This was a very fun and insightful guide into the most popular romantic comedies that helped to define and reimagine the genre. I had not seen a lot of these movies, so it was interesting to get insight into the landscape of the movies at the time and how each one defined its place in history. This book definitely got me interested in watching more rom coms and I hope other readers will do the same.

Thank you to Dey Street Books and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This was a fun one for me. I am a huge movie buff, and Rom-Coms are right at the top of my list. This book was really well written, with a little synopsis and some behind the scenes information. It covers information for 15 different romantic comedies.

This is a book I probably will reference and read several times. This would also make a great gift. I really liked this one.

I’m not really sure what I expected going into this book. Some history, yes. Some behind the scenes stuff, yes. A little bit of an examination of the impact of Romantic Comedies, yes. But I finished it hoping there had been a little more meat to the book. I enjoyed it, and walked away interested in watching the movies I hadn’t already seen, but I still felt like it was getting a quick brush over of the genre instead of an in depth examination. I think the author was aiming for a breezy read, much like many romantic comedies feel to watch, but it just didn’t click with me. I realize that this sounds like I’m complaining, but I think it’s just slightly disappointed more than anything. I genuinely like romantic comedies and was pretty excited to read this book. It’s just that I came away wanting more. Definitely worth a read. I think it’s more me than it is the author or the book. As much as I was excited for it, it was just a struggle to keep my motivation to keep reading. Something about the writing style left me cold, I guess. Again, I feel like I’m complaining a lot for a book that I didn’t dislike and that a lot of others would like.

I wasn't as happy with this book as I thought I would be. I remember some discourse erupting around the time of Netflix making back to back rom coms. They were fulfilling a niche that had been neglected for the past few years. I remember people discussing why did rom coms go out of favor when they were the bread and butter of the box office during the early 2000's. I thought this book would add more to that but while they did talk about monumental movies in the genre it mostly had fun facts about how the movie came into being and neglected the impact these movies made. I found this surprising because most of the movies were than followed by a separate essay that did delve into the impacts of these movies and the impacts on the movie starts involved with them. There was a great essay written about how Sandra Bullock was becoming a rom com star, but how she didn't want to be stuck in that role. I thought this essay provided a lot of insight into the ups and downs of starring in these lovey dovey movies. Overall, a good book for those interested in this niche history but not one that is going to rock the non-fiction world.

I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

A look at romantic comedy movies from the 1990's to today. Each chapter deals with a specific movie with references to similar movies and how it came to be from writing to producing to directing, to acting. Each chapter highlighted a specific actor or actress who was in the movie.

I enjoyed this book. I have seen some of the movies but not all (shocking, I know.) I enjoy rom-coms. I have to admit my mind kept shouting "Hallmark movies" when thinking about rom-com movies. The focus here is theatrical releases. Mr. Meslow does get into Netflix and Hulu in the last chapter with a mention of Hallmark and Lifetime (although only for Christmas movies. Both companies do rom-coms year round.) I found it interesting how long it takes to bring a movie into fruition. I did not realize it could be up to a decade to get everything in place. I was also not aware of how often writers are replaced. I liked that he went into all movies from those geared toward teens, young adults over 20, adults, and over 50 year-olds. He speaks of how movie goers have aged and so have the characters in the rom-coms they want to watch. He did a good job showing how the genre has changed--been popular, less popular, and again on the rise.

He did not cover everything. There was no mentions of the historical rom-coms that are currently being done. I also wish he would have done a more comprehensive look at rom-coms. The ones done during the 1930-1970's were also good. I love the old movies and rom-coms with Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, James Garner, Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Barbra Streisand, and more. So, Mr. Meslow, if you're looking for another book, look into the "Golden Age of Hollywood."

Received an advanced copy from the publisher.

I heard Scott talk about this book on the Flop House podcase (shout out!) and the way he charmingly discussed the Netflix Christmas Romcom Cinematic Universe convinced me this man and I feel the same about romantic comedies and I would love his book. I immediately looked for an ARC and was delighted to receive it.

If this book doesn't make you want to have a weekend-long movie marathon, you're living wrong. He managed to provide trivia and insight about Nancy Meyers and Nora Ephron I didn't know despite re-listening to the Blank Check podcase (second shoutout!) series on both of their works all the time. Meslow weaves anecdotes, factoids, analysis, and pure, unadulterated love for the genre in a splendid way. However, he never ignores the shortcomings and problems with rom coms (the upper-class, cis straight whiteness of it all) and spends a good deal of the end of the book lauding the recent (successful!) pushes for a more diverse landscape.

I had a great time with this book.

I’ve always been a sucker for a good rom-com, so I was instantly intrigued at the synopsis of this story.

The book is told with each chapter being a different movie and history slash trivia highlights discussed. Interspersed are short essays on various actors who appear in rom-coms. The writing is approachable and fun without pandering and in it, you can feel the author’s interest.

I do love trivia and the “did you know page” on IMDb, so I was thrilled to learn things like: Pretty Woman was originally written as a super dark movie titled Three Thousand, Cameron Diaz and the on set hairdresser initially didn’t agree with the hair gag on There’s Something About Mary, and The Wedding Singer had an uncredited rewrite from Carrie Fisher.

Overall, this was a fun look at several of my favorite movies and even the movies I haven’t seen had interesting points.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

This was a cute little book about a bunch of different famous rom-com movies starting from the ‘80s up to recent times. Each chapter was about a specific movie, and then alternating with those chapters were short essays on some of the actors/actresses who we’ve all come to associate with these movies, such as, of course, Meg Ryan, Will Smith, and one of my favorites, Judy Greer.

It was fun to get a behind-the-scenes look into some of the movies that I feel I’ve rewatched hundreds of times and also some that I’ve never seen but have heard of. The sidebars were interesting too, giving glimpses into things running parallel to the movie, like soundtracks, or insight into specific scenes. I do wish the actor essays were a little longer, as I found those extremely interesting.

But all in all, this was a quick and fun read, and I enjoyed getting some insight into famous rom-coms and the people who play in them. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this galley.

Romantic comedies deserve all the appreciation and analysis, and Meslow does a solid job here. I love the chapters that explore the genre's tropes and trends, like "the baxter" or the best friend, and I wish there was even more of that. For me too much of the book's focus is on the actors and the making of these films, which I find much less interesting than the films themselves.

A lighthearted and good nonfiction- this is a unicorn! From Hollywood with Love is a short history of the modern rom com movie. I loved how it defined true rom coms as movies that would not work without the romance and the comedy. It examines a few handfuls of movies that fit the bill. I loved hearing a little behind the scenes on these movies- who else was up for the roles, how the characters and storylines sometimes were changed, how the movie became so loved and their long-lasting impact. I found myself wanting to rewatch every single movie mentioned, now thru a different lens.
If you like rom com movies or behind the scenes Hollywood, without being too bogged down, then this book is for you. This is a perfect book for Valentine's season.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance readers copy.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Dey Street Books, and Scott Meslow for an ARC of this book!**

If you can finish the following without hesitation:

Must Love ____

When Harry Met ____

and

If you can't help but stop channel surfing when Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, or Colin Firth is on the screen...

this is the PERFECT book to get you into a swoon-y state of mind!

From Hollywood with Love is a thoroughly researched and fascinating look behind the curtain of some of Hollywood's biggest successes in the rom-com genre. It also explores HOW the genre evolved, where it's been, how it flopped (temporarily) and the rise of the new generation of rom-com, on both the small screen and silver screen. Meslow explores the tropes, good, bad, and ugly, and doesn't shy from topics like the limited representation we've seen up until recent years, the mercurial nature of some of your favorite actors, actresses, directors, and writers (and the will of steel of others!), and how quickly Hollywood can turn on a dime when execs smell a success (or a failure) to be. The book covers quite a bit of ground, from the eighties until today, but never dwells on any one film for TOO long.

The funniest thing I discovered while reading this one is that as big a rom-com fan as I am? SO many movies discussed in this book I haven't even seen! Heard of them, absolutely. All were chosen carefully, and had some impact on the zeitgeist. What this also led me to realize is I have a LOT of 'homework' to do after reading this book to get caught up...AND I am just enough of a movie nerd to thoroughly enjoy this book regardless! One minor point: mention is made of Love, Simon and that the director wanted the film to have a happy ending etc....but NO mention is made that Love, Simon is an adaptation of Becky Albertalli's Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda...where the ending has already been spelled out. (This probably bugged me since I'm an Albertalli fan and loved the source material). However, if this is the only quibble I had with this book, I'd say Meslow thoroughly wooed me!

So settle in with some popcorn and a box of candy, or perhaps a pint of Haagen-Dasz, crank up Red Rain, and take a journey down rom-com lane...after all, you just KNOW you'll get a happy ending!

4 stars

Did I rewatch the Nora Ephron oeuvre after reading this? But of course! Meslow deep dives into the behind the scenes of some of the world’s most revered rom-coms, charting the genre’s rise in the 1980s/1990s, its downfall in the 2000s, and its recent streaming era resurgence. Each chapter focuses on a different movie (everything from MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING to THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY to TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE) with scattered essays about certain power players of the genre. Super fun & informative read if you like behind the scenes details of the making of these movies! Lots of thanks to @deystreet for my eARC!

What is your favorite romantic comedy? They are movies we watch and rewatch simply because they make us feel good. I know I have some on a constant rotation.

One of my favorite chapters was John Cusack - the reluctant romantic. Who can forget his role in say anything - every girl wanted a guy with a boom box to play "In Your Eyes" while standing in on your lawn outside your window. And, to know Cusack didn't even want to film the scene. WOW

And the other favorite was Love Actually - my all time favorite holiday movie. Hugh Grant as the prime minister does the most memorable dance scene that has been seen on youtube millions of times. I totally agree with the 2018 poll, that Love Actually is one of the top five Christmas movies of all time.

Maybe I live in a bubble, but I don't believe in the death of the rom-com. I am a moviegoer who is ready to fall in love with popcorn at the theater.

Thank you Dey Street Books for the complimentary copy.

Entertainment | Humor | Nonfiction (Adult)

What a fabulous and informative book!! This is one of those books I feel I wi be going back to and rereading many times. I learned so much about many great favorite romance movies of mine. I am so glad I was able to read this one!

this was a delight! i even recently listened to meslow on one of my fav movie podcasts, its so clear how much he likes romcoms, i truly am the target demographic. i would have included other ones though, justice for set it up!

A delightfully fun read for rom-com fans!
Written in a series of short essays, the author brings to life a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry and it's changes through the years. Each chapter is sprinkled with star trivia and fun facts from the movies that define the rom-com genre.
This book brought back many great movie memories and gave me a watch list of ones I've yet to see!
*Thank you Dey Street Books, Scott Meslow, and NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If, like me, you love a good romantic comedy, From Hollywood with Love by Scott Meslow will whet your appetite for these often disrespected classic movies. I was completely lost in the detailed history of rom-coms, starting in 1989 through the present. Mr. Meslow thoroughly dissects each of 16 movies including When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman, and Love Actually, which are personal favorites. As he describes how the concept was created, sold, written/rewritten, cast secured, filmed and marketed, the reader gets a behind-the-scenes look at the history of the genre in addition to the industry pressures that have resulted in the 'death' of these films and why they are coming back. Movie buffs will love this book, and will likely expand their list of movies to stream subtantially; in addition to the featured films, the author alternates chapters featuring a movie with chapters focusing on an actor that is known for starring in romantic comedies--throughout the book, hundreds of movies are mentioned or discussed. One caveat, however: if the reader has not already seen a movie that is featured, they will, by the end of the chapter, know the entire plot, including the ending, as well as alternate endings and rewrites, major spoiler alert! I was not bothered by this, and found that it only made me more interested in watching the films.

Nice little nostalgic journey back to the heyday of romcoms for those who are interested in non-fiction, are big rom com fans, and want to head down this trip down memory lane

This book is basically a nerdy love letter to the romantic comedy. It alternates between chapters focused on specific movies and chapters focused on key actors in the genre. The content of the movie chapters is part basic summary, part trivia and behind-the-scenes information, and part analysis of its place in the genre as a whole.

I had so much fun reading this book, especially the chapters with movies I've seen and loved. When Harry Met Sally, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Crazy Rich Asians were probably my favorite chapters.

There were a few movies that I hadn't seen, so I didn't fully understand the significance of some of the analysis, but there was enough summary that I could follow the chapter.

Considering how much information is in this book, it's extremely readable. It feels friendly and entertaining rather than boring. It's full of little anecdotes and thoughts that bring it to life, as well as cute illustrations for each movie.

I don't think people who dislike romantic comedies will enjoy this very much- but on the other hand, those who love romantic comedies will devour this book. This is the type of nonfiction that is genuinely a joy to read.

When reflecting on this book, I feel that the comments regarding lack of diversity in mainstream rom-coms were too short. There was only one brief section about how heterosexual the genre is, not a full chapter. Racial diversity in rom-coms is explored in a few chapters, but the primary focus (with a few exceptions) is definitely on white movies and actors. Other types of diversity, such as disability, body size and shape, and so on were also not really addressed directly.

If topics such as the Netflix Christmas Movie Universe, running through the airport scenes: cringe or essential?, and meet cutes appeal to you, you will like this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book to review!

I. Love. This. Book!

I. Wish. I. Wrote. This. Book!

From Hollywood with Love is both a cheerful and thoughtful examination of contemporary rom-coms. Author Scott Meslow contends – and I sincerely agree – that the genre has been grossly misunderstood and underappreciated since its inception. This heart-felt manifesto is long overdue.

Meslow’s genuine interest in rom-coms is apparent from the get-go. Each chapter is baked with love, making From Hollywood with Love a joy to read. It is also chock full of fun facts about celebrities and exciting behind-the-scenes looks. I could not get enough!

With that said, it is more than just a fun read.

Movies – including (and perhaps especially) romantic comedies – help us make sense of the world and our place in it. Meslow considers this genre with the thoughtful consideration it deserves. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by his incorporation of a racial and gender equity lens.

In short: From Hollywood with Love is a must-read for any and every pop culture fan.