Well, my fellow romance book loving friends, I think I fall in the category with other reviewers who were taken surprised by the out of the blue, underlying Christian faith theme here that popped up occasionally. You see, you definitely did not get a single hint of that in the synopsis. It first surfaced when Parker, the hero, started reflecting on the Hollywood manho he used to be and how much he’s changed since he started to listen to the voice of God. The fact Alex, the divorced heroine, had marital problems because her computer genius, workaholic hubby refused to believe in the existence of God added to the undertone. It may sound odd but what struck me as unbelievable was her husband would tuck her in bed at night like she was a child, walk out the door, and never wanted to have sex, pretty much from day 1. Now that is something I could not wrap my mind around. I found the explanation of that rather peculiar and flimsy, along with her complacent, sad acceptance of it.

I don’t mean to sound overly critical, but I think that was when I mentally starting kissing this story good-bye. You see, it isn’t overly unusual for couples to have different opinions on religion. Though I think Alex was a complete, total knucklehead for marrying someone who felt that way when it obviously really bothered her. You would think they would have discussed and hashed all that out long before saying, “I do”, because she clearly didn’t accept that about him. If she wasn’t OK with it, she shouldn’t have married the guy in the first place. But, good gracious, how did she stay so clueless about his lack of interest in sex, as well?

And how in the blazes could this main couple be so good at so many things. Honestly, I don’t think I could list all their many talents. OK, you twisted my arm. Here’s a few: amazing baker and cake decorator, caterer, photographer, successful food blogger, actor, musician, director, film producer, etc.)

Sure, it was sweet how they gingerly approached one another and conversed, but I was expecting a whole heap of witty, sassy, saucey at times, back and forth banter. Never happened, folks. I tuned out around 36% from boredom.

Perhaps this book will appeal to avid fans of the Christian faith romance genre. I wish the author continued writing success. I just didn’t get the Hollywood themed romance I thought was presented in the book synopsis.

Title: Kissing Hollywood, Author: Monica Collier, Pages: 220, stand-alone, Christian faith references, implied former man ho, divorced heroine, didn’t find it overly engaging.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I must be really jaded. I must be a cynic through and through. This book was too sweet for me to be believable.

Kissing Hollywood is a very sweet love story with the happiest of endings. It is a book written by women for women, about ‘what women want’. It is a kind of ‘script for happiness, joy and bliss’. The book has everything from the colour of an apron to the temperature of wine room, to the cut of diamond in the ring.

The main character is a super woman in a ‘girl next door’ disguise. She knows knows everything and can do anything. She is super professional in everything she does. She can make friends with the worst enemies. She can cook a dinner for two or for the whole army. She can decorate a mansion and speak French…

On top of everything else, this sweet story is a Christian Romance. I think I did not see that in the description. I must have been not paying attention. Now I know that Christian Romance is not my cup of tea. The name of God brought into the story accidentally, incidentally and out of context, for my liking.

Yes, it is a good fairy tale for girls and women who still believe in love. Yes, it is a ‘day dreaming written out’ – like when you start dreaming about your own happiest ever after… and then get bored and may be even worried that your dreams are too prescriptive, to complex and too one-dimensional to ever become a reality.

All in all, three stars for the happy ending… that’s all.

DNF at 20%. I found the heroine unlikable, her million jobs implausible. I just couldn't do it. Sorry!

Im grateful for the chance to review this book but I couldn't finish it. I dint even get halfway through as it clearly embodied a few aspects that doesn't sit right with me. The first is that its a book about faith in a christian god. Im not a believer and find it very annoying to have it pushed in my face without warning, nowhere in the synopsis did I read that this was an aspect of the book and I will say that this has now tough me a valuable lesson: read authors bio before asking for a book. I did this afterwards and im slapping myself on the hand for not doing it before as this is clearly the kind of book she writes.

Im also not a fan of reading about superheros doing superhero things in unbelievable situations. MC was a star chef, food blogger, running her own place, amazing person and celebrity favorite..zero flaws makes for boring read. 15% in there is some insta-love and I know there will be some bumps ahead and that they..partly thanks to god.. will live happily and successfully ever after.

The voice also didn't sit right with me. A lot of this:
" Hope burned eternal in her heart of glass, that although love had been an elusive and cruel friend, she secretly longed for its return. Bitter ashes exchanged for love's beauty"

Im sorry to give it 1 star but this was not my bag.

I wanted to like this book. The premise was catchy, the cover cute, and I enjoy sweet, inspirational romance. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the stiffness of the dialogue. The characters spoke to each other like they were competing to be the next William Shatner. Also, as a woman who's past 35 and had several healthy relationships with men younger than me, I was turned off by Alex's preoccupation with the age difference. Honey, he likes you, it's okay.

Parker Grey is in Montreal working on a tv series with his friends Michael & Kelly. They talk him into going to North Carolina with them. The night before they leave he has a dream about a girl in a chef's outfit and the next day there she is in person. Alexandria Casey has been doing baking and catering for Michael & Kelly for a few years. They ask her to make their engagement cake and spend the weekend at their party. Parker couldn't be happier but Alex is not too sure about the attraction she is feeling. He is 27, she is 35 and divorced, can this work between them. Then she has a business in North Carolina and he is working in Montreal and Hollywood. Find out how they work life out to make their two lives come together.

Kissing Hollywood is a unabashedly, outrageously, witty story of a - well let's get real folks - a wolf (my version of a backwards cougar) - the man is younger and the woman is older - and they are dangerous because - drumroll please - they are children of the MOST HIGH GOD - Amen? - Parker is from England and Alexandria is American - they both have been hurt in the past and they don't want that pain again - but if you know GOD - you know that HE loves you and HE would never hurt you and if you are hurt you will NEVER EVER go through ANYTHING alone - for HE will NEVER leave you or forsake you - so when you are in pain you know HE is there to take that pain away - and HE is just there to be with you and see you through it - now - even the Sparrow knows enough not to worry about anything - not to worry if it will be in pain again or if it will get fed again - because it Knows it's master and it's master Loves him and it will always feed him. - his MASSTER is GOD - so if HE takes care of the Sparrow like that how much more will HE take care of us - Why am I telling you all this - because the author wants you to know that the characters know this but they are having to rely on GOD again - hard thing to do - for real -
Sorry if I sounded preachy - In this book GOD is using each one for the other to get over the pains of the past - present - future. The book is tenderhearted, funny - yes I said funny - courageous, delightful, exciting, idealistic, touching and wonderful. Be wise like the characters in the book and get it - the book that is....

I really didn't like this book for a few reasons:

1. It was so poorly edited, with multiple typos and poor grammar that really took away from the reading experience. There's no excuse for mixing up "your" and "you're" multiple times. That's only one example.

2. It wasn't well written. I was expecting that of a fluffy romance novel, but I found the quality of writing to detract a lot from the reading experience as well. The characters were not fully fleshed out human beings and far too "perfect." The romance storyline was far too rushed and was incredibly unrealistic. The protagonist basically had no flaws and felt much like a Mary Sue to me.

3. The frequent references to God totally threw me off and made me uncomfortable. If I'd known that that was going to be a thing in this book, I'd never have started it.


Overall, it felt like a poorly written fan fiction. It was a struggle to get through.

Kissing Hollywood, Monica Collier

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance

OK - if I'd looked at Monica's profile info I'd have passed on this, seeing that her novels incorporate Biblical principles. I'm not anti-Christian, appreciate that Faith is a huge part of many people's lives, but whenever I find it in novels it always seems to have a slightly smug tone to me, an "if you only believe in Him life will work out fine" and that's exactly what I felt here.
I know others love this book and this form of story, but I don't. However I didn't see that before, the book doesn't carry the usual Christian tag so I'm reviewing on that basis. 

If I'd have enjoyed the novel more I could have got past the religious bias, I don't have strong feelings against it, but the story itself just didn't really work for me.
I found the romance between Alex and Parker just wasn't really believable, nothing to do with the age gap, just that I didn't feel that magic connection, that sizzle of attraction I needed.
Then Alex...Superwoman or what? She's a hard worker for sure, but as well as running a cooking blog, she bakes for a friends bakery, waitresses, stands in for Top Chefs all over the country ( probably the world!!) when they need to be away from their restaurants. She knows everyone it seems, but not content with dominating the catering world she also has film connections, and its through that which leads her to Parker.
He's another multi talented person, actor, director and producer of the latest work he's doing...and he brings Alex on board pretty swiftly where she ends up advising the actors,  helping with scripts, directing, translating...not forgetting overseeing the full interior renovating of his huge home for a photo shoot in a week. You name it she does it, was the feeling I got! Its exhausting just listing it, and it just didn't feel real for me. No-one can be that good at so many things. 
Then when the drama hits, she just leaves, and I was thinking "what about her contract? She can't just walk out" and I felt such a petty issue, a real mountain out of a molehill drama. 

I really wanted to like this book it sounded perfect for me from the description but the way it played out didn't work for me, then throw in that slightly preachy feeling and it was one that was a fail for me.
As always though others love it, we all want different things and this could be just the story you want. 

 
Stars: Two, sorry, one that just wasn't right for me. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

The bones of a good story were there, but I was unfortunately disappointed by the book overall.

The relationship between Parker and Alex developed way too fast. With him being an actor in a TV show filming in a different city, it was believable that he would invite her to visit. However they seemed to be professing deep romantic feelings for each other within a week of meeting for the first time.

There were a few typos, but nothing too serious.

I appreciated the faith aspect and that it was discussed in a honest way. It was refreshing to have it be such an integral part of both Alex and Parker's lives.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.