Not Like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey – a Review

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Description:
In a sequel from the POV of Annie’s best friend Chloe, a story about finding love in the most obvious-yet-not-so-obvious place. Chloe Sanderson is an optimist, and not because her life is easy. She is the sole caregiver for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s, and pretty much responsible for everything. She has no time—or interest—in getting swept up in some dazzling romance. Not like her best friend, Annie, who literally wrote a rom-com that’s about to premiere in theaters across America . . . and happens to be inspired by Chloe and her cute but no-nonsense boss, Nick Velez.

As the buzz for the movie grows, Chloe reads one too many listicles about why Nick is the perfect man, and now she can’t see him as anything but Reason #4: The scruffy-bearded hunk who’s always there when you need him. But unlike the romance Annie has written for them, Chloe isn’t so sure her own story will end in a happily-ever-after.

Review:

Not Like The Movies by Kerry Winfrey is told in the first person point of view. We view this book through Chloe’s jaded eyes. I liked Chloe in the last book (Waiting for Tom Hanks) she was fun and feisty, loyal to friends, and always had a quick comeback. 

Her best friend has hit it big with a movie deal “coffee girl”, and for those who haven’t read the first book, coffee girl was the nickname the hero gave our heroine.  You don’t need to read the first book. But it does help. There are a few things in this book that you’ll only get if you read the first one. But I don’t think it’s really necessary to this book. 

So…… the movie Annie made was all about a coffee shop owner and his barista. News gets out that it’s based on a real coffee shop, Nick and Chloe are an overnight gossip piece of news. Everyone wants to come have coffee and meet the inspiration. 

I loved how Chloe is always there for her friends. Her top priority at the moment is her dad, he has Alzheimer’s (early stage) and is in a home, but it’s hard, hard watching her dad slip away, hard being the adult and not the child in the relationship. 

What I didn’t like was her treatment of Nick, he’s a nice guy, he genuinely likes her, and the kiss they share should have set the stage for the start of their romance, but no. I understand her reluctance, mum leaving a child will scar that person. But she doesn’t do commitment, and her feelings for Nick scare her. Dating someone else who is totally the opposite of Nick wasn’t going to work either! Whenever there is a hint of romance, Chloe is off! 

Another book full of great characters, Gary the regular in the coffee shop, giving advice or making a nuisance of himself, Chloe’s ex (the girlfriend who looks after her dad) she’s there to offer a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen, even Annie and Drew make an appearance. We even get to meet her brother and his boyfriend. I think she also feels so frustrated that her brother doesn’t help more with their father. It’s always up to “good ole Chloe”

The references to books are cute up to a point, but I don’t know anyone that lives their life through movies, so I didn’t really connect to the book. So will Chloe finally get the message? Will she look at Nick in a different light? 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher