I literally finished this book in two sittings. I personally love the haters-to-lovers, but this book offered even more than most in that trope. I really enjoyed it and I think other romance lovers will too!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sloane Ford has always kept busy. So when she loses her steady tv gig, she’s desperate for work. Luckily, her whole family is in show business, and she gets hired to work as a producer on their WWII romance. Unfortunately, that also means she’ll be in close contact with her least favorite costar, Joseph Donovan. He swears he had changed since they worked together last, but she remains unconvinced. Too bad she gets roped into helping him with his lines! As they get to know each other, the lines get blurred and Sloane wonders if maybe she doesn’t hate him so much after all.

This is my favorite kind of book. It features some of my favorite parts of romance books. Takes place on a set? Check. A dash of enemies to lovers? Check. A misunderstanding or two? Check. Absolute adorable dialogue? Check. And of COURSE the HEA. I could barely put this one down to eat.

Sloane is absolutely a great main character. Even though she is a fairly privileged actor from a Hollywood family, she managed to be relatable and cool. And Joseph aka Joe? Hot damn. The chemistry between the two is palpable from page one. Joe also has just a touch of tragic backstory that makes you want to love him even more.

Heat? There’s a lot of verbal foreplay, but this is definitely a fade to black book. If you’re looking for 🥵🥵🥵, this isn’t the one for you. But it’s a great story with some really adorable moments and I still recommend it.

5/5 stars!

4.5 stars

I breezed through this book and not because it was short. I simply couldn’t put it down. This book had everything thing I look for – deep emotions, witty conversations, vulnerability and learning to open your heart.

Sloane Ford comes from Hollywood royalty: both of her parents are famous actors, her sister a director and her brother a composer. Add in their respective new spouses and they are a Hollywood Dynasty. Sloane is currently out of work (killed off her Netflix series) and was quazi nepotistically given a job by her family. You see her mom’s new Husband has written a movie Horizons, her sister, Tyler, is directing it, her mom, Kitty, is funding it and also staring in it. Now she is the consulting producer instead of the lead role.

The lead role was written specifically for her but when she learned Joseph Donovan was the male lead, she turned it down. They made a film 5 years prior and she was less than impressed with his ways and warned her family against him. But he’s back and has changed his ways, and has done nothing but apologize. And as Sloane helps him loosen up and learn his lines they start to become closer. But she doesn’t want anyone to know, it’s hard for her to let outsiders in. But when the lead actress is suddenly fired, Sloane needs to step into the role.

You’d think that this family dynamic would be hard to work with and love. They definitely have their trying times but deep down, they love each other and will be there to support one another.

Sloane is endearing character, searching for her identity and learning to let go of all her hang ups. Joseph was a former alcoholic who is trying to make things right. So will the boy eventually get the girl? You’ll have to read this tug-at-your-heartstrings book to find out.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this.

This was okay, but the romance was a little lacking for me which obviously impacted my entire enjoyment of the book. I appreciate that there was a history between Sloane and Joe but I didn't feel like it was enough for me to really feel anything from the couple. But I did appreciate the family focus in the story

Sloane Ford is an out-of-work actress who has begrudgingly agreed to help with the production of her family's newest film project. Her mother is the producer, her stepfather and sister are co-directing, and her brother is the score composer. Sloane is not looking forward to working with Irish actor Joseph Donovan again - a costar who treated her like crap during the filming of their last movie. Sloane's experience with Joseph five years ago nearly ruined her career and though she treats him cordially, she doesn't hide her disdain for him. When the lead actress for the film is suddenly fired, Sloane steps in as if the role was always meant to be hers. She quickly begins to learn that Joe is a different man than he used to be and as their on-screen chemistry begins to heat up, Sloane finds it difficult to tell what's real and what's pretend between them.

I was immediately hooked into this story from Sloane's first interaction with Joseph in this book. The vitriol she spewed at him was intense and I couldn't wait to learn more about their history. As their relationship began to progress from enemies to friends, that feeling that there was something romantic bubbling under the surface between them was so delicious!

I loved Joseph and that he was trying to redeem himself from the moment he came on set. Even when Sloane was nasty to him, he genuinely wanted to make amends with her. Joe was open, kind, and vulnerable and I was rooting for him to wear Sloane down with his charming ways.

Sloane's blended family in this book was fun and heartwarming. Her siblings, father, mother, stepfather, stepmothers - there were interesting dynamics between all of them. Their support for one another and symbiotic relationships were touching.

The behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking in this book was fascinating! Sometimes I forget how much work goes into making a movie. It's not just people standing around playing pretend in front of cameras. Every little detail is discussed, planned, and executed into a purposeful vision. It's a truly artistic endeavor for every cast and crew member and this book made me appreciate filmmaking more.

This is the first Bridget Morrissey book that I have read and I look forward to reading more from her! Her writing is exceptional in this book - she tells a light and fun story in a beautiful and moving way. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a fun fluff romance but it was so much more than that!

Steam level: 🔥🔥½
⚠️: anxiety, substance abuse

I was so pleasantly surprised with this book! It was such a cute, fluffy romance that had an unexpected, but welcomed, deep tone. It tackled gender-roles in Hollywood, while also making us believe in love. This incredible debut novel follows a rival-to-lovers story arc where two actors go from true disdain to falling-in-love on a movie set.

This book has great representation in the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community, it was timely and had Millennial humor without being cheesy, and had it had tons of Hollywood lingo and references that made it seem like you were part of the movie they were shooting.

The chemistry between Sloane, the main lead, and Joe, her love interest, was electric! Not to mention that Joe is a 6'3" Irishman who plays guitar. I'll let that sink in. They had such fun and flirty banter that fueled the plot, but at the same time, they were also so vulnerable and soft with each other that it legit had me swooning.

The best part was the family development arc. You can tell early on that Sloane has a rocky relationship with her family, specifically with her sister and her mother, but as the book progresses, you see them patch things up and understand each other better and come out united. I love healthy family dynamics more than anything, and I'm so glad we got to see it prevalent in a romance novel.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley, for providing me with this ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) in exchange for an honest review. I loved it!

I’m just not sure I could turn off certain emotions for the sake of a job. I think I could but being forced into a situation? That’s not really cool, especially when it’s your own family.

In this delightful second chance romance, all of the feels are right there in front of us. The love to hate, or maybe it is hate to hate? The fact that you really don’t have a choice…. The smirkiness from the parents and siblings. The sweet convo and the fact he really is trying! Ugh! Oh, hell no!

Is unemployment really that bad??

Okay, so you give it a go and it is not as bad as you thought. He seems to actually listen and want to do well. Maybe you are not as terrible at this coaching thing as you thought. Maybe there is a chance for more…

Morrissey brings us a sweet love to hate story that builds into something more than what you expect. Deep, touching, with understanding abounding, this story builds into something that gets you right in the feels. When the coaching turns into acting and the couple seems more offscreen than just on screen, what could go wrong?

Is it okay to admit you were wrong? At what point does your family just stop and quit nagging? These are the things that go through my mind as you start to cheer them on and wonder can they really make it this time? Will the truth make a difference?

Complex, deeply touching story that leaves a smile and a happy heart.

Love Scenes is an enemies-to-more about two co-stars, Sloane and Joseph, set on a movie set. The journey of trust and redemption is complicated when lines get blurred between what is scripted and what is real. To add fuel to the fire, both main characters come with messy family baggage. I'm a sucker for a "show within a show” and the fact that Sloane’s mom, stepdad, sister, dad, and his 2nd ex-wife are all part of the production adds juicy drama.

I wish there was a bit more romantic tension, because I LOVE angst. But I still found it to be a heartwarming Hollywood escape with believable character growth and unexpected layers.

This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. I loved feeling like I was behind the scenes while a movie was being made and all that went into it. The characters were unique and I really liked that the entire family was involved. The main characters fell a little flat for me although I enjoyed each of their stories and how it was all resolved. All in all this was a good book that at first glance looks like fluff but there was a depth about it that I found endearing.

I really loved this story! The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my absolute favorites and I thought this was an excellent example of a fun, lighthearted, interesting romp through a wild and wacky situation! The dialogue is easy to get sucked into and I loved the premise of the plot. I could see this being a fun movie with the family drama that ensues. Adding this to Summer Reading lists is a must as it is sure to be a Beach Reads hit!

Hollywood is no easy place to have a relationship and Sloane Ford, born into an acting dynasty, has had romance troubles. But now she's also having career troubles, but her family is helping her out by giving her a producer role on their latest project. The trouble with that is Joseph Donovan, heartthrob, and Sloane's former co-star is also working on the film. And, well, on their last production he was a lot to handle. But he's in recovering from alcoholism and now, with clear eyes, he's ready to make amends and reveal his true feelings. But are they real? In Hollywood, who could tell?
Fun, fast read for when you need a break.

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. I am a big fan of the enemies to lovers trope so I had high hopes for this one and it didn't disappoint! The story was well plotted, and although I will never be a celebrity or involved in Hollywood lifestyles, I thought this seemed to be a believable view of life under the microscope. The characters were well-drawn and believable, and I really appreciated the way the mom/daughter relationship played out. Having a character understand their own issues is really refreshing-so often it's painted as one sided and this book is an excellent portrait of recognizing how your past and patterns influence your present and future-and doesn't just look to put it all on someone else. My only complaint is the story just....ends. I wanted a little bit more, this book deserved an epilogue.

When the family business is Hollywood making a movie together makes sense but is also full of challenges. Sloane has been killed off from her tv show and isn't sure that acting is what she wants so she refuse the lead in the family movie but somehow finds herself working as a producer. One of the challenges is the male lead, Joseph Donovan, who Sloane worked with before and it was not a good experience. As a producer and member of the family Sloane wants the movie to succeed but how much of herself is she willing to give? A story of family and figuring out what you want and opening up to those in your life.

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

Love Scenes’ best feature was the insight it provided into the filmmaking world from an actor’s perspective. Sloane, an actor from an extended blended family, takes a job working on a film being created by that family. Her co-star, Joseph, is one she’s worked with in the past—an experience she’d hoped never to repeat. Their forced proximity (of course!) breeds reconciliation and Sloane slowly comes to appreciate him and the changes he’s made in his life. The book was well written and many of the family characters were particularly well drawn. However, the sources of Sloane’s anger and bitterness toward Joseph and her family was not explained convincingly. Lacking that, she comes across as kind of a sullen brat and not particularly relatable. Families are families and there are always going to be ups and downs in tension levels. I just couldn’t see that her deep-seated resentments we’re appropriate in what appeared to be a family she loved and who loved her. Even though the story is told in the first person by Sloane, I never could figure out why Sloane or Joseph became attracted to each other. The absence of relatability to the narrator was a dealbreaker for me.

I tried twice to immerse myself in this novel, but in the end I could not engage with the characters. The main male character was cardboard with weird mannerisms and unexplained actions and the female was too brittle. Not saying the book is not good, I simply couldn't connect. I gave it the three chapter try.

Messy family, check. Enemies to lovers, check. Fun dialogue and enjoyable characters, check.

<i>Love Scenes</i> was exactly the type of book I wanted to read this month so I was super excited to get a copy from the publisher on NetGalley.

Sloane Ford and Joseph Donahue worked together once before and it was a disaster, so she's not thrilled to be back on the set with him as he stars in a film her Hollywood family is producing and directing. When the lead actress backs out, well, you guessed it, Sloane ends up taking her place on the show, and despite her desire to keep disliking him and considering him horrible, well, Joseph keeps surprising her.

Is it set life or is it real life?

The banter between the two main characters, and a supporting cast of eccentric family and connected characters, make for a really enjoyable and particularly satisfying romcom on a Hollywood film studio set.

Everyone in Sloane’s blended Hollywood family is working on the same movie. After being fired from her television show, Sloan reluctantly agrees to work as a producer. The male lead is being played by Joseph Donavan who is the reason for her reluctance - he is the worst former costar Sloane ever had. When the lead actress is fired, Sloane steps in. Sloane and Joseph have incredible chemistry on screen and off screen, but are they acting or is this real?

When I couldn’t fall asleep the Sunday night after spring break, I started reading this, and I was still up at 1:30 when I finished it! It was TOTALLY worth how tired I was on Monday. This was my favorite kind of book - one that you can’t put down! I enjoyed Sloane and Joe’s relationship, and I also love the relationship Sloane had with her crazy, diverse family. (Except maybe her mom? She was terrible.) I enjoyed reading about being behind the scenes on a movie set. This is the perfect beach read!

Thanks to @NetGalley and Berkley for my ARC! The pub date for Love Scenes is 06/22/2021, and you should definitely preorder it immediately!

Nothing especially wrong with it I just couldn't get into it for some reason. Life it too short to stick with books you can't get into.

I am admittedly biased, a big fan of Bridget Morrissey, and Love Scenes is a perfect example of why. Her previous books, What You Left Me and When the Light Went Out, were lovely, emotional, fabulously crafted works and, in those respects, Love Scenes is no different. Those similarities aside, Morrissey’s adult debut knocked it out of the park in different ways. There is a level of quip and quirk in Love Scenes that feels incredibly authentic and simultaneously ripped from all of our favorite romcoms – a balance that is incredibly difficult to strike.

There is a comfort in this enemies to lovers story that digs almost as deeply into complex family dynamics as it does the main characters, lovable but struggling Sloane and former trouble-maker Joe. There is great chemistry between all of the characters – who manage to be strongly developed in service of the larger story, no east feat in romance novels.

Love Scenes is a perfect escape for lovers of traditional romcoms, Hollywood stories, and heartwarming character growth. I highly recommend for lovers of Beach Read, The Ex Talk, and The Hating Game.