REVIEW: Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance by J.J. Knight

Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance by J.J. Knight: Kelsey Whitaker might be a wiz at finding the perfect co-stars to create onscreen chemistry magic but when it comes to her own life, well that is where the really work begins, but if there is one thing Kelsey is not afraid of it is to put in the work. So with the help of her bestie and wingman Zachery Carter, Kelsey trades in her shiny stilettos for a pair of sneakers and hits the dusty small town back roads. Surely with her love for romance and her Alabama roots, there is a all American flannel wearing hottie waiting to sweep her of her feet, right? While Zach might have become good at putting on an act, hiding his true feelings for Kelsey are becoming increasingly hard, maybe it is time for him to pull out the big guns and show Kelsey if she really wants that Hollywood happy ending she should look a little closer to home…

This was just the perfect cute, small town meets big city romcom. This book screamed make me a Hallmark movie, I loved just about everything in this book. This was the kind of book that you can just relax and enjoy without having to worry about any major angst or drama popping up. I loved the way Knight blended together this road trip kind of adventure to find love with some really deep emotions. Most of all I really loved that Kelsey went chasing her own fairytale ending but ended up having her leading man do the chasing.

I just adored Kelsey, she is basically my spirt animal, girl is chasing her happily ever after, there is no sitting around and waiting for a man, even though her very own prince charming was literally right next to her the entire time. I loved her passion and super happy and sunny disposition. She was truly a total sweetheart with a killer fashion sense that I loved rooting on. I loved that she was so big on romcoms, this only made her misadventures trying to find love all the more hilariously cute to watch unfold. As for our hero, well Zach was a protective hero with a bit of a grumpy side, but I loved him all the same. While his career might be taking a bit of a dip right now, this does not stop Zach from caring about Kelsey. I loved that he had been secretly harbouring feelings for her all this time, too afraid to ruin their friendship by confessing.

The build up between Kelsey and Zach was just slow burn perfection. I loved the way that they slowly progressed from besties to realising that there was definitely something more special brewing between them. I really liked that the we got to see a bit of the pinning from Zach as he had to watch Kelsey embark on some silly failed dates. While I did not like that Zach felt that he was not worthy or good enough for Kelsey part of this book, I understood why he was feeling so self conscious. What I did like was that these two built their relationship on an actually friendship and trust for one and other.

Not Exactly A Small-Town Romance was definitely a cute read, this book had all the hallmarks of a cute 90’s romcom with the slow burn build up, friends to lovers, hilarious failed dates and a touch of steaminess. If you are like me and love reading a cute, easy romcom then this is most definitely the book for you!
 

Book Info:

Publication: October 22, 2024 | Montlake |

Kelsey Whitaker knows every hit rom-com by heart and why they work. It’s her job. As a casting assistant to a fearsome boss nicknamed the Demon, Kelsey creates chemistry with perfect leads. Let the tropes take it from there. So where’s the meet-cute in her own life? That she’ll have to make happen herself.

With the help of her best friend and wingman, Zachery Carter—a total Hemsworth, even if his career is ebbing—Kelsey trades in her big-city stilettos for small-town tennies and hits the back roads. Somewhere between Hollywood and her Alabama roots, she’s determined to strategically stumble into the arms of an all-American flannel-wearing, decent-hearted, rustic boy next door. It’s a blockbuster blueprint for success! Isn’t it?

It’s all a secretly smitten Zachery can do not to tell Kelsey she’s looking for love in all the wrong places. If she really wants a happy ending, they may have to do a little rewriting, town by town and mile by mile. Together.