Not My Love Story

Movie Magic Novellas

by Dani McLean

Sometimes LOVE will write itself… whether you like it or not.

Cynical screenwriter Harrison Kyle hates romance.

If hell exists, Harrison is sure it’s full of heart shaped chocolates and badly acted Hallmark movies on repeat. With a soundtrack full of whatever pop star is flavour of the month.

But if he ever wants to write his magnum opus, the studio has one final request: Write them a rom-com. Oh, and do it with Hayley Bennett, the sexy, smart Brit who wears her heart on her sleeve and takes joy out of arguing with him.

Whatever. It’ll be fine. Mix a few cliché tropes with some bland twenty-something leads, and they’ll be finished in a week.

But as hard as he tries, Harrison can’t escape the love in the air. Literally. A Valentine’s festival haunts his every move, gifts appear out of nowhere, women profess their affections in meet cutes he can’t avoid, and don’t even get him started on the flash mob.

It turns out there is something worse than writing a romance - living in one.

Is Harrison ready to become the hero of his own love story?

Not My Love Story is a steamy contemporary romance and the second entry in the Movie Magic Novella series. Each story is a standalone and can be enjoyed out of order.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Workplace Romance, Second Chance Romance, Adult, Rom Com

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 3, 2023

About the author

Dani McLean is a Bi/NB Australian author who writes shamelessly fun contemporary romance with an open-bedroom-door policy. She loves coffee, karaoke, and stories that make you kick your feet up in the air. If lost, she can be found on Ao3, or echo located through her kookaburra laugh.

Reviews

[Cristine (aaron warner’s version) ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m officially done with this series, I barely finished this one

[yenbookthings · Rating 3 out of 5]

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.: ARC

uhhh what did i just read i think this definitely has to be one of my favorite December read it was such a cute short read but full of exciting and butterfly fluttering moments like i don’t think it’ll okay just how adorable hayley and harry are this book gives me such emily henry vibes almost but with a little more of everything like i was honestly hooked from the start although i was a bit skeptical about how it was written in third person (since i’m not a fan) and the beginning of the book was a bit confused but that was totally my fault i’m sure since i haven’t read the other books but after a while you get the whole point and it becomes less confusing either way this book overtook all and i didn’t even mind the third person, the chapter number are a but confusing too but each chapter is pretty short in my head the characters look much different from the cover but that just how i think this book was definitely a bit different from most of the romance books i have read but not in a bad way definitely recommend this book THANK YOU DANI FOR THE ARC

[anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

gostei muito desse! eles são fofos demais e eu amei o fato de que o harry sempre foi apaixonado pela hayley e como ele estava disposto a arriscar um felizes para sempre, clichês, declarações bregas e “eu te amo” apenas porque estava perdidamente amarrado a mulher que ele deixou seis meses antes.

enfim, eles são queridos. adorei a hayley e eu realmente gostei muito do livro e de como as coisas correram. eles são fofos demais e eu fiquei com o coração quentinha com esse final. tipo, que homem se declara em um pátio lotado de pessoas apenas porque queria fazer as coisas direito, pela primeira vez na vida?

3.25! 🩷

[MerLuni · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just wasn’t for me and I sadly had to dnf halfway through. I didn’t connect with the characters at all and I would have preferred dual pov when I‘m honest.
Harrison to me was just way too negative and also not really helping, but to think about her body and sex while she works felt awkward.
Also I really didn’t understand the magic that‘s supposedly happening in the town, was it part of this magic why so many people just randomly hit on Harrison in a cafe?
I personally never experienced anything like that so it‘s difficult to believe that it would actually happen like 3 times in the time that he takes to order coffee.
One thing that really annoyed me was the reason he gave for not believing in love anymore or believing that it‘s fake? Idk, but the reason was so weird to me like.. that‘s all it takes for you to not believe in love anymore?!
Maybe things are different in the end but that‘s what I‘m feeling at this point in the book.

Anyways, I had high hopes for this book because the synopsis sounded so good and I‘m sad I couldn’t make it through.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Becks&Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not My Love Story was a 2.5 star read for me.
This novella focuses on screenwriters Kyle and Hayley who are forced to work together to write a romance movie. Kyle, doesn't believe in love, and resists wholeheartedly writing a romance, the opposite of his normal writing style. Kyle and Hayley, who had shared one night together in the past, initially clash heads, but slowly learn to work together.
This novella includes the following tropes: enemies(ish) to lovers, second chance romance, and one bed. This novella follows these two main characters slowly learn to work through their past, Although this book does include some of my favourite tropes the way in which the author uses them, made me cringe in multiple instances. I could have skipped the meet cutes at the beginning, but enjoyed the single bed trope.
Not My Love Story starts with a message that warns of magical things happening that cannot be explained, but appeared to be simply awkward/unlucky circumstances that are extremely unlikely, happening repeatedly throughout the book. I enjoyed watching the characters through their journey of falling in love, but I wish they could have given Hayley more depth.
Overall this was a quick read, but had be wishing for more.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great second chance, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity romance novella. I have been absolutely loving this series! The stories are full of heart, have the perfect amount of steam and deliver the most feel-good happily ever afters that defy the usual romance stereotypes. Much thanks to NetGalley and the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

[kelseyandherbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun novella from Dani McLean!

Not My Love Story features tropes for days, a single POV from the male perspective, and just enough tension and spice to make it interesting. I read this in one sitting and honestly, it was the highlight of my day!

[April | Aprilsbooknook_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison hates all things romance and love.
Hayley is his complete opposite.

After being forced to work with Hayley, Harrison is thrown into the magical city of Chance. Where his life is suddenly looking an awful lot like those rom-coms he despises.

From the non-stop meet cutes to the hotel mishaps...the flash mob ... and seriously so many more fun, typical rom-com moments. This novella was so much fun!!

I love this magical series! Each new book is even more
fun and exciting than the last.

*Not my love story is the second book in the
"Movie Magic Novellas" but can be read as a
standalone.

[Mic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This grumpy/sunshine romance novella was a real joy to read. It’s filled with witty banter, includes the beloved ‘only one bed’ trope and is short, sweet, and a little bit spicy.

I particularly loved the writing style. It was punchy and fast paced and a little bit silly in the way you want your rom-coms to be. Dani’s decision, to stipulate before you begin reading that Chance is a place where anything can happen and you as the reader should just go with it, was a fun and unique way to get her readers out of their own heads. Sometimes the believability of a rom-com, and the fact that the wonderful coincidences so prevalent in the majority of them don’t happen in the real world, can pull me from the story. So this reminder was really helpful in increasing my enjoyment of the book.

This was really fun and I’ll absolutely be reading more from Dani in the future.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me and an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bookreviewgirl_xo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harrison + Hayley

✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Film Writers Working Together
✔️ Second Chance
✔️ Single POV [Third Person]
✔️ HEA

Thoughts :

- Harry meeting three people in between 30 minutes, is believable. There is nothing wrong with that. But what I find hard to believe is that all of them [and I'm excluding the people he didn't have a conversation with and yep that's also in between those 30 minutes] were interested in him and were flirting with him from his way to the coffee shop to on his way back at his office like people have nothing better to do, seems highly unlikely. I mean who is he? Chris Hemsworth? I don't know why but it really annoyed me.

- Harry's monologues were irritating. He was way too self-centered for my liking. Like he was above or something and I hated that. Don't get me wrong. I love a bad boy-asshole-alpha male protagonist, and lemme tell ya, Harry ain't that. I was barely tolerating him. But then his personality changed 180 degrees and all of a sudden he was all rainbows and sunshine who tried to act like all those lovey-dovey stuff other people were doing, was giving him cooties.

- I liked the interaction between Harry's sister and Hayley. It was funny when they were roasting him.

- And Hayley was just there. At first, she seemed pretty strong and funny, but all of it faded pretty soon and there was nothing memorable about her after that.

Honestly, I thought it would be a fluffy read. However, this was not how I envisioned this book when I read the synopsis. I think what I envisioned would've been much better than what we got. Anyway, after a while, things turned out okay I guess. After Harry got his personality changed🙄

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review - Not My Love Story
Release date - Today!

Book at a glance:
Second chance
Grump x sunshine
Workplace romance
Forced proximity
One bed
He takes care of her
Valentine’s vibe
Cheesy love cliches
Open door

In Dani’s second novella in the Movie Magic series, we meet Harrison and Hayley, two screenwriters who are forced to work together to write the next big hit. Of course, it has to be a romance and writing romance (or thinking about it, for that matter) is the bane of Harrison’s existence. And in Chance City, where anything can happen, Harrison finds himself in the middle of his own love story. Cue coffee shop meet cutes, adorable photoshoots, honeymoon suites, oversized stuffed bears, and flashmob grand gestures.

Can Harrison endure all things cheesy and cliche for one week to make this screen write the next big hit? And why exactly does Hayley make him so crazy (in love?)

Dani’s first novella, Midnight Repeated, was my first novella and I absolutely adored the short read. I love going into it knowing that I can devour a book in one or two short sittings and know that she is going to tie the story up uniquely and perfectly. I love how Dani used the metaphor of a beige world and walls as barriers and post it notes to break it down.

My favorite scene is between an impromptu photo shoot in the back of a car or when Harrison takes care of Hayley when she falls sick. Swoon, please and thank you!

If you’re looking for a short sweet (and spicey) read for Valentine’s day, add this one to your TBR! Also found on KU!


Dani, thank you so much for sending me an ARC copy all the way from Australia! International book mail is my favorite mail and I look forward to the next story in the Movie Magic Novella Series!

[Bookish Voodoo · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, the dedication was fantastic! Romance and other genres get a lot of side eye and snarky comments, read what makes you happy and hold your head up high.

And that's pretty much the only thing this book had going for it in my opinion. Not quite Grumpy/Sunshine trope, more like Cynic/Romantic, but even that doesn't fully fit. Harrison doesn't want to believe in love and Hayley survives on romance. Literally, it's her job. They have a history together and the foundation for this story is pretty much based on that history. This story fell flat for me. It was telling about the romance instead of making me feel it. I felt I was reading the script as they wrote it without any feelings, just the overall outline.

**This part may be spoilery, but they are more concerns and parts that need to be tweaked or thought out more.**

The references to being bisexual and the few queer couples or comments did not add to the story. They were almost second thoughts added to be able to include LGBTQIA+ in a tag for this book.

And I was thoroughly confused how this went from a calm low key romance to her wearing lingerie with thick straps and buckles and the mention of edging and squirting. Seriously, my face was like WTF. Again, it did not have a place in the story and felt like it came from left field. 

[Inge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not My Love Story is such a fun novella. It is about two screenwriters, Harrison and Hayley, who are forced to work on a romance movie script together. Hayley is a hopeless romantic and loves rom-coms and all of their cliches. Harrison hates rom-coms and is very grumpy about having to write one. To make things worse, he has to write it with Hayley, the woman he is very attracted to.

The first half of the story was a bit slow for me, but it did a good job at setting the scene. In the second half, the tension between Hayley and Harrison really built up. I could almost feel the tension between the two of them! I was rooting for the couple all the way through!

Overall, I enjoyed this story.

P.S.: Shout-out to the author for having such an amazing dedication:
“For anyone who has to defend their love of romance or any other interest that other people have deemed ‘not cool’. Your interests are valid and so are you. People and romance come in all different shapes and sizes. Like what you like, read whatever you want, and be whoever you want to be, wonderful and unashamed!”

Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for gifting me a digital advanced reader copy to review.

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to wait a bit but when this book came to my mail I skipped all the others, I couldn't wait to read another of The Movie Magic Novella series by Dani McLean
.
I really like how Dani McLean writes, her characters make me get into the plot by reading only the first paragraph
.
.
Harrison is a movie scriptwriter who hates romantic movies but to finish the contract that ties him to the movie studio and to be able to write what he wants, he first has to do one last job, write a romance script with the woman who he has been avoiding for six months after a one night stand
.
Harrison and Hayley are the perfect grump and sunshine, the bickering between the two is so much fun especially with Hayley laughing and questioning his apprehension for love and romance right in the middle of a city celebrating Valentine's festival
.
.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it's a fun and sexy read that left me wanting to keep reading. But i hope there will be more stories like this one in Chance City
.
.
.
.
Thanks to Dani McLean and Victory Editing group for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

[Olga Rudnitska · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second book by Dani McLean and it was similar to the first, but something new. Still good, still funny, still romantic. 
Grinch, but for Valentine's Day and all romantic "nonsense". Harrison and Haley are both screenwriters. But after one night together 6 months ago, Harrison trying so hard to be as far as he can from Haley. Because he doesn't believe in love, in "one true love". He wrote about serious stuff. Hayley is opposite: she believes and wait for love. Her romantic movies are spectacular. 
And once near Valentine's Day, they have to write a screenplay together. A romantic movie. Let the love win!
I guess you should read this book close to the February to fell the holiday atmosphere, because I wasn't totally in the mood.
It was a romcom but with adult prospective, above standard cliché.

[Readbooks16 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella is a cute and easy read. I got it as an ARC from Netgalley and it’s out January 3. The formatting, partially, as a screenplay was interesting and added something different that I hadn’t seen before. The story itself was likable and I liked both Henry and Hayley but I just didn’t fall in love with them or feel super attached to the outcome. I knew they’d end up together and I did like how against love Henry was and getting to see that change for him. The one spicy scene was really good and was probably my favorite part of the book. If you are looking for something short and sweet that you can read in a couple hours I’d recommend this book.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book in this series and it was pretty middle of the road for me, and I would say the same about this one. Harry and Hayley both felt underdeveloped - especially Hayley. I didn’t feel like I knew what was going on with them, and Harry was honestly confusing to me. I know that this is a novella so there isn’t a ton of room for development, but this one just didn’t do it for me. I found myself skimming parts as I was reading and was not invested in the story or the characters. 🙈🙈

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[mar! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much NetGalley for providing me with this book!

A very cute, fast paced love story. I really enjoyed Harrison and Hayley’s story. I am looking forward to the other books in the series.

[Liz ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily one of the sweetest romances I've read in a while.

Yes, it's a quick novella. Yes, it has "doesn't believe in love/loves love" cliché. And yes, it is written in third person (which I'm not very used to) but it's so well written that I enjoyed every second of it.

Most of novellas always have me feeling like the end is rushed and the love story wrapps up so quickly but with Not My Love Story that wasn't the case at all.

It's starts with Hayley and Harrison, a couple of screenwritters who have such a different style, having to work together to write a rom-com in a little town where a Valentine's festival it's causing such impossible things to happen that had me laughing at the improbability of them.

Nevertheless, what made this feel real and well-paced for me was the fact that it's a second chance romance, where Hayley and Harrison have already met, spent time together and have underlying feelings for eachother, making it so much more believeable for me the fact that they end up together at the end without feeling rushed.

Definitely, 5 stars for me.

Thanks so much NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kims.reading.nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a grumpy x sunshine and this second chance at starting over for these two screen writers was perfect ❤ I really enjoyed all the romance movie cliches that kept following mr anti love around amd led to some pretty funny situations! Highly recommend this fun novella.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Movie Magic Novella Series. I really enjoyed the first one,
Midnight, Repeated.

This one wasn't my favorite. I found the characters and story kinda flat. Glad it was a novella or it would have been a tough read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 actual rating. Overall this book was ok, there were some things not working in the story’s favor. I wasn’t a fan of the POV only being from the male main character’s perspective. Harrison was pessimistic and broody for a lot of the book, which also didn’t help my attempt to settle into his POV. I feel like the single POV also caused a lot of the chemistry that should’ve been present between the main characters to be non-existent. Despite this, the book did have some cute moments, and I definitely saw the potential.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Spice level: 2.5 out of 5

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance, forced proximity, and super sweet. Set in the cutest town during a Valentine festival. Two screenwriters "forced" to work together on a new romance. Harrison, the hater of all things romance and Hayley, the master of the genre... what could possibly go wrong?

Nothing. Everything went right. Harrison experienced all the best tropes and the ending was perfect.

The heat was also incredible. I'm looking forward to reading everything Dani writes.

Thanks netgalley for the ARC.

[Taylor | shelflovewithtay · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5⭐️ rounded down

First off, thank you NetGalley, Dani McLean and Victory Editing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely enjoyed this once I was able to sit down and really take in this story. It was super cute, and I loved it being set for Valentine’s Day. Harrison and Hayley had great chemistry with a slow burn, and I loved their banter. The first half was a bit slower, but it definitely picked up half way in and pulled me into the story. I did get very annoyed with Harrison and how completely unwilling he was to accept his feelings and act on them, however I must say that it made the ending so much better this way.

I also really enjoyed the set up for the novella. I thought the screenplay set up tied in well and set the stage differently, but in a good way.

All in all, I really enjoyed this.

Quotes:
“She’s sunshine; you’re rain. The perfect combination”

“Happily ever afters only occurred in fiction because life didn’t end after ‘I love you.’ Real life was messy and complicated and wonderful.”

“‘No energy is everlasting, not even love. So what’s the point?’

‘The point, Harry, is to feel it.’”


Publishes January 3rd, 2023!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received an ARC for this book)

Before I dive into the proper review, I have to say how much I LOVED the formatting of this! It was such a cute addition to the story! Page one, Harrison Kyle had my full attention. He needs just one more script to get out of his contract, and so his best friend helps make it happen. I just leaves out that it’s for a romcom, and that he’ll be reunited with Hayley Bennett. She waltzed in, and I had SO many questions, but even more excitement! I absolutely enjoyed their banter. The way they work together. The way it’s smooth and they meld perfectly. Making everything else that much better. If you read the first book in the series, you know the fun that Chance City has to offer. It’s magic. And since this one is heavy romcom focused, the magic is exactly what I loved. As someone who loves cheesy Hallmark movies and early 2000’s romcoms, this book felt so comfortable. Like I had been waiting for it, and I finally got it. This was done through Harrison’s POV, I know without a doubt, that’s why I loved it so much. I play favorites with Dani’s book Sex and Sours, and now I’ll play favorites with this one. It seems the second books in her series’s know exactly how to reach out to my soul.

My Favorite Quotes:
• “You can’t honestly make me believe two people are made for each other in a week.”
• “Something tells me there’s a heart under all that cynicism.”
• “If you really want to stick me with something, you only need to ask.”
• “You said sexy first. Maybe we should talk about this.”
• “I’m starting to think Cupid has a vendetta against you.”
• “I wanted to see you again.”
• “It’s not like the movies.”
• “You should let your guard down. Let us in.”
• “I think I’m exactly where I need to be.”
• “I want more than I probably deserve.”
• “Will you stop drooling and kiss me already?”
• “I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
• “You’re not the only one who couldn’t stay away.”
• “I want to prove that we’re good together. I want to make this work.”

6/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Forced Proximity
6/10 Second Chance
7/10 Slow Burn
6/10 Workplace Romance
9/10 Series

This is my review for Midnight, Repeated
This is my review for Missing Connection
This is my review for It Has to Be You
This is my review for The Forces of Love

[monica • · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so so so cute. I loved that harry was a cynic who didn't believe in love and ended up having his own love story in the end. The concept and chapters were so unique and I had so much fun. I wish it wasn't so short but I enjoyed it anyways. thank you netgalley for the arc!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first novella in Dani McLean's Movie Magic Novella Series, "Midnight, Repeated," was kinda disappointing. Therefore my expectations for the second novella, "Not My Love Story," were low. However, I did look forward to reading it after I'd read the synopsis.
Like the first novella, this was also told in the third person. However, even when a book, in this case, a romance book, is told in the third person, you can still tell which half of our couple is the "main character." In "Midnight Repeated" it was Lauree, and here in "Not My Love Story," it's Harrison. I noticed the same pattern in McLean's writing how she never has an equal balance of character depth for both of her main characters. It's always only focused on the other half of the couple despite it being told in the third person. I've read a lot of romance novels (and novellas) that were told in the third person and they didn't have this problem. As a result, the other half of the couple was just...there. It was the case for Max in "Midnight, Repeated," and it's the same case with Hayley here in "Not My Love Story." It's such a pity too because Hayley seems like an amazing woman. I would love to get to know her more. I'm aware that this is a novella and there's only a limited amount of room to do that but, as I've said before, I've read other romance novellas that didn't have this issue.

Harrison reminded me of Harry Burns from "When Harry Met Sally..." but make him a little more narcissistic. I don't have a problem with his cynicism (can't really blame him), but he did a full 180 by the time he's realizing his feelings for Hayley. He's almost like an entirely new person. It didn't feel natural. The execution was...bad(?).

Other than that, I really love the plot of this novella. It had so much potential and I think this would make a great novel instead of a novella. I mean, a second-chance romance forced proximity about two screenwriters who are forced to write a romcom??? Sign me up. I love the fluff that happened in the book and I would love to see more of it. Hayley and Harrison were both amazing characters. I also loved the "epilogue" and I wish we could've seen what happened to their screenplay.

[Addy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"No energy is everlasting, not even love. So what's the point?"

"The point, Harry, is to feel it."

Harrison Kyle is the Grinch of Valentine's day. He wants nothing to do with romance and all the frilly affairs that Valentine's day brings along with it. Unluckily for him, there's an actual V-Day festival going on around him. Like I said, a very Grinch-y situation.

So when he's told he has to write a Rom-Com script with Hayley Bennett, he knows he's in for a week from hell. As if being surrounded by love wasn't enough, he's also surrounded by Hayley, who's gorgeous, snarky, irresistible, and a huge romantic.

______________

This book was pure novella cheesy goodness. The book jumps right into story. Quite literally, there's no real set up to the plot, just here you go this is happening... have fun. And I did! The banter between them was amusing. The cynic vs. romantic dynamic will always be entertaining.

Harrison's development was great, and I'm so glad the book was entirely in his perspective. We get to see his walls break down a little bit more each day. Right off the bat he's attracted to Hayley, and they have a past that is subtly talked about through the book. I liked that them having to write a romance script together made them actually communicate and air out his aversion to love. We got to see into why Harrison felt the way he did, so when he had his "oh my god, I'm in love with her moment it was sooo good.

I think the novella jumped into the story a little too quickly, a little bit of preface would have been nice. More so, we were getting hints about their past through the book, and I think a little more on what actually happened between them before would have made it a more compelling read. We know he's hung up on her, but why? Just wanted a little more more of past them as it was technically a second chance romance.

Overall, a cute romantic novella with chaotic meet cutes, a one bed trope, and cute moments sprinkled throughout.

Thank you Netgalley, Dani McLean, and Victory Editing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

↠ 4 stars

[Yolanda | yolandaannmarie.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Not My Love Story is the second installment in the Movie Magic Novella Series and releases January 3, 2023.

This was such a fun rom-com centered book with all of the tropes and clichés we know and love.
The duration of the story lasts for one week, with a one year later chapter, and has some cute chapter headers that resemble stage directions.

Harrison and Hayley are both screenwriters. Six months ago, they had a fling but didn’t make anything of it, now they’ve been paired together to co-write a rom-com.
Harrison had previously signed a contract that had him writing other people’s ideas, the ones he wasn’t as passionate about, romances that to him, weren’t entirely truthful or believable.
Will writing this last contractual script with Hayley lead him to believe in happily ever after's?

I loved Harrison’s character. He is very much a grumpy and broody man, and isn’t shy to reiterate everything that he believes doesn’t work in romances. Seeing him slowly defrost throughout the progression of the story was so enjoyable.
There was a lot of banter and tension, and the dynamics between Harrison and Hayley really played off of each other strongly.
I also really enjoyed the side characters in this. Harrison’s sister Emilia was a great addition and I thought her backstory contributed well into showing us why Harrison was so skeptical.

Read if you like:
- rom-coms
- valentines festival
- screenwriters
- one bed trope
- meet-cutes
- taking care of the sick one scene
- “our coffee orders got swapped and then I bumped into someone and it spilled down my shirt”
- “we overbooked the hotel and now you have to share the honeymoon suite”
- cutesy couple photo op
- second chances

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She was everything he’d ever hoped for and never believed he’d have.”

I loved this novella! I love the way Dani has this whole magical city where literally anything is possible. I cannot wait for the rest of this series!

This was about a screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love, who is being forced to write a rom-com with the woman, who writes love stories for a living, he let go six months ago after one magical night. I loved how this was written like a movie script with the descriptions of the scenes at the beginning of the chapters. It was set up like a movie. All the meet cites, and the Valentine’s Day festival, and now seemingly everything that could go wrong for Harrison did. And a book about screenwriters writing a love story who eventually fall in love. It was magic.

I loved that this was in Harrison’s POV. It’s different than the usual romance book, it’s generally a dual POV or the woman’s POV. But since Harrison doesn’t believe in love and is struggling, having it in his POV was absolutely the right choice. Hayley was already there, she already believed in the magic and in love. She was just patiently waiting for Harrison to get there.

Also I loved Hayley so much. She was the perfect match for Harrison. His opposite in so many way, but they were able to balance each other perfectly. She believed in him when he didn’t believe in himself. And she was so full of love and joy and Harrison needed her in his life for so many reasons.

“It was as if someone had turned her happiness up to eleven. She was radiant. What would it be like to harbor so much joy?”

I mean come on, he loved her so much!!

Thank you so much to Dani Mclean and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to for everyone to read it! It’s going to make a perfect novella for Valentine’s Day!