Not Like the Movies
Waiting for Tom Hanks
Chloe Sanderson is an optimist even though she is the sole caregiver for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer's, and has no time for romance. Then her best friend Annie writes a romantic comedy that is clearly…
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Length
- 320 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Reading Options
Not Like the Movies
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- When her best friend writes a rom-com based on her life, Chloe must decide if her real-life boss, Nick, can ever live up to the fictional version of himself.
- Fans of meta-romance
- Readers who enjoy books about balancing caregiving with personal life
- Introspective
- Features Life Imitates Art
This may not be ideal if…
- Caregiving dynamic may be heavy for readers seeking pure escapism
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Professional hierarchy exists between boss and employee.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate angst.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult contemporary romance readers.
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Chloe Sanderson is busy balancing the demands of being a sole caregiver for her father, who lives with early-onset Alzheimer's, leaving no room for romance. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her best friend, Annie, writes a film screenplay that mirrors Chloe's relationship with her steady, bearded boss, Nick Velez. As the movie gains traction and popularity, Chloe finds herself viewing Nick through the lens of a romantic lead, leading her to question if the reality of their relationship can measure up to the idealized movie version.
Central Conflict
Chloe struggles to separate her real-life feelings for her boss from the expectations and projections created by a fictionalized movie version of their relationship, all while managing the heavy responsibilities of caregiving.
Setting
Contemporary setting.
Strengths
- Compelling premise regarding meta-fiction in romance
- Relatable balance of real-life struggle vs. idealized romance
Consider before reading
- Caregiving dynamic may be heavy for readers seeking pure escapism
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 4, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Kerry Winfrey
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 320 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781984804044
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inReading Options
Not Like the Movies
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
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