Reviews

Not My Love Story by Dani McLean

dfwsusie's review against another edition

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4.0

A modern fairy tale novella about a screenwriter stuck writing a romcom while living inside one with the girl of his dreams.
7/10 ⭐️
Tropes | Fairy Tale, Second Chance, Workplace
Heat Level |

the_reading_ranger's review against another edition

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3.0

This hasn't been my favourite Movie Magic Novella. I did like the romance storyline, with a cynical screenwriter 'forced' to write a script for a romance movie with the girl he had a one-night-stand with. He hates romance, yet he's falling for his co-writer.

What I didn't like about this one was the 'magical' element. The others I've read just worked better. A Missing Connection had the two leads able to essentially telepathically communicate. Midnight, Repeated was a groundhog-day story. This one just felt like weird coincidences, happening all after each other. Harrison (the cynical screenwriter) is just in rom-com moment after rom-com moment and hating all of them. I just... didn't connect with this one.

The other two worked better, and I'm looking forward to the next one, hoping that it'll be better again.

jaclynslibrary's review against another edition

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2.0

I liked the concept of this book but ultimately, it wasn’t for me. I didn’t really feel the connection between the characters and wish we were given more information about their history.

devonalysha's review against another edition

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4.0

Cute with multiple tropes (second chance, opposites attract/enemies to lovers, one bed).
I like the scene setups at the beginning to tie in with the movie script writing theme.
Easy to read, likeable characters.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

bookcasebee's review against another edition

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1.5

Maybe if this was a full length novel I could’ve connected to the characters more but this didn’t work for me. I felt nothing for these characters and their relationship, I knew nothing about them. It’s ok if you want a really quick fun read but there was no substance to it for me. The idea is there, but didn’t work for me. 

kitaabeinaurkindle's review against another edition

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4.0

“Not My Love Story” by author Dani McLean is the story of Cynical Screenwriter Harrison Kyle who hates everything that revolves around the word Romance. As part of a studio contract he has no choice but to write a rom-com with fellow screenwriter Hayley Bennett, who believes in “Love conquers all” philosophy. The question is - Can Harrison fight his insecurities to be the hero of his own story?

The premise of the story is really interesting and attention-grabbing. There’s some banter, there’s irresistible chemistry between the MCs, there’s a town obsessed with Valentine’s Day, and the cliché cynical falling for a believer story.
The start felt a bit slow-paced to me, but once the pace picked up I enjoyed every bit of it. Just wished there was a little sneak peek into Hayley’s side of a story or a dual POV.

Go for it, if you enjoy the following:
- Sunshine and Grumpy romance
- Forced proximity
- One bed trope
- Hallmark romances

It’s a cute novella for romance lovers who would like to see a collaboration with the silver-screen and reading world of romance!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

fysitbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

Gifted as an ARC by Goodreads

I almost wish this novella was longer, but that’s partly my fault for enjoying slow burn romance so much. A sweet quick second chance romance that has well written scenes and characters.

dareenkwaik's review against another edition

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3.0

cute but not my favvvv

belle13's review

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

❤️Second chance romance
❤️They have to work together to write a romcom script
❤️Opposites attract
❤️A tiny bit magical
❤️He pines so hard
❤️Only one bed (and only one hotel room)
❤️He hates romance & she’s a hopeless romantic

This isn’t a Christmas romance but it felt like the perfect book to read over Christmas because it has real Hallmark romance vibes (in a fun way). It was absolutely cheesy but that’s the point! It was every bit the romcom these characters were trying to write. I would never normally read a romance that has been written solely from the MMCs POV but if anyone is going to make that work then it’s Dani - and it really did work.

I do wish that we had seen more of the supporting characters but I know that can be hard to achieve with a novella.

I would recommend it if you want a romance that feels ooey gooey (a little cheesy in a good way) or a series that is perfectly magical.

Amount of spice: 🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Open door and explicit 

bookmarkedbykat's review against another edition

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5.0

19 chapters of

☆ "90s & 00's rom-com" vibes
☆ Lowest rated on GR :( but my favorite of all ♡
☆ Softcore Smut >>
☆ Harrison Kyle, the man that you are!