Book Review: As Seen on TV by Meredith Schorr

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: As Seen on TV
Author: Meredith Schorr
Publisher: Forever, Hachette Book Group
Publication Date: July 7, 2022
ISBN: 9781538754764

Synopsis:
Emerging journalist Adina Gellar is done with dating in New York City. If she’s learned anything from made-for-TV romance movies, it’s that she’ll find love in a small town-the kind with harvest festivals, delightful but quirky characters, and scores of delectable single dudes. So when a big-city real estate magnate targets tiny Pleasant Hollow for development, Adi knows she’s found the perfect story-one that will earn her a position at a coveted online magazine, so she can finally start adulting for real . . . and maybe even find her dream man in the process.

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As Seen on TV is exactly the kind of kooky, fluffy, romcom that it sounds like. Get ready to dive into a light-hearted romance. It’s got the young, driven yet-to-be journalist, Adi, who spends more time teaching spin classes and working as a barista than she does working as an actual journalist. When she pitches a story that may actually finally lead to her big break, she leaps at the chance to launch her career. Like the Hallmark movies she’s addicted to, her own romantic life is about to take a turn. Whether that’s a good thing or not is yet to be seen, but after meeting the incredibly good-looking Finn, butterflies and spicy romance ensues.

This books stands firmly in the romcom category. I rated it 3 stars on Goodreads since it’s exactly what you expect to get from a summer romance novel. I enjoyed it the same way I enjoy watching a Hallmark movie: it’s not something you’ll be overly invested in, but it’s a great diversion on a lazy afternoon. Looking for a beach read? This one is the one. It’s got romance, it’s got some hilarity, and it’s got lots of good-looking characters. It’s exactly the type of story you’d expect to watch in a movie on the W Network.

Now for the negatives. I will say, I had a tough time with Adi, the protagonist. While her story is interesting enough, she’s so ridiculous, it borders on the comedic. I was entertained by her for mostly the wrong reasons. She reads as an airhead Gen-Z-er who’s intelligence is questionable, taste in men is concerning, and self-awareness is lacking. Adina’s lack of agency is troublesome, as she can’t support herself, and has trouble breaking out of the fantasy Hallmark life she’s so desperate to seek out. Also concerning are her “adulting” skills, though at 25, I don’t think her behaviour is too far removed by many of her peers. The cringe-factor was real at any interaction she had with any of the Pleasant Hollow townies. And lastly, the book tries to draw parallels to Gilmore Girls, and it falls short of the charm that infused this beloved series by a serious margin.

Keep your expectations reasonable and then check this one out. Another perfect beach read for the summer. It’s not life-changing, but who doesn’t enjoy a good fluff piece every once and a while?

Happy reading!