Member Reviews
How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder is a hilarious and entertaining romp through Tinseltown. Wilder serves up a witty and engaging story where fake identities, Hollywood glitz, and unexpected romance collide. The protagonist's journey through the glamorous yet absurd world of the entertainment industry is both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. With its snappy dialogue, clever plot twists, and a dash of romance, this book is a perfect pick-me-up for anyone craving a delightful escape into the behind-the-scenes chaos of Hollywood. Wilder has crafted a thoroughly enjoyable read that doesn't take itself too seriously, making it a fantastic choice for those looking for a good laugh and a touch of glamour.
There was a lot going on here. But, that’s to expect when you have an up and coming actress paired with a brilliant director that needs some positive press.
And, honestly, to call Grey up and coming isn’t fair. She’s been working for a long time but is trying to find her next best/better thing. She was recently released from her tv series, her boyfriend broke up with her and she’s trying to find roles that are more “mature”. Her family is a mess but her found family keeps her grounded. She’s not sure if pretending with Ethan will be good, but she’s willing to try.
Ethan is a hot mess. He’s divorced and co parenting with his ex-wife. Things are ok, but he can’t seem to find his footing. His best friend/writing partner died in a car crash and he can’t stop spiraling in self-doubt and guilt. He doesn’t think this game relationship nonsense will work, but he changes his mind once he meets/talks to Grey and realizes she’s a lot more savvy than her age belies.
This is not a warm and fuzzy book. Theirs is a story of pain, guilt, hope and love. There’s truth to that the thought that it’s hard to love someone if you don’t love yourself. Grey and Ethan aren’t perfect and they try not to settle and hold the other accountable.
The epilogue is satisfying and I overall enjoyed their story.
This was a lot of fun! I love stories that take place in Hollywood and this didn't let down. I loved the writing, the way the characters grew throughout the story.
Really enjoyed this book! The chemistry between the characters is clear & found it a satisfying story. Excited to read more by this author!
"How to Fake it In Hollywood" navigates the tumultuous world of Grey Brooks, a former teen TV star, and Ethan Atkins, a beleaguered Hollywood heartthrob. Faced with career crises, they reluctantly embark on a fabricated love affair for mutual gain. The narrative, while delving into the glossy facade of showbiz, skillfully exposes the vulnerability beneath. As Grey and Ethan grapple with personal demons, the novel artfully explores the thin line between fiction and reality. The palpable chemistry between the protagonists adds depth, transcending the cliché. Though occasionally formulaic, the novel's nuanced portrayal of the entertainment industry's ruthlessness elevates it. A compelling blend of glamour, authenticity, and unexpected romance.
This book caught me by surprise; I initially anticipated a lighthearted, classic enemy-to-lovers romantic comedy. However, it turned out to be so much more, delving into themes of grief, addiction, and the journey to self-discovery. Ethan's struggle with alcoholism was portrayed with sensitivity, and his path to recovery was both poignant and bitter.
Grey and Ethan's attraction was undeniable from the beginning, but both grappled with unresolved issues, creating a love that felt fragile and on the brink.
"How to Fake it in Hollywood" is a remarkable choice for those who adore romance and character-driven narratives with well-woven tropes. The writing is exceptional, and I'm eagerly anticipating Ava Wilder's next work.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy
If you're looking for a high-profile Hollywood PR fake dating relationship - you are in the right place. *Ahem those of you speculating a certain musical superstar and NFL player are fake dating are gonna love this*
Grey Brooks needs to keep her profile in the press, after her long running soap has ended. Ethan Atkins is struggling with his divorce, alcohol abuse, and grief over losing a best friend. He is determined to clean up his reputation, and make the movie he and his bestie last wrote together.
The chemistry between these two is off the charts, and the emotion behind everything? *chef's kiss* Highly recommend this one, I absolutely devoured it, in one day.
*Gifted from Netgalley & Dell, thank you! All opinions are my own.
This was such a cute and funny story that had some heartwarming moments! Fake dating between celebrities is perfection! Also I wasn’t expecting the spice! This a romcom that handles a difficult subject. I loved the way they were able to overcome and open up about their fears and insecurities that comes in the industry.
Thank you NETGALLEY for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD is a great 'insider's' love story between a former child-star actress hoping to revive her career and a "tainted" heartthrob looking for his very own redemption arc. If you're a fan of fake relationships, age-gap or grumpy sunshine romance, you will love this story!
It's a smart and surprisingly moving glimpse into the wages of celebrity and the nature of fame. A terrific read. I enthusiastically recommend!
A cute, yet somewhat heavy at times, rom-com about a old and new Hollywood stars. Touching on alcoholism and showing 2 adults co-parenting nicely it was a fast, fun read.
I really enjoyed this! The story was great, the characters are great, and it made me chuckle quite a few times!
Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, so when I read the blurb for this one I knew I had to read it!
Grey and Ethan. I really enjoyed the character growth and the banter between these two. Watching them realize that their fake dating may be leading to some real feelings was everything.
The plot and writing style propelled me through. I found it to be medium paced, emotional and reflective.
I will be keeping my eye out for other works from this author.
cw: alcoholism, addiction, grief, death, drug use
This was such a charming read -- looking forward to more from this author. I'm a sucker for fake relationshiops with high stakes and this one hit the spot for me. Longer review TK.
Ava Wilder's debut novel about a celebrity couple that fake dates for publicity seems like it might be a light read, but this book definitely packs a serious punch.
It is a bit deeper than just a lighthearted romance and the author does such a fantatsic job of writing about difficult issues and handling them with care. I felt like this had so much more depth and the fleshed out characters just added so much more to the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This cover and snippet seemed to promise a whirlwind romance with "sizzling chemistry" but unfortunately for me that sizzle was no where to be found! I do love the single-dad trope which Ethan Atkins delivered on but the characters did not resonate with me and sadly I think this one missed the mark.
How to Fake It in Hollywood is a steamy, angsty romance novel about two actors who agree to fake a relationship in order to boost their careers. The tropes in this story include “Fake Relationship to Love” and “Forced Proximity”.
Grey Brooks is a B-list actress who is struggling to find work after her long-running teen soap opera is canceled. Ethan Atkins is a former A-lister who has fallen out of favor after a public scandal. When their publicists come up with the idea of them faking a relationship, they both agree, even though they know it's a bad idea. As Grey and Ethan spend more time together, they start to develop real feelings for each other. But their relationship is complicated by their pasts, their careers, and the expectations of the public. Can they overcome all the obstacles in their way and find true love?
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well-developed and relatable, and the romance was both steamy and sweet. I also appreciated the realistic portrayal of the Hollywood industry, with its cutthroat competition and constant pressure to maintain a public image.
If you're looking for a fun, sexy, and heartwarming romance novel, I highly recommend How to Fake It in Hollywood.
Here are some of the things I liked about the book:
🔹The characters were well-developed and relatable. Grey and Ethan were both complex and flawed individuals, and I found myself rooting for them both.
🔹The romance was both steamy and sweet. The author did a great job of building up the sexual tension between the characters, and the eventual payoff was worth it.
🔹The book was a realistic portrayal of the Hollywood industry. The author didn't shy away from the challenges that actors face, such as the constant pressure to maintain a public image and the cutthroat competition for roles.
Overall, I thought How to Fake It in Hollywood was a great read. It's a fun, sexy, and heartwarming romance novel that I would definitely recommend to others.
4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥
📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are usually cross-posted to social media, goodreads, bookbub, and blog. 🦄
This was great! I really liked the cover art and the story was interesting and well written. I'll read another book by Ava Wilder gladly.
Ava wilder nailed it with this one! She’s a new to me author. I love her characters and world she builds with amazing clarity and attention to details. Lover her and highly recommend any of her books.
Contrary to the cover this book deals with heavy themes and a lot of baggage. Both the main characters felt like the world was on their shoulders and a touch one note. It took a little time to get invested in the story but once you did it was hard to put down.
My goodness what an adorable love story. I loved the celebrity aspect. I loved the substance abuse aspect. I loved the strong female friendship and women empowerment aspect. Not to mention also the absolutely adorable main characters who are impossible to not fall in love with. Loved this romance that made me smile the entire way through.