Down with Love

Lovingly rendered present-day Chicago is almost a character in its own right in Meader’s slightly messy series launch. Max Henderson, a high-powered divorce attorney, literally collides with his brother’s wedding planner, Charlie Love. He’s instantly smitten, but Charlie dismisses Max outright despite her own lust for him. Later they bond over a love of Hitchcock films, a disdain for asparagus, and anger over bad calls at a Cubs game. When they fall into bed, Charlie is adamant that it’s just a fling, while Max is surprised to find he’s interested in romance. When he realizes Charlie has rewritten his position on love, he becomes determined to convince her that he’s the one for her. The couple’s reservations against declaring their feelings are occasionally excessive, but the repartee, vivid sex scenes, and tongue-in-cheek approach to romance tropes make Max and Charlie’s journey worth following. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency. (Aug.)