Hilarious, hot & heartwarming meta rom-com, perfect for fans of Olivia Dade!

I laughed and squee’d throughout this entire strawberry starburst, fresh hot glazed donut of an enemies-to-lovers turned costars-with-benefits romance between nepo baby screenwriter Emmy, and the thirst-trap action hero (and two-time Sexiest Man Alive!) Grayson. After co-starring in a disastrous film a decade earlier, the two are reunited for Emmy’s latest project, a Nora Ephron-inspired small-town romance, No Reservations.

This novel announces itself right out of the gate as being a romance about romance and the romance genre --written for romance readers. In that sense, it is in every way predictable and cliché, and with all the right beats in all the right places. It is very funny and peppered with hilarious banter and a cast of minor characters who all contributed to make this book a fast, breezy, and truly enjoyable read. I loved Emmy’s mom, Liz, and Sam. I loved the setting and atmosphere of the small town. I loved the ongoing joke of calling Grayson “Grayson fucking West” throughout the novel.

Technically, this novel is well written, and although there are no surprises here in terms of plot, characters, conflicts and resolutions, at the end of the day it delivers on all of the promises that a rom-com makes to the reader who wants straight-up, feel-good escapism. Take this to the beach, to your pedicure, to Starbucks after your trip to Target to enjoy over a caramel macchiato on a day off, or curl up on a Friday night with a glass of wine after your kids are gone to bed. I promise you’ll love it.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.