It’s pouring down rain and you forgot to bring an umbrella. You have no choice but to slosh your way through it. The rain soaks you, settling into your bones and giving you that chill that will never again leave. It’s fitting. Your life is this bone-chilling, uncomfortable, miserable, can’t ever get a break type of life, so this rain is the perfect icing on your pity cake.

He walks by and holds out an umbrella, the guy you’ve known for so long, but hardly ever acknowledge. You push him away and say “no, I deserve this misery” and keep walking. He insists, shoving the umbrella into your hands. “Let me help.” Those three words work their way into your heart and settle down, warming you and erasing the pain that has been threatening to take over. He’s always been there and you just never saw it.

Well, to say this book was a five star read for me seems like an understatement. The way this book penetrated my soul means it deserves all the praise, including Every. Single. Star.

Chloe... Chloe is me. The “take everything on, don’t let anyone help, push everyone away”... girl. I felt like I was reading about myself in this one and I was brought to tears. This book is exactly what I needed right now in life and I can’t express how thankful I am to have picked it up and felt a cleanse wash over me as I dove into the pages of Chloe’s story.

TW: Abandonment, Alzheimer’s.

A romance with humor and coffee and pies- I mean, you really should pick this one up. I love Winfrey's gift of balancing humor and heart and just want more, more, more from her!

There’s just so much to love about Not Like the Movies. I flew through it in a couple of sittings and even though I was completely satisfied with the ending, I was actually still just a little sad just because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Chloe and Nick yet. If you’re in the mood for a story that features romance, family drama, and friendship, this is your book.

This was such a sweet and adorable rom com. I love the slow build up of the relationship and the support network that Chloe built for herself. It was written like a perfect hallmark movie, a warm blanket of romance, complete with a romantic moment in the rain. And I loved the pop culture references. So many warm fuzzies and smiles for this one.

A contemporary romance that tells the story of Chloe who is struggling with all the responsibilities in her life and her boss/friend Nick that shows sometimes life is better then the movies.

➽ Enemies to lovers⁣
➽ Work romance (w/ a barista ooo la la)⁣
➽ Family illness⁣
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➽ Chloe. She's so strong and admirable. I loved her character. She had a tendency to lead on Nick which ticked me off but of course that made me even MORE invested in the book...I see what you did there, Kerry 😋⁣
➽ Nick. Oh sweet Nick. He appears to be a sad grump but he's actually a sweetheart. I loved all his little come backs and the little moments of vulnerability he showed to Chloe. Book bf? Uh YES ♥️♥️⁣
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➽ Much like the first book, it had whole lot of romcom references which I'm embarrassed to say...I didn't understand 🙈⁣
➽ I CRIED. They weren't heart wrenching moments but Chloe says one word then I'm done. HERE COMES THE TEARS. And it was constant! Chloe's situation was so heartbreaking that I felt so emotional
➽ Overall, a quick read that packs an unexpected punch. I was not expecting to cry that much...⁣
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I enjoyed this book. Chloe and Nick were adorable, but I just wanted more. After the build up of their "will they, won't they" relationship in "Waiting for Tom Hanks", I had such high hopes for this one. I think it would have been better if we could have seen how Nick felt and his side of things. I liked it, I just wanted more romance and more story.

This was the perfect rom-com to get me through last week. I was grateful for this sequel for giving me the chance for a feel good escape. I can’t begin to tell you the number of times I laughed out loud reading this story. The MC was infectiously hysterical. Her nonstop inner dialogue about everything single thing around her was the best distraction.

Chloe and Nick’s storyline was captivating. She has a huge crush on him, her boss, and for many reasons doesn’t wish to act on it. Doesn’t make her feelings go away and doesn’t get any easier when he starts showing some equal attraction too ... hello thunderstorm scene!!! Needless to say their chemistry and slow burning, light romance was entertaining perfection. Bonus points for the coffee shop setting, endless pie chatter and favorite rom-com movie comparisons. The fact that Annie’s wedding playlist was inspired by all her favorite cinematic scenes was genius. Loved being able to catch up with her and Drew!!

I liked the serious part of Chloe’s story where she was responsible for taking care of her father who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. I felt her frustrations and understood her hesitations as we learned more and more about her past. The entire cast of side characters were great at helping the story move along as well. Loved the LGBTQ representation!!!

Favorite description, “Lavender is one of my favorite herbs because you think it’s delicate - those tiny little flowers, the barely there color. But if your hand slips and you put too much in, you’re going to be overwhelmed by lavender, because it’s strong. It’s assertive. It’s almost too much. In a way, I relate to lavender.”

This book was the most adorable thing and it had oh, so many references to two of my favorite things: coffee and romantic comedies.

The follow up the Waiting for Tom Hanks, it follows Annie’s friend Chloe, and Chloe’s boss, Nick, two people Annie just happened to write a movie about and now, with the premiere coming up, that movie — Coffee Girl — and it’s real-life inspirations, are all anyone wants to talk about.

Feelings are revealed, espresso drinks are made, many, MANY pies are baked, and hilarity ensues. Chloe is completely charming and Nick is insanely endearing. I would have read about her and Nick bickering over which baked goods to serve at the shop and any given day for HOURS.

I know the purpose of this book is to feel like a rom-com and it did just that. I loved the banter between Nick and Chloe; the sexual tension. It isn’t all light and happy though. Chloe has some major baggage and often closes into herself. Can Nick help her see that he’s there for her? Will Chloe quit being so stubborn?

This book was just the escape I needed.

Let it be known: I enjoyed this one EVEN MORE than the first, and I loved the first!Not Like the Movies is a charming and really, really delightful romantic comedy with just the right amount of humor and self-awareness to keep you smiling the entire time. The main characters were precious , thoughtful and dynamic and I wish I could be friends with every single one of them. If you haven’t already, add this to your TBR. You’ll love it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkeley for approving me for this adorable book!

Thank you so much to #berkleypub and #netgalley for sending me this #gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review! You guys this one was so cute! I absolutely loved it! Romance reads are sneaking their way into my thriller heart😅 if you want a funny hot mess read pick this one up.

Chloe's life is a constant shit show. Taking care of her father who has Alzheimer's by herself, going to business school, and working in a coffee shop with the illustrious Nick. Will her life ever get any easier? Then her best friend Annie decides to base her new up and coming movie on Chloe's life. Which ends up sending it into a spiral. Nick and her will never be together but Annie believes it true because of her love for rom-coms. And just when Chloe thinks things cant get any worse her charming non reliable brother Milo rolls into town. Who has been in contact with their mother, who abandoned their family without so much as a goodbye.

Since Chloe practically runs Nick's coffee shop he asks her to a coffee convention in Indianapolis. Is this the start of something beautiful? Will Chloe find love? Will she ever ask anyone for help? Or will her life continue to go up in flames? This was a quick paced, lovely read. Chloe being so responsible but also such a hot mess was so funny. And her love for pies is inspiring I would definitely give this one 4⭐

Kerry Winfrey is a treasure. This book appeals precisely to me as an early-30s, 1990s rom-com loving reader, and I know it will to many of my library patrons as well. Highly recommend for all collections.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC! I was super excited to read this book because I enjoyed Waiting for Tom Hanks!

This is the follow up to Waiting for Tom Hanks and it focuses on Chloe and Nick as they navigate their "will they, won't they" relationship!

Ever since Chloe has been little, the only person she knows she can depend on his herself, and she has a lot on her plate taking care of her sick father, finishing up school, and helping her best friend plan her wedding. On top of all that, there is a movie about the fictionalized version of her life comes out, written by none other than the same best friend. But Chloe's life is far from what the movie is like. The biggest difference is that Chloe is not in love with her boss Nick like in the movies. Well, at least Chloe doesn't think she is in love with him because she has too many other things going on in her life.

I think I enjoyed this book a little more than I did the first one because of Chloe's personality. I am very similar to her in the way that I know I want to find my happily ever after, but I have too much going on in life to only think of that. Throughout the book, Chloe grows to understand that she needs to be able to depend on other people and not take so much on by herself. This is where Nick comes in, sees he has always been in love with her and will do anything to help her out, but Chloe needed to see that for herself.

This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to others, the only thing that would have made this book great would be had we gotten to read Nick's point of view throughout the story. What can I say, I am a sucker for two points of view. Other than that there is a lot of laughs out loud moments and I enjoyed seeing more of Annie, Uncle Don, Gary, and Tobin as well as being introduced to new characters. This book is even better when read after the first.

“I’m reminded that romance isn’t the only great love story of our lives. Sometimes the love we have with our lifelong friends, the ones we can depend on through changes and fights and joys and heartbreaks—sometimes those are the greatest love stories we have.”

“Maybe the perfect pie is the one that’s served at the perfect time, with the perfect people.”

What a cute book this is! This is the first book I’ve read by Kerry Winfrey and I loved her witty humor! Not Like the Movies was full of heart, witty banter, swoony romance, and PIE. So much pie. Obviously, I loved this aspect of the story as pie is my life! I also loved how Chloe used pie as a way to detox from her day or to process through her problems...baking has always been my therapy and I related so much to her character in this aspect.

I am excited to go back and read Waiting for Tom Hanks to learn more about Annie, Drew, Chloe, & Nick!

This book was good. Ever since reading book one I was dying to read their story. The sexual frustration between them. However the first book was better. This book they didn't have to establish much of a background for the characters because we already knew them. It kicked right off after book one ended. I loved the ending however. Her getting to accept the fact that needing help from others is a good thing. I felt so bad that she always felt like she couldn't rely on others. I do however want to mention this book did trigger me a bit. Her father has Alzheimer's and it goes into some emotional stuff.

This was super cute - I liked it more than the first, not that there was anything wrong with the first, just connected more with this one. I really liked Chloe, though not as selfless as her I definitely related to her a lot. and Nick just sounds absolutely amazing. It was fast paced, funny, adorable, written well. really enjoyed it. loved all the side characters, the chemistry between Chloe and Nick, the friendship between Chloe and Annie (including their fight). It was super fun and sweet, a delightful read. Definitely recommend, especially if you like rom-coms!

This was cute, Chloe and Nick's journey were something!I enjoyed this romance more than the first book!This is a great story it has humor a swoon worthy hero and lighthearted!

Nick and Chloe had a great chemistry, I could feel their connection!They make me laugh out loud a lot!I had a smile with these two!The only thing I didn't like a lot was Chloe.Sometimes she frustrates me however I continue enjoying the story!

Overall, it was a fun read!

Rom-com movie tropes and zany characters abound in Not Like the Movies, the page-turning sequel to Kerry Winfrey’s wildly popular Waiting for Tom Hanks. This meta-aware ‘romedy’ delivers witty banter and tender moments that make for an entertaining read. However, the threads of family crisis and BFF tensions are frequently more engaging than the romance that develops between the fickle protagonist and her stalwart love interest.

Chloe Sanderson does not believe in happily ever after or true love. Besides, her busy life is not exactly conducive to maintaining a romantic relationship. The almost-thirty-year-old barista takes online business classes toward earning her college degree, regularly bakes treats to sell at the coffee shop where she works, and cares for her father whose Alzheimer’s necessitates his living in an assisted facility. Chloe is also dealing with newfound celebrity. Her best friend, Annie, has written an upcoming rom-com flick inspired by the antagonistic chemistry between quirky Chloe and her boss, Nick Velez, who smells like a sexy grandpa. (I can only assume that Nick’s scent is a pungent blend of Old Spice and Vitalis with a hint of gorgonzola cheese. #justlikemygrandpa)

With the theatrical release approaching and the internet blogs’ obsession with Nick’s alter ego, Rick, Chloe begins to regard Nick as potential boyfriend material. Somewhere in between trading sarcastic barbs and sharing a power-outage kiss, the couple’s feelings for each other grow into something more. Chloe adamantly insists that her life is not a cute rom-com destined for a happy ending… or is it?

As the sole narrator, Chloe enchants readers with her bold personality, funny insights, and honest introspection. She constructively copes with her father’s illness and personal relationship issues by dressing in colorful clothes, listening to yacht music (think Doobie Brothers and Christopher Cross), and allowing herself to indulge in Five-Minute Cry sessions. Also, her ability to throw a bachelorette party for two complete with phallic decorations is second to none.

However sympathetic she may be, Chloe is a walking contradiction. Although she is a self-described optimist, she plays the long-suffering martyr card and eschews romantic notions. She is kind and generous to her father and Annie but takes advantage of Nick and her hookup partner and treats them with varying degrees of disregard. These inconsistencies made it difficult at times to trust Chloe and to reconcile her off-putting behavior. On the other hand, Nick is a solid character who possesses the requisite attributes of the perfect romance hero, and he makes a mean tortilla soup.

The opposites-attract romance between Chloe and Nick is satisfying but lacks total believability. While I can reasonably understand why Chloe is in love with Nick, I can’t clearly explain why Nick has fallen in love with Chloe. Unfortunately, Nick isn’t a very talkative character and Winfrey does not offer insights from his point of view. I am nonetheless happy for the couple and chalk it up to rom-com magic.

Not Like the Movies ends with a ‘rom-com-rific’ denouement that spectacularly showcases Kerry Winfrey’s writing talent. Romantic comedy readers who also identify as rom-com movie junkies will adore Winfrey’s ode to big screen romances.

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I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. Just as sweet as the first in this delightful series. Well-thought out characters with believable dialogue. I enjoyed the epilogue but feel like there's no place for this series to go so maybe calling it book #2 doesn't mean it's going to continue?