Publication Date: June 18, 2024
A struggling writer is forced to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding with the man who gave her book a very public one-star rating in this fresh romantic comedy from Laura Hankin.
Natalie and Rob couldn’t have less in common. Nat’s a messy artist, and Rob’s a rigid academic. The only thing they share is their devotion to their respective best friends—who just got engaged. Still, unexpected chemistry has Natalie cautiously optimistic about being maid of honor to Rob’s best man.
Until, minutes before the ceremony, Nat learns that Rob wrote a one-star review of her new novel, which has them both reeling: Nat from imposter syndrome, and Rob over the reason he needed to write it.
When the reception ends, these two opposites hope they’ll never meet again. But, as they slip from their twenties into their thirties, they’re forced together whenever their fast-track best friends celebrate another milestone. Through housewarmings and christenings, life-changing triumphs and failures, Natalie and Rob grapple with their own choices—and how your harshest critic can become your perfectly imperfect match.
After all, even the truest love stories sometimes need a bit of rewriting.
Natalie Shapiro embraces the rush of city life, juggling multiple jobs as she focuses on her true love of writing.
When her best friend and roommate gets engaged, Natalie encounters the best man, Rob, who sparks her interest. However, fast forward to the nuptials, and Natalie finally has a prized published book. There’s just one small problem.
Author Laura Hankin uses this as a foundation for One-Star Romance. While Natalie is supposed to be enjoying the festivities, she’s depressed because of a one-star review of her book. Meanwhile, Rob seems so much different than at their original meeting.
When Natalie realizes who left the review, she has no choice but to fulfill her maid of honor duties rather than fleeing. As time passes, more life events pull them together until the unexpected happens.
Told through a dual point of view, the story packs plenty of relatable moments amid the humor. As a romantic comedy, it delivers an enemies-to-lovers theme.
One-Star Romance offers a look at how the bonds of friendship that force two people together when that’s the last place they think they should be.
Laura Hankin is the author of Happy & You Know It, A Special Place for Women, and The Daydreams. Her musical comedy has been featured in publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post, and she is developing projects for film and TV. She lives in Washington, DC, where she once fell off a treadmill twice in one day.
