Charlie might work at her dad’s company but that doesn’t make her life easy. She’s the kind of person who always goes the extra mile for a client, remembers colleagues’ birthdays and arranges the cake. And yet her dad still favours her sister.
So Charlie shouldn’t be surprised when her dad brings someone in to manage her and the team. But what does surprise her is that the new boss is her guy – the man who she went out with years ago and could never stop thinking about. Charlie wants to hide under the desk… but then she realises she doesn’t have to.
Because William doesn’t seem to remember her at all…
Charlie, Love and Clichés is the brand-new romance from internationally bestselling author Ella Maise. If you’ve ever found yourself on BookTok, you’ve probably heard of her – her four previous novels, including To Love Jason Thorn and Marriage For One have all been TikTok sensations.
Picking up Charlie, Love and Clichés as a first-time reader of Maise’s work, it’s easy to see why she’s garnered so many fans. On her website, Maise states that she writes to put a smile on her readers’ faces, and she’s certainly achieved that! This is pure escapism, of the very best kind.
From the very first pages, I found myself wincingly relating to 25-year-old Charlie, with her haphazard start to the week conveying an all-too-familiar sense of quarter-life crisis. Her self-aware awkwardness combined with her very good intentions make Charlie a fantastic character to root for. Maise also nails the corporate dynamics, with Charlie’s cast of colleagues all painfully recognisable, without being caricatures.
And then comes the romance, masterfully layering in the aspirational elements that make this such a satisfyingly escapist read: the glamour of the New York City setting (though Charlie wouldn’t describe it that way), and the unexpected entrance of the one who got away…
The novel proceeds to alternate between the perspectives of Charlie and her love interest, Will, with the plot centered on their interactions – which are, of course, rife with misunderstandings. It’s an ingenious move that allows readers to get inside the heads of each of the characters, building the tension between the pair throughout the novel, right up until… well, I won’t give away any spoilers. Suffice to say, Maise knows how to deliver a satisfying climax.
Charlie, Love and Clichés is the kind of all-absorbing, expertly written book that seems to turn its own pages. If you’re a lover of all things romance looking for the next swoonworthy read to dissolve into for a weekend, you’ve just found it. Perfect for fans of Elena Armas and Ali Hazelwood.
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