It’s a real pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from Kathryn Freeman, Nobody Puts Romcoms In The Corner, and sharing my review. The seventh book in her RomCom Collection, this one is available for preorder for kindle and in paperback via Amazon in the UK and US, and will be published as an ebook on all major platforms on 27th February, with the paperback to follow on 2nd March. Thank you to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
Kate writes the most wonderful books – romantic comedies that always delight, with really original storylines and extraordinary chemistry between her characters, and her writing just gets better and better with every book. I’ve been reading and enjoying her books since 2016 (and it was a particular thrill to find myself mentioned in the acknowledgements for this one – thank you!), and I’d really struggle to name a favourite – pop her name into my search bar, and you’ll find posts (reviews, cover reveals, spotlights and guest posts) for almost all of her books (yes, I think it’s fair to call me a fan!). And it’ll come as no surprise, I’m sure, if I tell you that I’m an unashamed romantic, and really enjoy movie romcoms too – and I loved the concept for this latest book as soon as I saw it. Did it live up to my expectations? Oh, of course it did… and then some! Let’s take a closer look…
Not an expert, not even close, not in any of this. But nobody will try harder than me to make you happy.
Sally is a classic romantic and Harry is a classic cynic, but when a drunken bet leads the new flatmates to (badly) recreate ‘the lift’ from Dirty Dancing, and the video goes viral (#EpicRomcomReenactmentFailure), they both realise there’s potential financial benefit in blundering their way through the romcom lexicon for their suddenly vast social media following.
Now, as Harry and Sally bring major romcom moments to new life – including recreating that classic diner scene – their faking it turns to making…out and suddenly they’re living a real life romcom of their own!
But like all the greatest love stories, the road to happily ever after is paved with unexpected challenges for this hero and heroine…
An incurable romantic, Sally knows what it will feel like when she finds love – first that unmistakeable fuzzy feeling, and that has to be followed by the ringing of bells. She hasn’t found it yet – but her parents certainly did, and she’s seen enough romcoms to know what she’s looking for. Harry, on the other hand, doesn’t believe in love – his parents are hardly the best example, and his own recent experience has only confirmed that he’d be best keeping his heart firmly locked. They become flatmates and tentative friends – as a muscly builder and man’s man, her sister’s pink bedroom isn’t quite what he’s used to, but that’s easily remedied with a coat of paint. The pink sofa in the lounge, and the nights when Sally’s friends come round to watch their favourite films – well, he can live with that.
One night, they’re watching Dirty Dancing – he’s never seen it – and with the help of a few margaritas, and after the friends have gone home, they decide to video their clumsy attempt to recreate that iconic lift. The video goes viral – they realise they’ve discovered a way of creating a source of income for them both, and more hilarious videos of moments from Sally’s beloved romcoms follow (I particularly loved that scene from When Harry Met Sally, punctuated by the interventions of the pensioners in the cafe – and as for that one from An Officer and a Gentleman!). Even if they don’t initially feel it, everyone who watches their videos can see the attraction between them – and when they realise it too, and how impossible a long term relationship would be, she looks elsewhere for her fuzzy feelings, and those bells, but it’s only Harry that seems likely to make them ring.
The characterisation in this book is just wonderful – including the cast of excellent supporting characters. Sally really isn’t as pink and fluffy as she seems – she runs a successful business (that cafe…), and after the loss of her parents really stepped up to the mark as far as her sister was concerned. And Harry – he’s not without a softer side, and there are times when he certainly shows it. And I really loved the way the story was told from both their points of view, really helping you understand where they’re both coming from. But oh my goodness, their romance – the author always has a certain degree of heat and sizzle, but with this one she’s really excelled herself. The chemistry between these two is exceptional, something you really feel – and however unlikely, and despite the many real obstacles along the way, I was completely invested in their happy ending.
I loved a lot of the detail too – Sally’s texts, littered with cute emojis, made me laugh – and the hearts in the cafe window capturing the successful relationships that started there. Harry has a fantastic dry sense of humour, and the exchanges between the pair are just wonderful. And I very much liked the way some real issues were introduced, and sensitively handled – life isn’t just a laugh a minute, and there’s a really perfect balance.
I totally adored this book – and if you love romcoms too, and have any romance in your soul, so will you, I promise. Shall I say “her best book yet”? Yes, I think I really must. Very highly recommended by me.
About the author
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do.
With a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.
Aw, Anne, you make me blush, you really do. What a treat of a review, thank you so much for your kind words, for taking part in the tour…and for all your support over the years. An acknowledgement is the least you deserve. Not sure if you’re a paperback collector but if you’d like a signed copy of this, or of any of my books, please DM me 🙂
Always a pleasure. And thank you for that kind offer – I might well take you up on it at some point! xxx