A great gift for the romcom-lover in your life (even if that’s yourself!). 4/5 stars.

I always wish I read more non-fiction and I love a good romcom movie. So when I saw this book on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Romantic comedy as a genre is often seen as anti-feminist. And if you see these stories as solely being about women who only become complete people when they find a man to love them, then you’d be right. However, this book demonstrates there is so much more to the romcom, with 100 examples to make its point: there is a great deal of feminism in these stories if you know where to find it.

It’s a great book to dip in and out of. There’s a page of text about each of the 100 movies set next to its own illustration. The pictures are an important element of the book and their colourful, quirky style suits the spirit of the work.

The chosen movies range from some made in the 1920s right up to 2023’s smash hit Barbie. As well as ranging over a century of cinema, the feminism here is laudably intersectional: the movies selected include romances which centre women of colour and LGBTQ+ stories. Readers will surely come away with a watch list of movies to further their existing romcom knowledge.

The only downside for me was having to read this in an electronic format. It was fiddly and didn’t do the layout or illustrations justice. This is definitely a book to enjoy in a physical format.

Overall: a great read for anyone who loves romcom movies. Just make sure you get the hardback or paperback version.

This is the perfect coffee table book and conversation starter. I love the way it's laid out and the illustrations within. I love the way the author breaks down the stories and what they did to advance feminism.

This gives coffee table book in the best way. I could definitely see one of my it-girl friends having this out on display with a trendy candle on top.

Content wise, I think it fits with the aesthetic and themes that are common with this generation and their desires and goals. Its feminist themes are a little over the top but ultimately not untrue.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to the arc!

Arc Review:

Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a rom-com girly forever and always. I think rom-coms are the majority of the movies I watch and has to be my favourite genre.

I really enjoyed reading this book, the layout of the book was easy to follow along with, it had good quick plot summaries and insightful explanations on each lessons you learned from the movies, the pictures were amazing and fit each movie perfectly, and I liked the diversity of the movies.

I liked to say thank you to the author and to NetGalley for allowing me to be apart of the arc team for this book.

This acts as a collection of what is essentially mini essays on romcoms. Although small they are still fully formed and give well grounded and evidence points. A good start point for thinking about the ‘academics’ behind pop media. An aesthetically pleasing book too!

If you’re made of glitter, gloss, glamour and gumption, you cannot miss this!!! This is the new age -Pink Pages! Girly with a side of guts!
I’ve made a book trailer for it… ⬇️

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-0wSfntMpI/?igsh=MTZmcmxvZTJrZDA2bA==

This title jumped right out at me since I AM a feminist who enjoys a good romcom! I am very glad it covers the span of decades from the golden era of movies until 2023. I also appreciate that they didn’t have the book under a white lens. Corrina Antrobus wrote nice bite-sized analyses that pique your interest to either build the to-watch list or get nostalgic for rewatching. I definitely need to check out Good Luck to You Leo Grande and Obvious Child, and I need to rewatch Muriel’s Wedding like, now. This is essentially a coffee table book, so while I would normally enjoy more insight, it actually has the perfect amount. And besides, you can easily go down internet wormholes over any intriguing movies. Nice illustrations, some of which are deep cuts (black underwear for 10 Things I Hate About You? Excellent.)

Thank you to NetGalley and White Lion Publishing for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Corrina Antrobus, I Love Romcoms and I am a Feminist A manifesto in 100 romcoms, Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, August 2024.

Thank you, Net Galley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Corrina Antrobus has combined short, perceptive commentary with attractive graphics, making this (at first sight) a fun read. However, there is more to this work, and the way in which Antrobus has managed to pack so much wisdom into her commentary, and accompanying lists of suggested rom coms is instructive. While lengthy academic works have their place, so do works such as this – fun, attractive, perceptive, easy to read and providing so much to think about. I like the way in which films seen as women’s films, and therefore possibly lightweight have been given this sort of attention. Look beyond the fun and see what Antrobus really has to say about women, the rom com genre and its treatment of women, and the history of the genre.

Each piece is introduced with a title that designates the feminist concept that is to be covered by the film discussed and those listed. So opening at random, I see ‘Centred the teenage love of a black trans girl’ and Anything’s Possible is discussed with Alice Junior, One Stroke Boy and Tangerine listed. ‘Reminded Women that 30 is still young’ covers Someone Great and lists Celeste and Jesse Forever and Do Revenge. And, now for something I have seen – Top End Wedding, with the additional films, Ali’s Wedding and Saving Face. Familiar films such as Muriel’s Wedding, (under the title, ‘Deconstructed the fairy tale wedding’), When Harry Met Sally have their feminist credentials clarified; Phantom Thread, not one I’d have seen as part of this genre, is given a feminist treatment. Barbie is there, along with the celebrated Mama Mia, Notting Hill, You’ve Got Mail, My Best Friend’s Wedding and Legally Blonde. And the earliest example, seen as ‘Gave women an early lesson in self-respect, Miss Lulu Bett (1921), alongside It (1927) and Dance, Girl, Dance (1940).

Some of the examples are wonderfully eyebrow raising – can they really be seen as feminist? Much of the pleasure in this book is answering this question.

I liked the layout of the book, similar to other books that list titles and blurbs about them. Having each movie with a short description of what makes it feminist and then a full page image makes it easy to read a few and go back without feeling like you need to binge it all at once. It's great as a guide to feminist romcoms if you're looking for that and I liked that the headings were all different focuses for what that specific movie did that stood out as feminist. It's a cute, browsable book for movie fans.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion Publishing for the digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The title is what caught my eye initially; I love it and had to know what this was. “I Love Romcoms & I am a Feminist” was an excellent “reference” book! The selection of movies varied which was nice. I loved how every selection was themed! That was a brilliant move. The illustrations are well done as well. Definitely recommend!

Loved this book. A great collection of feminist rom-coms! The author doesn’t take themselves too seriously with the feminism assessment, but more has fun with the characteristics of a feminist. The movie selections are iconic (historically, pop culturally, and pushing the envelope-ly).

My only two complaints: 1) I wanted more discussion on each of the movies. Each “essay” seemed too surface level for my analytical brain; 2) reading as a pdf in the NetGalley app wasn’t ideal. This is definitely something I want to read as a book-in-hand! [But also as an audiobook - perhaps narrated by some of the female stars of the movie (hint hint nudge nudge)].

In ‘I Love Romcoms and I am a Feminist’, Corrina Antrobus takes readers on an enlightening journey through the world of romantic comedies, revealing the often-overlooked feminist messages hidden within them. Antrobus argues that it's entirely possible to love romcoms and be a feminist, challenging the notion that the genre is inherently anti-feminist. This book serves as both a celebration and a critique, encouraging readers to enjoy their favourite films while also engaging with them critically.

Accuracy: ★★★★☆
Antrobus provides well-researched insights into the history of romantic comedies, effectively balancing her love for the genre with a critical feminist lens. She draws from a variety of sources to support her arguments, making the book both informative and credible. While some interpretations might feel subjective, they are grounded in a thoughtful analysis of film history and feminist theory.

Perspective: ★★★★☆
The perspective offered by Antrobus is refreshing and much-needed. She acknowledges the flaws in many romantic comedies while also celebrating their capacity for feminist messaging. This balanced approach allows readers to appreciate the genre without ignoring its shortcomings. Antrobus's perspective is empowering, encouraging readers to enjoy what they love while also demanding more from the media they consume.

Relevance: ★★★★☆
As discussions about feminism and media representation continue to grow, this book is incredibly relevant. Antrobus taps into current conversations about the role of women in film, making a strong case for why romantic comedies deserve a closer look. The book is particularly timely given the resurgence of interest in both romcoms and feminist discourse in popular culture.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
Antrobus's passion for romcoms is infectious, and her writing is both engaging and accessible. The book is filled with humour, anecdotes, and sharp analysis, making it a fun and insightful read. Readers who love romantic comedies will find themselves nodding along, while those less familiar with the genre may be inspired to explore it further. The only slight drawback is that some sections might feel a bit dense with information, but overall, the book is engaging and enjoyable.

Readability: ★★★★☆
The writing style is clear and conversational, making complex ideas easy to understand. Antrobus does an excellent job of breaking down feminist concepts without oversimplifying them, making the book accessible to a wide audience. The structure of the book, with each chapter focusing on different aspects of romcoms, allows readers to easily follow along without feeling overwhelmed.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
For fans of romantic comedies and feminism, this book is a delightful read. Antrobus manages to strike the right balance between critique and celebration, making it a book that can be both thought-provoking and fun. While some readers might find the critical analysis a bit heavy at times, the overall tone is upbeat and encouraging, making it an enjoyable experience from start to finish.


‘I Love Romcoms and I am a Feminist’ by Corrina Antrobus is a must-read for anyone who loves romantic comedies and cares about feminism. It offers a fresh perspective on the genre, highlighting its hidden feminist messages while also challenging readers to think critically about the media they consume. The book is well-researched, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable, making it a valuable addition to both film and feminist literature. Whether you're a longtime romcom fan or new to the genre, Antrobus's guide will help you see these beloved films in a whole new light.

I Love Romcoms & I am a Feminist proudly declares in its title what some would likely call a contradiction. What it does so well is both contemplate the scope of what actually is a romcom (pushing beyond what are likely immediate and socially reinforced associations) as well as covering a varied and not “one size fits all” range of feminist expression. In no way are feminism and romcoms mutually exclusive, and when brought together well, each can be excellent support for the other.

While covering less from early film history, the book does still begin in the 1920s, and continue through into the 2020s, providing a peek into a century’s worth of the genre.

The book does a good job of highlighting non-white and non-heteronormative contributions to the canon, providing diverse offerings from multiple parts of the world and touching multiple points of the LGBTQ spectrum (though seeing more on both fronts would have been great).

The entry for each movie begins “The Romcom That….”, positioning each film as an object lesson in its particular messaging. not all lessons will be equally relevant to all readers, but that just further drives home the point of the diversity of both the genre and the concept of feminism itself.

I also wish the book had included more pre-1970/80s entries, and looked at how some more “classic” romcoms still tried to defy or subvert convention.

Full of bright Lisa Frank meets Keith Haring style illustrations for every entry, in addition to being interesting to read, the book is fun to look at. A wonderfully enjoyable read that has added a number of movies to my to watch list.

This concept is great and I can think of a number of people in my life who would enjoy it. The picks were varied and interesting - although some sticklers may take issue with the fact that some of them are not exactly rom-coms.

'I Love Romcoms and I Am a Feminist: A Manifesto in 100 Romcoms' is a book full of movies that give the free-of-guilt card to all of us who are feminists but feel like hiding a dirty little secret by enjoying rom-coms.

Written by a film reviewer (who provided the text with that delightful and poignant tone that the movie reviewers take up) who knows how to make the connection between fun rom-coms and women's rights.

Full of colorful and fun drawings of the movies, the book provides a lot of movies for one to check out if they haven't already, but it's also nice to read about the all time favs as well.

I would have loved however if at the movie info, the main actors and actresses were provided as a list. (the author does provide some names in the main text though).

I absolutely love this book. If you love movies and would like to have a compilation of the best rom-coms definitely get this book. It’s very interesting to see the movie that you grow-up watching and read about what makes them be giants of the industry. It’s also great to increase your to watch list.

the illustrations are wonderful too and this is a book that I’m looking forward to add to my physical personal library.

Thank you White Lion Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.”

Pretty surface level and disconnected. I got distracted a lot. I think that it could have been improved by narrowing the scope and being more specific about each movie.

This book felt very niche to me. While I love Romcoms and I consider myself to be a feminist, there were a few things that were problematic for me. While I loved reading the descriptions of the movies that I had already seen and enjoyed, I wasn't really interested in reading about movies that I hadn't enjoyed much when I saw them. For movies that I hadn't seen, either the descriptions were not very interesting to me because I had not seen the movie or I was interested and I didn't want it to give things away about the movie. I wasn't quite sure who the audience of this book was supposed to be as it was difficult to imagine that there were many people who had actually seen all of these movies already. To me, it read more as a reference book and I wasn't quite sure who would actually read it all the way through. I only did because I was reviewing it.

Really well put together feminist guide to romcoms! Some great well known and hidden gems - the illustrations added so much to it too. I think a great book that would suit any gift buyers!

Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto, and Corrina Antrobus for a galley of this in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, bright, beautifully illustrated little gift book! A lovely thing for the film lover, or feminist, in your life. This was a a very quick read, more of a watch-list with reasoning, but it turned me on to a lot of films I had never heard of before.

I did think, based on the blurb, that there would be a little more discussion around the movies, and that this would maybe be closer to non-fiction prose, but it was still a nice little thing!

3.5 stars, rounded up.