I have enjoyed Lucy Parker's previous book Act Like It and Pretty Face did not disappoint either. I am a sucker for contemporary romances that are placed in the theatrical world. The novel was a great read from start to finish, it was full of mature characters great chemistry, snappy dialogues and believable conflicts.

I fell completely in love with Lucy Parker’s first book, Act Like it. Taking us back to the West End and the theater community with a hero who is a curmudgeon (at least to start) and a heroine who is on a popular yet trashy television show, and the tabloids have a field day with her character.

Director Luc Savage is ready to reinvigorate his West End theater with a new historical play. The only problem is that his girlfriend who he wanted in the play, ran away to get married…to a man who isn’t Luc. When another actress breaks her foot and with the rehearsals starting very soon, Luc starts to get a little desperate..and super grumpy. He watches the acting reel of Lily Lamprey and can’t believe he is actually considering her for a main part. Lily is all curves, and breathy-voiced seduction, which works well on her television show that has her naked and having sex more than serious acting. But that voice in Luc’s esteemed theater? He thinks not. But he admits he does see something in her talent, and he also knows an amazing voice coach. After her audition, he nervously decides to cast her.

Lily can’t believe she has made it to an actual theater production. Lily’s parents, both well-known names, haven’t been the greatest support system for her, so she doesn’t have a lot of people to share her excitement. Her roommate Trix, who is a great supporting character in this book, is there to cheer her on. Luc intimidates Lily. With looks out of an old-time movie, his serious demeanor and passion for his play makes Lily nervous. He hates her voice, and Lily finds herself under a lot of pressure to make it theater-worthy. When the entire cast goes to an estate for the weekend for some bonding time, Lily and Luc get to know one another better and just a hint of a relationship blooms. Luc is hell-bent on not messing up his play – which means he needs to keep his feelings for Lily locked away. But as things unfold in their personal lives, he finds that harder and harder to do.

While Luc starts off grumpy and irritable and a big pain in the butt, he actually turns out to be a warm, kind, lovely man. I guess when your girlfriend flees the country to marry another man, you are allowed to be grumpy. This girlfriend’s name is Margo and she actually comes back and has a bigger part in this book. They remain friends, knowing their relationship was going nowhere to begin with. I liked her inclusion in this story. When he is presented with Lily as a choice for Elizabeth I, he can’t believe he is actually considering it:

“Her character is…divisive. A lot of fans would like to throw her under a bus, but it’s made her a household name. She’s constant tabloid bait. She’ll fill seats.”

While Lily is nervous to audition for Luc, when she meets him in person, her competitive spirit, and her driving professionalism which has made her a career in entertainment, comes out to play:

This was Luc Savage. Award-winning, career-making, ego-curdling Luc Savage. Get-in-my-way-and-I’ll-crush-you-like-a-bug Luc Savage. And her driving instinct was to touch the tips of her boots to his—and then stand her ground until he stepped back first.

Her spine prickled.

After a long pause that was too charged to be awkward, he stepped forward and extended a hand. “Luc Savage.”

She glanced down at his fingers wrapped around hers. “Lily Lamprey.”

They released each other’s hands; their eyes met again.

Game on.

This is a slow-burning romance since Luc and Lily want to be professional. The author writes really great and cute sexual tension. There are moments like this:

One moment she was standing there like a sane professional woman; the next, her nose was buried in his chest and she was hugging a human ice lolly. He’d frozen into cadaverous horror, and she was really glad she couldn’t see his face.

She couldn’t seem to let go. She wasn’t sure where to go from here. Step back, clear her throat, give his hand a brisk shake, and sprint back to her room to die quietly?

Seemed like a plan.

And moments like this:

In the candlelight, Lily looked up at Luc. Her gaze moved over his jawline and profile, travelling over the inky black hair with the threads of silver. He turned his head and looked down at her.

He was sitting only inches away, but neither of them made any attempt to cross the divide. She could see the slow, steady rise and fall of his broad chest as he breathed. His face was a mystery of shadows and flickering light.

As everyone around them sang, with mixed ability but plenty of enthusiasm, they watched each other’s eyes and sat in silence and stillness.

SO romantic!! And don’t worry, there are sweaty and naked in bed moments too *wink*

What really makes this story rich is not only the wonderful romance and the theater atmosphere, but the supporting cast. Lily’s roommate, the other cast members, Luc’s family, Lily’s friend Ash from the television show….they all add really great scenes in this book that makes Luc and Lily’s life full and entertaining.

This author definitely has a way with words. If you have not read Act Like It, you are missing out. Pretty Face can be read as a stand alone.

Grade: B+

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I absolutely loved this book! If I didn't have a backlog, I would be reading this again immediately – and I probably will before the week is over.

Lily and Luc really are not supposed to like each other, certainly not discover that they have such an affinity for each other that all the good sense in the world doesn't help. Luc was convinced she was a vacuous TV actress, not destined to play Elizabeth I in his newly restored theatre. Meeting her, he realises that she is going to change his life forever.

There are a lot of little scenes in this book which reveal another truth about one or the other of our leads. Some made me chuckle, a couple made me tear up, all of them gave us another piece of the puzzle. Somehow, we are there: listening in as Trix and Lily talk about Dan; as the connections between the Lamprey and Savage families are revealed; amongst the actors as they prepare for first night and how the future of everyone hangs on how successful they are. It just works brilliantly.

The conversations are delivered at such a pelt, the humour, the intelligence, the incisiveness of every word. The concepts of family, of priorities, and of love, all get given an airing in this clever book. It manages to give the reader a reminder of how despicable the media can be, and how actually famous people may not have the perfect life that money and fame would suggest.

I loved the writing style and read the book from cover to cover, foregoing sleep, because I really just couldn't stop. Do make sure that when you pick up a copy that you have time to enjoy it.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆☆
This was my first time reading anything by Lucy Parker and I was totally won over! Pretty Face is an absolute delight and I had no trouble devouring every word Parker wrote. With each page, I fell more in love with Parker's characters. Honestly, I was a little unsure how at first if I would like this book because theater isn't really my thing, but Parker did such a phenomenal job bringing the West End alive that even I can't wait for my first West End show.

Lily Lamprey is a TV actress trying to make it onto the West End theater and prove that she truly does have acting talent and she's not just some vacant Barbie. Unfortunately, between her voice and curves people have trouble taking her seriously. When she finds out that Luc Savage, a well-known West End director, is renovating his theater for a new production, she hopes that it could be her big break. If only she didn't have such an undeniable attraction with the director. A romance between them would only raise suspicions and be disastrous for both of their careers.

Pretty Face gave me all the feels and I can't wait to see what Lucy Parker does next! Her characters were charming, witty, and smart. The story was well paced and the chemistry between Luc and Lily was on point. Although this is book #2, it can easily be read as a standalone without feeling lost or like you're missing pieces. All in all, a fantastic read! 5 stars

Light, funny. and romantic, this quick read was perfect for the day of the Oscars! Lily is a very nicely written character, as is Luc. it's sad to say that Lily is probably not the only woman out there who has been pigeonholed but it's good to see her triumph. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. You will like this if you enjoy love stories where the pair comes together after well, one of them is a dork about the other. It's an entertaining diversion.

For some reason Pretty Face took me a while to get into, I blame the high that Act Like it left me in, nothing really could compare with Richard and Lainey’s relationship. However, despite the struggle with the initial start, once again Parker was able to win me over with her fantastic characters in Luc and Lily. Both Lily and Luc came from different backgrounds, so much so that I didn’t see them working together at all. Lily was a person who was completely overlooked, her role in show Knightsbridge didn’t have people flocking to hire her, but seriously though I knew beneath that assumptions that so many people had already made of her, there was serious talent and I was hoping that Luc would give her a try. Luc on the other hand was my sort of guy, he quickly lost his temper (which I loved, why do characters that get easily riled up or come to someone’s defence always come across as super-hot!). But also he wanted the best from his production, so once he’d finally been convinced of taking Lily on, I appreciated the confidence he exuded in Lily had and the extent that he would go to, to make Lily’s character the best. Really from Luc, Lily was able to become the best that she possibly could. Also with the time spent along the way, the miscommunications and difficult situations a really beautiful relationship was able to develop between Lily and Luc. For me once again Parker did an incredible job with the build-up of their relationship, the way they would both get torn up over things that happened really crushed me at times, but just went onto show how far both characters had come in their development and their feelings for one another. Alongside this great relationship that Parker gave us between Luc and Lily, there was once again an abundance of quirky secondary characters, which brought a great amount of delight and laughter to the story. Seriously though Parker really mixes up the romance, fun and tough scenes really well once again in Pretty Face. She was also once again able to win me over with a charming romance which I had my doubts about in the beginning. Pretty Face was another great follow up from Parker who is quickly becoming my go to author.

This book! As I said, I was hooked once I was about 2% in and it didn't let me go. Lucy Parker firmly places herself in my favourite author's category and I'm already questioning when I can get my hands on her next book and this one hasn't even been released yet! I am utterly in love and I'm not sure I can do it justice to say why.

I was concerned when I first began reading that this would be a repeat of Act Like It with new characters. They disliked each other before they even met and I was fully expecting another hate to love affair, which would be nice, but also done and boring. I was so wrong I deserve a slap in the face for even doubting Parker's genius. It is not a hate to love, simply a case of two characters being completely off base about one another. Luc thought Lily was some small time actress who had no brain in her head and was doing a poor Marilyn impression when acting. Lily thought Luc was a judgmental asshole who didn't even give her a chance to audition before passing judgement. Both were miles off base and I loved it.

Sure, from that you may be expecting hate to love too, but they get past their misconceptions of one another swiftly and end up finding out about their attraction quite swiftly which begins with a very steamy kiss. I loved the fact that the obstacle for their relationship was a very significant one. It was simply a workplace romance, maybe not recommended but not frowned upon, he was the director and was in a very obvious position of power, it is frowned upon and can lead to many a rumour about how a small-time TV actress managed to get on the stage in a lead role. Watching the pair circle around one another denying their attraction when it was obvious for all to see was absolutely fantastic. I was there laughing away and loving every second of it. I especially loved their time in Oxford when they first met Jocasta (the voice coach who is there to make Lily sound less like a Marilyn impressionist).

I adored Act Like It because I loved Richard Troy and how he was this asshole actor who was utterly charming to those he loved (basically, Lainie). I loved Pretty Face because I adored Lily. I mean, Luc was fantastic and I loved every scene he was in and the fact that he was falling for a younger woman when he had ripped into his older brother for a similar situation and the fact he really didn't want to be in the situation he was. But Lily was the character who took my heart. I loved her struggle to accept that she could be in a relationship with Luc despite all the bad press it would generate. And I loved how she struggled to accept people were permanent in her life when her parents had continually let her down. She was the woman who got my heart and kept me reading this time.

I have to say, it isn't often a romance gets all of my emotions going but this one did. I was laughing and swooning, I was angry and ready to punch folks in the face and I was in actual tears. I felt all of the emotions and loved every second of it. I could not say enough positive things about it if I tried. I could gush about this book all night and I've only just finished the damn thing. I recommend it all fans of Lucy Parker, her second book doesn't disappoint and if this is a sign of books to come from her then I hope we have a long and productive career as a writer from her because I will be buying everything she writes ever and telling all of my friends to do the same.

After reading and loving Act Like It, I was thrilled to get my hands on Pretty Face and it was everything I hoped for! Lucy Parker excels at writing witty, fun dialogue and banter, with British-isms like “snogging, kerfuffle, whinge, and arse-over-tits”; the last has to be my favorite, lol!

The relationship between Luc and Lily was sexy and fun, and full of emotion and chemistry! Ms. Parker made Luc and Lily come to life, writing them with insecurities and faults, but each with a pureness of heart that made you love them even when they screwed up. I laughed, cried, (just a tear or two; don’t judge, I find I’m getting more emotional as the years go by!) and my heart welled with happiness when I finished. I can’t wait for the next lovely Lucy Parker story!

This second installment in the London Celebrities series was a shoe in for me. It checked all of my boxes and continued to feed my love of theater and my love of gossip. This book offered more behind the scenes about the daily runnings of a theater than Act Like It, and we even got a glimpse of Richard and Lainie again. I wish this book a little more humor, that being said it was really refreshing to see the young hopeful actress being the sarcastic asshole in this book. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed watching Lily blossom (pun intended). Luc was kind of dillhole at the start but he sorted himself out. Speaking of Luc, Parker used this opportunity to point out the gross double standard for actresses in theater, film and television. Hopefully everyone follows Luc's example and corrects their assumptions and points sexism when they see it. More importantly Parker hints at the self policing attitudes pounded into women my the press. I loved this book and I am absolutely recommending this too all of my friends!!

When you find yourself laughing out loud, wiping away tears, and rereading passages you just read, you know that you've found a real gem among a sea of contemporary romances. Pretty Face by Lucy Parker is a witty and engaging look at the London theater world and a forbidden romance trope story involving acclaimed yet cynical theater owner and director Luc Savage and his new stage protege Lily Lamprey.

Lily's professional acting career may pay well, but her starring role as the sexpot in the historical television drama Knightsbridge has her typecast as a blonde bimbo. It's not helped that her voice, unflatteringly defined (by Luc) as belonging to 'helium barbie' gives credence to the theory. Lily would like nothing better than to break into a real acting role on stage, and when Luc Savage's new play 1553 needs an Elizabeth the first, being called for an audition is a thrill all on its own. Though Luc's hand has been forced by Lily's godfather whose money is partially bankrolling the theater, he has an eye for talent and can see that with some (okay, a lot) of voice training, Lily could actually pull off the role.

Lily doesn't think much of the insulting and condescending Luc Savage but for a chance to get some serious acting credits behind her name, she's willing to take his attitude and put in the hard work needed to make this role her own. She's also quick to stand up for herself, a fact that Luc grudgingly respects, as he also comes to realize that appearances can be deceiving. During a cast weekend retreat, their sparring banter leads to another kind of awareness – an unwelcome one for them both. While an affair between the forty year old director and a younger lead actress wouldn't do much to hurt Luc's already maligned reputation, it would be disastrous for Lily if people believed she only got the role by sleeping her way into it. Still, despite everything to the contrary, there is only so long they can pretend in private that they aren't attracted to each other. Warned by Luc's ex Margo, another of the starring actresses in the play, that Luc's devotion will always be to the theater first before any woman, Lily knows that she could be seeing a very sharp rise and fall to her career if she's not careful. Will falling in love with Luc be worth the risk?

This romance is in serious contention to be on my best of 2017 list! I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the story, from the engaging characters and witty banter to the description of what happens behind the scenes in television and on the stage. Luc may not be the most charming of men, but I love a grumpy hero who is willing to own up to his mistakes and he's going to have a pretty solid place on my book boyfriend shelf. He's hardworking, he's driven, and he speaks his mind. The renovation of the Queen Anne theater has been Luc's pet project and the re-opening of the theater with the production of 1553 could make or break him. He knows he's taking a risk by bringing on Lily, but it's a calculated one, with the hopes that her TV stardom will mean more ticket sales. And as he gets to know her, he falls head over heels for the woman who is so much more than just eye candy for his cynical soul.

Lily is delightful as a woman who is fully aware of what's said about her (to her face and behind her back) and is still determined to prove that she's a serious actress. The product of an affair between her father, a wealthy (and at the time already married) nightclub owner and her mother, a much younger Irish jazz singer, she knows what the gossips will make of any relationship between her and Luc .She must put all her efforts into making this role a success. She's young (mid 20s) but not naive. She's also passionate, friendly, smart and driven to succeed. Her relationship with her mother and father, neither of whom has been the best parent, means she's used to fending for herself. Trusting Luc is a challenge for her mind and her heart, but her body makes the leap for her. The sexual tension between them sizzles, and leads to some very sensual love scenes.

The plot moves along at a smooth pace as the story takes us through the weeks up to opening night. There are several secondary characters, family members of both Lily and Luc as well as other cast members who provide amusing scenes and serious emotional ones too. The laughter is definitely in full force for most of the story (a particular favorite scene for me is when Lucy meets her voice coach at Oxford) but be prepared with a few tissues in the second half. Choices are made and consequences result, leading to some rocky times for our hero and heroine. But they find their way to a heartfelt happy ending and you'll be left with a smile on your face and wanting to read more about this world the author has created – a testament to her skill in crafting a romance worthy of a standing ovation.

This review has been posted at Harlequin Junkie and feedback updated with the link. A shorter version will be posted at sale sites during release week, and on goodreads once the blog link goes live.

I really, really enjoyed this. It's an enemies to lovers story set in London's theatreland. Lily and Luc are engaging characters with a great line in witty banter and snark - which is just what I like in a romance novel. The details about life as an actor were great - and both characters have great backstories that work really well. As a Brit there were a few references that didn't work for me, but nothing so heinous that it took me too far out of the story.

Well worth a read.

I read Act Like It by Lucy Parker last year and to say that I loved that book is putting it mildly. It was her debut, and what an amazing debut it was. I was very excited to read Lucy Parker’s next book, Pretty Face, and when I saw it on Netgalley, I requested it immediately. But then I got nervous. As stated, I adored Act Like It, and my expectations were extremely high. How could Pretty Face live up to them. And, to make matters worse, I have been in a reading funk, too. So I procrastinated. But, of course, I had to read Pretty Face; so with a wary eye, I started reading. And within one page I realized that all my concerns were for naught, because Pretty Face by Lucy Parker is pretty much perfect in every way.

Pretty Face is about Lily Lamprey, who is gorgeous, plays the character everyone loves to hate in a popular period soap opera on TV, and has a distinctive (not always a good thing) voice. She’s always wanted to act on stage, though, and when she’s given the chance to audition for Luc Savage’s next production she doesn’t hesitate. Unfortunately, before she even meets the man, she hears through the grapevine some nasty comments Luc has made about her. But she gets the part. And both Luc and Lily learn that there is a lot more to the other than they anticipated.

I fell for Lily from page one. Because of her bombshell appearance, and her Marilyn Monroe like voice, people often assume she’s got nothing in her brain. However, she’s very intelligent – an avid reader with a great sense of humor. Lily does have some insecurities, though, and sometimes they get in her way. I couldn’t have loved Lily more.

As for Luc, I was a bit nervous at the beginning. When he had to recast an important role in his upcoming play, and his coworker kept insisting he give Lily a shot, he made some pretty sexist remarks. However, I’m so glad to say that Luc is really a wonderful man, and he’s capable of an heartfelt apology. When he realizes that Lily heard what he said about her he tells her:

“I’m sorry for what was repeated to you after that casting meeting. I’m sorry that I said it in the first place. I’ve very sorry that it’s such an everyday occurrence to you that you barely blink an eye when a couple of little fuckers make totally inappropriate comments almost to your face. I wholeheartedly apologise for being a prejudiced, sexist dick.”

Ladies (and gentlemen, too!), is it not totally a turn on to hear a man apologize with such sincerity? I was already falling for Luc, but this pretty much sealed the deal. He is really a good and honorable man, who sometimes makes mistakes, but is willing to admit it when he does.

Luc and Lily are wonderful characters on their own, but when they are together, it’s pretty much perfect. There is a big age difference (she’s 26, he’s around 40) and normally I don’t care for that, but in this one, it just worked. I was rooting for these two from page one, but the more I read the more I needed them to be together. Their romance wasn’t drama-filled. It felt real, and their issues and conflicts felt genuine. Not necessarily conflicts that the everyday person goes through, but something that people in the acting field do.

In addition to the perfect romance, the side characters were wonderfully developed, and added so much to the story. I loved the snappy dialogue, which in a lot of ways reminds me of Julia Quinn. All I can say is that Lucy Parker is an author to watch out for. Pretty Face is a brilliant contemporary romance with heart and characters you can’t help but love.

Luc had been in a relationship with Margo for eight years and should have called it quits four years earlier but they were just both to busy. But Margo broke up with Luc and two months she was married. Lily was an actress on televisions Knightsbridge and having an audition with Luc who was a well known director who already had preconceived ideas about Lily. Luc could usually tell in five minutes if an actor was suitable for the part he was casting and which people had the connection to form a company. Luc had already lost his first choice for the role of Mary when Margo rushed off to marry then Elizabeth had fallen off a stepladder and broke both her ankles. Luc had five days to pick a new Elizabeth the first. Lily was given the part but had to work on her voice. Lily was really excited that she had the part and would be acting on stage. Lily had to ride with Bridget and Luc to the Meet And Greet where cast and crew get to meet each other for the weekend from there Luc and Lily were going to Harvard to meet with Jocasta Moore who was a vocal specialist. When Lily went to leave from Jocasta’s home Lily collided with Luc and it was about the twentieth time since she met Luc, Lily had collided with him. Lily and Luc were attracted to each other which wasn’t normal for either of them to be attracted to someone when working with them and acting on it. Lily’s mom was Vanessa and she was a singer but she used men to advance her career for thirty years. Vanessa had been dating a club promoter when she met Jack- Lily’s dad and they had an affair as Jack was married and then came Lily. Vanessa went from backup singer to headline act Lily was determined not to be like her mom. Bridget quit the show to do a movie and Margo stepped in and took the role. Now Luc and Margo felt like colleagues or old friends.
I really enjoyed this story. I had a bit of a problem in the beginning keeping my attention but once the story got going that changed. This story had a good plot. I also like how it was written except in the beginning. I like that Luc gave Lily a choice on the relationship without any pressure. Also he was willing to leave everything opening night because he felt Lily needed him. I also liked how Luc’s brother apologized to Lily even if she didn’t know why. I also loved how Margo was around Lily when they were together. A good read. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.

If you're looking for the next read- one that's unique and not the same cookie cutter type you're used to- grab this book!

You'll fall in love with both Lily and Luc.
Lily is a smart girl who's caring and just amazing. She's a remarkable woman and just one who got Lucky to open up... was so sweet to watch.
And well, Luc he's a bad tempered man...... but when he meets Lily something changes in him.... and let's just say it's remarkable to watch. I adore his demeanor and what transpired so much!

I enjoyed the production part of this story and the uniqueness of it.
What a great read and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Recv'd a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I loved Act Like It, but then I read Pretty Face.

I procrastinated writing this review because I simply didn't know how to coherently express my feelings about this book. I still don't know how, though, but I'm going to try anyway. So I've mentioned this before in my recent blog post (https://scoundrelsandseduction.blogspot.my/2017/02/favorite-couples-high-heels-and-suits.html) and I'm saying it again: it isn't too early to declare this book as one of the best romance I've read this year, and it's definitely a 2017 favourite of mine. I've been consistently rereading it ever since I first finished the ARC, and I couldn't stop thinking about it.

What did it for me is the characters. Lucy Parker writes amazing characters, spectacular banter, and intense chemistry. I found myself instantly charmed by Lily Lamprey, a 26 year old TV actress who dreams of making it big on the stage. I admire her attitude and her strong determination to prove herself to the world that no, she does not need to rely on her looks or so-called sexual talents to succeed. I feel so bad for her portrayal in the media; the tabloids made her out as a bit of a bimbo who sleeps with casting directors for roles, and it's just heartbreaking to see how she has to grow a thick skin to protect herself. Luc Savage is a 40 year old grouchy theatre director who captures my heart almost immediately too despite being a bit of a judgmental jerk with a sharp tongue. What can I say--I have a soft spot for grumpy men. [See: Richard Troy, Laura Florand's Mattheiu Rosier]

Luc and Lily is so adorable together. Did I mention that this book has not one, not two, but three of my favourite tropes: the age gap, the forbidden romance, the hate to love? Talk about catnip! I love how their relationship developed from mutual dislike to eh, I guess you're ok? to admiration to oh my god, what is this feeling in my chest?.

I love how Luc easily admitted that he was wrong to judge Lily at the beginning of the book, and apologized for being wrong. I love how protective he was about Lily, and I'm a big fan of heroes who are totally smitten with their heroines and act like little boys with big crushes around them. I also died every time Luc and Lily made eye contact with, argued with, flirted with, and touched each other--I basically experienced multiple deaths in one reading.

No big deal at all, nope.

Also worth mentioning that Richard and Lainie also made a cameo in this one. I missed them so much I immediately reread Act Like It after I finished Pretty Face. Best moment: the scene when Richard genuinely grinned for the first time and explained why he called Lainie Tigger. Honorary shoutout to Lily's dad Jack Lamprey and Luc's parents Celie and Cam Savage for being awesome. What I'd give for a prequel bonus scene or novella about those three...hint, Lucy, hint.

One of my favourite quotes: "Savages play by the rules; Lampreys get things done."

In a nutshell, Lucy Parker has outdone herself with this one. I can't wait for her next book (I hope it'll be soon!). In the meantime, let me just reread this one for the umpteenth time and cry because I'm going to die alone unloved...

Love, love this! Lucy Parker has managed to again write a romance set in West End with characters that are well developed, fantastic and witty dialogue and of course wonderful secondary characters that just completes the ensemble. It is definitely going to make readers laugh, weep a little but definitely swoon for the romance between Lily and Luc.

Loved reading this book. A story of unexpected love blossoming between Luc and Lily depicted in wonderful humorous as well as in sarcastic undertones.

Pretty Face is the second book in Lucy Parker's London Celebrities series and it was another winner in my book. I adored Luc. I loved Lily and I really, really loved their romance.

Lily Lamprey's soap opera career is coming to an end and she's looking forward to moving on from the homewrecking role she's been playing for far too long. She's young and she's got the rest of her life and career ahead of her but not a lot of people think she's got what it takes to really make a go of it in the theater world.

Luc Savage is renovating an old West End theater and he's producing the first play that will debut in the new space and at first glance, Lily is not what he's looking for in any role on the play. Her voice is all wrong for the theater and not even threats of investors pulling their funding is going to stop him from doing what he wants but that all changes when he meets with Lily and gives her a legit shot. Not only can he see her bringing life to one of the key characters in the play, but he can also seeing her being a star in the theater world.

There's a huge age difference between the hero and heroine in this one. The hero is 40 and the heroine is 26 but that didn't matter to me. The romance between the two of them worked well and that's a credit to Parker's writing style. There was so much going on and so many road blocks in between the two of these guys that something as small as the age difference just didn't matter. I liked getting to know Lily and Luc on their own but I adored the two of them together.

They both had lives apart from each other but they were pretty drawn to each other and I liked that. Holly and I were talking just last week about how we've been noticing that romance novels these days have the hero and the heroine in each other's pockets for the entire book. There doesn't seem to be a lot going on in their lives apart from each other and we miss the couples of old, who had friends and family that were a part of their lives and their stories but that wasn't the case here. Luc had his family and stuff going on with them whereas Lily had her best friend and family and her own stuff going on with them.

All in all, this was another fabulous read by Lucy Parker and she's cemented her name on my radar and I will definitely be reading more from her. This was an entertaining novel about two completely different people who came together and made sense. Their love grew with passing page and I was completely on board with their feelings, their passion and their story. It's a definite recommended read from me.

<strong>Grade: 4.25 out of 5</strong>

Pretty Face by Lucy Parker

Delightful depiction of what it might be like to break into the London West End acting profession. And, with it, a wonderful romance that made me smile and feel and care. Lucy Parker is a new-to-me author that reminded me a bit of Jilly Cooper but with her own wonderful style. This may be the first book I have read by Ms Parker but it will not be my last.

Lily Lamprey is not the airhead that she depicts on TV.
Luc Savage is a workaholic and renowned success in the industry.

There is definitely attraction and chemistry between the two BUT they both feel there are too many things against the idea of a relationship to pursue the idea. As they got to know one another that idea began to change, though, AND as they got to know one another I got to know them and wished they were flesh and blood so I could meet them someday.

A book that takes me out of myself, makes me feel, makes me want to “know” the characters and tells a wonderful story is one I have to endorse – this is one of those books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Arc Provided by Carina Press through Netgalley
Release Date: February 20 th

Another winner! Author Lucy Parker definitely knows how to write the perfect story, because I never thought that theatre "stuff" was that interesting, and then I just want to live in these stories. And be friends with these people. Grumpy Richard (from "Act Like It) included.
And as such, I am now going to re-read it, because I don't know when I'll read another good story.

Lily is much more than a pretty face: she's smart, witty, and much more than meets the eye.
Luc on the other hand, likes to live his life preferably free of taxing emotional dramas. He's forty _lol _ he's "old", and he already has enough on his hands with his latest project. He's known for his professional behaviour and he doesn't need someone with twenty six years old ( OMG! lol) mixing up things in his life. When these two meet, they definitely pay attention to each other...
What happens next is a very well built story. I never felt like saying "oh, move on already..". I liked the "view" from the road, and meeting all the other characters? It was not a bore. When the time comes I'll be more than happy to read about them, because this author is most definitely on my auto buy list.
As for now, all I can say, is that this is my first favourite novel of 2017, and I'm no longer easily impressed these days ;)