I don’t want to be here doing this today, recommending a book that most people seemed to hate. I never set out to be a contrarian, and I’m deeply nervous about holding this novel up to the light, wondering if I’ve missed something, if I’m going to lose my audience, if this whole Substack experiment will be over before it’s even begun.
I haven't read a Katie Cotugno since How to Love ages ago. I had zero interest in their novel until your essay, now I'm going to pick it up straight away. I love how closely you read, it truly makes me want to dig deeper into my own reading while simultaneously makes me excited about picking up a new book.
Jessica - readers like you are what make me keep coming back to my keyboard, determined that there is something deeper to find in these novels so many write off as mindless confections. Thank you so much for your support and for reading along. it means so much!
This post crackled not just with insight, but with conviction. I came here curious and left quietly, cheering from the shadows.
What you’ve captured so powerfully isn’t just the complexity of a novel like Heavy Hitter, but the audacity of liking something that doesn’t play by the rules. The restraint, the realism, the refusal to sand down the edges, yes. It’s the kind of story that lingers in the bones precisely because it doesn't chase charm or clarity.
Your line,“Cotugno doesn’t smooth her out”, says everything. That discomfort? That’s the dare I want more romance to take.
Thank you for writing with such intelligence and tenderness. I’m new here, but already grateful this space exists.
—Liliane (a quiet writer of historical stories, slow-burns, and shadowed heroines)
Truly honoured to join this little coterie of bold and thoughtful readers. Thank you again, Rena, I’ll be here, lurking with gratitude and a metaphorical quill in hand.
What an excellent book review!! I haven’t read Katie Cotugno’s work, but I’m liable to now. You’ve done the author a great service here. Thank you! 😊🙏🏻
"maybe your own love doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth something. Maybe your partner can be tired, and flawed, and say the wrong thing, and still be the right person."
Thank you! Both for reading and for commenting AND for engaging with my very favorite part of the piece. I'm so appreciative of you all, the very best readers I could ask for!
Ahh, thank you! Both for reading and for taking a chance on the book. I hope you’ll see what I do in it. And, if not, I hope you'll just enjoy the writing along the way! Come back and tell me what you think!
Ooh a glowing review for a book with 3.15 stars on GR is such a hot take and I'm loving it. Honestly, the books that stay on my mind for years after I read them tend to be the ones with less-than-stellar ratings, so this tracks! Adding this to my TBR immediately.
I’m so nervous everyone is going to read it and immediately unsubscribe being like “who is this person and what is she smoking?!” Ha. But truly - I just think her line level work is excellent, her rendering of true maleness as it exists in reality without compare, and I think it’s a deeply interesting experience to watch two characters who are fundamentally unlikeable fall in love with one another.
I’m so curious to see what you think! Come back and tell me please!
Yay! I hope you can see what I did in it. It’s not a perfect story by any means but I think the things it does well are so interesting! Thank you for being such an engaged and supportive reader of my work. I appreciate you!
I haven't read any of this author, but I love a female main character who is unapologetically unlikable in some ways, but you're still able to root for her. This one is going to the top of the TBR!
Yay! And yes - I love the gutsiness of Cotugno to make Lacey so unlikeable and see if you will root for her anyway. I certainly found myself doing so! Thanks for always reading along and for taking a chance on my polarizing recc!
Yay! It's so nice to see so many Cotugno fans come out of the woodwork. She feels criminally underrated to me. Thanks for reading along, commenting and for taking a chance on Heavy Hitter, I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Happy Damn Pub Day, Melanie! And thank you for reading and commenting. I'll forever be confused by why this didn't land for more people. When I was contemplating whether to write this column, your fellow appreciation for the novel helped pushed me over the edge. I may not trust my own taste, but I trust yours, ha.
Fair callout - next time I’ll like a diversity of sources! I’m so thrilled my review convinced you to give it a go and nervously awaiting your feedback 😬. Thank you for reading!
Really loved this breakdown. It’s so rare to see a romance novel that leans into a female lead being unlikeable without trying to soften her. The “known of by millions, but known to by almost none” line hit hard—such a smart way to show how fame can strip someone of their humanity. I like that Cotugno just lets Lacey be complicated and messy. It’s not cozy, but it’s real. And honestly, that feels kind of bold for the genre.
I haven't read a Katie Cotugno since How to Love ages ago. I had zero interest in their novel until your essay, now I'm going to pick it up straight away. I love how closely you read, it truly makes me want to dig deeper into my own reading while simultaneously makes me excited about picking up a new book.
Jessica - readers like you are what make me keep coming back to my keyboard, determined that there is something deeper to find in these novels so many write off as mindless confections. Thank you so much for your support and for reading along. it means so much!
This post crackled not just with insight, but with conviction. I came here curious and left quietly, cheering from the shadows.
What you’ve captured so powerfully isn’t just the complexity of a novel like Heavy Hitter, but the audacity of liking something that doesn’t play by the rules. The restraint, the realism, the refusal to sand down the edges, yes. It’s the kind of story that lingers in the bones precisely because it doesn't chase charm or clarity.
Your line,“Cotugno doesn’t smooth her out”, says everything. That discomfort? That’s the dare I want more romance to take.
Thank you for writing with such intelligence and tenderness. I’m new here, but already grateful this space exists.
—Liliane (a quiet writer of historical stories, slow-burns, and shadowed heroines)
Thank you so much Liliana - for your kind words, and for reading along! I’m so excited to have you here - I have the absolute best readers!
Truly honoured to join this little coterie of bold and thoughtful readers. Thank you again, Rena, I’ll be here, lurking with gratitude and a metaphorical quill in hand.
What an excellent book review!! I haven’t read Katie Cotugno’s work, but I’m liable to now. You’ve done the author a great service here. Thank you! 😊🙏🏻
Oh I love to hear that! I was thrilled to be able to shine a light on this book that I loved so deeply. If you pick it up, you’ll have to let me know.
Thank you, Rena. I will.
I'm a big fan of Katie Cotugno and this sounds like a great read! Definitely adding to my TBR!
Fascinating deep dive!
"maybe your own love doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth something. Maybe your partner can be tired, and flawed, and say the wrong thing, and still be the right person."
Thank you! Both for reading and for commenting AND for engaging with my very favorite part of the piece. I'm so appreciative of you all, the very best readers I could ask for!
Just bought Heavy Hitter on Audible! I’m intrigued! 🙏🏻🤩🫶🏻
Ahh, thank you! Both for reading and for taking a chance on the book. I hope you’ll see what I do in it. And, if not, I hope you'll just enjoy the writing along the way! Come back and tell me what you think!
You've piqued my curiosity!
Then I've succeeded in my aim! Thanks for reading and engaging, Rachael!
I’m almost finished IT’S A LOVE STORY! But will have to save this one for a while as too many other things I need to read first. x
I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on it’s a love story!
I really enjoyed it! I liked her backstory and wound. Showed it doesn’t have to be something really dark, just personal!
Ooh a glowing review for a book with 3.15 stars on GR is such a hot take and I'm loving it. Honestly, the books that stay on my mind for years after I read them tend to be the ones with less-than-stellar ratings, so this tracks! Adding this to my TBR immediately.
I’m so nervous everyone is going to read it and immediately unsubscribe being like “who is this person and what is she smoking?!” Ha. But truly - I just think her line level work is excellent, her rendering of true maleness as it exists in reality without compare, and I think it’s a deeply interesting experience to watch two characters who are fundamentally unlikeable fall in love with one another.
I’m so curious to see what you think! Come back and tell me please!
I read How to Love and 99 Days by Katie Contugo. I added this to my TBR, Kobo has it on sale for 1.99$ right now.
Yay! I hope you can see what I did in it. It’s not a perfect story by any means but I think the things it does well are so interesting! Thank you for being such an engaged and supportive reader of my work. I appreciate you!
I haven't read any of this author, but I love a female main character who is unapologetically unlikable in some ways, but you're still able to root for her. This one is going to the top of the TBR!
Yay! And yes - I love the gutsiness of Cotugno to make Lacey so unlikeable and see if you will root for her anyway. I certainly found myself doing so! Thanks for always reading along and for taking a chance on my polarizing recc!
It was available as an ebook from my library!
NICE! Public libraries for the win!
I so loved Katie Cotugno’s Birds of California and after reading your essay, I need to try this book, too ! Thanks for putting her back on my radar
Yay! It's so nice to see so many Cotugno fans come out of the woodwork. She feels criminally underrated to me. Thanks for reading along, commenting and for taking a chance on Heavy Hitter, I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
I loved Bird of California!
I’m a huge fan of Katie Cotugno and really loved this book. It’s nice to see it get some positive attention.
Happy Damn Pub Day, Melanie! And thank you for reading and commenting. I'll forever be confused by why this didn't land for more people. When I was contemplating whether to write this column, your fellow appreciation for the novel helped pushed me over the edge. I may not trust my own taste, but I trust yours, ha.
Margot Channing!?! I'm like...what do you mean she's the villain?? She's my hero!
I loved Birds of Hollywood and have Heavy Hitter queued up next, thanks to this. Let's hope Katie sees the Smart Romance bump!
Haha, fair enough re Margot Channing. Oh yay - thanks for reading and for queuing up Heavy Hitter next. I'm excited to hear what you think!
The ebook is also $1.99 on Barnes and Noble. I know this because I purchased it. (I refuse to give Amazon my money.)
Fair callout - next time I’ll like a diversity of sources! I’m so thrilled my review convinced you to give it a go and nervously awaiting your feedback 😬. Thank you for reading!
Really loved this breakdown. It’s so rare to see a romance novel that leans into a female lead being unlikeable without trying to soften her. The “known of by millions, but known to by almost none” line hit hard—such a smart way to show how fame can strip someone of their humanity. I like that Cotugno just lets Lacey be complicated and messy. It’s not cozy, but it’s real. And honestly, that feels kind of bold for the genre.
Yes - it's so rare to see truly unlikeable female leads! Thanks for reading and being such a great supporter!
£2.99 for kindle UK purchase - done
Ahh! Fiona - you are the best - thanks for reading! I can’t wait to hear what you think!