A superb rom-com that delivered all the necessary ‘feels’ but so much more. Once again, our authors are exploring heavier topics normally avoided in rom coms, until recently. Exposing everyday issues that most readers experience in the course of their own lives. In this case it’s substance abuse and grief.

Ethan Atkins was an A-lister, mega-star who recently became somewhat of a recluse since the death of his friend, followed by his very public divorce.

Grey Brooks is a former child TV star who is looking to shake free of the younger roles that have no depth. Desperate to avoid being type-cast for the rest of her career.

In a text-book Hollywood P.R. stunt, their publicists concoct a plan to hook the two up in a “fake relationship” guaranteed to light up the Hollywood gossip ghouls! So…are they actually good enough actors to tolerate each other long enough to pull this thing off? Their careers may depend on it.

This rom-com delivered in a big way! The chemistry between the characters was sizzling! And the difficult topics were dealt with in a serious, respectful manner and not just a passing thought.

Grey and Ethan both need to revitalize their careers. Grey is young and beautiful, but by Hollywood standards, she's getting old. She needs to break out of the teen drama role that she held for so long. Ethan retreated from the limelight following the death of his best friend and writing partner that set him on a path of self-destruction. Both are eager to move on in their careers so they enter an agreement to stage a relationship. Of course it doesn't take long for them to actually fall for each other, but they each have a lot to work on personally if they're ever going to make it in the real world.

How to Fake it in Hollywood was a great twist on a fake-dating trope, where we got to see our protagonists get together closer to the start of the book and work through trouble in their relationship and how to take that into the real life. I wish we saw more of this in other fake dating novels. Grey & Ethan begin to fake date, as set up by their publicists, to revive careers for different reasons - and what starts fake becomes real. Ethan and Grey have to overcome tabloids/paparazzi, addiction, baggage, etc. to get to where they want to be. Would definitely recommend to friends.

I enjoyed this emotional and gripping story. Wilder infused Grey and Ethan with so much depth, and this one had a hard-earned and satisfying HEA. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and romances with slightly heavier themes.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell and NetGalley, and the author for this ARC.

How to Fake it in Hollywood. A story where an A-List reclusive actor enters into a fake dating PR scheme with an up and coming younger actress. A story I had a really challenging time with.

The further I get away from this, the less favorably I feel towards it. I love the premise, but the execution and the way the plot unfolded was not for me. Usually, I’m all for the inclusion of heavier topics and situations in books, especially romance books. But this was a bit too much for me. By the end, I didn’t want them to get together. I thought they would be better apart.

3 stars.

Such a wonderful book. I HATE that I waited so long to read it! Dealt with so many real issues, and shows realistic responses to them rather than silly responses. Miscommunications lead to many problems, which are hit in the story, and it works. One thing that was very unrealistic was that both characters without work is not plausible in this day and age, but makes sense in the story. It was also steam in all the right places. Some of the trigger warnings include drug use, alcoholism, and some masculinity, but the plot itself was phenomenal. I loved the book!

This is a very cute and fun romance book. I enjoyed the banter and love between the main characters.

NOT A ROMCOM- darker deeper then the light hearted book I expected. Definitely check the trigger warnings. for me the book dragged towards the end then spiraled and I'm still confused. not for me but I would try another from the author. I enjoyed the writing and the characters but I'm just confused and it wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the angle with the hero's drinking problem and him seeking treatment. I wished there had been more development of this in the last quarter of the book.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s the perfect premise for me, fake dating in Hollywood! I thought the relationship did move a bit fast to be realistic to me but I did love their story arc. I liked that it touched on deeper topics as well.

I really liked it!

Gray is a moderately famous actress who has just finished a series that she had been working on for many years; Ethan is an actor who was very famous years ago, but after the death of his best friend he fell into alcoholism and withdrew from the public eye. Both of their careers are stagnant and with the desire for a comeback, an agent they have in common introduces them and proposes to start a fake relationship to put them in the spotlight of the public and thus, once everyone knows who they are, come back to their respective places and careers.

Gray doesn't trust no one, she's direct and intelligent; Ethan is sullen, depressed and sometimes stupid.

I loved the whole story. I have read few novels that take place in that realm of fame, popularity and Hollywood, but with this one I really felt that the characters were real. Harassment from fans, zero privacy, social pressure, excesses, the idea that everything can be solved with money, the arrogance of those who live these lives, all very well portrayed.

I loved the way the love relationship developed, how one gave in to the other, how the VERY STRONG tension was built until finally made them both succumb to the other. Something remarkable about the author: she knows how to make sexual tension between two characters.

The character development of each one is impeccable. Sometimes I was frustrated by their decisions but if I looked back on their personalities, their past and lifes, I understood that it was the logical action based on their experiences, traumas and fears. I LOVED very much that it was not a "we solve everything with the power of love" novel; the way of showing Ethan's alcoholism was very realistic, Gray and her reaction to that alcoholism, first thinking that "she must heal it" and then accepting that no one can help him more than himself.

There is a lot of drama, a lot of "social media gossip" about them, problems with fame and money, a lot of romance and an excellent evolution of each plot thread.

Highly recommended ♥

thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the arc!!

this was so much more than it marketed itself to be and for that, I loved this book. when a romance is more than just a romance and is full of angst and emotion and makes you both root for and hate the main characters, that’s just the best thing. definitely a new favorite.

This story was not for me the characters got on my nerves which caused me to dislike the majority of this story. This story follows Grey an up and coming actress that’s having trouble getting new jobs. Greys agent comes up with an idea for her to fake date a well known actor . This is when we meet Ethan a slightly older actor who reputation is in tatters after his best friend dies, Ethan finds relief in the bottom of a bottle. We follow the two as fake dating turns into something more.

I really wanted to like this book it has all of my favorite romance tropes but I hated the characters. Ethan got on my nerves from the beginning which just caused me to not care to much about what was happening. I feel like there is an audience for this book and some may enjoy it. I would like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

I wasn’t expecting the depth from the one! I definitely know that romance has depth, I’m just saying this one caught me off guard. I really liked it & would round up to 5 stars. I love celebrity romances and appreciated that the third act breakup was a huge real life issue. My first book by Ava Wilder and I’ll definitely read more! CW: alcoholism & addiction

Man oh man is the male lead a complex and flawed character. Ethan is hard to fall hopelessly in love with but man does he have a redemption arc. As someone who loved an addict and then lost that addict, I worry these books can be triggering but I will say Ava handled this so beautifully. I feel in love with this angsty journey from the get go and would absolutely recommend this to someone who wants a more emotional read!!!

Great story and love that it was not your typical romance story. I would love to read more by this author.

thank you for my advance copy in exchange for a fair review.

Ethan and Grey have very different paths but need each other to to fix their lives

They decide to go public with a fake relationship that they're just too good at being fake at.

The perfect PR stunt of a fake relationship that gives you a little behind the scenes action and ends up turning real.

The characters work so well together

The cover is gorgeous.

I just reviewed How to Fake It in Hollywood by Ava Wilder. #HowtoFakeItinHollywood #NetGalley

This was an amazing and completely engaging. I was invested from the very first chapter. The characters were complex. The plot was original.

I requested this book as a "fun" read, but it quickly turned in to one of my favorite books of the year. I read this one in about 24 hours, that's how entertaining I found it. The first half was silly and light-hearted (publicity stunt/two actors in a fake relationship), and it had more sex scenes than what I usually read, but I think the author wrote them well (not cheesy). The second half gets more serious and deals with alcoholism and toxic partners. I really enjoyed this read.

4/5 stars

When Grey Brooks is desperate to keep her career going her publicist comes up with an idea to fake a relationship with another actor who also needs the publicity, Ethan Atkins. As their relationship grows to the public so does the one behind the scenes.

The characters were my favorite part of this book. I loved the backgrounds and the complexity that was built around them. This isn’t just a feel-good romance book, it had drama and ups and down which i loved.