Love Scenes was a fun look into movie making and the lives of actors. I liked Sloane and Joes relationship and the second chances they take, I love how they work together through their issues and support each other. It’s a fun story worth reading,

Thought I would end up loving this more than I did. All the showbiz, making a movie aspect dragged the plot down for me. I'm not a fan the industry. Thank you for the opportunity to read.

I wanted to love this book, but I got too frustrated with some of the choices being made and the unlikeable traits of a few of the characters. This was a middle of the road contemporary romance for me, but not one that I'd recommend this year.

LET'S GET IT ON with Love Scenes by Bridget Morrissey

First Impressions

Usually I'm a fan of illustrated covers but this one feels like the artist completely forgot about the deadline until the night before, panicked, then drew some basic line figures and threw in some clip art. Like, if this was a movie poster, I would not be buying tickets. 

What's Your Type?
- Enemies to lovers- Hollywood behind the scenes
- Fake (i.e. acting) dating- Lifestyles of the rich and famous
- Sprawling, eccentric family- Irish hotties

Dating Profile
The daughter of two movie stars, Sloane Ford grew up in the spotlight, but she's still not sure she belongs there, and she's burnt out AF. After a series of subpar movies, she joined the cast of a crime scene procedural, but now she's been killed off of the show, and with her musician ex-boyfriend releasing a whole album about her (and we're not talking love songs), Sloane is ready to walk away entirely. Her family, however, has a different idea, and they rope her in to being a consulting producer on Horizons, a 1940s drama written and directed by her stepdad, Guy, with her sister, Tyler, co-directing. Despite her severe misgivings (more on that below) and a complicated relationship with her mother, Kitty, who is also starring in the film, Sloane finds herself heading to set, because Hollywood might be fickle, but her family is forever. 

The son of iconic Irish actor Michael Donovan, Joseph Donovan is a recovering alcoholic whose sobriety has helped him rise from rom-com heartthrob to potential Oscar winner. He's handsome and charming, but like any good romantic lead, he's nursing a secret pain. Growing up with a father who was never around, Joseph became extremely close with his mother, and after her death, he can't seem to stop grieving. So he's channeling all of that emotion into his work, including his next project...

Meet Cute

Years ago, when Joseph was still a drunk asshole and Sloane was still optimistic about acting, they made a movie together in Ireland called A Little Luck. And Joseph was THE WORST. Fast forward to Guy writing the lead role in Horizons for Sloane, who gives it a hard pass when she finds out Joseph has been cast as her onscreen romantic interest. While Joseph is clearly a changed man, he understands that he has to earn Sloane's forgiveness, and it ain't gonna be easy, because girl is b-r-u-t-a-l. But she's also loyal to her family, and when the lead actress is abruptly fired, Sloane agrees to take her place to save the production. Though she's too stubborn to admit it, rehearsing scenes with Joseph is actually gratifying, and their chemistry sizzles--even when the camera's not rolling. 

The Lean

I'm a sucker for enemistry, but for any purists out there, I should point out that only half of this couple is feeling the enemy vibes, which does diminish some of the sparkage. With that said, Joseph's desire to make things right with Sloane doesn't come off as as too earnest or puppy doggish, because he cloaks it under a lot of wit and sarcasm (and an Irish accent). The fact that there is genuine hurt in their past makes it easy to understand rather than be exasperated by Sloane's refusal to let him in, but you WILL be frustrated by the subsequent mind games. Nevertheless, they develop an emotional connection that I found very compelling, especially as they shift back and forth between their movie characters and themselves, though when it came to their physical connection, I may have enjoyed their on-set hanky panky even more than the real thing (insert hilarious exchange with the intimacy coordinator here).

Dirty Talk

Gotta admit, this is where Love Scenes kinda let me down. I don't need the smuttiest of the smut, but I also can't ABIDE by a fade to black, and that happened several times, which is ironic given the title. This book feels more like chick lit* than a romance novel, and that makes sense knowing that it's Bridget Morrissey's adult debut. Rather than fully paint a picture, Morrissey merely provides a sketch, leaving your mind to color in the blanks. There's nothing wrong with that, obviously, but let's just say that if you're more of a full-on oil painting aficionado, you'll be disappointed. 

*No hate, I dig that genre too!

Ms. Perky's Prize for Purplest Prose

To further prove my point, this is about as risqué as it gets:

"He slides down and down until he's at my underwear, all the while whispering something that sounds faintly like worship, praise for all of the soft places so few get to touch like this. His fingers move the fabric, and his tongue works exactly as it does when he speaks, quick and smart and eager to make corrections."

We Need to Talk

While Morrissey's sex scene skills might need some work, she excels at writing unique characters who are so real, they practically jump off the page. My favorite aspect of the book was Sloane's family, a glorious hodgepodge of dynamos including her sassy little half-sister, Sarai; her Tom-Hanks-meets-Harrison Ford dad, Alexander; and her no-nonsense mother, Kitty, who is the most fascinatingly complex of the bunch thanks to her decades spent working in misogynist Hollywood. Speaking of, Morrissey also does a bang-up job of offering glimpses into celebrity life without going overboard, and consequently that makes Sloane's perspective feel authentic rather than the stuff of tabloids. 

Was It Good For You?

I had a blast walking down the red carpet with this book and living vicariously through its famous characters. Sure, it never got as steamy as I would have liked behind closed doors, but everything behind the scenes, from the family antics to the on-set drama to the actual making of a movie, made me want to break out the popcorn. I wouldn't be mad if there was a sequel, is what I'm saying.

Love Scenes is a Hollywood romance where Hollywood is the family business. This second chance coworker romance was filled with drama with some steamy scenes and you can find other content warnings below. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read more rom-coms from this author!

CW: parental illness and associated hospital scene, attempted forced nudity leading to actor discomfort.

Love Scenes is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance about two offspring of Hollywood royalty who made a film together that saw charming Irishman Joseph Donovan’s career trajectory take off and left Sloane Ford’s career almost in ruins, all because she complained about his unprofessional behavior on set. Finding herself unemployed after her character in a crime drama series is killed off, her actor/producer mother asks her to join the crew of her new movie Horizons (a World War II drama) with other extended family members working both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Having shared with the family her brutal experience co-starring with Joe, she’s shocked to find that he has been cast as the male lead. When she’s asked to take over the female lead, their chemistry is undeniable. He claims to have mended his ways after struggling through the grief of losing his mother and working on his sobriety, but can she trust that his new persona is genuine or all an act?

In a world where every move is scrutinized, fame is fleeting, and careers can be destroyed at the whim of directors and producers, it’s important for Sloane to guard her heart, especially after her ex-boyfriend, who broke up with her, makes her the subject of his heartbreak album. However, as they read lines together in his trailer, she gets a glimpse behind his effortless charm to the vulnerability underneath.

Morrissey has done a wonderful job of describing the nepotism in the movie industry while still getting readers to sympathize with the main protagonists. Yes, they didn’t have to struggle to break into the biz, but they still deal with insecurities and family dynamics that are far from normal. From Sloane’s divorced actor parents and step-parents to her drag queen/composer brother, lesbian sister who is making her directorial debut, and precocious 11-year-old stepsister, she has to navigate the fickle industry and carve out a place for herself while struggling with anxiety. Joseph, although nominated for an Emmy the previous year, still struggles with the perception that he doesn’t take his job seriously enough to learn lines and with living in the shadow of his famous father.

Morrissey mentions the roots of the #metoo movement which tanked Sloane’s mother’s career, and describes the role of an intimacy coordinator in some detail. She also doesn’t shy away from discussing alcoholism, grief, and the impact of being queer in the industry. She balances all of these issues with humor, smoking hot chemistry, and an appreciation of the hard work actors do to bring joy to millions. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Sloane Ford is the daughter of a Hollywood power couple and her entire family is in the business and she is hitting a low point in her career, so she helps her sister as she directs her first movie and Sloane takes the producer role to help her out. Of course, the main actor in this movie is someone from her past and the last interaction they had wasn't positive, but she is bound and determined for her sister to complete this project with something she is proud of.

I always love when a book gives you a behind the scenes look and within this great romance book the reader also gets to see life on a Hollywood movie set. Also get a little view into a Hollywood dynasty and the extra pressure that brings onto the future generations of the family.

With this pair having a history, this romance didn't have that instalove feeling and instead was a enemies to lovers and was a fun ride. I loved how being co workers also added to the drama and just heightened things to the right level. It was fun to watch these two orbit each other and then finally get things together - not spoiling, we all know how romance books go!

This was my first Bridget Morrissey read and it will not be the last!

While this is a slow starting book, I loved it! It really has great character growth and development. The slow burn finally hits a peak and I found it so rewarding.
This book is so well written and has made its way to one of my favorites for 2021!

Joseph Donavan, you STOLE MY HEART. I loved his character: he is a strong representation of a character with major personal growth. He went from an alcoholic to one who is caring of those around him. As for Sloane Ford, the main character of this story, she is also another character who learns to find herself throughout this story, and is a huge inspiration to women around the world. After getting killed off her latest show, she thinks that's it for her when it comes to the acting industry. After getting her call from her mom to help produce their family's latest movie, she comes on set to be face-to-face with an old co-star who she recalls constantly coming to set drunk, and being selfish to all his crew members and co-workers, and that is no other than good old Joseph Donavan. But of course, Joseph makes Sloane realize how much he has changed over the years, and when you hear the stories of him and his relationship with his father, you feel nothing but pity for him. Both Sloane and Joseph are people who grew up in the media, thanks to their successful parents, so reading about their childhoods in their spotlight, and never having that feeling of "freedom," really makes your heart feel some strong emotions. A wonderful read :)

This was a super fun read! I loved the characters and the chemistry was fantastic. There was a ton of witty banter and hilarious moments. I also loved all of the side characters. The book was well written and well paced, the characters were well developed and easy to root for and overall I really enjoyed it. If you love rom-coms then this one is worth checking out!

This one really took me by surprise. It had a bit of a slow (burn) beginning and I wasn’t sure where it would take me.

But I ended up adoring Sloane and her entire messy, flawed, love-filled family. They were each so vibrant and lovable.

Once the chemistry truly hit between Sloane and Joseph it was lovely, but it took a bit to get there. Once Morrissey got me there it was delicious.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Berkley for a free copy of this novel. All opinions are my

Sloane Ford has greatly benefited from nepotism, not that’s she’s proud of that fact, but it got her back working on a new movie. A movie that her entire family is working on… and Joseph Donovan. A former co-star and a person that she can’t stand, quite frankly. But when fate, and her mother’s meddling shove them together, Sloane has to face the fact that Joe may have changed from the man she hated.

I absolutely adored Sloane’s messy, big, mashed up family; made from multiple step parents, soon to be step parents, parents and step and full siblings. And Joseph… your hot Irish dream actor. Who is so self aware and intent on getting better.

I found that this book didn’t really pick up speed until about 30% through, but once it picked up, i was fully along for the ride.

this was a slow burn, door half open romance (if that makes any sense) and features the heroine grovelling (which is one of my all time favourite tropes)!

thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Overall this book was fine. I think it is a great title to recommend to those library visitors that inhale contemporary romance titles. Love Scenes has the advantage of not being the same old trope and the setting (movie set) does set it apart.

That being said, I think this one just wasn't for me. I do not especially enjoy reading about people who lives life of excess and I am not enthralled by glamour. I would much prefer to read about characters who live more normal lives. The author doesn't go overboard and wrote the characters well, I just don't find myself enjoying those types of books on a personal level.

Love Scenes is an enemies to lovers rom-com, set in Hollywood filled with cute scenes and family drama.
I enjoyed the romance between Sloane and Joseph. I liked that the two had a history and were forced to work together. I also liked that we were able to see Joseph had grown up a little. However, I do feel like this book was more about Sloane's relationship with her family than the romance.
I enjoyed the family dynamics in this book. One of the things I liked about this book was that it showed how great a blended family can be, divorced parents and ex-wives getting along. You don’t see that enough in pop culture, showing how families can get along. I liked seeing Sloane interact with her family members but especially her and her sister; they had such a supportive relationship.
This was a fun read with lots of heart!

Sloane is going through a rough time in life right now. She's literally been axed from the TV show she was working on, her boyfriend broke up with her and is writing music about the break-up and she is working with her family as a producer on a movie where she was supposed to be the lead. The cherry on top is to find that the lead actor is no one other Joseph Donovan. The actor who made Sloane's life miserable when they shot a movie together. He was rude, arrogant and an overall ass. Has he redeemed himself like he says he has?

Sloane is soon working even closer with Joe when she steps in as the lead actress opposite of Joe. Their sizzling chemistry on stage is soon spilling off stage as well. How will these two make it work in the land of Hollywood everything feels like an act and nothing is real.

I loved the banter between Joe and Sloane in Love Scenes! They were so funny and cute but also very real. Sloane is strong and independent and she has to be especially in show business. I liked that she set the boundaries of her relationship with Joe and he respected that. Underneath the romance were a lot of heavier themes like forgiveness, redemption and how to manage dysfunctional families.

Overall I really enjoyed Love Scenes. I always looked forward to the romance within the book and I do feel that sometimes the story did lag a bit. Overall I would give Love Scenes anywhere from a 3.5-4 stars.

DNF Review

Love Scenes follows the story of Sloane Ford as she stars in a production of a World War II-era Hollywood blockbuster produced by her famous family. Sloane has been trying to get out of the shadow of her famous parents her whole life, but now that she has been let go from her steady gig as a crime scene analyst on TV, she is desperate for any job. She starts to rethink her quick acceptance once she learns that her co-star is none other than Joseph Donovan, her least favourite person in the industry.

Sloane and Joseph worked on a movie together in the past where his actions severely affected her ability to work and made her question her passion of acting. It’s safe to say that she loathes this man, and this new “nice-guy” persona that he has? She doesn’t buy it. As they rehearse their lines and shoot scenes, their attraction to each other grows and Sloane remembers why she loved acting in the first place.

It pains me to say this about any book, but this one I could not even finish. I got 80% in and just couldn’t make myself suffer through another page. I only have one life to live here and limited time on this planet! The writing was so bland, which just made Sloane seem like a boring and annoying protagonist to me. She comes across as a very wealthy, very privileged young adult who absolutely recognizes her privilege and yet still continues to complain about every aspect of her life in every instance. I could not respect her as a character. The plot is so painfully slow, that I did not even understand why Sloane disliked Joseph so much until halfway into the book. All of Sloane’s problems with her family are also drawn out for a long time. For the reader, it’s tough to connect with Sloane because none of her problems make sense for a long time, and by the time they did I was over it.

Joseph was the most likeable character for me and he has some actual depth to himself, he also grew a lot throughout the book. I did not buy into the romance between the two of them, it seemed forced to me. There was also a subplot of Sloane’s ex-boyfriend which was never resolved, the readers hear so much about him and his actions throughout the book but no closure with that situation. Another subplot was a gala that Sloane was organizing which seemed to just be thrown into the story halfway through as a “very important event”. I just do not understand the point of any of these plots, even the main one.

I do not recommend this book, but am curious to know if anyone else has read it and formed a different opinion.

~ Harshita

Sloane Ford is an out-of-work actress who comes from a Hollywood family dynasty. Joseph Donovan is a handsome actor from Ireland (you gotta love an Irishmen) who previously worked with Sloane and made a muck of it. He looks forward to working with Sloane again in a new movie and Sloane never plans to work with Joseph again. But they end up working together and so we have a great story. I love all the characters in this book, especially Sloane’s family. They are an absolute blast! Her mother said, If you’re in a gown, it means you’re about to have either one of the best days of your life, or one of the worst.” Amen to that!

I enjoyed this enemy-to-friends-to-lovers story. It is a sweet story with hints of steaminess. At times, I felt like I was in the same room with the characters. I found myself laughing out loud and I love when a book can evoke that much emotion. This needs to be a movie!

3.5 rounded up - This second chance, coming of middle-age story got off to a bit of a rocky start for me but by the end the two main characters, Sloane an out of work actress, and Joseph (Joe), a recovering alcoholic actor, really grew on me and I was totally cheering for their happily ever after. Joe and Sloane had worked together on a movie many years ago and it was complete torture for Sloane, as Joe was very offensive and deep in his alcoholic stage. Meanwhile fired from her starring role on a popular television show, Sloane ends up getting involved in her Hollywood family's latest movie project, which happens to also star Joe. Along the way the two are able to get to know one another better and Joe works hard to redeem his past actions. While Sloane is slow to give in to her feelings for Joe, I couldn't help but fall for Joe and the many ways he goes out of his way to make up for his past. There's lots of behind the scenes movie making content in this book that was really fun to read - I especially enjoyed the intricacies of filming a love scene with a man you're pretending not to like. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy.

This was really cute. There was a lot of growth for Sloane and Joseph. This is very character driven, but even that feels like a wrong description. It's definitely fear and emotionally driven.

I wish the families weren't so massive, as they felt impossible to keep straight. I also felt Kearns kept coming up as an excuse and not really a plot device?

I really enjoyed this movie star romance about two former co-stars discovering romance together despite their disastrous first film. Sloane's fully fledged out Hollywood royalty family adds to the rich tapestry of backstory and makes you feel fully immersed in their movie making world.