When she accepted the wedding reporter gig in 2009, McCarthy was 30 and, like the plotline to a good romantic comedy, recently single. She never suspected that strangers would show her the ropes when it came to love, commitment, and happily-ish ever after. Yet after chatting with hundreds of couples and more than a few sexperts, she’s written the book on romance—literally. The Real Thing is loaded with stories and lessons on finding love, all from her sweet beat. So, we naturally asked her to hand over the keys to bliss, whether it’s wedded, bedded, or just-for-now TLC.