May be for you if you like: Writing, fun mystery, lighthearted plot, overcoming family issues
Synopsis
Macy Descanso is a writer. Who cares if her bestselling-author mother pulled some strings to get her into a prestigious writing retreat? Macy belongs here. When the coordinators unexpectedly announce that this year's theme is romance, Macy - a total cynic - is ready for the challenge. But she's not prepared for her critique partner to be fellow publishing nepo baby Caleb Bernard. While most romance writers might describe Caleb as "swoony", he's totally off-limits, because the Descansos and the Bernards have beef. With something to prove, Macy and Caleb must put aside their families' issues and not only earn a spot in the upcoming published anthology but also solve a literary mystery.
With every clue, with every rewrite, every fight against writer's block and their growing feelings for each other, Macy and Caleb must work through the complications of life in hopes of solving the biggest mystery of all - love.
Overall Rating: 🧁🧁🧁🧁
Idea: 🧁🧁🧁🧁
Plot: 🧁🧁🧁
Characters: 🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
Worldbuilding: 🧁🧁🧁
Narration: 🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
Entertainment: 🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁
Full Review
The story was very enjoyable, but honestly not exactly what I paid for lol. The synopsis promised me a funky "literary rivals to lovers" story - what I got was two teenagers with family issues bonding over said family issues and their resulting problems with writing. And I absolutely loved the plot, I just don't understand why it was marketed as a rivals to lovers story. I absolutely adored the idea of a writing retreat, but the sections that actually talked about the writing were cut rather short in favor of the "missing manuscript"-storyline, which I honestly didn't appreciate. I can read wacky mysteries all the time, but here it just threw off the story's balance. I feel like the novel tried to accomplish too much and thus lost its focus a little - we have Macy's family issues that get resolved last minute, we have the mysterious fight between Macy's and Caleb's families, we have the manuscript manhunt, we have Macy trying to get into the anthology - and last but not least, we have the budding romance between Macy and Caleb. Each of those plotlines were enjoyable by itself, but attempting to properly lay out and resolve everything was just too ambitious for a 300 page novel, I feel like.
The characters were super adorable. Macy's struggle to carve her own mark as a writer from a successful family felt very real; her writer's block and her doubts were probably relatable to anyone who's ever tried to write - I certainly felt seen! Her other traits of being a little neurotic, far from athletic, and with a sweet tooth made her a very sympathetic lead and someone most hobby literates can identify with. Caleb is equally likeable - he didn't feel at all like the pretentious nepo baby he is set up to be. He carries a lot of trauma with him, which he smiles away and buries under artificial cheese. I actually loved how their relationship progressed: they were clearly good for each other, as people and as creatives! I had some gripes with the last act, but therefore the resolution felt all the more satisfying.
However, the side characters were practically cardboard. The only notable side character was Macy's roommate Fern, whom I didn't get to see too much of, apart from them occasionally dropping their latest drug escapades, which felt unnecessary and annoying. The mentor character barely showed up after the introduction, and the elusive author who posthumously sent everyone on a scaveger hunt for her last manuscript was a fun idea, but I didn't really connect with her as much - again, the idea could have been great, but suffered from the lack of focus and weird pacing. Overall the characters were really enjoyable though and I appreciated the diverse cast in terms of gender, race, and economical background.
Final Thoughts: Despite my huge annoyance at the false advertisement, I really loved the novel. It's fundamentally a novel about love in its different forms and less of a "true" romcom, with a bigger emphasis on the protagonists overcoming their struggles with the bonds they've forged. The manuscript mystery wasn't really needed in my opinion, but it served as a nice little distraction from time to time. While I had wished for more rivalry and more "woes of writing" I'm still extremely happy with the book and would recommend it wholeheartedly, especially to aspiring romance novelists who may put the topics and techniques from the fictional writing workshops into practical use!
I also gotta say that I absolutely adore the cover - the cinmamon bun is a very nice callback to the protagonists and the happy colors make me want to get behind a typewriter!
Final point: I've finished this book within one day while I was essentially stuck on train after train. Still had a blast though thanks to Marcy and Caleb - that bond between us three will surely last forever!
What’s better than listening to a young adult author talk about her latest book, her writing process, and her affinity for romance? Listening to FOUR authors! Join us in-store on Saturday, January 25 at 4pm for a conversation between local author Danielle Parker, whose sweet new rom-com Love on Paper releases January 21, and YA authors Elise Bryant, Myah Hollis, and Jade Adia.
Love on Paper is the perfect pick for fans of romance-based mysteries, rivals-to-lovers tropes, and a peek into the world of writing and publishing. Protagonist Macy Descanso, daughter of two revered authors, can’t wait to make a name for herself at a prestigious month-long writing retreat in northern California. A cynic when it comes to love, Macy’s plans take an unexpected turn when the theme of the retreat is revealed to be “Romance.” Macy feels even more out of her element when she’s paired with Caleb Bernard, a fellow nepo baby. He may be handsome, charming, and talented, but he is also the son of writers who have a long-standing grudge against Macy’s parents. Can Macy and Caleb set aside their familial issues, fight through writer’s block, and help each other submit stories for a published anthology, while also solving the mystery of a missing manuscript and falling for each other? If you know anything about rom coms, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” but you’ll have to read Love on Paper to find out how it all works out.
Copies of Love on Paper, as well as Our Shouts Echo by Jade Adia, Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling by Elise Bryant, and Not About a Boy by Myah Hollis, will be available for purchase and signing.
This one was too cute. Exactly what I needed after delving into mysteries and murder for maybe a little too long.
You knew as soon as bets come into play that things were going to backfire later. How could they not? But when Ezra and Sasha learn they're tied for valedictorian, and the accompanying scholarship, Sasha can't stand to leave it up to chance. Instead, they'll set up 3 challenges, and the loser will gracefully tank an assignment to assure the other will win. And Sasha is not going to lose.
Ezra comes on strong, playful and clearly open to rekindling their old friendship. Which makes his moments of sabotage that much more unbalancing. Sasha finds herself adrift, not knowing how to respond or what to think.
There's Kerrie, who seems poised to be a rival. Someone to stand in Sasha's way and trip her up at the worst moment. And maybe be interested in Ezra, from their first interaction. Instead, she falls to the side, never really having a full presence.
Priscilla and Chance are the kind of best friends you always hope for. Ones who support you, are ready to fight your enemies and also tell you the truth, even when you don't want to hear it.
Sasha and Ezra are great rivals. The kind that push each other, and are on a level playing field. They make an even better couple though. Their banter and chemistry is what I live for in romances, and Shelby, there's enough drama for you! They have this sweet, destined-to-be vibe, while also just seeming to fall into each other.
Once I got properly into the book, I couldn't stop reading! This was the right level of grief, heartache, and angst for me. It didn't destroy me, and the sweet moments more than made up for the hard ones. Definitely recommend!
(Thank you to the publishers through NetGalley for providing an ARC!)
As soon as the message sends, I shake my head. My mom isn’t great at texting; she’s definitely from the generation that likes to talk on the phone. It would probably be faster for me to send a carrier pigeon or a message in a bottle. When anyone sends her a text, she responds out loud, answering questions like they’re in the room with her, then never writes back.
(This is from an unedited ARC, quote may change at publishing.)
- You Bet Your Heart
Ok, this is freaking awesome. If anyone of my friends do this, I would 100% accept it. I mean, I’ll miss hearing from you. But best. Reason. Ever!
