The Rom Con by Devon Daniels (Review by Stephanie Rowitz)

Rating: 4.5/5

Cassidy Sutton is done with modern dating. Between dating apps and so many men not understanding how consent works in the post #MeToo era, Cassidy feels like she needs a break from it all, but her grandmother isn’t having any of it. She gives Cassidy a 1950s dating book called 125 Tips to Hook a Husband and instead of using it as a throwback dating guide for the ages, Cassidy decides to turn it into a “What Not To Do” article for the women’s publication she writes for called Siren. 

Unknowingly at first, she decides to test these tips out on Jack Bradford, the misogynistic creator of the rival men’s publication Brawler. Chaos ensues as identities are revealed and real feelings develop. Cassidy soon realizes there’s something to be said for some of those old-fashioned dating tips after all…

Even though this book is essentially a retelling of the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, it still has enough of a creative spin to make it worth reading. The writing is snappy and engaging, and even though I knew the plot points ahead of time, I was still absorbed in this book from beginning to end. 

I like how Jack’s character unfolds and how the reader realizes right alongside Cassidy that he’s a lot more interesting and old-fashioned than he seems initially. I also like how Cassidy periodically states that she doesn’t need a man to feel complete, but that a partner to share life’s ups and downs with would be a nice thing to have. This sentiment is gaining more and more ground in the romance genre and I’m always happy to see it when it appears. 

All in all, The Rom Con is a delightful read. Perfect for fans of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or well-rounded romances in general.