Finding mr. write

Thank you Forever Pub for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this, but I ended up being pretty captivated by the story. I listened to the audiobook and read the ebook. I loved the narration and thought Natalie Naudus and Sean Patrick Hopkins was perfect for the story.

I think most women can relate to wondering how their professional life would differ if they were a man. In order to get published, submits her manuscript under a man’s name. In order to protect this as her book gains popularity, she hires a male actor to play the role of Zane Remington. Chris takes the role because has a few secrets if his own, but it turns out he couldn’t be any more different from Zane.

I really enjoyed the messages back and forth between Daphne and Chris. I liked seeing how they slowly built a relationship over text and then when they’re forced together for an interview and tour. As a woman, I especially appreciated that angle to the story and how Daphne and Chris eventually come to terms with the truth.

I just finished reading "Finding Mr. Write" by Kelley Armstrong, and it was such a fun ride! As someone who's quite picky with her romantic comedies, this book hit all the right spots for me. Our main character, Daphne, is tired of getting rejected as a female writer and decides to pull a fast one on the publishing by posing as a macho male author named Zane Remington. Her idea, of course, works, landing a book deal. But the twist is that she has to keep up the charade to prove that her imaginary Zane author is real. This unique premise, engaging characters, and witty dialogue made this book a delightful read.

She has to prove that her imaginary Zane author is real, so she hires Chris to convince everyone. The story was quite predictable, with all the stereotypical rom-com tropes, but I liked it anyway! Their chemistry was great, and many situations they encountered made me grinning throughout the book. The relationship development felt natural and sweet, and the whole story was a light, funny, and heartwarming read that kept me entertained and amused from start to finish. It's the perfect read for a cozy night or a beach day.

I would highly recommend reading Finding Mr. Write! You can never go wrong with a book by Kelley Armstrong. This one was unique, funny, and I loved the characters. It's a book I will be happy to re-read in the future.

This was a fun and charming read! It was light and easy to read with a rom-com feel! I loved the combination of opposites attract, hidden identities, and an instant spark with a slow-burning romance. This was my first book of Armstrong’s, and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.

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

I love Kelley Armstrong’s writing, so I was excited to read her foray into romance/rom-com, and this was a light fun read. The situation with Chris posing as the writer of Daphne’s book didn’t thrill me, but it was the means to get these two together and I did know that was the basic plot going in.

Both Chris and Daphne were likable characters I could relate to, and I was rooting for their HEA. However, I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry and it took me ages to get through this story. It might be because I haven’t been in the mood for romances lately. There are a ton of readers that loved the story more than I did for sure.

This one had so much potential but honestly fell flat for me and i can’t figure out why. I should have loved it but it was just kind of eh for me.

The cover, the premise, and those text exchanges all made for an easy and enjoyable romance read. However, it was just average for me.... I think the connection between the two mains needed more depth and page-time together to make it more believable. I think I will definitely give this author a second chance, but in a summer full of blockbuster romances, this one did not stand out for me unfortunately.

When I heard that Kelley Armstrong was writing a rom com, I didn’t really care what it was about. I just knew I wanted to read it. Finding Mr. Write just released on June 25 and it’s a good choice for your light summer reading needs!

Here’s the book’s description:

Daphne McFadden is tired of rejection. After submitting her manuscript to dozens of agents, she's gotten rejection after rejection, and now it's time for something drastic. And so, Daphne submits her manuscript again… under a man's name.
Imagine her surprise when it sells for big money at an auction and soon becomes a publicity darling. Only she needs a man to play her super macho alter ego Zane Remington. Enter Chris Stanton, who absolutely looks the part of a survivalist and has a talent for pressing her piss‑me‑off‑I‑dare‑you buttons while somehow being endearing at the same time. But Chris has a few secrets of his own, including the fact that he’s really an accountant who has no idea how to chop wood or paddle a canoe. When Daphne's book becomes a bestselling sensation and they're forced to go on tour together, Daphne finds herself wondering if this city‑boy geek is exactly what she needs to push her to claim her dreams.

I’ll be honest (as usual). This will ultimately be a forgettable book. There just wasn’t enough oomph to the story for it to stick with me longer than the time it’ll take me to write this review. There were all the typical points you’d find in a romance (and I love knowing those points are coming) but none of them really stood out for me.

I struggled with getting to know the characters. And this is a rom com - I’m supposed to care enough about them to want to see them have their Happily Ever After so, yeah, I need to “know” them. Between the pretending and the lying and all of that, it was hard to get a sense of who Daphne and Chris were and why they were supposedly suited as a couple. It didn’t help that they didn’t TALK to each other about important (or unimportant) things. It wasn’t miscommunication. It was NO communication.

Speaking of the pretending and lying…I still don’t understand why Chris felt like he had to put on an act for Daphne. She was hiring an actor. She would have assumed that the guy she was paying to act like a man’s man author may not actually be a man’s man author. It seemed like such a weird decision and led to a bunch of conflict that was not necessary.

I loved that Armstrong chose to have her heroine live in the Yukon (and, no, it’s not quite the same setting as readers of her Rockton series would know…) My sister spent three summers up there and it seemed so beautiful. It was nice to get a little glimpse into what life is actually like living in the territory (grizzly bears and all). I also appreciated the bookish nature of the story - the writing, panels, book signings. Always fun to find book nerds in books!

Perhaps ironically, I think Kelley Armstrong’s name will help Finding Mr. Write do better than it would have done if it was written by a debut or little known author. It was a fine enough romance but it left a lot to be desired and it won’t be a story that will stay with me. I know this review is a bit more negative than positive so you’re probably wondering, is it still worth a read? I think so - especially if you’re a romance reader. Just keep your expectations a little lower than mine were.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by HBG Canada via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

This was a light hearted and fun read, and I really liked the slow burn romance! The ending was really wholesome <3 also, the third act was handled really well! Totally loved the movie-esque resolution!

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

3.5 stars

Well, well, what a surprise! I did enjoy this story for the most part, Kelley Armstrong's writing is one of my all times favorites out there, but I still prefer her other works (and it's not that I don't read Romance, since I clearly do, even more so than Fantasy, but nowadays I prefer longer, angstier reads for some reason).

This kind of book is not really my cup of tea lately, as it leans more towards chicklit/fiction that what I usually consider romcom, but it still worked. Must be that magic writing again (which I will delve deeper into later).

Through this story, I somehow feel closer to writers in general than I have ever been before. Because it's more than a chicklit/romcom whatever genre it falls into, it's a story about the behind the scenes life we are never privy to. It's a diary, a biography, an opening, a letter. To other writers (I've been there, publishing is not always fun, I see you) and to readers (this is what it's like on the other side sometimes but it's ok, I love you and I love writing).

At least, that's what I got from it. Beside the giggles (city boy and TV crew in the wilderness? Oh boy!), the cute Romance, the miscommunication (that came from genuine realistic human nature and situations for once) and the perfect HEA.

Also, I said it before (in my updates and pretty much all my latest KA reviews lately), I'm at that point where I would read her grocery list or pet diaries now. You can just *tell* it all comes from an experienced writer and a voice I've enjoyed over the years. It's the nuances, the wording, the plotting and all those little things that make a story seamless.

I still love her Fantasy/Time travel novels best (we are not going to mention the Otherworld ok no one needs to know we are that old😂) but this is not a story to miss, especially if you need a light, feel good quick summer read.

Thank you for the ARC Foreverpub🫶

Thank you to NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While the premise seemed interesting and drew me in, I'm afraid to report I didn't love this book. As it is a romance novel, I expected the relationship to feel real and fleshed out. That wasn't the case, unfortunately. It felt instantaneous without any build-up instead. I didn't get any satisfaction from the romance side of things. When it comes to the writing, I don't think it's bad, but it was a little too much telling and not showing for me. I felt I was being constantly subjected to info dumps, which I don't adore. Finally, the characters just felt very one-dimensional and unrealistic, and I didn't find myself rooting for any of them. I think the author has a lot of promise, but this particular work probably could've used a heavier editing hand to steer the story into a better, more entertaining place.

This was a fabulous, patriarchy-smashing delight!

Daphne McFadden, tired of rejection, submits her manuscript under a man’s name, and it sells big! Enter Chris Stanton, her “alter ego” Zane Remington, who’s more accountant than a macho survivalist. Their book tour sparks chemistry and hilarity as Daphne finds herself falling for this unexpected hero. 💼❤️

This book is a perfect blend of humor, romance, and feminist vibes. I loved every minute and can’t wait to read more like this!

2.5 stars

This was so ridiculously average that I've already forgotten what the plot was. I do know that I relatively enjoyed it, though. I would've liked the guy (forgot the character names too oops) to be more of a himbo. I love a ginormous man that's just a fucking idiot. Think The Lost City with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. That's what I was hoping for.

I was super excited for the premise, but the book itself didn't live up to its potential. I'd definitely read one of her books again, though.

I read through it in an afternoon and it was exactly as described - a fun dual POV romcom.

I thought that both perspectives were really well done and really added to the depth of the story. I had moments where I had to suspend disbelief, and although there is a lot of miscommunication it was really well done and did in fact add to the story.

I don't know that this will be a all-time favorite, but a solid romcom to spend an afternoon with.

I love love loved this book it was such a great read i enjoyed every page of this book!!! it was so good!!

I enjoy Kelley Armstrong’s writing, so I was delighted to try her first romantic comedy, Finding Mr. Write. When Daphne McFadden’s book is rejected, she submits her book as a male author and finds herself in a bidding war & huge book deal… only now everyone wants to meet Zane Remington. What’s a girl to do?

Coffee Dates With Finding Mr. Write

First Date– As someone who loves books, audiobooks and works with authors and publishers, this book was hilarious. Along the way, Armstrong hit on relevant truths about the industry. Daphne McFadden is an outdoorsy writer who lives in Alaska, carries bear spray and has written a post apocalypse story. I felt her frustration at being rejected and her surprise when her book goes into a bidding war and lands a deal. When Daphne and her best friend decide to hire an actor for the cover, I was all in.

Second Date– I loved the meet-cute between Chris Stanton, aka Zane and Daphne. Chris is acting, but he’s not an actor and in his head he imagines how Daphne will want Zane to be. This man knows nothing about the outdoors, has never handled a gun, let alone encountered a bear. The two end up at her cabin for a television interview and it goes viral, pushing the publisher to want lots of signings. The two decide Daphne will travel with him as his assistant. I loved their chemistry as Chris charms and negotiates their tour accommodations. They might just pull this off. That is until Daphne gets an email that changes everything. Someone knows about Zane.

Third Date– As their relationship moves out of the friends’ zone, things heat up on the tour and Chris does something radical. I laughed, adored the cute dog, and swooned a little, even if I wanted to knock a few heads. I loved the little side topics involving the industry from staff to the CEO. We see lots of character growth from both Daphne and Chris before the story wrapped up. Armstrong delivered a cute, funny RomCom perfect for fans of books.

If you are looking for a light, fun romance to take to the beach, consider adding Finding Mr. Write.

DNF @ 15%

Unfortunately, something about this book's tone just didn't work for me. I appreciate the premise, and it's probably a me thing and not the book thing. I've seen many positive reviews, so I encourage you to give it a try yourself!

3.5 stars

This was a fun read! I really liked the dual POV and the setting. It takes place in the Yukon, and Armstrong paints the scenery so vividly!

I didn’t find that the main characters were super fleshed out. I didn’t really feel or believe their feelings, so maybe if their personalities were explored a little bit more I would have felt their connection a bit better.

However, I really enjoyed the last bit of the book! Overall, it was a light and fun read. It’s not super memorable, but it’s great for an escape!

This was a fun read in which a woman finds the courage to own her own talent. The author also references the difficulties women writes have getting their work seen and acknowledged. I would recommend this one to be the perfect weekend read to relax with and enjoy.

This was really entertaining!
I enjoyed the juxtaposition of author treatment showcased here (women vs men).
I also enjoyed how that was not necessarily the main plot, but kind of a sidecar that has a great impact.
The scenery is amazing and the characters are really fun to spend time with.
Much love to NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my ARC.