Originally Published: September 7, 2021

By: Alison Cochrun

By diving deep into sexuality and mental health, Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive goes beyond what could feel like a Hallmark movie romance and makes something more effective.

Dev Deshpande is a hopeless romantic that works as a producer on the reality dating show Ever After. He truly believes the contestants can find love in nine weeks but realizes the challenge in new “prince” Charlie Winshaw. Tech millionaire Charlie isn’t looking for love but finds it in a surprising way.

Some of the production aspects of the Bachelor-like Ever After are questionable with the producers acting highly toxic in front of the contestants instead of being kept behind-the-scenes.

The romance between Dev and Charlie is brilliantly written as the layers of Dev’s depression and Charlie’s confusion and hesitation of his sexuality are peeled away.

Final say: You’ll be charmed. ★★★★★