Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance by J.J. Knight
(Release Date October 22, 2024)

Kelsey Whitaker is a young woman from Alabama who left the family farm to break into Hollywood. When that didn't work out, she became a casting assistant to a boss nicknamed the Demon (think Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada). She is the best in the business with her love of Rom-Coms and knows what to look for. She can find the perfect chemistry for actors to work together and make hot movies that do well at the box office. She doesn't however have the same talent to find her own perfect match and has been single for years. She comes up with a plan while the She-Demon is away at Cannes, but her BFF co-worker doesn't want her to do it alone. He's had to be her wing-man in the past and get her out of tricky situations causing him to intervene and bloody his hands. There is no way he will let her drive off for the summer on this adventure alone.

Zachery Carter aka Kelsey's wing-man is a known blockbuster actor (over a decade ago) and in Kelsey's eyes is perfect in every way. Although his acting career didn't last, he was smart with the money he made when he was big and still has some connections even though they don't get him work, he can help make them look good. He also works at the agency to schmooze actresses and be "that guy" on their arms at public events because he is still famous and great to look at. He and Kelsey have grown close in the two years she's worked at the agency. They know each other like no one else, and he will not sit back in California worrying about Kelsey traveling across the country by herself to find her perfect real-life rom-com boyfriend.

With all her meet-cute rom-com knowledge, Kelsey is sure she will run into the perfect small-town dream of a man on her cross-country drive to visit family in Alabama. It happens so easily in the movies, so why can't she do it too? What she doesn't realize is her gorgeous best friend who she has secretly smoldered for also is into her and although he pushed her to try and meet someone thinking he is too old for her, he regrets it because he only wants her to be with him. Trying to take the high road thinking it's best for her, he tries to convince himself it's the right thing to do encouraging her to meet Mr. Right, but it is secretly killing him inside. He will endure almost anything to make her happy, even if it rips his heart out.

This was a cute contemporary romance with all the things. Secret love, jealousy, touch her and I will knock your lights out, family drama, a little spice, and everything nice. It was a fun read and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this story I will admit some of it did bother me though I'm not sure how to put it into words maybe it was too many tropes I don't know but overall it was a cute fluffy romance

3.5 stars

This was a fun little Hallmark style romance.

The main characters are co-workers who work for a casting agency in Hollywood. Zach is a retired actor and he is beyond smitten with his co-worker, Kelsey.

I really liked the concept of this story - someone who helps create on-screen romances trying to force her own small town Hallmark movie meet cute in hopes of finding love when her friend and love is right in front of her face.

I also love a road trip romance and found the way JJ Knight navigated him going after her on the road and doing a road trip in seperate cars a unique spin on being forced in the same vehicle.

Zach appreciates how talented Kelsey is at matching people to roles in order to create chemistry on screen, but outside of that he is so head over heels for her, that he goes so far above and beyond to ensure she is happy, content and faces no trouble. He is her emotional support person. Unfortunately, she takes him for granted and becomes a crutch for her. I didn't love that at the end of the book when Kesley was fired for making a call she didn't have the authority to make and when she finally came around to the realization that the small town guys just weren't for her, she became incompetent. Like suddenly once Zach was gone, she realized how much she had taken him for granted and couldn't really handle much on her own.

John Lane and Juniper Young delivered a great performance. They brought the story to life.

- age gap
- workplace romance
- friends to lovers
- it's always been you
- so much pining
- one night stand
- reformed playboy
- road trip
- celebrity

Thank you to JJ Knight, NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC.

First off, I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to receive this ARC audio of Not Exactly A Small Town Romance by JJ Knight.

This book reminded me so much of a Hallmark romance movie, all of the meet-cute opportunities made me smile as Kelsey and Zachary, as co-workers turned lovers dealt with these meet-cutes and their growing feelings towards each other.

This was narrated by John Lane and Juniper Young and I feel as thought they did an amazing job bringing Kelsey and Zachary to life.

I loved this and definitely recommend it to others and look forward to hearing and or reading the next book from JJ Knight

Thank you again for this amazing opportunity