First of all, I really liked this book, but have some hesitations about it. The story between Ryan and Lucas is good fan fiction, or romance, but not all too realistic. It feels a little like Danielle Steele, only with men. Lucas meets Ryan on what I can only describe as a Supernatural rip off show when their characters fall in love. On a side movie Lucas wins an Oscar and their relationship is compared to Brangelina. The scale on which two actors on a show stolen from the CW live seems absurd. As a fantasy, it works well. Ryan is also hopelessly naive about show business and seems to have walked from Australia right into success, despite our having been told he has not. There is no realistic universe in which most of the plot could happen, but as romantic fantasy, it hits all the right buttons.
The novel is well written, and I have no complaints about the author's talent, but this should be marketed to women, particularly those with involvement with fandom. I doubt men will enjoy the descriptions of romantic eyes, and flowery expressions of devotion. Seriously, they discuss housing arrangements and literally think that what they say to each other is so cheesy it could be on a show. The characters think this about what they are saying. As a long time reader of romance novels and fan fiction, this will check many boxes for fan women. It is good emotional porn, and the playing out of a real fantasy many fans have (especially Supernatural fans).
The fan reactions to two tv actors hooking up seem a bit much for real life. On the Internet sure, but actors hook up all the time and it's hardly the end of the world, even for entertainment news. A Brangelina hasn't really come out again in recent years and People magazine still brings up Jennifer Aniston years later. New couples don't seem to have the interest and staying power in the media, and I doubt the unfortunately named Lovers could have the hype they reach in the book. Also, it makes me feel creepy reading the fan reaction on top of each chapter, since it just reminds me that as a reader, I am a fan, and actively shipping this couple by reading. The characters hate the fan attention, feel they deserve privacy in their relationship, and the reader becomes an intrusive fan girl hanging on to the narrative hoping the two co-workers hook up. This is one book that might have been better in the first person, just to avoid the reader following two characters around hoping they hook up when they clearly resent it.
There is some throwaway trans and lesbian representation, and I appreciated how positive it was. Women were treated with respect, and as equals and no one was a villain despite the set up of a potential love triangle. Ryan even asks to meet with Lucas' beard wife before pursuing him, since Lucas could have been lying to him and he didn't want to start a hurtful affair behind her back. Even a stalker one night stand is treated not as a villain, but as someone with mental health issues who was manipulated and in need of help.
This book fills an obvious fantasy for many women, and does it well for the romance genre. The story follows many great fan fics and has drama, romance, erotica, betrayal, hurt/comfort, mystery and two likeable leads. I really enjoyed it for what it was and think there is an audience for this. I just wish the book downplayed some elements to make me feel less creepy for shipping and following these two guys who only want privacy.