Dash and Davis are Hollywood’s on screen it couple, but off screen? They can’t stand each other. When a prank goes wrong, the two discover they are legally married. They agree to move production of their movie to Reno - home of six-week divorces. However, six weeks can also be long enough to fall in love.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, but historical fiction is iffy for me - I loved that this was set in the 1930s! It was a fun twist on an accidental marriage, and I love learning more about the Hollywood scene of the past.

An adorable ode to classic Hollywood and specifically 'It Happened One Night,' this romance hits all the right beats of the romance formula.

As a fan of classic Hollywood movies, I have been so excited for this book! And I have such mixed feelings because there were parts of the book I LOVED, and parts of it I really disliked.

The setting was so fun, and the references to some classic films. But there were also moments that felt removed from the setting, like things were taking place in 2023 and not the 1930s.

But what really tanked the book for me was the entire third act. I hated the conflict, and wish it was handled differently. There could have been way more communication between Dash and Joan, and then when they did actually talk to each other and work through some things, Dash and Joan communicated way too much to the entire world (in my opinion), and the whole thing gave me whiplash. One page they were keeping everything secret and the next page they were literally broadcasting their secrets, And then they never even confronted the woman who was partially the reason this all happened in the first place (not giving her full blame because they are all adults and could have talked to each other). I also think Dash forgave Joan too fast, but that is just my opinion.

Anyway, I settled on 3 stars for this one. Loved some, really didn't love some. I think I'll read more from this author, but this one missed the mark for me a bit.

Dnfing! I even tried it on audio and didn’t like the storyline there either. It felt like an Evelyn Hugo wannabe. I wasn’t engaged by the characters or storyline in print nor audiobook format.

Thanks anyway for the ARC!

Read if you like…
🎞️ Damien Chazelle movies
🎞️ Enemies-to-lovers
🎞️ Screwball comedy

It shouldn’t be a surprise that I LOVE books that take place in the entertainment industry. Historical fiction, romance, nonfiction, it doesn’t matter. Which means I was very excited to read a rom com about 1930s film stars.

It Happened One Fight is one of the most creative books I’ve read this year. It seamlessly blends the feel of an Old Hollywood film with the storytelling we’d expect from a modern rom com, and is truthfully one of the best enemies-to-lovers stories I’ve read this year. Joan and Dash are both characters you want to root for and the tension between them is *chef’s kiss*. Not going to lie, the third-act breakup really hurt, but the resolution to the story was so perfect and really made up for the pain.

I desperately want more books in this universe that Maureen Lee Lenker has created, but honestly I’d settle for reading any novel she writes. Her prose is wonderful and she really nails the Transatlantic cadence of speaking that was so popular at the time without overdoing it or making it feel overdone. I’m really hoping she has more books on the horizon because I will be devouring them.

It Happened One Fight is out now. Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟 3/5 stars

It Happened One Fight is a romcom set in the world of 1930s film. It follows movie star Joan Davis, who longs to be known for her talent and not her chemistry with actor Dash Howard. Joan and Dash have a tumultuous history and do not get along. However, when one of Dash’s pranks ends with them accidentally married, they must work together one last time to make the scandal go away. What will happen when the two start to grow closer?

This was a cute story with a fun and different setting. I wish I was a tad more invested in the romance, but I think my expectations were a bit high given my obsession with classic films and movie stars. Fun idea, cute execution.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It Happened One Fight by Maureen Lee Lenker is a debut novel and a different take on a romance. It's set in the 1930s Hollywood glam. I loved the trope of fake marriage and enemies to lovers with Joan and Dash. I just imagined Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton while reading this book. It makes you think about how the times were for actors during that period and how much things have changed...or have they? Overall a good read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Uma ótima dica para os fãs de Evelyn Hugo, visto os bastidores do cinema na década de 30 é o fundo da história. Joan e Dash possuem uma ótima química, e provavelmente todo mundo sempre querem os dois estrelando romances juntos. Nos bastidores, os dois possuem um ótimo desenvolvimento individual também. Só não curti o motivo do conflito, que foi o auge da falta de confiança ao mesmo tempo confiança cega em outra pessoa.

I loved the unique 1930s old Hollywood setting of this book. It felt very different from any other historical romance I've read before.

It was a fun and entertaining take on the fake marriage and enemies to lovers tropes.

It Happened One Fight was a delightfully charming read and a promising debut.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Glamorous, enjoyable, and a tad spicy! It came across as a historical romance written in the style of a modern rom-com and I adored that!

This book is not bad, it’s cute and the fake marriage with hate to love is cute and funny, but I’m a bit disappointed by this book. I wanted more atmosphere, more Old Hollywood vibes. God, I expected something like “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”, strong and deep and passionate, but this book is not. It’s just cute and has funny banter, but I don’t think this is for me.
However I’m curious to read more about this writer, because I think she has a lot potential!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

This was a dnf for me, I just couldn't get into the story unfortunately. I didn't like the characters either.

I was unsure I would enjoy a rom-com set so far in the past, but I really loved this! It reads different than a typical rom com because of the time period, but the accidental marriage trope was so fun!

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This was a really fun and unique read as it takes place in the 1930’s and sees characters from the Old Hollywood days. It was a great fake marriage/ enemies to lovers tale with some decent spice and hijinks mixed it. I very much enjoyed how the author set the tone and scene of the story in the past but made it relatable/modern in how you read it.

I'm a huge fan of Golden Age Hollywood movies so I was really excited going into this book. I loved the accidental marriage plot and the sexual tension between Joan and Dash. Their chemistry was so obvious on and off the screen. The back half of the book was a bit of a disappointment as I really disliked the blackmail plot and how easily swayed Joan was. She also made major life decisions for the both of them with no communication. I know that she was self-sacrificing but it just really irked me.

Overall, I enjoyed this one but not as much as I was hoping to. I love that the author used inspiration from many old movies including It Happened One Night. Reading this book made me want to have a black and white movie night.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for allowing me access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m so conflicted. This felt way too modern to be set in the thirties. If I’m going to read a book set in a different time period, I prefer it to be more like that time period. Also not a fan of the awful third act break up. The cover doesn’t really reflect how I pictured the characters, honestly. And personally I wished it was closed door the entire time so I didn’t have to skip a bunch of pages.

A little slow, but an overall fun and easy read!

I loved the Old Hollywood setting (with lots of fun time-appropriate references!), which made this a really unique romance, but for me the plot was a little heavy on miscommunication which made it drag.

This hit all the right notes & reminded me of the movies & people of Hollywood’s golden age. I loved how sex positive this book was but still aware of how sex was seen back in that time period.

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting read . I found that I was able to read quickly and enjoyed the pacing and premise of the book. I would recommend to others.

I wanted to love this one but I found myself skimming large sections. It felt very clunky and I never felt like we really got to see the main characters connect/establish feelings.
Something just didn’t click for me