As much as I thought I was going to love this book, it sadly missed the mark for me. Lilah was so unbearably unlikable that I couldn't stand her for a large portion of the book. This is a second chance romance and honestly, she's the reason the relationship didn't work out in the past. Shane on the other hand was a golden retriever of a man who is just trying to reconcile with his lost love and Lilah is having none of it. Sadly their relationship felt toxic in a way I couldn't get past and it felt like inserted of Shane apologizing, it should have been Lilah.

There's a complexity to relationships that Wilder always explores even if, at first, her narrative feels straightforward. I liked both of the MCs individually and that usually bodes well. I appreciated that we could see their growth as people from when they first met to where we pick up their story in present day, nine years later. I appreciate that they've had other relationships since their initial romance. So, when they finally admit their true feelings for each other, it also makes it far more believable and earned.

I also really loved the on-page therapy between the two and I wish we had gotten more scenes about that. Both of these characters have a lot of baggage from self-confidence to panic attacks and parental issues. I appreciate seeing couples' therapy on paged but also discussion of individual therapy. When second-chance romance works for me, it really works, in particular when character development and growth is happeneing individually and together. The slow burn works here because the stakes feel high.

However, the ending does not sit exactly right. It's weird that they make the choice they do. But for the most part, I liked this.

LOVED LOVED LOVED. I loved Ava Wilder's last book and Will They or Won't They was just as good. MC with exceptional chemistry, a second chance romance, deeper plot themes throughout.. perfect combination. I will continue to read Ava's book because OMG they have me in a chokehold.

This book has been on my Netgalley for a bit and I haven’t picked it up. I haven’t been into romance in a minute, so I’m not the right person to review it anymore.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
A fun Hollywood romance with witty banter, but predictable tropes and shallow character depth make it an average read.

I really, really wanted to like this one. I loved Ava’s first book and this one kinda felt up the same alleyway at first… but it just wasn’t it for me. Shane is amazing, he’s a sweet man who wants nothing but the best - but Lilah… she was something else entirely. I loved the mental health representations thrown in and how anxiety had a big part of the storyline, especially because it’s so evident in today’s society, but having anxiety and treating someone poorly because you’re anxious are two totally separate issues… and I just couldn’t. Shane did all he could to keep Lilah tame but she just wasn’t my cup of tea. While the storyline was meh, the writing style is a better one than most, which is what pushed me to three stars! Thanks so much for the opportunity to read.

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Heather's reviewDec 23, 2024 · edit
liked it

Will They or Won’t They follows two former lovers and co-stars of a popular TV show forced to confront their past relationship. The book dives into the complexities of their past, the unresolved feelings between them, and the chemistry still there despite the years that have passed. It’s a second-chance romance mixed with a behind-the-scenes look at fame.

Tropes included in this book are:
• Workplace romance
• Celebrity romance
• Second-chance romance
• Enemies to loves

While I appreciated the potential, how the story was told didn’t do it justice. I felt the narrative could have been way stronger if it had alternated between past and present timelines. There were a lot of missed opportunities to build more depth into the characters’ past and present struggles. However, this is a fun read if you like the tropes.

Ava Wilder has done it again!!! This book completely rewired my brain. I downed it in a sitting and immediately wanted to read it again. I love love love this, and love love love Wilder's work. Can't wait for the next!

ava wilder ? the writer I love and praise where she writes because its just amazing and I can't stop thinking about them weeks later. give them to me

I am normally not a huge second chance fan but wow this one has my entire heart. I loved the way the story was told and I really had to keep asking "will they or wont they"? I loved these characters and the complexities in their story.

Overall, I enjoyed Will They or Won't They. The characters were fun and likeable. I enjoyed the angst and storyline. It did get a little long winded in spots but I loved the do it for yourself ending.

4.25⭐
PG-13🌶️

I needed famous people problems romance to ignore the world this week and this book delivered escapism in droves.

I did not finish this book because I was just too busy at the time to finish. Open to giving it another try!

Oh my goodness this book was the cutest!! I seriously loved it from start to finish. It was adorable, funny, and completely swoon worthy! Loved!

This is the second book I‘ve read by this author and sadly I didn’t really like either.
My book tastes especially in romances did change a lot and I am not saying the books are bad but they are just not for me.
It pretty much felt like a 3 star book from the beginning which made it even more difficult for me to stay focused all the way through.
I‘m sure so many people will love this book but it just wasn‘t for me

Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and I really enjoyed this book. Lilah and Shane were two characters that I bought into and I really liked the Hollywood aspect of the book.

Reminded me very much of The Reunion by Kayla Olson! I heard amazing things about How To Fake it in Hollywood, so I was excited for this approval. A great second book, lots of charm + attitude, perfect balance. I always love a good enemies-to-lovers.

Thanks NetGalley for the copy!

I'm sorry I didn't post my review for this sooner! It was one of my favorite summer Romances last year and I still think about it and like to recommend it to Romance readers. It's a staple for good writing, good banter, original plot, pining, fun characters and a world that proves to be more than you would expext when you hear red carpets and actors. The angst, slow burn, hidden feelings and passion had me in a chockehold. The trailer scene at the end just about undid me. Lilah and Shane have a connection that has the pages crackling from the getgo and leave you squirmy and breathless. Adored it, I wish I couls read it for the first time again I miss this type of Romance.

3.5 stars! I enjoyed this one, but if I am being honest it was not one of my absolute favorite romances. Still a very cute and quick read! Read if you like:
-Witty Banter
-Second Chance Romance
-Enemies to Lovers
-Flawed Characters
-Angst

Oooh! This was my first time reading a book by this author, but I have now added the other books to my TBR. I loved the tension and mysterious backstory behind the characters. I enjoyed the flashbacks and not having a linear timeline throughout the story. I thought the relationship was steamy and the characters learned a lot about themselves. Overall, a great romance read!