Book Review: The Rom Con by Devon Daniels

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Devon Daniels
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: November 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A modern battle of the sexes about a journalist who hatches an elaborate plan to take down her industry adversary, from the author of Meet You in the Middle.

After a particularly brutal breakup, Cassidy Sutton has had it with dating. So when her grandmother gives her a 1950’s dating guide entitled 125 Tips to Hook a Husband, she decides to turn the retro advice into an ironic “What not to do” article for Siren, the popular online women’s publication she writes for. And who better to secretly test the old-fashioned tips on than Jack Bradford, chauvinistic creator of rival men’s site Brawler? She’ll write an article that will entertain female readers everywhere and embarrass their sexist nemesis at the same time. Two birds, one stone.

But her perfect plan soon proves to be anything but. Those vintage courtship tips Cassidy was so quick to poke fun at? They actually seem to work, calling her most closely-held beliefs into question. Even worse? Jack isn’t falling for any of her tricks—and it’s not long before their ‘fake’ relationship starts to feel like the realest one of her life. As her cat and mouse game starts to spiral out of control, Cassidy has to decide if she’s playing to win, or if she’s willing to lose it all for love.

INCREDIBLY CHARMING.

I was swept away by this book y’all! It was my first by this author and will not be my last. I loved how swoony this was and the 50’s lifestyle nonsense that came into play. I thought it was done in good humor and not overly in your face. It made the whole plot clever and sweet.

Jack was the best. Goodness gracious, he’s one of the those fantastic love interests that you can’t get enough of. He was kind hearted and loveable and really looked out for Cassidy and WANTED to be with her, and that’s my favorite kind of vibe. This also had my favorite level of heat with low, slow burn spice.

There was one small issue I had with the third act conflict that made me cranky. I just couldn’t follow the thought process. But I will say the reunion and communication (at last) that came later was wonderful.

Overall audience notes: