2.5 stars

I thought I was going to love this book. But just no. Like no. It was really good (which is why it has 2 stars), but until Chapter 16. From that point on, it just went WAY downhill for me. I'm going to try to make this review as spoiler free as I can, but I will be giving away some general things that happened in the book to explain why I didn't like it.

Let's talk about Grey. She was essentially the reason why I disliked this book so much.

Grey knew that Ethan was an alcoholic. She mentioned it a few times to him even. BUT instead of doing something about it (until the end of the book) she encouraged him to drink alcohol. Now, typically if you care about someone, you would want to help them, not enable them to do something that is harmful.

Towards the beginning of the book, Grey told Ethan that she wanted him to stop smoking. It was a condition of their fake dating contract. Guess what? In chapter 16 & 17, Grey started smoking a joint. Yeah, that's when the book went downhill. But the fun part is that later in the book AFTER she smoked the joint herself, she got upset that Ethan was smoking. Hmmm....

Finally, Grey didn't seem like herself. At the beginning of the book, she was worried about what other's thought of her and always trying to be polite. I didn't feel like her character grew at all to evolve into thinking otherwise, but it seemed like her character just randomly stopped caring.

I will say that the last 3 chapters were good, so I gave an extra 1/2 star with that.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book. It just had too many issues for me to love it. I see the potential, but it needs some serious editing before I can love it.

Trigger Warnings:
- Alohol
- Car accident
- Depression

Trigger warnings for: grief, alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse (from character's childhood/offscreen), death (before book)

Grey Brooks was an up-and-coming actress but her career has been somewhat stagnant since the end of her most recent TV show. She's actively looking for work and also working on a screenplay with her best friend when her publicist comes up with a scheme to help her: fake-date Ethan Atkins, a disgraced Hollywood heartthrob who is in need of some good publicity to rehabilitate his image. Grey and Ethan agree to the scheme but soon find that the have sizzling chemistry both on and off "screen".

I have some...complicated feelings about this book. I loved the first half and thought it was super fun! It gets pretty dark and heavy in the second half though. Thankfully, a fellow bookstagrammer had told me this so I was prepared, but if I hadn't been I definitely would have been expecting more of a rom-com with this cover and description. I still ended up really liking the book and I think it did deal with the heavy topics pretty well, but I have some critiques that I really hope make it into the final copy of this book.

First all, at a minimum this book should have trigger warnings before the story starts. This is NOT a book for everyone - it is a romance so of course does have a HEA but there is a lot of work that the characters and readers go through in the second half. I also think this book should have resources at the end for Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-anon, and Narcotics Anonymous.

I appreciate that this book wasn't afraid to talk about those resources as well as rehab and therapy. However, all of Ethan's healing happens off-screen. I understand why, given the genre of this book, however I think it could have been meaningful to see a glance into that process. Ethan struggles with unresolved grief and alcoholism and drug use which gets him to a pretty dark place pretty late in the book (like, over 75% through). I was really worried about how it was all going to resolve with about 10-15% left. I do also think that there were a fair number of conflicts that just really weren't addressed (primarily Grey's relationship with her mom), which detracted a bit from the book for me.

I did think the ending was good - I appreciate that 16 months had passed since Ethan entered rehab - I think any sooner than that would have been too soon. Healing takes time and as most therapists would tell you, trying to heal while also being focused on someone else (especially a fairly new relationship) is often not going to be beneficial. I also appreciated that when Ethan apologizes to Grey, he acknowledges that his healing is not over and she acknowledges that it is going to take time for her to trust him again. Healing is not linear or one-and-done, and I think the author did this well.

I think this is between a 3.75-4 stars for me. I'm glad I had warning before diving in, and I hope other readers get that warning as well.

Book: How to Fake it in Hollywood
Author: Ava Wilder
Pub Date: 6/14/2022
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Review~
How to Fake it in Hollywood is a celebrity romance, fake dating, forced proximity, and single father book!!

Make sure to check the trigger warnings for this book. It talks about the struggle of mental health, a reality of what it’s like to be a movie star, and addiction.

Grey and Ethan are both movie stars who are in a fallout and trying to get a job in a new movie role. This causes them to start to fake dating due to boosting their careers.

Overall this book was amazing!! The chemistry between was so good. I loved how the book shows how important mental health is and the need of having space to get help. This book is a definitely good summer read book. And parts of this book really took me by surprise.

This novel was a surprise in many ways. 3.5 stars

I really enjoyed the writing. Good writing is hard to come by lately. And the couple and supporting cast was just wonderful. The couple had real chemistry and I loved it that they took their time to get to know each other, and didn't jump into bed at first sight.

If you love the fake-relationship trope it's a must read!!! But it's far from a fluffy light romance, it touches some heavy topics, and soon became much more emotional than expected. My heart broke at times, especially when it came to Ethan's struggles. Also, Hollywood was really well depicted, with all it's glimmer and rot.

How to Fake it in Hollywood is a great debut novel, and a book I would recommend to anyone who loves this trope and Hollywood, the author did a great job with both. Also the writing was really well done!!

This had a really strong start. Grey and Ethan are both strong characters with interesting backstories, so I was interested in seeing their dynamic and how their story played out. This was a bit more emotionally heavy than I would have expected from the blurb and the cover.

I started to lose interest somewhere around the midway point. I think there were two main reasons for this. The first is not the book's fault- the relationship with Grey / Ethan was heavily focused on lust, and that's just not something I personally enjoy reading. The second is that the plot seemed to drag in parts while other moments were rushed through too quickly.

I did enjoy the writing style overall, and I'd be interested in reading more from this author.

How To Fake It In Hollywood by Ava Wilder was a wonderful read! This book is fast-paced all while giving the reader the "behind the scenes" feel of Hollywood. The characters and story both felt so real and the author did a fantastic job of describing scenes to the point it felt like I was in them. The premise of the story played out like a movie and I couldn't put this book down. This is a highly recommended read!

I really enjoyed this. The story had so much angst that really added to my enjoyment. The relationship between the two main characters and how it continued to change and develop along with how the character’s themselves evolved was amazing. That was definitely the star of the story.

I would say if you’re looking for a sweet, no stress, rom-com this wouldn’t be it. There are definitely moments where you can find humor or sweetness but that’s isn’t the tone of the overall story. This is still definitely a romance but I would not consider it to be a rom-com.

This is something for readers who like Emily Henry’s books and the Addicted Series by the Krista and Becca Ritchie. I say that because the story is more than just the romance it’s the character’s individual problems and challenges they’re facing that are just as important in the book.

I really loved this story and it’s one of my favorites of the year so far.

Parts of How to Fake it in Hollywood were a five-star book (especially the end), and parts of it were a two-star book. I've settled at 3 because although I like the author's writing style and the premise of the book, it just didn't seem to hit home for me and was much more serious of a book than expected (I expected a fun rom-com going in).

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for allowing me access to this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was a whole bunch of -OK-. Not bad, not great, just a competent s'alright. I was lured by the cute cover, expecting "Cute, Fluffy, Shenanigans-filled F U N." Or some silly, still shenanigans-filled drama. And uhhhh, was not expecting actually serious stuff. Which, again, isn't bad--but I was never grabbed by the throat till about 90% in. In fact, it took me awhile to get myself to complete it--I wanted to see it through to the end out of obligation and curiosity, but I was never hooked. Which is a bummer.

The writing style is cute and it conveyed characterization pretty well. Hell, I liked Grey and Ethan as characters just fine--they were plenty likable without it feeling forced. And their platonic chemistry was charming. One of my favorite moments was when Ethan was dicking around on his guitar and Grey makes a show like she's gonna blow his mind with her awesome playing before just letting out that loud ass strum--I felt that, that shit was dang cute lol. Beyond that though, I never quite bought into their romance. Their continual "20 questions" style of getting to know each other (when they were prepping for that Vanity Fair interview) did feel like a contrived way to get them to bond. There was a real lack of moments between them when they could just do a thing and let the moment speak for itself. The two them eating breakfast for dinner in bed while watching Ethan's early film was another cute scene between them--but again, it's a more platonic one! I feel like there was a real lack of overall passion between them. When they finally had sex, even though getting their was an intentional "yo, lets just do it and get it over with" "yeah ok cool," when they got down to it, I can tell there was supposed to be a transition from "this is just sex" to "oh no this is real," but I never resonated with that emotional shift. I was just like, ":/ kay, they're fuckin' now. cool."

One thing I really appreciated though was how strongly the characters communicated with one another. It's almost as if a trend has recently sprung up where miscommunication is a conflict that readers suddenly like now (*COUGH COUGH*) and I can imagine Wilder was like, "NO. No, no, no, no. Not in this house," LMAO! So instead our conflict is Grey not at all benefiting from this Fake Dating and Ethan having I S S U E S. And these conflicts are threaded and progressed well enough into the overarching plotline. Like, this book is pretty well structured. Also, I'm very thankful that this is in 3rd person past POV. I feel like I don't see those as much these days, and that's a shame because it is clearly the superior form of storytelling lol (but, no I truly mean that).

However, I think the actual prose just dragged on and on. There was not enough dialogue to break up the tedious narration of shit I felt was superfluous. There was a time where the narrator went on and on about Grey's relationship with her mom and brother, which she ended up relaying more or less the same info at Ethan later on. Or we're told about Grey reconnected with Mia and them going shopping together through blocks of text where I'd rather read the actual scene itself or just don't include it at all. All these things that happened outside of our view that barely amounts to anything is really boring to read about--especially if it's dragged on for multiple paragraphs.

To leave this on a brighter note: I LOVED the scene where Grey and Ethan both furiously masturbated out of spite while being within earshot of each other. I laughed my ass off, it was the funniest shit lol 10/10 that's the kind of petty shenanigans-y shit I signed up for--gimme more of that please lol~

I'd love to read Wilder's next book someday. Thanks for granting me this ARC. Video review will be released within the June/July timeframe. (If I'm able, I'll edit this review to include a link to the video when it's finished)

If you’re like me and judged this book by its cover then be ready to be disappointed. What I thought would be a palate cleanser summer romance quickly proved me wrong. This book was full of strong female characters and explored some deeper subject matter than I was expecting it to. At about the 75% mark I thought okay, the couple appears happy for now so what are we doing for the rest of these pages? I’m so glad to finally have been able to read a story like this, one of the few that doesn’t just stick the main characters together without forcing anyone to acknowledge their shortcomings. Not to mention, the main character Grey is a full person in a way I didn’t expect her to be. The story leads you to believe initially that she’s just an out of work Actor coming off of a CW type series but the more you learn about her the more you can’t help but love and respect her.

For me, this was a 4 star read. I’d recommend it for fans of It Ends With Us and The Love Hypothesis

Whoa! What a ride. It was very fast-paced. The writing style kept me hooked and I didn't find myself losing any interest. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and how real the story felt. The author did a great job painting the setting, so it was easy for me to visualize the scene played out before me. I recommend giving this one a chance!

When I pick up a new book, I want to read something that is going to make me think and make me feel. I want strong character arcs that bring depth and growth throughout. How To Fake It In Hollywood could have easily been a surface level story about two actors fake dating to get ahead in their careers, but thank goodness it wasn't. This book is full of emotion, steam, and struggles. The characters felt incredibly real and even though they were messy and a bit broken, I wanted them to find their happily ever after.

How to Fake It in Hollywood is a slow burn, steamy fake dating, age-gap romance. It follows actress Grey, who is completely lost in her career after her last show ended. After her publicist suggests a fabricated relationship with her pre-teen crush, Ethan Atkins, who has been near reclusive after the death of his best friend five years ago. The pair keep to their contractual obligations to benefit their perspective careers, but when the forced proximity leads to sparks flying, Grey and Ethan must decide if their feelings are true or if it's just something to keep them busy until their next big break comes along.

I cannot begin to articulate just how much I loved this book. How to Fake It in Hollywood was raw, emotional, and steamy. I loved every trope and the slow burn sexual tension between the pair was incredibly well done. Their first few interactions adorably awkward as the two fight their attraction and try to find their footing in the new reality they share. Both feel as though there is an imbalance of power and they are paranoid of each others' intentions, which leaves them slow to trust. Yet once they let their guards down, the book is full of tender, emotional moments full of true vulnerability.

Ethan was an absolute mess for most of the book, yet my heart continued to break for him. He's been wallowing in his grief for the past five years, depending on alcohol to numb the pain. He has heavy demons to fight and lacks the confidence to pull himself out of his destructive ways. His recent divorce has left him feeling broken and he's unsure of what his path forward should be when it comes to his career. When he meets Grey, he's terrified of his feelings for her.

Grey was an amazing heroine. Strong-willed and gritty, Grey wants to be seen as an equal in the business and strives to push for more with her work ethic. Grey is the perfect match for Ethan, even though he fights their chemistry at every turn. She calls him out on his shit and is unafraid to rock the boat to help Ethan to become a better version of himself. I loved how she didn't try to "fix" Ethan, but rather wanted to support his struggles so the true Ethan, the one buried underneath the pain, can emerge.

How to Fake It in Hollywood is a phenomenal debut novel full of heart. I loved the pacing of the story, especially how unconventional the last 30% of the book was. Unafraid to delve into heavy topics, the book broaches grief, alcoholism, and toxic familial relationships with care. Do not sleep on this book!

I’m pleasantly surprised with this book.

It had a lot of depth, and it was so well-written. I was surprised it was a debut!

I found the “behind-the-scenes” vibes so entertaining.

My only gripe with the book is that I feel like it’s being marketed as a rom-com. I think that’s incorrect.

This book gave me Walk the Line movie vibes. Is it about a romance? Sure. But it’s also about fame, grief, and alcoholism. The cover is cute, but I think a cover with a moodier, darker tone would’ve done more justice to it and maybe reach the right audience.
Just my opinion.

Anyways, I will definitely read another book by this author. It was so good!

Thanks to net galley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Adult romance, mild spicy, moderate issues, perhaps unrealistic resolution. Not a bad book but also not my favorite.

This book was so cute!! The characters were really well developed, and the story came together really nicely. While I would’ve loved to have more focus on the female main character’s struggles, it’s a 5 star for me and definitely one I’ll be rereading in the future

I did a bad thing. I went on a NetGalley request spree and ended up with a mountain of ARCs to read. There's a silver lining, though - I found an absolute gem of a summer romance in How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The story starts how you would expect: Grey is an upcoming actor who recently finished a decades-long run in a successful teen drama and is looking to take her career to the next level. Her agent pitches a long-shot idea: a fake relationship with Ethan, a reclusive A-list star who needs to clean up his reputation.

The story follows the plot lines you would expect from a typical fake-relationship romance: fake dates, forced proximity, arranged paparazzi photos, and a faux-romantic getaway to Palm Springs. Everything follows the typical blueprint, but there is an undercurrent of raw emotional connection between these two characters that I couldn’t get enough of. So much so, that I’m not even sure I would put this in the typical romance category. The story touches on many difficult topics, from emotional trauma to guilt, deep grief, and addiction.

That's not to say that this story is all doom and gloom! The writing is spectacular and downright hilarious at times. The Hollywood setting adds a bit of glitz and glam, perfect for a summer read.

While there were some things I would have loved to see more of in the pages (emotional healing, reconciliation), I did love this book. It was sweet, spicy, and much more emotionally mature than other romances I’ve read recently.

If you're looking for a funny, steamy, and emotionally raw read this summer, look no further!

What’s your favorite trope when it comes to a fake relationship? Do you love when he falls first? Or are you more of a faking-it-in-public fan?

Many thanks to @NetGalley and @RandomHouse for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#HowtoFakeItinHollywood @avawilderwrites #NetGalley

DNFed it due to the fact that I found the whole dynamic a little toxic and though I could understand Ethan’s pain and all, I just didn’t want to put myself through the remaining half. Grey was okay, if a little inconsistent at times. But like I said, I didn’t finish it so maybe the later half is better. It just wasn’t for me

This was a disappointment. With no chemistry and little development, I just could not become invested in these characters or their relationship.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Good read but not excellent. I did find myself rooting for this couple to make it work. It almost became predictable but not in an overly bad way.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

How to Fake It in Hollywood will give you a fake to real relationship. There's something about people jumping into a fake scenario - whether it's dating, engagement or marriage - that puts a smile on my face. Mostly because it never ends up being truly fake.

In this, you will meet Grey and Ethan. She's been a star since a kid, but her career is in a current slump. She's constantly looking for a life-changing role, but she ends up losing to another actor or actress. So, she can only hope for the best when she agrees to a fake dating scheme proposed by her publicist.

Enter Ethan. Now he's a hot freaking mess. After his divorce, he barely sees his kids and barely does anything else with his life. If he's not drinking, or grieving, then he's usually tied up in his bat cave at home doing absolutely nothing. He could be working on his movie script but instead finds himself at bars drinking away the pain.

Well, until he also ends up agreeing to the fake dating scheme. From the very beginning, I liked these two. He was definitely a smug asshole to her, but Grey didn't take that shit one bit. Which, yes, surprised the heck out of him because he's famous. Well, more famous than her that is. It honestly doesn't take long for feelings and sexual tension to come into play. One could only hope for things to go a bit further when they are on a date-cation.

Long story short, lots of drama unfolds between them and everything else. At one point, I was really frustrated with what was going on because Ethan clearly needs help. Yet, everyone just kind of carries on with their life until he finally decides to do it himself. Which took freaking forever in my opinion.

In the end, they made up and it made me happy. I sort of wanted more groveling, but I can't be mad at the overall outcome. Definitely happy that I got the chance to dive into this and can totally see it becoming a movie one day. Whether it's on Hallmark or in theaters.