Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review! This was Ava Wilder's debut novel and it was absolutely magnificent. There's romance, fake dating, second chance, lots of spice and lots of vulnerability. I wasn't expecting this to be as dark and emotional, but I actually really valued it in the story. Grey and Ethan are both such interesting main characters with layers and complexities that really make the story worth reading. I loved the progression of the relationship, I loved the healing narrative, and I loved the unexpected friendships formed along the way as well. I was just so captivated and I think this was a fresh type of romance. I truly loved this book so much and definitely couldn't put it down.

4 A-list romance stars

I am definitely a fan of the fake dating trope and this time there’s a Hollywood spin. Two stars are trying to kick start their careers after a dry spell, so they agree to fake date for six months.

Grey Brooks has been acting since she was eight, with a long stint on a teen show. Her last relationship ended in disaster so she’s fine to set up a fake relationship with Ethan Atkins. She won’t let him know that she had a childhood crush on him.

Ethan is still reeling from the death of his best friend five years ago. He’s become ultra-private and drinks too much. He agrees to the fake relationship for very different reasons. It’s easy for him to keep Grey at a distance. Until it isn’t.

I really liked these two flawed and realistic characters. You know it’s only a matter of time until they give in to their attraction, but there’s more meat to this story than just that. There are themes of grief, betrayal, addiction, paparazzi, and friendship all thrown in the mix too.

I thought this might just be a lighthearted romance but there was a lot of depth, and I enjoyed this one! I’m excited to find a new debut author and I’ll be watching to see what she writes next.

In a book that is seemingly full of typical tropes, Wilder manages to break the mold. The heavier topics bring depth to an otherwise fun and sarcasm-filled text. Characters were likable and I found myself connecting with and rooting for them all.

I don’t even know how to explain why this book is so good. I was expecting a light hearted, “fake dating turns real” trope but this was so much more than that. The book starts as your typical romance novel but the ending is more contemporary fiction than anything; and yet that change doesn’t bring the mood of the book down (trust me, there are plenty of swoon worthy declarations of love).

And I have to mention the chemistry between Ethan and Grey…🌶 🌶 🌶!! I swear I thought my kindle was going to burst into flames at one point. These two are my new favorite book couple although I would love to see more on Kamilah and Andromeda X in the future (hint to Ava Wilder)

Definitely a must read for the summer!!

This book. Was. So. Good.
I absolutely loved this book so so much. I loved Ethan’s perspective and his anxious inner dialogue. I felt connected to him in such a way that I just wanted him to get better. His inner dialogue was very dark and depressing at some points and it broke my heart. I’ve been self-destructive in the same way so many times that I can’t help but to feel for him even when he is callous and cruel.
I had a harder time connecting with Grey. At times she seemed a bit one dimensional. It sort of reminded me of the great gatsby, which is narrated not by gatsby or daisy but by nick who seems more like a bystander to the main plot and other characters. Most of the book is spent talking about Ethan’s issues and how Ethan needs to heal but I feel like Greys issues aren’t discussed enough either. We get very small interactions with her mom and she doesn’t really talk about it much either in inner or outer dialogue. The same goes for her losing the movie because of the scandal, it just seems like it’s brought up but then immediately forgotten as the story shift immediately to her and Ethan’s relationship. Even her movie with Kamilah is skipped with a time jump. It would have been nice to see Grey tackle her own issues in the way Ethan had to. It kind of makes it seem like he was the only reason their relationship ended and the only one who had to work on themselves when Grey clearly had unresolved childhood trauma and other trauma related to their relationship that she also should have dealt with. I think it could have been expanded a bit more so we could learn more about Grey.

Much more than a romance, this book follows struggling actress Grey Brooks and A-list celeb Ethan Atkins as they enter a fake relationship, develop real feelings, and deal with turmoil and trauma. It’s well written but I almost put it down several times for content (sex, swearing). I skipped past a couple of scenes that made me uncomfortable, and I think it could have been just as powerful a book without getting crass.
I’m sure this will be a big hit for most romance readers. I wish these books came with ratings!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

When I requested this book on Netgalley, I was expecting a light-hearted romance in the setting of Hollywood. While a romance in Hollywood is what I got, it definitely was not always light-hearted! The book ended up covering a lot of deep issues, but I think that is part of the reason I loved it so much! It felt less like a romance, and more like a journey.

What I Liked
- The Fake Dating - I have a love-hate relationship with the fake dating trope. I either absolutely love it, or it becomes my least favorite trope in a matter of seconds. In this case, I thought it was wonderfully done! The scenario was actually realistic and made a lot of sense for the characters. I believe that two movie stars would fake date for publicity, 100%. I also cannot think of the last time I read a celebrity romance and I think this might be a genre I need to find more books from!
- The Characters - I FELT for these characters. The development and chemistry between Grey and Ethan, both individually and as a couple, throughout the book was wonderful, and I found myself growing very attached to them both.
- The Messy Parts - I think one of the main reasons I loved this book was that it covered some heavy topics. It made the characters, especially Ethan, have more depth to them. Wilder does a wonderful job of discussing the issues of the talent industry, as well as issues of grief and loss. The issues in this book make it less of a rom-com and more of a contemporary story.
- The Ending - I think what makes or breaks a romance is how it ends. I have read many romances where by the end I am angry because the romance feels underdeveloped or there's the fabulous miscommunication trope (my actual least favorite). I won't give away any spoilers for this book, but the ending was refreshing and brought my rating of the book up.

What I Disliked
- This is not really a dislike, but I was very thrown off by what kind of book I was reading. When I requested this book, I expected a light romance with maybe a little Hollywood drama. What I got instead was a well-thoughtout book that hurt the feels more than usual. Like I said above, some heavy topics were discussed and I had to change my expectations very early on in the novel. Not really a dislike, but more as a cautionary tale for anyone picking up the book expecting a fluffy romance - this is NOT it.

Overall Thoughts
I ADORED this book. Once I adjusted myself to what type of book it was, it took .2 seconds for me to get immersed into the story. It was fun, but most importantly, it felt real. I have already recommended this book to my friends and I have a feeling this will be one of my favorite reads of the year!

CW: Alcoholism, drug use, substance abuse

I have really mixed feelings about this book, and based on how a lot of my other bookish friends have rated it I think this rating will put me in the minority.

First of all, How to Fake It In Hollywood definitely got the “Beach Read” cover treatment in that the cover and blurb both marketed the book as a lighthearted rom com—this was not that. Sure, there was some snappy dialogue, but alcoholism and the LIs struggle with alcohol abuse (and it’s effects on their relationships) was a huge plot point in this story.

I personally didn’t find that Ethan had a satisfying redemption arc, which made it hard for me to buy into the relationship and their long term success. Plus, both of these characters need lots of time in therapy (which didn’t get mentioned until the epilogue of the book). Like I said, I am probably in the minority of people who didn’t like it, but don’t go into this expecting a fluffy love story. It’s angsty, heavy, and vulnerable. You may still want to give it a read, just adjust your expectations accordingly.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing
Group/ Ballantine for sharing this ARC with
me in exchange for my honest review.

This was absolutely wonderful!

I’m a sucker for Hollywood scandals and stories, so this felt right out of the pages of People magazine.

A fake relationship that turns into a real relationship is a favorite trope of mine, so of course I was into this right away!

There were some serious topics discussed as well though, which made this feel like more of your typical romance though. Grief and addiction are major players as well as working on yourself before committing to another person.

I loved it!

4.5 stars! I loved this book! It was fun and charming and real. It dealt with messy families, death of a loved one, alcoholism and divorce all while being a fun summer pool-side romance. I devoured it! It was pretty steamy and just downright delightful. It also had me thinking — are PR romances really a thing?! They probably are. But imagine calling in the paparazzi to further your career. No thanks. I’ll keep my privacy!

My critique is that it felt like there were two epilogues, which was annoying. I also wanted to see Ethan more as a dad. I always want single dads to have real scenes with their kids. His kids were just in passing.

Thoroughly enjoyable enemies to friends romance. I've always been interested in these contractual Hollywood relationships and these characters were well written and convincing.

Who doesn't love a fake dating trope!

Grey Brooks is a former teen soap opera actress trying to stay relevant and come out of the shadow her old career has left her in, unable to be taken as a serious actress and unable to find work that she's passionate about. At this point she hates to admit it but she's desperate and her agent knows it too.

Ethan Atkins is a superstar, a household name, and on the verge of disappearing from the public eye for good. After his messy and incredibly public divorce from his former co-star and the battling, the grief of losing his best friend in a tragic accident Ethan turns to drinking (alone and privately) heavily and fighting with the paparazzi. But with the promise to finish producing the last project he and his best friend start before his death Ethan must clean up his act, get back into Hollywood's light, and become relevant again.

With the motives for saying yes, Grey and Ethan embark on a fake relationship, but with their instant chemistry and forced proximity, it's not long before the pair start to have real feelings for each. Nothing is ever easy in Hollywood and with their past traumas and abilities to fake just about anything, is this relationship ever going to be real?

Overall, this book captured my attention from the beginning, Thought the plot was more out there than most it felt more realistic than a lot of the fake dating books I've read in the past since this was truly like a business deal, it being a PR stunt and all. Although you don't see the ending coming together in the way it does I found the ending a refreshing look at the realities of substance abuse and rehab.

Thank you randomhouse publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

actual rating: 4.5
grey brooks is a well adjusted child actor experiencing a lul in her career that enter into a mutually beneficial fake relationship with now-reclusive A-list actor, ethan hawkins. both characters actually grow so much, and their banter (esp early in their relationship) is very *giggles twirls hair*

I was genuinely shocked when i found out this was a debut novel, like i sobbed my eyes out actually. How to fake it in Hollywood is the perfect example of what i love about contemporary romance, when done well. it’s escapist but also not at the same time. such a well written book with realistic characters that grow so much within the span of the story, i legit feel like that’s my family.
CW for alcohol abuse, grief/death of a loved one

3.5 Stars! First off, I am obsessed with the cover. Kudos to the designer.

This was a wonderful read. From their very first meeting, Grey and Ethan's mutual attraction was evident, as was the sexual tension that quickly began to blur the lines of the contract they signed to revive their floundering acting careers.

I appreciated Wilder's effort to highlight both the luxuries and costs of being a celebrity in Hollywood. Since fame is often, I was intrigued by Grey and Ethan's shared feelings about what their careers had cost them. While navigating feelings of grief and betrayal and failure, they also had to manage a lack of privacy due to being recognizable names.

#Grethan (love that they got a ship name) had me laughing on numerous occasions AND blushing in public. #Balance. No more hashtags, I promise. But obvious chemistry and wonderful banter aside, my favorite element of their relationship (fake or not) was Grey and Ethan's ability to be vulnerable with one another.

Truthfully, the main reason my overall rating suffered was due to some pacing issues. While the book got off to a hot start, there were sections that lulled a bit, leaving the resolution and finals chapters feeling rushed.

Overall though, How to Fake It in Hollywood certainly gets my stamp of approval.

→ Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a fair review

+ Reviews have been posted to both Instagram and Goodreads (@thebookgreenery).

Thank you for my advanced copy of this book.

This is a celebrity romance starring a C list celeb and an A list celeb. The romance part was fun and steamy. However the last part of the book got dark in a way that made the beginning seem rushed to love.

I'm sure others will love this more than I did.

To be honest, this books cover is what drew me in. I’m a sucker for a cute cartoon cover and I loved this one. But looking back, it’s the story that sticks with me now. I adore fake dating and love a hollywood romance so to see these two tropes combine was everything. I read this in one sitting and still think about the characters often!

Such a good book. I thought it would be a lighthearted romance, but while it does have moments that are fun and lighthearted, it is also a little deeper, which I appreciate. Written well and kept my attention throughout.

After reading the blurb I was hooked. Fake dating is my favorite trope, throw in a few celebrities in there and boom second favorite trope! Their romance progressed in a very realistic way however this isn't just a rom-com. This story has very developed side characters. Had very dimensional characters which is exactly what I look for in a story it had it all. I had been highly anticipating this debut novel and was really excited when I got approved for the arc! I would love to see more of Ava Wilder's new work. She wrote things beautifully and sensitively. I don't want to give too much away.

I received this arc from Random House Publishing/Net Galley in exchange for an honest review as always all thoughts are my own.

4 stars

I enjoyed this one so much , and it’s a debut so I’m looking forward to more books from this aurhor! It was super cute and it has one of the tropes I love! Fake relationship , should I say more??

The chemistry between the characters were fantastic! I loved their connection, they started first with physical attraction and then it grows to something more intense and heartwarming!

It’s not so light though because it touches some heavy topics but apart from it I loved everything! It’s a great summer read for me!

Perfect beach reading.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.