Title: Would Like to Meet
Author: Rachel Winters
Published: November 26th 2019
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Pages: 304
Genres: Fiction, Contemporary,
RRP: $32.99
Rating: 3 stars
A laugh-out-loud comedy with a strong cinematic hook. Can you fall in love like they do in the movies?
Long-suffering assistant Evie Summers will lose her job unless she can convince her film agency’s biggest and most difficult client, Ezra Chester, to finish the script for a Hollywood romcom. The catch? He hasn’t started writing it.
Suffering from ‘writer’s block,’ he will only put pen to paper if singleton Evie can prove to him that you can fall in love like they do in the movies. Forget internet dating, Evie can only meet a man the way that Sally met Harry, or Hugh Grant meets anyone. Cue her entering into one ridiculous romcom scenario after another. But can life ever be like the movies?
Of course, real life is never that straightforward . . .
Review:
London based author Rachel Winters presents, Would Like to Meet, a debut novel that is the ultimate tribute to the classic romantic comedies we have all known and loved from the big screen. In a desperate and hair brained scheme to win over her most valued client of the film agency she works for, Evie a hardworking assistant, is willing to put everything on the line to attain a lucrative script. Full of frivolity, drama and a good lashing of romance, Would Like to Meet is a warm and engaging contemporary fiction title.
Would Like to Meet introduces Evie, a young woman who is faced with a tough challenge when we are acquainted with her. Evie must secure a film script from her agency’s most demanding and challenging client. Not only is this client, Ezra Chandler, difficult to deal with, the script that Evie must obtain has not been composed yet! In an interesting turn of events, Ezra issues Evie with an almost impossible challenge. To win the script she so desires, Evie, a single girl, must prove that it is possible to genuinely fall in love – movie style. She must throw the dating apps aside, and meet a partner the old fashioned way, just like they do in the movies! What results are many hilarious episodes involving Evie trying to directly draw on the inspiration from famous romantic comedies to snag a man. Love is never an easy path, as Evie soon learns from her movie related experiences!
First time novelist Rachel Winters has penned an embracing and light hearted novel, that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This novel is also a nice nod to romantic comedy classics. Would Like to Meet will more than satisfy the tastes of those who appreciate a little bit of Hollywood in their reading fodder.
When I was in my late teens and into my twenties, romantic films were my staple. There was nothing more comforting than relaxing on the couch, kicking back with some popcorn and letting yourself be carried away by a romantic comedy themed film. Rachel Winters has tapped into this popular genre and turned it on its head, by incorporating these much loved films into her debut release. This premise definitely drew me in to Would Like to Meet.
Would Like to Meet is a creative novel that is structured in a dynamic way. Each new chapter is headed by a movie script, so it really feels like you have stepped straight onto a movie set. Interspersed between the main set narrative are emails, messages and gossip column inclusions, adding extra insight into the unfolding story. Winters presents a good set of characters, a fun filled plot and a teasing romance. There were elements that I enjoyed, especially the film nostalgia, but on the whole I think this book was made for chick lit fans, which I no longer have great enthusiasm for.
Would Like to Meet offers an original take on the rom com genre and the film based industry. It makes no tough demands, so indulge in this one if you are looking for an escapist read.
Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters is published by Hachette Australia. Out now. $32.99
https://www.hachette.com.au/rachel-winters/would-like-to-meet
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Hachette Australia. To read the original review on the Beauty & Lace website please visit here.
