This was spectacular!! I loved the characters, this is such a fun twist on all the traditional romance tropes. I thought this was just so fun and sexy and beyond cute.

ah yes, in an effort to become disillusioned about love, true romantic realizes that it is friendship, not grand romance, that is the best foundation for love. meanwhile their partner, person who is disillusioned about love, realizes that it is themselves, not love, that has caused their problems, and opens themselves to the joy of loving and being loved.

and i will eat it up every time.

tldr: a fun romance that takes place around the holidays but is not painfully holiday!

i weirdly don’t have a whole lot to say which is maybe a good thing? like it’s not profound but it feels fairly real and is cute and i liked the internal obstacles our main characters had to overcome and i overall had a very fun time! also, to the author’s credit, when sawyer and mason finally confessed their feelings after grand gesture round 1, i totally felt my tummy swooping which is something i am generally immune to from reading so much romance. so that was enjoyable.

giving this four stars but i don’t feel strongly about a star rating for this book? just that it was fun

the only criticisms i can think of: our main characters’ idea of ruining romance tropes is cute but it’s clear early on how little it’s really working so idk how they fooled themselves for so long. but on the other hand i appreciated that they both knew inside that they never stopped being attracted to each other and wanted to act on it even when they thought it was against their better judgement bc that’s so real.

also, even though i liked that this took place at the holidays, the bulk of the plot happened over only a month and there wasn’t a real reason for it being so short? like just do the exact same plot over a more realistic timeline? which also would’ve deepened their connection for having spent even more time together. idk i just don’t want accelerated timelines in my romances unless there is a specific, articulated reason for it.

that’s all!

I can’t believe this book is a debut novel. Erin Connor has crafted a story that hooked me from the first page, effortlessly blending humor, emotion, and depth. The book follows romance author Sawyer, a skeptic of real-life romance, and Mason, a hopeless romantic. After a meet-cute getting stuck in an elevator, the two make a pact: Sawyer will help Mason shatter romance tropes to stop him from falling in love and on the way help Sawyer get over writer’s block. It’s a setup crafted just for me, and this book absolutely delivered.

From start to finish, Unromance takes classic romance tropes and flips them in a refreshingly self-aware, yet genuinely heartwarming way. Connor strikes the perfect balance, allowing the story to explore romantic cliches with both humor and respect. I was worried the story might fall into the trap of annoying and predictable around the third act conflict. Instead, Connor turns the conflict on its head and uses it to highlight the insecurities of each of the characters, show us that it’s not what they are fighting about that is causing the rift between them.

Unromance made me feel so many emotions, I can hardly put into words. If this is Erin Connor's debut, I can't wait to see what she writes next.

I really really wanted to love this! I think for sure would work for a lot of people but I just can’t do steamy romance in 3rd person POV. It’s so hard for me to follow. Obviously just a personal problem. I was into the characters and storyline but the pov was holding me back from really enjoying it.

This book was so cute! It had a great couple to root for, witty banter and it was such a cute time! The MMC was actually really a teddy bear! I loved this romance so much!!!

I fell in love with Sawyer and Mason while they fell in love with each other! Their chemistry jumped off the page. I also appreciated getting to see Sawyer grow and let people in. Connor’s writing is sharp and easy to read, and I can’t wait to see what she does next!

YES. YES. YES. This book was everything. I loved every second. It was fun it was sexy it was entertaining beyond belief. I didn't know how much I wanted this book until I read it. I want to read it again right now.

Well, Erin Connor created some magic with this debut! A love letter to romcoms, with a touch of cynicism, a ton of humor and banter, a case of hidden identity, fake dating and a LIST…I’m head over heels for Mason and Sawyer.

I cut my teeth on all the classics - Nora Ephron love stories, 2000s romcoms, that Say Anything boombox moment, and - arguably the best one of them all - the Heath Ledger/Julia Stiles classic “10 Things I Hate About You.” This book gave all of those giddy, sweet, tender vibes and added a healthy dose of perfect steam (I mean it starts with a one night stand).

I love Sawyer and her cynicism - she’s sarcastic and clever and absolutely one of my favorite FMCs. And I ADORED Mason with his romanticism and bad luck in dating and family pressure and the whole “I won’t fall in love right away this time…oops…”.

This is out in January and you can bet I’m going to re-read. These two have been stuck in my brain and I don’t ever want them to leave. Erin’s writing is so effortless and fresh, easy and approachable while building layered and nuanced characters. This book has every trope in it and manages to stick true to its premise of being self-effacing without feeling forced. I loved every second of it.

very reminiscent of beach read! i read this at the recommendation of jessica joyce (one of my absolute favorite authors) and i can definitely see where the appeal was. although it was written really well, i think what knocked off a few points for me personally was the surface levelness of these characters as individuals and together. i didn’t know their backstory until over halfway through, which may have been for the plot but really disconnected me from them. overall, it was still very enjoyable and i’d read more from her in the future!

•Debut
•Opposites attract
•One night stand
•Forced proximity (stuck in an elevator)
•Fun banter
•Celebrity

This one was cute!!! I love the witty banter & the evolution of Sawyer & Mason's relationship. Perfect for a holiday read too. 4 stars!

Thank you Erin Connor for writing the most delightful debut romance that I could not put down!

Unromance sucked me in from the first one night stand, through the tension of just being friends, to the end of them taking the leap into a real relationship.

Read this for:
- Celebrity romance
- Forced proximity
- Friends to lovers after they hook up
- Just a hookup
- HE IS GONE FOR HER
- Bi rep from the heroine
- Some holiday action with Christmas and New Years

Sawyer Greene and Mason West have their meet cute getting stuck in an elevator that turns into one night of passion between the sheets. They don't think they will ever see one another again even though each of them keeps thinking fondly about the night they had with the other.

When they accidentally run into each other again, they realize they could really help one another and just be friends. They hatch the Unromance plan to help Mason become less of a romantic and to help Sawyer with her writers block. The problem is, that all the romance activities don't give Mason the ick, and Sawyer's heart starts to open up again with the adventures she takes with Mason.

This was the most hilarious, sweetest, hottest, and fun read. I laughed so much. The ability Erin Connor has to make a spicy intimate seen not only super horny but also super hilarious is magic. She had me panting for more and she kept delivering over and over throughout this book.

I adored sweet baby Mason. He has such a softy heart on the inside, but wow he can definitely be assertive when it's needed (i.e. the bedroom, HOT!). He is such a lover and the way he falls for Sawyer even though he knows he shouldn't will tear up your heart.

I loved watching Sawyer's journey through the book. She really went through it with her past relationships and the trauma she had caused her to be so guarded. Mason was able to chip away at it but she was able to see what was holding her back and work on herself to be with her man.

The grand gestures! I AM OBSESSED! They are the cutest.

Erin writes in a way that keeps you engaged, has a creative unique take on the genre, and builds the chemistry between the characters making you literally obsessed with them.

I can't wait for more! Can we get Kara's story? Or Alissa?!? I need more!

Thank you to Forever publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

1.) Unromance does not feel like a debut book - well done Erin Connor!

2.) Unromance personally gave me How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days vibes, which I loved!

3.) “One-night stand to strangers to friends to lovers to idiots to lovers.” —> sums up the whole book and is all you need to know to pick up a copy for yourself!

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this one! The chemistry and banter between the main characters was delightful. I was invested in them getting together from the very beginning. This book felt like one of those great rom com movies from the '90s/'00s.

I would definitely read another book from this author in the future.

Erin Connor's debut novel, Unromance, is without a doubt the sexiest meet-cute romance you'll ever read. I had been a goner with the first meet between Sawyer and Mason. The banter spoken so naturally as if they've known each other their entire lives. The undeniable chemistry from the first exchange of words. The vulnerability of both Sawyer and Mason as the story progressed. How could I not root for these two to fall in love?

We start with Sawyer and Mason getting stuck in an elevator together. Terrifying to Mason, but Sawyer provides the perfect comedic relief needed to ease Mason's anxiety. When the elevator doors open, they go their separate ways in the bar until later in the evening when they decide to have a one-night stand (and OMG, what a one-night stand it was) to get it out of their systems and then part ways. Or so they think.

Sawyer and Mason run into each other again at the most rom-com-like Christmas market. Together, they come up with an agreement to cure Mason of his status as a hopeless romantic and Sawyer of her writer's block (she hasn't been able to write a HEA since her break-up). Rules are made, but we all know some rules are meant to be broken. And thank goodness for that because Erin gives us some of the most perfect scenes between Mason and Sawyer--the tights scene (IYKYK), the car scene (again, IYKYK), and all the countless recreates from some of the most quintessential rom-coms.

It's been a while since I've ignored all of my responsibilities to read a book, but I did it for Erin and Unromance. I ugly cried at the end of this book (happy tears, don't worry) and can't wait to go back and do it all over again. Without a doubt, preorder Unromance and prepare yourself to be just as taken with it as I am.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for this e-ARC. And Erin, thank you for writing one of my all-time favorite books. You're officially one of my auto-buy authors now.

Cute romance about a writer going through writer's block and an actor who needs to change his hopeless romantic ways, This story was a little slow to get to the meat of the story, despite having the characters having sex the same night they meet. That being said, the banter between them does hold you over enough to get to the burn of the romance. It does have a 3rd act breakup, but I can almost see the point of it with they way the author choose to write it. The makeup was hot, of course. If you like slow burn and any of the other friends to lovers tropes, you'll love this book.

This was so fun and charming rom com. It was the perfect amount of cheesy and spicy romance done in the correct way. That tight seen though, I don't think I'll be able to look at tights and not think of that scene. Mason was a great cinnamon roll and I loved that Sawyer really put herself first above all else. I was giggling the whole time and the characters complimented each other so perfectly. ALso the cover reminds me of the Chicken Shop date photo op of Amelia Dimoldenberg & Andrew Garfield. I totally could see them playing the characters in this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central) for sending this eARC

Thank you, NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Erin Connor for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up!

Are we sure this Erin Connor's debut novel? Because OMG it is so good!

It starts with our two MCs getting caught in an elevator together. Mason is afraid of elevators, so Sawyer tries to distract him while the elevator situation gets figured out. It's the ultimate meet-cute, except she wants nothing to do with romance (even though she's a romance writer).

They have a steamy one-night stand but then run into each other, assuming that's a sign from the universe for them to help "fix" each other. He's a hopeless romantic that falls too hard, too fast, and she's jaded about love and struggling to write a new romance novel. So, they come up with a list of tasks and a list of rules: no sex and no falling in love.

The witty banter in this book is top-notch. I had several laugh-out-loud moments. The characters are well thought out, and we get glimpses into their past relationships and family lives that help explain why they are the way they are.

I really liked the chapter headings that were written as an outline, breaking down the romance novel as only a romance writer could. It was a nod to Sawyer's character as a romance novelist and a fun way for any romance reader to follow along the story.

Thanks to Netgalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for access to this E-ARC! So cute!! Loved the banter & the setting. Will definitely read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

This is why I love debuts, Unromance was a really refreshing and fun romance with an ode to its own genre.

Adored the characters, they were funny, endearing, it was a bit of a reverse gender roles in this one and I was living for it.

The dedication to tropes was fun and executed well.

I didn’t love one tiny little conflict near the end but felt it was resolved well.

Cant wait to see what Connor comes up with next.