A Happy Ever After (HEA), a great plot, and characters you can fall in love with.

Adina is a young aspiring writer juggling three jobs and raised by a young widow Mom Adina still lives with in their NYC apartment. Adi's love of Hallmark movies and a news report of a big city developer creating a condo village within Pleasant Hollow, a two hour trek outside of NYC, gives Adi an idea for a feature article that could lead to a full-time job at a magazine - her life long goal!

Come along on Adi's adventures in Pleasant Hollow and her relationships with people of the town and the developer's project manager. Can Adi save herself when Pleasant Hollow somehow doesn't fit the Hallmark mold? Can she get that magazine job? Will she ever get back to NYC where the food she loves is readily available?

A steamy part or two that takes this out of a cozy label is well handled and makes it a Forever publication.

You can count on Meredith Shorr for a fun rom-com romp.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I struggled to connect with the characters and didn't find myself invested in the plot at all. I did, however, appreciate the characters communication and that the issues they worked through felt realistic.

I was very intrigued by the summary of this book. I've been reading lot of romance this past year so this sounded like just the book to start off my year! Classics tropes and ways to turn them around--just what I want to read.

Some spoilers ahead!

I liked the concept overall, the idea of the story: Big city developer with plans to take over and gentrify a small town, city girl gets the scoop and helps locals preserve the town's cozy charm while romancing the local cutie. Burt then invert all those tropes into the big developer actually doing a good thing for the town (and other altruistic endeavors), the town being unremarkable, the locals actually being fairly bland and curmudgeonly and looking forward to the development, and the local cutie actually being part of the corporation and a city boy himself--this is everything that's so fun about trope inversions!

Unfortunately, it didn't pay off for me as I was expecting, which was disappointing.

I wish I had found the main character more engaging. It was hard for me to suspend my disbelief that Adi was still so wide-eyed and naive at age 25. She did not seem very worldly, for all her years in NYC and a degree in journalism. Much of her character seemed unrealistic to me, from how gullible she was on arrival to Pleasant Hollow, how determined she was to change the town to fit her needs, her weak grasp of journalism itself, how incongruent some of the story line for her was.

I had a hard time finding her endearing or relatable. I didn't find her very likable or believable. Much of her story was how to make things work for her, in a very self-centered, somewhat clueless manner. I think I'd have found her somewhat annoying if I were a Pleasant Hollow resident.

But I think the aspect of this book that doomed it for me was her reaction to Finn's family history, hidden problems and ultimate reveal. It showed very little empathy on her part, turning the whole focus back on her. I don't think she had an inkling of what Finn had gone through, was still going through, how trauma shapes one and one's responses. Yes, she had loss in her own life too, but empathy is deeper than simply a similar loss. Could Finn have done or said more in the confrontation? Of course. Should she have made it an ultimatum? Those aren't good for relationships in general! I was overall very disappointed with the big reveal, the break up, the reasons behind it, and in many ways the way his father's mental health and addiction issues were portrayed and the somewhat callous way Adi responded to them.

I'm glad her mom called her out on it.

I wasn't sure how they were going to get back together for the HEA. It was ok but I was not convinced her article was so good that it got her a job, the boy, and a tv treatment. That stretched my imagination too far.

The writing style itself was pleasant and readable.

Overall I would say I was disappointed in this book. I had much higher hopes and expectations.

I read it to the end, so that merits more than two stars. I'll give it 2.5 stars. It disappointed me that much, based on the inspiring premise.

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book early!

I really enjoyed this lighthearted romance, all the swoonworthy Finn moments, and all of the pop culture references. Any fan of Gilmore Girls or Hallmark movies will be sucked in right away. But there are deeper themes to this rom com than what you may think!

Adorable delicious romance . This book was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This was so fun to read. At first I thought Adina was a little vapid but I ended up really liking her. Her inner thoughts were really fun and easy to connect to.

I really enjoyed all the movie/tv references. This was just like a Hallmark movie. If you’re looking for something fluffy and a little bit sexy it’ll be right up your alley.

I read all of this in one sitting. It was easy to follow and had me turning the pages to see if Adina would write the perfect story for her picky editor.

Predictable and cheesy but that’s exactly what I knew I was in for and it delivered!

An easy 4 ⭐️! I can see myself reading this one again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the published for sending me an arc for this one!

As Seen on TV was the perfect winter distraction. It was fast paced, which I appreciated and loved. The author did a fantastic job of keeping things realistic but yet hopeful. As a Hallmark movie lover, I loved the whole premise. I will be recommending this book to my reader friends!

4.25/5 stars

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Adi, an aspiring journalist, is hunting for the perfect job in New York City that will allow her to put her journalism major to use. But when she meets Finn in the small town of Pleasant Hollow, she may be getting more than just her life-changing story…

Was I attracted to this book simply because the cover was so dang cute? Uh, yes. Did I absolutely end up loving it for a bunch of other reasons? UH, YES!

Absolutely loved the whole “Hallmark movie” concept. And the banter? Yes, please.

Although I couldn’t get into this book immediately, I’m so glad I read this. Finn has my heart. Forever.

So many readers/consumers are hungry to see the Hallmark tropes flipped on it's head, and the author delivered!

Adina's naivety about what it would take to attain that "perfect life" and tension with her expectations versus reality drive the narrative. Nothing in Pleasant Hollow is what she expects. The themes were achingly real and relatable; we all want to believe there is a small town HEA experience out there for the taking, if only we are brave enough to seek it. But relationships are MESSY and take work, and this author managed to tackle that topic while still keeping the read breezy and in the spirit of "rom-com". And YAY for Jewish representation, and fabulous banter with the MC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of As Seen on TV.

Adina's Geller's life is in limbo. While she is waiting to get a job in journalism she has been doing some freelance writing and building up her portfolio and trying to find any opportunities she can. So far she has been supplementing her income by teaching spin classes and working part time as a Barrista. Adina is still living at home with her mom because she doesn't make enough money to support herself which she hopes will change in the near future. Adina comes up with a cute story line about going to the small town Pleasant Hollow that is obviously similar to small towns that she has seen on Hallmark Movies. It's a great opportunity as there is a big bad developer who is planning on building a condominium project which no one wants. So Adina heads to Pleasant Hollow to write her article only to discover that Pleasant Hollow isn't anything like she envisioned from the Hallmark movies she's watched. The people aren't friendly and are actually looking forward to the new development. Adina's story to launch her career has crashed and burned.

I was looking forward to reading another romcom with a jewish character. This was a cute read and kept my interest the whole way through the story. There were some parts of the plot that I felt weren't believable but overall the story was wonderful. I did enjoy this story and was happy to read another book with a bit of jewish representation in it. If you are looking for a cute read with a little bit of steam but not too much heat this is for you. The pace of the story was good and I didn't feel like it dragged on at all. I would give this book a 7.5/10 and I would recommend it to someone who was looking for a light read.

Thank you so much for approving me to read an early copy of this book!

This was such a cute spin on the city girl falling in love in the country town trope. I love those for Hallmark movies and this book really was a great spin on a classic idea. It was really easy to get immersed in the story and I really loved Finn immediately. All the characters were really fun, and I loved Ami's relationship with her mom. I did struggle at times to really connect with Ami, but it wasn't too bad or enough to really pull me from the story. This was a fast paced, fun read and I think romcom fans will really enjoy it.

Fun story about Adi, who is looking for her real life Hallmark movie, and Finn a city boy who finds himself in the same town as Adi. It’s a cute story, realistic dating/relationship/coming of age troubles. It’s a bit far fetched in parts, but aren’t all Hallmark stories?! That’s the charm and Happily Ever After.

This was a quick, fun, unique, and relaxing read. I’m not someone who particularly likes Hallmark movies, but found the story line of this book to be the perfect ode to it without being overly cheesy.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

A small town based on Anti- Hallmark universe and sweet banters with entertaining Gilmore Girls references, a slow burn lighthearted romance that can cure any cruel hearts and brooding souls! Yes, this book won my heart with this simple formula: less cheesy and without cliches, more realistic approach to the small town dynamics and promising conclusion which gives up full of hopes!

“As seen on TV” is definitely one sit read with its riveting and interesting development, colorful and cute characters steal your hearts and entertaining story building to keep you hooked up!

I liked the author’s motive to give us more credible version of small town lives and I certainly giggled each time I recognized a Gilmore Girls reference.

Adi and Finn were adorable love interests to connect with.

I had a huge bucket of popcorn and very delicious crisp white wine during my reading time and finished the satisfying smile with smiling ears to ears. Another great feel-good romance I truly needed!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever/ Grand Central Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this wonderful book! I absolutely loved reading it and will be publishing my official review on my Instagram on pub day, Jun 7, 2022.

Attached is my Goodreads review of the book, which I am also pasting below. Thank you again!

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Welp, I’m crying! This book is lovely and perfect and sweet as pie, but it also has depth and substance and makes you really deeply care about the characters and their well being. I LOVED Adi and Finn as love interests and was so invested in seeing how they would solve their issues in order to make their relationship work. The ending was so utterly gratifying, and I wept my little heart out.

The Hallmark movie angle is one that I think could have turned out extremely corny, however, the way the author flipped the traditional barrage of stereotypes of Hallmark movies upside down in order to show that real life can actually turn out better than these movies made me so immensely happy.

The Gilmore Girls references sprinkled throughout the story were an added bonus for me personally, and made me continuously smile every time they were brought up. I adored the parallels between Adi and her mom, as well as Adi and her best friend Kate, to Lorelai and Lane, respectively.

Loved, loved, loved!

This was a quick read. Marketed as Hallmark movie meets Gilmore Girls I expected a cute breezy read. I didn’t expect it to be the opposite but it was still a cute book.

City girl, Adina is working as a freelance writer, a barista and a spin instructor trying to make her way to staff writer for a NY online site. In a moment of desperation she turns to hallmark movies and submits a proposal to go a small town and write a story about a corporation moving in.

Once she gets to Pleasant Hollow she was very disappointed to find it not at all like the small town she was dreaming of. Trying to make friends with the locals, find a good angle for her story and flirting with a man she meets at the Inn have her desperately trying to connect.

It was a cute story. If you like Hallmark movies I think you will enjoy.

I'm very conflicted with this story. Realistically, I think while reading this would be lower than a 3 star read (closer to 2 or 2.5), but I'm rounding up because there were some parts of the story I enjoyed. The writing was solid, I enjoyed the initial hook, and the characters of Adi and Finn, as well as the supporting cast, were well crafted.

What didn't vibe with me was the execution of the story and the pacing. It felt off the entire time I was reading it. The aspects of insta-love, Adi's mindset to try and force a town to be something it's not, the fact she could land a job with one article (that was originally pitched without much research). Everything mixed together had me wishing the story would just end at points, which was sad, since this was a story I was excited about.

I have been waiting impatiently for a new Meredith book for a long time and it was well worth the wait!
Adina is a city girl who is obsessed with Hallmark movies and is set on finding a story in a "small town". She pitches a story to a magazine she sometimes freelances for and off she goes, However, what she finds isn't a Hallmark setting at all. She finds a sleepy little town. I can attest to this as my town is around 4,000 people and there aren't any dreamy Hallmark men either! I am also married :)

As she gets to the B&B where she is staying, she meets gorgeous Finn. Could it be? Could she have met the “one” on her first day in the sleepy town? As we all know life is not that simple. Life goes awry for Adina as she starts researching her story. Small town life isn’t exactly what she thought it would be. It isn’t book stores, bakeries and walks in the parks.

Adina finds that she bit off more than she can chew with this story. She will need dig deep to find out what will engage the writers back in the city.

Will she put herself out there to make this happen?

Find out in June of 2022!!

Well done Meredith!

Although romance is not my usual genre, I absolutely loved this story.

Pleasant Hollows may not be the Hallmark movie town that Adi envisioned, but her blooming romance certainly has all the makings of a feel-good, warm and cozy story. I would love to see this on the big screen! Schorr does an excellent job of narrating the story in a way that you can picture every scene, right down to naming possible Hallmark movie actors to play a few of the roles.

As a big-city girl myself, with a penchant for anything set in a small town (including the frequently mentioned Hart of Dixie and Gilmore Girls), I would relate to all of Adi's feelings and cravings for that idyllist setting. She may not find exactly what she is looking for, but what she does find is well worth the journey.

This book was a fun and addictive right from the start. I’m not a fan of Hallmark movies and wondering if that idea would annoy me but it didn’t at all. It was an entertaining ride to read as the MC, Adina, gets a dose of reality and has to figure out how to bounce back. The story is cute all the way to the end and really well written. It had a good pace that kept you wondering what Adina would get caught up in and still balanced it with a realism that made it all very plausible. Such a great read and well worth the hype. I’d recommend it to everyone. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.