ABOUT THE BOOK
If you can’t write a good meet-cute, maybe you need to live one first…
Ainsley Green writes happily-ever-afters for a rabid fanbase of hopeless romantics. In real life? Her boyfriend just broke up with her, her editor wanted a new book yesterday, and she’s starting to wonder if love actually exists beyond the pages of her favorite novels.
So when Lucas, Ainsley’s best friend and biggest cheerleader, insists the best cure for writer’s block is real-life inspiration, she’s ready to try anything. Enter: the meet-cute plan, a mission to take her head out of her heartbreak and force meet-cutes IRL to spark some new ideas. But as failed missions bumping into strangers at the airport and spilling coffee on men at the cafe result in nothing but embarrassment and stained clothing, Ainsley begins to wonder if maybe the romance she’s been chasing already has a leading man.
Because the truth about falling in love? It never goes according to plan.
MY REVIEW
The title of the book definitely caught my eye, and the captivating story is a fun, modern take on healing, dating, and finding the light at the end of the tunnel.
Ainsley feels like a fraud. She is a romance writer with no romance, no boyfriend, and no clue what her next book is about. Her mission is clear. She needs to find a new meet-cute plan for inspiration, and she’s using herself as the guinea pig with the help of her bestie Lucas.
Ainsley’s struggles are real, and I empathized with her anxiety and loneliness as she scrambled to fix her life and her career. Breakups hurt especially when “friends” pick the ex’s side, and no amount of sympathy and platitudes can help you get over it as fast as you want. Ainsley is entitled to her grief and loss, and it’s wonderful to watch her rediscover her story through laughter, creativity, and humility. The social media meet-cutes for her research are brave and hilarious, and a great way to help her regain her confidence.
Lucas is the calm and collected anchor in Ainsley’s life. While he’s got his own relationship hurdles, his unwavering support and quiet affection for Ainsley are exactly what she needs. I love the way he easily lifts her spirits when she’s spiraling. A perfect example is when he suggests, “Maybe you need to write the heartbreak out of you…so you can believe in love again.” Sigh! That’s a great book boyfriend right there. It’s painfully clear that his long-distance girlfriend didn’t know how to appreciate the gem she had, but with Ainsley, we watch him start to shift his priorities for the better.
The friendship-to-lovers trope is a delicate balance of a close bond turning romantic and fear of losing a valued friendship. Ms. DeRogatis does an excellent job slowly transitioning Ainsley and Lucas’ cherished platonic relationship into a romantic awakening for two trusted and respected friends who have grown and finally follow their hearts.
If you’re in the mood for a story packed with heartfelt moments, relatable characters, and a generous sprinkle of humor, then you’re in for a treat.
Thank you to Ms. DeRogatis for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alissa DeRogatis is an author and digital creator based in Charlotte, North Carolina, though she’ll always say she’s from the Jersey Shore. Before she ever wrote a novel, she was a kid who read everything she could get her hands on—then started writing songs the minute her dad taught her guitar chords. From music to journal entries to personal essays, the medium changed, but the impulse stayed the same: tell the truth, even when it’s messy.
She graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Communications and Journalism. Before her writing career took off, Alissa worked as a social media manager for some of the internet’s most beloved food brands, including Goldfish, Milano Cookies, Cape Cod Chips, Pop Secret, and Bojangles.
Across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and her Substack newsletter Probably Oversharing, Alissa has grown a community of more than 50,000 readers and writers. She is also the founder of Hot Girls Who Write, a writing collective offering monthly workshops, write-ins, and author conversations for emerging creatives. Her content blends writing, dating, and pop-culture commentary with the kind of honesty women often only admit after a few glasses of wine. She is known for her raw, contemporary voice, weaving themes of girlhood, messy relationships, and self-discovery with equal parts humor and heartbreak.
Outside of writing, you can find her reading, rewatching her favorite rom-coms, listening to sad songs, or spending time with her two dogs, Asher and Oliver.
Follow Alissa on her website, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
