Big city girl with idealized views of romance goes to a small town to find her real-life Hallmark movie. Spoiler alert: things don't go as planned.

I liked the premise of this book and enjoyed how strong and resilient the main character, Adina, was. The town of Pleasant Hollow seemed like a pretty realistic version of a small town. Read: boring and less than idyllic. My problem was the plot. Or lack thereof. Adina spends 90% of the book looking for an angle for the article she's writing and coming up empty. It got redundant after a while. Also, the Big Secret that Finn is keeping from Adina was a bit anticlimactic. I liked the characters but had a hard time getting involved enough to care. Overall, this was a pretty beige rom com.

I loved the mom/daughter relationship vibes and the romance. Thank you for letting me read this story in exchange for an honest review. I would definitely rec to my girlfriends as this story as light-hearted and funny. I wanted to live in this world.

If I hadn't already thoroughly enjoyed "As Seen On TV', I'd have gone looking for it after reading the author's opening comment of the acknowledgements: "If you've gotten this far, it means you've read my book. OH, My God." Somehow that made the author all the more a real person to me, which is silly since, as an author myself, I know how real I am. Oh, wait. (pinches self) Yes, authors are real.

Bad attempt at a joke aside, this book was a great deal of fun, a distraction from reality. Adina Gellar does come across as rather naive initially, true, but she is genuinely likeable. Finn definitely sounds like a winner. I mean, apart from managing the project Adina initially wants to turn into a evil scheme, he worked for Habitat for Humanity and wants to build low-income housing? Okay, too good to be true but all true. Their cute meet might not be Hallmark movie worthy but it was easy to envision the action as it played out on the pages, even to revealing Adina's frustration as she slowly comes to grips with the fact Pleasant Hollow doesn't fit the stereotypical Hallmark cliche of a small town. Adina's efforts to somehow make it fit that cliche are actually rather amusing, to be honest, especially since it's obvious Finn is amused by both her stick-to-it persistence but doesn't feel offended.

In true Hallmark fashion, of course, the two come together for that happy-ever-after ending, although how they get there isn't easy and is full of surprises. I doubt that saying this is giving away anything, well, at least if you've ever watched a Hallmark movie. This is a Hallmark movie turned on its head initially, then going Hallmark again, if that makes sense. If you enjoy feel-good romance with more than a bit of humor and people with real strengths and weaknesses, not to mention families and friends they care about and that you will like, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. It was fun, in short.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Forever for letting me spend some time with Adina and Finn.

This romance novel didn't hit the right notes for me.

It's about a woman obsessed with Hallmark movies hearing about a small town that is facing a plotline from such movies, and decides to visit and write an article about it. But then the small town is nothing like the movies. However, it tried to hard to be the exact opposite of a Hallmark movie, and just felt a bit fake. No one in a customer service position would be that rude to a customer, small town or not. It just bothered me enough to not really get into the book.

Also, I didn't feel any chemistry between the two leads.

As Seen on TV is a romance that takes its time getting to happily ever after - mostly in a good way.

Adina loves Hallmark movies and inspiration for a story hits her so she travels to a small town a few hours away from NYC looking to write a piece on the quintessential hometown experience. If she happens to meet a cute, single carpenter/mayor/school teacher on the way that’s fine too.

Pleasant Hollow turns out to be anything but quaint with citizens who really don’t care that a hotshot developer is building new condos. And Adina does meet a guy, Finn, but he’s not a local. He’s from the city and works for said developer. Gasp!

The first half of this book was not my favorite. Adina’s inner monologue was sort of awkward and cringey. I felt like she was really out of touch with reality - which I suppose looking back was the point. However at around the 50% mark I started to enjoy the story a lot more with Finn’s complicated history and the rocky start to their relationship.

The ending was slightly unbelievable but still cute. I think I just wanted more of the messy and emotional parts vs Adina complaining about how life isn’t a Hallmark movie. I’d definitely read more by this author and am glad I read this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this read so much, it was very funny & I loved how relatable the characters were. After reading this I literally binge watched a season or two of Gilmore Girls! I absolutely loved its premise of a big city journalist looking for the perfect story in what she thinks is a Hallmark-like small town called Pleasant Hollow. Only, it is nothing compared to what she’s seen on tv or the movies. There is no Luke’s, no Christmas Tree lighting, & no festivals. Her small town fantasies were completely shattered. Although the small town is not what Adina expected, she does find an unexpected love.

There are many references to Gilmore Girls, & if you’re a fan of Stars Hollow, you will enjoy this one! I also appreciated the Jewish rep, which is not something I always see in romcoms. As far as the romance, I feel as if it was very realistic and relatable. Love isn’t always perfect & its sometimes quite messy. I absolutely recommend this, especially if you want a feel-good & cozy romcom read with quirky side characters.

You can expect:
* Jewish Rep
* Laugh Out Loud Romcom
* Slow Burn
* Charming Side Characters
* Gilmore Girls Vibes
* Witty Banter
* Open Door Romance
* Mother/ Daughter Relationships

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Quick read and if you like Hallmark movies, you’ll enjoy this. It had quirky characters, and the hallmark staple of a small town, fish out of water trying to fit in for how ever long. It definitely, had humor so when you get a chance to visit, check it out and enjoy.

As Seen on TV by Meredith Schorr is a hallmark movie in the making. This story does take a more realistic approach to the typical hallmark trope, but still delivers on the swoon worthy moments of girl meets boy in the big city and instant connection, but everyday things keep them from their happily ever after. This is a fun, realistic twist on the your traditional story. Overall a fun, sweet, quirky read.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

As Seen on TV has the best premise- Adina Gellar is a Hallmark movie-loving, emerging journalist from NYC. She’s trying so hard to make it as a writer and finally gets an idea she thinks will give her the big break she’s been waiting for.

Adina learns a big-time real estate developer has encroached in Pleasant Hollow, a small town just outside the city. Sounds just like a Hallmark movie! Adina knows she’s found the perfect story and can’t wait to explore the town and learn more about what’s going on there.

Bonus would be meeting a small town hunk of her own because NYC guys are the worst. #truestory

But then a Thor-sized wrench gets thrown into Adina’s plans because Pleasant Hollow isn’t anything like the small towns in the movies. If she doesn’t figure out a good hook for her story, her journalism hopes might be in the gutter.

Ahhhh what’s gonna happen!? Oh my god I won’t lie I was kinda anxious as Adina was trying to figure out what to do with her story. I wasn’t sure how she would get it together. Her ideas did not give me a lot of faith in her abilities. Thankfully she does meet a cute guy named Finn. I enjoyed their relationship and ultimately loved how everything comes together in the end. The HEA was seriously perfect. Getting there was nerve-wracking for me but the payoff was worth it.

Fun for lovers of Hallmark movies and fans of Gilmore Girls.

This was a really cute story. So many fans of romance love the hallmark trope of big city girl goes to the country to find true love. But this story takes a more realistic approach to what a hallmark movie would look like in real life. Adi leaves NYC and heads to a small town to attempt to write a career making story, only to find out that nothing is like the movies. She does meet a charming man named Finn, only to find out he is actually from NYC. Adi and Finn have a lot of chemistry from the start, but many obstacles stand in the way of a HEA for them. The author came up with a fun twist on a classic story, with likeable characters that you were pulling for. This was a sweet, and funny quick read. I received an ARC from netgalley, and this is my honest review.

The premise of this seemed super cute. The main character lives in NYC and spends her time watching Hallmark movies and fantasizing about small town life (such as Gilmore Girls).

When she hears of a big developer coming into a small town, she takes this opportunity to boost her writing career and simultaneously save the small town for the (clearly evil, if you've ever seen a Hallmark movie) developer.

The town is less than charming and nothing like she expected, but she does find something that makes up for it.

Personally, this book didn't do it for me at all. The main character was annoying and her "inner thoughts" were super weird and gross. I'm sure there's a target audience for this, although I'm just not sure who that would be.

Thanks Netgalley for the EARC, this book is out on June 7th!

Brief Synopsis: Adina has just been stood up and a recent article submission has been rejected yet again. To ease her pain, she decides to watch Million Dollar Listing New York and Ryan Serhant’s new development project outside the city inspires her to write an article about finding love, Hallmark style in a small-town Pleasant Hollow where a new development is being built. Adina arrives in Pleasant Hollow and finds that it is nothing like the movies. The people don’t have festivals, a hot mayor, or the hot diner owner. After a run in with the project manager, Finn a big city dweller, she starts to realize that Finn may not be like other guys from the city. Will this new friendship grow into something more?

My Thoughts: This was a thoroughly enjoyable book. I appreciate that the MC was Jewish, this is not something I see a lot in Rom-Coms, unfortunately. The characters were complex and well-developed. The story was somewhat unique. I wanted Adina to win and to succeed in her career and at love. This Rom-Com is just what you need to read when you want a HEA.

This was super cute and very fun. Very delightful characters ,lots of smiles and lol moments. I will be buying this when it comes out or heck I may pre order it.


Thank you netgalley for my complementary copy

As Seen on TV takes the small town Hallmark movie trope but gives it a twist to become something new.

Millennial writer, Kate, has a chance to write for her dream online publication and help pay for the rent spike at the apartment she and her mother share in one fell swoop. She pitches a Hallmark-worthy story to an editor involving a charming small town pitted against an evil condo developer, but when she gets to the small town, she finds the her story isn’t what she expected.

I loved this story. It had a slow-burn romance between two realistic people, and there weren’t any crazy Hallmark movie-style plot twists (you know the ones that make you roll your eyes because they could never happen in real life?).

I thought Kate’s character was appropriately immature given that she lived a somewhat sheltered existence. I also found it hilarious when she saw her preconceived notions about small towns shattered again and again. I think movies and books make small towns out to be these magical places when really they’re just normal places filled with normal people who are just trying to live their lives.

I thought the situation with Finn’s dad was wrapped up a little too nicely, but I guess that’s to be expected from a romcom.

Overall a fantastic debut from this author.

I was so excited to see that Meredith Schorr has a new book! I am a huge Hallmark movie fan and I loved the premise of this book from the second I read the summary. Adina is a huge Hallmark/Gilmore Girls fan...she loves the movies, small towns and all that comes with it. She heads to Pleasant Hollow (outside of NYC), to write a story on a real estate developer (who she assumes) is going to ruin this town with a high rise apartment complex. When Pleasant Hollow isn't as "Pleasant" as she thought it would be...her story quickly changes. It was a really cute book- will be a great read for a beach trip!

This was the first book by this author that I’ve read. It was a fast paced read over all. Was it one of my favorites? No, but I did enjoy it overall. The name of the town reminded me too much of Gilmore Girls to get passed. Overall it was a cute rom com

I received this ARC through #netgalley and I am voluntarily reviewing this book.

As Seen On TV tells the story of Adina, an aspiring journalist, who hears about a developer coming to a small town near her. Immediately seeing “Hallmark Movie” potential, Adina pitches the story to an editor and moves to Pleasant Hollow to investigate, but will she find what she’s looking for?

Loaded with references to Hallmark Christmas movies, The Gilmore Girls, and of course some romance, As Seen On TV gives us a glimpse of what some small towns are like.

One thing I really enjoyed was that I thought the character development of the male lead, Finn, was phenomenal. I think he was one of the deeper and more dynamic characters, which was a refreshing change from the norm. I found all of the characters, major and minor, lovable!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

This book was an interesting take on the city/small town narrative. I never thought I would read a book with a (practically) lifelong New Yorker with a naive take on life. Overly naive city girl Adina wants to get her Hallmark love story in a small town. She just happens to meet the right person at the right place to try to set her very specific narrative into motion. It does not go as planned and she's given many chances to make it work. I'm still struggling to see the full growth, but it's a light read if you're in love with Gilmore Girls.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever Books for an honest review. As Seen on TV was as draw in for people whose idea of small towns come from Hallmark Movies and Gilmore Girls. If you’re a fan of these 2 shows, pick this one up! Adina
is so relatable as a person in your 20s and thinking a certain career was going to propel you somewhere, but you’re stuck in a place you’d never thought you’d be and having to figure out life as it is now, not as you wished it. The mother daughter relationship was a thing of dreams. My only con is wishing there was more of an attraction build up, and this was more insta-love. But overall, I’ll be buying this for my shelf to come back to as a feel good read.

This was a pretty funny read. Adi and Finn were cute together in the end! The romance is open door. All of the levels of Hallmark movies in this was honestly kinda hilarious. Adi loves Hallmark movies, she heads out to a small town looking for a real life Hallmark town to write about, then realizes that isn’t the case, but then starts to fall in love and has her own Hallmark moment, and honestly it keeps going from there. That’s not a roast from me, the book is very self aware of this. It was pretty funny.
I read an arc of this book from NetGalley. Thanks to Forever for that! This book comes out 6/7/22 and if this kind of story is your vibe check it out. I was certainly entertained.