Hey everyone! I’m so, so excited to be on the blog tour for Robin Constantine’s upcoming release, The Secrets of Attraction (April 28th 2015, Balzer + Bray). I adore Robin! She’s amazing, kind and a fantastic writer! The Promise of Amazing was one of the first contemporary books I read as a newbie blogger – and one of the reasons I fell in love with contemporary! So I’m beyond excited to help her celebrate her second book’s release! For my blog tour stop, I have an awesome guest post from Robin! First, here’s more information about the book:
Set in the same world as The Promise of Amazing, this smart, surprising, and romantic follow-up to Robin Constantine’s debut novel follows two New Jersey teens as they become friends and fall in love. Perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Mlynowski, and Jennifer E. Smith.
Madison Pryce thinks she’s got everything figured out—she’s working on a portfolio for a summer art program and hanging with her friends. Plus she has her hot boyfriend, Zach. But then a visit from a family friend turns Maddie’s life upside down.
Jesse McMann is still reeling from a breakup that shattered his heart and his band. Then pride (and some goading from his bass player and fellow barista) forces him to find a new drummer—and the inspiration to write music again.
Kismet arrives in the unlikely form of Grayson Barrett, who tries out for Jesse’s band, and whose girlfriend is BFFs with the cute girl who orders a chai latte after yoga every Thursday: Maddie. What Jesse and Maddie thought they knew about the secrets of attraction and the rules of romance changes once they start falling for each other.
Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Book Depository | IndieBound
And now here’s Robin’s guest post! Enjoy!
My Ten Favorite Romantic Comedies
By Robin Constantine
Like Jazz in both The Promise of Amazing and The Secrets of Attraction, romance is my favorite fantasy. While I know finding true love tips from a movie is nonsensical, I am a huge sucker for a big Hollywood ending! Whenever I’m feeling low, even watching just a few moments of a rom-com can lift my spirits. Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order – the ones that I can catch at any point and continue watching!
Letters to Juliet
Okay, so Sophie’s fiancé is a jerk from the moment you meet him, and some of the plot points are predictable, this movie is such a sweet, visual feast I can forgive its flaws. Italian countryside – need I say more? The performances by Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave make this a captivating watch again and again.
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Who doesn’t want to hang out with Bridget Jones? Add a love triangle that contains Colin Firth AND Hugh Grant? Win-win, sitch.
Just Wright
Two words. Queen Latifah. This slow-burn romance is such fun from start to finish. It’s hard not to cheer when the (w)right girl follows her dreams AND gets the guy.
Cousins
This gem is over twenty years old but it stands the test of time. The characters – main and supporting – are so deliciously flawed you can’t help but be riveted as they navigate their way through weddings, family gatherings and doomed romantic tanglings. Anyone who has commuted to work on a train should watch this for one of the best, guaranteed-to-sweep-you-away romantic moments ever on film, imho.
The Hundred Foot Journey
While the romance here is mainly with food and pursuing your passion, the subtle flirtation that blossoms between Manish Dayal and Charlotte Le Bon is charming. It’s also a visually stunning film and stars Helen Mirren and Om Puri, who have quite a feisty chemistry themselves as competitive restaurant owners.
About a Boy
I’m not sure this would be classified as a rom-com (is there such a thing as a brom-com?), but this is one of my favorites so I had to include it. Hugh Grant is a cad (really there’s no other word here) in this film, but a loveable cad who changes his ways and opens his heart (and gets the girl) by the end. The scene where he joins little pre-Skins Nicholas Hoult on stage to play Killing Me Softly is just the BEST.
French Kiss
I want Meg Ryan’s hair! Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline start out as adversaries in the beginning of this film. She thinks he’s rude, he thinks she’s uptight – a match made in heaven. With incredible locations like Paris and Cannes, I can’t help but swoon. Watching their relationship grow and change in this movie is magic.
The Holiday
So let me see, if I rent a cottage in Surrey, do you think it comes with Jude Law? Yes, please. Love this holiday movie any time of the year!
What If
Who knew Harry Potter could be a romantic lead? (although the scene in The Goblet of Fire when he asks Cho to the Yule ball is one of my favorites) Daniel Radcliffe is so wonderful in this movie. He and Zoe Kazan have the most adorable chemistry in this perfectly paced friendship-to-love romance.
You’ve Got Mail
In this case, I guess I did save the best for last. This may be my favorite rom-com ever. As a matter of fact, after I write this post, I think I’m going to watch it again. Another adversaries-to-love romance, with BOOKS!! And letter writing (okay, email exchanges) And Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks! I love it for The Shop Around the Corner, alone. Then, there’s that ending… “Don’t cry Shopgirl” …sigh. Perfect.
What are some of your favorites?
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About Robin:
Robin Constantine is a born-and-raised Jersey girl who moved south so she could wear flip-flops year-round. She spends her days dreaming up stories where love conquers all, eventually, but not without a lot of peril, angst, and the occasional kissing scene.
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