BOOK

At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a story where a woman is stood up at the altar, only to end up with the best man three years later. But this works! Afro-latinx Brazilian Lina Santos is a constantly booked and busy wedding planner. She’s got beef with Max, her ex-fiance’s brother, for supposedly being the reason he got cold feet. When Lina is paired up with Max on a hotel project that could financially save her, the two must put their differences aside to get the job done. While at first they’re constantly at each other’s throats, trying to one-up each other on pranks, they eventually do a little more than put their issues aside. Lina is so hardworking and amazing, when she’s finally happy, we, too, are happy for her.

FILMS

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Amazon)

How many times have my mom and I been stuck sitting in the kitchen after our meals simply because this was on TV? Many. It’s one of those movies that once you tune in, you have to see it through to the end. Tula, a full Greek, massive family included, falls in love and is engaged to marry Ian, a non-Greek. While at first her family is hesitant to approve, once on board, the wedding preparations turn next level. To say her family goes above and beyond is an understatement, but it’s a reflection of their love for her. Over time, Tula comes to fully embrace her Greek roots instead of shying from a huge part of what makes her who she is.

When Harry Met Sally (Apple+)

We can’t talk about rom-coms without talking about When Harry Met Sally. So let me raise the big question, can a man be friends with a woman that he finds attractive? According to Billy Crystal and this movie, no, no they cannot. I recently watched an interview with Billy Crystal and he revealed that the infamous “I’ll have what she’s having” scene wasn’t actually in the script. Have no idea what I’m talking about? Then check out this movie this weekend.

What If (Amazon)

What happens when you meet your soulmate, but she has a boyfriend? Most people would be a**hats about it, but not Daniel Radcliffe. Instead, he strikes up a real, genuine friendship with Zoe Kazan (even though their friends are all shipping them hard core). This will-they-won’t-they rom-com is one of my absolute favorites. The dialogue is sharp and witty; Kazan and Radcliffe’s chemistry is dynamic. And bonus, Radcliffe has an excellent friendship with Kazan’s cousin, Adam Driver (seriously, we need to cast Radcliffe and Driver in a buddy comedy ASAP).

Plus One (Hulu)

Remember the last time you had an undeniable chemistry with your best friend of the opposite sex? Me neither! Live vicariously through Maya Eskine and Jack Quaid as they spend the summer being each other’s plus ones to a total of TEN (10) weddings. How many will they make it through before they stop pretending they don’t belong together? Will it be awkward if it doesn’t work out? Will they continue to plus one for each other? Only time will tell.

Sweet Home Alabama (Netflix)

For some reason, I thought by going to college in the south that this storyline would happen to me. Well, I’m two years out of college and I can assure you, it has not. Reese Witherspoon makes an incredibly hard decision between Patrick Dempsey (swoon), her soon to be husband, and Josh Lucas (also swoon), her current husband. This is a romcom for everyone, even my 82-year-old grandma who would prefer a more “practical” ending.

Friends with Benefits (Hulu)

So, full disclosure, I wrote a very positive review about Friends with Benefits for my high school newspaper before I started working for OBE, so you know that this is absolutely not biased. But on the biased side, this movie has everything you need in your life right now – the beach, traveling, flash-mobs, big romantic gestures, and magic. If you’re going to watch any rom-com this weekend, it should be this one.

TV SERIES

Normal People (Hulu)

Hi, please don’t contact me for 5-7 business days as I’m currently processing bingeing this TV series in less than 24 hours. WOW. So, Normal People is my absolute favorite book and I absolutely hyped this series up (always dangerous with an adaption). Imagine my happy surprise when not only the series was good (like, really good), but actually maybe one of the best book-to-screen adaptations of all time?! Warning: you might need to take breaks every three episodes to rehydrate due to the amount of tears shed while watching.

Summertime (Netflix)

Yes, I will admit it. I am a sucker for these foreign Netflix shows. I love hearing people speak languages that aren’t English and reading the subtitles because it makes me feel cultured. I have already learned several new Italian phrases. Duolingo, who? This slow burn love story follows two teens from different backgrounds as they paddle through their family drama and into each other’s arms. Featuring beautiful Italian coasts and a ~vibey~ summer soundtrack.

PODCASTS

Modern Love

This just in: just because it’s shelter in place, doesn’t mean you can’t go on dates. No seriously, check out some romantic quarantine stories on the Modern Love podcast, who knew!

MUSIC

New Music Friday woop woop!

Coffee – Quinn XCII, Marc E.Bassy
I Know Alone – HAIM
Famous – Car Seat Headrest
Don’t Let Me Down – Milky Chance, Jack Johnson
Be Kind – Marshmello, Halsey
Savage Remix – Megan The Stallion, Beyonce
Wrong Place – H.E.R