. I loved the heavy emphasis of chosen family and I felt like the fears of each character were resolved in the end in a way that felt comforting.
my biggest issue with this book, and the thing that held it back the most, was how the big a role his ex played in the story. I'm all for their story starting him having proposing to her, but the fact he continuously mentions her throughout the story, that he refuses to see how she wasn't a good person to him, but most importantly that he goes to her in that whole airport scene ... that scene was so unnecessary like genuinely it advanced the story is absolutely no way and it wasn't a conclusion I felt was needed to the story at all. I would have been happy with a instagram story about her being engaged rather then spending several pages seeing it unfold. I love how the mmc reassured the fmc about the fact he didn't care about the ex anymore, and that should have been the end, she didn't need to reappear in the story after that.
other then that, such a cute little read that mentions so many fan favourite romcoms and its worth the time !!
this was such an expected fun and cute read !! it happens much to often that I buy or get sent a book, and then wait months to read it, and once I do it becomes a favourite, and this is just another book to add to the list. from the beginning, I knew this book would be interesting and I would need to 'trust the process' because it starts by the fmc seeing the mmc propose to his girlfriend and her say no. they then meet months later while he's in the midst of doing a full makeover to win back the same girl he proposed to and she just falls in with his friends seamlessly.
I enjoyed both of these character so much, they each had elements that was so relatable but also unique to them that they were so easy to root for. They strangers-to-friends-to-lovers is my favourite variation of the friends to lovers trope because I am not someone who loves slow burn, but fast-burn can sometimes not be very realistic, so the medium burn of this trope is just perfect for me. I loved the heavy emphasis of chosen family and I felt like the fears of each character were resolved in the end in a way that felt comforting.
my biggest issue with this book, and the thing that held it back the most, was how the big a role his ex played in the story. I'm all for their story starting him having proposing to her, but the fact he continuously mentions her throughout the story, that he refuses to see how she wasn't a good person to him, but most importantly that he goes to her in that whole airport scene ... that scene was so unnecessary like genuinely it advanced the story is absolutely no way and it wasn't a conclusion I felt was needed to the story at all. I would have been happy with a instagram story about her being engaged rather then spending several pages seeing it unfold. I love how the mmc reassured the fmc about the fact he didn't care about the ex anymore, and that should have been the end, she didn't need to reappear in the story after that.
other then that, such a cute little read that mentions so many fan favourite romcoms and its worth the time !!
November 26, 2022
*** I received this ARC from NetGalley ***
I was extremely interested in this book from the description and it was absolutely adorable. It did have a bit of a slow start, but I think once the story fully took off, I found myself cackling multiple times and swooning at the sweet moments between the main characters. Definitely recommend and excited to see more from this author!
I was extremely interested in this book from the description and it was absolutely adorable. It did have a bit of a slow start, but I think once the story fully took off, I found myself cackling multiple times and swooning at the sweet moments between the main characters. Definitely recommend and excited to see more from this author!
August 19, 2022
3 Stars
"What's... what's the movie where the guy is so stupid and so blind he doesn't see the best thing that's ever happened to him is the woman who's been right in front of him the whole time?"
Eli Masterson gets his heart squashed over a broken engagement. To cheer him up and give him dating pointers, his family and friends give him a complete makeover: hair, clothes, and you guess it rom com movies to try to win back the woman that broke his heart. Grand gestures, anyone? Being in foster care, Leah Keegan always grew up alone. After the death of her foster mother, Leah vowed to save all she could and never return. Pinching pennies, she gets a job cleaning houses and stumbles upon Eli's house and becomes his rom com movie guide... and much more.
Deeply rooted in pop culture, this book is a nostalgia read for the '80s and '90s babies with quotes from Gilmore Girls, Say Anything, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, and even James Bond. There are no sex scenes and only two kissing scenes. Eli and Leah are cute together but I read books for steamy scenes and this didn't do it... I mostly stayed for reliving pop culture moments of my childhood.
Thanks to Netgalley and it's publisher for a free copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review.
"What's... what's the movie where the guy is so stupid and so blind he doesn't see the best thing that's ever happened to him is the woman who's been right in front of him the whole time?"
Eli Masterson gets his heart squashed over a broken engagement. To cheer him up and give him dating pointers, his family and friends give him a complete makeover: hair, clothes, and you guess it rom com movies to try to win back the woman that broke his heart. Grand gestures, anyone? Being in foster care, Leah Keegan always grew up alone. After the death of her foster mother, Leah vowed to save all she could and never return. Pinching pennies, she gets a job cleaning houses and stumbles upon Eli's house and becomes his rom com movie guide... and much more.
Deeply rooted in pop culture, this book is a nostalgia read for the '80s and '90s babies with quotes from Gilmore Girls, Say Anything, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, and even James Bond. There are no sex scenes and only two kissing scenes. Eli and Leah are cute together but I read books for steamy scenes and this didn't do it... I mostly stayed for reliving pop culture moments of my childhood.
Thanks to Netgalley and it's publisher for a free copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review.
December 26, 2023
An absolute junk food read but I like what I like and I wont apologize for that. Though I think if I took a shot for every time then mentioned Leah being “tiny”, I would need my stomach pumped like thrice over.
February 7, 2023
This was a fun slow burn, friends-to- lovers story, and I enjoyed it. I both read and listened as an audio, provided by Macmillan Audio.
*many thanks to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review
*many thanks to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review
February 6, 2023
The Rom-Com Agenda
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Rom-Com
Format: Kindle eBook and Audiobook
Date Published: 1/10/23
Author: Jayne Denker
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press and Dreamscape Media
GR: 3.49
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: The premise was so cute in this book. While I believe the narrator was fantastic, I would loved to have seen a separate voice for Eli, I think it would have made the audiobook even better. This follows a friends to lovers trope, which is one of favorite type of tropes. The book opens with Eli’s break-up and he spends a good amount of time in self wallow and then his friends try to help him make self-improvements in an effort to win Victoria back. Leah just lost her foster mother, after taking care of her for a longtime, and is trying to find herself. Leah finds a family of friends, helps Eli self-improve, and along the way finds the family she has been yearning for.
This was a dual narrated story in third person POV by Leah and Eli. Leah was independent and had a good heart but lacked confidence. Leah had a lot of self growth during the story and really was able to stand in her truth, I love seeing this type of self-discovery in a story. Eli was stuck on his prior breakup and all of the self-improvement was oriented towards winning Victoria back, which I did not care for. If you want to self-improve after a break-up, then that should be the end game. The supporting character Patrick, was an idiot, and played his part well. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and were just adorable, for the most part. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, fun, crisp, and kept me engaged.
Overall, this was a cute and fun book. This is the perfect light read for a beach day. I adored the 80’s and 90’s references and it brought up some fond memories for myself. I had the amazing pleasure of having both the ebook and audiobook. I preferred the audiobook for this one. Devoured it in under 48 hours. My con for this book was too much time was spent on the ex, I wished that would have been a little less and little more on Leah and Eli’s budding relationship. However, having said that, I still believe this is a cute rom-com. I would recommend picking it up, it is worth the read/listen.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Rom-Com
Format: Kindle eBook and Audiobook
Date Published: 1/10/23
Author: Jayne Denker
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press and Dreamscape Media
GR: 3.49
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: The premise was so cute in this book. While I believe the narrator was fantastic, I would loved to have seen a separate voice for Eli, I think it would have made the audiobook even better. This follows a friends to lovers trope, which is one of favorite type of tropes. The book opens with Eli’s break-up and he spends a good amount of time in self wallow and then his friends try to help him make self-improvements in an effort to win Victoria back. Leah just lost her foster mother, after taking care of her for a longtime, and is trying to find herself. Leah finds a family of friends, helps Eli self-improve, and along the way finds the family she has been yearning for.
This was a dual narrated story in third person POV by Leah and Eli. Leah was independent and had a good heart but lacked confidence. Leah had a lot of self growth during the story and really was able to stand in her truth, I love seeing this type of self-discovery in a story. Eli was stuck on his prior breakup and all of the self-improvement was oriented towards winning Victoria back, which I did not care for. If you want to self-improve after a break-up, then that should be the end game. The supporting character Patrick, was an idiot, and played his part well. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and were just adorable, for the most part. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, fun, crisp, and kept me engaged.
Overall, this was a cute and fun book. This is the perfect light read for a beach day. I adored the 80’s and 90’s references and it brought up some fond memories for myself. I had the amazing pleasure of having both the ebook and audiobook. I preferred the audiobook for this one. Devoured it in under 48 hours. My con for this book was too much time was spent on the ex, I wished that would have been a little less and little more on Leah and Eli’s budding relationship. However, having said that, I still believe this is a cute rom-com. I would recommend picking it up, it is worth the read/listen.
February 23, 2023
A darling novel about found family and finding real love.
Eli’s sister and friends decide he needs a makeover and romance lessons if he’s going to win back his ex, Victoria, that he’s hopelessly still pining over. When they stop in Thousand Island Dressing (a clothing boutique in their small town) they meet Leah at one of her 500 jobs (Eli charmingly refers to her as Kirk from Gilmore Girls, which I greatly appreciated).
During the transformation and education in the form of watching so many romance classics Eli and Leah become close and Leah also becomes close to his friends and family. Leah is working many odd jobs to make money to leave town, as her foster mother passed the previous year and her foster brother is more than a bit of a nightmare to deal with.
I really enjoyed the growth in Eli and Leah’s relationship and the growth within Leah as she learns to deal with her anxiety and accept that she’s part of a fiercely loving and loyal chosen family.
4 stars
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Eli’s sister and friends decide he needs a makeover and romance lessons if he’s going to win back his ex, Victoria, that he’s hopelessly still pining over. When they stop in Thousand Island Dressing (a clothing boutique in their small town) they meet Leah at one of her 500 jobs (Eli charmingly refers to her as Kirk from Gilmore Girls, which I greatly appreciated).
During the transformation and education in the form of watching so many romance classics Eli and Leah become close and Leah also becomes close to his friends and family. Leah is working many odd jobs to make money to leave town, as her foster mother passed the previous year and her foster brother is more than a bit of a nightmare to deal with.
I really enjoyed the growth in Eli and Leah’s relationship and the growth within Leah as she learns to deal with her anxiety and accept that she’s part of a fiercely loving and loyal chosen family.
4 stars
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 5, 2023
"The Rom-Com Agenda" is a sweet story written by Jayne Denker. The setting of the North Country area of New York was unique and interesting to read about. Getting to know the characters was so much fun! I think the author has done great work creating three-dimensional characters. By the time I finished the book I felt like I really knew them and they were old friends. I like the pacing of the plot - it matches the story well. It was great to see the characters gradually realize the depth of their feelings for each other. The author's writing style is smooth and each chapter moves the plot and story along, without the use of filler chapters. It was great to follow Leah and Eli on their personal and emotional journeys and to see them both realize and strengthen their self-confidence and self-worth. I loved all of the romantic comedy film references! So much fun. I would like to see the author write another book following the story of Delia and Gray. This book focuses on the themes of: family, friendship, love, and healing. Blanche was so cute! I hope we see her in another book too. This was a sweet, fun, and emotional read with endearing characters and one very unlikable character. I highly recommend it! Even to readers who may not often read contemporary romance. Five stars! Thank you very much to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy to read and review honestly.
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