I enjoyed her first book, How To Fake It In Hollywood, so I was excited to get my hands on this one. If you like enemies to lovers with spice and lots of banter, this book is for you. It was well written but I found myself a little frustrated with their lack of communication at times. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Will They or Won’t they is my second book from Ava Wilder and I must say she is getting better by the book. This second-chance, enemies-to-lovers book is full of tension that could cut through the pages (in a very good way). The book goes back and forth over several years, which allows for the characters to develop beautifully and gives the reader more insight into their past and their unquestionable chemistry. Mrs. Wilder checks all of the boxes that I look for in a romance and I am excited for more from her.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC. I highly recommend.

AVA WILDER, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN! How to Fake it in Hollywood was one of my favorite reads of 2022, so I had high hopes for Will They or Won't They—those hopes were met, and then some! I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It was one that I could have run through in a day or two, but I tried my best to stretch it out because I just didn't want it to end. I loved following Lilah and Shane's character arcs and really enjoyed the flashbacks to their first go-around.

I did not love this one.

The story, the characters, and the timeline all felt so disorganized. There were a few chapters where I struggled to catch on to whose POV and what point in time I was reading. Also, the MCs were pretty unlikeable. There were good, sweet moments that redeemed it overall but this isn’t one I’d recommend.

Having read and loved How to Fake it In Hollywood, I was excited to receive an e-arc of this one!

It focuses on Lilah and Shane, actors who found fame as a couple on a hit TV show. Lilah left a few seasons in, exploring other acting opportunities which did not do well, and is now back for the show’s final season. Their real life, tumultuous past relationship is affecting their onscreen performances, and as they work to move past it, find that those feelings never really went away.

While I enjoyed this story, the chemistry between Shane and Lilah just wasn’t quite there for me. I appreciated the complexity of their relationship and loved the anxiety representation, but I just wasn’t as invested as I was with Grey and Ethan’s story.

Overall, I’d still recommend this book for those who want an angsty, lovers to rivals to lovers, celebrity romance.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the E-ARC!

This is officially the newest addition to my favorite romances list – I absolutely adored it!

Will They or Won't They follows Lilah and Shane, the actors of the two lead characters of the extremely popular paranormal show: Intangible. Fans avidly ship their characters, Kate and Harrison, but have no clue how complex and tumultuous the history is between the actors behind their favs.

So complicated that Lilah stunned viewers all across the country when she left the show after season 5 to pursue other projects. One failed movie later, she's back at Intangible to film the ninth and final season where fans hope their OTP will finally come together... the only issue is that she has to confront the main reason she left in the first place: Shane.

After their secret fling "imploded" after filming season 1, Lilah and Shane have loathed each other. However, this final filming season may just be a second chance in more ways than one...

Okay, first off, I'm OBSESSED with Lilah and Shane. And when I say that, I mean I'm obsessed with them individually first – something that cannot always be said for the leads in romance books. Wilder really excels in the care and attention she directed towards developing both Lilah and Shane as people separately through dual POVs and carefully incorporated insight before developing their relationship together. I feel like I know both of them, and I'm able to care for them that much more as a result.

I also really appreciate how easily I could link the insight I got into each of them individually to how their relationship unfolded in the past and how it's unfolding in the present. The dual nature of the timeline allows us to see these characters at two different stages of their life, and the growth they experienced in between is extremely evident. Those personal facets and aspects of their characters very obviously informed the nature of their relationship and its associated conflicts, making them come across as incredibly tangible, authentic, and natural.

The depiction of Lilah's anxiety was really well done as well, and I appreciated how it was handled and how it was involved in the story to begin with. I also really enjoyed the portrayals of an intimacy coordinator on their set, the couples counselor they saw to work through the tension in their professional relationship, and the mentions of therapy interspersed throughout the novel. All of that made me happy.

As for the whole premise of the story: I LOVED IT. The whole co-stars-that-play-love-interests-but-hate-each-other is exactly up my alley and it was done so so so well. All the frustration, the misunderstandings, and the complexity of their emotions was executed wonderfully by Wilder, and I could feel every inch of that tension from beginning to end. I also love that it's second chance and there was that extra layer of past history between them – the dual timeline aspect of this story isn't too big of a focus but I personally feel like it was done very well.

It sounds strange to say, but I really enjoyed that the celebrity aspect of this "celebrity romance" was actually emphasized. Often times the career/location/not sure what to call it remains in the "backdrop" of the story and doesn't really play all too much of a role, but in this novel, the TV show and their roles as actors are front and center. I loved every single scene relating to them filming for the show, the promo, etcetera. It just made the story feel even more real and also it was just so entertaining! I loved that both of them were independently going through internal conflict regarding what they're going to do after Intangible ends and their identities as actors – again, it just made them feel even more real to me.

This book is also just... funny. It made me laugh multiple times. Lilah and Shane's banter is So Good. And the tension between them... ugh it's perfect.

Really the only issue I had with the story was that I felt like there was so much build-up towards them finally "getting together" that I felt a bit disappointed and unsatisfied by the way it ultimately unfolded. I feel like it didn't quite fulfill the anticipation it had accumulated.

That being said, this is a fantastic romance and checks literally every box. I highly recommend picking it up when it comes out this June because it's not one to miss!

WOW i loved this book. Ever since I read How to Fake it in Hollywood, I have been waiting for Ava Wilders next book. And boy was I not disappointed.
Shane and Lilah gave tension, heartbreak, chemistry, and just heartwarming love.
Lilah and Shane were two actors on a very popular show and just like their characters began to develop real feelings for each other. They shared a secret relationship until that was destroyed and both hated the other. Then after ten years Lilah is back for their final season and we see that things are still very raw between the two.
Their second chance romance was so well done because you could tell how they loved each other at the start of their relationship but needed time apart to grow as individuals. And even though they started off bickering like crazy you could tell it was just so they could be around the other person.
Everything between them felt so genuine and just UGH PRECIOUS!!! I just kept yelling at them to stop fighting and kiss already. Overall, I LOVE THEM AND AVA WILDER.

thank you to netgalley and random house publishing for the ARC.

What a fun read! I was pleasantly surprised when I received an ARC of this book, and I started it almost immediately after it hit my inbox. Whether or not you enjoyed Ava Wilder’s debut novel, I would highly encourage you to grab this one!

Lilah and Shane are messy and complicated, but you can see why they are drawn to each other despite their hatred for one another. When they are thrown back together after not seeing each other for three years, sparks (good and bad) immediately begin to fly. The tension in their relationship leads to some 5 star banter, which evolves from them hurling clever insults at one another to flirty one-liners. But even at the lowest point in their relationship, they never stopped caring for one another (even if they say so)- their hostility was driven by how hurt they had been.

Lilah and Shane were relatable despite their celebrity, and their flaws just made me love them more. I loved that the author let us see through flashbacks how they first fell in love and gave us insight into their lives before they were famous. I feel like seeing how they both grew up helped me understand them better as adults, the decisions they made, and the reactions they had to certain situations.

I loved that the timeline of this book wasn’t rushed- it takes place over months, not weeks, which I think was important in showing how much they had to work on their relationship to get to a point where they could potentially trust each other again. They are forced to tackle what drove them apart 9 years ago after their initial year long romance and years of miscommunication.


I loved this book y’all. I did not want to put it down, and I couldn’t get enough of Shane and Lilah’s relationship- I really would have been happy to read about it forever. If you like lovers to enemies to friends to lovers, celebrity romance, and a bit of a slow burn, make sure you pre-order this one today! You won’t be sorry!

Thank you to netgalley and ballentine for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this but it has confirmed that I just am not a fan of celebrity love stories. I was very excited for the second chance, enemies to lovers tropes but I could not finish this book. I became disinterested pretty early on and once they get to the mostly nude photoshoot, I was done. I never wanted to pick it up and I do not care about the characters or what happens to them. Also, I am very confused about the show that they are on and why a nude photoshoot of the actors was the right move. It felt like a way to get the characters naked and together rather than something that would actually happen in the story. Anyways, I will rate this a two as I did not finish but did not mind the writing itself.

This was a pretty good celebrity romance I’ve read. It was cute and sweet. It wasn’t anything memorable but it was definitely a quick read and I enjoyed the story line.

*ARC Review*

3.5 stars

Will They or Won't They is a celebrity enemies to lovers romance. We first read about our main characters in a flashback where they meet for the first time in the audition room of the show that changes their careers. There is clear chemistry from the beginning.

We see them years later and the tension is REAL. Lilah, the female character is coming back to the hit show after three seasons away. She is coming off of a flop of a movie and HATES Shane, the male character. There is so much bitterness, resentment, and loathing that they are forced to go to couples counseling.

Eventually they start to work out their stuff and uncover feelings of longing after years apart. It seems that these characters are all in, either hating or loving, as the two were only really affectionate with each other in the last 20% of the book.

I had trouble understanding the main characters beyond what their love interest saw in them. Shane was written to be charming and funny to the outside world (so much so that he was the guest host on a comedy sketch show), but I don't think we ever saw this as the reader. I liked Shane but we really only go to see him and Lilah fight. I wish we got to see more of how he was with other people.

I enjoyed the story but found some of the plot points to be a bit confusing or incomplete. It was a quick read but I had to reread pages multiple times to try and figure out what was happening.

Without a doubt, Will They or Won't They is one of the best celebrity romances I've ever read!

It's evident that when Ava Wilder chose this trope for her next release, she fully committed, never once shying away from every aspect of being in the entertainment industry - the filming, the interviews, the lavish events, the public scrutiny. From the start, this second-chance romance was captivating, full of witty banter and sizzling tension.

Rating: 4.5 stars

When Lilah and Shane met at an audition for an upcoming TV show, neither could have predicted how entangled their lives would become over the next decade. Despite the romance between their characters being beloved, their relationship behind the scenes couldn't be more opposite. And now that Lilah has returned to the set that initially brought them together, ignoring their chemistry becomes impossible as they are forced to unearth the pain and misunderstandings that wrecked them once before. But the question remains: can they salvage something, or has too much damage already been done?

There was a real art to the way Wilder structured this story. Never once was I bored or frustrated by the pacing; her ability to write engaging dialogue between two characters that were very flawed and angry beyond skillful. I can't say enough good things about the fun I had getting to see Lilah and Shane fell in love again. Though I gave it my best effort, there's no way I did this book justice with this review. There wasn't a false note to be found. If you've ever shipped two actors because the sparks flying between them could be felt through the screen (don't lie, we've all done it), you'll want to read this one!

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House and Ava Wilder for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fine, a good vacation read, but at the end of the day nothing very memorable. I was able to read it in one sitting while at the beach, and that helped me get through it so fast. It was another plot based around the lack of communication of the two main characters, that one conversation would have solved. Overall, a fun quick read.

This book was absolutely adorable and I highly recommend it, as it is the romcom that you have been craving! I couldn't put it down, and I enjoyed every minute I spent with these characters!

I was so excited to get this ARC because I absolutely loved "How to Fake it in Hollywood” and I am a sucker for celebrity romances. I really wanted to like this book, but I had so many problems with the relationship that I am left feeling conflicted. However, I did enjoy the writing, plot, and Hollywood aspects.

This novel claims to be a second chance romance with 10 years of history between Shane and Lilah. They are starring in the same show again after not working together in years and having a huge romantic falling out. They cannot stand to even be in the same room and are supposed to resume playing the main love interests in a TV drama. No one knows that they used to have a private “relationship” and they are desperate to keep it that way, despite it being painfully obvious that something dramatic happened between them.

I really hate disliking female main characters because it feels misogynistic, but Lilah is the sole reason why their relationship had so many problems. She was constantly belittling Shane’s feelings, having outbursts, and making hurtful comments to him. Yes, Shane said some uncalled for things too, but Lilah was often the instigator (also they are in their 30’s why are we acting this way?). Lilah was also the one who initially broke them up for some stupid reason that made no sense. In her backstory, it was revealed that she has anxiety and attachment issues, but that is not a reason to treat someone who cares for you so poorly.

There were multiple instances when Shane and Lilah were not getting along and Shane would try to reconcile with Lilah in a small way and Lilah would reject him even though she’s the one who should be groveling. I don’t mind reading about flawed characters - I actually love it when I can see self-awareness and a desire to change. But, I did not see that from Lilah and I don’t think she deserves Shane’s unconditional love. Their relationship seemed so toxic to me literally up until the end and the way they just jumped right into a PUBLIC relationship after confessing feelings and barely working through their past issues was crazy to me! I just didn’t believe that they were right for each other.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine for allowing me to read and review this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"She'd been his other half since the day they'd been cast, their bond as unique as a fingerprint and just as much a part of him..."

Will They or Won't They is a wild ride of many emotions. I was constantly anxious for the characters and worrying what would happen to them.

Don't be fooled by the gorgeous pink cover! This is not a very sweet rom-com and honestly, I wouldn't categorize it as a "rom-com".

Lilah and Shane auditioned for the same tv series, a Supernatural-esque show with an Ex Files feel, and begin a secret relationship that goes downhill from the very beginning. Years later, after Lilah leaves the show and comes back for a reunion season, they see each other for the first time and they hate each other. Lilah and Shane come to a personal agreement to play nice with the other and try to finish filming the last season of their beloved show Intangible.

Will They or Won't They is a whirl-wind journey of hatred, bitterness, resentment, lust, and reluctance. It'll keep you guessing and wondering if Lilah and Shane will make it through the final season without butting heads with the other or if their previous sparks will blind them. There is an undeniable attraction between the two, even though they hate the other's guts they can't deny the tension between them.

And oh my goodness, the romance and the tension is spicy and it'll make you sweat.

I really love the complicated relationship between Lilah and Shane. Ava Wilder did a fantastic job writing their complexities and how both characters are at fault for the way they treated each other over the years. I loved reading from both point of views and how broken the relationship was and how they overcome the many hurdles of being in close proximity of the other.

Will They or Won't They will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow along the ups and downs of Lilah and Shane's dysfunctional life in and out of the spotlight. I enjoyed the way Ava Wilder wrote their story, their second chance romance, and their rollercoaster of hardships and forgiveness.

5 stars

Will They or Won't They is one of the better romances novels I have read in a long time. Two of my favorite tropes: second chance, enemies to lovers are center stage here. Lilah and Shane are celebrity TV stars who have a complicated relationship. On screen they are everyone's favorite couple, off screen they hate each other. They had a brief affair in the beginning of their relationship which was mostly physical and are now reunited for the final season of their famous TV show after Lilah left a few years ago to pursue a movie career. I enjoyed their banter and the chemistry is off the charts. I thought Wilder did a fantastic job describing celebrity life and some of the anxiety that accompanies it. I found myself totally invested in this relationship and how it was going to play out. Honestly the only thing I didn't love about this book is its title. I thought it was a well-paced and well-written novel that deserved a more original title. This will be a fantastic beach read for Summer 2023!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for allowing me to read a free digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I found it to be extremely wordy and repetitive, without much dialogue or action. Honestly, very little actually happens in the book. The reasoning for the original break up doesn’t really add up and the female MC isn’t likable at all.

4.75 ★

SCREAMING CRYING BANGING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH 🥹

read if you like ↴
➳ second chance
➳ celebrity romance
➳ dual pov
➳ enemies to lovers
➳ slowburn
➳ spice (2/5 🌶️)

this was a very unexpected 5 star, i’m not a big fan of second chance romances but i absolutely ATE THIS UP.

i loved how the characters were written. dual pov is one of my favorite things ever, i love knowing that the characters that supposedly “hate” each other are instead YEARNING for each other. this author did amazing writing the characters. like i said before, i don’t really like time jump books because i usually favor one time more but that was not the case with this book! i loved every second of it. when i tell you i highlighted over 200 quotes I MEAN IT.

i also loved the anxiety representation. as someone who seriously struggles with it everyday it feels so good to see it represented in a book! 🫶🏻

this book did what funny you should ask thought it was doing 🤭 this is easily my new favorite celebrity romance! highly recommend! definitely buying it when it releases!

release date: june 27th, 2023

thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

If you like reading books about enemies to lovers, as well as, second chance romances- this book is for you. Lilah Shane co starred on a popular show together, while having a secret romance that didn’t end well. When Lilah returns to the show for the final season and has to work with Shane again, can they put their differences aside and work together or will they fall back to old habits?

I enjoyed Ava Wilder’s writings rule- it was my first book by her. One thing that did annoy me: when the book switched back and forth between pov, the chapters weren’t labeled so it took a minute to figure out the POV. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the story!