A highly praised romantic comedy novel, 'Love & Other Scams' by PJ Ellis, follows the adventures of Cat, a down-on-her-luck cynic who turns to pickpocketing and sets her sights on a diamond at her friend's wedding. The book combines high-stakes glamour with relatable sarcasm and features a fake dating flirtation with a charming bartender-con artist named Jake. The novel is celebrated for its humor, engaging characters, and potential for a sequel.

Trust and Safety is a satirical novel exploring themes of authenticity, belonging, and entitlement through the story of a couple, Rosie and Jordan, who move to the Hudson Valley seeking a simpler life. They become entangled with a queer couple, Dylan and Lark, who embody the life Rosie desires. The novel humorously critiques contemporary obsessions and the quest for authenticity, while addressing the complexities of modern relationships and societal expectations.

The article presents a collection of book recommendations that explore the 'friends-to-lovers' romance trope. It contrasts this trope with the 'enemies-to-lovers' trope and provides examples of books that embody the theme, including Jane Austen's 'Emma', Madeline Miller's 'Song of Achilles', Laura Kay's 'Wild Things', Emily Henry's 'You and Me on Vacation', and Rachel Runya Katz's 'Thank You For Sharing'. The text invites readers to explore the collection and share their own recommendations.

Grace Turner, a once-prominent actress, returns to Los Angeles after a mysterious disappearance at the peak of her career. The narrative delves into her struggles with depression, family resentment, and the controlling influence of director Able Yorke. As she prepares to present an award to Yorke, Grace seeks to reclaim her life and voice, reflecting themes of justice and empowerment. The book, written by Ella Berman, is noted for its timely exploration of the Me Too movement and the complexities of trauma and redemption in Hollywood.

The Start of Something by Holly Williams is a novel that intricately balances short stories and a cohesive narrative through ten interlinked sexual encounters. The book explores themes such as bisexuality, open relationships, and the performance of passivity for the male gaze, all while maintaining fluidity between different identities. The narrative momentum and character development create a compelling reading experience, drawing readers into the lives of various characters and their quests for true intimacy in a fractured modern world.

Lily Lindon of LoveReading provides a glowing review of Lex Croucher's latest novel, praising the author's ability to consistently deliver engaging and witty books despite a rapid publication schedule. Croucher's newest work is described as a Regency-era story filled with queer characters and characters of color, prioritizing entertainment over historical accuracy. The reviewer admires the novel's blend of modern and historical elements, its high tension, and its humor. Despite the challenges Croucher faced during the writing process, as noted on social media, the book is considered a 'pure holiday' for readers, likened to a 'breezy, restorative clifftop walk' with 'breathless momentum.' The presence of two bisexual protagonists is also celebrated.

The article discusses Maddie Rice's performance in the theatrical version of 'Fleabag', a role originally written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The piece highlights the challenges Rice faces due to the strong association of the character with Waller-Bridge, especially with the recent announcement of the second series of the television adaptation. The author notes that while Rice's portrayal is more naive and lacks some of the edginess of Waller-Bridge's performance, she still manages to captivate the audience with her storytelling. The article suggests that the play remains exciting and engaging, offering moments of truth that resonate with the audience, whether they are familiar with the TV series or not.

The article is a book review of 'My (extra)Ordinary Life' by Rebecca Ryan, presented by LoveReading. The story is a coming-of-age tale that centers on Emily Turner, who is grappling with the guilt of being the surviving twin and the fear of leading an average life. The book delves into Emily's journey as she sets out to make her life extraordinary by creating 'The Life List,' which includes eight targets she believes will lead to an interesting life. The review highlights the relatability of the protagonist's quest for self-improvement, especially during the New Year when many people engage in self-reflection. The review also touches on the humor in the narrative, such as Emily's 'Do Not' list that ironically includes avoiding meeting her future husband, which she does in a predictable fashion. The reviewer, Lily Lindon, concludes by teasing that the book offers an answer to the meaning of life.

Will Hislop and Barney Fishwick, a comedy duo performing at the Fringe, struggle to distinguish themselves among many similar acts. Their show, which explores their lifelong friendship through characters and sketches, includes moments of good material but suffers from a lack of energy and pacing. The review notes that while there are laughs to be had, particularly with self-referential and satirical jokes, the overall performance fails to consistently engage the audience. The chemistry between the two is also questioned, as their relationship does not always feel genuine on stage. The reviewer suggests that the duo needs to refine their act to let the stronger parts of their material shine.

The article is a book review of a romantic comedy novel titled 'Exes and O's'. The protagonist, Tara Chen, is a rom-com enthusiast who often compares her life to the genre's tropes. The novel begins with unconventional meet-cutes and follows Tara on a quest to revisit her ten exes in search of a second-chance romance. Simultaneously, she deals with jealousy over her attractive flatmate Trevor's one-night stands. The review describes the book as cute, tender, sarcastic, steamy, and heart-warming, and suggests it will appeal to fans of Talia Hibbert and Helen Hoang. The book is also noted to be suitable for 'online girlies', referencing its TikTok sensation mention on the cover and the protagonist's video blog 'TaraRomanceQueen'.