This is a light romance story about Lucy, a book editor from Manhattan who goes to the small town of Hudson Hollow to find ideas for romance stories. There, she meets Liam, a grouchy restaurant owner. The book combines the charm of a small town with the idea of a romance expert learning about love herself.

While I appreciated the fast pace and the nice setting, I have mixed feelings about Lucy. I don't need my heroines to be perfect to be likeable, but I do like them to be a bit more grounded. Opening with the FMC being generally kinda crappy to a barista is not my vibe. I think some interactions are supposed to be cute and sassy, but ended up being grating. The romance genre culture drops are heavy and fast, and while cute here and there, got to be a bit of a pastiche in my opinion.

Something about this book just didn't vibe with me, I think maybe I'm just the wrong audience.

I love a small town romcom and this book does not disappoint. It had me giggling and kicking my feet from the start. It was such an easy and fun read.

Lucy is such a fun, loveable and quirky character. She speaks before she thinks and this really had me laughing throughout the book. Liam comes across as mysterious and grumpy at first but you soon come to release he is a big softy like his GSD Blue. He is passionate about his town and has his family, friends and townspeople best interests at heart (and he’s a great chef, what more could a girl want)

The relationship between Lucy and Liam is fun and lighthearted yet you can see the romantic tension building between them from the start, it had me rooting for them after every meet! The book is such a slow burn romance but in the sweetest possible way!

Hudson Hollow is literally the blueprint for a small town. It was detailed so well that I felt I was there. I loved the town and all of its characters.

This book gave me Abby Jimenez vibes and I loved it!

If you enjoy a slow burn romance with serious small town vibes then this is the book for you!

3⭐️

Lucy is a romance book editor from Manhattan who has lost her mojo. She is sent to small town Hudson Hollow to research romance novel ideas for a client who is threatening to leave the agency.
Liam has lived in Hudson Hollow all his life, and runs a local restaurant. Lucy isn’t sure what to make of Liam at first, with his grumpy persona and specialism of “city folk”. As they spend more time together, they begin to break down each other’s walls. Maybe Lucy can fall back in love with love.

This was a really sweet read and I sped through it in 1 day. I really liked the town and the characters were very lovable. I didn’t find anything particularly unique about this story, and I find sometimes it’s a bit meta reading a rom com about someone writing a rom com, but we was still an enjoyable read - and a perfect summer read/palate cleanser.

When I read the first page of this book I honestly thought this was going to be just anothet cheesy romance book...in a hallmark film kinda way. But the more I read, the more I fell in love with the characters and the small town and I devoured this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. Yes, its plot is very much hallmark, but the character development from big city girl (with a lot of swearing I may add!) to being humbled by the small town and friendly people she meets was what helped me to see this as something more. It's pure escapism and such an easy read. A little bit of steam but not too much. It made me want to visit Hudson Hollow myself just for the atmosphere, and to eat in Liz's diner. We all dream of a romance like this and for our lives to fall into place with the support of friends and family. It's such a heartwarming read.

Just by the title alone, I knew that How to Write a Rom-Com was going to be for me. This story begins when Lucy Bowen agrees to go on a research trip to a charming lakeside town to gather inspiration for Ruby Jones' next romance novel - hoping for a long-overdue promotion - she finds herself immersed in the charm and chaos of small-town life, and irresistibly drawn to her charming neighbor, Liam. But as time goes by, fiction starts to blur with reality and Lucy faces her biggest challenge: will she stick to the script or finally take a leap of faith in her own love story?

This book had so many things I loved, making this an easy and enjoyable read. The first thing that caught my attention was the writing, it’s light, funny and does a great job of showing the characters emotions, you can easily see that through Lucy, our main protagonist. Lucy is such a great character to follow, she’s funny, easygoing and sometimes a bit messy (in a very realistic way). Following her journey felt like following a friend, and I really loved seeing her growth throughout the story.


The town of Hudson Hollow felt vivid that I honestly felt like I was right there with Lucy exploring with her. But the best thing about the town was all the side characters, they were absolutely delightful and made a strong impression. (petition to get Jill her own book!!!)

I’m in LOVE with the romance in this book. Since their first interaction I was hooked and amazed by their chemistry, the slow-burn was torturous (just the way I liked it). Watching them slowly find their way to each other was everything, this is the feeling that I search for in every romance book and Cristina Wolf delivered perfectly. The romance made me want to stay in the book forever!!!


That being said, there were a few things that bothered me. While I loved Lucy, sometimes in her inner monologue she would over-explain her actions, which felt unnecessary and slowed the pacing a bit. I also really wanted more scenes with the small-town locals, because there was so much focus on the romance, we didn’t get enough moments of Lucy connecting with them which resulted with the small-town atmosphere not being as strong as it could have been. If the book had been just a little longer, there would have been more room to explore these characters.

So if you're looking for a cozy and heartwarming small-town romance I'll definitely recommend this amazing book.

~
Thank you to Aria & Aires and NetGalley for providing this eARC. All opinions are my own.

I love a bookish romcom and this one, with its small town setting, made it even more appealing to me. It’s a lighthearted, fun story, which is quick and easy to read. In all honesty, I don’t love Lucy’s character - her behaviour is poor and the initial interactions with Liam feel really awkward and cringey - plus she has a tendency to blurt out quite rude comments, which is pretty off-putting. I did like Liam, his dog and his sister’s children though. This may make a good beach read when it is out on the 15th May 2025. Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries | Aria, for allowing me to get an early version of this book - it is much appreciated.

This book had a fun premise and the setting of Hudson Hollow was cute and cosy. I didn't love the characterisation and found Lucy to be an unsympathetic protagonist, and also felt that more generally the dialogue could have been better. Despite this I think that for the right person it would be a good choice for an easy summer read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I liked the plot, characters and setting, but all three felt like there was too much telling and not enough showing. The “book within a book” storyline was great fun, but it felt a bit rushed to me, I’d have liked to feel like I’d spent a bit more time with each character/setting.

Thank you so much to the publisher Aria & Aries and NetGalley for this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this one!!
How to Write a Rom-Com is a short and sweet novel centering around our FMC Lucy who works in the publishing industry, and has been sent to scope out a small town to help a major client plan their next novel. Enter Hudson Hollow which is an absolute dream, and easily one of my favourite small towns that I have ever read about! That scenery *chef's kiss*

I enjoyed the awkwardness of the initial interactions with Liam (MMC) who gave off major Luke Danes vibes. Lucy's journey of self discovery was portrayed really well and made her a very realistic and relatable character. I adored Blue (adorable furry friend), especially his relationship and interactions with the twins! This was a cosy and lighthearted read and I enjoyed every minute of it! If you love small town romances, early 2000s rom coms, and Gilmore Girls, then this book is perfect for you!

I cannot wait to read more Cristina Wolf books, so consider this my formal request for a Jill book.. I will literally beg you to take me back to Hudson Hollow

Pre thoughts:
Small Town Romance

Post Thoughts:
A lovely Small-Town Romance Read. This book features a lovable MMC, as both the FMC and the MMC set out on their paths to achieve their goals.

The perfect 2000's esq romance read.

As the FMC (Lucy) is a sweetheart and must be protected at all costs ( Her inner monologue is the best)

Quite a lovely read, I will be adding it to me collection when released.

Thank you net gallery and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to review this ARC

3.5/5

CW: mention of death of a loved one

I think the bookish romcom market is so incredibly oversaturated, and stories that fall under this umbrella can be either twee or cringey really easily, so I was curious about this one, yet a little apprehensive - I left my concerns at the door in no time, as this was an absolute treat. Just self aware enough to make the reader willing to drop down their defenses alongside its heroine, HOW TO WRITE A ROM-COM is a lighthearted, addicting read that you'll be dying to read at the poolside over the summer. Not without its faults, but so much fun regardless of them.

Thank you, Aria & Aries for this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

By now, everyone who follows me online knows how much I love small-town romance and bookish books, so, naturally, I had to read this book.
How to Write a Rom-Com gave me everything I needed in a good romance 🥰 The writing was incredibly funny, especially the awkwardness between Lucy and Liam. I loved how Lucy made Liam smile again after what he'd been through and how the book played with small-town cliches.
The fmc's character development was *chef's kiss*. There were so many emotional moments in this book that brought me to tears (I was not expecting that in a cozy small-town romance lol) and the angst was intense! I had no idea how the story was going to end, but loved the way everything turned out.
I can't wait to read more of Cristina Wolf's books because this one was amazing 😍

A cute, small-town romance - I enjoyed the setting and the way the plot eventually developed. However, there was too much about this book that annoyed me for me to really get into it. Lucy was super annoying, the chemistry between her and Liam wasn't believable, and I found the writing and dialogue choppy and hard to follow. I also didn't understand why Lucy was doing all this research for another author (is that something editorial staff do?) and why she couldn't have been upfront about it from the beginning. So, lots of things bugged me, but that's not to say others won't enjoy it, it just wasn't my cup of tea!

I definitely tucked into this book at pace - what's not to love? A character in publishing, small town vibes, Hallmark movie vibes, a sassy best friend, cute kids and great family dynamics! Lucy is sent to a small town (and she's very clearly, and loudly, not from there) to try and write the outline of a small town rom-com. Naturally what follows is her own small town romance! Liam is your classic Gilmore Girls Luke, so you could see right from the start where these two were headed.

This book had everything I love - but I will say I didn't love it. Lucy came across rude and immature, and a lot of her dialogue with Liam and her internal monologue were awkward to read and at worst offensive. Whilst I appreciate the dyslexia representation, it felt more like an excuse than a true representation (although again, I get that everyone experiences it differently!)

Liam seemed very hot and cold in very much a tell me rather than show me kind of way. All the dialogue just didn't come across as realistic, even when I tried saying it aloud with all sorts of intonation. Would I read it again? No. Was it a good escape? Yes.

I’m a sucker for books featuring characters in publishing, and HOW TO WRITE A ROM-COM fits perfectly into that category, with main character Lucy who works as an assistant at a romance imprint and is tasked with coming up with a new concept for their star writer by moving to a small town for a few weeks. Lucy seems to have given up hope for a romance of her own, but when she arrives in Hudson Hollow and meets neighbour and handsome-as-hell restaurant owner Liam she’s starting to reconsider her stance.

Okay, listen — if you’re into classic 2000s romcoms, have always wished to visit Luke’s diner IRL, and want a generous sprinkling of a romance-aware and skeptic heroine, you’ve come to the right place. How To Write A Rom-Com is funny and made me swoon with its heart-warming cast of characters and lovely reflections on how our dreams might change as we move through life.

Oh how I understand that Lucy fell for Liam...
They are so so cute !

The perfect small town romance :)
I really loved this book.

It's like : how to write a romance novel 101 with the tropes, characterization, the scenery,...

I must admit that Lucy was sometimes annoying because of all her doubts and the distance she tries to keep with Hudson Hollow's inhabitants. BUT all the other characters won me over.

Lucy has a great support system and I wish Elle has her own love story very soon (not in Manhattan, I would love to go back to HH).

Liam is a really nice guy and his people are super sweet and fun. Loved them all.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

how to write a romcom was a short and sweet experience for a romcom lover like me and i truly mean it since i was a kid i’ve been watching all the random types of romcoms and this book captured the feelings u have while watching one!

like…look at the cover and tell me that’s not giving an early 2000s romcom vibe… i dare u! and yes… i was sold by just these aspects but not only these if i have to be honest because the story’s also set in a small town and i mean if u know u know right?

while reading the story of our female main character lucy i was like she’s such a mood help i can’t with her! simply because she could be funny, lighthearted and also an inspiring character and it was a pleasure for me to read her story that led her to meet liam,our lovely small town man main character,and the rest of the gang!

so if you want and are in the need for some cozy and lighthearted vibes just go for it because this story’s waiting for welcoming you in its world and ready to capturing you!

a lot of thanks to netgalley and Aria & Aires team for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

It’s been a while since I’ve read a small town rom-com and it was just what I needed! I liked Lucy literally from her forts few famous romance references and up until her last line. She just a sweetheart , a bit of a realist but just like you and me romantic in heart. I liked how her journey of self discovery was portrayed with all insecurities and doubts, it made her even more realistic. Liam is just a perfect small town main male character, good looking and charming, but also with depth and security. Them together makes total sense, being together in beautiful scenery of their personal heaven that calls Hudson Hollow.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review ✨

How to Write a Rom-Com is a very fun read, I loved it!

It delivers on those small-town, Americana vibes, and I have recently binged Virgin River, so I felt like I was perfectly primed for this. As ever, I am a massive fan of books about books, and this certainly has a bookish hook!

Lucy works for one of NYC's biggest romance publishers, Heartwarming, where she has a bestselling author who threatens to leave. Hard pressed to think of any new ideas to win her over, Lucy's boss concocts a plan: Lucy is to infiltrate a small-town where she can find inspiration for said author. It's a super simple premise but it's cute—Lucy spends time in a quirky little lake house and of course she has a hot neighbour. He also happens to run the local cafe (Jack vibes all the way), but he's a real softy. Lucy initially clashes with Liam (she is a city girl, after all), but this leads to some nice introspection on Lucy's part. It's a slow burn but you can see that there is instant chemistry between them.

It'll be the perfect summer holiday read for hanging out by the pool or beach (or lake!), it certainly had me yearning for warmer weather. I found Lucy a bit tough at first, she's very fiery and sarcastic, but she grows on you!

With the classic big city girl and small town boy trope, this novel follows Lucy and Liam navigating past heartbreaks and achieving their dreams. Lucy has given up on love, and Liam is closed off and wary of letting new people into his life. This book follows Lucy as she is sent on a work trip to Liam's small town, Hudson Hollow, to find inspiration for a romance novel; despite feeling discomfort out of her city lifestyle.

'How to Write a Rom-Com' captured the small town vibe perfectly, and Lucy experienced so many wonderful new adventures with Liam. The friendships in this were just lovely to read, from Lucy's support network back home, to the new friends she made along the way.

Unfortunately, I ended up rating this novel three stars as there were many critiques I personally had, a lot of which look me out of the story.

To start with, I wasn't the biggest fan of our main character. Lucy was constantly blurting out rude statements, often at unpredictable times. I found this behaviour a bit difficult to follow in order to enjoy the flow of the story. She also often made contradicting statements, and there was a lot of jumble to her thoughts. Lucy is described as having dyslexia, which was great representation to see somebody with a learning disability working in the publishing industry. However overall, her sudden rude statements without thinking were very repetitive and rude, leading to me not particularly rooting for her character.

Lucy's inner dialogue just wasn't my favourite. It was very negative and full of sarcastic quips. I understand there was the aspect that she has grown up in a different environment to a peaceful small town lifestyle - with a fast paced, hardworking city life - but she wasn't a very likeable character to me, and was very stand-offish to the characters she initially meets.

Another critique is that Lucy often said the phrases "why am I like this" or "classic Lucy" which I found quite awkward.

I also found it very awkward in the beginning between Lucy and Liam, the main love interest. A lot of their conversations were uncomfortable to read. I think there is a right way to portray that closed-off-ness (for example the way Luke has in Gilmore Girls), with a good amount of attraction and tension, without it just coming across as stale. My interest in the romance wasn't captured from the get-go, leaving me feeling an emptiness where excitement should have been.

This is a story of self-discovery for Lucy, which I do think was portrayed very well. I found that naturally throughout the book, the attitude I noticed she had ended up changing. But unfortunately, it had already put me off her character quite a lot.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this!

*I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for an honest review*