I unfortunately had to DNF this one. Immediately the MMC complaining constantly about how he is a "washed up" actor was just too much. And I'm extremely tired of the "I'm too old for her" plot line in age gap romances when the age gap is ten years or less. I also just couldn't take it seriously that our MFC took the advice of a fortune teller (who she knew was just a Hollywood actress trying to get noticed) and dropped everything to go on a road trip to find love.

i loved the plot of this, and the characters were super fun and interesting to follow along. BUT the first sex scene was horrible (terrible dialogue) and the FMC is way too obsessed with what men think of her and changes herself to suit them. definitely disappointed bc i liked the idea of this.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

This was a fun road-trip rom com! I consider myself to be more small town than big city, so I struggled to relate to Kelsey and found her frustrating at times. I also felt like Zachery was almost doing way too much for her and we didn’t see her reciprocate as much in terms of helping him out. However, those things aside, I did enjoy the story and seeing them discover their true love has been right there all along, as well as the various settings of the small town festivals and what not throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance was such a cute story, throughly exploring romance tropes but deliberately, for our main character, and through its character dynamics.

Kelsey gets her fortune read with the dire pronouncement that she’ll lose all hope in romance if she doesn’t shake things up by the end of the summer. That’s a bit of a problem given she casts leads for romance movies. Zachery, her coworker and best friend, has a few secrets he’s hiding - he set up the fortune teller to get Kelsey back on the horse and he’s in love with her. When Kelsey sets off on a road trip to try to engineer a meet cute for herself Zach follows but between some meet cures gone wrong and both trying to hoodwink their demanding and demonic boss that they’re back in the office, we get plenty of laughs and things not quite going to plan. But when Kelsey’s perfect man may have been found what’s left to see is if Zach can give up on Kelsey as his love.

As seen by the plot this was a lot of fun, and I loved the exploration of tropes! A lot of hallmark movie callouts were made in the story and it was a lot of fun seeing them satirised but also explored the way they were. I’d recommend this to those who love their romances but also understand what we see and read is manufactured and doesn’t always end up so perfectly.

The setup for this story was cute, but the execution was quite cheesy. The author packed the book with so many romance tropes and themes that there wasn’t much room to develop the characters

Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance by JJ Knight
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 22 October 2024

Kelsey Whitaker, a Hollywood casting assistant expert in rom-coms, embarks on a road trip across small-town America with her best friend Zachery Carter. Her goal is to find her perfect match - an all-American country boy.

Unbeknownst to Kelsey, Zachery harbours secret feelings for her. As they journey from Hollywood to Alabama, Kelsey tries to create rom-com moments, while Zachery silently struggles with his emotions.

“Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance” is a charming age-gap romance that follows Kelsey on her quest for a real-life meet cute movie experience. Embarking on a road trip through small towns, she attempts to engineer her perfect "meet cute" moment. Meanwhile, Zach, harbouring secret feelings for Kelsey, follows to both protect and support her, despite his own emotional struggle.

The story primarily focuses on their friendship, even as the chemistry between them becomes increasingly apparent. This slow-burn approach adds depth to their relationship and keeps readers invested in their journey.

The novel excels in its depiction of the road trip adventure, featuring humorous forced "meet cute" scenarios and a dash of spice to keep things interesting. It's a fun, light-hearted read that balances romance with self-discovery.

Overall, "Meet Cute in the Countryside" is an enjoyable romantic comedy that's likely to resonate with many readers. Its blend of humour, heart, and personal growth makes it a strong contender to become a popular choice in the genre.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Montlake, and the author, JJ Knight, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Who doesn’t love a good meet-cute?!?
This was such a cute book!
If you love romcoms (especially 90/early 2000’s) this book is for you! There were so many nods to Hallmark and romcom movies throughout!

Kelsey is ready to meet her future husband so she goes out to find him. Meanwhile, Zachary, a guy she works with and is best friends with, decides to go with her to protect her while she is on this journey.

She was looking for love, not realizing it was with her the whole time!
I loved the moment when they both realized they had feelings for each other!

As someone who LOVES feel good movies, this was right up my alley! This was such a cute story!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review
I liked the idea of going on a trip and trying out multiple meet-cutes from movies; Zachery's was the bomb! I do not blame Desdemona for not putting up with Kelsey's shenanigans; I wouldn't either. Besides that, why didn't she tell Jester? They always worked as a team? Speaking of, I got the impression that Zach and Jester covered for her more than she did them and it didn't sit well with me. I loved the dual POV and the chapter titles, which fit perfectly with the action going on. I know Z wants to please K in every way, but sending for a coffee and having it delivered at the restaurant is going too far, plus it's really rude. I was appeased by the waitress' comment. At some point, I really thought Kelsey was a bit desperate - but it was always funny, then again, she had a deadline according to the fortune teller. Did she change so much to fit in or for herself? Anyone else thought it weird to see Zachery wearing mohair in Texas? So, was the ring a unicorn or Charlie Brown?

Kelsey is a casting assistant and knows every hit rom-com by heart. Her bff Zachery is secretly in love with her and tries to show her that he's the right man.

Zachery is such a sweet hero. Love how smitten he is. I love how he and Kelsey are best friends especially. Fun scenes too.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

This is an age-gap romance. Kelsey goes on a roadtrip targeting small towns in an effort to create a “meet cute” love experience. She is seeking a hallmark movie in real life. Zach chases after her, because he has feelings for her and also wants to protect her.

For most of the book, they remain friends even thought it’s clear they should be together. The one thing that bothered me is that the people of the small towns are portrayed as uneducated hillbillies basically lol. If you are from a small town, this might bother you. But to be honest, the book had to be written this way in order for it to work. If she had met the perfect man from a small town then she wouldn’t end up with Zach and she also would have been unhappy, because all her goals in life are big city goals.

It’s definitely a fun story of a road trip between different towns, funny forced meet cutes, and a little bit of spice mixed in. I really enjoyed this one and I think it’s gonna be a popular read.

Thank you to netgalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance

Author: JJ Knight

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★★★★☆
Release Date: 22nd October 2024

JJ Knight's "Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance" is a delightful and witty romp through the tropes of romantic comedies, infused with charm, humour, and a touch of self-discovery.

This novel is a refreshing take on the road trip romance, offering plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments.


Kelsey Whitaker is an expert in rom-coms, working as a casting assistant for a demanding boss known as the Demon. Despite her professional success, Kelsey's own love life is sorely lacking in meet-cutes and happy endings. Determined to find her own perfect rom-com romance, she embarks on a cross-country road trip with her best friend and wingman, Zachery Carter. Zach, who secretly harbours feelings for Kelsey, joins her in the quest to find an all-American, flannel-wearing, small-town hero.

As they navigate quirky small towns and unexpected adventures, Kelsey and Zach must confront their own feelings and the reality that love might be closer than they think.

What I Loved:

1. Endearing Protagonist: Kelsey Whitaker is a relatable and charming heroine. Her deep knowledge of rom-coms and her quest for her own love story are both humorous and endearing. Her journey from Hollywood glam to small-town simplicity is both entertaining and heartfelt.
2. Best Friend Dynamics: The chemistry between Kelsey and Zach is palpable. Their banter, camaraderie, and the slow realisation of deeper feelings add layers to their relationship. Zach's secret love for Kelsey and his efforts to support her dreams make him a lovable character.
3. Romantic Comedy Tropes: The novel cleverly plays with classic rom-com tropes, from meet-cutes to misunderstandings, while adding fresh twists. Kelsey's attempt to create her own rom-com moments leads to hilarious and touching situations.
4. Road Trip Adventure: The cross-country road trip adds a sense of adventure and discovery. Each small town they visit brings new characters, challenges, and moments that contribute to Kelsey and Zach's evolving relationship.
5. Humour and Heart: JJ Knight's writing is infused with humour and warmth. The light-hearted tone and witty dialogue make the book a fun and enjoyable read, while the emotional depth ensures a satisfying romantic arc.

Kelsey’s meticulous attempts to manufacture rom-com scenarios, complete with checklists and planned meet-cutes, provide plenty of laughs. Watching her navigate the often unpredictable reality versus her scripted expectations is a delightful part of the story.

"Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance" is a fun, cute romance that will resonate with fans of romantic comedies and contemporary love stories.

JJ Knight masterfully combines humour, charm, and heartfelt moments to create a novel that’s both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.

Kelsey's journey to find love, with the supportive and secretly smitten Zach by her side, is a testament to the power of friendship, the unpredictability of love, and the importance of seeing what’s right in front of you. If you're looking for a feel-good read with plenty of laughs and a swoon-worthy romance, this book is a perfect choice.

Thank you to The Publisher Montlake,The Author JJ Knight & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance is an age-gap, friends-to-lovers romance, set against the shiny backdrop of Hollywood’s glamour. The book tells the story of Zach who is completely smitten with his co-worker, Kelsey. Add in the mix a terrible boss, what could go wrong?
I really enjoyed the storyline and how the characters developed throughout the book. There’s nothing I would change about it. I especially loved how the main characters were so different from each other—it made their relationship even more interesting. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories where opposites attract.

Not so typical use of some typical tropes! A fun ride, finding the perfect meet-cute, dealimg with the demon of a boss, dodging some interesting situations on the way. And of course, ultimately finding the perfect one by surprise, with the mandatory HEA. A super fun romance all with way.

I enjoyed the plot and the growth of the characters. I would not change anything about the book. I loved how the main characters were very different from each other. I would recommend this book to people who like opposites attract.

This book is a funny and refreshing delight, blending humor and flirty charm effortlessly. The witty banter and sparkling chemistry between the characters make for a thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended for anyone in need of a lighthearted and feel-good romance!

Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance is a sweet story, a witty and fun read. Set in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood trells the book Kelsey and Zachery's story.
Both are working for a talent agent, imagine Cruella and you get the picture.
Annnd Zach is hopelessly in love with bis co-worker Kelsey. Only she has no clue at all. What could go wrong? Literally everything. Highly entertaining is this the perfect weekend read, 4,5 beautiful stars.

I loved this book! It was such a sweet and entertaining story. I rooted for Zach right from the start and couldn't wait for Kelsey and him to reach their HEA and I wasn't disappointed. I liked the book so much that I read it in one day. If you like friends-to-lovers and/or road-trip romances you should definitely read this book.

Wow, what a great romance book! I loved it! And the cover, it’s gorgeous! This book was awesome! Pick it up!

Oh this book was really good! i loved the main characters, and the fun setting. It took the reader on an adventure. Great book!