Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an eARC of the book to review! How to Fake It in Hollywood is a Hollywood romance between two actors that started as a PR stunt of fake dating, and turned into something more. This book will be released tomorrow, June 14, 2022!

Grey Brooks is an actress looking for her next job after finishing her long-running teen television show. She has been struggling to find work since the show ended. Her PR manager has the perfect solution: for Grey to fake date another one of her clients who could use the good press. In walks A-lister, Ethan Atkins, who has been M.I.A. for quite some time. The two agree to fake dating with each of them benefiting from the arrangement. What they don’t expect is to actually fall for each other!

I absolutely love the fake dating trope and for it to be used in a Hollywood setting is the cherry on top! Not only is this book entertaining and fun, but it also has depth with the characters going through difficult struggles. This was such a well-rounded book and a great debut novel! This novel is perfect for anyone who reads romance and would be a great addition to anyone's TBR!

Absolutely loved this. This was so much deeper than I had anticipated. Reminder to not judge a book by its cover 😂 I’m obsessed with Grey and Ethan ! Their chemistry was off the charts and just the overall character and story development had me speed reading this. Unputdownable. Fake dating isn’t always my favorite, because it leads to a lot of miscommunication, but this was done so beautifully !! Highly recommend

Fake dating is one of my all time favorite tropes, and I’m also a sucker for the “famous person” trope where one or both MC’s are celebrities.

Imagine my squeal of delight when this book scrolled across my feed!

The entire time I was reading this book I couldn’t believe it was a debut. When I say that I devoured this one, I mean that I literally did nothing else all day other than flip pages because I was obsessed.

We meet Grey who is an aging starlet who was on a semi popular teen drama and is now struggling to be taken seriously in the acting world.

Ethan is an A list actor who’s seen better days after experiencing trauma. When these two are set up to “fake date” to help their images… things don’t go as planned fast.

While this book has all the makings of a rom com, it deals with strong themes such as drug/alcohol abuse, grief, death of a loved one, etc…

I felt these issues were dealt with tastefully and in a real manner that made my heart ache for the characters as they went through heart ache.

This book is not all rainbows and butterflies, but it is so so enjoyable and I loved it. I found myself comparing it at times to Daisy Jones and the six - the storylines are 100% different but the feeling this book gave me was reminiscent to the vibes I felt then.

And for this to be a DEBUT! Seriously, I give a major round of applause to you Ava Wilder. You kept me up half the night reading and broke my heart just to put it back together.

Huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I would have given this book 4 stars except for the last few chapters. You get 90% through when you discover the true conflict between Ethan and Grey but then do a time jump over a year to when everything is fine. I wish we could have seen Grey support Ethan through his journey to sobriety. This made the ending feel rushed.

How to Fake it in Hollywood is a phenomenal swoon worthy debut romcom that was such a wonderful surprise.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

EVERYTHING! I’m being serious when I say that this story had it all! It has the steam, angst, witty banter, perfect romantic buildup, strong female lead who stands her ground, real emotion, character you root for as a couple and as individuals, and steam…did I mention the heart pounding steam!?! Put this all together and Wilder has proven that she is already a master when it comes to creating a story that will draw you in from the very first chapter.

I also loved how Wilder tackled the deeper/more serious side in this story dealing with the realities of grief and alcoholism. This really brought so much depth and reality to the storyline.

How was the romance?

Bring on my favorite troupe: fake dating! The push and pull between the lead characters, their witty banter, and steam filled scenes kept me racing through the pages, because I just had to find out when and if they would finally get together. Their chemistry was perfect, and you could just feel their raw emotions coming off the page. What I loved the most about their romance was how it began as a physical attraction but then it gradually became deeper.

Steam Level: This had all the steamy open-door scenes that I love!

How was the pace?

Talk about a fast-paced story that hooks you from the beginning. I could not put this book down and ended up finishing it in less than 24 hours!

Do you recommend this book?

This is a compelling story that you just have to read! It truly has everything you want in a romcom and is perfect for the beach, poolside, or just to lose yourself in during a rainy day. This one truly deserves all the stars!

I read this one with Kaley and all the credit goes to her for this excellent find, and I loved our discussions as we read!

Thank you, NetGalley and Dell Books, for this gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much Ava Wilder, Random House Publishing & NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book will be published on June 14th.

What a stellar debut from Ava Wilder! Hollywood romance is one of my top tropes for 2022 and I am here for it!

Quick take: Coming off of a six year stint on the show "Poison Paradise" the roles weren't coming in hot for Grey Brooks. She is hoping that she kills her audition for possibility a multi movie deal with the upcoming movie "Golden City". Her publicist Audrey had a brilliant idea of having Grey fake date a recluse actor Ethan Atkins in hopes this would up her chance of getting the role. The couple have a contract drawn out that specifies where they need to make appearance and how often they need to be seen at each other's houses. Naturally sparks are there between the two characters. Without major spoilers, the couple goes through many highs and many many lows that are displayed throughout the book.

The idea of PR relationships is still so fascinating to me. I am big on pop culture including follow blind items and its very often that the blind items deal with PR relationships. I just am always in denial that a couple would fake date. ESPECIALLY when it's a long time frame. I just want everyone to be in happily in love. I really love the quote in this that said "Everyone knew celebrities' developed permanently arrested the age they became famous." I have heard this so many the times over the years and I truly this does happen to many celebs especially those that start as child stars.

"Maybe that was what fame did to you: made you paranoid that none of your private moments would ever be private again."

This is one that the cartoon cover fooled everyone who read this. Yes there was romance but beyond the romance was a story of a man suffering from alcoholism while dealing with grief and the woman who didn't know how to help. The chemistry between the two actors was felt off the page and you rooted for them. But you also couldn't avoid the serious issues that Ethan was dealing with. One moment in the book where Ethan was on a panel for the 15th anniversary of Dirtbags that reminded me of a scene in A Star is Born where Bradley Cooper peed himself on stage during the Grammys. Just made me so sad to think of how the power of alcohol has over some.

I can't pinpoint why I loved this book so much. I think the Hollywood aspect of it was a big drawn, fake dating is always fun, age-gap (okay it's only 10 years but still!) and the fact that neither party was perfect. There was even some slow burn element as well. I love their banter and with that brought the sexual tension. They just worked so well together in through conflict.

I am looking forward to what is next for Ava!

I love a Hollywood-based story. The description of this one especially spoke to me - a young actress is looking to keep her career afloat as her longstanding stint on a teen show is ending. She shares a publicist with an older, once very famous and accomplished actor who has gone underground in the last few years. Naturally, the publicst sees this as an opportunity - will it work? and will it become more than just a stunt?

Huge sh0ou0t out to Net Galley and Random House or gifting me an early copy to read and review!

I could not put this one down. While the premise was my catnip, it went a lot deeper than I expected. I love a fake dating trope . And yes, it was steamy and flirty but also got into some of the hard shit - though in a way that felt authentic and not cheap. It was angsty and got complicated. But the character development was well done enough that it made me quit invested.

While it wasn't easy and breezy, I think I enjoyed it more because it felt real. The character development and growth felt earned. Can't wait to see what Ava writes next!

Read this beauty all day and I could not get enough! There is fake dating, fame, friendship, love, loss and so much witty banter. I can’t believe this is Wilder’s first book!

Definitely get your hands on this book when it teases 6/14!

Thank you @netgalley for the early copy

5 ⭐️

I can’t be the only person who finished this book and immediately went to download what else this author had written only to discover this was her FIRST NOVEL. The book and writing are so polished and flows so effortlessly that I can’t believe this is her first work. The story itself is beautiful and after I read it saw the tag “A Star is Born but with a happy ending” and while I can honestly say this does give a good one line recap the book is so much more than that. I know for me the mark of a really great book does two things to me. When I hit the last page and it’s over and I know that is the last I will ever see these characters I kind of sigh and think… “Damn. I’m really going to miss them.” And two instantly think this has to be made into a movie. Both of those things happened with this book and I’m still feeling the effects of a book hangover because I loved it so much.

One of the tale as old as time tropes: fake dating--but this time Hollywood mega star style. When two actors find their careers at a standstill, their PR team decides to get do some matchmaking to get both clients the good press they need-- with a little help from the paparazzi of course.

This is the best kind of romance book in that the characters feel like real people. They are messy, flawed and make mistakes and the romantic spark between them was a lot of fun to read about. There are some heavy issues discussed in the book and I feel like Ethan's sobriety storyline got a little rushed towards the end but I was glad to see the author explore the darker side of fame. As someone who lives in LA and works in TV, at times it got a little bit too much like DeuxMoi fan fiction (IYKYK) but I overall enjoyed the story and the characters and that made up for the moments that made me roll my eyes.

Not the fault of the author but I can't wait until this cartoony book cover trend is over. This cover is fine and definitely catches the eye but I think in this case especially, it makes it seem like this book is going to be some light-hearted fluff when in fact it is actually a lot darker and has a lot more depth than that.

Many thanks to Ballantine/Random House & Netgalley for the ARC

This fake dating romances pairs Grey, a twenty-something television starlet, with Ethan, an almost 40-year-old Hollywood A-lister. The pair have each had bad press recently and their teams put them together to improve both their reputations. Together they navigate their different acting careers, their exes, and their own personal traumas. On top of this Ethan is dealing with alcohol and substance abuse problems.

This book was a lot more than I was expecting from the description and the cover. I was expecting a light hearted Hollywood rom-com and this was not that. That being said, this book really worked for me. I’ve honestly gotten tired of the fake dating trope, but this worked for me because they both wanted and got what they needed from the set up. I really liked that all the side character played an important role in the plot and character development.

I really liked Grey and Ethan grew on me. Neither was perfect and the pair were not always a good match for one another. It’s a testament to how strongly written this book was that even when their relationship clearly was not in a good place, I was always interested and rooting for them to overcome and be better. I found Ethan’s alcoholism was handled really well. His drinking was on the page and noticeable, but wasn’t shoved down our throat as a problem, even though it clearly was. The subtly of how it was written made Ethan a sympathetic character and I really appreciated that the book gave Ethan enough time to recover, rather than make HEA be amid his problem.

I am genuinely surprised this was a debut novel and I can’t wait to see what Ava writes next. Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: references to physical and emotional child abuse, alcohol abuse on page, and references to drug abuse

This was such a surprise five stars! I was hooked from the moment we meet Grey Brooks, an up-and-coming actor who is trying to find the perfect way to really break into the future she wants and keep her career afloat after the ending of the soap opera she was apart of. Grey’s publicist suggests arranging a fake relationship with very famous actor Ethan Atkins, a recluse who hasn’t really been out in the public since the death of his best friend and Ethan’s steady decline and battle with addiction. The relationship is meant to give both of them the boost they need in the industry, for Ethan to find a comeback and for Grey to get her name out there and pick up more work.

This story has so many of my favorite tropes – fake dating, forced proximity and one bed, along with Ethan being such a grump. So many things were stacked up for me to absolutely love this book, and that I did!

I love the romance that builds between Grey and Ethan as they spend time together and Grey forces Ethan to break out of his rut he’s been in since he lost his best friend, trying to bring him back out into reality. It really touches on grief and how we all grieve the ones we have lost in different ways. For Ethan, it’s falling on the crutch of alcohol to numb the pain and help him forget. I think addiction is also discussed in a realistic way and touched on harassment that celebrities face in the spotlight. It was such a good slow burn between the Grey and Ethan as they navigate this fake relationship and how it slowly becomes a real one. It was charming, funny and steamy and I loved every moment of it. You can’t help but root for these two to get their lives figured out separately and together.

Special thanks to Random House and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I adored it so much and highly recommend it!

I’m such a fan of Ava Wilder’s writing in HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD. I was immediately invested in the relationship between Grey Brooks (a child star-turned-adult actress) and Ethan Atkins (an A-list actor who disappeared from the scene after a tragic life event). Grey and Ethan are brought together by their publicist for a fake relationship plan to help revive both of their careers. There’s immediate tension, and I love how Grey doesn’t hold back from being fully herself. This is an open-door romance with heavier topics (death of a friend, alcoholism, invasion of privacy, parental estrangement) that are handled with care and empathy. If you like novels that give you a peek into the lives of the rich and famous, with juicy tidbits and a big heart combined into one, this book’s for you.

TW: alcoholism, death, cheating, car accident

This is darker than I thought it would be, but not in a negative way. It deals with addiction, the difficult side of fame, and the insidiousness of Hollywood, but there's also a fake dating trope and an age gap romance that's not creepy. I appreciated how Grey and Ethan both have their own flaws and issues to figure out but also have room to explore a relationship (even if it starts out as a fake one) with each other. The story moves along at a fast clip, and there's some steam if that's your thing.

Overall, this romance is worth your time, especially if you're looking for something that's still entertaining but less fluffy.

Don’t be fooled by the pretty cover or cute title - this book is not a light read. It covers a lot of heavy topics which in my opinion overshadowed the romance. I was originally hoping for more of a classic rom com story but overall I ended up enjoying how the characters and story line were more complicated and real.

This is quite possible my favorite new release of the year. I am already looking forward to reading it again. How to Fake It in Hollywood, is a charming debut by Ava Wilder and I cannot wait to see what comes next. Two actors needing an image boost for different reason agree to fake a realationship to try and make moves in their careers. Fake dating is one of my favorite romace tropes, and this is a standout among the genre. This book had the right amount of angst and some genuine heartbreak.

I hightly recommend this book to anyone that loves the romance genre. You will not be disappointed.

First off, thank you Ballentine Books and Penguin Random House for the digital e-arc!

I pretty much read this in one sitting, very quick and easy read. I started it before dinner and I stayed up and finished it at about 2am. From the beginning, I was looking forward to this one because of the fake dating, which is probably my most favorite trope of them all and so I went into it with higher expectations. I enjoyed it, it was fast-paced, fun and sweet and it most of the sweet spots that I look for in my romance novels. I'm not usually a fan of rom-coms with large age-gaps (in this case it's only about 11 years) largely because they place too much focus on the age gap but Grey (the female main character) as the ex-child actress working her way up in Hollywood while Ethan (the male main character) as the reclusive A-list actor/ex-heartthrob wanting to make his big comeback, they surprisingly worked well together. Grey was very mature for her age and felt incredibly relatable for someone who works as an actress in Hollywood. With that said, although that Ethan got a lot of development throughout the book, personally, I felt that Grey had a lot less development as a character (for example, the whole storyline involving her mother didn’t turn into anything or add anything?). Her character remained essentially static from beginning to end.

I also wish we had more development in their relationship- instead the main lead is almost instantly attracted to her, it was almost insta-love. The last bit of the book also kinda veered off into another direction that I caught me off guard. I felt that it wasn't necessary and maybe too heavy of a subject. I would have rather had more of a lighter moments with the main characters, more fake dating and getting to know each other besides the “falling in love” questions. I think due to the cover I was expecting a lighter read and this book didn’t necessarily deliver on that front, maybe this book should’ve been marketed a bit differently. That being said, I did enjoy it so my rating is 3.5/5.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed this book. I initially thought it would be more of a rom-com, which it definitely isn't. A lot of it involves two broken people avoiding solving their problems, coping with fame in different ways. Often the fake dating conceit can feel overly contrived, but it worked in this case. I also appreciate that both characters had to come to terms with their flaws... eventually.

**Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel, which releases on June 14th, 2022

Ava Wilder’s How to Fake It in Hollywood is her romance-packed debut that is sure to make readers go crazy with delight.

I was originally drawn to this book by the gorgeous cover and perfectly descriptive blurb. I’m pretty much the biggest fan you’ll ever find of the fake dating trope, and when I read that it was going to about a Hollywood-based couple, I was sold.

This book was everything I hoped it would be and more. The friendship that blossomed between main characters Ethan and Grey was so wonderful to experience, and their relationship was so interesting developmentally. I love that the book didn’t just showcase the romantic scenes, but it focused on the raw, difficult moments as well. However, that is not to discredit the romance. The scenes between these two were sizzling hot.

I thought it was neat of Wilder to approach the subject of alcoholism by making it Ethan’s primary vice. His struggle throughout the whole novel and aversion to help and recovery was so hard to read about, but so important to take in as there are many people who struggle with this problem.

Ultimately, I loved the progression of Grey and Ethan’s relationship throughout the book. I was so proud of Grey as she became more confident in herself and realized the power she held as an individual woman, but also the happiness she could have if she made the decision to choose love. I was captivated by Ethan’s character as his past was fleshed out and we saw how it affected his present state of being. The love between the two main characters is unbreakable and beautiful.

I would very highly recommend this book to fans of the YA and Romance genres, it is a perfect read that is certainly comparable to Emily Henry’s Beach Read or Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners. For me, this is 100% a five-star-rated read.

How To Fake It In Hollywood by Ava Wilder
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 2 stars
Pub date: June 14th

Ethan Atkins is a reclusive, A-list celebrity who hasn’t acted in years and needs a way to make himself relevant again. Grey Brooks, a young Hollywood starlet, is struggling to find work and is trying to push her career to the next level. When their PR team suggests that they fake date one another to give their careers a much needed boost, (even though Ethan is eleven years older) they decide that it can’t hurt. They’re determined to keep their relationship professional, but fake dating turns into real feelings while they try to navigate a life together in the public eye.

I loved this debut novel from Ava Wilder! There is more to this book than meets the eye, and contrary to what the adorable cover would suggest, this is not a fluffy rom com. Ethan turned to alcohol as a way to cope with his best friend’s death years earlier and Wilder doesn’t hold back from showing us the dark and gritty side of his addiction. While the first half of the book reads like a typical fake dating rom-com, the second half is where things get more serious and the stakes start to feel higher.

This celebrity romance is full of depth and angst, heartbreak and hope and will have you believing in second chances by the end. There’s plenty of drama to keep this book interesting while also exploring the relationship between these two very different characters. I loved Grey’s no nonsense attitude and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Grey and Ethan. I have always loved celebrity gossip and the fact that this book is about high profile celebrities who are incredibly relatable as they deal with their real life problems put this book right in my wheelhouse.

I loved the hilarious banter between Grey and Ethan, the heartwarming romance and the steam! The slow burn is torturous but the payoff is worth it. Even though some of Ethan’s mental health struggles were hard to read (I was definitely cringing over his behavior at times), I think Wilder handled this topic with care and sensitivity. I still can’t believe this is a debut novel!

I would recommend this to anyone who loves pop culture, celebrities, and a rom com with a lot of depth. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House and Ava Wilder for the advanced copy to read and review. This book comes out on June 14th so make sure you get yours!