An easy-breezy Sunday afternoon from-com. Perfect for a rainy day. Adi and Finn find the ideal balance of friends to lovers. I'm not a Hallmark movie watcher, maybe I should try one!

A journalist setting out to find an IRL Hallmark town was a fun concept, and the fact that this town played against all the small town stereotypes added an extra level of amusement to the story. A few quirky characters quickly emerged, but honestly, this story was all about Finn and Adina for me. Their exchanges and encounters were filled with witty banter and plenty of tension, and this whirlwind romance had me grinning from ear to ear.

With nods to, as well as overt mentions of one of my all-time favorite shows, Gilmore Girls, this book had to include a stellar mother-daughter relationship, and it did. With her father passing away when she was very young, it had been Adina and her mom against the world for a long time, and it showed. The strength of their bond was revealed with every interaction, and one could only admire the level of love and support they gave to one another.

Considering this was a story about finding the anti-Hallmark small town, it had a Hallmark feel. Low drama with lots of warmth and heart, As Seen on TV spoke to my inner Hallmarkie and left me with lots of warm and fuzzy feelings.

This is a DNF for me.

I was really excited about the premise, but just cannot get into the characters or the storyline. I was already feeling myself drag through it and I just know I’m not going to be able to connect with it going forward.

Annoyed by her life in NYC, Adina sets off to Pine Hollows, hoping to write a story about this small town that seems straight out of a Hallmark movie. She receives a chilly reception upon arrival and slowly discovers small town life may not be as idyllic as Hallmark and Gilmore Girls make it out to be.

I'm a Hallmark movie junkie so this story immediately spoke to me. I didn’t love the first half, if possible there were too many tv references and Adi could be over the top, but I really enjoyed the second half. I loved the connection she shared with Finn and how they acknowledged their feelings and openly communicated with one another. We also get to learn a bit more about Finn’s complicated past and get sweet supportive scenes from Adi’s mom and best friend Kate.

Overall it’s a heartwarming story that shows that the real world is messy and sometimes you need to need to let go of expectations and see where things take you.

Thank you Forever for my advance copy.

DNF at 46%

I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately the story never quite hooked me. Perhaps if I was a big fan of Hallmark movies, I would have found it more enjoyable. There’s nothing terrible about the writing or the story, but there was also nothing compelling me to continue. I didn’t particularly like the main character, Adina, and I wasn’t sold on her chemistry with Finn. Perhaps when I’m in a different mood I will pick this one up again.

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

First off, thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this digital ARC of As Seen on TV

The title and cover caught my attention. Think Stars Hollow, As Seen on TV is a charming story that will have you looking at your life through the same lens. So many great LOL moments, likable characters

AS SEEN ON TV spins a well-loved trope on its head, resulting in a charming story that will have you viewing your own life through new eyes. Love the small town feel! Both laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreakingly relatable, this is an absolute must-read!

Very cute story. I love a small town romance (much like the protagonist in this book). A few too many pop culture references for my taste. I feel they took away from the story and made it seem like it was trying too hard.

Annoyed by her life in NYC, Adina sets off to Pine Hollows, hoping to write a story about this small town that seems straight out of a Hallmark movie. She receives a chilly reception upon arrival and slowly discovers small town life may not be as idyllic as Hallmark and Gilmore Girls make it out to be.

I'm a Hallmark movie junkie so this story immediately spoke to me. I didn’t love the first half, if possible there were too many tv references and Adi could be over the top, but I really enjoyed the second half. I loved the connection she shared with Finn and how they acknowledged their feelings and openly communicated with one another. We also get to learn a bit more about Finn’s complicated past and get sweet supportive scenes from Adi’s mom and best friend Kate.

Overall it’s a heartwarming story that shows that real-world is messy and sometimes you need to need to let go of expectations and see where things take you.

Thank you Forever for my advance copy.

It's a bit of a role reversal- in this one, the city dweller comes to the small town expecting to fall in love with its charm and community, and instead finds it's your standard, basic small community. There isn't a festival to be found, the locals aren't exceptionally friendly, and there isn't a homemade slice of pie for miles. Instead, what Adi finds is a crush on a fellow New Yorker in town, and while she wanted him to be the bad guy, he's actually quite nice, philanthropically minded, and not a little bit attractive. This is such a great story about finding the career ladder and shooting for your goals in your twenties, with the floundering and stress of money and relationships being a big part of that time frame.

This was a really cute romcom, which surprisingly had some spice to it too! When I read the synopsis, I was expecting it to be much more G-rated (especially given all the Hallmark references!) but I was so pleasantly surprised.

I am always here for a MC that's Jewish - so I really loved getting to know Adina! Her love story with Finn definitely had some ups and downs, but who doesn't love a HEA - especially with such grand gestures! The pop culture fanatic in me adored all of the modern love story and tv/movie references, too! All in all, a really cute and light read!

I went in hoping for a charming read, but I didn't feel like I really got that. I felt like the author was so busy turning all smalltown romance tropes on their heads that she lost touch with the story. I also really didn't get along with the writing style, especially in the sex scenes. Because of this, I ended up DNFing it.

Adina is a journalist in NYC searching for her big break. In the meantime, she's still living with her mom at age twenty-five, and hustling between her day jobs and freelance writing. She gets inspired by all the Hallmark movies she watches, and comes up with an idea for a story she pitches to hopefully secure her dream job. She sets off to the town of Pleasant Hollow to research her story and help take down the big city developer moving in that will destroy the quaint small town.

Turns out this small town has nothing close to the scenes she has romanticized in her favorite shows and movies. The only thing positive in her adventure to the town is meeting Finn, a true city boy. As Adi struggles to find a story, the relationship between Finn and her heats up. There are so many fun references to your favorite Hallmark movies, Gilmore Girls, Hart of Dixie, and more! It was nostalgic to read all the references to so many shows and movies I've seen.

Things in Finn's life prevent him from opening up, but Adi seems to be an exception as they become closer. I like the backstory for both of these characters and how it initially causes them to have issues, but ultimately they realize love is something that has be worked at and isn't always easy.

This book was such a cute read. I loved how Meredith flipped the Hallmark type life on it's head in this book. It was creative and made for an interesting read, wondering how things were going to work out for Adi and Finn. If you love Hallmark movies then you are in a for a fun ride!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever/ Grand Central Publishing for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

imagine sophie cousen’s “just haven’t met you yet” crossed over with “gilmore girls…” this novel is set in such a charming town and, just like adi, i am such a romantic and wish that a place like pleasant hollow existed! i’d love to live in a place where everyone knew everybody else and carnivals and other festivities were weekly occurrences! and, adi and i are suckers for grand gestures! i really admired adi’s passion towards writing and her determination to secure the job of her dreams. i definitely connected with her as she navigated “adulting.” she also shares such a tight bond with her mother and the way she never gave up on adi warmed my heart!

now… the romance!! adi and finn have undeniable chemistry and they shared such great banter! finn’s idea of romance may not be at the same level of adi’s but i thought it was so sweet how he knows she deserves the best! one part of romance novels i look for is the resolution. i felt that the journey towards adi accepting finn’s past panned out too fast. it felt a bit rushed and as if all it took was for adi to have an “aha” moment to fix her relationship. despite this, i can’t complain about the moment they forgive each other. oh, and the epilogue was … chef’s kiss and it made me so happy! if you’re a fan of hallmark movies, you will - without a doubt- fall for adi, finn, and pleasant hollow!

I was excited to read an ARC of As Seen on TV. I wanted a light hearted, feel-good romance and As Seen On TV delivers. I love Hallmark movies, Gilmore Girls and live in a small town so this ticked lots of boxes for me. Adina is an aspiring writer holding multiple jobs trying to launch her dream career. She lives in NYC and has a highly romanticized view of small town and romance. She and her mom still live together and are facing financial challenges. Adina pitches an article to write about a small town being corrupted by a big business. And just maybe she will meet a local, small town, eligible bachelor to fit her expectations. The first half of the book was a slow start for me. The characters were slow to develop and I had a hard time cheering for Adina’s article. Midway through the book the characters became more developed and I became far more invested in their stories. While the story is a fun romance the characters are relatable and flawed as are most people. It will be a fun beach read this summer

Overall, I was really intrigued by the premise. The concept sounded like a fun twist, and I had high hopes. Unfortunately though, the story was just okay. It fell a bit flat as I had a hard time rooting for Adina. She didn't seem to know much about being a journalist, and while I love a day dreamy heroine, she wasn't one. Instead, she came across as wilfully (and lazily) insipid.

Also, from how this book was pitched, I was expecting a rom com/romance, but the romantic plotline is underdeveloped, and comes across a bit superficial.

I wanted to like this one, but it just feels like it misses the mark.

What happens when a small town doesn’t live up to the Hallmark dreams of a big city writer?

Adi’s single, looking for love, and a staff position at a digital publication. Her way in to the writing gig is a story comparing a nearby small town to the setting of a Hallmark movie, complete with a NYC real estate developer building a big condo complex.

Adi’s determined to defend the town’s unique charm but when she arrives in Pleasant Hollow, it’s the opposite of her beloved Hallmark vision. No festivals, the locals aren’t angry about the new development, and Finn, the onsite rep for the developer? Turns out he’s gorgeous, funny, and friendly. Now what does she do?

What you get:

Humor
Insta-attrraction
Close proximity
Hallmark tropes stood on their ear
Gilmore Girls references
Close friendships
Single parenting
Jewish rep
SATC-loving handyman
Cozy read
Look inside writing for a Buzzfeed-esque site
Love of things NYC like bagels and pizza


Adi’s relatable in trying to conquer the career path that she’s chosen. And also being tired of not getting what she wants from relationships. And also the love for how magical Hallmark movies make small towns appear - who wouldn’t want apple picking, Harvest festivals, impromptu snowball fights, friendly faces everywhere, and delicious pie?!

I love the callouts to all of the Hallmark tropes. The scene with the teacher/volunteer firefighter/animal shelter volunteer had me laughing out loud.

The desire and conflict between Finn and Adi felt very relatable. Even when it’s insta-attraction, relationships can have big hurdles to overcome.

The author does tackle serious subjects like losing a parent and alcoholism.

This is a quick, cozy read that’s perfect for Gilmore Girls fans and Hallmark movie bingers.

I'm sad that this book didn't work for me at all. I couldn't get into it. The writing was very good, but the characters and the story were not my taste.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this one, but it was simply a case of not the right reader for this book. That being said, I'm sure it will be the book for plenty of others.

I thought the cover art was cute and intriguing and I loved the premise – as a fan of Gilmore Girls and a lover of all things small town romance, I had high hopes for this read.

I went in hoping for a lighthearted, romcom type read – complete with sassy, fast talking mother/daughter duo (a la GG) and the quirky, loveable small town folks and charm. The story had some cute moments and was lighthearted but did not really deliver for me on the romcom-esque feel I was hoping for.

For me, when reading a book there are a number of factors that go into it. One of the things that can make a book stand out for me is the characters and my engagement. In this case, I had trouble connecting with the main character, Adi, and I wasn’t grabbed early on in the story. I will say that Finn was a character that I did like more, it helps to have some connection with at least one of the mains. I think the lack of initial hook and my lack of connection with Adi made it hard for me to connect with the book. The ending was satisfying and the last bit of the book came together a bit better for me.

This one is more 3.5 stars but I decided not to do half stars again this year and I bumped it up to 4 because the story kept me very engaged and I didn't want to put it down. I should start off by saying that I do not like Hallmark movies and find them to be very tedious. This story follows Adina who is an aspiring journalist and gets the chance to write a story about a small town. Adina loves Hallmark movies and gets into her head that the town of Pleasant Hallow is going to be just like the movies she watches. Of course when she gets there nothing is like the movies. I kept getting frustrated because she felt very naive to me to think that all small towns will be Stars Hallow and when it's not she gets the idea to make the town what she wants. Eventually this narrative quieted down and I really liked the story from there. Her growth was fun to watch and I really liked her love interest Finn. Finn was so cute but also going through his own problems and their story is about learning to let go of their ideas and decide if they want to try. If you are a fan of cute romances set in a small town then I think you should check this one out. Thank you Forever for my #gifted copy for review, this one comes out June 7th.

A lighthearted romance whose last few chapters really elevate it. I wouldn't go so far as to say that AS SEEN ON TV is funny to the point of reaching the 'com' in romcom, but it defenitely has its cute moments.

To be honest, I'm not entirely endeared to the characters. I find some of their characterization to be a little awkward, and our heroine Adina is too vapid for me--there's a difference between being quirky and being (stupidly) naive. Twenty-five is a suitable age for people not to assume that everything they see on tv reflects reality..but that's apparently not the case here, as it forms the very premise of this book.

The first 60% is also a little droll, as we see Adina going through the same thought processes over and over and over, whether it be in terms of her writing assignment, realizations about the town, or feelings for Finn. The story could be tightened up a bit more as well; currently some parts are unnecessary and could definitely be cut out for better pacing.

Despite it all, I do like this book. Adina's journey towards her final Pleasant Hollow article is satisfying; I really like the consent casually portrayed; Finn isn't an asshole (is that a low bar?); and the romance is quite cute in the last couple chapters. Recommending this for anyone looking for a quick romance read.