Kerry Winfrey

So despite my dislike for actual rom-com movies I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and cute and sucked me in from the start. I know a book as grabbed me when I feel like shaking the book around hoping it will somehow kick sense into a character.

Winfrey did a great job at making the characters relatable and while I do have to admit it is not the most original concept, who doesn’t think about meeting their very own Tom Hanks. It has a pretty predicable ending with some predicable twists show more and turns. But that doesn’t mean I still didn’t enjoy it. It was a nice escape into a life that wasn’t my own and kept me happy for the 24 hours it took me to read it (My housemate once called me a “chronic speed reader” and he might not be wrong). Anyway I really enjoyed the fun cast of characters and makes you wish that life was as fun or simple. I can really relate to the main character Annie in many ways, despite our different opinions on rom-coms. She spends her days writing click bait-ish pieces in a coffee shop while wishing to be working on more significant things, for her it is a screen play, for me I want to stop writing pieces for a travel magazines blog and write about actual news. Although I do enjoy my local Starbucks I wish it was more like her place, Nick’s. Can I also say I really enjoyed Gary, he did nothing for the plot or have any significance to the story but he made me laugh. show less

*Disclosure: I was provided with an advanced digital copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

I absolutely love rom-com movies, and this book totally fits the bill.

It's funny, quirky, has moments that are both heartwarming and cringeworthy. Chloe is the perfect protagonist - sunny, colorful, constantly positive, drowns her emotions in baking pies, - and absolutely doesn't believe that life is like the romantic comedies her best friend Annie adores. Even though, when you show more look at it, and when she admits it, her life kind of is. As my teen would say, this book is meta.

Of course, like any great rom-com, she also self sabotages the relationship constantly. There is an obvious attraction, but Nick is her boss, and she can't risk their work relationship, because her first priority is taking care of her dad, and that includes paying for his nursing home. With all the tension dripping from them both, I wanted to shake Chloe and have her pull it together (but that would make for a short book!) Worth adding - while this IS a romance book, and Chloe has definite ideas about keeping things easy and on a physical level, this is actually a pretty clean book - no steamy love scenes here.

All the relationship self-sabotage and the taking on to much/never asking for help bit could become annoying, but we get enough backstory to learn that Chloe was put in a position of responsibility at an early age. Between that and her mother's abandonment, It's easier to relate to where she is coming from and her feelings that the only one she can rely on is herself. Her sunny, colorful persona is armor against disappointment and possible hurt.

Like any great rom-com, there is a supporting cast of quirky and fun characters: her flaky brother Milo, her unreliable co-worker Tyler, the ever-present coffee shop client, Gary, and Mikey Danger (I think we all know a guy like him.)

I have not read Winfrey's first book Waiting For Tom Hanks. While this book is a sequel, it works well as a stand-alone. There aren't any heavy hints or massive downloads of backstory - just passing references of how friend Annie's relationship with her now-fiance developed, but they don't detract from or slow down the story.

Honestly, if ANYTHING annoyed me about the book, it was Annie, her movie, and her obliviousness to how it was affecting Chloe AND Nick.

All in all, NOT LIKE THE MOVIES was a fun book and the perfect escape. show less

This is my first book that I have read by this author. I have heard of the author's prior novel but after reading this book, I will have to grab a copy to check out.

I had such a fun time reading this book. Everyone was entertaining but the award for the most funniest goes to Nick's one friend and bowling partner, Doug. You never knew what was going to come out of his mouth. Yet, I loved everyone from Chloe and Nick to their friends, Annie, Drew, Uncle Don, Tyler, Tobin, Gary, Doug and show more Shivan.

When Chloe would get flustered she would say and do crazy things too. Like the time she walked in on Nick "shirtless". She threw a roll of paper towels at him. Readers of rom coms will want to pick up a copy of this book for themselves to read. This book may not be like the movies but it is ten times better! show less

*** Note: I received e-copy of this book as a winner of Goodreads group challenge. Many thanks to YA Buddy Readers’ Corner. ***

Waiting for Tom Hanks was lovely and entertaining romcom that revolved around Annie Cassidy’s search for her own Tom Hanks- her true love like romcom movies and Tom Hanks she adores. It was about being realistic with expectations, taking risk in life, having faith in real love, family, and friendship.

This had everything that cheesy romance novels have but what show more made it different and refreshing was lots of references of romcom movies and not just movies but of actors and actresses and situations in those movies and the ingenious way they were intertwined with Annie’s story.

There was presumptions, misunderstanding, mistakes, fight, break-up and make up everything you would love in romcom. What more interesting was there wasn’t just Annie and Drew’s chemistry in book but we also see Nick and Chloe’s banter filled chemistry through Annie’s eyes as well.

Overall, Waiting for Tom Hanks was adorable, refreshing, sweet, and entertaining romcom with hate-to-love arc. I highly recommend this book to fan of this genre. show less